The last streaks of twilight faded over the jagged ridges surrounding the outskirts of Seoul as two black vans pulled into the cracked concrete driveway of the abandoned Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital. The towering, overgrown structure sat in eerie silence, its shattered windows staring down like hollow eyes in the dimming light. The air felt heavy and unnaturally frigid, thick with the scent of damp moss, rusting iron, and decaying leaves.*

Van doors slid open in rapid succession, the heavy thuds echoing across the empty courtyard. Camera cases, tripods, portable floodlights, and battery packs were unloaded onto the dirt while excited banter filled the quiet night.

"Remind me why we agreed to break into an abandoned asylum at midnight?" James asked, slinging a gear bag over his shoulder and turning toward the group.

"Because two million subscribers didn't sign up to watch us walk through a mall," Martin answered with a grin, adjusting the heavy rig on his shoulder and testing the focus wheel.

"Exactly," Minju added, adjusting her jacket. "Plus, the thumbnail for this collab is going to go crazy."

Giselle adjusted her backpack, glancing over at Ahyeon with an amused smirk.

Before Ahyeon could reply, Martin suddenly swung the camera lens toward the two of them.

"Behind-the-scenes content! Say something for the vlogs!"

The bright camera light flickered to life, illuminating the fog rolling off the hills.

"What's up, everyone?" James greeted enthusiastically, stepping into frame beside Martin's camera. "Tonight's mega-collab is officially happening. We're deep in the mountains outside Seoul with Hanni, Giselle, Wonhee, Ahyeon, and Minju, and we're about to enter the most haunted site in South Korea."

Seonghyeon pulled out his tablet, the bright blue screen lighting up his skeptical face.

"I pulled up the old forum threads about this place on the drive over. Apparently, there are a few unspoken rules for surviving Gonjiam."

Juhoon just nodded quietly, giving a small chuckle as he double-checked his flashlight beam.

"Rule number one," Seonghyeon read aloud. "If you hear an elevator chiming on an unpowered floor, do not look inside."

"Rule number two: Do not answer if you hear a teammate calling your name from behind a padlocked ward."

"Rule number three: If you see a shape moving on the ceiling, turn off all flashlights immediately."

"Rule number four: Never, under any circumstances, look directly into the carousel mirror in the courtyard."

A moment of silence settled over the group before Hanni burst into laughter.

"People actually write this stuff online with a straight face?"

"Hey, local urban legends build the best tension," James countered.

Wonhee shook her head, pulling her thick jacket tighter against the sudden breeze.

"Or... we could just stick together, film the intro, and not actively provoke whatever spirits are allegedly in there?"

"Where's the fun in playing it safe?" James joked.

"Spoken like someone who isn't holding the camera," Wonhee replied, shaking her head with a light chuckle.

"Let's make a video nobody will ever forget."

None of them realized just how literal those words were about to become.

horror story btw