Song Moo's touch was gentle, her fingers brushing against Katrina's forehead with maternal tenderness. Her voice remained calm despite the news of Katrina's departure.
"My dear girl," she said softly.
"I understand this is an opportunity you can't pass up. Your brothers and I will be here waiting for your return."
Zav stepped forward, his usual smile replaced by a more serious expression.
"Kpop industry? That's quite a change from your previous plans," he commented thoughtfully.
"But if this is what you want, we'll support you fully. Money isn't an issue."
Xing nodded enthusiastically from beside Zong, who still looked slightly dramatic from his earlier performance.
"Yeah! We can buy you all the best equipment and connect you with industry insiders!"
"No need I want to do it alone with no connection," Katrina said gently as she yawned and stood up. Katrina knew this will be a change but she was not scared.
Three days later
It was time for Katrina to leave. She waved by to her family, she hasn't meant the other nine siblings.
The drive to YG was long when she got there she dragged her suitcase taken to a bedroom where she will stay she then looked around and was asked to go and meet her manager Mr. Banks. Katrina was not nervous at all in fact she was so calm that she felt sleepy. Of course to the world they can only find the fact she is troublemaker, 17 years old raised in England, and it showed she was an orphan other then that nothing else showed.
The automatic doors of the YG Entertainment building glided open with a soft hiss, revealing a lobby that was both sleek and intimidating. The polished marble floor reflected the soft lighting from above, and a hushed atmosphere permeated the space. Behind the main reception desk sat two young women in sharp suits, their expressions professional yet distant.
Katrina stepped forward, her heart pounding against her ribs like a drum solo. She clutched her small carryon bag tighter, the fabric of her stylish but slightly nervous outfit feeling foreign against her skin.
"Excuse me," she began, her voice slightly breathless.
"I'm here for the internship program. My name is Katrina."
"Hello come in," a woman said. Katrina let out a sigh her expression was indifferent her long raven hair was tied up in a ponytail she wore simple white shirt and ripped jeans with sneakers.
The woman behind the desk, whose name tag read 'Jenny', offered a small, professional smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Welcome to YG Entertainment, Katrina. Please have a seat over there." She gestured toward a row of sleek black leather chairs against the far wall.
"Someone from HR will be with you shortly to begin the orientation process."
As Katrina settled into one of the chairs, she couldn't help but feel the weight of expectation pressing down on her. The building itself seemed to radiate an aura of power and success every surface gleamed under strategically placed lighting, and the air carried a faint scent of expensive cologne and clean linen.
The minutes ticked by slowly, each one stretching longer than the last. Katrina pulled out her phone, scrolling through social media feeds of other trainees who had made it into YG's prestigious program. Her own feed was filled with supportive comments from friends and family, but she couldn't shake the nervous energy coursing through her veins.
Suddenly, the main elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. A man emerged wearing an impeccably tailored suit that hugged his broad shoulders and narrow waist. His dark hair was styled in a sharp cut that framed his angular jawline. He moved with an air of confidence that made even the receptionists straighten in their seats.
"Good morning," he said to Jenny without breaking stride toward Katrina's direction.
Jenny's professional facade wavered slightly as the man approached, her eyes flicking between him and Katrina with newfound interest.
"Mr. Kim," she said, her voice carrying a hint of reverence.
"We weren't expecting you today."
The man Mr. Kim offered a brief, almost imperceptible nod in Jenny's direction before stopping directly in front of Katrina's chair. His presence was commanding, filling the space around her with an undeniable aura of authority.
"I apologize for the intrusion," he said smoothly, his voice carrying the same weight as his appearance.
"But I happened to see this particular intern's file and was intrigued."
He extended a hand toward Katrina, his fingers long and wellmanicured.
Katrina looked up at Mr. Kim, her heart doing a little flipflop in her chest. His hand was extended, and she could see the way his suit jacket shifted to reveal a glimpse of a crisp white shirt underneath. The scent of his cologne something expensive and subtly masculine reached her nose.
"Katrina," she said, placing her hand in his. His grip was firm but not overpowering, sending a pleasant warmth through her palm.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Kim."
His lips curved into a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"The pleasure is mine. I'm Lee Minjun Kim, but you can call me Lee."
Lee's grip lingered on Katrina's hand for a moment longer than necessary, his thumb brushing lightly across her knuckles. The gesture was subtle, almost imperceptible, yet it sent a shiver down her spine. He released her hand slowly, his gaze never leaving hers.
"Jenny," he called over his shoulder without turning away from Katrina.
"Cancel all my appointments for the next hour. I'll be handling this personally."
The receptionist's eyes widened slightly at the command, but she nodded obediently.
"Of course, Mr. Kim."
Lee gestured toward a discreet door marked 'Executive Lounge' down the hallway.
"Come with me, Katrina. We have much to discuss."
Katrina nodded her head. Her expression never changed she yawned and she looked straight forward.
Lee placed the glasses on the coffee table and settled into the chair opposite Katrina, his movements fluid and deliberate. He took a sip of his water, his eyes never leaving her face as he studied her reaction to the posters lining the wall.
"Rose," he said softly, following her gaze to the poster featuring the blondehaired singer with striking blue eyes.
"You seem to know her work."
Katrina's smile remained fixed, but something in her expression shifted slightly a flicker of recognition that she quickly masked with practiced ease.
"Oh, I've heard of her," she replied casually.
"She's quite popular in Europe. But I'm sure you know that already."
Lee leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.
Lee leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. The movement caused his suit jacket to fall open just enough to reveal the crisp white shirt underneath, and Katrina caught a glimpse of a silver watch glinting at his wrist.
"I'm more interested in who you are," he said, his voice taking on a more personal tone.
"Your file mentioned you've been training for years to become an idol. That kind of dedication doesn't just happen overnight."
He picked up his glass again, swirling the ice cubes thoughtfully.
"You must have some unique qualities that set you apart from other applicants. Something that caught our attention."
Katrina took a sip of her water before responding carefully.
"I think what sets me apart is my ability to adapt," she said smoothly.
"Adaptability is a valuable trait in this industry," Lee agreed, taking another sip of his sparkling water. His eyes seemed to bore into hers, searching for something beneath the carefully constructed facade.
"But there's more to it than that, isn't there? Something about your story feels... incomplete."
He set his glass down with deliberate precision, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet lounge.
"Your file mentioned you were adopted just three days ago. That's quite a coincidence for someone who's spent years dreaming of becoming an idol."
Katrina's smile didn't falter, but she shifted slightly in her seat, crossing one leg over the other. The movement was casual, yet it drew attention to the way her stylish outfit hugged her figure.