Roots & Rhythm || Hwasa

Prologue

Before the world called them icons, they were simply two lonely people standing at opposite ends of life.

One was born among the ancient mountains of Ifugao Rice Terraces, raised by quiet wisdom, hard work, and the belief that strength meant protecting others. Mateo Gabriel D. Banaag carried the calm heart of the mountains within him wherever he went.

The other was born beneath the bright lights and endless expectations of South Korea's entertainment industry. Ahn Hye-jin became a woman admired by millions-fearless, magnetic, untouchable-but behind the spotlight lived a soul exhausted from always needing to be strong.

Neither of them expected their worlds to collide.

Not through survival games.

Not through music.

Not through late-night conversations and quiet moments no camera could truly capture.

But fate has strange ways of bringing people home to each other.

This is not just a story about fame, beauty, or romance.

It is a story about roots.

About finding peace after years of surviving.

About two people learning that love is not built from grand gestures alone, but from respect, gentleness, and the quiet decision to stay.

From the mountains of Ifugao to the glowing streets of Seoul, from lonely hearts to shared silence beneath the stars-

This is the story of The Ifugao Prince and The Queen of Soul.