I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

* * *

After Han Yeoreum left, Han Yohan smiled lightly.

“What a wonderful outcome. As expected, the world is made of coincidence, connection, and inevitability. I’m glad that things aligned this way and solved our junior’s worries.”

“I’m happy I could help.”

“What’s she gonna do if she goes to set and her true colors come out? Acting all fake and sweet like that!”

“Beopbeopbeopbeopbeop!”

From inside the ripped carrier basket, Beopsun barked out a warning. Han Yohan once again thought Han Yeoreum was an incredibly lucky person.

“Come to think of it, her next project is a very touching movie starring animals. The one from Disney.”

“I guess our Beopsun recognized her love for animals. What a good girl.”

“Oh please. Then what, was I living with some evil heart, so I got bitten?”

“Beopbeopbeopbeopbeop!”

Han Yohan placed a finger against his lips to calm Beopsun.

“I received an invitation to the premiere. You should come too, Monk.”

“Aang....”

“Beopsun. Sorry, but dogs can’t enter the theater.”

“Beopbeopbeopbeopbeop!”

The release date of was drawing near.

* * *

This was the studio where the live content for would be filmed. Jeon Ujeong tightened her grip around the lyric sheet.

‘She’s definitely been crushed by all the pressure.’

Jeon Ujeong had naturally heard about the “Actress Holy Grail War” currently setting online communities on fire.

People were more interested in the dramas those actresses would appear in next than the ones currently airing.

Among them, Jeon Ujeong pictured Han Yeoreum as the one in the worst situation.

‘I wonder if she even practiced properly.’

The vocal cords were more condition-sensitive than any other part of the body. Jeon Ujeong bit her lip.

“Hello, Senior!”

As if perfectly timed, the studio door opened. Han Yeoreum looked exactly the same as always.

‘...Why does she seem completely fine?’

Jeon Ujeong narrowed her eyes at Han Yeoreum’s profile as she pulled out the sheet music. Han Yeoreum was smiling. She even looked to be in excellent condition.

“I should’ve come earlier. I didn’t realize you’d be here alone, Senior.”

Even though she had arrived earlier than the scheduled time, Han Yeoreum greeted her warmly. Jeon Ujeong shook her head shortly.

“I was just warming up my voice. Don’t worry about it.”

“As expected. Even when you’re just practicing, it already feels real.”

Jeon Ujeong wasn’t swayed by Han Yeoreum buttering her up.

“You checked how the parts were divided, right?”

Unlike the main recording, where Jeon Ujeong sang nearly everything while Han Yeoreum only handled the whistle section, the event performance had divided parts.

Jeon Ujeong had already watched Han Yeoreum’s «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» and 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 clips, but she assumed there had been some level of correction involved.

‘There’s no way they wouldn’t add effects.’

So Han Yeoreum was probably above average. Good enough to be considered “good.” But Jeon Ujeong had already beaten out countless elite voice actors to become the lead in an animated feature dub.

Naturally, it would be difficult for Han Yeoreum to pull the same reactions from her that the panelists or the 〈Youth Disqualified!〉 cast had shown.

“Then should we try matching together?”

But moments later, Han Yeoreum completely shattered every expectation she had.

—I’m going to jump over the wall in my own way

Even without effects or post-processing, Han Yeoreum’s raw vocal power alone felt capable of devouring the audience whole.

—The more breathless I get, the louder I’ll shout

There was a saying people often used.

“Your song becomes my song.”

A title given to someone who performed a song so well it felt like they surpassed the original singer.

Listening to Han Yeoreum’s voice, Jeon Ujeong unconsciously thought of that exact phrase.

Your song becomes my song.

Just like the saying implied, she sounded like a diva standing on stage. Not Joy the rabbit, but Lala the flying squirrel.

—I’m not perfect

As they reached the high-note climax, it almost felt like she could see elephants, deer, tigers, and even sloths in the audience jumping around with light sticks.

As though the English-version OST video for uploaded online had been projected directly before their eyes.

For nearly two straight hours of practice, Jeon Ujeong fought desperately not to get swallowed alive by Han Yeoreum.

She had never intended to become this serious, but whenever she came to her senses, she found herself genuinely struggling to widen the gap between them.

The clock’s hour hand pointed to two.

Unlike Jeon Ujeong, who collapsed into her chair drenched in sweat, Han Yeoreum looked utterly refreshed.

“Senior, you seriously sing so well. Aren’t people gonna recognize you before you even take off the mascot suit on-site? Like, wow, no way she’s a normal person!”

Han Yeoreum didn’t even look tired. Jeon Ujeong simply focused on steadying her breathing in silence. All she could see in her vision were her own feet.

Han Yeoreum rustled around, seemingly preparing to leave.

‘Please just go already....’

It felt like all her energy had been drained away. During the actual recording too, and now again. Jeon Ujeong constantly felt herself being overwhelmed. Her insides twisted.

And then—

Han Yeoreum’s shoes entered her field of vision.

“Oh right. I bought this while I was in Macau filming.”

Han Yeoreum held out a small shopping bag.

“I don’t really travel overseas much... so I’m not great at picking gifts, but I thought of you, Senior. I tried my best to choose something.”

Jeon Ujeong looked once at the childish panda shopping bag, then once at Han Yeoreum’s face. Han Yeoreum was smiling without the slightest trace of unpleasantness.

“I’ll head out first then! See you on the day of the live show!”

* * *

“Yeoreum-ah. Great work today.”

As I walked out of the recording studio, I drank the ion beverage Manager Choi handed me.

“Ah... all my stress just disappeared....”

It felt like I’d gone to one of those coin karaoke rooms.

Honestly, I wanted to sing more, but I had another schedule, so I had no choice but to leave. While waiting for the elevator, I hummed the song we’d just practiced.

‘Jeon Ujeong. She’s definitely a voice actor alright. Her diction’s on another level.’

It felt like every lyric pierced straight into my ears.

No wonder Disney chose her as the lead.

There was a strange kind of joy in encountering a senior with overwhelming skill firsthand. As the session went on, Jeon Ujeong gave it her all more and more fiercely, which let me immerse myself deeper too.

“But seriously, something about her still bugs me. Right? She was sulking again today.”

“I don’t think I like her....”

Manager Choi and Coordinator Hwang whispered quietly.

“Who? Senior Ujeong?”

The two nodded.

Jeon Ujeong didn’t like me, sure. But if someone asked whether she was actually a bad person...

‘Not really.’

She never hit me or cursed at me.

She never openly stole work from me or humiliated me in front of people.

She never dumped cleanup tasks solely on me or ordered me around.

She didn’t throw away the gift I brought either. She just accepted it.

‘She just keeps her mouth shut during recording and practice while wearing an unhappy expression.’

This level of dislike was nothing.

Compared to my days crawling around as an extra, she was an adorable senior.

She disliked me, but she wasn’t directly doing anything harmful, right?

‘And honestly, if someone’s that talented, I can’t even say I don’t understand.’

If I were her, I probably wouldn’t find some actress who suddenly dropped in out of nowhere very lovable either.

“She keeps making it way too obvious that she doesn’t like you.”

“Right? She’s really direct about it.”

“Come on. Maybe she’s just shy around people. Aren’t lonely geniuses always like that?”

I linked arms with the two of them.

I seriously wished the day of the live content would hurry up and come already.

Inside Han Yeoreum’s calculating little social-climber brain, Jeon Ujeong was the ideal senior no matter how much she disliked me.

My lovely personal reflector board.

Pure plus-alpha.

‘After all, I’m the one benefiting the most by performing on stage together with a lead like Jeon Ujeong.’

You hate me? Sure, fine.

What mattered was the gathering crowd... the cellphone cameras pointed at me....

‘And the moment the mascot head comes off....’

Oh my god who is that Korea’s First Love and a walking baby angel. Wasn’t melting everyone’s ears already enough? The second people saw her face, they’d have no choice but to break into huge smiles because she was basically a walking baby angel. Baby Melon Bread herself. The public erupting into chaos... uploaded clips titled “Han Yeoreum’s live singing skills hidden behind her cute visuals 😯😯” immediately hitting trending videos.

—She’s been insanely good since LMAO what do they mean “hidden behind visuals”? Everyone except the uploader already knew

ㄴSeriously, f*ck, did they not watch or something

—I remember all the negative reactions when people heard she’d be dubbing this animated movie lol Looks like this live performance has finally shut everyone up^^.. Her vocalization is so refreshing. Strong high notes while still maintaining that clear tone. Perhaps next time she ought to take on a singer role? LOL Well then, goodbye.

—Yeoreum-ah do rock music.. vocals like yours.. are rare.. that ritual scene in .. anyone who knows already knows.. you have a rock spirit.. don’t deny your true identity..

ㄴAgreed holy shit LMAO you need to come over here

ㄴWhat are these people even talking about?

—Jeon Ujeong’s good too but she’s not getting overshadowed LOOL  It’s not easy matching a voice actor’s pronunciation like that; holy shit 😯😯

‘Ah....’

I seriously hoped the day would come quickly.

I was already looking forward to the stage greeting schedule.

* * *

Holding the gift box in her hands, Jeon Ujeong replayed Han Yeoreum’s words in her mind.

“Come on. Maybe she’s just shy around people.”

She had planned to return the gift Han Yeoreum left behind.

Because a part of her conscience stung.

So she thought it would be easier to draw a firm line.

She intended to say, “You don’t have to give me things like this,” while returning it...

‘She’s way too innocent though?’

After making her dislike this obvious the whole time, Han Yeoreum still hadn’t noticed.

That honestly shocked her.

‘Don’t tell me she seriously had no idea?’

Thinking about Han Yeoreum preparing a gift all the way from Macau without even realizing she was disliked made Jeon Ujeong feel guilty.

She really was a kid who knew absolutely nothing about calculation.

“Is she stupid?”

She’d made it so obvious. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Anyone could tell she didn’t like her.

Jeon Ujeong’s heart felt heavy.

‘No!’

Han Yeoreum was currently the hottest rising star around.

And yet the fact that she lacked this much awareness only reinforced the idea that she really was a parachute hire.

Jeon Ujeong became convinced JC ENM had shoved her into the project.

But as she stared at the panda drawn on the shopping bag, her chest still felt heavy.

“Aren’t lonely geniuses always like that?”

Han Yeoreum’s final words made it even worse.

“Lonely genius....”

Despite not even realizing she was disliked, she had somehow analyzed Jeon Ujeong’s character perfectly.

Jeon Ujeong’s cheeks turned red.

* * *

A few days before the D-day release of , SweetWatermelon happened to be at Yeongdeungpo IFG Mall with friends.

A nearby screen was playing the trailer for .

Click—!

Smiling, SweetWatermelon snapped a picture of the screen showing the trailer.

Since it was currently considered one of the most anticipated movies around, people nearby naturally commented about it too.

“When does that come out again?”

“Isn’t it already out...? Oh wait, no. Still some time left.”

“Babe, are we watching the dubbed version or subtitles?”

“Obviously subtitles. Dubbed versions feel childish.”

SweetWatermelon thought inwardly that they clearly didn’t understand anything as she recalled the reservation schedule for the dubbed version of .

‘Once reservations open, I need to check the stage greeting schedule....’

She smiled while staring at the screen.

Right when flying squirrel Lala leapt into her older sister Joy’s arms—

“Ahh! You scared me!”

As though perfectly timed with the trailer, a flying squirrel suddenly appeared.

More accurately, someone wearing a flying squirrel mascot suit.

The flying squirrel that abruptly entered her vision waved at her and even made a heart sign.

Looking closely, it was Lala from .

“So cute....”

SweetWatermelon filmed Lala shooting love bullets at her.

“Huh...?”

Lala didn’t let her go easily.

As though taking pictures wasn’t enough, she grabbed SweetWatermelon’s hand too.

And it didn’t even stop there.

SweetWatermelon ended up getting hugged by the adorable flying squirrel.

“Me too, me too!”

“Wow! A squirrel!”

The flying squirrel’s attention-seeking antics instantly drew the attention of nearby children.

Before she knew it, SweetWatermelon was trapped among a crowd of kids too. After getting a phone call from her friend asking where she was, she finally pushed through the crowd and escaped.

“What? Why are there so many people over there?”

“Just some movie event thing.”

“Ahhh.”

Her friend quickly summarized the situation after seeing her.

“Let’s just go eat.”

The two rode the escalator upstairs. Judging by how noisy it was getting below, leaving quickly had probably been the right choice.

‘But seriously, that was adorable.’

She had no idea who was inside the mascot suit, but the synchronization with Lala was incredible.

* * *

Eunnyangi, a fan of Eun Baekhap and anti of Han Yeoreum, somehow ended up standing in the very front row of the live event.

“Ugh, this kind of thing really isn’t my style.”

“Still, let’s watch before we gooo—.”

“We’ve got nothing else to do while waiting anyway.”

If not for her friends beside her, she would’ve left ages ago.

Standing in the noisy front row filled with children, Eunnyangi lazily fiddled with her phone.

Among the staff adjusting microphones and speakers, the flying squirrel looked ready to literally fly around. It kept alternating between waving and throwing finger hearts.

‘Why is it acting so hyper...?’

Eunnyangi crossed her arms while staring at the flying squirrel.

Maybe because it was Han Yeoreum’s role, it didn’t even seem cute to her.

‘Han Yeoreum... Han Yeoreum... Han Yeoreum...!’

The more she thought about it, the stronger Eunnyangi’s fury became.

Once again, Eun Baekhap had the worst luck possible with scheduling. Han Yeoreum entering a drama airing in the same timeslot only made it worse.

‘If it’s cable versus public broadcasting, the result’s way too obvious!’

No matter how good Eun Baekhap’s acting was, she was entering the ratings battle at a disadvantage from the start.

While Eun Baekhap struggled alone in the wasteland, desperately carrying a project on her back, Han Yeoreum was practically sipping tea in a perfectly furnished luxury apartment.

‘Ha... what disaster’s gonna hit this time....’

Loving Eun Baekhap was exhausting.

Every single time Eunnyangi thought things would finally explode, they exploded in the worst possible way instead.

Watching a fire safely from the other side of the river was something Eunnyangi had never experienced.

Because the house on fire was always theirs.

“It’s starting!”

Standing among children with her arms sternly crossed, Eunnyangi’s thoughts were completely elsewhere.

Even when the fast beat started and the rabbit holding the microphone sang the first line—

‘Honestly, it would’ve been better if they changed broadcasting stations....’

And then—

—I’m going to jump over the wall in my own way

The flying squirrel began to sing.