In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 206

On an autumn evening after the typhoon had passed.

I rode in a van toward the Haeundae International red carpet, where a sea of people had gathered.

Watching the sun set outside the window made my heart flutter with anticipation.

Not only was it my first red carpet appearance in a while, but this was also my first time at Haeundae International.

It felt distinctly different from overseas award ceremonies.

The van glided smoothly to a stop, and the door slowly opened.

A barrage of flashes instantly overwhelmed my vision.

The moment I stepped out of the van, voices calling my name erupted from every direction.

“Sena-ssi! Look this way just once!”

“Han Sena-ssi! Look here and smile!”

“Han Sena! You’re beautiful!!”

I slowly waved while walking the red carpet.

I wore a sleek suit over a shirt with several buttons casually undone.

Camera shutters and cheers poured down from everywhere.

“Kyaa! Unnie!! Han Sena!!”

I spotted fans I’d seen several times since the fan meeting, standing on both sides of the red carpet holding placards.

I approached them in surprise.

The fans clustered together to greet me warmly.

“How did you make it all the way here?”

“Took the KTX!!”

I hastily signed the papers the fans held out.

“All the way to Busan! Thank you so much for coming such a long way!”

“Unnie, your suit looks amazing!”

“Noona, aren’t you cold?”

“I’m not cold. Thank you so much.”

As I chatted with the fans, cameras swarmed toward us.

After quickly finishing the signatures, I headed toward the photo zone.

Without wearing a dress, I could move so much more freely.

When I reached the photo zone, another terrifying flash barrage turned everything before my eyes completely white.

The diamond necklace and bracelet matched with the suit glittered brilliantly under the lights.

Everything from the suit to the accessories had been sponsored by The Mesh.

The diamond necklace in particular—a limited edition piece with only ten ever made—was receiving considerable attention, and The Mesh had readily offered to sponsor it for Haeundae International.

I’d heard the accessories around my neck and wrist alone were worth over 1 billion won combined.

Keeping in mind their generous sponsorship, I’d put extra effort into my styling.

I smiled brightly and waved to the reporters.

* * *

The hall hosting the opening ceremony was packed with crowds filling every seat.

My appearance entering the hall alone was being broadcast live on the massive screen in the distance.

Do Changhyeon, who’d arrived earlier, came out to greet me and smoothly extended his arm to escort me.

When that image appeared on screen, cheers erupted from the audience.

Do Changhyeon wore a proud smile.

“That’s enough!”

Embarrassed, I smacked Do Changhyeon’s shoulder and walked on.

People watching burst into laughter.

I found the seat with my name and sat down.

The screen showed other cast members from various works walking the red carpet one after another.

I applauded along with the audience, watching those magnificent scenes.

My heart swelled with emotion.

In my past life, I’d envied actors on red carpets at film festivals just days ago…

I could hardly believe I was here with them tonight.

Do Changhyeon also seemed in high spirits, clapping excitedly beside me.

Then he whispered,

“Our project has three total screenings, and they’re all sold out!”

I nodded.

“Right. I wondered how ticketing would go since it’s a film festival, not just any venue. I was genuinely surprised.”

Do Changhyeon grinned and said,

“Mentor, I really think we made the right choice doing this project.”

Hearing those words made me smile.

“Me too.”

After the red carpet event ended, an actor hosting the proceedings took the stage and opened Haeundae International.

“Film industry professionals and film fans—welcome! Welcome to the 25th Haeundae International Film Festival!!”

Fireworks burst above the hall ceiling with explosive sounds.

The audience applauded enthusiastically together.

The opening ceremony had finally begun.

“Film, with its history spanning just over a century, has grown through the love of countless people. Film becomes someone’s memory, someone’s mirror, and someone’s light.”

The host continued with a slightly trembling voice.

“Film is welcoming changes alongside our times. Filming techniques are diversifying, screening methods are changing, and the forms of consumption are evolving.”

Those words resonated particularly meaningfully with our team.

“Haeundae International will forever stand with film through any changes. Once again, we thank the filmmakers who’ve come to Haeundae International.”

The thoughtful hosting naturally drew applause.

Haeundae International had readily invited our project despite never screening in multiplexes even once.

Their bold and official move would bring significant change to the film industry.

After another round of applause filled the hall, this year’s opening film appeared on screen.

The audience noise gradually died down.

Everyone held their breath and began watching the film with anticipation.

* * *

One week later.

[Han Sena! The Only Actress in a Suit on Haeundae International Red Carpet—All Eyes on Her]

[The Mesh Global Ambassador Han Sena—Diamond Accessories Gain ‘Han Sena Premium’…]

[The Mesh Brand Homepage Crashes… Han Sena Once Again Proves Top Star Brand Power]

[As Interest Pours Into <Deadline>… Multiplex Tyranny Extends Even to Festival Awards]

The day before the closing ceremony, with the Haeundae International schedule finished.

Both expected and unexpected articles blanketed the internet.

My red carpet outfit attracted the most attention, and the fact that the <Deadline> team received an invitation became quite a hot topic as well.

However, one issue was giving the director and me headaches…

A situation had erupted where netizens and several cultural critics were calling out the multiplexes’ conduct after Haeundae International.

For the past few years, there’d been an award category called ‘Korean Film Development Merit Award’ sponsored by multiplex companies, and many netizens and film fans had been predicting <Deadline> as the likely winner.

The ‘Korean Film Development Merit Award’ was given each year to films that attempted new formats and received significant attention and interest.

However, this award went to a completely unexpected project, triggering reactions like “petty” and “unfair.”

The director was preparing to make a statement about this.

Since our team members would likely work on other projects screening in multiplexes in the future, we had no intention of antagonizing them.

-Ugh, what a headache. People won’t leave me alone for even a moment.

I smiled softly hearing the director’s weary voice.

Eventually, the director posted a message saying film festivals are celebrations, asking people to enjoy the participating works and refrain from hasty criticism.

“Great work, Director. See you at the closing ceremony.”

* * *

The very next day, I attended the closing ceremony event where we all exchanged final greetings face-to-face.

After the closing ceremony ended, everyone gathered in one corner of the hall.

We took photos with the staff while holding trophies we’d never expected to receive.

The staff were especially thrilled after winning trophies in three categories—the newly created OTT Film Category, Makeup Award, and CG Award.

“This is the last time we’ll all gather like this, right?”

“Seems like it. We can’t let it end here. Should we have a big company dinner?”

“Yes, let’s do it in Busan! Let’s stay overnight!!”

“Yay!!”

While we were exchanging cheerful greetings with the cast and crew in this lively atmosphere…

Someone familiar walking briskly toward us from the distance caught my eye.

Seeing that face, the director made a surprised sound and bowed.

“Hello, Director.”

“Oh, hello. Good to see you. I enjoyed your film.”

Getting a closer look at the face, I also let out an “Oh?” sound.

It was none other than Director Jin Changju.

This director—who’d won the Hwangryong Film Festival Grand Prize multiple times and swept through overseas festivals—was a talent among talents who hit home runs with every project.

The main pillar of Korean cinema that everyone wanted to work with, to have their name listed alongside.

Yet Director Jin Changju handed me a bouquet, congratulating me, and spoke in a quiet voice.

“Hello, Sena-ssi. This is our first meeting, right?”

“Yes, hello Director. Pleased to meet you.”

“Um, could I have a moment of your time…”

“Ah, yes.”

I exchanged bewildered glances with the team before following the director to a more isolated spot.

The director handed me a script that had been tucked under his arm.

“I came all the way to the closing ceremony to see you, Sena-ssi.”

“Pardon?”

I asked in surprise at the unexpected words.

The director had participated as a presenter for the Best Film award at this Haeundae International.

“Ugh, presenting awards and standing on stage—that’s really not my style. But I pulled some serious strings to come here and give you this.”

The director let out a hearty laugh while good-naturedly bragging.

I smiled awkwardly at my own flustered expression.

“Is this… a script?”

“Yes. It’s my next project. I really want to cast you, Sena-ssi. Are you interested in doing another film, Sena-ssi?”

“Ah…!”

I was momentarily speechless at the shocking words.

[Blood Waltz: Fury’s Pursuit]

I stared at the title written on the script cover.

This kind of title hadn’t appeared in the director’s filmography before…

“I agonized over this project intensely while writing it. It’s a two-lead film, and the character I’m proposing to you, Sena-ssi, is an incredible villain. In short, it’s an antagonist role.”

“Ah, yes.”

A villain… It had been surprisingly long since I’d been offered that type of role.

“It was originally a male villain with tremendous image and impact. But while thinking about which actor to cast… I thought this role would shine brightest with you, Sena-ssi. So I completely revised the protagonist to female.”

“Ah…! Really???”

It was an incredible appeal.

Director Jin Changju had written the script while thinking of me as the lead.

Was I dreaming right now?

I stroked the script with my hand, feeling dazed.

“Would you read it and contact me? Don’t feel pressured… but still, um… think positively about it…”

The director carefully chose words that firmly pressed down his determination to recruit me no matter what.

“It’s an incredibly compelling character. It’ll give wings to you, Sena-ssi.”

Those words suddenly made my heart pound.

“I’ll read it and definitely contact you! Thank you so much for the offer, Director.”

“Yes, sounds good. I’ll be waiting.”

After finishing what he came to say, the director quickly disappeared with rapid steps.

The team members rushed over the moment our conversation ended.

“What is it, what is it! Is it a next project!? Jin Changju!!!”

The director showed the most excited reaction of all.

“Wow, Sena-ssi! Wow! Amazing. Director Jin Changju. Incredible. What kind of project is it? I want to see the script.”

Do Changhyeon also stared at me with sparkling eyes.

“Wow, truly a top star. Director Jin Changju came to find you personally. Wow…”

Even while listening to the team’s words, my heart still hadn’t calmed down.

This wasn’t a dream.

“Sena-ssi, just how far are you going to go! How much more famous do you plan to get!”

When the actors jokingly threw out those words, my face flushed.

“Ugh. Let’s hurry to that company dinner!!”

“The top star’s treating us today!!”

The team members shouted playfully.

“Yay!!”