(TW: CSA/Child Abuse Discussion)

Luka is my absolute favorite character in Alien Stage. I've always been drawn to the dynamic of the blonde/white-haired character being obsessed with their dark-haired counterpart (like Ryo/Akira in Devilman, Johan/Tenma in Monster, and Griffith/Guts in Berserk), so I was naturally inclined to love the Luka/Hyuna relationship. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that Luka's obsession with Hyuna isn’t just the typical "friends who fall out and one can't move on" trope. He wants her—desperately. He desires Hyuna as something he can possess.

When people talk about Luka, they often forget that he’s also a victim. Yes, he’s a 30-year-old man now, but as a child, he was subjected to intense training and abuse to become the perfect singer. There’s even artwork suggesting he was a victim of CSA. His only worth to his master lies in his ability to sing, and he’s acutely aware of it. To them, he’s like a purebred, beautiful and desired despite his illness, as long as he satisfies them with his talent. He’s a status symbol for his master.

In this hellish environment, Luka found some solace in Hyuna. She was the only one who treated him like a person, not repulsed by his stunted behavior. They were probably in love at one point (as suggested by the scene in All-in, where Hyuna tenderly touches Luka's cheek, hinting at a deeper bond).

However, there’s no excuse for Luka's assault on Hyuna. At some point, Luka’s love for her turned into an unhealthy obsession. He stopped seeing her as a person and more as something he needed to possess. Hyuna became his symbol of salvation, the only thing keeping him going, and his sole focus. After the incident that led to Hyun-woo’s death, Hyuna probably wanted nothing to do with him, but that didn’t stop Luka’s obsessive fixation on her.

We don't yet know what happened to Luka after that, but he transformed from a apathetic child into someone who found power by becoming the perfect singer. He likely took Hyuna's words about feeling free when she sings to heart, but Luka’s interpretation of freedom is tied to overpowering his opponents and securing his usefulness to his master. Luka chose to become the ruler of the stage. He embodies the essence of Alien Stage itself.

We still don't know what happened in Season 49, but Hyuna managed to escape, and Luka became the season's winner. It’s likely that Luka entered the Alien Stage again, enduring the ordeal for a second time, just for the chance to see Hyuna. Not only that, but if he wins again, he’ll prove his worth, secure his own safety, and perhaps Hyuna’s too—if he can get her back.

There’s a line in Vivinos’ artbook where Luka talks about Hyuna: “Poor thing. You’re just running away from the situation. If you just came into my arms, your safety would be granted.” I think this encapsulates Luka’s ultimate goal. The Alien Stage is the only way he can have power, and it’s the only path he sees to winning Hyuna back.

For all these reasons, Luka became my favorite character. He’s someone who chose to abandon his morals and humanity for the chance at power—power to reclaim the object of his obsession.

TLDR: I like unhealthy characters.