Chapter 12
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Translator: Diva
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: This Life, It's the Oscar, Not My Husband
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* * *
Did I offend her somehow?
Heo Kyung-hoe wondered as he gazed at the quiet Ha Eun-rae.
They'd told him she was an actress with standout skills in this film.
Even from the two-minute clip that Seo Kyung-bin's manager had filmed, it was clear Ha Eun-rae had a magnetic presence that devoured the screen.
She moves like she's got a decade of experience under her belt.
Not only was her ease in front of the camera impressive, but her immersion into the character was off the charts.
Kang Ye-ji, whom he'd seen before? She didn't even cross his mind.
He desperately wanted to sign this actress on the spot.
But at the same time, he was curious about her personality.
Actresses who mainly did indie films had solid acting chops, but they often came with that signature "stubbornness."
Refusing dramas or variety shows, or blowing an interview they'd barely managed to land.
So he'd tested the waters.
Asking if she might be open to auditioning for a music video.
Of course, even if she turned down the MV offer, he still planned to snag her right away.
He'd just have to push a mysterious, low-profile concept, steering clear of interviews and variety gigs as much as possible.
Heo Kyung-hoe was mapping out that strategy in his head when Ha Eun-rae finally spoke up.
"I'm sorry..."
Sure enough, no MVs for her?
Just as Heo Kyung-hoe's eyebrows twitched upward with that thought...
"You said you're giving me this chance, and I'm just so thrilled I froze up."
"...?"
"I'll give it my all!"
Her response was the complete opposite of what he'd expected.
The smile lighting up her face was too pure to be acting—pure, unfiltered joy.
"When's the audition?!"
Heo Kyung-hoe had no idea.
That Ha Eun-rae was worlds away from any "actor stubbornness" or "actor syndrome."
That she was the type with unbreakable resolve not to let this second chance slip away.
One thought blazed through Heo Kyung-hoe's mind.
Ab.so.lute.ly. Not. Let.ting. Her. Go!
And so, a short while later.
Heo Kyung-hoe sent Ha Eun-rae on her way and summoned Executive Director Jang.
"How'd it go?"
"..."
Jang Hee-ja frowned as Heo Kyung-hoe stared out the window without a word.
"What's with the dramatic vibe? Doesn't suit you."
Heo Kyung-hoe shrugged it off and shot back.
"So what does suit me, then?"
"You throw tantrums when you don't like someone, and tantrums when you do. That's your style, CEO. She rub you the wrong way that bad? Some otherworldly weirdo? Not even MV-director level?"
Heo Kyung-hoe turned to face Jang Hee-ja.
"Executive Director Jang."
He switched back to a serious tone.
Jang Hee-ja sighed at the shift and replied.
"Yes, CEO."
"Get the contract drawn up now. Top rookie terms. I'll sell my car if I have to—she's coming with us."
"...?"
As her eyes widened, Heo Kyung-hoe slammed his fist on the desk.
"The pumpkin rolled right in on the vine—let her get away, and I'll quit this agency biz myself!"
Jang Hee-ja broke into a bright smile.
* * *
Two days later, in front of LP Enter in Cheongdam-dong.
I looked up at the flashy agency headquarters.
"This is the boy group agency. Still under wraps, so they won't spill the company name."
I nodded and stepped out of Jang Hee-ja's car.
I know everything... I'm about to shoot the MV for that Million X.
For the record, today's outfit was another Kang Ye-reum creation.
Sticking to the previous concept, but dialed up casual.
Makeup was kept minimal to let my acting shine through, clothes a comfy oversized tee with a one-shoulder twist for flair.
Short bottoms paired with socks up to my shins for that pop.
"Whoa, pulling off those socks. They're supposed to make legs look stubby, but damn. You ever thought about modeling?"
"Nah, no thanks."
Kang Ye-reum sounded disappointed at my firm no.
"You have to model for my grad project, at least?"
"You nuts?"
"Huh...?"
"Why even ask? If you say do it, I'm in."
She burst out laughing.
Am I gonna let you slip away this life too?
No way in hell.
This time around, I'll hold tight to my acting career and these precious bonds.
"You had a shoot yesterday too, right? Not tired?"
"Nah, I'm good. Lucky there's no shoot today."
I answered Jang Hee-ja's question with pep.
Time to show some rookie-level politeness.
But not grovel too much.
"Shoot again tomorrow, yeah? Can't wait..."
"Pardon?"
At my puzzled look, Jang Hee-ja clasped her hands apologetically.
"Truth is, I saw the monitoring footage Seo Kyung-bin's manager took. Your acting was incredible."
"Oh... really...?"
I ducked my head, feigning shyness, though it was par for the course.
Ten years of experience—if I couldn't nail that, something'd be wrong.
I need to get even better than this.
Can't slack off just because of praise like that.
The "for your age" or "for your experience" is just implied.
The older I get, the more experience piles up, the harder it'll be to maintain this level.
"Oh, before we go in. The MV director you're meeting today? He's a bit... unique. Not the type to bully people or anything..."
"Darling!"
That's when it happened.
A voice boomed through the lobby.
I turned to see a familiar guy standing there.
Flashy patterned pants, black silk jacket, different rings on every finger, and a dazzling pearl necklace.
He crossed the lobby in a flash, grabbed my shoulders, and beamed with sparkling eyes.
"Where the hell you been hiding till now? Huh?!"
It was Director Min Se-ui.
Oh right, this was his vibe.
I finally recalled how he stood out even among the eccentrics of the film world.
A typical newbie might freak, but I just grinned back.
"Thanks for the compliment. But that necklace? Stunning. Gotta be pricey."
Min Se-ui slid down his horn-rimmed fashion glasses and lit up.
"Oh honey, you've got an eye for it?"
Eye my ass.
That's the one he wore everywhere.
The luxury brand necklace that became a nationwide trend seven years from now.
Early on, he got flak for being a weirdo; later, hailed as "a decade ahead of fashion."
I'd never worked with Director Min before regression, but I'd heard the stories.
"What'd Min Se-ui have against Han Yeo-un? She was huffing at the table."
One day, on the way back from an awards show in a dress.
Munching on the chicken breast Hong Jong-ho had prepped, I'd asked.
Remembering Han Yeo-un griping at the same table.
"Oh, that. Heard from her manager—didn't like what she was wearing."
"...?"
What?
"His upcoming film's lead is a female soldier, and she shows up draped in luxury. Director's picky about fashion. Patterned leggings with heels? What the hell..."
All that over something so minor? And Han Yeo-un was hot right then.
"Says he can tell everything about a person from their clothes. Anyway, that's the gist. So when you meet Min Se-ui, dress sharp."
"Ugh... Think he'll even pick me? He only casts hip actors."
"Hey, you're hip. And your acting beats Han Yeo-un's!"
Hong Jong-ho's words had drawn a faint smile from me back then.
I could feel the sincerity.
I never became one of Min Se-ui's picks before retiring, but that chat proved huge this time around.
"I can tell from clothes alone. You're a lock. Still, gotta see the acting, right?"
Jang Hee-ja's face brightened beside me.
"Of course, you do!"
"Naru Stage, where'd they dig up a face like this? Heo CEO's all artsy types—guess he wised up?"
"Oh... well..."
Jang Hee-ja said it with resolve.
"She's our big push rookie! Not just the looks—acting's top-notch too!"
"Yeah. You've got star written all over you. I feel it."
Min Se-ui grinned at me.
And those weren't empty words because—
Min Se-ui always had a killer eye for actresses.
The female leads in his films, dubbed "Min Se-ui's Women," all skyrocketed after working with him.
Like some superstition.
Plus, his stylish visuals meant every actress hit peak glow-up in his movies.
Every actress dreamed of collaborating, fans too.
"Thank you."
This life, Min Se-ui saw potential in me.
It gave me a massive boost.
I'm nailing this.
With that in mind, I headed to the practice room with Min Se-ui.