I Don’t Want to Play Villains Anymore - Chapter 22

Popularity is at its peak.

“Our actor! It’s such a mess!”

“Mom! Breath! I can’t breathe!”

Seeing that I was half-lying on the sofa, Mom picked me up without putting down the baby blanket.

The formal name is ‘Maternal Compression Technique.’ The skill effect is rib-compressing breathlessness.

“Ha… I’m alive…”

Once I finally escaped from Mom’s arms, my hair was already a complete mess, with my bangs sticking up in bizarre directions.

“Did you see the ratings? Right now, ‘Bichuri’ and ‘Jonuri’ both surpassed 20%!”

Mom thrust her phone at me while spouting out the ratings.

<'Quiet God's Story' Episode 1 achieved a rating of 26%. Can it reach a record high?>

<'Even Without Light, We' Episode 1 achieved a rating of 23%. A showdown with Jonuri is anticipated...>

The thumbnail showed my face. Still small and immature, a five-year-old’s face.

Yet within it, there was the “actor’s gaze.”

“…Haneul. Did you always have such an intense gaze?”

Somehow, it was a little creepier than it needed to be.

“Mom, that was filmed when I was using Yeomra’s powers.”

“Still, it’s cool! The director and writer say your eyes sparkle when you concentrate!”

“The director usually frowns.”

“…That may be true.”

Mom sat down, stroking my hair.

It was a slightly quiet and peaceful afternoon, one that felt serene.

We had finished filming and were taking a moment to catch our breath, putting off the next script for a while.

‘But it feels a bit empty.’

Time flowed quickly, but my heart remained heavy.

Was it because I hadn’t acted in a while? Time felt like it was flowing with sunlight.

By the time I woke up in the morning, it was already afternoon, and after eating, the day would end.

I hadn’t accomplished anything remarkable during that time, yet my name was starting to be recognized.

My face appeared on street billboards, and on social media, dozens of posts asking ‘Who is this child actor?’ appeared daily.

It truly felt like it had just begun.

“Haneul.”

Mom’s quiet voice rang gently.

“Yes?”

“What about Gineul? How do you feel about this kind of reaction?”

I slowly raised my head.

Gineul… Gineul, huh.

To be honest, I was pretending to be okay but…

‘Slightly scary.’

This was too fast and too big of a wave for a child to experience.

Even if I had acted long in my past life, I had never been embraced by fame at such a rapid pace.

Different from my previous life where I took steady steps on the Right Path.

Clear evidence that Baek Ha-neul was moving towards becoming a star on the shortcut.

“I just… don’t know.”

“It’s okay to be unsure.”

Mom smiled warmly.

“You just need to be yourself, Haneul. With acting and broadcasting, you can do as much as you want, and if you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to do it.”

“Then, I might take a break for over ten years?”

“You’re already doing that, aren’t you?”

We both chuckled softly. And in that moment, I suddenly realized.

Ah. I am currently amidst the admiration of people—

There are those who look upon me sympathetically.

I have family, friends, and colleagues supporting me.

I am not a lonely actor on this stage.

I quietly opened my phone.

And I checked the ratings again.

Seeing that news, I muttered words of disbelief.

“…A divine performance.”

And then, I chuckled.

‘It hasn’t even started yet.’

This reaction? This level of popularity?

Of course, it’s overwhelming.

Yet, what’s inside me hasn’t even barely emerged yet.

If I could evoke at least 50% of the emotions I had when playing a villain.

If even a little of that intensity, those eyes, those chilling feelings could surface…

Truly, this name will soon rise to the ranks of stardom.

…However. I couldn’t unleash it just yet.

No, I still couldn’t bring it out.

What’s too strong can sometimes be poison.

What people expect from a child is cuteness, warmth, and an innocent blankness.

‘Right now, I can’t possibly channel a villain’s intensity.’

I must remain ‘Yoon Na-rae’ for now. Just at this level.

Yet sometimes, I imagine.

What if I completely tapped into those dark emotions?

If I pierced through with a cold gaze and could dominate an opponent without saying a word.

And if the audience witnessed that.

Then surely… the name ‘Baek Ha-neul’ would be firmly established.

But—

‘Don’t be too eager.’

As I murmured to myself, I gazed out the window.

The sunlight leaning against the window framed the end of the afternoon.

Wow, as if to say, ‘Good job, today too.’

At this age, it’s a significant achievement.

To have moved the hearts of so many people with just two works.

From an unknown child to having my face on a poster, referred to in news articles.

I know better than anyone that this is no ordinary feat.

So for now, let’s take it a bit slower.

What I have can be shown gradually.

Like turning a page, allowing people to realize the depth I possess.

“…Hmm.”

I buried myself back in the covers.

Mom was making something in the kitchen, and I could hear the sound of tableware clattering.

For now, peace remained.

However, soon this peace would turn into another battle.

Press schedules, interviews, news articles, the next work’s love calls—all of these will soon come my way.

I closed my eyes quietly.

‘Okay. I’ll accept it all.’

But before that—

“I need to sleep a little longer…”

Just a bit more.

Embracing this tranquility for a while.

Let’s take a moment to catch our breath, to gather energy for the next stage.

***

‘Quiet God’s Story’ and ‘Even Without Light, We.’

What would originally have ended as a light victory for Jonuri turned into a variable with Haneul’s appearance.

The situation with Bichuri was supposed to be ruined by the discord between Director Yoon Seok-won and Writer Soosumin.

However, meeting the genius Baek Ha-neul, who stimulated Soosumin’s creativity for the first time, led to the sacrifice of artistic integrity for the sake of popularity.

As a result, the impact of these two super popular works warmed the hearts of the viewers.

– So what are the current anticipated works?

As Jonuri and Bichuri satisfy current viewer demands.

People are starting to look not at the present, but at the future.

– Who was the kid that played Yeomra? I heard he was planning to retire after just a few scenes.

– Retirement? You mean a break. He needs to go to school.

– All the scenes that came out are box-office hits.

– Seriously, he portrayed the character excellently.

– I heard Writer Soosumin praised him.

– LOL.

And then, one day, the name ‘Baek Ha-neul’ started to dominate the headlines of the community.

The title of ‘rookie child actor’ became colorless.

Now, every movement centered around Baek Ha-neul.

Someone quietly remarked.

That what they are witnessing now might be the beginning of a legend.

Even though Haneul is still just five years old.

– Breaking News) Director Gong Mu-heon’s new work announced!!

– Is it real?? The big fish is moving!

– Big fish sounds a bit odd…

– If it’s Gong Mu-heon, we have to trust and watch; there’s no one who can follow in the footsteps of someone who creates such masterpieces.

– But has it not been revealed yet? Any info about the new actors?

– No, just whispers that Gong Mu-heon is planning something with someone.

The name alone sends a silent wave through the industry.

‘Gong Mu-heon.’

The god of thrillers. A perfectionist who meticulously sharpens every detail, from historical accuracy to acting, cinematography, emotions—nothing gets overlooked.

But at the same time, he is known as the ‘nightmare’ for actors.

Not because the script is scary, but because his gaze is terrifying.

If an actor does not immerse themselves in their emotions on set,

He will repeat a single scene dozens of times, without a word.

Director Gong Mu-heon is a filmmaker who demands rigorous authenticity in performance.

To act is not simply to pretend; if an actor cannot truly embody the character, Gong Mu-heon will not give them a chance.

And now, Gong Mu-heon’s upcoming project.

A return after five years.

<Villain's Diary>

As a noir drama and a work by the god of thrillers, all eyes are on this grand project…

“Honestly, it’s a burden.”

“Be quiet, Jung Hee-chang.”

The two giant directors were toasting drinks together.

“Two dramas that you sent out have exploded in success back to back—how can that not be a burden?”

Jung Hee-chang smirked as he took a sip. His motions displayed a comfort born from familiarity and a seasoned detachment.

In contrast, Gong Mu-heon silently rolled his glass in front of him.

“It’s not a burden for me. It’s a responsibility.”

Gong Mu-heon’s voice was low and slow.

Yet those words felt like a stone dropped into a still lake. Calm, yet emphasizing a solid focal point.

“What was the name again? That little actor.”

“Baek Ha-neul.”

Jung Hee-chang swept his bangs aside as he spoke, pride laced in his tone. A privilege of being the first to see the potential of a future giant.

Gong Mu-heon rolled that name around his mouth a few times before softly breaking into laughter.

“Isn’t it amusing? A five-year-old changed the dynamics of this industry.”

“I too was inspired by her performance to write a scene that felt very vivid.”

“Just from one child?”

“Yeah. Let’s just say…”

Jung Hee-chang set down his drink and briefly gazed out the window.

Seoul was quiet that evening, the neon lights appearing especially dim today.

“When I watch her scene… I just can’t look away. That’s the issue. After editing, she stands out more than other actors. And her face sticks in my mind without any intention to.”

Gong Mu-heon silently put a cigarette in his mouth.

Lighting it, he nodded slightly.

“…So that’s why you’re bringing her in.”

Jung Hee-chang furrowed his brows.

“What?”

“Villain’s Diary. I’m going to cast that kid.”

“Ha… Are you out of your mind? It’s a noir. With your style, there’ll be loads of graphic scenes and eye-rolling; you want to spend that on a little girl?”

“That’s exactly why I’m doing it.”

Gong Mu-heon slowly exhaled the cigarette smoke as he continued.

“She has a face that doesn’t know fear. An expression not befitting a child, one that seems to have seen everything in the world.”

“Hey! Haneul is just a kid! She’s five! Even if her talent is overflowing, she’s just a child.”

“Exactly. But even as a child, she can endure that.”

Gong Mu-heon turned directly toward him.

“If you want to work with me, you must sincerely act. Fake tears, fake fear—none of that will do. Can you do that?”

Jung Hee-chang quietly lowered his head.

It was reckless, yet at the same time, it was exciting. It was the first time Gong Mu-heon had genuinely discussed actors with such sincerity.

“What exactly will she show?”

“A child who, in despair, brings down others with the calmest expression.”

“…That’s a villain, isn’t it?”

A small smile crept at the corners of Gong Mu-heon’s mouth.

“That’s exactly this work. <Villain's Diary>. A story that questions who the real villain is. We will place Haneul at the center of it.”

Jung Hee-chang rubbed his forehead and murmured.

“You really are crazy…”

Gong Mu-heon knocked the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray as he spoke.

“In this business, stars don’t just exist. There’s more than just shining ones…

“Stars that can’t be looked away from.”