I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

* * *

[MNAA Music N Asia Awards]

The red carpet was more dazzling than any other place. From Han Yeoreum, showing off pure innocence in a snow-white dress, to Kwon Junhyeok, embodying the textbook image of an idol; from Joo Junseo, presenting a formal “man-stepped-out-of-a-manga” attitude, to Myeong Jeha, the “freeze-frame man” whose every moment made you want to capture it forever. These were the stars who lit up the red carpet.

...(omitted)...

Among the stars each showing off their own unique charm from the red carpet onward, who would claim this year’s greatest honor? The world’s attention was focused on the results of [MNAA].

“Done writing?”

“Yes. Uploaded!”

Reporter Wi of Deduck.B was diligent as ever today. With the practiced speed of an experienced typist, he selected the best dressers and uploaded the article the moment the red carpet ended.

The view count climbed rapidly. The red carpet venue was packed so tightly with reporters there was barely room to step.

“We’ll check your invitation or the QR code you received—.”

As Reporter Wi stood in line at the entrance to the press zone, the chatter of reporters around him never stopped.

“Kids who’ve been touched by Ryu Risa really do look different, huh?”

“Right? Same dress, totally different vibe.”

As they talked about the celebrities in attendance, the reporters each offered their own analyses.

“Who do you think will take the Grand Prize this time?”

“The Grand Prize is kind of obvious, isn’t it? did insanely well.”

“You’re still naive. It’s a fandom war, you know—! If people don’t vote starting next year, what happens to the cash cow?”

“Ah, true. Then I’m betting she at least gets Today’s Album Award.”

Even here, the name Winter came up, despite her not attending MNAA. Just yesterday, had finally broken through the 20% ratings wall.

“You know the MC today, that one—Han Yeoreum.”

The moment he heard the name Yeoreum, Reporter Wi’s hearing sharpened instantly. It felt as if he were listening from right beside them.

“A while ago, one of our seniors went to see a Daehan Arts General University play. To write an article on Do Gyeoul. But wow—afterwards, all he did was praise Han Yeoreum.”

“Why?”

“He said you’d understand just by watching. At first, even that senior kind of looked down on her because she came from web dramas. He was saying stuff like Jegal Rok finally messed up this time, but after that day, he started watching .”

“Midlife crisis, maybe?”

You ignorant fool who hasn’t seen Yeoreum’s stage.... How could you say that....

Reporter Wi swallowed the words he wanted to say. Just hearing the name Han Yeoreum made him feel as if he’d returned to that exact moment.

“No. That senior used to dote on Do Gyeoul. But suddenly he turned cold and said Han Yeoreum was better. Han Yeoreum’s doing next summer, right? And I heard Kwon Junhyeok is entering around then too.”

“Is that official? Damn. If you put them side by side, it’ll be brutal. Speaking of Han Yeoreum, that Director Gong from —.”

The sharper someone’s eye in the industry, the more they seemed to acknowledge Yeoreum. Reporter Wi felt the name Yeoreum ringing vividly in his ears, again and again....

“...Um, excuse me.... Who are you, getting this close?”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Wi Jaehwi snapped back to his senses, realizing he’d unconsciously edged right up behind the other reporters.

“Hey, I thought you were someone I knew.... You were standing way too close.”

“I’m tired. Ah, I must’ve nodded off.”

Despite his senior’s flustered reaction, Reporter Wi kept his expression under control. In any case, he needed the practice of not smiling when Yeoreum entered the press zone in a bit.

Not at all. Not even a little bit embarrassing....

* * *

[Waiting Room]

Myeong Jeha / Joo Junseo / Choo Gaeul

“I guess even waiting rooms are divided by personal connections.”

I admired the assignment sheet. The two members of the team and Myeong Jeha’s name were listed together. Joo Junseo stared at me and muttered,

“Connections?”

I should avoid pulling the same prank at least three times in the future. As soon as he returned to his room early this morning, Joo Junseo had sent another long message.

[Hey, do you seriously drag someone you’re uncomfortable with into plans and tell them to join your circle? I waited to see if you’d explain or not, but you never said a word. Does that even make sense? What ‘senior like the sky’? ...More]

This time he’d even sent ten bowing-apology emoticons, but it didn’t seem like he’d cooled off yet. I needed to head to ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) the MC backstage area now, and Choo Gaeul, probably feeling awkward being alone with Joo Junseo, made an excuse and fled.

“Han Yeoreum! I’m going to take some photos for my dress sponsorship real quick!”

You disloyal woman, Choo Gaeul.... Don’t go.... Joo Junseo is still staring at me....

I looked to Myeong Jeha for rescue. Please help me, sir....

“I’m fine with it. I wanted to build some rapport.”

Myeong Jeha, his hair neatly swept back, said this while looking at Joo Junseo. No matter how crispy-on-the-outside Joo Junseo might be, he wouldn’t snap back at that.

“...Yes. Thank you.”

“Speak casually.”

Joo Junseo gave Myeong Jeha a vague nod and went to sit down. As always, Joo Junseo’s manager exchanged looks with me.

‘Ms. Yeoreum....’

‘Manager....’

I’ll smooth things over later at dinner. Joo Junseo was the type who didn’t eat much himself but loved feeding others. I’d have to eat a triple-stacked okonomiyaki for him.

Soon, I needed to check the routes again and match the opening lines with Seo Eden before the live broadcast properly began.

‘Is this... the hardship of being a celebrity...?’

I wanted to soak in the aura of being the protagonist for just a moment, but this wasn’t the time.

“I’ll get going too! See you later—. Um, you two, get along nicely and rest, okay?”

That, of course, wasn’t directed at Joo Junseo. With his personality, he wouldn’t be able to act friendly toward Myeong Jeha first.

‘We’re eating together later anyway. What good does being awkward do?’

Myeong Jeha.... You get it, right?

“....”

Sir.... You get it, right?

“Have a good one—.”

When I put strength into my gaze, Myeong Jeha waved his hand lightly, as if to say he understood. At least Myeong Jeha was good at social situations.

And judging by how he’d told me before to get along with Joo Junseo, it didn’t seem like he disliked Junseo that much either.

‘Joo Junseo is actually a good kid, you know.’

With that, I could leave without worry.

“Unnie, let’s go!”

I followed Coordinator Hwang to receive instructions from the staff.

* * *

The moment Han Yeoreum left, silence settled over the waiting room. Myeong Jeha, who had been standing the entire time, sat down across from Joo Junseo.

“So you’re not doing modeling work anymore?”

“....”

Joo Junseo stared wordlessly at Myeong Jeha sitting opposite him.

On a face so handsome it was irritating even to another man, there was a perfectly drawn smile. Now he understood why people joked about “preserving Myeong Jeha forever.”

“Do I have to answer that?”

“You don’t have to. I was just curious what made you change your mind.”

The voice was gentle, the attitude polite, but there was something off about it. For small talk, the atmosphere felt oddly coercive.

If nothing else, Joo Junseo—who had been put through every kind of hierarchy and discipline in the modeling world—could sense situations like this keenly.

“You’ll know if you try acting with her.”

That was why he shot back with a faintly sarcastic answer. Yet Myeong Jeha simply nodded.

“Is that so.”

“....”

“Oh, I did with Yeoreum in a play recently. You couldn’t come because of your schedule, right?”

It was a soft, casual tone—the kind of conversation you could easily have with someone you vaguely knew.

“If I end up filming a movie with Yeoreum next time, I’ll definitely invite you. Please come to the premiere.”

But something grated on him. Joo Junseo lifted his sharp eyes even more.

“I might film first. Come to my premiere then.”

“Ha ha. Well....”

Myeong Jeha laughed leisurely and adjusted his posture.

“You’re going to do a movie?”

“Yeah. I’m doing a movie.”

“You’re more serious about acting than I expected.”

“That’s how it turned out. You can come hang out on set later when Han Yeoreum’s there.”

The gaze he directed at Joo Junseo remained unchanged—easy, unruffled.

“Sure.... Well, we’ll see.”

Myeong Jeha was the same age as Han Yeoreum, yet Joo Junseo couldn’t find a clear reason why he felt like such a senior. Maybe it was because he was a rising actor who’d hit ten million viewers with his very first project.

That was why he stood up. As his hand closed around the doorknob, Myeong Jeha asked lazily,

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”