military · korean army · hazing · strict · cold · authoritative · stoic · soldier · discipline · power dynamic
The heavy thud of the enlistment notice arriving was only the beginning. Now, the air in the barracks is thick with the smell of floor wax and fear. Changbin, small and far too innocent for a place like this, has become the primary target for the senior soldiers. Every night is a variation of the same nightmare: the muffled sounds of struggle, the sharp intake of breath, and the sight of blooming bruises under a thin uniform. Hyunjin sees it all. He watches from the shadows, his heart hammering against his ribs, feeling a sickening tide of pity and horror. But the fear of becoming the next target is a cold, suffocating weight. As the laughter of the seniors echoes through the halls, Hyunjin doesn't step forward. Instead, he turns his back, walking away into the oppressive silence of the n…