I'M SEOL MIN-JI

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LOCATION: DOWNTOWN SEOUL, AFTERNOON

The streets are busy — families walking, shoppers browsing, people rushing about. Seol Min-ji is out alone, just window-shopping, wearing her usual outfit: soft gray loungewear pants, a loose cream-colored jacket, her hair falling naturally over her shoulders, no makeup, and thin-rimmed glasses. She looks like any ordinary girl out for a walk, nothing special at first glance.

She stops in front of a boutique, looking at the display, when a man in a sharp suit approaches her — one of the senior talent scouts from Nova Entertainment, one of the biggest agencies in the country. He’s been watching her for a while, noticing the way she carries herself, the natural grace, and even without makeup, the striking features that stand out.

He hands her a small, clean business card with the company name and contact details printed on it.

“Excuse me, miss. I work for Nova Entertainment. We’re currently looking for new trainees with potential. I saw you today and thought you have a very special aura. If you’re interested in becoming an artist or idol, you can call this number or visit our office anytime. We’d love to see what you can do.”

Min-ji takes the card politely, smiles faintly, and nods. Once the man walks away, she turns it over — and her eyes widen just a little.

Nova Entertainment — the very company her mother founded and still owns as the major shareholder. No one outside the family knows this; the public only sees the appointed CEO, not the real owner behind it.

She looks down at her own simple clothes, no logos, no expensive watches, nothing that screams “heiress.” No one here has any idea who she really is.



LOCATION: LUXURY FIVE-STAR RESTAURANT, DOWNTOWN SEOUL

After receiving the business card, Min-ji didn’t rush to call or decide right away. She simply walked to the nearby five-star hotel she often visited — one of the many properties her family owned, though no staff here recognized her as the actual owner, only as a regular well-mannered guest.

She sat by the window, ordered her favorite meal, and placed the small card on the table in front of her.

Nova Entertainment.

A faint, amused smile tugged at her lips. Of course, she thought. The scout didn’t know he just handed his own company’s contact card to the one person who technically owns it.

She picked it up, turning it over between her fingers, lost in thought. She’d never really thought about being an idol — she had everything she could ever want, money, comfort, security. But something inside her stirred. It sounded like a challenge. Something different from the usual boring high-society events and endless business talks she was forced to attend sometimes.

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was her mother.

Min-ji

(answers calmly)

Hello, Eomma.

Mother

(warm but firm)

Where are you, sweetheart? I heard you went out alone again. Did you find anything you like?

Min-ji

Just window shopping, then I came here to eat. And… something interesting happened.

She turned the card toward the glass, like her mother could see it through the line.

Min-ji

A talent scout approached me. Gave me this. He said I have potential and invited me to audition as a trainee.

There was a short pause on the other end, then her mother laughed softly.

Mother

Nova Entertainment. That’s our company, you know. The one we set up five years ago.

Min-ji

I figured. That’s why I’m thinking… should I go? Just to see what it’s like?

Mother

(amused)

You can do whatever you want, Min-ji. You have full authority over everything. If you want to walk in there as a trainee, no one will stop you. If you decide you don’t like it, you can shut it down or change the rules tomorrow. But remember — if you go, keep your identity hidden first if that’s what you prefer. It’s more fun that way, isn’t it?

Min-ji

(smiles)

Exactly. I don’t want special treatment. I just want to see if it’s worth my time.

Mother

Very well. And… have you talked to Seo-jin lately?

Min-ji’s expression softened a little, but stayed neutral.

Min-ji

Not yet. He’s busy with his own studies and his family’s business preparations. We’re doing fine, just like we agreed. No pressure, no rush.

Mother

Good. Just be careful, wherever you go. Call if you need anything.

Min-ji

I will. Bye, Eomma.

She ended the call and leaned back in her seat, finishing her meal slowly. Outside, the city lights were starting to turn on. The idea grew more interesting in her mind — walking into her own company, pretending to be just another ordinary girl trying to debut, while having the full power to do anything she wanted behind the scenes.

Let’s see, she thought, picking up the card again. "This might be more fun than reading romance novels"

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THREE DAYS LATER

Min-ji showed up at the main building of Nova Entertainment just like she always dressed — loose white shirt, baggy denim jacket, simple jeans, white sneakers, no makeup, hair left naturally down, and thin-rimmed glasses. The only things she wore were her tiny diamond studs and a thin silver bracelet on her wrist — nothing flashy enough to catch attention.

She walked to the reception desk and handed over the card.

Receptionist

(looks up, polite but a little formal)

Good morning. Are you here for the audition?

Min-ji

(nods, voice calm and clear)

Yes. The scout who gave this said I could come anytime.

Receptionist

(checks the list)

Alright. Please fill out this form and wait in the waiting area. The evaluation starts in thirty minutes.

Min-ji took the paper, sat down in a corner, and filled it out simply — no mention of her family, no extra details, just her name, age, and contact number. She didn’t even bother writing her real address, just a temporary one.

Other aspiring trainees around her were busy fixing their makeup, adjusting their fancy outfits, whispering nervously about what the judges would be like. Some glanced at her, seeing her plain clothes and bare face, and immediately looked away with that familiar look — she doesn’t look like she belongs here.

Min-ji just opened her phone and continued reading the romance novel she’d started the night before, completely unbothered.

When her name was finally called, she stood up calmly, fixed her jacket, and walked into the audition room.

Inside, three judges sat at the long table — the head of the vocal department, the head of dance, and sitting right in the middle… Han Seo-jin.

Her fiancé.

He was only there as a special advisor, since his family also held investments in the company. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, looking serious and professional, his usual calm and composed expression. His eyes lifted to look at the next applicant — and froze for half a second when he saw her.

He knew that face, those eyes, that silver bracelet he’d given her on their 18th birthday. But he didn’t show it. He just leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, watching her with a quiet, curious gaze.

The head judge spoke first.

Judge

Seol Min-ji, right? Please introduce yourself and show us what you can do.

Min-ji stood in the center of the room, looked at all of them — including Seo-jin — and gave a small, confident smile.

Min-ji

I’m Seol Min-ji. I have no professional training, but I’ll do my best.

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TO BE CONTINUE...

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