Chapter 90
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 090
Chapter Title: Departure
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It was the moment when everyone's attention focused on Choi Man-cheol as he apologized for scaring Do-ha.
"Impressive."
Praise for Do-ha slipped from Choi Man-cheol's lips.
"I had a great time today."
To others, it was as good as glowing acclaim.
Choi Man-cheol was infamous for being stingy with compliments.
'Whoa. He must really like Do-ha...!'
'He's merciless even with child actors. This is huge.'
The room erupted even more.
Choi Man-cheol was even trying hard to smile, lifting the corners of his mouth to soften his usual grim expression for Do-ha's sake.
Of course, the problem was that his effort still resulted in a terrifying grin.
Lee Do-ha timidly lifted her head to face such a Choi Man-cheol.
"...Thank you!"
Do-ha answered as brightly as she could.
But facing Choi Man-cheol's face, which still resembled a tiger of a teacher...
Tears began welling up in Do-ha's eyes.
Hic... Even trying to hold back couldn't stop her reddening eyes once they heated up.
"Oh dear! Senior!"
Yoo Na-bi, who was friendly with him, teasingly scolded Choi Man-cheol.
"What if you make the kid cry?!"
"...Urgh."
He'd only meant to be nice, but ended up making her cry anyway. Choi Man-cheol let out a small groan in distress.
With Choi Man-cheol fumbling awkwardly in front of Do-ha, and Do-ha so cute even in tears, the reading room turned into a sea of laughter in an instant.
"Aigoo. What are we gonna do with our scared little Do-ha?"
"Gonna take a while to get close, huh?"
Puhaha! Everyone burst into laughter, busy teasing.
"Yi-han oppa...!"
In the meantime, Do-ha slipped over to Shin Yi-han.
She buried her face in his chest and cried.
Pfft. Shin Yi-han patted her back, stifling a laugh.
It was funny seeing the great actor Choi Man-cheol at a loss, but Do-ha's subtle tearfulness was just too adorable.
Honestly, in a few years, scenes like this would be rare, so he had to savor it now.
And amusingly, the atmosphere continued at the dinner party.
'Here, ice cream! Ice cream!'
'Want some, Do-ha?'
Choi Man-cheol was doing his best to bond.
'...!'
But Do-ha was too scared, leaving him to smack his lips in regret.
Shin Yi-han just laughed from behind, not bothering to help.
This dynamic might be for the best.
Shin Yi-han lifted the corner of his mouth.
The villain and his target getting too chummy would be a problem.
Plus, the twisted relationship felt a bit satisfying?
After the script reading.
After seeing Do-ha off to Bluebird Orphanage, things got so hectic he barely remembered.
Time flew by. Especially this week, which was shaping up to be a busy one.
Shin Yi-han had to set aside the Brilliant Sky script for now.
Instead, he picked up the script for the film starring Kevin Peters, Hellbound.
It was for an audition scheduled before Hellbound's full shoot began.
Fun things piling up one after another.
Shin Yi-han smiled unwittingly.
He was heading back to the US tomorrow.
'Yi-han! See you soon!'
'We gotta throw a proper celebration party!'
He'd even meet Bobby Park.
Precisely, he had two purposes for this US trip.
'Honestly, our short basically took first place! It would've been such a shame if the star didn't show!'
One was attending the awards for the short film contest with Bobby Park, handshake.
'Yi-han, and guess what? Kevin Peters is attending the awards too! Isn't that wild?'
'Let's get friendly! Who knows, maybe we'll end up in a movie together?'
The other was auditioning for Hellbound afterward.
Shin Yi-han packed the script with eager anticipation.
As busy as it was, it was packed with enjoyable events.
And just like that, departure day arrived.
His manager, Na Seon-yong, was thrilled for the second overseas schedule, humming nonstop on the way to the airport.
"Whoa."
But the humming stopped the moment they neared the airport.
"Hyung, what do we do?"
The crowd was even larger than expected.
"There are so many people...! Ack!"
Na Seon-yong let out a small yelp as they got out of the car.
Eh. Shin Yi-han was startled too.
It wasn't just more international travelers today—everyone was staring his way.
"Hey! It's Shin Yi-han!"
"Whoa! Actor Shin Yi-han!"
Unlike last time's quiet pre-dawn departure, the scene was worlds apart.
Reporters and crowds swarming before he could even enter the airport.
Click-click! Click-click, click-!
Even a barrage of cameras before crossing the crosswalk.
Shin Yi-han scratched his cheek with a smile.
'I knew it, but not to this extent.'
Articles about his US trip had already hit, so he'd braced somewhat.
[Explosive YouTube Views Short 'handshake' Star Shin Yi-han Boards Flight to the US]
[Bobby Park x Shin Yi-han Reuniting? LA Awards Reunion Teased!]
Following the contest awards buzz.
[Monster Rookie Shin Yi-han Entering Hollywood?]
[Actor Shin Yi-han Auditioning for Blockbuster 'Hellbound'!]
[Unprecedented Hollywood Love Call! Chances of Starring in Kevin Peters Film?!]
Especially news of the Hollywood audition invite.
With Hellbound's acceptance so uncertain, promo articles flooded out in advance.
Hollywood was notoriously fickle.
They were squeezing every drop before any rejection news hit.
Is crazy Shin Yi-han really going to Hollywood?! I'm so hyped ㅠㅠ Him acting full-on in English. Whew.
Me too ㅠㅠㅠ The short was too short ㅜㅜ
Hope for good results.
Tough, but...
But I'm kinda against him going to Hollywood;;
Why?
It's gotta be some weird role. Never seen them give Asians anything cool.
There are some... but super rare. ㅠㅠ
As long as no bleach-blond hair or weird musical number.
There was curiosity, but hardly any positive vibes in fan cafes or online.
Shin Yi-han really filming with Kevin Peters? No way.
He's just going to audition lol not cast ㅋㅋㅋ Everyone chill ㄴㄴ
Just promo for Korean fans. Viral hype then 'sadly didn't make it' lol ㅋㅋㅋ
Yeah. Even if cast, tiny role.
But unlike online worries...
"Over here too!"
"Shin Yi-han! A heart please!"
Reporters snapped away with bright smiles.
"Have a safe trip!"
"Yi-han! Do great! You're the best! Got it?!"
"So handsome!"
Fans who'd come to cheer filled the air with shouts.
Shin Yi-han could only beam.
It was heartwarming attention.
He hadn't expected this many.
Knowing it was all support made him happy.
With hopes of good news on return...
No, bringing it back.
"Thank you!"
"I'll be off."
Shin Yi-han bowed with a radiant smile and entered the airport.
It was just around the corner.
Acting in another place called Hollywood.
Shin Yi-han boarded the plane with a grin.
USA. Hollywood.
After famed horror studio 'A Haunted House' held their short film contest.
Today was the awards revealing results.
The studio-owned theater was packed to the brim.
It wasn't just handing out awards and done.
Letting fans enjoy shorts only on small YouTube screens? Unacceptable for a horror house.
It was tradition to screen all finalists, including winners, in relay.
Like a 'Horror Short Film Festival.'
One reason fans loved this contest.
"Kuh. Big screen hits different."
"Quality's top-notch this year?"
"These shorts are killer. Next one!"
Fans buzzed around the theater excitedly.
"Wonder if we'll see Bobby Park at awards?"
"I'm hyped for Yi-han. First actor I've seen kill it like that in a short!"
The evening ceremony had them pumped too.
And in a corner of the festival venue.
A group in deep hats entered the theater.
Heading straight for the screening room playing handshake.
One was Hollywood thriller icon Kevin Peters.
The rest were Hellbound staff, hatted from unwashed shoots.
All wearing amused looks.
"Seriously. Why'd you all tag along...?"
Casting director John Man grumbled tensely amid them.
"Why? Chance to watch a movie with Kevin? No way we're missing!"
"Even if just shorts!"
"Horror scares me, but!"
John sighed at the staff.
"Sigh."
He'd just wanted to check Shin Yi-han's real-life presence.
And see handshake on the big screen.
Just him and Kevin.
"And we're curious."
But shoot nearby meant staff tagged along. Annoying.
"About that Asian actor you're pushing hard!"
Even a following staffer's words left John awkward.
"Not that hard..."
"It's unconventional, right!"
"......"
Puhaha. They laughed, slyly teasing John.
The sudden 'Shin Yi-han' audition invite had spread among Hellbound staff.
A Korean actor, no less.
Unusual even for Hollywood.
They couldn't resist joking over the juicy gossip.
"At least great promo for Korea!"
"Yeah. If that's the play, maybe John's better as promo than casting?"
All premised on Yi-han never making it.
John could only dry-wash his face repeatedly.
Too chummy, that's the crime.
They'd shut up knowing it was Kevin Peters' rec.
"Think what you want. I'm just here for the movie...!"
John crossed arms, settling into his seat.
"Sure, sure~."
Staff shrugged, uninterested in shorts.
Yi-han? Who cares.
Teasing John was funnier.
And among them, Kevin Peters smiled inscrutably, anticipating staff reactions soon.
Lights dimmed.
John swallowed dryly before the short.
'Ah... Did I call him for audition for nothing? What if I overhyped?'
Staff teasing got to him. Regret over inviting Yi-han flickered.
But.
Ten minutes later.
handshake on the massive screen dwarfed phone views.
Greater impact.
Raw vividness.
Staff had frozen long ago at the unforeseen content.
"...Holy shit."
"Th-this is it?"
Speechless before actor Shin Yi-han.
Faces of witnessing pure horror.
Kevin Peters smiled, dimples flashing, as expected.
Just watching would convince them, as predicted. No need for talk.
Casting John retracted his earlier regret.
'No worries needed.'
Yi-han's acting reaffirmed his conviction.
'Acting's solid, at least.'
One worry gone.
'Told you I didn't pick him lightly?!'
Confidence surged.
But sadly, not all worries vanished.
"If he's decent in person... Director might lean his way."
A staffer voiced changed opinion, dazed.
'Right. In person.'
That hit John's core.
Audition imminent, anxiety resurfaced.
Screen Yi-han acted chillingly well, but looked young for his age.
Asians age well, maybe.
To him, high schooler at best.
Worse, build seemed slight.
A scrawny Yohan before a hulking demon? Ruins the shot.
'For that scene.'
Needed presence.
'At least rivaling Kevin Peters beside me.'
John sighed again.
Too small, impossible.
So if too scrawny at awards...
Cancel audition before director sees.
'That'd be ultimate embarrassment. Ugh.'
Head aching, John furrowed brows.
Then, as his worry dragged.
"Yi-han!"
Familiar voice nearby.
Bobby Park's distinct accent, obvious.
Even reuniting with Bobby couldn't distract John.
'What? Yi-han...?'
Bobby waving excitedly at someone.
'Yi-han here already?!'
Awards not started, yet early arrival.
John's gaze darted urgently.
The moment he saw the man called Yi-han.
"Uh...?"
His eyes widened round.