In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 16

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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 16

And so I departed for the Film Set in a car driven by Hong Jong-ho.
It wasn’t quite a van, but the spacious interior—clearly thoughtfully appointed—spoke volumes of Heo Kyung-hoe’s consideration.
‘He must cycle through several vehicles….’
Wait, isn’t this actually the representative’s car?
And my suspicion proved exactly right.
I discovered a pacifier wedged beneath the passenger seat.
“This….”
“Ah, this is the representative’s car.”
My suspicion transformed into certainty.
Hong Jong-ho laughed awkwardly as he explained.
“Still, the representative said he’d ensure my salary is generous. I’m grateful for that. In the meantime, I’ll need to manage actor Seo Kyung-bin as well…. Is that alright with you?”
“So we’ll be taking the same car to the Film Set?”
By the way, “Cohabitation with a Ghost” had just wrapped its fifth day of filming.
Until now, despite having signed with the Talent Agency, I’d been going alone.
The reason was that I still needed time to finish training Hong Jong-ho.

“Still, I’ll make sure to assign a manager to you until the Music Video Set shoot. Eun-rae.”

Heo Kyung-hoe was a good representative.
Even though I’d offered to deduct Hong Jong-ho’s salary from my own settlement, after meeting him, he said this.

“It’s not easy to find decent people. Since I found one thanks to you, we’ll cover Hong Jong-ho’s manager salary.”

Good grief.
Heo Kyung-hoe really is someone who’d sell dirt if it meant making a profit.
Anyway—
“Would that be uncomfortable for you?”
Hong Jong-ho asked awkwardly about whether I’d have to share a car with Seo Kyung-bin.
Huh? Me?
“No, it’s not uncomfortable for me at all….”
Seo Kyung-bin would be the one uncomfortable.
With that personality, would he actually want to ride with me? Besides, Seo Kyung-bin is legitimately a rising star in the Independent Film Industry.
“Then that’s a relief! Actor Seo Kyung-bin said he was fine with it. He even wants to practice lines together in the car.”
“…?”
That Seo Kyung-bin said he was fine sharing a car with me?
Seriously?
I was bewildered.
The car pulled up to the entrance of Seoul University Campus, renowned for its beauty.
“We’re here.”
And beyond the car window—
“…Rowen! Look over here! Just once!”
“Can’t you give Tae-ho just one autograph before you go?”
…a fan signing event was unfolding.
“Will you be…alright?”
Hong Jong-ho asked me cautiously.
‘The atmosphere is a bit chaotic, but—’
There’s nothing I can’t handle.
I’m confident in my acting.
“Yes, of course. Shall we go?”
“Yep.”
The moment Hong Jong-ho stepped out of the car and opened my door.
Every fan’s gaze beyond the barrier snapped toward me.
A brief silence.
But it shattered quickly.
“Who is that?”
“Is she filming the Music Video with the oppas?”
“Wow, she’s gorgeous!”
“That’s not the point! Why is some nobody filming a Music Video with our oppas right now!”
Watching the fans’ fierce expressions, I thought.
Hmm… this might not be okay?
“Run!”
“Huh?!”
I shielded my face and rushed into the Music Video Set, with Hong Jong-ho quickly following behind me.

* * *

“There’s no lighting over there. Can you bring some light to that side?”
“Hey, wake up! Don’t doze off!”
I changed into the prepared outfit and stepped out into the Hallway.
The Film Set was tense and sharp with energy.
For reference, Music Videos are typically shot in compressed schedules due to the grueling nature of idol schedules—
‘The shooting runs from 8 AM today until 2 PM tomorrow….’
Even that was just my scenes condensed together; I heard MillionX’s choreography and individual cuts were already filmed in advance.
In other words, MillionX must be in a daze right now—
‘I need to be careful. If I mess up and we have to retake because of me, I might actually get beaten by MillionX and their fans.’
That’s when it happened.
A face suddenly popped out from the upper staircase.
“Oh, there’s that actress! Nice to meet you!”
A boy in a school uniform with slightly tousled, carefree hair and an unbuttoned shirt revealing a white t-shirt underneath.
It was Rowen.
The rapper from MillionX who handles all songwriting and composition—called an “all-rounder.”
His followers were… ten million, wasn’t it?
One wrong move and I’d literally be cultivating ten million antis.
The moment I saw Rowen, I lowered my head and greeted him respectfully.
“Hello!”
“…?”
Rowen tilted his head at my greeting, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Then he lowered his head and returned the greeting.
“Yes. Hello!”
What, what is this?
Is this a trap…?
While I was pondering this.
“What are you doing?”
Han Yoo-yang, who came down the stairs—the leader of MillionX—tapped Rowen’s shoulder.
Then, following Rowen’s gaze, he looked at me.
“Oh? Hello. You’re that person… Ah, your name is….”
A man appeared behind him and scolded him.
“Actress Ha Eun-rae. Try to remember, will you?”
It was Baek Tae-ho.
The visual member and lead vocalist of the group.
He greeted me while wearing his school uniform neatly.
“Hello. I apologize if our members are being too loud.”
“No? That’s not….”
At the same time, I caught sight of a camera positioned behind Baek Tae-ho.
That’s when it dawned on me.
‘Ah, that’s a music video making film.’
No wonder they seemed so energetic despite the all-nighter.
‘Professionals are professionals, I suppose.’
They must be deliberately acting cheerful because the making film was being shot.
‘Get your head in the game.’
Every moment the camera was rolling was both a performance and an opportunity for me.
In the past, I hadn’t understood this, and I’d been criticized for a single small expression on variety shows.
But now, as an actress—or rather, as an entertainer—I was well aware that image management was everything.
‘What experience do I even have.’
I smiled at Baek Tae-ho with practiced ease.
“The MillionX seniors have such vibrant energy that I’m getting energized just being around you. Thank you so much.”
Baek Tae-ho responded playfully to my words.
“That can’t be right. You must find this annoying instead.”
That was the moment.
Rowen draped his arm over Baek Tae-ho’s shoulder and chuckled.
“No way. The actress had way more energy.”
Then he stood beside me and demonstrated it himself.
“The moment she saw me, she bent her body 170 degrees and said, ‘Hello!'”
“Hey, didn’t you set the tone?”
Han Yoo-yang had already approached and casually thrust his face in front of the camera.
It was a natural flow.
‘This is also a kind of acting…!’
I struggled to keep up with the rhythm.
Variety shows were never my specialty to begin with…!
“Come on, you set the tone.”
When Baek Tae-ho also teased Rowen, he waved his hands frantically and spoke.
“No? Could you say something? Did I set the tone?”
At Rowen’s words, I thought of a line in my head.

‘You were truly terrifying…!’

I know I’m supposed to say something like that.
That would keep the variety show energy alive….
“Ah, no. I’ll do better… I will….”
…?
Damn it.
I flubbed my line.
Ugh. Variety shows really are difficult.
The moment I thought it was ruined, laughter erupted from the members around me.
“…?”
What’s going on?
At the same time, I noticed the staff member holding the camera was giggling too.
Before I could even process the situation, a staff member approached and spoke to Rowen.
“Camera is set. Rolling the scene!”
“Yes!”

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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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