Tú Corea, mi mundo.

Character Continuity / Visual Reference · Alex · * 28-year-old Spanish graphic designer at Aurora Entertainment. · * Bright, naturally orange hair, always orange, and a clearly visible, well-kept beard. · * Friendly, spontaneous, affectionate, and humorous. · * Seo-yeon's official boyfriend. · * Drives a glossy black Kia K5 sports sedan with a black interior. · * Recently returned from Spain, where he reconnected with his family and old friends. · Han Seo-yeon · * 27-year-old South Korean actress. · * Long dark-brown hair, expressive dark-brown eyes, delicate features, and a warm, reserved smile. · * Elegant and naturally stylish. · * Alex's official girlfriend. · * Comfortable showing affection to Alex, although she remains naturally reserved in public. · Mr. Park · * Seo-yeon's trusted driver. · * Professional, observant, and discreet. · ⸻ · Scene 1 — A Little Nervous · LOCATION: Inside Alex's glossy black Kia K5, driving through Seoul. · TIME: Friday evening, approximately 6:30 PM. · LIGHTING: City lights reflect across the windows as the sky darkens. · SETTING: Mr. Park drives. Alex sits beside Seo-yeon in the rear passenger seats. · Alex adjusts the cuff of his black suit jacket for the third time. · Seo-yeon notices. · SEO-YEON: You're going to wreck that sleeve. · Alex stops. · ALEX: Just making sure it still works. · SEO-YEON: It's a sleeve, Alex. Doesn't have a lot of functions. · He looks at her. · ALEX: Sure, laugh now. Wait till it fails me in front of a room full of important people. · Seo-yeon laughs softly. · She looks elegant in a simple evening dress, her long dark-brown hair styled neatly around her shoulders. Alex wears a well-fitted black suit, a white shirt, and a dark tie. His bright orange hair stands out against the dark interior of the car. · SEO-YEON: Nervous? · Alex considers pretending otherwise. · ALEX: A little. · SEO-YEON: Why? · ALEX: Because I'm walking into a gala with a famous actress, and I have zero idea what I'm even supposed to do once we get there. · She gives him a reassuring smile. · SEO-YEON: You don't need to do anything special. Just stick with me. · Alex looks at her. · ALEX: That part's easy enough. · Her expression softens. · She reaches for his hand, intertwining their fingers. · SEO-YEON: Then nothing to worry about. · He squeezes her hand gently. · ALEX: What if I say something embarrassing by accident? · SEO-YEON: I'll pretend I don't know you. · Alex looks at her in mock disbelief. · ALEX: Great. Very reassuring. · She laughs and rests her head briefly against his shoulder. · The car continues through the illuminated streets of Seoul. · For a moment, neither says anything. Alex looks down at their joined hands and realizes that his nervousness has almost disappeared. · ⸻ · Scene 2 — Together in the Spotlight · LOCATION: Exterior entrance of an elegant film-industry gala venue. · TIME: Friday evening, approximately 7:00 PM. · LIGHTING: Bright event lighting, camera flashes, and warm lights illuminating the entrance. · SETTING: Guests arrive at the venue while photographers wait behind barriers. · The Kia K5 pulls up near the entrance. · Mr. Park gets out and opens the door. · Seo-yeon steps out first, followed by Alex. · Several photographers recognize her immediately. Cameras begin flashing. · PHOTOGRAPHER: Han Seo-yeon! Over here, please! · Seo-yeon turns toward the cameras with a practiced smile. · Then she looks back at Alex and offers him her hand. · He takes it and steps beside her. · PHOTOGRAPHER: Both of you, this way! · Alex briefly glances at Seo-yeon. · She gives his hand a small squeeze. · SEO-YEON: You're doing fine. · ALEX: I haven't done anything yet. · SEO-YEON: Exactly my point. · He laughs, and she smiles at him. · The photographers capture the moment. · They pose together for a few photographs. Alex is slightly awkward at first, but soon relaxes. Seo-yeon stays close to him, making the experience feel less intimidating. · PHOTOGRAPHER: One more! · Alex looks toward the cameras, then down at Seo-yeon. · She looks back at him, smiling naturally. · The cameras flash again. · For a brief moment, the photographs capture something more genuine than a carefully arranged public appearance: two people who are simply happy to be standing together. · They enter the venue hand in hand. · ⸻ · Scene 3 — Her World, Their Evening · LOCATION: Inside the gala venue, elegant reception hall. · TIME: Friday evening, approximately 7:30 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm chandeliers and soft golden lighting illuminate the room. · SETTING: Actors, directors, producers, and guests mingle around tables. A stage stands at one end of the hall. · Seo-yeon introduces Alex to a few colleagues. · Alex shakes hands, exchanges polite greetings, and does his best to remember everyone's names. · After meeting another guest, he leans slightly toward Seo-yeon. · ALEX: How many people have I met now? · SEO-YEON: I don't know. Six, maybe? · ALEX: Six? · SEO-YEON: Seven, if you count the one whose name you already forgot. · He looks at her. · ALEX: I was hoping you hadn't noticed that. · SEO-YEON: Oh, I noticed. · She smiles and takes a sip of water. · They move toward a quieter part of the reception hall while a speech begins onstage. · For a few moments, they stand side by side, watching the audience. · ALEX: You seem really comfortable here. · Seo-yeon glances at him. · SEO-YEON: I've done plenty of these. · ALEX: Figured. · She studies his expression. · SEO-YEON: Weird for you? · ALEX: A little. Not in a bad way, though. · He looks around the room. · ALEX: Interesting seeing this side of your life. Usually I just get the version that steals my coffee and roasts my cooking. · SEO-YEON: Your cooking earns every bit of that. · ALEX: Knew you'd say that. · She laughs. · Then her expression becomes more thoughtful. · SEO-YEON: Glad you came tonight. · Alex turns toward her. · ALEX: Glad you asked me to. · She slips her hand into his. · They remain together as the speech continues, occasionally exchanging quiet comments and amused looks. · For Seo-yeon, the evening feels different from the events she usually attends. She doesn't have to leave this part of her life separate from the person she loves. · And for Alex, being here no longer feels like stepping into a world where he doesn't belong. · He is simply beside her. · ⸻ · Scene 4 — The Night Isn't Over · LOCATION: Inside the Kia K5, parked outside Seo-yeon's apartment building. · TIME: Friday night, approximately 10:45 PM. · LIGHTING: Soft streetlights fall across the car windows. The apartment building entrance glows in the background. · SETTING: Mr. Park has driven them back from the gala. Alex and Seo-yeon sit together in the rear seats. · Seo-yeon has relaxed against the seat, her evening bag resting on her lap. · Alex loosens his tie slightly. · SEO-YEON: So? · ALEX: So what? · SEO-YEON: How was your first gala? · He pretends to consider the question carefully. · ALEX: Food was good. · Seo-yeon gives him a look. · SEO-YEON: Alex. · ALEX: People were nice. · SEO-YEON: And? · He turns toward her, smiling. · ALEX: And being there with you was easily the best part. · Her expression softens. · SEO-YEON: You don't have to say that just because I asked. · ALEX: I'm not. It's true. · She looks down at their hands. · SEO-YEON: I was a little worried you wouldn't enjoy it. · ALEX: Why's that? · SEO-YEON: Not exactly your usual scene. · Alex considers this. · ALEX: Maybe not. But it's part of your life. Wanted to see it. · He pauses. · ALEX: Plus I got to spend the whole evening with you. Pretty solid trade, honestly. · Seo-yeon smiles and rests her head on his shoulder. · SEO-YEON: You're making it really hard to not like you so much. · ALEX: I've got other selling points too. My coffee's excellent. · She laughs against his shoulder. · For a little while, they remain quiet. · Then Mr. Park turns slightly from the front. · MR. PARK: We're here. · Seo-yeon lifts her head. · Neither she nor Alex moves immediately. · SEO-YEON: Right. · ALEX: Right. · They look at each other and laugh softly at their own reluctance. · Finally, Seo-yeon reaches for the door. · ⸻ · Scene 5 — Just A Little Longer · LOCATION: Outside Seo-yeon's apartment building, entrance area. · TIME: Friday night, approximately 10:55 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm entrance lights and soft streetlights illuminate the quiet residential street. · SETTING: The gala has ended. The street is peaceful, with very few people passing by. · Alex walks Seo-yeon to the building entrance. · She turns toward him, holding her small evening bag. · SEO-YEON: Thanks for coming with me tonight. · ALEX: Thanks for asking me. · She smiles. · SEO-YEON: You did well, honestly. · ALEX: Only forgot one person's name. · SEO-YEON: Two. · He looks at her in disbelief. · ALEX: You could've let me have that one. · She laughs. · Alex looks toward the car, then back at her. · ALEX: Should probably let you get some rest. · SEO-YEON: Probably. · Neither moves. · A few seconds pass. · ALEX: You're not really making this easy. · SEO-YEON: I'm just standing here. · ALEX: Exactly my point. · Seo-yeon smiles, then steps closer and wraps her arms around him. · Alex embraces her, resting his cheek against her hair. · They stay together for a few quiet moments. · When she finally pulls back, she looks up at him. · SEO-YEON: Want to come up for a bit? · Alex's expression brightens. · ALEX: You sure? It's pretty late. · SEO-YEON: Alex, I'm inviting you up, not to another gala. · He laughs. · ALEX: In that case, absolutely. · She takes his hand and leads him toward the entrance. · Before opening the door, she glances back at him. · SEO-YEON: You know, you don't always have to wait around for me to invite you. · Alex looks at her. · ALEX: Meaning? · SEO-YEON: If you want to spend more time together, you can just say so. · He smiles, a little shyly. · ALEX: Pretty sure you've noticed I already do. · Her expression becomes tender. · SEO-YEON: Yeah. I have. · She opens the door, and they enter together. · ⸻ · Scene 6 — Home, For Tonight · LOCATION: Seo-yeon's apartment, living room, inside. · TIME: Friday night, approximately 11:15 PM. · LIGHTING: Warm floor lamps illuminate the comfortable living room. The city lights shine through the windows. · SETTING: The apartment is quiet. Seo-yeon has changed into comfortable home clothes, and Alex has taken off his suit jacket and tie. · Seo-yeon returns from the kitchen carrying two cups of tea. · Alex sits on the sofa, looking more relaxed than he did at the beginning of the evening. · She hands him a cup and sits beside him. · SEO-YEON: Better? · Alex looks around the room. · ALEX: Much better. · SEO-YEON: No photographers. No speeches. No names to memorize. · ALEX: And no dress shoes. · He stretches his feet slightly. · Seo-yeon laughs and rests against his shoulder. · They talk about the evening, the people they met, and a few amusing moments Alex noticed but didn't mention at the gala. · Eventually, the conversation slows. · Seo-yeon traces a small line along the back of his hand with her thumb. · SEO-YEON: I liked having you there tonight. · Alex turns toward her. · ALEX: Liked being there. · SEO-YEON: Even with all the cameras? · He thinks for a moment. · ALEX: Honestly? Barely noticed them after a while. · She raises her head. · SEO-YEON: Really? · ALEX: Too busy trying to remember everyone's names. · She laughs. · He smiles, then grows a little more serious. · ALEX: But I liked seeing you in your world. And liked that you wanted me there with you. · Seo-yeon looks at him quietly. · SEO-YEON: Of course I wanted you there. · He reaches up and gently brushes a strand of hair away from her face. · ALEX: I know. Just like hearing it. · She leans in and kisses him. · It's a gentle, unhurried kiss. When they separate, she remains close, resting her forehead against his. · SEO-YEON: Missed you today. · Alex smiles. · ALEX: We saw each other this morning. · SEO-YEON: I know. · ALEX: That's a little unreasonable, you know. · SEO-YEON: Never said I'd be reasonable. · He laughs softly and wraps his arms around her. · ALEX: Good. Neither did I. · They settle against the sofa, close together, with their tea slowly cooling on the table. · The gala is already becoming a distant memory. · What matters now is the quiet apartment, the warmth of being together, and the fact that neither of them needs to find an excuse to stay a little longer. · For tonight, there is nowhere else they would rather be. · END OF CHAPTER 34