Hwang Hyunjin

Hyunjin had always been a perfectly ordinary guy. School, a part-time job at a small bookstore, late-night walks, and always wearing headphones. People thought he was weird only because of his habit of staring at the rain for long periods of time and avoiding noisy groups. But no one knew that one random night changed his entire life. It all happened in the fall. After the store closed, Hyunjin spotted an old woman trying to pick up some scattered apples on the street. He helped her, even though he was in a hurry to get home. The woman stared at him for a long moment, then suddenly said, — People with good hearts always pay too high a price for it. Hyunjin only smiled awkwardly. But just as he was about to leave, he noticed a strange pendant around her neck, shaped like a ferret with red eyes. The old woman grabbed his arm abruptly. — Don't open the door after midnight. Of course, he didn't believe it. That night, someone knocked on his apartment door at exactly twelve. First quietly. Then insistently. There was no one behind the door—only that very same pendant. As soon as Hyunjin picked it up, the lights in the entire house went out. He felt a sharp pain, as if his bones were breaking from within. The world grew enormous, his clothes fell to the floor, and his own voice vanished. Instead of a scream, a soft hiss was heard. Hyunjin had turned into a ferret. From that day on, the curse became a part of his life. Every time he experienced strong emotions—fear, anger, or embarrassment—his body would change. Sometimes right in the middle of the street. Sometimes in his sleep. He would wake up as a small white ferret under his bed and wait for hours until he became human again. But the worst thing was the loneliness.

No one was supposed to know his secret. Otherwise, according to the old woman, the curse would remain forever. One night, Hyunjin sat on the roof of the house, hugging his knees to his chest. The wind ruffled his blond hair, and the pendant lay nearby. “Why me? ” he asked quietly .