Rough Start from the Get-Go
“Ugh...”
I habitually checked my smartphone the moment I opened my eyes. 10 a.m. Since I'd gotten in at dawn yesterday, I woke up later than usual. I dragged my groggy body upright and stretched. Crack. The cheerful pop of my joints snapping into place felt good.
“Sleep well, Maximus?”
I scooped up the little guy wagging his tail from under the bed. He was probably starving since it was later than usual, so I hurriedly grabbed his kibble as he licked at my fingers. Munch munch. Listening to the lively sound of him chomping away, I chugged a glass of cold water. My mind finally started to clear.
Sitting at the kitchen table, I mentally sorted through today's to-do list.
First, report yesterday's events to the boss.
The uninhabited island shoot was a big deal, so I needed to fill him in ASAP. I should call Grandpa too. Since the site turned out to be his land, it was less about permission and more about giving him a heads-up.
'The shoot you okayed? I'm the one going.'
Then I needed to research uninhabited island survival camping videos. I'd fantasized about it before, but reality would be different. Make a gear list too...
The more I thought, the more tasks piled up like a mountain.
“Looks like boredom's out of the picture for a while.”
No more freeloading layabout or resting youth for me. I'd job-changed back into a proper worker prepping for gigs. A proud smile tugged at my lips.
'Alright, let's dive in.'
First up: call Kim Manho.
The line barely rang before his usual steady voice came through.
“Yes, Areum? Good morning.”
“Morning, sir. Calling about work—got something to report.”
“Oh, right—you texted about heading out to meet O Seokgyun yesterday. What happened?”
I gave him the quick rundown: O Seokgyun's summons, the hidden camera, and meeting Ha Bong-seok PD. Kim Manho kept chiming in the whole time.
“Hahaha! Classic Ha Bong-seok PD. A hidden camera, no less.”
“Yeah. So the upshot is... I'm doing an uninhabited island camp. Next week.”
“Uninhabited island, huh... Sounds intriguing. Where at?”
“Well... it's Grandpa's land on Geoje Island.”
“......Pardon?”
I could feel his shock through the phone. I explained the whole story again—from Ha Bong-seok PD's booking landing on Grandpa's island by pure coincidence.
“Heh heh... Small world. Fate's a scary thing.”
“Tell me about it. Anyway, any chance for a meeting? Need to hash out details, and I'd love to bring a Rakgurakgu bed... but it's TV, so not sure if that's doable.”
“Ah, perfect timing. I'm in a meeting with Rakgurakgu's Choi Sora right now.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, she's here for your contract. If your schedule allows, join us.”
What perfect timing. I'd been dying to haul a Rakgurakgu bed to the island, and here was the rep in the flesh. Heaven-sent opportunity.
“Yes! I'm in. When should I head over?”
“Hmm... five minutes.”
“...Pardon?”
“Meeting starts in five.”
“......?”
Five minutes? Did I hear that right? I pulled the phone from my ear and checked the screen—call was fine. Put it back.
“Uh... five minutes?”
“Yes, five minutes from now.”
I stared blankly at my phone. Five minutes. The boss was saying more, but it boiled down to hurry up. Meeting in five—which meant...
'Get your ass here NOW?!'
He should've warned me sooner! Five minutes? What, did he think I had teleportation? But no time for gripes. Rakgurakgu was the client—my first advertiser and future sugar daddy. Couldn't keep them waiting.
“Gahhh!”
I shrieked and bolted from bed. Shower? No time. Makeup? Luxury. Clothes? Grabbed whatever—hoodie and sweats from a few days ago. No mirror check. Slammed on a baseball cap from the entryway, masked up in black. First time going out unwashed since this body, but beggars couldn't be choosers.
“Maximus! Sis'll be back!”
Leaving the confused pup behind, I kicked open the door. Elevator felt eternal. I stomped impatiently as numbers crawled. Ding. Dove into the basement garage, fired up the car, floored it.
Five minutes... five...
No time for nav—the route to the station was burned in. Lunch rush hadn't hit, so roads were clear. Red lights had me drumming the wheel in agony.
Don't be late...
First impressions mattered, and showing up ragged? Disaster. But better disheveled on time than late.
Business manners 101.
Screeched into the station lot, abandoned the car crooked, sprinted to the lobby. No elevator wait—took stairs two at a time via emergency exit.
“Huff... huff...”
Lungs burning. Hit the meeting floor. Checked time: thirty minutes since hanging up.
Doomed.
Five-minute start, now twenty-five late. Meeting probably in full swing. Caught my breath at the door. Heart pounding like a jackhammer.
Apologize first thing.
Knock knock. Opened the door.
Kim Manho and Choi Sora sat facing each other. Their eyes snapped to me.
Door shut, I bowed ninety degrees.
“S-sorry I'm late...!”
Panted it out. Silence. Head down, awaited judgment.
They're pissed. Of course...
First meeting, late? They'd think I was amateur hour. But no scolding came. Instead, puzzled voice.
“...Areum?”
Kim Manho. I peeked up cautiously. No anger—just wide-eyed shock, like they'd seen a ghost.
“How'd you get here... so fast?”
“Huh?”
He checked his watch.
“Weren't we set for two hours from now?”
“...Pardon?”
Brain freeze. Two hours? But he said five minutes...
“On the phone... meeting starts in five...”
Kim Manho's face lit with realization.
“Ah! That was my work meeting in five—with Rakgurakgu details.”
“......”
“I said we'd meet after, in two hours. Did you miss that?”
“......”
Replayed the call. 'Meeting starts in five.' I'd chucked the phone on the bed and scrambled into clothes. He tried saying more, but panic made me hang up.
Probably 'so come in two hours.'
“Ah...”
Sigh escaped. Face burning.
“I... misunderstood...”
Ah... fuck. I was the idiot.
Logically, five minutes made no sense.
“Hahaha! Gotcha. My bad for not clarifying. Sorry.”
“No! I hung up too quick...”
Choi Sora smiled too.
“It's fine, Areum. Nice to see you early, actually?”
Their kindness eased the embarrassment. Kim Manho gestured to a seat.
“Since you're here, join us. Faster with the principal present, right?”
“Yes, we can get your input right away.”
Choi Sora agreed. I slunk to the chair.
“Th-then... excuse me.”
Pulled the cap lower. Vowed no mask removal.
Meeting kicked off.
“This season's marketing focuses on emotion meets utility. Your image fits perfectly.”
“Agreed. But exposure frequency needs tweaking. Overly blatant PPL can backfire.”
“Right. Subtle integration's key. Like...”
Pro terms flew: branding, targeting, engagement... I just nodded blankly between them.
Whoa... cool.
I'd worked corporate before, but never like this. Just slaved mechanically to orders. Here they voiced logic, persuaded, optimized. This was real work.
Choi Sora's eyes sparkled with brand pride. Kim Manho steered shrewdly, defending my interests. I became the yes-bot.
“How's this term, Areum?”
“Uh, yes. Good.”
“This concept okay?”
“Yeah, sure.”
Couldn't say no anyway—top-tier pay, full respect for my input. No-brainer.
About an hour in, MCN-Rakgurakgu contract wrapped.
Kim Manho tidied papers, eyed me.
“Now, today's main topic?”
Turned to Choi Sora.
“Mentioned on the phone, but fill Sora in too? The island thing.”
“Sure.”
Recapped for Choi Sora: Ha Bong-seok PD's booking, island camp, teaming with O Seokgyun. Her eyes widened.
“Uninhabited island? Oh man... that's gold!”
“Huh?”
“Rakgurakgu in extreme conditions? Best promo ever—proves durability and practicality!”
She was already plotting campaigns.
“Plus Ha Bong-seok PD's show? Buzz guaranteed. We'll back you fully, Areum.”
“Th-thanks.”
Marketing pros saw opportunity in crisis.
“Shall we call them now?”
“Now?”
“Shoot's next week—better move fast.”
Choi Sora chimed in.
“Exactly. Strike while the iron's hot.”
Wait, did work always move this quick? I wasn't mentally prepped.
Kim Manho ignored my fluster, pulled his phone.
“Bet Ha PD's here already.”
“...?”
What? Why would he be?
Boss dialed. Picked up instantly. Mischievous grin, switched to speaker.
“Aigoo! Boss—no, President now! Hahaha!”
...That cheeky voice. Straight from TV. Guess that was his business mode, not just on-air. Calling Kim Manho 'headquarters chief' meant old pals. Showbiz was small, huh.
“Haha, long time. Heard you met our creator yesterday.”
“Oh yeah! Areum's great. Stayed cool under fire, and...”
Praise poured: sensible, polite, great on camera. Face heated. Stop... they're hearing this.
“Areum's a gem. Calling to chat pre-shoot. Available?”
“Aigoo! Funny you call—I'm at Next right now! Popped by to see Yu PD, perfect timing!”
No way—he was actually in the building?