STRONGBERRY also releases further information about the two storylines to help you decide which storyline captures your heart.
■ Story A – A push-and-pull love story of a student and a swim instructor who came to learn swimming but ended up learning about love
Title – Splish, Splash Yet Again
Genre – Romance, Comedy
Characters – Hyunggyu: 29, Fitness startup CEO / Sejun: 25, Swim instructor / Wongi: 29, Co-CEO of a fitness startup
Sejun earns his livelihood as a swim instructor while managing multiple part-time jobs. Hyunggyu, on the other hand, a venture firm CEO, starts learning to swim as part of a company project. On the first day of class, contrary to the expected room full of students, only Hyunggyu shows up. The course, which was at risk of being canceled, was kept alive by Hyunggyu who paid multiple registration fees.
Thus, Hyunggyu began his 1:1 lessons with Sejun. However, Hyunggyu’s swimming ability was so poor that he could barely float on water. After gauging Hyunggyu’s level in the first lesson, Sejun created a customized curriculum just for him. Hyunggyu, witnessing Sejun’s earnest efforts in teaching, began to develop an affection for him.
Meanwhile, Wongi, a friend of Hyunggyu, came to watch the class and ended up laughing at Hyunggyu’s poor swimming skills. This led to Sejun kicking Wongi out of the pool. Afterward, Wongi sought out Sejun to apologize for his behavior and was charmed by how graciously Sejun accepted his apology. Wongi, then, decided to take swimming lessons as well.
However, as Wongi and Sejun became closer, Hyunggyu started to grow increasingly anxious. He found himself torn between his close relationship with Wongi and his feelings for Sejun. Despite his denial, as the relationship between Wongi and Sejun continued to develop, he couldn’t hide his jealousy.
An unfortunate misunderstanding regarding Hyunggyu and Wongi’s relationship led Sejun to distance himself from Hyunggyu. Likewise, Hyunggyu misunderstood Sejun’s feelings for Wongi. Deep in thought, Hyunggyu confides in Wongi about the situation, leading Wongi to step in to resolve the issue. Can they discover their true feelings for each other? Will Hyunggyu be able to accomplish the ‘flip turn’ task assigned by Sejun and win his heart?
■ Story E – How a Dokkaebi Became My Boyfriend
Title – Undetermined
Genre – Romance, Fantasy
Characters – Inho: 21, college student / Cheolsu: 110 (looks 21), a dokkaebi / Gwangpal: 150 (looks 25), a dokkaebi / Jaegwan: 21, a countryside young man
It had been five years since Inho’s grandmother moved to the city to live with his parents. With his university vacation around the corner, Inho decides to visit and look after his grandmother’s long-abandoned countryside home. Contrary to his assumption of finding an empty house, Inho stumbles upon two unexpected occupants: Cheolsu and Gwangpal.
Initially, Inho finds their presence disturbing, but upon discovering that they are dokkaebi – unique to Korean folklore, supernatural beings often likened to goblins or trolls, who are bound to objects and possess various supernatural powers – he gradually warms up to them. As Inho and Cheolsu become closer, they begin to share their everyday lives.
Inho also befriends Jaegwan, a local country youth, who aids his understanding of the dokkaebi, Cheolsu, and Gwangpal. However, when Inho unexpectedly faces a health crisis, Cheolsu is compelled by a strong desire to protect him. As a dokkaebi who inhabits objects and can only move around when Inho is present, Cheolsu yearns to become human.
On their last day in the countryside, it starts to rain. As the four enjoy Makgeolli (Korean rice wine), Cheolsu falls asleep from intoxication. Inho, now alone with Gwangpal and Jaegwan, asks about the relationship between dokkaebi and humans. Upon learning that a human must make a sacrifice for a dokkaebi to become human, Inho accepts Cheolsu’s wish and decides to offer half his remaining lifespan to spend a night with Cheolsu.
The next day, Inho and Cheolsu decide to head back to Seoul together, waving goodbye to a somber Gwangpal and Jaegwan. Can Inho and Cheolsu navigate their new relationship and truly be together as loving partners?
Which storyline resonates with you the most? Vote your final choice now at STRONGBERRY.KR.
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