Chapter 66
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 066
Chapter Title: Trip to America
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The film had been riding a wave of box office success as part of an ongoing series.
It was clearly a great opportunity.
But Choo Gyeo-ul had seen Shin Yi-han's utterly uninterested expression. Not only did the shooting schedule overlap with Murder's Delusion, but it held zero appeal for him.
There was no need to drag it out.
Choo Gyeo-ul rejected Director Kim Hwa-uk's proposal on the spot.
Of course, this refusal would make it tough to work with Kim Hwa-uk in the future, given his famously explosive temper.
But Murder's Delusion was worth that risk and more.
As long as Assistant Director Kwak Hoon and writer Shin Il-han backed Shin Yi-han, there wouldn't be any real issues.
That alone would have the actor soaring high.
And Choo Gyeo-ul's prediction was spot on.
"What? He turned down the role I offered him...?"
Director Kim Hwa-uk flipped out at the news.
"He rejected it?"
How long had it even been since he made the offer? To reject it without a second thought...
His face crumpled in fury.
A rising rookie had turned down his casting call. It bruised Kim Hwa-uk's ego badly.
"If I call them, they come running. And this punk dares to...!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got.
"He said he has a confirmed next project, so it's difficult..."
"Next project my ass! There was nothing like that when I first contacted him! This is just a blatant rejection!"
The assistant director flinched at Kim Hwa-uk's bellowing.
"And you! You just sat there and took that?!"
"W-well..."
Kim Hwa-uk was notorious for his hot-blooded nature. The assistant director had no choice but to tread carefully.
"Argh! Damn it! You useless..."
The director jabbed at the assistant's forehead, yelling.
But Kim Hwa-uk's rage wouldn't subside.
'Shin Yi-han, that kid... he's the real deal!'
'Oh, you thinking of casting him this time?'
'Maybe.'
Just a few days ago, he'd been singing the actor's praises.
'But will Shin Yi-han even accept? I hear he's getting offers left and right. He's super popular these days.'
'Pfft, this is Kim Hwa-uk calling him! How many actors wouldn't flip at my offer? He'll accept for sure!'
He'd already bragged to everyone that he'd snagged Shin Yi-han.
'He'll be wagging his tail, thanking me profusely.'
And he'd boasted like that to all the other directors.
What a humiliation...!
"Fine. Rookies crash and burn fast anyway."
Kim Hwa-uk clenched his fist.
"Let's see how long he lasts."
The actor who rejected him grated on his nerves.
"I'll block every path he has."
He wouldn't let Shin Yi-han get cast in anything else, even if he had to drop his own name.
But then.
"And... just now... Actor Park Mu-gang also... said no..."
"?!"
The assistant director mumbled hesitantly.
The rejections didn't end there.
They'd tossed in a supporting role because Park Mu-gang looked good acting with Shin Yi-han in Brilliant Sky.
"Since he's close with Actor Shin Yi-han, he probably wants to work on the same project..."
It was a total disaster.
"Those two, teaming up on me."
Grind. At the assistant's words about their friendship, the director gnashed his teeth.
All he could think was that these kids were looking down on him.
"Just you wait. I'll make those bastards pay..."
His fury built even more.
"I'll ruin them somehow!"
For the record, the assistant director's guess was pretty much spot on.
Shin Yi-han had actually contacted Park Mu-gang first.
Just in case.
'Huh? You got a casting offer for Sin City 4?'
They'd already acted together as high schoolers in Brilliant Sky, and Park had even played the victim who gets killed in the indie film Innocent Boy.
'Shin Yi-han, how did you even know about that?!'
He couldn't ignore it.
'Oh yeah? Then.'
'No way, you wanna do Sin City together too-'
'Don't do it.'
'...?'
Convincing him against it was easy. Persuading him was even easier.
'Do a movie with me instead.'
'...!'
Park Mu-gang had already wrapped shooting on Murder's Delusion, where he'd been cast as the second male lead.
'Crazy. A movie with you?! I'm in! Let me do it!'
The timing was perfect for it to be his next project after that.
Honestly, he'd done a great job with the death scene last time. He'd probably nail zombie acting too...
Shin Yi-han smirked, thinking about what would go down in the zombie flick Sin City.
Yeah. In the end, Sin City would flop.
Better than halting a shoot midway over something like that.
Physical hardship was preferable.
"Hyung! Come on up!"
Right after, Shin Yi-han boarded the van driven by his new manager, Na Seon-yong.
It was for the schedule of the additional Newflix drama Others' Hell.
[Baek Eun-won and Shin Yi-han from Others' Hell, invited as guests on the famous US podcast 'Comic Friends'!]
[Shoutout from Bobby Pak and James Garfield: Others' Hell!]
Part 2 was about to drop, and this was a golden promo opportunity.
'Never thought I'd meet Bobby Pak like this.'
Shin Yi-han smiled. How could he not be excited?
Especially since Bobby Pak would become way bigger in the future.
Right now, lots of people knew him as a comedian, but later, most would remember him as a legendary horror director.
Meeting a talented director was always welcome.
And not just personally.
With Newflix's Others' Hell still soaring high, expectations were massive.
Since Part 1 dropped, it had held steady at #1 in Asia.
In the US, the Part 2 teaser had rocketed it to #4.
Having a promo avenue in America was definitely good news.
Shin Yi-han smiled.
Soon enough, they arrived safely at Incheon Airport.
"This is actually my first time abroad..."
Na Seon-yong heaved dainty breaths unfit for his burly frame as he effortlessly swung down the heavy trunks. Hoo-ha, hoo-ha.
"I'm so nervous! Kinda excited too."
His body was all muscle, but his face was pure sunshine. Shin Yi-han couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"First time for me too."
"...!"
Switching to casual speech, Shin Yi-han laughed harder at Na Seon-yong tensing up even more.
To be precise, it was his first time in this life. Not his actual first.
"J-just trust me! I've studied a ton!"
International film festivals and such—he'd been to airports plenty in his past life as a writer.
Shin Yi-han was more than familiar with this one.
"Yeah, this way."
"Ah."
Shin Yi-han led the eager, striding-ahead Na Seon-yong to the right spot.
Only the manager and he were checking in anyway.
Baek Eun-won had gone to the US a week early.
For events he'd been attending nonstop since landing a local model gig with a luxury brand overseas. Top-star schedule.
Thanks to that, he and the manager could slip out quietly, just the two of them.
It was early dawn, so the airport wasn't crowded.
"Th-this is business class?!"
"Whoa! Hyung! It's huge!"
"Hyung! Check this out! You can lie down!"
Ah. Not that quiet.
And it wasn't just Manager Na Seon-yong.
"Actor Shin Yi-han?"
The flight attendants milling around business class recognized him.
"N-no more gochujang needed?!"
"This chocolate's super tasty—want some?"
"This is our secret snack? Here, have it!"
Huh? Before he knew it, Shin Yi-han was buried in gifts.
And it wasn't just the crew who spotted him.
Nearby passengers did too.
"Uh..."
One passenger was streaming Newflix's Others' Hell live.
"Huh?"
He froze upon spotting Shin Yi-han.
"What's Geum Seong-je doing here?"
Rubbing his eyes, he alternated between the screen's Geum Seong-je and the real Shin Yi-han in front of him.
"?!"
Shin Yi-han had to laugh and speak first.
"Whoa. First person I've seen watching Others' Hell."
Honestly, it was kinda surreal.
He rarely went out, so it hadn't fully sunk in.
But here was a total stranger watching his drama.
"I just... never met a celeb before."
"For real?"
Shin Yi-han beamed at the passenger's words.
"Dude. You're insanely handsome for real. Can I be a fan?"
One smile sparked an explosive reaction.
Sure, it'd be an honor. Shin Yi-han laughed again.
Fun encounters kept coming after that.
"Others' Hell is so freaking good! Especially Geum Seong-je—he's a legend!"
"Loved Innocent Boy! It's my all-time fave!"
"If it's okay, could I get an autograph?!"
"Just one pic...!"
Their enthusiasm was heartwarming and grateful.
Getting cheers like this up close was more fun than he'd imagined.
The 14-hour flight to New York flew by without a dull moment.
Except...
"Ugh."
Manager Na Seon-yong grew tenser the closer they got to America.
'...Gotta do well. What if...'
He wouldn't fail, right?!
It was US immigration.
Its infamous reputation had him terrified already.
Of course, Yi-han hyung said he could handle English decently.
'How well? Eh, average, like anyone else? What about you, Seon-yong?'
'Uh. I... suck.'
He hadn't heard a demo, so worries piled up.
What if hyung panicked and got dragged to secondary?! Nooo!
Na Seon-yong trembled even after landing.
He stood in the immigration line, cheat sheet in hand.
His strategy: go first to reassure his actor.
Even if he got held up... the talent had to pass!
"Uh... Seon-yong-ah?"
"Yes?"
Shin Yi-han, watching him, scratched his cheek.
"I'll go first."
He naturally swapped places, stepping ahead.
"Y-you sure?!"
"Of course."
Shin Yi-han nodded with a smile at the question.
He'd been to the US countless times in his past life. No worries.
And Seon-yong, if you go first... you might actually get nabbed...
Seeing Na Seon-yong's face grow fiercer with nerves, Shin Yi-han figured as much.
For real.
"Next!"
The officer's "Next!" rang out in English.
Shin Yi-han strode forward confidently.
Na Seon-yong watched anxiously.
But then.
'Huh?'
Snippets of Shin Yi-han and the officer's chat drifted over.
Na Seon-yong's eyes widened.
Yi-han, who claimed overseas was new to him, looked totally at ease.
"Whoa? Others' Hell! I saw that!"
They were chatting amiably.
"What role?"
"Geum Seong-je. Mr. Geum."
"...Huh?"
Too smooth? Na Seon-yong's eyes bugged out more.
"Whoa! Yeah, that's him for real?!"
Shin Yi-han flashed a charming smile at the officer's words.
"Anyway, the guy behind me's my manager. He looks scary, but go easy."
"Pfft. Nah, he does look rough."
Even jokes?
Na Seon-yong was stunned watching it all.
Thanks to Yi-han, his own turn passed absurdly easily.
Forget that—even setting aside the fluent English...
'Yi-han hyung...?'
Na Seon-yong stared holes into him.
'Wh-what's with that pronunciation?!'
It was way beyond expectations.
And soon, others they met were just as shocked.
Netflix headquarters.
Jennifer Kim and Brian were waiting in the lobby.
A welcome committee of sorts.
Baek Eun-won was wrapping personal schedules, and Shin Yi-han had just arrived in the US. Both headed to Netflix.
"By the way, Actor Shin Yi-han speaks basic English, right?"
Brian double-checked, just in case.
"Yes! He said he can handle it like anyone else!"
"Not just listening, though?"
"He can converse decently too!"
Phew. Brian relaxed.
He'd planned to bring an interpreter if needed.
Good that both Baek Eun-won and Shin Yi-han could communicate somewhat.
A little awkwardness might even add fun.
Bobby Pak and James Garfield, being comedians, would turn any slip-ups into gold.
"Koreans study English from childhood, I hear. Lucky us."
Jennifer Kim said breezily too.
Of course, they'd see the real level soon...
It might be exaggerated a bit.
She wasn't expecting much.
Short replies would suffice.
"Oh! Looks like they're coming together! I see them."
"Yeah... but who's the huge guy next to Shin Yi-han? Bodyguard?"
That was when Jennifer and Brian spotted Baek Eun-won and Shin Yi-han entering through the lobby doors.
"It's been ages, right?"
"Great to see you! Eun-won, Yi-han!"
They greeted warmly.
"Nice to meet you."
After Baek Eun-won's simple English.
Jennifer nodded, pleased with his skills.
No communication issues for the schedule. As expected from a top star—well-prepared.
But then Shin Yi-han smiled and replied in kind.
"Great to meet you, Brian. Jennifer, it's really been a while."
Those few words...
"Uh..."
"H-huh?"
Jennifer and Brian's eyes went wide.
"Sh-Shin Yi-han-ssi? Hold on. Your English is too natural!"
"It's okay? I was worried since I haven't used it in ages."
"Okay? It's way better than that!"
Even chatting more confirmed it.
Their jaws dropped.
Not just the fluency.
He'd supposedly never been abroad.
'He said "average" in messages.'
'Did "average" mean American-level?'
That accent...
'Total native speaker!'
'How is this "decent"?!'
It was too good.
Baek Eun-won and his manager next to him reacted similarly.
'Even better English than me...?'
'Why's he so good.'
Everyone was stunned by this new side of Shin Yi-han.
Only Manager Na Seon-yong beamed proudly from behind.
Told you so.
It's insane, right?!