In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 63

After wrapping up all the cameo filming for the night,

“Alright everyone, great work tonight!”

“Sena, you were fantastic!”

“Thanks to Sena, our viewership is going to explode!”

I bowed to each of the staff members, offering my thanks.

Just then, the director hurried over and shook my hand enthusiastically.

“Please seriously consider my earlier request! I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve revised the script.”

I smiled and returned his handshake.

Then, I glanced around to make sure we weren’t being overheard.

“But, Director…”

“Yes?”

“There’s something I’d like to ask you in private.”

“Anything for you.”

I moved closer to the director, lowering my voice in case any of the other staff members were within earshot.

And I whispered my request softly.

The director’s eyes widened as he listened intently to my proposition.

He paused for a moment, considering my words, then replied in an equally hushed tone.

As our brief conversation drew to a close, the director posed a question.

“Sena, do you think you can pull this off?”

“Yes, I’m going to give it my best shot.”

* * *

As soon as the cameo filming was complete, my schedule became incredibly hectic.

My manager, *oppa* [term used by a female to refer to an older brother or male friend], noticed me glued to my phone in the car and inquired.

“What’s got you so preoccupied?”

“Aven…”

My instincts kicked in, preventing me from blurting out “Avengers Assemble”.

*It hasn’t been released yet. Get a grip, Han Sena.* I mentally scolded myself.

“Just this and that, you know.”

“Min-young *noona* [term used by a male to refer to an older sister or female friend] said she’s going to smack you upside the head when she sees you.”

“Huh?”

“She’s not happy that you’re starting new projects without telling her.”

I offered an awkward smile in response.

*I’m starting something else right now, aren’t I?*

I tried to banish the chilling image of my sister’s disapproving face from my mind and refocused on my phone.

I was mobilizing all the connections I had made from “Flat Shoes” to “Gyeol Flower”.

A text message arrived from Won Hye-rim, whom I had contacted earlier.

– What are you plotting this time?

I chuckled and sent a reply to my *senior* [term for someone with more experience in a field].

– I’ll tell you in person! Please find some time to meet.

* * *

Three weeks later.

The set was prepared for the additional cameo filming.

I was reviewing the slightly altered script.

The revised content was as follows:

After discovering that Song Jun-woo’s predicament was orchestrated by fellow actor Kim Min-ji, the company seeks out Kim Pil-joo once again.

They implore him to secretly film Kim Min-ji’s illegal activities.

The plan was to fight fire with fire—to catch a crime with a crime.

Kim Pil-joo initially refuses but is eventually swayed by the renewed promise of a meeting with Song Jun-woo.

I held the script up to shield my eyes from the harsh sunlight and surveyed the filming location being set up in the distance.

A container wharf.

This was where they intended to film Kim Min-ji using drugs and subsequently fleeing.

Complete with a high-octane driving scene, no less.

This time, it was with Sung Min-hee.

I smiled faintly, a surge of nervous excitement coursing through me.

*Han Sena, you’ve filmed action scenes before. You’ve come a long way.*

I pulled out my phone for a moment.

I couldn’t afford to put my phone down for even a second, as I was juggling the schedule while essentially working solo.

As soon as I switched off the screen, I heard a staff member’s announcement.

“Filming preparations are complete!”

Shortly after.

“Ready, action!”

I climbed into the designated car with Sung Min-hee.

I was behind the wheel.

I expertly maneuvered the steering wheel, weaving through the maze of containers.

“Crash! Watch out!!”

I ignored Sung Min-hee’s terrified screams.

“I’m not going to crash.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“My stalking wasn’t exactly subtle either.”

“You crazy bitch!”

Along with Sung Min-hee’s colorful curse, the car tires screeched as I swerved sharply to the side.

After successfully escaping the wharf, I floored the accelerator.

Sung Min-hee gripped the handle and screamed as if her life depended on it.

“Cut, okay!”

The director’s voice boomed through the speakers on set.

Sung Min-hee stumbled out of the car, visibly shaken.

“I’m so scared!”

Even with all the safety precautions in place, the environment was undeniably anxiety-inducing.

As soon as I got out of the car, my legs nearly buckled beneath me.

The director beamed with satisfaction.

“It turned out exactly as we rehearsed. How can someone so young be such a seasoned driver? Did you get your license early?”

In response, I simply smiled and nodded, offering no further explanation.

It was a story I couldn’t readily share.

The truth was, I had obtained my license right before filming.

Only after receiving the script for the added scenes did I realize that Han Sena in 2014 didn’t possess a driver’s license yet….

Thanks to that oversight, my driving skills, honed over 20 years of experience, shone brightly, a stark contrast to a newbie’s tentative maneuvers.

After finishing filming for the day, I approached Jae-hyung, who was waiting nearby.

“Even your driving performance is amazing, huh?”

At his words, I chuckled and waved my hand dismissively.

“Jae-hyung, could I ask you for a favor?”

Jae-hyung readily agreed.

“Yes, what is it?”

“I want to make a video. And I’d really love to cast you, Jae-hyung.”

“Really? What kind of video?”

I slowly began to unveil my hidden plan.

* * *

The night I finished the cameo filming.

“Director, by any chance… do you have the video that Kim Pil-joo filmed with the hidden camera? Could I potentially add to that content and create a short video?”

At my softly spoken question, the director looked surprised.

“It’s such interesting material, but it’s a shame it doesn’t quite fit into the movie.”

It was an idea that had taken root the moment I saw the script.

While I was filming Song Jun-woo practicing his acting, a compelling idea flashed in my mind.

*What if I brought this to life?*

I felt it would be far more impactful to visualize such intriguing material in a short video format.

And there was another reason.

Truthfully, while I accepted the cameo offer because the content was appealing, I had another goal in mind when I started preparing to embody Kim Pil-joo.

Understanding the director’s perspective.

Both in my previous life and now, I wanted to comprehend the scene from the director’s point of view, not just the actor’s.

It was to deepen my understanding of the director’s vision as an actor.

I wondered if directing a short, self-contained video, rather than just a scene, would enhance my comprehension.

I felt that now was the perfect opportunity to explore that avenue.

And also.

*I might not have another chance to immerse myself in a script like this again.* I thought.

I harbored doubts until the day before filming, even after accepting the cameo offer.

No, perhaps even until I stood in front of the camera.

Why wasn’t I fully entering the world of the script this time?

Was it simply because it was a cameo role?

With these mixed feelings swirling within me, I finished filming the first scene and pulled myself together.

I resolved not to become complacent.

The world within the script was always unpredictable.

It didn’t cater to my personal circumstances.

So, it could abandon me at any moment.

I shouldn’t rely on luck or fantastical occurrences; I needed to stand firm as an actor, relying on my own abilities.

Therefore, when the time came to face the scene armed only with my skills, I believed that the experience of viewing it from the director’s perspective would be invaluable.

Especially since I hadn’t explored many genres such as thrillers, modern melodramas, and comedies, I needed more thorough preparation.

Then the director spoke, breaking my train of thought.

“Well, it’s not as if it will spoil our movie. If it gains traction on Sena’s SNS [Social Networking Service] and generates word-of-mouth buzz, it could even benefit our promotion.”

He was a cool and easy-going director.

“Anyway, let’s give it our best shot.”

I high-fived the director.

* * *

I recounted the conversation I had with the director that day to Jae-hyung in detail.

“…And also, Jae-hyung, since you’re the male lead in the movie, if it’s alright with you, could I get your contact information?”

Jae-hyung appeared quite surprised, but soon a subtle smile played on his lips.

“That sounds like fun. Who else is going to be in it?”

* * *

I’ve been frequenting the office quite a bit lately.

I was talking to Kkot-byeol next to my sister, who was engrossed in her work.

*Can I even do something like that?* Kkot-byeol expressed her anxiety at my casting offer.

“Of course you can. You were scouted, Kkot-byeol, so you should embrace this opportunity.”

*I’m so grateful and happy, but… I don’t know if I can fit in among the seniors. Especially in terms of skills. I’m too much of an amateur.*

It was the reaction I had anticipated.

“I’m an amateur this time too. It’s my first time directing. So, wouldn’t this be the first and last chance for you to do something comfortably during your acting career?”

Kkot-byeol hesitated for a moment, seemingly weighing my words.

“Do it your way. Take this opportunity to discover your own unique style.”

*Then I… I’ll try my best!* Kkot-byeol replied quickly, her voice filled with determination.

“Okay, call me anytime if you have any questions.”

As I smiled and ended the call, Min-young *unnie* [term used by a female to refer to an older sister or female friend] glanced up from her monitor and looked at me.

“You’re working hard, Director.”

I shrugged my shoulders at her comment.

“But you always do something unexpected, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

*Unnie* also shrugged her shoulders as she looked at me.

Well, it’s certainly unusual for a rookie actor to take on directing.

“Well….”

But she wasn’t referring to that.

“I think you have a knack for choosing projects. It seems like you never pick scripts that are guaranteed to be successful. And now you’re even directing.”

A pang of guilt resonated within me upon hearing her words.

As expected, she was perceptive and saw right through me.

In fact, after being granted the chance to live again, I made a firm decision.

*Let’s not choose projects that other actors have already done.* I resolved.

It felt like stealing someone else’s opportunity to return with the memories of my previous life and select a project that was destined for success.

I didn’t want to do that.

Moreover, after achieving success with “Gyeol Flower,” a project I had no prior memories of, my convictions grew even stronger.

You can achieve success without coveting other people’s opportunities.

So, I vowed to use the memories of my previous life in a way that benefited me without causing harm to others.

I smiled awkwardly at *Unnie*.

“Where are there scripts that are 100% guaranteed to be successful? I don’t know anything about that.”

*Unnie* shrugged her shoulders once more as she looked at me.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

When I opened the messenger window, replies from the two actresses who had enthusiastically accepted my invitation had arrived.

– Jung Yu-ri: Oh my, you should have told me sooner! I’m on a trip to Bali right now. I’ll book a ticket to return tomorrow.

– Kim Eun-seo: Okay. You’re dead if you change the casting after this.

I chuckled at Kim Eun-seo’s message.

She was the first person who came to mind when I was developing each character while writing the scenario.

*What if Kim Eun-seo played this role?*

Then Kim Eun-seo sent another message.

– Thank you.

I smiled slightly.

Okay, so now we’ve assembled quite a few female members….

“Who are you planning to cast for the other male actors?”

Min-young *Unnie* asked, her timing impeccable.

“I’m not sure…. I was thinking of asking Seok-hyun. After all, the better the lineup, the more attention it will attract.”

*Unnie* remained silent.

“But Seok-hyun is so busy, and it’s also a project that doesn’t quite align with his established image, so I suspect the company might object….”

As I was speaking, I turned my head and looked at *Unnie*, who was still silent.

*Unnie* was twirling a pen in her fingers, her expression conveying her disapproval.

“Does it have to be Lee Seok-hyun for that role?”

“Huh?”

“In my opinion, it’s not a good idea to collaborate again so soon after working together. You filmed a romance together, so it’s likely to spark unnecessary rumors.”

I blinked at *Unnie*’s unexpected words.

“Besides, it’s not a commercially viable project; it’s an amateur production created by leveraging your connections, making it even riskier.”

I nodded involuntarily at her persuasive arguments.

I sighed deeply.

“That’s true…. Then who should I ask?”

Jung-hoon is obviously unavailable due to his commitment to his new project.

Should I consider the actors in the actors’ group again?

I racked my brains, but then my phone vibrated.