L'ÉTOILE SEOUL – RESTAURANT PRIVATE SECTION (NIGHT)
(The atmosphere inside the luxury dining room is buzzing with laughter. The corporate project team has cleared half their plates, and the tension from the office has completely melted away. An energetic and bubbly employee, Ji-ah, stands up, clapping her hands to gather everyone's attention.)
Ji-ah:Alright, everyone! Attention, please! Instead of just mindlessly stuffing our faces with food, we should make this night memorable. Let's play a game!
(The rest of the employees nod excitedly, shouting their agreement. Ji-ah turns her attention toward the head of the table where Lee is sitting.)
Ji-ah:Mr. Lee, is it okay if we play a game? You don't mind, right?Lee: (Manning the mood smoothly, nodding in agreement) Sure, go ahead. We can play.
Ji-ah: (Excitedly pulling an empty premium glass bottle from the table) Perfect! Let's play Truth or Dare!
(Just as the team starts clapping in anticipation, the heavy glass doors of the private section slide open. Kang steps inside with a cold, imposing stance, with Mr. Park right behind him. The entire room instantly drops into a shocked, suffocating silence. Employees freeze midway through their gestures, staring at their intimidating CEO.)
Kang: (With a flat, piercing tone, adjusting his cuffs) We will play too.(The team gasps quietly. Mr. Park steps forward, immediately looking toward Eun and Won to break the ice.)
Mr. Park: (With a friendly smile) Good evening. We have arrived as well.Lee: (His face instantly stiffening as his fingers tighten on his wine glass, standing up to confront Kang) Mr. Kang? You're here... If you wanted to join us, you should have come with us in the first place
.Kang: (Walking past Lee with complete indifference, his eyes locking onto Eun for a split second) I had some urgent corporate operations to finish at my desk, so I didn't think I'd make it. But since my work wrapped up early, I decided to show up. (Looking straight at Lee, his voice laced with cold arrogance) Why, Mr. Lee? Are you not happy to see me here?Lee: (Forcing a stiff, polite laugh to hide his brewing fury) Of course it's not that. Please, take a seat.
Kang: (Flatly) Sure.(Kang and Mr. Park march directly over and sit on the empty chairs directly opposite Eun and Won. Eun's heart skips a beat as Kang sits right across from her. She immediately diverts her gaze, looking down to avoid his burning eyes.)
Eun: (To herself, her chest tightening in utter confusion) What on earth is wrong with him today? Why did he suddenly change his mind and crash this party? His presence is making it so hard to breathe...
Ji-ah: (Gulping nervously, breaking the awkward silence) Ahem... s-sir, are you really sure you want to play with us?
Mr. Park: (Laughing it off) Oh, absolutely! Don't mind us at all.
Kang: (Leaning forward, resting his chin on his crossed hands) Go on. Spin it. What exactly were the rules you were discussing?
Ji-ah:Well, sir... we are playing Truth or Dare. According to the standard rules, whoever refuses to complete a dare or tell the truth has to take a heavy penalty shot of alcohol.
Won: (Suddenly waving her hand, a clever smirk on her face) Wait a minute! Hold on! If we do that, people will just casually make up lies or do boring things just to avoid drinking. Let's spice it up! Whoever the bottle points to doesn't get a choice—they HAVE to take the penalty drink instead!
(The entire team bursts into laughter and applause, completely loving the high-stakes twist.)
Team Members:Wow, Won! That's a brutal rule! Yes, let's do it that way!
(Kang keeps his eyes entirely fixed on Eun, watching her nervous expressions. Eun senses his intense gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly as she stubbornly keeps her eyes fixed on the center table.)
Ji-ah: (Placing the empty glass bottle in the exact center of the round table) Alright, no turning back now! Here goes the first spin!
(Ji-ah vigorously spins the bottle. The glass spins rapidly, its reflection catching the ambient lights of the restaurant. It slowly decelerates, clicking against the plates, before finally stopping. The tip of the bottle points directly at Yoona, a quiet employee from the design team.)
JI AH : WHAT DO YOU WANT .?
YOONA :HUH TRUTH
Won: (Excitedly jumping in) I'll ask the question! Yoona, no escaping this! Do you currently have a crush on someone in this room or the office?
(Yoona turns bright red. Her eyes nervously drift toward Kang for a split second before she looks down, biting her lip, whispering softly.)
Yoona:Actually... it's not a crush. I... I already have a boyfriend.
Eun: (Gasping, her eyes widening in pure shock) What?! Yoona, you have a boyfriend? You literally never mentioned this to any of us in the department!Won: (Slapping the table, laughing out loud) Oh ho! Look at her blushing! This is huge!
(The entire table erupts into loud cheers, shouting "Ohhhhh!" and teasing Yoona, completely forgetting the corporate hierarchy for a moment.)
Ji-ah: (Laughing, raising her hands to calm everyone down) Alright, alright! Quiet down, everyone! That's enough teasing for the first round. Let's move on to the next spin!
Won:Yes, yes! Let's move forward, but first, take your drink, Yoona!
Yoona:Alright, fine! I'm drinking!
(Yoona takes the shot of alcohol. The entire room cheers. Ji-ah reaches for the empty glass bottle in the center of the round table, spinning it with power. The glass clicks rapidly against the plates before slowly decelerating. The tip of the bottle gradually halts and points directly at Won. Won's smile instantly drops.)
Won:Oh, no! Not me! Alright, look... I'm definitely taking the Dare! There's no way I'm choosing Truth
.Team Members:Oooooh! A Dare! This is going to be good! But wait, who gets to decide the dare for Won?
Yoona: (Instantly raising both hands, her eyes twinkling with sweet revenge) Please! Let me give it! I have the perfect dare for her. Let me do the honors!Ji-ah: (Giggling) Go ahead, Yoona! Make her pay for grilling you!Yoona: (Tapping her chin, thinking deeply) Let's see... what should I give you...
Team Member 2:Make her dance! Make her do a funny K-pop routine!Yoona:No, no! Dancing is too old and cliché. It needs to be something unique, something spicy!
Won: (Groaning, crossing her arms impatiently) Oh, come on! Just say it already! Spit it out, Yoona!
Yoona: (A clever, mischievous smirk playing on her lips) Alright, I've got it! Out of all the men sitting in this room right now, you have to go and give a kiss on the cheek to the one you like the most!
(The entire room falls into absolute shock before exploding into massive hooting and wild cheers. Won's eyes widen to the size of saucers.)
Won: (Her voice cracking in sheer panic) WHAT?! Are you out of your mind?! No! Absolutely not! I am not doing something like that!Eun: (Stepping in defensively, looking at Yoona) Yeah, Yoona... come on, that's a bit too much. Let's change it to something normal.
Team Members:No way! No backing out! A dare is a dare! If you choose it, you have to execute it! Come on, Won! Go for it!
Lee: (Smiling smoothly, thoroughly enjoying the chaotic office drama) Yeah, Won, don't worry about it. It's just a harmless game. You can totally do this.
(On the other side of the table, Mr. Park instantly turns stiff. Panic surges through his entire body. His chest tightens up as he glares at the table, his mind screaming in possessive jealousy. The absolute thought of Won kissing any other man in this room makes him want to flip the table.)
Won: (Biting her lip, calculating furiously, her eyes secretly darting to Mr. Park's panicked face) Fine! If everyone insists... I'll do it.
Eun: (Turning to her in utter disbelief, gasping) What?! Won, are you serious right now? You're actually going to do it?
Won: (Nodding firmly, a secret glint in her eyes) Yes, Eun. But I have one strict condition. Everyone in this room has to close their eyes completely! No cheating!
Yoona: (Pouting, waving her hand) Huh? That's completely unfair! Where is the fun if we can't see it?
Won: (Stubbornly) No, those are my terms! Either everyone closes their eyes right now, or I'm not doing it. Only then will I proceed.Yoona: (Sighing in defeat) Fine, fine! But the catch is, whoever gets kissed by Won has to confess it afterward, okay? Deal!
(Turning to the executives) Mr. Kang, Mr. Lee... and Mr. Park, please close your eyes too! No peeking!
Kang: (With a flat, emotionless tone, closing his eyes) Yeah, fine.
(The entire dining room goes pitch black as every single employee shuts their eyes tightly. Mr. Park closes his eyes, his heart hammering against his ribs in sheer agony, dreading the next few seconds.)
(Won quietly gets up from her premium leather chair. She moves silently, her footsteps completely muffled by the rich restaurant carpet. She walks past Lee... passes right behind Kang... and stops directly behind Mr. Park. She leans down softly, her heart racing, and presses a gentle, lingering kiss right onto Mr. Park's flushed cheek. Before he can even open his eyes, she swiftly speeds back to her seat and slides into her chair.)
(Mr. Park's eyes snap wide open. He sits completely frozen, his face turning bright crimson, looking like he has just been hit by a lightning bolt of sheer shock.)
Won: (Shouting out, trying to sound casual) Alright, everyone! You can open your eyes now!
(Everyone blinks their eyes open, instantly turning to look around the round table.)
Yoona: (Leaning forward, scanning the room frantically) Oye, Won! Who did you kiss? Come on, spill the tea! (Looking at the male employees) Did anyone get it? Was it you
Male Employee 1: Not me! I didn't feel a thing!
Male Employee 2: Man, I wish, but my cheek is entirely dry!
Lee: (Smirking, looking suspiciously at Won) Won, did you actually kiss someone, or did you just sneakily sit back down without doing anything?
Won: (Forcing a calm smirk, picking up a heavy shot glass of alcohol) I did exactly what I had to do. The rule said the person who gets kissed has to reveal it, and he will when the time is right. But since Yoona wants her penalty, I'm taking my shot anyway!
(Won confidently drinks the penalty shot, slamming the glass down onto the table.)
Won: There! Now let's move the bottle forward! Next round!
Eun: (Whispering curiously, nudging her) But seriously, Won... who did you actually kiss? Tell me!
(Meanwhile, Kang notices Mr. Park sitting completely rigid, looking entirely shocked and flushed red.)
Kang: Hey, Park... what's wrong with you? Why are you turning so red? Did you...
Mr. Park: (IN shock nodding his head slowly in a dazed state.
)Kang: (Bursting into loud laughter, pointing at him) Oh! So it was you?! Hey guys... the lucky man is Mr. Park!
(The entire room drops into a sudden gasp of shock—"What?! Mr. Park?!" Eun turns around to look directly at Won, while Won blushes furiously and buries her face in her hands.)
Eun: Oh ho! So out of all the guys present here, you think Mr. Park is the best-looking one? Oh wow, Won!
Won: (Covering her face with her hands, blushing furiously) Eun, stop it! Just drop it already! The round is over, let's just move the bottle!
JI AH : OK EOUNGH GUYS LETS NAEXT ROUND OK >
(After Won's dare is completed, the bottle spins once again. This time, it stops right in front of Dean Lee. Seeing this, everyone at the table cheers with excitement.)
Park: (Smiling and clapping) Oh, Mr. Lee! Finally, it's your turn. So, what will you choose—Truth or Dare?
Lee: Truth.
Ji-ah: (Excitedly) So, who is going to ask Mr. Lee the question? Eun, will it be you, or someone else?
(Kang's eyes have been fixed on Lee the entire time. Seizing the opportunity, he immediately cuts in.)
Kang: I'll ask the question this time. Lee, is that fine with you?Lee: (With a calm, confident smile) Why not? Go ahead.
(A sudden silence falls over the table. Eun and Won begin whispering to each other.)
Eun: (In a low voice) Won, what is suddenly going on between them? What is Mr. Kang going to ask?
Won: (Whispering back) I don't know, let's see. These two are always ready to compete anyway. I just hope they don't start fighting.
Kang: (Staring directly into Lee's eyes) Alright. So, you are a big businessman. Even though you barely get time away from your work... do you secretly like someone?
Lee: (Pausing slightly) Huh?... That... Yes, I do like someone. I have liked her since childhood
.(The moment Lee says this, Won and Eun both look at each other in utter shock. A deep sense of confusion is visible on both of their faces, wondering who Lee is actually talking about.)
Won: (Anxiously thinking to himself) What? Since childhood? Is he talking about Eun? Or could it be.
..Kang: (Smiling triumphantly to himself) I knew it!
(Hearing Lee's confession, everyone else at the table is completely taken aback.)
Park: (Leaning forward in surprise) What, Mr. Lee? Does she know that you have liked her since childhood?
Lee: No... but she will be with me very soon. Then, I will personally introduce her to all of you.Ji-ah: (Thrilled) Oh wow! This game is really bringing out everyone's deepest secrets. Mr. Lee has a childhood crush... Eun and Won, you both are his childhood friends, did you know about this?
Eun: (Shaking her head in confusion) Huh? I had absolutely no idea about this.
Won: (Quickly changing the subject) Huh? Me neither. Let's drop this topic now... Enough of this game, let's stop it
.Yoo-na: Why, Won? It was getting interesting! Why are you suddenly stopping the game?
(Meanwhile, Lee covertly places his phone on his lap and begins typing a message. Kang's sharp eyes notice this immediately. Eun also stares at Lee in shock, her mind racing. She begins to suspect whether Lee's feelings are directed toward Won or herself.)
(Suddenly, Eun's brother, Kim Jae, walks through the restaurant door.)
Kim Jae: Hi, Eun!
(Hearing her brother's voice, Eun is completely startled and abruptly stands up from her chair to walk toward him. Won freezes in his seat upon seeing him.)
Won: (Eyes wide in disbelief) Kim Jae?!(Park immediately notices the sudden shift in Won's expression. Everyone at the table stares intently at Won and Kim Jae.)
Yoo-na: (Whispering to Kang) Who is that?
Kang: Who is this new guy now? (He glances toward Park)Park: (Shaking his head, perplexed) Don't look at me, I have no idea!
(Kim Jae steps forward and pulls Eun into a tight hug. Seeing this intimacy, a flash of jealousy hits Kang, and he tightly grips the tablecloth under the table out of frustration. Lee leans back in his chair, watching them with a cold, unreadable expression.)
Eun: (In disbelief) Brother! How come you are here?(Silence blankets the table once more.)
Kang: (Muttering under his breath, looking at Park) Brother? That's her brother?Park: Yeah, I heard him too.Kim Jae: Well, I came here to meet you. But later, I found out you were here for your project approval dinner
.Eun: But who told you I was at this restaurant?Kim Jae: Lee did.Lee: (In a serious, steady voice) Yes, I knew Jae was coming to town today. Eun, this was a surprise from my side for you.
Kim Jae: Yep! So, how did you like my surprise?Eun: (Sighing with relief) Yes, it's very nice.Kim Jae: (Looking around the room) By the way... where is 'My Girl'?
(Kim Jae's eyes land on Won. He immediately walks over to her and pulls her into a warm hug. Park's jaw drops in utter shock. For a split second, a look of heartbreak crosses Park's face, but he refuses to create a scene in public. Controlling his emotions completely, he slowly picks up his water glass, takes a sip, and forces a mature smile onto his face.)
Won: (Gently pushing Kim Jae away, blushing and speaking in a low voice) Jae! Stop calling me 'My Girl' first. My office colleagues are sitting right here
.Kim Jae: (Laughing) It's okay!
(Turning to the rest of the table) So, do you mind if I join you all? Is it fine with everyone?Park: (Keeping his voice remarkably calm and composed) Of course... please take a seat. We don't mind at all.
(Reassured by Park's polite response, the others smile and agree as well. Only Park's inner self is hurting, but from the outside, he appears completely unfazed.)
Lee: Absolutely, Jae. Come, join us.
(Final Scene)(A little later, dinner concludes. Everyone thanks Mr. Lee and says their goodbyes as they exit the restaurant. Kang, Park, Eun, Won, Jae, and Lee all walk toward the parking lot together.)(Suddenly, Eun trips over a stray stone and loses her balance. Kang swiftly moves forward and catches her securely in his arms. At that exact moment, Lee also lunges forward to catch her, but stops dead in his tracks when he sees Kang reached her first.)
(For a few intense seconds, Kang and Eun lock eyes, lost in the moment. A mixture of anger and deep helplessness washes over Lee's face. He wants to step in and take Eun's hand himself, but right then, the phone in his pocket rings loudly.)(Seeing the 'Secret Caller' ID flashing on the screen, Lee's expression turns deadly serious. Trapped by circumstance, he cannot go to Eun. He is forced to step away to a secluded corner of the parking lot to answer the call.)
Lee: (In a low, frustrated whisper) What is it? Why are you calling me right now? Is... is it absolutely necessary for me to come over tonight? (He listens for a moment, closing his eyes in defeat) Fine. I'm on my way.
(Meanwhile, Kim Jae steps right between Kang and Eun, breaking their gaze and separating them.)
Kim Jae: (Trying to lighten the tension) Who a there, what exactly is going on between you two?
(Eun quickly composes herself and steps back, breaking away from Kang. Just then, Lee hangs up the phone and walks back to them, visibly heavy-hearted.)
Lee: (Looking into Eun's eyes, his voice laced with regret) I'm sorry, Eun... but a highly urgent matter has come up, and I have to leave immediately. I was planning to drop you home, but...
Eun: (Giving him a reassuring smile) It's totally fine, Lee. No problem at all. Go ahead and take care of your work.
(Bound by obligation, Lee takes one long, reluctant look at Eun, shoots a sharp glance at Kang, and gets into his car. He drives off into the night, leaving the rest of them watching him leave as the scene fades out on a cliffhanger.)