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Baek Na-kyum is a character in Painter of the Night a manhwa by Byeonduck released in 2019. Brought to Yoon Seungho's residence, Na-kyum is reluctant to create erotic paintings for him even when a poem special to him is taken. With the author, his teacher Jung In-hun also arriving Na-kyum is encouraged to paint for his sake before his creation had water spilt over it. With his teacher threatened, Na-kyum means to continue but is unable to physically bring himself to paint.

Background[]

Living in Korea, he was discovered by the head Kisaeng (a lowest class courtesan of the Goryeo and Joseon eras in Korean history) as a baby and raised as a son of their house. During the time period, people designated as low birth such as himself are afforded an unequal social standing and treatment. Whilst his origins are unknown, Na-kyum's talents for drawing and painting were noted from a young age. Inscribing patterns in the ground using a stick, was another means of creating and men engaging in intercourse was the focal point of his art. A book of paintings was made under a pseudonym, however, Na-kyum would come to give up painting and live as a drunk although he continued keeping his bag of painting tools.

Remembering that he has heard the name Seungho from somewhere, Na-kyum was also aware of the noble's unbridled lust. Familiar with the canvas based materials he is to use, Na-kyum has heard such paper is from the Royal Academy of Painting. In-hun remarks that Na-kyum is not even literate but he can read a few characters. Na-kyum's hair is cropped in keeping with his designated class status and his initial clothing is not as fine as what nobles wear in comparison. Although he might miss the woman of the Kisaeng, he was told not to come back.

Characteristics[]

Polite when greeting others. When he realised who Seungho was, Na-kyum was apprehensive at being recognized and denies he even created the erotic book of art. Having vowed to never create what he refers to as filth nearly a year ago, Na-kyum reaffirms this stance after creating and seeing another one. He maintains his manners even when he felt against a poem by a great man to him, being derided and became tearful over its withholding. This is related to his expressiveness to what he cares about such as earnestly stating to others the truth of a situation. Such cases are telling Jihwa that he was not intimate with Seungho despite his assumptions as well as explaining to In-hun how the paintings are for his benefit when it was assumed they were done out of Na-kyum's own sensual desires. His favorite food is traditional Korean sweets. When Seungho comments on whether he has somewhere to be and Na-kyum replies he cannot go anywhere without Seungho he considers his response that he himself is aware of this reality.

Aspirations[]

Na-kyum prefers getting drunk at a tavern over his previous hobby. While he seemed to paint out of interest, Na-kyum states that he only created erotic content to survive. He did attempt to escape his new area of residence with Seungho, before committing to retrieving a poem by Jung In-hun that was taken. With his teacher's arrival, the motivation for Na-kyum to paint is to assist In-hun in attaining a government position that Seungho is capable of fulfilling. This is conflicted with his teacher disliking the paintings that Na-kyum means to have help him. Then Na-kyum means to press ahead with painting with his teacher's safety at risk. Raising what he told him before regarding if things went well for In-hun then things would go well for himself as well Na-kyum does consider what will happen to him should this come to pass. Na-kyum does not know what In-hun means when told that he is flourishing under Seungho's watch and has won his favour. Where Na-kyum adores In-hun and sees him as a way out he is startled to be seen as willingly sleeping with Seungho to provide In-hun information yet regarded as someone who has not upheld this part of a bargain when no such details are shared. Further dread based realization comes from hearing that it seems he was born to become a prostitute. By winter Na-kyum has given up trying to run away from Seungho and remains friendly with the household staff members.

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Further Details[]

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