Kim Young-min, a man in his early thirties, worked as a researcher at a major corporation in Seoul. His life was as ordinary as any other office worker's, but he carried within him an enduring curiosity and quiet passion.
At 7 a.m., he woke to the sound of his alarm. After a quick breakfast, he left for work. The subway ride, as always, was packed and noisy. Yet even in the chaos, he would close his eyes and mentally organize his day. For Kim, this daily commute served as a kind of meditation—an invaluable time to spark ideas related to his research.
Upon arriving at the office, he greeted his coworkers and stepped into the elevator."Good morning, Mr. Kim. Let's give it our best today!" one colleague said with a cheerful smile."Good morning. Wishing you a great day too," he replied, smiling back.
He settled at his desk and powered up his computer. His primary role involved analyzing research data and drafting reports—tasks he found fulfilling. Still, his true passion ignited after hours.
At 10 a.m., Kim joined the research team meeting. The team leader outlined the current progress and upcoming objectives."This week, we'll focus on analysis based on the latest experimental results. Let's all give it our best."Kim took diligent notes, organizing the discussion as the meeting went on. Afterward, he shared insights with colleagues and exchanged useful information.
Around 11 a.m., his supervisor, Team Leader Park, summoned him."Mr. Kim, there were several errors in your recent report. Can you explain how they happened?" Park asked with a rather stern tone.
Though momentarily flustered, Kim remained composed."I apologize, sir. I believe the mistake occurred during data entry. I'll be more careful moving forward."
Team Leader Park nodded."Make sure this doesn't happen again. Our team's performance heavily depends on you."
Kim left the office with a heavy heart, but he quickly pulled himself together and doubled down on reviewing the data. As Park's words echoed in his mind, he committed to correcting the oversight with greater diligence.
At noon, Kim went to the company cafeteria with his colleague Minsu. Over lunch, the two shared casual conversation.
"What happened with Team Leader Park earlier? You didn't look too good," Minsu asked.
With a sigh, Kim responded, "There was a mistake in the last report. I got an earful for it. He seemed pretty upset."
Minsu nodded sympathetically."Yeah, he's really strict. I made a similar mistake once, and I got roasted too. Since then, I've been extra cautious."
Kim felt a bit lighter after the chat."I know mistakes happen, but he's a bit too harsh sometimes."Minsu chuckled. "We just have to hang in there. Think about the weekend. That's what keeps me going.""You're right. I'm planning to continue my cosmic signal research this weekend. Just thinking about it lifts my spirits."
After lunch, Kim returned to his desk and dove back into his work. He focused intently on analyzing data and compiling reports. When he hit a mental block, he would take a short pause, gazing out the window to clear his head."This part needs a revision," he muttered as he typed. His intense concentration paid off, and he made steady progress.
At 6 p.m., he wrapped up his tasks for the day, organized his desk, and jotted down notes for tomorrow. On the subway ride home, he listened to music, letting it wash away the day's fatigue.
After a quick dinner, Kim entered his small home lab. While his day job was routine, his true passion began each night. From childhood, he'd been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe and the origins of language. During his university years, this curiosity led him to double major in astronomy and linguistics. A voracious reader, he often spent time in libraries, immersing himself in all genres of literature—a habit that continually fueled his imagination.
His home lab was both a sanctuary and a workshop where dreams became tangible. As a child, he would often stare at the night sky, wondering about the cosmos. His interest in the origin of language had grown into a deeper inquiry, eventually steering him toward a dual pursuit of science and philosophy.
One evening, while browsing an online bookstore, Kim stumbled upon an ancient, obscure text. The book delved into early civilizations and the linguistic roots of humanity, presenting mysterious research findings that had never been formally published. It suggested that certain signal patterns from space carried linguistic significance—and could potentially link to other dimensions.
Captivated, Kim realized the book's contents aligned with his own research. He decided to apply its concepts to his ongoing study of extraterrestrial signals. With advanced computing equipment and specialized software, he began parsing vast streams of cosmic data. After countless sleepless nights, he finally detected a unique signal—one with a complex, never-before-seen pattern.
He sensed immediately: this wasn't random noise.
Within the signal, he discovered what appeared to be symbols—not random glyphs, but a structured, meaningful language. He began comparing the symbols to languages from across the globe. After months of exhaustive analysis, he concluded that the symbols weren't merely communicative—they were powerful.
As he continued decoding them, Kim came to a radical realization: language and symbols might not just be tools for communication—they could alter reality itself. He began to see ancient practices of magic and incantation not as superstition, but as echoes of a once-understood linguistic force.
Intrigued by the scientific design of Hangul, Korea's native script, Kim was convinced it could serve as the most effective medium for such forces. He began conducting experiments using Hangul's systematic combinations of consonants and vowels to generate magical effects. The early results showed promise, and he plunged deeper into his research.
Eventually, after countless trials, Kim discovered a method for opening a dimensional gate. With this breakthrough, he resolved to use the magic of Hangul to establish contact with a new world. Yet before stepping through, he hesitated. He couldn't predict what awaited him on the other side—nor what changes this journey might bring.
Finally, fully prepared and with a pounding heart, Kim activated the gate. A brilliant light engulfed him. And so began his journey to a world he had never dreamed possible—Luminaria.
****
Episode : Signal from the Stars
Kim Young-min stepped through the dimensional gate and arrived in a world called Luminaria. Strange landscapes and exotic lifeforms greeted him. The air shimmered with magical energy, and dazzling lights surrounded him on all sides. He realized—this was a world where the magic he had only theorized about was undeniably real.
Before crossing over, Young-min had prepared extensively. He had packed essential tools, rations, and materials, all while searching for a safe and secluded place where he could continue his research undisturbed. Eventually, he managed to establish a small laboratory deep in a remote forest—far from the eyes of Luminaria's inhabitants. The area had enough natural resources to support both his survival and his studies.
He spent his first night in Luminaria at that small lab. While eating the rations he had brought from Earth, he carefully outlined his plans. The next morning, Young-min began his first magical experiment using the power of Hangul—the Korean script.
"Burn bright—fire orb!"As he uttered the incantation, a small flame sparked to life in his hand. That single success lit a spark of hope in him. He resolved to refine and expand his magical abilities through deeper research.
However, he soon realized that each spell consumed a certain amount of his energy, and that there was a clear limit to how many times he could cast in succession. Though he could increase his magical capacity with more experience, for now, the boundaries were clear.
Undeterred, Young-min began crafting spells by combining Hangul's consonants and vowels into different incantations. Still, he recognized the importance of preparation—if his energy ran out in a critical moment, he'd be defenseless. So he decided to create spell scrolls. Drawing from the fantasy novels he had loved back on Earth, he wrote down incantations on paper, allowing him to activate magic without drawing from his own energy reserves.
Taking out a stack of paper he had brought from Earth, he wrote his first scroll."Rise—pillar of flame!"A column of fire erupted from his hand, and he was now convinced of Hangul's magical potential. But the paper began to degrade rapidly—it wasn't suited for this world's conditions.
He then turned to materials from Luminaria itself. Using hide he'd found from a local creature, he crafted a new scroll. Carefully inscribing the Hangul spell onto the surface, he whispered:"Blizzard, descend!"The spell activated flawlessly. Overjoyed, Young-min knew he had discovered a new method for storing and preserving magic.
From that day on, he experimented with all kinds of materials—bark, leaves, animal skins—transforming them into magical scrolls. One by one, he inscribed spells and meticulously categorized each scroll.
One afternoon, while surveying the area around his lab, Young-min noticed something glinting in a patch of dust. He unearthed what appeared to be an old necklace. As he picked it up, he immediately sensed that it wasn't just an ornament—it radiated powerful magical energy. Holding it, Young-min realized it might be possible to imbue objects with magic.
He began studying the necklace, running a series of tests using his Hangul-based spells. Eventually, he succeeded in creating his first magical item. The necklace became more than a simple trinket—it was a conduit that amplified his magical strength and enhanced his capabilities.
As he continued his research, Young-min began to adapt to the resources and nature of Luminaria. He observed the forest's flora and fauna closely, striving to understand the ecology of this unfamiliar world. It was through this connection to his surroundings that his magical experiments deepened.
He avoided contact with Luminaria's native inhabitants, choosing to remain hidden in his isolated lab for now. Still, something in his gut told him this life of quiet study wouldn't last forever. There were secrets yet to be uncovered—challenges waiting beyond the treeline.
Kim Young-min had crossed dimensions not only to test his theory, but to awaken a greater truth. And in the glowing heart of Luminaria, that truth had only just begun to unfold.