In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 175

“So that’s what this was.”

I scratched my head while looking at the thermometer verification photos flooding social media for days now.

-Donated to improve treatment and working conditions for all firefighters. Fighting, Republic of Korea.

-Already hit 30,000 won from donating every time I pass by on the street. Easy donations feel so fulfilling!

-#NightofFire #FireVictimsDonation #HanSena #VerificationShot

-By the way, when does this drama even air? Didn’t even know QYN was filming a drama!

-Unintentionally collecting Han Sena autographs challenge in progress

The variety of verification shots and reactions was entertaining.

Everyone found this little verification shot trend fascinating and fun.

Most importantly, being able to donate easily with small amounts while feeling proud about it was the campaign’s greatest strength.

Everyone was eagerly participating in something that let them be good people, even briefly.

It was only the first stage of promotion, but watching the campaign’s popularity made me realize something I’d forgotten.

‘Reward: Attention’

‘※ However, the reward will not be given to you.’

I finally understood what those words from the script meant.

The reward I’d earned within it was now flowing directly into improving firefighters’ treatment.

Exactly the direction I’d wanted.

That aligned with why I’d decided to film this script in the first place.

“Whoever came up with this. It’s such a simple yet brilliant idea.”

When Quartet first started running this promotion, I’d found it somewhat surprising.

It felt premature given casting hadn’t even finished yet.

The content itself also felt remarkably wholesome compared to when they’d been throwing out wild suggestions during script revision meetings.

You really shouldn’t judge anything based on just one side.

I checked the comments on social media and article comments too.

-QYN must be pretty desperate. Starting promotion before casting’s even done lolol

-Still, they did well without making the low budget obvious. HBC will crush them with capital anyway.

-Need to make issues however they can. Don’t lose! <Night of Fire> fighting!!

-I donated today too! First time I’ve seen drama promotion have such positive influence.

-QYN riding on Han Sena’s back. Yeah, do your best.

Most reactions leaned toward mockery or sympathy.

I shrugged my shoulders alone while reading the comments.

Though people kept saying the drama we’re preparing is a Han Sena one-woman show, they won’t be able to say that after watching it.

If promotion uses my name, that’s actually perfect.

I was grateful my accumulated popularity could serve this purpose.

We’re doing well enough with this.

Starting tomorrow, other promotions will roll out, gradually expanding the buzz.

And perfectly timed, news came that supporting role casting was almost complete too.

The timing was right.

‘Now there’s really just one spot left.’

Tae Sunwoo.

This casting was the final hurdle and greatest difficulty.

S-tier actors were beyond our budget, while A-to-B-tier actors either still watched HBC’s moves or wanted bigger waters than cable, making them reluctant about QYN.

But we couldn’t show the energy and power Tae Sunwoo possessed with rookie-level actors.

Plus matching the age range to mine was another challenge.

“Huff….”

Why was there such a shortage of actors at times like this?

Such an ironic situation.

So many actors, so many people wanting to become actors.

Yet finding someone meeting our conditions felt like searching for a needle in a desert, as if facing a talent shortage.

Getting anxious myself, wondering if anyone suitable existed, I’d been flipping through TV and iTube channels all day.

While rewatching actors from various short dramas.

I suddenly shot up from my seat while watching one.

“Huh?”

My eyes caught an actor giving a passionate performance as an unemployed uncle in a work about a teenage couple.

Choi Sunha.

An actor who’d debuted as a child star, enjoyed a golden age with his innate acting talent, then suddenly disappeared.

Starting a few years ago, Choi Sunha had resurfaced, gradually building his filmography with his characteristically slow speech pattern and seemingly lethargic acting style.

Though his recent work lacked any notable hits, everyone in Korea knew who Choi Sunha was.

He had an acting style completely unsuited to Tae Sunwoo—positioned at the opposite end of the spectrum.

But watching this short drama performance sparked ideas like igniting flames.

‘He’s trying a new acting style.’

Choi Sunha was exploding with rage in the scene.

A first-time sight.

Even the tiniest moment gripped me with its intensity.

This person keeps expanding his range.

Not only had Choi Sunha’s acting style changed significantly, but this actor’s unique gravitas felt perfectly suited to expressing Tae Sunwoo.

I immediately called the production PD.

The moment I mentioned Choi Sunha’s name, the production PD answered hesitantly.

-Actually, that actor did apply. But internally we rejected him because his image didn’t match at all.

Hearing that, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Did you see Sunha’s recent filmography?”

-Ah, I looked up the short drama and mini clips. The short drama performance was good, but….

“Yes.”

-His appearance and image just don’t fit. How should I put it, he’s just. So distinctive.

“Ah……?”

-After all, he’s a male lead with at least some romantic elements. Being the main male lead makes us cautious.

Ugh.

I briefly recalled the script’s Tae Sunwoo.

Definitely handsome.

A classically masculine, ruggedly handsome man.

Plus fiery execution, trustworthiness, responsibility.

And somehow sharply defined features contributed to his appearance and aura.

But did the drama’s Tae Sunwoo need to be like that?

And objectively, Choi Sunha had perfectly fine looks.

Just his wild and carefree styling created preconceptions.

The frustration felt maddening.

This Choi Sunha would soon hit his second golden age, I’m telling you, please.

Having seen Choi Sunha’s future in advance made me even more anxious.

Choi Sunha would leverage his free-spirited and sly image to eventually snag romantic comedy roles.

This talent achieving unprecedented results for a non-traditional handsome actor getting rejected.

“How about at least holding auditions?”

At my question, the PD hesitated before saying they’d check with upper management.

They probably had no alternatives besides Choi Sunha anyway.

‘How did I forget about Choi Sunha when he suddenly clicked like this.’

After hanging up, I turned the drama back on.

I sat glued to my seat, rewatching Choi Sunha’s performance on endless repeat.

* * *

Tae Sunwoo audition day.

“What the hell are you doing!! Want to die? Who should kill you? Is that what you want?”

“You’re a woman to me. But before being a woman, you’re my colleague. I won’t cross that line, so don’t worry. I won’t approach you.”

“So get treatment. And quit being a firefighter. Live your life.”

Choi Sunha, who’d arrived noticeably thinner, gave a passionate performance.

Small audition rooms usually had briefly awkward atmospheres.

But Choi Sunha was the veteran.

He dominated the room with complete ease in this evaluated setting.

The writer listened to his voice booming through the space, naturally envisioning Tae Sunwoo.

The thought emerged that this person could do it.

When Han Sena had recommended Choi Sunha for Tae Sunwoo’s role, the writer had been first to wave their hands in refusal.

Because they couldn’t find a single similarity to the Tae Sunwoo they’d envisioned while writing.

Choi Sunha? Until audition day, they’d felt desperate, fearing he might actually get cast.

But watching the performance felt like getting hit from behind.

The moment Choi Sunha finished acting, he smiled with his characteristic relaxed expression.

“Done.”

The writer burst into hearty laughter and clapped.

‘He lost weight for this audition.’

A moment showcasing Choi Sunha’s hidden dedication.

Choi Sunha never needed to lose weight for roles, plus his rounded image meant he had quite a frame.

Yet the current Choi Sunha had transformed gaunt with a sharp image.

The first time seeing such a face since knowing Choi Sunha.

Going to such lengths just to audition.

‘Actress Sena was right.’

The production PD, director, and casting director also sat with mouths agape after watching the performance.

“We’re sorry for the discourtesy of rejecting you without knowing better.”

“We thought the image was different but felt we should meet at least once more.”

“Especially Sena-ssi recommended you highly.”

Hearing that, Choi Sunha gave a thumbs up.

“Oh, really? Good eye~”

Everyone burst out laughing at his relaxed, almost cocky gesture.

Choi Sunha spoke with a face satisfied by his own performance.

“I can play Tae Sunwoo well.”

The writer looked at Choi Sunha with anticipation rising.

‘Right, maybe. I need to break my own prejudices for this project.’

“I love working with you. I want to do this together!”

The writer raised their hand first and exclaimed.

* * *

That evening.

I jumped around the house after hearing the news.

-Without you, we couldn’t have cast him.

“Not at all. Thank you so much for listening to me.”

-We finally found Tae Sunwoo. I’m so happy!

“Me too.”

We finally found Tae Sunwoo.

The moment I hung up, I rushed to the kitchen and poured a celebratory glass of wine.

Casting was complete now.

Finally, after overcoming every obstacle, we could focus on filming.

Sunset glowed outside the window.

A cool breeze blew in.

Lately, the nights I had nightmares were decreasing.

About my family burning in fire, encountering that arsonist, losing colleagues on scene…

Those horrific scenes still surfaced in dreams and daily life, tormenting me.

But the frequency kept declining.

Simultaneously, my focus was shifting from the script world to making the drama.

What I experienced in the script became unforgettable moments, making that pain feel somewhat unfair.

But I didn’t want to erase it from my mind either.

“Ah, I want to start filming already.”

I took a sip of wine.