Salt Society

: So Gi-hyeon, a beta who is an extreme right-born alpha’s childhood friend, has spent years quietly watching over Jo Yeon-oh—the heir to the Haeseong Foundation and CEO of Naban Gallery—nurturing his love alone. What once seemed like an unshakable relationship between the two begins to fracture when Gi-hyeon finally confesses his feelings. The moment Gi-hyeon reveals the long-held affection he has carried, Yeon-oh responds with a humiliating gag of disgust. “You forgot, didn’t you—that you’re a beta.” An alpha who is physiologically repulsed by romantic involvement with a beta. Faced with such cruel and piercing condemnation, Gi-hyeon quietly resolves to let go of his feelings—but Yeon-oh refuses even that. Displaying his selfish obsession and controlling nature toward what he considers his own, Jo Yeon-oh will not allow Gi-hyeon to distance himself from his side. “Fine. Let’s do it—date, then. You selfish bastard.” Instead of cutting ties, what they choose is the beginning of a deceitful relationship. And because it is Yeon-oh’s decision, Gi-hyeon accepts it without resistance. “I told you I’d help you find someone if you really can’t stand it. If possible, do it with omegas.” Even while dating, Yeon-oh coldly encourages Gi-hyeon to sleep with others—his version of cruel consideration. As Gi-hyeon’s heart is carelessly carved apart, he too reaches his limit. Yet at the end of this relentless unrequited love, Gi-hyeon is confronted with a physical change he believed could never happen. Jo Yeon-oh, an “entry-denial” alpha armed with twisted possessiveness, and So Gi-hyeon, who quietly swallowed his wounds until he finally chose to run away. Where, in the end, will the misaligned trajectories of these two lead?