After waking up in the hospital from a brutal stabbing by her best friend, Demi discovers she now has the ability to see ghosts. What seems like an extraordinary gift quickly turns into a nightmare. Fired from her job, constantly tormented by spirits, and dismissed as delusional by everyone around her, Demi’s life crumbles. With no money (after her so-called best friend stole all her savings) and nowhere to turn, she becomes desperate to rid herself of the ghosts haunting her.
Just when things seem hopeless, she crosses paths with a familiar customer who, to her surprise, is a demon hunter. He offers to help exorcise the spirits from her home, setting off a chain of events that will change Demi’s life forever.
Once the city’s slums, District 7 is recent years is caught between poverty and redevelopment. It's population is made up of outcasts shunned from society such as the Ethereals, the occult, and individuals deemed cursed. Many have long looked for refuge here, creating a community shaped by secrecy, crime, and demonic influence.
Ethereals are a special case. Due to the world line out of balance, an increase of the ethereal population has awoken has caused hysteria in many communities. To escape the danger of being hunted by the church or targeted by demons for trafficking, many Ethereals have gone into hiding and carved out a fragile home within District 7’s borders.
The district is defined by cramped shops, cheap housing, low-cost clinics, and sprawling underground markets as a haven for cults and criminals alike. But change is closing in. With District 7’s proximity to the capital, wealth has begun to flood in, driving up property prices and forcing outcast out of the only refuge they’ve ever known.
CHARACTERS
Demi is a quiet, hardworking woman who appears grumpy and aloof but is actually deeply caring and selfless toward those she trusts. Having grown up constantly moving and abandoned by her mother, she craves stability and a place to call home.
Though she struggles with trust and keeps her guard up, she’s fiercely protective of her inner circle and willing to sacrifice her own comfort to help them. Beneath her tough exterior lies a love for simple pleasures. Good food, a soft bed, a book, and a cigarette. She has a hidden, childlike side, secretly indulging in books and entertaining her friends’ wild ideas, even if she doesn’t believe them.
Demi expresses love through small, thoughtful acts like cooking and cleaning but has difficulty accepting love herself, fearing grand gestures and feeling unworthy of deeper care. Despite her reserved nature, she has a fiery temper when provoked and will fiercely stand up for those she loves.
Aaron is a cheerful, eccentric, and oddly charming presence, known for his friendly nature and ability to lift the spirits of those around him. Though he appears happy on the surface, Demi senses a deeper sadness behind his kind eyes. He’s a familiar face in District 7, recognized as the guy who always orders pork with noodles and helps out the locals’ kids, elders, and anyone in need.
While Aaron exaggerates his silliness and puts on a playful front, he has a serious, mysterious side that few understand. Unlike Demi, he handles misfortune with ease, often laughing off injuries and focusing on comforting others rather than his own pain.
However, his carefree persona shifts entirely in combat, where he becomes cold, ruthless, and confident, unsettling Demi with the sharp contrast. Despite his darker side, he remains a clinging, affectionate friend, frequently hugging Demi and pleading for forgiveness when he annoys her.
He adores her cooking and always seems to know how to cheer her up, acting as the energetic force that balances her more serious demeanor. Even in the face of danger, Aaron maintains a smile, embodying a mix of lighthearted optimism and hidden complexity.
MUSIC
There’s currently one unofficial Trust in the lost playlist, crafted to capture the gritty but nostalgic themes. More playlists will be released in the future, each exploring different parts of the story. Music is a major source of inspiration for this project, so if you’re a fan of J-rock, this playlist is worth a listen.
DEVELOPMENT
In 2022, Webtoon launched the Call to Action competition. At the time, I was becoming more interested in creating my own webtoon and wanted to test my skills, especially since I was getting serious about my project, Grimlord.
The concept for Trust in the Lost One came to me when I imagined a girl being stabbed by her friend in a back alley. From there, I began developing the plot, using it as a great opportunity to also expand on the mechanics within Grimlord.
I quickly fell in love with the characters, but when I completed the webtoon, I wasn’t satisfied with the result. The final product wasn’t what I had envisioned, as I had to cut much of the script to meet the competition’s requirements. Since then, I’ve been reworking the series into a mini manga series.
THE WEBTOON
After waking up in the hospital from a brutal stabbing from her best friend, Demi discovers she is gifted with the ability to see ghosts. Using this ability to her advantage she becomes a medium.
Finally life seems stable for the once poor woman until a mysterious man visits her. “Can you really see ghosts?” “Of course” “Then can I ask you a question?” “How many ghosts are surrounding me?” Something doesn’t feel right….
PILOT DESIGNS
GALLERY