I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 37

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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 37

Is this right? The audition line stretched all the way down to the 1st floor lobby.

‘Ah. Right. Of course.’

This was the entertainment industry. A place crawling with people who wanted to show their face on screen for even 3 seconds in a movie. Landing a single role was as difficult as plucking stars from the sky.

* * *

“Yes. That was good. Next-.”

Director Gong had no time to breathe between the continuous auditions. Looking at the next participant’s resume, he just had mundane thoughts.

‘I should have soft tofu stew for dinner.’

No one was making any real impact. The acting everyone had prepared was all similarly adequate and similarly boring.

‘I guess it can’t be helped given the nature of the role.’

Rather than having studied the character, they were just delivering lines and making facial expressions.

“What do you think will happen next?”

“Huh? Next… do you mean after the ending part is over?”

“No. What happens after Influencer 1 helps with the infiltration.”

“Um… I think she’d hope the police catch them! That’s what she’d be thinking.”

No one properly answered the impromptu questions.

“Wouldn’t she follow them? It would be dangerous to stay alone at the scene.”

“Of course she should follow! Given the rapport they’ve built, Influencer 1 would probably rely heavily on the two detectives.”

Even the answers that showed some analysis were just mediocre. They didn’t evoke any particular emotion.

“Yes. That was good. Next-.”

Director Gong’s auditions always ended cleanly and simply as usual. Without any unnecessary elements.

He never gave anyone more than 10 minutes of opportunity. And finally.

“Hello. I’m Han Yeoreum.”

It was Yeoreum’s turn.

‘She’s here! Pi Chaewon!’

All the judges sitting there already knew Yeoreum.

It was partly due to the exceptional success of , but also because Director Gong had revised the scenario for Han Yeoreum alone. Thanks to that, this audition was now a double-edged sword.

Would she meet the heightened expectations that were now set higher than others? Or would she disappoint?

“Alright. Please start with the dialogue written in the scenario.”

With Director Gong’s instruction, Yeoreum opened her mouth.

“Yeah~! Me? Phew… Of course I got invited! I’m different from those kids who smash tables to get attention. I’m really going to film traffic lights and upload it!”

.

A male buddy film where a hot-headed detective who throws punches first teams up with an elite detective who values rational investigation to take down criminals.

Though it received criticism for being a typical cliché story, it always got good reactions because it properly delivered the entertainment value that audiences wanted.

circulating around Gangnam District.

The hallucinogenic balloon , known only to those in the know, was sold discreetly disguised as party supplies. Not stopping at the highly addictive , the organization began distributing progressively stronger and . Addiction several times stronger than alcohol. Plus added hallucinogenic effects.

The series had spread so widely it was becoming impossible to catch.

Higher-ups were starting to cover up crimes committed by people high on the drugs…

‘The role Han Yeoreum will play could become a key point, or it could just end as another supporting character.’

To catch the Funny series, they had to conduct club investigations. The role that would help the detectives infiltrate easily was exactly the character Yeoreum would play – Influencer 1.

‘Her voice is definitely good. If Pi Chaewon was like a student, this one is… how should I put it. More like… a naive twenty-year-old who just became a college student.’

‘Is it because she changed her hairstyle? She really looks like an influencer.’

‘She’s better than I expected?’

The judges sitting beside him were also leaning toward Han Yeoreum.

“Thank you.”

Yeoreum bowed after finishing her lines. Director Gong asked a question, hoping Yeoreum at least would answer properly.

“What do you think will happen next?”

“Are you asking about Influencer 1’s actions?”

“Yes. After helping with the club undercover investigation. She’ll exist somewhere on screen. Outside the frame, what will Influencer 1 be doing?”

Yeoreum answered without panic.

“I think she’ll stay in the private room.”

It was an unexpected answer. Director Gong’s eyes lit up.

“Why? How come? In that private room are the guys who just got beaten down by Detective Gwak. They might get back up. They’re not in their right minds, so it would be dangerous, right?”

“But there are also women who collapsed from being drugged. We don’t know what crimes might follow. They could become hostages. I can’t leave such people behind and go alone.”

“The organization members are all knocked out too. Why not escape outside?”

“Outside is dangerous too. We don’t know how many organization members are left, and once the investigation starts, I don’t think any organization member will act rationally.”

No matter what question was thrown at her, she answered vividly. As if she was really there at that scene.

Before they knew it, the audition hall seemed to become a club room filled with loud music and reeking of whiskey. The unique dopamine felt when imagination becomes concrete stimulated the creators.

“Then. What will Influencer 1 do in there?”

“I think she’ll hide in a corner and fiddle with the radio device in her ear.”

“To check if she can call for help?”

“Yes. The radio is still connected to the detectives, and she thinks Detective Gwak will come back if necessary.”

It wasn’t just Director Gong. Everyone listening to Yeoreum’s answers felt strong interest.

Director Gong’s questions continued without end.

“She takes care of the collapsed women?”

“That’s right.”

“Why? How come? Influencer 1 is a simple character who thinks people might forgive her if she apologizes even after causing a traffic accident, and the collapsed women are strangers she met for the first time today.”

“Because Influencer 1’s appearance ends at that scene.”

The frame Director Gong perceived gradually expanded. Not the 16:9 screen, but to 1.43:1. His vision expanded to the size of IMAX.

“Even extras should be good people. If there’s no backstory to explain otherwise. If the narrative ends, it should end with her being a good person.”

“A good person? Why?”

“Because audiences watching this kind of movie expect society’s goodwill. They don’t just feel satisfaction from beating everything up. I think they feel catharsis from standing up to injustice they’ve only thought about in their heads… The destination, meaning everyone except the organization that made the Funny series, should be good people. They shouldn’t show cowardice even unconsciously.”

Director Gong raised the corners of his mouth. Yes. This was it. Everything Director Gong wanted to say was defined right here.

“I think the charm of is that there shouldn’t be even a hint of unpleasantness until the moment you get up from your seat after the movie ends. Even a single extra shouldn’t run away, even if they hide behind something.”

Director Gong picked up the scenario in front of him. There was nothing more to see.

“You pass!”

Director Gong immediately handed the scenario to Yeoreum.

“That’s right, exactly! That’s the Influencer 1 I was thinking of! Read it with that in mind.”

The scenario was the final version Director Gong had written last time.

“That role. Just as you explained, Yeoreum, I’ve added more scenes.”

Finally, after an audition lasting over 30 minutes, Han Yeoreum’s role had increased in scope. It was her first movie appearance.

* * *

I felt like I could fly. I hugged the scenario to my chest and ran through the streets of Chungmuro. No matter how much I ran, I didn’t get out of breath.

‘Finally, finally. Finally!!!’

I was so overwhelmed I wanted to grab anyone and brag to them. I, who didn’t even have a single line of dialogue, had finally landed a role with substantial scenes. I ran frantically for a while. All of Chungmuro felt like my world.

Ding-!

And then, the next mission window appeared.

“…Breaking into terrestrial TV?”

I suddenly became calm. I even stopped running to read the mission window.

“Ha….”

How could I break into terrestrial TV without even having an entertainment agency? And with what? As I let out a short sigh, a familiar photo came into view. It was an Olive0 Store. My photo was posted on the outside.

“Starting today!!!”

The advertisement had begun. I grabbed the door handle as if entranced.

Ding-a-ling-.

The bell rang cheerfully. Under the bright lighting, cosmetics were neatly arranged in rows.

I approached the hair corner. On a small monitor hanging from the ceiling, the advertisement I had filmed was playing.

[You know. ALAB.]

The screen changed moment by moment. The product appeared, then switched to a side profile of me with my hair flowing in the wind. And then again. My face looking straight ahead.

“Isn’t that person…?”

Someone around me whispered while looking at the screen.

“Pi Chaewon…. I think it’s her.”

“Her hair color is different though. I’m telling you it’s not her.”

I immediately turned around. The students in school uniforms covered their mouths in surprise.

“It is you, right? Right, Pi Chaewon!”

“Yes~ It’s me~.”

The students squealed cutely and requested photos. I didn’t refuse and immediately stood next to them. After taking several shots, they even requested autographs, but I had to decline since I didn’t have a signature yet.

“Unnie. You absolutely have to make a signature later….”

“Yes. I promise.”

“We’re really your fans. We even bought the same sneakers.”

“We’ll definitely buy the treatment too!”

These were my first fans I’d met outside, but I couldn’t make young kids open their wallets.

‘The web drama appearance fee came in too.’

Should I spend some money?

* * *

Myeong Jeha reached out to hang up the sudden phone call. But when he confirmed the name displayed on the screen, he immediately answered the phone.

“Did you get the role?”

Of course she obviously did. Myeong Jeha thought Yeoreum had called just to brag.

He buried himself in the sofa, preparing to listen attentively.

However, the story he heard was completely unexpected.

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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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