Chapter 64
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 064
Chapter Title: Tamra
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It had been less than 24 hours since the drama aired.
The team that had watched the first episode together at Baek Eun-won's house was stunned.
'No way, even so.'
'He nailed it?!'
'Actor Shin Yi-han, there's gotta be something up with him.'
'It's just... uncanny.'
Shin Yi-han's predictions had hit the mark perfectly, leaving everyone's jaws on the floor.
'Insane. Our drama's at this rank?'
'H-Honestly, I knew it'd do well, but.'
'In just one day?!'
'It exploded big time. Wow.'
The firepower exceeded all expectations, widening every pair of eyes.
It felt like Newflix's golden age of Korean content had returned in full force.
Not only had it claimed the top spot in Korea instantly,
[Korea: #1]
its rankings were climbing steadily across non-English and English-speaking regions alike overseas.
The opening couldn't have been more spectacular.
Just like that, a fortnight flew by.
Its top position held firm from start to finish.
[Non-English Regions: #1]
In non-English regions like Asia, it naturally took first place.
[US: #7]
In English-speaking countries, especially the US, it overtook one powerhouse after another to reach 7th place.
Of course, everyone expected even more. Part 2 hadn't aired yet, after all.
It was an unprecedented run.
The drama had truly hooked audiences.
And amid this explosive takeoff that Shin Yi-han had witnessed firsthand,
'This is a massive hit.'
he couldn't help but grin at the rankings climbing even faster than in his previous life.
'Didn't expect it to blow up this quick.'
Shin Yi-han was thrilled.
The results surpassed his wildest expectations.
Yi-han. You're not actually seeing the future, are you...?
On release day, the shock had been immense.
H-How did you predict the rankings exactly!!!!
Recalling the texts from Choo Gyeo-ul on day one, Shin Yi-han chuckled softly.
He hadn't truly expected to nail it himself.
Just wishing for success, seeing his predicted ranks come true filled him with joy.
Oh? How'd you know? Do I know the future?
He'd replied half-jokingly, half-seriously. Her reaction had been hilarious.
…haha??!!
Feels less like a joke and kinda scary.
Honestly... at this point, you're basically a ratings predictor machine?!
Even butterfly-effect buzz started pouring in.
Oh, Yi-han. Scripts are flooding in already... You know that, right? Even some big-name directors have sent casting offers!
Come check them out! There's a ton of other scripts too!
Incoming scripts had multiplied overnight.
Nothing like before. Roles ranged from bit parts to leads, incredibly diverse.
Genres had diversified too.
When Brilliant Sky offers first came, it was mostly heroic roles.
Now, villains outnumbered them.
Shin Yi-han grinned. Welcome news indeed.
He was itching to act again.
Shooting had just wrapped, yet he craved a new world. His body buzzed with anticipation.
And so, right now,
"Director! I'm here!"
"Yi-han?"
he'd arrived at Red Film, where Kwak Hoon was.
"No way!"
Kwak Hoon burst with excitement as Shin Yi-han flung open his private office door.
"You here 'cause Innocent Boy hit 1.58 million?!"
Not just the drama was soaring—Innocent Boy too.
Kwak Hoon assumed Shin Yi-han came to celebrate.
After all, he was the writer and star!
But,
"No."
Apparently not...
Huh? Facing a baffled Kwak Hoon, Shin Yi-han pulled a thick stack of papers from his bag.
"The script I mentioned before."
Thud. He beamed, placing it on Kwak Hoon's desk.
"Tamra."
Kwak Hoon could only panic.
"We're doing this."
"Huh?"
Scripts didn't materialize instantly just because you said you'd write one.
"Not a synopsis—a full script?"
How long had it been since he announced it...?
"Already?"
Barely over a fortnight.
Kwak Hoon could hardly believe Shin Yi-han had actually brought something.
Completing a script like the story was fully formed in his head? Absurd.
"Yes. First page is the synopsis."
But Shin Yi-han nodded confidently at Kwak Hoon's dazed look.
To him, it was natural.
Honestly, yes. He'd just recreated a finished story properly.
He'd never forgotten a single detail.
He'd memorized other scripts by habit—how could he forget his own?
'Stories I wrote because I yearned to film them.'
So, Shin Yi-han smiled with excitement.
Time to perfect this tale after turning back the clock.
Oh. And to shock that skeptical Kwak Hoon.
"......?"
But Kwak Hoon could only scratch his head at the script on his desk.
Hmm.
'Worried before even reading it...'
Honestly, this situation troubled him.
The writer of the bold indie hit Innocent Boy suddenly pitching a zombie flick?
And whipped up in days.
'No way that's normal...!'
That was Kwak Hoon's gut.
Not that he didn't understand.
Writers sometimes craved a genre switch mid-script.
Sudden itch for something new after a gripping watch or deep inspiration!
Perfectly valid.
But the odds of it being good? Slim to none.
Veterans with decades of scripts, maybe. But Yi-han had just finished his debut. Ahem.
'Yeah... No writer pumps out bangers every time!'
Kwak Hoon steeled himself.
Even from Yi-han,
read it quick and politely decline!
"Okay. I'll read it!"
He snatched the script.
"I'll wait. Take your time."
Shin Yi-han sat on the nearby sofa, grinning eagerly.
......Oops.
Kwak Hoon broke into a cold sweat.
Y-Yi-han? Hold on.
Aren't you expecting too much?! What reaction do you think I'll have?!
"Oh. Not just any zombie flick."
As Kwak Hoon tensely flipped the cover,
"It's a zombie historical drama."
Set in Joseon era, Shin Yi-han added with a smile.
"Uh...?"
Kwak Hoon's face screamed bewilderment.
Historical + zombies?
A combo never seen in Korean zombie films.
And even more niche. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
Yi-han? You said you'd pour Innocent Boy's earnings into production...
This gamble?
Ugh.
What to do.
With a deeply worried face, Kwak Hoon nodded heavily.
"O-Okay, I'll read it...?"
"Yes!"
Judgment after reading.
Pocketing his refusal worries, Kwak Hoon dove in.
Zero expectations.
But,
as his eyes hit the title and synopsis,
'Uh...'
Kwak Hoon's eyes widened.
'Huh...?'
"Everyone starts rushing in."
"Intentional or not, it doesn't matter."
"Those vile greeds."
"Inevitably heading to that island."
"To kill the deposed young king."
"A manufactured disaster."
"Those who block it, those who spread it."
"Island, Tamra."
⟨ Synopsis ⟩
'Whoa.'
A fresh tale unfolded, shattering his assumptions.
Kwak Hoon read breathlessly.
Zombie hordes charging disgustingly, bodies crumbling unnoticed.
Corrupt powers and loyalists' desperate struggles.
Betrayal.
- I want to live!
Sacrifice.
- I want to save them.
Pleading.
- Save me.
- Please. Please...!
How did it blend so masterfully?
Each page chilled him to the bone.
Breath caught as zombies devoured an island,
thrill surging as the protagonist cleaved necks.
Always on the brink of capture.
That razor-edge tension seeped from the pages. His palms sweated.
'......'
Reaching the end, Kwak Hoon was speechless.
'How is this just a zombie flick.'
Only awed silence.
Before reading, negativity filled him.
Sudden zombie historical demanding Innocent Boy's earnings—all in on a 100-billion-plus blockbuster? No way.
Even if challenging, not worth the full bet.
But now,
'It has meaning.'
Certainty hit.
'More than meaning—beyond.'
No explanations needed.
'The script alone is insanely gripping...!'
Excitement overtook Kwak Hoon.
Scenes visualized effortlessly from descriptions and dialogue.
The spectacles ahead.
Directing these moments.
Audiences entering this horrific yet warm world.
- Rivers dyed red with blood.
- Crimson sun scorching the fresh sky at dawn.
- Rough hands clutching the gonryongpo embroidered with golden threads on crimson.
All vivid in his mind.
Urgent to scout locations and plan shots.
Moreover...,
[Red Film: 'Into a Superior World' proposal]
[Sending 'Frostbite'. Please pass to Director Kwak Hoon...]
Scripts were already piling up for Kwak Hoon.
Some he might've accepted.
Whoa, this one's actually great?!
To our company?!
Even staff favorites.
Innocent Boy lingered, but he'd warmed to them.
'Especially since I didn't expect Yi-han to pitch a sequel so soon amid its run.'
But now,
those scripts? Forgotten.
Or rather, he realized their inadequacy.
Nothing compared to Tamra.
"What do you think?"
"......!"
Shin Yi-han's bright voice rang out.
"Fun, right?"
Kwak Hoon wasn't the only one buzzing. Shin Yi-han smirked.
Rubbing his face dry, Kwak Hoon said,
"...Let's do it."
This wasn't just fun.
"We have to!"
His voice firm yet thrilled.
"No, let me direct it—please!"
Doubts vanished; his eyes gleamed.
"Tamra!"
Shin Yi-han beamed proudly.
Classic Kwak Hoon reaction.
The second script took its first step.
Days later.
The indie debut Innocent Boy reached its final screening.
Total viewers: 1.89 million.
Claiming 3rd in indie box office history, a dazzling finale.
Leaping over its previous life's count by 10x.
Roughly 20x.
Insane.
'Us.'
Director Kwak Hoon wept with joy,
'Let's go all in.'
using it as a springboard for greater heights.
A new start: first commercial film.
Kwak Hoon moved decisively.
Got approval from Red Film's CEO Baek,
recruited the returning staff.
'Whoa! Writer's teaming with the director again?!'
'Huge news! Gasp!'
'What's the genre?'
'Hold up. Zombies? Suddenly?!'
With completed script and confirmed lead,
'Huh.'
'Thought zombie after Innocent Boy was meh.'
'This story's nuts...'
The foundation solidified overnight.
And simultaneously,
it wasn't just the movie kicking off.
Newflix's Others' Hell had only aired Part 1.
Just the beginning.
[Newflix's Historic Hit! One Week Until Others' Hell Part 2!]
Part 2 news reignited the hype.
Part 2 dropping! On my 4th binge already! Ughㅜㅜ
Going crazy. Bummed no Geum Seong-je in Part 2, but dying for the next plot.
The internet overflowed with Part 2 talk.
Domestic buzz persisted overseas too.
Others' Hell was becoming a Newflix flagship.
And,
[Podcast Live (New!) | Let's Talk This Insane Others' Hell!]
A New York studio, US.
An avid viewer lurked.
'Ooh, Bobby Park!'
Bobby Park, unable to resist pre-Part 2 hype, went live.
His 3 million personal subs flooded the podcast.
- Wassup! Everyone good?!
But it wasn't his solo stream.
'What? Not alone today?'
'Huh? Main crew covering this?'
His 8-million-sub podcast was on.
What? Sudden title change. Others' Hell? What's that?
Do these two reviewing? Been forever!
I saw Others' Hell too!
Subs poured in, confused but thrilled.
Hosted by Bobby Park and James Garfield,
Comic Friends—their comedy podcast.
Asian-white duo slinging spicy racial jabs and jokes in a riotous talk show.
- FYI, I didn't push this? James did!
- Dude! Secret!
As James shushed him,
- So, was it fun?! Super creepy, right?!
- Whew. Yeah! It was!
James caved.
He was hooked on the drama.
- Bobby yapped so much... Had to watch. Ahem!
James spilled his review.
On Newflix's Others' Hell.
- ...Freakin' awesome. Had to admit it! Mr. Gold's death at the end... Shit, couldn't sleep.
Its thrill.
- Screw it! Come guest! Mr. Gold!
Geum Seong-je, Part 1's powerhouse rival to the lead, naturally on their lips.
- Yeah! Kiseojei! We're totally fans!
- But does he speak English? Korean actor, dunno.
- You're Korean. Handle it.
- OK! Time to flex my Korean!
- Nice. It'll suck. Your name pronun was brutal.
- Why! Kumseojei! Good, right?
- ...I got it. Kumseongjei. How's that.
Half-joking banter flew.
James wins fr.
Bobby Park, all that Korean blood talk was BS LOL
lolololol
Chats cracked up.
- Argh! My blood's Korean, but I'm 100% American—can't help it!
- Still, your Korean sucks, Bobby.
- Didn't study! Duh!
Bobby griped at his mangled pronunciation.
Newflix's team had been tracking Bobby Park since his solo shoutout.
Today's sudden Comic Friends,
"Uh..."
Brian and Jennifer Kim locked eyes.
"With this, should we actually make it happen?"
Brian nodded at Jennifer's question.
- Shoutout Geum Seong-je! Others' Hell!
- Come guest! Food on me!
- Horror director here—wanna learn your creep factor!
Bobby's words weren't impossible, joking tone aside.
"Perfect for Part 2 promo. Honestly."
Especially with Others' Hell's US rank at #5.
A chance to end big.