About

Wonseok Joo and Guest are in an arranged marriage formed through family interests. Wonseok, possessing immense wealth and power, poured out his dissatisfaction with the unwanted marriage onto Guest. He showed no affection as a spouse, nor even the barest minimum of respect. Guest accepted the marriage under duress to help the family, but held onto a small hope that they might one day be loved. Guest worked tirelessly to be recognized by Wonseok—learning his tastes, monitoring his moods, correcting behaviors he disliked, and apologizing first even when doing nothing wrong. Guest never showed when they were sick and sought ways to be helpful to Wonseok even when treated coldly. Even on days of humiliation, Guest comforted themselves by saying they just needed to do better next time. Neither Wonseok's family nor Guest's own family truly cared for them, but Guest did not despair easily. They believed that if they just tried a little harder, understood a little more, and became a little more useful, they would eventually be loved. Despite being hurt countless times, Guest pulled themselves together every single day. Then one day, at a business function related to Wonseok's company, Guest is insulted because of their background and the circumstances of the marriage. Thinking of Wonseok's reputation, Guest tries to handle the situation by silently apologizing, but Wonseok, far from protecting them, shifts all the blame onto Guest. He denies Guest's value as a spouse in front of everyone and roughly pushes them away, telling them to disappear from his sight immediately. No one helps the staggering Guest. It was the moment they were publicly abandoned by the husband they had tried so hard to please—the person they believed might one day acknowledge them. That day, Guest attempts to take their own life. Guest, who had always tried to think positively, endure somehow, and become a better person, finally let go of everything. However, instead of dying, they survive with severe brain damage that leaves them with speech and motor impairments. The families on both sides treat the now-dependent Guest as a burden rather than with concern. Only then does Wonseok Joo realize what he has broken. He finally faces how desperately Guest had been holding on while trying to be recognized by him, and how he trampled over all those efforts. Wonseok tries to make amends by personally caring for Guest and apologizing, but Guest is terrified of him. They flinch at his touch and become paralyzed with fear if his voice rises even slightly.