About _ In bustling Seoul 18 year old Itzuki a talented drama student finds her world irrevocably shifted by her charismatic new teacher. His passion ignites an undeniable desire , blurring line between admiration and forbidden love . She battles a Secret she knows she shouldn’t explore
CHAPTER 1
The neon lights of Seoul pulsed like a heartbeat against the evening Sky casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the crowded streets of Hongdae .
Itzuki navigated the throng of students and street performers, her black hair swaying like a silken curtain in the cool Autumn breeze . At 18 she carried herself with the grace of someone who had spent years on stage , her light skin glowing under the artificial glow , and her blue eyes wide and pleading scanning the horizon for the familiar facade off the Seoul Academy. Her body, toned from endless rehearsals moved with effortless poise drawing fleeting glances from passersby
She clutched her script tightly the pages crinkled from hours of annotation . Drama was her sanctuary where chaos of city life faded in scripted worlds. But today felt different. Rumors had swirled all week about the new teacher , a former stage actor fresh from a stint in Busan’s theater scene .
Itzuki’s best friend soo-min had texted her excitedly that morning. ‘He’s supposedly gorgeous and intense, prepare to swoon!’.
Pushing open the heavy doors of the academy . Itzuki slipped into the auditorium just as the bells echoed through the halls . The rooms buzzed with anticipation students chattering in clusters on the worn wooden stage she spotted Soo-min waving from the front row her short bob bouncing as she grinned ‘You’re late! he’s about to start ‘, Soo-min whispered, pulling Itzuki down beside her .
Before Itzuki could respond the Sid door creaked open , and in strode a man who seemed to command the space without a word. Tall and broad_shouldered wit tousled dark hair that fell just above his piercing brown eyes Ji_hoon Kim exuded an aura of quiet intensity.
His charcoal button-up shirt hugged his frame and as he stepped onto the stage , his charismatic smile lit up the room like a spotlight.
‘Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Ji-hoon Kim your new drama instructor’ he said , his voice deep and resonant carrying the subtle caderose of someone who had lived through countless performances.
‘Drama is’nt just about lines on page - it’s about igniting the Soul , baring your truths to the world ‘.
Itzuki felt a shiver down her spine . His passion was palpable , each word laced with fire that made her lean forward, hanging on every syllable.
As he outlined the semester’s focus on improvisational theater, he scanned the room, his gaze lingering on her for a fraction longer than the others. Or was that her imagination?
‘Let’s start with a simple exercise’ Ji_ hoon continued.
‘Pair up and improvise a scene where one character confesses a hidden desire to the other . No scripts just raw emotion ‘ .
So-min nudged Itzuki.
‘Partners?’
Itzuki nodded but her mind was elsewhere , replaying Ji_hoon’ swords . Hidden desire . The phrase echoed in her thoughts as they took the stage . Soo_min played the confessor, dramatically admitting a craving for forbidden street food , drawing laughs from the class. But when it was Itzuki’s turn , she froze for a moment her blue eyes flickering toward Ji-hoon , who watched intently from the wings
‘I....I shouldn’t’ , she began , her voice soft but steady ‘. It’s like a flame that burns like a flame that burns brighter ever time I try to extinguish it.’ The words tumbled out Unbidden, drawing from a well she hadn’t realized existed. The class fell silent , captivated by the authenticity in her delivery Ji-hoon clapped slowly as the scene ended . ‘Impressive vulnerability, miss .....?’
‘Itzuki’. You have a natural gift for emotional depth. Hold onto that- it’s what separates actors from performers’ . His praise was simple , but it landed like a spotlight on her soul , illuminating corners she kept shadowed .
As class progressed, Ji-hoon demonstrated techniques with fluid movements, his body language a master class in expression. He paired with a student for a demo his hands gesturing with precision, his laughter genuine when the improv turned comedic . Itzuki couldn’t tear her eyes away . There was something magnetic about him the ways he encouraged risks, pushed boundaries. Admiration bloomed in her chest , warm insisted , but laced with an under current she dared not name
After class as students filed out Itzuki lingered , pretending to organize her notes . Ji-hoon approached stacking chairs with casual ease
‘You did well today ‘ he said glancing up ‘Have you considered auditioning for the winter production .’
Her heart raced ‘I...I’d love to. But I’m not sure I’m
ready .’
He smiled, that charismatic curve of his lips making her stomach flip
Readiness is an illusion. It’s about leaping into the unknown. ‘His eyes met hers , holding a spark that felt dangerously personal
Walking home through the bustling streets, the city’s energy mirrored the turmoil inside her . Soo-min chattered beside her about the class but Itzuki’s thoughts swirled around Ji-hoon . His passion had awakened something forbidden a desire that blurred the lines between student and teacher she knew she shouldn’t explore it _ rules , ethics ,the risks of it all
Yet as the neon lights flickered she couldn’t shake the feeling that her world had irrevocably shifted pulling her toward a stage where the script was unwritten and the stakes perilously high
