Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Isn't That Her Herself?
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Isn't that her herself?
In my past life, I unexpectedly met death quite often.
Of course, not literally dying, but as characters in the stories.
Just counting the times I died as a random passing soldier: three times as a Goguryeo soldier, four as Silla, one as Baekje, five as Tang Dynasty troops, six as Goryeo soldiers, four as Joseon troops, seven as Japanese soldiers, two as North Korean soldiers, and one as a South Korean soldier.
Some of that was from dramas recycling extras and scenes, dying ten times over in common productions, but even so, it was a dazzling death record spanning the entire history of the Korean Peninsula.
I also had credits dying in modern disaster films or cop/gangster movies,
and even got blown up as a zombie extra once, so jokingly speaking, my past self had always brushed close to death.
However, setting that aside.
Now, active as a full-fledged 'lead' actress instead of an unnoticed extra dying left and right,
my death rate was actually higher than in my past life.
I'd done plenty of supporting roles in everyday dramas, so even with all those deaths, my past life's mortality rate(?) was around 20% at most.
In contrast, now barely a year into my acting career, mine was a whopping 75%.
From the Queen Dowager stabbed by a dagger in The Queen Dowager, Sovereign of Deception,
to the Kaguya Queen exploding in a spaceship in Mask Hero - Black Moon,
and now Hospital Director Chae Mi-ri shot dead in Last Sign.
The only exception was Choi Soo-jin in Answer Me 1989, who didn't die—but that wasn't even that genre, so it didn't count.
Even there, she ended up as the losing heroine, so the not-so-great finale stood.
And in this situation,
despite my daughter venting her dissatisfaction—well, not dissatisfaction exactly—I'd taken another role slated for death.
"Hmm... Well, looks like a high chance of dying this time too."
"Hing... I don't like it."
"Does our Seon-hwa hate it when Mom plays dying roles?"
"Yeah... She always ends up so pitiful at the end. I want Mom to be happy too."
"Haha..."
Hearing my daughter's wish, I could only let out an awkward laugh.
This time's live-action drama shooting in Japan, Parasyte.
The Takami Yuka I was playing died at the end in the original work... no, she was a monster.
Not that I'm planning to refuse or anything. Still, it does feel a bit off.
I was even wondering if I'd end up as one of those 'death flag' actresses.
Not that it was bad, but hearing it from my daughter made the mood strange.
Well... Anyway, I need an image change soon. Maybe do some modern slice-of-life stuff after? Those rarely have deaths.
Thinking that, I cautiously entered the broadcasting station office we'd arrived at.
"Soo-jeong!"
"Long time no see!"
People greeting me with bright voices right away.
Even without Aram manager's translation, I could guess what they were saying from their expressions and vibe.
Kujo Sakuya and Watanabe Yuyuko, whom I'd worked with on Mask Hero.
Seeing their joyful reactions as the leads—Inazuma Shinji and heroine Musashino Sato—I smiled back warmly.
"Yuyu unnie!"
"Oh~ Seon-hwa-chan, long time no see. Been well?"
"Yeah! I've been great!"
Yuyuko easily scooped up Seon-hwa, who ran over familiarly.
Thanks to her role as my No.1 subordinate in the last shoot, she'd always doted on Seon-hwa, so both faces beamed with genuine smiles.
Once the slightly rowdy reunion wrapped up,
we sat down with more serious expressions.
"Now that all the actors are here, let's go over the explanation again."
Asaha's Yukari Deputy Manager explained the situation gravely.
I knew her pretty well by now, but the tension on her face was heavier than during Mask Hero.
"As you've heard, this program mobilizes Asaha Broadcasting's full resources—no exaggeration. Budget's triple that of Mask Hero - Black Moon, and with fewer episodes, we must give our all to every single one. Especially you, Soo-jeong."
"Yes."
"The CM... well, basically the PV. You saw it—Kirishima Airin's performance was no joke. Great online buzz, production team all raved. Some even seriously suggested swapping her in, but her fee was too burdensome."
It was about what I'd expected.
Sure, I'd gained popularity in Korea lately, but only there.
And no matter what, my short career was still a big factor.
Kirishima Airin, on the other hand, was a veteran even Japan recognized.
Her fame was on another level, and her acting undeniable.
So,
I'd already resolved myself before boarding the flight to Japan.
To go all out more than ever.
"I understand perfectly. Replacing someone of her caliber won't be easy... but I'll do my utmost."
"Hmm..."
"Something wrong, Writer?"
"No... nothing."
A middle-aged man forcing a smile at the PD's words.
Hitoshi Iwaaki, original creator of the manga Parasyte.
His 20-year-old work heating up again was naturally thrilling.
Like a forgotten child returning laden with gold.
Especially with successful anime followed by a drama—fulfilling a long-held dream as an author.
But despite that, Hitoshi Iwaaki inwardly disliked the current situation.
He'd seen the announced CM, of course.
The others were good, but Airin as Takami Yuka especially impressed.
True to her status as Japan's top actress, her performance was impeccable... which only amplified his regret.
Airin was only for the CM in this project.
He'd heard someone else would play Yuka in the main series.
Well... budget-wise, Airin is a stretch...
Reportedly, having her for the full series would double costs.
Irresistible greed aside, impossible in reality.
Still, the regret lingered.
Heard the follow-up actress is decent too, but...
Even so, from cost on down, she'd inevitably fall short of Airin.
Feeling genuine disappointment, Hitoshi Iwaaki headed to the bustling set preparing for the drama shoot.
People scurrying about.
There to inspect and advise as original creator, but with nothing immediate, he sat where guided.
Then.
"Alright, let's start today's shoot."
"Everyone, double-check cameras."
"Lighting's a bit dark. Adjust brightness."
"Ah... hold for a bit. 10 minutes... no, 5, then we start."
A minor glitch made things even noisier.
In the midst, Hitoshi spotted two people sitting quietly.
One was Kujo Sakuya, protagonist Shinji—he'd met her a few times.
The other was a first for him, but...
Even so, he instantly knew her role.
"...Huh?"
She was undoubtedly a stunning beauty.
A woman with looks rivaling Airin's from before.
But setting that aside, the moment Hitoshi saw her, surprise hit for another reason.
Not a single line delivered yet.
Just sitting there, the beauty.
Yet from her emanated
an indescribable thick dissonance.
Cold,
no—more precisely, a hollow shell with no contents, an empty face.
It was like...
a doll merely mimicking a human.
A form human-shaped, yet not human.
What to call this,
he—the Parasyte creator—knew all too well.
Mons... ter?
If he didn't know it was acting, it could've sparked real terror.
As his mouth went inexplicably dry,
"..."
"!"
That thing slowly turned toward him.
An empty gaze feeling nothing.
For an instant, abyssal pressure like being peered into by the depths overwhelmed him, chilling his spine.
Looking at him, it wore a faint smile...
no, a form mimicking a smile.
Amazed that a beauty's smile could feel so repulsive and horrifying, Hitoshi wanted to look away but couldn't.
If he turned now...
Instinct screamed that thing would lunge at him...
Then.
"Alright, shooting starts now."
"Everyone prepare!"
"Hah!"
The voice in his ear, and the pressure vanished instantly.
Hitoshi, who'd unwittingly gulped air, looked back at it amid lingering fear.
As if the pressure was a lie, it stared blankly ahead, expressionless again.
Wiping cold sweat from his brow, Hitoshi began a rationally absurd thought.
Isn't that... Takami Yuka herself?