Director Gu's thoughts grew complicated.
Would this end as a one-off promotional video for SH Group? Or… could it become a debut video that turns Han Yoojin herself into a phenomenon?
What if Yoojin refused, and the promotional project couldn't proceed?
Failing before even trying—it felt like a terrible waste.
Gu Min-kyung's instinct, refined over twenty years in the entertainment industry, leaned sharply toward Yoojin.
With just a bit of polish and direction, something enormous could be created. Her looks, her voice, her warmth, her intelligence—everything about her could become material the public would consume eagerly.
Coming to that conclusion, Director Gu realized she needed Seo-hee's cooperation for Yoojin to join the project. Time to test the waters.
Director Gu set down her soju glass with a firm tak.
Assistant Director Jo Tae-jin immediately grabbed the bottle and refilled her glass with both hands.
"Seohee, don't you think it's a waste for Han Yoojin to just live an ordinary office-worker life?"
Seohee had always pitied Yoojin—only twenty-one, already working full-time instead of enjoying her youth.
"Yes, Director. It's such a waste. She's so young and pretty, but she's stuck working when she could be enjoying her life."
Her wavy short hair bounced as she spoke passionately.
Gu Min-kyung found herself smiling faintly. That fiery passion—she used to be exactly like that at her age. The world would beat it down eventually, but that's how people developed their own strengths.
"Then, Seohee, why don't you plan something for her? Something that lets Yoojin enjoy her life a little."
"…Sorry? Me?"
Seohee blinked, stunned. A fresh graduate, barely an intern, being told to "plan a project"? That sounded huge.
Next to her, Lee Chan-soo nervously glanced between Director Gu and Director Jo, while Jo Tae-jin simply smiled, reading the room.
"Here's the team," Gu continued calmly.
"Director Jo, Chan-soo, and you—Seo-hee. The three of you will plan a project: the SH Group promotional video starring Han Yoojin. Make it so she can't refuse."
"A-ah…"
Now Seohee understood.The "planning" wasn't to make the video—it was to make sure Yoojin joined it.
Her blank expression vanished instantly. Her usual spark—the one that appeared whenever she came up with ideas—flashed brightly across her face.
"I know Yoojin really well. I'll try coming up with ideas. I'll make something good."
Satisfied, Director Gu finally put on disposable gloves, grabbed the untouched ribs on the table, and started eating.
Warm food finally eased the sting of the soju in her empty stomach.
Only then did the "congratulatory dinner" for the new interns properly begin.
*
The next morning, Yoojin stepped out of Samsung Station just before 8 a.m.
A sharp gust of cold wind hit her cheeks along Teheran-ro. She raised the collar of her thick wool half-coat and walked briskly toward the building.
Even though it wasn't eight yet, Samsung Subway Station was already packed with office workers, and Yoojin blended naturally into the crowd.
[It's me, Dongha. Where are you? Are you at the office?]
It was Dongha. After exchanging numbers yesterday, he had immediately texted her.
[Yeah, almost there. I'm going to stop by the office first, then head to the café.]
[Then I'll get there first.]
Yoojin felt something ticklish jab at her heart as she read his message.Before she knew it, she was smiling, remembering last night.
She had originally planned to grab a simple dinner with Dongha, but Seryun suddenly called, and the three of them ended up eating chicken-topped tteokbokki with beer at Yoo Jung Yoo, her favorite place.
When Seryun was present, Dongha's demeanor turned cold again, unlike when he was alone with Yoojin—but Seryun didn't seem to notice at all.
She had bombarded him with questions:
[Dongha, Dongha, can I join the salsa club too?]
[Sure. Just join the online café and sign up.]
His indifferent answers made his sharp nose bridge and cool expression seem even colder.
[Then send me the club name.]
[There are lots of salsa clubs in Gangnam. Just pick one and go.]
[But having someone I know there would help. Right, Yoojin?]
When Yoojin glared at him to cooperate, Dongha finally relented:
"Gangnam Top Latin."
Seryun immediately searched it, signed up, and registered for the beginner class.
[Yoojin, you too. I'll pay your tuition as a celebration gift!]
[No, Seryun . I just started my internship. I can't.]
[What, you work on Saturdays too? You'll burn out! If your company makes you work weekends, I'll tell my parents and get the Labor Office involved!!]
…Seryun , only employees can report to the Labor Office.
But Yoojin didn't bother saying it out loud.
Arguing with salsa-high Seryun was exhausting, so she ended up signing up too.
Watching them squabble, Dongha couldn't help smiling.
Seeing Yoojin at work weekdays and at the studio on weekends—he didn't mind. Even Seryun wedged between them felt tolerable.
[There are lots of guys in salsa, right?]
[Well… yeah. It's partner dance.]
[Then they're like you, right? All dancers?]
Dongha choked on his beer, and Yoojin was too stunned to reply. Most of the members were normal office workers.
Soon Seryun was dipping chicken into tteokbokki sauce and imagining herself as a professional salsa dancer.
A little after 8, most of the men from the Overseas Materials team gathered at Coffee 1 Liter.
Dongha entered first. The same men from last night's company dinner were already there; the women must have been running behind.
"Good morning."
"Oh, Dongha, you're here? Order a coffee."
Manager Lee Hyuk handed him the corporate card with a practiced gesture.
Just then, Lee continued the conversation he had been having before Dongha arrived: "Seriously, that girl yesterday… insanely pretty. I keep thinking about her."
"Right? I think she's new."
"Girls look the best when their thighs are thin and long. Isn't that right?"
Lee's excited voice sent a wave of disgust crawling across Dongha's skin.
The thought that this man—his boss—might be looking at Yoojin that way made his stomach twist.
But the other employees showed no reaction. Their expressions didn't change at all.
Only when Dongha drew closer did he understand why.
The overwhelming smell hit him first.
Alcohol.
They were all hungover.
In particular, the gaunt Manager Gu Ji-hoon looked like he was in agony, clutching his stomach.
Dongha took the corporate card and stepped away from them to order a hot Americano.
The bell rang as the door opened.
He turned—and met Yoojin's bright eyes.
As she approached, the faint vanilla scent from her still-damp hair brushed past his nose.The irritation he'd felt a minute ago evaporated instantly.
"Hey," he said softly. "What do you want to drink?"
"Hi. A hot Americano. Thanks. I'll just go say hello real quick."
Yoojin bowed deeply to Manager Lee and the team.Their previous crude chatter vanished; they stared silently into their coffees.
When she returned to Dongha, he couldn't help but laugh.
Today she was wearing stretchy black slacks and low loafers—so different from yesterday's skirt.
Must've been uncomfortable yesterday.
He regretted not taking a picture of her fearless stance atop the piles of fabric. And still, even dressed comfortably like this, she looked beautiful.
Across the room, Manager Lee watched the two of them smiling together.
"Look at these two…"
He bit down hard on the straw of his iced Americano.
Back in the office, Lee Hyuk called Yoojin, Dongha, and their Mentor Sun-young together and opened the file they had emailed the night before—the refined list of problematic containers.
He was surprised at how well it was made in just half a day.
"How did you put this together, Sun-young?"
"Yoojin and Dongha made the base file, and the three of us checked the production lines and flagged the problematic containers."
"Three people made it easy, I guess. So Yoojin and Dongha, you can read the system data now?"
Both answered, "Yes."
"Good. Then I can start assigning more tasks today."
When he paused, Sun-young cautiously raised a question.
"Um… Manager Lee."
"Yes? Go ahead."
"So… is this task finished now?"
"Production Management will review it and ask each factory to adjust their lines."
"I see."
Sun-young let out a subtle sigh of relief—one less thing to handle.
"And also, Manager…"
"Yes? What now?"
"One more thing—should I handle the internal introductions for the interns?"
Lee's expression tightened.
"Why would you do that? That's my job."
"Oh… I thought I was supposed to because you didn't do it yesterday."
"You were training them yesterday morning, and you sent them to find samples. You didn't have time, right?"
"…Yes."
Sun-young's voice kept shrinking, and Yoojin and Dongha both felt quietly uncomfortable beside her.