Chapter 17

Translator: Diva

Chapter: 17

Chapter Title: In This Life, It's the Oscar, Not My Husband

The first scene to shoot was Rowen's solo shot.

I watched the filming from behind the camera.

A song was playing on set.

You always said it. This isn't love.

Rowen's signature alluring low tone.

Rowen in the camera leaped over the fence.

Close-up on Rowen's face.

Rowen grinned with a mischievous yet defiant expression.

'Perfect scene for Rowen's image.'

While actors try to embody the story, idols focus on showcasing their character in every single cut.

Infusing it with their identity as singers.

I quietly gazed at Rowen's face.

At the same time, I focused on the lyrics reaching my ears.

You know it too. When our eyes met, you felt the pull as well.

In this project, I was just a supporting role to bring out the Million X members' stories.

My acting had to support them, letting the members shine.

To do that, I needed to perform in tune with the vibe of this song.

I'd already listened to it on repeat before arriving on set, memorizing the lyrics sweet as candy.

"Cut!"

Min Se-ui's okay sign came right away.

"As expected from our Rowen—you nailed the vibe! Perfect, just perfect! How'd you think to use your eyes like that?"

Even I thought Rowen did great.

He captured exactly the atmosphere fans expected from him.

With that thought, I stepped in front of the camera as guided by the staff.

Min Se-ui gave directions to me and Rowen, positioning us according to the camera.

"Rowen, you'll drop down from that wall over here. You just glance casually, like 'What's this guy's deal?' Got it?"

I nodded, and Min Se-ui glanced at me briefly.

"But your makeup..."

"Yes?"

"Oh, never mind. You've got it all figured out."

Min Se-ui turned back toward the camera.

This was a music video set, after all.

Directions focused more on actions than intricate emotions, and even those were super brief.

'I'll have to fill in the rest with my acting.'

I leaned against the wall.

Long, tousled hair, short pants, baggy hoodie, worn-out high-tops.

And makeup so light it clashed with a femme fatale image.

More like someone tired of everything, utterly apathetic.

"Ready...!"

At Min Se-ui's voice, I squatted down against the wall just like that.

It was a long shot from afar, so no need to adjust for the camera position.

A faint sound of surprise came from somewhere, but it was drowned out by the slate clap.

Snap!

"Action!"

Squatting there, I spun a cigarette pack between my fingers.

With a face that looked utterly disinterested in everything.

This was my character.

Not just a simple femme fatale, but someone with no room to be swept up in love.

And just as I went to light up—thud.

Something dropped beside me.

I didn't react right away.

Deliberately slow, I started from Rowen's feet and scanned upward.

Eyes screaming everything's a hassle.

But then, our eyes met.

Rowen's mysterious blue irises (contacts, of course) filled my vision.

You know it too. When our eyes met, you felt the pull as well.

My eyes trembled ever so slightly.

'Drawn in.'

That blue-eyed boy shook my heart for a split second.

He brought color to my monochrome world.

My color is blue. Yours is black. Together, we make the deep sea.

A color as profound as the ocean.

In that moment, Rowen's eyes wavered too.

Huh?

That wasn't the idol 'Rowen'—just 'Rowen' himself.

I knew it instinctively.

The human Rowen was flustered.

What the—?

And he didn't move to the next action.

Naturally, Min Se-ui's cut sign flew in.

"...Cut! Rowen, what was that?"

Min Se-ui's voice sharpened.

No matter how many ten million followers an idol had, in front of the camera, he was just a subject to Min Se-ui.

"Huh? Oh, uh..."

Rowen stammered in uncharacteristic fluster.

"I missed the timing. Sorry! Should we go again?"

Min Se-ui pondered briefly at Rowen's rattled voice, then said,

"Nah. Keep rolling. We'll salvage it in editing."

I heard Min Se-ui mutter under his breath.

"The front part's too good."

And with those words, a window popped up before my eyes.

[Million X <You're Not Love, You Say> Wiki updating...]

[Would you like to search the updated wiki for Million X <You're Not Love, You Say>?]

The wiki has been updated! Search function activated!

I immediately shouted 'Yes' in my mind.

Million X <You're Not Love, You Say> is the double title track from Million X's third full album. The music video hit 300 million views, sparking massive buzz...

...?

300 million views?

Three hundred million?

Of course, that's what the wiki said.

The MV, directed by Min Se-ui, was praised as a highly polished gem. Fans raved about Million X's visuals being the career highlight.

In short, it was an MV where Million X shone brighter than me.

Not bad at all.

The original view count for this MV was 100 million.

A gap like that meant—

'I must've helped quite a bit.'

Here, avoiding fan hate and just getting my face out there in the industry was a huge win for me.

Plus, 300 million views meant overseas fans would recognize my face too...

'Overseas OTT platforms will shake up the Korean video market soon.'

The appearance fees actors get now?

They'll seem like pocket change compared to what OTT giants pay someday.

Sure, skyrocketing actor rates might hurt the domestic film and drama scene, but it's an opportunity for Korean actors.

Kang Ye-ji herself blew up with an overseas OTT drama, putting her in Oscar Best Actress contention.

Whatever the case.

Clinging only to the Korean market won't make you a big star anymore.

In that sense, this was a golden chance.

In the next take, I unleashed my character even more unrestrained, more refined.

Rowen snatched the cigarette from me and offered a candy instead.

I didn't swat his hand away—I just took the candy and popped it in my mouth.

Then, I flashed Rowen a sly smile.

Without a hint of hesitation, a touch wicked.

Rowen, whose eyes had wavered before, didn't back down this time.

Instead, he leaned into his rebel image, like he wouldn't lose.

This was synergy, right?

It felt like we were filming Lucifer descending from heaven to meet the devil.

'This scene turned out great.'

Definitely.

And as if proving my thought, Min Se-ui's booming okay echoed across the set.

Staff applause erupted at the same time.

"Okay! See, I told you that girl was perfect!"

Min Se-ui said that, glancing at LP Enter's manager.

No idea why, but the manager's face twisted like he'd just bitten into shit.