In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 67

“Cheers!!”

“Our flower star drinks cola!”

A small chicken restaurant, where we all gathered together for the first time in a few weeks.

After spending a few days on the island together, seeing their faces filled me with joy, as if we were reunited with long-lost family members.

Before even exchanging greetings, we all shared our excitement about the impressive comments we had seen on the iTube channel.

“Hey, someone’s saying Saena is turning into a director.”

“Hey, you *are* the director! Did our Kkotbyeol [Flower Star, Saena’s nickname] get her eyes stamped properly? ‘Obstacle, hindrance.’”

“It’s thanks to my sister.”

I smiled and picked up my phone to rearrange the comments by most recent, and one comment immediately caught my eye.

– This is a Netmate official. I have a suggestion regarding your video. I don’t have any contact information, so I’m leaving this as a comment. Please send an email here: [email protected]

Flower Star tilted her head when she saw the comment.

“Netmate? Isn’t that an American company?”

“Oh, really?”

All the actors smiled and sipped their beer, feigning amazement.

Among them, I was the only one who couldn’t help but look at the comment seriously.

Netmate?

I guess I didn’t misread it just now.

Netmate was a platform that briefly gained popularity as an overseas OTT [Over-the-top media service] service and became a huge hit when it launched in Korea.

Moreover, it was also a platform that promoted the Korean Wave [Hallyu] and K-content globally.

I had a feeling that things had suddenly become too big, and my hands were sweating.

At that time, senior Won Hye-rim tilted her head.

“But this platform… Is there any guarantee that it will work out if it comes to Korea?”

Ah, it’s not yet available in Korea.

Perhaps that’s why Kim Eun-seo took a slightly skeptical attitude.

“There are things that seem interesting at first glance, but will fail if you spend money trying to grow them. Isn’t that what our video is like?”

Clearly, her words were persuasive.

But no one nodded in agreement.

Because we are Netmate’s first.

Whether it went well or not, it would certainly be recorded as a monumental event if Netmate chose us for their first departure into Korean content.

“That won’t happen.”

Everyone seemed a little surprised by my firm words.

At that time, Jaehyeong joked.

“Saena, did you at least buy Netmate stock?”

“… …”

The others laughed at Jaehyung’s words.

“Okay. Unless you bought stocks, don’t make a decision too hastily.”

While everyone was laughing, I was breaking into a cold sweat inside.

Netmate was on my stock shopping cart list that I couldn’t tell others about.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going to produce it just because of that.

“I’ll just listen to their story first.”

Everyone nodded at what I said.

“Yeah, that’s good. Try sending an email.”

So, I sent an email prefaced by saying, ‘Hello, this is Han Sae-na.’

A reply came in less than a minute.

‘Thank you for the email. Netmate is currently developing original Korean content. Would you be interested in collaborating on this project?’

My mouth dropped open when I saw the reply.

“Oh my, what’s going on?”

Senior Won Hye-rim carefully read the added explanation.

“They’re recommending an 8-episode drama?!”

“Wow, awesome!”

Everyone was amazed and toasted again, but my head was spinning.

There was a slightly difficult aspect to consider.

Of course, it is a video I shot myself based on a script I wrote, but the starting point is director Hwang Bo Jae-jun’s work.

“Talk to the director.”

As Jaehyung spoke, I looked at the actors in front of me for a moment.

“If it goes through, will everyone appear?”

Everyone gave their own answers.

“I’ll have to talk to the company, but if it’s this topical, I don’t think they’ll block it, right?”

“I’d love to!”

“I won’t do it if you stand out too much.”

After putting Kim Eun-seo’s words aside, I called the director and quickly told him everything.

The director jumped up.

‘Where are you? I’ll go right away.’

* * *

An hour later, even the director had joined us.

“I’ll just say it bluntly. We will take care of all the post-view work, so can you let us use the uploaded video to promote our film?”

The director looked at me and asked.

He had a very expectant look in his eyes.

“Sure. It was the director’s idea from the beginning. So what about the Netmate proposal…? ”

I trailed off as I asked.

I, too, was suddenly discouraged by the scale of the 8-episode drama that was right in front of me.

Then the director shouted as if it was obvious.

“You should do that too!”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course, it’s a golden opportunity!”

The director was even more excited than me.

“Even though the movie hasn’t been released yet, tell them in advance that it was a work in progress. If you say it’s okay, I’ll make it right away.”

I nodded slowly at the director’s words.

* * *

A few days after that.

I sat across from Netmate officials in an office.

First, an interview article with director Jaejun Hwangbo was mentioned.

‘There was a big issue in our movie, in which Saena played a cameo role. Saena made a video of her work, and an OTT service called Netmate contacted me saying they wanted to produce it as a drama.’

In addition, the director even left a promotional message asking people to look forward to it, saying that he was discussing with Netmate how to make it fun.

He was a really quick person.

Following the director’s strategy, as soon as the trailer for the movie was released along with the article, a lot of people’s attention was drawn to it.

It was expected that the box office performance would probably increase considerably more than what was remembered in previous lives.

Along with the trailer, my video was also re-uploaded with the sound and post-processing corrected.

It’s still on the In the Bazooka channel, not a movie distributor channel.

“The response has been incredible.”

One official did not hide his surprise.

“It’s worth it. The fact that it is Netmate’s first original work in Korea is a big deal, and the fact that it is a worldview that is connected to the movie series is also interesting. In addition, it was created by Saena, an actress who is currently on the rise, and she even got the idea for the seasoning when she made a cameo appearance. Everything is designed to stimulate curiosity.”

Another official offered an analytical approach.

“It’s also smart to have it flow in with the distributor’s trailer.”

It was predicted that people would watch the video moving from the official trailer to In the Bazooka, and from In the Bazooka back to the official trailer.

A win-win promotional strategy.

He was nodding his head and smiling.

It was to hide my slight trembling.

“Now then, shall we discuss production in earnest?”

Everyone sat down and adjusted their posture as if they were trying to concentrate.

At that time, one of the employees raised his hand.

“But, who put the money in the pension?”

I smiled slightly, making eye contact with the employee who asked the question.

It was a question I had already anticipated.

“I assumed there was someone else watching what was happening at this pension. Someone who plays with people’s lives with money.”

“Ah, I roughly guessed, but… So you only set it up and didn’t put it in the video?”

“Yes.”

“I hope that story is included in the drama in earnest.”

I was about to answer when another employee cut in.

“I’m on the opposite side.”

Oh?

“The source of the money doesn’t feel like a necessary element for the progress of this drama. Rather, I think the essence of this drama is blindly rushing in without even knowing the source.”

It was a persuasive statement.

I also thought so, so I deliberately didn’t reveal the truth about the money in the video.

Just leaving it to the audience’s imagination.

“The moment you create a drama about the forces behind it to reveal the source, this story will change into a different story.”

Then another employee added.

“I agree. And if it changes into that kind of story, it will only be portrayed as a cliché criticism of capitalism or the ugly games of the rich. I don’t think that’s the essence of our story.”

“But to fill 8 episodes, wouldn’t we need another narrative?”

Amidst the divided opinions, everyone spoke persuasively.

Eventually, not long after the meeting started, people were lost in thought.

The office became quiet for a moment.

At that time, the office door opened and someone came in.

It was Jung Chae-sung.

“Oh, you’re here?”

Chae-sung hesitated and bowed his head in front of the people.

Netmate officials looked at Chae-sung with searching eyes.

Chae-sung also smiled awkwardly at the unfamiliar atmosphere and sat down.

I called him, but he still seemed to find it hard to believe that he would be the main PD [Production Director] of this drama.

‘So, are you entrusting the directing to someone else this time?’

It was a question everyone asked about my decision to scout Jung Chae-sung.

It was natural that I wouldn’t be the main one.

Since it was Netmate’s first entry into Korea, it shouldn’t be amateur quality.

A talented main PD was needed.

That’s how I thought of Jung Chae-sung.

* * *

“Saena, I don’t think I can do it. I’ll contact other established directors and bring in someone good.”

A few days ago, at a small cafe.

After meeting for the first time in a while, Chae-sung answered my proposal to be the director.

I nodded as if understanding his words.

“Are you a little nervous after all?”

Chae-sung scratched his head at my words.

“It’s too big of a debut for me. I’m not ready for that yet.”

“Why do you think you can’t do it? It’s already been several years since you’ve been an assistant director.”

Chae-sung shook his head at my question.

“You know your own skills best. I’m not ready yet.”

I took a sip of coffee while listening to those words.

“Of course, that’s possible. But then again, you might not know your own skills best.”

Chae-sung’s expression became strange.

“I’ve only seen you briefly, but I know you, Chae-sung.”

Chae-sung stuttered at my confident words.

“You know me…?”

“That you’ll do well. Chae-sung also played a big role in the success of that drama during Flat Shoes. In my opinion, Chae-sung is already ready.”

There was still doubt on Chae-sung’s face as he listened to my words.

“Then how about this? If you can’t trust yourself, trust my judgment for once. And if it fails, blame me then, Chae-sung.”

Chae-sung sighed deeply at my persistent persuasion.

“You’re really not giving me a chance to run away.”

I smiled bashfully.

“Think about it carefully. I’m definitely not forcing you.”

Chae-sung nodded.

* * *

Back in the office like this.

I smiled at Chae-sung.

Even though he looks anxious now, his eyes will change when he actually works.

I somehow had a feeling.

Even though he seems a bit clumsy, Jung Chae-sung, who will awaken as a director, will show amazing results.

Chae-sung seemed a little relieved by the smile I sent and relaxed his expression.

“Chae-sung, what do you think about revealing the source of the money in the pension?”

One employee casually asked Chae-sung a question.

Then, unexpectedly, Chae-sung said firmly.

“I don’t think there’s any need to reveal it.”

Then the employees nodded.

“What’s the reason?”

“The story of money is cliché. It would be more effective to fill the drama with the stories of people who have no choice but to risk their lives for money.”

“Good. I will follow the director’s opinion.”

The employee who was on the opposite side gave up his opinion first.

Then other employees added.

“Actually, 8 episodes isn’t that long either. Let’s get the director’s scenario first.”

“This story already had divided opinions among the comments. Let’s move on to another story first.”

Then Chae-sung opened his mouth.

“Then, well… It’s a bit of a concern in terms of budget, but first, we need to expand the space. Specifically, we need to add another floor and use the basement floor widely, so that the characters can each form their own forces here….”

See, he’s doing well.

I smiled slightly inside.

In the video uploaded to iTube, the story progressed in a theatrical form with the actors’ lines as the main focus, set against the backdrop of a one-story pension.

On the other hand, in the drama, they planned to show the characters’ fierce psychological warfare and conflicts after selecting locations in earnest.

Nodding, I responded to Chae-sung’s idea.

“I think it would be good to add actor gags here.”

“I was thinking about that too. But the casting is still….”

Chae-sung trailed off.

“I’ll somehow do my best to mobilize my connections for that.”

Chae-sung nodded at my words not to worry.

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