Nagiko
Nagiko is a Japanese born model who currently lives in Hong Kong. Her father is a writer who's had his works published for years. She has fallen in love with poetry and calligraphy from her youth when her father would use calligraphy to write characters of "good fortune" on her face. This has turned into a carnal desire for pleasure and literature which she seeks to obtain with Jerome.
Jerome
Jerome is a young British man who is also a translator. He meets Nagiko who initially rejects him as a lover as she believes his handwriting is not to a standard necessary for her pleasure. Jerome doesn't give up and the pair eventually become lovers. But Jerome has been having an affair with The Publisher and after Nagiko finds out he attempts a fake suicide to get her back, but this fails as he overdoses and dies.
The Publisher
The Publisher has been publishing Nagiko's father's books since she was a child. But has done so because Father has been providing sexual favors in return for publishing. The Publisher also carries out an affair with Jerome which causes Nagiko to leave Jerome and eventually leads to Jerome's overdose. We learn that The Publisher is at the center of Nagiko's pain as he has blackmailed her father, corrupted her husband and Jerome.
Father
The Father is Nagiko's Dad. His writings were published when he exchanged sexual favors with The Publisher in order to get his words in print. Father used to write on Nagiko's face as a child on her birthday, words of good fortune, and these became the source of her desire for pleasure through carnal calligraphy in her life.
