In the darkness of his damp one-room apartment that cost a million won a month, Lee Jihoon sat cross-legged in front of the television. His face was covered with a thermal mud mask he had bought on sale at a bargain price because it was nearing its expiration date, while he ate instant ramen and tried to ignore the constant hum of the refrigerator motor, which was on the verge of breaking down completely.

On TV, they were airing the hit drama of the moment, "The Kiss of the Forest Spirit," and the lead actor was none other than Park Minho, his old rival from the young talent agency where both of them had started their acting careers...

As he chewed on rubbery and inexplicably spicy noodles, Lee Jihoon couldn't help but think about how unlucky his fate was. The main actor role rightfully belonged to him!

He remembered clearly that the head of the agency had already decided he would debut, not Park Minho. Lee Jihoon was younger and better at acting dramatic scenes back then, and he also had a small fanbase due to his (brief) participation in a boy band that failed shortly after its debut. In short, his contract was being finalized, and the big shots were already planning on how to get rid of that arrogant Park Minho when...

Just thinking about it made him want to dump the bowl of ramen over his head out of embarrassment.

Yes, he was gay! He always had been! And, as usual, he was also quite unlucky in love! Even now, getting close to guys had always been extremely complicated for him... so when that guy approached him and seduced him, his blood rushed to his head, and he didn't suspect for a second that it might be a trap!

A single kiss, a stolen photo—this was enough to ruin his career forever.

A scandal related to homosexuality wouldn't be forgiven even now, in South Korea, let alone 10 years ago! How different would his life have been if he had been smarter?

On screen, Park Minho gave a piercing look at the camera.

The boy from the past had almost completely disappeared.

Money and the life of a star had changed him radically, turning him into an actor so stunningly handsome it took your breath away.

And yet, no one knew what a snake he really was!

That damned Park Minho... that spoiled brat! He couldn't get it out of his head that it had been him who set up that trap!

Park Jihoon stuffed his mouth with noodles as he glared at the television screen in anger.

The refrigerator started making such an annoying noise that it seemed like it was about to explode, and then it went silent altogether.

He'd have to add a new refrigerator to the already nearly endless list of things to pay for...

His account was constantly in the red, and he hadn't eaten a piece of meat in months now!

He was tired of eating instant ramen, living in a moldy studio apartment, and wearing the same clothes all the time!

He lay down on the floor and let out a long groan of frustration.

The worst part of it all?

The guy he had kissed backed out right after.

Park Jihoon, at 27 years old, was poor, without future prospects, and above all... still a virgin.