April 2021, Present

Mina was lying on her bed. Rolling over and over even though it has already been ten minutes since she has woken up. Just the thought about Kim Jeho, a sunbae of hers, was scary. Chills ran down to her spine as she remembered how she cursed him for being nerdy and when he was asking her to have sex with him.

No matter how much she explained to herself, there was no way that she will end up bowing her head or apologizing for something she did. Jeho disrespected her first by talking about such a topic and even looked down on her passion for acting.

There was no way in hell that she would apologize for her behavior no matter what.

The thing is that Kim Jeho did not even demand an apology from Mina. He wanted to sleep with her.

That was the exchange if ever she wanted to enter the company.

Today was the last day. She has to go to the company building if ever she wanted to become a part of one of the biggest entertainment companies in this country. Finally, sitting up, she looked around her tiny room and took a deep breath.

Mina lived in a 25 squared meter room in a ten-storey apartment alone. Her parents made her live independently in Seoul ever since she graduated from college to be easy for her to attend auditions, daily shootings, or schedules.

The thing was, she has only been taking extra roles three months after graduating due to poor luck. In total, she has been taking different roles for more than four years already. All of her gigs still could not support her financially, that she has been receiving a one hundred thousand won of allowance per week from her mom.

It has been hard for her. She thought that after getting her degree, it would be much easier for her to land roles. But she was wrong; nothing changed. Receiving a diploma does not change anything at all. Her looks, charms, and overall talent were still the same.

Many auditions failed her, but most of it was because she did not come from a big company.

Hong Mina was considered very beautiful in the industry standards. She had such a lovely v-shaped face, prominent eyes with double eyelids, a tall and slim nose, and thin lips. Tall and lean since she has been maintaining her figure with less dieting and doing pilates, yoga, and strength exercises; there was nothing she could ever think of to improve herself.

Although there is a possibility that she missed something, but overall, she thought she was ready to become a big star in the entertainment world.

That is why she just could not ignore the fact that she badly wanted to get into the SW entertainment. Most idol or acting trainees' dream is to become a part of the company. Just its logo and name attached to your resume will change your whole life as an artist.

Mina wanted to quit leeching off of her parents' money. Now that she finally graduated, she wanted to return the favor her parents have done to her. When she always felt like giving up, she visits her parents' bulgogi restaurant to help cook, prepare the ingredients or serve tables. Her mother still ended up comforting her, telling her that there is always time for everything.

She became hopeful, but nothing will change if she kept on waiting for her chance.

The world is cruel, and reality strikes hard.

And the only solution she has ever thought of was to become a part of SW entertainment.

Mina concluded two things; one is that she will accept to sleep with Jeho once and for all Second, they should have a contract before they do anything physical. If ever she feels in danger, she has the right not to continue at all.

That was it.

After wasting so much time, she realized that she had to start her day now if she wanted to go to the SW entertainment building on time at 1 in the afternoon. Starting her day going to the gym located on the apartment's first floor, she went back to her room, took a shower, and prepared a healthy salad and protein and cucumber smoothie.

Mina then wore a simple yet stylish outfit for spring; a simple long-sleeved black fitted cropped shirt paired with a A-line mini skirt. Doing her usual no-makeup makeup look, Mina realized that taking this path will never be easy for her and that she should always be prepared for it.

Taking her pepper spray, makeup for retouches, phone, and wallet, she put all of them into her bag as she looked at herself in the mirror one last time.

'You are pretty and talented, Hong Mina,' Mina said to herself, her eyes glinting with so much passion in her. 'You have the right to accept or refuse every opportunity that was given to you. As long as you don't hurt yourself or hurt others in the process, you will be fine. Stick to what you believe is right!'

And with that one last monologue, Mina was able to gather herself and think of everything as an opportunity.

Mina searched for the company building and found out that the company's distance from her apartment was only 1.5 km. She decided to walk since the weather felt great; it was not hot or cold either. It was the perfect day for her to walk and exercise for a bit.

When she arrived in the company, she went to the receiving area where the information booth would check her appointment with the CEO.

"Miss Hong Mina?" The beautiful-looking information desk clerk said in a soft voice, "I just called the CEO's office of the secretary, but I am afraid that your name did not come out as an official visitor of the company. We can't lead you to the CEO's office."

Mina's world turned upside-down the moment she heard that.

"Did I get scammed?" Mina blurted out hastily that she covered her mouth to stop herself, but it was already too late. When she was already calm, she continued to ask the information desk employee, "Is Kim Jeho not the CEO of the company?"

"Y-yes?" The female information employee seemed shocked that I mentioned Jeho's name casually, "Do you mean the son of the CEO of SW entertainment?"

Mina bobbed her head up and down, "Yes,"

"He will be assuming the CEO position in three months," The female employee replied, her facial expression suddenly turned serious. "If you want to meet him, he is currently the highest managing director of the company."

"Okay,"

"I will check with him first, ma'am," The female employee redialed her telephone and called someone, probably the managing director's secretary.

After they finished talking, the female employee hang up the call and turned towards Mina, "It was confirmed, you have a meeting with the managing director at one in the afternoon. Please follow me as I will guide you to his humble office."

"Thank you so much,"

Mina took a deep breath, getting herself ready for whatever obstacle she might come across.

Indeed, she was ready to give up just to enter the company and rise among stable rookie actresses.