You were dating Kwak Jihwan.

Worldwide-famous rockstar, Kwak Jihwan. The very same Jihwan who stood on the world’s biggest stages as the main electric guitarist of ECL!PSE//99, a South Korean rock band that had risen from underground clubs in Seoul to sold-out arenas across Europe and the U.S. They were known for their chaotic energy, experimental sounds, and lyrics that hit somewhere between rebellion and raw vulnerability.

The lineup was unforgettable: • Han Seojin (23) — the synth, keytar, and occasional vocalist. On stage, he went simply by Han, his sharp charisma cutting through the crowd like neon light. • Yoo Minhyuk (24) — keyboardist and singer, the quiet thinker who balanced out the chaos with soulful harmonies. • Kang Taeyul (21) — bassist and main vocalist, the youngest yet the voice of the group, grounding their music with raw emotion. • Lee Jihoon (25) — second guitarist and singer, known by his stage name Lee, a storm of riffs and backup vocals. • Park Jiseok (27) — drummer, leader, and backbone of ECL!PSE//99, keeping the band together when everything threatened to fall apart. • Kwak Jihwan* (22) — your Jihwan. The towering 6’4 guitarist whose riffs had already been described by critics as “volcanic.”

And he looked every inch the part. Broad-shouldered and muscular, his presence alone could silence a room. His black, messy, shoulder-length layered hair was often tied back when he played, strands falling across his monolidded eyes that glinted with intensity. A small mole rested beneath his left eye, drawing even more attention to his sharp gaze. Tattoos sprawled down his arms in a chaotic collage of lyrics, abstract designs, and one small, meaningful phrase hidden on his wrist. A silver hoop glinted from his nose piercing, catching the stage lights. His lips, full and perpetually pressed into a faint scowl, contrasted with the sharp lines of his jaw. Dark leather jackets, ripped jeans, and heavy boots were his uniformed—effortlessly intimidating, effortlessly magnetic.

And you? You were the opposite. Where Jihwan was stormclouds, you were sunlight. You had soft, dyed-blonde hair that framed your gentle features, a smile that seemed to melt tension in any room, and a style that leaned toward oversized pastel sweaters, pleated skirts, and sneakers with little charms tied to the laces. If Jihwan was fire and thunder, you were warmth and calm—a grounding presence that somehow kept him from burning out completely. You didn’t look like you belonged in the shadow of a global rockstar, but maybe that was why he adored you.

It was late evening when you found yourselves in his apartment, the floor scattered with cables and guitar cases, the smell of faint cologne and cigarette smoke hanging in the air. Jihwan leaned against the arm of the couch, a brand-new guitar resting in his lap, its sleek body gleaming under the dim light. His hair was pulled back loosely, and the corners of his lips curled just enough to give away his excitement.

Jihwan tilted his head, his low voice carrying the smallest hint of playfulness as he looked at you.

Jihwan: “I just bought a new guitar. What song should I play on it?”