In This Life I Will Die as an Actress Not a Villainess Chapter 94

Dress fitting room.

How long had I been in here—three hours, maybe?

I was changing into my fifteenth dress in front of Minyeong unnie, who sat on the sofa.

This time it was a classic, short black mini dress.

An overseas designer brand trying to break into the Korean market for the first time.

I’d heard they’d reached out directly to Barum Entertainment.

The overall silhouette was impressive in a way I’d never seen before.

Unnie’s head nodded the moment she saw it, clearly liking what she saw.

“You’ve never worn this style before. Sena, what do you think of this one?”

“I like it. Please, anything at this point.”

If I changed one more time, that would be the sixteenth dress.

“Actually, that blue dress looked pretty good too.”

The moment unnie’s gaze turned toward another dress, I quickly spoke up.

“I really, really want to wear this one. Please. I love this so much.”

Unnie laughed at my mechanical response.

“Alright, let’s go with that one then. You’ve been in America so much lately, this unnie’s been lonely.”

“You haven’t had time to be lonely. The internet’s been…”

“That stuff, well.”

Unnie shrugged.

“You’ll need to get even more used to it going forward. Isn’t it the fate of a star and the janitor who clears the path ahead?”

“Janitor? You, unnie?”

Minyeong unnie, tossing out silly jokes, looked more worn down each time I saw her.

Even though she said things like that, behind the scenes she was handling everything from start to finish with her perfectionist personality.

Unnie sipped her coffee and asked,

“So here’s the thing—gossip like this putting you on everyone’s lips is only going to get worse, not better. How about going to counseling to manage stress and take care of your mental health?”

“Counseling?”

“Yeah. Plus you’re the type who never talks about what’s really inside. It worries me.”

I see.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, dressed in the gown.

Counseling was something I’d never considered.

Not even in my previous life when I’d suffered so much.

I felt like I’d lived without ever taking care of myself…

I looked back at unnie and nodded.

“I think I need it too.”

“Good.”

Unnie set down her coffee cup and asked the staff to finalize the dress fitting.

Then, just as she was about to stand up, she asked,

“Oh right, what did Reporter Yeom Sangjin want to meet about?”

Ah, Reporter Yeom Sangjin.

After finishing the dress fitting, I was scheduled to call him right away.

The reporter who’d first asked me about Emily at the airport that day.

Jinseok oppa had quickly gotten his number for me.

I looked at unnie and just smiled slightly without answering.

* * *

After finishing the dress fitting.

-…I never expected you’d reach out like this… Thank you.

Once I got home, I immediately called the reporter.

His voice sounded extremely surprised.

“A bit sudden, right? It’s just that your question back then really left an impression on me.”

-My question…?

“Yes. You asked about the work’s character.”

-Right, I did…

The reporter’s voice trailed off, clearly flustered.

“It was the first time. The first reporter who focused only on the work.”

-Ah.

The reporter responded as if he finally understood what I meant.

“I was so grateful for that, I really wanted to meet you.”

-I’d be honored to meet you.

“So if you’re okay with it, there’s something I’d like to ask and propose.”

-What is it…?

I began explaining the small plan I’d been thinking about on my own.

* * *

Two weeks later, Utah.

In front of the Snowfall <Hometown> screening theater.

The moment we arrived in Utah, we were greeted by weather incomparably colder than LA or Pennsylvania.

The biting wind cut straight to the bone.

“Wow, I picked the wrong dress. This is a disaster.”

I squeezed my eyes shut thinking about the red carpet coming up.

That’s when Chloe, who’d come to Utah with me for winter break, grabbed my hand tightly and blew warm air onto it.

“Mom, are you cold?”

Seeing Chloe like that made me smile despite the cold.

Chloe’s nose tip was also red from the chill.

“Chloe. You’re the prettiest one here today.”

Unlike other film festivals, at Snowfall actors, directors, and reporters all lined up just like regular attendees to enter.

Chloe, wearing an adorable coat with cute bells attached, bounced up and down.

“This is so fun! This is the best winter break of my life.”

We all laughed together at Chloe’s words.

I glanced at the director, who kept fidgeting with his tie like the suit felt completely awkward.

“I’m looking forward to the festival entries too. Weren’t the genres more diverse than last year?”

The director smiled warmly and nodded.

“There are a lot of excellent new directors.”

The festival had invited innovative works—from newly created genres to genre combinations, never-before-seen subject matter and characters.

“There’s even one shot on a smartphone. I’m so curious about that.”

“Ah, did you see the poster? It was even made by a college student. They said it was their first time making a film.”

The director rattled off information, clearly having noticed it too.

“They shot it on the latest phone model and even got an advertising deal from that company.”

Aiden added his own comment.

Wow, is this the charm of overseas film festivals?

A place overflowing with diverse works and various talents.

I could already feel that energy from the entrance.

Aiden jumped in from the side.

“Shouldn’t you be invited as a Snowfall judge now, Director? You’ve been here way too many times.”

We all laughed again at Aiden’s joke.

It sounded like teasing, but he had a point.

The director had already been invited to Snowfall four times.

“Ah, it’s our turn now!”

With Chloe’s words, the attendant helped us enter.

Holding Chloe’s hand tightly, I walked into the theater with a trembling heart.

Watching my own work with an audience at an overseas film festival.

Inside the screening theater.

I sat in a row with the team in front of the large screen.

The seats behind us were completely full.

I turned around briefly to look at the faces of people from various countries.

The people who would watch my film’s first screening with me.

That’s when the theater lights dimmed and the film began.

* * *

Two hours later, the ending credits rolled with the now-familiar names of the film staff scrolling up.

When the lights came back on, people began standing up one by one.

“Shall we?”

At the director’s words, we all stood together and faced the audience.

The audience gave us a standing ovation.

Thunderous applause filled the small theater enough to lift the ceiling.

This was the first time receiving applause in a movie theater.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

The faces of countless people who’d thrown question marks at my choices and anonymous comments flashed through my mind.

With this film, with the heart I’d poured into this film—wouldn’t that be answer enough?

The applause continued for a long time.

The audience slowly began filing out one by one.

Several industry figures approached to shake hands with the director and actors.

But then I spotted a familiar face among them.

It was the <Fabulous> director from Warners, who I’d met several times during auditions.

The director politely greeted Director Raymond, then approached me.

Smiling, he said,

“It was a wonderful work. Warm enough to melt frozen feet, wouldn’t you say?”

Everyone around laughed at the director’s jest.

The reporters who’d been watching us also snapped a few photos with their cameras and laughed along.

While people gathered in small groups to exchange greetings, the director spoke quietly enough for only me to hear.

“See, I was right after all.”

“Pardon?”

“Would’ve been nice if you’d appeared in our work, Sena.”

“I wanted to work with you too, Director. It’s a shame.”

After hearing my response, the director glanced at me with a look that said don’t lie.

“Even if it’s not a big bus like Warners.”

“Yes?”

“Seems like you got on a beautiful, sturdy vehicle that suits you well, Sena. Looks good on you.”

With that, the director left.

Nearby, I could hear reactions to the film in various languages.

I listened carefully to each one.

“Moving, right? The direction was fresh.”

“Honestly, at the end I thought the mom and daughter would collapse or break down. It was good because it stayed calm.”

“There must be tons of Koreans like Emily in America. The character represents them.”

“I think I understand why Aiden and Sena chose this project. They probably didn’t want their images consumed by hero films.”

Some discovered new sides of the actors.

I was smiling to myself hearing those words when my eyes met Aiden’s.

Aiden looked at me and grinned.

I felt proud.

Though it wasn’t as flashy a role as a hero, the positive emotions people felt watching the work echoed back like reverberations.

Even if I’d chosen the hero film, it would’ve been fun in its own different way.

But I didn’t think it could have conveyed this kind of gently warm, lasting emotion.

‘Do that too. Like a rookie, like everyone else. Something you have absolutely no feel for. Something where you can’t predict what will happen.’

In the end, Minyeong unnie had been right.

I’d thrown myself full force into something new where I couldn’t see even one step ahead in an unfamiliar place, and this experience had come back to me as something incredibly valuable.

Overwhelming emotions I’d never forget and new colleagues remained by my side.

* * *

Outside the theater.

“Tonight we party!!”

Director Raymond shouted excitedly.

Chloe giggled beside him.

But then.

“You were talking with Director Lennon earlier—was that a calculated performance?”

A voice I’d grown familiar with reached my ears.

It was the rude reporter I was encountering for the third time.

Before I could even frown, I blinked.

What is this, a stalker?

Aiden immediately went on guard and positioned me behind him.

Did he seriously take black money from somewhere?

His obsession is insane.

“What did the <Fabulous> director whisper in your ear?”

The reporter pressed forward with his question…

From the opposite direction, another reporter also walked steadily toward us.

Seeing that reporter’s face, I cheered “nice timing” internally.

It was Reporter Yeom Sangjin, whom I’d invited.

I smiled and waved at Reporter Yeom.

Reporter Yeom smiled slightly back.

He bowed his head in greeting as he approached me.

Then spoke gently,

“It was truly impressive. I watched everything from Flat Shoes to your previous works, and Han Sena-ssi’s transformations are endless. The audience reaction was great too—I think the article will turn out well.”

The reporter standing beside us looked annoyed as he glared at Reporter Yeom.

“What’s this? I was here first. Have some professional ethics.”

Reporter Yeom looked at him coolly.

“Do we know each other?”

“…?”

“Yeom Sangjin from Samyeon Daily. Reporter Go Sanghan.”

The moment I heard the name, I almost burst out laughing.

His name is Go Sanghan?

Reporter Go Sanghan’s face showed surprise as if he’d just recognized who he was dealing with.

Beneath that surprised expression, I could sense deep discomfort.

What’s this weird energy?

How do they know each other?

I quickly assessed the situation and spoke to Reporter Go Sanghan.

“This was a prior appointment. If you want an interview, please request one officially.”

Reporter Go Sanghan looked back and forth between us before leaving.

Once he’d completely disappeared from view, I asked Reporter Yeom.

“Did you know each other?”

Reporter Yeom gave a brief explanation.

“We used to cover entertainment industry corruption and illegal issues together. We’d run into each other often while covering dangerous stories. He was incredibly passionate back then.”

Hearing that somehow made me feel bitter.

Why was he wasting that passion on things like this now?

I shook off what I’d heard and smiled again.

“Thank you for coming all this way. Shall we go?”