Chapter 42
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 042
Chapter Title: Others' Hell Script Reading (1)
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It hadn't been long since Shin Yi-han's casting contract for Others' Hell was finalized.
As an original drama from the massive OTT platform Newflix, Others' Hell had been getting massive promotion from the very start.
[Newflix Original Drama 'Others' Hell' Production Confirmed!]
[Drama 'Others' Hell' Teams Up with Newflix and Production Company Scene Studio!]
Following the production confirmation announcement.
[Korea’s Master Screenwriter Go Ji-sook Takes on the Script for 'Others' Hell'! Expectations High for What the Suspense Queen Will Deliver...]
[Go Ji-sook and Director Gil Mi-jin! The Dream Team Reunites Once More!]
A terrifying lineup of writer and director.
[Newflix Drama 'Others' Hell'! Lead Role Goes to Baek Eun-won?!]
[Top Star Meets Rising Talent! Shin Yi-han Joins After Baek Eun-won!]
And even the confirmed lead actors' names. All sorts of news articles poured out.
Go Ji-sook and Baek Eun-won? This drama's a lock for success.
Damn. Already hooked.
Go Ji-sook thriller? I can already see my future self shivering through to the end lololol.
Newflix has been killing it lately, right?
But public reactions were split. Some were outright thrilled, others baffled.
But what's Shin Yi-han doing next to Baek Eun-won? Lmao, Shin Yi-han, who even are you?
Yeah. Shin Yi-han? How's he standing next to Baek Eun-won? Lmao, article typo?
It was all because of Shin Yi-han's casting, confirmed early on.
;; Not same level but he's about to blow up soon?
How do you not know Shin Yi-han? He made his mark in Brilliant Sky!
Lololol???? Shin Yi-han stans already? Isn't he still too rookie to call rising star?
Agreed. Shin Yi-han? No-name actor, right?
You didn't watch Brilliant Sky, huh?
Why would I watch that snoozefest? Lol.
Where you live???;
Student~ Drop your address right now^^
The biggest buzz came when Shin Yi-han's role was revealed.
['Others' Hell' Casts Shin Yi-han as a Villain?!]
[Shin Yi-han Challenges Villain Role in 'Others' Hell'?!]
People tilted their heads at the news that Shin Yi-han was one of the villains in Others' Hell.
Lol??? Villain?
Is this casting legit?
Shin Yi-han looks like pure sunshine just smiling. Totally wrong for villain. Doesn't fit at all lololol.
Most opinions were that he didn't suit the role.
Nah, gotta be fake news? Probably victim or cop role.
Go Ji-sook's gut-punch thrillers with Shin Yi-han? Brilliant Sky made him pitiful just from his face... Won't be scary at all lololol.
No way. You guys don't know. He's gonna be terrifying.
What are you on lololol make sense.
Watch this first. Then you'll get it. (Murder's Delusion Trailer_Link)
?
Because of that, Others' Hell's promotion even mentioned Shin Yi-han's previous works.
Including the freshly released Murder's Delusion.
[The Cheat Combo of Go Ji-sook and Shin Yi-han That People Don't Know About in 'Others' Hell'!!!!]
It was free promotion, basically.
[Murder's Delusion Review | Kept coming up with Others' Hell so I got curious and watched... : But what is this? What is Shin Yi-han?!?!]
Word of mouth started spreading even faster as a bonus.
Gradually, more and more people took interest in Murder's Delusion.
Time flew by just like that.
Since the day Shin Yi-han returned to the past had been a frigid winter.
Passing through Murder's Delusion, Innocent Boy, Brilliant Sky, and Blaze.
Now meeting Others' Hell.
Spring was already starting to creep in.
Meanwhile, Director Song Won-sik's smile never faded.
Hahaha! Yi-han! You're a walking lucky charm! A total lucky charm!
Thanks to Murder's Delusion riding the viral wave of the Newflix drama perfectly.
Over 10,000 views this easily...! It's the best indie film I've ever done!
We might hit 20,000 at this rate!
20k? Pfft... 30k easy!
Right?! Kuhaha!
Great news.
Especially considering Murder's Delusion was shot on Red Film's budget alone. An enormous achievement.
And while those stories were circulating.
Shin Yi-han was spending his days pretty busy.
Not only running early in the mornings.
He was practically living at the gym right near his agency, Winter Entertainment.
The reason was simple.
Completely.
Gonna shatter that boyish image.
To match the atmosphere of this thriller drama with his own image.
He'd already played every kind of boyish role there was.
Lately, choking down chicken breast and brown rice was torture, but...
"Still, young body recovers fast or something."
Shin Yi-han clenched and unclenched his fist, checking the now-prominent veins.
"Manageable. This is."
Worth shedding the facial bloat and cutting weight.
Lean muscle, sharp jawline, slightly shadowed under-eyes.
No need to act different—his image was flipping completely.
And when such a Shin Yi-han headed to Red Film to see Kwak Hoon.
In the elevator up to the office, he locked eyes with his reflection in the mirror.
Maybe because of the dim, dingy elevator vibe.
Now I look kinda like a villain.
Like Geum Seong-je. Sharp but not overly gaunt. Perfect.
Shin Yi-han smirked in satisfaction.
Apart from episode 1, he hadn't even gotten the full script, but he already knew it all from the past.
With his look ready too, everything felt smooth sailing.
Ah, but Kwak Hoon was shocked at Shin Yi-han's transformation.
Hasn't seen him in a bit... Is this for real?
The moment Shin Yi-han walked in, Kwak Hoon was stunned by the suddenly gaunt face.
And when Shin Yi-han shrugged off his jacket.
"Yi-han, you know doing workouts with a face like that is criminal, right...?"
"...?"
Those broadened shoulders and back were startling.
Lean build, but not someone you'd pick a fight with... That vibe.
Even as a guy, the visuals were intimidating.
No. Precisely, all flab gone turned his tall, handsome frame straight-up menacingly hot...!
"The role I'm taking needs intensity."
"Even so. Cutting weight that fast ain't easy."
Shin Yi-han laughed at Kwak Hoon's admiration.
Dieting. Honestly not easy.
"More than that, itching to act. Can't do it and it's killing me."
Just working out was frustratingly suffocating.
Going crazy to do the script reading already.
"Jeez. Not like you're dying from lack of acting."
Kwak Hoon chuckled dryly. So very Shin Yi-han.
"Anyway, it's soon, right? You said the script reading schedule was set last time?"
"Yeah. Day after tomorrow. Super excited."
Shin Yi-han nodded eagerly.
Newflix power? Or Director Gil Mi-jin pushing? Schedule jumped ahead fast.
Script reading right around the corner. Just thinking about it thrilled him.
The actors he'd meet there too.
"Anyway, go kill it!"
Kwak Hoon clapped his palms together.
Shin Yi-han wasn't just visiting Red Film for fun, after all.
"Let's check this first."
Shin Yi-han stood behind Kwak Hoon at the computer.
The site on screen was, naturally.
[Seoul Independent Film Festival | Main Competition Feature Films Announced]
The homepage to check if Innocent Boy passed prelims.
They'd planned to check together over dinner tonight.
"Ready?"
"Of course."
Pass: celebration party. Fail: consolation party.
Obviously the former, though.
Click! Kwak Hoon and Shin Yi-han checked without hesitation.
Among over a thousand entries, including shorts.
"...!"
Gasp. Kwak Hoon's eyes widened.
Only 13 features made main competition.
Eyes scanned down the alphabetical list.
And there it was, bold as brass: Innocent Boy.
"Knew it!"
"Main comp. We made it."
Expected, but still felt great. Shin Yi-han grinned alongside the delighted Kwak Hoon.
Making main comp meant director and lead actor attending the festival too, of course.
"Oh, right. Yi-han, you got a suit?"
Kwak Hoon's face was already at the festival. He asked excitedly.
"Nah. You, Director?"
"Got one! With my assistant director experience."
Voice buzzing with hype already.
"But Yi-han, as lead, gotta dress sharp? We might get tons of photos there."
True enough.
"Yeah. I'll prep properly."
Too confident for mere hype. Shin Yi-han smirked.
Festival still weeks away.
But Kwak Hoon's fussing had Shin Yi-han getting excited too.
The week-long indie fest.
Especially the special judge for main comp.
A secret not yet public.
A joker card to redeem last year's low quality.
Korea's master director, multiple Cannes contender.
Tak Bong-chun.
He'd be watching Innocent Boy.
Innocent Boy's main comp joy was short-lived.
Two days later.
The day of the Others' Hell script reading Shin Yi-han had been dying for arrived.
[Hot Project 'Others' Hell'! Script Reading Finally Underway!]
[Newflix Drama 'Others' Hell', Drawing Netizens' Eyes from Production Start. Script Reading Set for Lunch Today...]
Nonstop promo as a Newflix self-produced drama.
Everyone gathering at the reading room carried weight.
Top star in his 20s, steady hits from child actor days.
Baek Eun-won taking the lead role.
[Others' Hell' Top Star Lineup Expands! Go Do-jin Joins After Baek Eun-won?!]
[Suspense Master Writer and Villain Specialist Actor 'Go Do-jin' Team Up?! Hype Building Already...]
Villain expert top star Go Do-jin as main villain.
And among them.
[Rookie Actor Shin Yi-han Confirmed as Sub-Villain in 'Others' Hell'! Concerns Mount on Whether He'll Surprise Audiences...]
Rookie actor Shin Yi-han squeezed in.
Though he'd definitely gotten attention from Brilliant Sky.
Only one drama where he truly showed his face.
Before even debating villain fit... Plenty didn't know him yet.
Too green next to master writer Go Ji-sook, star director Gil Mi-jin, Baek Eun-won, Go Do-jin.
A bold casting choice.
Many earned spots through massive auditions for this dream drama.
They couldn't help but think.
Just two dramas under his belt... How's he snagging sub-lead? Doesn't make sense!
Choi Gyeol especially.
And it was mine...! How could they?!
Snatched the Geum Seong-je role right in front of him, or so he thought.
Thanks to Go Ji-sook, he got the lead supporting cop role without audition, but...
Rookie's a rookie! How good can he be?!
Couldn't shake the injustice. Stomach hurt bad.
Newflix side felt similar.
...Wonder what the vibe'll be. Others' Hell script reading.
Jennifer Kim, Newflix employee back in Korea for the reading.
Korean-American mix, fluent communicator, big contributor to Korean productions.
Now stepping into Scene Studio's reading room.
Comparing actors' photos to real faces, imagining shoots.
Ah, that actor's tone fits the role perfect.
That one has a heavier impression than expected. Hope on-set chemistry works.
Some fit great, others off expectations.
Jennifer Kim's analysis continued.
Then... her eyes landed on rookie Shin Yi-han's profile.
Not here yet?
Visuals were top-notch, sure. Wonder if they cast just for looks.
Photo too flattering... Lowers expectations.
Public reactions said no villain vibe either.
Could've given a smaller role.
Didn't even get why they needed a fresh face. Baek Eun-won and Go Do-jin's visuals covered it.
Absolutely! Writer and I decided on him!
Yes, yes! If not this actor, I'm out!
Really?
...That's how serious we are!
But Director Gil Mi-jin and Go Ji-sook insisted so hard. Had to cave to their influence.
Geum Seong-je. Her favorite character.
Such a shame.
Jennifer Kim sighed, chin in hand.
Fine. Let's see him first.
Shin Yi-han.
She waited sharply for Shin Yi-han to enter the reading room.