#dr. baek’s and my

[simplymessingaboutinboats]

.👓🌹💪

[mechanicspal]

they hate it when you serve chaotic genius doctors who would do anything to save the patient, have a strong connection to a lady in power who employs them, and was accused of medical malpractice

[sunnynabons]

Hear me out... Jae-Won's tiny crush and admiration towards Kang-Hyuk.. just like Cameron's to House

[capricho42]

The One Who Watched Your Back

[soneblomsblog]

Jealousy

Baek Kang-hyuk x Fem!reader

Working in the ER was always hectic, but today, things were oddly smooth. Maybe it had something to do with Dr. Park. The man was competent, confident, and, if I was being honest, kind of charming.

“You did great back there,” Dr Park said, flashing me a grin as I finished up with a patient. “That was some quick thinking.”

I waved him off with a chuckle. “Just doing my job.”

Dr. Beak, who had been standing across the room charting, suddenly slammed his clipboard onto the counter. I jumped exchanging a glance with Dr Park.

“You okay, Beak?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I’m fine,” Beak snapped, feathers ruffling. “Unlike some people, I don’t have time to stand around flirting.”

Dr Park smirked. “Flirting? I was just complimenting her skills.”

“Doubtful,” Beak muttered.

I blinked. Was he… sulking?

Dr Park, clearly enjoying himself, leaned against the nurses’ station. “You know, Y/N, if you ever want a real break from the chaos, I know a great café nearby. Best coffee in town.”

Beak let out what could only be described as an offended squawk. “She doesn’t drink coffee,” he blurted out.

I crossed your arms. “I literally had a coffee this morning.”

Beak ignored me. “And even if she did, she wouldn’t waste time on trivial outings during her shift.”

Dr Park snorted. “Relax, Beak. It’s just an invitation.” He winked at me before walking away. “Think about it.”

Beak’s feathers fluffed so dramatically.he might explode. “Absolutely not.”

I turned to him, amused. “Did you just tell me what I can and can’t do?”

He scoffed, crossing his arms. “I’m just saying, if you want quality company, you should be more selective.”

“Oh?” I smirked crossing my arms over my chest “And who would you suggest?”

Beak hesitated, his beak clicking shut. He was trapped. His eyes flickered away, then back at me. “Well… I am obviously the superior choice.”

I burst out laughing. “Beak, are you jealous?”

He straightened, puffing up. “That’s absurd.”

“It’s not.” I leaned in closer, lowering your voice. “You totally are.”

Beak’s beak twitched. He grabbed a random chart and practically shoved it into my hands. “We have work to do.”

I grinned, following him. “You know, if you wanted to ask me out, you could just say so.”

Beak stopped mid-step. “I—That’s—” He turned away quickly, muttering under his breath as he stalked off.

[omiomi]

My first fic here! I just loved him so much that I had to make a story about him.

Master list

Code Red: Unfinished Sutures (Part 1)

Baek Kang-Hyuk x Fem!Reader

"Malak was here, and no one bothered to tell me?"

Y/N exhaled sharply, exhaustion settling deep in her bones as she collapsed onto the worn leather couch. Twelve hours on a plane, and this was the first thing she heard.

Walter, sitting across from her with a whiskey glass in hand, rolled his eyes. "He wasn’t even here for a full day."

"I would’ve flown here the moment you said so."

"That’s exactly why we didn’t say anything." Walter smirked, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before offering her one.

Y/N scoffed, flipping him off. "Tangina mo talaga, gago." (Fuck you, asshole.)

Walter chuckled. "I thought we agreed you’d stop using Tagalog since I don’t understand a word of it."

She stretched, her muscles aching. "You let Malak speak in Korean. How is that fair? You’re fucking xenophobic."

He raised an eyebrow. "You studied Korean for Malak."

Silence. She clicked her tongue in irritation and pushed herself up from the couch.

"You know where to find him. What’s stopping you?"

Y/N’s steps faltered. She could feel his gaze piercing her back, waiting.

Without turning around, she murmured, "He also knows where to find me. What’s stopping him?"

Walter sighed as she walked away. "It’s so damn difficult when two idiots are in love."

—

"Dr. Baek!"

Yang Jae-Won practically kicked the door open to the on-call room. Baek Kang-Hyuk groaned, throwing a towel at him without opening his eyes.

"Shibal. What do you need?"

Jae-Won caught the towel, unimpressed. "Dr. Baek, don’t you think it’s a little too late to be sleeping?"

Before Baek could respond, the door swung open again. Minister Kang, the Prime Minister of Health, strode in.

Baek sighed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Minister Kang, can’t say I’m honored to see you."

"I am. Get ready—you’re flying to Syria."

Baek blinked, his drowsiness vanishing. "Pardon?"

Minister Kang handed him a folder filled with medical reports. "The Minister of Syria has requested our medical assistance. The war zone hospitals are overwhelmed. You think your team can handle it?"

Baek flipped through the reports, his smirk returning. "You don’t believe in us?"

She sighed. "Plane leaves in two hours."

As soon as she walked out, Baek turned to Jae-Won. "You little shit. You knew she was coming, didn’t you?" He grabbed Jae-Won by the ear.

"Ah! Dr. Baek, that hurts!"

“It’s supposed to."

Baek threw his phone at him. "Call Gangster and Dr. Park. We’re moving."

—

The moment their plane touched down, the reality of their mission hit them. Bombed-out buildings, the acrid stench of burning metal, and the distant sound of gunfire painted a grim picture.

"Dr. Baek, what exactly are we doing here?" Nurse Jang-Mi asked as they unloaded supplies.

"Three-day mission. The main hospital was bombed, and the syndicate is kidnapping doctors. We help with everything we can. Understood?"

A chorus of determined "Yes, doctor!" followed.

As Baek stepped out of the transport, a local doctor rushed to meet them.

"Dr. Baek! Welcome to Sy—"

"What’s the status of the patients?" Baek cut in.

The doctor hesitated. "There’s no need to rush, Dr. Baek. A volunteer doctor arrived last night to assist us."

Baek narrowed his eyes. "Who?"

The doctor hesitated before answering.

“Dr. Y/N L/N."

Baek froze.

Jae-Won glanced at him. "Uh… who?"

Baek exhaled, shaking his head. "Malaika."

—

"Patient is a 27-year-old male, GSW to the abdomen. Entry wound at the left upper quadrant, no exit wound. We need to locate the bullet and assess for vascular damage. Suction." Y/N’s voice was unwavering, commanding the room with an effortless authority.

“Suction ready, Dr. Malaika," the nurse confirmed.

Blood cleared from the field, revealing a torn artery.

“BP is dropping. Systolic at 85. Possible major vessel injury," the anesthesiologist warned.

Y/N nodded. "Retractor. I’m clamping the artery. Prepare a 5-0 Prolene for a running suture."

As she worked, the team moved in perfect synchronization.

“BP stabilizing at 98," the nurse reported.

Y/N exhaled. "Irrigate and close."

She stepped back, rolling her stiff shoulders.

"That’s six down, two more to go," she murmured, reaching for her eyedrops. Forty hours without sleep, and she was still standing.

"Dr. Malaika," a nurse hesitated. "The last two patients were taken care of."

Y/N frowned. "What do you mean?"

The nurse hesitated before answering.

“Malak is here."

—

The steady beeping of the monitors filled the room, punctuated only by the sound of gloved hands shifting instruments. The air felt thick as Y/N stepped into the OR, her gaze immediately locking onto the man hunched over the operating table.

“Still stealing my patients, huh, Malak?" Her voice was sharp, edged with something unreadable.

Baek Kang-Hyuk looked up upon hearing a very familiar voice. "It’s nice to see you too, Malaika."

Yang Jae-Won blinked, momentarily frozen. He had worked with Baek long enough to know the man’s habits. He never—never—looked up from an operation unless it was life or death. And yet, he had glanced at her.

The tension rippled through the room, silent but palpable.

Baek finally straightened slightly, his eyes flicking to her for a fraction of a second. "Scrub in and assist me."

Y/N let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "Still acting like you own the world."

"Just this OR," he shot back, before returning to his patient.

She held his gaze for a beat longer than necessary, then turned to the nurse. "Get me prepped."

The moment she stepped up to the table, their movements synced like clockwork—years of experience, familiarity, and unspoken communication woven into every action.

Baek turned to Jae-Won. "Number One, help us search for the bullet in the intestine."

Jae-Won hesitated for the briefest second before shifting his gaze between them.

“You sure it's in the small intestine?"Y/N interjected before Jae-Won could react, her tone laced with challenge.

Baek didn’t flinch. "If it’s not, we’re wasting time."

Y/N smirked under her mask. "And here I thought you liked wasting my time."

Baek let out a quiet exhale. "Scalpel."

The room fell into a tense silence, all eyes on them as they worked.

Jang-Mi leaned toward Gyeong-Won. "Who is she?" she whispered.

“No idea, but Dr. Baek is actually acknowledging someone’s presence, so she must be important."

They refocused as Y/N carefully maneuvered around the loops of the small intestine, her gloved hands moving with precision.

“Suction," she ordered.

The nurse complied immediately.

Baek’s voice was low, almost thoughtful. "Still over-relying on suction, I see."

"And you still waste time cutting where you shouldn’t," she retorted smoothly, not missing a beat.

The corner of his mouth twitched, but his focus never wavered.

Y/N shifted, her brows furrowing. "There." Her fingers gently palpated the intestinal loops.

Baek leaned in, eyes narrowing. "Clamp."

The nurse passed it to him. Y/N adjusted her grip, exposing a small, jagged tear in the bowel.

"Through-and-through perforation," she murmured. "Bullet must be embedded in the mesentery."

Baek nodded. "Sponge. Hold this position."

She did. Their hands brushed for a second. Just a second. But the contact sent something sharp skittering through the air between them.

Neither reacted. Neither acknowledged it.

"I need better exposure," he muttered.

Y/N rolled her eyes. "You’re impossible." Without hesitation, she adjusted the retractor herself, shifting just enough to widen the surgical field.

Baek exhaled, his voice lower this time. "Better."

Y/N smirked. "You’re welcome."

Silence again. Charged. Intense. The tension wasn’t just professional—it was something older, deeper, unspoken.

The monitors beeped steadily as the two continued their intricate dance, hands moving in perfect synchronization.

Finally, Baek made a precise incision. "Got it."

The bullet was extracted, coated in blood.

"Vascular injury is minimal," Y/N noted. "We can close with a few simple sutures."

Baek nodded, passing the bullet off to the nurse. His voice was quieter now, almost reflective.

"You’re still quick."

"You’re still reckless."

"And yet, the patient’s alive."

"Spare me the self-congratulations, Malak." She sighed, pulling off her gloves. "Let’s close."

Baek studied her for a second longer than necessary. "Fine. You do it."

She arched a brow. "Oh? Delegating? Who are you, and what have you done with Baek Kang-Hyuk?"

He let out a quiet chuckle, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Just finish up, Malaika."

Y/N rolled her shoulders, then got to work, her fingers moving with trained efficiency. The room remained silent, but the weight between them lingered.

A story untold. A history unresolved.

As the final suture was placed, Baek finally spoke again.

"You’re still here."

Y/N glanced up. "And you’re still following me."

Baek didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped back, stripping off his gloves.

Jang-Mi and Gyeong-Won exchanged another wide-eyed glance.

Jae-Won exhaled. "Okay, I’m officially terrified. Who is she?"

Baek didn’t respond. Neither did Y/N. But as she turned away, she could still feel his gaze on her back.

And she refused to turn around.

Part 2

[seodongjae]

what? dr. baek, did you finally call me by my name? yes. you've finally earned your name.

[liveasbutterflies]

That day, a deep conviction nestled in my heart. If I continued following Dr. Baek and walk in his footsteps as I am now, one day I will become a doctor who saves lives just like him. Both the Trauma Center and my career as a doctor are now at the starting line.

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (중증외상센터) 2025

[ellieinink]

The Trouble with Admitting Things

Baek Kang-hyuk x Reader

Genre: Fluff, Humor, Light Slow Burn

Warnings: Mild teasing, secondhand embarrassment

Word Count: ~6,500

Synopsis: After a grueling shift, you accidentally admit to admiring Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk—big mistake. He seizes every chance to tease you, turning your embarrassment into daily entertainment. But when the teasing gives way to unexpected sincerity, you realize admiration might not be so one-sided after all.

You should have known better than to let your guard down around Baek Kang-hyuk.

Especially not when you were running on fumes, too exhausted to keep up your usual defenses.

It had been a brutal shift at the trauma center—back-to-back emergencies, rushed procedures, and a never-ending stream of critical cases. The air had been thick with tension, every second spent making life-or-death decisions. But despite the chaos, the team had worked together like a well-oiled machine, with Kang-hyuk at the helm, cool-headed and sharp as ever.

And now? Now you were all slumped in the break room, desperately clinging to the last ounces of energy in your bodies.

The scent of instant coffee mixed with antiseptic filled the air, and you nursed your mug as if it held the key to your survival. Across from you, Dr. Park Gyeong-won sighed dramatically, rubbing his temples.

“I think I lost about five years of my life in that last hour.”

Jang-mi, one of the trauma nurses, groaned. “Forget years, I think my soul left my body when that last code was called.”

There was a chorus of agreement.

And that was when your sleep-deprived brain betrayed you.

“Honestly,” you muttered, stretching your sore neck, “if it weren’t for Dr. Baek, half of us wouldn’t have made it through that shift.”

The moment the words left your mouth, the room fell eerily silent.

You blinked, sluggishly registering the amused looks being exchanged.

Gyeong-won raised an eyebrow, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “Oh? Is that admiration I hear?”

Jang-mi, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked. She slammed her cup down, eyes wide with exaggerated shock. “Wait, wait—our Dr. Baek?” Her gaze snapped to Kang-hyuk, who was leaning against the counter, watching the scene unfold with an infuriatingly smug expression.

“Did you hear that?” she gasped.

Dr. Yang Jae-won, who had been lazily sprawled in his chair, perked up. “Wow, (Y/N). That’s high praise coming from you.” He smirked. “You usually just call him an insufferable ass.”

Your stomach dropped. Oh, no.

“I meant professionally,” you blurted, suddenly very aware of how hot your face felt.

Kang-hyuk chuckled, arms crossed, his smirk widening. “Professionally, huh?”

You shot him a glare, but he was enjoying this way too much.

Unfortunately, so was everyone else.

“Oh, don’t backtrack now,” Jang-mi teased, practically vibrating with excitement. “We all heard it.”

Gyeong-won leaned forward, chin resting on his hand. “So, tell us, (Y/N). What exactly do you admire about Dr. Baek?”

You swore you felt your soul leave your body. “Can we not—”

Jae-won smirked. “Is it his surgical skills? His confidence? His broad shoulders?”

Jang-mi gasped. “His hands, maybe?”

“Oh my God, stop—”

“Or is it,” Kang-hyuk drawled, tilting his head, “my charming personality?”

Your entire face went up in flames.

Kang-hyuk took a slow step closer, voice rich with amusement. “Why are you blushing?”

“I am not—”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“No—”

“You are.”

“I swear to—”

Jang-mi gasped again, dramatic as ever. “Oh no. What if it’s actually his hands?”

Gyeong-won feigned deep thought. “It’s the hands, isn’t it?”

“I HATE ALL OF YOU.”

Kang-hyuk grinned, full-on thriving in your misery. “So, (Y/N),” he mused, “do you admire my hands?”

You considered throwing your coffee at him.

The problem with Baek Kang-hyuk was that he never let things go.

Ever.

For the next week, he found every opportunity to remind you of your unfortunate slip-up.

During morning rounds: “(Y/N), you seem distracted. Thinking about my hands again?”

During surgery: “You’re staring. I get it. My technique is admirable.”

Even in the middle of a high-stakes procedure: “Focus, (Y/N). Just pretend it’s me guiding you with my admirable skills.”

It was relentless. And the worst part? Everyone else was in on it.

Jang-mi started taking exaggerated notes whenever Kang-hyuk spoke, dramatically whispering, “Such admiration,” under her breath.

Jae-won? He would randomly sigh in the middle of conversations and lament, “If only someone admired me the way (Y/N) admires Dr. Baek.”

Even Park Gyeong-won, who was usually the most mature of the bunch, just smirked whenever you shot him a pleading look.

You were never going to live this down.

The tipping point came when Kang-hyuk—absolute menace that he was—walked into the break room while you were alone, arms crossed, looking far too amused.

“You know,” he started conversationally, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Oh no.”

He ignored you. “Since you admire me so much, maybe I should return the favor.”

You groaned. “Please don’t.”

“But there’s just so much to admire,” he continued dramatically. “Your sharp tongue, your ability to withstand my teasing—”

You threw a napkin at him. He dodged easily.

“See?” he grinned. “That resilience. Very admirable.”

You contemplated homicide.

It all came to a head late one night.

You were in the on-call room, exhausted, head resting against the back of the couch. The door creaked open, but you didn’t bother looking up.

“If this is about my admiration comment,” you grumbled, “I am going to scream.”

A chuckle. “Relax. It’s just me.”

You cracked one eye open to see Kang-hyuk standing by the door, hands in his pockets. He looked… different. Less teasing. More thoughtful.

You frowned. “What?”

He hesitated before stepping inside, closing the door behind him.

“Listen,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “I know I’ve been messing with you a lot, but…” He exhaled, looking almost—shy? “It actually meant something.”

Your breath caught. “What?”

“What you said.” His voice was quieter now. “That you admired me.”

You swallowed, suddenly unsure where this was going.

He let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “I don’t really hear that a lot. Not from people who—” He trailed off before shaking his head. “Anyway. It was nice. Coming from you.”

Your heart did something funny in your chest.

“You admire me?” you repeated dumbly.

His lips quirked. “Someone who keeps me on my toes? Someone I—” He paused before smirking, voice dropping to something softer. “—also admire.”

Your brain short-circuited.

“I—what—”

He chuckled, stepping closer. “Relax, (Y/N). It’s just admiration.”

Your face burned. “You’re the worst.”

“I know.” His grin widened. “But at least now we’re even.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands.

Baek Kang-hyuk just laughed.

I’ve got a Yang Jae-won fic cooking in my drafts… should I??? 👀👀👀

taglist: perm @missroro @study-with-reine234

[ofredribbonsandpreciousgems]

I swear nothing in my life has HELD me as much as Ju Ji Hoon as Dr. Baek Gang Hyeok does! 🥹♥️❤️‍🔥

The trauma code show is so good! Really well done! I looked forward to this the entire month and I am at the halfway mark and I am happy with how it turned out!

[newtonsheffield]

I got to ask, as a dentist, how have you not yet written a dental AU? I can just imagine Dr Kate Sharma, a smart, savvy dentist, invited to Miss Sophie Baek's class to give a talk about dental hygiene to little kids and their guardians. Hyacinth is there with Anthony and of course he tries to show off for the good looking dentist. He's got those pearly whites, turns out though after eating one of those cavity tablets that turn your mouth blue, he's been over brushing! Well now he's got a good excuse to see the hot dentist!

It’s just so hard for me to see Dentistry as a sexy job tbh. I am covered in bacteria head to toe constantly. Once I got a piece of tooth stuck in my bra.

I just can’t get behind it 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[randomdelusionaldee]

Yeah okay, last renewal of my spidersona:

Old:

After renewal:

+some issue doodles

‘Aight, let’s do this one last time-

This is Earth-708B! My name is Min Jihyeon, initial M.J. I am the hero and idol of my city’s people- known as ‘The K-Spidol’. Everyone calls me ‘Kay’ for short, though.

I was bitten by a radioactive spider when I was 15, and two years had past since then. The hero routine is simple- get out of bed, go to school, do extracurricular activities, fight some villains on the way to my personal academies, and come back home at 10:30.

Well, at least it seemed simple before I lost my uncle Baek and my boyfriend Peter Park’s cop father, Chief Park. Peter knew my identity, and he thought that I deliberately didn’t save his dad because he didn’t really like me as his girlfriend. I tried to explain but he didn’t listen. He wanted to break up so we did.

Yeah, I lost a lot of people in my life.

But there is one thing I actually newly got- another love interest. Doctor Oc, that is- the very son of Dr. Otto Octavius- Oc Doyoon. I couldn’t save his dad from suicide, either, but unlike Peter, he actually listened to me- and said it wasn’t my fault- do you just KNOW how moving it is?!

And we began dating a year ago. Some kinda hilarious destiny, huh? Dating a villain’s son, haha. Then I joined the spider society not long after, and that’s where I am now.

Being spider-woman is NOT easy… but not entirely hopeless either. New friends, new feelings of belonging…

This is where I was supposed to be from the start.

…Right?

[elderflowergin]

Thank you lovely @thefeastandthefast and தங்கை @therukurals for tagging me! Haven’t done one of these in a while :)

last song: Alicia Keys’ “Fallin’”

favourite colour: I’m enjoying magenta recently!

last book: thanks to dear @therukurals I’m currently reading meena kandasamy’s translation of thirukural “book of desire” which has me crawling on the walls. last finished my year of rest and relaxation by otessa moshfegh, which was dire but oddly compulsively readable.

last movie: conclave; excellent

last tv show: a rewatch of derry girls, my all-time comfort watch

sweet/savoury/spicy: one of each please

last thing I searched online: sausage kale white bean soup. I have like twelve tabs open for recipes I will never make

current obsession: they’re all fic-related and sadly they’re my OWN and I can’t escape from the prison of my own making. will this good partner fic become a throuple fic against my intent? will I finally finish that minister kang/dr baek fic? should I write a coda for existing idol the coup fic? does money game need a slow burn? my brain is small and sad

looking forward to: the cessation of my guts bleeding out (menstrual). undercover high school! there is no reason this should appeal to me but I’m so soft for Seo Kang-joon and Jin Ki-joo. neighbours are coming over for dinner tomorrow and they’re staid and dignified but also funny, which I like. they feel like my adult friends although I am ostensibly an adult myself. conversations with my friends. maybe even trying my hand at a biscoff cheesecake.

tagging - with no pressure at all! - @rosyfingered-moon @kselavie @teafiend @cere-mon-ials

[miabebe]

I Am What I Am (VIII)

A man of the shadows and a woman who belonged in the skies - fate could not have brought two more different people together. But was this fate or was this a choice?

Pairing - Im Changkyun x OC, Kim Mingyu x OC

Word Count - 8.1 K

Warnings - Mentions of death, murder, mafia, guns, bullets, violence, drugs, toxic parents, sad parent backstory

Chapter summary - Trust lost, trust gained - the underworld was always questionable when it came to loyalty. But the real question was, who's trust was Na bi going to break?

| Previous Chapter | Masterlist |

“Min-ah I told you I was right-” 

The moment Na bi stepped into Seokmin’s office, she found herself being cut off by a pair of lips on hers, pressing hard and unrelenting. Even though her eyes were not shut by the suddenness and the grip of his hands on her hips were telltale, it took a minute before she realized it was Mingyu. 

Slightly pulling back, lips hovering over hers, he whispered. “Jihoon is here, don’t mention Seokmin.” 

Placing a chaste kiss on her cheek, Mingyu grinned at her. “Hi babe.” 

Na bi tried not make her smile seem forceful looking up at him, but that was until she meet Jihoon’s eye over the bigger man’s shoulder - now she could no longer keep up the facade. 

“Hi babe.” Jihoon echoed mockingly, as Na bi rolled her eyes, walking into the room. 

“Jihoon.” She threw her bag on the couch. “I would’ve said it's nice to see you but it's really not.” 

“Can’t help it babe,” He leaned back against the window. “Duty calls.” 

“How is he here?” Na bi turned to Mingyu, annoyed. “Only authorized personnel are allowed in staff areas.” 

“Anything can be bought if you quote the price right.” Jihoon smiled, a smug expression dancing on his face. “I get my way when I want it.” 

“Who knew disregard for rules was something you indulged in officer Lee.” Na bi scoffed. “Not much difference between you and the ones you're chasing then huh?”

“Watch your mouth Doctor.” Jihoon walked up to her glaring and Mingyu immediately put himself between the two of them, sensing the tension rising. 

“Jihoon, Na bi has been doing some groundbreaking work with I.M!” His eyes flickered between the two of them. “I think she has information to give us today?”

Na bi stared at the older man with enough intensity to bore holes into his soul. 

“No.” 

“No?” Mingyu looked at her rather shocked. “I thought you might have-”

“I do have information,” Na bi crossed her arms. “But I won’t be giving it.” 

Jihoon narrowed his eyes at her, anger evidently coursing through his body. “And why is that?” 

“If I do your dirty work, you have to do mine. My one and only reason for agreeing to this mission was to find Ana’s perpetrator and get her justice. For that, I want access to her forensic records.” 

“How will that help you exactly?” Jihoon cocked his head at her. “Unless you believe something about her death does not make sense to you.” 

“I have my doubts.” 

“What is there to doubt? She had a slit on each wrist - that’s a signature killing, there’s no doubt about it.” 

“And what about the fact that she was also shot?” Na bi raised a questioning eyebrow. “Neither of you mentioned that.” 

Mingyu and Jihoon exchanged looks before Mingyu cleared his throat. “I mean… yeah she was shot, there were injuries on her back but the telltale sign was the wrists…. I did not think it was necessary to tell.” 

“How can you expect me to tell you everything if you don’t share anything with me Mingyu?” 

“Na bi, I’m sorry, I really didn’t think-”

“You’re not the problem Mingyu.” Jihoon moved him aside, eyes piercing into hers. “Dr. Baek here doesn’t seem to trust us anymore. She doesn’t think I.M could be responsible for her friend’s death…. Has your affinity towards that man grown Doctor?” His voice dropped to a low whisper. “You think I can’t see and tell how into a kiss a woman is?” 

Na bi glanced at Mingyu who looked at her concerned. Hurt. 

She couldn’t deal with his broken heart right now. 

“I don’t care if you doubt my loyalty Jihoon - I know when and how to show it.” She stepped closer to him, refusing to back down. “But I don’t like people doubting my capabilities. I am a doctor and I’ve dealt with these cases in the ER before - perhaps there’s something in that report that others have overlooked. Something I can piece together with my knowledge of him and my given expertise.” 

“Roping you in this mission was already frowned upon, doctor. Giving you access to classified files, I’m afraid, is beyond my jurisdiction.” 

“You’re denying me of my incentive Jihoon.” Na bi clicked her tongue mockingly. “It shouldn’t be so hard for you. I thought you got your way if you wanted it.” 

Chuckling, the older man pulled a chair, sitting on it with one leg thrown over the other. “Incentives are so mainstream Doctor, can I offer you a threat instead?” He pulled out his phone, flashing the familiar photo of the bullets they found in her kitchen drawer. “It would actually be much easier for me to pin the crime on you with fabricated evidence if you don’t bring the real one.” 

Na bi could feel the blood boiling in her veins. How dare he? 

“Sorry Jihoon.” Before a triumphant expression overtook his face, Na bi shook her head. “You’re wrong if you think I’m the kind to sit back and take whatever is thrown at me. If there’s one thing I learnt in the last month, it’s that the man you so desperately seek is incredibly protective of me. You think my mouth which opens here cannot open there? With the kind of network he has and given how you are still clueless about him, it won’t take long for me to turn the tables. So don’t push my buttons. I don’t appreciate being threatened.” 

Mingyu froze at her words, utterly shocked, but Jihoon continued to look impassive. Something told Na bi she hadn’t won yet. 

“Incentives I can’t give and threats you can’t take so let’s try again, shall we?” He leaned back into the chair. “How about a trade Doctor? You give me I.M and I’ll give you your sister.” 

Na bi’s eyes widened as her lips parted in shock, clearly declaring Jihoon the winner. Realizing that, he smirked at her, “Did you think we would involve you in this mission without doing a background check? Mingyu had thoroughly gone through every detail of your past before it all began.” 

She looked at the bigger man, the disgust of betrayal flashing in her eyes. Mingyu immediately stepped forward, “Na bi I-” 

“All this while, you knew about my sister?” 

“You mentioned her when you were drunk, you said you missed her but I didn’t know she was such a sensitive topic for you-” 

“Neither did I.” Jihoon confessed. “I took a shot in the dark and it looks like I hit the target Dr. Baek.” He got up, hands tucked into his pocket. “In case you didn’t hear me loud and clear the first time, give me I.M and take your sister. You have three days.” 

With that he left, basking in his coup, but Mingyu didn’t follow, reaching to hold Na bi instead. She immediately took a step back. 

“How many more times will you break my trust Mingyu?” She spat, the words bitter in her mouth. “You drugged me, you lied to me about Ana’s death, now this?” 

“Na bi I swear, you have to believe me, I just did what was protocol.” He insisted, desperately looking for her conviction. “I didn’t think Jihoon would use it to blackmail you like this-” 

“But he has!” Her voice raised, anger uncontained. “I… I didn’t even know if she was alive or not, now you’re telling me that she’s somewhere out there and if I don’t manage to deliver what Jihoon wants then the NIS might…..What if he does something to her??” 

“We only found out that your adoptive family had another child who absconded. Jihoon has no idea who she is or where she is so I’m sure that’s what he will put me up to next - to find her.” 

Na bi sat on the chair holding her head in her hands. Everything was spiraling out of control again. 

“But I promise you.” Mingyu crouched in front of her, taking her hands in his. “The minute I get the slightest clue about her, I will tell you. Not in exchange for I.M, not as a part of a deal. I don’t care if I have to go against Jihoon, I will do it, just for you - to prove to you that you can trust me.” 

Na bi looked at him, wordlessly. What was she to say to this man anymore? How could he possibly fix this? Faith already lost, she pulled her hands free and got up, walking away from the man who continued to look at her with hope. 

Yet again, like it was a bad habit she could not leave behind, Na bi found herself in front of Changkyun’s door. 

This time though, she knocked, making sure to display the etiquette he so often hinted she didn’t have. When he didn’t answer after 3 times and 3 minutes, losing her patience, she slowly opened the door and stepped in. The room was dark as usual, lit dimly by a few candles but bright enough for Na bi to notice something she had never seen before. Or she wasn’t meant to see. 

The bookshelf was slightly crooked, moved in front with a conspicuous tilt tempting Na bi to walk in and push it further. To her surprise, yet oddly meeting her expectations, was a dark passage with stairs leading of course to a basement. Classic mansion layout. Grabbing a nearby candle, Na bi made her way down the spiral stairs, taking each step cautiously, further and further into the darkness. As she got off the last step, her eyes fell on Changkyun in the middle of a large empty room, facing her but blindfolded. 

Na bi frowned confused, looking around the space that was absolutely empty except for a few fire torches burning around. Her eyes returned to Changkyun as she set the candle down, walking soundlessly towards him, trying to not be too affected by the fact that he was wearing a tank top that covered barely anything and a pair of sweats hanging low on his waist. As she approached him, hand reaching out to tap his shoulder, he grabbed it with a suddenness she did not expect given her silence and his sightlessness. 

“How did you know?” She asked as he let her hand go. 

“I spent much of my life in darkness, Ms. Baek.” He smiled. “I know my way around it.” 

Na bi took a step closer to him, fingers stroking the soft material of his blindfold.

“Don’t you get tired of the dark?” She looked at him sadly. “Do you ever wish to run away from it?” 

“We don’t get to choose certain things in life, Ms. Baek. I’ve made peace with where I am.” 

“I admire that.” Na bi sighed. “I can never seem to accept things. I’m always running. Away from something, towards something - I can never seem to just sit and take what life gives me.” 

“And I admire that.” 

Na bi stared at him in the dim light of the fires around her. He always seemed to say the words she had given up on hearing. 

“What are you doing here? What is this place?” 

“A sanctuary of sorts.” He looked around though he could see nothing. “I come here to fight battles that are personal to me. Conflicting thoughts, emotions, muddled perspectives.” 

“And being blind helps with that?” 

“Darkness doesn’t make a man blind Ms. Baek. Many can’t see reality even in the light.” Na bi wondered what he meant as he stepped back, cracking his knuckles. “If there’s anything you want to fight, you’re always welcome here.” 

Na bi felt a small smirk dancing on her lips as she pulled her hair into a ponytail. “How about I start with you? See how skillful in the dark you really are.” 

Changkyun’s features molded into amusement as he cocked his head at her. “You love picking battles you can’t win.” 

“Try me.” 

Na bi lunged at him with a swift movement but Changkyun quickly moved to the side, narrowly avoiding her. Not bad. She looked at him through her fringes, mildly impressed by how quickly he caught on. Na bi might not have seemed like it but she was a trained boxer, studying the sport for some 10 odd years now. Admittedly her skills had gotten a little rusty after she got busy in her residency but one on one, she was sure she could take him. 

Shuffling around to confuse his sense of sound, Na bi tried to land another punch but Changkyun immediately played defense. And that went on - her attacking with the moves he would least expect and him getting back at her in a way that was more unpredictable. Attempting one last move Na bi threw her jab at him with full force only for Changkyun to catch her wrist, and pull her towards him, wrapping their arms around her shoulders. Na bi’s chest heaved with the length of her back pressed against him, tapping on the arm he had trapped her with. 

“Okay fine, let me go, you win.” 

Changyun did not let her go. 

“Want to know why you lost Ms. Baek?” 

“I haven’t been in the ring in a while, I couldn’t-” 

“It’s because you assume your opponent will not be able to anticipate your moves.” Chankgun whispered, his breath by the shell of her ear. “But I have never once underestimated you.” 

Na bi smiled at that. Something about this loss felt like a victory. 

Changkyun let her go and she stumbled forward, turning to him as she massaged her wrist. He slowly untied his blindfold before tucking it in his pockets. Na bi watched him as he grabbed a bottle of water from the floor and crouched, gulping it down. Sweat ran down his face and bobbing adam's apple down to his tank top. Changkyun looked at her staring and chuckled. 

“You’re quite the fighter.” 

“Boxing helped me release a lot of anger when I was younger.” She sat down next to him, taking the bottle from his hands, chugging the remaining liquid. Changkyun settled on the floor next to her. Something about this scenario was oddly familiar - Changkyun and her sitting side by side, shoulders almost touching. The last time they were in this position, she poured her heart out to him and nuzzled in his arms for just a bit. Na bi wondered how this time would end. 

“You’re not too bad yourself.” 

“My dad used to train me when I was younger.” Chankgyun stared at the wall ahead. “It was one of the things we did to spend time with each other as a sort of bonding time. My sisters used to get so jealous,” He smiled at a memory. “Well one of them, the other was happy to just sit and giggle away with my mother.” 

“You must miss them.” 

He let out a soft breath. “I’m not sure. Is this feeling, this emptiness I feel called missing? Feels like too small a word.” He glanced at her. “Do you miss your sister?” 

“You only miss someone when they are gone. I’m not sure I’ve let her go yet.” She smiled sadly. “Sometimes I feel like when I open a door she’ll be right behind it. But for you…” Na bi hesitated but then remembered what he said. All she had to do was ask. “Changkyun, what happened to your family?” 

He blinked, staring at the cold, grey floor.

“We used to live in Seoul when I was young.” He began, picking on the skin of his fingernails, a habit oddly similar to hers. “It was a nice house, much like this one, tucked away deep inside the woods. We were isolated but it was never lonely; my parents did all they could to give us the best home.” 

Na bi let out a deep inaudible breath trying not to let the slight envy rise in her chest.

“One night my father came home and urgently moved us all to Jeju.” Changkyun continued. “I never asked him why but I knew he had a lot of enemies, that sometimes we had to lay low, go off radar. I remember the many days we were in Jeju. He was constantly worried, pacing around the room, scared, barely leaving the house, barely letting us out of sight. Then one day, my sisters and I were out in the backyard of the house. It was this large area we loved playing in, you could see the whole sea from there. I was just standing there, watching the waves and..…” His eyes shook as he swallowed on nothing. “The first bullet went right through my sister’s chest.” 

Na bi’s eyes widened. 

“About 20 men in black gear stormed into the woods. My mother immediately grabbed both my sisters and ran to get help. My father took me and ran into the house to hide. He hid me in a secret safe area under a table and made me promise not to make a sound. So I didn’t. And I watched soundlessly as my father was gunned down right in front of my eyes.” 

The picture of a 15 year old Changkyun watching his father die, flashed before Na bi’s eyes making her heart clench painfully. 

“Those men tried searching but they couldn’t find me. It was my father’s friends who discovered me hours later and brought me out of there. They told me it was all over, that I was the only one who made it. That I was the only one left to take over.” 

Na bi frowned. “Take over what?” 

“The empire my father tried his best to keep us all away from. I don't think he realized that in the end it didn't matter - those closest to us always end up paying for our sins.” He looked at her, sadness etched in his features. “My mother and sisters paid the price but I got handed a legacy - Tartarus.” 

And then suddenly so many pieces fit so fast, Na bi felt her mind reeling in shock. 

“You mean…. Your father was the original leader of Tartarus, the BlackJack?” 

Changkyun nodded. 

“That means during the WipeOut, they didn’t capture him, they killed him? The… The cops killed your whole family?” 

Changkyun nodded again. “It was their way of cleaning up loose ends. No one looks to protect those caught in a crossfire.” 

Na bi blinked at him.

“You did…..” She whispered. She had always wondered why Changkyun decided to go to such lengths to protect her all these days. Now, she knew exactly why.  “I was caught in the crossfire and you protected me.” 

“Some people belong in the sky Ms. Baek. It’s not fair to drag them to the shadows of the underworld.” Changkyun tore his eyes away from her and ran his hands through his hair. “My business is limited only to those who belong in this darkness. I do not seek to involve and consequently hurt anyone else.” 

Turning towards him, Na bi took his hands in hers.

“I’m sorry I….” She sighed. There were no doubts left in her mind anymore. “There were a lot of times in the beginning where I didn’t trust you.” 

“I would have thought you a fool if you had.” 

Na bi chuckled, rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb. 

Getting up swiftly, she pulled him up by his hand, much to his confusion. As he steadied himself, Na bi wrapped her arms around him, feeling the unwavering beating of his heart against her chest. Changkyun didn’t move for a minute and then eventually he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Thank you.” He whispered, holding her tighter and Na bi nodded against his shoulder softly. 

Na bi looked around her office, breathing a sigh of relief. 

Two more days and she could come back here. Back to her space, back to her world, back where she belonged. 

Arranging her things neatly on the table, wiping the layers of dust settled on it, she began to hum her favorite song when Seokmin knocked on her door. 

“I can’t wait for you to be back at work.” He grinned, handing her a cup of their usual horrible vending machine coffee. Na bi laughed, taking it - it somehow seemed like a treat now. 

“I can’t wait to be back too. I’ve had enough of this clownery the last month.” 

“Speaking of which,” Seokmin whipped out a phone from his pocket. “You left this here last time.” 

Na bi reached for the phone Mingyu had given her, safely slipping it into her pocket, muttering a thanks. 

“I haven’t seen you in a while Baek, what happened?” 

Na bi blinked at Seokmin. So much. So much had happened in the last few days, where was she to start from? Nearly every theory she had about Changkyun and his world had been right and it had been confirmed by the man himself. Not because of the truth serum, just because she asked. She, on the other hand, had spilt her heart to him without him even asking just because she felt like she could trust him. And she was right to. After hearing Changkyun’s past, she was more certain now. He knew what it was like to be collateral damage in a fight - Changkyun could not have killed Ana. She had to find something else for Mingyu to implicate him in. 

Just as she was about to sit to tell Seokmin all the details, her eyes fell on an envelope at the corner of her desk addressed to her. She frowned, reaching for it, turning it over in her hands. 

“Oh yeah,” Seokmin gulped his coffee hurriedly. “That came this morning, just before you got here.” 

Taking her letter opener, she slit it open, pulling out a small piece of paper. Scribbled on it was some kind of address. Confused, Na bi flipped it over and her heart dropped to her stomach. 

“Seokmin.” 

He hummed in response. 

“Give me your access card, I need to use the backdoor.” 

“Okay…” He drawled, pulling it out of his pocket. “But what happened-” 

Na bi did not answer. She grabbed the card from his hand and rushed, pushing through the crowd and the door, finally finding herself on the road. Quickly hailing a taxi and reading out the address on the paper with a shaky voice, she sat back into the softness of the leather seats, flipping it again, hands shivering.

Baek Bit Na

Na bi stood in front of the door, her breaths shallow and fast. 

She was in a quiet neighborhood at the edge of the city, in front of a small two storey house that looked like it came straight out of the sitcoms. There was a large yard around, a little set up for birds, a small dog house in the corner. The other side was filled with plants, flowers of all sorts, creepers crawling up the walls and the roof. Na bi stood there for around 15 odd minutes, looking at it all. 

She had reached out to ring the doorbell and then retracted her hand a dozen times now. When Mingyu had promised he would find her sister, she didn’t think it would be the very next day. The entire cab ride she had been wondering how she was to react when she finally came across Bit Na. Was she supposed to be mad that she forgot her for 12 years? Was she supposed to be happy knowing her sister was fine and doing  well? Or was she supposed to be upset that she spent all these years wondering whether her sister, the one person she cared about more than anyone in this world, was even alive?

Maybe it was best that she didn’t meet her. Na bi had no idea what reason Bit Na was about to give for her disappearance and she didn’t want to hear if there was any fault of her own. Or worse, if she was abandoned for no reason at all. 

Sighing, she turned to walk away, when a tall man walked in from the gate, looking at her quizzically. He opened his mouth, perhaps to ask who she was and she opened hers to make an excuse but before either of them could say anything, the door behind her flung open and a little pair of feet ran across the yard, a small girl jumping to the man’s arms as he lifted her with a happy laugh. Na bi stared at the two of them giggling away, a small smile growing on her face which froze at the voice from behind her.

“Na….Na bi?” 

Na bi slowly turned, heartbeat loud in her ears to see Bit na standing at the door, looking at her with huge, wet eyes. She looked just like she did 12 years ago - well maybe a little older now, eyebags prominent under her eyes, her usual hip fashion traded for a cotton dress with a stained apron over it, her arms caked with batter.

Na bi took a hesitating step forward, hand reaching for the other woman’s cheek, slightly caressing it, just to check if this was real. If she was real. 

Bit na’s tears drenched her fingers before she pulled her into a bone crushing hug, weeping into the crevice of her neck. 

Na bi stood still, finally letting it sink in - she had found her sister. 

“Tea?” 

Na bi shook her head as Bit na sank down on the couch next to her, wiping her hands on her apron. 

“Oh, have some. Hendery makes a mean tea.” 

The man at the kitchen entrance shot her a reassuring finger gun. Na bi nodded with a hard smile.

“Let me look at you.” Bit na turned towards her, leaning against the armrest of the couch. “You’ve grown so big…. Did you say you were a doctor?” 

Na bi nodded. 

“But didn’t you want to be a detective? Oh no, was it a cop?” Bit na squinted her eyes trying to remember. “Ah, you wanted to be a detective and marry a cop, so you both could have your little adventures together.” 

Na bi laughed softly. “That was over a decade ago.” 

“True, but why did the dream change?”

Na bi took a deep breath.  

“Do you remember when I told you I was missing the kids at the orphanage, you said the best way to remember the people we love is to take a little something about them and make it ours?" Na bi plucked the skin on her fingers. “I then picked up one friend's fashion sense, another friend’s hobby, another’s eating habits.” 

“Is that why you picked my dream? Because I wanted to be a doctor?” 

Na bi nodded. “I guess a part of me also thought, maybe somewhere, somehow, at least professionally, I’d be able to see you again.” 

“Na bi, I know-”

“Twelve years.” Na bi murmured. “It’s been twelve fucking years-” 

Bit na hissed, looking towards her daughter sitting on the floor amidst her sprawled toys, playing happily. 

“Sorry, she’s at the age where she’s learning too fast.” 

Na bi looked at her niece's tiny hands, stacking the blocks, laughing as they toppled over. 

“How old is she?”

“Four this year.” 

“I don't even know her.” Na bi scoffed. “I should be her cool, favorite aunt but here I am, sitting like a stranger.” 

“She knows you.” Bit na’s voice left her softly. “My kids grew up hearing all about our stories. All the fun we had-”

“But I should have been there! I should have been there when you were married, I should have been there when you were pregnant, when you had your children, for god’s sake Bit na.” Na bi stood up, shaking her head. “I can’t be here. I can’t possibly sit here and see this entire life you’ve made for yourself in twelve years without me. I just-” 

“Na bi,” Bit na held her hand. “I didn’t have a choice, you know I would never have left if there was any other way.”

“What did you leave then?” Na bi sighed, pulling her hands away. “Why couldn’t you even tell me-” 

Hendery walked in with two cups in his hands, glancing at both women, reading the room. Placing them on the tea table, he picked up his daughter with an understanding nod and carried her away to the garden. 

“Do you remember him?” 

Na bi frowned as Hendery disappeared behind the glass. “No?” 

“Try to picture him in a leather jacket with a helmet and on a bike.” 

Na bi tried to form an image in her head, her jaw dropping as she realized. “The guy you were seeing back then?? The one you’d sneak out to meet at night?” 

Bit na nodded. “The one our parents so terribly hated.” 

“Hated is an understatement but….” Na bi glanced at him rolling in the grass outside, lowering her voice just in case he could hear. “Wasn’t he the typical bad boy kinda guy? Selling drugs, smoking joints?” 

Bit na laughed. “He was. Back then, teenager me loved that about him. Now, he’s the best dad my children could ever ask for. And now, I love that about him.” 

Na bi sat down next to her sister.

“I wasn’t with Hendery because I wanted to be rebellious or act out. I truly loved him, the real him - The one the world didn’t see or couldn’t see or didn’t want to see. I saw it and I fell in love with it and there’s not a cell in me that regrets that.” Bit na smiled, looking at her happy family. “Hendery was like you - lonely, adopted, no one to love, no one to love him. I chose to, even though our parents detested the idea and our forbidden love led to..... led to me getting pregnant.” 

“At 16?” Na bi blinked at her sister rapidly, confused. “You were 16 and pregnant??” 

Bit na chuckled. “Well, our parents reacted like this too. Unmarried, school going rebel daughter, pregnant by the motorcycle driving drug dealer - you can imagine the horror. I told them, after the WipeOut, Hendery had cleaned up his act, he had gotten his shit together but they didn’t listen. They said they didn’t want me to have the child. That wasn’t a choice I was willing to make - the child was Hendery’s only way to have a family that was truly and wholly his and I wanted him to have that. They asked me to leave home then and never come back, never contact them or you. They didn’t want my bad influence on their only other child. They said if I ever tried to meet you or tell you what happened, they'd disown you.” 

Na bi’s lips parted in shock. “That’s why you left? Because you were scared they’d leave me, that I’d be homeless? Bit na, that was not my home, you were-” 

“What you are saying is poetry Na bi, not reality. You were not a legal adult by then and neither was I, it wasn’t practical for me to rip you out of a house you were legally placed in.” Bit na sighed. “I did wait till you were 18 and no longer needed a guardian. I went home to get you back but they had moved out of there. I tried really hard and traced them to their new house and asked about you but they said… they said you went overseas to study and that you had forgotten all about me, happily.” 

“Your parents said that?” Na bi looked shocked. They of all people knew how devastated she was by Bit na leaving. Then why..... “Of course they did, this was payback. But how could you believe that-” 

“Payback for what?” Bit na narrowed her eyes. “Na bi, what did you do?” 

“Nobody would tell me anything about you. I screamed, I cried, I begged, I waited, yet neither of them would say a damn thing.” Na bi looked away nervously. “I didn’t mean to, it was an accident but….. I might have burnt down their house.” 

“You what??”

“Again, it was an accident and I even was in reformatory for a day or two. Then your parents claimed the fire was an accident and took me back. I have no idea why.” 

“Most probably to claim insurance.” Bit na shook her head. “I know because I have a friend who’s a lawyer.” 

“I’m assuming their little stunt of telling you I had moved on was payback for that….” 

“To think I could have been with you so much earlier.” Bit na tucked Na bi’s fringe behind her ear. “After that I didn’t try to meet you or find you. I guess a part of me was hurt that you moved on, but more importantly, they said you were happy, that was enough for me.” 

“There wasn’t a day I didn’t think about you.” Na bi sighed, holding her sister's hand. “I too just hoped you were happy wherever you were and looking at your house and Hendrey and your daughter, I’m glad you were fine.” 

Bit na nodded. “But there was always a gaping you shaped hole in my heart. I even named my first born Na bi.” 

Na bi gasped, looking at the little one playing outside. “Her name’s Na bi?” 

“No the older one, she’s-” Bit na glanced at the clock. “-yet to return from school. That’s the second one, Ha neul, and the third one is on the way.” She rubbed her slightly protruding belly, making Na bi break out into a wide smile. “It’s a boy.” 

“I’m afraid I’m gonna spoil this one rotten.” 

“And I’m going to have to reheat the tea.” 

The two girls turned to Hendery who had just walked in looking beat, staring at the two cups he had left which had long gone cold. Bit na laughed, getting up, taking their daughter in her arms. “I’ll do it, give my sister some company till then.” 

Hendery nodded, sinking into the couch across Na bi, looking at her with a sweet smile she did not remember him having. 

“Bit na never stops talking about you.” He pulled his feet up to the couch then immediately shook his head before he put them down again. Na bi smiled knowing her sister hated that. 

“When we were young, she would never stop talking about you too.” 

Hendery’s eyes shone like a young boy in love. “Really? I didn’t know she liked me so much.” 

“She didn’t, she was mostly complaining.” Hendery’s face fell immediately making Na bi feel bad as she laughed. “I’m kidding. She really liked you, enough to leave me.” 

“I hope you forgive her for that Na bi.” He looked at her sadly. “And me. I didn’t know that to protect my feelings she had to hurt yours.” 

“She did the right thing.” Na bi leaned back into the couch. “If she picked me over you and your child, it would have made me feel a whole lot worse. And because I know that you make her happy, consider yourself forgiven.” Hendery smiled at her with a happy nod. “Though I’m going to have to borrow her really often. I have twelve years to catch up on.” 

“Please do.” Hendery joined his hands, begging. “Take the kids also. I can use some time away.” 

“Repeat that.” Bit na walked out of the kitchen, handing Na bi her tea, looking at her man with narrowed eyes. 

“I uh… Lime! I was just telling Na bi about the wonderful lime harvest we just had.” 

“Ooh.” Her sister looked at her excitedly. “We really did have the best harvest last week. I’m gonna whip you up some lime pudding. I remember you love it.” 

Before Na bi could protest, Bit na hurried away into the kitchen, leaving behind Hendery sighing in relief. Na bi laughed. “Are you really that terrified of her?” 

“Not all of us have the luxury of Tartarus’s protection, do we?” 

Nearly choking on her drink, Na bi launched into a coughing fit. “What?” 

“I wasn’t born yesterday Na bi. You forget, I was once part of the underworld.” 

“You….you worked for Tartarus?”

Hendery shook his head. “Gods no. Back in the day, Tartarus was a living nightmare. The Blackjack led a small group of a hundred or so assassins and they were unstoppable. They turned murder in Seoul into a casual, daily occurrence. But I heard Tartarus after the Wipeout, IM’s Tartatus, is different - a lot larger in number but more discrete.” 

Na bi swallowed the bile rising in her throat. 

“During the WipeOut I had turned my back on my dealers, tattled some names. I was ready to leave behind the life of crime and settle with your sister so I did what I thought was necessary. I was put in witness protection - they changed our identities, helped us relocate. If there’s anyone who could have found us after all these years, it’s IM’s men. Besides,” He pointed at the window with a tilt of his head. “That black car has been out there ever since you came. There’s not a single black car in this neighborhood and Tartarus are notorious for trailing.” 

Na bi immediately stood up, running over to the window and looked out. 

Standing there leaning against the surface of a familiar car was Changkyun, his arms crossed in front of his chest, his gaze wandering over the house. Spotting her at the window, he gave her a small smile...

It was Changkyun who found her sister. 

Na bi broke into a smile of her own, giving him a small wave. Changkyun nodded in acknowledgement.

Beside him, Wonho opened the door and Changkyun shot her one last look as he got in. When he drove off Na bi's eyes followed him till the end of the street before meeting Wonho's slightly mad expression. Remembering she had bolted from the hospital without letting him know, Na bi took a sheepish step back. 

When she turned, Hendery was looking at her with raised eyebrows. 

“Ah, is our little butterfly in love?” 

Na bi stared at the empty space where Changkyun was just a moment ago. She could feel her heart beat loudly in her ears at Hendery’s question. But….it was so at peace when her eyes fell on Changkyun. Did that mean….

Please don’t fall in love with me Ms. Baek. 

Na bi half shook her head. “My life is a little complicated right now, I can’t indulge in the details but…”

“I’m not judging you Na bi, I would be the last one to.” Hendery assured. 

“He’s…. not as bad as they say he is.” 

“I know.” Hendery sighed. “The first few months after your sister gave birth were hard. She couldn’t go to work so we had to rely on just me for the mortgage and the medical bills and the baby products, it was a struggle. For a brief moment, I gave in to the idea of a life in crime again - it’s easy to fall back on old habits you see. When I reached out to a friend to see if he could get me work in Tartarus, he said the boss refused. They didn’t take men with families and initially, I thought it was because he saw family as a liability, a weakness but a week later, there was a box with a fat wad of cash in it, asking me to find a decent job and never to look for Tartarus again. That was when I realized, for him, family was-” 

“A strength he wanted you to preserve.” Na bi whispered softly.

Hendery nodded. “There’s good in bad and bad in good. He’s no angel, he’s not someone to look up to or anyone to be proud of but he values people. And if he values you, cherish it. There’s not many left in the world who know how to love.” 

“Ms. Baek.” 

Changkyun knocked on the open door of her room, glancing at the empty premises. Up in the loft, Na bi looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. 

“Looks like tables have turned. How come you’re at my door today?” 

“Because you asked Mrs. Lee to tell me that you were looking for me?” 

Na bi rolled her eyes. “Come in, I’m just getting dressed.” 

Changkyun glanced at the clock, walking in. “It’s 10pm, are you going out somewhere?” 

“Not me, we are.” Na bi threw on a dress, looking at her reflection disappointed. “We’re going to the club.”

“We?” Changkyun raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry, unfortunately, I won’t be able to accept your offer-” 

“It wasn’t an offer. I wasn’t asking.” 

“Ms. Baek-” 

“Na bi.” She peered at him from above, looking at the way he stood in the middle of her room, hands tucked in his pocket, expression amused. “Is there a reason you never call me that?” 

“First name basis is for those who are acquainted.” 

“Oh,” Na bi feigned thoughtfulness. “We aren’t acquainted because we aren’t friends or enemies or lovers. But we are two people who bared themselves to each other…....figuratively. Does that not count?” 

“I suppose it can.” Changkyun smiled at her with a tilt of the head. “Na bi.” 

“Changkyun.” She replied, smiling back. “Come on, I’ve got what, another day here before I have to return. Let me show you one fun, Na bi style night before I leave. As a thank you.” 

“You don’t have to-” 

“You didn’t have to find my sister either.” 

“It's not a hard task for a man like me.” Changkyun looked at her pointedly. “Speaking of which, I thought you’d be there tonight.” 

Na bi broke her eye contact with him and dragged herself back to the mirror. “I wanted to but her older daughter had some lessons in the evening and the younger one was getting cranky so I thought I could go back another day.” 

She threw on another dress, looking at herself skeptically. Something more revealing would be better.  

“Do you know an interesting piece of news though? My sister and the father of her children aren’t married. I mean they are, legally, but they didn’t have a proper ceremony for it. My sister didn’t want to do it when I wasn’t around so now that I’m here, I’m undoubtedly going to throw them an intimate wedding, some day.” Na bi looked at herself in the mirror now, finally happy with her pick. “So you have a choice. Come to the wedding as my date or come to the club with me now.” 

“I uh…. weddings aren’t my thing.” 

“So I guess it's decided then.” Na bi walked down the stairs in her blue bralette and ripped jean combo, her hair done pulled up in a tight sleek ponytail, the scent she had sprayed on stronger than usual. Changkyun’s eyes did not leave her till she came down from the last step, neither did any words from his mouth. 

“I didn’t know it was so easy to get you to agree.” She smirked at him playfully. “If you wanted to see me dressed in something slutty, all you had to do was ask.” 

Changkyun leaned close, whispering into the shell of her ear. “Who said I wanted to see you dressed in anything at all?” He gave her a cheeky smile as he took a step back and another. “I’ll see you down in 10.” 

“You know I’ve been to this club a million times but I don’t ever remember the music being this bad.” Na bi frowned, leaning against the bar, Changkyun right by her side. “Or maybe I need more alcohol in my system.” She turned to the bartender behind, screaming for another order of drinks, before looking at Changkyun expectantly. 

“No thanks.” 

“You’re such a bore.” 

“I prefer a neat glass of whiskey in my room. Diluted shots of tequila are not my poison.” 

Na bi rolled her eyes as she reached for her drink and downed it in one gulp. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand she cocked her head at the dance floor. Changkyun shook his head again, making her sigh and walk over all by herself. Stopping at the middle of the floor she turned to him, slowly swaying her hips to the music, eyes fixed on his. Of course she wasn’t expecting him to turn up to the club in a suit but something about his navy blue shirt and black slacks combo was throwing her off her game. Maybe it was the fact that he had the first two buttons undone, or that silver chain shining against his pale skin or the way his hair was falling into his eyes….. He looked hotter than usual and Na bi was drunker than usual. 

He watched, mildly amused as Na bi got bolder with her moves, pulling the hair tie off, letting her waves fall over her shoulder, the way she knew he liked it. Changkyun’s eyes darkened, just a little, but Na bi soon realized the real reason why. 

“You with anyone tonight sweetie?” 

An unknown man pressed himself against her back, slurring into her ear. Na bi looked at Changkyun who didn’t move. 

“I am.” 

“Don’t see him though. He doesn’t seem to be taking good care of you.” His breath smelt like a weird mix of soju and kimchi. “I could look after you much better.” 

“No thanks.” Na bi pushed him away with a soft jerk, but he moved towards her again, his hands on her waist this time. 

“Don’t fight it sweetie. I can show you a real good time.” 

Na bi nearly gagged, feeling his boner press up against her. Holding him by the wrist, she twisted his arm, earning a loud shriek. 

“Learn to take no for an answer dickhead.” 

She let him go, making him stumble, his drunk self easily loosing footing. The man staggered, getting to his feet, trying to charge at her angrily but one look behind her and he froze. Watching the fear creep on his face, Na bi knew that Changkyun was standing inches away from her. 

“Y-you shouldn’t go around leaving your girl alone like that. ” The man stuttered. “L-look after her well.” 

“You should worry about yourself.” Changkyun looked at him pitiably. “My woman is more than capable on her own.” 

Fucking hell. 

Na bi didn’t know if the man left or not. She didn’t even care. Turning around, she grabbed Changkyun by his chain, yanking him forward looking at him with big eyes. 

“Na bi…” 

“Shut up and kiss me.”

And when she pressed her lips on his, he did. For barely a second though. Hands softly on her waist, he pulled her back. 

“Why don’t you ever listen?” He shut his eyes, swallowing hard. “We can’t….” 

“Why not?” Pressing her forehead against his, she sighed. “I want to. I want you. I….” 

From the corner of her eye, she noticed the crowd moving uncomfortably. Na bi gulped, knowing the purpose she had dragged him to the club was finally about to commence. 

“I’m so sorry Changkyun.” 

And then came the gunshots. 

[soneblomsblog]

What eaf a yang jae won wherein he likes his co doctor but he cannot confess because of the doctor's brother, yes dr. baek's little is sister the one that jae won likes something like that HAHAHAHAHAHA thank youuu

Off-Limits

Yang Jae Won x Reader

I should stop looking at you.

I really, really should.

But no matter how much I tell myself to focus on my work, my eyes find you anyway—laughing, talking, just existing. And every damn time, I feel like I’m losing my mind.

“You’re staring again.”

Gyeong-Won's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. I tear my gaze away, swallowing hard. “I’m not.”

He scoffs, taking a sip of his coffee. “Right. And I didn’t just watch you stare at her for a full thirty seconds like some lovesick intern.”

I grit my teeth. "Shut up, .Gyeong-Won's:"

He only smirks. He enjoys this too much. Maybe because he knows I won’t do anything about it.

I can’t.

Because you—Dr. Baek’s little sister—are untouchable.

And yet, here you are, sitting across the room with your brother, completely unaware of the war raging inside me.

I watch as you push a strand of hair behind your ear, listening intently to whatever nonsense your brother is saying. Dr. Baek is annoyingly overprotective, but I can’t even be mad. If you were my sister, I’d probably keep guys like me away from you too.

But it’s killing me.

Every interaction, every glance—it’s getting harder to pretend I don’t feel this way. Harder to keep my mouth shut when all I want to do is tell you.

“Jae Won.”

Your voice jolts me like a defibrillator to the chest.

You’re standing in front of me now, smiling, completely oblivious to the fact that my heart is about to give out.

“Are you okay?” You tilt your head slightly. “You look kinda tense.”

Tense?

That’s an understatement.

I clear my throat. “I’m fine. Just… tired.”

You smile again. “Then get some rest, Dr. Yang. Wouldn’t want you collapsing in the middle of surgery.”

I let out a short laugh, but my hands are clenched under the table. If only you knew.

I watch as you walk away, back to your brother’s side, completely unaware of how you’ve ruined me without even trying.

And I—pathetic fool that I am—can only sit here, pretending I don’t love you.

[dramadramallama]

I'm going to be critical for a minute because I would like to talk about kdramas' most prevalent disease: the overexplaining. You've heard of showing instead of telling? Get ready for showing, showing again, telling, telling again, and showing while telling!

I'm unsure whether it helps with the runtime (gotta reach that 60 minute mark somehow!) or if it's just laziness on the writers/directors' part but the following have become my biggest pet-peeves:

repetitive flashbacks

obvious and unnecessary dialogue

off screen narration

info dumps

characters talking to themselves (this one is not expanded on below lol, it's too specific)

Sometimes, the same points are hammered in so many different ways, it truly feels absurd. Do they think we can't understand basic parallels?

I started watching Trauma Code and The Witch, and I think they both are perfect candidates to use as examples to illustrate my argument. Note: to be fair, I've seen way worse, but they're the two most recent shows I've watched with these issues, so my memory is fresh, that's all.

It's very easy to pinpoint the exact moment a scene goes overboard in terms of storytelling. In Trauma Code, most of the key scenes where character development happens are not allowed to just simply play out without being bogged down with one, or several, of the pet peeves mentioned above. It saps any subtlety and lightness out of the scene—thus impacting overall pace and rhythm.

EXAMPLE 1 - TRAUMA CODE, EPISODE 2 (around 30min mark)

The two titular doctors, Dr Baek and Dr Han are fighting over Jae-won, a junior doctor, who they want as their protégé. Jae-won is overwhelmed about having to make a choice and can only stand by and watch as the two seniors battle it out childishly.

This is how the scene unfolds (and where it should have ended):

The seniors are verbally arguing

Cuts to the nurses gossiping about who Jae-won will choose between credentials (Dr Han) or skills (Dr Baek)

Cuts back to the office where Jae-won has trouble choosing and his gaze drifts to all the diplomas, success photos, and other achievements hanging on the wall of Dr Han's office

Dr Baek, the trauma expert, quietly notices Jae-won being swayed by all that.

Pause! This is where I think the scene should have gone differently. No more dialogue on the subject, just have Dr Baek scoff and leave, seemingly disappointed in Jae-won for hesitating; straight to the next scene, this time in Dr Baek's office. Why? Because in Dr Baek's office, he has his own "success wall shelf," with his photos and memorabilia, which we've seen him start to unpack a little bit before in the episode. And his photos obviously tell a very different story, and paint a different picture. The juxtaposition of the two scenes (actually, the three scenes, if you count the one with him unpacking) would have been enough to SHOW why Jae-won—who has followed Dr Baek out of Dr Han's office—would choose this doctor instead of the other one. But they chose the opposite of being subtle.

Instead, this is how the actual scenes goes - before he leaves, Dr Baek:

loudly and superfluously remarks, à propos of the wall, "Not one photo with a patient..."

then, follows a brief dialogue exchange where he berates Jae-won for having trouble choosing—Dr Baek prefers a doctor who will not waste precious time like that when life is on the line.

That first point is completely superfluous, as we've already seen Dr Baek's unpacking the photos AND we will see him reminisce about the people he saved right after, when he's in his own office with Jae-won. The second part—the dialogue—can easily be transposed to the next scene for better flow, in Dr Baek's office, where he goes over his achievements and Jae-won can relate to him, finally.

It's hard to explain, but if you watch the two scenes in their entirety, I think it's pretty clear how they could be edited differently to make sure the extra stuff doesn't hinder the story, and to avoid being so heavy-handed, almost "didactic." The audience naturally infers things; the "clues" are there. I GET IT. Don't explain it to me, this is a TV show, not a school presentation.

EXAMPLE 2 - TRAUMA CODE, END OF EPISODE 2

This scene was a nice way to (almost) end the episode and signify the beginning of Jae-won's start as a trauma surgeon, following his new mentor's lead.

The problem is... the scene doesn't end there. It continues with the double combo of off screen dialogue over flashbacks of scenes we've already seen—to really make sure we UNDERSTAND what we are seeing, I guess.

Because we've seen Jae-won sprint several times, in different scenes, long enough and with a focus on Dr Baek (via reaction shots), it is shown that Jae-won has the potential to be a good trauma surgeon and that Dr Baek notices it. The running is used, judiciously, as a signifier for his readiness for action, and his understanding of urgency. As the audience, we understand it's a core characteristic for Jae-won: he cares. And when Dr Baek plainly replies, "Cause you run well," it made sense! Because we have context; we can make the connection easily. A simple reaction shot of Jae-won having the expected emotion (surprise, or understanding, or whatever the script calls for) would have sufficed before moving on to the next scene. It would have been perfectly clear, and they would have kept the impact of that one-liner effect.

Instead, we get:

flashbacks with no added perspective (i.e they use the exact same shots from earlier in the show, slap a filter on it and call it a day)

Dr Baek's off-screen dialogue, "Every time I saw you, you were running." spoken directly to Jae-won and as we literally re-watch the aforementioned running flashbacks.

Right after, we get actual the closing scene for that episode: Jae-won internally monologues over a shot of him strutting behind Dr Baek as they walk through the trauma department, looking proud and ready for a new chapter in his life: (paraphrased) "Since then, I had a deep conviction in my heart. If I continue to do as I do now, and follow Dr Baek in his footsteps… I'll also become a doctor saving lives." I swear; remove that voice-over and nothing is lost: we understand exactly what is said, because we watch the action happen on screen, with NO WORDS SPOKEN. Because actors… are acting...

How tedious. How unnecessary. You know that feeling when someone says something and somebody next to them repeats the exact same thing? It's like... they just said that, damn.

EXAMPLE 3 - THE WITCH, EPISODES 1 & 2

Honestly, these first two eps were a mess of overexposition, bad pacing, and clumsy editing. They could have been condensed in one episode easily, making it more palatable.

They decided to start in the present only to spend 95% of ep1 and 2 in the past, through giant flashbacks. Why not just start your story in the past, and THEN, flashforward to the present? All the background info on characters and initial mystery can be set up in the first episode to create enough curiosity for us to watch more.

In episode 2, there is an entire flashback sequence where the female lead, Mi-jung, is experiencing shitty things (rejection at school, loneliness, fear, etc...) and Mi-jung's voice-over narrates... exactly what we're seeing on screen. Straight up, a shot of her crying over a student's death and her voice very helpfully explaining to the audience, "I felt guilty." Come on.

(By the way, this scene? Already shown in episode 1, in its entirety, but from the male lead perspective. What's that? Do they use different shots? No, the same ones.)

Or a scene where classmates are gossiping and suspicious of her because it seems like bad things keep happening to boys around her + her "helpful" voice-over going, "Unusual accidents kept happening at school." Yes... we just saw that... they just said that...

Or a montage of her at school being ostracized and boys keeping a wide berth, while she drones on that, "The guys who got hurt started avoiding me..." Wow, such insight.

And the funniest moment: when her classmate tells others that Mi-jung has to be a witch, and her voice-over goes, "Someone started a rumor about me being a witch..." OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!! Who is this off-screen narration for??????

In fact, they pushed the redundancy to its extremes to the point where ENTIRE scenes are repeated (with very little extra info) from one episode to the next. Same shots/angles and everything, just pure copy/paste. There is a slow-mo scene towards the end of episode 1 that is so unnecessary long (I timed it, it's FOUR MINUTES!!!!!) I have to suspect they were short of a few minutes to fill the episode. Watching the two eps back to back left me with a profound sense of emptiness. There was a lot of fluff and no substance, in terms of story telling.

ANYWAY.

Rant over. Sometimes, a character's thoughts should remain just that, thoughts. Voice-overs are absolutely valid, but they have a place and time (just like flashbacks). They only work when used in very specific instances, and I really think they should never ever be used as a "subtitle" or "caption" for the actor's work. I don't need translation. Same thing as when the writers make the characters talk to themselves so they can explicitly voice their thoughts/feelings...

This isn't theater. I'm not sitting all the way in the back, in the dark, unable to see the stage actor's expressions, unable to hear if they don't project their voice enough. I don't need loud asides to follow along. The camera is a storytelling tool in and of itself! It doesn't need much more, I SWEAR. It doesn't even have to be the best acting lol, as long as the emotion/meaning comes through—I'll take it from there. Anything added after or over that to "clarify/explain" feels tacked on, heavy, awkward, and imposing.

Sometimes, the watching experience for a drama is akin to the creative team pulling on my arm like crazy to shove me around like a reluctant child, so I go exactly where they want me to go; whereas to me, good writing and directing strives to be subtle enough to gently pull back the curtain on its characters and story, and leave some room for interpretation. Let me explore. That's it.