I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me Chapter 1

Everyone has a name.

 

–It’s one of the actors loved by tens of millions, right? Just hearing the name makes our hearts flutter.

 

–Ah! I think I already know who it is.

 

Some people find even their name not enough—so they go through life with a dazzling title next to it. You know what I mean, right?

 

Everyone’s first love, the eternal top star, the living legend.

 

“Hey! Isn’t that the one you said you were an extra in, Yeoreum?”

 

But sadly, next to my name, there’s always a tacky title attached.

 

“Yeoreum is going to be a star soon! What was your role?”

 

That’s right.

 

“…Screaming woman #1.”

 

Yeah. Things like Passerby #1, Bystander #1, Student #1—those are the titles that get attached next to my name.

 

“Pfft! Well, Yeoreum was always the fill-in, after all.”

 

The topic shifted quickly—from Han Yeoreum, the nameless extra, to Myeong Jeha, the triple ten-million-ticket-selling actor. 

 

Just then, he appeared on the TV tucked into the corner of the ceiling.

 

“He went to the same school as us—how did he end up doing so well?”

 

“Even though we went to the same school, our faces are different.”

 

The drunkards inside the food carts instantly turned their attention to Myeong Jeha.

 

Then, each of them added a comment about him.

 

“When is Myeong Jeha’s movie coming out? I’m definitely going to watch it.”

 

“It’s not a movie, it’s a season-based drama. That Netlixs! Netlixs!”

 

“Put the snacks down. Watching Myeong Jeha while drinking—now that’s the real snack.”

 

His dazzling looks filled the TV screen—he truly seemed like someone born to be a celebrity.

 

He was someone that Yeoreum knew well.

 

“Yeoreum, are you dropping out?”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

Actually, it’s not so much that I really know… it’s just that…

 

“Why?”

 

“There’s no particular reason.”

 

“You’re good at acting.”

 

Someone who, in a fleeting moment of life, becomes such a vivid instant that you can never forget them.

 

As I looked at Myeong Jeha’s face for a moment, it felt like I was back on the day I handed in my withdrawal form.

 

The lively atmosphere then shifted to the actor next to Myeong Jeha. After all, everyone here knew the names of the people on screen.

 

“It’s Ji Haebeom!”

 

“But seeing that Ji Haebeom’s in it too, it looks like Netlixs’s number one spot is as good as theirs.”

 

“Right. His previous work was such a hit.”

 

Following Myeong Jeha was Ji Haebeom—the two leading stars of the movie in which I appeared as ‘Screaming Woman #1.’

 

Real actors with actual names, unlike me.

 

Before I knew it, the microphone held by the reporter on the TV was passed to another actor. Finally, it was the leading actress’s turn.

 

“Wow—even Do Gyeoul!”

 

I deliberately turned my head away—because I didn’t want to look at Do Gyeoulon the screen.

 

But turning away was pointless—once again, my eyes met Do Gyeoul’s.

 

[Just like the freshness of winter, Cheot Yiseul]

 

Come to think of it, Do Gyeoul is the model for this soju too.

 

‘…I should’ve ordered something else.’

 

On the poster stuck to the wall, Do Gyeoul’s face was clear as day—smiling with a soju bottle in hand.

 

-Yes. This project… was truly meaningful to me.

 

That’s when it happened. Someone suddenly shouted loudly, cutting off Do Gyeoul’s interview.

 

“When you think about it, the world’s really unfair. Yeoreum could’ve been in Do Gyeoul’s place!”

 

At those words, even the drunkards at the other tables turned their attention our way. Startled, I waved my hand and shook my head in denial.

 

“What nonsense are you talking? Again…”

 

“Why not? It’s true, isn’t it? Yeoreum, you were originally the lead in that play Do Gyeoul starred in back then.”

 

They were talking about the first-year final play.

 

Honestly, it’s ugly to admit, but watching Do Gyeoul succeed, I’ve slammed my fists on the ground and regretted it more times than I can count.

 

‘That spot could’ve been mine…’

 

If only I had properly taken on the role back then. If only I had caught that director’s eye.

 

But what’s in the past is just that—the past.

 

‘Better to pick up more shifts at the warehouse than waste time on regrets.’

 

Dwelling on it is just a waste of time.

 

“Right? Hey, Goo Jincheol, if you hadn’t broken Yeoreum’s leg!”

 

“W, what did I do?”

 

“If you had just been careful on the stairs back then, our Yeoreum would have been a million-dollar actor now, you punk.”

 

The face of the guy who’d pushed me down the stairs ten years ago—leaving me in a cast on one leg—turned pale.

 

“That’s right~ Hey! Goo Jincheol, you b*stard.”

 

“If Yeoreum writes about Goo Jincheol’s character controversy, don’t be upset, okay\~!”

 

The seniors, thoroughly drunk, burst out laughing.

 

“Yeoreum, I’ll give you a clickbait title, okay? ‘My Sad Stand-In Life Began with Goo Jincheol…’”

 

“Just try writing that, I dare you!”

 

Goo Jincheol huffed and glared at me.

 

Goo Jincheol, locking eyes with me, frowned as if to say he’d been wronged.

 

“Seriously, stop it. Why bring up something from ten years ago now…?”

 

I was about to get up from my seat. This is exactly why I didn’t want to come out drinking.

 

“Well, yeah, it’s been ten years and you’re still just doing extra work. What have you even been doing all this time? It’s just your own lack of talent.”

 

I tried my best to ignore those murmured words.

 

Because they have no idea how hard I’ve worked—how I’ve pushed myself to the limit—just to land even the smallest roles.

 

‘I came here because they said I might miss out on a role…’

 

Everyone was still just killing time, clinging to the nostalgia of their twenties.

 

‘There’s no point in staying any longer. Let’s just go home.’

 

Clank—.

 

At that moment, just as I stood up, the door to the bar opened.

 

The person who walked into the bar was someone no one had expected.

 

“Do… Gyeoul?”

 

Do Gyeoul, who had just been on the screen moments ago, appeared.

 

Sounds close to screams burst out from all around. My buzz suddenly snapped away.

 

“Hello, seniors.”

 

“Hey! Gyeoul! You really showed up!”

 

“What’s going on? Why is Do Gyeoul here?”

 

In an instant, the atmosphere shifted. It felt like everyone in the room was here just for this moment.

 

‘They’re all extras, and there’s only one lead.’

 

Naturally, the lead was Do Gyeoul—the one who, among the countless people, fixed her gaze solely on me and slowly scanned me from head to toe.

 

“Well, I heard Yeoreum was here, so I dropped by. Yeoreum, you said you came for our movie shoot, right? Why didn’t you tell me? That’s disappointing. After all, we were classmates.”

 

I glared at Hyung Changwook sitting across from me.

 

‘That loose-mouthed b*stard. I really hoped he’d keep it from Do Gyeoul until the very end.’

 

You’re really going to say that? And you still call yourself a senior?

 

“Oh my, it was a secret?”

 

“No, it’s not really a secret or anything…”

 

Hyung Changwook awkwardly smiled and avoided eye contact, feeling embarrassed. 

 

I unexpectedly ran into the person I least wanted to meet. 

 

As I stood there hesitating, unable to leave in my embarrassment, Do Gyeoul, who had been quietly watching me, gave a sly smile and pulled out a card from her pocket, waving it.

 

“If Yeoreum doesn’t leave, I’ll treat everyone here—!”

 

Clink.

 

Those words shackled my feet—tightly bound. With the top actress in South Korea conditionally offering to buy drinks, running away now would be a grave offense.

 

* * *

 

“Whew—.”

 

Using the excuse of being drunk, I stepped outside the pub and let out a sigh. Today, the wind felt unusually sharp and cold against my face.

 

“Hey, hey, Han Yeoreum, you…!”

 

Goo Jincheol, his face flushed as if he’d come out for a smoke, spotted me and strode over quickly.

 

‘…Ha, really annoying.’

 

“You’re not seriously planning to write that expose about Goo Jincheol’s character later, right? Claiming it’s school violence? That’s just fabrication! You’re just paranoid!”

 

I never planned to, but hearing that made me want to write it after all.

 

‘He’s someone who can’t act anyway, so the chance of him becoming famous is zero.’

 

Even if you write an expose, you’d barely get ten likes—so what’s there to worry about?

 

“You and I are both extras. Don’t worry because I won’t hold you back. Just do your best.”

 

I ignored Goo Jincheol’s words and turned my back. Well, I tried to turn away.

 

“Hey! I wasn’t the one who pushed you back then! It was Do Gyeoul!”

 

“…What?”

 

If only it weren’t for the words I heard from behind.

 

“What did you just say?”

 

I know it’s nonsense.

 

But I couldn’t pretend not to hear it.

 

“Really. Somehow, the mood just made everyone think it was me, so I just apologized, but damn. If I’d known it would turn out like this, I should’ve just said it back then, f*ck!”

 

“What the hell are you talking about right now?”

 

“There was only me and Do Gyeoul behind you back then, and Do Gyeoul was the first to say, ‘Jincheol, you should be more careful.’ So I shouted it wasn’t me, but no one believed me!”

 

‘Yeah. That’s right…’

 

But no one believed Goo Jincheol. Not even me.

 

‘Unlike the always cautious Do Gyeoul, Goo Jincheol was hot-tempered and clumsy.’

 

I thought Goo Jincheol had pushed me with the equipment bag he was carrying carelessly.

 

“Kyaaah! What’s wrong with Yeoreum… Are you okay? Goo Jincheol, what are you doing? You should’ve been more careful!”

 

Because Do Gyeoul right beside him would never do something like that. Her voice, full of worry for me, was so genuine that there was no way it could be just acting.

 

“But… what you’re saying, is it really true…?”

 

Those countless what-ifs were real?

 

The moment that might have been the opportunity of a lifetime for me… was taken away by Do Gyeoul….

 

“It wasn’t a coincidence?”

 

Beep—.

 

A short ringing rang in my ears.

 

The soju poster of Do Gyeoul I had just seen flashed before my eyes.

 

The unforgettable lines from the play in my first year rang in my ears.

 

Unlike mine, which simply said “Screaming Woman 1 – Han Yeoreum,” the poster boldly displayed the character’s name and Do Gyeoul’s name right beside it.

 

“Yeoreum, get well soon… Don’t worry about the stage.”

 

Even Do Gyeoul’s gentle, caring voice echoed in my ears.

 

The look of injustice was clearly written across Goo Jincheol’s face.

 

“I’m telling the truth! If I really did it, I wouldn’t feel so wronged! But it was Do Gyeoul acting, I swear! No one believed me back then, so I just kept my mouth shut—but if I go down for this, don’t you think that’s just too damn pitiful?”

 

That’s true.

 

Goo Jincheol can’t act.

 

‘He definitely can’t pull off sincere acting like that.’

 

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

 

My heart was pounding fiercely.

 

Like a mad person, I walked—or rather ran—back toward the pub entrance. Just as I arrived, Do Gyeoul was about to get into the manager’s car, probably ready to leave.

 

“Yeoreum-ah~.”

 

Do Gyeoul, having spotted me, smiled warmly, her eyes narrowing with a friendly expression.

 

“You’re still here? I thought you left without saying a word.”

 

As if relieved, Do Gyeoul gestured to her manager. The manager then pulled out a crumpled 50,000-won bill from inside her jacket.

 

“I’ll pay for the taxi when you leave. If you had told me, I would have given you extra money then. I’m really sorry.”

 

The crumpled and crushed bill went into my empty pocket.

 

“Next time, please tell me~.”

 

I heard the voices of the seniors cheering around Do Gyeoul as she chuckled softly.

 

‘That’s right. This is exactly Do Gyeoul’s character.’

 

She looks a bit aloof, but when you get to know her, she’s loyal and really takes good care of people.

 

“Do Gyeoul, is that really you?”

 

But Do Gyeoul is good at acting.

 

“Was it you who pushed me back then, on the stairs?”

 

Unlike Goo Jincheol.

 

“Did you do that on purpose?”

 

At my sudden question, an awkward silence fell over the room. The seniors who glanced back and forth between me and Do Gyeoul tried to lighten the mood by tossing out a few comments.

 

“Yeoreum, you must be pretty drunk. That was just something we were talking about among ourselves earlier, why bring it up now and make the mood so tense~.”

 

“Yeah, yeah. Yeoreum~ Enough already, come here! Gyeoul even booked a place for our afterparty! Stop being such a nuisance.”

 

I shook off the hands of the seniors who were trying to calm me down by grabbing my shoulder.

 

My heart was beating like crazy.

 

Do Gyeoul didn’t say a word, just stared at me intently—like she was observing something.

 

It was a gaze I had seen a few times.

 

“I asked if it was true.”

 

That was the same look Do Gyeoul had when she was analyzing a role.

 

It was less like looking at a drunken colleague and more like the analytical process she showed when interpreting a character in a movie or drama.

 

“Do Gyeoul, answer me!”

 

Only then, as if she had finished analyzing my gestures, expressions, and voice, Do Gyeoul slowly pulled me into an embrace.

 

“Let go! Did you really want to be the lead role that much?”

 

In that moment, everyone laughed—except me. To them, it looked like the ever-considerate Do Gyeoul was simply embracing a fellow classmate driven mad by jealousy.

 

“Yeoreum-ah.”

 

Do Gyeoul whispered so that only I could hear. I tried to break free from the firm grip holding me, but—

 

“If it were me…”

 

The moment I heard that voice, all the strength drained from my body.

 

“If it were me… even with a broken leg, I would’ve gone on stage.”

 

The soft voice sounded like thunder.

 

“You’re the one who gave up the lead role back then, not me.”

 

I could tell instinctively. It wasn’t a proper answer, but it was a silent admission.

 

‘Back then, the one who pushed me down the stairs wasn’t Goo Jincheol, but…’

 

That it was indeed Do Gyeoul.

 

The whispering voice coiled around my eardrums like a snake.

 

“You look really pathetic right now… Like a typical weekend drama villainess or something… Ahaha, I’m disappointed—it wasn’t even that memorable of a scene. I actually came to see you.”

 

Do Gyeoul patted my back a couple of times, then gently pushed me away with a kind smile. And then, as if offering comfort, she said.

 

“Still, Yeoreum-ah, keep up the good work like you are doing now! Someday, we’ll definitely get to work on something together.”

 

This time, loud enough for everyone to hear.

 

With those final words, the van carrying Do Gyeoul pulled away. I slowly began to follow the accelerating van, knocking on its door.

 

“Do Gyeoul! Open the door! I said open it!”

 

“Han Yeoreum, stop it. Gyeoul cared about you so much! And you don’t even appreciate it.”

 

“Right. It’s really pathetic… Why does she act like that?”

 

But gradually, the van’s speed increased, pulling away so far that it was hard to keep up on foot. I tried stubbornly to keep chasing, but…

 

Baaang—!

 

With a loud horn sound.

 

Boom-!!!

 

My body floated up and crashed.

 

A terrible pain struck the back of my head. Gradually, all my senses began to fade away.

 

I let out a small, bitter laugh.

 

‘Is this how it ends—dying without even a proper name…?’

 

Pathetic. To leave this world as just “Screaming Woman 1.”

 

‘I wanted to die as an actress…’

 

I never even hoped that everyone would know my name. I just wanted my name to be on a poster at least once.

 

At least if I had done that much before dying, I wouldn’t have any regrets left…

 

‘If I die like this now, no one will even know that I was an actress…’

 

From the very moment I first had a dream, the goal of becoming an actor—something I worked so hard for—faded away along with my breath.

 

My vision gradually darkened, starting from the edges.

 

Tiring-!

 

It was then.

 

An indistinct sound echoed clearly in my ears.

 

System

 

>>> Error code 1221

 

♣Guide♣

 

Due to an error, your 〈Lucky〉 points have been transferred to another person for the next 10 years.

 

No matter how hard you tried, things didn’t get any better? Oh dear, was that really your fault?

 

You, who’ve been unusually unlucky, have had your whole life taken away by someone filled with malice.

 

We are now processing compensation for the damages caused by this.

 

Let’s properly reclaim what you deserve once again!

 

-Would you like to receive it?

 

〈Yes〉 〈No〉

 

An unfamiliar window popped up. The “Yes” option sparkled brightly.

 

Was my desperate wish showing me one last hallucination before I died?

 

‘Ah. I always wanted to try a project with CGI effects at least once.’

 

I barely managed to raise my index finger and press the sparkling “Yes” button. Then, I completely lost consciousness.