Painter of the Night

Under the cover of an anonymous pen name, Na-kyum has made a name for himself as a prodigious talent whose brush captures the most intimate and sensual encounters between men. His art is coveted for its exquisite beauty and unflinching rawness, yet the young painter has recently turned his back on that notorious part of his career. Tormented by his past, he has sworn off creating such lewd illustrations entirely, determined to bury his gift and live quietly. But in the decadent world of Joseon’s nobility, desire is a currency that few can refuse—and none spend more recklessly than the volatile lord Seungho Yoon. Infamous for his insatiable appetites and ruthless whims, Seungho discovers the identity behind Na-kyum’s pseudonym and will not entertain the artist's vows of abstinence. Dragging Na-kyum into his opulent manor, Seungho issues an absolute command: the painter will create erotic works for his eyes alone, bringing his darkest fantasies to life on silk and paper. Na-kyum finds himself trapped in a gilded cage, forced to labor through the night under the nobleman's scorching gaze. As the boundary between the art and the artist begins to blur, Na-kyum must confront a harrowing question: can he preserve his integrity and sanity while serving as Seungho's personal painter of the night, or will the relentless demands of this dangerous patron consume him entirely?