In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 191

The filming for <Solo Life> stretched on for quite a while.

After the <Deadline> reading ended and before diving into full-scale production, I struggled to scrape together enough content for the broadcast by myself.

In the end, I grabbed Minyeong unnie and squeezed every last idea out of her to organize some small events.

So the place I arrived at today with a VJ in tow was none other than…

“Ta-da. This is our Barum Entertainment.”

The office I frequented constantly, aside from home and filming locations.

When I opened the door and walked in, the VJ followed with an expression that seemed to ask ‘what’s this about?’

Inside the office, various light bulbs and balloons decorated everything adorably like a party room.

It looked far better decorated than I’d imagined.

Minyeong unnie smiled and greeted the VJ.

Meanwhile, the familiar faces who’d been waiting inside stood up and approached.

“You made it. Goodness, you’ve lost so much weight.”

Teacher Yoon Youngjae, whom I hadn’t seen in ages, greeted me with a smile.

“Teacher!”

I ran over in one breath and hugged him.

“Can’t breathe, you punk!”

“Unnie, I watched the <Deadline> reading!”

“Kkotbyeol!”

Kkotbyeol, who was busy filming a miniseries, had also taken time out of her schedule to come.

“Looks like everyone from Barum Entertainment gathered?”

The VJ spoke with an expression like they were witnessing something fascinating.

“Yes. The reason we all gathered like this today is!”

I clapped awkwardly while trying to pump up the atmosphere.

“It’ll soon be the 5th anniversary of our Barum Entertainment’s founding.”

“So we gathered to celebrate among ourselves in a small way.”

Minyeong unnie took over the commentary from behind, also grinning awkwardly while popping a party popper with a pop.

Teacher Yoon Youngjae brushed away the paper scraps falling on his head with a flick.

“Goodness, what a racket.”

Kkotbyeol pulled out a cake from the side and lit the candles.

“Ta-da.”

When the office lights went out, everyone’s attention focused on the cake.

On top sat small sugar figurines that looked exactly like the four of us.

“Wow, how cute!”

I beamed at the cake.

“Kkotbyeol, did you make this?”

“Yes. I made it myself this morning! Isn’t it cute!”

“Wow, really? You made it so well. Such great taste.”

Teacher Yoon Youngjae also observed the cake with interest.

“Wow, impressive skills.”

“The fans would love this, wouldn’t they?”

The VJ zoomed in on the cake with the camera.

“Barum Entertainment has lots of fans too. This is the first time I’ve seen an actor entertainment company with a fan club that’s not an idol agency.”

At those words, Minyeong unnie grinned with pleasure.

“It’s thanks to these three doing the work of thirty people.”

The four of us sat around and blew out the candles together in a small celebration.

As I put a piece of cake in my mouth, I noticed some unfamiliar items.

“What are those dolls and gifts on that sofa? Did you prepare them, unnie?”

When I asked, Minyeong unnie shook her head.

“The fans sent them to the company. They’re all yours.”

“Oh my, is it okay to just accept all this? Isn’t it expensive?”

Teacher Yoon Youngjae made a worried expression.

“I posted a notice asking them not to send expensive things on purpose. Please accept them considering the fans’ sincerity, Teacher.”

“Goodness. What have I even done for them to keep giving like this every time.”

“Right? Time really flies so fast…”

“Doesn’t it.”

We all got lost in reminiscence for a moment.

It had already been 5 years since Minyeong unnie founded the company.

Which meant it had been over 5 years since I received this new life.

I’d thought I’d want nothing more if I could just keep performing new roles.

But to gain this unexpected new company and family on top of that.

It truly felt like a life beyond what I deserved.

That’s when Minyeong unnie stood up and unfolded the paper she’d prepared.

“?”

“Ahem. Now then, let’s begin the Barum Awards Ceremony.”

“What? Pft.”

Everyone burst out laughing at unnie’s surprise event.

The VJ quickly adjusted the camera, not wanting to miss this rare content.

“At this 5th anniversary ceremony, there will be plaques and modest gifts.”

“Wow.”

I giggled watching Minyeong unnie.

She must have prepared all sorts of things for the broadcast.

I admired unnie’s thoroughness in not missing even the small details…

“Drum roll.”

Kkotbyeol started drumming on the desk, adding her own sound effects.

“Now, this year’s Barum Trendsetter Award!”

“Trendsetter?”

It was an award name that perked up my ears.

“Oh, I kind of want that one.”

Teacher Yoon Youngjae also glanced at Minyeong unnie with slightly hopeful eyes.

If it’s about trends, then I also…

I’ve done all sorts of dramas…

Could it be me?

I waited for my name to be called.

“Kim Kkotbyeol! Congratulations.”

“Wow! The Trendsetter Award is mine!”

Kkotbyeol jumped up from her seat.

Unnie took out the plaque she’d prepared and handed it to Kkotbyeol.

Teacher Yoon Youngjae made a slightly disappointed expression.

“You excluded me from the trends because I do theater, right? Is this discrimination?”

“Of course not, Teacher. That can’t be.”

The VJ snickered from the side.

Kkotbyeol examined the transparent plaque from every angle with admiration.

“Wow, what’s this. When did you prepare the plaque?”

“Whoa. The quality’s good?”

After Kkotbyeol sat down holding her plaque, unnie immediately introduced the next award.

“Now, next up!”

“Drum roll.”

“I’m getting kind of nervous?”

Before I knew it, I was staring at Minyeong unnie, waiting for the next award.

“The honorable… Barum Popularity Award!”

“Ooh.”

Teacher Yoon Youngjae shrank back with a slightly uncertain expression.

“Mine’s not up again!”

But that only lasted a moment.

“Teacher Yoon Youngjae! Congratulations!”

“Me? Really?”

The Teacher stood up looking bewildered at the name announcement.

“Our Teacher Yoon Youngjae’s fans are so devoted. Every time with seasonal food, health supplements, and even medicine… It’s truly moving.”

I nodded along as I listened.

Teacher Yoon Youngjae’s fandom wasn’t large, but they were truly devoted at all times.

The Teacher also met casually with longtime fans and maintained those relationships for years.

One of Teacher Yoon Youngjae’s longtime fans had even opened and was currently running the Barum Entertainment fan club.

The Teacher held the plaque and bowed his head like at a real awards ceremony.

“Thanks to our Barum Entertainment family and the fans, this old man gets to live feeling like a celebrity. I’m always grateful.”

Everyone smiled as one and clapped their hands.

Once the Teacher sat down, Minyeong unnie prepared the final plaque.

“Now, lastly.”

“Finally, it’s me!”

I called out happily.

By this point, I was feeling anticipation about what award it would be.

Minyeong unnie immediately introduced the final award.

“This Year’s Barum Oddball Award!”

“What…?”

For a moment, I doubted my ears.

“Pft. Puhaha.”

The Teacher and Kkotbyeol started laughing uproariously as if they already knew.

“Without a doubt, the Barum Oddball Queen! Han Sena! Congratulations!”

I stood up from my seat in a daze.

Unnie forcibly pressed the plaque into my hand.

“The comedian of Barum Entertainment who didn’t hesitate to embarrass herself on various broadcasts, dancing and making people laugh! In recognition of those contributions, we present the Oddball Award.”

“No, why am I the one…”

The VJ zoomed in on my face making an aggrieved expression.

The VJ was also grinning widely.

“Do it again! Give me a different one!”

“Now then, shall we open the gifts the fans sent?”

Everyone ignored me and started opening the stacked gifts.

“Do it again! What is this!”

* * *

-Barum Entertainment is so heartwarming

-Lolololol Han Sena lolololol

-Wow, the atmosphere is really good. They work well together, the vibe is great, and they take care of each other. If my actor was at a place like that, it’d be seriously reassuring

-That CEO is that person, right? The one who was the only one to side with the victim when Tr** Actors tried to cover up Park ******’s drunk driving.

⤷ Really? Whoa… didn’t know that.

⤷ Yup. Famous in the industry.

⤷ Just looking at the company name tells you what kind of person they are. Han Sena got into a good company.

-Even throwing fan service content like this shows exceptional sense.

-Ah… should’ve bought stock earlier….

⤷ It’s not too late even now.

⤷ I’m holding out until Han Sena makes it to Hollywood.

-Aren’t they recruiting any other actors? Please save my actor….

⤷ Mine too.

⤷ Our unnie too. Please….

After watching the comments streaming in real-time, I put my phone away.

Then I rubbed my hands together against the cold weather as I got out of the car.

A street in the outskirts of Gyeonggi Province.

At a small blessing site, actors and staff in zombie makeup were huddled together.

I stepped back slightly at the sight of the art team’s soul-infused zombie makeup.

“Wow, this person’s head is blown off…?”

An actor with their brain exposed through one side of their head waved cheerfully.

I waved back in a bit of a daze.

It was a visual that made me instinctively want to run away.

That’s when the zombies started taking turns bowing to the pig’s head one by one.

Watching what looked like some kind of black magic cult gathering made me exclaim in admiration without thinking.

“Wow… this is seriously bizarre?”

The staff also giggled and followed with their bows.

Even the pig’s head on the table had zombie makeup applied.

“What’s this?”

Do Changhyeon stopped mid-bow looking flustered as he stared at the pig’s face.

One of the art team members shrugged.

“Well, we have to match the concept.”

“Wow… ugh.”

Do Changhyeon, who had a weak stomach, actually dry heaved.

The director clasped his hands together with a moved expression.

“This truly is… a beautiful sight…”

When my turn came, I offered a bow with a strange feeling.

May we all stay safe and injury-free during filming.

* * *

The first scene to kick things off was a challenging road action sequence right from the start.

I boarded the large bus and settled into my seat.

Then I stared out the window with an expressionless gaze, getting into character.

Once the bus started moving, dozens of zombies were scheduled to rush in and attack from the distance.

Everyone waited tensely for the director’s signal.

“Ready, action!”

The call for action echoed across the set, and the bus began to move.

Before long, the zombie horde started charging at an insane speed.

People who spotted the zombies screamed.

The inside of the bus quickly descended into chaos.

In the midst of the pandemonium, I sat still, observing the zombies as if studying them.

But then the driver suddenly turned the wheel to make a U-turn while pressing the accelerator.

“?”

I frowned slightly as we changed direction.

There was a mission I needed to complete at the destination we’d been heading toward.

I stood up and roughly pushed through the people shrieking in panic as I approached the driver’s seat.

The camera followed alongside my steps.

I grabbed the wheel the driver was turning.

Then I wrenched it back in our original direction.

At the end of that path stood a group of survivors surrounded by zombies.

“Please let us on! Please!!”

“Save us!!!”

The driver’s fingertips trembled as he looked at them.

I spoke briefly in a commanding tone.

“Press it.”

“What?”

“The accelerator. Press it.”

The driver jumped and looked at me.

In the meantime, the zombies started clinging to the bus.

The driver’s whole body shook.

I irritably grabbed the driver by the collar and pulled him from his seat.

I plopped down in the driver’s seat.

Then I floored the accelerator.