In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 63

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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 63

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“What about this one?”

The dress I pointed to was the only one from Bella Simo’s collection that featured a distinctly Korean pattern.

“This season’s F/W concept is Oriental. We’ve created dresses tailored to the patterns of South Korea, China, and Japan respectively.”

Bella Simo’s PR Team Leader hurried over to continue the explanation.

“However… we don’t typically use this one for sponsorships.”

The reason was understandable enough.
It was so distinctive that actresses simply wouldn’t wear it.

“The dress is rather bold, you see, and it tends to overshadow the wearer.”

But her words seemed to provoke Kang Ye-reum instead.

“But our actress is the exception.”

My stylist, Kang Ye-reum, immediately secured the dress as a sponsorship and unveiled a daring ensemble. She tied an elegant ribbon ornament at the ends of my hair to complement the flowing gown, paired it boldly with jade-colored earrings, and added a traditional Korean pendant at my chest for a striking focal point.
She’d apparently spent the entire night wandering through the Mother-of-Pearl Market to pull it off.
Thus was born a dress that was unmistakably Korean yet thoroughly modern.
A dress that was both distinctly Korean and modern was completed.

“Man. This is looking like another ten million views on SNS.”

Hah… I want to deny it, but I can’t.
My follower count was skyrocketing thanks to the popularity of Purgatory.
Fine.
Then I’ll ride the wave of Purgatory’s success—this Korean fantasy sensation—with this dress.
Since Kang Ye-reum coordinated everything perfectly, all I need to do now is showcase it—
“Oh, Eun-rae…?”
The van door opened, and I was reaching out to take Seo Kyung-bin’s escort when something went wrong.
As I grasped Seo Kyung-bin’s hand, something felt… off.
“My… my fingers…?”
My fingers wouldn’t bend.
As if I’d become a robot!

* * *

I never thought I’d tremble like this.
Have I lost my mind?
It’s not like I’ve never walked a Red Carpet before in my past life!
But thinking about it carefully, I trembled every single time on the Red Carpet.
Actually, there’s no actress who doesn’t tremble on the Red Carpet.
There are so many things to worry about—camera angles, the dress, everything.
So in my past life too, I trembled every time on the Red Carpet.
The only difference is—

– Wow, she’s shameless, showing up again despite the debt controversy lol
– Gotta admit, Ha Eun-rae’s mental fortitude is something else lol

…I now understand how terrifying people’s gazes can be.
I know it.
The more I know, the harder I must try.
I must stand before others as if nothing is wrong, brighter and more beautiful than ever.
But I can’t do it.
Seo Kyung-bin, feeling my body tremble like an aspen leaf, suddenly grasped my hand.
“…?!”
“Come down slowly. Slowly. Right foot, left foot.”
Was this man really someone who spoke so deliberately?
I looked at Seo Kyung-bin with a blank expression and moved my feet slowly according to his instructions.
Thanks to him, I was able to safely reach the ground.
A red carpet.
I was standing on the Red Carpet that rookie actors so desperately wanted to stand on.
On both sides of the Red Carpet, countless reporters and fans were stationed.
Watching the van that had dropped me off drive away, I muttered.
“Come back and pick me up….”
It was a desperate wish, but the van never returned.
“Ha Eun-rae! Look this way!”
I heard the reporters’ voices.
I looked in their direction.
I could somehow endure the intense flashes, but I had no idea how I was walking right now.
Seo Kyung-bin naturally placed my hand on his arm and said.
“Eun-rae, right now when your left foot goes forward, your left arm should move with it.”
“…Y, yes, I see?”
As I said that and tried to force a smile, Seo Kyung-bin was startled.
“C, could you smile a bit more naturally?”
I shook my head with a sad expression.
Then Seo Kyung-bin said as if there was no helping it.
“For now, lift your left hand and wave it lightly. Lightly.”
I managed it with a strained smile, but at least I could do that much.
“Smile lightly. Lightly….”
Why can’t I do this?
I already knew the answer.
I was afraid of standing before the public.
I pulled the corners of my mouth up with a strained smile.
I knew it must look strange, but there was nothing I could do about it.
“Ha Eun-rae! Heart with your fingers!”
Before I could even reach the Photo Zone, requests from the reporters continued.
I wanted to turn around and escape from here immediately.
But that was when it happened.
“Eun-rae!!!”
A thunderous cry erupted from somewhere.
“…?”
Kyung-bin and I turned our heads in unison toward the sound.
There stood two women in the biting cold, jackets discarded, wearing only short sleeves.
“Why, why….”
I was utterly bewildered when the two women suddenly spun around.
“…!”
My photograph was plastered across their backs.
A photo of me from Kang Ye-reum’s Fashion Show.
And beneath it was written a message.

[Eun-rae scores 95 out of 100.
Because she has zero flaws!]

“…pfft.”
The moment I saw it, laughter burst forth uncontrollably.
In that instant, flashes erupted from every direction.
I smiled brilliantly, quickly excused myself to Kyung-bin, and approached the two women.
One of them, whose face seemed vaguely familiar, spoke with flushed cheeks.
“Unnie! I’m your fan!”
Fan.
The word stirred something deep within my chest.
What kind of heart drives someone to travel all the way to Busan, wait for hours, secure the front row of the Red Carpet, and then wear a shirt like this?
Is this what they call “fan devotion”?
Is that simple word truly enough to describe it?
I felt their affection was far too generous for me.
To think there were people who loved me this much.
I felt overwhelmingly grateful, yet apologetic.
I wanted to give them something in return, but I had nothing to offer.
“I’m also a fan, Ha Eun-rae!”
The other woman spoke to me as well.
Both women then extended their phones toward me.
I stood frozen for a moment before understanding dawned.
Fan service!
That was the greatest gift I could give them in return.
Seeing security approaching in the distance, I quickly took a photo with both of them.
I angled myself carefully to look my best, made a heart with my fingers, and smiled radiantly.
Nervousness? That had vanished long ago.
Now I only cared that my image was captured beautifully in my fan’s phone.
The moment the security guard approached, I quickly stepped back.
Then I blew a heart toward the two of them.
One of them clutched their chest, while the other pulled out a camera.
I waved at them with genuine warmth.
Until the MC standing at the Photo Zone called my name.
“Ha Eun-rae, and Seo Kyung-bin!”

* * *

After the Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony ended.
I returned to the Hotel with a gloomy expression.
“You were the most beautiful one there!”
Hong Jong-ho kept giving me thumbs up.
Kang Ye-reum spoke as she watched Hong Jong-ho.
“Manager, could you step out for a moment? I need to help Eun-rae out of her dress.”
“Oh, of course.”
Once Hong Jong-ho left, Kang Ye-reum burst into laughter as she unzipped my dress.
“Pfahahaha! I seriously thought you turned into a robot out there! You looked absolutely ridiculous!!!”
“…Did you enjoy that?”
Four actresses frozen like ice in front of all those cameras?!
“Why! Your fans loved it. The articles are great too. Look at this.”
I glanced at the phone Kang Ye-reum held out to me.
There was a photo of me smiling brightly, making a heart with my hands against my cheeks.

– Real-time Busan International Film Festival: A photo that captures Ha Eun-rae’s android-like fan affection
– Ha Eun-rae’s expression—the only one who escaped the android persona

I squeezed my eyes shut at the sight of the article headlines.

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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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