CGV Yongsan Premiere
CGV Yongsan, one of Korea's top three massive multiplex cinemas, was buzzing with even more people than usual right now.
"Whoa, there are so many people."
"Yeah, tell me about it."
"I've never seen it this packed here before."
Not just Koreans, either.
"Is this gonna be fun?"
"Where were you back then?"
"I wanna know..."
Film fans who'd flown in from across Asia—Thailand, Japan, China, you name it—were clutching pamphlets and flashing excited grins all over the lobby floors. It was the majesty of a multiplex with over thirty screens and nearly four thousand seats running simultaneous showings.
Fifty shorts in the main lineup, each assigned to different theaters with their own subtitles, staggered across time slots.
"You reserved both of those, right?"
"...Yeah."
"Hey!"
"Why yell? Tickets are still available on-site anyway."
"The line's gonna be huge. I don't wanna wait."
"Just book 'em on your phone then. What's the worry?"
"My battery's dead. Use yours, quick. Those are popular— if we don't snag 'em now, we'll be stuck with subtitles."
"Quit rushing me... Huh?!"
"What, what?!"
"Good seats are already gone?"
"...Damn it!"
Two films in particular were selling out fast.
In other words, the two shorts drawing the most intense buzz from Asian film fans right now.
Sai-bi Church Maknae Son
Petition Police
One starred the star Han Joo-hyuk and the hot new actor Lee Tae-gyu. The other featured Joo Min-hee, famous for her stunning looks.
At this festival where you could catch both, it was only natural for fans to compare and debate the competing stars in their age group.
Expectations for Joo Min-hee's Petition Police—a short melodrama set in a bank—hovered right around that level. A ticklish vibe with a picture-perfect actress. Perfect for soaking in the festival buzz, then stepping out for drinks in the spring breeze.
No reason not to watch.
Meanwhile, expectations for Sai-bi Church Maknae Son were a bit more mixed.
The fact that the lead actor in this short was the same guy who'd played the gambling addict in Monster City was a little...
That's how this industry worked. A scene-stealer etched into minds from one role had to overcome that hurdle. The very image that launched you became an immersion-killer in future projects.
Already, as the guy who'd unleashed the "Just cash it in, right?" meme across real life and the net, people couldn't see Lee Tae-gyu as anything more or less than that intense gambler.
"...Okay, reservations done."
"Let's go."
"No bathroom break?"
"Nah, timing's tight."
"It's a theater, though."
"Pfft."
In this atmosphere, where some viewers eyed it as light kill-time fare...
"...It won't be that bad, come on."
Entry beginning~~~!
People started filing into the theater for Sai-bi Church Maknae Son.
Flicker.
Dark silence.
The black screen fades to hazy white as fierce rain pounds down—that's how Sai-bi Church Maknae Son begins.
Whoosh——
Torrential downpour. So heavy it mists the concrete roads on the city outskirts.
A bus stop stands there.
Like this remote town where even hitting a theater takes resolve, it's got a worn, rickety roof.
Whoosh——
Under that roof, a woman.
No umbrella in sight as she stares blankly at the pouring rain.
Blank expression. Hands deep in her jeans pockets, tapping her toes rhythmically.
Tap, tap, tap...
Waiting for the bus? It looks bored, forlorn, anxious—even a flicker of thrill in her eyes as she glances down.
Where's she headed?
Whoosh——
Rain intensifying. She pulls a black plastic bag from the shelter floor onto her lap, checks her watch, sighs.
Splash.
An SUV slices through road water.
Flicker, flicker.
Seems to pass the stop, then slowly reverses.
Window slides down.
...!
A gasp ripples through the audience.
National little brother Cheon Yoo-seong, lounging with sultry appeal.
But his low, velvety voice pulls eyes back to the screen.
"Waiting for the bus?"
She looks guarded.
"Ah... You're not from around here. No buses anymore. They cut 'em early but haven't updated the sign."
Her face shifts, flustered.
He spots something.
"Where you headed? I'm going downtown anyway—hop in."
Her black bag. Lightning bolt wrappers peeking out.
He stares, then speaks.
"No idea what you're thinking..."
Rumble——!
Lightning cracks; she startles.
"...But how about some soul-cleansing first."
He flashes a warm smile.
Short silence as they eye each other.
Then.
Dissolve—— Screen shifts with piano melody.
♪♬~♬~♪♪
Warm chapel, hands clasped in song—how long since?
Song ends. They nod, eyes shut, reciting in unison.
"Save us..."
"Save us..."
"Save us..."
"Save us..."
"Save us..."
Screen finds the man amid the group.
"Save us..."
Hands clasped, praying loudest.
"Guide this sinful lamb's path..."
Emotions swell with the prayer.
"Do not turn away..."
Suddenly, manic mutter beyond the bus stop's calm.
"Do not turn... do not turn away..."
"AWAYYYY!"
Prayer heats the chapel. He can't hold back—tear rolls down his cheek.
Drip.
Clap shatters the fervor.
Clap—clap—clap—
Big elder appears before clapping devotees. Every step, gesture, gaze.
"Hahaha!"
Mad cackle.
"Brothers and sisters, full of fight today! Mix this killer passion with my spirit-filled laying on of hands, and I'll guarantee this prayer power blasts authority and glory straight to you in three months—100%."
Vulgar words slither from his slimy tone, slimy as seaweed on viewers' minds.
Creeeak——!
Door at chapel rear swings open.
"Big elder. Heard we have a first-timer today."
Step... step...
Unlike the "big elder," he eyes devotees cautiously, strides forward without hesitation.
Stops before the woman.
"Ah, sister."
Chuckles ripple through seats.
Lee Tae-gyu. That Monster City line hit instantly.
Smirk.
Odd. His faint smile sent chills.
Then his words.
"I know. It's been tough, hasn't it?"
Magic.
"No need to worry anymore."
Tone, breath, eyes, posture. Utterly ordinary.
No madness like the elder—just everyday normalcy.
"Our Great Heaven Church will save you."
"Kh... Kkhuhuhu!"
Like the woman onscreen, many in the audience sniffled.
Choke.
'...What the hell is this.'
One viewer felt heat rising in his chest, puzzled.
'...Why?'
He decided not to question it. Right now.
Over there. Church parlor.
Warm tea for the tear-streaked woman.
"Even someone like me... can change?"
"Sister."
"Truth is... I don't deserve this welcome."
"I won't ask what you've done or how you've lived."
His warm tone eased hearts unknowingly.
"Just hear this carefully."
Comfort.
Like this man watching, countless felt deep solace from the elder's kindly face.
"Here's a clean glass. A bit of dirt."
Elder drops soil from a plant into the cup. Muddy instant.
"Sister, you could spend your time scooping it out."
He tries, but it's futile. Dirt settles despite efforts.
"But."
Smiles at her rapt gaze, grabs water from fridge behind.
"There's a simpler way."
Unscrews, pours over the cup.
"Pour purer water till the dirt overflows."
She startles as water spills over desk.
"Get it?"
Soon, dirt gone—cup clearer.
"We're the same. Better to embrace greater teachings that sweep away petty sins than dwell on washing past mistakes."
Affectionate smile.
"That's our Great Heaven Church teaching."
Nod...
She nods; he mirrors slowly.
"Come with me a bit?"
"Where to?"
"To show the teaching that fills your cup clean. No pressure—just if you're curious..."
"I'll go."
"Pardon?"
"Curious. I wanna smile like you too, elder."
"Haha, my honor. Let's go."
They exit. Rain stopped.
Squelch... squelch...
Mud clings to shoes—no displeasure on their faces.
Low hill behind church.
Fresh tree scent, pleasant climb.
"This is our prayer hall. Where we study Great Heaven teachings."
Containers dot the area.
"Y-yes, studying well?"
"Haha, yes. Hello."
Window faces beam smiles, greeting as eyes meet.
They nod back, head up the hill.
How far?
"Our teachings are profound. Hard to sum up—better to show those who've become one with it."
Through brush.
Clearing with massive tree center.
...!
Woman halts behind elder.
"Don't panic—watch their faces."
Mighty tree trunk. Around it, corpses hanged 'smiling' in clusters.
"...See?"
Elder whips head. Those who'd reached Great Heaven's vast sky embracing life and death!
Creep.
Grotesquely bright grin against dangling bodies.
Audience already forgetting.
"Their... happy smiles?"
That he'd been Monster City's gambler.