Dim lights hum above. The hallway feels longer than it is. Stillness, after chaos.
HANNA
(biting)
"So is this about her? That PR girl who pretends she doesn't care?"
JUNHO
(solid, calm)
"She doesn't pretend."
(beat)
"She actually doesn't care… and that's what makes me care."
A beat of silence. Hanna's confidence falters — not enough to break her composure, but enough to bruise her pride.
HANNA
(smirking, wounded)
"She'll never understand you. Not like I do."
JUNHO
(quiet)
"Maybe not. But she doesn't try to use what she understands."
That hits. Hanna blinks, slow — eyes colder now, lips curling into a bitter smile.
HANNA
(soft, almost whispering)
"Right. No pretending."
She turns.
Her heels echo as she walks away. Every step is dignified. But behind her eyes — a storm brews.
Junho watches her go.
He exhales, slow and deep, like he's letting go of more than just a moment.
The night air is cooler now. The bright studio lights are behind her. SERI walks out alone, her heels clicking quietly on the pavement. She exhales — tired, but composed.
Suddenly, the hum of an engine.
A sleek Genesis G90 pulls up nearby.
Out steps LEE TAEHYUN, casual but devastatingly polished. His laugh carries as he chats with two stylish women, clearly from the media team.
WOMAN #1
(teasing)
"Wait, are you an actor? Or… a secret celebrity we missed?"
TAEHYUN
(smiling like he's in a drama)
"An actor? Maybe I should audition one day… How's my angle?"
The women laugh — swooning.
TAEHYUN
(grinning)
"Should I say I'm here filming a romance drama?"
Behind them, Seri watches from a short distance. Her jaw clenches.
SERI
(cutting in, dryly)
"He's taken, actually."
The women blink. Seri walks in — calm but clearly not amused.
SERI
(grinning with sarcasm)
"Married to one of Hanna's staff. Top secret office romance. Very forbidden. You didn't hear it from me."
WOMAN #2
(startled)
"Wait, seriously?!"
TAEHYUN
(biting back a laugh)
"Ah… my cover's blown."
SERI
"Better run before your 'wife' comes looking."
The women exchange awkward glances, clearly confused — then excuse themselves with nervous laughs.
WOMAN #1
"We'll… catch you later, Mr. Lee."
They scurry off.
TAEHYUN
(amused)
"That was cruel."
SERI
(straight-faced)
"No. That was efficient."
SERI
(suspiciously)
"What are you really doing here?"
TAEHYUN
(glancing over with a small grin)
"I heard the interview was happening tonight. Thought I'd stop by, watch the Kang Junho charm in action…"
(beat)
"But clearly, I was late."
SERI
(flatly)
"I didn't think things like this would entertain someone like you."
TAEHYUN
(grinning)
"How would you know? You don't know me. Not anymore. I'm not the thirteen-year-old kid you used to yell at for stealing your food"
(beat)
"You didn't even recognize me at first. But I knew it was you — instantly."
SERI
(curt)
"Maybe because Uncle Iwao gave you my photo?"
TAEHYUN
(sincerely, softer)
"I never saw your adult face. The only one I remember… was that stubborn little girl who never stopped trying to beat me in everything."
(She falters slightly — emotion flickering — but quickly regains composure.)
SERI
(cutting)
"Why are you here, Taehyun?"
TAEHYUN
(casual, but purposeful)
"Come with me. There's something I want to show you."
SERI
(suspicious)
"Why should I?"
TAEHYUN
(serious now)
"Because it matters. To you. To this mission."
(She's about to answer, tension rising — when a familiar voice slices through the air.)
HANNA
(from behind, syrupy)
"Oh… I see you came. Mr. Lee, wasn't it?"
(smirking)
"Didn't get to catch my show? Shame. I would've waved."
(Taehyun and Seri both turn. Hanna stands perfectly composed, smug and sharp-eyed. Taehyun smiles politely. Seri's jaw tightens — the storm brewing once again.)
The sound of footsteps. A tall shadow appears behind Hanna — it's JUNHO, hands in pockets, eyes unreadable. A few crew members from the media company gather nearby, preparing to leave.)
TAEHYUN
(charming smile)
"Apologies for missing the performance. Work keeps pulling me away from all the good scenes."
HANNA
(small laugh, amused)
"Well, next time, book front row. I shine brighter up close."
(She glances sideways, noticing Junho's cold gaze fixed on Seri — his jaw slightly clenched.)
JUNHO
(flatly)
"I don't recall any Baekdu-related business here. So… what exactly brings you here, Mr. Lee?"
TAEHYUN
(smooth)
"Oh, I just thought I'd offer some moral support to the stars of the show."
(glances at Seri)
"Maybe even get myself scouted."
(grins)
"I do have a decent side profile."
(Junho doesn't find it amusing. His stare sharpens. Hanna picks up the rising heat and throws fuel on it.)
HANNA
(tilting her head)
"Are you two… close now?"
(A beat. Seri's eyes narrow slightly. Junho glances at her, waiting. Taehyun just smiles.)
TAEHYUN
(grinning playfully)
"Well…I have no problem getting close with someone… unless she's got a black belt in sarcasm and a habit of weaponizing stationery."
(beat, mock-serious)
"In that case… I proceed with caution. And maybe armor."
JUNHO
(glancing at Seri, voice cool but edged)
"Then you should be careful, Director Lee. A woman who knows how to fight… doesn't always stop at words."
(beat)
"And not every man survives that kind of fire."
SERI
(brief glance at Junho, unsmiling — quiet but sharp)
TAEHYUN
(sensing the tension, shifts tone gently)
"Anyway… should we head out?"
(looks at Seri)
"You ready to go?"
HANNA
(sweetly mocking, eyebrows raised)
"Aww… you two are leaving together?"
(beat, smug)
"How thoughtful of you, Mr. Lee. So sweet to offer Seri a ride. That's… very generous of you."
(her eyes flick to Junho)
SERI
(firm, composed — bows lightly)
"Good work today. I'll see you tomorrow, Director Kang."
(straightens, unfazed)
"Have a good night."
HANNA
(small bow, lips tight but smiling)
JUNHO
(silent, only nodding — but his eyes never leave Seri's back as she walks away)
TAEHYUN
(smirking, walking beside Seri without a word — completely calm)
Taehyun and Seri disappear into the distance. Silence lingers like mist around the luxurious cars.
Hanna stands beside Junho, arms crossed, her eyes locked in the direction Seri left. She doesn't like the way Junho's gaze lingered.
HANNA
(quiet, suspicious)
"Don't tell me…"
Her word stop there.Junho slowly turns to look at Hanna.
His expression? unreadable. Tired. Guarded.
Hanna blinks, caught off guard.
For a moment, she doesn't know what to say. But she lifts her chin anyway, pride first.
JUNHO
"Let's go back… Queen Hanna."
He doesn't say it fondly.
He says it like it means everything and nothing at once.
The sleek black Genesis G90 weaves quietly through a narrow path, winding between tall trees and stone walls. A towering private estate looms in the distance, heavily guarded — remote, silent, almost too quiet.
Seri sits calmly, but her eyes flick between the trees and the tight security stationed around the property. She doesn't ask questions — not yet.
Taehyun glances at her.
TAEHYUN
(casually)
"I'm guessing you're not entirely familiar with this place…"
The car stops in front of large double oak doors.
Two guards in suits immediately approach. One of them opens the car door without a word. Seri steps out, scanning the surroundings — eyes sharp but unreadable.
INT. ESTATE HALLWAY – NIGHT
The inside is sleek, traditional but high-tech. Art lines the walls. The lighting is warm, but the atmosphere cold.
A man in his 40s, stone-faced and sharp, walks toward them
The aura around him says: Head of Operations. Dangerous. Loyal. He nods once, respectful but direct.
HEAD OPERATIVE
"This way."
He leads them down a long corridor… into a massive library-like study, lined with old books and rare antiques.
He stops.
Without a word, he pulls on a small sculpture beside the shelf.
Click.
The bookshelf begins to slide open, revealing a hidden metal security door embedded in the wall.
Seri steps back slightly — just enough to show she wasn't expecting that.
Footsteps echo along the dim, sleek hallway. Cold steel and stone line the walls, illuminated by strips of amber lights on the floor. The air hums faintly — like a hidden heartbeat of something larger.
Seri walks just behind the Head Operative, eyes sharp. Taehyun follows silently, hands in his pockets, completely at ease.
SERI
(flat)
"We could've just met in the garden. Or the living room. You know, like normal people."
TAEHYUN
(smirk)
"Where's the fun in that?"
The hallway opens into a concealed chamber — wide, high-ceilinged, and eerily pristine. The room is part tactical command, part private arsenal, and part something else… something shadowy.
To the left, a wall of customized weapons — silencers, modified handguns, encrypted devices, knives with serial codes scratched out.
To the right, a collection of tailored outfits — corporate suits, high-end uniforms, even traditional wear. Every single piece looks ordinary… but isn't.
In the center, a table with high-tech monitors showing global maps, red pings glowing on several regions — Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Hong Kong.
And then…
A silhouette steps out from the shadows.
Tall. Calm. Sharp eyes beneath silver-streaked hair.
Not Uncle Iwao.
But another high-ranking figure in the group.
The one they called KENJI SAITO — Uncle Iwao's trusted second-in-command. Cold as steel. Known for his emotionless killings and flawless execution. He was rarely seen — and never without a reason.
KENJI
(soft, almost eerie)
"Im Seri. It's been a while."
Seri's expression hardens.
Seri's lips part. She stiffens—eyes locked on him—and suddenly, her breath catches.
SERI
(in a whisper)
"…Kenji?"
Without another second, she chokes back a sudden sob and runs straight to him.
SERI
(strangled)
"Kenji—!"
She crashes into him, arms wrapping tight around his waist like a lost daughter finally found. The cool assassin doesn't resist — instead, he gently places a hand on her back, holding her with unexpected care.
KENJI
(gently, with a smile)
"I couldn't wait around for Iwao to give the order… So I came on my own. Had to see for myself how my favorite person in the world was doing."
Taehyun watches from behind, arms crossed, wearing a small, quiet smile — the tension in his shoulders finally easing.
SERI
(sincerely)
"Are you well? You look… thinner."
KENJI
(teasing lightly)
"Says the one I haven't heard a single update from. How am I supposed to believe you're doing fine?"
Seri exhales a breathy laugh, brushing her cheek quickly before it can stain.
SERI
(half-joking)
"Did you come to pressure me too? Like the others?"
KENJI
(shaking his head)
"No. I came to check on you. To make sure you're still eating, still sleeping. And still sharp enough to finish this mission without losing yourself."
A pause. His voice lowers with meaning.
KENJI
(serious, gaze shifting to Taehyun)
"You're the key to everything, Seri. That's why… I sent KEN to watch over you."
Ken? Who's ken?
(A beat — the air tightens)