Former NIS agent Lee Chil-seong has lived with guilt for failing to protect his wife and for the killings committed during his years of covert missions. After prison and fifteen years of secret assignments, he is left hollow and even contemplates suicide. A chance encounter at a barbershop rekindles his memories of a dream he once shared with his wife, inspiring him to open the “Lucky Seven Barbershop” in Haengbok-dong. There, with the bold and warm-hearted An Da-jeong and eccentric young hacker Oh Gi-oh, he begins helping clients who have suffered from injustice, confronting stalkers, school bullies, negligent fathers, and more. As Chil-seong and his companions restore dignity to others, he gradually washes away his own guilt. But their haven comes under threat from Eunsung Construction, whose head, Oh Jae-soo, seeks to redevelop the neighborhood. When it is revealed that Gi-oh is Jae-soo’s estranged son and tied to Chil-seong’s past, the conflict deepens. In the end, Chil-seong, Da-jeong, Gi-oh, and even Patrasche the dog stand together, exposing Jae-soo’s crimes and preserving their barbershop as a symbol of respect and humanity.

This new novel by Park San-ho, a writer with two decades of experience translating some of the world’s greatest thrillers, blends action, comedy, healing, and romance into a fresh ensemble narrative. Unlike gentle healing stories, it delivers catharsis through exhilarating justice and the charm of unforgettable characters. Drawing on the author’s strengths as an interviewer and essayist, the novel unfolds in diary-style chapters, offering both humor and heart.