In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 214

I was caught completely off guard by the sharp critique—my first time receiving one.

Im Hyangmin immediately continued.

“Han Jina’s tone is way too strong.”

“…?”

I thought I’d been playfully dodging the interrogation pressure.

“Han Jina’s just toying with Lee Dongkyo the entire time. Shouldn’t she be getting a bit nervous at this point? Kim Minchul’s name came up.”

Im Hyangmin adjusted his sharp tone, explaining more gently.

The director listened to Im Hyangmin’s words in silence.

A wave of confusion hit me.

This was different from the emotional arc I’d mapped out for Han Jina.

Han Jina wasn’t the type to bat an eye just because someone mentioned the name of a person she’d killed.

According to my analysis, the timing when Han Jina starts feeling nervous was still a bit further ahead in the script.

I released my tense expression and opened my mouth with a smile.

“Ah, thank you for pointing that out. I thought Han Jina’s timing for sensing danger came a bit later. The scene where Im Hyangmin finds Kim Minchul’s body and makes the call.”

“No, that’s way too late.”

Im Hyangmin turned his head to look at the director.

“Isn’t it too late, Director?”

The director grinned with an amused expression, chuckling to himself.

His face said ‘now things are getting interesting.’

“My take is…”

Everyone looked at the director’s mouth with curious faces.

“Actually, I wrote the script following Sena-ssi’s direction.”

Im Hyangmin’s brow furrowed.

“But Hyangmin, you’re not wrong either. When we get into filming, it’s a part that can shift fluidly depending on how you two work together.”

I nodded at those words.

“Okay, then let’s mark this section.”

The director checked the scene where the dispute had emerged in the script.

His expression seemed strangely bright.

Im Hyangmin tilted his head and grumbled.

“Ah, geez. This is really frustrating. This isn’t right…”

Im Hyangmin scratched the back of his head before raising his hand toward me.

“Sorry if that came across too harsh. I got so immersed in Han Jina and Lee Dongkyo that I ended up being rough with you too.”

“It’s fine!”

I flashed a thumbs up with a small smile.

That’s when the director laughed before stopping and speaking up.

“Sena-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“No need to be so nice here.”

“Ah.”

“Push back if it’s bullshit. Doesn’t matter if they’re your senior or whatever. You need to protect your Han Jina.”

“Ah…”

The sudden profanity made my thought process freeze.

Im Hyangmin burst into a hearty laugh and raised his arms.

“Teaching the kid good habits, are we?”

The director pointed at Im Hyangmin without caring.

“You know how many actors Im Hyangmin’s fought with while filming? He’s burned bridges with plenty. Real asshole move.”

“Ahahaha.”

“If you two get into a fight and rumors spread, nobody’s taking his side.”

“Yah, Director!”

Im Hyangmin raised his voice, making everyone finally burst into laughter.

Only the director continued speaking seriously.

“So. Stop constantly agreeing, compromising, and accepting everything. Got it?”

“Yes. I understand. And honestly, about this scene…”

I spoke carefully while looking at the script.

“I don’t think I’m wrong. For now, I’ll prepare the scenes after this following this emotional arc until we start filming.”

Im Hyangmin let out another incredulous laugh at my words.

“Damn, this shoot’s not going to be easy.”

I extended my hand first to Im Hyangmin.

Im Hyangmin reflexively grasped my hand.

“Looking forward to working with you. Dongkyo-ssi?”

“Ah, sure.”

The office, which had briefly quieted down, filled with laughter from the director and actors.

 

After the hellish reading schedule ended.

Before diving into full-scale filming, the last official schedule—the fan meeting—began.

My heart pounded facing this moment I’d been eagerly anticipating.

I was scheduled to meet several thousand fans over three consecutive days.

Today was finally the first day of the fan meeting.

“Stand by!”

A staff member’s shout echoed from far away.

I hurried toward the back of the stage.

This was the biggest stage of any fan meeting I’d done, making me even more nervous.

From the stage area, I could hear the opening video playing on screen as rehearsed.

“You’ll head up now!”

I stepped onto the stage, timing it to when the video ended.

With the stage lights off, a single spotlight dropped onto my head.

The audience wasn’t visible yet in the dark venue.

I spoke slowly into the microphone, my voice trembling.

“Hello, I’m actress Han Sena.”

“Kyaaaaa!!”

“Han Sena!!”

“Unnie!!!!”

The lights came on in the audience along with my greeting.

Fans filling every seat came into view.

“…!”

It was an overwhelming sight.

Everyone in this 3,000-seat venue was looking at me with united hearts.

My heart pounded hard.

“I missed you all so much!”

Applause and fans’ cheers filled the venue once more.

Before I could even process my overflowing emotions, music started flowing from the speakers.

It was a song I’d prepared for the fans.

The fans’ cheers gradually died down as the accompaniment grew louder.

I brought the microphone back to my mouth.

It was a warm ballad I loved called ‘To You, My Love.’

I began singing along with the accompaniment.

The times I spent with you

Every moment feels like a gift to me

Your smile, your voice, your gaze

Everything about you is precious to me

Always stay by my side

When I’m struggling, when I’m tired, when I’m lonely

Your warm touch comforts me

With you, I’m not afraid

No matter what hardships come in this world

With you, I can overcome anything

Your faith makes me strong

I love you, I love you

Words can’t express all my heart

I want to be with you forever

Even if I have to give my all

I’ll protect you, I’ll love you

More than anyone else in this world

Fans swayed their phone lights in rhythm.

The venue looked like thousands of fireflies had filled it.

I smiled watching those lights.

* * *

Thirty minutes later, the main segments were in full swing.

The fans’ laughter echoed loud enough to blow the roof off the venue.

“Alright, now! The long-awaited cosplay show!”

Fans screamed loud enough to float the venue away at this moment they’d been waiting for.

This segment was an event created together with fans before the fan meeting, where fans cosplaying protagonists from my projects would compete.

Fans who’d registered in advance and were waiting started coming up onto the stage one by one.

“What are you looking at? I’m Yoo Ji-an.”

“Greetings to you all. This maiden is Song Sunim.”

“Hello, I’m Lee Jihyeon. You’re all being recorded on my camcorder.”

“Hi~ My babies! I’m Emily!”

“Hello? I’m top star Yu Dayang.”

“I’m Park Inha.”

The audience burst out laughing every time fans greeted in character.

I couldn’t control my laughter watching each fan.

Everyone had seriously possessed the characters I’d played.

More than anything…

“Wait, hold on. Sunim-ssi there, isn’t your build a bit too good?”

A burly muscular man in beautiful makeup wearing a hanbok was shamelessly imitating Song Sunim.

When that male fan’s image appeared on the big screen, fans laughed until they couldn’t breathe.

The male fan alone stood there primly without smiling.

Watching him made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt.

“Ah, I’m dying from laughter.”

Soon the fans’ public voting began.

While voting progressed, the fans’ talent show continued.

Sunim performed the fan dance she’d prepared, completely dominating the stage.

Her graceful dance lines, so at odds with her build, were amazing.

How does someone dance that well?

“I actually majored in contemporary dance. Now I’ve quit and work as a fitness trainer.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! You dance so well?”

After voting ended.

I received the already-determined results and began announcing them.

“Alright, first place in cosplay! Our Sunim-ssi!”

“Waaaaah!”

Sunim roared in a deep voice and rushed over to receive the award.

“Puhaha!”

I handed Sunim the prepared first-place prize.

It was a set of pottery dishes and cups I’d spent all day making on <Someone Else’s Life>.

My signature was engraved on the bottom of the dishes and cups.

“Wow, what do I do. Thank you, noona!”

“Thank you too! It was so fun!”

I placed the bouquet I’d personally selected in their arms and hugged them tight.

Then announced second and third place.

“Second place is Yoo Ji-an! Third place is Emily! Congratulations, everyone!”

The other two fans also came running over, thrilled with joy.

* * *

As the performance headed toward its finale…

“Whew, I’m out of breath.”

I gripped my waist on stage and took a sip of water.

After singing several songs like a concert, dancing, and running the prepared events, my stamina was quickly depleted.

The fans’ eyes still sparkled as they watched me.

Alright then…

I pulled out my secret weapon I’d prepared in anticipation of this situation.

“Everyone, we have a surprise guest today.”

Before I could even finish speaking, fans screamed with cheers close to shrieks.

“They’re already here?”

I grinned wickedly while staring intently at one spot in the audience.

Two people wearing caps and masks pulled low froze when their eyes met mine.

They wore expressions that said ‘no way, right?’

I smiled sinisterly watching them.

“Let me introduce my colleagues! Do Changhyeon, Sung Minhui-ssi! Please come up on stage!”

“Kyaaaaa! Do Changhyeon!”

“Wow, Sung Minhui!”

The two froze solid at the unexpected situation.

“Hurry and come out!”

Do Changhyeon and Sung Minhui stood up awkwardly.

They came up on stage and removed their caps and masks.

Then approached me and whispered.

“Sena-ssi, what are you doing right now?”

“M-Mentor…?”

I patted both their shoulders.

“It’ll be over quick. Hang in there.”

Their images appeared on the screen.

“Now everyone. I’ve been teased all day as the dancing disaster, right?”

“Waaaahh!!!”

“Wouldn’t the dancing disaster’s friends also be pretty skilled at dancing?”

“Aaaah! No way! No way!!”

Sung Minhui, who’d quickly caught on to what I was planning, let out a scream.

Seeing that made me laugh.

Do Changhyeon already had his face drained white, just trying to assess the situation.

“Alright then, music cue! Start the music!”

“Ahhhh!!! Han Sena!!!!!!”

“M-Mentor…?”

Do Changhyeon’s voice was quickly buried by the music…

As fans’ cheers echoed, the two finally squeezed their eyes shut.

“Ahhh! Seriously!”

The two started moving their bodies awkwardly.