I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 81

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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 81

It was only while I was bowing and returning to my seat that the tears came. I clutched the trophy tightly in my hand and went back to Director So.

“Director… Here, my name is engraved here…”

“Yes. You did well. Oh, really… Don’t cry.”

Director So patted my shoulder, and the camera captured that scene. Yoon Hyeonjo at the MC seat said jokingly.

“Yes. She gave her acceptance speech calmly and well, then cried after returning to her seat. Very efficient. She almost couldn’t speak properly from crying.”

Laughter filled the venue. My face appeared on the screen. I quickly wiped away my tears, but they kept coming.

My first acting award. The trophy sparkled brilliantly under the lights.

* * *

“I knew this would happen! I knew you’d do well! Ah- so adorable!”

This was the Marketing Office at JC ENM’s Cheongdam New Building. Manager Ma, who had been watching the screen in real time, clapped her hands. The foundation for branding had been laid long ago, so all that remained was for Han Yeoreum to grow according to Manager Ma’s plan.

“How can she be like this? Perfect! Perfect!”

She had made it to the final judging at the Seoul Drama Awards. A rookie director and two rookie actors. This alone was enough material for branding. It matched the keyword of being skilled.

“Oh, Manager Hong. It’s me. Let’s do some comparisons with Do Gyeoul. Why? No, no. This isn’t the time to worry about that. Do Gyeoul’s fans might get a bit twisted about it. But what can we do. That’s how this industry works.”

Manager Ma immediately contacted the PR team. Meanwhile, her eyes moved quickly as she scanned through articles.

“Special Jury Award, Seonwoo Seonuk included in that, and Do Gyeoul who received harsh criticism. How interesting. We need to frame this first and draw the picture ourselves, because if other places get involved, they’ll make it more sensational, you know? Hm? Moderately friendly rivals. How nice. Fresh sprouts cheering each other on.”

Quick-footed reporters were all writing articles featuring Han Yeoreum’s name. Truly moderate and safe articles.

[Seoul Drama Awards Han Yeoreum… Rising Actor’s Brilliant Leap]

[Touching Messages Ultimately Get Through… Seoul Drama Awards MBS Wins Two Awards]

[So Yesol’s Moving Acceptance Speech “For All the Yeondus” Eyes Reddening… (On-site Photos)]

But what Manager Ma wanted was something different. A key that could make Han Yeoreum leap forward more quickly. That’s what was needed.

“We need to develop her quickly so the next round will be more interesting!”

* * *

“Hehe. That crazy guy, really.”

“What are you talking about?”

“He’s telling me to trust him just once.”

While articles and press releases were ultimately the PR team’s authority, they couldn’t ignore the opinion of JC ENM’s other Jegal Rok, commonly called ‘that crazy guy.’ Because even if it was provocative, it was certain.

“What should we do?”

“Wait a bit, man.”

Articles had already been published as JC ENM intended. Han Yeoreum’s award, how prestigious this Seoul Drama Awards was, how brilliant the efforts of a rookie director and rookie actor filming with a low budget were, how netizens were reacting to Han Yeoreum’s acceptance speech.

Exemplary information was placed in the public’s hands.

“Anyway, since last time reporters have been subtly trying to pit her against Do Gyeoul. I don’t think Manager Ma’s idea is bad.”

“Right. People reading articles would like it if we threw them something interesting anyway. We can moderately frame it around Seonwoo Seonuk being included in this awards show, go with ‘Han Yeoreum recognized by that Seonwoo Seonuk,’ then bump up Seonwoo Seonuk’s previous criticism of Do Gyeoul in the community.”

“Then we’d get a sense of the atmosphere. Do Gyeoul has script reading tomorrow, so it would be good timing to strike before that.”

After hearing opinions from here and there, Manager Hong thought for a moment, then

“No. Full stop.”

He shook his head.

“Huh, why? This is really perfect timing, Manager.”

Shin Rookie, who had been typing, expressed confusion. Manager Hong revealed his opinion with his usual chuckling face.

“Grouping them as KNUA classmates, that’s okay. School ties, blood ties, regional ties are regular topics anyway. But we shouldn’t compare them when they haven’t properly faced off.”

Do Gyeoul wasn’t nominated for this Seoul Drama Awards. She had temporarily paused her work activities for college entrance purposes.

“Let’s at least put them on the same stage before we fight. Okay?”

In the end, JC ENM’s PR team didn’t follow Manager Ma’s opinion.

Later, Manager Hong said that Manager Ma believed that to brand Han Yeoreum as the perfect top of her generation, they needed to show there were no comparable actresses. In contrast, Manager Hong replied that the public would feel it in due time.

“Anyone would think Manager Hong is doing the branding.”

“Hehe. Anyone would think Manager Ma is doing the PR.”

Manager Ma’s argument that branding is done by the company, and PR is also done by the company.

Manager Hong’s argument that while branding is done by the company, the best PR comes from the public – these opinions had been in opposition for quite a long time.

“Come on, is this your first time doing PR? What happened every time we made new variety shows? Team Leader Hong practically held shotguns in both hands and went shooting, right? Cable TV beating terrestrial broadcasting. How many shows did we send off like that? Between people who know everything we know, really.”

“I know, I know. That was the basics of our show business until now, so we did that.”

“But why!”

“No, Manager Ma. Have we ever raised an entertainment agency talent from the beginning like this?”

Manager Ma’s mouth closed. Manager Hong was right. JC ENM had created groups with celebrities who already had agencies through project variety shows, but had never brought someone in from their chick days and raised them.

“I want to create something good. Something that makes people go ‘wow.’ I want to make JC’s signature. I can’t be satisfied with common flyers rolling around everywhere. A star raised by JC. What beautiful words those are? Let’s go step by step.”

A star raised by JC.

At those words, Manager Ma hesitated. Regardless of the method, the two people’s opinions aligned. The paths of how to raise her were different, but the destination was the same.

“And who knows? Maybe we won’t need to brand and promote that way, and we might not have any work to do later.”

“Does that even make sense? What runs in the entertainment industry without marketing and PR?”

“Real stars originally shine even without lighting.”

“You always speak so well…”

It ended with Manager Ma raising the white flag.

“…If she really gets on the same stage as Do Gyeoul, then you have to unconditionally okay my words, right?”

“I’ll do that even if you tell me not to. After raising the kid a bit, when they fight over Best Supporting Actress, Best Actress, Grand Prize – stuff like that!”

Although JC ENM didn’t give separate instructions, several reporters who mainly wrote provocative articles naturally wrote as Manager Ma had wanted. Placing Do Gyeoul and Han Yeoreum’s names side by side.

Cheap third-rate articles that some would find interesting and others would frown at were annoyingly visible.

“….”

Gyeoul read that article, then read it again.

“Gyeoul, didn’t you sleep? Your eyes are bloodshot. I told you to sleep early.”

The next morning, Do Gyeoul’s manager who came for the script reading was flustered by her haggard appearance. This was the first time Do Gyeoul, who was always serious about condition management, had shown such a state.

“…I couldn’t sleep.”

“My goodness, what’s wrong? Hm? Just tell me. While we go to the shop.”

Gyeoul looked out the window. A moderately cool and refreshing autumn was approaching. The manager looked at Gyeoul through the rearview mirror.

“Gyeoul. Why couldn’t you sleep?”

Gyeoul opened the window to feel the breeze, then opened her mouth.

“Because I want to be recognized.”

“From one script reading? Do Gyeoul?”

The manager laughed as if it was strange. Do Gyeoul never missed script readings for projects big and small. For Do Gyeoul, a veteran among veterans, to lose sleep because she wanted recognition.

“Is it because it’s your first romance? Is the attention a bit overwhelming since it’s a work you’re doing after becoming an adult?”

Gyeoul knew well how to answer at times like this.

The feelings inside had to be hidden, covered, and concealed so tightly that they could never be shown to anyone.

Just as Do Munjeong had taught.

“…I suppose so.”

I want to be recognized instead of Han Yeoreum. I want to be recognized even if it means taking everything that belongs to Han Yeoreum. I want Han Yeoreum to disappear and for me to be in that place, like Han Yeoreum. Even more than Han Yeoreum.

“I want to be recognized.”

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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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