In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 65

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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 65

Two hundred million won, plus advertising fees on top of that.
So even after deducting various expenses….
‘I’ll net about one hundred million when the settlement comes through.’
I wasn’t exactly struggling for money in my previous life either, but as a newcomer, I could never have dreamed of sums like this.
‘Honestly, I didn’t even receive proper settlements until my mid-twenties….’
I only learned the truth later through Hong Jong-ho.
That Kanna, my talent agency, had been manipulating the settlement statements.
Most contracts are handled by the agency, and since cost calculations are often arbitrary, freelance entertainers frequently become prey to their agencies.
And I—debuting in my twenties with no knowledge of the industry and no family to protect me—was naturally an easy target for Kanna to exploit.
“By the way, I’m not sure if I should even be telling you this, but the Director said she won’t deduct our monthly rent from the settlement?”
“What?”
What do you mean? Rent should obviously be deducted, shouldn’t it?
“I don’t know either. The Director just said to do it that way when we were signing the contract.”
“….”
Damn these people who’d swindle you out of your own grave.
I need to make it crystal clear that rent must be deducted.
“And this.”
Kang Ye-reum shook her head and set down a large container in front of me.
Don’t tell me—
“It’s bone broth. The Director made it herself. We can microwave it and eat it after the GV ends.”
“How did you even bring that here?”
“I had it delivered by courier. I was shocked too. She was so worried about me pushing too hard with the diet and getting osteoporosis…. Out of respect for her effort, let’s eat this for dinner.”
“But I have to go to the after-party tonight.”
The real highlight of film festivals typically happens at night, after screenings and events wrap up.
Various after-parties are held where film actors and directors network and bond.
Of course, calling it an “after-party” sounds fancy, but it’s really just an informal gathering.
Some are elegant affairs with wine, while others are casual drinking sessions in Haeundae with soju.
And the party I’ve been invited to—

[Director Park Chang-sung: Eun-rae. I’ve reserved an Italian restaurant in front of Haeundae for tonight. Do you have any plans?]

It was Park Chang-sung’s party, no less.
Just imagining how many powerhouse figures would be there made me dizzy.
I had to network, of course.
“Eat something before we go. You’ll just end up nibbling like a sparrow once we’re there anyway.”
“I… guess so….”
True enough—I couldn’t exactly gorge myself in front of all those acclaimed directors and actors.
“Anyway, today’s the premiere of your film.”
“…Yeah.”
I answered Kang Ye-reum with a bright smile.
She’d already sorted out my entire outfit.
A neat yet adorable dress paired with white socks and Mary Jane shoes.
Since the film featured a ghost, she’d leaned into a slightly gothic aesthetic.
Finally, I’d see my film on the big screen.
Huh. This wasn’t my first time, so why was I trembling?
“I’m so excited.”
“You’re coming to watch, right?”
“Of course. I need to inspect every wrinkle in the clothes I dressed you in.”
“You’re relentless.”
When I glared at her, Kang Ye-reum burst into giggles.
“I’m joking. I’m curious about your film too. Hong Jong-ho saw it on set, but I haven’t seen it at all.”
“It’ll be fun.”
“Oh, confident, are we?”
Of course I was confident.
Our film—an independent production—was pulling in 20,000 viewers.
That practically made it a blockbuster in the Independent Film Industry.

* * *

Dok-sa, Eun Goo-reum, and Ha-yang, another devoted fan of Eun-rae’s, scurried into the second row of the Movie Theater.
“Great seats.”
At Dok-sa’s comment, Ha-yang nodded in agreement.
“Eun Goo-reum, your ticketing skills are really impressive.”
“I used to be quite into idol fandoms back in the day….”
“Really? You’re amazing! You were even in the first row at the Red Carpet…. If it weren’t for work, I would’ve rushed down to Busan right away…. Even taking a half day off wasn’t possible.”
“I took a full day off.”
At Dok-sa’s words, Ha-yang’s eyes widened.
‘I’ve been too careless!’
I should have taken a full day off instead of a half day!
“By the way, Independent Film Industry… will it be fun?”
Eun Goo-reum asked with a hint of concern.
Having only ever been in the idol world, Eun Goo-reum had actually never seen an independent film before.
Ha-yang, who was a cinephile, answered.
“Some of them are fun, but honestly, there are more boring ones.”
“Still, we came here to see the actress.”
Dok-sa adjusted her glasses and spoke with grim determination.
The moment she saw Eun-rae smiling brightly at her on the Red Carpet, she had decided to be Ha Eun-rae’s fan forever.
‘My love! Go Eun-rae!’
Dok-sa maintained her stoic expression, honed through years of professional life, while internally gushing with enthusiasm.
“You brought the banner, right?”
Eun Goo-reum answered Dok-sa’s question.
“Of course. This is my specialty.”
“Ah, I brought a gift for the actress. We can settle up later.”
Ha-yang was in charge of the gift.
As they chatted, the screening soon began.
Darkness fell over the Theater Audience Seating, and the screen brightened.
A dilapidated Bedroom filled the screen.
A vanity mirror clouded with age.
Cobwebs hanging in the corners.
An old photograph in a dusty frame showing a couple smiling brightly.
And….
Something slipped past beneath the bed.
Something passes under the bed.

Screech

A spine-chilling string instrument note pierced the air, and all three of us instinctively shrank back in our seats.
What is this, a romance? It’s a horror film!
The moment that thought crossed my mind.
Long strands of hair emerged from beneath the bed.
“Ah… Ugh!”
Several audience members let out gasps.
Then came a loud BANG! as the bed shook violently.

【EEEEEEEEEEK!】

The string instruments crescendoed, and the scene cut to the next moment.
Ha Eun-rae’s eyes opened from beneath the bed.

【Ugh…】

Her hands clutching her head.
And the way Ha Eun-rae crawled out from the bed that followed was like a homage to a famous horror film.
But rather than frightening….
The way her eyes were wide open, looking around fearfully….
‘So cute. Our little one!’
It was adorable!

Soo-in, a delusional patient who cannot bear the guilt after her lover’s death and believes herself to be dead as well.
Ha Eun-rae performed this character with such endearing charm.
She blew out the incense on the memorial table as if it were birthday cake candles, and was caught trying to steal delivery food from the neighbor’s house.

【Aaahhh!】
【A human… being…!】

The way she fled in terror was exactly like a frightened kitten.
In truth, the premise of “a female protagonist who believes herself dead due to guilt” could have come across as melodramatic, but Ha Eun-rae transformed it entirely into comedy.
Even the part where she mistook the male lead Hyun-woo for her dead lover was executed perfectly.

【Hey, that woman isn’t just crazy. She’s completely unhinged, I’m telling you? She thinks I’m her dead lover?】

Behind Hyun-woo’s bewilderment, Eun-rae’s face as she gazed at him with eyes full of love made viewers feel both affection and pity simultaneously.

【- So what do I do? I can’t exactly call a psychiatric hospital.】
【Sigh… No, but still….】

Hyun-woo was sighing while on the phone with a friend who owned the apartment.
Behind Hyun-woo’s back, jet-black hair descended with an eerie rustling.
The moment Hyun-woo caught sight of it, he flinched in terror.
Soo-in, sweeping her hair aside, grinned widely and spoke.

“Want to try this? It’s ritual cake.”

Her mouth was completely smeared with cake powder.
At the sight of Hyun-woo’s face going rigid, uncontrollable laughter erupted from the theater audience seating.

“Fine! Five hundred!”
“What?”
“I’ll give you five million won. You need the money anyway.”

In the end, driven by financial desperation, Hyun-woo pitched a tent in the living room and began this bizarre cohabitation with Soo-in.
The moment the tent flap opened….

“Honey. You can’t sleep in a place like this…. People hate it. We’re ghosts, after all….”

…greeting Soo-in sprawled beneath the dining table, muttering such strange things.

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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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