I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

* * *

“Done!”

I secured an audition opportunity for Yeon Huijae in . The moment I heard that Ji Haebeom was participating in the audition, it was basically confirmation that he had already locked in the male lead role.

Just as expected, Ji Haebeom’s agency immediately released a casting-board article announcing him as Gi Taeseok of .

[Gi Taeseok, protagonist of set during the Korean War, confirmed as Ji Haebeom]

[Ascetic-sexy Ji Haebeom joins , netizens applaud]

[Ji Haebeom enters ... a blockbuster casting lineup begins]

“If Ji Haebeom’s side confirms it officially, then the female lead slot should be next...!”

My prediction didn’t miss. The moment news broke that Ji Haebeom was in, investors swarmed in, and with baseline ratings practically guaranteed, Eun Baekhap’s side must have gotten nervous about losing the female lead—because they hurriedly pushed out articles of their own.

[Eun Baekhap becomes ‘Ji Haebeom’s woman’... cast as Daisy, first love Yeon Huijae, in ]

[Eun Baekhap, never missing from ‘BEST 5 Pure First Love Actresses’... will she finally show a true first love this time?]

-Wow, the face chemistry is already insane lolololol why is the K-drama scene going so hard these days TT_TT

-Drama nerds are literally clutching their hearts right now... I’ve been manifesting this since the awards ceremony lololol

ㄴ It’s happening, it’s happening, just putting them side by side briefly is already crazy good

After the male and female lead casting articles dropped, the fastest to move was Gi Juye’s agency.

[Gi Juye, who performed well in , follows Eun Baekhap in the ‘pure and wistful’ lineage]

[From little sister to actress—idol-turned-actor Gi Juye’s new leap, possibly appearing as Yeon Huijae in ]

Just like with my own article last time, they phrased it as “being considered,” but the level of effort was completely different.

‘They really prepared for this.’

Because Gi Juye had years of accumulated data from her idol career. Compared to me, who lacked material, it was on a whole different level. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they dug up every single photo she had ever taken that looked even remotely “pure.”

[OurVillage_Chatter/ Two actresses currently being mentioned for Eun Baekhap’s childhood role.jpg]

(Gi Juye’s photowall pictures.jpg)

(Han Yeoreum’s shaman-ritual scene capture.jpg)

Between Gi Juye and Han Yeoreum, who fits better? Personally, I vote 1.

-If it’s a childhood role, acting skill isn’t that important, so I’m 1 too lololol 2’s shaman image is way too strong

-Definitely 2. An actor should act—why is an idol acting

ㄴ Isn’t that kind of a wide-area snipe...? T_T

-Han Yeoreum should go in a unique direction, why “pure”? This feels off 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

You can tell just from the photo selection. This post was definitely written by Gi Juye’s agency.

“And the reactions are going exactly the way they want.”

To summarize the response toward me:

My image is too intense, burned too deeply into people’s minds—so I don’t suit a first love.

“People really don’t know how to look at others.”

I pulled the mirror closer beside me. Who wouldn’t see a first love? A face you’d fall for the moment you saw it. A Han Yeoreum whose heart would make yours tremble the instant your eyes met.

“Isn’t this the kind of face that gets cast the moment she walks into the audition room?”

Facing my reflection, I tilted my head slightly. No matter how you looked at it—this was a first love. From every angle.

“...As long as no one interferes at the audition, Yeon Huijae is a sure thing.”

But maybe it was because of what Do Gyeoul had said at the awards ceremony. No matter how hard I tried to stay calm, my heart kept beating restlessly.

“Make it fun for me.”

In posts comparing me and Gi Juye, Do Gyeoul’s name showed up constantly.

-Personally, I wish Do Gyeoul would do Eun Baekhap’s childhood role.....TT_TT wouldn’t that be way more convincing

ㄴ You should be the casting director, that’s perfect

ㄴLOOLLL No but Do Gyeoul isn’t the level to do a kid role.. Hehe

Do Gyeoul. What if she interfered again? Just like I had ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) called Yun Hyeonjo to move Ji Haebeom—what if Do Gyeoul called someone too...

“Hey.”

“Ah—damn, you startled me.”

My rising anxiety was cut off abruptly. Han Taeyang barged into the room, holding a huge box in his arms.

And what’s with this punk?

“Hey? You just ‘hey’d me?”

“Courier came.”

Seeing that I looked irritated, Han Taeyang dropped the box and bolted. A ribbon was wrapped neatly around the large package.

“Who sent this?”

Well, let’s open it first. I untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Inside were neatly folded clothes and a single note.

What lay inside was a cape as white as snow. Gold buttons engraved with pear blossom branches.

“...This looks like something Yeon Huijae would wear.”

Yes. Yeon Huijae. The Yeon Huijae in my mind came into sharp focus. At the bottom of the box were Huijae’s shoes.

Rounded toes. Black cowhide dress shoes, polished to a soft shine with oil.

The note was written in messy handwriting, but the encouragement was unmistakable.

[It’s battle gear, so wear it and go win

– Ryu Risa]

* * *

—While the OTT platform ‘Netholics’ continues to gain popularity in Japan, a Korean Wave boom is underway. At the center is last year’s most beloved star among Koreans, showing the so-called ‘Do Gyeoul Effect’....

After dominating Canada, Central and South America, and Europe, Netholics chose Japan as its first Asian market. And since launching in Japan, the drama that has never left the number one spot—

was , starring Do Gyeoul.

-This is dangerous... I’m completely hooked (´﹀`)-!!! It’s unbelievable, I can watch it all day and never get tired.... Every time she cries, Do Gyeoul-san’s pure face feels like an absolute win!

-I decided to travel to Korea after watching ...www I can’t help the impulse. I’m looking forward to the Korean unnie! I want to talk to her

-I’ve replayed it again and again, but the reunion at the end—I can’t hold back my tears.... (´;︵;`)

The explosive popularity among local viewers showed no signs of cooling. It was a moment where the uniquely loyal Japanese fanbase truly shone.

Every time you opened Netholics, Do Gyeoul appeared on the main screen. Thanks to that, she earned a new nickname in Japan.

-The Woman of Netholics ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д`ﾟ)ﾟ｡ She’s so beautiful, you can’t help but admire her...

The Woman of Netholics.

That nickname spread rapidly all the way back to Korea.

[HOT/ What they’re calling Do Gyeoul in Japan right now LOLOLOL.jpg]

(Netholics capture.jpg)

Pour another round

-Anonymous1: Wow lolololol she’s really killing it

-Anonymous2: It’s insanely good, the female lead character only works because Do Gyeoul plays it so well lolol one wrong move and it’d be annoying

ㄴ Anonymous7: Her face already carries a story, so it makes her even more lovable, seriously

-Anonymous4: I live in Japan and this is basically a syndrome.. if you say you’re from Korea, people immediately bring up Do Gyeoul, that’s how big it is

-Anonymous11: She’s sweeping in yen lolololol Japanese fans are super loyal, so this’ll keep selling for a while

Riding the surge of popularity, articles about Do Gyeoul challenging a traditional historical drama came out just as fast.

[Do Gyeoul’s new Jang Huibin as she takes on a traditional sageuk—will she show a passionate romance with Sukjong?]

[‘I’m a proper actress now~’ Do Gyeoul attempts an image transformation as Jang Huibin, netizens go wild]

[Do Gyeoul causes a syndrome in Japan, returns to the small screen... protagonist of ]

The moment casting boards appeared, Do Gyeoul’s name was everywhere. Every time she showed up at the airport, ‘Do Gyeoul Airport Fashion’ trended as a related search term.

“Man, if only Do Gyeoul were Eun Baekhap’s childhood role, it’d be perfect.”

“If this had been made just one year earlier... shows its face, Do Gyeoul’s explodes, imagine the chain reaction.”

The team each added a comment while watching Do Gyeoul’s face on the news screen—everyone except Director Ja, who was staring intently at the script.

“Director, another investor called. They’re asking if we can just treat the audition as a formality. They say even Ji Haebeom would listen to you, right...?”

“Right. Looking at how the writer revised the script, doesn’t it feel like Myeong Jeha alone could carry it?”

Director Ja kept reading. Then—bang. The door flew open. It was the KBC drama bureau chief.

“Director Ja! Let’s just go classic. Hold the audition for appearances’ sake, let Ji Haebeom feel accommodated, and just go with Gi Juye. Huh? If the kid has any sense, there’s no way he’d insist on Han Yeoreum alone, right?”

Director Ja didn’t lift his eyes from the script. The bureau chief stepped right up to him and pleaded.

“Let’s ride the Do Gyeoul Korean Wave a bit ourselves. —if this goes to Netholics, it’s guaranteed to do well. Gi Juye has a Japanese fanbase too, right?”

“...”

“No matter how good the acting is, image is everything in this industry. And the writer touched up the script, didn’t they? This hinges on Myeong Jeha’s acting. The female lead’s childhood role is—”

At that, Director Ja suddenly stood up, script in hand. The meeting room fell silent.

“I’ve decided.”

“...Decided what...?”

As always, Director Ja said only what he wanted to say.

“Lunch is seafood jjamppong.”

“...What?”

“At Samsunggak, right in front.”

Leaving the dumbfounded bureau chief behind, Director Ja strode out. The production PD, who had been reading the room, quietly followed.

“Director... are you really pushing Han Yeoreum?”

“I’m not pushing anyone. I’m deciding after the audition.”

He answered flatly, as if wondering why this even needed asking.

“By the way, what did Professor Geum Bitgang say? I really want her to appear.”

“No response yet.”

“Is that so? Hm....”

“Director, but this is the revised script, right?”

At the PD’s question, Director Ja unfolded the pages he’d set aside. The lightly revised scenes from the original script were the version the writer had sent not long ago.