Chapter 22
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 022
Chapter Title: Ending (1)
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Among former idols turned actors, Ryu Gi-on was infamous for his awful personality.
"Gasp, really? That arrogant prick said that?"
"Puhaha! Insane, total legend."
"Huh? But couldn't they just replace him? What the hell was Ryu Gi-on even thinking, showing up on set?"
The story of Ryu Gi-on fleeing the set with his tail between his legs spread through the broadcasting station like wildfire.
"You should've seen it yourself. He couldn't even spit out his lines properly. It was total gibberish, no joke."
"After a few supporting roles, his ego shot through the roof. Good riddance. The guy needed to be put in his place."
No one felt sorry for him, given how miserably he'd treated the staff in the past.
"Ugh, total player. He looks so innocent, but he's fake as hell."
"For real. I worked with him once, and his power-tripping nearly killed me."
It just sounded downright satisfying.
And so, the incident from the drama Flame eventually reached the team working on Brilliant Sky.
"Huh...?"
"What...?!"
It was Director Pyo Nam-un and PD Kim Geun-tae, who had been up all night in the editing room for Brilliant Sky. Their sleepy eyes snapped wide open.
"Wait, when did they even cast Actor Shin Yi-han for that?"
"That bastard grabbed him by the collar?!"
The more they heard, the clearer their minds became. Anger bubbled up automatically.
"Puhaha! Wow! As expected of our actor!"
But when they learned Ryu Gi-on had ultimately run away, Director Pyo Nam-un burst into hearty laughter.
"Insane. Our actor just smiled through it? And then crushed him with pure acting on top of that?!"
PD Kim Geun-tae was thrilled and proud, as if it had happened to him personally.
"This won't do. We have to show 'em what he's made of too."
PD Kim Geun-tae slapped his cheeks to wake himself up, eyes blazing. He clenched his fist like he'd made a firm resolution.
"We gotta make sure our actor never deals with crap like this again!"
They were in the middle of editing a scene featuring Shin Yi-han right then.
PD Kim Geun-tae planned to do everything in his power to preserve that performance intact, so viewers could feel the exact emotions Shin Yi-han had poured into it.
That was the best he could do.
And if they pulled it off, those scenes would surely burn themselves into people's minds, impossible for anyone to ignore.
He could already picture it.
The upcoming special teaser would be the same. He knew it'd give everyone chills.
"Alright! Let's wrap up episode 1 editing!"
PD Kim Geun-tae headed back into the editing room.
Writer Yoon Si-a had heard the news too.
She got the full story straight from Writer Chun Ji-hee while going back and forth to the station.
"Gasp. Really?"
"Totally. Thanks to your recommendation, Si-a, the drama wrapped perfectly, and now we've got this juicy story too. I seriously owe you."
Yoon Si-a couldn't help but burst into laughter at Writer Chun Ji-hee's grin.
Honestly, it felt great.
Of course, at first she'd worried that Shin Yi-han might've gotten in trouble because of the project she'd recommended him for.
But he'd handled it perfectly, Shin Yi-han style. Even crushing the guy with acting felt so on-brand for him as an actor.
And Ryu Gi-on. You crazy bastard. You're blacklisted for real.
Quietly, she'd cut him off in her mind.
Of course, one person wasn't quiet at all.
Shin Yi-han's sister, Shin I-rim.
"What?! What the hell did that punk do?!"
"Whoa, whoa..."
"Shin Yi-han didn't even tell me about this?! That little shit!"
"You're yelling down the whole hallway... I-rim."
Shin I-rim raged loudly for a while, then got pissed at her brother for letting her hear about it from someone else.
"But I-rim? What are you doing right now?"
"Nothing much."
Suddenly, like she couldn't hold back anymore, she pulled out her phone.
"Gonna join Ryu Gi-on's anti-fan cafe. Gotta leak something first. I've got tons of evidence."
Her colleague PD from the same team freaked out at Shin I-rim's actions.
"A-are you nuts? A station PD about to cause a huge mess!"
The colleague hurriedly stopped her.
"And what the hell are you posting?! Hand over that phone right now!"
"Ack."
In an instant, her colleague snatched the phone from Shin I-rim. She narrowed her eyes and pouted.
"That glare won't work! Why are you even attaching a video?!"
Honestly, Shin I-rim felt wronged.
She was just exposing the guy's rudeness for what it was—what was the problem?
The punk had grabbed her little brother's collar. As his sister, how could she not do at least this much!
"What do you mean 'what's the problem'? There's tons! One post like that, and you'll be labeled the loose-lipped PD in no time. Who'd wanna work with you then?!"
"Dunno. My little brother?"
"Oh, come on...?!"
Her colleague clutched their neck at Shin I-rim's deadpan response.
"Whatever."
Fortunately, the colleague managed to stop her easily. Scrolling through the phone, they said,
"Even if you don't, that guy's already dug his own grave."
"His grave?"
"Yeah. Might not be obvious now, but wait till the finale airs. Today's mess will blow up online without you saying a word. He's set the stage perfectly himself."
In fact, stories about Ryu Gi-on were already starting to trickle onto the internet.
A situation no one would've known about was out in the open because Ryu Gi-on had made it obvious.
What results that would bring, who knew.
[This post has been deleted.]
The post her colleague found was from a popular online community.
What? Why's it deleted?
It was a screenshot of a post from Ryu Gi-on's personal SNS that had been deleted.
??? Gi-on deleted something again? Not another cancellation like last time? ㅠㅠ
What's going on, Gi-on? ㅠㅠWhat trial for our angel this time?
This wasn't the first or second time, so Ryu Gi-on's fans were leaving worried comments.
In reality, most of these incidents stemmed from Ryu Gi-on's power abuse tanking deals, but to fans, he was just their poor baby getting unfairly targeted.
What'd he post? No original?
I have it!
Apparently, one fan had a screenshot ready, and they quickly uploaded it with a photo attached.
[Shooting as Planned!]
It was a selfie of Ryu Gi-on in an old-style school uniform, throwing up a peace sign.
Huh? Why delete this? ㅠ
What is that on the desk? Script?
The background screamed "on set," complete with a blurry script at the edge.
Title says... drama Flame...?
Yeah, this is that post from this morning saying he was shooting!
Heard he's been into acting lately. Guess he's joining Flame? Epic!
The fans' curiosity snowballed naturally.
But he deleted it. Why ㅠㅠ Did they recast him with someone else?
Nah, probably keeping it secret.
Yeah, deleted it quick after posting. Must be it!
But Ryu Gi-on himself had fanned the flames of his fans' worries.
This is insane—insane. Guys, check Gi-on’s story right now. Something’s up.
In the midst of it, he'd posted something SNS-exploding on his story: a black background with tiny text reading "Sad..."
Black background "Sad..."?
No ㅠㅠ What's wrong?
"Sad"? He really got cut from the role?
As a famous idol, the buzz snowballed online.
Yo, my friend's on Flame staff. Yeah, Ryu Gi-on got cut . He was supposed to make a special appearance at the end, but some no-name rookie pushed him out.
?!?!
Insane?
Who the hell is this no-name?
It was only natural for Ryu Gi-on's fans to trash an unknown actor they'd never heard of.
No-name stole our baby's role?!
Doesn't make sense. Unless he's got connections, right?
Yeah
At the same time, Ryu Gi-on fans had no choice but to pay close attention to the finale of the upcoming drama Flame.
Aww ㅠㅠ I liked Flame ㅠㅠ Now I hate it.
Skipping the finale. Pissed.
Nah, I'm watching. Gotta see the face.
Good call.
Dox that bastard right away.
Obviously. No-name snatched Gi-on's spot. Shady as hell!!!
The fans could only wait impatiently for Flame's finale, sharpening their knives to drag down that no-name however they could.
Unaware that the airing day would be the day they abandoned Ryu Gi-on.
A few days later.
Amid all the buzz, the finale of Flame finally aired.
Ryu Gi-on's fans glared at their TVs, poised to strike.
"One more cola here, please!"
"Yes! Coming right up!"
The man at the center of it all, Shin Yi-han, was cheerfully serving at the chicken joint.
Flame finale airing day.
Shin Yi-han had come down to his hometown briefly to celebrate wrapping the scheduled shoot.
It's almost time.
While serving at the chicken shop, he glanced at the TV at the far end of the store.
The channel had been slyly switched to the one airing Flame.
Couldn't miss his scene, after all.
Especially since it's my acting debut.
Shin Yi-han was already buzzing with excitement.
Of course, if someone griped that a part-timer shouldn't change the channel on his own...
"Son? What're you doing! Customer's calling! More radish to that table over there!"
With parents as bosses, it was...
"Got it! On my way!"
Shin Yi-han shouted back at his mom's voice.
He hummed a little tune as he loaded radish onto a plate. A smile wouldn't leave his face.
Couldn't be helped.
Being back home after so long just felt great.
Though at first, he'd been insanely nervous. These were his parents, first time meeting them after returning to the past.
Mom! Dad! I'm home...!
Turned out, he was the only one who'd missed those youthful faces that much.
Son? What, no heads-up?
Oh, perfect timing. Help Dad with the frying!
......
Only I was thrilled, huh.
Tears nearly welled up for a second, but with parents acting the same as always, he slipped right back into the groove.
Helping out at the family shop while home was a given.
But the situation was worlds apart from the past when he'd returned home scarred from plastic surgery.
And today, he even planned a surprise for his parents.
Shin Yi-han couldn't stop grinning.
They still thought their son was just an aspiring actor. They'd never properly seen his acting.
So...
The soon-to-air Flame would be perfect to show them.
He could already imagine how thrilled they'd be seeing their son on a drama.
When their army-vet son suddenly said he wanted to act, they'd quietly supported him from behind: "Give it a shot."
This time, he wanted to repay that support.
Perfect timing too—only one table of customers in the shop.
Not ideal for his self-employed folks, but great for watching the drama together.
Money? Son'll earn it all from now on. One slow day won't hurt.
Except...
Ding-dong-!
"Yes! Coming!"
The table with four women kept ringing the call bell.
Shin Yi-han had no choice but to head back over.
Chicken's gone already... What now?
"Um, excuse me... Could we get one more bottle of cola?"
"Sure thing. Right away."
Shin Yi-han nodded politely.
The women had been sneaking glances at him the whole time.
Is this guy for real?
Tell me about it. Kept slapping my forehead, think I fixed my turtle neck.
ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
They kept their excitement hushed in their group chat, not wanting him to overhear.
Wow. Handsome no matter how many times I look.
Gonna come here every day... Driving me crazy.
Fr, why's a face like this working here? Celeb or what?
The chat had been chaos even before ordering chicken.
Even after finishing, they kept calling the part-timer with excuses like more cola.
They knew it was annoying, but how could they resist? A face like that wasn't real life!
N-number? No, maybe ask for Insta?!
? You like Ryu Gi-on. Back off.
?!!
Real life and fandom aren't the same!!
For this moment, Ryu Gi-on who? The irl hottie took priority.
Tall as hell too. Insane.
Honestly seemed handsomer than Ryu Gi-on... Er, cough.
No plans to leave after just face-gazing.
"Gasp. What time is it? Already 10?"
The Ryu Gi-on fan checked the time and looked up in surprise.
"Oh right. Didn't you say you have to watch the Flame finale?"
Her friend suddenly remembered and asked.
"Yeah. Wanna see the no-name who stole my Gi-on's role."
The fan clenched her fists, fuming.
"Was gonna catch the rerun, but tonight I'm watching live. Won't sleep if I don't at least see the punk's face...!"
"Ugh, hardcore Ryu sasaeng."
"Tch. Super important to me. You get fan feelings?"
Her friends shook their heads wearily.
"Fine. You all watch closely too. The supporting actor in old uniform was Gi-on's role. Supposed to be a long scene, so you'll spot it easy."
Ignoring their reactions, the fan explained while eyeing the shop TV.
SBC channel was on, perfect.
"Ooh, boss watches Flame too? TV's on. Let's watch here."
"Sure, works for us."
The friends nodded. Wanted more time ogling the part-timer anyway.
"Colas here."
"Whoa! Thanks!"
"Eek! Cheers!"
Right on cue, the part-timer arrived with their colas. The girls' eyes lit up again.
Shin Yi-han flashed a bright eye-smile.
Uh...
While thinking to himself,
That no-name? Right here.
He held back a chuckle.
Couldn't help overhearing the customers.
Wonder what they'll do when they realize he's right in front.
Get mad...?
Sis had just texted that Ryu fans were flooding Flame with hate over him taking the role.
Vitriol against the no-name who'd shoved out Ryu Gi-on was off the charts.
And one was here, of all places.
What a coincidence.
Shin Yi-han shrugged.
Honestly curious how the fans would react post-drama. Didn't expect to see it live like this.
"Oh! It's starting."
Flame's opening began.
The women's eyes locked on the TV.
At the same time, his parents snuck out from the kitchen.
"Oh my. Time flies."
"Honey! Come on! Flame's starting!"
With just one table and mains done, no need to stay in back.
Shin Yi-han's parents hurried to a prime TV-viewing table.
They loved the drama anyway, especially the finale.
"Yi-han, stop wiping tables and come here. Aspiring actors gotta watch dramas hard."
"Yeah, son. You worked hard today. Let's watch together. Dad's all-time fave, and it's the finale."
Shin Yi-han chuckled at their words.
"Was planning to. Wanted live for the finale."
He plopped down by his parents with a playful grin.
"Huh? You watched this drama too, son?"
"Kinda?"
Devoured it in his past life.
"Really? Then we have to see the ending."
"Can't wait how the finale wraps."
Shin Yi-han grinned back.
"Me too."
Genuine.
"Super excited."
Couldn't wait to see everyone's shock at the ending.