In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 210

I froze in shock.

Do Changhyeon shot up from his seat once again.

“Whoa! Mentor! Congratulations!!”

My mind went completely blank in an instant.

Me, winning Best Actress…

I gripped the armrest and slowly rose to my feet.

Do Changhyeon pulled me into another tight embrace.

Behind us, Sung Minhui also clapped excitedly while shouting.

“Sena-ssi! Congratulations!! Oh my, how incredible!!”

Surrounding actors extended their hands for handshakes too.

I shook hands in a daze without even having time to check their faces properly, while Lee Yang-ju sunbaenim graciously drew out the moment until I could make my way down to the stage.

“Personally, I’m so thrilled that Han Sena-ssi is receiving this award.”

“Yes, I’m thrilled too.”

The male MC chimed in as well.

“Because Sena-ssi’s win represents not just a personal achievement, but a moment where our film industry embraces progress.”

“That’s right. She’s become the first actress to win Best Actress without a theatrical release, hasn’t she?”

“Yes. So much is changing and flowing. Why shouldn’t cinema change too? This is truly a historic moment.”

Listening to sunbaenim’s words, I slowly descended the stairs and stepped onto the stage.

Wearing a suit instead of a dress made navigating the stairs so much easier.

The moment I stepped onto the stage, sunbaenim approached and handed me the trophy.

Though we’d never met before, she pulled me into a warm, familiar embrace.

Sunbaenim whispered affectionately in my ear.

“Sena-ssi, that suit looks amazing on you.”

“Sunbaenim, thank you so much…”

Something about being held in Lee Yang-ju sunbaenim’s arms made tears threaten to fall.

Here on the stage I’d always dreamed of standing on, I was being recognized by the person who’d always shone brightest.

The male MC smiled warmly and handed me a bouquet.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

With trembling hands, I clutched the trophy and bouquet as I stood before the microphone.

I’d never once cried at an awards ceremony before.

Yet suddenly, tears welled up and threatened to spill.

This was an especially unexpected ceremony.

From production to promotion, everything about this project had been packed with experimentation, and people’s reactions to this format had been so divided that I’d never even dared to hope.

Hwangryong, in my life.

I opened my mouth, trying to think of what I should say.

“I’m so grateful to Lee Yang-ju sunbaenim for her kind words.”

Far in the distance, Do Changhyeon beamed while filming me on his phone camera.

“How I came to receive this award—I’m honestly stunned. Can I take this as recognition that the Tak Yeowon I portrayed was pretty remarkable?”

The people seated in the audience all smiled as they looked at me.

“Actually, I’m still someone who feels awkward watching my own performances and receiving recognition and praise. And I’ve always felt like I’m a lucky person, so I’m constantly grateful.”

My voice echoing through the hall sounded strange to my own ears.

“Tak Yeowon was an unfamiliar character for me too. She required so much research—to make sure she wouldn’t just be hated, wouldn’t leave only questions. To do that, I had to accept Tak Yeowon first, and through that process, I realized how many contradictions and prejudices existed in my own attitude toward unfamiliar things.”

I spoke honestly, as if confessing word by word.

“This kind of Tak Yeowon, the zombie genre, the OTT platform—all of it was an adventure filled with experimentation. I intend to continue adventuring willingly and enjoying it as an actor going forward.”

Though tears kept threatening and my nose stung, I wrapped up my speech with determination.

“To all the fans who always love and watch over me. My family. And my colleagues, sunbaenims, friends. Thank you all.”

Applause so loud it made my ears ring filled the hall.

* * *

[Han Sena Wins Hwangryong Best Actress Award!]

[Sweeping Awards in Every Lead Role—She Becomes the Hwangryong Protagonist]

[<Deadline> Made It Happen! Hwangryong Goes to Do Changhyeon for Best New Actor, Han Sena for Best Actress!]

[Lee Yang-ju X Han Sena’s Awards Ceremony Meeting Becomes Hot Topic…]

[Han Sena in a Suit Even at Hwangryong Generates Buzz! Will She Change Red Carpet Trends Too?]

[Do Changhyeon’s Dedication to Han Sena! Both Teacher and Student Shine at Hwangryong]

[Now an Irreplaceable Treasure of Korean Culture—Han Sena! Just How Far Will She Go?]

-Wow, Han Sena seriously wins an award for every lead role she takes.

-This is a legendary Hwangryong. I never watch award shows since they’re all rigged, but I tuned in the moment I heard Han Sena won.

-She’s got the lucky touch with awards.

⤷ At this level, it’s not that Han Sena has the lucky touch—the characters she plays have the lucky touch…

⤷ Directors and writers too…

-Seriously didn’t think Tak Yeowon would win lololol insane. How did both Do Changhyeon and Han Sena win? I thought they’d totally gatekeep OTT films.

⤷ 22 Super unexpected

⤷ No one could argue against it. Tak Yeowon was absolutely killer. Without just that one Tak Yeowon character, Deadline wouldn’t have blown up like this

⤷ Agreed

-Lee Yang-ju and Han Sena need to do a project together. Seriously their chemistry is incredible.

-Got emotional when Do Changhyeon won his award T_T. You can see how much Han Sena genuinely trusts and follows him

-Sena, congratulations♥♥♥♥♥

-Since you dominated dramas, let’s dominate films too. Hope you keep filming movies for a while.

⤷ Honestly seems possible.

⤷ Let’s leave behind a masterpiece.

-I find it genuinely fascinating how humble Han Sena is. Whether on her iTube channel or in interviews, she just has this human quality that’s different from other top actors, you know? That kind of feeling I always get.

⤷ Right lololol she gets embarrassed when praised, and when she wins awards it’s like ‘me?’ Even though she always does that well.

⤷ Doesn’t even feel like she’s putting on an act for image-making, which makes it even more fascinating.

⤷ If I’d built a career like that, I’d seriously be showing off all the time… Her mental strength is incredible too.

-Looking forward to whatever role she takes on next. Please keep working hard!

Congratulations poured in from everywhere after the Hwangryong win.

-Teacher Yoon Youngjae: Boss, congratulations ^^ Subscribed to <Deadline> and watched it well~ Congrats congrats

-Seo Jaeyeon: Congrats! Let’s grab drinks soon.

-Lee Seonho: Sena-ssi, congratulations! Tak Yeowon was so cool. Even winning at Hwangryong… so amazing. Let’s eat when you have time.

-Lee Seokhyun: Wow, Hwangryong???? For real????? Wow… how far are you going Han Sena…… Take me with you.

-Seon Yuseok: Noona, congratulations!!! I knew noona would win!!!!!

-Writer Nam Jihye: Sena-ssi, this is <Palace Flower> writer Nam Jihye ^^ Saw you won. Much congratulations. Let’s meet again through another good opportunity!

-Jung Yuri: Sena-ssi!! Congratulations!!!

-Won Hyerim sunbaenim: Sena, congratulations~ As expected, you’re walking your path so decisively and fresh as always. I’m always watching and cheering from behind. Feel free to enjoy and savor everything to your heart’s content. Congratulations again.

-Kim Eunseo: You really did it. Knew you would. Congrats, you punk.

-Han Hyeonsu: Our Inha, congratulations ^^

-Choi Sunha: yo Hwangryong~~~ Tak Yeowon was so badass. So cool as always. Congrats!

Seeing all the messages that had piled up since I woke up made me smile.

Somehow tears threatened to well up again.

I sat up in bed.

Winning the award last night hadn’t been a dream after all.

I turned my head to confirm the trophy sitting on the table.

Ding-dong-

The doorbell rang.

I walked outside and approached the intercom.

Mom and Dad stood there beaming with bright smiles.

I rushed over and opened the door.

“Mom! Dad!”

“Our daughter! Congratulations!!”

Mom and Dad came in carrying a bouquet and cake.

I wrapped both arms around them.

“Thank you!”

Still in my embrace, Mom suddenly got emotional and wiped away tears.

“Oh, why are you crying.”

“Mom seriously thought it was a dream. Our daughter receiving such a huge award.”

“Dad’s heart kept pounding so much I couldn’t sleep all night.”

I grinned watching these two adorable people.

“Let’s cut the cake!”

Mom and Dad hurried inside and approached the table.

“My goodness, our daughter’s a big-time actress. Dad still can’t believe it, you know?”

“Big-time actress, what! Dad, calm down.”

“My heart’s still racing. Should we day-drink?”

“Sounds good!”

“You don’t have any schedules today?”

Mom looked at me in surprise.

“Nope, nothing today.”

“You’re not going out to meet people?”

“I arranged to meet up later. I wanted to spend today with Mom and Dad.”

“Oh my, how wonderful. We only ever see our daughter’s face on TV these days, so this is such a treat.”

Mom came over and cupped both my cheeks.

The three of us sat down together at the table.

Dad lit a candle and stuck it in the cake.

“Alright, blow out the candle! Congratulations!”

“Thank you!”

Before blowing out the candle, I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together to make a brief wish.

‘Thank you for giving me a second life. I’ll keep acting with everything I have going forward. May everyone around me and I stay happy and healthy.’

I blew out the candle.

Then jumped up and opened the fridge, pulling out two bottles of Morning Dew I’d stocked up on.

“Cake and soju go together.”

“Now that’s someone who knows what’s up. Let’s drink.”

* * *

Three months later, at a baseball stadium filled with the scent of warm spring.

After finishing the entire awards ceremony season and while preparing for next month’s fan meeting, I visited the baseball stadium.

Having cleared out all my schedules to rest thoroughly for the first time in a while, this was my first schedule in ages.

The KBO League opening game ceremonial first pitch.

It was my first time ever doing a first pitch.

As a baseball fan, I’d been quietly known among Skaters fans as ‘ Bodhisattva Sena ^[1] TLN: The “Bodhisattva Sena” joke here means that Skaters fans plus the “Bodhisattva(보살)” word appearing can actually interpreted as team Skaters was bad and the fans of Skaters need to endur a long-suffering of underperforming of team Skaters. Hence the Bodhisattva expression or ‘incredibly patient’. I hope I explain this in a way that you can easily understand lol. I’m such a bad explainor. ,’ so I’d been genuinely surprised when the first pitch offer came in.

“Having swept Best Actress at last year’s Hwangryong Film Awards. And at this year’s Hanho Arts Awards, she took home five awards including Best Actress. The hottest name of the first half of 2019—please welcome Han Sena-ssi for the first pitch!!”

Standing nervously at the waiting area, embarrassingly flashy commentary poured from the speakers.

Cheers loud enough to blow out my eardrums erupted through the stadium.

I could feel subtle vibrations traveling through my feet on the ground and spreading through my whole body.

Soon I followed the guide and walked out to the mound.

The moment I stepped onto the grass, brilliant sunlight and cheers from the packed audience poured down together.

Hiding my nerves, I smiled brightly and waved in every direction.

My image appeared on the giant screen.

So this is what it feels like for players to compete on such a huge stage during games.

My heart pounded like crazy.

“When we think of Han Sena-ssi, we think action, don’t we? We’re expecting an incredible pitch!”

Feeling this unfamiliar trembling for the first time, I accepted the ball.

I approached the pitcher’s plate, trying hard to stay calm.

The noisy stadium fell briefly quiet.

I took my stance, reviewing what I’d learned from several days of lessons.

I focused intently on the catcher’s mitt far in the distance.

Gripping the ball tightly, I put all my strength into one leg.

‘3, 2, 1.’

Lifting my leg briefly and feeling my shoulder rotate, I threw the ball with all my might.

The ball left my hand and sailed cleanly straight into the catcher’s mitt.

• 1. TLN: The “Bodhisattva Sena” joke here means that Skaters fans plus the “Bodhisattva(보살)” word appearing can actually interpreted as team Skaters was bad and the fans of Skaters need to endur a long-suffering of underperforming of team Skaters. Hence the Bodhisattva expression or ‘incredibly patient’. I hope I explain this in a way that you can easily understand lol. I’m such a bad explainor.