Insu Kahn

Insu Kahn
Gender: Male
Height: Average
Blood status: Pureblood
Raised in: Wizarding
Home: Pinedew Hollow -- Kahn Cottage

Affinity: Flame
See Kahn history for details.

Boggart: Biting Teacups (able to levitate).

Patronus: Unknown
Insu was raised with high expectations which instilled in him a strong work ethic and a desire to not only do well, but to always strive to do his best. Coming from a family of such accomplished witches and wizards, he believes that falling short in his own achievements would dishonour himself as well as his family, and as such he often places more pressure on himself to achieve his goals than he receives from outside sources.

It is difficult to find balance, when faced with trying to do his best. Oftentimes all Insu wants is to step outside and indulge in his hobbies. But to stay on track requires sacrifice, meaning that sometimes he must stay in the library in order to finish an essay instead of grabbing ice cream in Hogsmeade with his friends. Or has to focus on areas of weakness instead of things that greatly interest him.

Homework is perhaps the greatest loathing of Insu’s life. It keeps him from doing the things he loves, and often repeats what they’ve already gone over in class. A burden shared is a burden halved, and wherever possible he tries to rope others into studying with him so that it doesn’t feel like such a chore - sometimes building forts out of pillows and blankets to offer the ultimate cosy hideaway in which to study with their favourite snacks.

Depending on the company kept, this can either be a highly productive time frame, or result in more laughter than hard work.

Insu does have a particular interest in different types of magic. This includes advanced varieties such as wandless and non-verbal magic, subjects rarely touched upon in his current classes due to their advanced nature. Insu has much to learn before he can begin to explore such areas, but that doesn’t stop him eagerly awaiting the day that he can.

He tends to look down upon muggles due to the belief that they would react badly to the knowledge that the magical world exists. The idea that Muggles can shun those born with magic, just because they do not have the ability or willingness to understand it, makes them inferior in his mind -- especially considering magic can solve so many problems that muggles do not have the answers to.

Insu tends to steer clear of conflict wherever possible, believing it a waste of energy to spend time indulging in petty arguments which may be resolved through communication. That isn’t to say that he’s afraid to stand up for himself when the situation calls for it, he isn’t afraid of conflict, moreso sees little point in it and dislikes the ramifications that may result from it.

Whenever Insu is having a hard time -- if he is feeling overwhelmed or dealing with something he thinks he can't handle, then he reminds himself of where he comes from. He is Nari and Hwan's son; he carries their strength with him.

Social interactions can be tough for Insu to navigate. He is often envious of how easily Siwoo in particular seems to make friends and apparently has no trouble with knowing the right things to say or how to act. In comparison, Insu often finds himself feeling awkward and lost while in conversation with those who he isn’t close to - this hinders his attempts to form the connections he yearns for with his peers.

Those that do succeed in befriending him will find that Insu is much more than he appears on the exterior. He has a quick mind that doesn’t only serve him academically but loans itself to conjuring a wit and humour that many never get to see. There is warmth there, shown through subtle acts that may go overlooked - Presenting a friend with their favourite snack, showing a genuine and profound interest in subjects they’re passionate about even if that passion is not shared, and offering his help and advice even when it is not expected or asked of him.

He doesn't appreciate when told that he can't do something, if an obstacle seems impassable or someone tells him that he can't do something, then he will try until he proves them wrong or it becomes obvious that the task is beyond his capabilities. He is more than capable of deciding what is within his limits; he doesn't need others' opinions on what his limits are.

Insu believes that great value should be placed on conducting yourself honourably, he wouldn’t resort to lying or cheating to get ahead and looks down upon those that do. He believes that if you cannot rely purely on your own skill to succeed and have to resort to underhanded tactics then you have already failed.
Insu grew up in the village of Yonghanul, with his parents and extended family. Although he always felt loved by his parents and was a relatively happy child as a result of this, his upbringing was far from typical.

From a young age, Insu knew that things weren't always as they seemed. His world was small, and on the surface it appeared normal, almost tranquil from the outside looking in, but appearances can be deceptive and the children in his family were always made aware that danger could be found everywhere.

Even within the walls of their own home. Insu knew of the power that his Grandmother held, more importantly he knew to be wary of her.

The idea that someone could come into their home and take them while they were sleeping was a scary thought for a child. It was easier for Insu to endure it, due to the fact that he hid behind the childish belief that his parents would never allow anything bad to happen to him.

They'd saved Siwoo the time his cousin had been snatched from his bed, so that must mean that they'd save him too if anything should happen. Of course, he didn't like to think what the outcome might've been if he hadn't found sleep so difficult that night.

When he was nine years old, Insu experienced one of the worst nights of his life when his mother pulled him out of his bed and led him outside their home.

There were people everywhere! Their house was blaze, the sky glowing a magnificent shade of orange as the flames engulfed the building. Insu saw his father bravely fighting those that had invaded their home, and allowed him him and his mother a chance at escape.

Escape slipped through their fingers when a section of the burning house fell and blocked their path, cutting them off from the rest of their family. With the raiders closing in, Insu's mother died protecting him.

Insu ran. He didn’t have a destination in mind, all he knew was that if he didn’t run, then he would meet the same fate his mother had. He didn’t stop running until his legs grew too tired to carry him further, and he crawled his way into a bush, the branches scratching his tear-stained face as he curled up in the very center and lay as still as possible, afraid that someone might see him.

His father found him some time later and he knew at that moment that he was safe.

They moved to the UK shortly after, released from their Grandmother’s tyrannical rule, but Insu hardly managed to feel relief over that fact. His family had been torn into pieces that night and it would never look the same as it had before.

Insu viewed the world differently after the events that led them to Britain. He'd always known that the world was dangerous, and that there were people who meant to cause them harm. Experiencing that cruelty was entirely different than just knowing that it was out there.

When Insu was a young child, it was easy to look up to his uncle Hyo due to his reputation and skill as a powerful Curse-Breaker. Unfortunately, this also led to a phase where he was highly suspicious of every day objects throughout his house that were new or had changed locations from when he last saw them.

He'd once witnessed an entire tea set come 'alive' and attempt to bite and gnaw at the wizards tasked with disabling whatever foul curse had been put upon it. The teacups were especially ferocious, seeming to fly through the air and bite and tear at anything they could sink their teeth into.

This is not helped by the fact that tea is one of his favourite indulgences. He first must tap the cup with his wand to check for any signs of life... or instead opts to have tea from a goblet, but it's not his preferred method.

One thing remains certain -- cursed teacups are still out there. Referenced occasionally in the media, Insu knows not to let his guard down.

His first year of Hogwarts saw Insu begin to explore his own interests outside of his family. It was at times, difficult to navigate and made harder when he felt homesick at times, but he felt confident knowing that his loved ones would always be there for him, even when he faltered.