Chapter 81
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 081
Chapter Title: Gift
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A Haunted House contest.
After the 15 horror shorts that had advanced to the finals from a sea of entries began screening one by one.
'Feels solid right from the start?'
The representatives and executives' faces gradually brightened as they watched the entries selected by their sky-high standards.
The basics of horror.
Directing that builds tension in the audience.
Boom!
Jump scares, and actors reacting with fright.
A decent twist or two that didn't overstay its welcome.
'The quality this year is seriously good.'
'Nothing bad so far.'
Including breaks, they'd gone through 10 pieces, and the overall vibe stayed positive.
Kevin Peters, who had joined as a special guest, found them lightly enjoyable as well.
'Everyone put in real effort.'
He could feel the dedication from the actors and staff who had poured their hearts into making these shorts for the contest.
A sense of earnest clumsiness, the best they could muster.
'This is plenty entertaining.'
Kevin Peters rested his chin on his hand and leaned back in his chair.
'Still no clue what this blockbuster they're hyping is.'
Five pieces left.
The contest organizer's confidently touted masterpiece hadn't shown up yet.
Or maybe they'd just glossed over it.
"Alright, let's screen the remaining five."
And with judging nearly wrapped up...
One short caught Kevin Peters' eye with a promising vibe.
Oh?
The background music alone felt ominous.
He straightened up in his seat a bit.
Dark screens flickering repeatedly.
A woman convulsing on a bed, bound and screaming in agony.
Title: Exorcist
It was the story of a priest trying to free her.
'Could this be it?'
The intriguing direction sparked instant curiosity.
'The blockbuster...?'
The woman's eerie state seeped through the screen, making viewers feel the urgency.
Possession and exorcism.
Classic horror staples you can't skip.
Kevin Peters' lips curved up at the taut 15 minutes of tension.
'Yeah. This one's definitely fun.'
He even thought it could expand into a feature.
Top-tier quality that screamed winner, no question.
The other judges reacted the same.
"Whoa. This beats last year's top two in quality."
"Right? Feels like they really grinded this out."
"That possession acting is spot-on."
Blind judging meant no info on directors or staff.
"Wait, isn't the lead actress that familiar supporting player?"
"Ah! That's why she looked familiar!"
"No wonder the acting's so polished."
Recognizing her face was inevitable.
The mood heated up with a semi-known actress in the mix.
Talk turned to it being a lock for top spot.
The team lead, who ran the contest and picked the finalists, had to agree somewhat.
Last year, he'd have crowned this number one, no doubt.
'Tough luck, though.'
The next short was the real deal.
The team lead shrugged and prepped the next one, smirking as judges anticipated reactions.
Once they finished scoring and noting the previous...
"Final short."
The moment for the one they'd been waiting for arrived.
Expectations weren't sky-high, though.
No one thought it'd top the last one.
'Even as the finale... it won't beat Exorcist.'
'We'll just pick from the earlier ones for winner. Might be some debate.'
'Come on! Kinda dragging, but let's power through!'
15 shorts, but judging had dragged longer than expected.
Everyone stretched, eager to wrap up.
'Yeah. How great can the last one be?'
'This is already a success. No need for more.'
Right up until the very last short started.
Title: Handshake
Bobby Pak and the staff's custom title typography popped up.
Static crackle.
A low-res camcorder-style video appeared.
'Huh?'
At the center.
An East Asian guy sat there.
'Been a while since a lead's East Asian.'
'Director's probably Asian, huh?'
Whatever the reason, the judges found themselves zeroing in on him unconsciously.
Laughter from friends behind the camera.
The transfer student vibe: wanting to fit in but too proud to back down. Peak age energy.
What was it?
The low quality? Or his acting too natural?
'Feels so real.'
'Pretty convincing...'
They got sucked in gradually.
Amusingly, no one clocked the transfer student actor.
Not because they didn't know the face.
As execs from a horror-thriller studio, plenty had binged the hot Newflix drama.
They'd loved it, some even became fans of Geum Seong-je.
It was that good.
But no one dreamed a Korean actor was in this short.
And zero dissonance in the footage.
Didn't even register as mixed or foreign.
Besides.
Once the story kicked off, no time to ID him.
The transfer student's face clutching the red finger.
Way beyond convincing.
'......'
The possession acting from Exorcist? Forgotten.
Similar theme, but no overlap.
'This is insane...'
'Not even in the same league as the others.'
The level gap was too vast.
And the awe lingered post-short.
8 minutes flew by unnoticed.
"...Shit."
Someone muttered at the predictably horrific yet gut-punch ending.
Silence fell.
Gulp. Only a throat bob.
Mouths agape at the solo actor-crafted tale, no fancy effects.
Honestly... they pick two winners regardless of rank.
"The blockbuster the team lead mentioned."
Felt like true number one was set.
"This was it..."
One watch predicted its future.
No need for Nutube; this screamed feature adaptation.
"Honestly... not contest-level quality."
Theatrical maybe.
Short runtime, but packed like a full film.
Festival submission material.
Like a brutal head smack.
...Gems like this don't come easy.
For creators, actors.
A flash: heart raced after ages.
Couldn't not get hyped meeting this story, this actor.
And the shocks didn't end there.
"Wait a sec."
Late realization.
"Huh...?"
Replaying scenes mentally, someone sensed familiarity.
The East Asian transfer student.
Tilted head, name slipped out.
"M-Mr. Geum...?"
Boom.
'......?'
Newflix drama fans' eyes bulged.
"Wha, what?"
Someone shot up.
'Now that you mention...'
'Knew he looked familiar!'
Geum Seong-je!
The real Newflix Geum Seong-je!
"This is legit?!"
"Rewind it! No, just pull the lead actor's profile!"
Rushed to confirm the transfer student's identity.
"Geum? Who's that?"
No time for side questions.
"Look! It's him! Geum Seong-je!"
Confirmation lit eyes up.
Confirmed: Korean actor Shin Yi-han starred in the short!
"Knew he wasn't ordinary... but insane. Mr. Geum."
"This contest might blow up."
"Crazy."
News to celebrate.
A Newflix breakout actor hitting their contest—even in the US.
Public buzz on this blockbuster? Interest incoming.
Artistic merit and hype, both locked.
"Korean from Newflix? Viral potential, sure..."
Clueless ones blinked.
"Wait, not American?"
"Speaks English that well?"
"Looked totally American!"
Chaos in the judging room.
Rep stepped in.
Clap!
"Alright, decision made."
Grinning rep.
"Handshake takes one winner spot."
Contest winner locked.
Notes? Obsolete.
No objections.
Nods all around. No reason to.
Kevin Peters included.
Sat straight ages ago.
What judging? Just nodded.
Honestly, stunned.
'An actor who can do this.'
Korean?
Admired fellow actor nailing cross-cultural perfection.
Pure curiosity for Shin Yi-han.
What meeting him like?
Acting together?
Suddenly dying to know.
Straight-up fanboyed the guy.
'Oh yeah...'
Naturally recalled his current film.
'Needed someone for that role.'
Maybe a fresh wind soon.
...Recommending costs nothing.
Kevin's impulsive call.
Of course, the man himself was clueless.
"Yi-han hyung! This here?"
Moving day.
"Yeah, there. Thanks."
In the new officetel from Winter Entertainment.
Shin Yi-han happily wrapped up moving with manager Na Seon-yong.
Mostly just unpacking new furniture left—no big lift.
Housewarming too.
"Yi-han-ssi! Brought TP! Housewarming gift!"
Inviting CEO Choo Gyeo-ul, who basically gifted the place, was natural.
"Thanks. Totally needed TP."
Shin Yi-han grinned playfully, taking it.
Led her in, glanced around: still perfect every time.
Hmm. Spacious is king.
Past life pad was this size, but post-regress? Cramped studios forever.
Everything felt huge.
Bathroom massive.
Rooms aplenty.
Windows enormous...!
Honestly beat parental home.
'Parents could crash here, no issue.'
Felt bad hogging luxury solo.
'But they'd never leave their pampered chicken joint.'
Post-Murder's Delusion release: house, car, plenty left over.
Shin Yi-han scratched cheek wistfully.
Ah, but he'd invited one family member.
"We're here!"
"Jajangmyeon too!"
Sister Shin I-rim, perfect timing with Kwak Hoon.
Shin Yi-han smiled softly.
She'd move in too now.
No leaving Seoul sis alone.
Prime commute spot.
Her old studio? Way too tiny.
"Wow. Still can't believe the space."
As Kwak Hoon set jajangmyeon, sis sidled up.
"Can't get used to it."
Her joy peeked through the feigned casualness; Shin Yi-han chuckled.
Should've moved her sooner.
Couldn't hide his smile.
Choo Gyeo-ul and Na Seon-yong watched the siblings fondly.
'Knew they'd love it...'
'Should've prioritized the house.'
'Right? Why wait till contract?'
They sneak-nodded, smug.
Bro happy sis is happy? Pride jackpot.
"Oh."
More heartwarmth incoming.
Choo Gyeo-ul peeled jajangmyeon wrap casually.
"We're opening a fan cafe soon!"
"Yeah! Once it fills, fan meet too!"
Na Seon-yong chimed.
"Whoa. Yi-han-ah, fan meeting?"
Sis teased, amazed.
Shin Yi-han blinked at the surprise.
Fan cafe, fan meet?
Never imagined himself doing that. Awkward, but thrilling buzz.
BareStar chats aside.
Fan cafe? Real fans manifesting.
"And for launch, prep a gift."
"Gift like...?"
Choo Gyeo-ul and Na Seon-yong, dead serious, rolled out plans.
"Official photobook, done right!"
"Or drop behind-scenes pics!"
'......?'
Shin Yi-han blinked blankly.
Pics as gift?
"Uh... pics as gifts?"
"Duh!"
Work?
"Oh, and hanbok fitting for Tamra anyway!"
Kwak Hoon jumped in, pushing photoshoot.
"Shoot then?!"
"Or my phone's got Yi-han baby pics. Reveal those?"
"Whoa! True sis material! Sense queen!"
Everyone but him dove into heated debate.
Shin Yi-han tilted head: How's that a gift?
Then.
From: Bobby Pak
Shin Yi-han's phone buzzed with texts.
- Bobby Pak.
Bobby? Shin Yi-han checked the rare name pronto.
- In a meeting, sending quick! Yi-han!
'...!'
And this? Actual gift material to Shin Yi-han.
His fave, his strength.
- We won! Contest win!
Acting gift.
- Up on Nutube soon! Good buzz = straight to feature!
- Insane! For real!
Shin Yi-han's eyes sparkled.
"Everyone. By chance."
Held up phone to the still-debating trio.
"Is news like this a gift too?"
"Huh...?"
"Uh..."
Their plans? Obsolete.
'......?!'
'......!'
No denying: this was huge.