Episode 1: Clicked on the Future App
【This app is an all-in-one video application capable of filming, producing, editing, and broadcasting all types of video content, including movies, dramas, anime, and shorts.】
【Would you like to install the Premium Cut 3000 version?】
【Yes / No】
On my way to work, a hologram-like window suddenly appeared, blocking my view.
I looked around in confusion.
Strangely enough, the hologram window followed my line of sight as if fixed in place.
‘What the hell is this? Am I losing my mind?’
I rubbed my eyes, closed them, opened them again—tried everything—but the message window didn’t disappear.
Out of desperation, I clicked “No” just to see what would happen.
As soon as I pressed it, the message window disappeared immediately.
‘Phew, thank goodness. I must’ve just imagined—’
【Would you like to install the Premium Cut 3000 version?】
【Yes / No】
No.
No.
Noooo!
This was driving me crazy. No matter how many times I pressed “No,” the message kept reappearing.
And the worst part? It was dead center in my field of vision.
I couldn’t see what station I was at or even what was right in front of me.
After frantically spamming “No” about a hundred times, I gave up in despair and reluctantly clicked “Yes.”
【The Premium Cut 3000 version has been installed.】
Finally, my vision cleared.
‘Damn it. What the hell is going on here?’
This was the kind of thing that only happened in fiction.
And it just had to happen on my first day at work.
***
“Doyoung, what’s with your face? Were you too excited to sleep at the thought of seeing celebrities?”
“Uncle, that’s not it.”
“This isn’t a set, so you won’t see many famous stars here. Don’t get your hopes up.”
No, the problem isn’t that.
It’s this stupid video app that was force-installed in my brain this morning.
【Would you like to start the Premium Cut tutorial?】
【Yes / No】
‘Seriously, what even is this thing?’
This job, which my uncle got for me through his connections, was already off to a disastrous start.
I couldn’t focus on anything because of this ridiculous situation.
If I clicked “No,” the pop-up window would reappear every 10 minutes, driving me insane.
Fine, you win.
I surrender.
Yes! Yes! YES!
I furiously mashed the “Yes” button in midair.
“If you ever come across our affiliated celebrities, stay as far away from them as possible. Wait, what are you doing?”
“Oh, uh, there was a bug flying around.”
“A bug bite won’t kill you. Stop flailing around—it’s distracting.”
“Sorry about that.”
【You can operate the system interface with your thoughts.】
【It is recommended to become familiar with thought-based controls.】
So, it works just by thinking?
Alright, let’s give it a shot.
It wasn’t as difficult as I expected.
In fact, it felt smoother and more natural than moving my hands or feet.
“Doyoung. Come here.”
Just then, my uncle grabbed me by the arm.
That’s when I finally noticed her.
A tall, elegant woman was walking toward us with confident steps.
‘Whoa. She’s stunning.’
How can a person look like that?
Is she what you’d call an elf-like version of a Homo sapiens or something?
I couldn’t stop my eyes from drifting toward her. So, I quickly forced my gaze elsewhere.
“Wow, Uncle. She’s insanely pretty. Who is she?”
“What are you talking about? It’s Chae Seoyoon.”
“Huh? Chae Seoyoon?”
“Yeah, Chae Seoyoon. Don’t tell me you don’t know her.”
No, no, of course I know Chae Seoyoon, the Hallyu star.
[TLN: Hallyu star refers to a South Korean celebrity who has gained global fame, particularly through music, TV dramas, movies, or fashion, as part of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Examples include K-pop idols and popular actors/actresses like BTS, BLACKPINK, and Lee Min-ho.]
“Well, people who see Chae Seoyoon in person for the first time often react like you. She’s an unlucky actress cursed by the lens. Cameras don’t do her justice at all. She’s way better in person.”
A Hallyu top star cursed by the lens?
But yeah, she’s seriously stunning in real life.
Even I didn’t recognize her right away.
It’s not that I didn’t recognize her face; I was just so dazzled by her overwhelming beauty that my brain temporarily shut down.
“Uncle, didn’t you say it’s rare to see famous celebrities at the office?”
“You’re lucky today, Doyoung. Even for me, this is the first time bumping into Chae Seoyoon at headquarters since I joined.”
She’s not just pretty— She really is mercilessly beautiful.
No, calling her “beautiful” feels insufficient.
It’s like the very concept of beauty took human form.
【Would you like to register Chae Seoyoon in the model database?】
【Yes / No】
What the—?
【Registering Chae Seoyoon in the model database.】
【Assigned to Slot 1.】
【Slot Status: 1/1】
Wait, I never said I wanted to register her…
【The Thought Interface operates based on the user’s decisions.】
So, you’re saying I instinctively shouted “Yes!” without realizing it?
【Would you like to remove Chae Seoyoon from the model database?】
No, not that.
I’m not sure what’s going on, but let’s leave it as it is for now.
***
‘Saying “yes” to the tutorial stopped the constant pop-ups from interrupting me.
Though it was a bit overwhelming, I managed to survive my first day at work.
“How’s work? Manageable?”
“Thanks to your help, Uncle.”
“The work’s tough, but our company pays well and takes care of meals. How long do you think you’ll stick around?”
“I’m not sure yet. For now, I’ll stay as long as I can and save up some money.”
“Work hard.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
It was already 8 p.m. by the time I got back to my studio apartment.
Since finishing my military service, this was the first time I’d had such a hectic day.
After showering and feeling refreshed, I finally faced the situation I’d encountered earlier.
“Premium Cut… What exactly are you?”
【This app is a video editing application for content creation. It was released in the year 3000.】
“Wait, what? The year 3000? So, you were created a thousand years in the future?”
【Correct.】
“Then why are you here in this era? Did you time travel or something?”
【This app does not have the ability to travel through time or space. The reason it was installed in this time period is unknown.】
【This app exists solely to assist users in creating high-quality video content.】
II tried asking the app more questions. and having a conversation with it.
It felt less like talking to a person and more like exchanging dry information with a chatbot AI.
According to its explanation, it was intentionally designed this way.
The developers wanted users to see Premium Cut as a tool, not as a sentient entity.
‘So, what kind of videos can I make?’
I had never imagined myself producing videos. The only reason I joined this company was because Uncle helped me snag a spot in the general affairs department at HQ.
【To spark your interest and make it fun, we’ll start with an easy parody video.】
【Searching for Model Slot 1: Chae Seoyoon.】
【Relevant videos found.】
A list of recommendations appeared on the screen, scrolling endlessly. There were 6,819,713 options.
I just picked one of the top five at random.
“Oh, this is that new CF (commercial film) for that soda everyone’s been talking about.”
A spring-themed commercial for a famous domestic soda brand.
The original CF featured Chae Seoyoon snowboarding down a dazzling snowy slope, performing cool tricks as she sped along.
At the end, she opened a soda can, took a refreshing sip, and the snowy scene transformed into a bright spring day.
“But what am I supposed to do with this?”
【Please specify the changes you wish to modify.】
I’d heard of AI art tools generating results based on commands. Was this similar?
The original CF was just Seoyoon snowboarding down a slope and drinking soda.
What if I turned it into a wild chase scene where she’s running from demons in hell?
Sounds fun.
“First, don’t change any of Seoyoon’s movements, but swap the snowy background for a giant volcano oozing lava.”
“Make it look like she’s surfing on the lava with her board.”
“And at the top of the volcano, instead of it erupting, have a colossal demon smashing it with its fists, causing the volcano to crumble. As she escapes.”
“Finally, don’t transition to a spring scene at the end. Instead, let the scene shift to a inferno, smack in the middle of hell. Yeah, that feels right.”
“Wait, while surfing down the lava, add some intense sparks flying off the board — like welding sparks.”
As I gave these instructions, the image in my mind grew clearer.
The more I got into it, the more creative I felt.
In just a few minutes, the mad chase scene was complete.
“Not bad.”
***
【Manager Kim, You have to see this. The editing is insane. (link)】
Cha Seoyoon’s manager, Kim Kyungwook, casually clicked the link sent by the road manager, who was overly excited.
It was a parody video that turned the recently filmed spring soda CF full-blown Hollywood action movie.
At first, he watched indifferently, but within seconds, his eyes widened as he sprang to his feet.
In the parody, Chae Seoyoon was not snowboarding on a snowy slope but surfing through rivers of molten lava flowing from a volcano.
Every time a massive demon tried to grab Chae Seoyoon with its fists, mountains were smashed apart.
Finally, she arrived at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by a hellish landscape of raging flames and demonic spirits.
With a bright smile, Seoyoon opened the soda can, took a sip. Then, she tosses the empty can behind her.
As the can hits the ground, a chilling frost rapidly spreads, freezing everything in its path.
The flames extinguish, the demonic spirits shatter into icy fragments, and the giant demon chasing Seoyoon turns into a solid Ice.
Behind Chae Seoyoon’s radiant smile, the demon’s soul was sucked into the empty can.
The can’s detached lid flew back into place, sealing it shut as if it were brand new, marking the end of the video.
Kim Kyungwook was genuinely impressed.
“What the heck is this? They turned the soda CF into a full-blown Hollywood action movie.”
He replayed the original commercial side-by-side with the parody.
“Wow… The parody makes the original look like the fan-made version.”
Seeing them side by side, the professionally made CF felt amateurish in comparison to the parody.
“Jinsung, who made this?”
—“I have no idea. It just popped up on WeTube and is going viral. Everyone’s asking if this is the real CF.”
As Kim replayed both versions back and forth, his phone buzzed.
【Incoming Call: Division Head】
A call came in from his superior.
“Yes, Division Head.”
“Kim, you’ve seen that parody of Seoyoon’s CF, right? The one with the crazy Hollywood-level CGI?”
“Yes, I’m watching it now.”
“Get in touch with whoever made it. You know what I mean, right?”
“I’m already working on a proposal.”
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