episode_0058

The viewership rating for episode 8 was an impressive 10%.

Just one step away from the all-time high record of 11% on KCN.

At that time, people believed without a doubt that would set a new record in the next episode.

But…

Episode 9 rating: 10.3%

Episode 10 rating: 10.4%

…

…

[ fails to break the record again this time]

The viewership of the show was put on hold for a moment.

– Ah…

– Maybe records are just records for nothing.

– This doesn’t seem possible, does it?

– Actually, KCN… lacks popularity a bit. It’s not like KVN or KTBC.

The so-called drama powerhouses have one record after another.

Going beyond just one broadcasting station, they aim to make a mark in the entire history of drama adaptations.

Although KCN has produced many sensational works…

In this aspect, there were some shortcomings.

Genre-wise, it was a hard-boiled thriller without the easy-to-catch romance element.

The bigger issue was that was not a 16-episode drama.

[13 episodes of Crime Eater. Only three chances to make a name in history.]

That’s right.

was a 13-episode drama.

If you don’t break the wall within those episodes, the record will be lost.

Of course, records are not the only measure of success.

was already a successful work.

– Honestly, it doesn’t matter if we don’t break the record.

– Yeah. Even now, it’s one of the standout dramas of the year.

– Still, breaking the record would be nice.

– Yeah, that’s true.

Even though it’s already a hit, it’s a bit disappointing for the fans, the broadcasting station KCN, and the production team and actors of .

It would be nice to have some commemorative achievement.

Meanwhile…

At a filming studio near Seoul.

An actress was preparing for her role.

“Miss, you can start getting ready now.”

“Oh, okay.”

She was about to immerse herself in the filming.

“Phew.”

She couldn’t help but feel nervous.

It was natural for an actress to be tense before every shoot, but this time, it was even more so.

“It has to go well.”

It was an important shoot.

So far, Doyeon had been portrayed as a punisher of evil, helping victims, and leading the “crime eaters” through precognition.

One could say she was a hero.

But for viewers who paid close attention to the show, they would know.

Doyeon was subtly provoking the monstrous nature of the sea with her words and actions.

That was not a heroic act by any means.

– Doyeon, there’s something about her.

– Yeah, she doesn’t seem like a one-dimensional character.

Because of this, viewers had been expressing these doubts from the beginning.

This shoot was meant to answer those doubts and reveal a twist.

They had to show a twist.

In other words, they needed to show acting skills that were like a twist.

‘Acting like a twist…’

It couldn’t be the usual.

Something different, something she had never shown before.

She had been working hard for that.

The staff on set would say.

In this production, there was no other actor who was as dedicated to the work as Seo Yisoo.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that.

While the show was doing well, other actors were signing advertising contracts or doing interviews.

But people wouldn’t know.

When she was absent due to other schedules, many times it was because of practice for this particular scene.

She practiced tirelessly.

“You’ve worked hard, so it will turn out well.”

Practice builds confidence.

But on the other hand…

“Will it really be like that?”

It’s a source of tension.

She practiced a lot.

But was she truly prepared perfectly?

Could it be that I’ve misdirected my acting?

What if people start criticizing me?

The anxiety was inevitable.

She felt scared and fearful.

She even thought about running away like this.

If she just continued acting as usual without any plot twists, she wouldn’t receive any criticism.

But she couldn’t do that.

“Yeah. Let’s give it a try.”

This shoot wasn’t just about capturing one scene.

“You’re trying. That way, you can show your brother, Soo-han, the essence of acting.”

Her younger sister, who was struggling and wandering, wanting to do independent acting.

She wanted to show Soo-han that there was this kind of acting.

She was like an older sister to Soo-han.

An older sister.

Someone who could do that much for her younger sibling.

“Let’s go.”

She gathered her determination and entered the set.

“Soo-han.”

To her beloved younger brother, she gave one earnest request.

“After this shoot is over, make sure to check the monitoring. Got it?”

This actress’s name was Gil Hye-yeon.

***

, Episode 12.

Haesoo realizes that she is nothing but a disabled person.

After that, she goes through a long period of wandering.

Unlike her past self, who was flawless and charming as an enchanting monster, she now makes mistakes and shows an anxious side.

On a fateful night,

Haesoo invites Doyeon to her house.

She asked her.

Instead of her mother, she sought answers from the person who had become a new rule for her.

“Am I… really okay like this?”

Is it okay like this?

Is it okay to leave the emptiness in her heart that will never be filled as it is?

Haesoo asked like that.

And Doyeon said,

“It’s okay.”

She hugged the anxious Haesoo tightly and reassured her that she was doing well.

“Haesoo, you’re really doing great.”

In a slow, sweet tone, she comforted Haesoo.

With Doyeon holding Haesoo’s head in her arms, Haesoo couldn’t tell what expression her rule was wearing right now.

But…

If Haesoo could see Doyeon’s face.

If she could, she would have been greatly shocked.

Despite the sweet words, Doyeon was wearing a very cold expression right now.

“So, you don’t have to worry about anything. Got it?”

An expression devoid of any emotion.

Lifeless eyes.

That was the face Doyeon was wearing.

That Doyeon looked like a monster.

***

When the shoot was over, there was nothing but admiration on set.

“…Wow. As expected of Gil Hye-yeon.”

“She’s so immersed in it.”

“Ms. Gil. Your acting was already top-notch, but this scene is beyond that level, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

Such words were spoken because Gil Hye-yeon’s acting just now was outstanding.

It was more overwhelming than ever.

And that fact, Soo-han could confirm by checking the monitored screen.

“Wow…”

“Soo-han, how was it?”

“It’s amazing. Gil Hye-yeon, how did you pull off such acting?”

Soo-han looked up at Gil Hye-yeon with sparkling eyes.

There was no other way.

Right now, Soo-han was so impressed by someone else’s acting for the first time since coming to Earth.

In the monitored screen.

Doyeon seemed to have a face devoid of any emotion.

But on the other hand, because there were no emotions showing, Soo-han could see the determination brewing inside her.

She may have acted exactly as written in the script…

But Soo-han could tell.

This wasn’t the Doyeon from the script.

This was Gil Hye-yeon’s, and only Gil Hye-yeon’s Doyeon.

“Huh? Huh? Tell me. Teach me too. How did you pull off such acting?”

That was truly the kind of acting Soo-han had always wanted to try.

Soo-han, with eyes shining, asked for the secret.

“Hehe. You still don’t know?”

And in response to Soo-han’s eager question, Gil Hye-yeon smiled meaningfully.

“Take another look at the monitor. Doesn’t the acting seem familiar?”

“….?”

Seo Yisoo chuckled at the words she didn’t understand.

But as Gil Hye-yeon suggested, she looked at the monitor again.

“….”

The incredible acting was still unfolding.

The monstrous emotions Do-yeon portrayed were being conveyed to the viewer in a ‘violent’ manner.

Yes, she was expressing emotions to a violent extent.

Just like Seo Yisoo.

“I referenced a lot of your acting while preparing for this performance.”

Of course, it wasn’t as expressive as Seo Yisoo.

Seo Yisoo really expressed emotions to a level of hitting the mark.

But this level of expressiveness was something missing in Gil Hye-yeon’s acting.

Gil Hye-yeon said, “Do you understand? In this shoot, I created ‘My Own Do-yeon.’ The method was referencing your acting.”

“….”

Gil Hye-yeon poked Seo Yisoo’s chest as she looked at herself blankly.

“The answer to all the acting you want to do is ultimately within you. I prepared this performance to convey that message to you.”

“So, today, Gil Hye-yeon, your acting is…”

So, today, Gil Hye-yeon’s acting.

She had put in a lot of effort for Seo Yisoo.

“It’s like a gift for me.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It was a gift.

Not to confuse you with your worries.

Just listen to the voice of your inner self and keep moving forward.

That’s what she wanted to say.

She had really worked hard for that.

It was for her own acting growth, but the foundation was the heart she had for Seo Yisoo.

“So, don’t be impatient. Enjoy your acting as you used to.”

“Yes, I understand. I will definitely do that.”

Seo Yisoo replied obediently.

It touched Gil Hye-yeon’s heart.

But at the same time.

‘I want to show it to Gil Hye-yeon.’

Having received such a touching gift, she wanted to repay Gil Hye-yeon.

The filming of the work was nearing its end.

During that short time, Seo Yisoo might not be able to fully open her own acting world.

But still, she wanted to show at least a glimpse.

Thanks to your gift, I was able to do this kind of acting.

And as time passed, Episode 12 of aired.

“Haesoo, you’re really doing well.”

“So, you don’t have to worry about anything. Understand?”

The scene where Do-yeon reveals her true self to the viewers…

The drama highlights Do-yeon’s dream after that scene.

In fact, Do-yeon has two precognitive dreams a day.

One is about ‘a certain type’ of death that will happen in the near future.

Of course, the content of that dream always changes.

But the content of the other dream is always the same.

“….”

There was only a desolate wasteland with red ash flying there.

It was the ashes of people soaked in blood.

Traces of death.

Death, death, death, death….

The place where all those deaths gathered was a barren and desolate land.

Whooosh—

A cold wind blew, and Do-yeon walked on the ground covered with blood and dust with dry eyes.

With each step, she stepped on a corpse.

But Do-yeon didn’t stop.

She kept walking to the destination.

There, a girl was standing.

“Dohee.”

Calling out to the girl, Do-yeon smiled.

It was a brighter, happier smile than ever before.

And at the same time, she cried.

A great despair enveloped Do-yeon.

So Do-yeon cried and laughed.

“Our Dohee. Are you doing well?”

This is a precognitive dream.

Although the specific environment is abstract, it is showing the future in some way.

It had one meaning.

“I’ll go meet Mom soon.”

In the future, Do-yeon would meet the girl.

For sure.

***

-Wow….

-I’m speechless.

-So, what’s next? What’s next?

-도연한테도 목적이 있었단 거지. 단순히 정의감 넘치는 히어로가 아니라.

-길혜연 역시 연기 하나는 국내 최고다.

-그래도 예전엔 이 정도까진 아니었던 것 같은데. 연기가 늘은 것 같음…

The viewer bulletin board was flooded with stories about Gil Hye-yeon and Do-yeon.

It was only natural. That’s how impressive Do-yeon portrayed by Gil Hye-yeon was.

That day.

The 12th episode of “Crime Eater” recorded a viewership rating of 10.9%.

It was just a mere 0.1% away from breaking a record.

People cannot predict the future.

Whether “Crime Eater” would surpass this 0.1% barrier or face defeat in front of it, no one could guarantee.

However…

People now awaited the next episode with confidence.

-If just one more thing explodes here.

-Then it will definitely surpass.

With that anticipation, viewers’ hearts raced.

The atmosphere was getting more intense.

An incident was about to unfold.