Death Name (2026)

[bunniefuu]

[upbeat music]

[upbeat music on TV]

[music fades]

[ominous music]

[door creaks]

[clatters]

[yelps]

[ominous music playing]

[woman screams]

[tense music playing]

[upbeat music playing]

Hi. Hi, there.

Do you want to join

Korean Students Society?

Oh, uh, I don't really speak... it.

[chuckles] -You pr-probably don't want me.

-I'm not that kind of Korean.

-[man] No worries.

[speaking Korean]

Hey, you look lost.

Want me to walk you to class?

I think I know where I'm going.

Thanks.

What happened?

-I thought you had it.

-Just, shut up, man.

Just make sure you give that to her

about 3-ish p.m. by today.

Next.

Hi, Sophie Park, I just transferred here

from Blue Ridge Community College.

Um, I need to register for

my humanities requirement.

All right. Okay, let's see.

Your first choice, History

the American Pastime.

Um... let's see.

I'm sorry, it looks like it's full.

Um... gotcha.

-Um... what about...

-I'm going to be honest.

You're not going to get anything

that's on this list as a transfer.

Um... this is what I have left

that will fit into your schedule.

I'm sorry, this is the best I can do.

Anything here you might be interested in?

[Kelly over phone] -So,

how was orientation?

Feeling good about the new school?

It was good. Just...

getting settled in, you know.

Have you met your roommate yet?

Nope. Who knows?

Maybe I'll get lucky and

get the room to myself.

[Kelly] You're still

driving back next weekend

to grab the rest of your stuff, right?

Is dad really that eager

to convert my room into an office?

Uh, yes, until we move this inventory,

we're stepping on all over each other

in this house.

Hey, mom.

Why didn't you guys ever teach me Korean?

Well, that's random.

It's not like I speak either.

Grandma only spoke English

to me when I was growing up.

Well, is that why you guys

didn't give me a Korean name?

That's a little more complicated.

Grandma wanted you to

only have an American name.

Why?

[Kelly] To give you the

best shot at success.

Even grandma changed her name to Hannah

when she immigrated here.

What was her name before?

[Hannah] Who is that?

You know better than to talk about this!

[Kelly] Okay, okay, I will stop.

[Hannah] I warned you. I thought...

Sophie, I've gotta go. All right?

-[Kelly] Love you, bye.

-I love you, too.

[Hannah] ...in the past! You don't listen!

[cell phone vibrates]

[water drips]

[ominous music playing]

[electronic beeps]

[door knocks]

Uh... coming.

[door banging]

-Yeah. Jeez.

[sighs]

[door creaks]

Great.

[man 1] Gotta get a drink, man.

[man 2] Like alcohol or something?

You wanna go get the chicken for lunch?

[woman] Actually, yeah. I will.

[man 1] Chicken sounds so good right now.

-[woman] He's not invited.

-[man 2] You're paying?

-[man 1] No.

-[woman] No, you're not invited.

[man 1] You wanna go without me?

Excuse me, guys.

[woman] ...thank you for the idea.

-Hey, uh, remember me?

-Yo. Yeah. Take a seat.

Of course I remember. How could I forget?

Ah! Hey, I'm Sophie.

Kwan.[Sophie chuckles]

Easy, bro.

-Will you sit down?

I'm Brian, and as this goon has

already mentioned, he's Kwan.

And it sounds like you've met Ari already?

-[speaking Korean].

-[Brian speaking Korean].

[Brian chuckles]

What are you doing tonight?

KSS is having their social,

if you want to stop by?

You should, girl. It's a ton of fun.

Uh, yeah, I'll think about it.

[Lee] Good morning,

class. I am Professor Lee.

And I can't wait to get to

know you this semester.

Let's do a quick roll call, and then,

we will get started with today's lecture.

Amadou Dixon.

Caroline Kim.

Megan Lanoue.

Norman Lee?

[Kwan clears throat]

Norman Lee?

[both chuckles]

-[Kwan] Kwan. It's Kwan.

[Lee] Becky Mitchell?

[Lee] Fiona Paek?

Present.

But actually, Professor,

could you call me by my Korean name?

It's Yoon-suh.

[Lee] Of course. Yoon-suh.

[Lee] Sophie Park?

Here.

Through the early part of the 20th century,

Korea began to industrialize,

but was set back by the

double whammy of two wars,

World w*r II, and of course,

the Korean w*r that followed.

[upbeat music playing]

Oh, hey, hey, Sophie, you made it!

-Woo!

-Yeah.

-Help yourself.

-All right.

You ready for your initiation tattoo?

Knock it off, bro.

[Ari laughs]

-That's just a joke.

Kwan likes to mess with the new members.

Okay, right.

I got you, though. All right.

We have a lot of events a few times a year,

uh, every semester.

Some, uh, karaoke, KBBQ,

and some mixers, too.

-Cool.

That's way more than we

had at community college.

Oh. Your old school was whack?

No, just small.

-Felt like I stuck out too much.

-Well, now you're one of us.

Here, uh, let me add

you to the group chats.

So... we gonna play a

drinking game or what?

-No way.

-Okay.

I'm going to go first, okay?

Never have I ever... been

forced to take golf lessons.

What the hell? That's not

how you play the game.

Drink, Brian![All chuckle]

Never have I ever taken piano lessons.

-You never took piano, Sophie?

-No.

My parents recognized pretty early that...

-I have zero musical talent.

-Lucky you.

My piano teacher used

to hit me with a stick

if my hands weren't positioned correctly.

-Your turn, Ari.

-Never have I ever

slept with a white girl.

[clears throat]

-[all chuckles]

-Whoa!

-Oh.

Okay.[All laugh]

What?

-Don't assume.

I like all kinds of people.

[Kwan] You're full of surprises, girl.

[chuckles]

Your turn.

Um, hmm... [clicks tongue]

Never have I ever slept with a white guy.

Um... could you guys help

me translate something?

Yeah, what's up?

Uh, it's my Korean name.

How do you pronounce that?

Uh... Park Joo Hyun.[Electric sparks]

[cell phone beeps]

-[grunts] Sorry about that.

-[chuckles] It's fine.

-I'll get it. I'll get it.

-Nice one.

[Sophie] Thanks. Shut up, Brian.

All right. Here you go.

-Thank you.

-So, uh, I'm actually curious.

Uh, who was this girl

you dated? Or, slept with?

All right. Sophie, you

really don't have to...

[Ari] What about you?

Oh, I-I don't talk about Christine.

How about we keep playing

the game that we were playing?

[tense music playing]

Sophie! I missed you!

I missed you too, grandma.

But it's only been two weeks.

[sighs] Really?[Sophie chuckles]

Two, only two weeks?

Felt like two months.

Come in, come in.

-Dinner's ready.

-Okay.

[solemn music playing]

Sorry, Soph.

We wanted to do something

special for you tonight,

but it's been a slow month.

Uh, it's okay.

Still beats the dining halls.

Tell us about your new school.

How is it, Sophie?

Um. It's so much better.

It's bigger. It's more

diverse. It's more fun.

More expensive.

Pass the salt, please.

Your dad and I met at college.

Remember how much fun we used to have?

-Hmm.

-Ew. Gross.

Sophie, how is your new school?

Tell us about it.

[somber music playing]

[gasps]

-Oh.

Here, mom, give me your hand.

Make any new friends?

[Sophie] Uh, yeah. At least I think so.

Actually, they're Korean.

[Gabriel] Good for you. Hey, maybe

you'll pick up a little Korean from them.

-Gabriel.

-[Gabriel] What?

[Gabriel] I don't think it's such a bad

thing for Sophie to learn the language.

Almost funny you mention that,

because I'm taking this class.

It's more of a history class, but still.

Yeah, I'm even, uh, considering

going by my Korean name now.

Who said you have a Korean name?

[sighs]

-I did.

-Gabe. Seriously?

-I... She was interested.

I don't think this is something

-we should keep from her.

-That is not the point.

You don't have a Korean name, Sophie.

Grandma, ca-calm down.

Don't talk back to me, you little child!

[Kelly] Mom!

[tense music playing]

I haven't seen her this bad.

It's not just the dementia.

[sighs]

Sorry, I shouldn't have

dredged all this back up.

I'm sorry, what am I missing here?

Forget it. I don't want

to talk about this again.

-No. What? Why?

-No, Gabe, you're right.

She's old enough to know.

[Gabriel] Sophie, when you were born,

my dad gave you a Korean name, okay?

We thought, our side of the family,

it was important for you to have one.

But grandma did not... approve

to say the least.

-Why?

[Kelly] You have to understand.

Grandma lost everything in Korea.

So, when she came to

Georgia, the safest thing to do

was just be as American as apple pie.

But things have changed.

And I know that she left

because of the w*r, but...

Not just the w*r.

It was because of her mother, too.

Sophie, your great-grandmother

took her own life.

In Korean society, that's seen

as a weakness in the bloodline.

Grandma was an outcast

when she was basically your age

while she was pregnant with your mom.

We didn't just leave Korea,

Korea left us first.

But, mom...

As much as I hate to say it, I was wrong.

And we should give your

grandma more respect.

So, after you finish your dinner,

please go upstairs and apologize.

Are you serious?

Fine.

[man on TV] Three two hits incoming.

And a big hit! Into the hills.

Runners out at second and third.

Three up, three down.

That takes it for the

top of the ninth, 4-0.

And with that we'll take a break.

Is this the game

Martinez hit for the cycle?

I was at this game.

There are some things I still remember.

[sighs] Grandma, I'm-I'm sorry.

I did not mean to upset you. I just...

I was excited that I had a Korean name.

Sophie... you have to understand.

I moved your mother to

this country to protect her.

And now I'm trying to protect you, too.

Before I forget.

Protect us from what?

From the family curse.

The family curse?

Grandma, is this one of your superstitions?

This is not a superstition.

I know I sound crazy.

Especially, now that I'm losing my mind.

But promise me, Sophie.

Promise me, you won't use your Korean name.

Why? I don't think there's

any shame in going by...

[slaps]

[Sophie panting]

-Don't say another word.

-Sophie, are you okay?

Mom, you can't hit her.

I'm warning you, Sophie!

Don't speak that name!

-Don't speak that name!

-Let me see your face.

-What is she talking about?

-Honey, don't listen to her.

She's just having one of her bad days.

This is not one of her normal episodes!

She's getting old.

This is common at this age.

Soph, where are you going?

I don't want to stay here tonight.

-Not with grandma like this.

-Come on, you just got here.

Don't try to stop me.

[tense music playing]

[sighs]

[car engine starts]

[jarring indication]

Hey, where's the party?

Where're you going?

[sniffles]

[song playing indistinctly]

Still today

What can I get ya?

Um... I'll get a whiskey.

Something like his face

Just makes me want to stay

[Sophie sighs]

[music stops]

[slow music playing]

Pulling me under

I'm all so deep

The ironing and thunder

But you can hear from my sleep

[sighs]

It's feeling deadly

Dragging me down

Oh, my God. That

bathroom line took forever.

I was getting worried.

Thought you might have ditched me.

Maybe you can thank

me Thank me, thank me

Maybe you can thank me

Can I get you a drink?

[chuckles]

Maybe you can thank me

I'm sorry. I'm probably creeping you out.

I'd say you're doing just fine.

That was pretty savage, though.

Started from a ripple

Okay, I'm an as*h*le.[Chuckles]

I mean, if it had been

the other way around,

I would have been mortified.

[chuckles]

I'm Jun.

Sophie.

I am feeling weak

Thanks.[Chuckles]

[clears throat] So, are

you from around here?

-[Jun] Yeah, I'm new.

-Oh, yeah, same.

-Really?

-Yeah. Yeah, I just started.

Same.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Really?

-From Korea.

-Wait, you came from Korea?

-Yeah.

[chuckles]

-Do you like whiskey?

-I do.

-All right.

Cheers.[Giggles]

Oh, this weather is so nice, huh?

Yeah, I guess.

Can I ask you something that might sound

kind of weird?

Uh-oh, you're scaring me, Sophie.

Oh, my God. It's not,

it's not even that bad.

Okay, fine.

What is it?

If you're from Korea, how

is your English so good?

I'm sorry, but that's offensive.

No, don't worry.

Um, I've heard worse.

I attended international

boarding schools my whole life,

so I learned English from a young age.

And, of course, we spoke Korean at home.

Yeah, that's so cool.

I... wish I grew up like that.

Trust me, boarding school

is not like the movies.

-Hmm?

-It's gross.

Three hundred pubescent

boys who don't use deodorant.

Ew, I hope you use deodorant now.

But no, I meant the

speaking Korean at home.

Well, it's never too late to learn.

I don't know.

[Sophie giggles] -Well,

what about you, though?

Tell me more about yourself.

What are you interested in?

I'm still figuring that out.

Probably med school, maybe psychiatry.

Something where I can help people.

[laughs]

-What?

No, that was such an interview answer.

Okay.

Okay, well, this sounds kind of weird,

but I really love baseball.

Did not see that one coming.

Yeah, been watching

games ever since I was a kid.

With your dad?

Uh, my grandma, actually.

Yeah, it was like the first thing

she fell in love with in this country.

She has all these old tapes that kind of,

like, help her calm down.

Actually, she got me my first bat.

I still have it, so don't try anything.

[chuckles]

-Or else what?

You'll beat my face in?

No, not your face.

I like that part too much.

[chuckles]

This is me.

-So, when can I see you again?

-[clicks tongue]

Uh... Here.

[chuckles]

Okay.

[smooches]

I'm sorry, I should have asked you first.

-That was... bad.

-Don't be sorry.

[smooches]

[chuckles]

[giggles, clears throat]

[rain pattering]

-[thunder rumbles]

[Lee] King Gojong kick started

industrial development of

Korea at the turn of the century.

To this day, the cause

of his death is disputed.

Many suspect he was poisoned.

For time during Japan's rule of Korea,

he was even written

out of the history books.

Many Koreans were devastated

by the death of their emperor,

especially the older generation.

Historical accounts claim

that thousands of mourners

gathered in front of his palace

and grieved in silence until...

[unsettling music playing]

[lighting cracks]

Sophie, too much to drink last night?

[whispers]

-I know how you feel.

You all right?

[sighs]

Okay.

Oh, hey, here is what you missed.

[crickets chirping]

Hey.

What?

I'm gonna go to Cafe

104 tomorrow with this guy,

if you and Brian want to come.

Yeah, no thanks.

I don't want to be stuck

playing tour guide all day.

Okay, what is your problem with me?

-You really want to know?

-Yeah, I'm tired of your sh*t.

I think you're an insult to my culture.

[scoffs]

-It's my culture, too.

Mmm, but it's really not.

Never had to pay the price for it.

You claim it now that it's

popular and convenient.

You think being one of

us is eating Korean BBQ?

When just a generation ago,

my family couldn't even afford meat.

See, that's the difference

between you and me.

I'm not like this because it's trendy,

it's who I am.

What about the price my

family paid here in the U.S.?

I mean, you get to go to Ashby

and party your little heart out,

because people like

my family took all the sh*t

before you got here.

[water drips]

[suspenseful music playing]

Oh, God, don't start

Mm, hi.

[speaking Korean]

[sighs]

[speaking Korean]

Thank you. Hm.

[machine whirring]

Um, I'm glad I didn't scare you off.

Scare me off?

Why would you say that?

I wanted that night to never end.

[chuckles] -I guess because I don't

I don't normally sh**t my

shot with strangers like that.

Plus, I was on one because

I was kind of having a bad night.

[Jun] How come?

Uh...

Uh, family stuff.

[sighs] -We don't have to talk about it.

[upbeat music playing in the background]

It's not too spicy for you?[Scoffs]

You think I'm some white-washed p*ssy

don't you, huh?[Laughs]

Maybe.

Mmm, can't handle my ethnic spices.

[both laugh]

Okay, fine.

I-I just wanted an excuse

to feed you some of this.

[chuckles]

[chuckles]

Oh, my God.

That's so good.[Chuckles]

Mm-mm. I have to take a pic. I love this.

Have you ever been in love?

Wow.[Clicks tongue]

Straight to the good stuff with you, huh?

I'm just curious.

I think so. Maybe.

Well, then you haven't.

What?[Chuckles]

If you have to think,

then... you haven't been in love.

When you know... you know.

It just hits you.

Like a freight train?

More like... lightning.

What about you? Have you ever been in love?

Once.

But she ran off with someone else.

She... did not believe in

the meaning of forever.

You okay?

Yeah. Sorry.[Breathes deeply]

Nothing hotter than a

guy with baggage, right?

[sighs]

-Hey... come here.

[smooches]

Smile.

[squeals]

[camera shutter clicks]

Mm.

Well... next time we come back,

you gotta follow through on our deal.

-Spicy chicken feet.

-Um... okay. New deal.

I will try that,

if you teach me Korean.

-Really?

-Yeah, I wanna learn.

I just need the right tutor.

First things first.

You need a Korean name.

See, I'm ahead of the

curve, I already have one.

What is it?

Play your cards right...

maybe you'll find out.

[chuckles]

I've never met someone like this before.

That's exciting.

Is he cute?

Mom.

Hopefully, things don't move too fast.

We don't need another

mouth to feed around here.

Mom! Stop. [Chuckles]

But dad's gonna be

thrilled he's a Korean guy.

What about grandma?

How's she doing?

She's... Well, you'll see

when you come home.

Anyway, you should invite Jun too.

He might like a break from dorm food?

Uh, I'll-I'll ask him.

You and dad are ready for the trade show?

Almost.

It's hard with just the two of us, but...

Anyway, it's getting late.

You should get some sleep.

See you in a few weeks. Love you, Soph.

[call disconnects]

[water drips]

[suspenseful music playing]

[gasps]

[whimpering]

[door clicks]

-[footsteps approaching]

[Brian] Oh, sh*t, she's trying to sleep.

[Ari] Who the f*ck cares?

[both moaning]

You ready for this?

Yeah.

Wait, why? Should I be worried?

No, no, of course not.

Just... my parents

aren't like your typical,

traditional Asian parents.

They can be kind of extra.

You mean like... they give hugs?

Mm. Exactly.

Oh.

-We're here.

-Oh, Sophie!

Oh, don't worry about your shoes.

-It's not that kind of a house.

-Jun, nice to meet you.

-Oh, come here.

-Nice to meet you.

Come on in. Come on in.

Come, come in. Grab a seat.

-These are for you.

-Thank you.

Hey, where's grandma?

Uh, she's not feeling well.

Another doctor's appointment today.

But she'll be down for dinner soon.

-What happened?

-Mm-mm. Later.

[Gabriel] So, Jun, as Sophie tells me,

you're an engineering major.

Yeah. Electrical.[Chuckles]

My family's been in the

business a long time in Seoul.

How long?

[sighs]

-Well, actually

since electricity first

came to Korea in the 1900s.

[chuckles] -That's quite a legacy.

Yeah.

-Everything okay, Sophie?

-Oh.

Uh, dad, where's grandma?

Maybe I should just go check on her

-and make sure she's okay.

-[Kelly] Grandma's here.

Grandma, are you okay?

Mom. This is Sophie's boyfriend, Jun.

It's nice to meet you, Halmoni.

I've heard such good things about you.

I'm glad we finally got to meet.

Jun.[Blabbering]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Hannah blabbers]

[Kelly] I can't understand

what she's saying.

The more she forgets, the more

she regresses back to Korean.

[Hannah blabbers] -Oh,

I forgot the cucumbers.

I-I'll go with you.

[Kelly] Is that for us?

Oh, actually it's for halmoni.

Sophie said you're from Seoul.

So, I wanted to get you

something from your homeland.

Thank you. So thoughtful, Jun.

Mom, go ahead, open it.

[tense music playing]

[paper rustling]

[screaming] -Mom! Stop! What's wrong?

Mom, what's wrong?

[speaking Korean]

-What-what happened?

-I'm sorry, Sophie.

She freaked out when she opened my gift.

Magnolia berries.

What?

[Hannah speaking Korean]

[speaking Korean]

[both speaking Korean]

[speaking Korean]

[speaking Korean]

Kelly, get her meds!

Jun, and Sophie, take a walk outside. Go!

[Hannah screaming]

[speaking Korean]

Sophie.

Sophie, wait up.[Sighs]

I'm so sorry, Jun.[Sniffles]

I did not know that

she had gotten this bad.

[sniffles]

My dad said she's been

in and out of the hospital

for the last few weeks.

This was a mistake,

dragging you into this mess.

[sniffling]

-Sophie, stop.

You don't have to apologize

for your grandma being mentally ill.

Look...

I've had my demons, too.

[sniffling]

If anything, it's my fault.

All right?[Sobs]

I should've realized

bringing something from

her past might be triggering.

She just has a lot of weird beliefs.

Like... she thinks our family's cursed.

-Cursed?

-Yeah.

She doesn't even want

me to use my Korean name.

It's so stupid.[Sniffles]

You know

you still haven't told me what it is.

[chuckles]

Now, I'm a little embarrassed

to tell you. [Sniffles]

I don't even know if

I'm pronouncing it right.

Just say it.

Maybe I can just show it to you,

and then you can...

-No!

I wanna hear you say it.

Joo Hyun...

Park Joo Hyun.

[speaking Korean]

[soft music playing]

[smooching]

[ominous music playing]

[smooching]

[ominous music playing]

[moaning]

[moans]

[crickets chirping]

[alarm beeping]

[sniffs]

[cell phone beeps]

[screen tapping]

[cell phone beeps]

Crap! Oh!

[sighs]

[grunts]

[groans]

[Lee] Despite rapid westernization,

traditional culture has been

resilient to modern pressure.

For example, Chokbos,

or family genealogy books,

are still maintained in modern day.

Examples can be found

at the East Asian Library

here on campus, which has

the most extensive collection

of Korean archives in the U.S.

They have rare texts, photographs,

and primary sources and accounts

from provinces all across Korea.

Uh, can we see them?

Unfortunately, we had to

close the library for repairs.

But it should be ready

to reopen next semester.

[man whispers]

-Joo Hyun.

[echoing whispers] -Joo

Hyun. Joo Hyun. Joo Hyun.

Joo Hyun!

-Joo Hyun! Joo Hyun! Joo Hyun!

-Joo Hyun!

-Joo Hyun! Joo Hyun! Joo Hyun!

-Joo Hyun!

-Joo Hyun! Joo Hyun! Joo Hyun!

-Joo Hyun!

[ominous music playing]

Joo Hyun.[Gasps]

[panting]

[breathes deeply]

[inhales]

[switch clicks]

-[sighs]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[glass cracking]

-[screams]

[panting]

[ominous music playing]

F-f*ck.

[whimpering]

[whimpering]

[groaning]

[gasps]

[dramatic music playing]

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]

[door clicks]

-Yo, there she is!

-[Sophie] Hello.

-The prodigal child

has returned!

I'm sorry, I laid down for

a minute and passed out.

I've been so tired lately.

Ari says you've been

out a lot with this new

boyfriend of yours.

-Mm-hm.

[Kwan] Yeah, where is this dude anyway?

I wanna size him up.

Couldn't make it.

He was scared, huh?

Someone has to be.

[laughs]

-Come here.

-[Sophie] Oh.

[chuckles]

Glad you can make it.

One last hang before the holidays.

Thanks for inviting me.

Sorry I haven't been around lately.

No, it's okay.

Listen...

I probably needed some

time to get over the heart break.

[both chuckle]

You know, I'm actually

glad your boyfriend isn't here.

I don't think I could handle it.

[chuckles]

You're a good guy, Kwan.

Let's just have fun tonight.

-Deal.

-Yeah.

[laughs]

-All right.

-All right!

-All right!

-Ladies and gentlemen...

-Yo.

We are here to drink a

little, sing our hearts out,

maybe even get a little bit emotional.

[all laugh]

But first, we gotta

warm up our vocal cords!

This guy will find any excuse to get drunk.

I have actually never had soju before.

Shut up. No way.

You can't truly be one of

us if you never had soju.

Okay, now you sound like Ari.

-That's rude.

-All right.

-[speaking Korean] Yay!

-Yeah!

[groans]

Let's get this party started!

[all cheering]

Pedal to the metal b*tches

[speaking Korean]

-Come on!

[cheering]

And nobody's stopping me! Yo!

[lyrics indistinct]

Pedal to the metal

Go yo yo!

[lyrics indistinct]

And nobody's Stopping me! Yo!

[singing in Korean]

[thuds]

I have a question for you.

Anything.

Would you make a girl wait two days

before texting her back?

Two days?

Girl, you're being ghosted.

I wouldn't make you wait two minutes.

Wait, be honest.

Is he real?

[speaking Korean]

-Yeah, let's see a picture.

-Yeah.

[both groan]

[ominous music playing]

-I can't see his face for sh*t.

-[Ari chuckles]

[Kwan] Girl, you gotta step

up your selfie game, you know?

[all laugh]

-Chicka-chick-ah-chick-ah.

[music playing in background]

[gasps]

-Oh, my God!

-[Kwan] It's your song, Ari!

-Oh, my gosh.

[all laughing]

-[Kwan] All right.

Guys, come on, backup dancers. Let's go!

[speaking Korean]

[humming]

Take it slow I know,

I know I'm breathing

All these memories

floating In like waves

If you want to know

You'll be the first To hear it

The story of my life

Taking me home

I follow my heart

Believe in my soul

So tell me You'll all be okay

Watching over me

I can hear you calling

Wanna make you mine

Make it come alive

Watch me make my dream Become reality

Come on, come on

Take it, take it higher

Make it, make it brighter

[lyrics indistinct]

Never know that you are here with me

Take, take it, take, Take it higher

Make, make it, make, Make it brighter

No matter never

Know that you are here With me

I follow my heart

Believe in my soul

All right, all right

So tell me you'll be

Will be okay

All right

Watching over me

I can hear you calling

Wanna make you mine

Make it come alive

Watch me make my dream Become reality

Take it, take it higher

Make it, make it brighter

[music fading]

[ominous music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[whimpers]

[glass shatters]

-[screams]

-Ah, my eyes!

-I'm so sorry.

Kwan, are you okay?

-[Kwan] I...

[Ari] Someone, call 9-1-1!

[Kwan] You, shut the f*ck up.

[panting]

[ominous music playing]

[screams]

[whimpering]

[door clicks]

-[panting]

[car honks]

-[screams]

[whimpering]

[exhales]

[cell phone vibrating]

-[sighs]

[cell phone beeps]

-Mom?

[Kelly over phone] Sophie! Thank God.

Your father and I are

headed to San Francisco,

and your grandma's

not picking up the phone.

Wait-wait. I-I thought the

trade show was next week.

There was an emergency with a vendor,

and we had to leave early. Anyway, we asked

Ms. Collins to check in

on grandma, and she says

grandma's not answering the door.

Now, something might have happened to her.

So, we need you to drive up

right now and check on her.

I can't believe you guys

would leave her alone

in the condition she's in.

I know, honey, but we wouldn't have done it

if it wasn't so much money on the line.

Grandma's medical bills

are really compiling up.

[solemn music playing]

[footsteps approaching]

-[light flickers]

[keys jingle]

[gasps]

Listen to me if you want to live.

Grandma, what are you doing here?

[tense music playing]

Grandma. Okay. Careful now.

[Hannah speaking Korean]

[Sophie] What happened

here? [Hannah] No time to waste.

Come on.

[ominous music playing]

Grandma, is this you?

In Korea?

Open it.

[jarring indication]

That's my mother.

The night that she died.

That boy you brought home...

Did you reveal your Korean name to him?

I raised you, Sophie.

I know when you are lying.

Yes.

[whimpers]

I'm sorry, Grandma,

but he was the only one

that made me feel seen.

[sighs]

I know what's happening.

I know exactly who Jun is.

Generations ago, my

ancestor was Jun's bride.

[suspenseful music playing]

But she betrayed him.

He found out that she was having an affair.

He k*lled himself... displacing his soul.

Became a gwishin.

A ghost... that sought revenge,

driving the women in our

family to suicide for generations,

to be companions in the afterlife.

[sniffles]

Until it became my mother's turn.

[TV static buzzes]

I was only 19 myself

and heavily pregnant with your mother.

Shh.

[door creaks]

-[footsteps approaching]

[Hannah] He came for her.

My mother only saw one

way out of the madness.

To give into his demands

in hope that her suicide

would appease his spirit.

[woman] Ahh!

[ominous music playing]

[speaking Korean]

[speaking Korean]

[ominous music continues]

[Hannah sniffling]

I left Korea with your mother

and hid... under new names.

You see, I figured out

that the only way he could find us

is through our Korean names.

And he found you.

What can I do to stop him?

The rumor has it that finding his true name

is the key to helping him move on.

But for some reason,

there's no record in our family history.

I've been unable to find it.

Perhaps his name is

stricken from the-the record.

This is my fault.

I brought this curse back to our family.

I'm so sorry, Grandma.

[sniffles]

He won't get you, Sophie.

I'll make sure of it

if this is the last thing I do.

[thuds]

Grandma, you have to eat,

so you can take your medicine.

Just take a bite.

[smooshing]

Good. Keep eating, okay?

[sighs]

-sh*t.

Uh, I'm going to pick

up more pills, Grandma.

I'll be back soon, so please keep eating.

[munching]

For your protection.

[light flickering]

[ominous music playing]

[paper rustles]

Hi.

[paper rustles]

[man whispers] Joo Hyun!

[flesh squelches]

-[screams]

[panting]

[ominous music playing]

[screams]

-[glass shatters]

[screaming]

-[thudding]

[man yelps]

[man] Please! Stop![Screaming]

[screaming] [yelping]

[gasps]

[man groans]

-Oh. Oh, my God.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[car engine starts]

[Sophie] Grandma? Grandma!

[bat and paper bag clatter]

[ominous music playing]

[Sophie grunts]

[IV fluid drips]

[doctor] I don't know how

much you know already,

but your-your grandmother's health

has declined rapidly.

[Sophie] How long does she have?

I, um, recommend calling your parents.

I don't want to jump to conclusions,

but with your grandmother's

current condition,

she may not have much time left.

I'm sorry.

[suspenseful music playing]

[screen tapping]

[inhales]

[monitor beeping]

[sighs]

[Sophie sniffles]

[ominous music playing]

I know who you are... and why you're here.

I'm sorry my family

erased you from our history.

But my grandma doesn't deserve this,

-so just let her go.

-How about what I deserve?

Please let her go.

I don't want her.

Once upon a time...

I-I just needed her to get to you.

[sniffs]

I want you, Joo Hyun.

You'll be the perfect companion

for the afterlife.

[chuckles]

You have youth

vitality,

and everything I want in a bride.

[gasps]

Even you can't deny the chemistry we have.

[inhaling]

[speaking Korean]

So let's make a deal.

[cracking]

-[Sophie gasps]

What kind of deal?

You release her from this,

and I'll willingly sacrifice myself to you.

You can stop your search.

I just have one condition, though.

And that is?

Give me 48 hours.

I want my parents here, so

she doesn't wake up alone.

Deal.

Seal it with a kiss?

[scoffs]

[Jun chuckles]

-[gasps]

[ominous music playing]

[scoffs]

[speaking Korean]

[speaking Korean]

[Jun cackles]

[paper rustling]

[tense music playing]

[call dialing]

Come on, pick up. Pick up. Pick up.

[answering machine]

You've reached Kelly Park.

I can't come to the phone

right now, but please leave

a message, and I'll get

back to you as soon as I can.

Mom, when you get this,

head straight to St. Julian's Hospital.

It's an emergency.

I'll explain everything later,

but grandma's in a coma.

[ominous music playing]

[paper rustles]

[Sophie] Professor Lee, I need your help!

-Jesus!

-I've been trying

to translate these journals online,

but it's taking way too long,

and I don't have that much time.

I know it's a lot,

but could you read these documents for me...

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down.

Take a breath.

Start from the beginning.

I-I'm trying to find the

name of an ancestor

in my family tree,

but since I don't read Korean,

I was wondering if you could translate

some of these documents for me.

Is this for your term paper?

You know, you can't expect

me to help you last minute

when you have been slipping all semester.

Actually

my grandma's in the hospital right now.

[Lee] Oh.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

Doctors are saying that

she's close to the end,

and... it got me thinking

about our family history

and everything that

you've taught us in class.

My grandma sort of cut

ties with everyone in Korea

when she immigrated here,

and I want to show her our family tree

before she passes.

[tense music playing]

[sighs]

[sighs] Thank you so much, Professor Lee.

So, these are articles about

your family, as well as

birth certificates,

marriage license, death records.

All passed down to

maintain meticulous records

of the Lee family in Jongno-go.

Oh, at least one person every generation

kept a journal of his or her life.

Huh.

[paper rustling]

-Huh.

-[Sophie] What-what is it?

There's one entry here

that's particularly interesting.

It's dated October 13th, 1902.

Talks about a family member

who committed suicide.

They found him in the

water of a power plant,

drowned and electrocuted.

It says here his name will be cut out

of the family register

and buried away from

the rest of the ancestors.

Does it say who? Did it

mention a name? Anything?

No.

The name has been scratched

out throughout the journal.

[sighs]

Professor,

is there any way I can get

into the East Asian Library?

I'm sorry, Sophie.

The building's still closed for repairs.

Maybe I can find his name.

If I could just check,

then I think I'd like...

Even if I wanted to, I

couldn't help you tonight.

The whole building is a hard hat area.

You would have to wait for the construction

crew to come back in the morning.

I-I don't-I don't have until morning!

[gasps]

I get that this family

tree is important to you.

But causing a scene won't

solve your problems right now.

I wasn't...

I mean...[gasps]

I'm sorry.

I don't have much time.[Paper rustling]

I gotta go.

[smacking lips]

[cell phone pings]

-Oh. Hey, Ari babies!

Okay, I'm gonna be

trying out this new flavor.

But look how tiny and cute it is!

It's like me.[Smacks lips]

Mmm! Oh, my God, it tastes

like strawberry lemonade!

But I bought this with my own money,

so it's not sponsored, so

you can totally trust me.

[cell phone pings]

[footsteps thumping]

[tense music playing]

[metal rattles]

[switch clicks]

[paper rustling]

[grunts]

[sighs]

What the f*ck are these?

Floppy disks.[Screams]

Oh, God. What the f*ck, Sophie?

Why are you here? You scared me.

Yo, dude, you're scaring me![Gasping]

No one's seen you since

you ran out of karaoke,

and you haven't been

responding to the group chat.

And then what, I see you

sprinting across campus

in the middle of the night, sneaking into

this creepy f*cking library,

and now you're gonna smash my face in

like you did with Kwan?

H-how's he doing?

[sighs]

-He'll-he'll manage.

[sighs]

[rustling]

Look, whatever's going on with you,

you know, my therapy...

-Oh, my God, Ari!

I don't have time for this, okay?

I have to find something in here!

[panting] My life literally depends on it!

[sighs]

[rustling]

[Sophie mumbling]

[rustling]

[Ari] It's not like you could

read any of these, anyways.

What are we looking for?

[Sophie sighs]

[rustling]

[floppy disk clicks]

-[keyboard clicking]

[floppy disk clicks]

[paper rustling]

[sighs]

[floppy disk clicks]

[scroll wheel scratching]

[floppy disk clicks]

[scroll wheel scratching]

Wait, stop. I think I found it.

The Yi family of Jongno-go.

Yep, that's it. That's

them. That's my grandma.

There's a caption.

Uh, okay, it says, uh,

"Yi Ji-won at the funeral of her mother

Yi Soo-mi."

Wait, d-do you see that?

Oh, never mind. I think it's just a smudge.

No.

That's him.

[Ari] Who?

Uh, can you see how far

back my family line goes?

Uh, okay, records go back a hundred years.

Wow. Your family must

have been, like, rich-rich.

Okay, print all of this

and let's get out of here.

[printer whirring]

Um... Oh.

[printer beeps]

Your family's really gone through a lot.

[printer whirring]

I can see why your grandma wanted

to start afresh in America.

[printer whirring]

You have her eyes.

[printer whirring]

[paper rustles]

I'm really sorry I ever denied you.

You really are. Joo...

-No! Don't say that!

[printer whirs]

I-I was just trying to be

nice. What is wrong with you?

What the f*ck is that?[Footsteps thumps]

[Sophie gasps] Run!

[yelps]

[shrieks]

There's the exit. Hurry!

[thumps]

-[shrieks]

[growls]

[gasps]

-Read the names, Ari!

[shrieks]

-[Ari whimper]

-What's going on?

-Just read the f*cking names!

Chae g*ng-un. Chae g*ng-un. Chae g*ng-yoon.

Chae g*ng-yoon. Chae

g*ng-Sun. Chae g*ng-il!

[both scream]

-[shrieking]

[lights flickering]

-[Sophie gasps]

[both whimpering]

Chae g*ng-il.

You did it, Ari.[Gasps]

We're okay.[Both panting]

[gulps]

I don't know what the f*ck is going on.

But whatever it is, be careful.

[Sophie] Come on.

Let's go. Let's go!

[monitor beeping]

[footstep approaching]

[thuds]

-[Sophie sighs]

[sniffles]

[Jun] Where are your parents, little lamb?

[armchair creaks]

[tense music playing]

Looks like it's just you... and me.

They're on their way.

[sighs]

Gonna do this or what?

Your choice.

[sighs]

Any last words?

Chae g*ng-il.

[tense music playing]

[gagging]

[coughing]

[laughing]

[distorted voice] -So you found my name!

You really thought that was gonna stop me?

[ominous music playing]

[whimpers]

You wanted this,

to be one of us.

Stop fighting it.

Time to join your ancestors.

[whimpers]

[grunts]

-Give in, Joo Hyun.

You found your people.

We could be together

forever.

All you have to do

is take another step.

[monitor beeping]

[whimpers]

[whimpers]

[sniffling]

-[thuds]

[tense music playing]

[sniffling]

[ominous music playing]

[monitor beeps]

-[Hannah] Sophie.

Grandma, no![Groaning]

[Sophie whimpering]

[sobbing]

[eerie music playing]

[softly] My name i-is Yi Ji-won.

[sniffling]

I'm sp-sparing you from this curse.

Live life... your own way.

Joo Hyun-a.

[gasps]

[sobbing]

[exhales]

[sobbing]

[somber music playing]

[sniffles]

This is beautiful, Joo Hyun.

[sniffling]

[exhales]

[sniffles]

I need a minute.

[dramatic music playing]

[music fades]

[heart beating]

[gasps]

[upbeat music]

[singing in Korean]

All these memories

floating in like waves

If you want to know

You'll be the first to hear it

[singing in Korean]

Wanna make you mine

Make it come alive

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]

Watch me make my dream become reality

Come on, come on

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]

[singing in Korean]