In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 38

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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 38

Kim Do-woon.
I already knew he was the youngest son of Bee Entertainment’s representative.
That he’d suddenly become Channel Headquarters’ director—a position he’d never have reached as an unremarkable PD in the production department—was clearly thanks to his father’s influence.
And Kim Do-woon possessed a talent for exploiting people.
‘When he became Team Leader at the Channel, he’d steal his subordinates’ work and claim it as his own, throwing drinking parties left and right to land projects.’
But once he ascended to Channel Headquarters director, he’d been utterly powerless.
‘How could he succeed?’
The man had no eye for works, and even less of an eye for people.
But I didn’t know at that time that Kim Do-woon was already working as a PD in the production department.
‘So he got a military exemption, graduated early, and landed a job.’
I extended my hand toward Kim Do-woon, who stood awkwardly with his hand still outstretched for a handshake.
“Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Smile. Just smile.
There are too many eyes watching here. A rookie actress can’t afford to be seen as disrespectful.
“Ha ha ha! You really are an introvert, aren’t you!”
“Perhaps.”
As my cold voice drifted out, Kim Do-woon seemed slightly taken aback.
“Actually, 【Purgatory】 is our most anticipated project this time. We’re collaborating with a global OTT platform. Of course, your acting reputation is well-known throughout the industry, but the director was concerned about your public recognition, so I pushed hard for you!”
Still the same.
Lying without batting an eye.
I know Do Eun-hee and the writer were the ones who pushed hard, yet here he is spinning this nonsense.
‘A man who never changes his stripes.’
Rotten from the start.
Why did I go out of my way to neutralize this guy?
And besides—
“I don’t usually say things like this, but….”
There it is again.
That tired routine.

“I don’t usually say things like this, but….”

“You really are beautiful. I have an eye for people, you know.”
Kim Do-woon said this while subtly bowing his head toward me.
Kim Do-woon was the same at thirty as he had been at twenty.
The only thing that had changed was my attitude toward him.
I wouldn’t fall for that sweet whisper of “I only say this to you” anymore.
“Beautiful? No one is as beautiful as actress Do Eun-hee, surely.”
I spoke deliberately loud and glanced at actress Do Eun-hee, who was waiting for her scene.
The staff around us subtly looked between me and Kim Do-woon.
That wasn’t all.
Hong Jong-ho, who had been handling the monitoring camera nearby, casually approached.
“Hello.”
As Hong Jong-ho, with his massive frame, drew near, Kim Do-woon instinctively stepped back.
“Oh… ah… who is this…?”
“I’m Ha Eun-rae’s manager. If you have anything to say to the actress, you can tell me. She needs to get to her shoot now.”
“Ah… I see. A manager… I understand?”
Kim Do-woon scanned Hong Jong-ho’s massive frame with an incredulous gaze.
“Oh, well, there’s nothing particular I needed to say. I was just asking her to do well this time. And—”
Kim Do-woon then pulled out the shooting schedule he had prepared.
“If you look here, there’s a location shoot in the provinces on this date. The director said he absolutely couldn’t cut it, so I was wondering if you could film in Gangneung.”
‘Kim Do-woon, that’s the kind of person he is.’
Always testing the waters with colleagues, pushing boundaries without quite crossing them.
The moment the other person pushes back hard, he tucks his tail between his legs and switches into work mode.
I glanced at Hong Jong-ho.
“I’ll check the actress’s schedule. We’ll be going now.”
Hong Jong-ho quickly took the shooting schedule and guided me to the side.
As I walked with Hong Jong-ho’s guidance, I narrowed my eyes.
“Our shoot isn’t for a while anyway.”
“Yeah.”
“So?”
Hong Jong-ho glared at Kim Do-woon, who remained behind, and spoke.
“Heo Representative told me to start keeping an eye on you.”
“You don’t think I’d actually fall for someone like that… I mean, that guy and cause a scandal?”
When I asked in disbelief, Hong Jong-ho furrowed his brow.
“If you liked him, I’d lie to the representative and just leave it alone. But that bastard is clearly coming at you, and you obviously hate it.”
“Oh.”
He’s got some perceptiveness.
He was fumbling around as a rookie road manager, but now he’s starting to do his job properly.
“Oppa, how’s being a manager treating you? Is it worth doing?”
At my question, Hong Jong-ho tilted his head.
“Well, at least there’s stable income compared to when I was a trainer, and aside from some muscle loss, it seems manageable.”
That blasted muscle loss.
“And… it’s fun. Watching you act.”
Hong Jong-ho turned his gaze away, looking slightly embarrassed.
“How you become someone else every time—it’s always fascinating.”
Listening to Hong Jong-ho’s words, I broke into a quiet smile.
I watched Kim Do-woon, who had gone to the Director and was now sweating profusely while explaining the product placement.
Someone else.
Yes. I’m someone else now.
I felt the perspiration that had seeped into my palms and furrowed my brow.
Don’t panic.
Ha Eun-rae.
You’re someone else now.
I picked up the script sitting in my small corner spot.
Even if it’s a minor role, this time it’s an OTT Drama.
‘I’m going to do my absolute best.’
I steeled my resolve.

* * *

Lim Se-gu’s Studio.
Lim Se-gu had been obsessively checking his YouTube channel’s view counts and subscriber numbers day and night lately.
His YouTube channel currently had a staggering 300,000 subscribers…!
That wasn’t all.
The comments on “Dear Kim Ji-hyun” had surpassed 10,000, with more than half of them praising Ha Eun-rae.

– Her acting is insane. Am I really allowed to watch this at home?
– This is what they call front-row viewing from your couch?
– Seriously though, why didn’t you submit this to a film festival? I genuinely want to see Ha Eun-rae win an award

And about half of that half consisted of praise for Park Seo-woo, the director and screenwriter.

– Who wrote this screenplay anyway?
– Even if it’s based on a true story, the way it’s handled is shocking. That twist at the end—wow

And about half of that half of that half—

– Ha Eun-rae’s acting is really great. I hope to see her often in the future. Screenwriter, I hope to see you often too. You’re even directing—so talented! And the cinematography is amazing too^^

It was praise for the cinematography.
So what if the praise for the cinematography was sparse!
His Channel wasn’t just skyrocketing—it was soaring to triple-digit growth.
Even the old videos with 200 views that he’d uploaded previously were now racing toward 10,000.
Thanks to this momentum, Maeng Hye-seung, who had occasionally appeared on his Channel, came to Lim Se-gu’s Studio with an excited face, carrying fruit.
“Director, when are we filming our next project?”
The problem was that the fruit wasn’t for Lim Se-gu.
“Well, I’d have to ask my hyung about that.”
Park Seo-woo shrugged and glanced at Lim Se-gu.
He’d been trying to coax Park Seo-woo into collaborating on the next project, but Park Seo-woo firmly declined.
Apparently, he was joining as an assistant director on a fairly renowned production.
‘Tch.’
So someone had already snatched Park Seo-woo away….
—Though calling him “someone” was an understatement; this person was far too distinguished.
Director Park Chang-sung.
The legendary box-office-proof director, as they called him.

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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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