Chapter 56
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 056
Chapter Title: Filming Others' Hell (4)
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It was Shin Yi-han's final day of shooting.
Guests began arriving one by one at the set of Murder's Delusion.
From writer Go Ji-sook, who had dropped her script revisions mid-edit,
to Go Do-jin, the actor playing the main villain, who had come to spectate despite having no scenes of his own.
Even Newflix staff, including Jennifer Kim and members from the Korean branch.
"I was curious, and this timing works out perfectly."
"That's Shin Yi-han, right? The one Tak Bong-chun picked."
The set buzzed with people.
The Newflix folks from the Korean branch were seeing Shin Yi-han's acting for the first time, especially.
"The rumors about him being Tak Bong-chun's pick have been wild lately."
"Imamura Genji's interested in his work too, from what I hear?"
Brilliant Sky, Tak Bong-chun, Imamura Genji—these names popped up in the news from time to time.
"Huh. But is Shin Yi-han really that good? How long has he even been debuting?"
"Kinda overhyped, don't you think?"
Doubt and curiosity were inevitable.
Only Jennifer Kim among the staff had been waiting for this day with pure anticipation.
As someone bridging the US and Korea, Jennifer rarely visited sets.
Finally. Finally, I get to see it...!
She might have skipped other scenes, but this was her first time witnessing Shin Yi-han's full villain turn.
Her expectations were sky-high.
Especially amid the recent clashes with the Korean branch over promotions.
'Push Shin Yi-han that hard?'
'Sure, the movie side gets some buzz from Tak Bong-chun... but he's not well-known to the general public.'
'Isn't Baek Eun-won and Go Do-jin enough?'
'Yeah, two top stars. Better to emphasize them.'
Jennifer hoped today would change their minds.
As proven multiple times at script readings and the Seoul Independent Film Festival.
Shin Yi-han was worth it, in her eyes.
Now she just had to watch how he'd deliver.
Of course, there were concerns.
"I've heard Baek Eun-won hasn't been in top form lately. Kinda worrying."
A quick-on-the-gossip staffer spoke up first.
"Oh yeah? He can't drop the ball here. It's a highlight scene."
"Wonder if today's shoot will go smoothly."
"That's why you cast a lead... geez."
That one comment tanked the staff's excitement for the shoot.
A lead actor's condition could swing the whole set's vibe—and the final product. Worry was natural.
Jennifer couldn't ignore it either.
Nothing about production issues, but...
Today's scene was brutally intense.
It wasn't called a highlight for nothing.
- Protagonist Ban Gi-hyeok, realizing his friend's murder.
- Geum Seong-je, desperate to pull him into his world.
The two were set to clash hard.
Emotionally, physically. Tough for anyone.
H-He'll be fine... right?
Even Jennifer felt uneasy.
Around the same time, the parties in question: Shin Yi-han and Baek Eun-won.
They bumped into each other in the hallway to the set and exchanged greetings.
"Good morning, sunbaenim!"
Shin Yi-han flashed his usual bright smile.
"...Good morning."
Baek Eun-won looked anything but refreshed—worse than day one, even. A stark contrast.
No one would bat an eye calling him worrisome.
Writers, director, staff, actors—all of them.
Only Shin Yi-han seemed utterly at peace.
'Even better.'
Shin shrugged inwardly.
Baek normally acted with fierce tenacity, win or lose. His intensity was unmatched.
A huge strength that earned him acclaim.
'But Murder's Delusion's lead can't be strong from the start.'
Not until now, anyway—suppressed, beaten down.
Until today, when Geum Seong-je would unleash his true nature.
Sure, he looked pitiful on the surface.
But this shrunken Baek was nailing the Murder's Delusion from his past life far better.
And it influenced everything.
Real emotions bleeding into the performance.
Hell, it was spot-on by accident.
The way Baek eyed him, comparing himself.
Jealousy, admiration, inferiority.
Exactly Ban Gi-hyeok's feelings.
When Ban hesitated, silent, Geum would raise his voice without hesitation.
When Ban apologized, Geum would push back.
Ban envied that Geum.
Wanted to mimic it, failed, got frustrated. Endless comparison eating him alive.
Just like Baek now.
Those emotions weren't easy, of course.
But Shin didn't think they'd break Baek.
See? He's still staring me down.
Shin turned at the gaze prickling his side.
Baek had stopped walking, eyes fixed on him.
Their eyes met; Shin smiled.
Baek pondered, then spoke.
"Hey. Yi-han."
Genuine curiosity in his tone.
"What do you think of me lately?"
Straight ball.
He knew his state, face hungry for input.
Shin answered instantly.
"Perfect."
"?"
Baek looked baffled. No further explanation came.
"That's it...?"
"Yep."
For real.
Shin nodded, smirking.
Better they figure it out themselves than hear it spelled out.
Plus, Baek needed to stay deflated till today.
He'd get it soon enough.
How damn useful his real feelings had been.
Moments later.
Back on the second floor of Lucky House.
This space where Geum could unleash freely—this was the shoot.
"Everyone, standby!"
At the director's call, Shin and Baek took position before the camera.
Murmurs rose for the impending scene.
Mostly from the Korean Newflix crew.
The actors already embodied Geum and Ban perfectly.
"Whoa..."
"Both look insane in person."
"But Baek's really off? He's already deep in it."
They chalked his haggard look to makeup, nodding.
Worries vanished; hype surged.
"Let's see if Shin Yi-han lives up to the hype."
"Baek'll carry it anyway. Newbie won't outdo him~."
"Heard Baek's intense. Looking forward."
But not much for Shin.
Jennifer sighed at her clueless Korean colleagues.
At least Baek seemed focused despite the rumors. Relief.
Why don't fellow Koreans get it? Age gap or what?
That Shin Yi-han's no ordinary rookie.
Her head shook on its own.
Only Jennifer truly watched Shin.
Nearby stood Go Do-jin, the main villain actor.
He'd come with clear curiosity about Shin.
"Wonder how he'll play this."
Do-jin muttered unwittingly. The script had hooked him; he couldn't stay away.
Tough scene. Even vets would struggle with the emotional arc.
"Tell me about it."
Someone replied.
"Oh, writer."
Go Ji-sook. Do-jin bowed lightly.
"I'm dying to know too. Worried writing it—how the actor would pull it off."
"Yeah. Looks brutal."
Do-jin grinned slyly.
"Writer, aren't you trusting them too much? You worried, yet threw this at them."
Teasing, but she laughed.
"Eh, just wanted to see."
She'd considered rewriting.
But this split part 1 and 2. Crucial.
She indulged her greed.
Something special might happen.
Her eyes on Shin.
"Fair."
Do-jin agreed.
Then—
Staff hushed the area. Director Gil Mi-jin opened her mouth.
"Ready."
Amid the anticipation, Baek and Shin's eyes met.
Baek recalled Shin's words.
'What do you think of me lately?'
'Perfect.'
Perfect? Baek didn't get it.
At least not mockery. Not from Shin.
Still... in this state, how well could he perform?
Didn't matter. He'd give his all.
Whether it dragged him under again or he fought tooth and nail.
No difference.
Clash head-on.
"Action."
Action. Shin grinned, slipping into Geum's smile seamlessly.
Baek dove in competitively.
Days earlier. Ban Gi-hyeok had faced Lucky House's truth.
Suspicions piled up, leading him upstairs.
'Finally here?'
Geum's welcoming smile.
'Why so late?'
'I was waiting forever.'
Then, the identity of the dying, moaning figure before them.
Ban realized at last.
Ignored, misunderstood, suppressed.
Those rare lucky breaks amid survival.
Truths, stalkers—torments vanishing in a flash.
All because of his friend's murders.
Ban fled.
It was hell from the start. No entry.
To live, escape this madness.
No looking back.
But today.
Geum lured the runaway Ban back to Lucky House.
Simple method.
"Geum Seong-je! Where are you!"
Inviting Ban's beloved girlfriend.
"Where, you bastard!"
Pfft.
Geum burst laughing at Ban's voice echoing the second floor.
That pitiful tone—so amusing.
Already fun.
Thrilling anticipation.
Because now, he would—
"Geum Seong-je!"
To the pitiful Ban, axe clumsily gripped.
"...Geum Seong-je."
Grant his first kill.
Just like Geum's own.
Share this place's ecstasy.
And right here.
Shin and Baek's shoot kicked off proper.
Baek, as exhausted Ban, spoke first.
Watching Shin's effortless, leisurely Geum.
"Where's Se-hwa."
Bloodshot eyes gripped the axe tight.
Geum before him tilted his head.
"Why?"
Genuinely puzzled.
"We broke up. Gold-digger, cheater—your words."
One corner of his mouth lifted, repeating Ban's old lines back at him.
"Isn't vanishing a good thing? Thought you'd like it."
Geum cackled, like he wanted hero play again.
Teasing as a friend.
I'm the only one saving you.
"Why?"
But Ban wanted answers.
"Why the hell?!"
Thud! Grabbed the collar, slammed to the wall.
"Why go this far?!"
Axe to throat, yelling.
Ban craved why Geum dragged him to hell.
Why treat him like this...!
The set stirred already.
'Whoa... classic Baek.'
'Haggard face amps the immersion... insane.'
Even staff.
'That psychological cornering...'
'He's too good...'
'No wonder top star.'
Korean branch saw it instantly.
Admiration spilled. Rage, injustice echoing the room.
'Shin Yi-han's more average than expected?'
'Yeah. Not losing to Baek, but not mind-blowing.'
'Rumors overhyped.'
Others scoffed at Shin.
Not matching hype.
But only for a moment.
Shin hadn't started yet.
"Hm."
Geum baring his true self to his friend.
"Just."
Now it began.
Sneer—
Geum's smile stretched ear to ear.
Everything flipped.
Flinch. Everyone froze.
'Wha—wait.'
Hairs standing, chills hit.
'Hold up. What.'
'Why the goosebumps...?'
One smile did it.
Yes.
Prior Geum treated Ban as friend.
Now? New prey.
No hiding. Full exposure.
And simultaneously.
Baek shut his eyes against surging defeat.
Ah, damn. Fight to the end? What fight.
How not get sucked in.
That blatant malice.
Already rage boiling.