I'm an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me

At 3 a.m.

The viewers watching fell into confusion.

[Drama/Movie Actor TALK / The theory that On Jihwa is a half-zombie is fake, right?]

I think it was just a fake-out. Sounds like the hospital director was just saying something nice to an injured athlete.

-Anonymous 1: Yeah, listening to Director Kim Hwansu, they brought On Jihwa in to improve the hospital’s image. It’s not like they’d say, ”You won’t fully recover and rehabilitation is hopeless, so please retire T_T.”

└ Anonymous 2: That’s what I think too. Feels like they’re tricking us by making us overthink lololol. We never actually saw or heard that she got the injection.

[Drama/Movie Actor TALK / I typed it out again. This is exactly what On Jihwa’s mom said]

”The Archery Association treasures our Jihwa so much. Remember when the hospital director rushed over in such a hurry to meet her last time? Right! That’s exactly what happened.”

(He only met her. No mention of treatment.)

”He told us not to worry. Said he’d make a dedicated team just for Jihwa. Right. They’re number one when it comes to sports rehabilitation.”

(He only said he’d make a team. Treatment hasn’t started.)

”He said she’d recover from her injury right away.”

(He literally just said it.)

If you only look at this, I think all those theories about On Jihwa becoming humanity’s cure are just wrong. Youngest national archer and Olympic gold medalist? A hospital director could easily say that kind of thing to a VVIP patient as a courtesy lololol

-Anonymous 1: Yeah... there’s no mention of an injection...

-Anonymous 2: But we don’t know where they met. If she got injured during overseas training and met him there, they could’ve met in America where stem cell treatment happened.

└ Anonymous 6: Holy shit, you’re right.

[Drama/Movie Actor TALK / Myeong Jeha is definitely the protagonist]

Why would they specifically mention that his younger sibling got scratched by nails? If they just wanted to give Kim Kangil some warm-family backstory, they could’ve simply said they fought.

-Anonymous 2: Yeah. Saying they fought would’ve been enough. Specifically mentioning nails feels important.

-Anonymous 4: Off topic, any Eugenes here? When Myeong Jeha said ”Yujin” earlier, it sounded like he was calling my name and my heart seriously almost exploded TT_TT

└ Anonymous 8: Passing-by Eugene here too heh... Ah, Myeong Jeha seriously...

└ Anonymous 11: I’m Yejin, but if you hear it vaguely it sounds like my name too lmao T_T

Did On Jihwa receive the injection? If so, was humanity’s hope for survival resting on her? Or was it merely a deception?

What exactly was Kim Kangil’s younger sibling? What state was the world outside the hospital in? Could this actually be the real key to solving everything?

Was Kim Kangil the center of the loop? And if so, did he retain his memories or not?

What was the condition to break the loop? Was it On Jihwa’s death? Or something else entirely?

Countless questions flooded the viewers of . It wasn’t merely a matter of question marks appearing in their minds.

It felt like a thick fog had settled over everything.

As though something had a shape, yet nothing could truly be seen. It was an indescribable sensation.

Only three episodes.

Yet with just that, had perfectly captured the anxiety and tension unique to apocalypse stories.

Time rewound once again. This time, Do Gyeoul’s frightened face appeared on the screen. A suffocating standoff was taking place inside the locker room.

On Jihwa, Kim Kangil, and Yoo Yeonji.

The drama kindly showed the scene once from each person’s perspective. Even though it was the same scene repeated, the viewers found themselves unable to look away.

It was already past three in the morning in Korea.

* * *

At the same time, at NetHolics headquarters in America.

Andrea Shark gazed at the screen with serious eyes.

Displayed before her was the incoming viewer graph for . Multiple streams of data poured in.

”We’ve entered the Top 10 in Korea and across Asia.”

”At this rate, more than 8% of global users are projected to finish it on the first day.”

Users in English-speaking countries hated subtitles. Completion rates for Asian dramas had never been high. Even if a drama achieved over 30% completion in its home country, the so-called ”numbers game” meant that global completion rates were extremely low.

Very few people were willing to spend energy reading subtitles and immersing themselves in foreign dramas when comfortable and easy-to-watch English shows were available.

”And what about the following day?”

Andrea understood that perfectly.

But there was something different about this work.

”Drop-off among English-speaking viewers within the first fifteen minutes is below fifty percent. Based on that...”

”We estimate a 15% completion rate on Day Two.”

Not a single Asian genre series had ever entered the American NetHolics Top 10.

Yet according to these numbers, wouldn’t just break through the ceiling of the American Top 10—it could establish itself in Northern Europe as well.

”Hmm.”

Andrea’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

In Korea, it was January 1st. But here it was still December 31st, 11 a.m. Considering NetHolics’ major viewing hours, this was something extraordinary.

Very few people spent eleven in the morning right before New Year’s watching bloody zombie stories.

Then it happened.

A strange crack appeared on the global traffic monitor covering the situation room wall. The graph shot upward vertically.

”What is it?”

The number of viewers coming to watch Episode 1 of was rapidly increasing.

”Find out.”

The Data Science Team’s hands moved frantically.

”We found it!”

The cause of the sudden increase appeared on the screen.

”...What?”

The source was the social media account of a B-tier reaction Intuber.

-Goddamn! American zombie stories are finished now! That’s simply a fact nobody can deny. It hurts, but I have to admit it. K-Drama? I feel like exploding because I only found out about this now!

Along with a simple screenshot proving he was watching , there was a Shorts video he had obviously thrown together in a hurry.

-Oh my...

-ha????

-Wow!!!!

He hadn’t even shown what he was watching. He simply filmed his own face.

On the screen, Marcus emotionlessly chewed nacho chips. Then he covered his eyes with hands covered in chili powder before suddenly jumping to his feet. Then he opened his mouth in shock while drinking cola, letting it spill everywhere. Finally, he ripped off his headset and threw it aside.

As people would say—

”That’s obvious bait.”

But it was effective bait.

Not only had English-speaking NetHolics subscribers become interested in , even those who had seen the Shorts video were curious.

Despite being uploaded only a few hours ago, Marcus’s reaction Shorts already had enormous comment and share numbers.

A completely new Korean zombie story that had defeated America—the kingdom of apocalypse media.

No American could resist clicking on that.

-Guess you’ve decided to cling to Asia now that America doesn’t work anymore, Marcus :) We call Intubers like you losers.

-I told you to watch K-Dramas so many times! Why are you only watching now hahaha

-I never want garbage videos like this appearing in my algorithm again. Disgusting.

-I don’t know what nonsense you’re talking about. As someone who loves zombies and apocalypses, Korea can never become a powerhouse of the genre!

└ Agreed. Get these tiresome K-dramas off NetHol.

└ The fact you’re tired of them means you’ve watched a lot.

└ That sounded exactly like courtroom dialogue from a K-drama. Perfect.

Marcus had pushed everyone’s buttons.

Not just pushed them—he’d mashed them repeatedly.

”He uploaded it here too. .”

”Tony Wang, the Gold Button Intuber who hit forty million views last month, also mentioned it in his Story.”

Red indicators lit up on the profile pictures of reaction-focused influencers.

Meaning they had all uploaded Stories.

Stimulated by Marcus’s Shorts, the other reaction Intubers appeared to be criticizing and attacking his opinion while claiming they possessed the ”real” taste, and went to watch themselves.

Marcus’s solo provocation attracted other super influencers.

Those influencers attracted their followers.

And those followers attracted their own followers.

The speed was unlike anything seen before.

* * *

”Answer me.”

Tak Jeongyun appeared on the screen.

And behind her, hiding, was Do Gyeoul.

Myeong Jeha glanced at the ceiling.

As if trying to calm himself.

”Ah, fuck... seriously... you’re making this difficult in every possible way...”

Below, hordes of zombies roamed around.

Perhaps they weren’t merely reacting to sound anymore. They seemed to instinctively chase living humans.

Their numbers kept increasing.

The shutters rattled dangerously.

Bang.

One shutter finally broke open.

The horde that had been blocked surged in like a tidal wave.

The survivors beyond the shutters were mercilessly devoured.

Adults crying and children crying mixed together.

Clank. Clank-clank-clank-clank.

The shattered remains of the shutters were trampled beneath zombie feet.

Among the carnage, clocks on each floor came into view.

Tick tick tick tick.

Together with the sound of time moving, the screen returned once again.

-Holy shit

-What? Why did it rewind again?

-???

-I seriously can’t predict anything anymore

On Jihwa sat in the hospital lobby.

Kim Kangil made a phone call.

And Tak Jeongyun and Do Gyeoul briefly stopped on the stairs after hearing a thud from above.

”Ah...”

A notification sounded on Tak Jeongyun’s wrist. Seeing the message, she held her forehead as if she were becoming dizzy.

”Are you okay? Are you okay?”

Do Gyeoul supported Tak Jeongyun by the arm.

”Should I go check what happened?”

Some meaningful music began to play.

-??????

-Holy shit, was it Do Gyeoul?!

-Holy fucking shit

-That’s why they intentionally didn’t show it earlier lmao

The focus began revolving around Do Gyeoul.

Tak Jeongyun, still holding her forehead, shook her head and resumed climbing the stairs one by one.

Behind her, Do Gyeoul checked the time.

The transition flowed smoothly.

While Tak Jeongyun briefly disappeared, Do Gyeoul chatted with the other nurses.

”Ah, it’s too sweet. I can’t drink this.”

”Then can I have it?”

Do Gyeoul drank the beverage Kim Kangil had handed over with the straw.

”Come to think of it, something funny happened earlier. The daughter who brought this over—no, no. Looks like I’m infected too. Anyway, the delivery person.”

As she listened, Do Gyeoul absentmindedly played with the straw.

Music that felt like something unpleasant was repeatedly stabbing at the heart played on.

Do Gyeoul entered the elevator.

* * *

”Where did she go?”

”Huh?”

”Where did Yeonji go?”

Tak Jeongyun asked the nurses.

-Ah what is this, please...

-I’m scared TT___TT

-If Do Gyeoul is the center of the loop, everything makes sense. It has to be someone familiar with the hospital. Who knows the hospital better than a nurse?

-True. More natural than a delivery guy, that’s for sure;

Meanwhile, inside the emergency room, the hospital director’s fit had begun.

* * *

”Ms. On Jihwa!”

Do Gyeoul stopped On Jihwa and her mother as they walked down the hospital corridor.

”Our Planning and Coordination Director said he has something he needs to discuss privately with the guardian. Something very important regarding treatment...”

”Huh? All of a sudden?”

”He said some information just came in, and he would like to relay it to your mother personally.”

There was something awkward about the way Do Gyeoul looked at the two of them.

”Regarding treatment...”

As Jihwa’s mother hesitated for a moment, Do Gyeoul spoke.

”The rehabilitation center is right over there. Are you in such poor condition that you can’t manage without a guardian?”

At those words, people around them turned their heads.

Quite a few had recognized On Jihwa.

The youngest ever.

Selected for the national archery team and immediately sweeping up gold medals.

Her injury was already widely known to the public.

At Do Gyeoul’s words, Jihwa’s mother quickly shook her head.

”Oh my, no, no. It’s not that serious! She only sprained her shoulder a little. Her legs are perfectly fine...”

”Then please have a quick conversation and come back. I’ll take good care of Ms. Jihwa.”

”Alright. Which floor do I need to go to?”

”But, ma’am, is that... a bow on your shoulder?”

Hints were being dropped little by little.

A clue explaining the change in scenes had finally appeared.

”Yes, it is.”

”We need to accurately measure the size of the bow. It’ll help improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment. Please hand it over to the athlete.”

”Ah...”

It sounded reasonable.

As her mother hesitated, a hand landed on her shoulder.

”It’s fine. I’m not going to die from carrying it for a bit.”

It was Jihwa’s hand.

Without a care, On Jihwa slung the hard case over her left shoulder.

Do Gyeoul quietly stared at the sight.

-Holy shit

-That gave me goosebumps

-TT_TT What? Is she the mastermind?

-So that’s why Jihwa was carrying the archery case... But why send her mom to Director Kim Hwansu? T_T

-Then doesn’t that mean the mom is alive? She went upstairs.

-I have absolutely no clue what’s happening.

Soon, the emergency room became complete chaos.

Every patient and medical worker had become zombies.

The guards opened the doors to enter.

”Grrrgh...”

”Huh? What is this!”

”Aaaah! Aaaah!”

A horde of zombies poured out through the opened doorway.

Tak Jeongyun ran somewhere.

Do Gyeoul called someone.

Kim Kangil saw the missed call notification and dialed back.

-The number you have called is currently busy. Please try again...

A clear mechanical voice.

Myeong Jeha with his phone against his ear and Do Gyeoul speaking were cross-cut together.

”Where do I go now?”

Do Gyeoul’s question.

And then—

”Just run!”

Along with that short answer, Tak Jeongyun held a phone to her ear and ran like mad.

[Excuse me, I got a delivery from the main building earlier, but the order is wrong. Come back and take it.]

”Ah, fuck.”

A new message arrived on Myeong Jeha’s phone.

-???

-??????

-Huh?

-Holy shit

-?

-What the hell

Inside Tak Jeongyun’s pocket as she ran through the corridor was a walkie-talkie.

-Emergency situation.

The announcement echoed.

Far away, the emergency room doors opened.

* * *

”Why are you asking me that? No, let me ask again. You answer first.”

The screen returned to the locker room.

Leaning crookedly, Myeong Jeha asked,

”Phone number and what? My biggest secret? Why the hell are you curious about that? Right now.”

A heart-rate warning appeared on Do Gyeoul’s smartwatch.

[180 bpm]

Beep beep beep beep.

The watch was sounding an alarm because of her rapid heartbeat.

Myeong Jeha’s sweat-soaked neck came into view.

The camera moved around behind his broad shoulders.

And then what it caught after passing him was—

”Because, obviously.”

Tak Jeongyun’s face.

”Because we’re going to meet again next time.”

Tick, tick, tick—

The sound of time rewinding.

Time returned once again to the beginning.

As if finally prepared to reveal the truth behind everything, a drone shot showed the entire hospital.

In the upper right corner was the number ”1”.

Tak Jeongyun’s dull, emotionless voice played over it as narration.

—Today is the 364th time I’ve repeated this day. Tomorrow will mark one year.

-??

-?????? HOLY SHIT

-STOP STABBING US IN THE BACK MY FACE HURTS

-TT____TT It was the senior all along

-Holy shit

-HOLY FUCK

-?

The discussion boards for exploded.

January 1st.

The moment everyone’s New Year’s resolutions and plans for miracle mornings were utterly annihilated.