Chapter 19
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 019
Chapter Title: Flame (1)
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As soon as he finished lunch, Shin Yi-han headed to the broadcasting station with his sister.
Of course, the original plan had been to wait until filming for Brilliant Sky wrapped up.
"I'm truly sorry for the urgent request."
He'd been planning to grind away at Assistant Director Kwak Hoon to get Innocent Boy started.
"But our writer insisted so strongly."
And he'd been planning to just sit tight and wait for the premiere of Brilliant Sky and the release of Murder's Delusion.
Then came an unexpected offer.
"Actor Shin Yi-han! I've heard so much about you from Writer Yoon Si-a."
Following PD Seok's earnest plea, the writer standing right beside him chimed in too.
"I'm begging you like this."
SBC's star writer, Cheon Ji-hee, grabbed Shin Yi-han's hand firmly and pleaded with him.
"It's not just that we weren't happy with the previous actor. The acting you did today... I was blown away by it."
She'd even prepared thoroughly in that short time.
"I couldn't hold back and rewrote the script because of it."
Cheon Ji-hee picked up the sides from the desk and handed them to Shin Yi-han.
"These are the sides I wrote in a rush without even eating lunch today. They're still a rough draft, but if you accept, I'll polish them up and send them back."
Shin Yi-han couldn't help but be surprised. Rewriting the script? How serious must she be about me?
Especially since Cheon Ji-hee was known as the drama world's guarantee of quality.
She was famous for her stubbornness.
Modifying her own work was something she simply didn't do.
And yet.
Here was a freshly rewritten set of sides being offered to him.
"Writer, could I... maybe read it over?"
"...!"
Shin Yi-han took the script and found himself asking before he knew it. He was curious what it contained.
"Of course! Sit down and take your time here!"
At those words, Cheon Ji-hee hurriedly offered him a seat.
"Oh! I'll show you the original too! Read them side by side."
"Thank you."
Shin Yi-han quickly flipped through the pages.
Cheon Ji-hee watched him with sparkling eyes.
Honestly, from her perspective, even this side of Shin Yi-han was endearing.
'Showing interest in the script feels so much better than just jumping in blindly.'
Ah, of course, if he'd accepted immediately without asking, that would've been great too.
But his cautious demeanor, unusual for a rookie, made Cheon Ji-hee smile faintly.
PD Seok, who hadn't seen Shin Yi-han's acting yet, felt the same. He couldn't help but look surprised.
'No wonder Writer Cheon is so taken with him.'
PD Seok sensed that the man before him was no ordinary guy.
'A no-name actor not even flinching at this bold offer is one thing...'
Wow.
'But his focus is entirely on the script.'
What an intriguing rookie.
Normally, just hearing Cheon Ji-hee's name and that it was the hit drama Flame would make anyone accept on the spot.
But this rookie actor was completely absorbed in the script, oblivious to everyone around him.
PD Seok chuckled softly and waited for Shin Yi-han to finish reading. He grew increasingly curious about what he'd say.
And a moment later.
Shin Yi-han had read it all.
He tilted his head ever so slightly.
'...What is this.'
Honestly, his impression was simple.
The script was definitely interesting.
'But how did it...'
Separately, a question arose.
'Get even better?'
Brilliant Sky made sense—he'd snatched the key role of Lee Ha-neul, so revisions were expected.
But Cheon Ji-hee's side? He had no connection to it whatsoever, yet it already felt different.
And the new sides.
'I wasn't planning to turn it down anyway.'
They whetted his appetite even more.
'Now I really want to do it.'
The drama Flame had lived up to its buzz with incredibly high production quality.
It was so well-made that it had a solid fanbase, airing reruns for years to come.
Even more astonishing given its theme: a story of independence activists set during the Japanese colonial era.
Historical dramas are tough to tackle in the first place, and making them entertaining is even harder.
Yet now.
Not only had the ending changed dramatically, but it had somehow become even more polished.
He remembered the original ending clearly.
After the protagonists' stories concluded, the young child who had only appeared sporadically as comic relief.
Grown up, standing before the grave of the protagonist who saved him, speaking his final words.
Along with the comrades who would carry on the fight together.
But... this completely revised ending.
It wasn't just words anymore.
It felt like it was teasing a Season 2.
As if the drama—no, their struggle—truly hadn't ended... vivid, brutal.
And hopeful.
All the more so because we know their desired day will come.
"Writer."
Having read the sides, Shin Yi-han could no longer delay his answer.
There wouldn't be much acting for him until Innocent Boy started filming, which was a shame.
The moment he'd embodied Lee Ha-neul just before dawn that morning still lingered vividly.
Being able to jump straight into a scene like this.
Wasn't it incredibly welcome?
"I want to do it. Me."
"...!"
Shin Yi-han replied with an expression full of anticipation.
"Especially because of the changes."
If the original actor had done these scenes? It would've hurt just thinking about it.
Acting skill aside, that idol was destined to ruin Flame's finale with a drunk driving hit-and-run.
'Honestly, does it make sense for this drama's crowning moment to be tainted by a DUI?'
And with Shin Yi-han's acceptance.
"Filming's tomorrow, so it won't be easy, but please take care of us."
PD Seok spoke with visible relief, as if a hurdle had been cleared.
"Great!"
Cheon Ji-hee flashed a wide smile and shouted confidently.
"You won't regret it!"
Her voice brimmed with joy.
Just like that, Shin Yi-han's appearance in the drama Flame was confirmed.
And despite the drama and indie film already lined up.
Ironically, this would be the first drama where Shin Yi-han met the public.
A perfect starting point to etch the actor Shin Yi-han into people's minds.
But the next morning, early for the shoot.
An unexpected situation arose. He'd clearly informed Ryu Gi-on's agency about the actor change yesterday...
"What?"
PD Seok received a headache-inducing call.
"Ryu Gi-on's coming? Right now?!"
Ryu Gi-on's agency had deliberately notified them in the morning to leave no time to prepare.
"...?"
Cheon Ji-hee, standing right next to PD Seok on the call, tilted her head in confusion.
Ryu Gi-on was coming? What did that mean?
A question mark popped up in her mind.
They'd apologized directly yesterday over the phone and even said they'd see him next time.
"What? He's really coming?"
Even as Cheon Ji-hee asked, PD Seok could only nod, still on the line.
Both PD Seok and Writer Cheon were utterly bewildered.
"PD Seok, hand me the phone."
Cheon Ji-hee reached out her hand. She wanted to hear it herself.
"Switching now. This is Writer Cheon Ji-hee."
The voice from the other end came immediately. It was Ryu Gi-on's agency manager.
They kept insisting they'd show up on set anyway, for their artist's sake.
'Jeez.'
Finally, Cheon Ji-hee blurted it out to the bullheaded manager.
"Fine, whatever."
She was flustered too, but in a way, it didn't matter.
No, it was actually welcome.
"Come on over. If you want, we'll even shoot. Of course, Ryu Gi-on would be better if he's up to it."
Cheon Ji-hee said it breezily, like it was no big deal.
"But when you get here, you'll see."
She had every reason to be confident.
"Why I made that choice."
Ryu Gi-on couldn't possibly be better than Shin Yi-han anyway.
They had to see it to believe it.
Just how his acting was, and how nonsensical it was.
Click.
The call ended. Cheon Ji-hee even let out a small laugh.
Imagining that arrogant idol's shock made her grin already.
"Writer? You're laughing in this mess? What if the actors start fighting?!"
"Pfft, this is better. And fight? No way that'll happen."
"..."
Only PD Seok's head throbbed while the writer stayed carefree.
And thirty minutes later.
Idol Ryu Gi-on arrived on set.
His stiff expression instantly chilled the atmosphere.
The first person Ryu Gi-on sought out was Writer Cheon Ji-hee.
"Hello, Writer."
Whether annoyed at being cut or not, he barely nodded, his displeasure plain on his angelic face—which hid a complete opposite inside.
His manager behind him sweated bullets at the rude tone.
"Hi. Come on in."
Cheon Ji-hee smiled, unfazed.
"Coming so quickly—guess you're that confident you'll reclaim the role?"
"Of course. I heard you put some no-name rookie in my spot? Ha. It'd be weirder if I couldn't take it back."
Even at her pointed words, Ryu Gi-on smirked shamelessly—though his mouth didn't smile.
"The ending scenes changed too, right? That final bit that was definitely mine until I got canceled."
He sneered subtly.
They'd canceled him abruptly; no need to tread lightly.
Famous writer or not, could she outshine an idol like him?
"Oh? How'd you know that?"
Cheon Ji-hee shot back incredulously.
"I'm with TOP Ent. We have our info network. The new script's pretty decent, by the way."
He held the unprovided sides in his hand—procured through connections, apparently.
"Well, then give it a shot."
Cheon Ji-hee shrugged.
"I was heading to prep anyway. My costume still fits, right? No one else could wear that size perfectly."
Ryu Gi-on was no pushover either.
But as he headed to the dressing room, Cheon Ji-hee still couldn't stop smiling.
Now, what to do about this.
'Shin Yi-han won't lose, after all.'
She remained utterly relaxed.
Meanwhile, PD Seok watched Ryu Gi-on tiptoe around Writer Cheon and rubbed his temples in pain.
Is this really okay...!
'And he's acting like that with the writer! If he runs into that no-name rookie... Ugh, they'll fight for sure.'
Honestly, PD Seok wasn't thrilled with this situation.
It felt like unnecessary drama.
In his eyes, Ryu Gi-on had been a solid choice to begin with.
Sure, the test shoot was awkward...
But his basics were decent, and his fresh idol mask could've been a plus.
With the lead actors being such top stars steering the drama.
'You need that novelty for the new era vibe.'
It had buzz too.
So PD Seok didn't think the no-name Shin Yi-han could leapfrog top idol Ryu Gi-on.
They'd only switched because the writer insisted.
Then Ryu Gi-on emerged from the dressing room in the old school uniform from the colonial era.
Spotting him, PD Seok stroked his chin.
His lines were a bit soft, but striking mask. Perfect fit.
'He really looks pretty good...'
Good enough they didn't need to change.
Ooh. Even the staff murmured in admiration. No wonder he's a famous idol.
"How do I look? Pretty good, right, PD?"
Ryu Gi-on sidled up to PD Seok with a cocky grin. He could tell the PD liked him. Time to butter up.
PD Seok felt a pang of regret seeing it.
Why not just go with this? Such a hassle, Writer.
"Yeah, Gi-on. It does suit y—"
But as PD Seok started to reply.
He trailed off.
"PD?"
"..."
It was because of Shin Yi-han standing right behind Ryu Gi-on.
Wearing the same costume, adjusting his sleeve buttons.
PD Seok couldn't help but falter.
'Wha... What's this. Why...'
The thought hit him.
'Does this one suit it so much better...?'
By a lot.