In This Life, I Want an Oscar, Not a Husband - Chapter 79

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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 79

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I examined the actor headshots that Heo Kyung-hoe handed me.
Most were rookie actors whose names the general public wouldn’t recognize yet.
But—
‘There are quite a few standout performers here, aren’t there?’
Remarkably, several of these actors would go on to have successful careers later.
Heo Representative’s eye for talent was indeed exceptional.
The problem was—
‘This person acts well, but their character issues led them to ruin.’
Some concerning individuals were included in the selection.
I smiled and spoke to Heo Kyung-hoe.
“Are you reflecting my opinions as well?”
“Of course. You must have noticed quite a few promising newcomers while working on projects. We’re thinking carefully about it too before reaching out.”
I certainly had.
And one of them was in this selection.
“I’d recommend this person.”
At my words, Heo Kyung-hoe and Manager Jang exchanged glances and smiled.
“Why?”
“Because that’s exactly who we had as our top choice.”
“Oh really? Then that works out perfectly.”
I said this while fluttering one actor’s headshot in my hand.
The actor in the headshot was none other than Maeng Hye-seung.
An actor who steadily built her filmography, becoming a seasoning supporting character in dramas before eventually landing leading roles in films.
A company doesn’t only need top stars.
After all, dramas and films are created together by everyone.
In fact, because each project becomes so crucial, top stars often move cautiously, whereas supporting actors who consistently take on one or two projects a year can become a stable revenue source for the company.
And besides—
“What’s her personality like from working together?”
Maeng Hye-seung has an excellent personality!
She’s someone with absolutely no scandal potential.
“She’s diligent, kind, and most importantly—”
“Most importantly?”
“She’s so lively.”
At those words, Heo Kyung-hoe’s eyes lit up.
“Perfect! Decided! Our company really needs someone with that kind of energy!”
Well, that worked out.
“Please calm down for a moment. Eun-rae, would you mind introducing Maeng Hye-seung to some people? I think it would be good to create a natural opportunity for them to meet.”
I nodded at his suggestion.
“Of course, I’ll do that.”
Maeng Hye-seung had actually reached out after watching the Celebrity Singing Competition, and we’d already planned to meet up, so introducing her naturally would be easy enough.
“Oh, and since the Company just moved offices, I think it would be good to set up a Designated Shop nearby. You have such a packed schedule, Eun-rae—it would be exhausting to keep moving between different shops.”
A Designated Shop.
I could really feel that the Company was finally getting some breathing room financially.
‘The Representative really owes everything to Kang Ye-reum….’
Until now, without a pre-booked shop, I’d often had to rely on Kang Ye-reum’s help to manage my hair and makeup, which had been quite inconvenient.
‘The timing is perfect.’
With that thought, I looked over the shop portfolios that Manager Jang was presenting.
“I think this one would suit your style perfectly, Eun-rae. What do you think?”
The shop Manager Jang was recommending certainly matched my style well.
But….
“Actually, when I filmed the Gyodong Chicken commercial before.”
“Hmm?”
“What did you think of the makeup I had done then?”
“Oh, right. You went to the shop yourself for that one, didn’t you? It looked so natural—like a part-time worker—and your skin looked amazing. Though your skin is always flawless anyway.”
Heo Kyung-hoe interjected suddenly.
It was typical of him to have a still from the Gyodong Chicken commercial posted in the Office.
“Yes. I really liked that artist.”
Hong Soo-ah.
Currently an assistant makeup artist at a Cheongdam-dong shop.
But in a few years, she would become a famous makeup artist, taking on makeup for renowned idols and even launching her own YouTube channel.
She’d be most famous for her glamorous makeup work, but her true specialty was….
“She seems really good at doing makeup that fits the character perfectly.”
Makeup at the level of theatrical prosthetics and character design.
She had the skill to transform one person into someone completely different.
In other words, she could do makeup suited to each role every single time.
“Ah…. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. For an actress, having a face that suits the acting is just as important as looking beautiful.”
Manager Jang looked at me with admiration.
“You really do think like a true actress, Eun-rae.”
“I was the one who discovered her, after all.”
When Heo Kyung-hoe interjected again, Manager Jang’s eyes narrowed.
“Her profile came through my email, sir.”
“The profile went to your email, sure! But if I’d seen Eun-rae first, I would’ve cast her on the spot!”
“You put conditions on Eun-rae and tested her like that.”
“No, that’s… that’s not…”
Why were these two arguing right in front of me?
I forced an awkward smile and spoke to them both.
“Well, then I’ll send Manager Jang that makeup artist’s contact information. Thank you so much!”
I just needed to get out of here.

* * *

The third day of filming for The Apartment.
Park Chang-sung was preparing for the shoot with sharp, focused intensity.
Today they were filming scenes that revealed the entire film set—a complete recreation of an old Joong-gong Apartment—so he had to scrutinize every detail.
From camera angles to the smallest props, every element had to be perfect for the film’s overall atmosphere to truly come alive.
And it was in front of this meticulous Park Chang-sung that Kang Ye-ji came to greet him.
“Hello, Director!”
Park Chang-sung looked up at Kang Ye-ji, who bowed politely.
And his face immediately went rigid.
“Ye-ji…”
“Yes?”
“Are you really going to shoot in that state today?”
The reason Park Chang-sung’s face had hardened was Kang Ye-ji’s hair and makeup.
Kang Ye-ji’s hair and makeup were flawless.
The layered cut suited her face shape perfectly, and her luminous skin highlighted her best features.
Yes.
That was the problem.
It was ‘too’ perfect.
Perfectly styled hair and carefully maintained skin that had no place in a disaster film.
“Is there some kind of problem…?”
“Sigh…”
Park Seo-woo, who heard Park Chang-sung’s sigh, looked up from comparing camera angles with the storyboard.
‘He’s upset.’
He immediately sensed Park Chang-sung’s state.
Park Chang-sung wasn’t the type to get angry easily in normal circumstances, but when it came to work, he became a completely different person.
That was partly why Kim Do-woon had been let go.
Park Seo-woo had overheard Kim Do-woon talking with the Production Company Junior Staff outside during the second round of the after-party that Eun-rae had skipped.

“Eun-rae. Did you see her sticking close to the BeepTV executive?”
“Ah, yes. The executive seemed to have taken a real liking to her.”
“Liking her? She made sure he would like her.”

Kim Do-woon’s words were dripping with sarcasm.
Park Seo-woo understood why Kim Do-woon was acting this way.
“To My Beloved Kim Ji-hyun.”
In that piece, Ha Eun-rae had salvaged Park Seo-woo’s work.
His contempt for himself had been projected onto Ha Eun-rae.
So he couldn’t hold back any longer with his next words.

“You subtly pick and choose who you associate with, wagging your tail around. Same with Go Heung-jae. When I tried talking to you last time, you completely ignored me… How irritating.”

That’s why.

“Watch your words.”

For the first time, I stood up to Kim Do-woon.
It was just a single sentence, but the effect was unmistakable.

“Who do you think you are to butt in?”

The intoxicated Kim Do-woon reacted excessively.

“Producer Kim… why are you doing this?”

While the Production Company Junior Staff stood bewildered, Kim Do-woon’s voice grew heated.

“What’s between you and Ha Eun-rae?”
“Speaking such filthy words is shameful. Especially about a colleague you work with.”

Park Seo-woo understood.
Kim Do-woon was someone who would absolutely never tolerate a bastard like himself standing up to him.

“Shameful? What’s really shameful is—!”

Kim Do-woon immediately grabbed Park Seo-woo by the collar.
The Production Company Junior Staff, panicked, ran to call for help.
Seeing this, Park Seo-woo provoked Kim Do-woon further.

“Who else? Your father. Your father who couldn’t even control the thing hanging between his legs. And you’re a worthless bastard who doesn’t even get acknowledged by a father like that.”

Thwack!
Kim Do-woon’s fist connected with his face.
Park Seo-woo made no attempt to block it.
Instead, he tilted his head back, making himself an easier target.
After all, if he wanted to draw blood with a bare-knuckle punch, he’d need to take more hits.
And more than anything—
Being hit by him was something I’d grown accustomed to.

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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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