Chapter 38

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 038

Chapter Title: Timing

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This was Shin Yi-han after the screening ended.

Ah.

So this is what it feels like.

Watching myself on the big screen in a theater.

From start to finish, Shin Yi-han just couldn't hide his smile. It was nothing like watching a drama.

The transformed Murder's Delusion compared to before... and the audience's bated breath the moment they spotted him.

Occasional gasps of tension as they sucked in their breath.

And finally, those small, sharp screams that burst out.

Shin Yi-han reveled in the real-time reactions from the audience.

'...This is the best.'

It didn't matter that his screen time was short.

His presence shook the entire film.

He had poured everything into just a few scenes to make Murder's Delusion shine.

And besides...

Boom! The gas explosion that so absurdly took everything from me in one go.

Me, writhing in agony, covered in burns and holed up in my room.

Finally... truly...

'I'm right there.'

In the role that had been his first and last, the one he'd craved so desperately, as he'd said a million times before.

And here he was, smiling broadly in this very seat.

Shin Yi-han loved it. He was purely, genuinely happy.

At the same time, he couldn't stop thinking about what came next.

Honestly, even this brief appearance felt this good.

Imagine if the work he'd written and starred in was up there next.

No.

'What if even more of my works were shown?'

Just imagining it made Shin Yi-han's heart race.

He wanted more. So much more.

That's why, even long after the movie ended, Shin Yi-han couldn't bring himself to leave his seat.

As long as the end credits were rolling, he wanted to stay until the very last one.

"Yi-han, Yi-han."

It was his sister, Shin I-rim, who had been quietly waiting beside him, scrolling through her phone.

"Look at this...!"

Her voice brimmed with excitement, even more than his.

"Reviews are already popping up."

She beamed, thrusting her phone at him like he had to see it right now.

It wasn't just one or two.

And at the center of it all was me.

The negative worries about Murder's Delusion had long since vanished.

"Looks like quite a few critics were at the preview too. Ratings are coming in."

Even one-liners from the critics.

That last critic... he's infamous for only giving 1-point ratings... giving a 2?

As Shin Yi-han scrolled through his phone, his lips kept curling up.

The overall scores had definitely climbed.

No. They were completely different now.

That's exactly what Shin Yi-han thought.

'Now that Murder's Delusion is like this... surely.'

Not just ratings, but audience numbers could be totally different too.

Of course, even originally, it had done well thanks to Director Song Won-sik's name in this niche.

It had just fallen short of 10,000 viewers.

From a commercial film perspective, that's nothing. But for an indie, 10k is a success benchmark.

It was undoubtedly a hit.

However.

This time, maybe 20k.

Or, if word of mouth spreads, even more.

He wasn't exaggerating.

A unique thrill that could rival commercial films had emerged. He was genuinely excited.

And once all the end credits finally rolled.

Truth be told, Shin Yi-han wasn't the only one who couldn't leave the now-empty theater.

Kwak Hoon, the assistant director on the film.

And Song Won-sik, the director who made it all happen.

Shin Yi-han spotted Director Song Won-sik sitting in the front row.

"Director Song Won-sik!"

"Yi-han...!"

"Director! I'm here too!"

"Whoa, our assistant director!"

Shin Yi-han hurried over to Song Won-sik with Kwak Hoon.

Congratulations and thanks were exchanged briefly before they all burst into laughter without anyone prompting it.

Everyone's beaming faces said it all: they were thinking the same thing.

This movie was different. Really different.

But then.

"Sh-Shin Yi-han, the actor?!"

...?

An utterly unexpected person appeared.

"Tomorrow... no! Today!"

She even grabbed his arm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and asked urgently.

"What are you doing?!"

Asking what he was doing today.

?

Shin Yi-han was momentarily flustered.

Song Won-sik, Kwak Hoon, and even his sister Shin I-rim next to him were just as thrown.

They'd never met her before, of course.

'Why is she here...?'

How could they not be shocked?

Director ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Gil Mi-jin.

She was a star director shuttling between films and OTT dramas, earning rave reviews everywhere.

The industry's top young genius and hot commodity, with hit after hit.

For such a celebrity to show up at a modest indie preview? Not being surprised would be weirder.

'And Director Gil Mi-jin, of all people...'

Others might not know, but Shin Yi-han certainly did.

In the future, she'd soar to heights incomparable to now.

She'd become Newflix's undisputed director, collaborating with Hollywood stars on masterpiece after masterpiece.

"If you're free!"

And yet, this director was now, bizarrely...

"Would you come check out my synopsis...?!)

...fiercely courting him.

Even though they had zero connection yet.

Whoa, wow...?

Shin Yi-han was a bit dumbfounded.

"It's called Hell of Others...! I guarantee it'll be fun!"

And the project Director Gil Mi-jin was pitching...

"Please, I'm begging you!"

...was the drama he'd been dying to see made.

In short, Newflix's in-house production that would shatter records had rolled right into his lap.

'No idea how she popped up like this, but...'

His fluster lasted only a moment. Shin Yi-han calmly smiled.

From the instant Director Gil Mi-jin appeared, he'd had no intention of letting this chance slip.

"Nice to meet you. You're Director Gil Mi-jin, right?"

Shin Yi-han extended his hand with a composed expression.

"Y-You know me?!"

Gil Mi-jin jumped, startled by his casual greeting.

"Of course."

Shin Yi-han nodded.

Obviously, they were strangers now, but she was already hugely famous in the industry.

Not to mention how much he'd seen of her in the past.

Even if she looked much younger now.

From charging bulldozer-like at anything that caught her eye.

To the sharp bob cut and thick horn-rimmed glasses—same as always.

"I'm a fan of your work, Director Gil Mi-jin."

"...!"

Her skills were as stellar as ever, no doubt.

Gil Mi-jin gulped. Shin Yi-han grinned.

"And today, my schedule is..."

But before he could finish.

"W-Wait a sec!"

"Whoa there!"

Kwak Hoon and Director Song Won-sik, terrified he might say he was busy.

They beat him to it.

"Yi-han's totally free today! Take him!"

"Isn't this Director Gil Mi-jin? Meeting celebs at our screening—honored."

Sure, Shin Yi-han was supposed to attend the Murder's Delusion afterparty, but anyone could see this was an incredible opportunity.

When a director approaches like this, there's always a reason!

Kwak Hoon and Director Song Won-sik pushed Shin Yi-han forward.

"Gasp."

Gil Mi-jin, spotting the two late, couldn't help but panic.

She'd completely forgotten the film's creators were right there.

Too fixated on actor Shin Yi-han to notice her surroundings.

"I'm so sorry! How rude of me on our first meeting...!"

Director Gil Mi-jin apologized frantically. She'd basically ruined their big day.

"No need to apologize. If anything, we're the ones who can't let a precious actor miss a golden opportunity."

But Director Song Won-sik waved it off.

"Not when it's this important for him."

This was surely a pivotal meeting for Shin Yi-han.

"But since you're taking him from right in front of us, you'll cast him in a great role, right?"

"Of course!"

Gil Mi-jin nodded vigorously at Song Won-sik's warm teasing.

She wasn't just saying it.

She meant it.

Shin Yi-han was the actor she desperately wanted right now.

"Then, Actor Shin Yi-han...!"

Gil Mi-jin turned back to him.

"Would you come with me, if it's okay?! Right now, if possible!"

Shin Yi-han scratched his cheek with a small smile.

He'd planned to say he could make it back for dinner after dipping out early from the afterparty.

"Sure."

Thanks to Director Song Won-sik, he could nod without any hesitation.

No pressure at all.

"I've got ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tons of time now."

Shin Yi-han grinned widely.

The moment Director Gil Mi-jin's face lit up.

A director-actor meeting was sealed in an instant.

Meanwhile, around the same time.

At Scene Studio's office, the production company for Hell of Others.

While Director Gil Mi-jin was at the preview.

The assistant director was thoroughly enjoying this perfect timing without her.

Stuffed from lunch, leisurely stroll done, now sprawled on the cot in the corner of the office.

Ahh. This is the life.

Dreamy lunch break.

'D-Director! I scored preview tickets! The one with the stage greeting!'

'Whoa...! You're fast! I'll be right back!'

All thanks to snagging those tickets that very morning—preview day, no less.

He deserved this relaxation.

'Wonder how it's going.'

The assistant director closed his eyes lightly, waiting for the director.

'Hope Actor Shin Yi-han caught her eye...'

In his opinion, no other fresh-faced actor could handle that role like Shin Yi-han.

Truth be told, he was kinda a fanboy.

I mean, come on! He's hot! His acting's insane!

Perfect fit for their drama.

He even seemed right for that role.

'Lately, Writer Go Ji-sook's been pushing for Actor Choi Gyeol... that's a big hurdle, but...'

To cast Shin Yi-han, they'd have to overcome that mountain.

'Eh, the director'll handle it. She's already shot down Choi Gyeol, that's why she's out there now... Fight on... zzz...'

Just as the assistant director was drifting into sweet slumber.

Ring ring—ring ring!

His phone buzzed.

"Ugh. Who is it."

Interrupted from his nap, he scowled at the screen.

But seeing the name...

...?!

The assistant director jolted upright.

"I've got the call!"

A guest had arrived.

"Yes? Right now?!"

She's at the door?!

Shocking news.

Because...

"I was nearby grabbing lunch and popped in~!"

The visitor was one of Korea's top writers—and the author of Hell of Others—Go Ji-sook!

"Here, snacks."

"Gasp! Thank you!"

Flustered briefly, the assistant director welcomed Writer Go Ji-sook.

"Hm? Where's Director Gil? She didn't pick up earlier."

"Oh...! She'll be back soon!"

"Okay? I'll wait a bit then~."

He vaguely dodged, guiding her to the sofa.

Of course, he couldn't spill that the director had gone to scout Shin Yi-han for that role. Top secret.

Especially since the writer had her heart set on Choi Gyeol...

Couldn't blab about an unconfirmed Shin Yi-han.

She was so headstrong; if she knew, it'd be chaos.

She'd flip out and say no. Probably.

On the flip side, Director Gil Mi-jin would fight back against Choi Gyeol... cough.

"Whoa! These macarons are delicious?"

"Right? Perfect with coffee."

"Ah! I'll brew some!"

"Nah~. I already hit a cafe. Brew for yourself."

"Hehe. Thanks."

In the end, the assistant director sat on the sofa with her, munching snacks to kill time.

'But... why'd she have to come now of all times...!'

Pretending it was casual, but anyone could tell she had business with the director.

Director! Sigh! When are you coming back?!

"Yuri! I'm back!"

Ah. Right on cue.

Assistant Director Kim Yuri set down the coffee he'd been pouring and rushed to greet her.

"Director! Do you know who's he—"

But his words cut off midway.

Huh.

Because of the tall, handsome figure behind Director Gil Mi-jin. He froze solid.

That familiar handsomeness peeking from under the cap.

Uh... wait.

The director had said she'd just check out the actor and come back.

"Nice to meet you. I'm actor Shin Yi-han."

But she'd brought the man himself.

Director.

I get the impulse, but...

...your timing's terrible? Ours?