Chapter 75
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 075
Chapter Title: Promise
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Among the thumbnail scenes of the short films visible in the preview.
It was the staff from A Haunted House, the major horror film company, who spotted Shin Yi-han's face.
They couldn't help but gape at the fact that the exact same face as Geum Seong-je from the film they'd just been watching was sandwiched among the entries.
'Is that really Geum Seong-je?'
'But... why would that actor be here...?'
The atmosphere of the actor in the thumbnail felt so different from the drama that they were momentarily confused.
"The title is Handshake, at least."
"Director is Bobby Park...?"
The more they looked into the details of that short film, the more the pieces started falling into place.
"Bobby Park?"
"Hey? Didn't Mr. Geum appear on Bobby Park's podcast recently?"
"Then the guy in that short could really be Geum Seong-je!"
No matter how they sliced it, that's how it seemed.
"Even the lead actor's name... Yi-han?"
"Uh... that's totally a Korean name, right?"
They might not know the actor who played Mr. Geum off the top of their heads.
But that Eastern guy there was definitely him.
And the moment that thought hit them, the team members exchanged glances.
...
Anyone could see they were all thinking the same thing.
"Qu-quick, play that one first!"
How could they hold back?
Even at this late hour, their sleepiness vanished. Late-night snacks were the last thing on their minds.
This was all too thrilling.
Half of it was pure fandom.
Newflix's Brilliant Sky had been insanely fun. Geum Seong-je had given them all chills.
They were dying to see what kind of horror he'd deliver next.
But the other half was pure curiosity.
Honestly, wasn't it weird?
A Korean actor, why? On purpose?
It was already bizarre that this star, freshly exposed to the world via Newflix, had ended up in a short film like this.
And suddenly Korea, amid a flood of American shorts in this contest.
Horror, no less?
'...Will it even be scary?'
'Dunno about that.'
Eastern and Western horror were worlds apart, practically.
Just look at clowns and pierrots—they didn't land well in the East. They just didn't translate.
Would his acting work here? Big question mark.
And no matter how much they liked the actor.
This was kinda ridiculous...!
For a Korean, it'd be like Iron Man suddenly donning hanbok and submitting a short. Same vibe.
Out of left field.
Separate from their burning curiosity about the content, it had to feel awkward.
Of course, they knew the director Bobby Park was Korean-American.
And they'd personally enjoyed his previous shorts.
'But he never cast Eastern leads before...'
'Maybe this time he wanted to collab with a fellow Korean...?'
They had no clue what story he'd spun with a Korean actor.
'Still, it'll definitely stir up buzz.'
'Yeah. Geum Seong-je entering our contest.'
'Finals alone would draw crowds just to check this out.'
Topic-wise, it was gold.
If they were this hooked, imagine the public!
Hate it or love it, a Korean actor popping up could spark some wild reactions.
'But.'
The issue was.
'Honestly... even if he nailed it, how good could it be.'
'Yeah, probably...'
For it to make finals, sure—but that was the bar.
'Acting well and nailing horror are different beasts!'
Intriguing, sure. Fun? Not convinced.
Then, exactly one minute later.
"Alright! Playing it?"
They were gonna watch it anyway.
"No matter who shows up, judge it fair and square, got it?"
The staffer prepped to play Handshake and addressed the team.
"OK! Obviously!"
"Hit it!"
Everyone gripped their pens for notes, eyes glued to the massive screen.
Doubts aside, they had a contest to judge.
And it began.
Tzzzt-
Like old camcorder footage, grainy and worn.
In front of it, just one person.
Someone lounged on a single-seater sofa.
Behind the camera, murmurs and chuckles bubbled up.
'Ooh, solid opening direction...'
'What is it? Just American home interior. No Eastern backdrop, huh?'
The contest team watched, intrigued.
New kid. The transfer student label set the scene in a flash.
Friends huddled, buzzing with prankish excitement.
The Eastern transfer student played it cool, but tension leaked through.
- Uh...
- No way, is this that thing?
The transfer student stared at long fingers on the table.
- So, what now? What do I do?
His voice dripped with that age's fake toughness.
Awaiting his friends' reply.
Meanwhile, the contest staff gawking at the transfer student were utterly baffled.
'Uh...?'
Things were veering off their expectations.
'Hold up...'
'That transfer student just now... is Mr. Geum from Otherworld Hell...?'
'The vibe's totally different?'
No Korean flair, pure American setting to boot.
'Too natural... doesn't even feel off.'
Zero sense it was a Korean actor.
Not the frozen thumbnail.
Live footage? They wouldn't have clocked Geum Seong-je at all.
Shin Yi-han had melted perfectly into the short. Pronunciation, expressions—flawless.
The team dove in headfirst.
About eight minutes flew by.
Long ago, hands meant for notes had frozen.
The transfer student's maniacal laugh.
His expression and voice that paralyzed viewers.
The possession that ended just as wrongness dawned.
Brief relief.
- We allow you.
And those fateful words spat out.
"......"
"......"
Even as the black screen and end credits rolled, no one spoke.
'What the hell...'
Shock choked them, minds blank.
The story was wild, sure.
'An actor who can pull this off...?'
'A monster like that... why's he here?'
Impossible not to marvel at the solo carry from start to finish.
'And... this was one-take, right...?'
'What?'
One conclusion emerged.
"We got a legit finalist, huh?"
"Yeah... totally."
No need to compare others.
"If this doesn't advance, honestly, nothing should."
One screening sealed unanimous agreement.
They bumped Handshake to finals first.
Too obvious.
This was the real horror they'd hunted.
It coincided with chaos erupting at America's major horror studio 'A Haunted House'.
Korea was still abuzz over Newflix drama Brilliant Sky's Part 2 drop.
First off.
Newflix had snagged global #1.
Teacher Kim Gu, you watching?! We took #1 again!!!!
I got no idea anymore, wtf scary lol
lolololol insane af lmao
lololololol
That alone set the internet ablaze.
Never thought a Korean thriller would blow up this hard.
Shin Yi-han, Baek Eun-won, Koo Do-jin. That combo made it real. Insane acting, historic level.
With Korean content cooling off overseas lately, this was welcome news.
Go Ji-sook writer + Gil Mi-jin director = guaranteed smash every time!
Every ep was movie-level. That eerie calm direction was nuts.
This is thriller done right.
Perfect chills to the end. How long since a drama nailed it?
The content had everyone jaw-dropped. Case closed.
People scarier than ghosts? This proves it. They exist. Maybe right next to us.
Spot on. Geum Seong-je and Ban Ki-hyuk vanishing into the crowd at the end... whoa.
Feels like one could be among us. Straight-up creepy.
Geum Seong-je sat at the epicenter, naturally.
Geum Seong-je is straight legend character.
No cap, facts.
Sticks more than the protag tbh.
Part 1 was wild already. Buildup into 2... damn.
Mostly bedridden in 2 but still chills? Wtf lolol
lololol that's the crazy part
lolololololol
Part 1's pure evil wasn't enough; Part 2's finale shocked all.
Mentions of Shin Yi-han, who brought Geum Seong-je to life, were everywhere.
Shin Yi-han nailing villainy this hard... who saw it coming.
Where'd all the pre-airing doubters go???
Who said villain would feel awkward!! lolol
Too good, cringed out at both part ends;;;
Lmaooo nasty!!!! But me too lol
lololol
Time to stan Shin Yi-han fr
His indies and this drama. Villain digestion perfection.
Exactly! He was always good, just underrated!
If Murder's Delusion was commercial, we'd known sooner ;;
No denying him now.
Acting this savage? Yi-han, you'll sweep Baeksang Best Actor!
lolololol that's #1 tho
lololololol
Shin Yi-han the actor was etched deep in the public's minds.
Stronger than his SBC drama.
Wider than his indies.
Firmer.
Under Newflix's massive reach, his name spread like wildfire.
And as Brilliant Sky Part 2 aired, rising star Shin Yi-han was now.
"Actor Yi-han! It's all thanks to you...! Sniff! Part 2 exploded!"
"The podcast was hilarious, I'm smashing likes on every YouTube clip!"
Basking in adoration at the Part 2 release party.
Mid-laughter and chatter focused on him.
"Huh?"
Shin Yi-han's eyes soon widened.
"R-really...?"
He had to ask again.
"Of course! A promise is a promise!"
Go Ji-sook the writer was making good on her word to buy him a car.
That bet at Baek Eun-won's, watching Part 1 as a team.
Even if it'd started as a joke.
"I even parked it out front."
Honestly, from her view, it was the least she could do.
Nah, she wanted to.
Yi-han nailed the ranking in Part 1, acted lights-out, and hyped Part 2 in America!
Brilliant Sky's #1 MVP deserved it.
The result.
"See? That one."
Go Ji-sook beamed, pointing out the window.
"......?!"
"......!"
Everyone else jolted, peering out too.
A hefty gray Porsche.
"Insane."
"You're just giving it away?!"
"Who's rolling up to a casual party in a Porsche...?! For Actor Yi-han?!"
"Totally nuts!"
Gil Mi-jin the director, Kim Yu-ri the assistant, Koo Do-jin—all lost it at the scale.
Whoa, wow.
Shin Yi-han grinned out the window too.
Never dreamed a car would drop like this.
Palace compared to his studio shoebox.
And he'd told Kwak Hoon no car-buying till next film, after ditching that gold Matiz.
Now he had one.
Kwak Hoon'd flip. Shin Yi-han chuckled.
"Here, keys."
Go Ji-sook finally pressed them into his hand.
"No refusing, you know."
But then.
"Hold up, Writer."
Main villain actor Koo Do-jin shot up.
"Huh? What?"
"Now I gotta keep mine too."
Biased expression, shrugging helplessly.
"The piggyback lap around the block promise."
"Oh."
Koo Do-jin grinned slyly, arms wide for Shin Yi-han.
"Yi-han-ah, where you goin'. C'mere."
"......!"
Yi-han backed off; Do-jin closed in.
"Hop on!"
Pffft-haha! Laughter erupted.
No way, even that too?!
What a warm, lively party.