#sung-hoon park

[maysshortmoviereviews]

The Glory (2022 -

A woman lives for absolute revenge against her childhood bullies who destroyed her life.

📝A superb drama about revenge. It's just unlike anything else I have ever seen, everything is just perfectly written, directed and shot. The first two episodes are a little slow so bear with it, and it really makes you hate the people who are doing the wrong and committing abuse but boy oh boy do they get the revenge they deserve! Absolutely brilliant. This was my first Korean Drama (or KDrama as it is widely known as) and I am now going to check out more shows from there. I highly recommend this if you like a good revenge drama and good twists. It is a proper binge-worthy show.

[nicostiel]

#She was the first woman that used her correct pronouns. And called her beautiful. She felt accepted for once.

[connorsui]

A SPECIAL FORCES SERGEANT WHOS A DIVAAAAA

IF SHE DIES NEXT SEASON YALL WILL HEAR THE END OF MY GUNNNN

[jugeullae]

PARK SUNG HOON as Cho Hyun Joo #120

SQUID GAME 2 (2024, Hwang Dong Hyuk)

[melminli]

Pink Pony Club

summary - you weren't expecting much from your evening in a shitty bar, but then you saw a pretty woman sitting next to you.

pairing: cho hyun-ju x fem. reader

word count: 1.2k

contains: wlw, angst w/ comfort, fluff, a bit transphobia, pre squid game au

a/n: hyun-ju was my fav this season and i literally love her so much - she deserves the world and more😔💕

the request.

You looked bored at your drink while you caressed its round surface with your index finger. Your friends had finally managed to drag you to one of their favorite bars and, you didn't really enjoy being here, as you had expected since it was pretty, well - straight.

You were fine with it at first, when you all sat down at a table and just talked and laughed together. However, after a while a group of men sat down at your table - with everyone's permission, of course, but you still weren't the biggest fan of that decision. The only reason you didn't mind was that your friends seemed to be having a genuinely good time with the guys and that they weren't too bad. You still excused yourself from the table after a while, because one of them wouldn't stop subtly flirting with you even when did not hide your lack of interest. Sitting lonely at the bar counter wasn't too bad, you guessed.

I'll just finish my drink and then leave. You thought to yourself, still bored, and glanced subtly at the woman next to you after noticing how she seemed to be moving around quite nervously for a while. “Hey, are you alright?” you whispered to her in a soft voice after you moved closer to her side.

She returned your gaze slightly surprised and seemed to try to make herself even smaller after your attention was focused on her. “Ah, yes everything is fine. there is nothing to worry about…”

A few guys a little further away from you suddenly started to cackle ugly after she finished talking and you didn't miss how the woman next to you turned her eyes back to the counter - obviously feeling uncomfortable by what they were saying.

“Did you hear that voice? It's even deeper than yours!” he said to his friend, who only agreed with a shocked look on his face as he pointed his hand in your direction. “Come on man, that's not fair! Have you even seen how rugged that dude is? I mean you do realize that's not a real - you know…”

You took an annoyed breath as you looked across the room and bit your tongue to keep you from spitting in their hideous faces. Though, it was pretty hard to restrain yourself since you really wanted to. "Assholes.” you just uttered while staring at their heads with a hateful look, imagining them exploding.

“Just ignore them…” said the woman next to you with a gentle voice after noticing your reaction. “What they say doesn't bother me anyway.”

And even though she said that you knew it did because it always did. You returned your attention back to her and introduced yourself to her after taking the last sip of your drink. “And what's your name, pretty?”

She seemed to be caught off guard a little when she heard you say that. “Oh, ehm…” she stumbled a little over her words. “It's ehm Hyun-ju. My name is Hyun-ju.”

You smiled. “Pretty like you. It suits you.” you complimented her and noticed how the weird guys from the corner were still watching you. “Hey, do you want to get out of here?” you asked and were glad when she nodded. “Well, come with me, I know a good spot,” you told her and took her hand in yours.

You gently pulled her off the chair with you and led her out of the stuffy bar, feeling like you could breathe again when your nose met the fresh air. “I was really close to beating those guys up,” you told her as you walked hand in hand with her. Hyun-ju giggled lightly, as if it was hard for her to imagine you doing something like that. You looked at her in disbelief. “What, you don't believe me? I'm totally serious, really!”

She tried to hide her smile, but barely managed it. “No, I believe you.” she replied, but you weren't really convinced by her answer. You just hummed when you finally noticed the store. “Look there! I hope you're hungry, because this place makes the best japchea.” you told her happily while holding the door open for her because a long time had passed since you last went to this little restaurant.

Luckily, there weren't many people here at this time of day, so you managed to get a good seat for two. “Sorry, I didn't even ask if you wanted to eat japchea. They also have lots of other things if you want, my treat.” you winked at her and Hyun-ju noticed how you cuddled your hands against your cheeks, as if they were still warm from the alcohol.

“Thank you, but japchea is fine. I will trust your recommendation,” she replied shyly and watched as you shouted your order with two fingers in the air to the chef, who gave you an all-clear with his thumb. “They don't have a waiter here, so…” you explained, automatically putting your hand back on hers without really noticing.

Well, you didn't until Hyun-ju's eyes turned to it and it was only then that you realized you were probably being a little too handsy. “Oh, I'm sorry about that.” you quickly apologized when you quickly pulled your hand back. “I really didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable or anything, you're probably not even into other women?” you let the question hang in the air, while you simultaneously cursed yourself for even asking that.

Hyun-ju blinked slightly in surprise while she played nervously with her hair. You knew at that moment that you had fucked up and prevented yourself from showing your disappointment. Unknown to you, she was thinking about something entirely else right now. So she was flirting with me the whole time? I didn't even realize, how embarrassing. “Are…are you?” she asked tensely, almost slapping her hand over her face at her stupid question. Of course she is, she just said it.

You laughed lightly with one eyebrow raised. “Do I like women? Hell yeah.” you just said, finding it a little funny how she acted right now. cute.

Hyun-ju was used to attracting the attention of girls before starting her transition. She even had a few relationships with them and liked it, but dating was one of the many things that became more than just difficult for her after she officially came out. “I'm a trans woman,” she finally said, even though she knew that you knew.

You just leaned forward with a grin. She hadn't turned you down, that's all you cared about. “I know,” you said, watching how she shyly avoided your gaze while crossing her arms in front of her. “You don't have to hide. I meant it when i said that you're very pretty.”

Hyun-ju slowly met your gaze and this time it was her who initiated physical contact with you. She held your hand softly. “I think you're really pretty too,” she said, and at that moment, you were both pretty glad that you went to that shitty bar today, even if you'd never go there again.

[chxshiya]

Squid game 2

[thisisntmyrightera]

Together - CHO HYUN-JU x Fem Reader

Summary: Reader is scammed and abandoned by her boyfriend, leaving her alone in South Korea to her fate, so in desperate search of a solution to return to her home country she decides to join the squid games to get money, within the game she meets a couple of people who become her friends and could possibly be something more.

Warning: In this episode none!

In futures episodes: Violence, Strong language, female main character is considered heterosexual but she have feelings for a female (Cho Hyun-ju) and it is reciprocated, abuse for male characters.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

You were stupid, very stupid and naive, that was what you repeated to yourself every day since your ex-boyfriend scammed you and abandoned you in a country where you didn't know anyone, you couldn't even understand the language well and now you were locked up in a place full of strangers in a green uniform and with a headache you could barely bear.

Why were you doing such stupid things? You should have said no when that man approached you and offered you money, it was all for the damn money, otherwise how would you find another way to get home?

Barely a day had passed, you understood little of the first game where you saw one person after another die around you, what you had gotten yourself into, this wasn't a game, it was a massacre, as you sat cross-legged on the cold bed that had been assigned to you you could feel your hands shaking and you felt warm tears rolling down your cheeks.

Hey - a kind voice rumbled slowly but enough to wake you from your trance to look up and see a boy with long, slicked-back hair holding a small metal tray - I noticed you didn't come over for your food, I brought you some

His equally shaky hand moved a little closer to you, leaving the tray on the bed, staring at you, afraid you'd react

It's okay if you don't want to eat it, it's just that if we're going to keep playing you need strength for tomorrow - his kind but shy smile and his clear disinterest in leaving made you wipe your tears with the sleeves of your sweater, nodding taking a deep breath - Thanks - you told him, trying not to sound upset, because you really weren't and if you were it was only with yourself

My name is Dae-Ho, yours is… 144 - he looked at you curiously taking a bite of his food

Y/N… my name is Y/N - you sighed, hugging your legs uncomfortably and nervous

Hey, leave her alone - a loud and somewhat curious voice sounded behind Dae-Ho making the two look towards the sound - don't you see that you're making her uncomfortable? go away

I… I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, it's just that… - Dae-Ho looked at you embarrassed, walking away just a few steps

You don't have to give explanations, go away - the girl, a little taller than Dae-Ho, looked at him firmly, almost annoyed, following the man with her gaze as he walked away quickly and embarrassed, joining a group of men on the other shelf of beds

you can eat in peace - the girl looked at you kindly while you only responded with a slight nod and she walked away returning to her place two beds down on the shelf next to you

It was difficult for you not to go unnoticed and it was obvious that everyone wanted to get away from you, you weren't like them, you didn't share their nationality, their traditions, or their topics of conversation, you didn't even understand many of them what they were talking about, they all looked at you like a weirdo, like why a foreigner could come and want to steal their prize, it was unfair.

That's how you spent the first night, alone, trembling from the cold and fear, looking into the darkness while you cried silently and the gunshots echoed in your ears, it was a nightmare and that's how you were until sleep overcame you

The second day wasn't any better, you could barely carry yourself, you were tired, hungry and much more scared than yesterday, surrounded by hundreds of people in a courtyard with drawings of children and rainbows on the floor.

''Now, it's time to form teams of 5, you have 10 minutes'' the voice of the speaker sounded repeatedly before an alarm sounded and you saw how everyone ran looking for members for their team, but everyone seemed to avoid you like a plague.

They ran and pushed you but no one looked at you to join and if they looked at you it was to laugh and murmur

There she was again, standing in front of you with a sad look that barely met your eyes she looked at the floor and walked by your side.

Hey… - you murmured barely, only to her with fear and shame - if you still don't have a team… I can join you if you don't mind - she looked at you over her shoulder giving a sigh of relief nodding offering you her hand so she could walk by your side and not get lost in the crowd

Between your fingers you could notice the difference in size between your small and fragile hand and hers, it was big with a different strength and somewhat rough but still made you feel protected and confident

So you both walked almost in circles finding the fragile old woman and her son and then the little girl with bangs forming a team of 5

Again the games were confusing for you, you could identify some that resembled what you had once played in your country but fear consumed you making your hands tremble again

Calm down - her voice again fragile but somewhat thick made you look at her holding the air - everything will be fine, don't push yourself too much okay? Do you think you can take charge of throwing the rocks? It's just a matter of taking a rock, throwing it and making the second one fall, that's all you have to do - her voice was like a murmur trying not to interrupt the game of the first two teams that were participating

Should I just throw it? - you looked at her nervously, looking at her dark eyes behind her bangs

You just have to throw it, it's easy - she smiled at you giving you hope making you smile barely as you looked at the floor again nervously trying not to think about everything that was tormenting your head, in the background you could hear the screams and cheers that the other players made while the teams participated until a round of gunshots made you jump scared covering your ears and closing your eyes tightly - calm down, calm down nothing is happening - her arms surrounded you quickly, adjusting you against her chest, you could feel the strands of her hair on your face and a slight aroma of herbs coming from it - it's over, don't open your eyes until I tell you okay?

Your head barely nodded as you took a deep breath, the aroma of her hair made you remember the gardens where you walked when you first arrived in South Korea and her arms for some reason made you feel protected, nothing could happen to you

A couple of minutes (that seemed like an eternity) passed slowly, people were talking, some were crying and in the background you could hear the sound of the sirens of the forklifts that had come to pick up the bodies, one second after another it was a damn nightmare.

''Next team, you can take your position'' the voice from the speaker again

It's our turn - the old woman sighed getting up while you opened your eyes and stood up slowly with fear

The guards tied your ankles and after a shot the game for you began.

You walked counting the steps, being constant and fast in your tasks, first Ddjaki, the little girl with the bangs did well, then the flying rock, your trembling hands held it strong and letting out a deep sigh you threw it against the rock in the distance failing in the attempt

Girl concentrate, what's wrong with you! - the old woman shouted making your friend look at her annoyed and after her firm indication and walking as a team to pick it up the 5 of them returned to their position - don't fail, please girl!

We trust you… calm down, take a breath and throw it, you'll do well - Your new best friend looked at you smiling lightly giving you courage.

A sigh again, a fixed look at the rock and after throwing it it fell with a blow.

Everyone screamed, applauded and so on again until reaching the final task ''Team 2, you have completed your tasks'' you had never been so happy to hear that spooky voice on the speaker and once the guards untied your ankles they all ran screaming and laughing to the fence that separated you from the rest of the players, you could finally return to the dormitory and finally had survived another day.

Everyone was happy, so much so that all of you were jumping and screaming with excitement, your friend, the tall girl ran to you without wasting a second surrounding you with her strong arms making you spin in the air while both of you laughed

We did it, I told you, we did it right - she laughed jumping with you still in her arms making you scream when you felt the air on your face and your legs hanging in the air

Now, stop it, you're going to make her dizzy - the old woman laughed patting her back as a sign that it was enough until you heard gunshots in the distance again making the team erase their smile and remember the horrible place where they were

Come on let's sit down - her hand slowly and carefully took yours walking towards the bed shelves climbing up and sitting on the steps - are you okay?

Yes… I'm pretty well, thanks for helping me - you smiled rubbing your hands on your legs nervously

By the way, my name is Cho Hyun-Ju… are you? - she looked at you curiously

Y/N… my name is Y/N - you smiled shyly at her

You have a very pretty name - she smiled back shyly with her cheeks slightly tinted - thanks for letting me join you in the game you were the only person who approached me

You don't have to thank me, I think we are both rejected for certain reasons and that makes us unique in the crowd right? it's better to be united and be stronger than alone - your cheeks felt hot, the sign that they were red like cherries

You're right..

Part 2 ✨

------------------------------------

Thanks for reading, this is the first episode I've written about Squid Game and it was short since I have little time to update but I didn't want to go to sleep without writing the beginning of the story, I have ideas but I'd like to hear yours and write them down, just to reinforce the theme of this story the reader and Cho Hyun-ju will possibly have a romance so if these themes aren't to you please don't read it, I know you'll find something that suits your tastes. 🫶🏻

Again, Thanks for reading, I'll be back soon!

BTW: Happy New Year everyone 🥂✨

[kinnsporsche]

PARK SUNG HOON as CHO HYUN-JU in — Squid Game Season 2 (2024)

[hooniebaekgu]

Dilf! Sunghoon

PAIRING : Park Sunghoon x female Reader

GENRE : fluff, smut, HCs

Warning : MDNI! Nsfw under cut, mention of pregnancy, breeding, possessive hoon, boners?, unprotected sex

Word Count : 0.4k

Yukki's Notes : requested by anon, tysm for dropping by!

●Dilf! Sunghoon who had to attend an emergency meeting and due to the babysitter not being available, he had only one option, his pretty little neighbour

●Dilf! Sunghoon who saw you once in a while in the elevator or leaving your apartment, but that doesn't mean he can just trust you with his daughter, but he had no other choice

●Dilf! Sunghoon who is kind of scared of what he might see when he picks up his daughter, since just like him she has a hard time getting comfortable with others

●Dilf! Sunghoon who is so surprised to see you open the door with his daughter sleeping in your arms

●Dilf! Sunghoon who feels something in him when you talk so gently to his daughter, just like a mother

●Dilf! Sunghoon who tries to get closer to you, it's been a long time since he felt something for anyone

●Dilf! Sunghoon who realises very soon that his daughter likes you more than her babysitter, asking to meet you every other day

●Dilf! Sunghoon who hears his daughter call you mom accidently and pretends that it doesn't make him horny

●Dilf! Sunghoon who pretends that you don't make him hard in his pants with the mere sight of you with his daughter

●Dilf! Sunghoon who leaves his daughter with you more often now that he knows you like her company

●Dilf! Sunghoon who feels like he's home whenever he comes to your door to pick up his daughter

●Dilf! Sunghoon who sees you eyeing him when he picks up his daughter, his biceps bulging through his tight fitting shirt

●Dilf! Sunghoon who now knows you have a thing for him and teases you, slights touches and his hands brushing against your ass

●Dilf! Sunghoon who knows he has to have you, make you carry his second child

●Dilf! Sunghoon who watches as you run you nails against his biceps, batting you pretty eyelashes at him, eyes practically begging him to fuck you right there

●Dilf! Sunghoon who doesn't waste a single second when he finds you alone, his lips on yours, hands grabbing the back of your neck and your ass

●Dilf! Sunghoon who puts you in a mating press, bending you in half, making you take what he gives

●Dilf! Sunghoon who starts from a relentless pace, fucking in your wet cunt with vigour

●Dilf! Sunghoon who makes sure you will never want another man now that he's got a taste of you

●Dilf! Sunghoon who makes sure to fuck his cum deep in you

●Dilf! Sunghoon who always fucks you so good whenever his daughter calls you mom

[bestwitchsam]

In my opinion, she is the best character and my favorite in the second season of Squid Game.

HYUN-JU

[dilfgmancoolatta]

Dislike the narrative around Squid Games season 2’s trans character. Cause the casting department literally tried to find a trans actress, but being openly trans is insanely stigmatized and dangerous in South Korea. It’s not fair to ask a trans woman (who is specifically pre-transitioning for the role) to put herself out to an incredibly violent regressive transphobic society

[frontman-001]

Squid Game s2 cast X

[boyfiejay]

Princess Treatment with Sunghoon 🎀

PAIRING : Sunghoon x hyper feminine Reader

GENRE : bullet points, sunshine x grumpy

Warning : reader wears skirts, mention of food, reader gets spoiled, hoon can't express his feelings well, kissing, a little suggestive at the end but nothing graphic

Word Count : 1.3k

Author's note : this is just me having a sunghoon brain rot...

●You two were friends for a long time before you got together. Everyone around you witnessed Sunghoon going from the cold, distant guy, to then a slightly more friendly guy to a completely lovestruck puppy

●You two getting together was inevitable tbh, you two just knew the other was the one

●Sunghoon is so whipped for you, the partner privilege is so intense

●If he sees his favourite tiramisu has a bite in it, he's all mad but if he gets to know that you ate it then he just gives the whole thing to you

●All it takes is a doe eyed look and man is folding

●Also he is always talking about you. Like everyone around him knows he has a partner, constantly rambling about anything that reminds him of you or dropping random facts about you

●It is to the point that Heeseung knew your go to order at your favourite cafe and the kind of drink you like

●Do not mention the way he just giggles and kicks his feet like a teenage girl when you do something adorable

●It doesn't even have to be anything cute, he just always finds you cute no matter what

●You just woke up? Beautiful. You are crying? Still pretty. You're dolled up all for him? Oh man...

●This man is obsessed with your skirts and knee high socks and sweaters, particularly if they are ruffled

●He is like drooling when you dress up just for him and do a little twirl

●Always insists on tying your bows and ribbons for you

●Then proceeds to tie one on his bicep and flexes it 😵 (he's so hot)

●He's such a gentleman, but one thing he loves to do is give you his jacket. It doesn't even matter if it isn't cold, or your outfit isn't short, the jacket just completes the look

●He also feels so giddy when you wear his clothes, goes through a mental crisis trying not to smother you with attention

●Fails at it, then continues to give you that whipped smile and just looking at you with so much love

●The attention makes you flustered and shy and that in turn makes him even giddier

●It's sometimes overwhelming how he looks at you with so much adoration

●But thats what makes you know that he does love you because he is not very good at words

●When anyone looks at sunghoon, let's be honest he's intimidating, tall and buff, anyone would be scared.

●But he'd be so so gentle with you, always making sure you're comfortable, holding your hand in crowds, and also giving you flowers :(

●Even his touch in general would be so gentle, he's always touching you as if you would break any second

●He's not great with pda, it makes him a bit uncomfortable to be so mushy with you with people watching.

●But behind closed doors, he's acting like your blanket, always all over you, not a single soul would believe that he's the clingy type

●Calls you cringey nicknames, but the one he likes for himself is 'hoonie' </33

●Literally if anyone else says hoonie, he's giving the nastiest side eye

●But if it's you, he's melting on the floor...

●Some might not like this one, but he's very protective over you. It's not that he doesn't believe that you can't defend yourself, but he can't help but look over you from time to time

●He never speaks up about anything, but if anyone makes you uncomfortable? Oh they're done for

●It's never a physical fight, rather a verbal one with him makes sure that person feels bad for even looking at you

●Thinks you're the cutest when you're mad or annoyed

●Bro just laughs when you are grumbling about something 😭

●Then you proceed to get mad at him and he just clings to you until you forgive him

●As obsessed he is with your clothing, he is also obsessed with buying stuff for you.

●He's always spoiling you, no matter how much you tell him to stop he still does it

●Sometimes you actually get mad and he just gives one pout or a puppy eyed stare and you forgive him. He doesn't even have to whine about spoiling you just this once

●You're just as whipped as he is...

●Sometimes he likes to give you handmade things, paper flowers, love letters, little album of your photos, bracelets and soo much more

●You have a huge box of things he's given, made it his mission to fill up that box by a set time

●He once broke your vase by mistake and then took a pottering class to make you a mini version of that vase (the bigger one kept falling apart) :(((

●Never ever raised his voice on you, like not even once. He can barely get mad at you, this man is never going to yell at you

●Even when you do fight, he tries his best to be calm and talk it out. There hasn't been a single time where he let you go to bed upset

●There are a lot of times when he's just quite and you're talking about something, at first you question whether he's listening or not but he nods along with your talking or hums at things

●It's a bit scary how he remembers stuff you just rambled so well, like you don't even like that new cafe that much but you're so in awe of how well he remembered your words

●He's extremely shy when it comes to professing his love to you, it just makes him annoyed that he can't say how much he loves you.

●What more annoying is that you never push him to say things, he doesn't like that you're so understanding about this

●That's when he started to write letters for you, he felt like he might combust with how much he feels for you. And not being able to say it out loud made it worse

●So he just writes out how he feels and puts it under your pillow, or on your desk or in your bag

●When he first wrote the letter, he insisted that you read in front of him, wanting his fears to at lower a bit

●But when you started tearing up he felt worse, he had tried to keep the letter a bit lowkey but you're tearing up from the bare minimum?

●From then on he tried to be more open about his feelings, and be more vulnerable around you. He wanted you to know that it was just you, it had always been you

●His family loves you so much, it's almost like you are the daughter

●His mom and sister love to tell embarrassing stories about him and make him suffer lmao

●'she's too good for you' his mom, apparently

●He was so shy when you two first kissed, skip to couple weeks later, hes basically devouring your lips

●Very very obsessed with kissing you, no matter what you're doing he's staring at your lips, no thoughts head empty just lips and kisses

●He has to makeout with you at least once a day, it doesn't matter if things never escalate, he just likes the feeling of you being close to him

●Practically melts if you stroke the back of his head or pull his hair

●He gets cock blocked by someone whenever you give him the green signal to continue, he once even chased Jake around because he just burst in without knocking

●He wasnt mad that he couldn't continue, rather it was because he was going to remove your shirt just before he burst in

●Very possessive about what's his but doesnt even bat an eye if you're the one asking for things

●The guys are honestly jealous about how sunghoon only laughs or smiles due to two reasons, either it's lame ass jokes or because of you

●I LOVE HIM SO MUCH YOU HAVE NO IDEA :ʼ(

[hypnobeauty]

A Chance Encounter - a cho hyun-ju x reader fic

summary: a story about how you and Hyun-ju met and the following years of your relationship. cw: no use of y/n, reader is afab, fluff, comfort, pre-squid game, mentions of transphobia, slice of life. a/n: i watched season 2 and Hyun-ju was my favorite; my girl deserves the world. i've probably read everything out there on her and decided to write my own. just a silly fic, very much self indulgent. it's my first time posting on tumblr in a veeeery long time. i'm not korean so google was my friend when looking for names, sorry for any mistakes; i'll be happy to fix it! enjoy!

part 1. the girl in the waiting room

the first time you met hyun-ju, she had just started transitioning. it was one of those moments that felt ordinary at the time but would later stand out like a bright pin on the timeline of your life. the setting? a plastic surgery clinic. not exactly the backdrop you'd expect for meeting someone who would quietly reshape your world, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

before everything—before there were shared smiles, late-night conversations, or tentative touches—you were just two strangers sitting near, each with your own reasons for being there and no idea what the future held.

it all started with your friend ha-neul, whose latest fixation on getting a nose job had consumed her every waking thought. she’d begged you to come along for the consultation, as she always did when her confidence wavered. “really, ha-neul?” you groaned as she clutched her phone in both hands, her bottom lip jutting out dramatically. “you want me to spend my afternoon in a clinic so you can… pick out a nose?” “pleeeeease! you’re the only person i trust,” she whined, tugging on your arm like a child.

she won, of course.

it was january 2022, winter in seoul, the kind of cold that sinks into your bones. snow blanketed the streets, and the wind cut through even the thickest scarves. you and ha-neul stepped into the clinic, the warmth hitting you like a wall. it was fancy in that slightly intimidating way; the space was pristine—glossy floors, muted lighting, and furniture that looked both comfortable and expensive. 

a coat attendant greeted you and ha-neul with a polite smile, and after handing over your coats, gloves, and scarves, you followed ha-neul into the waiting area, where she made some ridiculous comment about her “glow-up.” you couldn’t help laughing, but your amusement was cut short by a sharp hiss for silence from someone in the waiting area.

trying to suppress your giggles, you gave ha-neul a nudge toward the reception desk. meanwhile, you scanned the room for somewhere to sit. the waiting area wasn’t packed, but the seats weren’t arranged conveniently either. the only two spots together were near the back, next to a tall woman sitting by herself.

as you walked toward her, she glanced up, just for a second, before quickly lowering her gaze to her lap. in that brief moment, you noticed how pretty she was—soft features, delicate but striking.

“excuse me, miss, are these seats taken?” you asked, pointing to the chairs beside her.

she looked up, her eyes wide and a little surprised. “oh, hi. um, no, no one’s sitting there,” she said, her voice soft but kind.

smiling as you gestured toward the empty seats you said. “i wasn’t sure if i should ask or just risk it.”

she gave a tiny nod, her lips curving into a polite smile. “it’s okay. they’re free.”

“thanks,” you said, sliding into the seat next to her. she nodded once, then went back to staring at her hands.

you couldn’t help stealing glances in her direction. you tried not to stare—didn’t want to look like a total creep—but it was hard to resist. every time the heater’s vent swung your way, her perfume would drift toward you, delicate and intriguing. it was floral, though you couldn’t pin down the exact bloom, with just a faint hint of spice that added warmth to the scent. it was subtle but captivating, just like her.

she was taller than you; that much was obvious even sitting down. the top of your head barely reached her neck. she was dressed simply, but there was something effortless about the way she pulled it off. black boots, burgundy pants, and a loose black lace top with long sleeves, all tied together with a matching scarf wrapped snugly around her neck. her hands rested in her lap, big but elegant, with neat, short nails painted a rich navy blue. a dainty gold chain gleamed around her wrist, catching the light whenever she twisted her fingers nervously.

her skin was fair, with a slight scar running across the back of one hand—small, but noticeable when you looked closely. and her face… her face was beautiful, the kind of beauty that wasn’t conventional but so uniquely her that it caught your attention and held it. full, pink lips. a softly curved nose, with a little bump along the bridge that made you wonder if that was why she was here. her almond-shaped eyes were dark and expressive, framed by long lashes that seemed to sweep down when she blinked.

her hair, dark brown and glossy, fell just to her chin in a straight cut with a middle part. it was slightly uneven at the ends, as though she’d missed a recent trim, and the bangs framed her forehead in a way that softened her features. occasionally, she would tuck a strand behind her ear, revealing a small rhinestone stud that glinted faintly when it caught the light.

at one point, she adjusted her scarf, unwinding it briefly before wrapping it more snugly around her neck. that’s when you noticed it—the faint rise and fall of her adam’s apple. something shifted in your mind, and your eyes caught details you hadn’t registered before. the light shadow along her jawline. the faintest trace of it above her upper lip, shaved clean and close to skin but still present under the soft lighting. 

she was a trans woman. the realization didn’t faze you; instead, it filled you with quiet admiration. she was brave. in a society that still treated the lgbtq+ community with hesitation at best and hostility at worst, her presence here—living her truth—was an act of quiet defiance. you’d seen your friends in the community hiding in plain sight, closeted for their own safety, in fear of losing their families, jobs, or even their social circles. the ones that decided to live their lives as they wished, had to persist through it all.

you were snapped out of your thoughts when ha-neul dropped into the seat beside you, nearly shoving her phone in your face. “look! i found a whole gallery of noses!” she said, flipping through photos like her life depended on it.

you tried to pay attention, but your thoughts kept drifting back to the woman beside you. she stayed quiet, her gaze fixed on the tv playing serene nature videos. still, every now and then, you thought you caught her sneaking glances at you and ha-neul. there was something in her expression—curiosity, maybe, or even a hint of longing.

what you didn’t catch was the way ha-neul’s gaze flitted between the two of you, a knowing look in her eyes.

“cho hyun-ju?”

a voice from the hallway broke the quiet hum of the waiting room. the woman next to you perked up, her name clearly familiar. she stood gracefully, gathering her bag and scarf. before you could stop yourself, you said, “good luck.”

she froze mid-step, turning to look at you. her eyes widened slightly, then softened as a shy smile spread across her face. “thank you,” she said quietly, her voice sweet and a little shaky.

you felt heat rise to your cheeks as she walked away, her tall, lean frame disappearing into the hallway. you didn’t realize you were still staring until ha-neul’s amused voice snapped you out of it.

“don’t,” you said, cutting her off before she could even start.

“i won’t say anything,” she said, feigning innocence. “well, except… you know she’s…” she hesitated, her voice dropping. “a man, right?”

you rolled your eyes.

“i mean no offense,” she added quickly. “i’m just saying…”

you rolled your eyes. “first of all, no. she’s a woman. a trans woman. and second, please be respectful.”

“i didn’t mean it like that,” ha-neul said quickly, looking genuinely contrite. “i’m sorry. i wasn’t trying to be mean.” ha-neul was a good friend with a kind heart, but she often spoke without filtering her thoughts. you saw it as your responsibility to gently correct her when needed.

the waiting room slowly emptied as time passed, and eventually, it was ha-neul’s turn. she dragged you along to the doctor’s office, chattering excitedly about her “new look.”

but even as you followed her down the hallway, you couldn’t help wondering which door hyun-ju had gone through.

as you and ha-neul pulled on your coats and stepped into the chilly january air, your laughter echoed in the quiet street. snow crunched beneath your boots as you huddled together against the cold, chatting animatedly about the absurd noses she’d shown you earlier. neither of you noticed the figure across the street, unlocking the door of her car—a figure you might’ve recognized if you’d looked just a little closer.

[daydreamerwonderkid]

what are you thinking abou tright now?

S2 of Squid Game was actually pretty fucking good.

Also, I would die for Hyun-ju and I am so happy that the creators treated her with respect. I never would have expected a trans character to be on screen in a show like this, let alone play such an active/important role in the story. I honestly cried a lot from sheer happiness at what an amazing job they did with her character. Just-AH!!!! So good.

It saddens me that they couldn't get an actual trans actor to play her, but I understand that most trans actors wouldn't be comfortable outing themselves. Especially in the Korean entertainment industry.

That being said, I think Park Sung-hoon did a wonderful job portraying her and I can't wait to see more.

[eggsaladstain]

the look on hyun-ju's face every time young-mi called her "unnie"

park sung hoon was SO good in this