Chapter 84
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 084
Chapter Title: Handshake Reveal
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God's masterstroke.
It was only a moment before Shin Yi-han's fans, bewildered by the link posted in his fan cafe, started piecing it together.
[A Haunted House_Short Film Horror Awards: Handshake]
The short film uploaded to YouTube exploded in popularity in no time flat.
Whether they knew it was a famous contest among American horror buffs or not.
Everyone recoiled at the face of the Asian transfer student.
Wait, Shin Yi-han?!
The protagonist... it's Shin Yi-han.
English voices echoed from beyond the camera.
"Is this it?"
Even Shin Yi-han was speaking in English.
"So what should I do?"
It was such natural pronunciation and gestures that non-fans wouldn't have guessed it was Shin Yi-han for a second.
And the real shock didn't end there.
"I can see you."
A creepy red finger.
"...?!"
The transfer student gripped it and glimpsed something he shouldn't have.
The atmosphere shifted completely as the story truly began.
No ghosts or scares had even appeared yet.
Chills crept up anyway.
The sense that something was deeply wrong choked the breath right out of you.
"We allow you."
Then the transfer student uttered that mind-shattering line.
In under eight minutes, it left everyone's jaws on the floor.
...Insane.
This is crazy. Shin Yi-han is actually insane.
Just as expected, Korean comments started flooding the overseas channel.
So this is what he meant by showing another side in the fan cafe?!
The promo photos in the notice were all spoilers! There was that one sitting on the sofa...
Insane, they straight-up told us lololol?!
The hype from the fan cafe countdown had primed them, making reactions even more explosive.
His English pronunciation tho? Knew it was good from the podcast, but this natural in acting?!
I legit thought it wasn't him at first.
Looked like a Korean-American dude.
Knew he was a great actor, but horror too?
I don't scare easy, but damn. I pissed myself.
A rare scene of a Korean actor performing in English, unleashing insane skill all the while. Fans had no choice but to lose their minds.
Plus, y'all know?
As the sheer absurdity sank in.
This contest is huge in the US. Basically all the Korean horror fans know come from here. And they pick only TWO winners.
Exactly. And a Korean actor as LEAD in one of them? Insane. Not even supporting.
???
Everyone hammered their keyboards in shock.
Think of it backwards: A foreigner wins best short at Seoul Independent Film Fest acting Korean lol
Lmaoooo?? Insane??
Suddenly it hits different.
As a Korean, my chest swells with pride lol
Spotting the end credits only amplified the shock.
- Transfer Student: Yi-han Shin
- Director: Bobby Park
Bobby Park's involvement had come to light.
Wait?
Bobby Park directing?
Back when Shin Yi-han guested on the podcast to promote Brilliant Sky.
Did he really shoot this during that podcast trip...?
Even for a short, he was only in the US for three days on Byolstar...
Speculation arose that they'd filmed it in just a few days.
Lmao what efficiency. What talent?!
No one could stay calm about Shin Yi-han's unexpected moves.
And it wasn't just his fans from the cafe who learned first.
An hour. Half a day. A full day.
The news spread like wildfire as time passed.
Shin Yi-han as lead? National pride overload lol
Heard he shot it in one day during his US trip. For real?
Opening felt like a high school rom-com lead. Then pure horror kicks in lol ㅠㅠ
I'm gonna become a Yi-han stan at this rate.
Even non-fans.
Shin Yi-han? Why the fuss over a short film;;
???
Other actors can't even dream of this. He does it like flipping a switch.
A Korean lead beating out all Americans?!
Did you even watch?
Not just anyone wins this. Good reaction means they make it a feature. This one's guaranteed.
They had no choice but to jump in and cheer for Shin Yi-han.
Reporters reacted similarly to the surprise news.
[Shin Yi-han popping up out of nowhere? Unknown overseas short film contest winner revealed!]
[Shin Yi-han boldly stars in US horror short fest!]
[Bobby Park x Shin Yi-han insane synergy: K-Actor potential in short 'Handshake'!]
Most top Korean actors couldn't even set foot in Hollywood, no matter how great.
Even if just a short, he'd undeniably left his mark.
A rookie on the rise like Shin Yi-han pulling it off? Bound to be a sensation.
Of course, America reacted negatively in stark contrast to Korea.
Inevitable.
Plenty in the US weren't thrilled about Handshake's win.
Bobby Park?
That guy's a movie director?
Diehards were baffled a comedian had won A Haunted House Horror Awards.
Protagonist is Asian? Pass.
Bobby Park using a Korean actor? Typical Asians.
Yi-han Shin? Who?
They swarmed YouTube with biases loaded.
Shin Yi-han had gained some fame abroad via Brilliant Sky's Golden Mercury on Newflix, but.
Mr. Gold from that show??
Outta nowhere?
Hollywood desperation much... Pale skin trying to be white, but Yi-han wants to BE white lololol
A bit of fame didn't buy good reactions, especially in a melting pot nation.
Loved this studio, disappointed this time.
Bobby, Mr. Gold—picked for clout. Hate it already.
Promoting by name? Lame.
Yi-han isn't THAT big. One Newflix face anyway LOL
Hate comments poured in upon release.
Korean lead? Won't be fun.
Gonna suck.
Of course.
Only until they actually watched.
The two finalists: Handshake and Possession.
Overlapping themes of possession, yet both undeniable winners.
The overlap was just one element.
One was a bold near-one-man show starring a Korean actor.
The other: A big-budget, all-American exorcism flick with a white supporting actor from Hollywood as lead.
The wildly different shorts hit YouTube simultaneously.
The studio's final judges—execs and CEO included—watched reactions with bated breath.
"Wonder what the feedback's like?"
"Gonna be polarized comments for sure."
And less than an hour after Handshake dropped.
The execs knew right away this year felt different from the start.
"Uh... views."
"Why's it blowing up like this from the jump...?"
Maybe the article mentioning Hollywood star Kevin Peters judging?
Or...
"This Yi-han guy's huge in Korea, huh."
"So many Korean comments."
Surging views and Korean comments on Handshake left them awestruck.
"Oof, but the hate's brutal."
Diehard fans outraged at Bobby Park directing with a Korean lead.
From "Why ruin horror vibe with Asians?" to suspicions of bribes over the comedian-foreigner duo.
Backlash raged across Twitter and major SNS.
"...But it'll turn around."
"Probably."
The execs eyed the spicy posts with quiet optimism.
"Horror hits everyone the same."
Their hunch was spot on.
Once enough folks had seen Handshake.
The hate-filled comments started purifying.
Sorry for hating before watching.
Ending is insane!!!!
Bobby Park could direct like THIS? Total reevaluation.
Awe upon awe.
Never seen an actor like this.
All Korean actors this good...? We sleeping?
Carries the whole thing solo from start to finish.
Not chosen cuz Asian—chosen cuz ONLY Yi-han could pull this off.
The tide was turning.
In the end, Handshake racked up overwhelming views in a day.
Explosive buzz even boosted the other finalist.
"This contest is gonna be huge."
"Highest views in ages, right?"
"Been forever. Wow."
Undeniable hot topic.
And right then.
Fellow judge Kevin Peters made his move.
Still hugely popular in his early 40s.
Horror and thriller maestro with Hollywood cred.
Kevin Peters nodded repeatedly rewatching Handshake on YouTube.
The phone screen packed the same punch as his initial judging.
Kevin was convinced.
Yeah. No matter how you slice it... intriguing actor.
Yi-han Shin.
Kevin had binged Brilliant Sky on set—he was all in now.
"Check this out."
Perfect timing: Kevin shoved the YouTube thumbnail at.
"That short I mentioned before."
The person right in front of him.
The casting director for his current film Hellbound.
A modern exorcism flick starring Kevin.
"I want this guy for that role."
The protagonist's words.
"...?"
Even Kevin Peters asking personally, the casting director tilted his head.
Heard Kevin found an actor he liked.
Her eyes went to the screen.
"N-no way. You're recommending this Korean?"
She shot back in disbelief.
He'd heard a Brilliant Sky actor won that horror short contest.
Never dreamed it'd be pitched to him.
Honestly... hadn't even planned to watch.
"A Korean in our movie?"
Opposition before even viewing.
"Not even a cameo—that role with an Asian?!"
"Whoa, that statement's risky."
"N-no! Kevin! Not like that. Ahem."
Even from Kevin Peters, some asks were too much.
"Be real! Not even American—a Korean...!"
Critical supporting role suddenly vacant mid-shoot, reopening auditions.
"You know that role ain't some minor supporting gig."
"Just a rec. Suggest him for audition."
"...Still."
No matter the rush, this was a stretch.
Tons eager already, and.
This new role was prime supporting gold.
Juicy enough for white actors alone.
An Asian? Really?
"That Korean won't cut it. Already contacted auditionees."
She crossed her arms—a firm no.
"Whatever. Just watch once."
Kevin shrugged and played Handshake.
Forced viewing.
"It's my rec. Eight minutes ain't much."
"True, but..."
She sighed, eyes on the phone.
That was the beginning.
"...?"
Her mind reeled.
Yi-han lodged firmly in her brain.
Meanwhile in Hollywood, new developments brewed.
Shin Yi-han was currently.
"Ugh."
Tackling prep for his Murder's Delusion role, one by one.
"What, that hurt?"
Kwak Hoon panted climbing stairs but.
Pfft!
Couldn't hold back laughs at Shin Yi-han groaning each step.
"...A ton."
Shin Yi-han gave a hollow chuckle at the leg muscle pain.
Yesterday's lower body workout.
Strength training was on the list, no choice.
His role: Young king's guard. Time to bulk up fittingly.
Cutting fat was easy; building muscle? Whole different beast.
Plus...
Come on! One more! You're killing it! More, more. MORE!
Manager and muscle trainer Na Seon-yong glued to his side 24/7.
Seon-yong, didn't you say last one ten reps ago...?
Psh! You got more in you! Three more!
Seon-yong's gym obsession was reliable, if nothing else.
How's that?! Delicious, right?! Huh?!
...
Insane. Triceps pumping like crazy!
Whatever kept tasting "delicious."
Daily DOMS wasn't easy.
But today: Free from Seon-yong.
After endless stair climbs.
He looked up.
"Almost there finally."
Steepest hilltop in the hillside shantytown.
Rusty iron gate, ramshackle homes around.
A weathered sign at the end.
- Bluebird Nursery.
Home to Lee Do-ha, cast as child actor in Innocent Boy.
Outskirts orphanage in Gyeonggi.
Shin Yi-han and Kwak Hoon arrived arms full of pizza and burgers.
Today: Properly win over actor Lee Do-ha.
Personal curiosity from past life ties aside.
Gotta get close anyway.
On a soon-starting set full of strangers, a friendly uncle was key.
Especially for a kid.
Ding-dong!
Shin Yi-han flashed a bright smile and rang the bell.