In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 50

The nominated actresses, myself included, were shown one by one on the screen behind the stage.

Yuri held my hand tightly.

For some reason, Yuri seemed much more anxious than I was.

“Now, we will announce the winner.”

A moment of silence filled the awards ceremony hall.

“Congratulations! Han Saena from !”

What…?

In an instant, everyone’s attention turned to me.

I reflexively stood up amidst the applause.

My bewildered face was being broadcast on the large stage screen.

Yuri was overjoyed and hugged me tightly.

“Wow! I knew it! Saena, congratulations!”

My teammates, including Teacher Lee Si-young, also congratulated me.

“Saena, congratulations.”

“Who else would get it but our Saena! Of course.”

The commotion filling the awards ceremony hall faded in my ears.

As I walked onto the stage amidst the applause, I felt like all the scenery was flowing in slow motion.

Standing in front of the microphone with the trophy in hand,

dozens of cameras and countless actors and audience members were all looking at me.

Seeing that sight, my heart fluttered.

As the applause subsided, the sense of reality that had faded for a few short seconds returned.

But I couldn’t remember the acceptance speech that Min-young and I had prepared, just in case.

This is a disaster.

Everyone is waiting for me to open my mouth.

I tried to calm down and carefully chose my words.

“This was an unexpected award, and I am very honored. I am truly happy.”

As I thought about it, there was something I really wanted to say.

About the first work that earned me the Best New Actress Award.

About , literally.

“It may be inappropriate for a young rookie to say this, but the path I have walked to prepare as an actress has been a difficult one. There have always been uncertainties, anxieties, and desperate desires within me, and walking barefoot on the thorny path they created often resulted in getting hurt and wounded.”

I saw the team looking up at me with small smiles.

I smiled back at them.

“The first shoes that were put on my feet, which were full of scars, were my first work, . It was a precious pair of shoes, and a precious relationship. It was even more precious because it was a villain who was full of wounds and wanted to be loved.”

Countless scenes passed through my mind like a panorama.

The last scene I recalled was the first moment I regained my life.

The moment I gained a new life as an actress at the audition.

“There are so many people I am grateful to. My family, who must be watching me at home right now, our team members, the teachers who taught me acting, the colleagues and peers who endured with me….”

I paused for a moment to catch my breath.

“And finally, Yoo Ji-an. The thin and sturdy that Yoo Ji-an put on me allow me to not hurt my feet while not forgetting the feeling of the path I have walked.”

My nose always tingled when I thought of Yoo Ji-an, but now I didn’t shed tears.

I felt like I could finally properly thank Yoo Ji-an.

“I will never take off these for the rest of my life. I have no doubt that a pair of will come to those of you who are walking a tiring and difficult path towards your dreams like a gift someday. Until the day you wear new shoes, I, Han Saena, will be cheering you on from this spot. Thank you.”

I finished speaking and bowed politely.

The sound of enthusiastic applause was heard.

* * *

Back in the filming set waiting room.

「Han Saena’s Acceptance Speech Becomes a Hot Topic」

「The Aura of the Next-Generation Goddess Shines in Hanho [Korean entertainment industry]」

「Victory Goddess Nike Han Saena, Wins Best New Actress Award!」

Articles were plastered all over portal sites all day long.

Mostly stories about the dress and acceptance speech.

It was meaningful in that it received attention.

The comments were similar.

– Is Han Saena also from a public speaking academy?

– As someone who also dreams of becoming an actress, it was a very touching speech. It gives me strength, yay!

Looking back on the acceptance speech again, my face flushed.

I was a little worried that the seniors might not like a rookie who had just debuted talking about a thorny path. I was worried.

Of course, I spoke with sincerity, recalling my past, but to others, it might have seemed like my path was the epitome of a royal road [easy path to success].

Because no one knows the times I worked hard, failed, endured, and despaired.

Those will be moments that only I will know in the future.

But if only my sincerity towards Yoo Ji-an and was conveyed.

That alone was enough.

– Only Han Saena wore those precious . The writer and director didn’t receive an award, lol. I wonder how they feel~

The aggressive comments mixed in between were consistent.

The rom-com of the top two actors, which ended with a viewership rating of 37% just before the awards ceremony, swept the Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Actor awards, so unfortunately did not win the Best Picture award.

How dare they attack our teacher.

I pressed the report button without much thought and was about to leave when a striking article headline caught my eye.

「Han Saena, ‘Reverse Support’ for Fans in Moment of Glory… Unique Move!」

After briefly skimming through it, I went into various community sites, and this article was spreading everywhere.

Oh.

Did our fans leak the article?

Moreover, posts 인증 인증 [Korean slang for ‘proof’] the reverse support sets were popping up.

They were hot packs, thank you cards, and small snacks.

Many comments were posted below the 인증 posts.

– I’ve seen idol reverse support, but this is my first time seeing actress reverse support.

– Even though it’s a new agency, they’re doing a good job. Please switch with my oppas’ [term used by women to refer to older brothers or male friends] agency.

– As expected, you have to treat your fans well to have a long run. Whether you’re an actor or an idol. Everyone, take note.

Seeing the fans stepping up to help with my image-making, a proud smile naturally appeared on my face.

Especially the last comment.

– Our 언니’s [term used by younger women to refer to older sisters or female friends] acting is also top-notch. Everyone, stan Han Saena.

What is a fan’s love really?

I didn’t give them anything and just kept my place, but they readily gave me their hearts.

It was amazing.

Oh my, what should I prepare next?

* * *

“Superstar! Ugh, so dazzling.”

“Please sign this for me!”

“Please buy me !”

Jokes mixed with staff and actors’ words were heard here and there on the set.

I was tired of waving my hands all day long.

“Yes… I’ll buy you ….”

While the staff laughed at my words, the assistant director approached.

“Han Saena-nim [formal Korean title], would you like to choose a photo?”

Huh?

The assistant director handed me a phone with my photos on it.

One was a graceful photo taken next to a camellia tree, and the other was a photo of me with blue lips after falling into the pond on the first day of filming.

“W-What is this?”

“What else? It’s Saena-ssi’s unflattering photo.”

“I know that. But why….”

Then the assistant director smiled slyly.

“Saena-ssi won the Best New Actress Award, so we’re going to get some benefits. Filming stills will be released starting this weekend.”

Wow.

These people are rowing when the water comes in [taking advantage of a good opportunity].

Seeing me looking like a drowned rat, people would probably have expectations for the filming scenes.

And perhaps there would be the symbolism of a rookie who acted without using a stunt double.

So it would be perfect to use the rookie’s buzz.

“Still. I have so many pretty photos!”

The assistant director shook his head firmly at my words.

“Actually, the staff unanimously chose these photos. Of course, the director too.”

Then why did you ask?

I resentfully looked at Director Kang, who was standing far away, and he raised his hand dryly.

‘Oh, good work.’ That kind of feeling.

After feeling wronged for a moment, a thought flashed through my head.

“Oh my, then can I also participate in making the still컷 [still cut] photos?”

“Oh, what passion. That’s great!”

I smiled slyly at those words.

I can’t be the only one suffering.

Lee Seok-hyun, who was playfully engaging in a sword fight with the child actor in the distance, was seen.

Just you wait.

However, I had no idea that the small breeze that was brewing would return as a hurricane.

* * *

In front of the camera.

“Are there ten thousand scoundrels pretending to be Confucian scholars?”

Lee Seok-hyun and Teacher Yoon Young-jae were exchanging dialogue as the king and the chief eunuch.

“Though it is presumptuous, Your Majesty, I am afraid there may be listening ears….”

“Let them listen. If they are those who cultivate the way of Confucianism, they would know how absurd this situation is.”

At the same time, the scroll that Lee Seok-hyun threw with a flick rolled to the front of the door.

It was a long, long scroll that was not completely unfolded.

“Is it even possible for ten thousand people to submit a memorial when a twenty-five-year-old king is about to rule on his own?”

Lee Seok-hyun clicked his tongue and rested his chin on his hand.

I came here aiming for Lee Seok-hyun’s unflattering photos, but the filming scenes in progress were quite serious.

Hmm. But shouldn’t he be acting differently?

I’ve been watching for quite a while since I came, and no matter how I look at it, Lee Seok-hyun’s acting wasn’t great.

There are ten thousand people who oppose his opinion.

He was too calm and collected for a king who was being rejected so much.

Did he miss the point?

I was puzzled for a moment, but as expected.

“Cut.”

Director Kang’s dry voice was heard.

“The king seems too stiff, Seok-hyun-ssi. It would be good to be angry enough. Let’s go again.”

“Yes! I’m sorry!”

At the same time as the director’s words, Lee Seok-hyun’s body tensed up.

Ah, that person is nervous right now.

The camera turned again in that state.

“Are there ten thousand scoundrels pretending to be Confucian scholars?”

The filming proceeded like that a couple of times.

He kept getting angry, but it was an ambiguous state with a lack of frustration.

Something is strange.

He didn’t usually miss the details this much.

I felt that his emotional lines sometimes jumped when we acted together, but they would gradually loosen as the scene progressed.

His condition wasn’t good today.

“Cut! Cut! Seok-hyun-ssi, come here for a second.”

The directing that added a feeling of being completely panicked, added anger, and added so many times stopped.

“Let’s take a 10-minute break.”

Lee Seok-hyun’s expression completely hardened.

And he made eye contact with me.

I was embarrassed and avoided his eyes for a moment.

I hesitated for a second whether to say something or not, but unsolicited advice was crossing the line.

But then Lee Seok-hyun strode over.

“Saena-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think is the problem?”

It was a direct question.

Demanding a solution.

I was worried that he might feel bad about the advice, but Lee Seok-hyun’s firm eyes looking at me made me confess my true feelings.

“I think you’re looking too far ahead.”

이번 생은 악녀 말고 배우로 죽겠습니다 [I’ll die as an actress, not a villain, in this life].