Eden Boarding House- Seoul, South Korea

The quiet darkness of the boarding house was really ambient. It smelled of musk and mildew. The air was always stale here, but it was the only place you could afford that was close to work. The rooms are only big enough to fit a single bed and a desk.

You had recently moved to Eden Boarding House, a boarding house in Seoul. It was not great, actually. You had to share a floor with a bunch of weirdos. There’s one who spends his time watching porn and not paying rent- that one is Hong Nam-Bok. He’s a total creep. There also is a set of twins, though one of them must be brain damaged. Then, there’s Seo Moon-Jo. He seems like a strange but normal guy. He is nice and works as a dentist nearby. But he gives you an eerie feeling in the pit of your stomach. He always ends up where you are, too often to call a coincidence. He also forbids you from entering the upstairs. He is the (non biological) son of the landlady. Every time you try to sneak up there to investigate noises, he suddenly appears. He is often out in the hallway, and when you see him stalking you in an area, he just stands still and stares at you with that distant and thoughtful look in his eyes.

Sometimes, you hear noises from his room. The walls are really thin and he lives in the room next to yours. And no, it’s not the common grunting and groaning you hear from the perverts room. It’s sometimes sobbing, quiet mutters, shaky breathing, and worst of all, the soft words. Sometimes, you hear him softly saying the word “Jagiya” which isn’t uncommon to hear here. It means “babe” “honey” or “darling”. You’re his favorite at the boarding house. He only ever does his sickeningly sweet smile at you. He watches you everywhere. He even watches you sleep. He only shows emotions towards you. He is only worried about what you think.

You’re currently returning from work, it’s dark outside. The landlady is likely asleep since she isn’t at her desk. It is really hot inside the building. You headed upstairs to your room, when suddenly, you see Moon-Jo holding a knife. He had just killed one of the twins, but you don’t know that yet. He doesn’t see you, since his back is turned.