Chapter 34

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 034

Chapter Title: Brilliant Sky END (2)

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It was throughout the entire ending of Brilliant Sky.

Kkhuh... Kkhuk! Dad was practically sobbing.

"Ha-neul-ah! You worked so hard! So hard...!"

Hueeeeng-! Sure enough, upon seeing his son—who looked just like Lee Ha-neul—he pulled him into a tight hug.

"I'm just glad Mom didn't die. Really."

At the ending where the protagonist Heo So-ra survived, Mom wiped her tears with a tissue.

"S-saying something like that at the very end is against the rules... Hueeup!"

Sis was bawling her eyes out as if it were her first time hearing the story, even though she already knew everything.

She's got a lot in common with Dad, for sure.

Shin Yi-han let out a small chuckle. But his eyes were a little red too.

Shin Yi-han naturally wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, just like his family who were dabbing at their tears.

'Ah. So Brilliant Sky ends like this...'

And he felt relieved, all by himself.

'Good thing.'

The past and the ending hadn't really changed.

But everything around him had.

His bedroom door was wide open, with the living room lights on.

A door that would normally be shut tight.

Yeah. It really was a good thing.

That he was in this living room, among his family.

That he was here.

In the end, Shin Yi-han couldn't help but break into a wide smile.

The viewers were reacting just as intensely in real time. Everyone else was the same.

Throughout the entire run of Brilliant Sky, right up to the final scene.

They cried and laughed.

We couldn't quite call it a happy ending in front of a mother who lost her child.

But it was definitely an ending where everyone could smile.

Praise was pouring in across the internet.

The name Shin Yi-han was suddenly getting a ton of attention. Naturally, the post was flooded with admirers.

It was a moment that showed just how massive Shin Yi-han's presence was in Brilliant Sky.

People were starting to hunt down Shin Yi-han one by one, as if rewatching his scenes dozens of times in Brilliant Sky still wasn't enough.

Honestly, it really wasn't enough.

The more they watched, the more curious they got about the actor Shin Yi-han.

And so, a few thirsty deer-like netizens were frantically scouring the internet for new crumbs.

It didn't take long before something caught their eyes.

Shin Yi-han's next move had been revealed.

It was the teaser for Murder's Delusion, uploaded not long after the finale of Brilliant Sky aired.

Shin Yi-han's screentime in the teaser was minimal.

But once word got out that he was in it, people flocked to watch.

Brilliant Sky had come to an end, but Shin Yi-han's acting career was just beginning.

And with a whole new side of him.

Brilliant Sky nailed the finale ratings too.

'19.8%'

It stood tall even against Flames, the drama by SBC's star writer Cheon Ji-hee.

A box-office hit built purely on story and acting—hard to believe, which made it all the more meaningful.

Thanks to that, PD Kim Geun-tae solidified his rep as a hit-making guarantee PD.

Writer Yoon Si-a emerged as a rising star writer, her reputation completely flipped. No longer a rookie with nothing to her name—now everyone was dying to work with her.

Ham Yeon-jeong rode the wave of cheers into another peak.

And finally, Shin Yi-han was firmly etched in the minds of every viewer who'd watched Brilliant Sky.

The public was starting to imprint the actor Shin Yi-han.

Seizing the moment, the indie film Murder's Delusion dropped its teaser.

Perfect timing for both Shin Yi-han and the movie to grab attention.

No need for heavy promo—the teaser views kept climbing day by day.

Articles were already popping up one by one under Shin Yi-han's name.

Free publicity, basically.

Even better—the distributor bumped up theater counts thanks to the hype around Murder's Delusion's quality.

Shin Yi-han couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.

'Hope release day comes soon.'

He'd never even seen Murder's Delusion in theaters in his past life.

Wonder what it'd be like seeing himself on the biggest screen...

'Honestly? Pretty exciting.'

Ah, of course.

Today, wrapping up Brilliant Sky properly mattered more than Murder's Delusion.

Shin Yi-han had gone down to his hometown with Sis, then come straight back up to Seoul together.

Just because the finale aired didn't mean Brilliant Sky was fully over.

The wrap party was still ahead.

A wrap party as an actor.

His ride had just pulled up right near the venue.

"Yi-han-ssi, see that over there?"

Choo Gyeo-ul, at the wheel, pointed to the side window, her tone buzzing with excitement.

"Uh..."

Shin Yi-han's eyes widened a bit.

Through the heavy tint, the scene outside was pretty impressive.

Even beyond the unexpectedly large crowd of reporters.

"Is it... always this many?"

On the other side, a throng of people waited eagerly for the actors.

Sure, some were just curious onlookers, but others held small placards or phones with messages.

The most common name was Brilliant Sky's lead, actress Ham Yeon-jeong. Unrivaled, as befitting a former top star who once rocked Korea.

And... in between.

- I love you Yi-han!!
- Ha-neul-ah! Flowers only!
- Face genius god Yi-han!

His name jumped out.

'Didn't expect this much.'

Not a ton, but definitely eye-catching phrases.

Shin Yi-han felt a strange mix of emotions. A really good one.

"Proof that Brilliant Sky was a hit! Proof that the role of Lee Ha-neul really stuck with the public."

Choo Gyeo-ul beamed proudly.

"But this is just small stuff, you know? You'll get used to even bigger crowds from now on."

"Really?"

"Of course! Gaining this much recognition from one supporting role is unheard of!"

Her sincere tone made Shin Yi-han smile happily.

It happened right after.

Actors started entering the restaurant for the wrap party, from leads to supports.

Of course, a wrap party was just a casual staff-and-cast afterparty.

Minus posing for pics in front of the reporters beforehand.

Click, snap-!

Cheers erupted sporadically with every shutter as actors arrived one by one.

Shin Yi-han watched from the car.

Like a mini red carpet. The real thing would be way flashier and bigger, of course.

And soon after the main actors started entering.

Woooah-!

The biggest cheer exploded.

Because lead actress Ham Yeon-jeong, playing the protagonist, had appeared.

Kyaa! Ham Yeon-jeong looks so pretty todayyy!
Unnie! Look here too!
Love you Ham Yeon-jeong!

Snap, snap! Clicksnap-! Camera flashes went off toward her all at once.

Cheers kept coming with every pose she struck. The crowd made it loud.

'Whoa, intense.'

As expected of actress Ham Yeon-jeong.

Especially after delivering such deep acting in Brilliant Sky. Totally understandable reaction now that she'd re-imprinted on the public.

Compared to other actors, it was on another level.

Naturally, nothing matched her cheers afterward.

The leads got the loudest shouts and shutters.

Supports were noticeably quieter.

Sometimes awkwardly so.

A moment where popularity gaps shone through.

Ah. Still, Park Mu-gang did pretty well.

Thanks to his strong impression as the bully student tormenting Lee Ha-neul, or maybe the drama before/after memes circulating on SNS.

Unlike other school-role actors shuffling in awkwardly to silence.

Snap, snap! Click!

Cameras kept flashing at Park Mu-gang, neatly styled hair and outfit.

......!

Park Mu-gang looked shocked by the unexpected attention.

He quickly adapted, flashing finger hearts and grinning brightly.

Park Mu-gang you're so handsomeee!
Whoa~ so tall and handsome!
Hyung! I'm a fan!!

Even a guy fan bellowing in a gravelly voice had everyone bursting into laughter.

Shin Yi-han couldn't help but laugh too.

Then, as Park Mu-gang headed inside, Shin Yi-han prepped to get out for his turn.

'Wonder what it'll feel like.'

As Choo Gyeo-ul's van neared the drop-off, curiosity hit him purely at the cameras ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and packed crowd beyond the window.

Something his past life as a pure writer could've never known.

Back then, he was too busy hiding his scarred face.

Hated getting photographed like that, and even at official events with cameras, he never wanted to smile for them.

But...

'Why does this feel so nice now?'

Weird.

"Alright! Go get 'em!"

At Choo Gyeo-ul's words, Shin Yi-han nodded and stepped out. No hesitation.

And the moment he did.

Every eye snapped to Shin Yi-han.

But he couldn't help being startled.

'Hold on.'

The cheers were way louder than from the car.

'And.'

Snap, snap! Click! Clicksnap-!

'Is this... how blinding flashes are supposed to be?'

Flashes burst nonstop.

Way more than even Park Mu-gang got.