In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 57

Cheers erupted from the staff.

“Finally, it’s over!!”

“Wow, no more fake beards!”

“Let’s party hard tonight!”

The director, removing his headset, looked cheerful for once.

While the staff packed up the equipment, the makeup artist approached me.

“Saena, you’re staying until the end tonight, right?”

Hmm, this is awkward.

I gave the excited staff member an apologetic look.

“I really wish I could, but…”

“Huh? What’s with that reaction?”

All eyes turned to me.

“I’ll definitely be there for the first round, though.”

“What is it, our Saena’s so popular she’s become busy?”
The lighting director joked.

“No… I have to practice dancing… thanks to you all.”

Even as I said it, a sense of reality hit me hard.

I’m really going to have to dance a girl group routine.

When was the last time I even danced?

Back when I was dragged to company dinners and went to a club once or twice…?

How old was I then?

The director, hearing my words, approached with a bright smile.

“Well, then, let’s have a grand wrap-up party instead. It’s easier for everyone to party when there’s no post-recording.”

Then, I noticed Lee Seokhyun, who was smiling carefree as if it were someone else’s problem.

Oh, you.

I pulled Lee Seokhyun towards me.

“Oh, can’t I party? I’m a good dancer, so I don’t need to practice.”

“No way! You think you can slip away? It’s a duet, so we have to practice together.”

At that, Lee Seokhyun’s face quickly fell.

* * *

And so, eventually, the practice room.

“Arms straight up! Fingertips! More strength in your fingertips! Saena, your steps!”

Ugh.

“Relax your body! The last point, *ttak, ttak, ttak*. Finish!” (*Ttak* is a Korean onomatopoeia for a sharp, distinct movement).

Lee Seokhyun was smiling and following along perfectly beside me.

Hmph, annoying.

As soon as the song ended, I collapsed onto the floor.

“Saena, you’re such a model student. Have you never been to a club with your friends?”

Lee Seokhyun teased.

I glared at him.

“It must be nice to be young.”

“Huh?”

Oops.

“You’re talking like a grandma?”

I was so exhausted from the intense dancing that I momentarily forgot reality.

I should have just kept my mouth shut and caught my breath.

I turned my head and massaged my legs.

“Grandma, do your legs hurt?”

“Leave me alone.”

“Grandma, want some water?”

“Ugh, seriously!”

At my outburst, Lee Seokhyun’s eyes widened in mock surprise, and he said to himself.

“You acted like a senior on set, and now you’re really a grandma.”

“You think I acted like a senior? Was I annoying?”

Lee Seokhyun smiled slyly at my question.

“Well, there are times when you seem like a haaaandsome senior. Not just sometimes, but often. Not annoying, though.”

Seeing my puzzled expression, Lee Seokhyun continued.

“I mean, it’s true. The way you treat the staff, the composure you show in front of the camera, the details in your acting, and especially the depth of your emotions.”

I nodded vaguely at his words and continued to massage my legs.

Annoyed by my lackluster reaction, Lee Seokhyun kept teasing me.

“What, really? Did you lie about your age on your profile?”

“If I said I lied about my age, would you call me ‘noona’?” (*Noona* is a Korean term used by males to address older females).

“I would, of course. I’m good at that, noona.”

“Ew, I’m gonna throw up!”

“Throw up here, noona.”

Lee Seokhyun held out his hands.

“Okay, break’s over! Let’s start again.”

I quickly pushed Lee Seokhyun’s hands away at the coach’s words.

As soon as I stood up, the music started again.

* * *

A few days later, Yeouido Square [a famous public square in Seoul].

Two large outdoor speakers were being set up on the stage.

“Camera settings complete! Let’s check the timing.”

A staff member shouted at the top of his lungs.

Then, people who had been taking refuge in the shade from the already scorching sun began to gather one by one.

As a semi-circular crowd began to form around the stage, my lips started to dry up.

People below the stage chatted in small groups.

“What is it, a busking performance? Why the Joseon [Korean dynasty from 1392 to 1897] cosplay?”

“Oh, no way. Isn’t this that? The *Gwol-Kkot* viewership promise?”

“Jackpot, we hit the jackpot. Get your phones out quick.”

I stood next to Lee Seokhyun on the spot marked on the floor, trying to act nonchalant.

At the staff’s signal, the murmuring crowd quieted down.

The staff member held up three fingers.

The staff’s fingers, folding down one by one, seemed to move in slow motion.

After a long three seconds, the speakers began to vibrate.

That vibration traveled through the stage and into my feet.

It was the intro to ‘Timeless,’ the most popular song of the year, a Latin-style sexy couple dance song collaborated on by solo male and female idols.

I faced Lee Seokhyun and leaned against him.

Was Lee Seokhyun always this reliable?

On the wide stage, the only person I could rely on was Lee Seokhyun.

Why did it have to be Lee Seokhyun….

As Lee Seokhyun skillfully wrapped his arm around my waist, my body moved to his lead.

I kept repeating self-hypnosis in my head.

‘I am sexy… I am sexy…. He is my lover right now.’

I smiled, trying to look relaxed, and danced.

Cheers erupted from the crowd below the stage.

“Wow, they look good together!”

“Kyaa, *unnie*! You’re the best!” (*Unnie* is a Korean term used by females to address older females).

I was almost in tears, feeling proud of my body for at least following the practiced routine.

After grabbing Lee Seokhyun’s shoulders and doing a wave, we entered the most difficult part of the chorus, the high-difficulty moves.

Then, my foot twisted momentarily.

‘Oh, no.’

Lee Seokhyun’s hand, flying in from somewhere, supported my back with ease.

With Lee Seokhyun’s help, I barely managed to do two turns, and then the music changed with a refreshing narration, ‘Welcome! Is Berry Chu your first time?’

It was a gag-concept girl group song with clumsy and silly choreography as its point.

A loud laugh erupted from the crowd.

Hearing that sound, I unexpectedly felt relieved.

Oh well, whatever.

Since it’s a funny dance from now on, wouldn’t it be okay to be a little shameless?

Whether it was because the tension was released or because I just gave up, my limbs, which had lost control, stretched out freely.

“I think she’s crazy, it’s so funny!”

“You’re doing great!”

I glanced to the side and saw Lee Seokhyun shaking his body like he was possessed.

Seeing that, I burst out laughing.

I closed my eyes tightly and entrusted my body to the music, dancing hard.

The music played for a while, and I slyly opened my eyes at the last beat.

And then, what.

I saw Lee Seokhyun in the corner, shaking his head with both hands raised, and people who were on the verge of passing out.

Oh my god.

My vision went white.

“What! I’m the only one dancing!”

I shouted in frustration, and Lee Seokhyun gracefully greeted the audience.

“Now, please enjoy the ice cream prepared by our dancing king, Saena!”

People rushed to the truck to receive ice cream.

* * *

“Dancing King! Dancing King! Dancing King!”

“Ughhhh!”

I screamed and woke up in bed.

“Hah, hah.”

Buzz-

The sound of my phone vibrating momentarily stunned me.

I was definitely being tormented by cheers until just now.

Looking around my familiar room, I finally regained my sense of reality.

This is definitely trauma.

My new trauma.

‘Oh, our Dancing King has arrived.’

‘I didn’t know Saena had ambitions for the center position.’

Last night, as soon as I arrived at the wrap-up party, everyone teased me with one mind and heart, and they even shouted cheers three times.

“Dancing! King! Dancing! King! Han! Sae! Na!”

I was going to feed the culprit, Lee Seokhyun, alcohol and make him crawl on all fours.

But Lee Seokhyun, smiling and drinking non-stop, showed no signs of getting drunk.

In the end, only I got drunk and was kidnapped by writer Nam Jihye and senior Won Hyerim, and I had to drink for much longer.

After drinking until my nose was crooked….

‘Because you are the writer and senior that I truly love, I’ll show you! Music, cue.’

I spent all night in front of the two people holding their phones, enthusiastically performing a talent show.

Between the fragmented memories, the sensation of swaying and dancing and the faces of the writer and senior laughing flashed by.

“Crazy. Han Saena likes attention, she really likes it….”

I buried my face in the pillow and screamed.

Nothing is easy to obtain.

The title of lead actress with 30% viewership came with a shameful dark history.

I sighed deeply and picked up my phone.

Still, 30% viewership is….

“A miracle in my life.”

It was also quite impressive that the final episode’s viewership was 30.2%, while the special episode that followed was 24.4%.

As soon as the short film was released, real-time search terms such as ‘Han Saena short film’ and ‘*Gwol-Kkot* short film’ were listed in a row.

‘It’s still so amazing that I can’t get used to it.’

The process of struggling to be cast, the way I danced, and my feelings after finishing the work all felt like a dream.

In particular, I could feel that people were becoming more and more curious.

About what kind of person actress Han Saena is.

Then, the interrupted vibration rang again.

I checked the text and jumped up.

“What are you saying??”

* * *

Bareum Entertainment office.

“*Unnie*!” (*Unnie* is a Korean term used by younger females to address older females).

When I burst into the office, I saw Minyoung *unnie* and teacher Yoon Youngjae sitting face to face.

What is this situation?

“Variety show? Suddenly?”

Minyoung *unnie* calmly put down her teacup as if she knew I would come.

“The director of the NBS variety show department called himself. He said he wanted you to be on the show no matter what.”

“Huh…?”

The teacher looked at my face and chuckled.

“I think she’s funny when she’s like that sometimes.”

“Right?”

Minyoung *unnie* followed the teacher’s lead and laughed, then answered again.

“I wouldn’t know about a solo variety show, but it’s a *Gwol-Kkot* special. Lee Seokhyun and actress Won Hyerim are all going to be on it. So we have to say we’ll go too.”

Ah….

That’s how it happened.

I collapsed next to Minyoung *unnie*, feeling drained.

I came in such a hurry that the hangover seemed to be coming back.

“Ugh, she smells like alcohol.”

“But why did the director emphasize it to me? I would have gone even if he didn’t.”

Minyoung *unnie* shrugged at my question.

“You’ve never been on a variety show before, so he probably wants to promote it as your first appearance.”

I nodded at her words.

Then the teacher suddenly said.

“I’m not going to go easy on you.”

“Yes?”

Minyoung *unnie* chuckled at the teacher’s words.

“It’s a real variety show. There’s no detailed script, and I heard it’s roughly a chase, okay?”

What did you say…?

* * *

Two weeks later.

The weather was getting warmer, even hot.

On a sunny day, the *Gwol-Kkot* members gathered one by one in the studio.

The filming schedule was set earlier than expected.

It was the variety show PD’s [Producer-Director] strategy to quickly proceed with the *Gwol-Kkot* special before interest waned.

The PD announced that the pre-recorded footage would be released after this special.

“Ugh, I’m getting old now, and my knees are rattling.”

Senior Won Hyerim looked in the mirror and muttered to herself.

“Haha, senior. You’re still in your prime, what are you talking about….”

Then, teacher Yoon Youngjae appeared in casual training clothes from afar.

Seeing that, senior Won Hyerim handed the mirror to her manager.

“Right. Teacher Yoon Youngjae is running too, so I was being reckless, you.”

I chuckled at the senior’s words.

A few minutes later, with MC [Master of Ceremonies] Shin Doyoung’s hearty voice, the full-scale filming began.

“A weekly variety survival game! This is Asura. Now, the *Gwol-Kkot* special that everyone has been waiting for! Welcome everyone.”

The five fixed members, including the MC, Bang Chaehyuk, Mason, Lee Yul, and Chae Ju-i, clapped and greeted us.

Dozens of cameras surrounded us, about ten people, like a wall.

Even though it was in front of the familiar camera, I felt a little burdened.

Is this how variety show phobia develops…?.

The staff and cameras that would follow me all day were also pre-assigned.

I was newly impressed by MC Shin Doyoung, who I saw on TV every day.

Comedians fly above running actors.

“This week’s survival game is! ‘Find the Gold Bar’ chase.”

No sooner had Shin Doyoung finished speaking than the fixed members frowned, joking.

“Wow, that’s the hardest one. This week.”

“I think the PD should be the first to roll. Come out, huh?”

With one word from comedian Bang Chaehyuk, the studio was already a sea of laughter.

I was intimidated.

I have to make people laugh at least once, but how do I do it…?

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