I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 330

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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 330

This place was Los Angeles, USA. The judges wearing blue light blocking glasses were continuing their conversation with somewhat tired expressions.

“Anyone want more coffee?”

“I’ll take another cup too.”

“I’d prefer black tea. With sugar, very strong.”

A few days before the Critics’ Choice Awards ceremony, the judges’ private discussion, blocked from reporters and outsiders, continued endlessly. Coffee cups and laptops were scattered everywhere in disarray.

Inside this hotel room right now were various people gathered from different countries – TV and film critics, columnists, and magazine editors from the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, and more.

“Everyone, let’s really say one last word each. So we can finally escape this damn hotel room.”

The one who rubbed her eyes with dark circles and yawned was Andy, a critic formerly from The New York Times. Having been an Oscar jury member the previous year, she was finally happy that the candidates had been narrowed down to two.

This year’s Critics’ Choice was fierce. Five works had come up as candidates, and these were works that had been reduced and reduced again through more heated debate-like discussions than usual.

The two final remaining choices were:

<The Great Garand>, <Rustland>.

“I’m still the same. I never imagined they could incorporate The Great Gatsby into a drama. I’ll give one vote to the side with literary context. Masterpieces don’t fade with time.”

Emily Carter, with attractive brown hair, wouldn’t bend her opinion. Marco, the Italian columnist sitting on the opposite side, shrugged his shoulders lightly.

“I acknowledge that to some extent. But look at <Rustland>, Emily. It’s a work that directly faces the cracks within America. Isn’t the universality that all industrial countries in the world can empathize with important? Not just ‘America’?”

At his words, Anna Luiza, a Brazilian women’s magazine reporter, tapped the table with her palm.

“<The Great Garand> is excellent too, definitely a good work. But if there’s one flaw, it would be being nominated alongside <Rustland>. This is a reality familiar to South America too. Factories close, and drugs and poverty take their place. If we’re talking about the spirit of the times, wouldn’t it definitely be this side?”

Then snap-! A finger snap sound came from the corner of the sofa. The owner of the sound was Gabriel, a French film critic.

“Rather, I think the historical story is intertwined with reality. <The Great Garand> deals with the war and reconstruction of a small country called Korea, but there’s a narrative contained within it. Namely, hope. <Rustland> doesn’t overcome anything. Isn’t the universality we can empathize with the mindset where we all hope tomorrow will be better than today? The spirit of laying down all ill-gotten wealth and noblesse oblige also resonates with me.”

The Critics’ Choice room where only people with expertise in expressing their thoughts had gathered.

Andy Lopez from The New York Times held her forehead. She said let’s each say one word and finish, but no one seemed to have any intention of ending.

“This is driving me crazy! At this rate we’ll be trapped here until the sun rises on the morning of the awards ceremony! Damn it. Isn’t anyone there? There are people trapped in here!”

No one was listening to Andy Lopez, who let out a half self-deprecating hearty laugh.

Everyone here was afflicted with the ‘but I’m still right’ disease.

Lars Johansson from Sweden placed his finished tea cup on the table.

“I think European audiences will empathize much more with <Rustland>. Current Europe is also suffering from industrial collapse and immigration issues…”

Suzuki Nanao, a Japanese film critic who had been quietly keeping her mouth shut, spoke softly.

“War leaves scars on everyone as it passes… I think it’s right to forget all past events and focus on the present. Industrial problems are phenomena that all developed countries should share responsibility in solving.”

At those words, as if he had been waiting, Liu Jun, a Chinese film director, stopped drinking his hot tea and became indignant.

“Are you done talking? How can you tell us to forget past events? I’m definitely voting for this side! There wasn’t a single work this year that matched <The Great Garand>! Moreover, Marco, you said universality that countries other than ‘America’ can empathize with is important, right? Then shouldn’t we address how much people worldwide suffered from that damn war? And I don’t understand why you keep shifting your own mistakes onto all of us.”

“I’m sorry you’re taking it so aggressively. Regarding industry, I’d like China to step back. And currently, isn’t it China that has left the biggest scar on Korea’s drama industry…”

“What did you say? Are you done talking?”

“Don’t think so emotionally.”

It was one step away from a dogfight. Adding to this, a Vietnamese journalist joined the battle.

“I’d also like to put weight on <The Great Garand>. Especially the attempt not to lose that country’s language was moving. Particularly the scene where paper flowers are attached over boards with letters written on them… Because while some of you here might not know, the pain of nearly having one’s language taken away is quite a ‘universal’ empathy in colonies, you know?”

At Le Thi Huong’s words, Gabriel’s cheeks reddened slightly. Suzuki had already left her seat, pretending to get more tea.

The judge with the most influence in this place.

Not simply a film critic, but a former film journalist and cultural columnist with the weight to shake the international awards scene itself.

Current global magazine editor-in-chief.

Helena Kruger, who had been serving as a Critics’ Choice board member for over 10 years, was silently watching this situation.

Because one word from her would naturally tip the weight to one side.

Helena leaned back comfortably against the sofa and looked at the laptop screen on the table.

It showed a girl soaked in rain smiling brightly.

* * *

At this time when Han Yeoreum was about to advance into America, Ryu Lisa was frantic.

“These crazy bastards! Speak quickly-!”

Star stylist of stars. Shortened to SSS. Ryu Lisa was accustomed to schedules befitting her level. Domestic award ceremonies generally prepare from half a year in advance. Because they needed to allow leeway for dress competition.

“There’s too little time!”

But the American Critics’ Choice Awards ceremony? This was completely unexpected. Because it wasn’t a work produced with overseas expansion in mind from the beginning.

No one had predicted that <The Great Garand>, which had been struggling from the start of production due to the Korean Wave restrictions, would end up going to America.

“Company D already has Eun Baekhap…”

Eun Baekhap, who was active as a global ambassador, had already decided on a Company D dress early on.

In times like this, Han Yeoreum had to avoid famous high-end brand dresses in similar lines.

Because they’d be compared.

High-end brands with names clearly known to the public were the simplest way to create rankings.

So Ryu Lisa excluded Company A’s dress, which had reached out first thanks to causing sold-out lines with <Faster Than Law>, from the list.

“Moreover, she’s aiming for Company D’s global ambassador position… If I dress her in another house’s outfit, they’ll be offended.”

Han Yeoreum was currently Company D’s beauty ambassador, but was looking for an opportunity to strike as soon as Eun Baekhap’s contract ended.

She couldn’t create an atmosphere of testing other houses from the first step of her American debut. Ryu Lisa felt like her head would explode.

“And the clothes of people going together are important too… So choosing a hanbok design alone is also NG.”

So she couldn’t bring designer Park Sulhwa’s hanbok outfit that Eun Baekhap wore in the final episode and caused a sensation. There was a good chance of giving the impression that a child actor was being presumptuous.

It was an important occasion. International award ceremonies have world media simultaneously focus on them.

Moreover, it was the first Korean work nominated for Critics’ Choice, called the ‘Little Oscars.’

Whether she’d be overshadowed by Eun Baekhap and Ji Haebeom, or whether Han Yeoreum would steadily rise up, would be decided by that day’s atmosphere. Even if they won an award, the microphone would belong to the lead actor, not the child actor.

“Come on, Ryu Lisa… You’re a genius, a genius… Let’s use your brain…”

Ryu Lisa closed her eyes and muttered. All industry attention was focused on <The Great Garand>’s Critics’ Choice.

Perhaps this could be a moment when styling worthy of marking an era in Ryu Lisa’s career would emerge.

“Hmm…”

Ryu Lisa recalled the outfits Han Yeoreum had worn so far. Like dual monitors, Han Yeoreum’s past red carpet shots were on the left, and this year’s new dress lineup was positioned on the right.

As Ryu Lisa scrolled down, something slowly began to take shape in her mind.

“That seems good. It has narrative too, yes.”

Finally, Ryu Lisa’s eyes shone with conviction.

“I really am a genius.”

She had found the perfect way to turn attention with just one outfit.

* * *

This place filled with employees smiling cheerfully like the company name was Bangre. Hiring Han Yeoreum, called Baby Melon Bread, as their new product model was truly a stroke of genius.

[Bangre, after joining hands with ‘Baby Melon Bread’ Han Yeoreum, sales jump ‘200%’… Rapidly emerging as trending item for teens and twenties]

Following Bangre’s new product Meroni Milk gathering big attention immediately after launch, it’s recently recording another sales increase. Behind this are the currently trending actresses Han Yeoreum, So Dami, and Chu Gaeul.

They have been communicating with fans by naturally showing themselves enjoying Meroni Milk in recent YouTube vlog practice videos for <Youth Disqualified!>.

Meroni Milk is characterized by preserving the refreshing and sweet taste unique to existing melon ice cream. With smooth milk flavor added to this, it’s gaining popularity as an easily enjoyable ‘snack-type beverage.’

An industry insider said, “Meroni Milk originally received high interest even in the early launch period, but recently the influence of popular actors like Han Yeoreum greatly contributed to sales jumping once again,” adding “It has now firmly established itself as a new trending item for the teens and twenties generation.”

Han Yeoreum put the Meroni Milk she received in the practice room refrigerator and took it out to drink at all times. It was naturally becoming PPL.

-11:27 Ah, Chugaeul is always saying she’s on a diet ㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Annoying girl Chu Gaeul.. Give her one milk and she becomes quiet lol..

-No way Damiya lol how do you chug it in three gulps without even a straw ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ lol you’re surprisingly wild as hell

As the view count of <Youth Disqualified!> practice videos increased, Meroni Milk sales increased accordingly. The Meroni Milk PPL manager writhed with joy.

“This won’t do. Send a snack truck to the drama set right away!”

But that opinion wasn’t implemented immediately.

“What did you say…?”

Because,

“We have to wait in line for our turn?”

The snack trucks at the <Youth Disqualified!> set were already near saturation.

* * *

“…”

I was speechless for a moment looking at the snack truck. I blinked slowly in disbelief.

[We support actor Han Yeoreum whom we will love passionately!

-Summer Day]

The placard attached to the truck was my fan cafe name.

“Hey! Han Yeoreum! Take a picture quickly!”

“Wow-. Yeoreum! Look at this! Do you have cup holders?”

Gaeul and Dami shook me from beside. My face was plastered large on the mint green snack truck.

My face on the menu board too. My face on the cup holders piled high on the checkered tablecloth placed in front of the snack truck.

As if to say it was all for Han Yeoreum.

“….”

What is this? This kind of moment is one of the fantasies I have every night before bed. Why am I so flustered? My heart was beating several times faster than when I first received a trophy.

More than when I passed a movie audition, more than when I first went to an awards ceremony, more than when the scenarios coming to me exceeded ten…. My heart was beating so violently that sound was pounding in my ears. What should I call this kind of emotion….

“Why? Are you so happy you can’t even speak…?”

Director So’s quiet words made me realize. That’s right. When you’re too happy, this is what happens….

“Hey! Han Yeoreum! Are you crying?”

“This this this! Please take a picture, Yeoreum! Hurry!”

“Where’s the behind-the-scenes cam….”

I was only able to take certification photos with the snack truck much later.

“Oh, but is this photo okay? I think my eyes look a bit swollen.”

“Hey! Han Yeoreum! How many times are you going to ask the same thing! I said it’s fine!”

“Yeoreum, I think the third photo came out the prettiest-.”

Filming was delayed a little, but it was okay. I didn’t have a single NG in any scene I was in.

Who am I?

Han Yeoreum, who now gets snack trucks from fan cafes.

And so the day to go to Critics’ Choice was gradually approaching.

* * *

Reporter Wi headed to the airport from dawn. Today was finally the day 【The Great Garland】 team would depart for the United States.

“It really turned out like Senior said, for real.”

“What did I tell you. I said it would do well overseas.”

The Senior Reporter at Daily Media, who predicted first episode ratings like he was possessed by a ghost, raised the corners of his mouth. Instead of getting the first episode ratings right, his prophecy came true. The day 【The Great Garland】 was nominated for Critics’ Choice, he became a legend at Daily Media.

“Senior, do you really think they’ll win? Do you think they’ll receive an award?”

“Senior, should I sell this stock or not?”

“Do you… know about university early admission acceptance rates…?”

Various questions flooded in, from award probability to stock selling timing, from early admission reach vs safety schools. Anyway, amid the pouring questions, there was one thing the Senior Reporter said with confidence.

“I have a good feeling about it?”

And so 【The Great Garland】’s Critics’ Choice filming business trip schedule was decided.

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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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