I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

-You... don’t you want to grant my request?

On the screen, a scene from 〈Freshman Welcome Party〉 replayed endlessly.

“Why did she change the line?”

It wasn’t the line Yeoreum had said that day. This one was definitely the “correct” version, yet something in her chest felt unsettled.

‘I... don’t understand why.’

[Another interpretation? An ad-lib? Or maybe she just forgot?]

The letters appearing under Gyeoul’s fingertips grew increasingly sloppy and careless.

Ziiik—

Gyeoul dragged her pen harshly across the messy notes.

Trying to re-analyze a film that had already been completely interpreted thanks to Han Yeoreum was suffocating.

“I’m curious.”

When Gyeoul became curious, she always tore things apart until she understood them completely.

And right now, what she was most curious about was Han Yeoreum. She couldn’t forget Yeoreum’s reaction the moment she finished acting.

‘Obviously, every single gaze had shifted to Han Yeoreum....’

Gyeoul wanted to watch that performance again. Dissect it, examine every detail, verify it.

‘...So something like that never happens again.’

It had only been a moment, but she couldn’t forget the sensation of being reduced to a supporting role. At this rate, she might repeat the same mistake from a few years ago.

She remembered why she’d had to leave the acting scene briefly back then.

@SeonwooSeonuk

Acting strangely devoid of soul. The inevitable outcome of obsessing over “the textbook.”

A meticulously set table with a dish that somehow had no flavor — a bizarre drama.

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For a post by a famous critic, it didn’t actually spread very far. Few people agreed with it.

Because Do Gyeoul’s acting at the time truly lacked nothing.

‘But....’

She felt pierced. For years, she had acted only with what was closest to the “correct answer,” derived from relentless observation.

Judgment instead of empathy. Analysis instead of understanding. That was the Do Gyeoul she had constructed.

“I’m uneasy.”

She thought she had barely, finally approached perfection over those few years. But the moment she decided to make a comeback, a variable appeared right in front of her.

“...Let’s analyze it a little more.”

And for that, she needed Han Yeoreum. To be exact, she needed “Han Yeoreum’s acting.”

Skill

〈Protagonist on Stage〉 B

〈One Who Overwhelms the Gaze〉 B+

The status window above Gyeoul’s quietly smiling head shone brilliantly.

* * *

A new semester really is a new semester.

“Yeoooreum~! Let’s go get a drink~.”

“We’ve met as a class like five times already... Han Yeoreum, your attendance rate is tragic.”

My classmates, still buzzing with excitement, grabbed my arm and shook it. The problem was that the moment we all entered the group chat after getting accepted, they insisted on meeting nearly every day.

‘Even though I bolted right after class every single time, they just won’t give up.’

Doesn’t matter. I intend to continue not attending faithfully.

‘And now I’ve finally got a good excuse.’

Perfect. Time to enjoy a subtle bragging session.

“Nope. I have something coming up soon. Let’s drink later, later.”

At my refusal, my classmates shrieked dramatically.

“What is it? What is it?”

“A movie? A drama? Holy— no way...!”

“It’s nothing big, just a small web drama.”

In truth, it was very much something. The day I signed the contract, I was so excited I couldn’t sleep all night.

‘My first lead role ever...!’

Time to let them hype me up even more.

As the barrage of questions poured in, I forced my lips down and showed them my phone.

[Lead: Han Yeoreum]

A schedule sheet with my name proudly listed as the lead.

“Even if it’s a web drama, you’re the lead? Wow, that’s awesome, Han Yeoreum~!”

“Since you’re the first one debuting, should we start calling you sunbaenim?”

I accepted their praise with a show of fake humility.

‘Just a little more... keep hyping me....’

That was when I froze. A soft, expensive perfume drifted past my nose.

‘...A pricey, luxurious scent. I’ve smelled this somewhere....’

Not a common scent at all. Where had I smelled it?

‘It’s a department store first-floor scent, isn’t it?’

It felt like the tester card the staff hands out was floating past me. Its description would probably say something like this:

「The sparkling freshness unfolds with the bitter brightness of grapefruit.

Then the warmth of Assam with a full-bodied fruity malt note.

Finishing with a sensual, deep woody trail that lingers long after.」

‘Makes me think of when I worked at that perfume pop-up store. The hourly pay was good.’

While savoring the rare, high-end scent—

“You’re doing a web drama, Yeoreum?”

A voice murmured right beside my ear, and my whole body shook.

‘I’m screwed. It’s Myeong Jeha...!’

Of course a scent like this wouldn’t come from just anyone.

Every time I saw him on campus, I had desperately run away to avoid talking to him, but he’d finally caught me.

‘This is why tiny departments are the worst.’

“Jeha!”

“Myeong Jeha’s here?”

In an instant, everyone’s attention turned to him.

I froze, unable to even consider turning my head.

‘Smile, at least....’

I felt like a facial muscle might spasm, but I forced a smile.

“Haha. Then I’ll just— go— prepare— for the script! Reading! Practice!”

I’m doomed. I sounded like I was reading a language textbook.

But since everyone was distracted by the appearance of a real celebrity, they didn’t seem to notice.

“See you later! Classmates!”

Then, activating my well-trained escape skill, I tried to dart away—

“When are you going to keep your promise? I’ve been waiting.”

Myeong Jeha closed the distance faster than I did.

Correction: Myeong Jeha was walking normally.

‘I’m the only one struggling to speed up.’

I bowed my head desperately and sped forward.

“What? Are? You? Talking? About...?”

“Yeoreum.”

He spoke my name in a calm voice that carried a subtle intimidation.

“Don’t do that. Swapping out a lead in a small web drama isn’t hard at all.”

I had no choice but to stop walking.

A sudden rush of cold swept through me as if all the blood drained from my body.

‘This crazy bastard....’

I know better than anyone how common casting swaps are in this industry.

There are more postponed or replaced roles than I can count on both hands.

“Finally looking me in the eyes.”

With a light smile, Jeha looked as if he were just happily greeting someone. My ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) fist clenched on its own.

“Yeoreum, your expression’s scary.”

“If you mess with my casting, I won’t forgive you.”

“Tell me the title, and I’ll let you go.”

I looked up at him with deep suspicion.

For someone acting like he was extorting me, his face was way too clean-cut.

But I wasn’t falling for it.

“Why would I trust you?”

“If you hate it, forget it.”

He shrugged and walked past me.

The way he casually offered to drop the matter filled me with even more dread.

‘What, he’s really leaving?’

His back radiated the confidence of someone who could easily find out the information anyway.

‘What if he actually gets the casting changed?’

Thinking of my schedule sheet disappearing and being kicked out of the cast group chat, my legs started moving on their own.

That could NOT happen.

“...You really won’t change the casting? Just if I tell you?”

Panting, I hurried after him. Somehow he had gotten absurdly far away in mere seconds.

“Hm... now I’m starting to change my mind.”

He didn’t slow down for me at all.

I practically jogged to match his steps.

“〈The Cherry on the Parfait Belongs to the Heroine〉!!! Are you happy now?!!!”

Even calling the title out loud was embarrassing. Only then did Jeha finally match his pace with mine. Having barely caught up, I panted and waited for his response.

He thought for a moment, head tilted, then asked:

“And... why are you doing that one?”

“What do you mean why.”

“You know what I mean.”

He was speaking as if he had already confirmed I was a regressor. As if asking why I chose that instead of a “better opportunity,” assuming I knew everything.

‘He’s talking like he already decided I know the future.’

I hesitated.

Depending on my answer, I could end up admitting I’m a regressor.