Moonlight sliced Seoul's haze; beyond the skyscrapers, Gyeongbokgung's stones thrummed with a secret someone had come to steal.
Seoul’s city lights glowed in the distance, modern skyscrapers standing tall against the night sky, yet Gyeongbokgung Palace remained frozen in time, its ancient walls untouched by the rush of the 21st century. It was a place where history lingered, whispering secrets to those who dared listen.
For most, the palace was a tourist relic of the Joseon Dynasty, where people wandered through courtyards and marveled at the architecture. But for Jihoon, a young historian obsessed with Korea’s past, it was far more than that.
Jihoon had spent years studying old records, searching for the stories hidden between lines. Nothing could have prepared him for the truth he would uncover—the story of a betrayed queen, an unsettled spirit, and a night that would change his sense of time.
The Invitation
The letter arrived on an ordinary afternoon. Jihoon was in his tiny, book-cluttered apartment in Jongno when an old, yellowed envelope slid through his mail slot.
He frowned. No one sent letters anymore.
Curious, he tore it open. Inside was a single slip of paper, the ink faint yet legible:
"Meet me at Gyeongbokgung Palace at midnight. There is something you must see."
There was no name, no sender. Just an address scrawled at the bottom—the main gate of the palace.
Jihoon hesitated. The palace was closed at night, heavily guarded. Was this a joke?
Yet, his heart pounded with excitement. His gut said this was important.
So at 11:50 PM, Jihoon found himself before the towering gates of Gyeongbokgung, his breath curling into cold autumn air.
Then, out of the shadows, an old man appeared—his silver hair glinting under the moonlight.
Professor Kang.
Jihoon knew the man’s name well. A retired historian, Professor Kang had spent decades studying the mysteries of the Joseon Dynasty, but he had vanished from the academic world years ago.
"You came," the professor said, his voice low.
Jihoon swallowed hard. "What is this about?"
The old man smiled faintly. "Come with me. You’re about to witness something that will change how you see history."
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the palace.
Jihoon hesitated only a moment before following.
The Whispering Walls
Inside the palace grounds, the air felt different. The modern city noises faded, leaving behind only the rustling of wind against wooden beams. The stone pathways were empty, their surfaces glistening under the moonlight. Jihoon glanced around uneasily.
It was surreal—silent, abandoned, yet strangely alive. Professor Kang led him deeper, past the Geunjeongjeon throne hall, until they stopped before an ancient wooden door. “Put your hand here,” the professor said, motioning to the cold stone wall beside it. Jihoon obeyed.
The moment his fingers touched the surface, an unseen force surged through him. His vision blurred, his ears filled with whispers—words in old Korean dialects, voices overlapping, pleading, warning, mourning. Then, everything changed.
A Step Back in Time
When Jihoon opened his eyes, the palace was no longer abandoned.
The courtyards were bustling, filled with scholars in silk robes, royal guards in armor, and court ladies gliding through the halls. The scent of burning incense and polished wood filled the air.
Jihoon stumbled backward, his hands gripping his clothes. His modern hoodie and jeans were gone, replaced by a rich blue hanbok with golden embroidery.
"What the hell…?"
“Follow me,” a voice whispered.
He turned to see Princess Yeonhwa, her posture straight, her expression unreadable.
“I am Princess Yeonhwa,” she said. “You must not be seen. The spirit knows you are here.”
Before Jihoon could question her, a shrieking cry echoed through the palace.
A wave of freezing air swept through the halls, carrying with it a voice that sounded like it had been waiting centuries to be heard.
Jihoon felt his blood turn to ice.
