Chapter Text
prelude
The Maniac has thrown the world into a screaming frenzy! The kids and tweens of ages alike just can't get enough of the tales of the Girl in Red and her rambunctious, murderous nemesis – the maniac scientist, himself – Dr. Frankenstein! Catch the seventh book to the critically hit series, Maniac, in your local bookstores now! Who knows – you just might get an autograph from the acclaimed author of the children's horror series, herself, Goo Ryeon! (Shh, secret: she's currently on an international tour!)
Maniac is now available across ninety-two countries worldwide, in continents Asia, North America, and South America. Buy the spine chilling series for a goooosebumping night, serial killer lovers! And you'll find yourself shrieking for more!
- an excerpt from Kids' Haps Magazine on June 15th, 2023
BREAKING NEWS. Woman (age 36) found dead at an abandoned two-story home near Itaewon after being declared missing for six months. At this juncture, the criminal act will be under the jurisdiction of Itaewon District's Police Precinct; in the precedence of the Captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit; Song Jinho.
Song Jinho has yet to comment on the killer's last message found written in red lipstick around the victim's throat. "I'm in my house at the Hills, with the Reaper," the killer wrote. "Heo Nayoung."
The police are currently tracking the fingerprints found in the lipstick left behind at the scene of the crime. The detectives in charge have also interrogated several women with the name Heo Nayoung found living close or have been around Itaewon quarters at the time of murder.
When asked regarding the killer's way of leaving – what the detectives call a "childish message" – at the crime scene; Song Jinho has left no further comments.
- an excerpt from The Korea Herald on June 29th, 2023
Three women (ages 16, 19 and 20) have been found with their skulls crushed and their throats slit inside one of the rooms of Seoul Golden Apartment. The landlord has alluded to the rotting smell of deceased flesh drifting around the 3rd floor's ventilation system that had garnered several repetitive complaints from five clients halfway after midnight. Cleaning service (two janitors) found the three dead women at Room 309, 3rd floor at around 6 AM, after sunrise.
The police have marked it as the work of a new serial killer in the making. They quickly affirmed all three deceased women's identical names; Heo Nayoung.
TheReaper.jpg
Figure 1.2 (picture above): I'm in my house at the Hills, with the Reaper. The killer wrote in red lipstick, found on the carpet floor beside one of the victim's bodies. Noh Eunbi, they wrote next to the phrase.
- an excerpt from Kyunghyang Newspaper on August 8th, 2023
Several netizens have left word of how the new serial killer found active between Itaewon and Jumadeung Districts – carries the craft of a rampant, unoriginal, and repetitious copycat. They say their crimes are a perfect duplication of a famous fictional character's homicidal undertakings; Dr. Frankenstein of Goo Ryeon's children's horror series, Maniac.
Is it an obsessive fan driven by the course of creative psychosis? Or simply an unstable psychopath who wanders the streets under the glory of physical assault and sadism? Leave your comments below!
COMMENTS
It is a horror novel come to life. What fucking nightmare fuel is this?
- GodsAndGoddesses19
They got their inspiration from a controversial children's horror series? What a nutjob. Everybody stay safe! Remember how the Girl in Red never runs from the Maniac; you avoid them at all costs!
- EllaNicoleOJT
It's a schizophrenic heavily influenced by a children's series. The mentally ill strays further and further from reality everyday. How fucking scary could they be?
- TheLoverofGrief_Fanatic
RECAP: Song Jinho is currently investigating the three late victims' relationships with any women named Noh Eunbi. The netizens believe it is one of the killer's personal nuances; leaving behind the name of their next victim at the place of crime (in a similar way the fictional character, Dr. Frankenstein, would do in his own killings).
The criminal case still remains unsolved.
- an excerpt from DongA.com on August 10th, 2023
The National Police Agency (NPA) have issued a warning to all citizens living under Seoul City (specifically around Jumadeung and Itaewon Districts) to be vigilant and stay safe around the city streets. Seoul City has been put under curfew; nobody is allowed to walk the streets after 10:00 PM.
This is in correlation to the updates of The Lover of Grief unsolved homicide case, where the serial killer at large – officially dubbed by the Korean law enforcement as Jekyll and Hyde – still remains rampant.
RECAP: Song Jinho reports that the latest victim of Jekyll and Hyde ("Lover of Grief" unsolved case) was a sixteen year old, female highschooler – who was found floating among the waters of the Han River. Her throat was reportedly slit, with evidence of mutilation found on the cheek, chest, and stomach. The media have discovered her to be the teen declared missing three months ago; Noh Eunbi was rumored to be her name.
JekyllandHyde.jpg
Figure 1.3 (picture above): Jekyll and Hyde (criminal) have left their signature phrase at the crime scene, written in their hallmark red lipstick, I'm in my house at the Hills, with the Reaper. This time she wrote it on the doused tape secured on the mouth of the deceased victim.
Goo Ryeon, was the name they followed with next.
- an excerpt from The Korea Times on November 11th, 2023
International Bestselling Children's Author, Goo Ryeon comes home after her international tour promoting her hit series, Maniac!
"The eighth installment is already in the making," Goo says, "It will be the final book of the Girl in Red's dark, urban tale. And the denouement to Dr. Frankenstein's serial killings. Please look forward to it soon."
When questioned regarding the inspiration for her last book (and official end to her popular series), Goo answers with, "I have a neighbor who can't sleep at night. Maniac was largely inspired by his nightmares. I'd like to think he's waiting for me to come home after not seeing him in so long – and frankly, I am too. He's the closest thing I can call family, and I miss his grounding presence a lot. But mostly, I'm sick of hearing him complaining about a criminal who takes after my character a little too well – only through phone calls (soft laughter). I also want to hear just how much this criminal resembles Frankenstein so much in the flesh – maybe that's how I'll plan the series' ending?"
Book Eight: Revelation of Maniac will be released across one hundred-eighteen local bookstores nationwide! Please look forward to it soon, serial killer lovers!
- an excerpt from Seventeen! Magazine on December 16th, 2023
Jekyll and Hyde is coming for you!
Jekyll and Hyde is coming for you!
Jekyll and Hyde is coming for you!
Figure 1.4 (see picture above): a hooligan has painted Itaewon District's Police Precinct's outside walls with the phrase, Jekyll and Hyde is coming for you!
- excerpt from Seoul Daily on December 16th, 2023