Lee Ha-neul.
The protagonist's one and only son.
The victim of brutal school violence.
Every story was set to begin from that very death.
And now, PD Kim Geun-tae's request was for him to take on the role of that Lee Ha-neul. Shin Yi-han wore a faint smile.
'Ah. So that's it.'
The conversation he'd had with his sister just this evening sprang to mind.
'This must be what she was talking about.'
Even before dinner, something had felt off about that talk.
'There was this role our team was desperately trying to cast recently...?'
'Then this morning, the senior PD suddenly found someone.'
Thinking back, not only was Kim Geun-tae PD the only one his sister would call "Senior PD" around this time,
but the person she'd found so suddenly that morning...
Seemed to be him.
'Honestly, I don't know the details, but it looks like it'll all work out somehow. This role that hadn't been decided until the end is finally getting cast.'
'What kind of role was it?'
'You know that drama I told you I'm jumping into? The one you skipped auditions for because you're were doing movies.'
Yeah. Now that he thought about it again, it was crystal clear.
Wasn't this the very project his newly minted rookie PD sister had joined for the first time?
That was the same reason she'd been able to bring him the script back then.
Thanks to that, he'd been able to escape Murder's Delusion for the first time and dive into a new story.
'And from there, it just kept going.'
He'd started seeing hope—not despair—for his family and himself.
And now, that very project was delivering itself right to his doorstep.
'On top of that... this luck is insane.'
Truth be told, this was a real opportunity.
Even with zero experience under his belt.
it was a golden ticket to stardom
Shin Yi-han couldn't help but grin openly. Wasn't this his shot to show his acting to countless people?
Of course, this drama wouldn't draw much attention at first.
Unlike the romantic comedies packed with young top stars, a story centered on middle-aged leads clearly lacked buzz.
It would even wobble under lukewarm ratings at the start... with no one paying it any mind.
But as it went on, the tables would turn completely.
By the finale, it would snag the top spot in its time slot in one go, and proudly claim awards among that year's dramas.
It would soar, defying everyone's expectations.
"PD Kim Geun-tae."
And in a way, the timing was perfect.
With nothing on his plate until Assistant Director Kwak Hoon wrapped up Innocent Boy,
this was just the thing to fill that awkward gap before shooting started.
Shin Yi-han extended his hand.
"Call me anytime. Even tomorrow works."
He flashed a bright smile and gave a light wave.
"Whoa. For real?"
The other man grabbed his hand tight. Who knew why, but PD Kim Geun-tae's palm was drenched in sweat.
"To think you'd accept right away like this!"
Haha. Shin Yi-han chuckled at PD Kim Geun-tae's excited reaction and gently pulled his hand free.
But... why wouldn't he let go?
"Thank you! I know this came out of nowhere and must've thrown you off! How about tomorrow at 2 PM for real? No pressure—just think of it as a casual camera test and come on by...!"
Tomorrow at 2 PM. Shin Yi-han nodded.
"Tomorrow sounds good."
"Whoa! Then I'll text you the details! When you get near the station, give me a call. I'll come right out to greet you!"
"Thanks for looking out for me."
"Nah, I'm the one who's grateful! I'll be waiting!"
Shin Yi-han and PD Kim Geun-tae bowed to each other.
The casting was done in an instant.
Director Song Won-sik, standing nearby, patted Shin Yi-han's shoulder with a satisfied look.
"Perfect, perfect! I vouch for Kim PD. Go ahead without a worry."
Kwak Hoon, who came out of the meeting room late, lit up with joy too.
"But... Yi-han, don't forget about me, okay...?"
There was a hint of worry there.
Forget you? Shin Yi-han brushed it off with a laugh.
At the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get really fun.
Starting with the audition for the drama Brilliant Sky.
All the way to the release of Murder's Delusion and shooting the new Innocent Boy.
Busy times ahead—and it felt great.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day.
In one of the meeting rooms at SBC, one of the nation's big three broadcasters.
The writer, director, and lead PD Kim Geun-tae of Brilliant Sky were seated there for an audition decided on a whim.
Not for multiple candidates, but just for one person.
And all because PD Kim Geun-tae had pushed for it.
"What the heck? They held auditions like that, and now another one today?"
Staff eyes turned toward the glass-walled meeting room. Whispers inevitably started flying.
"Exactly. If they reject this one too after all that, it'll be false hope. Legendary."
"Then we're back to square one. This false hope is driving me nuts."
"Nah, no way they'd do that. PD Kim Geun-tae must have a real reason for making a fuss. Otherwise, the schedule's toast."
Mostly gripes about the casting.
And pretty sharp ones at that.
Especially since lead PD Kim Geun-tae had been rejecting candidates for this role nonstop lately.
No matter how much of a perfectionist weirdo he was, come on. Shooting hadn't even started—progress kept stalling.
So everyone was buzzing with rumors.
Of course, from their perspective, the most annoying part was the rookie actor popping up out of nowhere.
A total unknown with zero credits to his name.
"Honestly, this rookie coming in today? A total parachute hire, right?"
They didn't like it.
It felt like this newbie had waltzed into an audition spot that others had begged, cried, and fought for.
Including some of their own contacts from past projects. Made it even worse.
"On top of that, he's just from some acting academy. No real experience."
"Crazy. Why's Senior Kim Geun-tae picking someone like that...? Even for him, that's wild."
"He's such an oddball. I'm on a different team, and I'm already worried for Brilliant Sky."
And right around 2 PM.
Ah, yes! On my way! Just a sec!
People shook their heads at PD Kim Geun-tae, who answered his phone noisily and rushed out.
How could the lead PD be acting so subservient? It made no sense.
Who the hell was this rookie anyway?
"Oh. He's here."
A presence stirred beyond the office door.
Curious to see his face, the PDs in the office craned their necks over the partitions.
The office door swung open soon after.
And between them emerged a male actor.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm rookie actor Shin Yi-han!"
He bowed to the PDs whose eyes he'd met, hands loaded with coffee and snacks.
He promptly handed a bunch to the junior PD right next to him.
And everyone around who saw the rookie had the exact same reaction.
'Uh...'
'Wha... what is that.'
The chatterboxes went dead silent.
Not because of the snacks. It was just his vibe...
No, his presence.
'This must be what they mean by someone who glows.'
Even without an introduction, you knew instantly he was an actor. No need for words.
Heard he'd even done military service... but his face still held that boyish charm.
His gently curving eyes, his soft uplifted lips—they found their own mouths turning up too.
Wow.
His visuals? Total pass, no question.
Way more handsome than expected.
'...At this level, just greenlight him.'
'Look at him bowing so politely. Seems like a nice guy.'
Some PDs had already forgotten their earlier grumbles. Minds changed in a flash.
Before they knew it, they watched with a tinge of regret as Shin Yi-han headed into the glass meeting room.
And Director Pyo Nam-un inside the room felt much the same.
'How many times is this now? What are we even watching?'
Truth be told, the director was in a foul mood.
Stress piled sky-high from the Lee Ha-neul role falling through at every casting turn,
and now PD Kim Geun-tae throwing a fit over some no-name rookie? Utterly baffling.
Come on. He'd rushed over just trusting that name, and this was the mess from the get-go?
'PD, just show me the footage first? Then I'll back you up, no questions.'
'Sigh. I want to, but it's confidential. The director and producer over there are scary as hell...!'
He didn't even know who this rookie was. Just heard he was "amazing" from words alone.
No profile in the rushed casting either.
Agh. Is this for real?
'Let's see what he's got.'
Director Pyo Nam-un crossed his arms in his chair.
Truthfully, the more PD Kim Geun-tae hyped him up, the shadier the rookie seemed.
People naturally favor their own, right?
Kim Geun-tae PD was top-notch at his job, but he had a bad habit of favoritism toward his pets.
That was a fact.
But just as Shin Yi-han entered the audition-setup meeting room.
Pyo Nam-un couldn't help jolting in surprise.
"Hello. I'm rookie actor Shin Yi-han!"
His energetic, friendly greeting.
"Please take care of me."
The director's gaze naturally shifted to him.
Young guy... got spirit.
Handsome face too—in normal circumstances, he'd warm to him right away.
But a good impression didn't mean approval.
Acting skill was what mattered.
The director kept his skeptical stare.
"Hi, I'm Director Pyo Nam-un."
"I'm writer Yoon Si-a."
After light greetings, they watched to see what the rookie would do.
The rookie took the episode 1 script from PD Kim Geun-tae and started reading fast.
"We just want to hear your tone, no pressure. Could you read it casually? Let's start from scene 6."
PD Kim Geun-tae asked kindly.
"I'll read the stage directions and other lines."
Shin Yi-han nodded.
And at that, Director Pyo Nam-un felt a twinge of suspicion.
What the...? Is this guy really a rookie?
No sign of nerves at all.
Even veterans stiffen up a bit with PD, director, and writer all sitting there.
But this newbie looked totally at ease.
Not even properly scanning the script before agreeing. Did he think this audition was a joke?
Sigh. If that's the case... I'm vetoing him flat out.
"Scene 16. Lee Ha-neul hesitates in front of the front door at home, then unlocks it with his key."
But the moment PD Kim Geun-tae read the direction.
Director Pyo Nam-un jolted again.
'Huh...'
The rookie's nonchalant expression flipped in an instant. That bright, handsome young face he'd clocked—that friendly vibe—was gone in a flash.
Replaced by the total opposite.
Innocence untouched by the world.
The kind of naive awkwardness you swear was in every class.
A faintly cowed gaze.
And the subtle tremble of pretending nothing was wrong.
Director Pyo Nam-un's tightly crossed arms came undone in a snap.
For some reason, his breath caught.
...It felt like Lee Ha-neul from the script was standing right there.
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