I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 18

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 18

* * *

“Hey, one roll paper over here!”

“Did you get the baby light? Not that standard one over there.”

The truck opened, and carts loaded with black equipment boxes appeared one after another. The staff members were all busy checking the film set.

“Give me the storyboard.”

Jjang Director sat in his chair and checked the storyboard he received. As he focused on the storyboard, the clanking sounds of heavy equipment being set up gradually faded from his ears.

‘I wonder if this will go well.’

Three rookie actors as leads, plus a limited location. A tight budget.

Jjang Director closed his eyes for a moment. He had a feeling things might go awry from the start. Generally, the instincts of those who’ve been eating film set meals for a long time are rarely wrong.

‘Box office success can sometimes be unpredictable, but when it comes to acting…’

You can usually tell from the script reading. Which one will deliver bad acting. Jjang Director didn’t have high expectations for Ju Junseo, the model-turned-actor that JC was pushing, and Chu Gaeul from a fairly large entertainment agency.

‘Rookies can only do so much anyway.’

The rest would have to rely on the power of editing. Flying drones for some school overview shots, insert cuts that give off a strong school drama atmosphere, great BGM, and symbolic scenes that would appeal to so-called ‘drama addicts’…

“Hello!”

What broke Jjang Director’s thoughts was a clear voice. The director’s eyes snapped open as he looked at Yeoreum bowing politely in greeting.

“You’re here!!!”

The only actor Jjang Director had expectations for, Han Yeoreum, had arrived. Jjang Director temporarily set aside his worries about how to fill the gaps he’d been contemplating just moments before.

‘Well, at least with her here.’

At least the scenes with Han Yeoreum seemed salvageable no matter what.

* * *

“Why did you come so early?”

I’d already heard this question more than ten times.

“I was too nervous to sleep, so I just came!”

“Oh~. I really like this kind of self-PR.”

Jjang Director laughed heartily, probably thinking it was a joke.

‘But this isn’t a joke, it’s real.’

He probably doesn’t know how much a first lead role means to someone who’s been unknown for 10 years. I woke up at dawn, took the first train, and rushed to Cheongdam-dong.

‘Today is the filming day for the dead fish eyes scene, so I only got simple cover makeup.’

Going to the shop from morning to prepare for filming made my heart swell with the feeling of being an actor.

Coming to the film set made it feel even more real. I naturally took the seat next to Jjang Director.

“You’ve been doing your script reading well?”

“Yes, of course.”

Since I have no agency or manager, making a good impression on the staff comes first.

‘And I’ve prepared some things too.’

I pulled out my worn script. It was filled with underlines and annotations, clearly looking like the possession of a diligent actor. The plan seemed to work as Jjang Director smiled contentedly looking at my script.

‘I can’t lose to Chu Gaeul in buzz.’

I used my head in my own way. I need to secure the lead role firmly from the beginning. So what I chose was script analysis.

‘All that web drama watching paid off.’

I flipped through a few pages and immediately shared my opinion.

“Oh, this is the first take.”

“Yes. Could I possibly go slightly out of frame here?”

“During which line?”

The golden age of web dramas began with 〈Freshman Welcome Party〉. While 50% was due to it being used as memes, the other 50% was thanks to editing that was too good for the actors’ acting skills.

“Here, in this part where Hina comes in and talks—”

Focusing on that aspect might yield pretty good results. Having watched countless web dramas for 10 years and even checked editing points, I shared the parts I’d organized with Jjang Director.

“…Not bad.”

Jjang Director muttered while thoroughly examining my script. His page-turning became faster and faster. His eyes sparkled behind his glasses. Occasional exclamations of admiration mixed in.

“Wow. You really did your research thoroughly.”

He seemed to plan on using several pages as-is, judging by how he folded the corners. I cheered inwardly as I watched Jjang Director call over the assistant director.

‘Nice.’

This is going better than I expected.

* * *

Chu Gaeul checked the mirror once before getting out of the van.

“Gaeul, are you that nervous? How long are you going to look in the mirror?”

“I look really okay today, right?”

Today, Gaeul looked exactly like a female protagonist straight out of a romance manga. Gaeul adjusted the angle of the ribbon around her neck. The manager chuckled and comforted Gaeul.

“Of course, of course. You’re our Gaeul.”

To forget the sense of defeat she felt during the last script reading, today’s Chu Gaeul had prepared everything perfectly. Not just memorizing the script, but styling too. She felt like she definitely wouldn’t lose to Han Yeoreum.

‘What’s the point of being the protagonist only in the scenario?’

Chu Gaeul knew well that the real protagonist is determined by viewers’ reactions. For Chu Gaeul, the spotlight she would receive was more important than the work’s success.

‘Even if a web drama succeeds, it’s still just a web drama. There are limits.’

She didn’t even expect high view counts and buzz. The management Gaeul belonged to had also advised her.

“Just do moderately well. This is just a stepping stone. Got it, Gaeul? Don’t stress too much.”

Visuals that surpass protagonist Han Yeoreum, chemistry with Ju Junseo, and styling that teenagers would love. Bringing these three things was the goal of Chu Gaeul and her management.

‘…So it’s okay. I’m the heroine.’

Gaeul looked at Han Yeoreum, who had arrived early and was talking with the staff. The anxiety she felt during the script reading kept making her lips go dry. Han Yeoreum’s voice from that time, the presence felt when delivering lines, that piercing delivery.

“…Phew.”

Gaeul took a slow deep breath. She happened to make eye contact with Han Yeoreum. Focusing on the plain, almost shabby styling, Gaeul called over a staff member beside her.

“Let me touch up my lips once.”

Chu Gaeul, who had been biting her lips tightly, tried to calm her mind while applying shimmering gloss.

‘The focus is mine.’

Soon it would be time to be captured in the same frame as Han Yeoreum.

* * *

Ju Junseo touched his red-dyed hair once with his hand. The ends were crispy from bleaching twice in a row.

“Junseo. But from what I see, red hair really suits you too. I’m not just saying this—”

“Yeah, I got it. Stop talking.”

Seeing Ju Junseo’s expression, his manager was restless. He knew that everything had been rubbing Ju Junseo the wrong way since the first day he received the 〈Freshman Welcome Party〉 script. Ju Junseo, who had black hair, was forced to dye it recently due to Chu Gaeul’s unilateral action.

“…What did you say?”

“So, the writer said—…”

Since the heroine’s hair color was changed to pink, the male protagonist also needed to make an impact. Ju Junseo threw the script down several times that day.

He demanded script revisions, but it didn’t work, which made him even angrier. Except for Ju Junseo, all the cast members had no notable recognition.

‘This is annoying.’

Heat rose to his head. Everything from start to finish was irritating.

“Junseo. This is perfect right now. Just film with that exact expression!”

“…Yeah. Got it.”

Irritation seeped into every step he took toward the film set. The manager walked alongside Ju Junseo, matching his pace while earnestly encouraging him. Ju Junseo nodded appropriately to the staff members he encountered, and finally opened the rooftop door. Among the chaotic array of equipment scattered across the set, a few familiar faces caught his eye.

“Junseo, you’re here?”

“Yes. Hello.”

Jjang Director, Pink Hair. And….

“Hello!”

There was one thing that was uniquely, somewhat better. Ju Junseo looked down at the girl wearing a long skirt that reached her knees.

‘Her name was Han Yeoreum, wasn’t it.’

The worn script in her hands caught his attention. Han Yeoreum seemed to be having some conversation with Jjang Director, her face already filled with anticipation.

“Lighting setup complete!”

That’s when it happened. With the sound of a button being pressed, all the installed lighting turned on at once. Dazzling light poured down over Han Yeoreum’s face.

“…What the.”

Ju Junseo muttered without realizing it. Han Yeoreum was sparkling brilliantly.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————