Chapter 882: You’ve waited a long time, haven’t you? (11)

“Oh my. Our Jiho did well.”

“Aww.”

“Well done. I thought you were a janggu.”

At Junghyun’s remark, Jiho rolled his eyes.

We burst out laughing.

“Jiho, why are you sulking over something like that?”

“Hey... I’m a little hurt.”

He had probably expected praise after episode 2 ended, but when his older brothers didn’t live up to that expectation, he seemed disappointed.

“Our Jiho is an acting genius. A genius.”

“Say more.”

“I had no idea your acting was this outstanding. The immersion was insane. Before I knew it, I’d stretched my neck out and turned into a giraffe.”

“Hmm.”

“I can already see our great actor sweeping awards at ceremonies. I can see the beautiful future where Jiho wins an Oscar at the Academy.”

“More, more.”

“Man, it’s hard making a living.”

At my words, the youngest burst into giggles.

But seemingly satisfied with my praise, Jiho nodded.

“Well, I’ll settle for this. I could really feel your sincerity, hyung.”

At the youngest, who raised his chin with an arrogant expression, I shook my head and turned my gaze back to the screen.

Episode 2 ended. Eight episodes remained.

Ri Hyuk, who had been looking at the clock, spoke.

“Considering the time, I don’t think we can watch the rest right now.”

“Yeah.”

“Looks like we’ll have to skip them for now.”

Just as Biju smiled and tried to slip away—

Jiho suddenly raised his hand.

“Wait.”

“....”

“Hyungs, you’re not using ‘no time’ as an excuse to avoid watching, right? You’re not skipping it because it’s scary...?”

“....”

We’d been caught.

But who were we?

Mischievous older brothers perfectly capable of fooling a single kid.

“Jiho, are you really going to say something that hurtful?”

“That hurts.”

“This is why I always say there’s no point raising Wang Jiho. Ingratitude is his default.”

Just as we were admiring our own shameless acting—

Jiho let out a short sigh and smiled.

“Don’t ever try acting anywhere. Except Wooju hyung....”

While the others flared up, Jiho continued.

“But seriously, if we don’t watch it now, I feel like you guys won’t watch it at all. Honestly, it’s not like we’re that busy, right?”

“....”

“Can’t we just watch a bit more?”

“....”

“Then I’ll count this as my birthday present. Though if you actually don’t give me one, I might be a little upset....”

Those sparkling eyes, like a cat in boots, softened our resolve.

Ri Hyuk proposed a compromise.

“On one condition.”

“What is it?”

“If something scary comes up like before, we’re leaving immediately.”

“Yes, yes!”

Jiho beamed.

“That’s a relief. All the scary parts are already over. From now on, it’s more like a fantasy adventure....”

“Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

We decided to trust Jiho one more time as he nodded repeatedly.

Ri Hyuk emphasized.

“If it gets scary, we’re leaving.”

“Okay.”

As if that would never happen, Jiho started episode 3.

Doom—!

As the N logo appeared, the subtitle of episode 3 came up, and our eyes widened.

Episode 3 – The Ghost Ship

A ghost ship.

Maybe if it were a disheveled ghost or some bizarre monster, it would be scary.

But a skeleton captain cackling on a ghost ship? That didn’t seem particularly frightening.

At most, there would be ghosts floating around going “ohoho,” right?

[Crash—]

Late Joseon era.

In a fishing village, while the fishermen are out at sea, children are playing in the water.

Then suddenly, one child starts flailing.

[...Gasp! H-help...!]

As if something had grabbed him, the child struggles.

His older brother dives in to save him.

And at that moment—

He meets eyes with a grotesque entity clutching the child and grinning eerily. Disheveled hair and pale blue eyes beneath the sea.

“....”

“....”

In an instant, the entity snatches both children and swims in a grotesque motion.

In the deep sea, countless such creatures swim in the dark blue waters as if watching.

[Grurururur—]

A low growl echoes, as if there is a leader among them.

The creatures begin to gather around something enormous.

Limbs twist and combine, and from afar, it begins to take the form of a strange ship.

A ghost ship where the cries of captured children echo in place of a horn.

“....”

“....”

Swallowing hard, Jiho glanced around and awkwardly spread his hands.

“Ta-da. Ghost ship.”

“....”

“H-hey! Where are you going...?!”

Everyone stood up and started leaving at once.

Around the time NewBlack’s youngest was desperately trying to stop his older brothers—

Viewers who had started watching Shini at 5 PM were all experiencing the same symptoms.

“Gulp.”

They swallowed nervously, paused the TV, and rushed to the bathroom.

Those watching on phones or tablets simply continued playing as they went.

‘This is insane.’

That familiar thrill when you discover something truly entertaining.

Time was passing in a blur.

Each episode featured a different historical setting, and within it, the protagonist found brilliant solutions.

“Wow......”

On top of that, the visual spectacle.

Every episode showcased beautiful scenery that left mouths agape.

A valley of Gaya wrapped by a divine dragon.

A cave entered by Hwarang warriors searching for a mysterious entity, filled with relics of an unknown ancient culture.

A one-on-one battle in the snow between a Goguryeo general and the protagonist that was simply breathtaking.

“Woooow......”

The charm of Shini was simple.

An all-capable protagonist who changes the events of his past, one by one.

Each episode presents a new challenge, and he resolves it brilliantly.

Unifying a divided Hwarang through dazzling rhetoric.

Comforting the vengeful spirit of a fallen Goguryeo general.

Each episode stood independently, yet connected organically.

“Hello. Teacher Shini.”

In between, episodes related to the organization the protagonist belonged to appeared, and as secrets were revealed one by one, viewers were left stunned.

‘So that’s how saving the world connected like this?’

Saving a single independence fighter in the past returned later as an unimaginable, magnificent event.

When the identity of the organization was revealed, it sent chills down viewers’ spines.

In episode 10, when the story returned to the present and concluded—

“This is my story so far.”

The protagonist closed his eyes, letting the sea breeze brush against him.

For the first time in the series, he smiled.

And the title Shini appeared.

As the ending credits rolled—

Grrr—

Viewers on NetPlus suddenly felt hunger and tilted their heads.

“Huh...?”

“Huh?”

“What?”

They checked the time in shock.

The last time they remembered—it was 5 PM.

Now, it was 3 AM.

‘I’m screwed for work....’

“I was just going to watch one more episode... just one more...”

And before they knew it, it was nearly 3 or 4 AM.

‘I was supposed to wash my hair. Damn....’

‘My eyes are so dry. Where are my eye drops?’

‘Heh, is the winner... me, an unemployed person?’

As some blinked their dry eyes or grabbed towels to shower—

Even after the drama ended, people couldn’t fall asleep easily.

Their mouths were itching to talk.

That excitement after watching something truly good made their hearts race and fingertips tremble.

And as expected—

The internet was already exploding.

[Finished Shini �ㅍ]

I’m so glad Lee Han is happyㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Those foundation bastards

The ending hit so hard I still can’t sleep

– The aftertaste is insane

– Let’s go season 2

– Please season 2ㅠㅠㅠ

And countless analyses filled the forums.

[Things you notice after watching Shini]

(Dialogue comparisons.jpg)

Everything connects to past events

– For real, is that foreshadowing

– The story is insanely well structured

The directing was also highly praised.

Especially for those who had watched the web drama, the way all the plot threads were cleanly resolved was astonishing.

[Which episode was your favorite?]

– Gaya arc

– Gaya arc 222

Though the Gaya arc was popular, the most talked-about was—

– Independence fighters

– Independence arc

Clips of Wooju’s performance as an independence fighter were already spreading everywhere.

[Doesn’t Wooju deserve Best Supporting Actor this year?]

(Jinmo gif)

He absolutely carried the early part of Shini

While fans were losing their minds—

“Hahahahaha!”

There were those smiling even more brightly.

NewBlack’s fandom, Souffle, who had binged the entire series as soon as it was released.

‘It’s a festival!’

Their favorite point?

Outfits.

Wooju in a pilot uniform. Wooju as a barista. Wooju as an agent.

[Jiho’s costumes in Shini]

Porcelain-like skin and a youthful yet classic handsome face.

That face in countless historical outfits—

Assassin cloaks, Hwarang attire, royal garments, scholar robes...

“Thank you, production team!”

Every episode brought new costumes, new visuals.

It was pure bliss.

And the next day—

Everywhere people talked about the same thing.

“Did you watch Jiho’s drama on NetPlus yesterday?”

“It’s amazing.”

Even those who hadn’t subscribed yet began signing up.

“Free trial, anyway.”

And once they did—

‘This is good.’

Word spread like wildfire.

NetPlus’s subscriber count skyrocketed.

Executives stared in disbelief.

“Korea’s numbers are...?”

Tens of thousands—no, hundreds of thousands of new users.

NewBlack’s name value.

Jiho’s acting.

Massive budget.

A perfect script.

The combination was unstoppable.

And somewhere—

A middle-aged man stared at the screen, smiling.

Article after article praised Jiho.

“...Looks just like his father, huh.”

He typed a comment—

– Not sure whose son he is, but he’s got a great look haha probably takes after his father

Replies flooded in.

– Jiho’s dad...?

“Wait—!”

Chairman Wang Hyuntak hurriedly deleted the comment, hands trembling.

“...How did they know?”

Meanwhile, looking out toward Lemon Entertainment—

He muttered:

“Today’s a good day.”

His son was finally stepping closer to his dream.

And that was enough.