Chapter 68

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 068

Chapter Title: Smile!

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This 'Comic Friends' podcast with the actors was, simply put...

A massive hit.

'James... honestly, today's vibe wasn't just good.'

As everyone exchanged goodbyes after the broadcast ended...

'We were on fire right up to the end.'

Bobby Park could only share a quick glance with James beside him.

'Totally agree. They even said viewer numbers hit a yearly high.'
'Holy moly.'
'YouTube views are gonna explode too.'
'Insane.'

It had been that satisfying.

And the triumphant energy felt throughout the broadcast was carrying over into reality.

The full episode uploaded straight to YouTube after the live ended was already blowing up.

The comment section was already exploding.

Comic Friends' massive popularity had drawn a huge crowd, but the real key was simple.

The broadcast had been fun.

Reactions to Shin Yi-han popped up naturally too.

People overseas were starting to take notice of Shin Yi-han too.

And it wasn't just overseas fans reacting to Comic Friends.

Non-English countries holding steady at #1 were translating and spreading it nationwide.

Right after the broadcast ended.

Koreans especially flooded YouTube upon hearing the two actors were guests.

Even Shorts clips cut from the podcast were packing heat.

And the hottest topic everyone was buzzing about was, of course...

[Well, there is one thing they said was okay to mention.]
[Part 2 will be even better.]
[And...]

Info on Others' Hell Part 2.

[I've already shot my part for it.]

Shin Yi-han's few words flipped everyone out.

Everyone rushed back to the recently released Part 2 teaser.

Scrambling for clues amid the confusion.

Since that was the only confirmed info so far.

'Lucky House's second floor, where flesh and blood chunks fall off.'
'The protagonist Ban Ki-hyeok, done holding back.'

Indeed. Ban Ki-hyeok was starting to truly enjoy Lucky House.

Brutally. Horrifically.

Grinning more joyfully than anyone in that hell.

...Unaware someone was targeting him from the shadows.

And in that Part 2 teaser...

The comments were already chaos.

Everyone was dead serious about Others' Hell.

In that atmosphere, more people getting hooked on the drama was inevitable.

It wasn't just Korea.

The buzz was spreading wider and faster.

On the very day Shin Yi-han guested...

US searches for Others' Hell skyrocketed dozens of times over.

The US ranking, stuck at #4 recently, climbed toward #3 in just hours.

That single short spoiler had done more promo than expected.

Paving the way for Others' Hell Part 2 to soar even higher.

The internet started buzzing just as the staff checked reactions post-podcast.

Others' Hell team and staff grinned ear to ear.

Videos hitting trending tags, views skyrocketing.

Pure bliss.

"Guys! Today was the best!"

"Fun from start to finish!"

Even at the after-party restaurant.

"If Others' Hell guests hadn't come, we'd have missed out big time!"

Everyone laughing and chatting away.

"Seriously, spill on Part 2! Off the record, just for us?!"

Lee Han! Please!

Bobby Park, now mangling the two Korean actors' names decently, asked Shin Yi-han.

"Nah, no fun if you know spoilers!"

"True, but having you here and still not knowing? That's the real tease!"

Shin Yi-han burst out laughing at Bobby's exaggerated reaction.

With two comedians, it felt like they'd known Bobby and James forever.

They'd kicked off the convo light and fun, impossible not to enjoy.

For Shin Yi-han, there was an extra layer of fun.

"What?"

Comedian and director Bobby Park was right there.

"You knew me from before...?"

The moment Shin mentioned Bobby's short film.

"As a director too?!"

Bobby looked utterly incredulous.

"For real?! A Korean actor knows rookie me?"

James Garfield beside him lit up with interest too.

Shin nodded eagerly.

Truth be told, he'd wanted to chat since his past life.

"Of course. I'm a fan."

Half-joking, half-serious, Shin playfully extended a hand.

"Whoa! He's your fan...! Bobby!"

James was more hyped than Bobby, sending everyone into laughs with his theatrics.

"This is some mood-boosting stuff, huh?"

James, who'd watched Bobby closely, couldn't help but beam.

Lately, Bobby's directing confidence had been tanking.

"Bobby's got a short in the works! Went into a trance writing after Others' Hell."

Clear he wanted to shine but confidence hit rock bottom.

Then an actor from his favorite drama calls himself a fan.

James grinned wide, slapping Bobby's back. Great news.

"Awesome, right? Bobby?"

"Yeah, but..."

Bobby still couldn't believe it.

Few in the US even knew him as a horror director.

A Korean actor from halfway around the world knows me?

"...You really saw my work?"

Bobby asked belatedly, dazed.

"Of course!"

Shin smiled like it was obvious.

Well, not recently.

Precisely, in his past life.

Honestly, comedian or not, Bobby Park was destined for horror fame.

His old shorts going viral was inevitable.

Though 'old' meant 'now' in this life.

The 4 AM.
Laundry Room.
My Own Reflection.

And more.

He'd seen them all, even the yet-to-be-made ones from his past life.

He watched tons across genres, but Bobby stood out enough to seek out.

Even his newbie clumsiness added charm; all stellar works.

Definitely captivating.

'Fan enough?'

Shin chuckled inwardly and continued.

"Especially this one."

Bobby's debut short.

"Painted Smile."

A horror thriller with a clown motif.

"?!"

Bobby's eyes screamed 'How do you know that?'

"C'mon! You just know the title?"

Shin roared with genuine laughter at Bobby's words.

Then, spooning some post-meal ice cream,

"The clown says this to the kids."

He mimicked the clumsy lip curl from that scene.

"Smile!"

Perfectly channeling the clown's voice.

"Only then I can peel it off."

That dull, nail-on-chalkboard creepy tone.

The desperate longing to reclaim his lost smile.

By slicing off another's mouth and stitching it on.

That desire.

Hinting at it all.

Shin grinned.

And that instant...

"...!"
"......?!"

Everyone at the table froze. Goosebumps everywhere.

Bobby, who wrote the lines himself, eyes bulging.

What was it?

...Felt like Geum Seong-je.

No.

Exactly the clown he'd always envisioned.

Sitting right there.

From one short line.

"So, memorized the lines too. Proof I watched, right?"

Snapping back to his warm self instantly.

Bobby nodded blankly.

Others' voices spiked naturally.

"Insane! Total legend!"

"Switching expressions like that on a dime?!"

"My arms are covered in goosebumps, right?!"

"Our actor delivers again!"

"Didn't know the plot, but instantly got the vibe!"

Only Bobby went speechless.

Even as the party wound down and goodbyes loomed, still dazed.

"Drive safe, everyone!"

"Best of luck!"

"Comic Friends too! Thanks!"

Finally snapping to wave goodbye.

"Bye, then...!"

Bobby had no choice.

Too blindsided. Honestly, shocking.

His debut short's clown.

Never dreamed it'd suit a Korean actor so perfectly.

Never thought the creepiness, fear, would hit so viscerally.

Especially since it emerged so effortlessly.

Yi-han exceeded his own character's vision...

Realizing that more and more, Bobby slowed his steps away from the restaurant.

Because it hit him.

This was the essence he wanted to capture.

The kind that stuns people senseless.

Unpredictable by anyone.

'Shock.'

Yeah. The inspiration from Others' Hell, what he wanted to emulate...

Exactly that!

Crystal clear now.

Bobby desperately wanted it in his film.

If his script lacked...

He'd snag that actor somehow.

No matter what!

"Can't do it, James. Sorry, go ahead."

"What? You were driving me?!"

"Take a cab!"

"...?!"

Bobby ditched James and bolted back.

Time to pitch casting.

Do or die, just ask.

Still nearby. Huff, huff! Bobby ran.

Of course, before the soon-to-drop Others' Hell Part 2 cheers...

A nobody short film director chasing a star.

Who knew if he deserved it.

Screw it!

Just hurl the offer!