HR DIRECTOR KWON BO-AH

The large clear glass spells out on the mahogany door.

Facing the personal assistant, who sits outside the door.

Soo-Ha nervously approaches, "Excuse me, I'm Park Soo-Ha, a third year trainee, I'd like to speak to Director Bo-ah please."

The secretory doesn't look at him just yet as she continues to type on her keyboard seemingly ignoring his entire existence as he stands still, idly playing with his thumbs.

Unsure if he should repeat himself or whether to wait for a response.

After what seems like an eternity, she finally scratches the top of her head before telling him to take a seat, which he does.

Picking up the phone, she dials a number as she waits for the person to respond.

As the dial tone echoes in the room.

It takes three rings before a feminine voice answers.

"Yes?"

"Director, there is someone here to meet you" The personal assistant says with all the enthusiasm of a euthanize patient as she beckons Soo-ha to come over and speak into the receiver.

Quickly scurrying into position, Soo-Ha speaks, "Sorry for disturbing director. I'm Park Soo-Ha, a third year trainee, I'd like to cancel my contract."

A loud sigh comes from her end, before simply stating that, "I got time. Let him in"

Taking her invitation I enter push open the door facing the beautiful lady who is seated in her chair.

Kwon Bo-ah, the legendary soloist, who dominated the charts in the early 2000s.

Although she is only 30 this year, don't let her age fool you. She has been in this business for 20 years already.

And if Soo-Ha knows anything, it is that those who are able to survive this long are either angels blessed with the luck of god himself or devils whose greed has turned them into monsters.

Either way, they are existences not to be trifled with.

Seeing Soo-Ha enter , she beckons for to take a seat as she heads to a filing cabinet quickly locating the document she is searching for.

"Park Soo-ha-ssi" She asks in a tone which is neither questioning nor confirmative, as she opens up the document.

"1st in visual ranking for the past two years" She reads before facing him as if to confirm the records, "Well I can see that"

"Above Average in dancing, Above average vocals, highly talented in music creation and most likely candidate to debut in upcoming boy group. Overall signed onto an A-level, in year 3 of a 7 year trainee contract"

Soo-Ha nods as she continues to list down further facts.

"You said you wanted to cancel your contract?"

"Yes"

"Why? Is it to do with your father who passed away recently? Are you planning to quit and start part time jobs, because if you are the Company can help you?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I recently realised that my dream is not with MS entertainment"

"Did you get a better offer from somewhere else?"

"No ma'am, I just feel that MS and I don't get along"

Flipping over the pages she heads to a certain clause, "Any unilateral termination of the trainee contract by the trainee, will be subject to a penalty fee in the amount of 50 000 000 won (50 000 USD) within a 5 year period at the prescribed national interest rate."

In 2017, the Fair Trade Commission amended such penalty clauses to be more reasonable and less predatory but for now its law, and I expected that.

"Any trainee who has been waived or alternatively terminates their agreement is unable to join a competitor within the next 12 months. Do you understand what these things mean?"

"Yes ma'am, In regards to the penalty fee. I understand its about 12 million won per year, and I don't have any plans on joining another agency"

"Are you sure about this? And are you certain you wont regret this?"

"No ma'am. I might regret this for the rest of my life"

She smiles at his answer as she takes a form before placing it in front of him.

"Good. I wish you the best of luck. Park Soo-Ha-ssi, now sign here"

***

Entering the house after the long day.

A sorrowful sight of the past seemed to be before his eyes.

Vowing to himself, this is another thing he will have to fix it better this time.

The familiar sight of his mother staring blanking at the powered off TV screen not even bothering to turn on the lights; all while his brother is huddled in his room with the door closed.

The grievous and empty atmosphere chokes one as the enter, it is one of the reasons why Soo-Ha had done everything he could not to be here for any longer than need be.

But not this time.

He knew now that the only cure his family needed was emotional warmth and time....

And he'd do everything he could to fix them.... and himself.