Chapter 52

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 052

Chapter Title: Good News

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"It's just such a shame to leave without meeting the writer who created something like that!"

How sincere he sounded.

"We've come all this way, and we can't even meet the person behind it!"

Tak Bong-chun looked ready to snag the writer's number on the spot.

Standing there, Shin Yi-han flashed a subtle smile.

You've already met him.

The creator of the work.

"Well."

But today wasn't the right timing yet.

"The writer isn't ready to show his face just yet."

Shin Yi-han gave a simple reply.

If Tak Bong-chun had outright figured it out, that'd be one thing, but with all the eyes around...

"Ah...!"

So that's how it was? No wonder he wasn't here. Tak Bong-chun looked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠surprised.

"Right. To write something like this, you've got to have some real stubborn pride about it."

He nodded in quick agreement.

"Hold on a sec. But."

But?

"Not only hiding his face... and the name's Shin Il-han? Oh...?"

Uh-oh.

"No way!"

Shin Yi-han and Kwak Hoon both flinched in shock.

A true master is a true master, after all—

"Is it your brother, maybe?!"

"......"

It was a spectacular miss from the master.

"Haha, kidding, of course. Not every similar name means family!"

Kahaha! Tak Bong-chun burst into hearty laughter.

"R-Right, yeah?!"

Hahaha...! Kwak Hoon laughed along enthusiastically at the master's joke.

Shin Yi-han let out a small chuckle too. Technically, if you counted it as family, it fit.

"Anyway, Director Kwak Hoon."

Of course, the jokes ended there.

He'd said earlier he had something to say. Tak Bong-chun called out to Kwak Hoon.

"Y-Yes!"

In the master's presence, Kwak Hoon was brimming with tension. He seemed nervous about what might be coming.

"As a fellow director, I was truly impressed. Incredible work. You've got a bright future ahead."

And to the anxious Kwak Hoon came the master's praise.

"We'll meet again soon. Even higher up."

"......!"

Tak Bong-chun pointed upward with his finger. No clue exactly what he meant, but it hit Kwak Hoon like a shot of pure motivation.

"Th-Thank you so much!"

Watching the thrilled Kwak Hoon, Shin Yi-han couldn't help but smile faintly.

No way it wouldn't feel good hearing such open praise for his assistant director. He agreed with every word.

"And actor Shin Yi-han."

Next up was him. Tak Bong-chun turned to Shin Yi-han.

Truth be told, this was the real reason Tak Bong-chun had held him back.

"Could you wait a bit?"

Tak Bong-chun pulled out a business card and held it out, complete with his direct line.

Of course, if anyone asked if it was too soon right after the festival ended, he'd have no defense.

But he had no choice.

He was dead serious.

This was the big break he'd been waiting for.

A wild story with brilliant direction. A film you couldn't tear your eyes from.

But what made it all come together...

Wasn't it this young man?

"If you can wait to join my next project, I'd be grateful."

No director worth his salt wouldn't covet this kid.

"I'll write something killer for it."

And right then.

This was the moment Shin Yi-han had been waiting for too.

Ever since he'd first thought of entering the Seoul Independent Film Festival. Hadn't he hoped to meet a master here?

Pleased, Shin Yi-han smiled warmly.

"I'll be waiting."

No hesitation needed. He answered gladly.

"Good, good!"

Tak Bong-chun laughed heartily at that.

How could he stay so unflappable at a proposal like this? For a rookie actor, he was downright bold. Just like in his film.

Tak Bong-chun liked him even more.

He's got what it takes to be my actor!

He wanted to cast him in his movie ASAP.

That acting had him itching with desire.

However.

Shin Yi-han, meanwhile, had slightly different plans in mind for Tak Bong-chun.

It had happened before, back in the day.

Tak Bong-chun had seen Innocent Boy in his previous life too.

Unlike now, though.

It was long after the release.

Even then, Tak Bong-chun had said the same thing. His stalled script was finally coming together. Time to write something real.

Director, but.

But Shin Yi-han already knew how that turned out.

That one's not gonna work.

This time probably wouldn't be any different.

So.

Just as he had as an actor.

As the writer Shin Il-han, he'd surprise him once more.

Daring to hand a new script to a master's own.

After all.

His direction tempts me too.

Shin Yi-han grinned.

For now, he'd wait for Tak Bong-chun's call to seize that chance.

As both actor and writer, to soar even higher.

Around the same time.

New winds weren't just blowing for Shin Yi-han and Tak Bong-chun.

While the master Tak Bong-chun coveted Shin Yi-han, and Shin Yi-han coveted Tak Bong-chun.

Japan's famed director Imamura Genji was coveting something too.

So urgently, fearing someone else might snatch it first.

In the end, as the festival wrapped, Imamura Genji had no choice but to call his handler in Japan.

Ring... Ring...

[Ah! Director!]

The handler, still clueless about the Seoul Independent Film Festival results, picked up.

[How'd it go? As expected, no film could beat Director Takeshi's Blue Night's Day, right?]

His voice brimmed with expectation.

But Imamura Genji cut it short.

"No. It got utterly crushed."

[Pardon...?]

"Crushed so bad I can't even remember what it was."

[......?!]

Imamura Genji had been so sure of victory. The handler was floored.

Defeat, not triumph, spilled from his lips.

And the truly shocking part.

"So we need to get that contract ready ASAP. Even a day sooner."

"Pardon?"

Was how excited his director sounded—more than ever.

"Innocent Boy—it's too tempting to let slip."

No, thrilled.

And Imamura Genji was fully resolved.

To break his long hiatus.

"I want to show it to Japan myself."

With this insane story.

"As a remake."

The winds of change began blowing for Innocent Boy itself.

Even after the Seoul Independent Film Festival ended, the good news kept coming for Shin Yi-han.

First up: word on Murder's Delusion, whose screenings had just wrapped.

Considering it was an indie film, it had a solid start.

The trailer dropped right as Brilliant Sky ended, drawing eyes.

Then word-of-mouth from audiences and critics kicked in.

And when Shin Yi-han got name-dropped in Brilliant Sky's Newflix promo? Viral city.

Yi-han... our Murder's Delusion.

It smashed past expectations—and even altered history a bit.

They say it broke 50k viewers. On the last day.

Kwak Hoon, assistant director, stared in disbelief.

Yi-han! Kuhaha! Insane! How's this even possible?!

Director Song Won-sik looked ready to parade Shin Yi-han around the block in joy.

Shin Yi-han was stunned too.

In his past life, just shy of 10k had been a smash hit.

This was absurd change.

Five times that—50k. An indie triumph.

Last day's turnout was historic!

Some theaters for Murder's Delusion were packed?!

Especially the final day, peak numbers.

Lucky break. Festival first-day crowds from Innocent Boy funneled over.

And the next good news—with Innocent Boy.

Backed by masters, it was steadily gaining fame.

Anyone into movies had heard of Innocent Boy by now.

Though most still didn't know the plot.

Even the growing skepticism was welcome.

Yi-han. This a dream or what?

We haven't even released yet... but people know our movie's name.

Kwak Hoon teared up at the skyrocketing recognition.

Especially since Innocent Boy was just getting started.

Shin Yi-han couldn't stop smiling.

All good things, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠truly.

Red Film, the company behind Innocent Boy, was already fielding more distributors eager to jump in.

All Innocent Boy needed was a smooth release riding this wave.

And get this—recently.

- We'll return as fast as possible. Please wait for us.

Japan's Imamura Genji ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reached out to Red Film directly.

Wanting a meeting soon.

Imamura Genji—an unexpected bonus.

Whatever he wanted, they'd see at the meet.

But if it's what I think...

Only one possibility.

Shin Yi-han's future looked even brighter.

And the ripple effects hit him too.

A chance to showcase his revamped actor image.

Big attention too.

The weight he'd lost for Brilliant Sky was paying off huge.

Awards pics spread across online communities.

Choo Gyeo-ul's expertly posted Star update drew floods of attention.

Safe to say actor Shin Yi-han was reaching the masses more than ever.

Still a rookie, sure.

But Tak Bong-chun's influence ran deep.

Even boosting Newflix's Brilliant Sky.

Promo was baseline; positive buzz on his villain role solidified.

People hyped for that Innocent Boy Shin Yi-han in Brilliant Sky.

And today.

Shin Yi-han planned to exceed those expectations. He was confident.

"Yi-han! Fighting for your first shoot!"

Shin Yi-han grinned at Choo Gyeo-ul.

After the daily joy of the festival.

Newflix drama Brilliant Sky's first shoot day was here already.

He stepped out of the car at the set.

"Thanks. Looking forward to today too, CEO Choo."

"Of course...!"

Brilliant Sky had given him wings enough. Innocent Boy dropped the curtain perfectly.

Now, just push forward.

As Geum Seong-je.

"Whoa! Actor Shin Yi-han! Welcome!"

First to greet him: Director Gil Mi-jin.

She beamed at his arrival.

Couldn't be more reassuring.

"Uh, huh?"

But then she spotted Choo Gyeo-ul trailing behind.

Director Gil Mi-jin tilted her head.

"Why's CEO Choo Gyeo-ul here...?"

Seen her at contract signing, sure. Not expecting an agency head on set.

"Ah! Here for first shoot?"

She nodded to herself.

"No. Manager duty. Lead manager."

Choo Gyeo-ul smiled oh-so-casually.

"......?"

Question marks popped over Gil Mi-jin and the nearby staff.

Pardon?

CEO doing lead manager??

What CEO pulls road manager shifts?!

Mind-boggling.

"I love Yi-han’s acting so much. Begged for this."

Choo Gyeo-ul explained with a laugh amid stares. Seemed like a joke, but real.

Even so, a CEO...? Nah.

Gil Mi-jin stayed baffled.

But glancing at Shin Yi-han—

He scratched his cheek with an awkward smile.

Ah.

Suddenly, it clicked for Gil Mi-jin.

Makes sense.