In This Life, I Will Die As An Actress, Not As A Villainess [EN]: Chapter 94

Dress Fitting Room.

Has it been about three hours since I came in here?

I was changing into my fifteenth dress, with Min-young unnie [older sister or friend] sitting on the sofa in front of me.

This time, I came out wearing a classic, short black mini dress.

It was from an overseas designer brand newly launching in Korea.

I heard that they contacted Bareum Entertainment directly.

It was a dress with impressive overall curves, a style I had never seen before.

Unnie nodded, seemingly liking it at first glance.

“It’s a style you’ve never worn before. Saena, how about this one?”

“I like it. Please, anything now.”

Just one more change and it would be the sixteenth dress.

“Or that blue dress is also nice.”

When Unnie turned her attention to another new dress, I quickly said,

“I really want to do this one. Please. I like this one so much.”

Unnie chuckled at my rote answer.

“Okay, let’s do that one then. You’ve been going to America too much, and unnie is getting bored.”

“You shouldn’t have time to be bored. The internet is very…….”

“That’s just…”

Unnie shrugged.

“I’ll have to get used to it more in the future. Isn’t it the destiny of a star and a manager paving the way for the star?”

“Manager? Unnie.”

Min-young unnie, who throws out corny jokes, was getting thinner every time I saw her.

Even if she says that, she must be handling her work from A to Z with her perfectionist personality behind the scenes.

Unnie took a sip of coffee and asked.

“So, I’m saying that being talked about in gossip like this will only increase in the future. How about going to counseling to manage stress and take care of your mental health?”

“Counseling?”

“Yeah. You’re the type who doesn’t talk about your inner thoughts. I’m worried.”

I see.

I looked at myself in the dress in the mirror.

I had never thought about counseling before.

Even in my previous life, when I suffered so much.

I guess I haven’t been taking care of myself enough….

I looked at Unnie again and nodded.

“I think I need it too.”

“Okay.”

Unnie put down her coffee cup and asked the staff to finish fitting the dress.

And she asked, getting up from her seat.

“Oh, right, what did Reporter Yeom Sang-jin want to see you about?”

Ah, Reporter Yeom Sang-jin.

I was scheduled to talk to the reporter right after the dress fitting.

The reporter who first asked me about Emilie at the airport that time.

Jin-seok oppa [older brother or friend] quickly got his number that day.

I smiled slightly at Unnie without answering.

* * *

After finishing the dress fitting.

-…I didn’t expect you to contact me like this…. Thank you.

I went home and immediately called the reporter.

I could feel the reporter’s surprise in his voice.

“Am I being too sudden? It’s just that I was very impressed with your question back then.”

-My question…?

“Yes. You asked about the character in the work back then.”

-Yes, that’s right…….

The reporter trailed off, very flustered.

“It was the first time. A reporter who only focuses on the work.”

-Ah.

The reporter reacted as if he finally understood what I meant.

“I was so grateful that I wanted to see you at least once.”

-I would be honored if you would do that.

“So, if you’re okay with it, I’d like to make a suggestion with a request.”

-What…?

I started telling the reporter about a small plan I had in mind.

* * *

Two weeks later, Utah, USA.

In front of the Snowfall theater.

As soon as I arrived in Utah, I was greeted by colder weather than LA or Pennsylvania.

The cold wind penetrated to the bones.

“Wow, I chose the wrong dress. I’m doomed.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, thinking about the upcoming red carpet.

At that time, Chloe, who came to Utah with me for winter vacation, held my hand tightly and blew on it.

“Mom, are you cold?”

Seeing Chloe made me laugh even in the cold.

Chloe’s nose was red, probably because she was cold too.

“Chloe. You’re the prettiest here today.”

Unlike other film festivals, at Snowfall, actors, directors, and reporters lined up to enter just like regular attendees.

Chloe, wearing a coat with cute little tassels, jumped up and down.

“It’s so much fun! It’s the best winter vacation in my life.”

Everyone laughed together at Chloe’s words.

I looked at the director, who seemed awkward in his suit, fiddling with his tie.

“I’m also looking forward to the film festival entries. There are more diverse genres than last year, right?”

Then the director smiled contentedly and nodded.

“Many good new directors have emerged.”

Innovative works were invited to the film festival, from newly created genres to combinations of genres, and subjects and characters never seen before.

“There’s even a movie shot with a smartphone. I’m so curious about that.”

“Oh, I saw the poster for that? It’s even a college student’s work. I heard it’s the first time they’ve ever made a movie.”

The director was also paying attention, rattling off information.

“I heard they shot it with the latest phone and even got a request for an advertisement from that company.”

Aiden added.

Wow, is this the charm of overseas film festivals?

A place full of diverse works and talents.

I felt this energy from the entrance.

Aiden chimed in from the side.

“Shouldn’t the director participate as a Snowfall judge now? You’ve been coming for too long.”

Everyone laughed together again at Aiden’s joke.

It sounded like a joke, but it was quite valid.

The director had already been invited to Snowfall for the fourth time.

“Ah, it’s our turn!”

With Chloe’s words, the guide helped us enter.

So, holding Chloe’s hand tightly, I entered the theater with a trembling heart.

To watch my work with the audience in an overseas film festival theater.

Inside the entered theater.

I sat side by side with the team members in front of the large screen.

The auditorium was full after we sat down.

I briefly turned around and looked at the faces of people from various countries.

The people who will watch my first movie with me.

Then the lights in the theater went out and the movie started.

* * *

Two hours later, the names of the movie staff, which I had become familiar with, went up on the ending credits.

When the lights came on again, people got up from their seats one by one.

“Shall we go?”

With the director’s words, everyone got up from their seats and looked at the audience.

The audience gave a standing ovation.

The sound of applause was so loud that it felt like the ceiling of the small theater would fly away.

It was the first time I had received applause in a movie theater.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

The faces of people who had sent countless question marks to my choices and anonymous comments flashed through my mind.

Wouldn’t this movie, my heart in this movie, be a sufficient answer to that?

The applause continued for a long time.

The audience slowly began to leave one by one.

Some film industry officials approached and shook hands with the director and actors.

But among them, I saw a familiar face.

It was the director of Warner’s , whom I had met several times during the audition.

The director politely greeted Director Raymond and then approached me.

And he said with a smile.

“It was a good work. It warms my heart enough to melt my frozen feet.”

Everyone around laughed at the director’s joke.

The reporters who were watching this side took some pictures with their cameras and then laughed together.

While people were gathering in groups of three or five to exchange greetings, the director spoke quietly so that only I could hear.

“As expected, my thoughts are still not wrong.”

“Yes?”

“It would have been nice if Saena had appeared in our work.”

“I also wanted to work with the director, but it’s a shame.”

After hearing my answer, the director glared at me unpleasantly as if telling me not to lie.

“Even if it’s not a big bus like Warner’s.”

“Yes?”

“It seems like you’re riding a pretty and solid car that suits Saena well. It looks good.”

With those words, the director left.

From nearby, I could hear people’s impressions of the movie in various languages.

I listened to each and every one of those sounds.

“Touching? The direction is new.”

“Honestly, I thought the emotions of the mother and daughter would collapse or break down at the end. I like that it’s calm.”

“There must be a lot of Koreans like Emilie in America. She’s a character that represents them.”

“I think I know why Aiden and Saena chose this work. They didn’t want their image to be consumed in hero movies.”

Some people discovered new aspects of the actors.

I smiled to myself while listening to those words, and I met Aiden’s eyes.

Aiden smiled at me.

I was proud.

It wasn’t as glamorous a role as a hero, but the positive emotions that people felt after watching the work returned like echoes.

Even if I had chosen a hero movie, it would have been fun in a different way.

I thought that I wouldn’t have been able to convey this lingering, warm, long-lasting emotion.

‘You do that too. Like a rookie, like others. Something that you have no idea about. Something that you can’t predict what will happen.’

In the end, Min-young unnie was right.

I collided with all my might with something new that I couldn’t see even an inch ahead in an unfamiliar place, and this time, it came back to me as an invaluable experience.

Unforgettable, overwhelming emotions and new colleagues remained by my side.

* * *

Outside the theater.

“Tonight is a party!!”

Director Raymond shouted as if he was very excited.

Chloe laughed beside him.

But then.

“I was talking to Director Lennon earlier, is it a pre-calculated performance [scripted or planned event]?”

A familiar voice was heard.

It was the rude reporter I was facing for the third time.

Before I could frown, I blinked.

What is he, a stalker?

Aiden was very wary and put me behind him.

Did he really get a lot of black money from somewhere?

His obsession is amazing?

“What did director say in your ear?”

As the reporter asked questions and approached us….

At the same time, another reporter walked over from the opposite side.

I shouted nice timing inwardly when I saw the reporter’s face.

It was Reporter Yeom Sang-jin, whom I had invited.

I smiled and waved at Reporter Yeom Sang-jin.

Then Reporter Yeom Sang-jin also smiled slightly.

Reporter Yeom Sang-jin bowed, greeting me.

And he said softly.

“It was really impressive. I’ve seen everything from flat shoes to your previous works, and Han Saena’s transformation is endless. The audience reaction is also good, and the article will come out well.”

Then the reporter standing next to him looked at Reporter Yeom Sang-jin as if he felt bad.

“What is it? I came here first, so please keep some professional ethics.”

Then Reporter Yeom Sang-jin glanced at the reporter.

“We’ve met before, right?”

“…?”

“I’m Yeom Sang-jin, a reporter for Samyeon Ilbo. Mr. Elegant Reporter.”

As soon as I heard the name, I almost burst out laughing.

Is his name Elegant?

The Elegant Reporter looked surprised as if he remembered who the other person was.

I could feel a lot of uncomfortable feelings under that surprised expression.

What is this, this strange atmosphere.

How do they know each other?

I looked around and quickly said to the Elegant Reporter.

“This side has a prior appointment. Would you like to make an official request if you want an interview?”

Then the Elegant Reporter looked at the two of us alternately and left.

Just as he completely disappeared from view, I asked Reporter Yeom Sang-jin.

“Were you acquainted?”

Reporter Yeom Sang-jin explained briefly.

“He was a reporter who used to dig into entertainment corruption and illegal issues together. I often saw him while covering dangerous things. He was very passionate.”

Hearing those words made me feel bitter for some reason.

Why is he using that passion for this now?

I tried to shake off the words I heard and smiled again.

“You’ve had a long way to come. Shall we go then?”