In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 111

“Is this just hearsay?”

“No, I experienced it firsthand. I lost talent.”

At Yang Euicheol’s words, the reporters’ expressions quickly changed, sensing a big story.

Yang Euicheol observed their reactions and threw a spark onto the laid-out gasoline.

“But you know, doesn’t this news feel familiar?”

“…….”

“Since , Han Saena has been known for her connections. She gathered actors she was close to for the project and even inserted a trainee from her own company who hadn’t even debuted yet.”

The reporters immediately began to buzz.

“Are you talking about that Kim Kkotbyeol or whatever her name is?”

“Isn’t that actress also someone Han Saena brought from an audition when she was a minor?”

Yang Euicheol added, raising his voice.

“Her appearance on was for the same purpose: to establish the Han Saena line.”

“Han Saena line?”

“What do you think an actress with no entertainment industry experience will do after creating her own line and making them dependent on her? Unfair contracts, forced appearances. It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

The reporters each wore strange expressions.

The reporter sitting across from him smiled, as if he now understood Yang Euicheol’s intentions.

“In such a serious matter, Han Saena’s explanation would be necessary.”

Hearing that, Yang Euicheol raised the corners of his mouth as if it were the correct answer and refilled his glass.

* * *

SCBS Studio.

“I think it’s the same in every field. An acting mentor can’t just teach acting. Mentality and attitude come first.”

While the mentees were out on set, the mentors’ individual interviews were being conducted.

Because the public’s reaction was enthusiastic, I received the most questions about the individual assignment I had given to Do Changhyun.

The production team asked the next question.

“What kind of actor do you think Do Changhyun is?”

I paused for a moment to think about the question.

What kind of actor will Do Changhyun grow into in this life?

What kind of person will he become…?

I couldn’t be sure of anything yet.

But at least, he’s becoming more and more resilient and strong.

These moments will hold him back whenever Do Changhyun goes down the wrong path in the future.

I wanted to believe that.

I smiled slightly and answered the question.

“He will become an actor who is constantly changing. Even though he may be soft-hearted, he is a friend who sincerely loves acting.”

With these words, the production team gave the okay sign.

It meant the interview was over.

I exchanged greetings with the production team and stood up from my seat…

“Saena, talk to me for a moment.”

Senior Park Seokjin, who suddenly appeared from behind, called out to me in a serious voice.

Surprised, I looked at my senior, who quietly gestured for me to follow him.

“…?”

I followed my senior to a small corner of the studio hallway.

My senior asked in a subdued voice.

“What are you going to do?”

“…Pardon?”

“About Do Changhyun. Don’t tell me… you haven’t heard the news?”

“……Yes?”

Following my senior’s expression, my brow furrowed on its own.

Do Changhyun, what is this all about?

“What about Changhyun?”

My senior wiped his face with a ‘goodness’ expression.

“There’s a rumor going around among reporters right now that Saena stole Do Changhyun from AK [a talent agency].”

“Pardon??”

For a moment, I felt like my heart had stopped.

“How can you not know this news yet? Saena, did you tell Do Changhyun to come to your company?”

“No, no. I never said anything like that….”

“Then it’s even worse.”

“…….”

I had no idea what he was talking about and stared blankly at my senior.

“You need to be clear about your actions. Especially in matters involving the company, ambiguous advice is dangerous.”

“Ah.”

“Do one of two things: either take him or don’t pay attention to him at all.”

My senior presented me with two options.

How urgent must the situation look to others for him to come all the way here to tell me, even though we’re not close?

My head spun.

“It’s AK, of all places. How ruthless are they there. You need to make a statement quickly.”

Statement.

I repeated my senior’s words in my mind.

At that moment, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Startled, I took out my phone and saw that it was a call from Minyoung unnie [older sister or close female friend].

Senior Park Seokjin seemed to have read the situation and patted me on the shoulder before leaving.

I slowly answered the phone.

-Saena, come to the company quickly. It’s urgent.

Unnie’s voice faded further and further away in my ear, buzzing.

* * *

Bareum Entertainment Office.

“Judging by your expression, you’ve heard. What’s up with Do Changhyun?”

“…….”

“Han Saena!”

As I stood there blankly without any expression, Unnie shook my shoulders.

Startled, I looked at Unnie.

“Saena, I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry and tell me, what happened?”

“…Yang Euicheol from AK has been persistently contacting Do Changhyun.”

I bit my lip tightly.

“Yang Euicheol himself?”

“Yes. He told Do Changhyun not to tell me about the contract talks.”

“Ha. Shady, shady.”

Unnie’s expression soured.

“The tactics are the same, what. He buys them food and acts friendly, then growls when other companies are mentioned, threatening them for not having business ethics.”

“Is it still the 1980s? Using such outdated tactics, how thick-skinned can you be.”

“It’s a tactic that works well on rookie actors. But it works too well… that’s the problem.”

Unnie sighed deeply after hearing my words.

“Yeah, even a passing pebble is scary to a rookie’s heart.”

Unnie swept her hair back.

“Anyway, we’re in a hurry. We need to make a statement that we didn’t try to poach him. I’ll contact other companies to send Do Changhyun to.”

Minyoung Unnie’s hands became hurried as she sat down at her desk.

Why did things turn out this way?

I still didn’t quite understand.

Looking at Unnie, I said softly.

“I’m sorry, Unnie.”

“What are you sorry for? It’s something we did to save one kid. If we push our disciple to go to Yang Euicheol, would that be human?”

“……Cough.”

Unnie’s words, which she poured out honestly, made me burst out laughing out of nowhere.

“…Are you out of your mind?”

Unnie stared at me with wide eyes.

“It’s just, I felt like my limbs were stiffening just hearing the ‘Yang’ in Yang Euicheol’s name. It’s a little better when I’m with Unnie.”

“Ugh, I can’t live my life to the fullest because of you. If we can’t stop this, let’s just leave Korea.”

“Yes….”

* * *

Evening, with the sun setting behind the building.

I sat side by side with Do Changhyun on a bench in front of the B Actors dorm.

“Don’t worry.”

I tried to soothe Do Changhyun, whose face was pale, in a calm voice.

“Yang Team Leader told me scary things…. From gossiping about the mentor to saying that if a rookie actor messes up contract issues, other companies will turn their backs on them.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“…Yes?”

The words came out harshly on their own.

“…I can’t concentrate on filming. I feel like trash.”

In the meantime, Do Changhyun dug himself into a hole again.

I sighed briefly inside.

“How long are you going to blame yourself?”

“….”

“This industry is a thorny path. Are you going to blame yourself every time you step on a thorn, fall into self-loathing, and fall over?”

“No.”

Do Changhyun answered in a voice as small as an ant.

“You said you act because you want to become someone else. But how was it when you went to the set? Did you become someone else?”

Do Changhyun, who looked at me as if he had been caught off guard, had tears in his eyes.

“The Do Changhyun who was worrying stood in front of the camera as he was. That’s not an actor. No matter what happens outside the set, an actor lives as his character when the camera is rolling.”

Do Changhyun shed tears on the back of his clenched fist.

“I’m sorry.”

Seeing that, even a corner of my heart ached.

What did this kid do wrong?

“Get up. Go get some more sleep, even if it’s just a little. Turn off your phone.”

“Yes.”

He forced himself to shake off his seat and walked weakly towards the dorm.

Watching Do Changhyun’s back, I sighed briefly and moved my feet as well.

The sun had completely set.

I picked up my phone and stared at the empty screen.

Is Unnie not here yet?

I was so distracted by Do Changhyun’s company issues that I was losing my mind.

I can’t be like this.

I have to take responsibility.

I put my phone back in my pocket and quickened my pace.

Buzz-

At that moment, my phone vibrated briefly.

Reflexively, I took my phone out of my pocket in one second.

It was a message from Lee Seokhyun.

– Saena, what are you up to these days?

As soon as I saw the message, a sigh of frustration came out on its own.

Does this top actor have too much time on his hands?

“This nuisance, really.”

I was about to put my phone in my pocket, grinding my teeth, when it vibrated again.

– I’m watching , these days. I wonder if Do Changhyun has found a company?

As soon as I read the next message, my steps stopped abruptly.