OOC.

BEHIND.

   personality      often comes across shy and reserved, some finding his natural demeanor a little daunting or intimidating. co-workers and peers alike frequently describe him as being too uptight, too strict for his own good, though he shows leniency towards newcomers in the industry and comes off as genuine, understanding and likeable with those just starting out. he's not one to initiate conversations and generally keeps to himself unless spoken to first. those close to him see an entirely different side to him. outside of work, he's surprisingly goofy, embraces his reputation as a bit of a "kitchen klutz". he has a tender heart and is more prone to being sensitive than he'd like to admit. when surrounded by the right people, his quiet nature disappears and he becomes animated, louder. his expression can sometimes make him appear stern or judgemental to strangers, but first impressions are always proven to be misleading. those who take time to get to know him discover that these assumptions are far from the truth.   romance      keeps his romantic life strictly private and has never publicly disclosed any of his relationships. he prefers not to discuss matters and tends to avoid when the topic comes up in conversations. he doesn't mind if people speculate or draw their own conclusions about his dating life. he will neither confirm or deny it.   lifestyle      split shifts ranging from 12 to 16 hours, tuesday through sunday, with only mondays off. most days are too busy for life outside of work. around 80% of his time is spent in his own restaurant, while the remaining 20% is devoted to serving as a private chef for personal clients when he's not needed at the restaurant. the days of his smoking habits are long gone. now spending much of his free time at the gym or refining new dishes, often tweaking recipes over the weekend. though he's financially well off, he remains inclined to spend money with reasonable moderation.   physicality      strikingly tall, he has a mesomorphic body type with an athletic build and makes an effort to stay in shape. since returning to korea, family and friends frequently comment on how much he resembles his father. newt finds these comparisons deeply uncomfortable but will always politely nod along. years of working in kitchens have left his hands and arms marked with burn and knife scars. his face is dotted with small moles scattered across features. one in particular is a mole prominent under his right eye.

STAGING.

TIMELINE.

  2009   relocated to the united states in pursuit of higher education despite his father's opposition, threatening to take privileges and financial support away. he secured himself a chance to live in the states with the help of his aunt and uncle from his mother's side. adopts the name "newt" given to him by his loving aunt and goes by his mother's surname during his time abroad.  2009-2015   completed his schooling with the help of his familial.  2015-2017   awarded a scholarship and given the chance to pursue legal studies. mages the decision to drop out after two years due to conflict in career paths and lack of commitment.  late 2017   moves to france to pursue his culinary education at le cordon blue.  2017-2019   excels at and completes the grand diplome program. stays in france until the end of his student visa.  2019-2021   gains practical experience through stages at french dining establishments while also cultivating relationships within the culinary community, absorbing techniques from seasoned chefs and developing his own signature style. made the decision to return to korea in december 2021 at the very last minute.  2022-present   continues culinary practices while developing mentorship programs on the side. plans to transition into becoming a chef instructor for a culinary school once he retires.

EXTRA.

ㅤ001.ㅤ chef patron and executive chef at O/N (★★) ㅡ fine dining establishment with locations in gangnam and gyeongju. oversees operations at the gangnam flagship location. founded in 2021 under the guidance of his mentor, who serves as the co-owner of the gyeongju branch.ㅤ002.ㅤ a licensed private chef specialized in services for clients. currently serves as a personal chef to a professional football player, helping out with customized weekly meal plans and nutritional programs tailored to his requirements.ㅤ003.ㅤ during his time abroad, kept in touch with his mother and sister. his relationship with his father remains strained and has no intention of reconciliation.ㅤ004.ㅤ his flavor profile mainly focuses on umami driven compositions with balanced sweet and hints of spicy elements in his dishes. he's well known for his fusion cuisines, mixing innovation with creativity. most of his signature dishes are well received from diners and critics alike.ㅤ005.ㅤ appeared as a contestant on culinary class wars, making it to the top 3 in the competition. this significantly boosted his restaurant's profile and his reputation, resulting in an overwhelming increase in both revenue and reservations.

XI.

HANDS.

friends to enemies to frenemies to friends.

   1/1 TAKEN BY: JESSE       two people who knew better than to test each other's limits. slowly drifting in friendship territory, then clashing and parting for weeks, only to circle back again. closer now than ever before.

still my sister.

   1/1 TAKEN BY: YUNA       siblings who never drifted apart despite decades of distance. the one he relentlessly mocks yet stands up for without hesitation (only when it matters)

housekeeping.

   0/1       a peer in the same industry, framed as business rivals but bound by a shared passion for cooking. tethered not by competition, but by the love of the craft.

yes chef!

   0/2       taking on the role of mentor, he offers guidance to his "students" free of charge, but only on mondays. he'll have them gather in his penthouse for an intensive rundown on what it takes to break into the world of cooking.

always a home for you.

   0/1 (male preferred)      best friends since childhood, they've stayed by each other's side despite living worlds apart. they kept in touch through every obstacle. always in support of newt's dreams, and newt willing to do just about anything for them.