Chapter 27
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Winter Entertainment
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The silence that followed the end of the script reading was broken by Assistant Director Kwak Hoon.
For a moment, he'd forgotten he was the director himself and was too busy marveling...
"Dinner time! Let's have dinner!"
Kwak Hoon clapped his hands, wrapping up the script reading.
It had been a fully immersive session for everyone. They'd worked hard, so it was time to put something in their stomachs...
"There's a great place nearby that does amazing pork rinds! Let's go!"
Kwak Hoon led the group to the dinner spot.
Tonight, he planned to relax and chat excitedly about the project right next to Shin Yi-han.
All the way to the restaurant, Kwak Hoon was already making a fuss about how they'd dominate the Seoul Independent Film Festival at this rate, and Shin Yi-han laughed along, playing right into it.
Honestly, Shin Yi-han was in a great mood.
He felt refreshed.
Rehearsing with everyone had gone better than expected. He was thoroughly satisfied, both as an actor and as a writer.
'These roles fit them perfectly.'
He'd chosen them himself, but he couldn't help thinking he'd made the right calls. Knowing the future was turning out to be incredibly useful.
And once filming started, it would only get more fun.
A tune escaped Shin Yi-han's lips unbidden. His steps felt light.
The dinner atmosphere was incredibly lively, with everyone praising Innocent Boy left and right, no one leading the charge.
Actors and staff alike brimmed with anticipation for even greater things ahead.
They could hardly wait for filming to begin.
And so, the rowdy dinner came to an end the next day.
Even after the late-night gathering, Shin Yi-han regrettably couldn't sleep in.
He hadn't wrapped up an important task amid the whirlwind of dinner the night before.
'The contract with Winter Entertainment.'
Choo Gyeo-ul, who'd joined the dinner, had emphasized over and over that she wanted to meet formally tomorrow no matter what.
In the end, Shin Yi-han dragged himself out of bed to head to Winter Entertainment's office.
'Uh... what time is it?'
Shin Yi-han checked the time. But a text message caught his eye first.
- You didn't forget about today, right? 11 AM!
- Oh! Should I pick you up?!
Choo Gyeo-ul, who'd stuck around with him until the end of dinner, had sent the messages bright and early, as if she wasn't tired at all.
- I'm good. I'll come to you.
She seemed ready to drive right up to his place, so Shin Yi-han chuckled and replied quickly.
Winter Entertainment wasn't far from his home to begin with.
Just a few subway stops.
Shin Yi-han got ready roughly and headed to the station.
'Still...'
What to call it? As he tapped his card at the gate, a strange feeling washed over Shin Yi-han.
It had been so long since he'd seen an ordinary subway scene like this.
'Come to think of it, it's really been ages since I've been here.'
Lately, aside from meetings at Red Film's office, he hadn't gone out much.
And even then, Kwak Hoon picked him up, or he'd ride with his sister to the station, so he rarely wandered outside. The station and Red Film's office were close anyway.
It had been similar before his return to the past. He'd never even considered taking the subway.
Going into crowds with a face full of burns wasn't easy.
Now it was finally possible.
Bam-ba-ra-ra-bam! Bam-bam!
[The train is now arriving. Please mind the gap between the platform and the train...]
Whoa, already here.
The arrival announcement blared. Shin Yi-han quickened his pace. The long staircase left him a bit short on time.
He broke into a jog.
'Made it!'
Thankfully, safe.
Barely catching the train, Shin Yi-han looked up. It was an awkward hour, so the car was nearly empty.
Except for one passenger standing right by the door.
Their eyes met squarely.
The woman's eyes widened in an instant.
'Oops.'
Shin Yi-han figured she'd been startled by his rushed entrance. He gave an awkward smile and naturally turned his head.
But that wasn't it.
......?
Suddenly, she started inching closer, hesitantly.
"Whoa, no way."
Her eyes were huge as she approached, speaking up.
"You're Dong-ho, right? From Flame!"
He heard the name of the role he'd played in the drama Flame. She'd recognized him.
"Your name... oh! Shin Yi-han!"
She even knew his real name.
This time, Shin Yi-han's eyes widened.
'Didn't expect anyone to recognize me.'
Sure, the finale of Flame had gone viral on YouTube, but he hadn't really shown his face publicly yet.
It felt amazing.
Back then, even at the height of his fame as a writer, regular people never recognized him.
'They were always too busy sneaking peeks at the burn scars on my face whenever I went out.'
Habitually, Shin Yi-han touched his face. Smooth, ordinary skin met his fingers, nothing catching.
"You're even more handsome in person—I wasn't sure at first!"
Her words made Shin Yi-han truly feel like his face was getting known as an actor.
Unknowingly, his eyes rounded as he smiled.
It was just too nice to hear.
"Thanks for recognizing me."
"...Wow."
His reply drew an exclamation from her.
She couldn't help it. That's how it looked to her.
That gentle smile... how could you not marvel?
"Um!"
She raised her voice suddenly.
"I'll cheer for you for real! Seriously!"
She was losing it. For real.
He was buffer than in the drama... and that smile fit him so perfectly.
She couldn't hold back her excitement.
"Thanks. I'll work even harder."
"...!"
Gasp. As Shin Yi-han playfully clenched his fist, she swallowed hard.
Handsome face, great voice. And that cute fist pump? Perfect.
Her reaction was intense.
Regrettably, her stop came soon.
"You'll make it big for sure! Absolutely!"
She cheered him until the doors closed.
Shin Yi-han couldn't help but grin.
"Oh, right! An autograph!"
Her forlorn voice came too late, after the doors shut, making him burst out laughing.
It had been a surprisingly fun encounter.
He'd been thinking only about acting... but this unexpected support felt great.
Of course, customers at his parents' chicken place had recognized him too, but that was blatant by the drama's end.
He'd seen his name mentioned online plenty.
But this was pure chance.
It hit different.
"Huh? You're a celebrity?"
Right then, a grandma who'd overheard spoke up.
Shin Yi-han nodded with a bright smile.
"Yes. I'm an actor."
"I see? You look so sharp! Keep it up, actor boy."
He felt like he needed to work even harder now.
"Thank you."
Shin Yi-han bowed to her encouragement.
He got off the subway soon after. Stunned yet smiling nonstop.
'This... kinda nice.'
Getting cheers from strangers felt this good.
An unexpected gift.
Winter Entertainment was just a short walk from the station. Easy to find.
- WINTER
"Whoa..."
Shin Yi-han let out a small gasp at the sleek, standalone building, even flashier than he remembered.
'This place has always been top-tier, huh?'
He knew Winter Entertainment was successful, but for an agency with only about a dozen actors, this was serious capital.
The firepower of each one must be insane.
The building wasn't huge, but it was undeniably impressive.
"Actor Shin Yi-han!"
As he entered, Choo Gyeo-ul was waiting in the lobby.
"Welcome!"
She waved enthusiastically and approached.
"Since you're here, mind if I give you a quick tour? I want to show off a bit."
"I'd love that."
Shin Yi-han nodded readily at Choo Gyeo-ul's bold offer.
He'd never really looked around before, so he was curious about the inside.
Rumors of great welfare had him quietly excited.
"This is the communal lounge."
Shin Yi-han followed her around.
"The snacks are insane...?"
"You bet! One of our top perks."
Of course, she seemed to be hitting the spots she wanted to brag about most.
"Pretty spacious, right? Any artist under us can use this practice room! We bring in instructors now and then for dance or singing, depending on projects."
They saw more than expected.
The place was spotless, clearly well-maintained.
Compared to this, Red Film's office felt like it was falling apart.
"This is our staff office. Actors come and go freely. We communicate a lot to find the images and roles they want. I handle scenario analysis for appearances, of course."
The structure seemed designed for actors to focus on work.
No wonder everyone raved about Winter.
"Oh! We have an in-house cafeteria downstairs. Super tasty! You could grab a bite before you go. Galbi jjim today."
"Nice."
"If you're managing weight, our nutritionist customizes meals too."
Small agency, but programs rivaling the big ones. Flawless.
"And finally, my office!"
The short tour ended at CEO Choo Gyeo-ul's office.
"Kinda ordinary, huh?"
Shin Yi-han gave an awkward smile at her question.
It was ordinary.
Except for the wall of photos of powerhouse actors everyone knew by name.
No wonder the building gleamed.
"But the contract won't be."
Choo Gyeo-ul grinned.
Have a seat. She guided him and laid out the contract details.
"This is the standard industry contract these days, and next to it is our proposed one."
She laid out the standard form too, explaining each clause simply.
"See here? We've set it up like this."
She was mindful he was a rookie new to contracts.
But Shin Yi-han, listening quietly, couldn't help but be stunned.
By the terms.
'...Isn't this way too favorable to me?'
Settlement ratios, breach penalties—everything protected the actor at first glance.
He knew it well.
He'd seen countless contracts as a scenario writer.
How confident must they be to offer this?
And the most shocking part:
'Signing bonus.'
As his eyes drifted to the signing bonus:
"Ah, important part, right?"
Choo Gyeo-ul caught it and spoke confidently.
"I rate potential highly."
She curved her eyes, pointing to the amount.
"I put this down arbitrarily, but what do you think?"
......Huh.
Shin Yi-han froze.
Rookies usually paid to join agencies. Offering a signing bonus was already outrageous.
But this?
'Isn't there a decimal point missing?'
It was truly Choo Gyeo-ul's bold swing.