In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 15

A sense of foreboding washed over me instantly.

“Honey, don’t pay too much attention to the comments. You know, when you play a villain, you get a lot of hate comments.”

“That’s right, Ms. Sena. If it’s to this extent, it means you’ve successfully portrayed a villain, so you can ignore the inevitable aftermath.”

Even Senior Park Hoon and the other seniors…

“…?”

I quietly took out my phone and checked the portal site.

My name dominated the real-time search rankings from 1st to 7th place.

「Han Sena」

「Han Sena Personality Controversy」

「Flat Shoes Yoo Ji-an」

「Han Sena Exposure」

The articles that had been uploaded in the past two hours already numbered over twenty, and the comments were overflowing with malicious content.

Saying things like they knew it would happen, commenting on my appearance, and claiming they’d heard all the industry gossip.

The articles were even worse.

‘Han Sena, Controversy Erupts Over Rookie’s Unbecoming Attitude….’

‘Han Sena, Playing Yoo Ji-an in Flat Shoes, Turns Out to Be Method Acting in Real Life?’

Seriously.

If I do method acting in real life twice, I might end up hitting someone with a car.

“Cute.”

“Huh?”

The seniors stared at me with surprised eyes at my unconsciously blurted remark.

Compared to the hate comments I experienced in my past life, this level of attention was something to be grateful for.

Well, it’s obvious that Yang Ui-cheol is behind this.

Ji-eun approached and placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Are you going to be okay with the filming, honey?”

I placed my hand over Ji-eun’s hand.

“I’m fine, I am.”

Well, it’s nothing.

I gave everyone a bright smile.

“I’m okay! You know, you have to get this much hate to become popular.”

Some people smiled at my words, but the worried atmosphere didn’t dissipate.

“But isn’t it a bit strange? Yoo Ji-an became such a hit and caused such a sensation, but suddenly there are anti-fans [people who are against a celebrity or public figure].”

Yuri and some of the cast members tilted their heads as if something was off.

“Yeah, it’s a bit weird. And when are they going to stop attacking actors just for playing villains? Everyone’s so behind the times.”

“Ms. Sena should find an agency soon.”

I know, the agency issue is quite complicated.

Everything was unfolding as expected.

It’s like the process of Yang Ui-cheol bringing an actress he’s set his sights on into his agency.

In my previous life, the actresses Yang Ui-cheol brought in had all suffered from malicious comments.

Strangely enough, all of them did.

Yang Ui-cheol would comfort the actress, who was exhausted from the hate comments and public criticism, and confidently promise to control the media for her.

And once the actress signed the contract, the negative public opinion would disappear like fog lifting.

How is this possible?

Because Yang Ui-cheol was the one who spread the hate comments and rumors in the first place.

Yang Ui-cheol was that malicious.

I learned all these truths when I overheard Yang Ui-cheol boasting about his achievements with the PR team at a company dinner.

‘Hey, do you know how to bury someone these days? Shoveling in the backyard is a thing of the past. With money and this, this, and a computer? That’s all you need for a live burial.’

I remembered Yang Ui-cheol’s words as he chuckled and joked.

My teeth gritted.

Moreover, AK, the company Yang Ui-cheol belonged to, was famous for using villainous actors as ‘cash cows.’

From the company’s perspective, it was more profitable to have several villainous actors who could be used in many projects than to maintain a top star, which cost a lot of money unless they were exceptional.

Therefore, the villainous actor was nothing more or less than a money-making machine for the company.

“I’m really okay. I’ll try to find an agency soon! Thank you all so much for your concern.”

“Ms. Sena, you have such a strong mentality. If there’s anything I can do to help, please contact me anytime.”

“Yeah, contact me anytime too. Everyone’s so eager to block a rookie who’s just debuted.”

Yuri was furious.

Seeing their reactions, I couldn’t help but smile out of gratitude.

It was reassuring.

Anyway, I intended to wait and see a bit longer.

Yang Ui-cheol would appear soon.

I decided to come up with a new plan to prepare for him and focused on filming again.

* * *

A few days later.

[a Korean expression wishing someone happiness and success]

A coffee truck with my name and face plastered all over it was parked in front of the outdoor filming location.

The actors and staff who were receiving drinks from the coffee truck gathered around, buzzing with excitement.

“What’s this? Did Ms. Sena get an agency?”

Sure enough, Yang Ui-cheol himself made an appearance at the filming location.

It was unbelievable.

So, he’s capable of doing this, Yang Ui-cheol….

If I had known, I would have turned him down sooner.

People kept asking with puzzled eyes.

“Ms. Sena, did you join AK Entertainment?”

“When did she join without saying anything?”

“I haven’t joined an agency yet.”

I smiled at the people and approached the coffee truck.

Yang Ui-cheol found me and walked over with a bouquet of flowers that looked heavy at a glance.

It had been a while since I saw Yang Ui-cheol, and he was still young.

“Actress, congratulations. Our best rookie! The best villainous actress!”

I suppressed my nausea and put on an innocent, sheep-like expression.

“Ah, thank you. Should I even accept such a bouquet on our first meeting…?”

“Of course, of course. It’s a show of affection.”

Yang Ui-cheol winked.

I instantly felt like throwing up.

No, I have to endure it.

“Did you even provide this expensive coffee truck… to support me like this?”

Pretending to be touched, I accepted the bouquet.

Yang Ui-cheol grinned.

‘She’s completely fallen for it. It’ll be soon.’

I could see his intentions so clearly that I was already sick of him after exchanging just a few words.

“Yes, I’m not trying to put any pressure on you. I’m just a big fan of Ms. Sena.”

Yang Ui-cheol gestured behind him, and two huge men handed over hot packs, mini heaters, and expensive padding jackets.

“These gifts for me….”

“Oh, come on, you’re someone who will be even more successful in the future. You should get used to gifts.”

Yang Ui-cheol laughed heartily.

I covered my mouth and laughed shyly.

Then, Yang Ui-cheol subtly glanced around and opened his mouth.

“Well… more than that, you must have a lot of worries these days?”

Yang Ui-cheol finally revealed his true colors.

I could feel the staff passing by, pretending not to notice but eavesdropping.

“Worries…. Yes, I have a lot.”

As I dropped my head, Yang Ui-cheol hid his smile and pretended to be concerned.

“Seriously, the Korean public has such low standards. Why don’t they just see the drama as a drama, and why are they all trying to bury such a gem of an actress! Don’t you think so?”

Yang Ui-cheol spoke loudly as if he wanted the whole neighborhood to hear, and the two huge men standing next to him nodded enthusiastically.

“Thank you for thinking that way….”

Yang Ui-cheol took another step closer.

“Our company’s legal team is really amazing. They can get rid of things like this in one go, Ms. Sena.”

At those words, I put on innocent eyes and looked at Yang Ui-cheol.

“Really?”

“Of course. It’s not for nothing that our company is famous for managing celebrities.”

I pretended to be worried and fiddled with the bouquet, then opened my mouth.

“Actually… I’ve received offers from other companies too….”

“Oh, is that so? So, what did you say?”

Yang Ui-cheol asked again, seemingly impatient with my slow and hesitant response.

“You haven’t signed a contract yet, have you?”

“No, I haven’t yet.”

I slowly opened my mouth again.

“Even the companies that contacted me earlier promised to get rid of the hate comments, but I’m worried that they won’t be able to help me once I sign the contract……. That’s my concern.”

“Oh, is that what you were worried about?”

Yang Ui-cheol burst into a hearty laugh.

“Our Ms. Sena is still too innocent and doesn’t know why AK is AK.”

Yang Ui-cheol confidently rolled up his sleeves.

“Listen, Ms. Sena. We’re the people who cover up most celebrities’ scandals and gossip with money and power. We take care of our family members.”

“Ah… I see! That’s amazing! But I’m a rookie who doesn’t know anything, so unless I see something concrete, I can’t feel at ease…….”

Yang Ui-cheol couldn’t stand my dragging out the conversation and replied.

“Ms. Sena, then we just need to show you how capable our company is, right? Give me just three days. I’ll take care of everything!”

He took the bait.

The employees who had been chuckling stopped laughing at those words and glanced at Yang Ui-cheol.

A look that said, ‘Wait, this isn’t right.’

The weakness of arrogant and prideful people like Yang Ui-cheol was precisely this.

If they sense even a little bit of distrust, they’ll rush to be recognized no matter what.

Of course, I didn’t know this in my past life.

But now, my life experience is over forty years.

Hugging the bouquet tightly, I blinked at Yang Ui-cheol.

“Really……? Why would you go this far for me….”

“Ms. Sena is an actress who will be really successful in the future. I knew it right away. To walk only on flower paths like this, you need help from those around you.”

Yang Ui-cheol pointed to the banner on the coffee truck.

“Thank you, Director.”

I bowed my head deeply.

Soon, Yang Ui-cheol took his employees, got into the car, and drove away.

I waved until the back of the car was out of sight.

* * *

At the same time.

The staff and cast were having a hard time because of the reporters who had suddenly swarmed the set.

“You can’t do this. We’re filming, so please do it later and go back.”

“Instead of that, please say a few words about the personality issues of actress Han Sena!”

“Were there any troubles while working together?”

The youngest member of the production team, who was supposed to control filming-related issues, was at a loss in front of the reporters who wouldn’t listen.

Park Hoon, who had been quietly waiting for filming, walked out, lowered his voice, and spoke to one of the reporters.

“Hey, Reporter Park. Are you going to keep doing this?”

“Actor, we’ve met a few times. Please say just one word so I can write an article.”

Some of the reporters were people who had connections with the actors through their agencies.

Park Hoon answered firmly.

“There’s no one as diligent as Sena. She’s an actress who only knows acting. Don’t ruin the future of a rookie who’s just debuted, and write something nice. Reporter Park, you’ll really get punished if you do that.”

Park Hoon left after giving advice in a dignified voice.

However, the reporters didn’t stop and continued to encourage the other actors.

Jung Yuri, who came out of the waiting room, frowned at the reporters and approached.

“Everyone, interview me. Come here.”

The reporters quickly gathered in front of Jung Yuri.

There were already many articles in various media outlets about her being a supporting actress who had risen above the lead role, and many people were curious about the relationship between the two.

“Our Sena is definitely not a bad person at all. We have a good relationship, and I received a lot of help from her regarding acting. How well does she act even though she’s a rookie?”

Assistant director Jung Chae-sung, who was checking the next cut a little further away, was also answering the interview.

He usually ignored all questions related to actors, but he was burning with the will to protect the angel Han Sena.

“Her personality is terrible? That’s ridiculous. She always helps with the cleanup after filming. She’s also very polite and prepares everything very diligently.”

Behind the filming set, at the smoking booth.

Youngest writer Kim Ji-eun also put out her cigarette and responded casually.

“Ah, whatever. If you’re going to do this kind of interview, go away. You won’t get anything from me.”

Kim Ji-eun frowned as she watched the reporter walk away.

“Everyone has so much time to spare, so much time to spare….”

Back at the center of the filming set.

Director Moon, who was annoyed that the filming was being delayed because of the constantly chattering reporters, walked out and shouted.

“You’re the ones who should be having personality controversies! Obstructing other people’s filming! Are you not leaving?! Should I call the police??”

Only then did the reporters start to leave with disappointed expressions.

I Will Live as an Actress in This Life