Episode 3
—
**HR Media.**
That’s the official name of the company I work for.
It’s one of the many companies in the HR Group, but it’s quite powerful.
Since it’s a “media” company, it’s closely connected to the press, and in terms of money, it’s always in the top 10 within the group.
I work in **Planning Team 2**.
Basically, we create advertisements.
From TV commercials to product placements (PPL) in dramas and movies.
We also make social media ads, short-form videos, YouTube ads — everything related to advertising.
You could say we’re a big player in the ad world.
Some people think we only handle internal ads for our group, but actually, we work more with outside clients.
For example, we recently made the video ads for “Mcdoria” hamburgers.
Simply put, our team directs the ad production — we plan, connect with CF directors, and create different styles and visuals.
The work is tough, but I’m really satisfied with this job.
Coming up with new ad ideas every day is exciting, and more importantly—
**It’s a big company.**
At reunions with old friends:
> “Wow, you made it!”
> “How did you get into HR? That’s huge.”
> “We don’t even get holidays off… Big companies really are different, huh?”
People are always jealous.
Even on blind dates:
> “HR? And the media headquarters? That’s amazing…”
> “Really? You must have great benefits too. Do you plan to stay until retirement?”
> “Let me pay for dinner. How about we go for drinks after? I want to talk more.”
Just having an HR business card makes me a top-tier catch.
So yeah, for lots of reasons—
**“I can’t quit this company.”**
Even though I spent the night drinking and slept with a female intern from my team…
I **could not** leave the company just because of that.
> “I mean, I didn’t do anything wrong, did I?”
It wasn’t forced. We’re both adults, and we both agreed to it.
We even enjoyed it.
> “So it’s not like I have anything to feel guilty about.”
**But still, my leg wouldn’t stop shaking.**
We did sleep together.
And I’m her superior at work.
So I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
> “I can handle this, right?”
Actually, **I need** to handle this.
—
**“You’re early, Mr. Song.”**
**“Oh, hey, Sia.”**
At Sinnonhyeon Station, Exit 3.
I arrived 5 minutes early — but Yusia was already waiting.
**“You changed clothes too?”**
At the office, she wore a casual office outfit.
Now, she had on a V-neck blouse showing her collarbone and an H-line skirt with a slit on one thigh.
A look that was hard to ignore — showing off her figure.
**“Yeah. I got a little sweaty at work, so I changed.”**
Her home isn’t nearby, so she must’ve taken a taxi.
**“I made a reservation at a steak and pasta place. Is that okay?”**
**“Sounds great.”**
**“It’s this way.”**
We started walking.
Honestly, she’s always been attractive. Even on the busy Gangnam street, guys were openly checking her out.
Of course, I didn’t sleep with her just because I was drunk — she’s clearly attractive.
I could feel people looking at her, and then looking at me.
It made me feel a weird sense of pride, so I quickly shook it off.
We arrived at a cozy steakhouse.
**“I’ll have the beef tenderloin steak.”**
She picked the first thing on the menu.
**“I’ll take the shrimp rosé pasta.”**
I chose the last one.
I thought we’d have a serious talk about what happened last week.
But…
**“I heard you used to play baseball?”**
**“Yeah.”**
Just normal chit-chat.
**“Were you a real athlete?”**
**“Until college.”**
**“Wow, amazing. I’ve never met an athlete before.”**
**“Are you teasing me?”**
**“No! My family, especially my grandpa, loves baseball. Do you still play?”**
**“… It’s just a memory now.”**
I used to be the ace pitcher in middle school, high school, and college.
I even dreamed of going pro.
But a shoulder injury ruined it all.
Back in college, during the championship game—
Even though doctors warned me not to, I played one last time and pitched a perfect game.
We won.
But afterward—
**“Your shoulder is beyond repair. You can’t play anymore.”**
Right before the pro draft, my career was over.
It was heartbreaking.
But life goes on.
Luckily, I had good grades and managed to switch to studying early.
That’s how I ended up at HR Media.
Looking back, maybe quitting baseball was a blessing.
Even if I went pro, I probably wouldn’t have lasted long.
**I still miss baseball. But I value a good life more.**
**“What was your major, Sia?”**
**“Business.”**
**“Safe choice.”**
**“Yeah, my dad suggested it.”**
**“Smart guy.”**
We kept talking about work, life, and random things until the food came.
And I started thinking:
> “She’s actually pretty fun to talk to.”
I’d known her at work, but we hadn’t had real personal conversations.
Now that we were alone, she felt totally different — not just a new employee, but an interesting woman.
If this were a blind date, I’d definitely want to see her again.
**“Here’s your food!”**
Pasta and steak were served.
But before eating, she raised her hand.
**“Can we see the wine list?”**
**“Sure.”**
**WINE?!**
That brought me back to reality.
Wines here were expensive. Steak and pasta alone cost enough already.
Now wine too?
> “She ordered a wine that costs over 100,000 won (about \$75)!”
> “Is she always like this? That’s gonna be a problem.”
Yusia might be pretty and stylish…
**But that’s not enough for marriage.**
She even picked some fancy Italian wine — not a cheap one.
> “How much debt is she putting herself in every month?”
I started to get dizzy thinking about my credit card bill.
**“Mr. Song?”**
**“Huh?”**
**“What are you thinking?”**
**“Oh, nothing…”**
> “Why did she order wine? Does she even know this one?”
**“I haven’t tried it, but the ones I usually drink weren’t on the list.”**
Right. People like us drink house wine or cheap sparkling wine from the grocery store.
> “Sia, do you save money?” I asked.
**“Not really.”**
**“I just don’t see the need.”**
**What?!**
Buying expensive wine, not saving, not planning for the future?!
That’s dangerous!
**In the end, her future husband would be stuck with the burden.**
She leaned forward a little.
Her eyes sparkled. Her collarbone caught the light.
**“By the way… Mr. Song.”**
**“Yeah?”**
**“You’re single, right?”**
She came in strong — no warning.
But I was wide awake now.
**“Yeah.”**
**“Good to hear.”** She smiled.
But I responded seriously.
**“Sia, about last Friday. Let’s not think of that as the start of a relationship.”**
**“Oh, of course not! I think it’s better to take things slow.”**
No, that’s not what I meant.
I had to be clear.
**“To be honest… I prefer people who live frugally.”**
**“What?”**
**“Like… Do you even have a housing savings account?”**
**“Housing… account?”**
She clearly didn’t know.
**“See? I knew it. I want a partner who plans for the future.”**
**“You should save at least 20% of your salary. Don’t take taxis all the time. Use your phone until the contract ends. Avoid impulse spending. Plan for the future.”**
She blinked, confused.
**“Also, you have lots of luxury items. You travel a lot…”**
I hesitated, but continued.
**“Honestly, you seem… a bit materialistic.”**
**“What…?”**
**“Like that bag. It’s obviously designer. That’s way too expensive for a new employee. Even if it’s fake, the fact that you’re carrying it is a red flag—”**
**“It’s not fake. It’s real.”**
**“That’s worse. You must’ve bought it on installment, right? I can’t handle that.”**
**“It was a gift…”**
**“That’s still a problem. Who gives such expensive gifts without expecting something? You shouldn’t accept stuff like that.”**
**Bzzz.**
My phone rang.
**“Sorry, but I don’t think I can handle someone like you.”**
**“Wait, Mr. Song, I—”**
**\[Caller: Manager Ma Won-ho]**
**“Sorry, it’s my boss. Might be urgent.”**
I stood up to take the call.
Yusia sat there, staring blankly.
> “What just happened…?”
> “Did he misunderstand everything…?”
She hadn’t told anyone about her background, so now she wasn’t sure what to do.
**Bzzzt!**
A text message came in.
**\[From: Grandpa ♥]**
> Did you eat dinner, Sia?
> I forgot to give you your holiday gift. Just sent it.
> Let me know if you want anything for your birthday.
> Don’t worry about stocks or shares. Just tell me what you want.
> The money is already taxed, so feel free to use it ^^
**\[From: Hanri Bank]**
> Deposit: 1,000,000,000 KRW (from Yoo Jin-gap)
Yusia looked at Song Jin-sung’s empty seat again.
**“…He called *me* materialistic?”**
