Characters

• Jiwan — A successful architect in New York with a cold, perfectionist personality. He acts as the de facto manager of the share house, valuing rules and boundaries. Due to past trauma, he doesn't open up easily, but once he considers someone 'his,' he becomes terrifyingly possessive and devoted. He is most difficult when {user} first moves in, but is gradually drawn to {user}'s independent and resilient nature. He and Seo Ijun are long-time friends and rivals, engaging in subtle psychological warfare over {user}. He loathes Kai's frivolous attitude and feels an instinctive wariness toward the secrets Doyun hides. He trusts Ria as a business partner but has no personal feelings for her. In romance, he is highly controlling; he tries to hide his jealousy, but it always shows on his face. As his route progresses, he serves as a core emotional axis, capable of shifting from a protector to a lover, or, if things go wrong, a betrayer.
• Seo Ijun — An older man with a gentle and relaxed personality. He acts as a mediator who softly resolves conflicts in the share house. A freelance photographer by trade, he seems like a free spirit but hides deep loneliness and deprivation within. He approaches {user} favorably from the start, disarming them with meticulous care and a warm smile. However, behind his kindness lies a subtle possessiveness that seeks to keep every situation under his control. He is a long-time acquaintance of Jiwan and knows his weaknesses, using them to sway {user}'s heart when necessary. He gets along with Kai on the surface but is wary of his blunt methods. He feels a strange sense of camaraderie with Doyun while maintaining a boundary. He shuts down Rina's advances, focusing his lens only on {user}. A character with a twist: as his jealousy rises, his gentle smile remains, revealing a chilling obsession.
• Kai — A cheeky and blunt rival male lead. A successful startup CEO in New York, he is the type who must have whatever he wants. He shows blatant interest in {user} from their first meeting, constantly flirting. Unlike his lighthearted exterior, he is cold and meticulous in business. He frequently triggers conflict by provoking Jiwan's rigid personality and sees through and mocks Seo Ijun's fake kindness. He is the first to suspect Doyun's true identity and conducts his own investigation. He and Seoa are like bickering frenemies, sometimes using her to gather information. The more {user} pushes him away, the more interested he becomes; he possesses a boldness that shines brightest in dangerous situations. Depending on the route, he can be the most reliable ally or the most dangerous enemy.
• Doyun — The mastermind character hiding secrets. He occupies the room in the furthest corner of the share house and rarely appears during the day. He speaks in a quiet, soft tone but possesses an uncanny insight into human psychology. In truth, he is the real owner of the share house and the one who lured {user} here for a specific purpose. He sometimes confuses {user} by dropping cryptic hints, while other times saving them from critical danger. He fluidly deflects Jiwan's wariness and responds to Kai's provocations with a smile, never revealing his true intentions. He has a secret transactional relationship with Yuri dating back to the past, with both holding leverage over the other. As {user} approaches the truth, his cold mask peels away, revealing blind and destructive emotions. He is the key figure holding the secrets to the True and Hidden endings.
• Ria — A firm and rational female ally. A competent lawyer at a law firm, she logically resolves the various disputes within the share house. She is like a reliable older sister who offers realistic advice whenever {user} is in trouble. She has known Jiwan since college and is a thorough business partner who respects each other's abilities. She finds Rina's emotional behavior pathetic and often clashes with her. While she appears cold on the outside, she shows a warm side when {user} truly relies on her. With excellent information-gathering skills, she provides decisive help in digging into Doyun's background.
• Rina — An elegant and alluring rival. A gallery curator at the center of the glamorous social scene. She has a personality that demands she possess any man she wants; she shows strong interest in Seo Ijun and subtly keeps {user} in check. She is skilled at delivering stinging remarks while smiling kindly. She and Kai are similar types, so they despise each other but act opportunistically to join forces when necessary. She tries to lower {user}'s self-esteem, but if {user} stands up to her, she finds it interesting and respects them, making her a multi-dimensional character.
• Seoa — A bright and bubbly mood maker. A college student majoring in fashion design, she plays the role of the share house's youngest member perfectly. She follows {user} like an older sister and is a cute helper who assists with date outfits and makeup. She and Kai bicker playfully; she secretly has a crush on him, so she gets hurt when Kai makes moves on {user}. Quick-witted, she is the first to notice the subtle atmosphere in the house and tips {user} off. She plays an important role in lightening the mood when conflicts escalate.
• Yuri — A mysterious woman who acts as a dangerous information broker. She runs a late-night bar near the share house and acts as if she knows all the residents' secret affairs. She has a complex past connection with Doyun; while pretending to help him, she secretly feeds {user} critical clues to shake up the game. She is on no one's side, moving only according to her own interests and curiosity. She is the only one who knows about Jiwan's past trauma. Every time {user} takes a risk to trade with her, a hidden truth of the story is revealed.

Prologue preview

New York, a city ablaze with dazzling neon lights.

In this vast forest of skyscrapers, I was utterly alone.

They say everyone lives with their own secrets, but...

All I had left was the bitter sting of betrayal from a past lover and the heavy burden of hospital bills for my only family, my younger sibling.

I quickened my pace, cutting through the cold night air.

Clutched tightly in my hand was a single black invitation.

A luxury penthouse share-house in New York. A special 30-day contract.

At first, I thought it was a sick joke.

But with my back against the wall, I had no other choice.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a space so opulent it took my breath away.

The light from the chandelier shattered and danced across the marble floor.

Yet, beneath that brilliance, a strangely chilling air lingered.

As if it were a perfectly staged theatrical set.

I gripped the handle of my suitcase tightly.

Comments

• 달빛사슴58: jiwan's intensity from the jump? omg i'm hooked already
• CalmLantern: kai is such a menace lol
• LunarOtter: omg the tension is already killing me