Mina stood outside on the street, waiting in the moonlight for her love. Her fluttering heart pounded loudly, causing her to tremble. The anticipation was killing her. She slowly took a deep breath, trying to calm her shuddering excitement, as a gentle breeze caressed her, a crimson glow on her porcelain cheeks. Her mind would drift, thinking about the special gift that Hwang had given her. It was an album of paintings by Hyewon, a well-known Joseon painter, filled with various scenes of lovers together.

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One image came to her mind, portraying two lovers meeting in the night. The woman wore an overcoat covering her head, the man right by her side, carrying a lantern, gazing longingly at her. The image stirred such intense emotions in Mina, as she thought of her many romantic trysts with Hwang…her Hwang. She blushes, her whole body tingling. Oh, how she longed to be in his embrace once again!

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Another image floated upon her consciousness: a lover’s arm is around his beloved, his face so close to hers, breathing her in. Mina closes her eyes, imagining Hwang’s arm around her, his expression so serious, feeling his hot breath…

Mina suddenly gasps, her eyes fluttering open. She was in Hwang’s arms, looking into his smoldering eyes! He had finally come! With a cry of delight, she clings to him, kissing him hard, mewing so plaintively. Hwang scoops her up, holding her tight, taking her away to their little hideaway, like a painting come to life…

Author’s Notes: Hyewon, his pen name, was a real-life painter of the Joseon Dynasty. He was born Shin Yuk-bok and is known for his realistic depictions of daily life, though his paintings tend to be more erotic in nature. This unfortunately contributed to his expulsion from Dohwaseo, the royal painting institute. His father and grandfather were also court painters.