Episode 1
The sun blazed brightly in the clear blue sky, hanging directly overhead and bathing the city in golden light. It was one of those dazzling summer mornings where everything seemed alive—the streets buzzed with people rushing to work, cafés overflowed with customers, and the towering glass buildings reflected the sunlight like mirrors.
Among the sea of professionals was Ms. Kang Minji, clutching a leather folder tightly against her chest. She stood before the magnificent headquarters of Luna Atelier, the most prestigious fashion company in the country. The sleek black-and-silver building rose high into the sky, its modern architecture symbolizing elegance, creativity, and success.
Minji took a deep breath.
“This is it,” she thought.
Ever since she was ten years old, she had dreamed of working in the fashion industry. While other children collected toys, she collected fashion magazines, filling notebooks with clothing sketches and runway designs. She admired how fashion could express emotions without words.
Life had never been particularly easy for her. Living alone in a modest one-bedroom apartment, she had worked countless part-time jobs to pay her tuition and living expenses while earning her fashion degree. Every sleepless night and every sacrifice had led to this moment.
She straightened her cream-colored blazer, adjusted the collar of her white blouse, and smoothed the wrinkles from her navy skirt. She wanted to appear confident—not flashy, but professional.
Walking through the revolving doors, she was greeted by an elegant marble lobby decorated with minimalist artwork and fresh white lilies. Employees hurried through the halls carrying fabric samples, portfolios, and tablets. Everything about Luna Atelier radiated sophistication.
After checking in at the reception desk, Minji was directed to the waiting lounge outside the executive interview room.
Her heart pounded.
“Stay calm. You’ve prepared for this.”
Several other candidates sat nearby reviewing notes or staring anxiously at the floor. Minji instead closed her eyes for a few moments and reminded herself why she was there.
A receptionist soon approached.
“Ms. Kang Minji?”
She stood immediately.
“Yes.”
“They’re ready for you.”
Minji nodded politely before following the receptionist down a quiet hallway lined with photographs of Luna Atelier’s greatest fashion collections. Every frame reminded her of how badly she wanted this opportunity.
The receptionist stopped before a pair of large wooden doors.
“Please go inside.”
Minji thanked her softly before opening the doors.
The interview room was spacious yet simple. A large conference table occupied the center, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.
Three seats were arranged behind the table.
In the middle sat CEO Kim Taemo, an elderly yet remarkably elegant man. Though age had left silver in his hair and gentle lines across his face, his posture remained perfectly straight. His calm eyes carried decades of wisdom and authority.
To his left sat Deputy CEO Lee Hanrim, a sharply dressed woman with an impeccable posture. She wore a charcoal-gray suit and rectangular glasses that made her appear both intimidating and intelligent. Every movement she made was precise.
Minji bowed respectfully.
“Good morning. I’m Kang Minji.”
“Please, have a seat,” CEO Kim said warmly.
She handed over her résumé and portfolio with both hands.
The executives quietly reviewed the documents while Minji sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap.
The room was silent.
Just as CEO Kim opened her portfolio—
The door suddenly opened.
Without knocking.
A tall man entered confidently, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His dark hair was effortlessly styled, and his sharp jawline gave him the appearance of someone who belonged on the cover of a magazine rather than in an office.
He barely acknowledged anyone as he walked to the empty chair on CEO Kim’s right.
The nameplate before him read:
Kim Seojun
Team Leader – Administration Department
Minji immediately recognized the surname.
Kim.
The CEO looked up.
“My son decided to join us.”
Seojun leaned back casually in his chair.
“I hope I’m not late.”
Deputy CEO Lee sighed.
“Only by ten minutes.”
He simply shrugged.
Minji observed him carefully.
“Handsome... but unbelievably arrogant,” she thought.
CEO Kim smiled apologetically toward Minji.
“Shall we begin?”
She nodded.
The interview officially started.
CEO Kim looked directly at her.
“Why should we hire you?”
Minji didn’t hesitate.
“Because I’ll do the job well.”
The room became quiet.
CEO Kim slowly smiled.
“Confidence.”
He wrote something on her résumé.
“Noted.”
Before she could relax, Seojun spoke.
“Why do you want to work for this company?”
His tone was calm, but his eyes carefully studied every expression on her face.
“Because it’s one of the most respected companies in the industry.”
He leaned forward slightly, resting one elbow on the table.
“And if I told you that your team leader is impossible to work with?”
The corner of his mouth lifted into a teasing smirk.
It was obvious who he was referring to.
Minji recognized the trap immediately.
She answered without changing her expression.
“I stay calm and professional with these kinds of people.”
Deputy CEO Lee looked away for a moment, hiding a faint smile.
Even CEO Kim chuckled softly.
Seojun raised one eyebrow.
“So you’d tolerate someone difficult?”
“I don’t have to like everyone I work with.”
She maintained eye contact.
“I only have to respect them.”
For the first time, Seojun seemed slightly surprised.
Interesting.
Deputy CEO Lee continued.
“How do you handle pressure?”
“I focus on solutions.”
“Most candidates say they work harder.”
Minji smiled politely.
“Working harder doesn’t always solve the problem.”
Deputy CEO Lee nodded slowly.
“That’s a rare answer.”
CEO Kim turned another page of her résumé.
“What makes you different from other candidates?”
Minji thought for a brief second.
Then she answered quietly.
“I don’t try to be.”
The room fell silent again.
CEO Kim looked up.
“Explain.”
“I think everyone has strengths.”
She folded her hands.
“If I spend my energy trying to prove I’m better than everyone else, I’ll stop improving myself. I’d rather compete with the person I was yesterday.”
Deputy CEO Lee looked genuinely impressed.
CEO Kim closed her portfolio.
“Interesting.”
Seojun hadn’t said anything for nearly a minute.
He simply watched her.
Unlike the nervous candidates he’d interviewed before, Minji never exaggerated or tried to flatter the executives.
Every answer sounded honest.
Simple.
Confident.
CEO Kim finally smiled.
“Thank you, Ms. Kang.”
“We’ll review today’s interviews.”
Deputy CEO Lee nodded.
“You’ll receive the results tomorrow.”
Minji stood and bowed.
“Thank you for your time.”
She left the room feeling lighter than when she’d entered.
As the doors closed behind her, Deputy CEO Lee looked toward Seojun.
“Well?”
He leaned back.
“She’s different.”
CEO Kim smiled knowingly.
“I thought you’d say that.”
Minji walked toward the elevators with a small smile.
“I did it.”
Whether she got the job or not, she had given the interview everything she had.
The elevator doors hadn’t arrived yet.
She checked her phone.
No messages.
The hallway was quiet.
Then—
“Wait!”
She turned.
Kim Seojun was walking toward her with both hands tucked casually into his pockets.
He stopped a few feet away.
“I have one more question.”
She blinked.
“I thought the interview was over.”
“It is.”
“Then what’s the question?”
He looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Unlike during the interview, there were no executives watching.
No formal atmosphere.
Just the two of them.
He slipped both hands deeper into his pockets.
“Who are you...”
His voice became softer.
“...when you’re not trying to impress me?”
For the first time all afternoon, Minji looked completely caught off guard.
Her carefully maintained confidence faltered.
She stared at him, unsure whether he was serious.
Finally, she managed to answer.
“That’s not an interview question.”
A faint smile slowly crossed Seojun’s face.
One that was surprisingly genuine.
“No.”
He held her gaze for another moment.
“It isn’t.”
The elevator doors slid open between them with a soft chime, but neither of them moved immediately.
For reasons neither of them could explain, the interview had ended.
Yet something else had just begun.
