In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 44

“Cut! Okay. Let’s move on to the next setup.”

As soon as I heard the director’s okay, I headed to the waiting room.

I managed to film two scenes in a row while slightly tipsy.

I wasn’t too drunk, but I was trying to act in a way that wouldn’t be obvious to others, just in case.

Then, I felt someone staring at me as I headed to the waiting room.

It was obvious who it was.

Heo So-jin.

I turned my head and stared straight back at Heo So-jin.

And I gave her a slight smile, just enough for her to notice.

Heo So-jin looked flustered.

She probably didn’t know my alcohol tolerance when she tried to mess with me.

It had weakened a bit compared to my previous life, but it was nothing compared to the alcohol tolerance I had built up while suffering all sorts of hardships.

I entered the waiting room and slowly sat down on the chair.

Then, I took out the script and started looking at the filming scenes.

I kept trying to hold onto my concentration, which kept scattering, and recited my lines.

‘Heo So-jin wouldn’t end it like this, would she?’

I became uncomfortable because I was wasting energy on unnecessary things outside of filming.

‘How did I get this position?’

I took a deep breath for a moment and started reading the notes I had written on the script again.

* * *

Afternoon filming.

In the middle of a tough outdoor shoot.

“Oh my, Ms. Sae-na! Don’t move!!”

The costume staff screamed in my direction.

Surprised, I stood there with my hands up, and three or four staff members ran over with wet wipes.

Black iron powder was coming off my hands.

“It looks like the hot pack burst.”

The staff took the hot pack away from me as if snatching it away before the iron powder stained my clothes.

Then, one of the staff members who handed me the hot pack looked embarrassed.

“So-jin told me to give this to you because she was worried you’d be cold during filming. I shouldn’t have done that.”

‘Sure enough. It was Heo So-jin again.’

I forced a smile at the staff member.

“No, it’s okay, I was careless. I almost ruined the costume! I’m so sorry.”

That was barely over when…

During the next cut, a tumbler flew through the air, and a sticky drink landed on my front.

“Ugh!”

And the staff member holding the tumbler even fell over with a thud.

“Oh no! I’m sorry, Ms. Sae-na!”

The staff member who fell apologized before even getting up.

“No! It’s okay.”

I clearly saw the *Danghye-shined* [traditional Korean shoes] foot slipping under the falling staff member.

After that, Heo So-jin disappeared.

Just before filming, Director Kang’s brow, which had been sharp, furrowed.

The costume team’s faces also contorted for a moment.

“The setup is done. Do we have another costume?”

At Director Kang’s words, the costume team shook their heads.

Then, Director Kang sighed and took out a cigarette from his pocket.

“Order a spare costume and, until it arrives, let’s film something else….”

Then, the assistant director awkwardly interjected.

“CP [Chief Producer], this is the last scene at this location that we just set up.”

“Ah….”

Then, the staff member who fell kept bowing.

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, everyone!”

Her voice sounded like she was about to cry.

I looked in the direction where Heo So-jin had disappeared and suppressed my anger.

‘Playing pranks that would interfere with filming?’

‘This was too much.’

I can understand being jealous.

I felt the same way when I kept playing villains and saw the sparkling lead roles.

So I knew better than anyone.

Heo So-jin would gain nothing by doing this.

I needed a way.

First, I decided to quickly and perfectly complete the delayed filming.

The next scene was the first scene where I would be working with the senior actress Won Hye-rim, whom I had been so eagerly waiting for.

I felt like Heo So-jin’s prank had sapped my energy.

I recomposed myself.

* * *

Two hours later.

“Okay, focus, everyone. Ready, action!”

Kang Jung-hwan and the staff’s monitors simultaneously captured Han Sae-na and Won Hye-rim.

The scene was where *Daebi* [Queen Dowager] arrives at *Daejeon* [a royal court] and discovers Soon-im, disguised as a man, that is, Deputy Commander Song Jae-rim.

Daebi, with her court ladies trailing behind her, spewed out venomous words, not caring who was listening.

“Who is this? Isn’t this the presumptuous rat who acts arrogantly, trusting in the King’s power? We should put rat poison in Daejeon.”

Some of the staff watching the monitor gasped.

It was a charisma that overwhelmed the atmosphere and inspired fear in those who watched.

Then, Soon-im lowered her voice and greeted without batting an eye.

“Greetings to Daebi Mama, the great elder of the Inner Court.”

Her voice was heavier and more resolute than when she was dressed as a woman.

Watching the two people work together, Kang Jung-hwan smirked.

‘Look at this.’

The really interesting part was from then on.

“However.”

Soon-im continued.

“If you call someone who eats the country’s salary a rat, I fear the world will gossip that you have no respect for His Majesty, who governs the civil and military officials.”

Daebi paused for a moment after hearing Deputy Commander’s words.

In other words, this meant that you are not the king, and I am the king’s subject, so watch your words.

From this point on, the staff began to hold their breath and look at Han Sae-na.

Daebi took a step forward and tried to seize the momentum.

“Does someone who tries to teach the elders of the royal family have loyalty to the king?”

Then, Deputy Commander bowed his head and said.

“I believe that the ability to accept advice is a quality of a wise ruler.”

In front of Won Hye-rim, who was exuding a chilling aura, Han Sae-na also raised her momentum even further.

As sharp lines were exchanged, the atmosphere inside the frame froze.

Kang Jung-hwan also narrowed his brow as if he was completely immersed and watched the monitor without breathing.

Daebi walked close to Deputy Commander and whispered.

“It will soon be revealed whether you are a human or a rat.”

Then, Soon-im made eye contact with Daebi.

“Are you trying to take off my mask?”

At that moment, the production staff let out a muted exclamation at the expression Han Sae-na made.

It was an emotion that was handled with only two letters in the instructions.

– Deputy Commander: (expression) Are you trying to take off my mask?

It was an expression that established writers mainly wrote before important lines to entrust the expression to the actor.

Han Sae-na’s current expression contained both the courage to stand up to her and a hint of doubt and faint anxiety.

That anxiety momentarily reminded viewers of Deputy Commander’s weakness.

That Deputy Commander is a woman.

At the same time, she is in love with the king.

Thanks to this actor’s expression, writers would trust and entrust her and write the script.

Among the staff who were constantly admiring while holding their breath, Heo So-jin bit her lip and looked at Han Sae-na.

Heo So-jin felt it instinctively.

This rookie had something different from the acting she had done and everything she had prepared.

It was not just hype, but real skill.

‘That eyesore.’

Heo So-jin had received the attention and praise of all the staff at every set since her debut.

But not anymore.

After Han Sae-na appeared, she was losing all the attention she should have received.

To the point where she felt a sense of crisis.

At that time, Daebi passed by Deputy Commander for the last time, turned her head back, and asked.

“Are you afraid?”

Then, she stepped up to Daejeon.

Deputy Commander bowed for a long time behind her back, while Daebi’s party moved away.

And she quietly recited.

“Does that mean that Daejeon is not the only place where rats are raised….”

“Cut! Okay, okay!”

Kang Jung-hwan showed his excitement for the first time.

‘What Director Moon Won-hyung said was not an exaggeration at all.’

He had been constantly praising Han Sae-na from the director who filmed Flat Shoes.

Until then, he had only thought, ‘She must be an amazing rookie.’

She was an actress who didn’t deserve the title of rookie.

Currently, she was just as perfect to him as actors with years of experience.

No, maybe even more than other experienced actors.

“Wow! I’m happy that Director Kang gave the okay twice!”

Han Sae-na smiled brightly at Kang Jung-hwan from afar.

Then, Kang Jung-hwan cleared his throat, relaxed, and sat back down.

The assistant director, who was watching Kang Jung-hwan from the side, shook his head and laughed.

Won Hye-rim also threw a word at Han Sae-na.

“Not bad?”

Han Sae-na bowed to Won Hye-rim.

“Thank you. I was able to immerse myself in the acting so well thanks to you, senior.”

Yoon Young-jae, who was watching the scene, also laughed heartily.

“Entertainers are entertainers. She becomes a fish in water when she stands in front of the camera.”

Yoon Young-jae was inwardly proud.

He had never been very interested in teaching someone or raising disciples.

But this incident changed his mind.

Helping junior actors was as rewarding as showing off his acting.

Besides, he had benefited from it too.

She was a gem.

“It was worth waiting for two hours of delay.”

“Wow, isn’t Sae-na crazy? She’s so scary.”

The staff also threw in a word each.

In the friendly atmosphere of the set, only one person, Heo So-jin, could not smile.

* * *

Phew, today’s share of filming is now over.

I sat in the van and caught my breath.

“You’re not going home, are you?”

My manager looked at me through the rearview mirror.

I smiled back at the rearview mirror.

He was a manager who had already figured me out.

“Yes. I’m going to watch all the last filming and then go.”

“Oh, you never get tired. Is it because you’re young?”

‘Haha….’

My manager grabbed the steering wheel and headed to the last location.

I looked out the window and sighed.

The aftermath of the scene where I collided with senior Won Hye-rim still made my heart pound.

Today’s last filming was also scheduled to be decorated by senior Won Hye-rim.

With Heo So-jin.

I became more curious about my senior’s acting.

How does that kind of charisma come out?

What kind of person is she usually?

She was an actress who made me curious about the person herself.

How will she act in the next scene?

I looked out the window, which was gradually darkening.

One hour later.

I got out of the car and arrived at the filming set.

But at the filming set, contrary to expectations, sounds mixed with annoyance popped out.

“Cut! NG [No Good]!”

It was already the eighth NG.

At that time, a roar burst out from senior Won Hye-rim, who had been holding back.

“Are you crazy? Why are you trying to fight back there?”

Everyone’s attention was focused on one place.

It was Heo So-jin.

Heo So-jin was standing there, cowering with an expression of not knowing what to do.

I shook my head inwardly as I looked at Heo So-jin.

Heo So-jin had been acting as the Queen, who was fiercely confronting Daebi with all her might since earlier.

There is a stance that fits her role.

“Let’s take a break. So-jin, take a breather and come back.”

Director Kang temporarily stopped filming in a dry tone that suppressed his annoyance.

Then, a dozen actors and staff, including senior Won Hye-rim, scattered in an instant….

Heo So-jin strode towards this way.

“Hey.”

I Will Die as an Actress This Time