Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber

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After signing the drama contract last time.

Even while I was preparing for the festival, the contract was progressing smoothly.

Well, I mean, since the Director wanted it and I was on board, my agency just had to negotiate terms that were favorable for me.

At some point, the contract was properly stamped with a bang!

The festival is really just around the corner.

It’s now just a matter of a few nights before the festival arrives.

“Hello, Soo-hyun!”

“Yes, hello.”

“You arrived early. If you sit here, the others will be coming soon.”

I’m at the broadcasting station to do a script reading for the drama.

It’s been a while since the last script reading.

After the first season of the drama I was filming ended, I hadn’t acted at all other than for some minor shoots.

I practiced a lot at home while reading the script, but I’m slightly worried about whether I can do well.

Still, I’ve gained some experience now, so I wasn’t too nervous about being in a place like this.

But…

Even though I came early, I see many actors sitting around.

Being someone who joined midway, I honestly feel a bit awkward compared to the others.

Hmm, but it’s okay.

After all, I checked the actors’ list beforehand, right?

Surprisingly, I found someone I know.

I’ve only chatted a few times, but it’s better than not knowing anyone.

So, I sat by myself for a moment, reading the script.

Creeeak—

“Oh, welcome!”

Just then, the door opened, and the only person I know came in.

A very eye-catching guy with dyed black hair—perhaps due to his role, he looks quite flashy.

“We meet again.”

“Good to see you.”

It’s Kang Yun-sung, the idol who matches his looks with splendid charm.

He’s the leader of Beasts and is known as a rising star in acting, with the youngest being Lee Hyun-jun, who is close to Hyeon-su.

I’ve seen his face a bit since the premiere of the movie I initially shot, “The Score,” but it feels like this is the first time we’re properly working together.

“We’re sitting right next to each other.”

“Well, our roles are similar.”

After exchanging greetings, Kang Yun-sung took his designated seat next to me.

Kang Yun-sung and I share the same background for our activity.

After all, our characters are set to be classmates in the same school.

So, Kang Yun-sung wears a school uniform as he plays a student role too.

I mean, since he’s an idol, he manages his looks so well that with just a bit of makeup he can easily pass for a student.

But I guess he had to think about his age when he was offered the role, right?

Though the average age of idols is low, given Kang Yun-sung is the leader and the oldest among the members of Beasts, he’d be way past the age for wearing a school uniform.

Or maybe idols are just tough to this stuff.

“By the way, did you also get an offer?”

“Yes, I got the call right away.”

“Hahaha, the Director is fast with the news.”

Kang Yun-sung also joined late, just like me after being cast.

We’re both in the same situation, with similar backgrounds, and even playing handsome student roles.

Why is it so similar?

That’s because, like me, Kang Yun-sung had his schedule freed up when the second season was delayed.

Were the roles for students left vacant?

Looking at it, it seems like the Director cast us as soon as he heard the news.

“How was filming for Season 1?”

Kang Yun-sung played a participant in the survival game.

Since he probably did almost everything regarding the survival game, I decided to ask him how it was.

“Oh, the shooting was fun. The set was really well done, you know?”

“…I’m jealous.”

Thinking back, although we filmed the same drama, I hardly met Kang Yun-sung.

If I had to specify, Jisoo was more the antagonist while Kang Yun-sung was on the participant side.

Well, we’ll probably run into each other in Season 2.

“By the way, how about your side? I heard the rumors were quite something.”

“Our side? What’s been said?”

If it’s about our side, it should be referring to the antagonists…

What kind of rumors could be spreading?

I’m not sure about the atmosphere on set since I didn’t go back after shooting my parts.

“It’s not bad; everyone envied you for finishing quickly and taking a break first.”

“Oh yeah, it did finish quickly.”

Now that I think about it, my part did wrap up pretty fast.

Since my acting fee is based on the episodes I appear in, it could make others envious to finish quickly and move on to other schedules.

Well, the main leads of the survival game will probably command higher prices, though.

Anyway, as we chatted, more and more actors started to fill their seats.

Finally, the much-awaited director and writer entered.

“Hello everyone! It’s been a while since we all gathered, right?”

Starting with such a line, the Director smoothly led the meeting.

Despite his tired appearance with dark circles, he seemed to have a knack for directing.

“Oh, we have two new actors joining us today. Let’s greet each other.”

Those two are referring to Kang Yun-sung and me.

It’s quite rare for two people to join midway, so having it happen like this at once is indeed unusual.

“They are famous, so let’s give them a warm welcome.”

Thus, amidst the Director’s slightly burdensome introduction, we greeted, and the other actors applauded brightly.

Hmm, the atmosphere on set doesn’t seem bad at all.

Plus, looking around while greeting, I see many familiar faces among the actors.

Now that I’m an actor too, I’ve started to occasionally watch dramas and movies on OTT platforms.

Seeing familiar faces that often appear in those OTT dramas and movies feels reassuring before we even start shooting.

“Now that we’ve gotten acquainted, shall we jump right into the reading?”

With that, under the Director’s lead, we began the script reading.

With so many familiar faces and names among the actors, starting from the protagonist, the acting was outstanding.

Of course, a few supporting actors or younger newcomers made some mistakes or seemed awkward now and then, but overall, it wasn’t bad.

As we progressed through the script reading smoothly,

Before long, it was my turn for Lee Yeon-ah’s entrance.

The role I have as Lee Yeon-ah is a cheerful high school girl who maintains a confident and bold attitude even in a zombie outbreak.

Plus, she has a bit of a fierce streak.

Well, considering she has to survive the zombie apocalypse, it’s understandable for her to be grabbing weapons.

Anyway, since there are plenty of lines and actions typical of a high school girl in the script,

I’m barely managing to suppress a tiny bit of cringe.

…I shouldn’t be feeling this way.

I need to completely embody Lee Yeon-ah.

If I feel awkward, it would mean that I’m just Kim Soo-hyun struggling with playing a high school girl rather than truly being Lee Yeon-ah, right?

But at least I’m relieved that…

“Where did you come from?”

Kang Yun-sung beside me is playing a male student, which is a good thing.

Still, he’s performing well.

It’s not like I’m someone to evaluate acting, but I can tell Kang Yun-sung’s performance definitely holds its ground here.

And once Kang Yun-sung’s lines end, it’s my turn again.

Since we’re both acting from similar backgrounds, there are quite a few dialogue scenes between us.

Reading the script, it’s comforting to play a high school girl and a high school boy together.

After all, I’m not doing this alone.

Plus, most of the other student actors are older than me, so that feels a bit reassuring too.

Anyway, gradually adapting, I continued to read the script diligently.

**

“Alright, that’s a wrap! Great job, everyone!”

Following the Director’s words, the script reading wrapped up.

“Phew…”

“You all did well!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

The actors started to relax, each putting down their scripts.

“Haah.”

I also let out a sigh as I put my script down.

Well, I was confident, but still, something feels off.

It may not seem like a problem to others, but since I feel this way, I need to practice more to clear it up.

Luckily, I don’t have any schedule after today’s script reading, so while I was thinking about heading home to practice, just then…

“Ah, before you all get up, I have something to say.”

The Director, who had organized the scripts, quietly spoke up.

Since it’s the Director, all the actors who were getting ready to stand turned to listen.

“As you all know, the new director Ahn Dong-jin is releasing a film in the same genre as ours, right?”

It must be referring to a zombie movie in the same genre, right?

Oh, a new zombie film is coming out…

Is it the one that Moon Chang-sik is in?

Right, it’s not often that Korea produces good zombie movies.

That movie is probably the one with Moon Chang-sik.

“Ahn Dong-jin.”

“Isn’t he famous…?”

“This is the first I’m hearing about his new movie.”

That led to other actors gasp in admiration as the Director spoke.

Ah, seems like Ahn Dong-jin is a well-known figure.

Not that I’d know all the directors’ names, so it didn’t hit me strongly.

“I’ve had the chance to see him work a few times, and he’s excellent.”

I don’t really know what it’s like on set, but it must be quite remarkable.

After all, Moon Chang-sik handpicked that movie.

It should be at least decent.

But why is he saying this now?

Isn’t it a rival film? There’s no need to praise it like this…

“But, we’re not outdone either.”

…I didn’t think there was any doubt there…

But the Director spoke firmly.

With a face that looks like something out of a youth manga, he began to speak up.

“As we work hard, let’s outshine them as the best zombie drama of the year.”

The sudden declaration left me surprised.

Wait, was that a motivational speech?

Honestly, I found it a bit off.

“Let’s do it! We can win!”

“Zombie dramas are our thing!”

“You’re awesome, Director!”

From the other actors’ reactions, it seemed to resonate well.

Well, having a defined rival does help spark motivation.

But that means Moon Chang-sik is the rival.

Take him down, Moon Chang-sik.

Hmm, I like that.

I hope this drama does better and I can put him in his place.

Thus, as I brought forth a determination that felt unthinkable to say to my acting mentor, I joined in the excitement with my fellow actors.