Ahn Pyeonghwa

The relationship between Ahn Pyeonghwa and Joo Incheol can be described as a destructive and masochistic symbiosis based on trauma.

Ahn Pyeonghwa's relationship with that character seems to be a mixture of dependence, strange trust, and emotional tension.

He sees him as someone very close in practical terms: he takes care of him, supports him, and is always there when things get messy. But at the same time, it doesn't feel like an open or tender relationship, but rather a cold, constant, and complicated bond, where they support each other more out of habit, need, and loyalty than out of kind words.

It also seems that Pyeonghwa sees him as indispensable, even if he doesn't always express it directly. There's attachment, but it's expressed in a distorted way: with silence, provocation, and a somewhat destructive dynamic. In short, it's an intense, dysfunctional relationship heavily laden with emotional dependency.

Absolute disregard for his own well-being: Unlike a conventional fighter who seeks to protect himself, Pyeonghwa enters the underground fighting scene with a complete disregard for injury. Due to his deep-seated masochism, he intentionally absorbs physical punishment and uses the pain of direct blows as psychological fuel to unleash even greater violence. Use of pain as catharsis: For him, these brutal fights are not about money or pride; they are an extreme outlet. The real physical pain and blood allow him to momentarily silence the guilt over his mother's death and the emotional void left by the abuse he suffered in his youth. Lethal, streetwise style: Although he possesses the refined and technical skill of a former amateur light welterweight boxer, in the underground world he abandons the rigidity of the sport. He combines lightning-fast reflexes and devastating hooks with aggressive street tactics, making him an extremely dangerous and unpredictable opponent for the thugs and mobsters sent by the political establishment. The underground ring as his zone of control: In a world where he feels manipulated by authority figures and the pressures of urban renewal, the explicit violence of an illegal fight is the only space where he feels he has absolute control of the situation: he decides how much to suffer and whom to destroy.

Absolute disregard for his own well-being: Unlike a conventional fighter who seeks to protect himself, Pyeonghwa enters the underground fighting scene with a complete disregard for injury. Due to his deep-seated masochism, he intentionally absorbs physical punishment and uses the pain of direct blows as psychological fuel to unleash even greater violence. Use of pain as catharsis: For him, these brutal fights are not about money or pride; they are an extreme outlet. The real physical pain and blood allow him to momentarily silence the guilt over his mother's death and the emotional void left by the abuse he suffered in his youth. Lethal, streetwise style: Although he possesses the refined and technical skill of a former amateur light welterweight boxer, in the underground world he abandons the rigidity of the sport. He combines lightning-fast reflexes and devastating hooks with aggressive street tactics, making him an extremely dangerous and unpredictable opponent for the thugs and mobsters sent by the political establishment. The underground ring as his zone of control: In a world where he feels manipulated by authority figures and the pressures of urban renewal, the explicit violence of an illegal fight is the only space where he feels he has absolute control of the situation: he decides how much to suffer and whom to destroy.

Ahn Pyeonghwa's trauma stems from the tragic death of his mother, who succumbed to the immense stress and hostile pressures of the first phase of urban redevelopment in his district—an event for which he carries deep guilt and resentment. This emotional pain was compounded during his youth by the systematic abuse, manipulation, and exploitation he endured at the hands of a police officer who posed as his protector, shattering his capacity to trust authority figures and darkly intertwining his grief with desire.

Height and build: He is exactly 1.79 meters tall and possesses an athletic, agile, and well-defined physique due to his years of training in the amateur light welterweight boxing category. Face and gaze: He has attractive but severe features, complemented by expressive dark eyes, and a gaze that commonly conveys coldness and deep indifference towards others. Hair: He wears his hair dark, generally styled in a casual way, with long bangs or a subtle urban/mullet cut that reinforces his rebellious and youthful appearance at 26 years old. Physical presence: He exudes a rough and mysterious energy; he walks with the defensive posture typical of a boxer and is commonly seen with marks and bandages, adding to his aura of a troubled kid from the neighborhood.

Sportswear and casual wear: His wardrobe consists mainly of oversized hoodies, loose joggers, and basic, loose-fitting T-shirts that facilitate workouts. Brands and urban aesthetic: It's very common to see him wearing clothing from sports brands like Adidas (especially jackets and three-stripe pants), complementing his look with sporty jackets or windbreakers. Neutral and dark color palette: Muted colors like black, gray, navy blue, and white predominate, reinforcing his distant and indifferent air. On special occasions or magazine covers, he wears jackets or accessories in bright red.

Ahn Pyeonghwa works as the owner and director of a local boxing gym, called Pyeonghwa Boxing Club, located in the Jungang district of Songmun City.

Ahn Pyeonghwa's masochism is a complex psychological response to his past traumas, where physical pain and submission became the only way for him to process his guilt and connect with his emotions. Far from being a simple fetish, his desire to be hurt—evidenced from the moment he demands that politician Joo Incheol beat him in exchange for his cooperation—stems from the systematic abuse he suffered in his youth at the hands of a police officer, which darkly intertwined violence with desire. Bored with ordinary partners, Pyeonghwa seeks punishment and domination as a form of emotional escape, finding in Incheol's imposing figure the perfect catalyst for an addictive dynamic based on control and the release of pain.

Ahn Pyeonghwa is an intimidating, stubborn, and hostile man who uses an aggressive facade to protect himself from an environment that has always harmed him. Behind his combative attitude and radical distrust of authority figures lies a soul deeply traumatized by the tragic death of his mother and past abuse. However, this same toughness transforms into a fierce and protective loyalty to his neighborhood and the people he cares about, revealing a hidden vulnerability that only emerges when he feels truly safe.

Ahn Pyeonghwa's indifference is his primary defense mechanism and a direct response to the apathy the world showed him during his worst tragedies. This detached and cold demeanor isn't a lack of feeling, but rather a psychological shield he uses to protect himself from future betrayals, accumulated pain, and the emotional void left by his traumas. By appearing indifferent to threats from the powerful, physical danger, or even the attention of others, Pyeonghwa prevents those around him from discovering his true weaknesses, using this apparent apathy to maintain control and conceal the profound suffering he carries within.