"Haaayee… It's freezing!"
Zoya shoved both hands inside her jacket and shivered dramatically.
"You said winter is over! I think winter just woke up today!"
A soft, chilly spring breeze drifted around the entrance of Seoul Station as Minji, Ruhi, Sophia, Hana, and Zoya stepped outside.
For Minji, this was home—familiar streets, familiar skies, familiar air.
But for the other girls, this was their first time in Seoul.
Even Hana, who had spent her whole life in Jeonju, looked around with quiet amazement.
Not because she was ever embarrassed by where she came from.
Not because she lacked courage or curiosity.
Her family simply lived a simple life—honest, hardworking, and always putting responsibilities before dreams.
Travelling to big cities was something they always planned to do "someday."
But somehow, everyday life always came first.
Still, Hana had never carried sadness about it.
She lived with dignity.
With gratitude.
And today…
finally…
She had the chance to stand here.
All because of Minji.
Minji, whose heart was soft, generous, and sincere.
She never boasted about her city or the comfort she had grown up with. She simply shared what she had, without making anyone feel that she had more.
Hana looked around Seoul once more.
The city lights reflected softly in her eyes.
Then she looked at Minji and silently prayed:
"God, please bless Minji with everything her heart truly deserves."
But no one knew something else.
The one thing Minji quietly wished for…
that same wish…
was also being carried inside the heart of someone else among the five girls.
Whose destiny would that wish fall into?
No one knew yet.
"Zoya, this is just a spring breeze… not cold," Ruhi teased, snapping her out of her thoughts.
Hana laughed.
"Seoul's spring is gentle. But Zoya looks like she's fighting a snowstorm."
Sophia flipped her jacket dramatically.
"People here are already taking off layers. And Zoya is wrapped like an emergency burrito."
Zoya pouted.
"You all are rude. I'm literally freezing to death."
Minji stepped forward, hands on her hips, and announced with full dramatic seriousness:
"Zoya… are you sure you're from Pakistan? Or are you secretly an ice-cream species?"
She winked.
"No, no… even ice cream survives heat better than you."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zoya stomped her foot.
"Go ahead, laugh at me! I'm dying!"
Minji's expression softened.
She reached for Zoya's sleeves and pulled them down over her hands.
"Tonight, the electric blanket is all yours. Calm down, my cold princess."
The mood warmed instantly.
Their jumbo taxi arrived—a seven-seater, perfect for their group.
They piled inside with their luggage, and the cab started rolling toward Digital Media City.
The moment they entered DMC, the girls went quiet.
Tall glass studios…
Giant digital screens…
wide, clean roads…
Everything looked so polished and bright that it felt as though they had stepped straight into a K-drama set.
Ruhi pressed her face against the window.
"OH, MY GOD! LOOK, LOOK, LOOK! TBS STUDIO!"
All the girls turned toward the window at once.
A massive modern studio building stood proudly on the right.
Huge LED letters glowed across the front:
TBS ENTERTAINMENT
They were still staring when—
the main gate suddenly opened.
A sleek black Hyundai Palisade drove out.
It slipped into the lane beside their taxi, moving at almost the same speed.
Teahun was driving.
Jeon J was sitting in the front passenger seat, calmly scrolling through his phone.
Then something on the screen caught his attention.
The faintest smile touched his lips.
And almost without thinking, he brought his finger to his mouth and gently bit his nail.
That tiny habit…
The one he only seemed to have when something amused him.
Inside the taxi, everyone froze.
Ruhi grabbed Zoya's hand as though she had just seen a ghost.
"ZOYAAAA! LOOK—OMG—LOOK!"
Zoya could only stare.
Sunlight fell perfectly across Jeon J's face, catching the faint smile on his lips.
Her heart reacted before she could stop it.
Soft.
Warm.
Breathless.
And beneath her breath, a prayer slipped from her lips:
"أَضْحَكَ اللَّهُ سِنَّكَ"
May God always keep you smiling.
The two cars moved side by side perfectly.
Zoya's window faced his.
Nothing separated them except a thin sheet of glass.
For a moment, Jeon J's car slowed.
Then it matched the taxi's speed again.
And in that exact moment—
he looked up.
Right at her.
Still nibbling his nail.
Zoya gently shook her head.
Then, almost instinctively, she lifted her hand and made a tiny gesture toward his finger.
Stop.
Don't bite your nail.
Jeon J blinked.
Confusion crossed his face.
He looked at his finger.
Then outside.
Then back toward her window.
His expression seemed to say:
"Wait… what just happened?"
Before he could figure it out, the Palisade glided forward and merged into the traffic ahead.
Their taxi continued toward Yeonnam-dong—Minji's neighbourhood.
Zoya kept her hand resting against the window.
Her mind replayed those few seconds again and again.
The sunlight.
The smile.
His confusion.
Her little gesture.
The silent exchange.
It felt unreal.
As though, for just a moment…
time had paused between two moving cars.
Minji leaned toward her.
"Zoya… why are you smiling?"
Zoya quickly looked away.
Her cheeks felt warm.
But inside, her heart was still whispering the same prayer:
"May his happiness remain… always."
The taxi finally stopped.
Everyone stepped out with their luggage and stood in front of Minji's house.
Soft evening light fell across the house, giving everything a warm glow.
At first glance, it felt calm and welcoming.
The soft grey walls, white trim, and small front lawn led toward wooden stairs that went up to the upper portion of the house.
It was a clean, modern two-story home, yet it still carried a subtle traditional Korean touch.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Classy.
The upper portion had its own entrance at the top of the stairs, with a small porch decorated with potted plants.
Minji had already informed her mother:
"Mom, all the girls will stay upstairs."
So everything was already prepared.
The gate clicked open.
Minji's mother stepped outside with a warm smile.
She wore simple jeans and a soft blue sweater, looking elegant yet approachable.
There was something instantly comforting about her.
"안녕하세요," "girls. Welcome, welcome!"
Everyone bowed politely.
She naturally greeted them first in Korean.
"안녕… 안녕. 와줘서 고마워."
Hana responded naturally:
"안녕하세요, 아줌마. 잘 부탁드립니다."
Minji stepped slightly closer to her mother and whispered:
"엄마… 하나 말고는 한국어 잘 못 해."
Her mother immediately understood and switched to English.
"Ohh! Okay, okay, girls. I'll talk in English too. No worries."
Then she looked at each girl.
"Minji… who is Zoya?"
Minji proudly gestured toward her.
"She is Zoya."
Minji had already told her mother plenty about Zoya.
Especially about the way Zoya reacted to Korean dishes.
Those stories always seemed to amuse her mother.
She smiled warmly.
"Hello, Zoya-yah."
Then she looked at the others.
"And she is Ruhi? Sophia? And Hana, right?"
Everyone smiled politely.
Minji leaned closer to her mother again and joked in Korean:
"엄마… 조야는 정말 많이 추워해요."
(Mom… Zoya gets REALLY cold.)
Her mother laughed softly.
"아이구… 그래? 이런 날은 사람도 추울 텐데."
(Oh, really? Even on a day like this, she'll feel cold.)
Zoya didn't understand a word.
She simply gave a small, confused smile.
Curious, Minji asked:
"엄마, 언니 왔어?" "Mom, did sister come?"
Her mother shook her head.
"아니야, 대구에서 안 왔어." "You know… she is married now, busy-busy."
(No, she didn't come from Daegu. Married life keeps her busy.)
Minji nodded softly.
"Ahh… right."
Her mother turned toward the girls.
"Girls, upstairs is ready. Please go and keep your things."
The girls picked up their luggage and climbed the wooden stairs.
They were tired after the journey, but there was something peaceful about the house.
It made them feel as if they had finally found a safe little corner in the middle of a huge city.
The upper portion was wide, airy, and bright.
Two rooms stood side by side.
The first room had four beds, one mattress, warm lighting, a bookshelf, and soft beige curtains.
The second room had plenty of luggage space, extra blankets, and a large mirror.
They looked at one another.
Then, almost immediately, someone said:
"Let's all sleep in ONE room!"
And just like that, the second room became their luggage room.
After freshening up, they all returned downstairs.
The aroma drifting from the kitchen was comforting—garlic, sesame oil, and something slowly simmering on the stove.
Minji peeked into the kitchen.
"엄마, 뭐 만들고 있어?"
Her mother proudly answered:
"김치찌개, 잡채… 그리고 닭갈비."
Kimchi stew.
Japchae.
And dak-galbi.
The moment Minji and Hana heard 닭갈비, their faces lit up.
They both loved dak-galbi.
It was one of their favourite dishes.
For a moment, they looked at each other with pure excitement.
Her mother turned toward everyone.
"Girls, dinner is almost ready. Make yourselves comfortable."
The kitchen remained warm and lively.
The soft evening light slowly faded outside, leaving the house wrapped in a cozy glow.
And somewhere between laughter, food, and quiet conversations…
A new chapter of their Seoul journey quietly began.
The afternoon sun poured through the windows, soft and warm, making the small kitchen glow.
After a light meal, the girls sat around the table, chatting and laughing quietly.
The room felt peaceful, yet it carried the easy energy of friends who had grown close surprisingly fast.
Everyone wanted to help Minji's mother clean the kitchen.
She insisted with a gentle smile:
"No, it's fine, girls. You don't have to."
But no one listened.
They cleared the dishes, wiped the counters, and carefully put everything back in its place.
Minji watched with amusement as her mother tried to stay out of their way, even though the smile on her face showed that she secretly enjoyed having them around.
After everything was done, Minji stretched.
"Girls, let's rest for a while. Later, we'll go out and explore the city. Tonight, we're going to DMC. You'll feel like you're in another world."
Everyone nodded.
Excitement mixed with the tiredness of the long day.
For now, though…
It was time to rest.
There was only one proper bed in the room, so Sophia and Hana claimed it.
Minji, Ruhi, and Zoya laid their mattresses on the floor.
Soon, the room became quiet.
Only soft sighs and the occasional rustle of sheets broke the silence.
After a while, Zoya turned toward Minji.
Curiosity was written all over her face.
"Your home… it's so simple, but also really nice."
Minji looked at her.
Zoya continued:
"I mean… your father has a big business. You study at a public university where the fees are lower, and yet you live just like us. You cook, you help, you don't show your status… and your mom… she's so simple. She does everything herself."
Minji laughed softly.
"I know it seems strange."
She paused.
"But life here is different. People are equal. No one looks down on anyone because of their family or money. Everyone works hard, and that's what matters."
She glanced around the room.
"We don't just sit back and wait for help. That's why I study, work part-time, and still live a normal life."
Zoya blinked.
There was something about Minji's words that made her think.
"Back home, it's… not like this."
Her voice grew quieter.
"Girls are expected to follow rules, obey, and sometimes give up their dreams. Studying abroad can feel like a burden. And after a certain age, everything becomes about marriage—dowry, proposals, what people think."
She swallowed.
"By twenty, they expect us to be ready to settle down. By thirty, they act like we've wasted our lives if we didn't marry."
A silence settled over the room.
"It's… suffocating."
Minji's eyes softened.
"That's hard. I can't imagine having to live like that."
She looked around the room again.
"Here, we're taught to be independent. To work, to study, to make our own choices. Some families can support everything, but most of us still manage our studies and jobs ourselves."
She smiled faintly.
"Parents guide you… but they don't treat you like property."
Zoya sat up slightly.
"And your scholarship… It's fully funded, right?"
Minji's eyes brightened with pride.
"Yes. I worked for it."
She smiled.
"My parents could have paid, but they wanted me to earn it myself. They wanted me to learn responsibility. That's how it works here. We don't just rely on family. We prove ourselves."
Zoya nodded.
"I do online work too, to cover my own expenses."
She smiled faintly.
"But for this trip from Busan to Seoul, everything has been provided by my father. He said it was a gift to celebrate the scholarship I earned."
For a moment, she sounded almost happy saying it.
Then her expression changed.
"Sometimes I feel guilty."
Minji frowned slightly.
"Guilty?"
Zoya looked down.
"Like maybe I'm wasting money studying here. Maybe I should just follow the path they expect—marry, settle, live the way they want."
Minji's voice softened.
"Why would you feel guilty for chasing your dreams?"
Zoya didn't answer.
Minji continued:
"You worked hard to get here. You earned this. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for it."
Sophia and Hana, who had been quietly listening, moved closer.
Ruhi sat up on her mattress.
For a moment, nobody said anything.
But their silence carried something stronger than words.
Support.
Zoya was not alone.
Minji smiled.
"See? That's why it's good to share experiences like this. Life can be different. And once you see it… you start understanding what independence really feels like."
Zoya looked down.
The words touched something deep inside her.
She began talking about the pressure she had grown up with—the endless conversations about marriage, dowries, social appearances, and what people might say.
She remembered how, from the age of sixteen, people had already started suggesting matches.
By eighteen, the proposals had become serious.
By twenty, people looked at her as though a clock were ticking somewhere above her head.
And by thirty…
They would treat her as though she had somehow failed at life simply because she had not married.
Her parents should have nurtured her independence.
Instead, sometimes they had made her feel like her dreams were a burden.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
She turned her face toward the pillow and let herself cry quietly.
For the first time, she allowed herself to feel all of it—
the sadness,
the frustration,
the anger,
and the longing for freedom.
But strangely…
she also felt lighter.
Because here, in this room, surrounded by girls who treated her like a friend rather than a possession…
she felt safe.
Minji's gentle voice broke through her thoughts.
"Don't be sad, Zoya. You're safe here."
Zoya slowly looked at her.
"You're allowed to feel free… even if just for now."
Zoya wiped her tears and tried to smile.
She looked at Minji.
Then Sophia.
Hana.
Ruhi.
For the first time in a long time, she felt something she had almost forgotten how to feel.
Hope.
Maybe she could choose her own path.
Maybe she could make her own life.
She leaned back slowly, finally allowing her body to relax.
She thought about everything she had gone through.
Every conversation.
Every judgment.
Every subtle pressure.
Months had passed since she left home.
And not a single person had checked to see how she was doing.
Her eyes filled again.
But this time, the tears were different.
They weren't only for sadness.
They were for relief.
She had made it.
She was here.
The room slowly grew quiet again.
Sophia whispered something to Hana, and they giggled softly.
Minji dimmed the lights.
Outside, Seoul hummed in the distance.
Zoya stared at the ceiling.
Her mind wandered back through the negotiations that had brought her here, the careful planning, the fear, and the courage it had taken to leave everything behind.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
Then opened them again.
"Tomorrow…" she whispered.
Her voice was barely audible.
"Things will be different."
A tiny smile touched her lips.
"I will be different."
She took a slow breath.
"And maybe… I'll finally be free."
Daylight fell over the house, wrapping it in a soft blanket of shine.
Outside, the scent of flowers drifted through the cool breeze.
The girls slept.
Some dreamed.
Some simply rested.
But Zoya stayed awake a little longer, her eyes following the shadows on the ceiling.
Remembering everything she had overcome.
And somewhere between those memories…
a small smile appeared on her face.
For the first time in years…
she felt that perhaps she truly could have a life of her own.
Evening
Evening light filtered softly through the curtains when the girls finally woke from their short nap.
The room felt warm and quiet, like the calm before a small adventure.
One by one, they stretched, freshened up, and began getting ready for the long evening ahead.
Minji was the first to step out of the bathroom.
Her peach flowy blouse and white straight pants gave her a neat, bright look.
She slipped into her cushioned white walking sneakers and pulled her cream mini shoulder bag across her body.
Hana chose comfort over style—though somehow, on her, comfort always looked stylish.
She wore a light lavender hoodie, black denim jeans, and grey lightweight runners made for long walks.
Her black sling backpack bounced lightly as she moved.
Ruhi appeared next in a mint green fitted top tucked into beige wide-leg trousers.
Soft-soled white sneakers completed the look, along with a small brown backpack.
Sophia kept things simple.
A light pink loose shirt.
Dark blue jeans.
Pastel blue cushioned sneakers.
And a neat navy mini backpack.
Zoya finished last.
She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her short shirt with matching trousers.
Then she gently brought her scarf over her head.
The cream sweater around her shoulders added another layer of warmth.
After all…
She was the only one still feeling cold.
She wore beige flexible walking sneakers.
Then, almost casually, she opened her embroidered bag and quietly slipped an extra pair of shoes inside.
Sophia noticed.
"Why are you packing extra shoes?"
Zoya smiled as though remembering an old inside joke.
"I always do this."
She adjusted the shoes inside the bag.
"Whenever I go out, my shoes break. It's happened so many times."
She zipped the bag.
"So from then until now… wherever I go, I take an extra pair with me."
Sophia laughed.
"Smart."
Zoya smiled.
"Experience."
When they were all ready, the five girls went downstairs.
The house smelled faintly of green tea and evening warmth.
Minji's mother was in the living area.
"Mama," Minji said sweetly as she stepped closer,
"오늘 우리랑 같이 갈래요?"
(Do you want to come with us today?)
Hana instantly joined in, clasping her hands dramatically.
"네! 같이 가요. 민지보다 더 우리 친구 같아요!"
(Yes! Come with us. You feel more like our friend than Minji!)
Minji slowly turned toward Hana.
One eyebrow rose.
"진짜…?" "Seriously"
Her mother burst into soft laughter at their bickering.
She waved her hand gently.
"아니야, 너희끼리 다녀와. 우리는 옛날에 친구들이랑 많이 놀았어."
(No, you girls go. We already had our time to enjoy with our friends.)
The girls bowed politely, thanked her, and stepped outside.
The sky above Seoul glowed gold.
The evening breeze carried the promise of lights, noise, street food, and adventure.
Tonight…
DMC awaited them.
Meanwhile…
"Teahun, I have to pick Bamson up today. I'm bringing him back. Tell Kim Joon for me."
Jeon J stepped out of the studio and signalled to Teahun, who was still on a call, to wait.
Jeon J stood patiently until the call ended.
When Teahun finally lowered his phone, he turned toward him.
"I'll come with you. Let's go together."
But Jeon J shook his head.
"I'm going with Jea."
Teahun frowned dramatically.
"Why shouldn't I come? I can give you better company than Jea."
He grinned.
Teahun always enjoyed picking on Jea and calling him Jeon J's "assistant."
Jeon J simply shook his head.
"It's not like that. Come on. Let's go."
They both walked toward the car.
As soon as they drove out, they put on their masks.
At the gate, another car suddenly appeared.
Both vehicles stopped face-to-face.
For a brief moment, everything seemed to pause.
Jeon J looked ahead.
His eyes caught the person sitting in the front seat of the other car.
For a second…
He thought he saw Minji.
Before she could look in his direction, Jeon J quickly turned toward Teahun, who had started talking about the viral clip from Jeon J's last live before Bamson went missing.
Teahun laughed.
"You didn't tell RAMY during the live that it wasn't a ghost behind you—it was just your ghost-looking PA, Jea."
Jeon J looked at him.
Then both burst out laughing.
Suddenly…
a cold rush brushed across Jeon J's face.
A sharp, unexpected breeze.
He ignored it.
The cars moved again.
And soon, they were driving side by side.
Teahun leaned slightly forward.
"I think I just saw your old friend Minji in the car next to us."
Jeon J stopped chewing his pinky nail.
He looked at Teahun.
"You think it might be Minji?"
Teahun nodded.
"Yeah… I'm not sure, but I think it was her."
Jeon J looked ahead for a moment.
Then shook his head lightly.
"No. There's no maybe."
His voice was certain.
"It was Minji."
Teahun glanced at him.
Minji had once been Jeon J's old best friend.
Hearing the certainty in his voice made Teahun pause.
But he said nothing.
Jeon J gestured for him to slow down.
The other car's back seat gradually lined up with Jeon J's window.
Jeon J lifted his eyes from his nail.
And looked toward the window.
There.
Sitting beside the glass…
was a girl.
Her head was gently covered with a scarf.
A mask covered most of her face.
But her eyes…
were looking directly at him.
Jeon J's gaze met hers.
For a second, neither moved.
Then the girl's eyes dropped toward his hand.
Toward the finger he had been biting.
She looked back at him.
And with the smallest movement…
she shook her head.
No.
Stop biting your nail.
Jeon J froze.
He blinked.
But before he could make sense of what had just happened…
The other car turned onto a different road.
It disappeared from view.
And then—
Jeon J suddenly burst out laughing.
Teahun looked at him in confusion.
"What happened? Why are you laughing?"
Jeon J tried to control his smile.
"Nothing…"
He looked ahead.
"Your ghost story reminded me…"
A faint smile still lingered on his lips.
"People still believe in ghosts even today."
Teahun stared at him for a second.
Then decided not to question it.
Instead, he smiled and said:
"Forget it. Listen—this evening we're going to DMC, okay?"
Jeon J glanced at him.
Teahun continued, already sounding excited.
"Street food, walking around those little alleys… like we used to."
Then he pointed a warning finger at him.
"But don't bring your Jea assistant this time."
Jeon J laughed.
Neither of them knew…
that tonight, DMC was going to become much more than a walk through familiar streets.
Much more than street food.
Much more than old memories.
Because somewhere in that city…
Two paths had already crossed.
A glance had already been exchanged.
A silent gesture had already been understood.
But neither of them knew what it meant yet.
And tonight…
DMC was going to become unforgettable.
To be continued…
Regards,
ZK 💌