In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 111

That evening, at a raw fish restaurant on the outskirts of Seoul.

Reporters gathered one by one inside the largest reserved room.

“Oh, Reporter Kim came too?”

“Reporter Jung, long time no see. Your information network’s still going strong, I see.”

“It’s not exactly small news, so I had to show up.”

The reporters glanced around at each other’s faces, smirking knowingly.

Once every seat was filled, the door opened and Yang Euichul appeared.

Several reporters stood to shake Yang Euichul’s hand.

Yang Euichul clasped those hands while flashing his characteristically bold smile.

“Please, everyone sit. I called you all here to treat you hardworking reporters to a meal.”

The reporters sat down, watching Yang Euichul with expectant eyes.

Soon platters of seasonal raw fish filled the table, and drinks began flowing.

As the atmosphere warmed up…

“Alright, now tell us. What’s today’s news?”

The reporter sitting across from Yang Euichul asked, crossing his arms.

Yang Euichul grinned and downed his drink in one go.

“I gathered everyone today because something extremely dangerous is happening. Something that could completely destroy the actor ecosystem.”

“Whose story could warrant such a grand introduction?”

The reporter opposite him asked, propping his chin on his hand with clear interest.

Their tone suggested a long-standing familiarity.

Without dragging it out any longer, Yang Euichul spat out three syllables.

“Han Sena.”

The reporter immediately straightened his posture.

Other reporters who’d been drinking also turned their sharp gazes toward Yang Euichul.

“<Be Actors> mentor Han Sena is now controlling even the agency contracts of mentees just starting their debuts.”

“Is this just rumor?”

“No, I experienced it myself. She stole my talent.”

At Yang Euichul’s words, the reporters’ expressions instantly transformed into those of fishermen who’d just hooked a big catch.

Yang Euichul gauged their reactions and tossed a match onto the gasoline he’d spread.

“Doesn’t this news give you a sense of déjà vu?”

“……”

“Since <Desert Island>, Han Sena’s been known for her networking plays. She cast all her actor friends in that project and even crammed in her own company trainee who hadn’t even debuted yet.”

The reporters immediately began murmuring among themselves.

“Kim Kkotbyeol or whoever, right? That’s who you mean?”

“Wasn’t that actor also someone Han Sena picked up from an audition when they were still a minor?”

Yang Euichul raised his voice another notch.

“She must have appeared on <Be Actors> with the same goal. To build the Han Sena line.”

“The Han Sena line?”

“What would an actor with zero industry experience do after creating their own line and making people dependent on them? Unfair contracts, forced appearances. It’s obvious, isn’t it?”

The reporters wore strange expressions.

The reporter sitting opposite Yang Euichul grinned as if finally grasping his intent.

“Such a serious matter requires Han Sena’s side to clarify.”

Hearing those words, Yang Euichul raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction and filled his glass.

* * *

SCBS Studio.

“I think this applies to all fields. As an acting mentor, you can’t just teach acting. Mental strength and attitude come before acting.”

While the mentees were out at filming locations, individual mentor interviews were being conducted.

Given the enthusiastic audience response, I’d received the most questions about the personal assignment I’d given Do Changhyeon.

The production team asked their next question.

“How do you view Do Changhyeon as an actor?”

I paused at that question, falling into thought.

What kind of actor will Do Changhyeon grow into in this life?

What kind of person will he become…

I still couldn’t be certain about anything.

However, at least he’s gradually becoming stronger and more solid.

These moments will catch him whenever Do Changhyeon starts down the wrong path later.

That’s what I wanted to believe.

I smiled slightly and answered.

“He’ll become an actor who changes consistently. Even though he has a sensitive nature, he genuinely loves acting.”

As I finished speaking, the production team gave the okay sign.

The interview had ended.

I exchanged farewells with the crew and stood up when…

“Sena-ssi, talk with me for a moment.”

Park Seokjin sunbaenim suddenly appeared from behind and stopped me with a serious voice.

Startled, I looked at sunbaenim, who gestured quietly for me to follow.

“…?”

I followed sunbaenim to a small corner in the studio hallway.

Sunbaenim asked in a heavy voice.

“What are you planning to do?”

“…Pardon?”

“About Do Changhyeon. Don’t tell me… you haven’t heard?”

“……Pardon?”

My brow furrowed automatically, mirroring sunbaenim’s expression.

What about Do Changhyeon?

“Why Changhyeon?”

Sunbaenim ran a hand over their face as if to say ‘good grief.’

“Right now there’s a rumor circulating among reporters. That Sena-ssi stole Do Changhyeon from AK.”

“What??”

For a moment, I felt as if my heart had stopped.

“How can you not know about this yet? Sena-ssi, did you tell Do Changhyeon to come to your company?”

“No, no. I absolutely never said anything like that….”

“Then this is even worse.”

“……”

I stared at sunbaenim blankly, unable to grasp what any of this meant.

“You need to make your position clear. Especially with company-related issues, vague advice is dangerous.”

“Ah.”

“Do one or the other. Either take him in or don’t worry about him at all.”

Sunbaenim presented me with two choices.

How urgent must the situation look to others for sunbaenim, who I’m not even close with, to come all the way here to warn me?

My head spun.

“And of all places, it’s AK. You know how vicious they are. You need to make a statement quickly.”

A statement.

I repeated sunbaenim’s words to myself.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Startled, I pulled out my phone to see Minyeong unnie calling.

Park Seokjin sunbaenim seemed to read the situation and patted my shoulder before leaving.

I slowly answered the call.

-Sena, get to the office fast. It’s urgent.

Unnie’s voice grew distant and muffled in my ears.

* * *

Barum Entertainment office.

“Looking at your face, you’ve heard. What’s with Do Changhyeon?”

“……”

“Han Sena!”

When I stood there blankly, unnie shook my shoulders.

Startled, I looked at unnie.

“Sena. I’ll handle everything. Don’t worry, just tell me. What happened?”

“…AK’s Yang Euichul persistently contacted Do Changhyeon.”

I bit my lip hard.

“Yang Euichul personally?”

“Yes. He silenced Do Changhyeon, telling him not to mention the contract discussions to me.”

“Ha. Dirty, so dirty.”

Unnie’s expression soured.

“The method’s the same as always. Buy them meals, act kind, then growl when other companies come up. Threaten them about business ethics.”

“Is this seriously the 1980s? Using such outdated tactics, shameless bastard.”

“It only works on rookie actors. But that’s the problem… it works too well.”

Unnie sighed deeply after hearing my words.

“Right, even passing stones are scary to rookies.”

Unnie swept back her hair.

“Anyway, we’re pressed for time. We need to make a statement that you weren’t trying to poach him. I’ll contact other agencies to send Do Changhyeon to.”

Minyeong unnie’s hands moved urgently as she sat at her desk.

How did things end up like this?

I still couldn’t fully comprehend it.

I looked at unnie and spoke quietly.

“I’m sorry, unnie.”

“Sorry for what? We started this to save one kid. Would it be human to push your student toward Yang Euichul just to save face?”

“…Pfft.”

A laugh unexpectedly burst out at unnie’s blunt honesty.

“…Have you lost it?”

Unnie stared at me with wide eyes.

“Just… even hearing Yang Euichul’s name felt like my limbs were seizing up. But being with you makes it a bit more bearable.”

“Ugh, I’m going to die young because of you. If we can’t stop this, let’s just leave Korea.”

“Okay…”

* * *

Evening, as the sun slowly set behind the buildings.

I sat side by side with Do Changhyeon on the bench in front of the Be Actors dorm.

“Don’t worry.”

I tried to comfort Do Changhyeon, whose face had turned deathly pale, with a deliberately calm voice.

“Director Yang said all these scary things to me… From trash-talking Mentor to saying if a rookie makes trouble over contracts already, other agencies will turn their backs on them.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said it’s bullshit. Forget it.”

My words came out rough without meaning to.

“…I couldn’t even focus on filming. I’m trash.”

Meanwhile, Do Changhyeon started digging himself another hole.

I let out a short internal sigh.

“How long will you keep blaming yourself?”

“……”

“This path is full of thorns. Will you blame yourself, wallow in self-loathing, and fall over every time you step on one?”

“No.”

Do Changhyeon answered in a voice barely louder than an ant crawling.

“You said you act because you want to become someone else. So when you went on set, did you? Did you become someone else?”

Do Changhyeon looked at me with a startled expression as tears welled in his eyes.

“You went and stood in front of the camera as Do Changhyeon with all his worries. That’s not being an actor. Whatever happens outside the set, when the camera rolls, living as your character—that’s being an actor.”

Tears rolled down Do Changhyeon’s clenched fists.

“I’m sorry.”

Watching him made even a corner of my heart ache.

What did this kid even do wrong?

“Get up. Go get some sleep. Turn off your phone.”

“Okay.”

I forced myself to stand casually, brushing it off.

Do Changhyeon bowed at the waist and walked weakly toward the dorm.

Watching Do Changhyeon’s back, I let out a short sigh and started walking myself.

The sun had completely set.

I pulled out my phone and stared at the empty screen.

Is unnie still working on it?

Do Changhyeon’s agency problem had drained even my energy.

I can’t be like this.

I have to take responsibility.

I pocketed my phone again and quickened my pace.

Buzz—

Just then, my phone vibrated briefly.

Reflexively, I pulled out my phone in one second.

It was a message from Lee Seokhyun.

– Sena-ssi, what are you up to these days?

The moment I read the message, an exasperated sigh escaped.

Does this guy, supposedly a top actor, really have that much free time?

“This bastard, seriously.”

I ground my teeth and was about to put my phone away when it buzzed again.

– Been watching <Be Actors> lately. Did Do Changhyeon find an agency?

The moment I read the next message, my steps stopped dead.