Chapter 69
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 069
Chapter Title: Handshake (1)
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It was after the podcast afterparty had wrapped up.
Jennifer Kim and Brian headed straight back to Newflix headquarters, eager to check the buzz ahead of the second part's release.
Baek Eun-won caught a flight right to the airport for his Korean schedule.
"Take care, everyone!"
Only Shin Yi-han and his manager, Na Seon-yong, stuck around to see everyone off.
His return schedule to Korea had been planned with plenty of leeway.
"Seon-yong, what time's our flight again?"
"Tomorrow at 3:20 PM! I made sure to book it with extra buffer time!"
The movie he was set to do with Kwak Hoon was still deep in preparations anyway.
And by the time Murder's Delusion part two dropped around his arrival in Korea, he'd have nothing else demanding his attention until then.
Spending the remaining time leisurely sightseeing didn't sound half bad.
Even if it was a city he'd visited multiple times in his past life.
"Hyung! So what do we do now?!"
Na Seon-yong asked excitedly.
- I Love NY
Seeing his manager prancing around in an "I Love New York" T-shirt since morning made it feel like doing nothing and heading home would be a crime...
There was a terrace nearby with killer night views. Maybe start there.
"Yi-han! Hold up! Stop!"
Huh?
But just as he started to move—
Gasp, huff. Gasp. Bobby Park was sprinting toward them, completely out of breath.
"Seriously, this is getting out of hand...!"
"Bobby?"
He looked like he'd made up his mind about something. Bobby Park opened his mouth.
"If it's okay with you, could you take a look at the short film script I'm prepping?"
It was a slight detour from New York sightseeing.
"Would you?"
"Huh?"
For Shin Yi-han, it was incredibly welcome news.
A short film script from Bobby.
'Never saw this coming.'
The sudden offer tempted him beyond any concerns.
'Jackpot.'
Bobby Park himself was asking.
A talent who, though unknown now, would top his niche in the future as a director.
"The file's at my studio, so we'd have to head there to see it. I know I'm a total rookie director and you're way out of my league as an actor!"
Bobby didn't even notice Shin Yi-han's brightening expression.
"Please! I want you for the lead!"
He squeezed his eyes shut, pleading desperately once more.
Not as a comedian or podcast host.
"I want to make this film, and I think you can bring it to life! Please!"
A plea from him as a director.
Bobby spoke from the heart, though he didn't dare hope for much despite mustering the courage.
He couldn't, really.
As a director, he knew how small he still was.
'A comedian with artistic delusions.'
'A hobby project he'll make even if it flops.'
'A fake director who can only handle shorts.'
Bobby couldn't deny the whispers; he knew his place all too well.
Yeah, right. Like he'd actually be interested in me. He's probably getting casting calls pouring in back in Korea already.
His "I'm a fan" comment at dinner was surely just pity.
What was I thinking...
But then.
"What's the title?"
"Huh?"
Bobby's eyes went wide at the voice that followed.
From the voice itself, and the face he finally registered.
"...?!"
There was excitement—anticipation—even.
An expression so unbelievable, even seeing it.
Shin Yi-han was genuinely thrilled by his words.
His heart started pounding wildly.
"Handshake!"
Handshake. Bobby hurriedly explained the title and plot, afraid to miss his chance.
"It's about handshakes with the dead as the hook, and this possession game based on it going viral among neighborhood kids!"
And Shin Yi-han's eyes widened at that.
'Hold on. Handshake?'
The title from Bobby's lips was enough to startle him.
'This is the one he just wrote?'
Not only was it a short that came out later, but Bobby Park...
This would be his launchpad into proper directing.
A pivotal turning point in Bobby Park's career.
The short from his past life that Shin Yi-han loved most.
No idea how it surfaced now, but.
'He wants me for the lead.'
This was temptation beyond temptation.
'Insane.'
And it was practically a one-man show format, casting an Asian lead.
A Korean, no less.
A radical pitch.
Bobby's films had never featured an Asian protagonist, not once.
How many Western horrors had an Asian lead to begin with?
Bobby, being Asian-American himself, knew that gaze all too well.
With people already viewing him through tinted glasses, he'd surely avoid adding another.
Yet strangely.
"Shooting won't take long! It's camcorder style...!"
Bobby was pushing hard.
In the end, Shin Yi-han couldn't help but lift the corners of his mouth.
Of course, he needed to confirm if this script was truly the "Handshake" he knew.
But with no shoots lined up for a while, he was itching for something anyway.
"I'm curious. Show me."
No hesitation needed. Shin Yi-han accepted Bobby Park's offer on the spot.
"Gasp."
H-He really said yes?!
Bobby stared in disbelief at how easily Shin Yi-han agreed.
Of course. Only after hearing Shin Yi-han's follow-up did he truly rejoice.
"I told you. I'm a fan."
"...!"
The acceptance was huge, but.
'He really meant it—not a joke.'
Hearing "fan" again, not just once.
Bobby nearly teared up.
Around the same time.
- Horror Studio
Horror Studio. A rundown apartment with a tiny sign.
This was where Bobby Park's workspace was.
And in fact, thirty minutes before Bobby brought Shin Yi-han and manager Na Seon-yong here.
"Honestly, this place could double as the shoot location, right? Once we lock the lead, we could knock it out quick."
"Exactly. We can handle off-camera voices and extras ourselves."
"Hmm. Anyone wanna try out for the lead?!"
"Me! I'll do it!"
Seven staff were already buzzing inside Horror Studio.
"Nah, the acting's too tough for just us."
"Why not~! I've been practicing acting lately! Even taking classes!"
"You've only been to three days!"
Puhaha! Laughter echoed through the studio.
This was routine for them.
The group was too small for full-time gigs, so they all had day jobs.
Accountants, designers, mechanics, comedians, etc.
But after work, they always gathered late into the night to chip away at films.
All united by their love for horror.
Especially today—they'd met to brainstorm Bobby's short Handshake.
"Oh! What about Leo from the last project as the lead?"
"Ooh, not bad."
"Just 'cause he's hot?"
"Can't deny that. Heh."
They chattered excitedly about casting while waiting for Bobby.
"But where's Bobby? I wanna show him this finger prop I got—it's perfect, he'll love it!"
"Weird shape, but you scored it good."
"Right? Knew it the second I saw it!"
One staffer had even brought a key prop for the short, amping everyone up.
"Where'd you get it?"
"Street antique stall on my way home!"
"Ooh, extra creepy?"
With the lead set, they could shoot anytime—they were dying to get started.
Exactly ten minutes later.
"Guys! I'm here!"
Bobby Park burst into the studio.
"Hey! Bobby!"
"We were waiting!"
"This script slaps!"
Everyone welcomed their director.
"Huh? Who's... that with you...?"
But the lively mood froze briefly.
Everyone tilted their heads at the two guests Bobby brought.
"Say hi. This is Yi-han. You all know Otherworld Hell, right?"
An utterly unexpected face stood there.
"No way! Mr. Gold?!"
"Oh my god, I didn't recognize at first—that villain from the show!"
"Wait, I haven't seen that drama yet."
"Dude, you gotta listen to Bobby's podcast at least..."
They freaked out the same way spotting manager Na Seon-yong entering behind.
"And... the guy in back—is he a bodyguard?"
"Whoa, he's huge."
But the real shock hit with Bobby's next words.
"By the way, I brought Yi-han as an actor. Hoping he'll take our short's lead."
"Uh... the lead?"
"...?"
The staff froze en masse at Bobby's explanation.
At first, they thought he was just invited post-podcast friendship...
An Asian lead.
'What?'
'Huh?'
Question marks popped on every face.
Whether they'd seen the Newflix drama or not, same thought.
No way.
'Him as our short's lead?'
'Not even American—a Korean?'
'The vibe's all wrong!'
I'll do it myself!
No buy-in here.
'O-Of course, Mr. Gold's acting is insane, we know.'
'Yeah, it gave me chills, jaw on the floor.'
'But.'
More bewilderment.
'Asian lead in a Western horror? Come on.'
'Why would a star killing it in his home country bother with our short?'
Nothing but worries.
'Does he even speak English...?'
And before those staff.
Shin Yi-han could only flash a bright smile. Their thoughts were painfully obvious.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm actor Shin Yi-han."
A simple greeting first.
"Bobby wanted to show me his script, so I came to check it out."
Naturally, in English.
"...?!"
"...!"
Everyone gawked at Shin Yi-han's fluent English.
He speaks it?!
Some eyes bulged at his native-level accent.
"Heard it on the podcast today, but... your pronunciation's straight-up local..."
"Wow."
Others, knowing already, still marveled.
"Yeah! And I begged him to see it, so everyone chill out... Got it?"
Bobby jumped in to peel the staff off Shin Yi-han.
Leaving them awkwardly watching from behind.
One greeting wouldn't win them over, naturally.
'Language barrier solved, sure.'
'Still, Leo from before would've been better—he's big in horror...!'
'Why use a foreigner anyway?'
Their eyes screamed opposition.
Even in that vibe, Shin Yi-han stayed utterly calm.
"Yi-han, here! My script."
"I'll give it a good read."
Short Film: Handshake
It was definitely the short from his past life that he'd loved.
Screw the staff's reluctance—Shin Yi-han's eyes sparkled.
The director himself pitched him for it.
He didn't want to pass on the role.
Not a Korean project—acting in an overseas one like this wasn't commonplace.
And hadn't this short been Bobby's big break?
Simple reason.
Bobby would expand Handshake into a feature and hit it big.
The script in his hands now was that intense, fun short.
'Yeah, I wanna do this.'
With that thought, Shin Yi-han glanced around.
Horror-studio vibes, gear everywhere—they shot here too.
"Mind if I try it now?"
He made the first move.
"Even a test shoot's fine."
"Huh? Right now?"
Shin Yi-han nodded with a big grin.
"Wait, so that means...?!"
"Yes. Direct me, lead role."
Bobby's face lit up instantly.
"O-Okay! Hold on?! I'll set up the camcorder!"
Bobby sprang into action. What director stops an actor eager to try?
Prep was minimal anyway—the concept was lo-fi camcorder feel.
"Yi-han, over here! Just sit on that sofa!"
Some lights and reflectors...
"Guys! What're you doing? Help!"
"Uh, yeah."
"Okay..."
Staff reluctantly fiddled with lights at Bobby's urging.
'Shooting right now.'
'Eh, it's just a test. Let him.'
'Behind-the-scenes short for NewTube? Viral gold.'
They whispered, watching Shin Yi-han. Low expectations.
Maybe use his acting to argue against.
Only manager Na Seon-yong cheered from behind.
'They don't even know what kind of actor Shin Yi-han is?!'
Not that the sudden shoot didn't worry him.
'Just crush it! Hyung!'
But no sabotaging.
'Honestly.'
His actor looked so pumped.
'How can I not be hyped.'
Especially his first time seeing Shin Yi-han act live.
New York sightseeing? Who needed it.
Feeling Na Seon-yong's gaze, Shin Yi-han chuckled.
Feels solid.
One ally amid the skeptics meant a lot.
Shin Yi-han plopped onto the sofa Bobby indicated, smile lingering.
"I'll do off-camera voices, so just match that!"
Bobby accommodated—no time for Shin Yi-han to memorize.
"As long as the context fits, improvise freely. Cool?"
For Bobby, light test now, reshoot at dawn or morning.
He wanted his Horror Studio family to see what Yi-han could do.
"No worries."
Shin Yi-han smirked confidently.
Truly, no need.
Habitual recall, but.
He remembered the dialogue from his favorite past-life short well enough.
Even from one quick read.
"Alright, light take! Ready!"
Bobby yelled, tweaking the camcorder screen.
As dubious-faced staff watched, Shin Yi-han closed his eyes briefly, heart racing.
Recalling Bobby's short from his past life.
Short Film: Handshake
Plot boiled down to one thing.
'Possession game.'
He'd joined classmates' house for the trending game, dying to fit in.
As a transfer student, he mustered extra courage.
Facing unfamiliar, icky fears of possession, he sat on the sofa.
However.
The original lead transfer student was white.
Acting identical to the past-life protagonist? Impossible.
'Totally different.'
The staff eyeing him already sensed the disconnect with an Asian.
Even accounting for cultural gaps.
In Bobby's Asian-American-led studio, it was like this.
In a school full of whites and blacks, could a lone white transfer and an Asian be the same?
Personalities vary, but baseline? Doubtful.
In seconds, Shin Yi-han scripted his character's backstory.
Not just from another neighborhood—wrong race too.
This Asian transfer would hustle to blend with friends.
Slight servility inevitable, forced cheer masking urgency.
Tough-guy front to cling to pride.
There the protagonist began.
"Action!"
With the camcorder's record beep.
Shin Yi-han slowly opened his eyes.
As this short's different protagonist.