Chapter 94

A movie that garnered significant attention through its third teaser.

*The Chaser*

On its premiere day.

Perhaps it was because it had been a while since a much-anticipated piece came out that created such buzz. All the good seats were already taken.

Most of the remaining seats were ones where the screen couldn’t even be seen properly.

“Knew this would happen.”

Hundred-thousand YouTuber, Han Bong-sik, muttered to himself as he stepped into the theater. Even he, who reviewed various video media, hadn’t visited a cinema for a Korean movie in a long time.

It wasn’t just that there hadn’t been a Korean film worth calling an “anticipated work” recently; Bong-sik himself hadn’t been particularly interested.

“But who would have guessed my interest would suddenly spike out of nowhere?”

It all started when he reviewed a certain drama.

*Dream Future*.

A recent youth romance TV series that garnered commendable ratings.

The first episode had an instant peak viewership rate of over 20%, as Bong-sik jokingly noted, and he himself had garnered a reaction of “how did you know?” from his audience.

Thanks to that review alone, his subscribers increased by a whopping 100,000!

In other words, Bong-sik now had 1.1 million subscribers.

“Huh. And yet, the viewership has only been declining since…”

The reason was pretty clear. It was thanks to “Joo Ha-rin,” the character played by actress Joo Seo-yeon, that *Dream Future*’s first episode had exploded in popularity.

Up until then, many had mocked the seemingly lightweight or perhaps unfamiliar musical drama format.

However, no one dared to mock when Joo Ha-rin performed her song. Viewers of *Dream Future* naturally empathized with the emotions she portrayed.

It was her powerful performance in the drama’s first airing that captivated the audience.

Since then, her presence had been scarce in episodes 2 and 3, though.

“But in episode 4, she should finally appear again, right?”

Today was the day *Dream Future* episode 4 would be released. With her limited appearances in episodes 2 and 3, hopes were high that her role would be expanded in this episode.

One single actress had generated such anticipation for the drama.

“Apparently, she’s in her teens now. She really is amazing, isn’t she?”

– JjJj

– Are you watching *The Chaser* tonight?

– I heard there was a private premiere, but no information has been disclosed.

– I’ve been a fan of Joo Seo-yeon since she was a child… Her acting is truly incredible.

Before the movie began, Bong-sik turned on a short live stream. It was a modest celebration of watching *The Chaser*’s premiere.

“Going to the cinema because of a drama… who would have thought?”

Actually, it wasn’t really the drama’s fault.

It was all thanks to one actress.

Young actress Joo Seo-yeon was the one driving him to the theater tonight.

“I’ve heard that actors play a significant role in ticket sales, but honestly, I didn’t believe that. I thought a movie had to be entertaining…”

Now, Bong-sik could no longer bring himself to say that. Yet, it wasn’t unpleasant.

Perhaps, among the people visiting the theater tonight, many had come after seeing the third teaser.

“Today in the evening, I’ll conduct a short review of the movie.”

Too much anticipation before watching a movie isn’t good. After telling his viewers that, Bong-sik ended the broadcast.

Walking into the cinema and finding his seat, trailers and advertisements played on the large screen. About ten minutes of ads ended, and the cinema began to quiet down as the movie started.

*Swooshhh*

The same sound of rain heard in the trailer.

The splashing of water under heavy footsteps.

Ssssuuuu

The sound of dragging something heavy.

Along with ominous background music, Bong-sik and the audience felt tense.

A figure wearing a yellow raincoat appeared. Small in stature.

But in their hand was a crimson fire axe, smeared with blood, which was unsettling on its own.

“Pl-please… Spare me… Please, please let me live…”

The man being dragged cried out. His arms and legs were already soaked in blood, hinting at what he had endured at the hands of the perpetrator.

“Wh-who are you? What have I done…”

Plop

The victim trembled as the assailant released their grip. Perhaps expecting mercy, the man moved slightly.

CRACK.

The sound of a blade slicing into flesh filled the air. Blood splattered. The axe struck the man, and his voice was swallowed by the sound of rain.

It wasn’t visible where exactly the axe had hit, but given how the man immediately silenced, the audience could make a rough guess.

…

The perpetrator looked down at the victim momentarily before slowly pulling back the hood of the raincoat. Black, long hair tumbled down. The camera filled with eyes that seemed crimson in hue.

Pale, astonishingly beautiful features emerged.

The audience, including Han Bong-sik, lost their breath instantly.

The third teaser.

The exact scene that had opened in it.

‘Could this really be the same actor?’

Seo-yeon Jo from *Dream Future* was a lovable young girl.

Bright, dream-filled, and innocent.

But the woman standing before them was entirely different.

Bong-sik had, without a doubt, come to see this movie because of actor Joo Seo-yeon. However, this interest was sparked because her inclusion had increased his subscribers.

And so, there was the logical thought: This *The Chaser* review would be perfect!

But in this moment,

Han Bong-sik wasn’t a calculated reviewer; he was simply one member of the audience.

“Damn it, who the hell is that?”

“This murder case is identical to the recent ones. The method is the same.”

“Hah…”

The scene transitions with police arriving as the perpetrator subtly slips away. The heavy background music fades, replaced by a light tone.

Two detectives seated in a dingy police car.

And thus,

The movie began. In mere five minutes, it had captivated the audience’s attention.

***

“Oh.”

“Oh.”

A man and a woman bump into each other in front of the cinema sporting sunglasses. Despite their attempts at a disguise, they were easily recognized.

After all, it was the exact same one they had used when they ran into each other earlier.

“Is high school done early these days?”

“It seems you don’t have filming today, senior.”

The woman, whose fox-like demeanor exuded a mischievous smile, teased as she spoke.

Park Jung-woo clicked his tongue irritably in response.

“You really don’t suit a school uniform.”

“…”

Jung-woo’s comment received a sharp glare from Jo Seo-hee, so sharp it made Jung-woo flinch momentarily.

“Anyway, our seats… ah, they’re different.”

“Thankfully. I thought I might not be fully immersed.”

Though in the same hall, their seats were far apart. In fact, Jo Seo-hee’s expensive personal seat in the Sky Box was a costly upgrade.

“You’re loaded.”

“Ah, mother, why did you choose a regular seat?”

“To truly feel the movie, I thought it should be viewed from the regular audience’s perspective.”

“…”

Jo Seo-hee couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. What was she thinking, spending more money and putting in the effort to get such a seat when it felt like being a nouveau riche?

‘Anyway.’

The anticipation for *The Chaser* seemed to be high.

Park Jung-woo and Jo Seo-hee both were intrigued by Joo Seo-yeon’s portrayal as a killer. Especially Seo-hee, who had fallen out of touch because of the “Gyeongseong Yeong-nyeo” incident, was using the movie as an opportunity to reconnect.

“Perhaps we’re not the only ones interested.”

Looking at the vast crowd in the cinema, Park Jung-woo thought about it.

Though not many familiar faces were among them,

Since recent performances in *Dream Future* had already made a mark,

many must have visited to get to know actress Joo Seo-yeon through *The Chaser*.

Directors of films and dramas,

various advertising sponsors,

and even fellow actors.

For a single drama performance, this was too much attention. Perhaps industry insiders had already caught wind.

‘Being drawn to a shining talent is instinctual.’

With that thought, Jung-woo sat down in his seat.

And just as Jung-woo thought…

“Your anticipation is overwhelming.”

“Really?”

“That’s true. It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen that look on your face.”

At hearing that, a slight smile crossed the slightly wrinkled face that wasn’t like his younger self.

“It’s due to a long-awaited connection.”

“Director Jung, if you say so, I am also even more curious now.”

The man, referred to as “Director” by the PD he recently admired, smiled and focused on the screen as rain scenes played.

The part-time worker’s face at the convenience store,

“Joo Seo-yeon.”

Watching her, Drama Department Director Ha Tae-o smiled quietly, looking forward to witnessing her performance this time.

***

The first day of *The Chaser* brought explosive reactions.

Among mentions, the most frequent regarded:

[The inability to express emotions that turned Cha Soo-ah into a killer?]

[Reversal! A complete image change from the Joo Harin in *Dream Future*.]

[Two veterans and a rising star.]

The standout stories were about Seoyeon, who played the killer, Cha Soo-ah.

As if the moment the movie was released, numerous articles poured out without restraint.

“Did you see this Jin-ha?”

“It seems they’re saying something upstairs…”

Certainly, Im Jin-ha didn’t have time to search for such articles.

He was busy running around.

The ratings for *Dream Future* rebounded in episode 4.

Still, it was too early to celebrate.

The reason was clear.

“This rebound is solely due to Joo Seo-yeon. You know that, right, Im Writer?”

Even Bak PD, who had limited ties to *Dream Future*, spoke carefully.

“620,000. The first-day audience count for *The Chaser*”

Just the opening day audience tally was the second highest this year, including foreign films.

A shocking amount for a thriller.

Honestly, Im Jin-ha felt like the world was working against him.

Was this even reasonable?

“You know, it’s a Tuesday release. Who knows what the weekend numbers will be. Moreover…”

Bak PD continued to address the silence-filled Im Jin-ha.

“Mentioning Joo Seo-yeon isn’t ordinary.”

“I’m aware.”

After all, she was the sole figure raising the ratings by five percent, even with a minimal appearance.

“Consider revising the screenplay.”

“What?”

Im Jin-ha widened his eyes, not expecting Bak PD to say this.

“Can’t help it, it’s higher-ups speaking. I’m telling you as someone close to you; if you want a long career as a writer… it’s good to have some flexibility. They already know everything, so this is said out of concern.”

“They know everything…”

The implications were pretty clear.

Im Jin-ha could only nod meekly, his expression blank. He knew seasoned writers like him with hit dramas were dime a dozen.

Even with the current popularity, if the upper management had a say, there was no pushing back.

Especially if Bak PD was speaking this way.

‘What is it about *The Chaser* that warrants all this hype?’

Curiosity bloomed.

And the actor who had created such a ripple.

Seoyeon.

“…”

Returning to school after two days,

Seoyeon opened the classroom door with light steps and was greeted by indescribably complicated gazes.

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