I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 92

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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 92

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“What are you looking at?”

A drink topped with whipped cream suddenly appeared in front of my face. I took a small sigh while drinking the autumn special Banana Caramel Cream Frappuccino that Ju Junseo had handed me.

“〈Romeo and Juliet〉? What’s this about.”

“It’s our final play…”

“So you’re Juliet? Who’s Romeo.”

“Romeo is obviously Myeong Jeha, and Juliet hasn’t been decided yet.”

The first-year final play was more like recreating a single scene rather than a full play. Basic acting, so to speak. Without proper stage equipment, it was somewhat awkward—a presentation by freshmen.

“If you don’t play Juliet, who will?”

“We have to choose fairly. Among ourselves.”

Still, no one wanted to give up the protagonist’s spot on stage.

‘Especially since Do Gyeoul is here this time…’

Industry people would definitely come just to see Do Gyeoul’s performance. It was practically a debut opportunity.

“But what’s the problem that’s making you look like that.”

Was it because of my chronic trauma? Or was it because the theme of the play had changed—something I’d habitually repeated whenever I felt sorry for my unknown status?

The only thing I knew for certain was that I didn’t know anything right now.

‘Same with why I’m acting like this now.’

Just everything felt like being stuck in a swamp. The most important thing was this.

“I don’t understand my Juliet…”

I had already memorized the entire script long ago. The ending was almost worn out from use.

But I couldn’t get a feel for it.

How could I become Juliet? I couldn’t even grasp a hint or clue.

“….”

Just moments ago, I had been acting naturally with Pi Chaewon’s face, so why couldn’t I understand Juliet like this?

I had no choice but to acknowledge the reason I had been trying to ignore.

‘It’s probably because the character I have to interpret became a character I have to beat Do Gyeoul with…’

It felt like I had returned to before my regression. A very small, minor role with no name—unknown actor Han Yeoreum.

And my opponent had won the Baekryong Film Awards and other prestigious film festivals as a given, plus swept all three major acting awards… Her life itself was a trophy, Do Gyeoul, whose name alone told everyone her profession.

Why is your name Romeo?

As I stared at the scenario, I felt the illusion that Do Gyeoul’s name was flickering over Romeo’s name.

Why is your name Do Gyeoul?

Just when I thought I could never overcome the wall that was Do Gyeoul’s name, Ju Junseo casually threw out a comment.

“Can’t you just say one line on stage?”

“…What?”

“Just say ‘Ah.’ Just that one word. If they hear your voice, you’ll… you’ll be able to get the Juliet role.”

It wasn’t particularly helpful advice, but it was comforting.

One thing different from before my regression. At least now I knew I wasn’t alone.

“Please get ready for standby-!”

A staff member shouted from far away. It was time to return to being Pi Chaewon.

And so the audition date approached without me finding my Juliet.

* * *

Myeong Jeha pressed the door lock of Dokgo Min’s studio with familiarity. Inside the cold space with no heating, Han Yeoreum was there as expected.

Next to Han Yeoreum lay a cell phone that seemed to have run out of battery.

“So there was a reason you weren’t answering calls.”

Han Yeoreum didn’t respond. Instead, she was staring at the beam projector screen without even blinking.

The movie playing was, as expected, 〈Romeo and Juliet〉. Myeong Jeha sat down next to her on the sofa.

“You know it’s decided tomorrow, right.”

“…Yeah. I know…”

Tomorrow was finally the audition day for Team B’s 〈Romeo and Juliet〉. Not a single team member had said they didn’t want to play Juliet.

So she had to compete with everyone.

Myeong Jeha, who had naturally secured the Romeo role just by existing, poked Yeoreum’s cheek.

“Old man, just go away…”

Yeoreum held the script in both hands and stared at the screen with empty eyes. Just then, the most famous scene from 〈Romeo and Juliet〉—the love confession scene—appeared.

-Why are you Romeo?

Han Yeoreum desperately tried to absorb the scene with her eyes. She still seemed unable to grasp it.

Myeong Jeha stopped poking her cheek and took the script Han Yeoreum was holding.

“Haven’t you memorized all the lines yet, or is there another reason?”

“I’ve memorized all the lines. I never forgot them in the first place. I never stopped acting, not even once.”

“Then why are you doing this here.”

“…I don’t know.”

To Yeoreum who hesitantly spoke, Jeha simply answered.

“Then find it.”

An irritated voice came back in response.

“Is it that easy? I’m anxious because I don’t know if I can play Juliet. Unlike you and Do Gyeoul, I never had a role that was mine from the beginning.”

She was a strange kid. Always overflowing with confidence to the point of seeming full of self-love, but when important moments came, she’d be deflated like this. It seemed to be because of her time as an unknown.

‘Anyway, there’s no one in Team B who could beat Han Yeoreum and become Juliet.’

Myeong Jeha concluded coldly. There was no way Han Yeoreum wouldn’t be the protagonist.

No, she absolutely had to become the protagonist.

Han Yeoreum sighed again and turned her gaze back to the movie.

‘Her mental state is shot.’

The current Han Yeoreum seemed to have trouble maintaining her composure. And naturally, Myeong Jeha knew how to efficiently manage a broken mental state.

“Do you know why 〈Romeo and Juliet〉 is famous?”

“Because it’s tragic.”

“Then why do you think it’s tragic, Yeoreum.”

Of course, if no answer came out at all, her mental state would crumble to dust… But unlike his own problems, Han Yeoreum’s problem was the kind that had an answer. So it was easy.

“Because the families don’t get along. The Capulets and Montagues. From the beginning, these young kids fell in love knowing full well that their families, parents, and relatives would all oppose it. That’s the tragedy.”

“Well… that’s not everything. Think about it more. Why the families fell out. For political reasons? Or fighting over honor? Ideological conflicts due to politics? Religious conflicts?”

He could feel focus gradually returning to her dazed eyes. Myeong Jeha stared intently at such Yeoreum.

‘If I can just get her to approach the essence.’

Han Yeoreum had been acting for a very long time, consistently, and diligently.

It was easy to guess. You could tell just by hearing her voice deliver a single line. So she wouldn’t have neglected script analysis either.

Han Yeoreum’s mouth, which had been powerless all along, opened.

“…Wouldn’t it be interesting if they fell out because prestigious families supported different people for king? The Montague family, who sided with the real king, maintains their noble status, while the Capulet family, who sided with the fallen prince, falls into ruin. Rich Romeo and poor Juliet—the class difference would be visible just from their clothing. It would definitely create a point of comparison with other Juliets…”

Her voice gradually gained strength. Han Yeoreum swallowed briefly.

“What do you think?”

“About what.”

“…Since you’re Romeo. The Juliet I just described… How is it? Is it okay?”

Unlike her eyes filled with the will to do it, her voice trembled at the end. Myeong Jeha answered briefly.

“Whatever.”

It was an answer with many implications. But it seemed to be enough, as Han Yeoreum smiled.

“Do you know where I can rent a hanbok? I mean, a really good hanbok that anyone would admire.”

Myeong Jeha, who was about to answer “Well…” out of habit, changed his mind and nodded his head. A smile spread across Han Yeoreum’s face.

“Alright. I think I can do it. Juliet.”

A confident attitude. It was the face Myeong Jeha had hoped for.

There were 30 days left until the final theater performance.

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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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