I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

“I’d appreciate it if you just call me Director Jang. And don’t doubt me like, ‘That old guy is doing a web-novel-based drama?’ I’ve read quite a lot of web novels too. So trust me and follow along~.”

It was exactly the same introduction I had heard during the script reading. Director Jang had taken on as his next project. Writer Pi looked like she already knew, and Joo Junseo and Choo Gaeul turned their eyes to me.

“Director Jang....”

“We said we’d do the next project together too, didn’t we.”

His words brought an old phone call back to mind. From ten minutes to one hour, from a web drama uploaded on Intube to a drama aired on a broadcasting network, from a short eight-episode run to a sixteen-episode mini-series.

“Ah—. Then what, am I supposed to live out here as the next protagonist, all resentful? Director, you’re discriminating way too hard.”

“Still, the writer stays the same.”

It was dazzling growth. Gaeul grumbled, but deep down, she looked happy that the people around her were doing well.

“Who’s the male lead? You must have at least a rough image in mind.”

When Junseo asked, Director Jang hesitated for a moment.

“This time too, we’ll have to pull in someone with a certain level of recognition for the male lead. Everyone heard, right? JC ENM is taking sole production. It’s the second adventure after ....”

At least had allowed PPL, so the budget could be patched up.

But this was an adventure that couldn’t expect profit—a truly dangerous gamble in the most literal sense.

“Since we’re aiming at the overseas market, I’m thinking it’ll probably be an idol.”

It was about what I’d expected. At this point in time, right before the new media market underwent a massive upheaval—this was when idols most actively jumped into the acting world.

“So. Do you have anyone in mind for our protagonist? Just name a few people you think could bring out the best chemistry with you. I’ll go talk to them.”

Director Jang asked me, and I pretended to think for a moment before answering.

“Anyone is fine. I like them all.”

A playful chorus of jeers rose up—what kind of answer was that.

‘But it’s true.’

Seriously, it didn’t matter who took the male lead role. There was nothing to worry about.

Because....

「Perfect Pair (C)」

Making people smile just by looking is the foundation of ratings! From the moment they’re by your side, it makes hearts thump, and makes you match together like a perfect fit. You can turn any pairing into a perfect pair.

I drew this skill last time.

* * *

Ryu Risa’s eyes gleamed as she watched the Seoul Drama Awards airing live. It was to savor her work that would appear soon.

“Why is it so hard for me to watch the final cut like this!”

By nature of a stylist’s job, if it was attending an event rather than a photoshoot, it was hard to see the fully set look on the day.

The coordinator would deliver the clothes the day before or at dawn, and then head straight to the salon.

“For something like this, huh? Obviously I should be the first one to see it.”

While grumbling at the assistant beside her, Risa stared at the screen.

‘She must really like it....’

This kind of behavior was rare. Unless it was a legendary styling that made anyone go wow just from looking, Risa enjoyed her work at an appropriate distance and carried on.

She loved fashion—she was not the type to love a single person.

‘Tomorrow is Do Gyeoul’s script reading day. Will she be like that tomorrow too?’

The assistant suddenly grew curious. In the corner of the office sat a blue box.

A box holding several outfits—styling for Do Gyeoul to wear when she appeared in front of the camera tomorrow.

Risa didn’t even glance at it, only focusing on when Han Yeoreum would appear.

“She’s out!”

Han Yeoreum, walking the red carpet, naturally looked like someone who had been touched by the hands of Ryu Risa and Dok Gogyeol. A pale pink dress layered with chiffon upon chiffon, hair neatly tied back, and small sparkling accessories on top.

“Of course—! A Ryu Risa piece!”

Risa covered her mouth as if savoring Yeoreum with her eyes. Then she stared up at the ceiling and sighed.

“But why does Han Yeoreum keep taking # Nоvеlight # such weird next projects, tying up my hands and feet—!”

It was understandable that she felt stifled. The next project, the spin-off, still had her in a student role. And only for a few minutes in episode one.

The most she could pay attention to were sneakers and a bag—at best, a scarf.

If she slipped and went too much, she might get turned into a meme by high school subscribers who were brutally strict about K-high-teen.

‘And the other one is a historical drama, too....’

Historical dramas had a separate hanbok designer assigned. Having her work taken by the costume team and the hanbok designer, Risa clung to her assistant and whined that all the truly fun parts had been stolen away.

‘Normally, she should be working harder on Do Gyeoul’s side....’

Risa had been appointed as the lead stylist for Do Gyeoul’s first romance project, .

Personal feelings were personal feelings, and work was work. Risa, as always, was professional.

She analyzed everything from references to the overall mood of the project with full immersion—but only to that extent.

“See? I told you it would stick right next to the Best Dresser title. Does Han Yeoreum know? This is all thanks to Ryu Risa’s sharp, shining eye.”

For Ryu Risa to be having this much fun—right now, Han Yeoreum was the only one. Even though Han Yeoreum wasn’t the only actress attending the Seoul Drama Awards who had been touched by Risa’s hands.

“Alright, I’ve seen it. Now, let’s work!”

“Why not leave it on? Aren’t you curious if she’ll win?”

Risa, who had already turned off the screen, picked up her pad again. Then at the assistant’s question, she let out a small snort as if asking why anyone would even ask that.

“Why watch something obvious? It’s boring.”

* * *

Ah, I’m shaking. Shaking. I feel like I’m going to die from shaking. I don’t even know what state of mind I walked the red carpet in. Seeing my hands trembling in tiny motions, Director So panicked.

“Do you want a calming pill?”

“No.... I’m fine.”

It didn’t feel like something like that would calm me down. My whole body kept feeling stiff. Even as I was guided to my seat, my heart kept pounding.

‘It’s different from the Ruel Awards....’

This wasn’t simply an award given to trendy, iconic celebrities.

This was time to be recognized and compete through acting and works—among real actors.

‘...I want it.’

I want an award. Whatever it is, I want a shining trophy with my name on it.

A weight of expectation I couldn’t bear swelled inside me. No matter how rationally I tried to think, my heart wouldn’t settle.

‘Is it because today’s MC is Do Gyeoul.’

I’d known since before the broadcast. For part one, Do Gyeoul and Myeong Jeha were the MCs.

Maybe because it was in front of Do Gyeoul, the desire to prove that I was an actor, too, boiled up. I knew it was pointless, but still. Still, I wanted to win.

‘...But the competition is insane.’

To ease my nerves, I dragged the award list out in my head.

‘One Grand Prize. Three Best Work awards: Short, Mini, and Long. Best Director, Best Writer, Best Actor, Best Actress—four individual awards. Best Hallyu Drama, Hallyu Drama Excellence Work, Hallyu Drama Best Actor, Best Actress, Best OST. Five in Hallyu....’

But the more I thought, the farther I got from any probability of winning. It couldn’t be helped.

“This is such an honorable place to be—just as I thought, our work was bound to be recognized.”

“You can’t get excited already, Simona.”

Foreign languages drifted in from all directions. It was the Seoul Drama Awards, but it was a place that evaluated overseas works together. China, Japan, of course—Thailand, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Canada, the United States.

‘Ah, that actor.... I know that actor.’

A middle-aged actor from the seasonal healing drama that came to mind when you thought of Japan was attending, and I could even see an actor who would draw a bold line in Taiwanese youth films a few years later.

And that wasn’t all. Even the actors maintaining top positions in Korea right now, pulling the Hallyu wave overseas.

Separate from my desire to win, my head coldly recognized the truth—my chances were nonexistent.

‘Right. Even just the nominated works....’

Two of them would be named among Korea’s well-made dramas over the next ten years, there were actors who would win the grand acting award this year, and there was even a work that had swept overseas award ceremonies.

“Ms. Yeoreum.”

“...Yes.”

“Even if you don’t win an award, it’s enough if the public recognizes you....”

As if he knew my heart, Director So said it.

Seats began filling one by one, and the camera lights began turning on. Staff with walkie-talkies moved busily, and when it got to the point where there were no empty seats left—

Seoul International Drama Awards

On the black screen above the stage, white letters rose into view.