In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 20

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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 20

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“Thank you for your hard work through the final shoot!”
Hong Jong-ho opened the car door with a radiant smile.
Today marked the completion of all filming for 【Cohabitation with a Ghost】.
And today, once again—

“You two have such amazing chemistry!”

I heard Je-gal Se-yeon’s praise.
But that wasn’t all—

“The professor is arranging a dinner meeting with the distribution company’s representative. Would that be alright?”

Surprisingly, the distribution company had reached out the moment filming wrapped.

“The distribution company is Shining Pictures. They said it’s a new distribution company created by Bee Entertainment.”

Bee Entertainment is a massive entertainment conglomerate that even owns a cable channel called BeepTV under its umbrella.
And while BeepTV doesn’t wield much power right now, it will soon rack up hit after hit with dramas and variety shows, climbing steadily to the top.
‘It’s the kind of place that will eventually have people saying its viewership ratings surpass even the terrestrial broadcasters.’
On top of that, Shining Pictures also produces many successful films and becomes a company frequently mentioned at awards ceremonies.
‘In other words, there’s nothing to lose by building a connection!’
“You must be relieved to finally have a break, right? New Member… I mean, Actress.”
Hong Jong-ho asked as he watched me smile contentedly.
He’d interpreted my smile differently, it seemed.
‘Though I have to admit, it does feel good to be done filming.’
Since this was my first project after regression, I’d been constantly on edge.
“Yes, it’s nice.”
During the break, I can prepare for various auditions too.
‘What I really need right now is to land a small web drama.’
Of course, Cohabitation with a Ghost is projected to draw 20,000 viewers.
But an independent film is still just an independent film.
I need more commercially viable credits to my name.
‘Last time, I started with nude roles and my career got derailed.’
So this time, I wanted to start small and build my foundation from the ground up.
Now that I’ve laid that foundation, I need the next step.
For that, something like a web drama on YouTube would be perfect—
‘But there’s nothing suitable for my image.’
I know my own face well.
I’m beautiful, but not in a conventional way.
Because my features are distinctly striking, it’s difficult to get cast in web dramas where a comforting, approachable look is preferred.
‘Maybe I should wait for a Park Chang-sung project instead.’
Park Chang-sung.
The “undefeated director of box office hits” who consistently draws a minimum of 5 million viewers.
And the public audition for the first film where Park Chang-sung broke the 10-million-viewer mark will be held in six months.
I know this because I attended that audition back then.
‘Though I bombed it, of course.’
But the Ha Eun-rae of that time was barely more than a greenhorn actress, while the me of now had over a decade of acting experience under my belt.
If I auditioned now, I’d pass without question.
The only problem was—
‘How am I supposed to pay rent for six months….’
I’d been boasting to Kang Ye-reum about it too.
And if I only do independent films while burning through the agency’s resources on a manager and car, I’ll face their scrutiny.
I was lost in these thoughts when
the car turned into an alley.
A man with a lanky, towering frame shuffled toward us hesitantly.
‘It’s Seo Kyung-bin.’
I silently praised myself for deliberately sitting in the back seat to make room for Seo Kyung-bin.
“Oh, hello….”
Seo Kyung-bin greeted me the moment he got in the car, but as expected, his sentence trailed off incomplete.
I hoped that someday I would hear a complete sentence from this man.
“Hello, senior.”
I offered my greeting in a voice that wouldn’t burden Seo Kyung-bin too much, yet carried a hint of cheerfulness.
“Oh…. Yes…. That final shoot….”
It seemed he wanted to offer congratulations, but his voice was so quiet that Hong Jong-ho interjected.
“I heard neither of you had breakfast, so I prepared chicken breast with cabbage wraps. Please eat on the way.”
Seo Kyung-bin’s eyes sparkled at those words, and with a rare burst of speed, he reached for the lunch bag beside him.
‘What? He’s that excited about it?’
“Are you sure? We’re heading straight to the wrap-up party.”
For context, we were on our way to the wrap party venue after finishing filming.
“I eat quite a lot….”
Oh my… he really does eat a lot.
Did he really have to say it so shyly?
While I was thinking that, my phone rang.
Zing-
I furrowed my brow.
“I apologize.”
“It’s… fine….”
I quickly grabbed my phone to silence the vibration.
But then-

[rowhen_mom has followed you.]
[white_tiger_coming has followed you.]
[billion_million has followed you.]

…?
Something felt off.
My SNS account, which I’d created not long ago, was exploding.

* * *

“Great work, everyone!”
Je-gal Se-yeon raised her soju and beer glass with a hearty laugh.
“You worked hard, Director!”
“You did great, Eun-rae!”
Throughout the Wrap Party Venue, relieved voices echoed from every corner.
I felt a similar emotion washing over me.
A bittersweet release.
I was finally saying goodbye to Soo-in.
Whether eating or gazing at a single tree, I’d always wondered what Soo-in would have done in that moment.
But that was over now.
Though there was a hollow emptiness to it, I felt a thrill knowing another character would soon fill that void.
It was right then that I was thinking such thoughts.
“By the way, Eun-rae, that was impressive. You’re appearing in the Million X music video, right?”
The Cinematographer poured me a soju and beer, grinning widely.
Yes.
The Million X music video.
I hadn’t properly confirmed it due to the final shoot and Wrap Party, but my account had exploded because of the Million X music video teaser.
The atmosphere on set had felt strange toward the end of filming.
A subtle shift—as if everyone was suddenly aware of me.
Before that, the staff had treated me with the unmistakable attitude of seasoned professionals dealing with a raw newcomer.
Not that it was wrong.
Everyone here had experience working on commercial sets.
For that reason, they’d kept me slightly at arm’s length.
They’d tell me bluntly to move when setting up lighting, or warn me not to eat after makeup.
Not requests, but demands delivered as though they were obvious.
‘But if I got hurt by something like that, I couldn’t act at all.’
I’d never felt wounded by such things before. Honestly, I’d experienced far worse.
Besides, Director Je-gal Se-yeon had such good character that the staff never overstepped boundaries.
But today was different….

“Eun-rae… we need to set up the lighting. Would you like to rest over there for a bit? We’ve prepared a spot for you.”

Instead of telling me to move, they were asking if I’d like to rest somewhere they’d prepared.

“Miss Eun-rae, this next scene connects with yesterday’s scene. I’ve prepared the footage—would you like to go over it together?”

Even offering to discuss makeup coordination for the transition scenes together.
“Yes. It hasn’t been long since we filmed, but it seems post-production wrapped quickly. They said it’ll be released soon.”
At my words, even the staff at the nearby table perked up their ears and looked at me.
“Eun-rae’s face was in the teaser, right? They really nailed it.”
One of them interjected into our conversation abruptly, as if they’d been itching to join in.
“I’m a Million X fan—could you get me an autograph later?”
“Ah, an autograph… I’m not really close with them, so…”
I hesitated, and seeing the staff member’s expression darken, I rolled my eyes internally.
I had to be careful in moments like this.
This was exactly the kind of timing when rumors like “shot one music video and suddenly became arrogant” would spread.
Right now, even if gossip about me being rude circulated, the public wouldn’t care—but I wasn’t ending my career here, was I?
I was absolutely going to stand on The Oscars stage.
So I had to manage my image meticulously.

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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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