It was a bitterly cold night, the wind howling through the trees, carrying the whispers of forgotten tales. Sunghoon stood on the balcony, staring out at the vast city below, his thoughts drifting away like the snowflakes falling gently from the sky. He had no idea why he felt this way—like something was missing, something important—but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being pulled towards something, or someone, he couldn’t yet understand.

Across the world, in a similarly quiet, dimly lit room, Sunoo sat by his window, staring at the stars. There was a weight in his chest that he couldn’t explain, a longing he couldn’t place. It wasn’t sadness, but something deeper—something that had always been there, hidden beneath the surface. As the Lunar New Year approached, Sunoo felt like something was about to change. He had no idea that the change had already begun, in a place he couldn’t yet see.

Unbeknownst to them both, their fates were already intertwined, their dreams crossing in ways they couldn’t comprehend. They hadn’t met in person, but in the quiet of the night, they had started to see each other. In dreams that didn’t feel like dreams at all, they met—strangers with a bond that went beyond the ordinary. The vivid images of their dreams stayed with them, lingering long after they woke up. Faces they had never seen before, voices they had never heard—yet something about them felt so familiar.

And then, the amulet appeared.

It was during the first night of the Spring New Year when it began. Sunghoon had found an old box tucked away in the corner of his room, a family heirloom passed down through generations. Inside, wrapped in delicate fabric, lay an ancient amulet—its surface etched with symbols he couldn't read, its dark stone gleaming in the moonlight. He felt an inexplicable pull to it, as though the amulet itself was calling to him.

At the same time, Sunoo had discovered something similar—a small, ancient trinket hidden in the attic of his family’s home. It was old, like the one Sunghoon had found, and it, too, seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. When Sunoo touched it, a rush of warmth spread through him, and for a moment, he could have sworn he felt a connection to someone far away.

They didn’t know it yet, but the amulet was the key. The amulet was what had bound them together, not through strings, but through something deeper—something of destiny. Their dreams, their shared longing, all of it led them to this moment.

The Spring New Year, the time of renewal, was not just a time for new beginnings—it was the moment when their connection would truly begin to unfold. It wasn’t by chance that they had started to dream of each other; it wasn’t by accident that the amulet had found its way into their hands.

Fate had a plan for them.

And they were about to discover it, piece by piece.

The warm sunlight bathed the bustling campus of Seoul University, and at the heart of it all was Kim Sunoo. Known for his radiant smile and kind-hearted personality, he had become a beacon of positivity for students and faculty alike. As the Student Government President, he was everywhere—helping organize events, listening to student concerns, and even just chatting with anyone who seemed down.

“President Kim!” A first-year student ran up to him, holding a folder. “We need your approval for the charity event proposal.”

“Let me take a look.” Sunoo scanned the papers quickly, nodding. “This looks great. We’ll make it even bigger this year!”

The student beamed, rushing off to share the good news. Sunoo waved after them, his smile never fading. Yet, as he turned back to his friends in the council, he sighed quietly to himself.

“You’re overworking again,” his friend and vice-president muttered. “You don’t have to do everything.”

Sunoo laughed it off, brushing aside the comment. “I just like being helpful! And besides, it’s fun seeing everyone happy.”

Beneath his cheerful facade, though, Sunoo occasionally wondered if he had stretched himself too thin. The expectations from being so admired weighed heavily on him. Yet, he shook off the thought, focusing instead on his busy schedule. After all, this was who he was—the bright, ever-reliable Kim Sunoo.

Meanwhile, far from the bustling streets of Seoul, a quiet town nestled in the countryside awoke to the soft sounds of rustling leaves and distant birdsong. Park Sunghoon walked down the familiar road to his modest high school, the worn-out strap of his backpack digging into his shoulder. Life here was simple and predictable—almost too predictable for someone like him.

At school, he settled into his usual spot by the window in class, his gaze wandering to the fields beyond the campus. The teacher’s voice was a distant hum as Sunghoon let his thoughts drift. Though he was far from unhappy, there was a sense of restlessness buried deep within him. He often dreamed of a world beyond the rolling hills and small streets he knew so well.

“Earth to Sunghoon.” A voice broke his trance, and he turned to his friend, who was giving him an amused look. “You’re zoning out again. Daydreaming about the city?”

“Not really,” Sunghoon replied, shrugging. “Just… wondering what’s out there.”

“You’re always wondering.” His friend chuckled. “You know, you should just take a train and visit Seoul someday. Maybe then you’ll stop being so curious.”

Sunghoon smiled faintly, but deep down, he doubted a single trip would satisfy the yearning he felt. There was something out there for him, he was sure of it—though what, he couldn’t yet say.

As the day ended, Sunoo walked back to his dorm room, his mind already buzzing with plans for the upcoming week. Across the country, Sunghoon strolled home along the familiar dirt path, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. Neither knew of the other’s existence, their lives as separate as night and day. But somewhere, in a way they couldn’t yet comprehend, the wheels of fate had begun to turn.

Two lives, two completely different worlds. And yet, both Sunoo and Sunghoon were about to be drawn together by a force they would soon be unable to ignore.

Sunoo was full of energy as the school prepared for their much-anticipated Lunar New Year festival. Seoul University had always been known for its extravagant events, and this year, Sunoo made sure it would outshine any previous celebrations. As the Student Government President, his excitement was contagious, rallying students to prepare for an unforgettable night.

With traditional hanboks as the dress code, a stage set for performances, lanterns lighting up the campus, and mouthwatering food stalls lining the walkways, the festival promised to be magical.

That evening, Sunoo, along with Jake and Jungwon, stayed behind to tidy up after the bustling preparation.

“Sunoo, we’re practically done. Can’t we call it a night?” Jake whined, playfully tossing a broom aside.

“Not yet, Jake. This festival has to be perfect, and perfection means attention to every little detail!” Sunoo grinned as he adjusted a stray lantern.

Jungwon chuckled. “You really are the President of Perfection.”

As the three tidied the stage area, Sunoo noticed something sparkling near the base of a tree. Curious, he picked it up—a stunning amulet with intricate patterns etched into it. The metal shimmered under the moonlight, and it seemed almost otherworldly.

“What’s that?” Jake asked, peering over his shoulder.

“I don’t know,” Sunoo murmured, holding it up. “It’s beautiful. Maybe it’s someone’s, but… it feels like it’s meant for me.”

“Are you sure about that? It could be cursed,” Jake joked, earning an eye-roll from Jungwon.

“It’s just an amulet,” Sunoo replied with a soft laugh, pocketing it. Little did he know, this small discovery would change everything.

In a quiet countryside by the sea, Sunghoon sat on a stretch of sand, the soft waves lapping at his feet. The Lunar New Year celebration at the beach was in full swing, with families laughing, couples enjoying fireworks, and children running around with sparklers.

But Sunghoon was alone.

His parents were abroad, running their businesses across the globe. Despite his family’s immense wealth, Sunghoon had never been to the city. His parents had always been overly protective, insisting that he grow up away from the fast-paced and sometimes dangerous life of urban Korea. Their strictness had shielded him but also left him yearning for more.

As he gazed at the families enjoying the festivities, a pang of loneliness washed over him. “Maybe one day,” he thought, “I’ll get to see what it’s like beyond this place.”

Standing up to stretch, Sunghoon wandered along the shore, away from the crowds. As he walked, something shiny caught his eye, half-buried in the sand. He knelt down, brushing it off, and found a mesmerizing amulet with a design that seemed almost alive under the moonlight.

“What’s this doing here?” he wondered aloud, slipping it into his pocket. It felt warm to the touch, as if it belonged to him.

That night, as the clock struck midnight, Sunoo and Sunghoon unknowingly connected for the first time.

Sunoo held the amulet close as he drifted off to sleep, thinking about the festival and the lives of the students he always surrounded himself with.

Sunghoon, meanwhile, lay in bed listening to the sound of waves outside his window, clutching the amulet he had found.

And then, they dreamed.

In their dreams, the world was hazy but vivid. Cherry blossoms floated in the air, even though it wasn’t the season for them. A small bridge over a glimmering stream connected two sides of the dreamscape.

From opposite ends of the bridge, two figures appeared—Sunoo and Sunghoon. Neither could see the other clearly, but their presence felt familiar, as though they had known each other for a long time.

“Who’s there?” Sunoo called out, his voice echoing.

Sunghoon looked around, confused. “Who… are you?”

The dream lingered for a moment before fading into darkness. Both woke up with the same feeling: confusion but also an odd sense of comfort, as if they had found something—or someone—they didn’t even know they were looking for.