이영주 IS JOINING THE SOCIAL SEASON。(wip, open for collabs!)
NOTES:
colors: #8C0825 #F3E5EF #6D4987 #1F3E78
- notorious older sister of duke lee
- former mean queen of high society who recently got divorced from her cheating ex
- joining the social season as backup for her new sis-in-law
- lord yul hired her ex's knight bff to be her keeper
- cw: infertility issues, mental health issues, misogyny
mr. brightside
Vitamin String Quartet
Vitamin String Quartet
LEE, YEONGJU
FULL NAME lee yeongju 이영주
NICKNAMES
medea first coined by the high society papers after her infamous scandal and soon became popular among the gossiping elite. though initially resenting the nickname, she eventually embraces it after jihoon points out that she and the mythological sorceress were not born but became villainesses after being betrayed. unlike medea, her story is not done and it is up to her how it ends.
TITLE lady yeongju, first daughter of house lee, the dukedom of gyeongsang-do
formerly lady yeongju, marchioness of iksan and namwon, the dukedom of jeollabuk-do
DATE OF BIRTH 09.10.1804
AGE 28
BIRTHPLACE the lee estate in yeongju, gyeongsang-do, south korea
HOMETOWN daegu, gyeongsang-do, south korea
HOMETOWN daegu, gyeongsang-do, south korea
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
korean mother tongue. yeongju is exceptionally fluent in korean. depending on the occasion, she can gracefully switch between the dialects of hanyang, her native gyeongsang-do and jeollabuk-do, her former husband’s province. words are a proper lady’s most powerful weapon, so yeongju continues her studies, constantly expanding her repertoire of vocabulary, idioms and expressions to keep herself well-spoken and more importantly, well-armed.
chinese intermediate. as the daughter of the esteemed house of lee, education in a foreign language as advantageous as chinese was to be expected. she is well-versed in both classical chinese and korean literature and has shown talent in calligraphy. speaking is another matter, one of the few things that she is admittedly unconfident in.
"there is beauty to be admired and there is beauty to be feared. lady yeongju possesses a beauty to stand in awe before."
— once wistful, would-be suitor
— once wistful, would-be suitor
FACECLAIM sunmi (soloist)
BACK UP hyuna (soloist)
BACK UP hyuna (soloist)
WARDROBE
fashion fades. only style remains the same.
yeongju has always had a keen eye for fashion, though her current interest lies less in what is considered fashionable among other noble ladies and more on what looks fashionable because she is wearing it. however eccentric or garish, she freely wears whatever she wants since any damage from a fashion faux-pas on her already blemished reputation as a divorced lady could be tempered by the influence of the lee family name. additionally, she has the beauty and charisma to pull just about anything off.
fortune favors the bold, she tells herself when selecting outfits for her reintroduction to high society. no longer a doe-eyed debutante nor a dignified ducal heir’s wife, she has forgone her days of sheer muslins, muted neutrals, and narrow skirts. instead, she now gravitates towards luxurious velvets and silks, rich jewel tones, and full skirts. the amount of exposed décolletage varies on a whim, yet regardless if she is wearing the lowest of necklines or the highest of collars, she retains an undeniable sensuality about her. the extravagance (or outlandishness, some may say) of her gowns have become common gossip at parties during this social season.
with all her experimentation, there still lies within her an appreciation for tradition with her vast collection of hanbok being a point of great pride. at the lee estate, she is seen more often in a hanbok than not. her day attire for venturing out to town consists of colorful bustle dresses, hats adorned with feathers and flowers, and dramatic capes or coats when winter settles in. as of late, she has been a prolific patron of local tailors who combine western trends with korean sensibilities.
"how maddening it must be, to have held everything within the palm of your hand yet truly have nothing at all. perhaps that is why lady yeongju became the villain of her own fairy tale."
— sir yang jihoon
— sir yang jihoon
PERSONALITY
tragic heroine
magnetic, dedicated, loving, charitable
impassioned, outspoken, headstrong, proud
domineering, relentless, insecure, lonely
entj-t. virgo sun, scorpio moon, leo rising. insp: blair waldorf, veronica lodge
impassioned, outspoken, headstrong, proud
domineering, relentless, insecure, lonely
entj-t. virgo sun, scorpio moon, leo rising. insp: blair waldorf, veronica lodge
wicked villainess
the wants of lee yeongju—what the lady truly yearns for—are what every person wants: to be seen, to be happy, and to be loved. simple things, really. yet despite all her efforts and all the advantages that life has blessed her, these tauntingly simple things continue to be just within her reach only to slip through her grasp at the very end. still, she persists, hoping that one day, these wants will be fulfilled. some may find such a life maddening, but it has been the only way she knows how to live.
being the firstborn child and oldest daughter of south korea’s most illustrious ducal family requires a delicate balance of being enough yet never too much, a skill that yeongju has yet to perfect.
from a young age, governesses impressed upon her the importance of acting accordingly to her station. as a lee, she must always stand proud, command respect from those around her, and never show a hint of weakness in the heat of battle. instead of cutting down enemies of the kingdom with swords as the lee’s male warriors have done, she wields a sharp wit, great influence and her family’s prestige. bearing little patience with petty schemes, she does not hesitate to use these weapons to make quick work of any who oppose her. formidable is the house of lee and as the first of the lee siblings to debut, she has long beared the burden of reminding the ton of their house’s place as the true force behind the imperial crown.
bearing this in mind, yeongju must never forget her true place as merely the first daughter of the house of lee. the knowledge of her gender being the reason for her ineligibility to inherit the duchy has left a lingering bitterness on her tongue. growing up, she worked tirelessly to meet the bare minimum standard of utmost perfection expected of her yet she never gained her parents’ acknowledgement. countless reminders of her shortcomings, especially in comparison to the faultless yul, bred a lifetime’s worth of self-doubt within her.
she puts on a false bravado to hide this vulnerability but the ever-brewing storm of emotion within her that causes this mask to continuously slip. contrary to the rumors, she possesses quite a big heart, only hers is filled with equal parts love and loathing. she makes her care or disdain known with a straightforwardness uncommon in polite society. some may call her unrefined and abrasive but such criticisms are kept strictly to gossip since few dare to confront her in fear of retribution. most advise others to spare themselves the trouble by avoiding her altogether.
for those foolhardy enough to approach her, they should first heed with caution but it takes remarkably little to gain her favor. starved for affection due to a lonesome childhood, she does not discriminate when it comes to companionship. a generous friend and a fearsome enemy, she ensures her loved ones are cared for and anyone who attempts to harm them are taken care of.
when she falls in love, she loves with the entirety of her being: heart, mind, and soul. her devotion is steady and true, but it can grow twisted when the seeds of doubt have been sown. the thought of losing love and being abandoned can overwhelm her with a dread that drives her to act in all manners impulsive and deranged. lovesickness and hysteria—the physician attributed her suffering from these ailments is what caused the infamous crazed fit that led to the end of her marriage.
in the wake of her divorce and the new social season, yeongju finds herself in a most peculiar predicament. here she is, a barren woman fallen from grace that cannot be dragged down further due to the grace of her powerful family. she feels duty-bound to return to high society for the sake of her brother and his new wife, even if it means rubbing elbows with hypocrites who greet her with sympathies only to gossip once her back is turned. with her prospects of remarriage being tenuous at best, she no longer clings to the fantasy of finding true love during this season of romance. still, though some may cower at the thought of facing their peers with no title and a ruined reputation as a divorced woman, she has grown weary of hiding and even looks forward to the challenge.
a warning to the ton of korea—beware; for lady yeongju of house lee has returned.
BACKGROUND
years ago, news of the duke and duchess of gyeongsang-do expecting their first child had set south korea’s high society alight with great excitement and expectation, anticipating the birth of a most exceptional heir. yet behind closed doors, the young ducal couple were overwhelmed by their impending parenthood. lady lee suffered severe sensations of perpetual nausea and ever-recurring faintness. lord lee sent her to rest and recuperate in one of their family’s country manors. there, after nearly 24 arduous hours of labor, the eldest child and first daughter of the gyeongsang-do dukedom, lee yeongju, was born.
the first few years of yeongju’s life was spent within the city of her namesake, raised by a series of nursemaids. a colicky babe and a tempestuous toddler, she was deemed too taxing to be cared for by the fragile lady lee, who was suffering long-term melancholia from the difficult birth and fell into a brief madness that resulted in the separation of mother and child. only after the duchess’ seemingly miraculous recovery and the birth of the dukedom’s rightful heir, lee yul, was lee yeongju finally brought home to daegu.
being “home” at the main family estate felt no different for yeongju than being hidden away up north. perhaps out of guilt or fear, lady lee left her in the capable hands of a governess to focus on her younger siblings’ upbringing while lord lee himself was too busy running the duchy to pay her any heed. the young girl resorted to all sorts of tantrums to capture her parents’ attention. slighted, she turned her frustrations elsewhere, spurning her little sister's attempts of bonding and picking constant arguments with yul, the most favored heir apparent, to break his collected facade. her behavior became so intolerable that the duke threatened to send her off to boarding school if she continued. she had half a mind to do so until one day, the duchess’ health took a turn for the worst and she passed away.
stricken with startling grief and realization that her mother was gone, at barely 12 years of age, yeongju abandoned her childish pettiness to take over as the mistress of the house. instead of terrorizing the staff, she worked closely with them to ensure the lee estate ran smoothly as the duke was away defending the kingdom. she no longer shied away from kyungah's affections and eventually became fond of gyeom but the distance between her and yul remained as wide as ever. only this time, rather than be at each other’s throats, they avoided one another altogether.
during the summer season of 1823, the 18-year old lee yeongju made her grand debut in high society. with her outstanding pedigree, striking beauty and the queen’s favor, she attracted a great deal of followers and rivals yet no suitors approached her, not even for a mere dance. gossip spread amongst the elite that all eligible bachelors in korea found lady yeongju, with her sharp tongue and domineering presence, too intimidating to court. as this phenomenon persisted for several more seasons, the 20-year old yeongju felt hopeless in finding a husband until she met him.
devastatingly handsome and ambitious, lord siwoo, house of kwak, the marquess of iksan and namwon coveted his older brother’s title as the heir to the jeollabuk-do dukedom. dancing with the infamous lady lee started as a mere bet but became a bid for more power when he asked for her hand in marriage. given the long-standing rivalries between gyeongsang and the two jeolla provinces, their union caused quite the stir. yet yeongju paid no heed for she had fallen in a love so deep with him that nothing else mattered. the two married in winter, inviting the entire kingdom to witness a fairy tale come true.
their marriage began full of passion and intrigue. lord siwoo became the new ducal heir when the eldest kwak son suddenly renounced his claim to fulfill his calling as a buddhist monk. many suspected that the new marchioness leveraged her influence in her husband’s favor. the couple soon became the envy of the ton. however, not all fairy tales have a happy ending.
passion and intrigue morphed into obsession and deceit as their marriage fell apart before everyone’s eyes. his countless dalliances and her furious jealousy became the worst kept secrets in korea. the breaking point was her infertility. almost seven long years of marriage with no sign of an heir put into question his position as the next duke, so he found his answer with his wife’s own lady-in-waiting. yeongju had long suspected the betrayal by whom she trusted most but discovering their torrid affair resulted in an anticipated lovechild was what drove her to a certain madness. at his own birthday party for all of high society to see, she tried to attack her husband.
unsurprisingly, the marquess soon filed for divorce on the grounds of fraud related to her inability to provide an heir as promised and violent lunacy. yeongju was sent back to the lee’s country manor to rest and “reflect on her actions” while the divorce took nearly a year for the archbishop to approve. shortly after, the marquess happily remarried but the former marchioness remained hidden.
that is until the request of lord yul for his sister to appear in the upcoming social season as a sign of solidarity with his new wife, lady suji. resigned to her certain fate of spinsterhood, she supposes that if she must endure four insufferably long months of social purgatory, why not spend the time raising a bit of hell? embrace the role of villainess as korea’s elite anticipate her to do.
what she does not anticipate is how the man contracted to be her chaperone would become her greatest ally, truest friend, and unfathomably more.
TRIVIA
likes balls and soirées, sweet desserts, sour fruits, organization, shopping trips with friends, new books, drinking makgeolli on rainy days
dislikes being late, dancing, inefficient practices, bitter foods, simpering idiots, petty schemes, being made a fool, plans falling apart
habits standing with a jutting chin and hands on hips, flipping hair over her shoulder while walking away, openly rolling her eyes or scoffing at idiotic displays
hobbies reading in the family library, learning languages, practicing calligraphy, managing household budgets and accounts, browsing local markets, debating literature
a lady’s education with the passing of the former lady lee, yeongju’s core education in etiquette, languages and arithmetic continued but any additional lessons shifted from dance, music, embroidery and drawing to more practical subjects of sewing, darning, the keeping of household ledgers, basic cookery and duties of household management. though these skills did little entice suitors, they shaped her into a most compenent mistress of the house.
not talent but skill very little has come naturally to her beyond being beautiful and balancing budgets, and even those require effort for her to hone and maintain. she makes up her lack of talent by working and studying tirelessly. however, when compared to her more gifted, perfect peers and relatives, her hard earned skills seem to pale in comparison. just one of the many things that drive her mad.
the art of dance she loves a grand party, but much to her dismay, she was cursed with two left feet. with little time to attend lessons and much less practice, she can only execute the most basic of steps. primary complaints among previous dance partners include the stiffness of her movements and her propensity to lead when she is supposed to follow.
food for the mind and soul reading is one of the few pastimes that she managed to maintain despite the hectic nature of her life. although reading extensive literature in history, politics and economics is considered uncommon or even improper for a lady, she considers having knowledge in such topics to be more practical for a noble wife. although too embarrased to admit it, she adores love stories of all kinds. she is an avid fan of shakespeare, jane austen, the brontë sisters, and george sand.
frailty, thy name is woman during the 19th century, mental illness, or madness, was perceived metaphorically and symbolically as a feminine illness. yeongju’s looming anxiety, emotional fits and erratic behaviour are explained as symptoms of hysteria and lovesickness, ailments of the mind commonly associated with the “weaker” female gender. her ex-husband tried to have her confined in an asylum but the backing of lord yul allowed her to get treatment in the family’s country home until she was deemed fit to return to society.
"so the prodigal daughter of the house of lee has returned. a pity that her marriage to duke kwak’s heir resulted in such woe, but to reappear in high society after being divorced? only lady yeongju would be so daring."
— queen sujeong from imperial house of kim
— queen sujeong from imperial house of kim
Queen Sujeong / Imperial House of Kim / Acknowledged Ruler / 30%
— queen sujeong has always kept a keen eye on lady yeongju. even before she was born, the queen announced her personal congratulations to lord and lady lee, proclaiming her anticipation for what great feats that their first child would accomplish. what she did not anticipate was the rumors of how lady lee was driven mad after childbirth and how the source of her madness was hidden away in a country manor. it wasn’t until she brought prince juwon to the main lee estate for a playdate with lord yul did she finally meet lady yeongju.
even from a young age, yeongju would meet queen sujeong’s gaze with a boldness that borders defiance. if it were any other noble lady, they would have long been put in their place. however, yeongju belongs to the house of lee and the imperial family relies on the lee’s to maintain power. she shows a proper amount of deference to the queen as any loyal subject should but makes it known that she does not need her approval. at yeongju’s presentation to court, the two were locked in an impasse until the queen declared yeongju the diamond of the season. whether this was due to yeongju’s impeccable manners or to bolster their families’ alliance in the public eye remains uncertain. what is certain is the unspoken recognition that they are more similar than not.
the queen begrudgingly respects yeongju for returning to court in spite of her circumstances but keeps an even more watchful eye on her than before. after all, as her highness knows so well, there’s little predictable about the fury of a woman scorned.
Late Lord and Lady Lee / House of Lee / Father and Mother / 10%
— born a mirror image of her father but seemingly fated to follow the footsteps of her mother, lady yeongju shares far more similarities with her parents than she shares actual memories with them.
what she remembers of the late lord lee was him as a perpetually distant fixture in her life. when he wasn’t away defending their country’s borders, he was locked away in his office with very few being permitted to see him without appointment—yeongju was not one of these few. even as the temporary lady of the house, she had to browbeat her father’s personal attendant to grant her a mere few minutes with him to report the ongoings of his own home.
as for the late lady lee, she remembers her mother being a more visible figure in her life that kept her at arm’s length both physically and emotionally, relying on maids and tutors to impart the care and knowledge that a mother should have given her daughter. rumors that the fear of her madness returning prompted the duchess to reject her firstborn had spread among the household staff, eventually reaching the gossip-hungry ears of the ton. years later, after yeongju’s own frightful show of shattered nerves, whispers spread among the court of how the daughter inevitably takes after the mother. the more yeongju listens, the more she wonders if their words hold any truth.
Lord Yul / House of Lee / Younger Brother / 50%
— it is no secret that the eldest daughter and the eldest son of the house of lee share little with each other beyond the same noble blood running through their veins. yul was her antithesis: a mirror image of their mother while following the footsteps of their father. while lord lee favored their bastard brother and lady adored their little sister, he was indisputably the golden child of the family. strong, intelligent and collected, he was deemed the perfect heir for the duchy and could do no wrong in their eyes. lord lee never failed to create time in his otherwise busy schedule to train yul for battle in war and politics. lady lee would sing countless praises for every little thing yul did without discrimination.
when the duke permitted the duchess throwing a lavish dinner party to celebrate a two-year-old yul first learning how to flush the water closet, yeongju knew where she stood in their eyes compared to the beloved heir apparent. as a child, her envy of him expressed itself as pure acrimony with her constantly antagonizing him with the hopes of riling him up to prove that he was not as perfect as everyone believed him to be.
by the time she realized her immaturity had to be set aside, there was little chance for reconciliation since yul became occupied with knight training. thus the two settled with an unspoken agreement to remain out of each other’s way. only in instances that called for a united front of the lee’s did they interact—she attempts not to dwell on how yul was present for her debut, she for his and they for both their younger siblings, all the while their parents were absent for it all.
in the event of yeongju’s fall from grace, yul proved that blood is thicker than water. his support ensured she received some alimony from the divorced and didn’t become institutionalized as her former husband wished her to be. she is uncertain if he did this in loyalty to her or the lee family name, but she is certain that she owes him a debt of gratitude.
Lady Suji / House of Min / Sister-in-Law / 40%
— prior to becoming sisters by marriage, yeongju had only heard of lady suji. the rumored beauty of the house of min’s darling daughter did not escape her attention, becoming increasingly vigilant that this rumored beauty would not escape her husband’s attention either. her trepidations never became true for lord siwoo’s attention had been stolen away from her by another.
sequestered away in the lee’s country manor and occupied with various treatments and therapies for her mental ailments, she was unable to attend the entirety of the social season in 1832 and could not witness the grand romance of the year. when she was permitted to return to the main lee estate, she prepared herself to resume her role as the mistress of the house but much to her surprise, it was already filled by none other than lady suji.
now living together as sisters-in-law, yeongju still cannot grasp the reasons why her dour brother would marry such a meek creature like lady suji. while the baron’s daughter truly lives up to her name as the past season’s pearl, her inexperience in managing a ducal estate is infuriatingly apparent to yeongju. to ensure their household is not run into ruin, she has taken upon herself to become lady suji’s mentor. despite yul’s reservations, the two get along cordially enough with yeongju slowly growing fond of her new sister.
when yul requests that she return to high society in support of his wife, she agrees without hesitation. those who want to cause trouble for lady suji should tread with caution; lady yeongju will be ready to strike.
Crown Prince Juwon / Imperial House of Kim / Childhood Mediator / 20%
— long has the crown prince been acquainted with lady yeongju. he remembers the day when he first laid eyes on her, how a rush of infatuation took over his being when she smiled so prettily as she greeted him and his mother. he then remembers being frozen with utter shock when she sneered at him and lord yul as their parents’ backs were turned, chiding them to stay out of her way. from that day onward, crown prince juwon learned that the older sister of his dear friend was not a lady to be trifled with. knowing this, he did his best to avoid her whenever he visited yul, only intervening when the elder lee siblings’ quarrels became too intense to ignore. prior to her marriage, in the typical fashion of teenage recklessness, he braved the occasional attempt of flirtation with her, only to be promptly rejected. this did not earn prince juwon the affections of lady yeongju but it did endear him to her ever so slightly. however, his role in the scandal of her little cousin, eunha, did not please her in the slightest; she will be watching him closely this season.
Lord Siwoo and Lady Haeun / House of Kwak / Former Husband and Lady-in-Waiting / 5%
— there was once a time when yeongju was close to the marquess and the new marchioness of iksan and namwon. it was during her fourth season when she saved lady haeun from being bullied by a pompous marquess’ daughter and her gaggle of cronies. she simply intended to antagonize her then-rival, so it surprised her how quickly and sincerely bonded with the silly but sweet stepdaughter of an earl. then just moments later, the dashing lord siwoo literally swept off her feet.
the courtship between lord siwoo and yeongju was remarkably shorter than what was considered respectable, a mere two months than the typical year. she was advised by her paternal aunt to not marry in such a rash manner, but she did not care—she was head over heels in love. and with her marriage to the marquess, she found herself in need of a lady-in-waiting. despite the briefness of their acquaintance, she appointed lady haeun to the role. though a tad flighty, the younger girl had an innocent charm that made her so easy to adore and trust.
having longed for romantic and platonic companionship, it appeared to be a dream come true to yeongju that she met both her true love and her bosom friend on the same night and would spend the rest of her days with them. but alas, dreams never last.
now there is no lost love between yeongju and the future ducal couple of jeollabuk-do. they may have betrayed her first but she ultimately turned into the villainess of their romantic tale. while she is protected by the esteem of her family, they have the good will of the public, a powerful weapon that limits her ability to strike back. when they meet on the battlefield of the ballroom this social season, only time will tell who will win the war.
Lady Kyungah / House of Lee / Little Sister / 80% / collab with exponentially_me
— out of her three siblings, yeongju has always felt closest to her little sister. at first glance, she and kyungah appear to be the opposites of one another. while she was notorious for her arrogance and acerbity, kyungah was famed for her brightness and effervescence. many of the ton have questioned how two sisters of such a prestigious family as the lee’s could be as different as day and night. what they are not privy to is how her younger sister’s charming disposition belies her cunning nature.
though yeongju never had the patience or flair for the elaborate yet subtle mind games so beloved by the ton, she feels a sense of pride in how kyungah excels schemes and manipulations. she cannot help feeling impressed in how her little sister rose to the top of the social scene, yielding weapons of friendly smiles, bubbly laughter, and masterful plots to take down the reputations of those who catch her ire.
still, she feels a sense of protectiveness over kyungah, especially now that she’s of marriageable age. not just any man will do as a potential suitor, so she has no issue scaring away anyone who appears unworthy in order to prevent her dear sister from suffering a heartache similar to her own.
Lord Gyeom / House of Lee / Little Half-Brother / 70% / collab with woosans
— although she may vehemently deny it at first, yeongju is actually quite fond of gyeom. despite their differences in age and in mothers, they bear many similarities to one another in appearance, demeanor, and even status in their family. they are both black sheeps of sorts with her being the forsaken eldest daughter and him being the illegitimate youngest son.
when lord lee first brought her little half-brother to the family mansion, yeongju was livid at how he dared to bring his bastard, the very proof of his betrayal against their mother, into their home so soon after her passing. how her father forbade everyone from disclosing the truth of gyeom’s origins and showed him clear favor over his daughters only infuriated her more. still, she had to hold her tongue, settling to ignore her bastard brother under the guise of being busy with running the estate.
yet the more gyeom persisted in following her around, the more she paid him heed and gradually, she came to care for him. after their father’s death, she recognized gyeom felt a loneliness similar to her own and that the circumstances of her birth indirectly led to him being born. due to this, she feels a sense of duty towards him, becoming quite overprotective of him and ready to cut down any who wish him ill. she appreciated his monthly visits to the kwak estate while she was married and now that they’re both back at the lee estate for the summer, they often spend time together in the family library.
one thing that yeongju is not fond of is gyeom’s growing reputation as a rake in the making, concerned that he may end up like their late father or her ex-husband. at balls, she will try to interrupt his flirtations. luckily for gyeom, her chaperone will stop her from being successful in her attempts.
Lady Eunha / House of Won / Younger Cousin / 50% / collab with sirius-
— the relationship that yeongju shares with lady eunha would best be described as precarious. being first cousins, the children of the house of won would frequently come to visit the children of the house of lee in their youth. however, unlike her siblings, yeongju did not strike a rapport with either one of the won twins.
eunha, in particular, would frequently get underneath yeongju’s skin. not only was her cousin younger in age, she possessed a beauty equal to her own, a greater deal of natural talent, a brother who adored her, and attentive parents who permitted her the freedom to travel the world. yeongju never possessed such things and due to her inferiority complex towards yul and eunha’s close association with him, eunha became a convenient target for her. given her reliance on lady won to present her at her debut, her envy and frustrations could only be expressed through icy glares and blunt words, but it was enough for yul and hahyun to keep the two away from each other.
after yeongju debuted and learned what it meant to survive as a noble lady in high society, her animosity towards her cousin turned into more complicated feelings of concern. she passed this warning to eunha before her debut: be careful what you wish for, dear cousin. you may think that you know all but life will soon teach you otherwise."
the aftermath of eunha’s disastrous debut and yeongju’s messy divorce have placed them on more equal ground. with their return to high society, there lies the opportunity to start anew, see each other as family, and together as a united front when they enter the warzone of the social scene
Lady Iseul / House of Myeong / Protégé / 80% / collab with bimboficated
— over her years being active in high society, yeongju has gathered herself a fair deal of followers and enemies, but she considers lady iseul to be her sole protégé. she initially connected with her as they were both ducal daughters, but formed a quick friendship due to similar personalities. she soon took lady iseul under her wing, behaving as a mentor of sorts. meanwhile, lady iseul has become a close confidant and a sister-of-sorts, proving herself both to be both trustworthy and refreshingly honest.
when yeongju returns for the new social season, she is shocked to find that her dear protégé has become ostracized by high society. she is not afraid to proclaim her support towards iseul and may possibly stir the pot by claiming lady iseul would be a better fit as a ducal heir compared to her twin brother.
Lady Byul / House of Jung / Familiar Acquaintance / 60% / collab with nappeunge
— yeongju has long been familiar with the lovely young star of the jung family due to her long-standing friendship with the eldest daughter. some of the ton have questioned why the daughter of korea’s most powerful duke would associate herself with a mere count’s daughter, but those foolish few do not know how cheonsa truly lives up to her angelic namesake. they shared a tutor who had recognized yeongju’s loneliness and introduced her to the same-aged cheonsa. the two had been nearly inseparable since and yeongju would have chosen cheonsa as her lady-in-waiting if the latter’s mother hadn’t meddled in. she was happy that she could be there with the other jung sisters to witness cheonsa meet her fairy-tale ending with the charming french aristocrat.
with lady cheonsa being overseas, yeongju returns to high society and witnesses the disaster that is lady byul’s debut. she empathizes with the younger girl, knowing what it is like to be dismissed for one’s beauty. feeling a sense of duty towards the little sister of her dear friend, she discreetly approaches lady byul and offers her the heartfelt advice to avoid the inevitable heartbreak of marriage that the queen and her mindless followers put on such a high pedestal. little is she aware that her advice would be the catalyst for byul’s rebellion in love.
Lord Yoonhak / House of Jeon / Infamous Stranger / 10% / collab with lowcation
— though yeongju has yet to have the fortune of being acquainted with the bastard heir of the jeon family, she is familiar with his notorious reputation. she has warned kyungah be wary of his rakish charms and worries that gyeom may emulate his womanizing ways. so concerned with her younger siblings, she does not even consider the possibility of her ill-timed advice pushing the little sister of her dear friend into the arms of a scoundrel like lord yoonhak. she cannot predict the outcome of the two’s secret romance, but for cheonsa’s sake, she will lend them her support if needed.
NAME / House / Relation / Closeness Rating
— description of their interactions go here.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.Vestibulum sed arcu non odio euismod lacinia at quis.
when you were young
Vitamin String Quartet
Vitamin String Quartet
yang, jihoon
FULL NAME yang jihoon 양지훈
NICKNAMES
lancelot as the loyal knight who lost his love to his lord and now must watch over the villainous former wife of said lord, he has become a popular topic of gossip among the social elite who love speculating his small yet significant role in the drama of lady yeongju’s and lord siwoo’s divorce. he only tolerates the nickname when yeongju uses it, even if it’s just to poke fun at his foolhardy chivalry and preoccupation with courtly love.
TITLE sir jihoon, knight of house kwak, the dukedom of jeollabuk-do
DATE OF BIRTH 01.12.1805
AGE 28
BIRTHPLACE namwon, jeollabuk-do, south korea
HOMETOWN jeonju, jeollabuk-do, south korea
HOMETOWN jeonju, jeollabuk-do, south korea
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
korean mother tongue. born and raised in jeollabuk-do, jihoon is fluent in korean, primarily the jeolla dialect. thanks to his stint in the royal army, he knows the standard dialect of hanyang but prefers speaking in satoori, even amongst the ton, as a way to stay true to his humble roots.
french beginner. though a soldier by trade, jihoon is ultimately a romantic at heart. as an avid admirer of chivalric romance, it was only natural for him to begin learning french in the little free time he has. this way he can read his favorite tales in their intended language.
"not even the most noble pedigree could produce a man as handsome as sir jihoon. quite a shame that he is merely of common birth."
— anonymous but appreciative admirer
— anonymous but appreciative admirer
FACECLAIM woo dohwan (actor)
BACK UP jang kiyong (actor)
BACK UP jang kiyong (actor)
WARDROBE
fashion fades. only style remains the same.
jihoon has never held a particularly keen interest in fashion. raised as a stable boy and trained as a knight, he prioritizes functionality over aesthetics, gravitating towards fabrics more sturdy and easy to move around in such as wool, cotton, and leather. not one for attention, he dresses in neutral brown, greys and tans with the occasional dark reds, blues and teals for variety. he has little use or desire for ornate accessories, preferring simple belts, cravats, suspenders and waistcoats. still, he cuts a striking and surprisingly roguish figure in his personal uniform of long duster coats and riding boots. feeling out of place among high society, he does not bother with the pomp and circumstance of full dress, opting to wear his military uniform at formal events of the social season instead.
"a knight must shed blood for the lord he has sworn loyalty to and for the lady he can only love from afar. yet the amount that has shed from sir jihoon himself, is it that of a hero or a martyr?"
— lady lee yeongju
— lady lee yeongju
PERSONALITY
loyal knight
dutiful, intelligent, observant, romantic
artful, determined, philosophical, sardonic
neurotic, gloomy, suspicious, wishful
infj-t. capricorn sun, pisces moon, libra rising. insp: dan humphrey, jughead jones
artful, determined, philosophical, sardonic
neurotic, gloomy, suspicious, wishful
infj-t. capricorn sun, pisces moon, libra rising. insp: dan humphrey, jughead jones
unsung hero
there is much that sir yang jihoon yearns for: recognition, happiness, love. simple things yet it is all more than he could ever admit to anyone, much less to himself. still, even if he were to acknowledge these wants and desires of his, everything must come second to his duty.
brave, strong, dependable and loyal—jihoon possesses all the qualities of a perfect knight. from the day he first held a sword as a young boy, he has worked tirelessly and sacrificed much to reach beyond anyone’s expectations. he exudes gravitas and aura of maturity, carrying himself with a certain dignity and composure that makes him appear wiser beyond his years. with his reputation as a diligent soldier and a powerful force in battle, he has become a highly requested choice among nobles for knight service. enthralled by the epic tales of chivalric romance, he feels a deep need to aid the helpless and defend the weak, striving to follow the example that knights of past and legend have laid before him.
alas, no matter how noble his aspirations of heroic chivalry are or how daring the feats of bravery he accomplishes, nothing can change the humble circumstances of his birth. years of being undermined by resentful colleagues or overlooked by biased superiors taught him that a common-born “stable rat” such as himself rising through the ranks of the military rankles the ire of those more bound to tradition. since the duke’s good word only goes so far, he learned to play the game, relying on clever words and sly tactics in order to advance beyond a mere foot soldier. he has become more cynical and wary over time, developing a quick wit and sharp tongue as a defense mechanism.
despite his calling as a knight, jihoon has the mind of a philosopher and the heart of a poet, constantly ruminating over the teachings of free-thinking scholars and the writings of free-feeling authors. he relates these to the surrounding world, its regal inhabitants, and himself, the outsider. his ruminations can swiftly turn into fixations, distracting him from what is right in front of him until it can no longer be ignored, just as his admiration of courtly love led to a forlorn love for the innocent lady haeun. yet no amount of heartbreak could truly bury the hopeless romantic within him that still believes in goodness and yearns for love. it is just people that he struggles to hold faith in.
BACKGROUND
orphaned at a young age due to a bout of untreated smallpox taking away his parents, the beginnings of yang jihoon’s life were tragic in the sense how commonplace it was for such tragedies to occur among poor commoners. taken in by a distant uncle who worked as a groom for the duke of jeollabuk-do, he became a stable boy at the ducal estate, removing the horse-dung and washing out the stables. the work was dirty but honest, and he had no aspirations beyond becoming a stablehand. that is until the day when he saved the duke from being fatally trampled by an unruly horse.
while jihoon believed he was simply in the right place at the right time, lord kwak believed it was a matter of fate and awarded his bravery with the opportunity to become a knight. at 12 years of age, he was considered almost too old to become a page but caught up with the other trainees quickly, demonstrating a natural talent in horsemanship, archery, sword-wielding, and more. during this time, he became well-acquainted with lord siwoo, the second son of the kwak family. at the request of lord kwak, they apprenticed under the same royal knight together as squires.
despite a friendship and rivalry developing between them, the two were never truly on equal ground. after all, one was the son of a duke while the other was merely a sponsored commoner. though they fought the same battles and defeated the same enemies, siwoo was the first to be knighted at 18 and permitted to leave to fulfill his noble responsibilities. meanwhile, jihoon continued to serve, only to be repeatedly passed over for promotion in favor of noble sons and legacy knights. it took a particularly grueling battle at the northern border where jihoon’s ingenuity and tenacity aided the late lord lee’s command towards a decisive victory for his efforts to be finally recognised.
knighted at the age of 20, he promptly returned to jeollabuk-do and was appointed as the personal knight of the now marquess of iksan and namwon. standing once again by siwoo’s side, he would accompany him to seoul for the social season. though his dashing looks initially caught the eyes of curious ladies, his lack of title or lineage quickly drove away their attentions towards more eligible bachelors like his noble charge. accustomed to such disregard, he was content with standing guard and silently observing the ton as they made merry with their dancing and scheming. that is until, his eyes caught the gaze of her.
TRIVIA
likes fairs and festivals, savory snacks, hot street food, fairness, reading on overcast days, vintage books, drinking soju with friends at the local tavern
dislikes arriving too early, being the center of attention, injustice, overly sweet food, nepotism knights, petty gossip, getting underestimated, dreams being dashed
habits standing or walking with both hands in his coat pockets, subtly scoffing at ridiculous displays, soulfully staring across the room at unrequited loves
hobbies people watching, horse riding, scouring local books stores and stalls for new finds, practicing swordsmanship, writing poetry, daydreaming, deliberating literature
a knight’s knowledge as a knight, jihoon received an education far better than anything he could have imagined if he remained a stable boy. still, learning the physical arts of war was not enough to satisfy his curiosity. during the few moments of rest during training, he studied what he could on strategy, tactics, history, ethics and philosophy related to war and knighthood.
talented but not recognized throughout jihoon’s entire career, he would be praised by instructors and commanders for his ability to pick up new skills quickly and executing orders flawlessly; however, these proved to be merely empty words. his supervisors felt discouraged from promoting him, fearing the potential backlash if a commoner surpassed his noble peers in rank. his knighthood was only due to the late duke lee’s recommendation. even now, there are those who continue to downplay his accomplishments.
the art of mingling years of standing guard as lord siwoo attended countless balls and events of the social season has taught him a great deal about the ton. he carefully watched how they party as friends and plot against one another all within the same night. making his informal debut as lady yeongju’s chaperone, he adapts quickly, engaging with the subtle wordplay and mind games with ease. him being a gifted dancer helps as well.
fuel for dreams and imagination reading is more than a pastime for him. in many ways, it is life. learning to read opened opportunities to again an education but it also opened entire worlds to him. out of all the political, philosophical, and fictional books he has read, he is most drawn to the works of courtly literature. the tales of king arthur and his round table of knights, the romance of the rose, and the misadventures of don quixote are amongst his favorites.
knowing one’s place even without the constant verbal jabs at his commoner status by gossips, he knows where he stands among the elites of high society. coming from no money and no parents, he is the perpetual outsider who can only serve as a glorified onlooker of the ton, something he both resents and takes pride in.
"lady yeongju and sir jihoon—the dishonored noble lady and the downtrodden commoner knight. a curious novelty in the eyes of the ton but one i shall keep a watchful eye on."
— queen sujeong from imperial house of kim
— queen sujeong from imperial house of kim
THEIR STORY okay this is honestly my favourite part when it comes to reading applications, so go crazyyyyyyy. i love fluff and angst, so wink wink. make it as detailed as you want and i will read it with enthusiasm. again, i've indicated some things to consider in the cheatsheet. but other than that, anything goes!
...
HI, I'm SAI.
withapma / 50%
withapma / 50%
POST SCRIPT questions? suggestions? concerns? all goes here. also, let me take this moment to say thank you for taking interest in this little story of mine. it means a lot to me and i hope you guys enjoy creating your characters. <3
PASSWORD vitamin string quartet's rendition of foo fighter's everlong
SCENE REQUESTS you can write as many as you like and i will *try* to include them in the story (hopefully). go crazy or whatever, it's all up to you!
thank you to ubebread for helping me customize the layout!
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