Arrival
The moment the plane landed, everything felt different.
Hana pressed her forehead lightly against the window, watching the city lights stretch endlessly below her. Seoul looked like a dream—bright, alive, and full of something she couldn’t quite explain.
This was it.
No more late-night dance practices in her room. No more filming covers and hoping someone would notice. No more “what ifs.”
She actually made it.
Her hands tightened around her phone as the announcement echoed through the cabin. Her heart was racing—not just from excitement, but from fear too.
What if she wasn’t good enough?
The airport was louder than she expected.
Voices overlapped in a language she was still trying to understand. Signs blurred together as she pulled her suitcase behind her, trying not to look as lost as she felt.
“Okay… you can do this,” she whispered to herself.
She had practiced this moment so many times in her head. Walk out. Find the driver. Smile. Be confident.
Simple.
Except… it didn’t feel simple anymore.
“Hana Kim?”
She turned quickly.
A tall man in a black coat stood a few steps away, holding a small sign with her name. His expression was unreadable—calm, almost cold.
“Yes,” she said, her voice quieter than she meant.
“I’m from the company,” he replied. “Follow me.”
No smile. No “welcome.” Just straight to the point.
Hana nodded quickly and followed, her suitcase rolling behind her. The excitement in her chest dimmed just a little.
So this is how it starts…
The car ride was silent.
Hana sat by the window, watching the city pass by in streaks of neon lights and tall buildings. Everything felt so fast, so unfamiliar.
She thought it would feel magical.
Instead, it felt… overwhelming.
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Mom: Did you land safely? 💕
Hana stared at the message for a moment before typing back.
Hana: Yeah. I’m here.
She paused… then added:
Hana: I’m really here.
When the car finally stopped, Hana looked up—and her breath caught.
The building stood tall and shining, its glass walls reflecting the city lights. This was the place she had seen in videos, in interviews, in dreams.
The company.
Her future.
“Come,” the man said.
Hana stepped out slowly, her heart pounding louder with every step toward the entrance.
Inside, everything was even brighter. Polished floors. Mirrors. Voices echoing from distant practice rooms.
Somewhere in this building… trainees were dancing, singing, chasing the same dream as her.
Somewhere in this building… she had to prove she belonged.
“Starting tomorrow,” the man said, stopping in front of an elevator, “your evaluations begin.”
Hana blinked. “Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
No time to adjust. No time to breathe.
The doors opened.
“Welcome to your new life.”
That night, Hana lay in a small dorm room, staring at the ceiling.
Two other beds. One already filled. The soft sound of someone breathing in their sleep.
This didn’t feel like a dream anymore.
It felt real.
Too real.
She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket closer.
You wanted this, she reminded herself.
You worked for this.
Her chest tightened slightly.
“…Don’t mess this up.”
Somewhere deep inside the building, music started playing.
A steady beat. Sharp and powerful.
Hana closed her eyes.
Tomorrow, everything would begin.
And nothing would ever be the same.
