Editor's Review:

A Black Mirror-Style Satire on Necro-Capitalism
The original web novelist behind The Forbidden Marriage delivers a shocking genre transformation with this corporate bio-thriller that merges the horror of the undead with the volatility of cryptocurrency. In a near-future Korea, zombies are no longer monsters to be feared but "industrial assets" to be exploited. The mega-corporation Jenergy enslaves the undead using "Connector" technology to perform hazardous labor 24/7, paying their bereaved families in a digital currency known as "Zombie Coin."

The Undead as Assets, Not Monsters
The story asks a disturbing fundamental question: if death could be monetized, would we ever let anyone rest in peace? Genius scientist Yang Tae-rin is recruited to prove that zombies cannot be cured to protect the company's labor supply. However, she accidentally develops "Tanarex," a cure that restores humanity. This breakthrough triggers a massive conflict not just with the virus, but with the market itself—because curing the zombies means destroying the "infinite energy" that powers the economy.

Zombie Run Meets Bank Run
Author Cheon Ji-hye challenges readers: in a hyper-capitalist society, is humanity a liability? The narrative culminates in a catastrophic dual collapse. As the "Zombie Coin" bubble bursts due to the rumored cure, the physical control system fails, unleashing a horde of unpaid, angry worker-zombies upon the city. The "Zombie Run" and "Bank Run" happen simultaneously, blurring the line between those hungry for flesh and those hungry for profit.

★ The novel is adapted from Chun Ji-hye’s original screenplay/IP pitched at the 2025 Story IP Market, where it drew industry buzz as a standout “K-black comedy” concept. A 6-episode TV series script is fully developed, ready for production.

★ Necro-Capitalism: A critique of how capitalism can commodify even death, turning zombies into "ideal workers" (no sleep, no pay).

★ The Dual Virus: The story parallels the biological virus (zombies) with the financial virus (speculative bubbles/crypto), showing how both destroy society.

★ Satire of Greed: Through characters like "Kkorabak" (a streamer), the novel satirizes the modern obsession with quick riches and the loss of humanity in the face of money.

“When zombies are Korea’s underclass workforce paid in cryptocurrency, a rumored cure sends “zombie coin” prices sky-high – until a catastrophic outbreak turns the whole system on its head.”

Welcome to the only country that put zombies to work. In near-future Korea, the government has privatized zombie containment – and turned the undead into the ultimate cheap labor force. The corporation “Jennergy” corrals zombies and deploys them to do society’s most dangerous, dirty, and demeaning jobs. Even after death, the underclass keeps laboring. How are these zombie workers compensated? With a blockchain-based cryptocurrency dubbed Zombie Coin, of course. For years, this macabre system keeps churning… until Dr. Yang Tae-rin, a new researcher at Jennergy, secretly develops a cure that could turn zombies back into humans. When whispers of a “zombie cure” leak, investors panic that the supply of zombie labor (and thus zombie coin) will shrink. In a darkly comic twist, zombie coin’s value skyrockets overnight, making those formerly rotting wages suddenly worth a fortune. Overnight, South Korea’s lowest caste – the zombies – become the wealthiest elite on paper. Young people start volunteering to become zombies for a shot at a job and quick riches, while the elderly plan for a “zombie retirement.” But just as the frenzy peaks, an accident at Jennergy breaks the containment walls. The zombies flood the streets, the coin crashes, and the nation’s economy teeters on collapse. Part biting social satire, part action-thriller, Zombie Coin holds a mirror to rampant capitalism and class division – through the outrageous lens of a zombie apocalypse.

Chun Ji-hye

Chun Ji-hye is a prominent Korean storyteller whose work spans romance, historical fantasy, and psychological thriller, marked by strong narrative control and emotional clarity. Emerging from the first generation of web novel writers and later establishing herself as a successful K-drama screenwriter, she has consistently created stories that translate effectively across publishing and screen formats.

Her writing is driven by high-concept ideas rooted in human desire and social tension.

The Fairy of Love explores modern relationships through sharp dialogue, while The Forbidden Marriage reimagines Joseon-era romance with wit and dramatic momentum. Karma Note: The Reincarnation Chronicles of Joseon presents a striking historical fantasy centered on moral consequence, and The Murder in the Mirror expands her range into tightly constructed crime fiction across parallel realities.

Across genres, Chun Ji-hye’s works demonstrate clear pacing, adaptable narrative structures, and strong international potential.

Part 1: What Are You Doing If You're Not Playing?
Part 2: Mong-soon's Sister
Part 3: The Goddess Is Watching
Part 4: The Flash Smelt Is Watching
Part 5: Zombie Run, Bank Run, Pants Run
Part 6: Messiah