In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 19

The writer’s voice flowed warm and steady like water as she conducted the interview.

“I expected it, but I didn’t realize you’d have such deep affection for the work.”

It was the best conversational flow of any interview I’d done so far.

This interview would run in the famous monthly magazine <Magazine Zone> under the feature “Villainess Yoo Ji-an’s Bold Transformation.”

The writer posed another question.

“Then, could you define in one phrase what Flat Shoes meant to you as an actress?”

I fell into thought for a moment at that question.

The writer waited patiently for my answer.

If I had to describe Flat Shoes in one phrase…

My aching finger.

The end of misfortune, and the first step toward happiness…

My precious debut work.

I cleared my throat.

I wanted to answer cheerfully.

“Literally ‘flat shoes.’ My first pair of shoes that let me run full speed toward my acting career. Very comfortable, perfect for running in.”

The writer smiled slightly and nodded.

“Then do you have any memorable anecdotes from filming?”

“Oh… so many. One time when I made an NG, Park Hoon sunbaenim suddenly shouted really loudly at me.”

“Oh my, Actor Park Hoon did?”

“Yes, I was so startled I apologized. But then he said, ‘How can you make even NGs that entertaining?’ and lightened the mood. I was so grateful.”

At those words, the writer laughed happily and added more.

“Actor Park Hoon’s character is famous throughout the industry. Everyone says he’s so kind.”

“He really is. Without Park Hoon sunbaenim, I probably couldn’t have endured such a long shoot. Yu-ri sunbaenim also stayed with me even during off-camera moments to support my emotions while filming.”

“Oh my. Actress Jung Yu-ri is so passionate.”

“She is. When I was a newcomer who didn’t know anything, she looked after everything for me… She has such a good personality.”

“You two seem close. But you must have both had a hard time with all those media articles.”

“Yes… all those articles about lead versus supporting role… sunbaenim brought it up first herself, casually, and encouraged me. Please make sure to write that in the article.”

The writer jotted down my emphasized words in her notebook.

“I will. The Flat Shoes filming atmosphere must have been really good. Actually, when you hear about other sets, this isn’t easy to achieve.”

“That’s what I hear. Everyone is so considerate.”

I took a sip of the warm coffee the writer had offered.

“Then lastly… I’ll ask a cliché question—what kind of actress do you want to become?”

I thought for a moment about that final question.

“Um… I don’t know how you’ll take this, but I really want to act.”

At those words, the writer smiled with a puzzled expression.

“More than popularity or box office success, I want to become an actress who focuses on acting itself.”

“Wow, that’s a statement full of conviction. Actually, that’s not easy to do.”

“Right. People might laugh and say I’m being ridiculous.”

After saying that, both the writer and I laughed together.

“Still… rather than chasing flashy roles, I want to spend my time empathizing with and understanding various characters going forward.”

I paused briefly to organize my next thoughts.

“By greeting so many characters—hello—and sending them off well—goodbye—I want to become an actress with hundreds of faces.”

At those words, the writer nodded.

“I… think I just became your fan.”

“Oh my, you said you were a fan earlier. Were you lying?”

At my words, the writer waved her hands.

“That’s not it. I was already a fan, but now I want to support you with all my heart.”

“I really love this studio too. The interview was great.”

The interview ended in an atmosphere of mutual praise between the writer and me.

What a pleasant day in so many ways.

I sipped the rest of my coffee happily, bathed in sunlight streaming through the windows.

* * *

Same time.

Kwon Minyeong lay sprawled carelessly on her bed at home, staring blankly at the ceiling.

The same words had been circling through Kwon Minyeong’s head continuously since earlier.

‘Would you consider starting your own company?’

That one sentence had troubled and unsettled Kwon Minyeong all day.

“Come on… a company doesn’t just get built overnight.”

Kwon Minyeong turned her body sharply, propping her head on one arm.

‘I see you as someone who’s plenty capable, Director.’

Ah, this is driving me crazy.

At the words floating through her head once again, Kwon Minyeong sat up abruptly and opened the window.

Could it… have been that obvious?

That I’ve been wanting to start my own company all this time…

Truthfully, it was something she’d desperately wanted.

A dream she’d nurtured for so long without telling anyone.

As Kwon Minyeong had bounced between various companies over the years, there were countless frustrating aspects about management and operations.

Moreover, she could never tolerate covering up corruption or crimes.

Kwon Minyeong knew her personality put her at a disadvantage in this industry.

That’s precisely why she’d poured fierce effort into cultivating her eye for actors and her operational skills.

Kwon Minyeong picked up her phone and checked the final prosecutor’s investigation schedule.

It felt uncomfortable somehow, like she was personally driving someone into a dead end.

But still…

That’s why laws and rules exist, right?

You shouldn’t do wrong things, and if you do wrong, you should take responsibility.

That’s common sense.

The fact that common sense didn’t work well in the entertainment industry created a sense of deprivation.

Kwon Minyeong sat on the bed and propped her chin on the windowsill.

‘Starting a company will naturally involve considerable hardship, but I see you as someone who can push through all that.’

Am I really that kind of person…

Kwon Minyeong fell into deep contemplation.

With a long sigh.

What had Sena-ssi seen in me to say such things?

The more she learned, the more intriguing that person was.

“For someone so young… she’s quite fascinating.”

It felt like being seen right through…

Kwon Minyeong had a premonition that somehow the day would feel long.

* * *

And so, the next day.

Once again at the same Sangam alley café, in the same seats, I sat face to face with the Management Director.

The director’s personality was more impatient than expected.

Though I liked that about her too.

Somehow the director’s eyes seemed to have dark circles after just one day.

The director spoke first.

Again, without preamble.

“Listen, Sena-ssi. Actually, I’ve wanted to start a company for a long time.”

At those words, I blinked as if hearing it for the first time.

“Really? It suits you perfectly.”

The director answered calmly.

“My goal might sound idealistic to others. But I want my company to become the home base for method actors. My vision is to bring in method actors, and naturally attract all the outstanding scripts circulating in the industry to my company.”

At those words, I nodded slowly.

It wasn’t impossible.

Just… considering how countless agencies up until now had used actors just to multiply their money, executing this would be somewhat difficult.

Currently, most agencies poured everything into whichever hot actor was popular at the moment, then when that actor’s popularity faded, they’d desperately search for another one with fire in their eyes.

“I wanted to save the energy other agencies pour into typical routes.”

As I listened to the director’s words, I tapped my leg slightly under the table.

It’s good, but…

It needs a more concrete plan.

The feasibility is low.

“I predict Korea’s content status will rise soon. Actually, even now, drama exports overseas are increasing. If things continue like this, the day will naturally come when Korean actors gain recognition abroad. I’m waiting for that moment.”

At those words, I stopped tapping my leg.

Just how far into the future was this person looking?

The director’s words weren’t far-fetched at all.

Just as the director predicted…

In my previous life, after OTT platform services arrived, Korean content exploded globally.

And simultaneously, domestic master actors stood shoulder to shoulder with Hollywood actors.

“The actors I manage will select works after meticulous deliberation, becoming widely famous for their artistic merit and character portrayal. That will become sustainable capital.”

This meant not using actors as disposables, and simultaneously building long-term financial power through this approach.

The director added one final statement.

“And I’d like Sena-ssi to become the first actress in this company of mine.”

At those words, I fell into deep thought.

It’s a good plan.

However…

To execute the director’s idealistic plan required realistic conditions.

I opened my mouth to the director, who was looking at me expectantly.

“I think your plan is completely feasible, Director. I’m grateful you’d take me on as your first actress. However, I have one request… would it be all right to discuss it?”

“What is it?”

Tension showed on the director’s face.

“Would you scout an actor who you think will make the most money? That’s my request.”

The director looked over here with a face that didn’t understand.

What kind of talk is this, actress.

That kind of expression.

“Ah. Are you… worried you’ll be consumed first in building up the company’s capital?”

The director offered a plausible guess.

At those words, I shook my head slightly and smiled.

“No. It’s your company, Director, so what if that happens? I don’t mind that.”

“Then why…?”

“Just, because being alone is lonely.”

When I tossed out those words, the director laughed, not understanding.

I also laughed naturally along with her and continued.

“If there’s another actress at the agency, it’ll be reassuring. Plus, if there’s an actor excellent at generating capital, I feel like I’ll learn a lot too. Beyond just acting.”

The director still tilted her head quizzically, lost in thought.

The reason I’m saying this is…

In my judgment, the director’s pristine canvas-like conviction was a powerful weapon, but that weapon was a double-edged sword.

As the management director said, the day would come when Korean content and actors gained wide recognition, but now wasn’t that time.

To prepare for that moment, I hoped the director would remember the formula that currently, public needs equal money.

The memory of seeing the director’s business success interview in my previous life was vivid.

‘I did manage to start the company, but I wandered quite a long time without others knowing. My goal was very idealistic, and my execution process was also idealistic. That was my blind spot.’

‘My trial and error ultimately led me to the conclusion that public needs equal money. Whether the goal is idealistic or realistic… that’s an unchanging law.’

And more than anything else, I wanted to see the director’s scouting taste firsthand.

Among established actors rather than newcomers, which actor would she choose?

After deliberating, the director answered again.

“I’ll give it a try. I can’t promise how long it’ll take. However, I’ll contact you immediately upon success. I have an actor in mind.”

The director’s expression became resolute.

Seeing that, I silently cheered inside.

I hoped the director would continue surprising me going forward.

I never dreamed I’d have this kind of partner in my life.

It felt good.

I stood up from my seat together with the director.

As I pushed in my chair, the director spoke one last time.

“Sena-ssi. I hope we’ll work together for a long time.”

At those words, I felt happy and smiled brightly.

I exited the café like that.

While heading toward the main road to catch a taxi, my phone rang.

It was a text from Seon Yuseok.

‘Hey, why do you two keep meeting without me.’