I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 20

* * *

Following the first day of filming came the second day of filming. Since they had to cram as many scenes as possible into the weekend, the lighting team had been out since dawn again today.

“Ah, I’m dead tired…”

“This part’s setup is different from yesterday? Check it one more time.”

While filling up on caffeine, one of the three essential nutrients for modern people, the staff talked about yesterday’s filming set.

“At first I was like, why did Jjang Director pick a complete newbie right away? But there was a reason.”

“Oh, right. She’s the only one not being awkward, and she really holds the center well.”

The main topic of conversation was Han Yeoreum. Being the only one who never had a single NG, she had properly won over the staff’s favor.

“She’s the only one of the three who’s acting properly, so why doesn’t she have an agency?”

“Right. But I think she’ll probably get into a pretty decent place soon, don’t you think?”

“Where? Born Actors? That place is too intense. I think she’d match well with Jeongdam though.”

“One Frame is also looking for new actresses these days, I heard.”

While plausible agency names kept coming out of the staff’s mouths, the Lighting Director silently sipped his coffee.

“What about you, Director? Where do you think Han Yeoreum will end up?”

At the staff member’s question, the director laughed as if asking what kind of question that was. Then he said briefly.

“Somewhere good.”

“What’s that supposed to mean~!”

The staff burst into laughter at that half-hearted answer.

“I’m serious. I have a feeling.”

But the Lighting Director stubbornly didn’t laugh.

“That kid… she’s going to go somewhere really good.”

His instincts, honed through years in broadcasting, were telling him so. Han Yeoreum felt different. She was bright even without lighting.

* * *

If yesterday was filming focused on the three leads, today was filming that included extras as well.

Thanks to that, the filming set was quite bustling. Among the extra actors filling the classroom, Yeoreum appeared as a transfer student.

“A transfer student for the new semester! Hi hi~. I’m Hina. Let’s get along well!”

Chu Gaeul approached Yeoreum closely and cutely tilted her head to one side in front of the desk. Then she stretched out her hand as if asking for a handshake. Yeoreum looking at such Gaeul had a somewhat reluctant expression.

“Cut!”

Jjang Director called cut and subtly shook his head.

‘Strangely, she doesn’t stand out…’

Despite the pink hair, the ribbon around her neck, white knee-high socks, and all sorts of exaggerated actions, Chu Gaeul seemed to naturally become part of the background in front of Han Yeoreum. The focus was on Han Yeoreum sitting quietly.

“Gaeul. That was good just now, but let’s try paying a bit more attention to your dialogue tone~. Pay attention to the emphasis.”

“Yes, I’m sorry…”

“No no. You don’t need to get discouraged.”

It was probably because of her voice. Chu Gaeul, who projected in an excessively high tone for every line, certainly looked bright, but didn’t have any real impact.

‘I wonder how it would be if Han Yeoreum did it…’

Jjang Director had already started substituting Yeoreum for Gaeul’s role too. Conveniently, tomorrow they could film the scene where Han Yeoreum’s character changes. It was the scene where extra Pi Chaewon tries to follow the character traits of heroine Hina exactly.

“Yeoreum. Could you try doing the same lines that Gaeul just did?”

At Jjang Director’s instruction, the filming set became quiet for a moment.

* * *

‘…Is he showing off how bad my acting is in front of everyone?’

Gaeul momentarily couldn’t manage her facial expression. The face that had been smiling brightly until just before stiffened.

“It’s because I think it might be awkward connecting to tomorrow’s scene if you two are completely different. You know too, right Gaeul? That part where Pi Chaewon takes on Hina’s character traits exactly.”

“Ah, yes. I remember. I know, I know…”

Gaeul agreed in a low voice completely different from the voice she had just used as Hina. On one hand, she felt rebellious.

‘My character is so difficult to pull off. Even if Han Yeoreum tries it, it won’t be much different.’

Chu Gaeul’s Hina was a much more difficult character than Han Yeoreum’s Pi Chaewon. There was a strange line where the cringe-worthy dialogue and exaggerated movements looked funny but couldn’t be too over-the-top.

“Yes. I’ll try it. The same thing as just now?”

Han Yeoreum, whose only facial changes since yesterday had been slightly furrowing her brow and curling up the corners of her mouth, looked confident. She stood up following Jjang Director’s instruction.

‘Right. Let’s see how well you do it.’

There probably won’t be anything besides dead-fish-eye acting. Gaeul thought this was a chance to forget the anxiety and impatience that kept appearing for no reason. She felt like she could find her pace again by watching Han Yeoreum act out an awkward, clumsy Hina.

“Action!”

But the moment she saw Han Yeoreum change her expression as soon as Jjang Director finished speaking.

‘…This isn’t right.’

Gaeul’s formless anxiety began to take shape. Han Yeoreum acted as if she had devoured both Pi Chaewon and Hina.

Without any awkwardness at all.

* * *

Taeyang spread out his workbook during lunch break today as well. Rather than being filled with circles, he had checked only the wrong problems as he went to the back pages. As Taeyang applied formulas to math problems, some noise gradually mixed into his ears.

“Our auditorium. They’re filming there right now? That web drama from last time.”

“Oh oh, right. I heard from an older guy I know who’s an extra there that the lead actor is really good at acting. Want to go watch?”

“You mean Ju Junseo? Too many kids crowded around. Even if we go now, we won’t be able to see.”

“No, not him. It’s an actress. What was her name… it was kind of similar to Taeyang’s.”

As if that person could act well. Taeyang inwardly snickered and spun his mechanical pencil around once.

‘Everyone should see Han Yeoreum’s acting.’

Taeyang still remembered Yeoreum’s entrance exam acting from a few months ago. Han Yeoreum who had delivered lines for over 5 minutes by herself. He wanted people to quickly see how she didn’t waste a single breath and didn’t slur a single word.

“I remembered! Han Yeoreum!”

That’s why. It was reflexive that Taeyang stood up.

“What did you just say?”

“Uh… Han Yeoreum…”

“An actress???”

Seeing Han Taeyang suddenly stride over and ask back, his classmate was flustered. It felt like he had done something wrong.

“Uh… filming a web drama… in the auditorium…”

As soon as his friend finished speaking, Han Taeyang opened the classroom door.

Bang-!

Everyone was startled by the explosive sound. Han Taeyang ran to the auditorium. Spectators had already gathered in droves. Han Taeyang pushed through the crowd and went to the front. At the same time, the director’s action sign was given.

“….”

In the middle of the filming set was a face Taeyang knew. Han Yeoreum was bathed in lighting alone, delivering several lines of dialogue without pause.

“Club activities that I have to do for 3 years~ I’m really having a lot of trouble deciding. Hmm. The wind ensemble club is strong at the neighboring high school, and being a manager for the volleyball club or basketball club would be too much work. Oh right. What else was there? The going home club is a bit boring, right? Should I do the shopping club~ What’s the shopping club? I just made it up. After school we go shopping together…”

It was truly a one-man show. Walking around alone near the actors who were standing there blankly, Han Yeoreum poured out her lines.

Each and every word was like a light ball. Thrown to the floor of the auditorium, it went up to the ceiling, then fell back down and bounced around.

“Her memory is amazing…”

Someone next to Taeyang exclaimed in admiration. As Han Yeoreum’s lines got longer, quiet exclamations mixed in.

“Cut! Okay-!”

The director ended the long, long dialogue. The spectators were already holding up their cell phones, filming Han Yeoreum instead of Ju Junseo. The clicking sounds rang chaotically through the auditorium several times. Taeyang silently left the auditorium.

“Geez… Han Yeoreum.”

It seemed like he’d have to tell his sister to prepare a proper autograph soon.

* * *

Before they knew it, filming was racing toward its final stages.

“Junseo, you’ve really worked so hard. We’re almost done now. Really!”

“Yeah, got it.”

The last scene to film was the farewell between the two leads. Since they had to shoot during the magic hour when the sunset glowed, they only had 40 minutes. The staff moved that much more busily. Ju Junseo suddenly looked at the battlefield-like filming set and was reminded of something.

‘…Right now, it’s just like a runway.’

Unlike the well-organized stage that was like a work of art, behind it was always like this. Busy, urgent, with everyone stamping their feet impatiently because every minute and second was precious. Everyone worked so hard for just one minute of flawless walking.

‘There are similar aspects to dramas too.’

Looking at the lighting being readjusted, Ju Junseo recalled the lights he had seen on the runway. The web drama filming that he had desperately wanted to avoid was unconsciously stirring up nostalgia.

“Could you two step into the frame please-!”

It was just before magic hour began. Ju Junseo stood one step away from Han Yeoreum in front of the camera. The orange sunset covered one side of Yeoreum’s face. Her brown eyes caught the light and created a mysterious color.

“Okay! Let’s start filming like this!”

Jjang Director’s voice grew louder with excitement. The red light came on the camera, and the sound of the slate clapping could be heard.

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