Chapter 63

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Translator: Wjin

Chapter: 063

Chapter Title: Ranking

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From the moment she first came to the server room to check the results until now.

Jennifer Kim had been glued to the viewer trends for Hell is Other People.

Her heart just wouldn't stop racing.

At this rate, it really seemed like...

Something massive was about to drop!

"Honestly... Korea already has a solid influx, so even this is insane."

Previews featuring individual cast members had already gotten great reactions in Korea.

Not just from the famous powerhouse writer Ko Ji-sook, but also genius director Gil Mi-jin.

Top stars Baek Eun-won and Koo Do-jin.

The star-studded lineup had definitely hooked people.

But the truly astonishing part?

No, maybe it was obvious...

"Jennifer. This is it, right?"

"...Yeah."

Jennifer Kim nodded at Brian's words beside her.

"Everyone's binge-watching without stopping. From the release time straight through!"

"Exactly. That's huge."

Regardless of new viewers, those who started episode 1 were powering through to 2, 3, and all the way to the end of part 1.

The real-time graph showed almost no drop-offs.

And that was massively impacting the rankings right now...!

"This is crazy. For real."

Jennifer Kim kept running her hands through her hair.

She paced up and down repeatedly, but the excitement wouldn't settle.

Truly.

Director Gil Mi-jin's bold choice to drop half the drama—part 1 in full—had been spot-on.

It was overpowering all the existing dramas.

And because of that.

"Even though non-Korean countries have lower influx compared to Korea."

Jennifer Kim kept analyzing the charts as she spoke.

"But it'll definitely chart. At this rate... within a day!"

Her hands trembled uncontrollably.

"By the way."

There was one more unusual point.

"English-speaking countries are in a really unique situation."

"That's what I mean. The influx is already pretty good, right?"

Especially in the US, even for a Korean thriller, the numbers were climbing higher than expected.

Despite it only just releasing.

"Yeah. Weirdly enough."

Was it the billboards in busy districts? Or the poster on the homepage banner?

They were striking, sure... but how was it blowing up from the start?

Jennifer Kim tilted her head in wonder.

"But I think I know the reason."

"For real? What is it...?!"

Brian, who had been glued to the viewer graph beside the mesmerized Jennifer Kim, spoke up while searching something on his phone.

"Check this out."

It was when Brian showed his phone screen to Jennifer Kim.

"Great works always go viral on their own, right?"

Brian grinned, and Jennifer's eyes widened.

A famous podcast was up there.

"Huh? This guy...?!"

It was an incredibly promising sign.

In reality.

Jennifer Kim's analysis was spot on.

Just like the viewer graphs being monitored nonstop at Newflix headquarters.

People were flocking to the Newflix drama Hell is Other People.

Korea was a given, of course.

Reviews started pouring in even after just episode 1. Word of mouth was spreading in real time.

[So scary! Insane! But so freaking fun!!!!]

[Just watched ep 1. Ko Ji-sook is about to break legend status again?!]

[Work tomorrow but still up watching this. I'm the real legend lol]

It wasn't just online—real life too.

Even those who started casually.

"Just this one then work~."

"Just this one then study~."

Their resolve to watch just one episode crumbled.

At the end of episode 1.

- Ah, busted?

Geum Seong-je smiling as if delighted to be caught at his murder scene...

People had no choice but to smash next episode.

'Insane?! Caught by who? Protagonist? Huh?!'

'Next ep quick...!'

Hell is Other People had that kind of pull.

And episode 2.

The one who saw Geum Seong-je's murder at the previous end...

'Gasp. Koo Do-jin?!'

'Not the protagonist, thank god. Whew.'

Relief that it was Koo Do-jin, the Lucky House landlord and main villain.

But then Geum Seong-je's next murder started, sending chills through everyone.

Yet ironically, in that horror...

- Trash like that? Who's gonna complain about it being gone? They'll love it.

- See? Gi-hyeok's plenty happy about it.

People felt a strange thrill.

Geum Seong-je was literally eliminating everything tormenting protagonist Ban Gi-hyeok.

Daily drunk harassers.

Persistent stalkers.

Street punks picking fights.

All of them.

Of course, the catharsis was fleeting.

Once accustomed to the brutality.

Wanting something stronger.

Geum Seong-je's hero play ended abruptly.

With an innocent cop.

And Geum Seong-je trying to kill that cop—everyone was shocked.

'Crazy...'

'Insane, insane...!'

The frame of "villain slaying villain" shattered, unleashing revulsion toward him.

'How is that even human.'

Yes. He was evil.

Geum Seong-je's true nature.

We mustn't forget that.

- Shame. Should've stopped here.

Before cop Choi Pil-seung's faint hope, Geum Seong-je showed pure...

Screech—

Hell itself.

- Heh heh. Hee hee hee. Ha ha ha—! Pfft.

The hallway packed with Lucky House residents. Nothing creepier.

'That...'

'If that's not hell, what is.'

Whether he lived or died? Had to hit next episode.

'Driving me nuts.'

'...One more ep!'

How could you not?

And at the end of episode 3.

- Jackpot. Finally here?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

- Been waiting, Gi-hyeok.

Lucky House's second floor.

Geum Seong-je's murder.

Witnessed by protagonist Ban Gi-hyeok himself.

'Whoa. How to hold back.'

'Next ep! Next ep...!'

Repeat.

Until part 1's finale.

Crunch!

'Uh...'

'Huh...'

Geum Seong-je dying by Ban Gi-hyeok's hand.

People felt like they'd been punched in the head.

Then his dying grin filled the screen.

'......'

'......'

The chill, the malice—even in death.

Bodies trembled. Mad ending.

'Wait.'

'Huh... that's the end?'

Snapping out of shock, frantically searching next—but part 1 ended there.

'Why no next ep?!'

'Part 2... when...?'

By then, it was late.

"It's... 2 AM now?"

"Dawn...? Didn't study..."

That was why viewers binged all of part 1.

Fun.

Irresistible fun. Just that.

It was propelling Hell is Other People to Newflix #1.

Of course, unable to stop midway through the drama.

Halfway across the globe.

In a New York apartment, no different.

"Whoa!"

The drama had just dropped. Maybe coincidence.

"What is this? Fucking awesome!"

One guy discovering Newflix's Korean drama Hell is Other People.

"Hold up. Only part 1 is out?"

Zero Korean but Korean-American comedian, film director, hobby thriller podcaster.

Bobby Park.

"For real? Part 2? Next ep?!"

Though lately doing gag podcasts with friends nonstop.

Horror film director roots, Bobby was always serious about dramas and movies.

"Insane. Korean blood boiling after ages?"

Found a Korean drama at dawn, up till morning.

Finally, Bobby couldn't hold back and fired up his personal podcast.

The podcast Brian at Newflix found amid surging US viewers.

"What's up!"

Bobby Park's morning podcast kicked off with his cheery greeting.

"Lots joining early? What's everyone doing?!"

As a popular comedian, people flooded in instantly.

"I pulled an all-nighter!"

"The must-see! I was losing my mind over one drama!"

Bobby Park dove into the topic, checking live comments.

"Anyone catch the latest Newflix original?"

"Nah, Korean drama! The huge one at the top of Newflix home!"

Bobby Park, known for skipping ads and sticking to principles, piqued curiosity.

"Yes! That one!"

Especially what Bobby was hooked on.

"Went into Newflix for something else."

Among the tile-packed homepage, the biggest banner: a drama.

Part 1's end—Geum Seong-je grinning in death.

"Something... unskippable."

Bobby had to click.

"Clicked out of curiosity, and poof—my day vanished."

For real!

Thriller genre hooked him first for an impulse click.

Direction style next.

Soon, Bobby fell completely for one man.

Transcending race, nation—goosebumps for viewers.

That smile.

Bobby was dead serious. Short but intense review throughout the pod.

"Yes! Chills had me freezing! That unknown thrill...!"

"'Legit'? Forgot I'm a director?!"

Bobby jumped in laughing at skeptics.

Joking and laughing as usual.

"Anyway! Watch my rec drama first! If you wanna chat proper!"

"One day till next! Watch it all!"

Bobby wrapped up, repeating the title.

And this "jokey" broadcast sparked.

Perfect timing for word of mouth.

Amid all this.

Shin Yi-han had just gotten home after watching part 1 full with the team.

'We made it, but damn it's good.'

'Even edited it myself... whoa.'

Consensus till parting.

Hell is Other People was solid.

'If people just watch... it'll crush.'

'Yeah. We know the plot and still binged.'

'Others must be worse.'

Destined to be year's top OTT drama.

Shin Yi-han agreed.

Plus.

'Even better than expected.'

In a good way.

First full watch from start to end.

Showered at home, but excitement lingered.

Honestly, Hell is Other People started as wanting pure evil role.

Knew it was good originally.

But expectations high for the acting.

Now?

'Doesn't even feel like same drama.'

Shin Yi-han smiled recalling today's watch.

'Way more fun.'

Genuine thought.

Not bias from starring.

Revamped Geum Seong-je, Ban Gi-hyeok.

Stronger main villain. All roles...

Shining. Felt through screen.

Seeing that work, changes.

'Wanna move to next already.'

Sleep seemed impossible.

Fingers itching.

Ko Ji-sook's script, elevated beyond past life, helped.

Especially part 2, totally different.

Shin Yi-han felt urge to evolve too.

Late night, sat at desk.

Laptop on.

Whirr—. Old laptop booted.

Actor dreamer, lifelong writer senses revived.

Tap, tap tap.

Fingers flew nonstop.

What he started writing?

Murder's Delusion.

Past life's second script.

Scarred face in news, holed up rewriting.

Shin Yi-han wanted to elevate this Murder's Delusion.

Past 7M viewers great for debut commercial flick.

But didn't want it stuck there.

Fill every gap, regret.

Perfect it.

And...

Lost in scripting.

Suddenly, birds chirping outside window.

'Huh.'

Sun risen.

'Morning...?'

Realized time flown.

Feels like just started.

Time flies.

Couldn't refocus.

Late phone notice.

......?

[Texts 225+]

Tons from manager.

'What? Midnight issue...?'

Shin Yi-han unlocked frantically.

- Yi-han. Where you at.

Koo Do-jin's location ping panicked him.

- Sleep? Asleep?

- No. Gotta carry you.

- Wake up! lolol

Follow-ups same.

- Actor Yi-han. What car you like?

- Buying real.

- Part 2 airs, I'm rich. Say it.

Ko Ji-sook too.

Others similar.

- Insane, us.

- For real.

- Real!

Yes.

Exactly as I said.

"?!"