Today, as Lee Hyun had promised, her friends came over for a get-together. SoMi set the table with treats and snacks, as well as a bottle of soju. Soft music played in the background, adding warmth to the evening. The three of them sat down as if in a movie: the light from the lamp reflected in their glasses; shadows fell on the table; and the conversation flowed with gossip, laughter, and the clinking of glasses.
"By the way, SoMi. Are you seeing anyone right now?" Lee Hyun suddenly asked dramatically, causing SoMi to almost choke on the soju she had just brought to her lips.
"No, ahem, ahem..." she coughed, wiping her lips.
"But I think you are seeing someone!" Lee Hyun insisted.
"You're wrong. I've decided that I'm not ready for a relationship right now. I need to breathe and recover. I need to finally achieve something for myself. I need to do what I've been putting off for years."
"Then how do you explain the men's slippers I saw in your hallway yesterday? And that perfume smell? And the sports jacket on the back of the sofa? Don't tell me you're seeing your ex again!"
"What? No way. Ten years together was enough for me."
"Then explain it."
"Omo, SoMi..." MinJi intervened peacefully, drawing in a breath. "Maybe you're just using the services of a male escort?" she joked, eliciting smiles from both of them.
"What?!" Lee Hyun almost cried out.
"Are you kidding me? I'm not reckless enough to get involved in something like that. You know me. I would never do that."
"Who knows?" Lee Hyun smiled slyly and poured herself another drink.
"Lee Hyun, Just because you change partners often doesn't mean that all the women around you, including me, do the same. You're looking for profit. I'm looking for something real: Feelings, understanding, and support. I'm not going to sleep with every guy I meet. I'm not you. Don't compare me to you. I'm not so devastated that I'm looking for random one-night stands."
Sudden silence. The music continued to play somewhere in the background, barely audible like a memory. MinJi remained silent, as if holding SoMi's hand in her mind. She knew what it was like to endure Lee Hyun's jokes. She tried to lighten the mood.
"Girls, what's wrong with you?"
Silence. It was like before a storm.
"I'm sorry, SoMi," Lee Hyun said softly. Her voice had changed. "You're right. I lump everyone together. It's easier for me that way, to justify myself. I know you're different. You're strong. You dared to get a divorce. You live alone, earn money, and create. And I... I'm nothing. I'm still dependent on my father, and I don't know what I want.
"Lee Hyun, Forgive me, too."
"For what?"
"Sometimes I envy you. Your lightness. The fact that you live for your own pleasure. I... I have to prove myself all the time."
"SoMi, don't say that. You have no idea what it's like to constantly disappoint your father."
"Then change it. Prove that all is not lost. Find a job. Start from scratch. Like me. Just take the plunge."
"Thank you, SoMi. You always find the right words."
A tear rolled down her cheek, just like in a drama. They hugged.
Then, out of the blue:
"I'm getting married," MinJi said quietly but confidently.
"What?!" they exclaimed in unison.
Hugs. Shouts. Laughter.
"So we'll be bridesmaids?" Lee Hyun clarified.
"Of course! And three more to spare!"
"Oh, finally, I'll get to wear something really luxurious!" Lee Hyun smiled.
"Just no bare shoulders or thigh-high slits. "I'm choosing the dresses," MinJi warned.
"I'll help you," Lee Hyun winked. "Oh, right. SoMi, would you mind going on a blind date?"
"What? No way!" SoMi waved her hands.
"Sorry, but I've already made plans. You have a date this Saturday, so no excuses."
"Lee Hyun, you're at it again."
"I planned everything before our frank conversation, so it wouldn't be nice to turn down the gentleman."
"Fine. But just this once. In the future, please don't set me up on any more dates."
"Okay, but whose shoes were they, SoMi?"
"My neighbor's."
"Mr. Plankton?!" MinJi was surprised.
"Yeah."
"Oh, that grumpy guy? Why was he at your place?"
"I treated him to dinner as a "thank you". He helped me, so I thought dinner would be a good way to show my appreciation. He's not really that grumpy. Actually, he's pretty cool and funny."
SoMi spoke with a smile. Meanwhile, Lee Hyun, with her nose for drama, narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Something bothered her. Why would the neighbor who wouldn't let her listen to music suddenly come help? And dinner at her house? She could have just ordered a delivery. Something wasn't right here.
Meanwhile, Do Hwan had been on a business trip for over a week, consumed completely by filming a new drama. The days flew by like frames on an editing table—quickly and without context. This was especially true when they were filming at night. Dawn came quickly, and the film crew scattered to their trailers and hotels to sleep until evening.
Despite the frantic pace and endless "one more take," Do Hwan still found time for something special. He read SoMi's first book. Not out of duty, but out of interest. Oddly enough, the text did not seem raw or naive. On the contrary, there was something genuine about it. Every emotion was like a genuine tear on stage and every phrase was like an actor's gaze that spoke louder than words.
He turned page after page, sometimes smiling gently and other times pressing his lips tightly together. To him, it seemed as if he were reading not just a story, but SoMi herself. The one that few had seen—vulnerable and bright with eyes full of indescribable warmth.
Meanwhile, the set bustled with activity. The lighting in the pavilion was being changed, and makeup artists were fussing over the actors. Do Hwan sat in a deep armchair like the director of his own movie—only instead of a script, he held a book. He was finishing the last few lines.
"Do Hwan, be ready in ten minutes!" someone shouted from behind the cameras.
He looked up, noticed something, and returned to the text. But something nearby disturbed him—the nervous figure of the director pacing as if trying to trample the problem into the ground.
"Mr. Director, is everything okay?" Do Hwan asked.
"Oh, Do Hwan." Yes, the director replied. "One of the major networks wants to participate in creating a new romantic drama. The money is there. Everything is in place. But we have nothing: We have no idea, no script, and no cast. They want a pilot in two months. It's unrealistic." The director waved his hand as if shooing away a mosquito. Only, instead of a mosquito, it was a deadline.
Do Hwan smiled slightly.
"Well, you already have one actor."
The director snorted.
"Thanks, Do Hwan, but that's not enough." Without waiting for a response, he shouted to someone behind the cameras, "Yes, I'm coming! I'm coming!" Then, he disappeared like a background character.
Do Hwan lingered in the silence for a moment. Then he looked at the book again. The last paragraph. One glance. Suddenly,
The idea came to him like a spotlight—bright, precise, and unexpected.
"What if...?"...
Her makeup was subtle yet striking. Neatly styled curls fell softly onto her shoulders. The black dress, which was slightly above the knee, flattered her figure. She wore comfortable shoes with low heels, a jacket casually thrown over her shoulders, and a handbag as the finishing touch. SoMi had a date that day. Her first in ten years. Yet, for some reason, she felt no excitement. It's probably because she made this decision not with her heart but because her friend was convinced that she needed a man immediately.
SoMi wasn't expecting anything. She was just sitting at a table by the window in a restaurant, slowly finishing a glass of red wine. Her date was already thirty minutes late, and she was ready to leave. Just then, a man appeared in the doorway. He was tall and wore a white shirt with the top button undone. Her gaze lingered for a moment.
Apparently, Lee Hyun had made the selection. It seemed she had made the right choice.
The evening took on a different tone. Another glass of wine. Delicious sea bass. Ice cream for dessert. Everything was in perfect balance, without excess.
The conversation flowed easily and unexpectedly. He turned out to be an interesting conversationalist. Whether it was travel, business, or sports, whatever he mentioned sounded sincere. His biceps, bulging against the fabric of his shirt, spoke for themselves.
After dinner, they took a short walk around the city. The summer evening was warm and mild. The air was filled with the scent of linden trees. The wind touched skin as if inviting us to pause for a moment.
During this wonderful, romantic moment, the new gentleman, who seemed to have taken a liking to SoMi, said something unexpected.
"So..." He paused and looked into her eyes. "To your place, or maybe we should get a hotel room?"
These words hit her like a blow to the head. SoMi froze. Her eyes widened. For a few seconds, she didn't say a word.
"I'm going home," she finally said calmly but firmly.
"What? You mean we're not going to have sex?" he blurted out.
"That's not why I agreed to go on a date with you."
"Did I waste my time impressing you with my conversation? You're all the same. All you care about is money. That sea bass was expensive. And the wine... Maybe if I had rented a car, you would have given it to me?"
He turned and walked away, leaving her in the middle of an empty street. But she wasn't crushed. No, she was no longer the girl who cried after her first heartbreak.
Clenching her fist, SoMi realized once again that true feelings had become rare in this world. She hailed a taxi and went home.
Silence and a little more wine awaited her. There was no trace of dinner left. Her stomach growled in discontent. Her mood was unclear. Not even a warm shower could erase the unpleasant memories of the failed date. She wanted to turn on the music, but the doorbell stopped her.
"Do Hwan!" she almost exclaimed when she saw him at the door. "Are you home?"
"Yes, I came back today," he replied with a smile.
"Come in," SoMi invited him.
"Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to come over for dinner tonight."
"Of course, I'd love to. Wait, I'll just grab my phone."
The girl hurried off and was at her neighbor's apartment in a minute.
His apartment mirrored hers—the rooms seemed to look at each other in the reflection. The living rooms shared a wall, which is why Do Hwan could hear what was going on in her home. But the interior was a bit surprising. There was little furniture, and nothing unnecessary to distract the eye. The only thing that caught the eye was the countless flower pots along the entire window side wall. The kitchen was minimalist and decorated in gray tones. All the dishes were hidden on shelves, and nothing extra was on the table except a basket of fruit.
SoMi sat on a high stool at the bar and tucked her legs under her. The warm light from the lamp above her softly illuminated Do Hwan. He wore a T-shirt that clung slightly to his wet torso after his shower. Strands of hair fell across his forehead, and his focused expression indicated that eating was about more than just filling his stomach. It was almost like an art form. Do Hwan arranged the food on plates, working his magic like a true chef. After a few final touches, the fragrant homemade noodles were on the table.
After pouring wine into everyone's glasses, they began eating the hot dish, which burned their throats pleasantly with its spicy seasoning. The taste was incomparable to that of food sold in supermarkets. You can tell the chef puts his soul into cooking, turning it into a ritual. And for good reason. All of SoMi's sadness and disappointment vanished. Only a pleasant aftertaste remains, like an experience.
"How was your trip to Jeju?" SoMi asked, putting down her chopsticks. Her voice broke the silence that had peacefully filled every corner of the room.
"The filming was tough. Almost all night shifts. Sometimes I slept for only two or three hours.
"It's hard when you don't sleep for a long time."
"Yes, but I'm used to it. That's why, when I come home, I prefer peace and quiet."
He raised an eyebrow, hinting at the constant noise that used to come from the neighboring apartment.
"Hmm, now I understand," she said, getting his joke.
"How were your last two weeks? Did the police get called on you and your friends for disturbing the peace?"
"Hah, no, oddly enough," she smiled. "Everything was fine. MinJi is getting married. And I went on a blind date today."
"Now I understand why you've been so quiet. It's not like you," he remarked. But when he heard the word "date," something tightened in his chest. "Judging by your mood, it didn't go well."
"That's putting it mildly," she said, taking a sip of wine. "First, he was late. Then, he finally showed up. From the looks of it, everything should have been promising: Wine, sea bass, ice cream, a walk..." She fell silent.
"But..."
"His phrase, 'To your place, or maybe we should get a hotel room?' ruined everything. I thought I had finally found a good man after ten years. But he turned out to be a jerk like all the others. He said that if he had rented a car, I definitely would have 'given it up.'
"Ugh, that's not nice to hear." Do Hwan sighed sympathetically.
"I don't understand why, for some men, sex is the finale of any 'successful' dinner. Can't they tell the difference between flirting and politeness? Between getting to know someone and taking a shortcut to bed?"
"That's a tough question," he sighed. "The answer isn't pretty."
"Do I look like a woman who's looking for a casual relationship? Why do men think with their dicks instead of their heads?"
"Let's be honest. Most men really do think with what's between their legs first and only with their brains if they have any resources left after the blood loss. It's not always a bad thing; it's just biology and instinct for many people. But some people learn to listen not only to their bodies but also to others. To be honest, yes, men often think with the wrong head. The difference isn't in who thinks with what. The difference lies in whether he can think at all when he sees more than just a body in front of him. You're not a woman looking for casual hookups. You're a woman who deserves to be talked to and listened to—not undressed in someone's mind before you've even had a sip of wine. You're just a woman who's been unlucky in love. You're a woman who wants to allow herself to desire without shame or explanation and without expecting approval.
SoMi listened carefully to his every word because he spoke so beautifully. It was the kind of writing that only women could do. She opened her mouth slightly in amazement at what she heard. His reassuring words almost shouted that all was not lost, that it was just one bad date, and that she shouldn't think there was something wrong with her. Everyone fails, and women who believe in true, sincere love have encountered idiotic men at least once.
"Thank you for saying that. Sometimes I think we are all hostages to our impulses. It's just that some people are allowed more. Women have to clean up the mess afterwards. But honestly? I feel relieved. Sometimes I feel defective because I don't want to sleep with just anyone. To be honest, sex scared me for a long time. I always thought sex was something expected of you, not something you wanted. But now, I understand that it can be different. It's not about "doing your duty," but about desire. It's about being felt.
"Since we're on the subject," he said quietly, "can I ask...how was it with your ex?"
SoMi smiled at the guy's question.
"We were like neighbors in the same bed. No improvisation. There was a short prelude, as if according to a script—the same every time. I hadn't even relaxed yet when he was already satisfied. He turned his back to me and fell asleep. Honestly, I thought this was normal for a long time. But when I wrote, so many images, scenes, and fantasies were awakened in me. I realized that sex is not just mechanics. It's a language of the body and feelings. I want to speak this language, too. I want long foreplay to relax. I don't want it to be painful or uncomfortable. I don't want sex to last just a minute or two. I want to enjoy it. I want to experience an orgasm because Lee Hyun often talks about it, and I have no idea what it is.
"Uh-huh." Do Hwan listened attentively to his neighbor.
"You know, I think sex isn't just a release. It's like art. It can be formulaic or real. It's when touch reaches not only the skin but also the soul. So I think to myself, how many women have spoken out about what they really want? What turns them on? What makes them tremble? I never have. But it seems like I finally want to."
"Yes, you're right. Sex shouldn't just be sex. There has to be a spark, a feeling that makes it special for both of us. It has to be intimate and honest. Most importantly, it has to be enjoyable." He looked her in the eyes. For a moment, it seemed to her that his heart was beating louder.
"I'm sorry for being so frank. But I'm tired of keeping it to myself. You're probably the only person I can say this to out loud without hearing ridicule in response, even though you're a pro at it." She smiled at him, blushing. "Now, I definitely won't say that all men are the same. At least one man admitted that it's hard for him, but he's trying to think."
"Hah, you're sharp-tongued, too," Do Hwan remarked as he got up from the table and cleared away the empty plates.
"Thanks for dinner. The noodles were divine."
"I love to cook."
"Do Hwan," she said, suddenly saying his name. "Thank you for listening and not laughing at me."
"This isn't the first time I've lent you my shoulder to cry on."
"Yes, it's true," she said, wrinkling her nose as she remembered their drunken conversations.
"You know what's been bothering me these past two weeks?" the guy said as he moved into the living room. "This annoying song. The lyrics are stuck in my head." He turned on the music. The song that had taken over the charts, television, and radio began to play. SoMi had listened to it on repeat while driving to work, too.
"Oh, no," she laughed when she heard the familiar melody.
"After some serious reflection, I think we need to relax and dance," Do Hwan suggested, reaching out his hand to SoMi. The girl did not hesitate. She jumped off her chair and began swaying her hips seductively to the music.
They danced for a long time, disturbing their neighbors' sleep. But they couldn't be stopped.
The next day, SoMi received a strange message:
"Dear Ms. Jeon SoMi, I am Director Kang Yook Sol. One of our actors proposed adapting your book for the screen. I read it in one day. Your ideas are fresh and different from those currently being filmed for dramas. This caught my attention. Therefore, I would like to collaborate with you and meet as soon as possible to discuss the next steps. I look forward to your response."