It was past midnight in Seoul.
The mirrors of the practice room were fogged with sweat.
Arin sat alone on the floor, her knee wrapped in a bandage.
Today, she had learned something that had turned her entire world upside down.
Earlier that day, she had been standing outside Lee Seo-young's office by accident.
From inside came the harsh voice of a senior executive.
"Singing alone won't be enough for Arin.
Her weight needs to drop further. One apple and water a day—nothing more.
And that 'Bangladeshi' identity of hers? We're using it for business.
If she fails, we'll lock her into a contract so tight she'll be our slave for life."
The ground disappeared beneath Arin's feet.
The world she had imagined as beautiful—
was this its true, ugly face?
The Dark Side of K-Pop
Inhuman Training and Diets
Arin realized that talent alone meant nothing here.
Starvation was mandatory.
Every inch of her body would be dissected and judged.
Even if she was sick, she would be expected to smile and dance.
Slave Contracts
Every cent the company spent on trainees would later be reclaimed—with interest.
If Arin quit midway, she would owe millions—an amount her family could never repay.
Erasure of Personal Life
No phone.
No contact with family.
No friendships.
She was no longer human—she was a product.
Mental Terror
Fear followed every breath—fear of being discarded.
The trainees beside her were not friends, but enemies.
No one could tolerate another's success.
When Arin finally stood in front of Seo-young, tears streaming down her face,
there was no pity in Seo-young's eyes.
Her voice was cold.
"I told you, Arin. You don't know everything.
This world isn't made of applause and lights.
It's made of blood.
If you want to survive, you must sacrifice your emotions.
Can you sell your soul to become an idol?"
Arin stared at her pale reflection in the mirror.
The ordinary girl from Dhaka was gone.
There was no music in her ears anymore—
only the scream of survival.
She finally understood.
"She Knows" wasn't just a name.
It was a cage.
And she was a bird trapped inside it.
Still, Arin took a deep breath.
There were no tears left in her eyes—only resolve.
"If this world is dark, then I'll become its queen.
But I will not lose."
Her journey was no longer about chasing dreams—
it had become a secret war for survival inside a cruel system.
After hearing those words in the office, Arin's world shattered completely.
She collapsed in a corner of the practice room, sobbing uncontrollably.
That was when Lee Seo-young entered.
The woman who had seemed like stone until now—
crumbled at the sight of Arin's tears.
Without a word, Seo-young knelt in front of her.
Then suddenly, she pulled Arin into her arms, cradling her close.
Arin froze—but her body was too exhausted, her heart too broken, to resist.
Seo-young whispered softly,
"My princess… crying like this doesn't suit you.
When I see your tears, my chest feels like it's breaking.
Come—hide your face here. Rest for a while."
Her voice had changed completely.
No authority.
Only tenderness and deep affection.
Arin buried her face against Seo-young's chest and cried.
For the first time amid endless battles, fatigue, and loneliness—
she felt safe.
Seo-young stroked her hair gently.
"As long as I'm here, no one will harm you.
I'll protect you from this cruel world."
But peace never lasts long.
Behind the door, hidden like a shadow, stood someone else.
Min-ji—
one of the most popular idol members of She Knows.
She saw everything through the crack of the door.
Her eyes widened with shock—and jealousy.
The cold, untouchable Lee Seo-young…
breaking down for an ordinary trainee?
A twisted smile curled on Min-ji's lips.
"Oh… so that's how it is.
The Ice Queen has a heart after all?
And this Bangladeshi girl thinks she's a princess?"
She silently took out her phone and snapped a photo.
One photo was enough
to destroy both Arin and Seo-young.
That afternoon, Arin saw the photo on Min-ji's phone.
She understood instantly—
that vulnerable moment had become a weapon.
Burning with rage, humiliation, and pain,
Arin stormed into Seo-young's office.
She slammed the door shut.
Seo-young looked up in surprise.
Arin's eyes were no longer filled with tears—only fire.
Arin (shouting):
"Why did you do that?! Why did you pull me into your arms that day?!"
Seo-young (trying to calm her):
"Arin, calm down. I was just trying to steady you—"
Arin:
"Calm down?! That one moment of weakness is now a noose around my neck!
Min-ji has our photo!
Do you know what that means?!
I'm a foreigner here! I came to survive on my own merit!
Now everyone will think I'm here because of your favor!"
Seo-young stood up, her expression hardening.
But Arin didn't stop.
Arin:
"Because of you! Because of your misplaced affection, my career is on the edge!
Am I your toy?
A tool to heal your past?
You called me a princess—but in reality, you're destroying me!"
Seo-young (coldly):
"That's enough, Arin!
Do you know how much I'm risking to protect you?
I'm fighting those boardroom monsters alone—for you!"
Arin:
"Who asked you to fight?!
I can fight my own battles!
I didn't come from Dhaka to beg for sympathy!
If you truly loved me, you wouldn't drag me into this filthy politics!
Your so-called love is burning my dream to ashes!"
She grabbed the glass paperweight on the desk and smashed it onto the floor.
It shattered—
just like their trust.
Arin:
"From today on, our relationship is strictly trainee and boss. Nothing more.
If my career ends, remember this—
you'll be the only one responsible."
She stormed out.
Seo-young stood frozen.
A single tear slid down her face.
"You're right, Arin.
By loving you… I put you in the greatest danger."
Outside in the corridor, Min-ji heard everything.
A demonic smile spread across her lips.
But she had no idea what was about to happen next.
Suddenly, the office door burst open.
Seo-young stepped out.
Her eyes were blazing red with fury.
Seeing Min-ji standing there, Seo-young exploded.
Before Min-ji could react—
SLAP!
The sound echoed through the corridor.
Min-ji slammed into the wall, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.
Seo-young (thundering):
"I've tolerated enough, Min-ji.
Did you think I didn't understand your dirty games?"
Min-ji (stammering):
"D-Director… you raised your hand against me for that girl?"
Seo-young grabbed her collar, voice low and deadly.
"Don't forget who I am.
I am the sole owner of She Knows.
This empire moves at my command.
Who I love—or hold—is none of your business."
Then, tightening her tie, she added coldly—
"And remember this well.
You may have thought I was soft.
But don't forget—I am a woman of power.
And Arin is my future wife. My princess.
If you dare look at her again, you won't survive in K-pop—
you won't survive in Seoul."
Arin stood frozen nearby, watching.
The woman who had broken down before her
was now roaring like a lion.
Seo-young smashed Min-ji's phone onto the floor.
"Pack your things by tomorrow morning.
You're done in She Knows.
Get out."
Min-ji fled, crying.
Only Arin and Seo-young remained.
Seo-young looked at her—
no secrets left now.
Only authority… and devotion.
"Do you still think your career will end because of me?
As long as I exist, no one will touch your dream.
Because you are not just a trainee, Arin.
You are part of my life."