A new drama meticulously prepared by OTV, the network that had created a new success story in cable dramas with The Sunshine.
However, the only information released so far was that The Sunshine's writer, Hong Soo-eun, and actress Ha-eun, who played Kim Jung-hyun, were collaborating once again.
That alone was enough to generate buzz, but strangely, no other details had been made public.
ㄴ Isn’t Ha Yun-seong in it?
ㄴ He’s not the male lead, though.
ㄴ So they’re filming at least.
ㄴ Wait, is this a historical drama? Why is she wearing hanbok?
ㄴ Damn, seeing her reminds me of Our Lady... I’m crying ㅠㅠㅠ
ㄴ Where do you live?With no official articles and not even a proper rumor to latch onto, speculation ran rampant across online communities and social media.
No matter how big the names Ha Yun-seong and Ha-eun were, it was unusual for a drama to be this secretive.
Promotional efforts were essential for a show's success.
Yet, with even the cast list of God and the Goblin remaining undisclosed, debates continued across the internet.
ㄴ "Our Leni"? Is she your friend?
ㄴ She’s the same age as my daughter.
ㄴ Sir, your speech pattern...
The sheer lack of confirmed details led to rampant speculation.
Some even joked that this was all just an elaborate noise marketing stunt.
Title > ??? : No spoilers now, or ever.
(Photo: Hong Soo-eun interview image)
"The calm before the storm."
"Whether we’re the weak ones or you are—let the results speak for themselves."
"Shut up and be patient until the teaser drops, you little dicks."
ㄴ There’s a rumor it’s Yoo Sung-jae.
ㄴ Didn’t he get choked to death by Lee Yeseo?
ㄴ *You clearly didn’t watch Veterans. *Time passed, but no official news came.
The only confirmed fact was that God and the Goblin was indeed in production.
Summer changed to autumn.
Autumn changed to early winter.
Mentions of the drama grew quieter.
The day after Ha-eun’s college entrance exam, with less than a month until the drama's premiere—
The name God and the Goblin ignited like a spark catching on dry kindling.
While Ha-eun appearing in hanbok once again since The Sunshine caught some attention,
the real reason the teaser’s view count started skyrocketing was something else entirely.
"So, until we meet again, do not forget me."
"My one and only... regret."
A man whose face and voice remained etched into people’s memories, despite stepping away from the camera for over a decade.
ㄴ (Attached: Official God and the Goblin poster)
ㄴ The atmosphere is INSANE...
ㄴ (Attached: Screenshot of Luna Entertainment’s official actor list)
ㄴ Legendary compliment ㄷㄷㄷThe final scene of the teaser, revealing Kang Sun-woo’s return, spread like wildfire.
Even with the lingering aftermath of the college entrance exams, nearly every community and social media platform was flooded with talk about God and the Goblin.
ㄴ At this point, something must be cursing her.
ㄴ Apparently, Ha-eun dragged him into this by force?
ㄴ HA-EUN I LOVE YOU WTF!!!!By Friday evening, God and the Goblin had completely taken over the internet.
Gone were the rumors and skepticism.
"OTV’s God and the Goblin poised to become the next phenomenon after The Neighbor Next Door."
"‘God and the Goblin’ Kang Sun-woo: The power of a man in a suit."
"Kang Sun-woo & Ha-eun, reunited after 10 years... God and the Goblin teaser released."
"Two ten-million ticket actors reunite—God and the Goblin teaser surpasses 1 million views."
Entertainment reporters, who had been looking forward to a relaxing Friday night, found themselves scrambling into emergency mode.
But they couldn’t complain.
Missing out on a story this big would be an instant disqualification as a journalist.
And the firestorm wasn’t contained to Korea.
It had already crossed the ocean—
More specifically, it had reached Ha-eun.
"Why didn’t you say anything?!"
"So, wait—you filmed with Kang Sun-woo during the day and then played games with us at night?"
"Is Kang Sun-woo really in it? Like, not just a cameo? He’s actually the male lead?"
Of course, the reactions in Korea and the ones inside this Japanese hotel were a little different.
But the result was the same—pure chaos revolving around Ha-eun.
"What do we do with this adorable creature?"
"I watched the teaser and I already fell for her."
"So... does she die again? If Ha-eun dies again, I might be too depressed to stream."
Not only were the first-gen members of Illusionary Realm huddled around Ha-eun,
but even the second-gen members, who still felt a little awkward around her, had joined in.
‘This is just like that meme...’
A helpless baby penguin being mobbed by a horde of others.
That was the image that flashed through Ha-eun’s mind, perfectly mirroring her current predicament.
Of course, she understood why everyone was so excited, but...
Being surrounded by people she had admired in her past life was enough to make her head spin.
In the end, she made a run for it.
Pushing through the noisy crowd, she broke free and darted ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) toward Ji Hye-min, the highest-ranking person in the room.
Then, putting on her most pitiful expression, she clung to her.
"Unnie, I haven’t even eaten... I’m starving...."
"Well, they do say that even sightseeing comes after a meal. Let’s eat first."
"...Am I the sightseeing spot in this analogy?"
"Can’t say you’re not."
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
With that, Ji Hye-min finally took control of the situation, laying out the upcoming schedule.
For now, the group decided to return to their rooms and unpack.
As the first-gen and second-gen members all scattered like a receding tide, Ha-eun let out a sigh of relief.
Sure, she’d be seeing them again in a few minutes.
But at least she could catch her breath for now.
The only one left in the room was Da-yeon.
Or maybe it was the deep betrayal Ha-eun felt when Da-yeon didn’t protect her from the chaos.
"I-I think I’ll head out first—"
"Where do you think you’re going?"
The moment Da-yeon tried to flee, Ha-eun grabbed her tightly with both hands.
Lifting her off the ground, she carried her back inside.
"You know what happens to traitors."
Da-yeon flailed helplessly in midair as a dreadful feeling washed over her.
No matter how much she struggled, she couldn’t escape Ha-eun’s grip.
She was slammed onto the bed, and before she could recover, Ha-eun launched an all-out tickle attack.
"Not only did you fail to protect me, you even opened the door and welcomed them in? ‘Come on in! Come on in!’"
"Ahahaha!! I’m sorry, I’m sorryyy!! Hahahaha!!"
Overwhelmed by Ha-eun’s fingers relentlessly tormenting her sides, Da-yeon collapsed onto the bed in defeat.
Only when she lay sprawled out, weakly twitching, did Ha-eun finally nod in satisfaction.
"That’s what happens when you betray me."
"...You crazy brat...."
With their merciless battle over, Ha-eun threw on a warm coat and headed for the door.
Da-yeon, still fixing her disheveled hair, reluctantly followed after her.
A short while later, they reunited with the rest of the group in the hotel lobby.
Unlike everyone else, who was dressed casually, Nael stood there wearing a hat, sunglasses, and even a mask.
"...? Ji-hye, do you have a cold?"
Without thinking, Ha-eun asked why she was wearing the classic “celebrity disguise.”
For a moment, an awkward silence fell over them.
"Ah, w-well... Ha-eun, you see...."
Nael hesitated, clearly flustered.
She glanced nervously at Ji Hye-min.
"Well, Ha-eun, Ji-hye says she doesn’t want to show her bare face."
"I don’t really care. I’m not wearing makeup either."
"...Wait, you’re not??"
And just like that, the conversation about Nael’s odd accessories fizzled out.
Something about how she only wanted to show Ha-eun her “prettiest face” or something like that.
Honestly, the strange tension between Ji Hye-min and Nael still felt off.
But for now, Ha-eun decided to ignore it.
She had more important things to focus on—like the wagyu steak Ji Hye-min had chosen for dinner.
Her mind was occupied with the thought of sinking her teeth into a juicy, flavorful cut of beef.
"Finish chewing before you talk."
“Are you talking about... a premiere screening?”
“Yes. There’s been a suggestion to pre-release the first two episodes. The teaser response has been great.”
Director Kwon Jae-hyeop hesitated at the unexpected proposal.
For the teaser to surpass a million views on its first day—
That meant the drama was already a major topic of discussion.
The problem was Kang Sun-woo.
His stance on the matter, or rather, his willingness to participate, was completely unknown.
He had already agreed to attend the press conference, but a screening event had never been part of the plan.
Of course, Kwon Jae-hyeop could ask him directly...
But somehow, he felt like his own words wouldn’t be enough to persuade him.
He needed to find someone else to convince him.
‘...It has to be Ha-eun, doesn’t it?’
After all, a lead actor like Kang Sun-woo skipping a screening event would be unthinkable.
And since Ha-eun had played a pivotal role in bringing him back, she was the only person who might be able to convince him.
Not long after receiving the proposal, Kwon Jae-hyeop pulled out his phone.
Luna Entertainment, upon receiving the director’s request, immediately contacted Ha-eun’s manager, Ju Jung-yoon.
“Hello? Ha-eun, it’s unnie. Do you have a moment to talk—”
[ “Neeee.... Unnie, go ahead....” ]
The voice that came from across the ocean sounded strange.
It was slurred, drawn out, and sluggish—
A tone Ju Jung-yoon had never once heard from Ha-eun before.