Located in one of the less wealthy corners of Seoul, an exotic, enchanting foreign woman—an albino with skin and hair as white as snow and ethereal lilac eyes—walked down the narrow halls of a dingy apartment complex.
She wore a jet-black suit, killer stilettos, and a velvet trench coat that only added to her mystical, slightly eerie aura.
As she moved through the hallways, her heels echoed sharply with every step. Residents glanced up, froze, and immediately pressed themselves against the walls to give her space. Even the rough-looking men who usually loitered around straightened up like schoolboys caught doing something naughty. She offered them a cold, lethal smile that sent a chill straight down their spines.
She finally reached the basement apartment she had been searching for. Just as she raised her hand to knock, the door swung open, revealing a young man who looked like a single touch would shatter him. Exhausted, rushed, and barely holding it together.
When he saw the mysterious woman standing at his door, he froze mid-step.
"안녕하세요… 실례합니다. 혹시 안재 씨 댁이 맞나요?"
Hello… Sorry to intrude. Is this perhaps Ahn Jae's residence?
She asked with a warm, polite smile.
"아—아, 네. 저… 제가 안재인데요. 누구신지… 여쭤봐도 될까요?"
Y-yes… That's me. May I… ask who you are?
His voice trembled.
"(제 이름은 일리아나 보스코노비치예요. 잠깐 시간 좀 내주실 수 있을까요?)"
My name is Iliyana Bosconovitch. May I borrow a bit of your time?
"(어… 지금 알바 구하러 나가려던 참이라…)"
Uh… I was actually on my way to look for a part-time job…
He rubbed the back of his neck, too embarrassed to meet her eyes.
"오래 안 걸릴 거예요. 그리고… 그만한 가치는 충분히 있을 겁니다."
I promise I won't take long. And… I'll make it worth your while.
Her voice had the kind of persuasion that made people want to obey.
Ahn Jae hesitated. Something in his gut told him she wasn't dangerous, that she wasn't here to hurt him.
So he stepped aside, timid but polite.
"(들어오세요…)"
Please… come in.
Iliyana smiled warmly and stepped into his cramped basement apartment.
He quickly dragged over a plastic monoblock chair for her.
"(편하게… 앉으세요.)"
M-make yourself comfortable.
His face reddened with embarrassment.
"(고마워요.)"
Thank you.
She seated herself gracefully.
"저… 아무것도 대접을 못 해서 죄송해요."
I'm sorry… I don't have anything to offer you.
He leaned against his desk, head lowered.
"괜찮아요."
No worries, she reassured him gently.
"제가 갑자기 찾아온 게 더 죄송하죠."
If anything, I should be the one apologizing for showing up so suddenly.
After a soft sigh, Iliyana straightened and shifted to business.
"다시 한번 인사드리죠. 저는 일리아나 보스코노비치, 미국 L.A.에 새로 설립된 엔터테인먼트 회사에서 일하고 있습니다."
Once again, my name is Iliyana Bosconovitch, and I work for a newly established entertainment company based in Los Angeles.
She offered him a gold-embossed business card.
Ahn Jae stared as if afraid it might melt in his hands, then accepted it with both hands and a bow.
"오늘 이렇게 찾아온 이유는… 저희 회사가 당신을 아티스트로 정식 스카우트하고 싶어서예요."
The reason I'm here is to express our sincere intention to scout you as one of our artists.
"저… 저요?"
M-me?
He looked like he might faint.
"네, 바로 당신이요."
Yes, you.
She pulled a sleek black folder from her briefcase.
"진심을 보여드리기 위해 계약서 사본도 가져왔어요. 두 부고, 하나는 영어, 하나는 한국어예요."
To show our sincerity, here's a copy of the contract. There are two identical sets—one in English, one in Korean.
Speechless, hands trembling, he opened the folder and read.
It was a standard talent contract—no tricks, nothing malicious.
The same one August's parents had received.
And the more he read, the more his body trembled… until he collapsed onto the floor.
He curled over himself, shaking, and Iliyana rushed to his side.
Before she could ask if he was alright, he began to cry.
"서바이벌 프로그램 끝나고… 제가 받은 마지막 순위 때문에 회사에서 버려졌어요. 데뷔 못 한다고. 저는 십 년 동안 연습생이었어요. 그 프로그램이 마지막 기회였는데… 결국 실패했죠. 진짜… 모든 게 무너지는 줄 알았어요. 내 인생이 다 의미 없었던 건가… 계속 그 생각밖에 안 들었어요."
After the survival show… because of the rank I ended with, my company threw me out. Said I wasn't debut material. I'd been a trainee for ten years… that show was my last chance. And when I didn't make it… it felt like the whole world collapsed. Like all those years were for nothing.
He gasped, sobbing harder, the dam breaking at last.
Iliyana gently patted his back.
"회사에서 잘린 뒤에도 계속 버텨보려고 했어요. 다른 회사들 찾아가고… 그런데 제가 스물다섯이라니까 전부 다 안 받아주더라고요. 너무 늦었다고. 누가 그런 나이에 투자하냐고. 그래서 현실을 받아들이려고 했어요. 꿈에서… 깨어나야 한다고. 서바이벌 쇼 나가느라 빚도 생겼고, 지금은 월세도 석 달 밀려서 곧 집에서도 쫓겨날 판이에요."
After getting kicked out, I tried to stay positive. Went to other companies. But they all said I was too old at twenty-five. Who would invest in a trainee that age? So I tried to accept reality. Tried to wake up from the dream. The show put me in debt… and now I'm three months behind on rent. I'm about to be homeless.
He lifted his head, eyes red.
"그러니까… 제발 장난이라면 그만둬 주세요. 또 희망 줬다가 무너지는 거… 이제는 못 버틸 것 같아요."
So… please don't be cruel. If this is a joke or a prank… please stop. I don't think I can survive another heartbreak.
Iliyana shook her head softly.
"안재 씨, 저도 그렇고 저희 CEO도 그렇고… 당신을 장난 삼아 스카우트하려 한 적은 단 한 번도 없어요. CEO는 '제네시스 프로젝트' 때부터 당신을 지켜봤어요. 거기서 겪은 부당함도 전부 봤고… 마음이 많이 아프셨을 거라는 것도 알아요."
Ahn Jae, neither I nor our CEO would ever scout you as a joke. He followed your journey on Genesis Project. He saw the injustice you experienced, firsthand. His heart broke for you.
"그리고… 저희가 얼마나 진지한지 보여드리기 위해 작은 선물을 준비했어요."
And to show how serious we are… we've prepared a small gift.
She placed a thick envelope—cash—into his trembling hands.
"이건 뇌물이 아니에요. 좋은 변호사 고용해서 계약서 제대로 확인하시라고 드리는 거예요. 저희가 얼마나 진심인지… 직접 확인하셨으면 해서요."
This isn't a bribe. It's for you to hire a reputable lawyer to review the contract, so you can be fully assured we're serious.
Silence filled the room.
He stared at the envelope like it might explode.
"생각할 시간 드릴게요. 결정 나면 편하게 연락 주세요."
I'll give you time to decide. Call me whenever you're ready.
She stood, gathering her briefcase. But—
"잠깐만요!"
Wait!
He slowly rose, clutching the folder and envelope.
"한 번만 더 확인하고 싶어요… 이거… 진짜죠? 다… 사실이에요? 정말…?"
I just need to confirm one more time. This… is real, right? Everything you said? It's all real?
"네. 전부 진짜예요."
Yes. All of it is real.
He saw no lie in her eyes.
And suddenly, like a man starved for air, he breathed again.
Then—before she could stop him—he grabbed a pen and signed both contracts on the spot.
Iliyana's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"아—잠깐만요! 변호사 검토도 안 하고… 괜찮아요?"
A-are you sure? Don't you want a lawyer to look at it first?
"뭘 더 미뤄요? 지금 끝낼 수 있는데."
Why waste time? We can seal the deal right now.
He handed her the folder with a small but genuine smile.
She opened it—two fresh signatures.
"전화 좀 해도 될까요?"
Do you mind if I make a quick call?
"네, 천천히 하세요."
Not at all. Take your time.
And this time, he smiled for real—small, but alive again.
She returned the documents to him, asked him to read them carefully one more time,
then stepped into the hallway to make her call.
****
The moment the line connected, Iliyana spoke.
"Iliyana Bosconovitch reporting. Mission… successful."
"…What?! Already?" Foca blurted out, stunned.
It was far beyond what he expected—in the best way possible.
"Yes."
Iliyana then recounted every detail of what had happened, leaving nothing out.
After a long, impressed silence, Foca finally spoke.
"Wow… You did an excellent job."
He wasn't just being polite. He sounded genuinely impressed.
"Thank you, sir." Iliyana replied warmly.
Then she added,
"Given that things moved faster than expected… may I ask how you'd like me to proceed?"
Foca didn't hesitate.
"Settle everything that needs to be settled there. I've already sent someone to handle his documentation. Once everything's ready, don't waste time—fly him here immediately. For now, get him out of that hellhole. My sister has a hotel branch in Seoul; let him stay there. Treat him with absolute care."
"Understood. I'll execute everything perfectly."
"I expect nothing less."
He nodded, satisfied.
"Again, excellent work, Miss Bosconovitch."
"Thank you, sir."
And with that, the call ended.
Iliyana stepped back into the apartment—only to be almost tackled by Ahn Jae's excitement.
He bombarded her instantly.
"저… 진짜 월급 나오는 거 맞아요?! 아프면 유급 병가도 있다고?! 말이 돼요 이게?! 그리고 여기 보면 건강보험도… 헐—!"
Do I seriously get a monthly salary?! Paid sick leave too?! Does that even make sense?! And it says here my healthcare is covered—holy—!
Before he could fire off another round of frantic questions, Iliyana lifted one finger.
Instant shutdown.
She gave him a gently amused smile—this boy was like a completely different person now.
Smiling like that, he looked younger. Softer. Handsome, even.
"질문은 다 답해드릴게요. 하지만 지금은… 중요한 것들만 챙겨서 짐부터 싸 주세요. 정말 필요한 것들만요."
I'll answer everything in time. But right now… I need you to pack your essentials. Only the things that matter most.
"지… 지금요? 어디 가는 건데요?"
N-now? Where are we going?
"이제 당신은 브레드뮤직 소속이에요. 직원이면 당연히 직원답게 대우받아야죠. 우선 이… 신발 상자 같은 곳에서 벗어나는 게 첫 번째입니다."
You're officially under Bread Music now. And our employees should be treated properly. First order of business: getting you out of this shoebox.
"그… 근데 월세도 아직 못 냈는데요…"
B-but I still haven't paid my rent…
"걱정 마세요. 그 부분은 저희가 알아서 처리할게요. 당신은 그냥 따라오면 됩니다. 알겠나요?"
Don't worry. We'll take care of that. You just need to follow along. Can you do that?
"저… 정말 그래도 돼요?"
I… can really do that?
"그럼요."
Of course.
That was all he needed.
He immediately began packing.
Important documents. What few valuables he owned. Three outfits he actually liked.
Toiletries went into a small utility bag.
Phone in his pocket.
Then he looked at Iliyana and nodded.
"필요한 건 다 챙겼죠?"
Do you have everything you need?
"네."
Yeah.
He let out a shaky breath.
"좋아요. 그럼 가죠."
Alright then. Let's go.
They stepped out—
But not before Ahn Jae turned back one last time, staring into the cramped basement that had been his reluctant home for so long.
He whispered a silent goodbye.
And maybe a soft, "Good riddance."
He'd taken a leap of faith—one frightening, impossible step toward a life he thought he'd lost forever.
Now he could only hope… pray… that this time, the path ahead would be filled with joy, blessings, and the chance to finally live the dream he'd been chasing for years.