Sook Min-soo's family was decent, but only just. Supporting her campaign was a stretch.
Plus, she had older brothers.
Even a doting father had to consider his sons.
Arranging her husband's job and a fancy Samseong-dong apartment was his limit.
Her nominator in the party…
From Lee Jin-woo's view, just a marginal figure with some seniority, barely relevant.
Even if she won, her nominator's age and clout meant retirement soon.
Such a backer couldn't push her far in the party.
Sook Min-soo's efforts—abandoning her hard-earned career, even offering herself—weren't for a puppet's role.
At the company, he headed to the top floor, exiting the elevator to the stairwell, climbing to the rooftop.
"Arms, swing those arms, straighten your waist, twist those hips… arms… shoulders…"
A man with a raspy voice, one hand on his hip, strutted with sultry precision before the runway—Kim Byung-hee, the company's image coach.
A well-known industry pro, his studio worked with countless entertainment firms.
Despite being a man, his silhouette oozed sensuality, especially that seductive charm.
After days of training, none had grasped his essence.
Only Lee Sung-min, with her god-given figure, could share the stage without being overshadowed.
"President." Chief Kim, overseeing progress, hurried over.
"How's training?"
New Year's was the grand finale. Time was tight; snagging a rank wasn't easy.
"They're all talented, learning fast. Especially Lim Jin-na—she's the most dedicated."
"Lee Sung-min and Son Yoon-joo?"
"Lee Sung-min's the best shot at ranking. Son Yoon-joo… her aura's off, but the coach is fixing it."
"Two days left. Thanks for the hard work, Chief Kim."
"My job. Manager Roh's doing more."
"Mm, I'll remember."
Jin-woo kept a mental ledger of everyone's efforts.
Before Lunar New Year, he'd show them their work was worth it.
He loved painting grand visions, but unlike others, his promises came true.
"New Year's Eve, the company's hosting a big dinner. Sign up early if you're in."
"Ne, President, kamsahamnida!"
Lee Sung-min hit the runway again, hands on hips, strutting with confident, sexy cat steps.
Her narrowed eyes radiated aggression, laced with dreamy allure.
Her looks were a gift from the heavens.
But the prettier the woman, the wilder her ambitions. Hopefully, she'd choose wisely.
"Jin-na, over here."
Calling her over, he whispered something.
When Lim Jin-na returned to the runway, her bold confidence transformed her presence.
"President, what'd you say?"
Chief Kim Seung-jae, baffled, couldn't fathom how he did it.
One sentence shifted her aura.
If replicable, he'd be K-entertainment's godfather with a few words.
Artists would worship him like a deity.
"Nothing, just told her a fact."
His words to Lim Jin-na weren't profound: "Top three in this contest, and the company will make you a star, big screen and all…"
It was always the plan, not a whim.
Her future: not just films, but international runways as a model.
Tiny Korea wasn't worth clinging to.
The global market was the real prize. Even if not global endorsements, East Asian brand deals paid more than multiple film roles.
He had big ambitions for her.
The company wasn't small-fry anymore—over 30 trainees.
Four public practice rooms, three dance studios, two exclusive rooms, all packed.
He didn't enter, avoiding disrupting training, just quietly observed from outside.
"IU?"
"On schedules—two interviews, a Myeongdong performance, and fan meet."
"Will it strain her voice?"
She had MBC's Gayo Daejeon tomorrow. Her voice couldn't falter.
"Manager Roh's with her. She'll be fine."
"Mm… Tonight's plans?" Glancing at the poised Yoon Hye-na, desire stirred.
This sharper, capable her was more enticing than her softer past.
"None. Dinner at home?" Yoon Hye-na lowered her gaze.
"Street stall!" He craved the lively chaos of street food.
"President-ssi, annyeonghaseyo!"
A voice called. Turning, he smiled. "Oh, So-hee. Classes done?"
Han So-hee had been in training—poise, acting, lines, and industry etiquette, all prepped in advance.
Though she had no schedules, her time was packed.
"Ne, President… Any team dinner today?" Han So-hee looked up, eyes hopeful.
Her cute expression made him chuckle. "No dinner, but Hye-na and I are grabbing street food. Join us?"
"Ne!" Nodding firmly, she tailed them like a shadow.
From now on, she was their little tagalong.
"Aish, if this kid trained with that resolve…" Yoon Hye-na griped.
"Kid?" He laughed.
"Kid, what's wrong with that?" Her innocent face screamed youth.
"No mistake. To Rep Yoon, she's a kid!"
Hands on knees, smiling, Han So-hee sat obediently.
The President and unnie's bond was so sweet.
"Driver Kim, here." A red-tented street stall glowed like home.
"Ajumma, here…" Before sitting, Yoon Hye-na raised her hand to order.
Winter Seoul wasn't kind.
Huddling by a small heater, they warmed their hands, noticing Jin-woo hadn't moved.
Han So-hee shifted her stool, making space. "President, here."
"No need." He smiled, declining.
Maybe from constant workouts, despite daily energy drains, his body stayed resilient.
This cold? He felt toasty.
"Squid, kimchi soup, oysters, grilled fish… President, a drink?"
"Sorghum liquor, thanks."
"And a soda." Yoon Hye-na nodded at Han So-hee. "Yours."
"Kamsahamnida, Rep." Han So-hee beamed.
"What about Driver Kim?" As the ajumma left, Yoon remembered the silent Kim.
"This is fine." Kim lifted his tea, forcing an awkward smile.
For him, quiet solitude was best.
Smiling, greeting, small talk—too tedious for normal folks.
He'd rather wrestle boars in the mountains than chat pointlessly.
"Rep Yoon, don't push him. Let him eat in peace."
"Ne."
Food arrived. Kim devoured his bibimbap, ignoring other dishes.
"Ajumma, one plate." Jin-woo grabbed an empty dish.
Loading it with food, he slid it to Kim. "This is yours."
Mouth stuffed, Kim paused, chewed faster, swallowed, and nodded. "Kamsahamnida."
With his own plate, Jin-woo left him alone.
"So-hee, before New Year, the film crew starts. You'll be busy. Respect your seniors on set…"
Han So-hee nodded, then asked curiously, "President-ssi, who's the director… Can you say?"
He smiled. "Of course. The director's right here."
Pointing to himself, she froze, processing.
"Really, you, President?"
Getting a firm yes, her last doubts vanished.
With him directing, what was there to fear?
"I'm strict. Your co-stars are big seniors, award-winners. Impressing them for future collabs? That's on you."
Her face tensed, her relaxed smile gone.
The tasty food turned bland. The night's joy dimmed.
A deep thinker, her quiet demeanor hid a vibrant inner world.
A brainstorm raged in her mind.
"New Year plans?"
"Taking Mom and the kid to Jeju for vacation, if there's time."
Yoon Hye-na sought his approval. Outside work, her time wasn't fully hers.
She'd grown used to this tethered, controlled life.
Some craved domination; others, submission…
As social creatures, ties were innate.
For a single mom with an orphaned child, ties grounded her restless heart.
Compared to her past, precarious life, this might just be happiness.
"Of course. The company's handled. You've worked hard. Take a break, rest…"
Her approved reply didn't spark the joy she'd hoped.
She didn't get what she truly wanted: him joining them.
(End of Chapter)