The theater was filled with muffled sobs, audible even as the movie's closing music blasted through the speakers.
Jian's death scene had struck deeper than anyone had anticipated, transforming him from a character despised in the book to one mourned in the film.
It was in his final act of sacrifice that Jian had become human—a figure people could root for. And though fans knew how the story would end, watching it unfold unexpectedly made everyone feel they were reading the book for the first time.
In the audience, the DAWN members Jisung and Jaeyong clung to each other, wiping their tear-streaked faces. "My bro," Jisung sniffled. "Why did he have to die?"
Jaeyong, similarly affected, nodded, choking back more tears. "June really killed it," he mumbled.
Akira, though moved himself, glanced at them and shook his head, offering a small, knowing smile. "Nah, he got killed," he snickered.