I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 299

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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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Chapter 299

“There’s someone named Tak Jeongyun.”

Tak Jeongyun had confidently secured a spot among all those applicants. She had finally gotten the chance to show her face on the TV screen.

“What kind of role is it?”

“A nurse.”

“She’ll probably have a lot of lines, but I think she’ll do well.”

“Right. I heard she has a lot of scenes that overlap with Do Gyeoul’s parts.”

Geum Bitkang, who had finished her hair and makeup, stood up from her seat.

“It’s her first time standing in front of a camera, so I’m not sure yet if she’ll be able to fulfill her role.”

As she took off the gown she was wearing and walked away, her steps carried anticipation.

* * *

Hongsang Arts Festival.

Only those who have been recognized for both artistic merit and popular appeal are qualified to hold this Hongsang trophy.

For anyone who acts in South Korea, this is truly the ultimate awards ceremony that they dream of winning at least once.

“I’m so nervous….”

“Wow, I need one more anxiety pill.”

“I ate them all….”

Tak Jeongyun had finally set foot in this place. Next to Kim Ilhui, Lee Yeongju, and Park Sehui, who were trembling with nervousness, Han Yeoreum looked calm.

‘As expected of the most popular rising star right now… She’s my junior by far, but she’s definitely different.’

Han Yeoreum chose to walk the red carpet at the Hongsang Arts Festival with the 【Intern Academy’s Academy’s Academy】 members.

‘It would have been much more advantageous to go with Myeong Jeha, who was nominated together for the TV division newcomer award…’

It was a day when countless articles would be uploaded from a single photo. A company like JC ENM couldn’t have failed to make such calculations. It was an easy judgment that even Tak Jeongyun could make.

‘If not that, walking alone would have been better.’

It was a time when every single shutter click mattered. Nevertheless, walking the red carpet with the unknown actors from 【Intern Academy】 was no different from sharing Han Yeoreum’s name value.

Han Yeoreum’s name, Han Yeoreum’s face. If she shared those with them, then when the unknown actors from 【Intern Academy】 went to auditions in the future, someone would surely recognize them.

“The red carpet with Han Yeoreum back then!”

Tak Jeongyun’s cheeks flushed. But she didn’t plan to be carried along forever.

‘After the awards ceremony ends… I’ll tell her then.’

Tak Jeongyun still hadn’t forgotten.

“Come up to where I am, unnie.”

Han Yeoreum’s gaze that believed this would definitely happen. A natural belief that the sun rises in the east, the earth is round, apples fall downward, and Tak Jeongyun would definitely climb up to her position.

That’s what brought her this far.

‘I’ve also come to where you are.’

Tak Jeongyun’s heart pounded with the desire to tell her that she had joined 【Seoul Special City】. What kind of reaction would she give?

Would she smile and congratulate her? Would she be pleasantly surprised saying it was great news? Or maybe, calmly like now…

“Ugh, I’m really dying of nervousness. Unnie, give me an anxiety pill.”

“Anxiety pill? I ate them all.”

“Then what’s that?”

“Ferrero Rocher. Should I give you that instead?”

In the car, Yeoreum stamped her feet.

“Ahhhhh! Unnie… what am I going to do without my anxiety pills… How petty of you to eat them among yourselves…”

“Didn’t you hear us talking earlier? We asked if you wanted some, didn’t we? You didn’t answer, so we just ate them ourselves.”

“I was too nervous to hear.”

Tak Jeongyun just pretended not to hear Han Yeoreum’s silly complaints.

They had arrived in front of the red carpet. The overflowing crowd made Tak Jeongyun feel dizzy.

‘So many gazes… all at once…’

Shutter sounds exploded beyond the tinted car windows, and all eyes were focused in this direction.

“Shall we go now?”

The nervous appearance from before had disappeared somewhere, and Yeoreum’s face had completely changed.

“…Yeah.”

“Ah, we’re finally at an awards ceremony too!”

“It’s Hongsang, Hongsang!”

“Let’s go!”

When the four people answered, Han Yeoreum moved forward without hesitation.

While being hit by sparkling flashes, while hearing loud cheers, while waving to the place that was fervently calling her name.

While showing the back that Tak Jeongyun definitely wanted to catch up to someday.

* * *

IP 85.152 entered the audience seating. The Hongsang Arts Festival was an authoritative and representative awards ceremony worth visiting once for anyone who loves South Korea’s advanced culture, which is why they came, and it was definitely not to see celebrities, for example Han Yeoreum.

‘Traffic was fucking terrible…’

IP 85.152, who had been running, caught their breath. It was when they were trying to find their seat and sit down.

‘I feel like I’ve seen them somewhere… Something about their face… seems familiar…’

There was a familiar face in the next seat. IP 85.152, who sat in the chair, briefly grabbed the zipper at the bottom of their long padding to take it off. The moment their body bent down, the phone of the woman next to them came into view.

Daily Yeoreum @mailEyeoleum

(Yeoreum nominated for Hongsang Arts Festival.jpg)

Input: Yeoreum, let’s do well today too♥(〃´૩`〃)♥

IP 85.152 finally realized who this woman was. She was the woman who had been standing in line at the 【Great Garland】 popup store last time.

‘She really is a Han Yeoreum fan.’

IP 85.152, who wondered if fandom could be that enjoyable, took off the Han Yeoreum long padding and gently placed it on their knees.

And they picked up their phone with the 【We Land】 grip tok attached and turned on airplane mode.

‘This is the basic attitude of someone who loves performance culture.’

Making as little noise as possible, being considerate of surroundings, and just focusing on appreciating the stage…

‘But today’s neighbor seems like they’ll be a bit noisy.’

It seemed like there would be chaos whenever Han Yeoreum received an award or when her face appeared on the big screen.

‘When fans are that devoted, they’re all like that, so whatever…’

IP 85.152, who had learned firsthand about the relationship between popular culture, celebrities, and fans through past experiences and understood how Korea’s ‘fandom’ culture flows, thought this was why the attitude of a cultured person who knows the times was important. The reason IP 85.152 had been running around at actual sites and browsing the internet, despite finding it bothersome and having little interest, was to view the world with a broader perspective. Such useful learning would continue in the future…

“Uwaaang…”

Han Yeoreum, who was sitting down there, turned her head as if looking for something, then waved her hand toward this direction. The woman next to them let out a small exclamation.

“Huuk…”

The woman next to them couldn’t bring herself to scream loudly and instead took a breath while waving her hand back. IP 85.152 crossed their arms and looked at Han Yeoreum, who was greeting the woman.

‘She has good eyesight.’

Could she recognize a fan from this distance? Han Yeoreum continued waving her hand. Her gaze seemed to be directed slightly this way too.

‘What? Me?’

Though not a fan, since she was waving for so long, it seemed polite to wave back, so IP 85.152 also waved their hand slightly.

‘I hope she doesn’t misunderstand.’

IP 85.152, who was definitely not a fan of Han Yeoreum but was sitting in this seat as a cultured arts person, crossed their arms again.

Clunk, clunk, clunk.

The sound of lights that had been brightly illuminating the interior going out from the far end could be heard. The only remaining light was on the stage, that brightly shining place.

-The Hongsang Arts Festival will begin shortly. Distinguished guests, please…

An announcement flowed out. Finally, the highlight of the year’s awards ceremonies, the Hongsang Arts Festival, had begun.

* * *

“Yeoreum, who were you greeting?”

At Kim Ilhui’s question, I managed my expression to seem nonchalant, as if this kind of thing was common.

You know, unnies, I now have a fan cafe, custom wallpapers as well as subtle everyday wallpapers, fan accounts, birthday cafes are held, snack support comes in with ‘Happy birthday to actor Han Yeoreum whom we love passionately♥’ stickers, and matching the nickname ‘baby melon bread,’ there are diverse types of support like light green macarons, cookies with melon bread drawn in icing, and chocolate eclairs, and even in posts uploaded by businesses that provided support, mentions like ‘Support for beloved actor Han Yeoreum, who played Seoryeong in 【Strange Tales】 which I really enjoyed watching’ never fail to appear, because I’m such a popular actor…

…I condensed all that into my answer.

“Who else would it be… They’re my ‘fans’…”

“Wow! Are all the people sitting over there your fans?”

Two people was already amazing, but I didn’t specifically say it was just two people. In a way, actor fans have their ultimate bias, then their second bias, actors they like, and actors they’re interested in, so they could all be my fans.

“Hehe…”

I answered with laughter instead. Someone approached and sat at the table.

“You’re loving this to death.”

At the same time, the four people who had been sitting shot up to their feet. I also stood up with them.

“Professor, you’re here!”

“Sit down. You’re making a fuss.”

With just one gesture from Geum Bitkang, everyone sat down. A heavyweight among heavyweights, an actor that everyone sitting at this table knew.

‘At the same table as Geum Bitkang…’

I had been placed at the 【Intern Academy】 table, not 【The Great Garland】 one.

It seemed JC ENM was trying to properly brand me as a skilled actor. The middle-aged and older generation currently knows me as Huijae, but to properly establish my three-character name, I need Geum Bitkang.

Because it needs to be engraved in their minds.

The rookie actress who stood on the same stage as that Geum Bitkang—that’s me.

“Don’t go around grinning everywhere.”

Geum Bitkang spoke without giving me a glance.

“From now on, conduct yourself properly.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Pay proper attention to all the eyes that will be on you.”

I know why Professor is saying this. After today, I’ll be in a different weight class.

Not just a simple rising popular actor.

My three-character name will carry weight.

Since the Hong Sang Arts Festival began, no actor had been nominated simultaneously in both TV and theater categories. But…

First.

The only one.

At the age of twenty.

My name was listed.

“Don’t let your guard down even a little. This industry is full of people trying to tear you apart.”

You told me not to smile just anywhere, but since I’m beside Professor, this isn’t just anywhere. I smiled as I answered.

“Of course. Whose student am I, after all?”

* * *

-For the TV category Best New Actor award presentation, last year’s TV category Best New Actor award winner, actor No Seungchan, and actor Do Gyeoul will present.

“Hello. I’m No Seungchan.”

“Hello, I’m Do Gyeoul.”

“It feels like yesterday that I was standing in this position last year. So much time has passed, Gyeoul. Have you been well?”

“Yes, Seungchan. There’s a legend that if you win the Best New Actor award at this Hong Sang Arts Festival, you become a national actor. I’ve been working hard at acting so as not to disappoint the seniors who created that legend.”

Do Gyeoul’s recognition was already sufficient to attach the title of ‘national’ before his name.

The faces of senior actors, pleased by Do Gyeoul’s modest humor, were captured on screen.

“I should work as hard as Gyeoul too. Then shall we reveal the female Best New Actor nominees who will lead the next Hong Sang and become national actors?”

Reference footage appeared on the large screen. KBC, MBS, SBC, TVM, and JTBS. All were already award winners who had each claimed a trophy.

Among the most prominent works from each broadcasting company, which actor among those protagonists deserves to claim this highest honor today?

The venue sank into heavy silence mixed with anticipation.

“Congratulations. 【The Great Garland】, Han Yeoreum.”

The Best New Actor award went to Han Yeoreum, who had only appeared in four episodes. But no one could object.

If you asked who shone brightest this year, everyone would say the same name.

‘Han Yeoreum.’

* * *

Behind the stage, as Geum Bitkang prepared for the award presentation, people passing by offered their congratulations.

“Congratulations, Teacher.”

“You must be so pleased.”

At those words, Geum Bitkang waved her cue card dismissively.

“You must be busy, so go take care of your work. It’s not even my award, so what’s there to be pleased about?”

But the staff members who noticed Geum Bitkang’s subtle expression changes just smiled.

Every time Geum Bitkang exhaled, the beads on her chest sparkled. She kept taking deep breaths and exhaling again.

‘My goodness. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a stage like this. I’ve really become a has-been.’

Coming back on her own feet to a place she had tried to turn her back on completely was quite embarrassing, so this reaction was understandable. Geum Bitkang tightened her grip on the cue card.

“Teacher. It’s time to go.”

Geum Bitkang walked onto the stage without anyone’s escort.

Step by step.

Come to think of it, Geum Bitkang had always walked like this in this industry. Sometimes lonely, sometimes refreshingly. That’s what being alone meant.

She didn’t have to take responsibility for anyone, but she couldn’t lean on anyone either as she walked. How many scenarios had she held until she grew large enough to fill an entire stage by herself?

Just thinking about that weight made her arms feel heavy already.

‘But this is strange.’

Her hand holding this single-page cue card felt heavier now. The tables below the stage came into view.

Geum Bitkang slowly opened her mouth.

“This year’s Young Theater Artist Award winner is.”

An earnest face in a pure white dress looking up at this place. Geum Bitkang had once made that same expression.

“Han Yeoreum.”

Applause that sounded like exploding stars echoed throughout the venue.

It could be called an upset.

No actor had ever taken home two awards from the Hong Sang Arts Festival at such a young age.

-With a black comedy that playfully critiqued the times, she captured the pain of people in their twenties. Sincere congratulations!

A brief introduction was given about what kind of work the play Han Yeoreum had appeared in was. Her student climbed the stairs with enthusiastic applause at her back and stood facing her as an equal.

Geum Bitkang placed the dazzlingly bright golden trophy in the young actor’s hands.

Camera lenses captured the image of the two of them. Tomorrow, articles with headlines about generational change and such would probably be posted one after another.

“Hold it tight. Don’t let go.”

But Geum Bitkang thought.

‘This isn’t a replacement.’

Replacement means changing something old for something new.

‘Don’t simply replace my position.’

Geum Bitkang looked at Han Yeoreum holding the trophy and thought. She hoped this young actor wouldn’t resemble her loneliness. She felt the desire for her to leap forward carrying the people behind her on her back.

Without abandoning anything, while receiving expectations, admiration, and support all at once.

To even higher places.

To places incomparably and dizzyingly higher than Geum Bitkang had reached.

To climb breathlessly like that.

The young actor under the brilliant spotlight smiled with a smile that shone even brighter.

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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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