In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 12

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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This life, I choose The Oscars over a husband.
Chapter 12

* * *

Had I offended her somehow?
Heo Kyung-hoe studied the quiet Ha Eun-rae with that thought in mind.
She was an actress who had demonstrated exceptional talent in this film.
Even from the two-minute clip that Seo Kyung-bin’s manager had shot, Ha Eun-rae possessed an undeniable screen presence that commanded attention.
‘She looks like she’s been acting for a decade.’
Her freedom of movement before the camera was remarkable enough, but her character immersion was extraordinary.
Kang Ye-ji, whom I’d seen before, barely registered in comparison.
My desire to sign her immediately was overwhelming.
Yet simultaneously, I wanted to understand her nature.
Actors who primarily appeared in independent films possessed solid technique, but carried a distinctive ‘stubbornness.’
They’d refuse to appear in dramas or variety shows, or they’d sabotage hard-won interview opportunities.
So I tested the waters.
I asked if she’d consider auditioning for a music video.
Of course, I’d planned to sign her regardless of whether she rejected the music video offer.
I’d simply need to push a mystique concept, minimizing interviews and variety appearances as much as possible.
I was mentally mapping out this strategy when Ha Eun-rae spoke.
She opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry….”
So she was declining the music video after all?
Heo Kyung-hoe’s eyebrows rose slightly at that thought.
“I was so thrilled at the opportunity you offered that my response was delayed.”
“…?”
“I’ll do my very best!”
Her answer was entirely contrary to my expectations.
The smile that bloomed across her face was far too pure to be called acting—it was genuine sincerity.
“When is the audition?!”
I had no idea.
Ha Eun-rae was nothing like the stereotypical ‘difficult actor’ or ‘prima donna’ I’d anticipated.
Rather, she was someone driven solely by the determination to seize this second chance without fail.
Only one thought crystallized in my mind.
I. Will. Not. Lose. Her!

Shortly after.
Heo Kyung-hoe sent Ha Eun-rae out and called in Manager Jang.
“What do you think?”
“….”
Manager Jang furrowed his brow as he watched Heo Kyung-hoe stare out the window without answering.
“You’re creating such an odd atmosphere. It doesn’t suit you at all.”
At those words, Heo Kyung-hoe immediately shrugged his shoulders and asked.
“Then what does suit me?”
“You’re the type who throws a fit when something doesn’t please you, and throws a fit when it does. Did she really displease you that much? Is the girl that eccentric? So much so that you can’t even bring her to Director Min Se-ye’s audition?”
At that, Heo Kyung-hoe turned his head to look at Manager Jang.
“Manager Jang.”
His tone growing serious.
Seeing this, Manager Jang let out a sigh and replied.
“Yes, sir.”
“Get me a contract right now. Top-tier treatment for a rookie. I’m so determined to sign her that I’d sell my car if I had to.”
“…?”
As Manager Jang’s eyes widened, Heo Kyung-hoe slammed his fist on the desk and declared.
“A golden opportunity has rolled right to my feet, and if I let it slip away, I deserve to quit this entertainment business!”
At those words, Manager Jang broke into a bright smile.

* * *

Two days later, in front of LP Entertainment in Cheongdam-dong.
I gazed up at the magnificent entertainment company building.
“This is the talent agency for that boy group. It’s still confidential, so I couldn’t even tell you the company name.”
I nodded and stepped out of Manager Jang’s car.
‘I already know… I’m shooting the music video for Million X.’
By the way, my styling today was also Kang Ye-reum’s work.
Matching the previous concept, but styled more casually this time.
My makeup was kept minimal to let my acting shine through, and I wore a comfortable sweatshirt with an off-shoulder accent.
The bottoms were short, with socks reaching my calves for added flair.

“Wow— you can pull off these socks. This length makes your legs look super short. Are you sure you don’t want to try modeling?”
“No, I’m not interested.”

At my firm answer, Kang Ye-reum spoke with a note of regret.

“You’re really going to be the model for my graduation project, right?”
“Are you insane?”
“Huh…?”
“Why are you even asking? If I tell you to do it, you do it. No questions.”

Kang Ye-reum laughed at those words.
In this life, I won’t let you slip away from me.
Never.
In this lifetime, I won’t abandon my life as an actress or the precious bonds I’ve forged.
“You had filming yesterday, didn’t you? Aren’t you tired?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Actually, I’m relieved there’s no filming today.”
I answered Manager Jang’s question with spirited enthusiasm.
I needed to display the deference befitting a newcomer.
Though I had to avoid being excessively servile.
“You have filming again tomorrow, right? I’m looking forward to it….”
“Pardon?”
At my confusion, Manager Jang clasped his hands together as he spoke—apologetically, it seemed.
“Actually, I watched the monitoring footage that Kyung-bin’s manager brought back. Your acting was really impressive.”
“Ah…. Is that so….”
I lowered my head as if embarrassed, but truthfully, it was only natural.
With ten years of acting experience, there’d be something wrong if I couldn’t manage this much.
‘I need to do even better than this, actually.’
I couldn’t afford to slack off just because of such praise.
When people say my acting is good, they’re implicitly adding “for your age” or “for your experience level.”
As I grew older and accumulated more credits, maintaining this current standard would require far greater effort.
“Oh, before you go in. The music video director you’re meeting today is a bit… unusual. Not the type to harass people or anything like that, but….”
“Darling!”
That was when it happened.
A voice rang out through the lobby, loud and resonant.
I turned my head to see a familiar man standing there.
Flamboyant patterned trousers, a black silk jacket, rings on all ten fingers—each one different—and an ornate pearl necklace.
The man quickly crossed the lobby and gripped my shoulder, his eyes sparkling as he spoke.
“Where on earth have you been hiding? Why are you only showing up now? Huh?!”
It was Director Min Se-ye.
Ah, right—this was his character.
I had only now remembered how he stood out as a particularly eccentric figure even in the film industry, where oddities seemed to congregate.
While an ordinary newcomer might have been flustered by such a presence, I grinned and responded in kind.
“Thank you for the compliment. But that necklace is absolutely stunning. It must be incredibly expensive, right?”
At my words, Min Se-ye’s eyes gleamed as he adjusted the fashionable horn-rimmed glasses he wore.
“Oh my, darling. You’ve got taste too?”
Good taste? That’s nonsense.
That’s something Min Se-ye wears all the time.
A luxury brand necklace that becomes a nationwide trend seven years later.
When Min Se-ye first wore it, people mocked him as eccentric, but later he was praised for being “ten years ahead of fashion.”
I had no experience working with Director Min before my regression, but I’d heard stories about him often.

“Why did Director Min criticize Han Yeo-woon? She seemed pretty upset about it.”

It was on the way back from the Awards Ceremony, dressed in an evening gown.
I asked while munching on the chicken breast Hong Jong-ho had prepared for me.
I remembered Han Yeo-woon sitting at the same table, grumbling about it.

“Oh, that. I heard about it from her manager too—apparently Director Min didn’t like what Han Yeo-woon was wearing.”
“…?”

What was he talking about?

“The female lead in the film Min Se-ye is preparing is a military officer, but Han Yeo-woon showed up draped in luxury brands. And you know how particular Director Min is about fashion. Patterned leggings and heels on a soldier character—what was she thinking?”

He’s criticizing Han Yeo-woon, who’s at the height of her career right now, over something like that?

“Well, he says he can read a person just by looking at their clothes. Anyway, that’s what he said. So if you end up meeting with Director Min, pay attention to what you wear.”
“Ha… Is Director Min really going to cast me? He only works with trendy actors.”
“Hey, you’re trendy too. And honestly, your acting is better than Han Yeo-woon’s!”

At Hong Jong-ho’s words, I offered a faint smile.
I could feel the sincerity behind his remark.
Though I never became Director Min Se-ye’s pick even until retirement in my previous life, that conversation proved invaluable in this one.
“I can read people just by looking at their clothes. You’re absolutely certain. But I should still see your acting, right?”
Manager Jang’s expression brightened.
“Of course you should!”
“Where did Naru Stage find a face like this? I thought Heo Representative only worked with artsy types—seems like he finally came to his senses?”
“Ah… well…”
Manager Jang spoke with determination.
“She’s a rookie we’re pushing incredibly hard! Not only does she have a beautiful face, but her acting is exceptional too!”
“Yeah. I have a feeling you’re going to make it big. I can sense it.”
Min Se-ye smiled at me with a knowing grin.
The reason his words didn’t sound like mere flattery was—
‘Min Se-ye has always had an excellent eye for actresses.’
The female leads in Min Se-ye’s films, colloquially known as “Min Se-ye’s Women,” all flourished after working with him.
Like some kind of blessing.
Moreover, because of Min Se-ye’s stylish cinematography, every actress in his films reached new heights of beauty.
That’s why all actresses eagerly anticipated working with him, and audiences felt the same way.
“Thank you.”
In this life, Min Se-ye had taken a liking to me.
That gave me tremendous strength.
‘I’ll definitely do well.’
With that resolve, I headed to the Practice Room with Min Se-ye.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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