Chapter 43
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 043
Chapter Title: Others' Hell Script Reading (2)
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It was the script reading room for Others' Hell at Scene Studio.
The time when everyone was starting to gather.
Director Gil Mi-jin and writer Go Ji-sook grabbed the elevator to head up to the script reading room.
"Huh? Mi-jin-ah. Why'd you bring so many snacks?"
"Oh, these? The assistant director said from the office that there weren't enough snacks in the reading room, so he told me to grab more."
Ding-! They exchanged a few words, and the elevator arrived.
"But the snacks up there were probably all eaten by that guy anyway. Set these up and munch, set those up and munch, tidy the chairs and munch. The guy's a total glutton, I swear."
"Ugh, he eats well, that's good. Yi-han's been looking a bit skinny lately. Make sure he eats properly."
"I do feed him well?"
And just like that, as the two of them chatted idly and looked up...
Someone was in the arrived elevator.
It was none other than Shin Yi-han.
"Good thing. I brought snacks too."
Shin Yi-han grinned broadly, having overheard their conversation through the elevator doors.
His hands were loaded with boxes of donuts.
"Actor Shin Yi-han!"
Director Gil Mi-jin and writer Go Ji-sook lit up and welcomed him warmly.
"Oh my gosh! We ran right into..."
But those words trailed off unfinished.
Their gazes, after lingering on the snacks in his hands, traveled upward to his face.
?
Uh... what?
For a split second, they weren't sure if the person standing before them was really the Shin Yi-han they knew.
He looked completely different from the last time they'd seen him.
The director and writer gaped in unison.
'Why'd he come looking even more handsome...'
'Yi-han would faint if he saw this.'
With the baby fat gone from his face, his vibe had totally transformed.
His once-soft eye corners now had a sharp edge.
And the short hair, exposing his forehead, only amplified the cool, chilling image.
In a word... what was it?
"Ah, no! What if you're already giving off Geum Seong-je vibes from the start?!"
Director Gil Mi-jin couldn't hold back and blurted it out.
Yeah. He really did look just like Geum Seong-je.
"How'd you know...?!"
Writer Go Ji-sook was thinking the same thing. She was shocked by the drastic change in his face, sure, but even more by...
"Geum Seong-je having short hair—that wasn't in my synopsis?"
Shin Yi-han had shown up with his hair cut exactly the same.
"That."
As Go Ji-sook questioned him, Shin Yi-han gave a small smile and opened his mouth.
He couldn't exactly say he'd already seen it all in his past life.
Conveniently, there was a description like that in Episode 1 of the script.
"I saw it in Episode 1 of the script you showed me last time. The part about him brushing back his prickly short hair."
Shin Yi-han answered nonchalantly.
The director and writer couldn't help but be amazed by his excuse.
"Uh...?"
"You remember that...?"
No matter how you sliced it, remembering a throwaway line like that?
He'd skimmed through the script super fast back then too. No way he'd had time for tiny details like that...?
How sharp were his instincts, anyway?
"See... I really picked a winner."
"Yeah, I totally backed the right choice."
But their doubts were short-lived; admiration was all that remained.
And just then, they arrived at the door to the script reading room.
"Whoa. When we go in, everyone's gonna flip."
"Oh, right? This'll be fun."
Pfft. The writer and director glanced back at Shin Yi-han with sly grins as they opened the door.
They were looking forward to it.
Especially since they knew everyone else was bound to be puzzled by Shin Yi-han.
And sure enough, the director and writer's prediction hit the nail on the head.
A few minutes before Shin Yi-han entered the script reading room.
Choi Gyeol sat there with his arms firmly crossed.
He'd lost Geum Seong-je to Shin Yi-han, but thanks to writer Go Ji-sook, he'd snagged the key supporting role of the cop.
Choi Gyeol was determined to do it right.
The problem was, the more he skimmed the freshly distributed physical script...
'This guy—a total newbie—is really doing this?'
He was still pissed about it.
It grated that a low-tier newbie like him had nabbed the second lead... and that character was brutally tough yet magnetic.
'This tricky bastard...?'
Sure, the synopsis hinted that Geum Seong-je wasn't easy.
But reading the actual script, it felt way harder than expected.
Not outright angry, crazy, or furious.
Terror hidden in the mundane.
'Maybe if it was someone like me, grinding from child acting days... but!'
Hmm. Choi Gyeol immediately doubted whether that newbie could pull it off.
And there was another annoying thing.
'Why does he get more mentions than me?!'
Child Actor Turned Starlet Choi Gyeol Joins the Cast!
His own article barely got clicks.
Brilliant Sky's Ha-neul! Will We Finally See Him Go Dark in ‘Others' Hell’?
Newflix Drama ‘Others' Hell’ Casts Shin Yi-han as Sub-Villain?!
Ridiculous headlines like those were racking up views and comments galore.
Fits, doesn't fit—why the hell were people yapping so much...!
Choi Gyeol snuck another peek at his own article and clenched his fist. The views were pathetically low.
Fine, whatever. I've got the experience, at least.
Choi Gyeol looked up as the script reading room started buzzing.
'There he is.'
It was the star of the show—no, the protagonist actor Baek Eun-won himself.
"Hey, Eun-won! Long time no see?"
Choi Gyeol greeted him boldly.
A child actor who'd never quite made it and a top star everyone wanted to work with—their standings were worlds apart now.
"You been well?"
But they were sitcom buddies from way back, grinding through child acting days together! Choi Gyeol waved cheerfully.
"......"
Baek Eun-won just gave a half-hearted nod. Anyone could tell he wasn't interested.
Of course, Choi Gyeol didn't give up. Haha... acting shy? We were tight as kids!
He made his way right up to Baek Eun-won's front-row seat and kept chatting.
"Hey! This script."
It'd been a while since they'd talked, but Choi Gyeol knew one thing about Baek Eun-won well.
The guy never shut up about work.
"I snuck a peek, and damn, it's actually good."
"Yeah."
See? He replied...!
"How's the script even better than the synopsis?! You gotta read it quick!"
"Sure."
As Choi Gyeol pointed at the script on the table, Baek Eun-won gave another curt reply.
"The protagonist and villains' names are spot-on too."
"Right."
See?! Me and Baek Eun-won are buds!
Choi Gyeol's confidence surged.
Baek Eun-won's open script happened to be at a scene with 'Geum Seong-je.' Choi Gyeol seized the chance to bring up the casting.
"Oh! Right. That Shin Yi-han guy playing Geum Seong-je."
"Shin Yi-han?"
O? Jackpot—Baek Eun-won actually turned toward him, eyes a bit wide. He was genuinely interested.
Jackpot. You were bugged by him too, huh?! Assuming as much, Choi Gyeol spilled excitedly.
"Yeah! Tough break for you. They sure that casting's legit? Doesn't match your level at all!"
"......"
"One hit drama, and he thinks he's hot shit?"
But the instant Choi Gyeol finished, Baek Eun-won's face turned icy.
His mouth spat out stiff words.
"Drop it."
Baek Eun-won's head swiveled back, fixed on the script.
"He's gotta be here somewhere."
"Uh... huh?"
Choi Gyeol felt incredibly awkward. Wait, you weren't thinking the same as me...?
"You going? I'm reading the script."
Baek Eun-won's firm follow-up left Choi Gyeol mortified, face flushing red.
"Ah...! Y-yeah, gotta go. See you after...!"
"......"
He tried to play it cool, but no reply came.
The whispers around him rang out louder than ever.
"Huh? What? They're not close at all."
"Always bragging he's tight with Baek Eun-won off-set. Pfft."
"I could have a convo like that."
Choi Gyeol slunk back to his seat and buried his head, pretending to dry-wash his face.
Damn...!
He felt humiliated.
If he'd gotten Geum Seong-je, at least!
Baek Eun-won wouldn't have brushed him off like this! It's 'cause I'm just supporting!
Inferiority mixed with anger.
But the murmurs and embarrassment faded quick enough.
Because the center of Others' Hell—director Gil Mi-jin and writer Go Ji-sook—had entered the reading room.
"I loaded up on snacks today, so munch away while we do this!"
"Nah, stay seated and just greet us. You know I hate the fuss?"
After everyone greeted the writer and director...
"Oh, actor Shin Yi-han brought donuts too."
At writer Go Ji-sook's words, every eye turned to the reading room door.
Shin Yi-han?
Choi Gyeol too.
'Ah. Yeah. Let's see the real deal, Shin Yi-han!'
The promo pics alone screamed "not thriller material."
Maybe they'd recast him after today's reading!
Choi Gyeol clung to hope.
But as the murmurs swelled, he realized it was false hope.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm actor Shin Yi-han!"
Shin Yi-han bowed deeply, handing the donuts to the staff.
The reading room fell silent in an instant.
A sharp face impossible to picture as the high schooler from Brilliant Sky.
Distinct features, and those slightly shadowed under-eyes.
Not just different from the Shin Yi-han they'd imagined.
'Crazy. What the hell, Shin Yi-han.'
His vibe fit perfectly.
'Shin Yi-han had this side to him?'
'Paying attention to how people see him? Came prepared.'
'Even as a newbie... guess there's a reason he got cast...'
Doubt and awe. Everyone thought the same.
And among them was Jennifer Kim, Newflix's Korea branch manager.
"......!"
She even shot to her feet without thinking.
Habitually analyzing him like the other actors.
Had he lost weight or something?
Lean build, tall frame. A subtle intimidation not in his profile pic.
No—the boyish charm they'd expected was gone.
Well, it pops up when he smiles.
But that actually suited the role better.
The short hair was a smart move too.
It nailed the chilling vibe instantly.
'It's like the director and writer rigged it for him.'
No matter how many times she looked, same story. Jennifer Kim kept getting thrown off.
'...And.'
Unlike her earlier complaints about using a newbie.
'Why does he already scream Geum Seong-je?'
Jennifer Kim was starting to like Shin Yi-han's look.
'Of course, gotta check his acting first.'
But the vibes were good.
Meanwhile, Choi Gyeol's vibes were the opposite.
He flinched at the sight of Shin Yi-han, but...
'Psh, whatever!'
Just a pretty wrapper! I could look that good with effort too!
Choi Gyeol tried to brush him off.
Kept his guard up, avoiding interest.
Then.
"Hello, senior Choi Gyeol."
?!
Choi Gyeol panicked.
As Shin Yi-han greeted everyone, he'd come right over to him near the door.
"Please take good care of me."
A polite bow to boot.
Uh... huh?
Choi Gyeol's heart wavered. Greeting me too...?
And senior?
How long since he'd heard that? His earlier inner rant suddenly felt embarrassing. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"A-hem. Uh, yeah. You too."
Still pissed about losing Geum Seong-je.
But maybe this guy's not so bad—
......!
Choi Gyeol's eyes chilled right back over.
"Nice to meet you."
The man who'd blown him off like a cold wind earlier.
Others' Hell's protagonist, Baek Eun-won, had cut in front of him to greet Shin Yi-han.
With a smile, no less.
"I really enjoyed Murder's Delusion."
Baek Eun-won stuck out his hand first, looking thrilled.
"Your other dramas too, of course."
Even name-dropping his works.
Watching from right beside them, Choi Gyeol was stunned.
'He was so cold to me earlier?!'
No cameras, and Baek Eun-won smiling like that? First time. Talking that much? Also first!
Choi Gyeol's mood tanked instantly.
'Y-yeah, I don't like him. Don't like him at all...!'
Tears welled up inside.
Meanwhile, Baek Eun-won was...
"Been looking forward to acting together."
Too busy sparkling with excitement to care who was shocked.
"You're exceeding expectations already."
Truth was, Baek Eun-won had been thrilled for this script reading for ages.
Couldn't help it. He'd already pegged Shin Yi-han as promising.
Especially after director Gil Mi-jin's recommendation a few days back—that indie film.
- Hi.
Once for the boy's greeting from the past.
- Wanna play with oppa?
Once for the chill lurking in innocence.
Baek Eun-won felt a thrill in ages. A peer like this... it was so exciting.
Acting together was already something to anticipate.
And so, Baek Eun-won welcomed Shin Yi-han.
Script reading. Shin Yi-han was buzzing to slip back among the crowd of actors.
Until suddenly Baek Eun-won closed in, startling him a bit.
Uh...
'Is this the Baek Eun-won I know...?'
Ah, of course it was a welcome face.
Baek Eun-won was one of the protagonists who'd lit up his films someday. A fave actor, and he knew his personality roughly.
But setting that aside.
'This is new.'
First time seeing Baek Eun-won so chatty with a stranger.
In the end, Shin Yi-han could only smile.
"Thank you for the kind words."
He shook Baek Eun-won's outstretched hand with a grin.
"Please take good care of me."
"Same here."
Baek Eun-won smiled back.
'First time seeing Baek Eun-won smile that much off-script.'
'If Baek's that into him... Shin Yi-han. Maybe there's something there?'
The reading room's atmosphere shifted dramatically.
It followed right after.
'Huh? Did something happen before I got here?'
Others' Hell's main villain actor, Gu Do-jin, had just arrived.
'Baek Eun-won looks way too happy for some reason?'
Gu Do-jin shrugged at the inexplicable stares pouring toward the newbie actor.
"Alright, shall we get started?"
He brushed it off quick since the reading needed to begin.
"Let's casually read through Episode 1, then."
After brief intros from the director, writer, and actors.
Others' Hell Episode 1 unfolded from the director and actors' mouths.
And Episode 1's start felt like...
A sweet potato stuffed to bursting.
Protagonist Ban Ki-hyuk, recklessly heading to Seoul, got knocked around left and right.
Shoulder-bumped on the subway constantly.
At the meat joint side gig, rude customers hurled half-talk and curses without hesitation.
The tiny goshiwon room left no room to breathe.
"Haa. This is driving me insane."
Baek Eun-won's voice from the early lines sounded exactly like an exhausted fresh grad.
Immature enough to crumble easy.
Innocent enough to grit it out anyway.
'Baek Eun-won for the win...'
'Script reading, and his emotions are already wild.'
Everyone admired, glued to Baek Eun-won's lines.
Right up until Geum Seong-je—Shin Yi-han's role—entered.
"Scene 36. Ban Ki-hyuk connects with Geum Seong-je and sets a meetup after his shift."
As everything gnawed at the protagonist's nerves...
Word from Geum Seong-je after ages. A hometown friend once like family.
The one soda to refresh the stuffy story air so far.
And as that Geum Seong-je's appearance loomed...
Everyone's eyes snapped to Shin Yi-han.
'Let's see how good he really is!'
Choi Gyeol still glared pettily.
'Better live up to that look.'
'Obviously getting compared to Baek Eun-won.'
'If he's half-assing the villain, better not.'
Similar thoughts rippled as they waited to see what the newbie would show.
But when Shin Yi-han opened his mouth.
"What the—why contact me now?!"
Everyone froze as Shin Yi-han beamed, welcoming the protagonist.
'......?'
That voice was more than expected.
'Huh? Too normal?'
'Villain? Looks like a regular dude.'
Disappointing.
The casual delivery, like everyday chat with no oomph, deflated the tension.
'Jeez. Where does Go Ji-sook keep dragging these randos from?'
But...
"Huh? Geum Seong-je! When'd you get here?"
"Just... checking things out. You."
"Dude, why not come in? I'd hook you up with snacks on the house."
Why was it...
The more the Geum Seong-je and Ban Ki-hyuk chat progressed...
"Side gig perks, my ass. Who's that asshole anyway? He was bitching you out hard."
"Ah... that customer? No biggie. Just drunk."
"Drunk's when your true colors show, right? Guy's trash from the jump, trash."
Pfft. That smiling face.
That gaze aimed past the protagonist.
A strange unease crept in.
'He hasn't done jack, but why's it so precarious...'
It was weird.
Those eyes, plain as day at first.
Now starting to feel utterly inscrutable.