The remaining four episodes of were released and, just as Taeha had expected, they received a good response domestically.
After the release, for two weeks, it ranked first in the Republic of Korea for viewing hours on Netflix.
The overseas reaction was better than expected as well.
Especially in Asian countries like Japan, it consistently held a high spot in the rankings for viewing hours during the same period.
After that, its ranking dropped sharply, but the positive reception was undeniable.
Still, the wall of the World was taller than expected, so they had to be satisfied with just a decent response.
In the end, due to scale limitations, it couldn’t break into the Global Top Ten.
Anyway, while the craze for was coming to an end—
The filming of had already entered Episode 8, having passed through the ‘Announcement Murder Episode’ in Episodes 5 and 6.
***
The Announcement Murder Episode covered in Episodes 5 and 6 focused mainly on catching a real Evil Spirit amidst the internet’s flood of announcement murderers.
Jinseong and Yoon-ha clashed over how to deal with the Evil Spirit.
“Jinseong believed the Evil Spirit should be handled as an Evil Spirit…”
Yoon-ha insisted that Evil Spirits didn’t exist, and that everyone who was human should stand trial by law.
But this conflict took a new turn when Yoon-ha saw the existence of the Evil Spirit with her own eyes.
Even Yoon-ha could no longer deny the Evil Spirit’s existence.
That was how filming for Episodes 7 and 8 began.
Episodes 7 and 8 were titled ‘Until You Cut Off Your Wrist’ and dealt with gambling crimes.
There was an organization that ran a Gambling Den to raise humans as food for the Evil Spirit.
Of course, this group was what could be called the “tail” of the elusive ‘Backer’.
As usual, Jinseong chose to infiltrate the Gambling Den with Lee Jae-hyun.
Lee Jae-hyun played the Tazza, while Jinseong played the Hogu; together, they drifted through various games and finally joined the biggest one, but things didn’t go as easily as expected.
Before they could uncover the Backer, the Manager (an executive Evil Spirit) recognized Jinseong.
In the end, Jinseong and Lee Jae-hyun were caught and taken underground in the Gambling Den.
The one who saved them was unexpectedly Yoon-ha.
Yoon-ha unlocked the cell holding the two and spoke.
“I still don’t believe in the existence of Evil Spirits. So prove it to me. Deal with all those murderous bastards.”
Clang.
Thus, thanks to Yoon-ha’s intervention, Jinseong and Lee Jae-hyun were set free.
The two immediately started chasing after the Manager of the Gambling Den.
They fought against the Manager, who had turned into an Evil Spirit, and managed to secure a crucial clue regarding the Backer.
That was the story up to Episode 8.
“As usual, the episode was structured to focus almost entirely on Jinseong. But…”
The ending of Episode 8 was different.
Because—
[S#52. Office Rooftop / N
Jae-hyun, alone on the rooftop, is drinking straight from the bottle. Someone approaches—it’s the Apprentice Priest. The Apprentice Priest naturally takes the soju bottle from Jae-hyun and drinks. Watching this, Jae-hyun, with an annoyed expression….]
“Don’t pester me, damn it. I’m already thinking of putting an end to all this soon.”
“Jinseong, that bastard… I’ll kill him myself, soon enough.”
Episode 8 ended with this scene, foreshadowing a conflict between Lee Jae-hyun and Jinseong.
It was a crucial scene that had to be performed in a way that would instantly heighten the tension of the story.
And then—
“Cut! Good!”
Taeha succeeded in getting Director Lee Hae-ik’s okay in a single take for this crucial scene.
At the same time, words of admiration erupted among the Staff who were watching.
“Wow!”
“Amazing.”
Of course, filming didn’t end immediately since there were more cuts to shoot.
But given the importance of the scene, it was truly impressive.
No one present thought Taeha would get the okay sign in one go.
Especially since the Director was none other than Art Ik.
“Thanks to Taeha, everyone gets to go home early today, huh?”
For Director Lee Hae-ik to make such a joke showed just how satisfied he was, and those who watched realized once again just how remarkable Taeha’s talent was.
And among those people was Han Woo-ri.
***
Filming was over, and the Staff were busy clearing out the set.
Han Woo-ri stood rooted in place, lost in thought like a stone statue.
“How is such acting possible….”
And her thoughts naturally moved on to the next step.
“Why can’t I act like that?”
Han Woo-ri’s mind was in turmoil.
It was inevitable.
On the same day, at the same place, an Actor she’d auditioned against for the same role was pulling further ahead, so much so that she felt she’d never catch up.
That’s how extraordinary Taeha’s acting was today.
He’d always acted well, but today it felt even more special.
Because it was a scene where she worked directly with him.
But Han Woo-ri didn’t feel jealous of Taeha.
In fact, watching him only filled her with respect.
She knew from the audition just how incredibly hardworking Taeha was.
But separate from that, it was unavoidable for her to feel discouraged about her own abilities.
Han Woo-ri had worked very hard herself.
Yet she still struggled to deliver even a single line naturally.
She was barely managing to tie things together with roles that didn’t have any lines, but she knew she couldn’t keep this up forever.
So it was only natural for thoughts like these to arise.
“Should I just… give up?”
Just then, someone called out.
“Hey, are you dead?”
Han Woo-ri snapped back to reality and looked up.
And saw—
Senior Lim Mi-hee.
“Ah, Senior!”
“You’re not dead, huh. I thought you’d died. What are you so lost in thought about?”
“…I was just thinking back on today’s shoot.”
“Which part? You weren’t bad, you know?”
Unexpected praise made Han Woo-ri’s eyes well up.
In that moment, this was exactly what she needed most.
Deeply moved, Han Woo-ri steadied herself and responded.
“Not me… Taeha’s acting. The more I think about it, the more incredible it seems. How can someone that young deliver lines that way? I just can’t believe it.”
“Taeha acts really well. Even now, when I think about our first script reading, my face gets hot. I can’t believe the things I said to someone like that. Hey, are you trying to pick on me now? Did you say something to Taeha at the reading?”
“No, of course not, Senior.”
“I’m kidding. Don’t take it so seriously. Anyway, if you’re curious, what’s there to be worried about?”
“Huh?”
“If you’re curious, why worry? Just go ask. Do your legs hurt, or your back?”
“Huh.”
“Hurry to the parking lot before Taeha drives off.”
Finally, Han Woo-ri snapped out of it and ran toward the parking lot.
Lim Mi-hee watched her go, smiled, and murmured,
“It’s a nice time in life.”
Then, on the other side, she spotted Seon Min-gi, lost in thought in a similar pose.
“Goodness. Trouble over there too.”
***
Meanwhile.
Taeha, having wrapped up filming without incident, was in a fantastic mood.
Filming the last scene of Episode 8, which he’d expected to be difficult and had prepared for intensely, had ended in total satisfaction.
Of course, the scenes to come would be even more challenging than the final scene of Episode 8.
But he wasn’t too worried.
If he prepared as he had now, he felt he could finish without trouble.
It was the confidence gained from safely overcoming what could be called the first major hurdle.
“Especially in today’s filming, Han Woo-ri’s acting was quite good. Thanks to that, our chemistry really shone.”
All the more reason he felt regret.
“If only she could deliver her lines a bit better, she’d become a far greater Actor than she is now…”
That was what he thought.
While Taeha was sorting out his thoughts and getting into the back seat of the car—
“Hm?”
Im Chan-hyung noticed something and turned his head.
Taeha also looked in the direction Im Chan-hyung was gazing.
And saw it.
Han Woo-ri, running toward them.
Taeha got back out and waited as Han Woo-ri approached.
“Huff, huff… Taeha!”
“Yes, Senior. What is it?”
“It’s just—I wanted to ask you something.”
“Something you’re curious about?”
“Yes.”
After catching her breath, Han Woo-ri looked Taeha straight in the eyes and continued.
“Taeha, how is it… that you’re younger than me but deliver your lines so well?”
Taeha was startled by Han Woo-ri’s sudden question.
But he quickly realized just how earnest and serious she was.
It was clear just by looking at her expression.
And, honestly, Taeha was glad to see such an attitude.
One of the reasons he’d always written Scripts was to give good lines to Actors with a pure passion for acting, just like this.
“She must be truly desperate if she’s even asking me, her junior.”
He thought that, too.
So Taeha paused, then answered Han Woo-ri’s question sincerely.
“When I act… I try to completely erase myself. And then, I imagine bringing in the person who could play this role best, and I try to act like them.”
“After that, I add my own analysis and build up the Details. Then, naturally, not just my lines, but the rest of my acting improves as well.”
“Erase yourself… wow!”
Han Woo-ri repeated his words, a look of realization on her face.
Indeed, Han Woo-ri’s weakness was focusing too much on making her lines sound natural.
Usually, that sort of approach leads to improvement, but for Han Woo-ri, it was the wrong practice method.
Because by nature, Han Woo-ri was introverted and had never really spoken out loud or fluently, even in daily life.
“So when she tries to do ‘daily life’ acting, it comes out awkwardly.”
At some point, her line practice had shifted from acting to ‘Speech Practice’—aimed at presentations, hosting, conversation, and so on.
To act more naturally, she’d started studying how to speak well in daily life.
That was why, despite all the practice, her lines always sounded overly ‘acted’.
But Taeha was now telling her that she didn’t need to speak well herself—she just needed to act like someone who speaks well.
That wasn’t easy, either, but with a shift in perspective, it was definitely doable.
“I’m curious… will this be the turning point for Han Woo-ri?”
Taeha watched Han Woo-ri, lost in deep thought.
***
That night.
After arriving home, Taeha finished his Shower and picked up his Handphone.
A new text message had arrived.
[Hello ^^ This is Kim Seoan PD from Sallamander Studio, who directly reviewed the Script and Plan you sent. I’d like to discuss your work in person—would you be available for a meeting?]