I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 21
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 21
“….”
Han Yeoreum said nothing. She hung her head low and trembled slightly with her shoulders. Ju Junseo looked down at Han Yeoreum. Until Han Yeoreum would lift her head. But Han Yeoreum didn’t lift her head and slowly reached out to grab Ju Junseo’s shirt.
“Don’t go.”
It was different from her voice projection so far. It was a precarious voice that seemed to scatter and drift away into the air. Ju Junseo’s heart dropped with a thud. For a moment, Ju Junseo’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Hm…?”
The small hand gripping Ju Junseo’s shirt tightened with force. The pristine white shirt wrinkled unsightly.
“Don’t go….”
Ju Junseo simply remained still. As written in the script, he looked at Han Yeoreum without any action.
‘What should I do.’
Ju Junseo recalled the part he had memorized once more.
School- Rooftop (Sunset background)
Chaewon: (Looking at Jun while sobbing.) Don’t go.
Jun: (Quietly looking down at Chaewon.) ….
Chaewon: (Bursting into tears and saying once more.) Don’t go….
This moment transcended the simple words written in the scenario. It was on a different dimension from what he had unconsciously thought as ‘good acting’ while watching Han Yeoreum until now.
That’s when it happened. Han Yeoreum lifted her head. The deep sunset light, dazzling to the eyes, covered Han Yeoreum’s face.
“…!”
Ju Junseo unconsciously bit his lips. The tear-soaked, wet face wasn’t Han Yeoreum. It was Pi Chaewon who had sensed their parting.
Ju Junseo stroked Han Yeoreum’s hair as written in the scenario. It was a motion he had done several times already. Stroking her head had become somewhat familiar. But for the first time, Ju Junseo did something not in the script.
“….”
For Pi Chaewon who was silently dropping tears. He slowly brushed her cheek with his fingers. In that moment, he saw his own reflection in Pi Chaewon’s eyes. It felt like standing in the middle of a runway. As if everything in the world had stopped, and he had become the protagonist in between.
“Cut!!!”
Jjang Director’s cut signal rang dully in his ears.
* * *
The wrap party dinner was held at a pork belly restaurant near the school. Along with the sizzling sound of grilling meat, Jjang Director’s booming voice echoed throughout the interior.
“Alright!!! Everyone really worked so hard! Especially our actors. Thank you for acting as if you jumped right out of the scenario!”
The dinner gathering with the scenario writer of and Team Leader Seong from JC ENM was wrapped in excitement.
“Stand up and say a word each! Huh? Before the first toast~.”
Jjang Director smiled brightly without rest. At the director’s words, Ju Junseo, who had been sitting quietly across from him, slowly stood up.
“…I had many shortcomings, but thank you for guiding me well.”
“Wow~. So modest!”
Laughter burst out here and there at Jjang Director’s banter. Second was Han Yeoreum, who was sitting next to Jjang Director.
“I’m so sad to part ways, what should I do~.”
Unlike Ju Junseo, Yeoreum, who had become close with the staff, pretended to cry playfully. At that sight, the staff jokingly chanted ‘don’t cry’ in unison.
“This was my first film set, but thank you for leaving such wonderful memories. Please don’t forget me and call me again next time!”
“Ah~. We might not even be able to call Han Yeoreum later!”
At the Lighting Director’s flattery, Yeoreum shrugged her shoulders while pretending to be embarrassed. The atmosphere heated up like crazy even though they hadn’t properly gotten drunk yet.
“…I learned a lot. Really….”
Last was Chu Gaeul. Unlike the first day, Chu Gaeul had gradually become less talkative. In the momentarily calmed atmosphere, Jjang Director raised his glass high.
“For the success of !”
“Cheers!!!”
Starting with the toast, the staff who had been working hard on set released their pent-up feelings as if intoxicated with madness. Bottles were placed chaotically, green and brown alike. Additional meat orders continued endlessly.
‘This is definitely going to be a hit!’
It was the best atmosphere that comes out when everyone is confident about the work’s success.
* * *
‘Ah, the taste of being the protagonist….’
Too sweet. Really sweet to death. I was busy going around receiving drinks here and there from Jjang Director and others.
“I received a few videos… really, it’s exactly the Chaewon I had in mind….”
The Writer must have a low alcohol tolerance. Crying is her drunk habit. I hugged the Writer once as she sniffled and cried from being moved.
“The stories from the set were really good, right? You’ll become an actress with heartwarming stories pouring out later.”
Teacher Yeo’s junior and my benefactor who suggested the audition, Team Leader Seong from JC ENM, filled my glass only halfway while encouraging me.
‘Seeing how he focused on heartwarming stories, I wonder if he’ll do some viral marketing after releasing press materials later.’
Since I don’t have an agency, even one article or one viral post is really precious. I bowed my head in greeting and downed it in one shot. After that, I went to greet the Lighting Director, sound team, and who else. Anyway, the familiar faces I had gotten used to during those few days of filming.
“I’ve seen a lot of actors, you know~. Yeoreum, what should I say? I can already see it. Your potential is golden~!”
‘That doesn’t sound like a good thing?’
“No, no… no. Your sprout is, colorful~!”
‘He’s drunk….’
The staff with reddened faces increased one by one. I went outside for a moment to catch my breath.
‘This feeling is strange.’
Had I ever felt like this after filming ended? No. Not even once. The bittersweet feeling of slowly parting ways after truly becoming one with the role. I closed my eyes for a moment to enjoy the lingering feeling….
“Hey.”
“Wow, you scared me.”
…I couldn’t enjoy it. I turned my head toward the sound to see Chu Gaeul staggering toward me.
“What?”
She was drinking alone in the corner earlier. If she was going to get this drunk, she should have drunk soda instead. Chu Gaeul, who had come close to me, suddenly grabbed my arm.
“You….”
Chu Gaeul’s eyes became teary. Chu Gaeul took a big breath with a whooshing sound.
“You were good.”
“Oh. An unexpected line.”
Chu Gaeul grabbed my arm while tears streamed down her face. In the midst of it, she stomped her feet as if annoyed.
“You’re just a parachute hire, damn it. Why are you good at acting… making me…. Huuu….”
Staggering Chu Gaeul kept streaming tears. But there’s a very strange line mixed in there? Parachute hire?
“Hey. What parachute hire. I don’t even have an agency.”
“Right. You don’t even have an agency, damn… why are you so good….”
“You can’t go around saying Han Yeoreum is a parachute hire. I don’t even have an agency to cover for me.”
“Right…. Unlike you who doesn’t even have an agency… I’m with LM Entertainment… so, so….”
Chu Gaeul’s eyes now held venom rather than sorrow.
“Next time we meet… I’ll be better than you… working my ass off, much better… making you feel this way….”
She could even do method acting. Where did the soul of a pitiful heroine from a romance comic possess her?
‘She seems to still not have escaped from Hina.’
Did she get possessed by Hina on set? Why is she acting like this when everything’s over? I roughly patted Chu Gaeul’s shoulder.
“Go ahead then…. Yes. Fighting.”
“So annoying… really, I thought you couldn’t do it… your voice! Why are you so, good at it… huh?”
Listening carefully, it’s all praise for me. Not bad to hear. I casually asked Chu Gaeul as if comforting her.
“Which part especially?”
“Uh… during today’s final shoot, especially how you made even Ju Junseo get into character….”
I extracted a medley of praise from Chu Gaeul after that. Looking at her, she seems kind of cute too.
I was enjoying it when her manager came to take Chu Gaeul away with apologies, and I finally became alone again.
‘Now to properly enjoy the lingering feeling….’
…I couldn’t notice. Ju Junseo appeared before my eyes without any sign of his presence. I thought he might have come out to smoke, but it seemed like his purpose was me. Judging by how he was just standing there silently, staring only at me.
“Did you perhaps come to compliment me?”
“…What.”
“There was a small incident just now. Why did you come?”
Ju Junseo gazed down at me quietly for a moment. During that time, Han Yeoreum’s materialistic scale started moving again.
‘Come to think of it, the dinner atmosphere was good, right?’
It seemed like we’d be going to a second round soon, and if two rookie actors went to buy ice cream for the staff, it would make quite a cute picture.
“Let’s go buy some ice cream.”
“…Oh, okay.”
Come to think of it, I do owe Ju Junseo something. Thanks to Ju Junseo, my screen time increased too. It’s the mood. I gestured to Ju Junseo who had obediently followed me to the convenience store.
“Senior, you can have a cone.”
“….”
“But Häagen-Dazs is out of the question.”
* * *
‘Tasteless.’
It was terribly sweet. Ju Junseo, who had lived without ever touching things like ice cream, halfheartedly took a small bite of the sugar lump that Han Yeoreum recommended.
Silently carrying the bag of ice cream as they returned to the dinner location, Ju Junseo hesitated and finally managed to open his mouth only after arriving in front.
“…Um.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————