Prologue: A Heavenly Conversation Conversation
Somewhere in the sky, in a place where time ceased to flow, two souls sat facing each other in a quiet space enveloped in warm light.
"Buddha, it's been a while," Jesus said with a gentle smile.
"Jesus, it's been a while. What brings you here?" Buddha looked at him with compassionate eyes and asked.
Jesus briefly looked down at the distant earth. Countless people lived there, loving, parting, laughing, and crying.
"It's about an old story from the Korean Peninsula. Do you know the tragic love story of Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang?"
Buddha nodded. "I know. It's a story of conflict between country and love, ending in tragedy. Princess Nakrang betrayed her country for love and was killed by her father. Prince Hodong, too, took his own life due to his stepmother's false accusations."
"That's right." Jesus' expression was filled with pity. "Even now, two thousand years later, Korean lovers are heartbroken when they hear this story. They grieve, remembering the pain of those who had to choose between love and country."
"So that's why you came here."
"Yes, Buddha. I have a favor to ask of you." Jesus continued. "There is a writer named Minjun. He is a young man with a pure heart who longs to bring hope and comfort to people. Could you guide him to write the story of Prince Shin Hodong and Princess Nakrang?"
The Buddha paused for a moment, then smiled. "Your intentions are good. I will gladly help transform tragedy into peace and love. I will appear in the young man's dreams, give him revelations, and guide him whenever he gets stuck in his writing."
"Thank you, Buddha." Jesus bowed deeply.
"I hope this story will bring comfort to many. It will be a story of love that leads to peace, not war, trust, not betrayal, and life, not death." The Buddha said, slowly raising his hand in blessing.
Chapter 1: Writer Minjun
A small studio apartment in Daegu. The morning sunlight filtering through the curtains illuminated the laptop on the desk. Minjun sat at his keyboard, staring at a blank screen. A blank white screen, with only a blinking cursor. It had been like this for an hour.
"Haa..." Minjun let out a long sigh.
A thirty-two-year-old unknown writer. He majored in creative writing in college, but after graduation, every manuscript he submitted to publishers was rejected. The same was true for his entries in contests. The only comments he got were "unoriginal," "cliche," and "unmoving."
To make ends meet, he worked part-time at a convenience store and wrote in his spare time. But lately, he'd felt lost about what to write. He wanted to write stories that would touch people's hearts.
Just then, a message arrived on his phone. It was Gyeongpil.
"Minjun, are you free tonight? Let's have dinner with Youngjin. To celebrate our master's thesis submissions!"
Minjun smiled. He first met Gyeongpil at a university club. Although Minjun was his senior, they quickly became close thanks to Gyeongpil's sincerity and warm personality. After graduation, Gyeongpil enrolled in a master's program in history at Yeungnam University, where he met Yeongjin and became his lover.
"Okay, what time and where should we meet?"
Chapter 2: Ancient Tragedy
With some time left before a dinner appointment, Minjun was browsing the internet and stumbled upon the story of Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang. He'd already learned it in his Korean history class in college, but rereading it felt fresh.
The story took place in 32 AD, during the reign of King Daemusin of Goguryeo.
At that time, the Nakrang Kingdom possessed a mysterious drum called the Jamyeonggo. It was a miraculous treasure that would sound its own warning when an enemy was approaching. Thanks to this drum, Nakrang was able to repel numerous invasions from Goguryeo.
Prince Hodong, the second son of King Daemusin, was a young man of exceptional beauty and wisdom. One day, Hodong visited the kingdom of Nakrang and met Princess Nakrang, the daughter of King Choe Ri of Nakrang.
The two fell in love at first sight. Prince Hodong was captivated by Princess Nakrang's beauty and intelligence, and the princess was captivated by the prince's grace and warmth.
However, the two kingdoms were enemies. After returning to Goguryeo, Prince Hodong sent a secret letter to the princess:
"My beloved princess, I long to be with you. But as long as the Jamyeonggo remains, we cannot be together. Destroy that drum, and I will take you as my wife."
The Princess Nakrang was torn between her country and her love. But ultimately, she chose love. Late one night, the princess sneaked into the armory and tore the Jamyeonggo apart with her sword.
Then, the Goguryeo army launched a surprise attack. Because the Jamyeonggo failed to sound, Nakrang was unprepared and ultimately defeated.
Upon learning the truth, King Choe Ri of Nakrang trembled with rage. He couldn't bear the thought of his own daughter betraying his country. Choe-ri, in tears, killed Princess Nakrang and surrendered to Goguryeo.
But Prince Hodong's tragedy didn't end there. Despite his victory in the war, King Daemusin's first queen, Hodong's stepmother, was jealous of him. She falsely accused him of treason.
Prince Hodong could have proven his innocence to his father, but that would inevitably lead to conflict between him and his stepmother. Instead of explaining himself, he chose to take his own life.
Minjun sat in a daze for a while after reading the story. "Why such a sad ending..." he muttered. "I lost everything—my love, my country. Was there no other way?"