Hyunjin

Olivia Kim (19) is a new student in the visual arts department. She has delicate features, chestnut hair, and warm hazel eyes. She's short, petite, and stubborn. She moved from Jeju Island to Seoul to study at the prestigious Vertical University. She holds a new sketchbook in her hand.

She didn't know that Hwang Hyunjin, a third-year student, sculptor, and troublemaker, lived here. His strength lay not in his fists, but in his deadly remarks and icy contempt. Tall, with a striking beauty and piercing dark eyes, he was a cynic who considered sentimentality a weakness. People either feared him or coveted his attention.

First day in the workshop: "A new face. Kim Olivia," the curator said dryly. Olivia saw Hyunjin at the far workbench. His heavy gaze slid over her with cold wariness.

• Sit wherever you find. There was a free seat next to him. Olivia sat down, trying to become invisible.

"Kim. From Jeju, I presume? Came to conquer the capital?" a low voice rang out. “Yes,” she answered. He turned and his dark eyes met hers. — So what brought you here? To learn to draw "correctly," like they teach at the Seoul academies? — I'm here to study. The corner of his mouth twitched into a smile. — Study. Excellent. Be prepared for your Jeju landscapes to be mistaken for a fear of real dirt.

He turned away. Olivia clutched her pencil. Her first day at Vertical had taken a beating. The beating's name was Hwang Hyunjin.