I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

Han Yeoreum’s destination was Daehakro.

“Wow, theater?”

“Right. Didn’t Yeoreum do a play in Daehakro before? With Professor Geum Bitgang!”

“Ohhh—right, I remember.”

The panelists mentioned the first thing that came to mind when they heard Daehakro.

But the place Han Yeoreum was heading to... was different.

She passed rows of theater posters plastered along the walls and slipped into a narrow alley.

[Wang Auntie’s Webfoot Octopus]

-???

-Is she eating first?

-Please don’t cut it here we’ve endured enough

But the shop was closed.

“Ah. It’s always like this.”

“Must be break time!”

The panelists assumed she’d turn around. Of course—if the place you wanted to eat at was closed, you’d go somewhere else.

Ding.

But Han Yeoreum simply opened the door and walked in.

“Yeoreum, you’re here?”

“Yes! Unni, is it busy today? Auntie!!! Hello—!”

And then—without hesitation—she tied on an apron.

She tightened the black ribbon firmly and headed straight into the kitchen.

“Wait, what?”

“Is Wang Auntie... actually her aunt?”

“No, no. Not my aunt.”

Inside, Yeoreum began peeling onions.

-Ah, the goggles LMAO she looks like (ㅁ_ㅁ) this is killing me

-Yeoreum... why... you’re an actress...

-But she’s insanely good at peeling?? like an onion machine

“The role I’m playing is a part-time job queen. There are a lot of scenes where she works, so everyday acting is really important. That’s why I came here to learn firsthand.”

There was no end to the prep work.

Wearing gloves, Han Yeoreum stood beside Park Sehee, handling piles of vegetables stacked like a mountain.

“Unni, you’re closing today too, right? Your performance is tomorrow?”

“Yeah. So I won’t be able to come in on Saturdays for a while.”

The panelists tilted their heads.

“Wait... is she also an actress?”

“Yes. She’s Park Sehee. We worked together in 〈Intern Academy of the Academy of the Academy〉. She’s currently performing in a play called 〈Blow, Wind Troupe〉 in Daehakro.”

Only then did a caption appear beside her.

Park Sehee (3rd-year part-timer at Wang Auntie’s Octopus)

The comedians among the panelists immediately understood what was happening.

‘Wait... this is....’

‘Didn’t expect that. She’s loyal.’

It was support.

If it was Han Yeoreum—and especially on a high-buzz show like —even a few seconds of exposure could raise someone’s recognition significantly.

If today’s episode performed well, Park Sehee might even get a solo appearance next time.

Gam Dajeong, watching from the monitoring room, smiled quietly.

‘She’s smart....’

Whatever Yeoreum’s exact intention was, Gam Dajeong and the editing team—hardened by years of broadcasting—could see multiple layers.

The setting of Daehakro reinforced the tone of 〈Youth Disqualified!〉.

Just hearing “Marronnier Park” was enough to awaken something dormant in the heart—youth.

Even the song she had sung recently on 〈King of Mask Singer〉 evoked the feeling of a Daehakro date.

‘If this clip goes up, it’ll flow nicely into the Mask Singer clips too.’

But instead of a date, what Yeoreum showed was a Friday night part-time job.

As customers flooded Wang Auntie’s restaurant, Yeoreum moved nonstop between tables.

“Two people? I’ll guide you to the window seat—.”

“Yes. One octopus... drinks okay?”

“It’s hot, so please stay away from the grill.”

This felt like a preview of Na Yuna—the youth Yeoreum would portray.

While others strolled leisurely through Marronnier Park in spring, Na Yuna moved between tables.

While others held tickets to watch plays, she held receipts.

While others drank fragrant cocktails, she carried green bottles of soju.

-Yeoreum works so well... she must’ve helped here a lot

-The wet wipes constantly coming out of her apron LOLOLOL this is real, customers ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) always ask for them

-It’s crazy people don’t recognize her though

-I wouldn’t either LOLLLL I’d just think she looks like my friend and keep doubting it

Her chemistry with Park Sehee added to it.

Being more experienced, Sehee kept taking care of Yeoreum.

“I’ll clean it! Leave it!”

But Yeoreum didn’t stay still—she checked the side dishes, refilling pickled radish and macaroni salad without being told.

-She’s so quick at work

-Park Sehee... I hope she makes it big too T_T reminds me of my first job senior

-But the octopus looks insanely good

The screen shifted again—back to So Dami.

She and the writer finally ordered.

“You know how it is—you have to eat this at a manga café.”

“But why are there so many menu options these days?”

Soon, a steaming bowl of ramen appeared.

But something was different.

“Why did she order cheese separately?”

Dami had ordered the spiciest ramen—with a slice of cheese on the side.

She split the ramen into two portions.

One stayed original.

The other got the cheese.

Two flavors in one meal.

“Is this okay to air?”

“What do you mean?”

“Viewers might take this... very violently.”

They already were.

-I’m putting water on for ramen LMAO

-She knows what she’s doing... spicy ramen + cheese is the best combo

-Ramen experts—is that spicy ramen??

-Yeah 100% you can tell by the color

As Dami finished the first portion, the cheese melted slowly into the red broth.

‘10:45 p.m.’

Gam Dajeong checked the time.

Now, exactly as planned, viewers would start drooling.

Next—Gwangjang Market.

“AHHH!”

The panelists screamed.

This was no longer a teaser.

The sizzling sound of bindaetteok frying filled the screen.

“That’s so good. Crispy outside, soft inside...”

“Wait—I’m drooling.”

Next to it—rows of mini seaweed rice rolls glistening with sesame oil.

“Dip it in mustard once—”

“I’m losing it.”

Then—

“TTEOKBOKKI!”

Thick, glossy, deep-red tteokbokki.

The sauce clung heavily, dripping slowly from the spatula.

Beside it, steaming blood sausage.

-What time is it right now TT_TT

-Ramen then tteokbokki?? This is insane

-I’m starving...

Behind her sunglasses, Choo Gaeul kept glancing at the food.

She stared at the tteokbokki—then suddenly turned away.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I’m dieting....”

She headed to a different place.

-Please don’t say salad

-Gaeul, be rational

But she didn’t disappoint.

“One seasoned raw beef, please.”

Raw beef.

The table was set quickly.

She split a piece of radish from the soup with her spoon—it collapsed softly.

“I need to go to Dongmyo soon.”

“Let’s go together. Full course—tteokbokki to seasoned raw beef!”

The panelists leaned forward.

The seasoned raw beef arrived.

Glossy raw beef, sesame oil, pear slices.

She broke the egg yolk, mixing it gently.

“That’s it!”

“Seasoned raw beef while dieting? Low calories?”

“Yeah. Around 100 calories. Good protein.”

First bite—with yolk.

Second—with salt oil.

Third—with pear.

Each bite slightly different.

The comment boards across all communities were exploding.

-Something big is coming

-Now it’s really happening LOLOLOL

-The lineup is insane TT_TT

Finally—

“Why are there so many customers today?”

“Semester just started.”

The restaurant closed.

Han Yeoreum and Park Sehee sat down.

Wang Auntie placed the octopus on the grill.

Chiiiiiii—

The sizzling sound hit instantly.

Octopus, onions, green onions, cabbage—all coated in red sauce, bubbling.

Oil splattered.

“That sound....”

“I can’t handle this.”

When it was fully cooked, Yeoreum picked up a piece neatly.

Spicy at first bite—then subtly sweet.

She chewed.

“Mm!”

Covering her mouth, she nodded at Park Sehee.

Sehee nodded back just as intensely.

Wrapped in perilla leaves.

With corn and mayonnaise.

With pickled radish.

Even just cabbage and onions.

She ate everything.

Then—

“Final round. One fried rice or two?”

“There are two of us... is that even a choice...?”

Fried rice.

Rice, seaweed flakes, sesame oil—

and finally, stretching cheese.

-I’m ordering octopus right now

-I just ate ramen but I should’ve waited T_T

-Tomorrow I’m eating octopus no matter what

The office worker watching with beer finally broke.

“Ah... what the hell.”

[Estimated delivery: 110 minutes]

Every place was overloaded.

She tried another.

“Seriously... here too?”

Same result.

She stood there, deciding.

Give up—or wait.

On screen, Yeoreum had already finished eating and was wrapping up.

“Please give lots of love to 〈Youth Disqualified!〉.”

“Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 p.m.”

“Please enjoy it!”

The office worker, unable to let go of her craving, went to the kitchen.

She made ramen.

Watched octopus mukbangs.

Searched nearby restaurants.

“I was going to stay home this weekend....”

She changed her plans.

Message sent: “Hey. Octopus tomorrow?”

Her friend replied instantly.

The next day—

...

...

They stood in front of a massive line.

[Wang Auntie’s Octopus]

Waiting number: 117

That was the moment they truly felt the power of public broadcasting.