I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

“She's absolutely perfect for it! Absolutely perfect!”

Jeong Heejeong was the type who never took a break from dating, who would drop everything and run the moment a man so much as glanced her way. The kind of character people would casually label a “man-obsessed girl.”

Which meant she was bound to divide viewers. One wrong move and she could easily become hated.

[Issue Board / Rookie Actress Claims She’s Here to Discipline Web Dramas.jpg]

(Heart-Throbbing Love Simulation Capture.jpg)

– Ever since 〈ParCheHi〉, every web drama’s been boring, but this one’s legit lololololol

– It’s by the 〈ParCheHi〉 writer TT_TT LOOOLLLLL

– No wonder it’s so damn funny, seriously please just give us one proper rom-com later T_T

– She’s so cute lolol she overacts but it feels natural and it drives women crazy, I only wait for this now

But So Dami was different. Even a character who openly made a fool of herself could become adorable in her hands.

In Writer Pi’s latest work 〈Heart-Throbbing♥︎ Love Simulation〉, she was practically flying across the screen. As a result, Episode 1 hit one million views in less than a week.

“If it’s not her, then who else could possibly be Jeong Heejeong!”

The Center Director cast So Dami on the spot.

The moment she heard she would be in the same project as Han Yeoreum, she accepted the role without a single question.

In Director So’s script, the Na Yuna Han Yeoreum would portray, the Jeong Heejeong So Dami would bring to life, and the Go Yungyo that Choo Gaeul would embody began to breathe.

Tap— tap— tap—.

There were no blocked passages. It felt like the script had been written while observing real, living people.

Each other’s deficiencies. The romantic longings too embarrassing to admit. You and I, slightly different even within the same crowd.

Director So wanted to melt down those fleeting moments that only existed on a summer night at a convenience store terrace.

The humid air. The rattling plastic chairs. Twenty-three-year-olds spilling their thoughts in chaotic fragments.

The small bell that rang whenever a customer entered. The noise of it blending with whatever song was trending at the time...

Director So, who had been racing across the keyboard in a frenzy, suddenly stopped. Something was needed to add reality to this familiar scene.

A diary layered over melody. That was what Director So meant by music.

The most efficient way to deliver emotion. A device that could pull viewers from being observers into becoming participants.

‘A voice.’

Instinctively, Director So knew it had to be Han Yeoreum’s voice.

“For the longest time, I wanted to run away. The countless responsibilities I had to drag behind me like shackles suffocated me.”

Even when spoken in a calm confession, Han Yeoreum’s lines lodged deep into the ear. It was more than narration.

“Center Director.”

Director So immediately contacted the head of the MBS Drama Center. It might be reckless.

But 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 was an experimental work unlike anything before it. And youth, by its very nature, carried something like an obligation.

Even if it meant breaking.

“Would you consider entrusting the 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 OST to one of the actors...?”

It was the spirit of challenge.

* * *

〈Seoul Metropolitan City〉

A zombie outbreak erupts in the heart of Seoul. The government declares martial law. Seoul is no longer Seoul.

I took a slow breath.

‘Ranked #1 globally on NetHolics immediately after release.’

It received ALL FRESH on Rotten Tomato reviews and entered the Top 5 of the Wellex Patrol TV Show Korea ranking.

‘More importantly, it’s written by Seomun Ihwa.’

Every project Seomun Ihwa touched exploded into success.

In the industry, she was nicknamed Mad Ihwa.

Because once you watched Episode 1, you went mad with curiosity for Episode 2.

‘And the role I play here is....’

Even rereading it, I couldn’t believe it. In Seomun Ihwa’s work, I—

“I appear in Episode 1!!!”

I hugged the script to my chest. I had memorized the character description so thoroughly I no longer needed to read it.

On Jihwa.

An archer more comfortable drawing a bow than opening her mouth.

Becoming a Korean national archery representative was harder than winning an Olympic medal.

But luck and misfortune come as a pair. On Jihwa, who had peaked at the youngest age in history, also began her decline at the youngest age.

Two seconds to lift the bow. One second to release. Three seconds total to strike the center of the target—yet now every arrow veered off. Her shoulder refused to obey.

As she stared at the white hospital walls, wondering if the target could somehow become larger—

The world flipped.

Everything became On Jihwa’s target.

The screams loud enough to rupture eardrums. The need to run while people shoved past her.

None of it posed an obstacle to On Jihwa.

“This character build is insane....”

There was one problem.

“No, what was Myeong Jeha thinking giving me this role....”

On Jihwa was extremely taciturn. For someone whose greatest strength was her voice, this was a tricky role.

“What I can show the viewers is facial acting and...”

Bzzz— Bzzz— Bzzz—.

My phone vibrated. The caller was Myeong Jeha.

– What are you doing, Yeoreum?

“Reading the script.”

– Come down. I’m at the entrance of your building.

“...Excuse me? Suddenly?”

– Wear something comfortable. Five minutes.

He hung up unilaterally. I scrambled downstairs in absolute disarray, dressed like a mess. Myeong Jeha started the car without telling me where we were going.

“Sir, where are we headed?”

“Have you framed the role yet? Figured out how you’ll act it?”

“On Jihwa barely has lines, so it’ll mostly be facial acting. And I’ll probably need separate lessons for archery. Since it’s a physical role, I was focusing on arm movement. It’s a zombie project, so I’ll need some running too... Why are you laughing?”

Myeong Jeha gave a small laugh, as if that couldn’t possibly be all.

But somehow... the scenery outside was starting to look familiar. I’d definitely seen this place before—

“Get out.”

I had been here.

“It’s time to use your body.”

This was the Action Academy.

Myeong Jeha courteously opened my car door.

“Yeoreum. Let’s go until it kills us.”

“Go until what?”

“What do you think? Both On Jihwa and Lee Seohae.”

...Right. It wasn’t just On Jihwa who required action. If I wasn’t careful, the characters might overlap.

‘They’re both cold and rational.’

Thus began an unexpected round of training.

Lee Seohae used her hands. On Jihwa used her shoulders. Lee Seohae descended stairs. On Jihwa ran. Lee Seohae executed throws. On Jihwa... On Jihwa...

“Student Han Yeoreum! Your speed is dropping!”

“Aaaah!”

Kang Hanseong’s voice boomed through the Academy.

* * *

Jegal Rok froze for a moment after receiving an urgent call.

“Yes. I’ll confirm.”

He had anticipated something, but the scale had grown larger than expected. Depending on how this unfolded, Han Yeoreum’s status could shift entirely within a single year.

To a level no one else could catch.

Bang—!

“Director! This is just the beginning!”

Manager Ma burst into the office without knocking, face flushed with excitement.

“Yes. Sit.”

Jegal Rok gestured to the sofa. The table was covered with scripts, empty coffee cups lined up like medals of honor. He picked up the phone and requested another coffee from the secretary’s office.

As if he had no intention of sleeping tonight.

“At this rate, we can enter Japan within the year, right? No, definitely. We secure a CF deal with a cosmetics brand that already has recognition there, contact the same side like we did before, Creamy Soda—”

Manager Ma was equally fired up, laying out plans for Han Yeoreum as if he had been waiting for this moment. His pulse quickened. There were already four confirmed next projects.

〈The Great Garland〉, 〈Youth Disqualified!〉, 〈Unfair Trade〉, and finally 〈Seoul Metropolitan City〉.

“Our little cutie won’t get a single break! Of course, when the tide is coming in like this, we’d be crazy not to row.”

〈Unfair Trade〉 would air on TVM. Following 〈Strange Tales〉, JC ENM would handle both production and broadcasting.

And Jegal Rok’s strategy had worked. NetHolics, having taken note of 〈Strange Tales〉’ success before officially entering Korea, awarded production of 〈Seoul Metropolitan City〉 to JC ENM as well.

“She’s finally making a proper overseas debut!”

And it didn’t end there. 〈Strange Tales〉 would be uploaded globally the moment NetHolics Korea launched.

Jegal Rok could easily picture it.

The first face you would see upon opening the NetHolics app.

Han Yeoreum.

“What’s the current schedule for luxury brand events?”

“If you’re referring to the invitations sent to Han Yeoreum—”

“No. Not that.”

He checked the calendar. ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) It had been about half a year since the Han Yeoreum tint sold-out phenomenon.

Following last week’s pilot luxury cosmetics pictorial, she had generated noticeable buzz.

Two confirmations.

“It’s about time ambassador offers start coming in. Have her attend as many events as possible before NetHolics opens.”

What remained were the love calls that would inevitably pour in.

Jegal Rok shared the contents of the recent phone call with Manager Ma.

“The broadcast date for 〈The Great Garland〉 has been moved up.”

Myeong Jeha’s prediction had been correct. A drama airing on KBC was set to end early, forcing the network to pull forward its anticipated successor.

Soon, the public would meet First Love Han Yeoreum.

And this time—

She wasn’t disappearing.