Chapter 12
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 012
Chapter Title: Script Reading (2)
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"Good work, everyone!"
It was after they'd finished reading through about three episodes' worth of the script.
"Alright! Let's all pack up and go grab some pork belly!"
People laughed at PD Kim Geun-tae's suggestion of a group dinner. The tension had finally eased a bit.
The actors and staff began rising from their seats one by one.
I had no idea they'd been reading the script so intently.
"Whoa. My legs were shaking when I just stood up."
A few actors exchanged words with their close colleagues. Half-joking, half-serious.
"Look at my hands—they're totally soaked. The paper's all crumpled up."
"Ew... Hold on. Why are you wiping it on my back?"
The script reading had been surprisingly intense.
And it was all because of that no-name actor.
Shin Yi-han, was it? Wow, for real.
From the start, he'd set the mood like...
He'd made it impossible to even breathe.
Then, in one fell swoop, he'd pulled everyone here—actors, staff, everyone—straight into the world of Brilliant Sky.
It didn't feel like a script reading at all.
It was like the late Lee Ha-neul was sitting right there, staring at us.
What could anyone do?
From that moment, they were all already in character.
Honestly... I still have no idea what happened.
Immersing yourself in a role is something seasoned actors can do just fine.
But dragging everyone else in with you?
That's on a whole other level.
No one here could drop their focus for even a second. They were all just desperately trying not to break the world that one rookie actor had created.
He's insane...
And that's when the actors, who'd been chattering away, turned their eyes toward Shin Yi-han.
There he was, surrounded by Writer Yoon Si-a, Director Pyo Nam-un, and PD Kim Geun-tae.
"Um... should we add a bit more to the Lee Ha-neul scenes?"
"Ugh! As expected of Actor Shin Yi-han! I have zero worries about the actual shoot now."
"Actor! I nearly died from goosebumps!"
The three of them were chatting amiably.
Everyone else was dying to push through and talk to Shin Yi-han themselves.
The first to approach him were the older actors.
"Whew, you were incredible! Impressive for a young guy."
"Haven't felt this locked in for a while."
"They nailed the casting for Lee Ha-neul."
They naturally patted his shoulder as they spoke.
"I worked my butt off because I didn't want to lose to our rookie actor here."
In the meantime, lead actress Ham Yeon-jeong had joined in.
"Thanks to you, it was the most fun I've had in ages."
Ham Yeon-jeong smiled, and it felt genuine.
"I had to step up my game just to keep up with all you seniors."
Shin Yi-han flashed a soft smile and joked lightly. He was already buzzing from matching breaths with so many great actors.
A pleased grin came naturally.
"Such a humble guy."
Ham Yeon-jeong laughed at his polite words.
The more she saw, the more she liked about him.
She was even curious where he'd been hiding all this time.
"So, where'd you find this guy and bring him in?"
The same question popped up right nearby.
"Heh heh heh. You know Red Film next door? Picked him up by chance while hanging out there."
PD's proud tone followed soon after.
Of course, the movie was still under wraps in many ways, but he couldn't keep it bottled up.
"Once that movie hits theaters, everyone's jaws are gonna drop. They'll fall for our Shin Yi-han in just a few minutes!"
PD Kim Geun-tae subtly leaked info while promoting the movie Shin Yi-han starred in.
Everyone really needed to see it. Then they'd get why he was making such a fuss.
"Oh, no way. That one? Director Song Won-sik's project."
"Whoa! I saw the synopsis! Wanted in, but schedule clashed. Huge."
"Oh my. Great eye for projects too! Every one they've done is gold..."
The middle-aged actors chuckled, saying they'd heard of it. Now that Shin Yi-han was in it, they were suddenly interested.
"Hey! Got any next projects lined up? I know a good one."
"Whoa, jumping the gun! Hasn't even shot the drama yet!"
"What about an agency? Wanna join ours? I'll hook you up!"
Then they started probing him about this and that.
The other actors who couldn't get close eavesdropped shamelessly.
Who wouldn't be curious? What was his deal? Why start acting now?
"But... no acting academy? Doesn't add up."
Even among themselves, Shin Yi-han was the hot topic.
"Him being a nobody until now is the real mystery. With that face and talent."
"Overheard the staff—he just started acting recently."
"What? That's nuts."
"Guy's the real deal..."
Most were busy admiring him.
"And diligent to boot."
That's when Shin Yi-han, chatting between the writer, PD, director, and older actors, suddenly dashed over to help the staff.
"So warm and approachable... seems like a good guy."
The actors nodded as they watched him eagerly pick up the staff's gear.
"Agreed. But weren't you grumbling earlier about some weird newbie showing up?"
"Uh, that was... I didn't know better. Ahem."
Of course, not everyone was singing his praises.
Even after seeing his acting with their own eyes, some refused to acknowledge it.
"Ugh... cocky no-name."
"Overdoing the emotions in a script read. Not even principal photography. God, exhausting."
Especially the younger actors playing schoolmates with Shin Yi-han—they huddled together, shooting sharp glares.
Their pride had been bruised ages ago. Every line he delivered made them compare unfavorably, leaving them sweating bullets.
"And so what if he acts well? Got the role by sucking up to the PD, right? Gross."
"Exactly. No wonder the PD delayed casting Lee Ha-neul. Right, Mu-gang?"
But in that group sat actor Park Mu-gang.
"What're you barking about? Where's this dog coming from?"
"Uh...?"
Park Mu-gang flicked his ear at the bid for agreement and scowled at them.
"Hey."
His voice, which had been excitedly chatting with them before the reading started, had sunk low.
"You blind and deaf or what?"
"Wh-what's that su-suddenly...?"
The guy, who'd assumed Park Mu-gang would agree, was thrown.
"PD said earlier he was cast in Director Song Won-sik's movie. Miss that? If you did, at least ask around instead of making crap up."
"......"
The mood chilled instantly at Park Mu-gang's harsh words.
They were already intimidated by his fierce look.
Whoosh. Park Mu-gang stood up, ignoring them, and headed toward Shin Yi-han.
He'd trash-talked him earlier too, figuring some weirdo had rolled in.
But after seeing that acting...
He didn't want to anymore.
If anything, Park Mu-gang thought Shin Yi-han was...
"Fucking awesome."
He liked him way too much.
Getting embarrassed earlier for calling him Lee Ha-neul by mistake? Whatever. Now that the reading was over, it didn't even cross his mind.
Turned out they were the same age—that was cool. And his acting blew peers out of the water. Even cooler.
Acting like that? Insane.
'Wanna get close.'
Park Mu-gang watched Shin Yi-han chatting with the staff, from a step behind.
He even meshed well with them—looked great.
'Ah, but when to say hi? Wanna sit at his table for dinner.'
Actor Park Mu-gang's affinity for Shin Yi-han was steadily climbing without him knowing.
And right then.
Shin Yi-han had naturally helped tidy up with the staff before dashing over to his sister, who was packing her stuff.
"Sis."
He said it very quietly. He snatched her load and grinned cheekily.
"How was I?"
It was the first time he'd properly shown his acting to family.
"We still pretending we don't know each other?"
I was amazing. Shin Yi-han teased playfully. He just wanted her reaction, anything.
She was the one who'd given him this script in the first place, back when he was his old self.
"......"
But even to his question, sister Shin I-rim had nothing to say. She averted her eyes and turned away.
What?
No way it sucked. No.
Or maybe he was so different from what she'd imagined, it threw her off—
"Actor! You're siblings with I-rim?!"
...Threw her off? Hardly.
Before Shin I-rim could speak, one of her fellow PDs nearby beat her to it.
"You have no idea how shocked I was!"
"I heard everything from I-rim!"
Not just her colleague. Staff sidled up, making a fuss.
"Oh my gosh. Standing side by side, you really look alike!"
"Now that you mention it, your speech patterns match!"
"Siblings both in this industry? Wild!"
Surrounded by the sudden crowd, Shin Yi-han shot Shin I-rim a look.
'You already blabbed?'
She scratched her cheek under his gaze.
'Slipped out.'
Shin I-rim couldn't help it. She was the one who'd suggested playing it cool, making it awkward as hell.
But the bragging had burst out reflexively.
'Hey, that's my little bro?'
'Huh...?'
Right after the reading ended.
Starting with the colleague next to her.
'That's my little brother. Real blood.'
'......?'
To every staff member around.
'Barely started acting, but he's a total genius, my bro.'
'Should've known sooner—would've pushed him for child roles. What a waste.'
She'd spilled it all without blinking, even hamming it up.
'......Hold up, I-rim? Let's confirm first. Real siblings?'
'Kid's a bit crazy, but doesn't lie... What's this outta nowhere?'
'Too random!'
Reactions varied, but anyway.
"So yeah. All the staff know you're my brother now."
Shin I-rim cleared her throat and said.
"And how were you?"
Her belated answer to his question.
"I nearly passed out. From the shock."
Playful, but sincere.
"But shock aside, you nailed every beat."
Shin I-rim stuck up a thumb.
Park Mu-gang's crew had been trash-talking her brother, leaving her fuming inside.
"Feels great now. Best."
Now she beamed.
Pfft.
Shin Yi-han couldn't help but laugh at his sister's words.
"Glad to hear it."
Thrilled that his acting had impressed her.
"I'll keep making you proud. I'm gonna kill it."
At their confident little bro's face, the siblings shared a laugh.
And someone overheard their warm sibling chat.
Actor Park Mu-gang, who'd headed Shin Yi-han's way.
He was pretty flustered.
It was heartwarming, sure.
And he'd come over to get friendly—good.
Wait. What?
S-sis...?
Siisss?!
I badmouthed Shin Yi-han hard in front of that lady staffer earlier...?
"......"
I'm screwed.
After the script reading, it wasn't just the people there talking about Shin Yi-han.
Actors who'd seen his acting messaged their managers. Staff tipped off reporter friends.
'This reading was insane. Come to set later and check him out.'
'That rookie actor... no agency yet.'
'You gotta see the acting yourself. For real.'
Word spread far and wide.
Even Brilliant Sky's lead, actress Ham Yeon-jeong, was no exception.
—How was the script reading?
"Mm. Incredible in every way."
—Scenario seemed fun—great if the reading rocked too. Smooth sailing ahead.
Ham Yeon-jeong continued her call. She had to pass it on to her agency CEO.
"Not just the script... something else blew me away."
—What?
"CEO Choo. Brace yourself."
She wasn't just relaying.
"Got a rookie you'll love on sight."
—Uh... the no-name for Lee Ha-neul?
"Yeah. Makes me wanna drag him to our agency right now."
—How good exactly?
Ham Yeon-jeong wanted Shin Yi-han in her agency bad.
The roster was small.
But stacked.
CEO Choo had an eye for talent like no one else.
Turning all of them, herself included, into A-listers.
And that could happen for Shin Yi-han too.
Watching him grow would be exciting as a fellow actor.
"So come to set when shooting starts. It's urgent too—other managers were already handing out cards."
—If you say so, Actor, I'll check it out.
"Do it."
From her words today, no agency yet—but who knew who might snag him first.
Priority: get him in front of CEO Choo. She'd love him for sure.
"You have to come."
—Got it. I will.
CEO Choo nodded at Ham Yeon-jeong's insistence.
She hung up and started scheming.
'Time to dig into who this guy really is.'
First time Ham Yeon-jeong recommended a rookie like this...
Never gushed "incredible" before either.
Unbeknownst to him, the recruitment began.