In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 45

“Hey.”

Hey?

Hey??

Even my manager, who was in the driver’s seat, opened his eyes so wide they almost popped out.

“Why are you so rude? Is it your hobby to watch people mess up their NGs [No Good takes, or mistakes]?”

I briefly made eye contact with my manager, who seemed taken aback.

He rolled up the window and shook his head.

He looked utterly terrified.

Wait a minute.

He’s so big, and yet…

I glared at my manager, feeling betrayed, and then stared straight at Heo So-jin.

“Watching is kind of a hobby.”

“What?”

This time, Heo So-jin was buffering [experiencing a delay or difficulty processing information].

“I always watch other actors’ performances before going home. To learn. Of course, in this scene, I’m watching Won Hye-rim, not you.”

Heo So-jin let out a hollow laugh.

“And I have another hobby. Putting up with your nonsense.”

“What nonsense?”

Heo So-jin’s voice grew increasingly sharp.

“There is such a thing. Things only you and I know.”

“Do you have proof?”

That made me scoff.

It reminded me of Yang Eui-cheol for a moment.

It seemed like bad guys had some kind of manual they had to follow when cornered.

“The walls have ears. With so many people around, do you think no one is watching you?”

“What…?”

Seeing Heo So-jin’s blank expression made me annoyed.

Do I really have to waste my time arguing with someone so stupid?

I stared straight at Heo So-jin.

“I’ll give you some advice. Instead of playing games and venting because you’re afraid of losing attention to a rookie, memorize one more line.”

“What?!”

Heo So-jin’s voice rose sharply.

“Anyone would think you’re the rookie, not me. And.”

Heo So-jin glared at me, trembling with anger.

I moved closer to Heo So-jin and whispered.

“If you mess with me one more time, I won’t let it go. I’m more of a veteran at that than acting.”

With that, I quickly got into the van, leaving Heo So-jin behind.

Through the closed van door, I could see Heo So-jin looking utterly lost, filled with rage.

“You traitor! Let’s go, let’s go.”

At my words, my manager, looking utterly intimidated, stepped on the gas.

“Scary, scary. Actresses…”

* * *

A few days later.

A rare day off.

I tightly closed the window where the cold wind was seeping in.

Once filming started, time flew by without a chance to catch it.

Already December.

It felt like just yesterday when I started filming ‘Flat Shoes’ this January.

In such a short time, I had gained a new life and was even filming my second project.

Even in this young body, I felt aches all over.

Just then, I received a call.

It was Min-young unnie [older sister or close female friend].

‘Where are you?’

“I’m at home, unnie.”

‘That’s good. Let’s go out for some fresh air.’

“Unnie, I kind of wanted to stay home today…”

But Min-young unnie cut me off.

‘I’m going to scout for rookies.’

“Scout for rookies…? Where to?”

‘Hello World open auditions.’

Hello World…?

Where had I heard that before?

I slightly sat up at her words.

“Is it a drama?”

‘Actors, idols, models. Lots of hopefuls, lots of agencies. First come, first served… or so they say. That’s the idea, anyway. It’s the first time they’re holding it.’

Oh ho.

Sounds fun.

I jumped out of bed.

I hung up the phone after unnie said she’d be here in 15 minutes and threw on some clothes.

* * *

And so, I arrived at the place.

A large audition hall swarming with hopefuls.

The intense atmosphere was palpable.

“Wow, there are so many people. Oh? Isn’t that friend someone who debuted as an idol?”

“Yeah. There are more than a few like that here.”

I couldn’t help but look around, my eyes darting everywhere.

The crowded waiting area was filled with familiar faces, desperate-looking newcomers, and even people who seemed to be just there for fun.

Unnie grabbed my arm and pulled me along.

“Did you take a quick look around? We’re going to the judges’ area.”

As we walked down the hallway…

Thud-.

“Oh, I’m sorry!”

A female student in a school uniform, who had come out of the restroom, bumped into me slightly.

The student bowed her head and quickly ran towards the auditorium.

“Huh?”

I tilted my head, watching the student’s retreating figure.

Where had I seen her before?

I couldn’t quite recall her name, but I definitely knew her face.

A few minutes later.

The participants began to showcase their respective performances.

“Ah, hello! I am! Participant number…”

“I will do a free performance!”

“Who is it? Who dares cough…”

“Gyeon-woo, I’m sorry!!!”

After watching about a few dozen people.

I glanced at my watch.

I felt anxious.

Not a single face from my past life had appeared yet.

Of course, I couldn’t know everyone.

Clearly, there were people among the unfamiliar faces who showed pretty decent acting.

Min-young unnie handed them business cards.

“Bareum Entertainment.”

However, as the saying goes, everyone has the same eye, the people who received the business cards already had several in their hands.

And there were even unexpected obstructions.

Even participants who didn’t seem like they would fit the company’s style, there were officials who would interfere and promote their own company when we handed out business cards.

For example, AK or True Actors.

Seriously, of all things.

“Are they trying to keep us in check?”

Unlike me, Min-young unnie didn’t change her expression and turned her attention to other participants.

I felt strange seeing her handle it so calmly.

Did Kwon Min-young from my past life come here too?

As the representative of ‘Force Entertainment’?

Just as I was about to get lost in thought, a familiar school uniform caught my eye.

“Oh, it’s her from earlier!”

“Shh.”

Min-young unnie grabbed me and whispered.

But even the judges looking at the documents were stirring.

“From a foreign language high school?”

“Even Yeongwoon Foreign Language High School? She’s an elite.”

“Is this a rebellion?”

With everyone’s attention focused, the female student opened her mouth.

“Participant number 47, Kim Kkot-byeol. I will begin my free performance.”

I slowly began to appreciate Kkot-byeol’s acting.

“What’s wrong with Mom having a boyfriend? I’m okay even if Dad has a girlfriend. Really.”

Kkot-byeol’s lines made people chuckle here and there.

Kkot-byeol’s acting was somewhat clumsy.

It wasn’t that she was bad, but it didn’t feel like she had been systematically trained.

It seemed like her emotional outbursts couldn’t keep up with her control.

Yet, there was a strange power that drew you in.

Her appearance was also a bit unique.

Rather than conventional beauty, she had a unique charm.

The judges showed their respective reactions.

“Yes, well done.”

“Her passion is good.”

At that moment, I heard whispers from the judges’ seats.

“We won’t be seeing her in the second round.”

None of the agency officials stepped forward.

Despite this difficult atmosphere, Kkot-byeol brightly greeted and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for watching!”

I quickly pressed down on unnie’s back.

“Unnie, hurry! Go give her your business card.”

“Wait, I’m still deciding. She’s a bit ambiguous.”

As Kkot-byeol turned around, I became increasingly anxious.

“Hurry! I guarantee it. She’s going to make it.”

Then Min-young unnie turned to me.

“Do you know her?”

I was at a loss for words.

Because watching Kkot-byeol’s acting, I finally remembered the memories from my past life.

What works she had done, what kind of acting she had done.

But how could I say I knew her?

‘Kim Kkot-byeol, who went from an S University elite to a trademark actress overnight.’

This was the title Kim Kkot-byeol had in my previous life.

An actress who captured the public with her wild and raw acting, becoming a muse for a certain director and showcasing an intense method [a technique where actors deeply immerse themselves in a role].

But how could I explain that?

At that moment, Min-young unnie saw my expression and got up first.

And handed Kkot-byeol a business card.

“Bareum Entertainment.”

Then Kkot-byeol’s eyes sparkled and she scanned the room.

At an unexpected moment, Kkot-byeol opened her mouth.

“Oh, it’s Yoo Ji-an!”

She seemed to have found me behind unnie’s shoulder.

And Kkot-byeol immediately covered her mouth.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Kkot-byeol quickly bowed and left the auditorium.

After exchanging glances with unnie, I followed her.

Outside the auditorium.

“Do you know our Saena-ssi [term of endearment, similar to ‘Miss’ or ‘Ms.’]?”

Min-young unnie spoke to Kkot-byeol with a friendly smile.

Then Kkot-byeol smiled brightly and replied.

“Yes! I know her! I watched on my friend’s laptop! Your acting is so good…….”

Kkot-byeol was exuding the innocence of a high school student.

I spoke to Kkot-byeol.

“But I heard you go to a foreign language high school. Is it okay to spend time on acting?”

Then Kkot-byeol nodded vigorously.

“It’s okay, of course, it’s okay! I want to act. Actually, today was my first time. Acting in front of others.”

Then Min-young unnie’s eyes widened.

“Did you self-study?!”

I smiled, seeing the surprised unnie.

If she had been trained and was still at that level, it would be a problem, but if she had never learned and was doing that well, it was a different story.

Kkot-byeol, nodding, clenched her fists and shouted.

“I really want to become an actress. I want to act properly! I’ll definitely convince my parents……!”

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile at her cuteness.

Min-young unnie seemed to be slightly charmed by Kkot-byeol as well, giving her a satisfied smile.

“See, what did I tell you?”

* * *

The day after discovering a new talent to recruit into Bareum Entertainment.

I returned to the filming set.

I was supposed to be in a good mood, but I was racking my brain.

Some things just can’t be solved by looking at the script.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Just then, Lee Seok-hyun gently wrapped his arms around my waist on the stepping stone and lightly pushed me back.

In an instant, I was trapped between the wall and Lee Seok-hyun.

As a matter of fact, the scene I had to film with Lee Seok-hyun today was….

A mellow kiss scene, the first I’ve ever filmed since my debut.

Lee Seok-hyun made intense eye contact.

“To this extent?”

At Lee Seok-hyun’s question, Director Kang nodded in front of the monitor.

Lee Seok-hyun’s face got closer and closer.

More and more….

Lee Seok-hyun paused in that state.

I felt a bit flustered by the lead I was receiving for the first time.

That’s right, romance was usually like this.

Director Kang’s voice was heard.

“This speed is fine. You two can follow your immersion, but just don’t make it too fast.”

Then Lee Seok-hyun briefly stepped back and approached again from a different angle.

Skillfully.

Each time his face got closer, my eyes reflexively blinked.

I tried hard to keep my eyes wide open.

Slowly focusing on the scene, I looked at Lee Seok-hyun.

A kiss scene is the crowning glory of the romance genre, the moment when the two main characters truly confirm their love.

It is also the moment that gives viewers the greatest thrill.

Just before Lee Seok-hyun’s lips completely overlapped with mine.

This time, without blinking, I gently made eye contact with Lee Seok-hyun.

Even pretending to slowly close my eyes.

“Uh, right there. Remember the position when we take the close-up. Saena-ssi?”

Director Kang called out to me.

“Yes! Yes. I’ll remember.”

I stepped back and nodded.

I felt slightly hot.

I’ll die as an actress, not a villain, in this life.