Chapter 14
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 014
Chapter Title: Choo Gyeo-ul
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The first shoot for Brilliant Sky.
In front of the school bullying that Lee Ha-neul was enduring...
Aaahhh!
"......"
Shin I-rim could only freeze at her little brother's horrific screams echoing out.
Even though she'd seen the exact same scene during the script reading.
Even though she knew full well this was all just acting.
Her throat tightened up.
She clutched the towel she'd been holding to give him after the shoot, gripping it without realizing.
The endless stream of water from the coffee pot.
The endlessly contorting face.
The groans holding back the pain.
The trembling hands.
It was completely different from the script reading.
A lie.
That he'd been holding back during it...?
Did that even make sense?
Things were bursting out mercilessly that you could never see from just sitting and acting.
And that was truly...
More horrific.
More agonizing.
To the point where such thoughts crossed her mind.
But... this is acting, right...?
She even started doubting if her writhing brother was really suffering.
Ye-Yeah... it's acting, right?
It obviously was acting.
Right...?
Yet she kept getting confused.
But there had been two pots prepared from the start.
The pot for the boiling water scene.
The pot for pouring.
She herself, the junior PD, had prepared them. It was certain.
No matter how similar the designs, they'd been placed in different spots with different temperatures—the other actor couldn't have mixed them up.
Yeah. It's definitely cold water. That one.
It was certain.
So why did she keep doubting it?
What if the actor got nervous and the coffee pots got switched?
What if that pot had been activated too?
What if, what if.
What if that pain was real?
She knew it was ridiculous, but she couldn't help it.
He looked so... truly tormented.
It was confusing.
And then, when Park Mu-gang finally sought cold water and ended up dumping a nearby iced Americano on Shin Yi-han...
That's when Shin I-rim sensed something was wrong.
Otherwise, why would the other actor do that?
Shin I-rim's face went pale.
"Yi-han!"
She had no choice but to rush to her brother.
But as she ran over, Shin I-rim immediately realized.
"Ah, sis. Towel, please."
"Huh...?"
At her brother's utterly calm words.
"So, how was it?"
Shin Yi-han grinning like I did good, right?.
The uniform soaked and dripping with water showed no sign of heat at all.
Her brother's skin wasn't injured or red anywhere.
Relief washed over her belatedly.
...What was that? What the hell was I just thinking?
I'm not an idiot—why the ridiculous misunderstanding?
At the same time, Shin I-rim let out an awkward laugh and raised her hand. Tears glistened slightly in one eye.
Slap!
"You crazy bastard!"
Shin I-rim had no choice but to smack his back while yelling.
"Do it gently!"
"Huh...?"
She roughly dried her brother's hair with the towel, nagging him half-heartedly.
"You're insane, insane!"
That's how shocked she'd been.
Shin Yi-han chuckled, asking how a PD could tell an actor to act gently.
But the staff watching the scene could only nod quietly in agreement.
Of course, their junior PD being family made her extra shocked.
Actor... even so, that's too much.
Go easy on him...
We were really shocked too.
PD Kim Geun-tae and Director Pyo Nam-un stared at Shin Yi-han, laughing in disbelief.
"Director, I think I brought a real monster..."
"Tell me about it."
They'd been drained watching the acting. With hollow expressions, the two quietly conversed.
"But... if we're not careful,"
"Yeah."
"The drama might get overshadowed. Eaten alive by the actor."
"For real."
It was beyond what they'd imagined, so they had no choice.
They had to chase after him with all their might.
And among those watching the same scene was Ham Yeon-jeong's agency CEO, Choo Gyeo-ul.
After seeing Shin Yi-han's acting, CEO Choo's eyes were wide open, like she'd been smacked hard on the head by someone.
What...?
High expectations lead to big disappointments?
That a rookie couldn't meet those expectations?
Did I really think something that stupid?
Crazy.
"Beyond expectations" was too cliché. This was good enough that even viewing it with prejudice wouldn't matter.
If she hadn't come, she'd be beating the ground in regret.
This was the first time.
Finding a true unknown who's already perfectly polished.
He wasn't some veteran midlife actor with years of experience, nor a child actor with a lifetime of shoots.
He was a genuine rookie comet, appearing out of nowhere.
A genius surpassing everyone's expectations by miles.
Choo Gyeo-ul's heart started pounding fiercely.
What she'd planned was... as usual.
Find a rough gem before it's cut, polish it diligently, and show its shine to the public.
But... but this.
Wasn't this finding a gem already gleaming brightly?
And one.
That everyone was starting to eye.
CEO Choo's eyes flashed.
I have to bring him in. No matter what. Absolutely.
She was dying to know what would happen once this actor emerged into the world.
She wanted to sprout wings on his back as soon as possible.
And that would be immensely enjoyable.
Around the same time.
The person most confused by Shin Yi-han was probably his scene partner, actor Park Mu-gang.
"Argh! Driving me nuts."
He'd just dumped an iced Americano on Shin Yi-han while fussing about cold water.
S-Sorry! My brain must've short-circuited for a sec. Crazy. I'm really sorry!
After frantically apologizing to Shin Yi-han, he'd come into the waiting room. Park Mu-gang rubbed his forehead.
Nah, no need to apologize that much. We're the same age, right? Speak casually.
But still.
Huh? Oh... yeah. Sorry. For real.
It's fine. Actually refreshing. Woke me right up.
What kind of saint was this guy?
Recalling Shin Yi-han laughing puhuhu and saying it was okay, Park Mu-gang flopped onto the waiting room sofa.
Damn, he's growing on me.
How could his personality be this good too!
Park Mu-gang ruffled his hair roughly without thinking. He was impressed by Shin Yi-han in every way.
But he wasn't alone.
In the shared waiting room, whispers from around him were inevitable.
"Puhahat. Did you see Park Mu-gang earlier?"
"Why'd he suddenly want cold water?"
They were the other young actors playing students, who'd sat together at the script reading.
Normally, they'd laugh and chat without a care, but it had been ages since he'd talked to them after the reading.
If anything, they annoyed him now.
After seeing Shin Yi-han's acting, theirs all felt like trash.
"Why would he mix that up? Idiot? Steam would've risen if it was hot."
"And not just water—an Americano. Hilarious."
Park Mu-gang snorted at their mockery.
You guys are just acting tough now. You were all frozen in shock too.
Of course, he agreed deep down.
Damn... stupid me, pouring coffee of all things.
Park Mu-gang squeezed his eyes shut. The uniform stained coffee-brown delayed the shoot.
But in that moment, he truly couldn't help it.
Maybe because he was so close.
Why did it feel so real?
The coffee pot in his hand even felt hot.
That breath. That expression.
Like someone who'd endured scorching pain for ages.
It felt real.
No, honestly, how could that be fake?
......But it was fake. Damn it.
Even so, Park Mu-gang resolved himself this time.
No more overreacting. Keep your head straight! Even if Shin Yi-han acts like he's dying!
He wouldn't panic.
But at that moment, Park Mu-gang didn't know today's events were just the tip of the iceberg.
Resolution? He'd be lucky not to screw up again.
The school days flashbacks of the son were being shot over several days with gaps in between.
And every schedule, Park Mu-gang was going insane.
This drama started with a dead son, after all.
And that dead son endured horrific torment every time.
No catharsis.
That was for the mom, not the son.
But.
"St-Stop. Stop...!"
At Lee Ha-neul grabbing his pant leg and begging.
"I was wrong."
"I'll do whatever you say! Please...!"
At those eyes, abandoning all dignity and pleading desperately.
Damn. Who bullied that kid?
Park Mu-gang wanted to tear his hair out.
And it's me. Shit.
Why did I have to play the bully student in his school days? Argh.
Park Mu-gang truly had to grit his teeth throughout the shoot.
Was this right? How could anyone do this to a person!
Every act of bullying was brutal.
And Shin Yi-han expressing that pain was even more horrific.
No matter how much it was acting, he hated himself for humming along while watching.
In the end, making his initial resolve meaningless, Park Mu-gang always rushed to Shin Yi-han after cuts.
"You're not hurt, right? Huh? Huh?!"
And at that, Shin Yi-han couldn't help but laugh.
He hadn't realized when his sister cussed him out for his rude face.
This guy... was softer than expected.
"Hey?! Crazy! Isn't this a bruise?!"
It's makeup.
"N-No way, did it actually hurt?!"
As if.
"Didn't hurt."
Amid Park Mu-gang's fussing, Shin Yi-han chuckled and picked up the nearby baseball bat.
"The one used to hit was a fake prop."
Pressing the bat, it felt soft and squishy. No way it'd leave a mark.
"Ah... right. But you never know. They say don't hit people even with flowers. Hurts if it lands wrong, no matter what."
"Doesn't a flower usually not hurt?"
"A bouquet does, you punk..."
Puhah. Fair point.
Anyway, Park Mu-gang was pretty funny.
Maybe panicking every time was a talent.
Honestly, he immersed too well. More than others.
After the first time, he didn't make big mistakes like dumping iced coffee.
Except screaming for an ambulance over one fainting scene.
Aaah! Am-Ambulance!
You bastard! He really fainted!
Thinking back still made him chuckle wryly.
As if I'd actually faint.
But honestly... only Shin Yi-han could laugh so casually.
With so many injury scenes, all the staff on set held their breaths every time.
Park Mu-gang fussing first kept them from intervening.
They kept flinching, worried about accidents.
Only after the cut, seeing Shin Yi-han jump up laughing, did they sigh in relief.
Of course, oblivious to the staff's concerns, Shin Yi-han was busy reveling in his acting.
Even now, he wandered the set grinning ear to ear.
Maybe because he was finally doing what he couldn't in a lifetime. Acting always left him in a good mood.
Loving how long he could immerse.
Loving standing on set as an actor.
The hot lights, the big cameras with red lights.
All the sets recreating the script scenes perfectly.
But lately, one odd thing.
...Oh.
Spectators kept showing up.
CEO Choo. She's here again today.
Heading to the waiting room, Shin Yi-han spotted CEO Choo.
Winter Entertainment's CEO, Choo Gyeo-ul.
Even as a past writer, he'd always checked Winter first for casting. A familiar face.
Her appearance was strikingly similar to back then—mid-30s but could pass for mid-20s. Impressive looks even compared to her agency's celebs.
Though her info network and persistence were more striking.
I have no plans to join an agency right now.
Pardon...?
After rejecting once.
B-But we can't have that... No. Really?
Yes. I'll contact you if I need one later.
She came to set every day.
"Actor Shin Yi-han! Good work!"
Choo Gyeo-ul scurried right up, and Shin Yi-han smiled awkwardly.
"Have some coffee here!"
How thoughtful.
"Saw your throat seemed dry earlier, so I got it."
"Thank you. But..."
"Aw, I know. This is just because I wanted to give it."
Choo Gyeo-ul preempted his refusal.
Of course, Shin Yi-han was considering it positively.
He knew Winter offered great conditions for actors.
He'd watched how high its status could climb.
However, Shin Yi-han had no agency plans until after Brilliant Sky and his indie film Innocent Boy.
Like other companies.
Especially Choo Gyeo-ul, who valued actors' footing and success, wouldn't love indies—
"Ah! And you know about that? Our joint indie film?"
—much.
Innocent Boy!
Not at all?
"Pardon?"
Shin Yi-han couldn't help but be startled at the sudden script title.
"Already settled with Red Film. You're going into the indie after this, right? Our company's investing!"
Investing. Bold move.
Truly impressive in every way.
"No way... not because of me, right?"
Shin Yi-han had to ask slyly.
No agency would go this far for one rookie.
Usually, they'd get mad at the rejection.
"No way."
Choo Gyeo-ul grinned widely at his question.
"Even for an indie, investment's no joke. Plus, coincidence."
"Coincidence?"
"Heard you were in it and got interested. Then read Innocent Boy."
Choo Gyeo-ul lowered her voice like it was a secret.
"Really wanted that writer. Like, super bad."
"......"
Though the secret wasn't one to the person involved.
Shin Yi-han smiled faintly.
"Don't know the name or face yet, but after investing, we'll find out eventually, right?"
"Oh..."
But oh well.
That'll be pretty tough for you.