Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Preparation
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My words brought the gathering to a chaotic end.
Bae Jongwook, the screenwriter, was too busy snickering to join the conversation.
I half-listened, lost in my own swirling thoughts, just sipping my beer.
Only CEO Kim Seulgi and PD Choi Jin-cheol kept talking... but really, this whole get-together was meant for some kind of reconciliation(?) or agreement(?) between the screenwriter and me.
Ending in a bust was the natural progression.
Somehow, I'd become a bar-breaker, wrecking two drinking parties in a single day.
But I didn't have the luxury to worry about that.
The movie Nomen, penned by Bae Jongwook, was already buzzing with behind-the-scenes casting.
Auditions were slated for about a month from now.
By then, the roles would probably be all but locked in—practically decided.
Though it wasn't unheard of for auditions to overturn the frontrunners and snag a part.
The screenwriter wanted to scrap the lead audition and cast me on the spot.
But how was he going to convince the director and investors?
I had zero experience in web dramas, short films, or theater.
I wasn't some massive Stargram influencer or mega YouTuber with real name recognition.
A total newbie civilian with not a single line on her filmography as the protagonist?
They'd probably call him insane and pull the funding.
I'd do the same—run scared from a project with a screenwriter like that.
So naturally, I wasn't gunning for the lead.
Leads usually went to established actors with proven box-office pull.
Sure, cases like Bae Jongwook's—shoving someone he was obsessed with into the protagonist spot—happened.
But those sets tended to have a toxic vibe.
Like employees glaring at a parachute hire forced on the company.
Wreck the set, wreck the movie.
And that actor's filmography goes down the drain too.
What I was after was a supporting role.
In every scene I appeared in, I'd create a supporting character so overwhelming it would eclipse even the lead.
...Kim Ha-yul. The woman who, with help from the protagonist's father, fakes her death perfectly and escapes a murder-for-hire organization.
As the protagonist Lee Ji-an's ally, she trains Ji-an and dominates the first half and middle of the story.
Of course, true to the cliché-packed script, she'll probably die in the latter half—used as a trigger for the protagonist's awakening.
As my thoughts dragged on, CEO Kim Seulgi finished settling the bill and came out.
First round was company business, so the CEO picking up the tab made sense. But second round? That was on me.
I'd already calculated the amount and jotted it in my notes.
I'll pay this debt back for sure.
"Let's go, Gyeowol."
"Ah, yes, CEO."
As we left the bar, she said she'd called a taxi.
It was still broad daylight, and the street was well-lit with streetlamps and bustling with people—safe enough to walk even at night.
"Still, take the taxi. I won't feel right otherwise."
"...Thank you for everything."
"No need to thank me. Get home safe, and see you the day after tomorrow for the shoot."
"Yes! You too, CEO—get home safe!"
She looked like a cool city woman, but she was so warm-hearted.
Impossible not to fall for someone like that.
CEO Kim Seulgi. My love, my lord.
Even if I really made it big as an actress, I'd model for Atelier for life.
"Actress Jeong Gyeowol! See you at the audition hall!"
"Head in safe! Sorry for Jongwook's antics today!"
I exchanged goodbyes with the screenwriter and PD, then headed home.
Normally, I'd make sure everyone else got taxis or rides home first, walking back myself last.
But here I was, taking the first taxi home.
Being on the receiving end of protection felt pretty nice, in its own way.
Back home, I took a quick shower and flopped onto the bed.
Actress. Challenging it again.
The career that ruined my life.
Endless workouts and body maintenance. Voice training and breath control.
Not just acting practice, but poring over scripts to build insight—not just for my character, but the whole story.
I even studied directing.
Had to know camera movements and techniques to understand how I came across, how they wanted to use my character.
Made friends with lighting crew, learned how to handle lights.
Sound, gimbal ops, script supervisors—anything film-related, I learned it all to grasp the full flow.
Ah... except makeup.
Anyway, juggling all that with part-time gigs for 12 years.
Not always fun memories.
Chasing the dream hands-on was tougher than just staring at it from afar.
But... having to do it all again?
Just imagining it should make my skin crawl, yet my lips were curving up.
All I'd learned wasn't wasted effort. Time to prove it with this body.
Jeong Gyeowol, the woman, was a complete newbie to this industry.
Any rookie actress out there who knew as much about acting, directing, and film as I did?
Even if I failed last life, the time poured in, the sweat and tears—they wouldn't betray me now.
"Alright then... back to basics with exercise."
Acting, voice, breathing, martial arts, choreography, analysis, passion.
Nothing unimportant...
But the foundation for it all was stamina.
Build upward from stamina as the base.
Layer by layer, everything I'd studied in my past life would become the interiors.
The building owner? Jeong Gyeowol, with her selfishly perfect looks.
Once I committed to acting and sorted my situation...
I felt no doubts.
No fear of failure.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Haaak... haaak..."
No confidence.
With stamina like this, success felt impossible.
I wanted to smack yesterday's me.
Just 10 minutes of running.
Not even a full sprint—just a light jog pace for most people.
As if to prove it, two kids toddled past me.
Chubby legs waddling, yet faster than me.
Ha, no way I'd lose to babies.
"Sssup!"
I sucked in a big breath and started running again.
And about 10 minutes later...
"Uwaaa! I surrender!"
The kids who'd been matching my pace, mocking me, giggled and sped off.
Truly infuriating little brats.
Panting on a bench, a fit-looking guy stopped right in front of me mid-run.
Ha, back in the day, I kept a body like that.
Jogging one or two hours? No sweat!
"Um..."
"Yes?"
I figured he was just catching a break, but he spoke to me.
Ah, this again...
"Wanna work out together? Running like that nonstop will wreck your body. I could run beside you, guide you slowly..."
"I work as the team doctor for the national soccer team."
"Ah... sorry."
He scratched his head awkwardly and resumed running.
Felt twice as fast as before—probably not my imagination.
I'd picked up the soccer team doctor line from a pretty woman passing by.
Morning routine: wake up, quick wash, head to Banpo Hangang Park for stretches. Sure enough, guys came asking for my number.
I brushed them off like usual, but this one—claiming to be a trainer—kept yapping about form and bodies, wouldn't leave.
The woman saw, shared a pro tip: workout guys don't take no easily.
The line didn't match my vibe—you could tell it was BS.
But it'd embarrass them into bolting before they caught on. Worked like a charm.
But thinking about it, something felt off.
Honestly, past-life me would've never approached Jeong Gyeowol.
Even celebs on TV say pretty stars rarely get hit on.
Why did guys keep swarming me?
Did I look that easy?
Catching my breath on the bench, debating heading home or pushing more...
"...Why are you still here?"
"Ah... my stamina's way worse than I imagined..."
The pretty passerby woman. Or returnee now?
Anyway, the team doctor line's creator eyed me, laughing in disbelief.
Fair enough—an hour ago, this girl was still here, barely moving.
For me, guys held me up, then raced toddlers, lost time that way.
Felt wronged, but...
From her view? An hour for 2km, gasping like this.
Utterly embarrassing.
Back when I was a guy, 2km in 7:30 was nothing.
"Um... if you're okay with it, wanna work out together?"
"Huh? Wouldn't that inconvenience you?"
She approached like she'd be my running buddy.
But even on all fours, she'd lap me.
We weren't compatible for "running together."
"I'm fine. Super slow pace actually helps micro-muscles. But leaving you alone feels risky."
So... afraid I'd collapse from exhaustion alone, she'd babysit at snail speed?
Concern or shade? Hard to tell.
If it pissed me off, it was shade.
Jeong Gyeowol here. Couldn't take that insult lying down.
"Please take care of me, Master!"
Planned to pester her till she begged to split.
An hour later...
I was the one begging.
"Master... can we please work out separately? This is too much."
"Your ligaments can handle more. Muscles are doing their job. Lung sounds are normal too."
"...Lung... what?"
"Ah, the sounds from your lungs."
Something was seriously off.