Jinwoo Park stood at the entrance of the towering glass building, his heart pounding like a drum. The early morning sun cast a golden glow on the sleek facade of the SeoHan Group headquarters, reflecting the bustling energy of downtown Seoul. Today was his first day as an intern, a small step toward his dream of making a name for himself in the business world.
Adjusting his navy-blue tie, Jinwoo took a deep breath and stepped through the revolving doors. The lobby was spacious, with marble floors that seemed to stretch for miles and modern art installations adorning the walls. It was a stark contrast to the cramped and chaotic university lecture halls he was used to. He felt a wave of excitement mixed with nerves—this was his chance to prove himself.
The receptionist, a young woman with a friendly smile, greeted him. "Good morning! How can I help you today?"
"I'm here for the internship. Jinwoo Park," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
She quickly checked her computer and nodded. "Welcome to SeoHan Group, Mr. Park. You're expected on the 25th floor for orientation. The elevators are just to your left."
"Thank you," Jinwoo said, giving a polite bow before heading towards the elevators.
As the doors closed, he found himself alone, the hum of the machinery the only sound. The elevator climbed swiftly, and Jinwoo couldn't help but replay the events that had led him here. A few months ago, he was just another university student, cramming for exams and working part-time jobs to pay the bills. But a last-minute application to SeoHan Group's internship program had changed everything. Out of hundreds of applicants, he had somehow made the cut.
When the doors slid open, Jinwoo was greeted by a lively office space. Rows of desks were occupied by busy employees, phones ringing, keyboards clattering. There was a sense of organized chaos that made his heart race with anticipation. He adjusted his suit jacket and stepped out, trying not to look too overwhelmed.
Almost immediately, a cheerful voice called out, "Hey, you must be the new intern!"
Jinwoo turned to see a woman with short, stylish hair approaching him. She looked to be in her late twenties, with a confident air about her.
"I'm Minji Lee, HR manager," she introduced herself, extending a hand.
"Jinwoo Park," he replied, shaking her hand with a grateful smile. "It's great to meet you."
"We're glad to have you on board," Minji said, her eyes twinkling. "Let me show you around and introduce you to the team."
As they walked through the open office area, Jinwoo was introduced to various departments: Marketing, Finance, R&D. Each time, he was met with warm smiles and friendly greetings. It was clear that SeoHan Group valued a positive work culture.
Finally, they reached a glass-walled conference room where a few senior staff members were gathered. Minji gestured for him to enter, and Jinwoo's pulse quickened. This was it—the real beginning.
"Ladies and gentlemen, meet Jinwoo Park, our newest intern," Minji announced.
A chorus of greetings followed, with people offering polite nods and curious glances. Jinwoo did his best to return the gestures, trying to remember names that were thrown at him like rapid-fire.
Suddenly, the room fell silent as a tall figure entered. Jinwoo turned, and his breath caught in his throat. The man who had just walked in was none other than Jun Seo, the CEO of SeoHan Group.
Jun Seo was a man who seemed to defy age, with striking features that could easily belong to a movie star. His sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and perfectly styled dark hair gave him an aura of confidence and charisma. Dressed in a tailored charcoal suit, he exuded an effortless authority that made everyone in the room stand a little straighter.
"Good morning, everyone," Jun said in a smooth, deep voice that commanded attention. His gaze swept over the room before landing on Jinwoo. "You must be our new intern."
Jinwoo felt his face heat up under the CEO's intense scrutiny. He quickly bowed. "Yes, sir. I'm Jinwoo Park. It's an honor to be here."
Jun's lips curved into a slight smile, one that was both welcoming and intimidating at the same time. "Welcome to SeoHan Group, Jinwoo. I hope you'll make the most of your time here."
"I will, sir. Thank you," Jinwoo replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
The CEO gave a final nod before turning to Minji. "Please continue with the orientation. I'll see you all at the meeting later." With that, Jun Seo exited the room as gracefully as he had entered, leaving a trail of whispers and admiring glances in his wake.
Minji leaned in and whispered to Jinwoo, "Not every intern gets a personal greeting from the CEO on their first day. You must have made quite an impression."
Jinwoo gave a nervous chuckle. "I think he was just being polite."
"Maybe," Minji said with a wink. "But trust me, it's a good sign. Now, let's get you settled."
As Jinwoo followed Minji back into the bustling office space, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and pressure. The fact that the CEO himself had taken the time to greet him was both a privilege and a challenge. He knew that expectations would be high, and he was determined not to disappoint.
The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of introductions, paperwork, and training sessions. By lunchtime, Jinwoo's head was spinning with new information. He found himself in the company cafeteria, a bright and modern space with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline.
Grabbing a tray, he joined a line of employees waiting for their food. As he pondered over the menu, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"New intern, right? Jinwoo Park?"
He turned around to see a young man with a friendly smile and a head of messy brown hair.
"Yeah, that's me," Jinwoo replied.
"I'm Taeyang Kim, from IT. Mind if I join you for lunch?"
"Not at all," Jinwoo said, relieved to have some company.
The two of them found a table by the window, and as they ate, Taeyang filled him in on the office dynamics, sharing helpful tips on who to befriend, who to avoid, and the best spots for after-work drinks.
"By the way," Taeyang said with a mischievous grin, "you're pretty lucky. It's not every day that Jun Seo notices an intern. Most of us have been here for years, and he barely knows our names."
Jinwoo laughed, though he felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his stomach. He had already figured out that life at SeoHan Group would be anything but ordinary.
As the day came to an end, Jinwoo found himself at his assigned desk, reviewing the tasks he had been given. The office was starting to empty out, but he was determined to stay a bit longer, eager to make a good impression.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over his desk. He looked up to see Jun Seo standing there, his expression unreadable.
"Still here, I see," Jun said, his tone casual but laced with curiosity.
"Yes, sir. Just trying to get a head start," Jinwoo replied, trying not to sound too eager.
The CEO nodded, looking impressed. "Good. Keep that attitude, and you'll go far."
And with that, he was gone, leaving Jinwoo to wonder what exactly he had gotten himself into.
Little did he know, his time at SeoHan Group would be more than just an internship—it would be the beginning of a journey that would challenge him in ways he had never imagined.