In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 33

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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 33

“I love it so much because of that, hyung. It can be even better.”

Park Seo-woo stared intently at me on the screen as he spoke.
As if the film were already edited in his mind and playing before his eyes.
Working on my first project with Park Seo-woo taught me something invaluable.
He is a dependable director.
One who misses nothing, and in doing so, pushes actors to test the very limits of their craft.
‘This is why Park Seo-woo won The Oscars at such a young age.’

“That last take sounded good. Let me try again.”

I no longer felt intimidated by Park Seo-woo’s words.
Now I understood with absolute certainty that he was someone who could make my performance shine even brighter.
I was lost in these thoughts about the set when—
“And most importantly, the Cassette Tape advertisement is going viral alongside the film, which is extremely positive.”
Manager Jang said this while pulling up the Cassette Tape advertisement on his tablet.
On the screen, there I was—dancing in jeans and a white shirt, set to sensual music.
I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut in that instant.
Monitoring the film itself was bearable enough, but monitoring an advertisement where I had to actively look pretty was quite embarrassing.
And given that I had no sense of rhythm, I thought I’d die from mortification the entire time I was dancing.

“You look so beautiful! So adorable!”

Of course, I was showered with compliments on set the entire time.
When the scene aired where I was hit with purple paint and laughed, sighs of admiration rippled through the room.
“She’s so beautiful….”
Heo Kyung-hoe and Hong Jong-ho even applauded as they watched my commercial.
I had to admit it looked beautiful, but I felt embarrassed nonetheless.
The staff at the commercial shoot had worked so hard to make it look that good.
Moreover, my makeup had to change with each outfit, so I’d had to touch up several times.
Right after the scene where I’m hit with purple paint and laughing, I appear in a purple off-shoulder knit, grinning widely.
Like the protagonist in the MillionX music video, exuding a decadent atmosphere.
Soon green rain begins to fall.
I flee from the downpour and quickly reappear in a different outfit.
Green rain boots, a short tennis skirt, and a vibrant yellow crop top.
My hair was tied up high in a style different from my usual look, and I’d applied a rosy blush.
On my back was an adorable bag from the 10-20 target demographic that Cassette Tape had announced as their flagship item this season.
“I should film a coming-of-age drama.”
Heo Kyung-hoe said it with conviction.
Well… I had acted with the intention of it being a scene from a coming-of-age drama anyway.
And then the next scene.
When a pink rabbit was thrown at me, I appeared in a pink blouse and short pants, white knee-high socks, draped in a long vinyl strip that had burst out of a giant pink cassette tape, my eyes wide open.
Like a 21-year-old college student.
Of course, being 21, it’s only natural… but seeing it as someone who regressed from 33, it feels incredibly strange!
I shook my head at the thought.
But the view count was already exploding.
Manager Jang kindly scrolled through the comments for me.

– Her experience as an in-house model really shows.
– I already saved this as my wallpaper.
– What’s the name of the second knit?
– I must be crazy. Our dark and cute concept suits us too. Please give us lively roles as well.
– Wait, I just watched the short film and it’s the same person? That’s really surprising;;

‘Fortunately, the reaction is exactly what I aimed for.’
After doing only dark works, I’m showing a complete reversal with the Cassette Tape commercial.
By demonstrating that I can pull off such diverse styling, the spectrum of projects coming my way will expand significantly from now on.
That’s when I allowed myself a satisfied smile.
Heo Kyung-hoe’s phone rang.
The moment he saw the number on the screen, he shot up from his seat.
“Yes, sir. Representative.”
Watching Heo Kyung-hoe’s sudden formality, Manager Jang mouthed something to me.
‘Production Company Representative.’
Ah… so that’s why he became so polite.
“Yes? Director Park Chang-sung? Ah… it’s our Eun-rae. That… um….”
Director Park Chang-sung…?
My eyes widened the moment I heard that name.
Could it be that Director Park Chang-sung is looking for me? I’ve been waiting for the public audition anyway!
Heo Kyung-hoe carefully composed his expression as he spoke.
“Let me check the schedule and call you back….”
Without thinking, I slammed my hand on the desk and stood up.
Then I quickly shook my head toward Heo Kyung-hoe.
‘Play hard to get? With Park Chang-sung?!’
Understanding my intent, Heo Kyung-hoe swiftly changed course.
“Rather than that… shall we set up a meeting date first?”

“I’ve scheduled the meeting for a week from now. Does that work for you?”
I watched Heo Kyung-hoe’s leg bouncing nervously and thought to myself.
‘Are you really okay with this, sir…?’
But instead of asking that aloud, I spoke with confidence.
“I’ll do well.”
“The fact that they want to meet at the Production Company Office suggests they’re running an informal audition too. No script, nothing—what am I supposed to do…? Really, I…”
When Heo Kyung-hoe’s leg bouncing finally transmitted to the desk itself, Manager Jang jabbed him in the ribs with his elbow and called out to him.
“Sir?”
“Huh?”
“She’s our actress.”
Manager Jang looked at me as he spoke.
“Ha Eun-rae. She’s our actress.”
And with that, she broke into a grin.
“Didn’t you just see her act? Our actress is a true performer.”
It was a smile that radiated unwavering faith in me.
I nodded toward Manager Jang.
“Yes. I’ll deliver a strong performance.”
I have no intention of betraying that trust.
Manager Jang is right—I am a true performer.
From now on, I won’t doubt my own craft because of external factors, the way I did in my past life.
I closed my notebook, its pages dense with feedback, and reflected.
Besides—
‘I already know what Park Chang-sung’s script is.’
Park Chang-sung’s work.
【The Apartment】.
That will be my next filmography.

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A few days later.
A rough cut preview screening of “Cohabiting with a Ghost” was held.
Though it was called a rough cut preview, we had rented out a small movie theater on the Seoul Outskirts, and the atmosphere was festive—actors, the Director, and key staff members all gathered together to watch the film.
The film turned out exactly as expected.
Je-gal Se-yeon’s signature comedy sparkled brilliantly on screen, and even though we already knew the story, laughter erupted continuously among the staff and actors, myself included.
“Eun-rae, how on earth did you pull off that scene?”
“Wow, Ha Eun-rae is amazing!”
Seeing the staff give me thumbs up, I could tell my character had come alive properly.
Moreover, as the film progressed toward its climax, the emotional elements were handled beautifully, and Seo Kyung-bin’s character—specialized in weighty, nuanced performances—came alive and breathed on screen.
Seo Kyung-bin was indeed an actor with exceptional focus.
When an actor possesses such focus, it means they draw the audience in completely.
‘I need to learn from that.’
Even as I shed tears during the emotional scenes, my mind was simultaneously working to memorize Seo Kyung-bin’s acting techniques.
Some might call it a bit psychopathic—
‘What can I do? It’s an actor’s fate.’
Actors naturally develop the habit of looking in mirrors when they cry, even over sad events.
To remember what my expression looked like when I wept.
Top actress Do Eun-hee even took notes on her emotions when her grandparents passed away, determined never to forget that feeling.
‘A relentless person.’
I need to become even more relentless.
How could I squander this second chance and remain just an ordinary actor?
Without a single flaw, the rough cut preview—something that could almost be called a “finished product”—came to an end.
Independent films often skip these rough cut preview screenings, but seeing that Je-gal Se-yeon had put in effort, it seemed she had something to say.
And indeed she did.
As the film ended and its lingering impression still hung in the air, Je-gal Se-yeon stepped forward.

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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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