Chapter 36
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 036
Chapter Title: Murder's Delusion Premiere (1)
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It was a video thumbnail that caught the eye of Gil Mi-jin, the director of Brilliant Sky.
[First Public 'Murder's Delusion' Trailer]
Eh?
'Shin Yi-han is in this?'
Her first reaction was disbelief.
After playing the fiery Dong-ho in Flames and then Lee Ha-neul in Brilliant Sky, he'd cemented himself as a likable, kind-hearted character full of compassion.
Why bother?
He could hit it big just doing a proper rom-com.
This was a totally different vibe.
Of course, if he was set to play a role contrasting the victim or the killer, that'd be another story.
But from what the assistant director said, that didn't seem to be the case...
'I wonder how it'll turn out.'
Honestly, Director Gil Mi-jin wasn't expecting much.
Once an image was etched in people's minds, it wasn't easy to shake.
Unless the actor had insane versatility.
A single misstep, and the actor's image could twist the whole work.
That was why you had villains specialized in evil roles and heroes in good ones.
- Murder's Delusion
Of course, her doubts didn't last long.
Following the title typography dripping like blood,
an old man appeared in the trailer.
A dementia patient who couldn't even find his way home.
And bit by bit, details from the old man's past started to emerge.
The story claimed that this pitiful old man was a killer who'd murdered countless people.
Whether to believe it or not was up to the viewer.
'A killer with dementia...'
Yeah, that sounded like a Song Won-sik film. Definitely an intriguing theme.
As a big name in indie cinema, he nailed his signature style.
But what about Shin Yi-han?
As the minute mark passed without him showing up, Director Gil Mi-jin tilted her head.
Why would Song Won-sik cast that actor? When does he appear? What role did they give him?
Such thoughts flitted through her mind.
And it wasn't long before...
The trailer's highlight dropped.
A reporter who refused to let go of a case the cops had abandoned finally tracks down the old man.
Just like that day.
Whoosh—rain poured down on a certain night.
The reporter began interviewing the old man.
- "Grandpa. So you don't remember?"
He laid out the question he'd buried in his heart his whole life.
But the response was meaningless.
The old man had forgotten that day long ago.
However.
- "No way. Even like this?"
It was when the reporter held out a photo.
- "You really don't remember even this?!"
The screen locked on the old man's face.
With the downpour came a strange noise.
Drag—something scraping across the floor.
Creeeak, creak. Like rusted metal clashing.
A hummed tune.
Rumble, boom!
Thunder and lightning shaking the whole house.
Then, at some point.
Boom! With each thunderclap, the old man's face alternated with a boy's.
The dementia-stricken elder.
And the boy from his past who held the truth.
The same expression, the same hum.
For a moment, you couldn't even tell they were different actors. Let alone recognize one as Shin Yi-han.
It was just one man—his present and his past.
Kaboom!
With the final thunder, the screen captured the old man in his youth from another time.
Only the boy now.
Blink. Blink.
The boy in his school uniform blinked.
Slowly smiling.
That was it. Nothing was properly revealed.
Not even what the boy had done.
But.
In those eyes.
Desire.
Blood.
Ecstasy.
Something so horrific it choked the viewer.
Impossible emotions swirled within.
From a single glance.
Intense, like proudly flaunting his sins.
'What the hell is this...'
Director Gil Mi-jin couldn't look away.
Rumble.
Boom!
Even after the blackout with the following thunder.
Black, pitch black.
Only darkness remained, like the unseen truth.
That was the end of the trailer.
"......"
Director Gil Mi-jin fell silent for a moment.
The comments below were exploding.
Everyone. You can breathe now...
Whoa, huff huff
lololol... No. Not funny at all. I was holding my breath for real.
No blood in the video, but why is it so scary? And that ending—what the hell?!
Everyone was leaving the same stunned reactions.
That final glare made me forget the whole plot before it. Insane.
I'm a fan of the old man actor, Choi Tae-seok...? But even I forgot the earlier stuff. Who's the boy??
Agreed... Came for Choi Tae-seok and now I'm frozen solid.
Who is it really? That ending tho.
What? How do you not know? It's Shin Yi-han! Shin Yi-han!!!! The son from Brilliant Sky!
Wait... Really?
???
It's Shin Yi-han. Didn't recognize at first, but yeah. Had to watch a few times. He's so not himself it's scary lol
And Director Gil Mi-jin was just as stunned.
Honestly, it was a shock.
"This."
One scene alone made her want to see the whole movie.
"I have to watch it once..."
Meanwhile, this was Shin Yi-han after Brilliant Sky wrapped.
[Brilliant Sky Wrap Party! Finally Shin Yi-han in Casual Clothes, Not Uniform?!]
[Ham Yeon-jeong Beaming with Her On-Screen Son! Brilliant Sky Wrap Party Behind-the-Scenes! Ham Yeon-jeong & Shin Yi-han Two-Shot!]
[Shin Yi-han, 'Real Life So Different from Drama's Lee Ha-neul!' (Brilliant Sky Wrap Party)]
Positive articles about the wrap party had been popping up, of course.
[Don't Want to Say Goodbye to 'Brilliant Sky'—Full Wrap Party Footage Uploaded!]
Ham Yeon-jeong's vibe from the start is insane;;;
Wow. Knew Ham Yeon-jeong was pretty, but damn, goddess level.
5:31 lololol Mu-gang hyung why so fidgety lol Doesn't match his tough look, so cuteㅋ
5:56 ???? Wait. Why does Shin Yi-han look so heart-fluttering???
Thought he was total student vibe from Ha-neul... but casual clothes? Just handsome af.
He's insanely handsome, caught me off guard.
The NewTube videos were blowing up too.
Wow. Haneul-ahㅠㅠㅠ You're a total hottie. How'd a face like that get bullied?!
5:59 Shin Yi-han smiles and spring? Snap snap, day breaks.
Lol so true. Reporters know that face too!!
Unlike the occasional posts about Shin Yi-han,
[Shin Yi-han Looks Flawless Even in Ruthless Reporter Photos—Take a Look!]
Lol how'd he survive those pap shots insane
Eyes closed or open, all perfect.
If reporter pics look this good... IRL must be unreal!!!
In truth, Shin Yi-han had no time to bask in Brilliant Sky's afterglow—he was swamped.
Sure, Murder's Delusion was just awaiting release, and Brilliant Sky filming was done.
No next projects signed yet, so it should've been chill.
But no.
Shin Yi-han still had one indie film left.
Innocent Boy wasn't something he could just shoot and ditch.
'It's my script from the start, after all.'
Daily meetings with Kwak Hoon at Red Film's office,
reviewing edits and swapping feedback all night—standard fare.
Shin Yi-han was completing Innocent Boy hands-on.
Just like he had with Kwak Hoon in his past life.
Yeah. Two rookies—a newbie director and novice writer—grinding out a film.
'Whoa... Wait. Why does doing it your way make it better?'
'Holy crap, Yi-han, you're a genius?! Feels like decades of writing experience! Advice is nuts!'
'One tip and a blocked scene just flows.'
'Like you have the finished film in your head!'
Ah, slightly different. Anyway.
To boost the film's quality even a bit, Shin Yi-han gave his all.
And this had been set since he first showed Innocent Boy to Kwak Hoon.
'But right now, I'm not a writer.'
'I want to be an actor.'
He'd shoved the faceless writer's work at them, even passing up better offers.
'Let's aim here.'
- Seoul Independent Film Festival
With that festival coming up soon,
he had no choice but to hustle on Innocent Boy.
And so time flew until today.
"Whoa! Finally...!"
"W-We did it! We really pulled it off!"
After all-nighters tweaking the film over and over, Shin Yi-han and Kwak Hoon could only cheer.
Nonstop editing had paid off—it was done.
Shin Yi-han grinned in satisfaction, burying his weary head on the desk.
'Ah.'
Honestly, even as actor and writer,
'It's the best. For real.'
His lips curled up without thinking.
Couldn't help it—the result was that good.
Especially since he'd made it once before in his past life.
Finished way faster than that year's wait, better cast, and all the old regrets fixed.
How could it not satisfy?
Yeah, it was even better than before.
This far more perfect version.
"Just submit it soon and it'll be a massive hit."
Shin Yi-han chuckled to Kwak Hoon. Total confidence.
"Our movie's seriously fun."
Even grimy from sleepless nights, seeing the final cut melted away the fatigue—it was that joyful.
"Agreed."
Kwak Hoon nodded.
"For real."
Even as director, it exceeded imagination.
He'd expected some from the script, but not this from himself.
"...Sniff."
"H-Huh? Crying?"
"N-No! Why cry when I'm happy!"
Kwak Hoon rubbed his eyes, emotions surging.
His first film after years as assistant director.
And it was Innocent Boy.
No—the one who gave it to him was Shin Yi-han.
Truly fortunate.
Without Yi-han, he wouldn't have made it this far. Certain.
"We're gonna make it big! For sure!"
Just time to soar now.
Kwak Hoon scraped up his last energy and shot up.
Shin Yi-han chuckled at his exhausted but sparkling-eyed face.
"But, Director."
Checking his phone time, Shin Yi-han spoke in a half-drowsy voice.
Sleeping now would be perfect, honestly.
"Us."
But no.
Separate from Innocent Boy chaos, the day he'd awaited had arrived.
"We gotta get ready quick, right...?"
He spotted Sis's text while checking time.
??? Still at Red Film?
Didn't forget today, right?
Shin Yi-han showed Kwak Hoon the screen.
Murder's Delusion Premiere!
That's right. Today.
The first film he'd shot after regressing—the very first Murder's Delusion—would finally screen for people.
Ah wait... Yi-han, you awake rn? Sleeping = disaster!
Reply quick!!
Why no phone pick-up!!!
Kwak Hoon as Murder's Delusion assistant director.
Me as supporting actor.
Ah, Sis just scored tickets to tag along.
They'd all sit in the audience, cheering on Director Song Won-sik and the leads during stage greetings.
"Shall we go?"
Shin Yi-han tidied up and stood.
No matter the drowsiness, thinking of seeing Murder's Delusion cleared his head.
Wonder what it'd be like on the big screen.
He'd been looking forward to it so much.
"Gah! I-rim-ssi...!"
Kwak Hoon perked up for different reasons seeing Sis's texts.
Shin Yi-han headed out with Kwak Hoon.
Tight on time if they didn't wanna be late.