In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 15

An ominous feeling swept over me in an instant.

“Girl, don’t worry too much about the comments. You always get hate when you play a villain.”

“That’s right, Sena-ssi. At this level, you’ve succeeded as a villain, so this kind of thing was bound to follow. You can tune it out.”

Park Hoon sunbaenim and other seniors chimed in…

“…?”

I quietly pulled out my phone and opened a portal site.

Real-time search rankings one through seven were plastered with my name.

「Han Sena」

「Han Sena Attitude Controversy」

「Flat Shoes Yoo Ji-an」

「Han Sena Exposé」

In just two hours, over twenty articles had been posted, and the comment sections overflowed with hate.

Things like they knew it all along, that my face gave it away, that they’d heard all the industry rumors.

The articles were just as ridiculous.

‘Han Sena, Unbecoming Attitude for a Rookie Sparks Controversy…’

‘Flat Shoes’ Yoo Ji-an Han Sena—Turns Out She’s Method Acting in Real Life Too?’

Wow.

If I keep method acting like this, I might actually hit someone with a car next.

“Cute.”

“Huh?”

At my careless mutter, the seniors looked at me with startled eyes.

Compared to the hate I’d endured in my past life, this level warranted gratitude for all the attention.

Well, it’s obviously Yang Euichul’s doing anyway.

Jieun-ssi approached and placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Girl, will you be okay filming?”

I placed my hand over Jieun-ssi’s.

“I’m fine.”

This is nothing.

I smiled brightly at everyone.

“I’m okay! You have to take this much heat to really blow up anyway.”

A few people laughed at my words, but the worried atmosphere didn’t dissipate.

“But isn’t it strange? Yoo Ji-an blew up and everyone was going crazy, and suddenly antis just appear out of nowhere?”

Yu-ri-ssi and several cast members tilted their heads quizzically.

“Right, it is weird. And how long are people going to keep attacking actors just for playing villains? Everyone’s so behind the times.”

“Sena-ssi needs to get an agency quickly.”

Exactly, that agency problem is quite complicated.

The entire situation was unfolding exactly as expected.

This was Yang Euichul’s process for bringing actors he’d marked into his agency.

In my previous life, every actress Yang Euichul recruited had been tormented by hate comments.

Strangely enough, every single one.

Yang Euichul would offer comfort to actors exhausted by hate and public harassment, boasting that he’d take control of the media for them.

And once the actor signed the contract, the negative public opinion would lift like fog dispersing, as if by magic.

How was this possible?

Because Yang Euichul was the one spreading both the hate comments and rumors in the first place.

That’s how vicious Yang Euichul was.

I’d learned all this truth by overhearing Yang Euichul bragging about his achievements to the PR team over drinks, showing off as if advertising himself.

‘You know how they bury people these days? Forget digging graves in the back hills. Just money, computers, and boom—that’s a live burial right there.’

Yang Euichul’s words as he’d cackled came to mind.

My teeth ground together.

Moreover, AK Agency was famous for utilizing villain specialist actors as ‘cash cows.’

From the company’s perspective, several villain specialist actors who could be rotated through multiple projects were more profitable than one top star who wasn’t exceptional and required high maintenance costs.

Therefore, those villain specialist actors were nothing more or less than money-printing machines to the company.

“I’m really okay. I’ll look for an agency soon! Thank you all so much for worrying.”

“Sena-ssi, you really have strong mental fortitude. If there’s anything we can help with, contact us anytime.”

“That’s right, contact me anytime too. Everyone’s gone crazy trying to block a rookie who just debuted.”

Yu-ri-ssi practically fumed with indignation.

Seeing them made me smile with gratitude.

It felt reassuring too.

Anyway, I’d watch and wait a bit longer.

Yang Euichul would appear soon.

I decided to prepare a new plan for that and refocused on filming.

* * *

A few days later.

<Han Sena, May You Wear Flat Shoes Forever>

A coffee truck with my name and face plastered larger than life stood in front of the outdoor filming location.

Actors and staff gathered around the coffee truck receiving and drinking beverages, murmuring amongst themselves.

“What’s this, did Sena-ssi get an agency?”

Sure enough, Yang Euichul had personally graced the filming location with his presence.

I was floored.

So Yang Euichul even knew how to do this kind of thing…

I should’ve turned him down from the start if I’d known.

People kept asking me with bewildered looks.

“Sena-ssi, did you join AK Agency?”

“When did you join without saying anything?”

“I haven’t joined an agency yet.”

I smiled at people and walked toward the coffee truck.

Yang Euichul spotted me and walked over carrying a bouquet that looked heavy at first glance.

Seeing Yang Euichul after so long, he was young too.

“Actress, congratulations. Our best rookie! Best villain actress!”

I swallowed my nausea and plastered an innocent, lamb-like expression on my face.

“Oh, thank you. To give me such a bouquet when we’re meeting for the first time… is this okay?”

“Of course, of course. It’s a charm offensive.”

Yang Euichul threw me a wink.

Bile instantly rose in my throat.

No, I have to endure.

“You went to all this trouble to support me… even with such an expensive coffee truck?”

Acting moved, I accepted the bouquet.

Yang Euichul grinned.

‘She’s completely hooked. This’ll be quick.’

His thoughts were so transparent I could see right through him, and even just a few exchanges made me sick of him.

“Yes, it’s no burden at all. I’m a huge fan of yours, Sena-ssi.”

Yang Euichul gestured behind him and two burly men handed over hot packs, a mini heater, and an expensive padding jacket.

“For me to receive such gifts…”

“Hey, you’re someone who’s going to succeed even bigger in the future. You need to get used to gifts.”

Yang Euichul guffawed with laughter.

I also laughed, covering my mouth shyly.

Then Yang Euichul glanced around slyly and opened his mouth.

“So… more than that, you must be pretty worried these days?”

Yang Euichul finally showed his true colors.

I could feel staff passing by pretending not to but listening in.

“Worried… Yes, a lot.”

As I dropped my head, Yang Euichul hid his smile and made a show of looking concerned.

“Honestly, Korean people have no class. Why is everyone going crazy trying to bury a gem of an actress like this! Right?”

As Yang Euichul spoke loudly enough for people around to hear, the two burly men beside him nodded their heads vigorously.

“Thank you for thinking that way…”

Yang Euichul took one smooth step closer.

“Our company’s legal team is really amazing, you know. We can make this kind of thing disappear in one shot, Sena-ssi.”

At those words, I looked up at Yang Euichul with innocent doe eyes.

“Really?”

“Of course. Our company isn’t famous for managing celebrities for nothing.”

I pretended to consider while fiddling with the bouquet.

“Actually… I’ve gotten offers from other companies too…”

“Oh my, so that’s it. So what did you tell them?”

Yang Euichul asked once more, seemingly anxious at my leisurely, non-committal attitude.

“You didn’t sign a contract, right?”

“No, not yet.”

I slowly opened my mouth again.

“It’s just… until a moment ago, the companies that contacted me all boasted they’d get rid of the hate comments, but I’m worried they won’t actually help once I sign the contract…”

“Oh, is that what you were worried about?”

Yang Euichul burst into hearty laughter.

“Our Sena-ssi is still too innocent to know why AK is AK.”

Yang Euichul triumphantly rolled up his sleeves.

“Look, Sena-ssi. We’re the people who cover up scandals and tabloids for most actors with money and power. We take care of our family.”

“Ah… I see! You’re really amazing! But I’m just a rookie who doesn’t know anything, so unless I see something concrete, I can’t feel at ease…”

As I kept dragging my words, Yang Euichul answered as if he couldn’t stand it.

“Sena-ssi, then how about we just show you how capable our company is? Just give me three days. I’ll solve everything!”

Gotcha.

The staff who’d been chuckling stopped laughing abruptly at those words and glanced at Yang Euichul.

Wait, this isn’t right, their expressions said.

This was the weakness of vain, prideful people like Yang Euichul.

The moment they sensed even a hint of distrust, they’d rush in desperately seeking validation.

Of course, in my previous life I didn’t know about this.

But now my life experience totals over forty years.

I clutched the bouquet tightly and blinked at Yang Euichul.

“Really…? Why would you go this far for me…”

“Sena-ssi is going to be a really successful actress. I could tell right away. To walk only flower paths like this, you need help from those around you.”

Yang Euichul pointed at the coffee truck placard.

“Thank you, Director.”

I bowed my head deeply.

Soon Yang Euichul got in the car with his staff and drove away.

I waved my hand until the car disappeared from view.

* * *

Same time.

The cast and staff were suffering because reporters suddenly swarmed the filming location.

“You can’t do this. We’re filming right now, so please come back later.”

“Don’t be like that, just give us one comment each about actress Han Sena’s attitude problem!”

“Were there any troubles while working together?”

The youngest production team member who had to manage filming issues could only stomp his feet in front of reporters who wouldn’t listen at all.

Park Hoon, who’d been patiently waiting to film, walked out and spoke in a low voice to one reporter.

“Hey, Reporter Park. Are you really going to keep this up?”

“Sunbaenim, we’ve met several times. Just give me one comment so I can write an article.”

Some reporters had connections with actors through their agencies.

Park Hoon answered firmly.

“There’s no one as sincere as Sena. She only knows acting. Don’t block a rookie who just debuted for no reason, write something nice. Reporter Park, you’re really going to get what’s coming to you.”

After leaving that admonishment in his deep voice, Park Hoon walked away.

But even then the reporters didn’t stop and kept egging on other actors.

Jung Yu-ri, who’d come out of the waiting room, frowned deeply at the sight of reporters and approached.

“Everyone interview me. Come over here.”

Reporters instantly gathered before Jung Yu-ri.

Articles about the supporting role trampling the lead had been plentiful in various media outlets anyway, and many people were curious about these two’s relationship.

“Our Sena-ssi isn’t a bad person at all. We get along really well, and I’ve received so much help from her about acting. Even though she’s a rookie, she does everything so well.”

A bit further away, Assistant Director Jung Chae-sung, who’d been checking the next cut, was also answering an interview.

He usually completely ignored these kinds of actor-related questions, but he was fired up with determination to protect angel Han Sena.

“Her character is terrible? That’s ridiculous. She always helps clean up after filming ends. She’s bright and greets everyone, and she always prepares everything incredibly hard.”

Behind the filming area, in the smoking booth.

Youngest writer Kim Jieun also stubbed out her cigarette and answered halfheartedly.

“Ah, what. If you’re going to do this kind of interview, leave. You won’t get anything useful from me.”

Kim Jieun frowned watching the reporter walk away.

“Everyone sure has time to spare, so much time to spare…”

Back at the filming center.

When filming got delayed because reporters kept chattering, an angry Director Moon stomped out and shouted.

“The ones with attitude problems are you people! Interfering with others’ filming! Are you all leaving or not?! Should I call the police??”

Only then did the reporters begin leaving the scene looking disappointed.