The floor buzzes with activity. Cameras being checked, lights tested, cue cards printed. The interview set is being prepped.
Junho walks in with quiet power, clad in sharp neutrals. Daejin follows.
A few young staffers gasp behind a camera stand.
EMPLOYEE 1
(whispering)
"That's him? I thought CEOs were supposed to be old and stressed out."
EMPLOYEE 2
"That one looks like he models stress instead."
Junho hears it, barely reacts. As usual.
Across the room, KIM SERI walks swiftly with a clipboard in hand, phone tucked on her shoulder. Cool. Sharp. Focused. She checks in with the lighting techs and confirms the client brief with the floor manager.
Trailing her…
BORA, in an extremely extra pantsuit with sparkly buttons and a mic earpiece she definitely doesn't need, struts like she's the executive producer.
BORA
(to no one in particular)
"Everything must be perfect. The left side is his better angle. Trust me—I've studied it."
CREW GUY
(mutters)
"Who even is she?"
Bora stops near Junho, pretending to brief him.
BORA
(fake important tone)
"If you need anything… hydration, fans, or a quick shoulder massage—I'm available."
Junho gives her a blank stare.
⸻
INT. BACKSTAGE GREENROOM – CONTINUOUS
Seri finally settles for a second, double-checking cue order and timings.
Suddenly, a hand enters her vision.
It's Junho, holding out a bottle of hangover drink in silence.
She blinks. Looks at it. Then looks up at him — eyes cold.
SERI
(flat, mockingly polite)
"I don't need a hangover drink to feel better."
(beat)
"Especially not from someone who sees me as just a typical employee."
JUNHO
(slightly stiff, controlled)
"You don't have to overthink it. I just want this interview to go smoothly… and for you to get through your job quickly."
(beat)
"The drink was… just a work concern."
SERI
(quietly sighs, then takes the bottle without looking at him)
"Thank you"
BORA
(barging in with her usual flair)
"Wait—hold up! If drinks are being handed out, I NEED one too!"
(fanning herself dramatically)
"I had two glasses of wine, three existential thoughts, and zero regrets last night—so where's my hangover cure, Mr. Kang?"
(Everyone nearby stifles a laugh. Junho blinks, unmoved. Daejin sighs like it's Tuesday.)
Seri walks off with the hangover drink. Junho watches her, frozen, guilt visible but unreadable. He doesn't notice Bora still standing beside him… until she leans in.
BORA
(flirty-whining)
"Mr. Kang~ I mean it! I really need that hangover thing too. Maybe even two. For hydration… and heartache."
(Junho slowly turns his head to DAEJIN across the room with the most helpless silent plea for help. Daejin catches it like a seasoned pro.)
DAEJIN
(cutting in, mock-serious)
"Miss Kim Bora. Urgent task."
(leans close, lowers voice)
"Your expertise is required… immediately… in locating the VIP water bottle. CEO-grade hydration only. If he drinks anything under pH 7.5 today, global stocks might crash."
BORA
(blinks)
"…VIP water?"
DAEJIN
(nods solemnly)
"Sparkling. Room temp. Whispered to by monks. You'll know it when you find it."
BORA
(totally buying it)
"I'm on it."
(She whirls away like a spy on a mission. Junho exhales, Daejin leans beside him with a smirk.)
DAEJIN
(low)
"You owe me coffee and silence for a week."
JUNHO
(deadpan)
"Make it two."
The room shifts. Heels click confidently across the floor. A murmur rises.
EMPLOYEE 1
(whispering)
"She's here."
EMPLOYEE 2
"She's like a movie poster walking."
HAN HANNA enters — radiant in a sleek blazer, long hair flowing, makeup camera-ready. All eyes follow her. She walks toward JUNHO with practiced grace, the kind that knows it's being watched.
HANNA
(smiling, mock-coy)
"Do I look good enough to sit next to you on camera, Mr. Kang?"
JUNHO
(avoiding eye contact, dry)
"You've never been off-brand."
HANNA
(grinning)
"Oh? That sounds dangerously close to a compliment."
She scans the space subtly. Her smile dims for half a beat when she doesn't see Seri. Then, cheerfully to mask it—
HANNA
"Anyway, I hope you've read the briefing notes. I took the liberty of highlighting your parts in case the mighty CEO skipped his homework."
JUNHO
(half-smirk)
"I don't skip. I delegate."
HANNA
(teasing)
"Then delegate charmingly. Just don't freeze up. I don't want to do this whole interview by myself."
The team continues prepping. Stylists hover. Cameras being adjusted. But the air still feels tight—as if everyone's waiting for one more person to walk in.
Cut to a beat. Someone glances toward the back hallway.
Someone has arrived.
The door pushes open slowly. A soft shuffle of footsteps.
IM SERI enters. Calm, composed, carrying her tablet and earpiece, dressed in a muted cream blouse and tailored slacks. Effortless. Unbothered.
EMPLOYEE 2
(not loudly, just noticing)
"She made it."
BORA
(to herself, mock-whisper)
"Ugh. Like a scene from a spy movie."
Seri doesn't speak to anyone. She checks the lighting, gives a quick nod to the sound team, and walks past Junho and Hanna without flinching.
Junho turns subtly, eyes following her. His mouth parts slightly, like he wants to say something — but her attention is already elsewhere.
HANNA
(quietly, to Junho)
"She's cold today."
JUNHO
(soft)
"She's focused."
Before Hanna can reply—
DIRECTOR
(clapping hands)
"Alright, talent to set! CEO Kang, Miss Han — we're rolling in five!"
Everyone moves into motion. Mics are checked. The host takes their spot.
SERI
(under breath, into mic)
"All teams, standby. This goes live to syndicate. No mistakes."
As she steps back behind the monitor, her gaze flickers — not at Junho, not even at Hanna — but toward the lens.
This is war.
And she's not blinking.
HOST
(grinning, playful tone)
"Tonight on Midnight Table, where ambition meets authenticity. We're honored to sit down with Kang Corporation's trailblazing CEO — Mr. Kang Junho."
Camera pans to Junho — calm, composed, sharp in a charcoal grey suit.
HOST (CONT'D)
"Mr. Kang, you stepped into leadership at a remarkably young age, and yet Kang Corporation has not only survived — it's expanded, globally. What would you say drives your vision most?"
JUNHO
(confident)
"A sense of responsibility. Success isn't just measured by numbers — it's about the people who trust you to lead them forward."
Seri, watching off-camera, doesn't blink. She knows he's capable of saying exactly what people want to hear.
HOST
"Speaking of people, we've heard you're a private leader — rarely seen outside business functions. Is that intentional?"
JUNHO
(pauses, half-smile)
"I prefer to let results speak. Public attention can be… distracting."
HOST
(grinning)
"And yet, here you are. Let's talk about the Baekdu Project. The market's buzzing. Can you give us a glimpse of what's coming?"
JUNHO
(firm)
"We're focusing on sustainable innovation — merging tech and environmental responsibility. It's not just business, it's a shift in direction for our company's future."
HOST
"Powerful. And one final question before we dive deeper — people say you're famously hard to read. If there's one thing you wish people understood better about you… what would it be?"
Junho hesitates for half a second.
His gaze flicks off-camera — right to Seri.
JUNHO
(sincerely)
"That I don't always say what I feel. But it doesn't mean I don't feel it."
A brief silence. Even Hanna tilts her head slightly, watching him.
Seri doesn't move. But her hands tighten around the tablet in her grip.
The lights are a bit warmer now, signaling the final stretch. The audience chuckles from a previous answer.
HANNA
(grinning at the camera, leaning slightly toward Junho)
"Well, before we wrap up tonight's Insight Special — you know we have to throw in one personal question. Right, everyone?"
AUDIENCE
(cheering)
"Yesss!"
HANNA
(turning to Junho, mock-serious)
"CEO Kang, the country wants to know. You're brilliant, powerful, and disgustingly good-looking…"
(she laughs with the crowd)
"…so how is it possible that you're still… officially single?"
JUNHO
(pauses, polite smile)
"I guess… timing matters."
HANNA
(teasing)
"Oh come on, that's too vague. Let me rephrase — what's your type, then?"
(she gives a glance to the side of the stage — subtle, but sharp — aimed at Seri)
JUNHO
(stiffens slightly, glances toward the backstage light spill)
"…Someone honest."
HANNA
(laughing, light but pressing)
"Hmm. Honest, huh? Like someone who can handle chaos, good at keeping a secrets?
AUDIENCE
(whispers, murmurs, "Are they dating?" "They look good together…")
BACKSTAGE
Seri stands quietly, arms crossed. Her face doesn't flinch, but her eyes — they've heard enough.
HANNA
(smiling with flair)
"Before we go, there's one thing everyone's been dying to know…"
She turns toward Junho, with that knowing glint in her eye.
HANNA
"Mr. Kang, the media's been buzzing with gossip lately. About you… and me."
(she laughs lightly)
"Some say we're the next power couple. What do you think?"
The audience chuckles. Even the crew behind the cameras lean in slightly.
JUNHO
(glancing at her, calm)
"I think rumors do what they're best at—spreading."
HANNA
(teasing)
"So… we're not a couple?"
JUNHO
(firmly, still polite)
"No. We're colleagues. Good ones."
Her smile wavers — that wasn't the answer she wanted. But she covers it up.
HANNA
(joking, but her voice tightens)
"Right. Just good colleagues who've known each other for years, rescued each other from press nightmares, and… almost dated."
The air grows thick for a moment.
JUNHO
(sincerely, but measured)
"You've always been important to me, Hanna. I respect you."
She blinks. Respect. Not love. Not even special.
HANNA
(beat, with a forced smile)
"Then let's leave it at that. Let the gossip columnists fill in the blanks."
She turns back to camera with the practiced elegance of a professional.
HANNA
(cheerful)
"Thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight. This has been Insight. Stay curious."
Applause rolls in. Hanna gives Junho a final look, but he's already glancing offstage… not at her, but toward a familiar figure walking away.
She follows his gaze. And for just one second — jealousy burns behind her perfect smile.
The interview is over. Crew members scatter. Lights dim. Staff begins packing up. Junho walks down the hallway, jacket draped over his arm, expression unreadable.
HANNA
(smoothly walking up beside him)
"You handled that well."
JUNHO
(flat)
"I meant what I said."
HANNA
(stopping, forcing a smile)
"Which part? That we're 'good colleagues'? Or the 'respect' part?"
He turns to face her fully.
JUNHO
"Both."
HANNA
(voice lowered)
"I didn't ask you to fall for me."
JUNHO
"No. But you let me. You fed it."
(beat)
"You needed someone to burn for you… and I did. Until I realized you liked the fire, not the warmth."
She swallows hard, the glossy shine of her lips trembling ever so slightly.
A flicker of disappointment flashes through her eyes, but she quickly blinks it away, forcing a composed smile.
Her fingers tighten around the script in her hand — the only sign she's gripping more than just paper.