Somehow, Talent Has Sprouted
The Varginha UFO incident.
One of the world's most infamous UFO rumors—a 1996 sighting in Brazil of bizarre creatures presumed to be aliens.
Of course, as always, there was no evidence, and rational folks dismissed it as nonsense or just some weird monkey mistaken for something else.
A topic Unbelievable could easily cover.
—Though the current Unbelievable was a bit different.
Viewers who caught the preview were uniformly plunged into confusion.
···Even the broadcasting station that aired it felt the same.
#
After two weeks of filming, the Unbelievable staff had reached the point where they'd believe Kang Min could ferment red bean paste into meju if he said so.
With their shoddy equipment and bizarre makeup, they'd already stirred up a storm— what couldn't they do now?
They had unwavering faith; they'd nod along to whatever nonsense Kang Min spouted.
But well,
—Even so, this episode was on another level···.
"[Erveromerorokashushupasachodonner?]"
"[...I, I have no idea what you're saying.]"
"[Dopparupappatturen aajaa?]"
"[Pardon?]"
"?"
"···?"
"Th-this is right? For real?"
Kang Min's third Unbelievable episode was a total disaster, leaving everyone unsure where to even begin critiquing.
Kang Min, who should have dominated the narrative, was utterly incomprehensible from the start—spewing nothing but garbled alien babble—and Jo Yun-a, meant to fill the gap, just stammered and got dragged along.
The staff had no clue what was happening.
No, setting aside the acting, it defied basic common sense.
If it were played for laughs, there'd be some internal logic, but this wasn't even that—
The cinematographer rushed over in a panic first.
"Wi Min-jun PD, you're really letting this go through?!"
"···What choice do we have? Actor Kang approves, and even PD Han Ye-seul's on board."
"No, you're the head honcho! You can stop it if you want!"
"I'd need a better alternative to pull the plug··· I got nothing."
"This is driving me insane!"
Did they all sneak daytime drinks or what—
As the cinematographer beat his chest and the staff flailed in dismay, Kang Min stood alone, blissfully content.
And why not? His plans had never unfolded this smoothly before.
'Perfect. It's as good as done···!'
Even better was the story for this episode, where he'd deliberately meddled.
Above all, there was zero room for reinterpretation this time.
'First off, the aliens aren't scary at all.'
A chance crash-landing, clumsy attempts at communication with a girl that fail at first, gradual bonding, then bittersweet parting.
A tale replicated hundreds of times since the old ET—worn out to the point of boredom.
Naturally, no dramatic emotional arc like the lab or Hitler episodes. It just fizzles out.
Topped with narration and clumsy alien gibberish, it was now nothing but a mockery of classic Unbelievable···!
'Heh.'
Watching the staff's reactions, Kang Min felt true conviction.
'I win. This one's my victory···!'
At least this time, it wasn't bravado. Every viewer who'd seen the preview thought so, and most gathered here again agreed.
And yet,
Amid everyone thinking that, just two were exceptions.
One of them bit her lip hard.
'···Now. I have to do it now.'
'Me, right now.'
#
A bit earlier, the day before.
"Actor Kang Min has always explored humanity. That applies not just to the first two Unbelievable episodes, but even King and Sovereign."
"Then this time, the focus should be on humans too."
Human quartet.
Han Ye-seul spoke the name with utter certainty.
Unlike the lab or Hitler episodes, Kang Min was playing an incomprehensible being. This time, he'd step back, emphasizing the supporting role.
In other words, he'd designated a separate lead.
And right after that actor arrived, he'd casually made the proposal as if it were obvious···.
"So··· what do you mean?"
"It means you're the lead this episode, Yun-a."
"Me?!"
Jo Yun-a blinked in shock.
Beyond bewilderment, she doubted her own ears—like she'd heard utter nonsense.
Half-convinced at first, she shook her head vigorously on reflex.
"N-no way. I—"
"Let me repeat: It doesn't matter what you think, or even what I think. Actor Kang decided it."
"······."
"Anything left to explain about that fact?"
"Well···"
Well—
Jo Yun-a clenched her fist on instinct.
Her nails dug into her palm.
The surging emotion wasn't excitement or gratitude, but endless dread.
She's expecting great things—from Kang Min.
For the first time,
And maybe the last.
Then,
What if I can't meet that expectation?
"Th-that···"
"Yes."
"The lead role—might be too generous an assessment—"
"He wouldn't do that."
"···Out of pity, maybe a bit lenient···."
"I said it again: He wouldn't. At least not when it comes to acting."
"······."
"Spend that time researching the role instead of talking nonsense. It's important."
Misunderstanding.
The resulting rejection.
Han Ye-seul boldly wrote it down, blocking every escape.
Then asked.
"Ever felt like you just couldn't truly understand someone—and hated them for it?"
"That's···"
"Looks like you have. Good. Start from there."
"······."
Jo Yun-a cast her eyes down, speechless.
The reason? It wasn't something to brag about.
Jo Yun-a had always tried to understand and accept others. When a chill doubt crept in, she'd crumple and hide her ugly thoughts.
But,
Sometimes, it was still tough—
Han Ye-seul propped her chin.
"No need for details. Can you sum it up simply?"
"It was about... a sister I know···."
"Same agency?"
"Yes."
"Recently thought she was awful?"
"A bit, yeah."
Jo Yun-a bowed her head.
It started with four scripts.
Received days ago, they were the most precious thing from her three and a half years of struggle—plus years before.
'Mostly thanks to bro, of course—'
Still, Jo Yun-a wanted to boast.
If possible, to her mom—who raised her alone—and the sister she'd idolized and respected as a role model.
The sister was busy, so Jo Yun-a bided her time carefully and set up a meet.
And,
The moment she saw Jo Yun-a, the sister said:
"[What the hell are you?]"
"[···Pardon?]"
"[When'd you get chummy with sunbae? How'd you even meet?]"
"[······.]"
"[And why didn't you tell me? You could've. What the fuck were you thinking?]"
Jo Yun-a blinked blankly.
Of course she'd planned to tell. She just wanted a little congrats too.
Clutching her skirt, Jo Yun-a forced an awkward smile and spoke.
"[Um, listen first. I got four scripts? All solid roles, even one from veteran writer Kim Kyung-sook—]"
"[Answer me first.]"
"[I-it's my first time ever—]"
"[Answer.]"
"[······.]"
"[Not gonna?]"
"[I···]"
"That bitch is crazy?!"
Han Ye-seul screamed.
She slammed the desk. Face flushed with rage, she fanned herself.
Her glare could devour someone.
"Tell me her name! What kind of psycho is she?!"
"No, she's usually nice. And kinda get where she's coming from—"
"You don't get to 'get it'!!"
Jo Yun-a spilled it all first.
When, what time, what they said, the situation, exact words, her expression.
Only after the report-like rundown did the sister finally get it.
Then pondered and said—still ignoring the scripts Jo Yun-a clutched:
"[Good for you. Broker a reconciliation for me.]"
"[···Pardon?]"
"[You can talk to sunbae, right? Do me this favor.]"
"[······.]"
"[Ah, I'll pay well. Short on living expenses? Hell, take my last gig fee—]"
"Cut her off!!!!!"
Unable to contain her fury, Han Ye-seul kicked the desk.
Her flushed face bordered on purple.
"What's 'kinda get it'?! She's a straight-up psycho!!"
"I-it's fine. I turned down the money··· Felt guilty, but I got some revenge too······."
"Revenge? Damn right! How?!"
"She wanted me to broker the reconciliation, right? So···"
"You exposed her?!"
"Didn't tell."
"···?"
"It's been three days now. Figured I should soon···"
"······?"
For some reason, Han Ye-seul—staring like she'd seen a real alien—finally sighed deeply.
Scratching her head, the deflated PD grabbed the script.
"We'll hash that out later, properly. Nice, though."
"Huh?"
"Thought you understood humans you didn't at first, but actually knew nothing. Great imagery."
Sometimes, people feel farther from fellow humans than aliens.
Han Ye-seul sighed and spoke.
"Act it out based on that."
"Uh··· I've never······."
"I'm no actor, but I know that's rage-worthy. Fake it if you have to."
"······."
"Just once, do exactly as scripted. It'll be fine. You might not trust yourself, but trust Actor Kang."
Well,
Even as the name Kang Min spurred her reflexively, Jo Yun-a wasn't sure.
Truth was, she wasn't that angry. Anger required the right to be angry.
But—slightly,
Just a tiny bit, she didn't get it.
Having it all,
Having even more,
Yet unable to tolerate even a hand reaching out—that feeling.
A little,
Just a little, incomprehensible—
And,
"Hic···!"
"?"
Jo Yun-a snapped to at her ragged breathing.
What? Han Ye-seul's face was ashen.
Jo Yun-a's went blank.
"Wh-why?!"
"Do that again! Now!"
"Y-yes···"
"Wait, not yet!"
"?"
#
Later in the scene, the alien's existence leaks.
Parents overhear their daughter's tales of her new "friend" and soon confront the alien itself, reeling in shock.
—Then, elation.
"[Careful, honey! We can't just tell the government or we'll get nothing!]"
"[Exactly! Money! Play it right, sell it off—we'll be rich!]"
"[Dad! She's my friend! She saved me—]"
"[Friend? What does a monster like that think? We're in danger! Tread carefully, demand fair pay!]"
"[Good girl, Alicia! You did great!]"
"[Mom! My friend!]"
The girl panics but is powerless.
She screams and begs, but can't stop the greed in her parents' eyes. They lock her in her room.
Inside, she pounds the door and wails, to no avail.
After 16 years, she thought she knew her parents well.
But maybe,
She didn't know even one properly—
"[Photos? Got any?]"
"[Of course!]"
"[Hmm, not enough. Need clearer proof, real evidence—]"
"[Photos aren't the issue, Pablo! Tons of agencies offering secret payouts! Hand it over!]"
"[Hmm, but the risk···]"
"[Every deal has risks!]"
The adults her parents bring are familiar to the girl.
All kind, sensible, fond of her.
But now, unfamiliar expressions.
Leering smirks. Crescent greed in their eyes.
Terrified, the girl flees home to warn her friend.
But caught halfway, she's dragged back and confined.
The girl wails.
"[Why··· why are you doing this···?!]"
"[Why are you, Alicia?! Ruining a done deal!]"
"[My friend! She saved me! Why······?!]"
"[So selfish! Stay out of adult business! Know your place!]"
"[Ugh···!]"
Here, Kang Min senses a slight off-note.
'A bit more power in the acting?'
But he brushes it off. Filming's ending soon anyway.
The informed alien vanishes, everyone slumps in futility—done.
Add narration, perfect conspiracy wrap-up.
Kang Min smirked inwardly, triumphant.
And,
—That instant, a talent fully sprouted.
"[So that's what humans are.]"
···?
Everyone turned blankly.
Wi Min-jun PD.
AD.
FD.
Cinematographer.
Lighting director.
Audio guy.
Script supervisor.
Set designer—
All doubted their ears.
But no doubt.
The girl who'd stammered nervously throughout raised her head slowly.
Empty eyes.
Blank face.
Dry twitching lips.
Cracked voice.
And above all, that cloyingly viscous tone—
Locked in her room, the girl murmured:
"[Humans... are like that.]"
A faint smile rose.
Contrasting her prior acting, it chilled to the bone.
As Han Ye-seul shook her head, dazed stares fixed on the girl converged on one spot.
The actor who'd pushed her casting—the only one who'd spotted her talent.
Kang Min.
Kang Min blinked at the shocked gazes.
Uh, so···
'Huh?'
#
Three days later, Unbelievable airdate.
The designer entering Korea barked orders at her anxiously waiting subordinate.
"H-honor! Where to?"
"Damn plane—anywhere with a TV, now!"
"Pardon?"