Episode 1 – I Am Do Ji-hoon
As soon as Manager Park, who had been deep in thought after leaving the conference room with the blinds drawn, returned to his seat, the employees began whispering among themselves as if they had been waiting for him.
“What do you think? Is he totally old-fashioned style?”
“They said he was young? Manager Kim ran into him in the elevator earlier and thought he was a model for our photoshoot.”
“He introduced himself as a classmate from the same university as Miss Ahn. Does that mean his academic background is amazing too?”
“I heard he graduated from an Ivy League school. Was that a rumor? Manager, is he really the same age as Miss Ahn?”
Manager Park scolded them in a low voice while Sejeong stood frozen, her expression hardened, unable to respond.
“Hey, hey! All of you go back to your seats and finish your work. Did you complete the report on the feedback you received? Sent the email? Got the materials from the production team for the afternoon shoot? Do you want to embarrass yourselves in front of the advertiser?”
The employees scattered to their respective places, startled by his stern tone.
“Miss Ahn, please organize your schedule as well,” Manager Park added with a sigh, looking at her as if to encourage her.
After leaving Ji-hoon’s office, when Sejeong briefly explained that she and Ji-hoon were just college classmates, Manager Park didn’t press further. However, he did offer one piece of advice, mixed with concern, as he noticed her conflicted expression:
“You and I are both salaried workers, so let’s do our best to avoid any unnecessary issues in the company.”
“I’m heading to the shoot today. Director Ahn, do you want to stay in the office?”
Although the production team led the advertisement shoot, the deputy manager in charge of the project had to attend. Manager Park’s offer was considerate, but Sejeong shook her head.
“No, I’ll go. You have other tasks to handle.”
She had no intention of letting her personal life interfere with work. Ji-hoon’s sudden appearance had certainly thrown her off, but she was a professional.
After graduating from college and working her way up, she had always been cautious about avoiding even the smallest criticisms from her colleagues, superiors, or subordinates.
“Alright. Let’s head to the studio and check in on the progress,” Manager Park said.
“Understood.”
After responding, Sejeong excused herself to the restroom. She sat on the toilet, cradling her head in her hands, taking deep breaths to calm herself.
Every time she thought of her last day with Ji-hoon—a memory she had tried so hard to suppress—tears threatened to fall.
Time had passed, but Sejeong hadn’t been able to forget him. He had left too strong of an impression on her, and their first love had been as passionate as it was destructive.
Her fiery romance with Ji-hoon had burned her heart to ashes, leaving no room for anyone else in her life over the past six years.
Though she had tried meeting other men, it was futile. Even when she sat across from someone on a date, Ji-hoon’s face would surface in her mind.
Desperate to forget him, Sejeong had thrown herself into her work. She kept herself busy, running without rest. Her efforts paid off—her skills were recognized, and she climbed the ranks.
Though physically exhausted, she was relieved not to have time to dwell on the past. But seeing Ji-hoon again was something she hadn’t anticipated.
A sense of foreboding crept over her.
Back then, she had been forced to end things with him despite loving him deeply. Even now, the memory of their breakup filled her with anguish.
Sejeong was terrified of falling for him again. She feared stepping into his world, knowing all too well how it would end.
Wake up, Ahn Sejeong.
After washing her hands for what felt like an eternity, she stared at herself in the mirror and muttered under her breath. The most pressing task was to handle the situation at hand.
She mentally stuffed every thought of Ji-hoon into an imaginary garbage bag and tied it shut. Once she started thinking about him, everything would spiral out of control.
Ji-hoon had always been a man who could shake her to her core.
—
7 Years Ago: Spring Season
The stack of papers Sejeong carried towards the lecture hall felt heavier with each step. The law building, where her liberal arts classes were held, was perched atop the steepest hill on campus.
A gentle spring breeze cooled the sweat forming on her forehead. Cherry blossoms swayed in the wind, their petals falling like confetti, glimmering in the sunlight.
It was early April, the height of cherry blossom season. The stairs leading to the lecture hall were a favorite photo spot for students, but for Sejeong, they were just a grueling climb.
“Really? Your mom’s sick?”
She was on the phone with Minjeong, a high school student she tutored part-time. Minjeong had asked to reschedule their session due to a family emergency.
Sejeong sighed and replied sternly, “If it’s serious enough for a hospital visit, I’ll call your mom myself.”
Minjeong protested, “No, teacher!” Sejeong stifled a smile, pretending to scold her.
But before she could finish, someone bumped into her, sending the stack of printouts flying.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the person said.
Sejeong quickly ended the call and knelt to gather the scattered papers. The densely printed A4 sheets fluttered in the breeze, mingling with fallen cherry blossoms.
“Here.”
She looked up to see a man holding a few of her papers. His face was shadowed by the sunlight, but she recognized him instantly.
It was Do Ji-hoon, a classmate from her department.
Sejeong stared at him, her expression hardening.
“You don’t need these?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Without a word, she snatched the papers from his hand. Ji-hoon frowned slightly at her abruptness.
“You know, copying books is a copyright violation,” he remarked, smirking.
Sejeong’s face flushed. She had photocopied the book because the library’s copies were all checked out, and exams were approaching.
“That’s none of your business,” she shot back. “But if you bump into someone, shouldn’t you apologize first?”
Ji-hoon sneered. “You bumped into me. Ever made an effort of looking where you’re going?”
It was Sejeong’s first direct conversation with Ji-hoon, but his reputation preceded him. He was known for his sharp tongue and arrogant attitude.
“Don’t you know who I am?” he asked suddenly, his tone laced with irritation.
Sejeong blinked, confused. “What?”
“I’m Do Ji-hoon,” he said, as if his name alone explained everything.
“So?”
Ji-hoon smirked. “I’m perfect in every way—great looks, great genes. You should know who you’re dealing with.”
Sejeong stared at him, incredulous. “Are you crazy?”
And thus began their tumultuous relationship.
