In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 73

The absurd interview continued.

‘…Actually, Han Sena threatened me on the set of *Gwol-Kkot* [a fictional drama title] not to act up. Han Sena is the type who needs to be the center of attention. Both Yoo Ji-an of *Flat Shoes* [another fictional drama title] and Song Soon-im of *Gwol-Kkot* were eventually changed to suit Han Sena’s taste. If someone who has been trying to get everything their way since their rookie days becomes a leader in the OTT [Over-The-Top, referring to streaming services] scene, the actors’ ecosystem will be thrown into chaos.’

“Hey, isn’t that Heo So-jin?”

Kim Eun-seo asked after reading the interview.

“Seems like it…?”

“Crazy bitch.”

Kim Eun-seo muttered a curse.

Just then, I received a call from Min-young unnie [older sister or close female friend].

As soon as I answered, Min-young unnie spoke quickly.

-Sena, there are strange articles popping up online right now. Saying you’re making a drama based on friendships, and that some actress was threatened….

“I just saw them, unnie.”

-You saw them?

Unnie seemed momentarily flustered, but quickly returned to her usual calm voice.

-Then I don’t need to explain. The person who wrote the column is from HBC [a fictional broadcasting station]. They probably orchestrated this because the judging got twisted. Just wait a bit. I’ll take care of it soon.

The short call ended.

As soon as I hung up, I looked at the floor and sighed.

My head was spinning.

Why HBC?

HBC was the broadcasting station where I had my last audition in my previous life.

What’s going on?

Kim Eun-seo, uncharacteristically, patted my shoulder.

“Don’t worry. Just clarify things and bury the reporter who wrote the column along with Heo So-jin.”

When I didn’t respond, Kim Eun-seo sighed in frustration.

More than that, I was worried about only one thing.

“I’m okay. Clarification is all it takes. But what about the other actors, including you? And the staff?”

Kim Eun-seo looked at me as if she didn’t understand.

“What are you talking about?”

“Everyone is getting criticized because they’re involved with the project I gathered them for.”

This was something that could cause harm not only to this project but also to the people I had worked with since my debut.

Writer Lee Si-young, Writer Nam Ji-hye, Director Kang Jung-hwan, my co-stars, etc….

Familiar faces flashed through my mind.

Then Kim Eun-seo let out a hollow laugh, as if she were at a loss for words.

“You’re worried about people in the midst of this? Worry about yourself.”

Just then, I heard people calling my name in the distance.

“Where is our Sena!”

“Hey, Sena! Where are you hiding? Are you crying?!”

It was the voices of Won Hye-rim sunbae [senior colleague] and Jang Hee-young sunbae.

“…?”

When I raised my head, Kim Eun-seo shouted instead of me.

“She’s here! She’s not crying.”

Then the actors, including Chae-sung, rushed over in a group.

As soon as Won Hye-rim sunbae arrived, she leaned against the wall and put a cigarette in her mouth.

“Heo So-jin, that bitch. Ha….”

“Hey, you have such a nasty temper, why didn’t you take care of this sooner!”

Jang Hee-young sunbae said to Won Hye-rim sunbae.

“Ha… right? It’s my fault. I should have nipped that yellow sprout in the bud, the one that goes around harassing people.”

Won Hye-rim sunbae nonchalantly retorted and blew out cigarette smoke.

Seon Yu-seok was standing next to her with his arms crossed, wearing a serious expression I had never seen before.

Not only Seon Yu-seok, but everyone was standing there with worried faces.

Seeing those faces made my heart heavier.

“I’m sorry, everyone. I’m causing you trouble from the new year because of me…. The agency will release a statement. If things don’t go well, I’ll say I recruited everyone….”

“Oppa [term used by a female to address an older male, often a brother or close friend], what is she saying right now?”

Won Hye-rim sunbae interrupted me and widened her eyes.

Then Jang Hee-young sunbae replied.

“I know, right…?”

“Hey, Sena. We did it because we wanted to.”

“Noona [term used by a male to address an older female, often a sister or close friend], I begged you to audition for me even though you didn’t ask.”

Yu-seok also quickly added.

Jae-hyung, who was standing behind, chimed in as if it were nothing.

“Mixing plausible arguments with forced claims to make it sound convincing is what this industry does best. But… Sena, have you ever been targeted by HBC?”

Then people looked at Jae-hyung.

“An actor from our agency was also targeted by that columnist once. I think that person’s daughter was engaged to the HBC vice president’s son or something.”

Among the listeners, only Won Hye-rim sunbae didn’t react, as if she already knew.

“Why is that?”

Yuri asked back.

“According to what our agency found out, that person only writes columns based on HBC’s orders.”

Hearing that, I finally understood.

“I just rejected all the offers I received.”

At my words, Jae-hyung nodded.

“That’s reason enough. They’re notorious for abusing their power and ruining people if they don’t like them.”

Of course, I had heard about HBC in my previous life.

However, I had never met anyone who had actually been affected, and I had only heard rumors, so I quickly dismissed it.

But now I’m being targeted like this.

“I only rejected them because there weren’t any projects I wanted to do, but things have turned out like this.”

Hearing my words, Won Hye-rim sunbae put out her cigarette.

“Those facts don’t matter anymore. We need to screw them over.”

“Pardon…?”

“You need to brace yourself. There’s probably a truckload of people in this industry who are pissed off at HBC and Heo So-jin right now. We need to gather those people first. Well, your resourceful CEO will probably take care of everything.”

Jae-hyung also handed me a hot pack as if to tell me not to worry.

“I’ll help too. They deserve to go down.”

The other actors shouted, “Me too, me too.”

“Thank you, everyone. I can overcome something like this quickly.”

I said in a bright voice, trying to match the atmosphere of everyone trying to fight.

Then Jang Hee-young sunbae slightly erased her smile and shook her head.

“Uh-uh, that’s not it. You do need to brace yourself, but I’m not telling you to pretend to be okay.”

“Yes?”

“How can you overcome something like this quickly? Are you a machine, Sena?”

Uh…?

Then Hyun-soo, who had been standing quietly, asked.

“Sena, you must have been very surprised?”

It was a calm voice that calmed my heart.

As soon as I heard those words, I suddenly couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Don’t try to be resilient in front of us.”

If you suddenly say that….

I bit my lip tightly.

“Ugh, I knew it.”

Then Yuri strode over and hugged me tightly.

Yuri’s unique sweet perfume scent wafted over me.

I held back the tears that were about to come out.

But from behind, Chae-sung was typing something on his phone.

“What are you doing, Director?”

Kim Eun-seo asked, peeking at his phone, and Chae-sung smiled awkwardly.

“I’m not an actor, and I’m a director making my debut, so this is my first time dealing with something like this. I don’t know how things are going… memo, memo.”

The actors chuckled at Chae-sung’s words.

Then I laughed too.

“And Sena, if you need anything… I can adjust tomorrow’s filming schedule so you can go to Seoul.”

I bowed my head at Chae-sung’s consideration.

“Thank you….”

So many people were worrying about me without even thinking about the harm they might suffer.

I was grateful, but at the same time, it felt like a heavy stone was placed in a corner of my heart.

“Then let’s resume the night shoot. Let’s finish it quickly.”

At Chae-sung’s words, the actors all went back to the set together.

* * *

The next morning, Seoul.

I couldn’t sleep a wink all night and boarded the boat at the crack of dawn.

I tried not to look at my phone during the trip.

When I opened the office door, I saw Min-young unnie on the phone.

Unnie was talking on the phone and looked at me, her face filled with surprise.

“…Yes, I’ll call you back later.”

Hanging up the phone, Unnie jumped up.

“Why are you here? What about the filming?”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just stood there.

“Why is she like this? What happened to the filming?”

“The filming is postponed for a bit.”

“Why?”

“Well….”

I was at a loss for words.

That’s right, why was it postponed?

I was just seized by the feeling that I should postpone it and come to Seoul.

“An actress should focus on acting. Are you going to get involved in politics?”

I was speechless at Unnie’s clear words.

“Is that… so? Is there nothing I can do here……?”

“Of course. Sena, don’t worry too much and don’t get involved. It’s okay.”

“Don’t get involved? Still… it’s my business?”

Hearing my words, Min-young unnie took a sip of coffee.

“So you came here thinking of getting involved. You always try to shoulder everything alone. Why do you even have a company then?”

“…”

“I’ve already contacted all the directors, writers, and actors from your previous works since this morning. Some people contacted me first. Writer Lee Si-young called me at five in the morning and nagged me. Telling me to clarify things quickly. Saying a young actress is getting hurt.”

Suddenly, my nose tingled at those words.

“I’ve also lined up columns from content-related experts. The woman who attacked you is a complete fraud. She graduated from some local university and even lied about her education.”

“Ah….”

“I’ve also subtly contacted the rookie actresses who were targeted by Heo So-jin. When I contacted one person, the names of other actresses who were targeted by Heo So-jin came up.”

Unnie delivered a string of new information like a sausage [a Korean expression for delivering information rapidly and continuously].

As I listened to those words, my legs gradually lost strength.

I walked weakly and slumped onto the sofa.

Without realizing it, the tension that had been in my whole body was released.

“Ugh.”

Unnie put new water in the coffee pot.

I was lost in thought, listening to the sound of the water boiling.

Why did I come all the way to Seoul without any awareness?

It was definitely because of my previous life.

In my past life, I had to fight alone every time.

Then I always lost, got tired, and faced the next challenge alone with a tattered heart.

Without realizing it, I had become accustomed to facing things alone.

Min-young unnie took my hands, which were frozen from the cold, and handed me a warm coffee.

“Look at your hands, they’re frozen. Now that you’re here, get some sleep and rest.”

“Unnie, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

As I took a sip of the warm coffee, I felt my body melting.

Right, let’s rest for a bit.

Just for a moment.

I leaned back on the sofa and closed my eyes.

* * *

After a short rest, I returned to the island.

I looked around the island, which was much colder than Seoul.

I never thought I would be happy to see this rough island with its raging waves.

After staying for a short time, it already felt like my hideout.

It felt like escaping from a troubled world.

The staff treated me as usual when I returned.

“Oh, you don’t have a muffler this time? I was looking forward to it!”

“Hey, if you received it once, you should buy it yourself, humanely!”

I was laughing aimlessly at the staff’s joke when Seon Yu-seok, who found me, came over.

“Noona, you’re back?”

“Yeah, you’ve been filming a lot.”

“You should be prepared today. We need to film what we postponed.”

“This is a disaster….”

But I noticed Yu-seok’s awkward expression.

When our eyes met, Seon Yu-seok hesitated before speaking.

“Noona, is the Heo So-jin situation being resolved?”

“Yeah… I think so. Min-young unnie is taking care of it so well that I’m trying not to worry about it.”

Seon Yu-seok nodded.

“Our company might be able to help too. If you want, we can have a meeting….”

But Seon Yu-seok’s expression, as he trailed off, looked uncomfortable, as if he were saying something he shouldn’t be saying.