Chapter 53
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 053
Chapter Title: Others' Hell Filming (1)
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Newflix drama Others' Hell's first shoot.
After exchanging greetings with Director Gil Mi-jin, Shin Yi-han was heading to the waiting room with Choo Gyeo-ul.
"Wow. This is insane."
Choo Gyeo-ul let out a gasp of admiration as they passed by the massive set.
From the paint colors to the small props like picture frames, everything felt meticulously crafted in Director Gil Mi-jin's signature style.
"Yeah, tell me about it."
Shin Yi-han felt the same. He couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Newflix's budget really is something else.
He already knew what it looked like from his past life, having watched the drama, but seeing it in person was a whole different vibe.
- Lucky House
The most striking part was this.
The share house where the protagonist would move in had been built.
Mottled, eerie pink exterior walls and a nameplate that looked like it might crumble at any moment.
Just looking at that door sent chills down his spine.
Ah, of course, it was a chill only those in the know would feel.
To those unaware of the house's rules, it was just an old share house.
What could he say? Lucky House was that kind of place.
- Cheap rent, spacious. Extremely rundown, but nothing stood in your way.
Whether peeking into your neighbor's room.
Or ripping out fingernails and toenails.
Even if it meant taking someone's last breath.
If you wanted to, there was no need to hold back.
That was Lucky House!
Feels like some urban legend I've heard somewhere.
Recalling the synopsis's description of Lucky House, Shin Yi-han smiled in satisfaction.
The problem is, it's not just a rumor—it's real.
Shin Yi-han liked the ominous vibe of this Lucky House.
And now, the protagonist of Others' Hell, 'Ban Ki-hyuk', would unknowingly step into hell right there.
Like a frog frolicking in a pot of gradually heating water, oblivious to being cooked alive.
He'd eventually realize he was in boiling water.
Of course, the one pulling him in would be...
The friend who was like family to the protagonist, someone he trusted implicitly.
His childhood friend 'Geum Seong-je'.
Shin Yi-han was really looking forward to that.
Especially since this role wasn't a minor one-off.
It wasn't something that would wrap up in a couple of shots.
Geum Seong-je would appear across multiple episodes, unleashing unrestrained evil.
How terrifying that twisted desire would be, so warped it almost seemed pure.
He was counting down the moments.
Shin Yi-han unwittingly curled up the corners of his mouth.
"...?"
Choo Gyeo-ul, who had been touring with him, flinched and shuddered at that smile.
Ah, no.
"What was that? It was so Geum Seong-je-like."
What the hell. Why was it already scary?
"You gave me goosebumps...!"
Look at the chicken skin on my arm? Choo Gyeo-ul rolled up her sleeve and thrust her arm toward Shin Yi-han.
Pfft. Shin Yi-han burst out laughing at her antics. Anyone could tell she was joking.
"No, for real."
Of course, Choo Gyeo-ul wasn't kidding. He hadn't even done makeup or changed clothes yet, but he already felt like Geum Seong-je!
"Really? Then..."
At her words, Shin Yi-han replied this time.
"Even now?"
Shin Yi-han flashed a wide smile, his excitement for the shoot plain on his face.
Anyone could see he was pumped for filming.
"Now you look just like Shin Yi-han right before a shoot."
"Right?"
Choo Gyeo-ul couldn't help but laugh at how quickly Shin Yi-han switched gears.
Especially since that expression always reminded her how much he truly loved acting.
It wasn't long before.
While Shin Yi-han waited for the shoot with bated breath.
A murmur rose from the set.
Hm?
Stepping out of the waiting room, Shin Yi-han saw Director Gil Mi-jin and the staff gathered in one spot.
They seemed to be surrounding someone.
And right at the center was...
The complete opposite of the thrilled Shin Yi-han, who was itching to act.
Deep dark circles and bleary, fatigued eyes.
Slumped shoulders.
Not supporting actors overwhelmed by Newflix's massive scale.
Nor Choi Gyeol, the actor who had been lamenting losing the Geum Seong-je role.
Top star.
Baek Eun-won.
?
What the hell's wrong with him? Shin Yi-han couldn't help but be startled.
It had only been a few days since he'd appeared as a special guest at the film awards.
How had he become so haggard in that short time...?
"B-Baek Eun-won?!"
"What happened?!"
"Are you okay?!"
The staff were all flustered too.
His exhausted look actually synced perfectly with a fresh-out-of-college newbie or the protagonist of Others' Hell, almost like he'd done it on purpose.
"Did you rough yourself up like this for the character?!"
"Baek Eun-won! You sure you don't need rest?"
From the staff to Director Gil Mi-jin, everyone gaped.
Baek Eun-won, who clearly looked out of it, touched his face at their words.
"...Yeah. I'm too nervous."
He mumbled blankly.
"Couldn't sleep."
"...?"
And his response was pretty shocking.
Nervous to the point of insomnia?
Baek Eun-won, the genius prodigy since child actor days?
The Baek Eun-won who only got more alive opposite veteran actors?
At the script reading, hadn't he said he was excited to act with Shin Yi-han soon?
Plus, he spotted Shin Yi-han approaching.
"..."
Seeing Shin Yi-han already changed into the worn black hoodie Geum Seong-je often wore in the drama, Baek Eun-won's eyes widened slightly.
"But after not sleeping, I just feel like crap."
Baek Eun-won spoke to Shin Yi-han in a half-resigned tone.
Caught off guard by this unfamiliar side, Shin Yi-han scratched his cheek.
Wasn't this the guy oblivious to nerves or whatever?
This lack of confidence from Baek Eun-won was a first, even counting his past life.
Honestly, it was intriguing.
Of course, the Baek Eun-won from his past life had been older, so differences were expected.
20s Baek Eun-won was definitely softer. If they were closer, he might've laughed it off playfully.
"Nah. Acting isn't about winning or losing."
Instead, Shin Yi-han waved it off lightly.
"It is."
But Baek Eun-won was firm.
That's how he'd always approached acting.
And he'd never truly lost or been overshadowed.
The problem was, everything changed after the film festival. Watching Innocent Boy flipped his mindset.
He'd seen something beyond expectations.
Right after, he thought maybe he could lose.
The next day, Innocent Boy lingered in his mind.
And at the awards where he'd joined as a special guest...
Even while congratulating, seeing Shin Yi-han lift the acting award trophy, that thought hit.
What if I'd played Innocent Boy?
Could I have delivered like that?
Could I have stood up there?
Who knows.
No certainty.
Those thoughts grew as Others' Hell's first shoot approached.
To the point he couldn't sleep.
"There isn't."
"...There is."
Shin Yi-han shrugged at Baek Eun-won lost in his own thoughts.
Well, maybe it was for the best.
He had to drag Baek Eun-won to hell anyway. Better if the guy was cornered.
Shin Yi-han slyly curled his lip.
Besides, they'd know once shooting started.
Losing? Didn't exist.
And once shooting actually began, Baek Eun-won realized.
The meeting between protagonist 'Ban Ki-hyuk' and childhood friend 'Geum Seong-je'.
And finally arriving at 'Lucky House'.
Despite his insomnia from nerves and worry, Baek Eun-won acted with surprising ease.
As if reuniting with a friend he'd known forever.
Lines flowed effortlessly.
Several times more natural than at the script reading.
This was the easiest shoot ever.
But it didn't last long.
Baek Eun-won had to face it.
...There really is no losing.
Just as Shin Yi-han said.
I'm just getting swept up.
This atmosphere, this comfort—all of it.
Not created by him.
Shin Yi-han had made it so.
Damn.
The more confused Baek Eun-won got.
The smoother Others' Hell's filming progressed, almost gliding along.
Wow... First time clocking out this early.
NG rate's at an all-time low lately, right?
Of course, only Director Gil Mi-jin and the staff felt that way.
Everyone's on point with this. Insane.
It was the aftermath of the brutal script reading and the tense on-set atmosphere. No one could slack off here.
Even top star Baek Eun-won.
No matter how hard he tried, facing Shin Yi-han always swept him up in the end.
Is this okay for me?
Can I settle for this?
The results were always top-notch, so no one could complain.
...Yeah, it works.
Some were just nervously hyped.
Choi Gyeol, the actor finally at the set for his scenes.
"Whoa."
Standing in the corner, Choi Gyeol roughly raked his hair.
"This is crazy."
He'd never been this tense.
Baek Eun-won since the film festival; Choi Gyeol since the script reading.
His complaints about losing Geum Seong-je were short-lived.
No way.
This is... Geum Seong-je...?
In front of Shin Yi-han's acting, Choi Gyeol had been speechless.
He'd flubbed lines repeatedly and fled the reading alone.
Thinking back...
Ugh. No way!
Choi Gyeol shook his head vigorously.
Couldn't repeat that.
He pulled out his tattered script, crammed with notes, and read his lines over and over to calm himself.
"...Okay. I can do this."
He squared his slumped shoulders as much as possible.
He didn't want Geum Seong-je anymore, and being a supporting role was fine.
He'd come thinking he couldn't go on like before.
Choi Gyeol had prepared his best.
- Police Officer, Choi Pil-seung.
Especially today, when his character shared the screen with Geum Seong-je.
"Ah, Choi Gyeol! Come on in!"
Shoots usually started with solo scenes.
Choi Gyeol quickly changed into the police uniform and stood before the camera.
The urge to do well and not mess up brought the tension rushing back.
"Ooh, your expression's already spot-on? Looking forward to this shoot, Choi Gyeol."
Choi Gyeol swallowed hard at Director Gil Mi-jin's words.
His nervous face coincidentally fit the rookie cop vibe perfectly.
"Alright! Ready!"
But what could he do? Lies and bravado didn't work in front of the camera.
Just give it a go.
"Action!"
And Choi Gyeol gave it his all.
Hiding his trembling as best he could, he delivered his lines.
At least he didn't mess up the dialogue. Only two NGs.
But after the director's "Cut!"...
"Hey, you know Choi Gyeol ran out of the script reading alone?"
"Huh? Really? Didn't know."
"Pfft! For real? Why?"
"Kept blowing lines hard~! He's from my agency. Whole company's buzzing."
On his way back to the waiting room, whispers reached Choi Gyeol's ears.
Fellow supporting actors.
Chattering away regardless of who was around.
"Heard he practiced lines at dawn every day because of it."
Puhaha. The mocking laughter hit his ears.
"For that effort, the result's kinda... too ordinary, no?"
"What, that's the best from a child actor? Shocking. Fits that airheaded vibe perfectly. Heh."
Choi Gyeol clenched his fists and bit his tongue.
He'd bragged about being close to Baek Eun-won, only to get crushed at the reading.
No comeback came to mind anyway—
"Eh, I thought it was good."
Then, perfectly timed, someone cut in.
"Ordinary, awkward rookie cop."
"...?!"
It was Shin Yi-han passing by. He smiled brightly and countered.
"Doesn't that nail Officer Choi's character?"
Shin Yi-han meant it. Choi Gyeol's role was a newbie cop eager to prove himself but screwing up constantly.
That was the charm, so he had to speak up.
"Sh-Shin Yi-han?"
"When did you get here...?"
The supporting actors jumped in shock, worried he'd overheard their gossip.
"From the start."
Haha... Time flies... They laughed awkwardly and scurried off.
Choi Gyeol was flustered too.
Wh-Why's Shin Yi-han...?
Baek Eun-won and Shin Yi-han were the same type!
Self-important types who wouldn't even notice him!
But this was...
"Let's nail our scene together later."
"Huh? Uh... Y-Yeah!"
Choi Gyeol blurted a response.
For a moment, he thought maybe Shin Yi-han wasn't so bad...
"Gotta make Officer Choi disappear, after all."
Grinning wickedly already.
If not for that creepy smile.
Nice guy... R-Really...?
Truth was, Shin Yi-han looking out for Choi Gyeol had ulterior motives.
He knew Choi Gyeol was cocky, more into popularity than acting.
But yeah, he hadn't blown up despite his talent.
So, laying the groundwork to show him what suited him.
Yeah. Choi Gyeol didn't fit strong roles like Geum Seong-je.
Weak roles did.
Getting thoroughly wrecked by Geum Seong-je would amp up the drama's thrill.
Shin Yi-han chuckled softly. He couldn't wait.
Choi Gyeol just eyed the smile warily.
Uh...
So why's he really smiling like that...?