I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 48

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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 48

“ASMR?”

“Simply put, it’s videos made up of sounds that stimulate the five senses. There are various types, from sounds of tapping objects, natural sounds like raindrops or crackling firewood, to quiet whispered voices and even roleplaying that makes you feel like you’re experiencing specific situations.”

Light entered Jegal Rok’s eyes as he listened to Team Leader Seong’s explanation.

He became curious about what would emerge if all of JC ENM’s manpower, capital, and time were invested, combined with Jegal Rok’s instincts and Han Yeoreum’s talent.

“How about having idols do simple ASMR, while actors in JC ENM’s movies and dramas do roleplaying that matches their characters? If their schedules don’t allow much time, simply whispering and reading scripts would be good too.”

A tingling sensation spread throughout his body.

‘A second project with Han Yeoreum…’

With Han Yeoreum’s voice, it seemed they could achieve a runtime longer than 5 minutes. He wanted to try something with a different texture from stimulating and childish content.

He felt that Han Yeoreum could become the first key to the direction Jegal Rok was opening up.

Thinking of videos featuring Han Yeoreum, Jegal Rok immediately chose the second stage.

‘Voice.’

A high-definition voice that brings scenes to mind. That was exactly what he needed.

Setting up the game would be simple. Once it became trendy and established a hip image, even those snobbish actors would inevitably want to appear. He laughed thinking about the agencies that would contact them first, wanting to show their faces just once.

“True to the Web Content Department, let’s not end with just web drama scripts but expand the game to include our own content. The production costs and activity expenses will all be—”

A strange smile spread across Jegal Rok’s face, which had always been expressionless and tinged with fatigue. Who could even imagine that a single cable broadcaster would overturn all terrestrial broadcasting, starting with an Intube channel?

But to Jegal Rok, that imagination didn’t feel absurd at all.

“However much it costs, I’ll take responsibility.”

At this moment, Jegal Rok was dreaming of a perfect reversal. His eyes, shadowed with dark circles, gleamed.

What Jegal Rok said in the meeting room spread quickly. The news that Jegal Rok was preparing a new project was something anyone would find interesting.

* * *

That news also reached Myeong Jeha’s ears as he was reading a scenario.

“Manager. I want to do that too.”

“What? ASMR?”

“Yes. ASMR. It sounds fun.”

Manager Na from Noble Actors, who was already anxious because Myeong Jeha wasn’t choosing his next project, was shocked.

“Jeha! Why would a movie actor appear in something like that? Do you know how important image-making is for you? Your status will drop.”

“Haha. As for status, I’m still a newcomer.”

“Even as a newcomer! Huh? No matter how much it’s Jegal Rok’s project, this is a bit… No way.”

Manager Na constantly talked about how important Myeong Jeha’s next project was.

“JC ENM? If you put them alongside terrestrial broadcasting, they can’t compete. At best! They’re only recognized in the movie industry. Not broadcasting yet. Especially not Intube!”

Myeong Jeha obediently pretended to read the scenario again while thinking other thoughts.

Things would flow according to what Myeong Jeha wanted soon anyway, so there was no need to add more words.

‘What would be good for Yeoreum’s next project…’

Jegal Rok would probably follow the same flow as always.

Bringing ‘web content’ up into the light.

Jegal Rok’s plan was to adapt webtoons or web novels into live action.

‘Jegal Rok always has good judgment. He’s never failed once.’

By bringing existing popular works, it would be easy to attract fan bases, and drama viewers could naturally accept web content.

‘He was definitely someone who knew how to make money.’

Jegal Rok was the one who activated everything – the original works, dramas, and even the goods market that had been a niche fan culture.

Myeong Jeha searched his memory.

JC ENM had been uploading basic content like drama and movie trailers, filming sets, and script readings to their Intube account. Starting to create new content beyond that wasn’t from this season.

‘It’s definitely been moved up by several years.’

Things that should have been executed at least 4-5 years later than this period were being executed right away. And two of them were linked together at once.

‘Among web novel originals… what did Do Gyeoul do…’

There were countless works Do Gyeoul had done. Several times they were exactly the same consecutive choices, and several times completely different options followed.

Many things changed with each regression. Too many to remember.

‘Ah. There was that one.’

But Myeong Jeha’s brain worked diligently.

“Then Manager Na, could you pass along one web novel recommendation for ASMR to Team Leader Seong?”

“Jeha! If you’re going to appear, do it later. Absolutely not now. That’s just… no way.”

“No. A recommendation for Yeoreum, not me. I heard about it from Director Gong and others last time…”

Of course, it was a lie. Myeong Jeha smiled as he recommended a web novel to Manager Na.

‘There probably won’t be anyone who remembers the conversation details while drunk anyway.’

It was a drama Do Gyeoul had filmed but ultimately couldn’t air. A work that was eventually scrapped during mid-production filming.

“That? Well… I can tell Team Leader Seong. Jeha. Let’s not think about other things and focus on choosing your next project, okay? We can’t wait forever.”

“Yes. I know. That’s why I’m diligently reading scripts.”

It was because of an incident that would shake the Korean entertainment industry at the end of next year.

‘I wonder if this could change too.’

It was a blank slate work that had never shown its ratings or buzz to the world.

Naturally, since it had never been presented from the beginning. Myeong Jeha thought of Han Yeoreum, who was at the center of everything.

How far could that girl change things? He couldn’t gauge it at all.

* * *

Finally, it was the climax filming scene. A deep pit had been dug at the mountain entrance. Staff members communicated through radios amidst the sound of insects chirping.

“Lighting team- please check the crane one more time.”

“The rail seems to be shaking, make the ground a bit more level!”

The crane lighting raised high, camera rails laid on the dirt road, and even a huge water truck. The filming set was bustling.

“Yeoreum… don’t worry too much. You’ll do well… We’ll adjust the water appropriately for you—”

“No. You don’t need to do that for me.”

Thinking Yeoreum was scared looking at the water truck, Director So patted her shoulder. Yeoreum smiled while looking at the lighting that hung bright like a full moon.

“It would be better if you could make it rain really heavily. To drown out the crying sounds.”

Even though she clearly knew it would be physically demanding filming, Yeoreum acted like she didn’t care about such things. The unique spiritedness that could only be seen in newcomers showed through.

The staff and Director So smiled looking at such Yeoreum. The extras who had matched with Yeoreum several times also raised the corners of their mouths.

“Alright, let’s do one movement rehearsal and then start filming right away!”

Finally, filming began. The key point of 〈Couldn’t Care Less〉, the scene that would make viewers cry along.

* * *

I walked frantically. The dirt road was damp, soaked with rainwater. Still, I didn’t care. Jeong Yeondu’s mind, which had been so neat and tidy, was filled only with Boksuni.

“Boksun-! Boksun!”

Just before Boksuni disappeared, I had heard talk about dog catchers in town. Boksuni immediately came to mind, but since she wasn’t my dog, I thought I had no responsibility anyway, which I now regretted.

“Boksun!!!”

Gripping the flashlight tightly in my hand, I only called for Boksuni. I recalled the light creature that used to pant and laugh, wag her tail first and show her belly. My body kept getting damp. Cold sweat mixed with rainwater flowed down.

Ding-!

A system window appeared, but I couldn’t pay attention to such things.

“…Boksun!”

Boksuni was nowhere to be found. The problem was that I had ignored her because it wasn’t my responsibility. All of this was my fault…

“Cut-!”

As soon as Director So shouted, Dokgo Min rushed over to me with a towel. I briefly avoided Dokgo Min’s hands as she tried to dry my wet hair.

“Unnie, I’m fine.”

“What are you talking about? You’re soaking wet!”

“Just… right now, I don’t think I should wipe off the water…”

Before recalling the scene of running with Boksuni behind me, that subtle emotion I felt then resonated identically in my head. I could feel a pleasant tension.

“Yeoreum… we’re going straight to the close-up. Is that okay?”

I nodded to Director So.

A little more, I felt like I could get a little closer to Jeong Yeondu. Right now, I wanted to exist as Jeong Yeondu, not Han Yeoreum.

Not Pi Chaewon, not Influencer 1. Perhaps Jeong Yeondu, who had the most similarities to my real self.

“Ready!”

The camera covered with a waterproof cover positioned itself in front of me. I put strength into my eyes.

‘I can’t cry…’

There’s no one to comfort me if I cry. Nothing changes even if I cry. Crying would only be my loss.

Those thoughts came first. My emotions were controlled as if the results of what Jeong Yeondu had learned throughout her life were ingrained in my body.

“Action!”

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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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