Chapter 30
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 030
Chapter Title: Already at the Midpoint
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The filming for the independent movie Innocent Boy had begun almost simultaneously with the premiere of episode 1 of Brilliant Sky.
And now.
Time had flown by. Not only had Brilliant Sky reached its midpoint,
but the shooting for Innocent Boy was also about halfway done.
It took roughly two hours to reach this latest Innocent Boy set. Quite a distance.
Even so, Shin Yi-han had been able to relax the entire ride, lounging on the plush seats.
'Awesome!'
'Uh... this feels brand new. Is this really ours...?'
'Yep! Just got it. What do you think?!'
'Whoa, wow.'
A luxury van so spacious and tall he could've half-stood if he wanted.
Proof of Winter Entertainment's overflowing capital and CEO Choo Gyeo-ul's generous spirit.
And with the CEO herself behind the wheel to boot.
Is this the kind of treatment a rookie actor gets?
Exactly the thought that crossed his mind.
Not that he'd ever turn it down, of course.
The ride is insane.
Expensive stuff really was just better.
Not long ago, he'd been hitching rides in the beat-up compact cars driven by Kwak Hoon or his sister. The difference in comfort was night and day.
And no carsickness even while scrolling on his phone. His stomach stayed perfectly settled the whole way as he checked SNS.
Ding, ding! Comments were still pouring in on his very first StarTalk post.
ㄴ Epic.
ㄴ lololol anti-immersion genius.
ㄴ Huh? Park Mu-gang and Shin Yi-han?
ㄴ Love this kind of behind-the-scenes^^
He'd simply posted a few photos from premiere night with the lead actors, and the response had been phenomenal.
ㄴ What is this combo? Too good. Like the baby of the family adored by all the relatives lol cuteㅠ
ㄴ Did the actor write that himself? Adorable!
ㄴ Ha-neul smiles so brightly thereㅠㅠ Glad to see itㅠㅠ Looks great
ㄴ No way, who posts an anti-immersion pic like that lololol adding myself to the immersion squad
The photo with Park Mu-gang especially drew a ton of attention.
ㄴ Ha-neul and Park Mu-gang two-shot what lol the contrast is wild
ㄴ Oh... I always thought Park Mu-gang was handsome... nope? Can't stand next to Shin Yi-han casually.
ㄴ lololol too cuteㅋㅋㅋ Park Mu-gang looks good too why drag himㅋㅋ
ㄴ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
ㄴ But why does Shin Yi-han look way handsomer than on the drama?
ㄴ Yeah the vibe's totally different... like he glows.
ㄴ And Park Mu-gang smiling like that. Huge gap from the drama?
Brilliant Sky's hot episode 1 reception had even spawned before-and-after filming memes.
[Drama: scary as hell. Reality: total opposite lolol (photo attached)
: Bullying Ha-neul in drama vs Park Mu-gang V-signing with Shin Yi-han in real life]
ㄴ ??? lololol same person?
ㄴ Gap insane lolol
ㄴ No way lol waitㅋㅋ that Park Mu-gang in the back, the one beating Ha-neul to death with a bat? ㅋㅋ Looks so fresh smiling
ㄴ Why do they look so good together.
ㄴ Hope they do more togetherㅠㅠ Same-age buddies are preciousㅠㅠ
Not long after, posting a watch-party proof-shot for episode 2 with Park Mu-gang had drawn another explosion of fans.
ㄴ Whoa, they really are close.
ㄴ My eyes are purified^^
ㄴ Dang. That solo Shin Yi-han pic at the end is total boyfriend material... I'm flusteredㅜㅜ
ㄴ But why can I see Park Mu-gang totally following Shin Yi-han around lololol
ㄴ In real life, Ha-neul's the boss
ㄴ ㅠㅠㅠ Be happy there Ha-neulㅠㅠ
Thanks to that, all the hate comments on Park Mu-gang had completely died down.
Shin Yi-han smirked in satisfaction.
Everything had been going great since Brilliant Sky started airing.
[Shin Yi-han... brief flashback in ep 2... that part was so sad...]
ㄴ I wasn't gonna cry. But I did.
ㄴ ㅜㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
ㄴ Shin Yi-han has a different... texture?
ㄴ Agreed. Doesn't feel like watching through a screen. Like spotting a real kid like that...? So vivid my hands shook.
ㄴ Ah. I get it.
Watching reactions in real-time was a blast.
And seeing everyone around him grinning ear-to-ear was even better.
His sister, the junior PD on Brilliant Sky, looked exhausted but couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
PD Kim Geun-tae and Director Pyo Nam-un called weekly, beaming over the skyrocketing ratings.
Even the writers who'd dismissed Yoon Si-a were now fidgeting like dogs desperate to go out, apparently. Predictable, but satisfying.
And especially episode 4, the big one.
That was when Brilliant Sky's buzz exploded again.
All thanks to the ocean scene.
Only then did it reveal that the mother—who'd vowed revenge—was truly longing for...
death, all along.
The despair and pain of losing someone.
Memories shattered beyond repair.
Her voice, ignored by all.
In the end, the mother.
No, Heo So-ra decided to die.
She hoped to sink into the sea and never resurface.
"Mom."
"...Listen."
But she couldn't.
"Let's live."
"Live a little longer... just a bit... we'll meet again later."
Whether hallucination or life flashing before her eyes—it didn't matter.
"I'm right here. I've always been here. Right by your side, closest of all."
Because her son had stood in her way.
"So... can't you do all the things I couldn't see, couldn't do?"
Because she'd wished for it desperately, desperately.
"As much as I wanted to live."
"Let's live. Yeah?"
A son's final wish no mother could refuse.
In the end, Heo So-ra had no choice but to nod.
And so, the mother lived for her son.
Gasp, gasp! Barely surfacing, Heo So-ra gulped air desperately.
By the time she regained her senses and reached the beach.
The pitch-black dawn had given way to brilliant light.
In Heo So-ra's eyes, as she lay on the sand gasping ragged breaths, that sky...
seemed truly...
brilliant.
That was episode 4's ending.
[Brilliant Sky ep 4 legendary scene!!! Ocean scene: son and mom]
The highlight clip uploaded right after episode 4 aired racked up record views instantly.
Everyone teared up at that raw thumbnail of the sky.
It was that powerful.
ㄴ Let's live... together...
ㄴ Glad she lived.
ㄴ Dang. Chills when it cut to the sky at the end. Why so bright?
ㄴ Fr, three kingdoms tier entrance when Ha-neul appeared. Underwater beauty... what.
ㄴ Gotta put it in top 3 appearances: Kang Won-dong, Grand Prince Suyang, and Shin Yi-han. Let's go.
ㄴ Crying but don't make me laugh lolㅠㅠ Thought Ha-neul came that far to save mom, so sadㅜㅜ
ㄴ No fr, that line... "live as much as I wanted to." Broke my heartㅠㅠㅠㅠ
ㄴ He wanted to live too...
Comments you could rewatch endlessly without tiring.
Love this stuff...
By the time he reached the set, Shin Yi-han had cycled through StarTalk, NewTube, and back again.
He knew he should stop with the comments and clips, but once he started...
"Alright, let's go! Actor Shin Yi-han!"
But the moment he heard they'd arrived, he pocketed his phone.
No helping it.
As thrilling as the reactions were,
"They said head straight to makeup!"
"Oh, got it!"
this moment was the best.
Slide—The luxury van door opened, and Shin Yi-han hopped out lightly. Excitement bubbled up naturally.
Lifting his head, the Innocent Boy set came into view.
A quiet rural high school.
Recently closed, so no students anymore—but perfect for filming.
Shin Yi-han was already pumped for the scene here.
Ah. Kwak Hoon's over there.
Glancing around, he spotted Kwak Hoon frantically organizing in the distance.
Shin Yi-han gave a quick wave and headed to makeup.
Soon, makeup done to match the protagonist boy 'Kang-jae,' he stepped out in uniform, standing before the school...
It really hit home that he'd entered the world of Innocent Boy.
His heart raced at the sight of the set rigs and cameras, all ready.
Even after filming it multiple times already. Always the best view.
Click!
...?
Sudden camera shutter. Shin Yi-han turned toward the sound.
His eyes met Choo Gyeo-ul's, phone in hand.
"Ah. Sorry."
She smiled sheepishly, saying her hand moved on its own.
"Snapped it without thinking."
But not just any snap—she confidently offered her phone.
"Wanna see?"
How'd it turn out?
"It's insane. Totally."
Her serious face made Shin Yi-han chuckle as he checked.
Eh...?
His eyes widened instantly.
"Whoa. For real?"
He'd always thought Choo Gyeo-ul was good with photos.
The clear sky and sunset made it a total lifeshot.
"Still, can't beat the real thing! Skin tone's all grimy and mottled now."
She meant it.
Shin Yi-han laughed it off with a "Yeah?"
But to Choo Gyeo-ul, it wasn't flattery.
Shin Yi-han was more versatile than she imagined. His acting overshadowed his raw presence, which was a shame.
Regardless,
he just... glowed.
Look at that excited face even now.
Thrilled for acting, he got everyone hyped.
"You look so into it. Makes me happy too."
Choo Gyeo-ul beamed.
Not like someone starved for acting for decades, but his joy was infectious. Had to snap it.
And Shin Yi-han? Thinking something similar.
His surprise wasn't just the great photo.
I... made that face...?
Exactly that vibe.
So full of joy.
His photo eyes sparkled, almost alive.
Weird.
No shame in marveling at his own pic.
His past self had never worn that expression.
"Save this for the movie release. They'll love it."
"Sure."
He nodded. Her posts always blew up SNS.
"Whatcha doing?"
Mid-share, Park Mu-gang approached in uniform.
Achromatic school uniform, different from Brilliant Sky's.
Same outfit, but felt familiar yet fresh, recalling past sets.
"Oh, you made it?"
Shin Yi-han grinned welcomingly.
Not just accepting the role on a dime.
Just three scenes. Here for that. Had to greet him warmly.
Especially this intense one today.
"Nah, I read it non-stop on the way here?"
But in that short time apart, he'd built up stuff to say.
Straight to it upon meeting.
"Fr, the writer's insane."
Park Mu-gang clutched the Innocent Boy script, buzzing with excitement.
"Dang."
A genuine exclamation.
Honestly, at first, he was just thrilled to act with Shin Yi-han again.
His acting was worth admiring for real.
But this?
"Like I said a million times... this is a gem. A total gem."
He'd glanced casually at first, then devoured it.
The boy's murder and investigation, of course.
Starts so mundane, then bam—chilling kid hooks you.
And the end...?
Is the boy really a demon? Deserves all the finger-pointing?
One question answered, more spawn. Couldn't put the script down.
And the quality from just lines and directions? Unreal.
"Lost count of rereads. New details every time... whew. Driving me nuts."
My scenes are tiny, corpse shot even longer...!
"Anyway, it's freaking awesome."
Praise poured out.
"Can't believe the writer's anonymous. Wanna be besties!"
No one else to vent casually but Shin Yi-han.
Shin Yi-han couldn't help grinning obviously.
Who wouldn't love straight praise?
And Park Mu-gang, you're already kinda friends with the writer.
"But why you looking so proud?"
Oblivious, he tilted his head.
"C'mon, let's go."
Shin Yi-han shrugged it off.
"Shooting starts soon."
"...?"
Shin Yi-han led him to position.
Prep basically done in a flash.
"Ready?"
"...Obviously."
Park Mu-gang nodded at the casual ask.
"You?"
Shin Yi-han grinned playfully.
"Been ready forever."
"Oh yeah?"
No joke. Prep since writing this script in the past.
One of those roles he'd always wanted.
Confident anywhere, anytime.
Ah.
Extra confident today.
This scene: him killing Park Mu-gang.
First victim of protagonist 'Kang-jae'.
The bully tormenting Kang-jae.
Park Mu-gang's role.
Perfectly reversed from Brilliant Sky.
Bully and victim.
And now 'Kang-jae' would flip it.
Petty revenge? Maybe.
Shin Yi-han chuckled unwittingly.
Flinch.
Park Mu-gang rubbed his neck. Shiver just now. Imagination?
"Alright, wrap up and let's roll!"
Director's call.
Hammer and brick props set naturally.
"You two good?"
Kwak Hoon checked the duo for final camera shot.
Nod. Shin Yi-han without hesitation.
Park Mu-gang, tense, nodded slowly.
"Ready."
The real start.
The moment the boy's true sin emerged.
'Kang-jae' would smash the bully's leg.
And in this scene, crush his head brutally.
Park Mu-gang swallowed hard. Nervous for real.
Especially as the bully.
But this time, he wouldn't just get swept up by Shin Yi-han.
Like in Brilliant Sky...
No more zoning out, confusing real and act like an idiot.
For real.
You probably don't know, Shin Yi-han. How hard I prepped to act with you again.
Hired an acting coach, drilled his few scenes.
Wanted to show growth. Analyzed Shin Yi-han's scenes endlessly.
To get used to that intensity.
To unleash his own acting fully.
Opponent a monster? Can't just get pushed!
"Action."
But the second it started.
Eh...?
His resolve crumbled pointlessly.
Wh-what...?
Shin Yi-han's eyes changed in an instant.
Dang. Fr insane.
He'd steeled himself, but one gaze—a massive wave called Shin Yi-han crashed over. Goosebumps everywhere.
No joke. As expected.
The man before him wasn't Shin Yi-han anymore.
It was boy Kang-jae, come to end him.
Step, step.
The boy advanced slowly, relentlessly.
Each step overwhelmingly heavy.
The huge hammer in his hand? Pure terror.
Scraaaape—scraaape—
Wall-grating closer and closer...
Park Mu-gang wanted to run.
But his feet were bloody. Wouldn't obey.
Half-broken leg snagged on a single brick. He tumbled comically.
Flailing, animalistic grunts escaped.
Finally, he scrambled to a corner, desperately hiding.
But the boy spotted his tail effortlessly.
"Why?"
The boy closed in, asking genuinely curious.
"Scared of me?"
Pfft! A burst of laughter.
Eerie yet cheerful.
"Really?"
"......"
And on that face, no trace of the boy he'd bullied.
The kid who never screamed properly no matter how tormented...
was gone.
Just eyes holding his cruel death.
Like prey locking eyes with a lion.
Ragged breaths only.
Body frozen. Trembling all over, mouth wouldn't open.
As the sturdy hammer rose in the boy's hand.
Only death awaited.
Honestly, not acting.
Fr scary as hell.
Aaagh!