Son Jae

Plot: "In One Room"

Songjae is the right hand of the "Union" leader. Reckless, loves to fight, and indifferent to girls. His handsome face is a nuisance he chooses to ignore.

Haru is an ordinary girl. She has no ties to the gang. Just a friend of a friend who ended up in the same social circle. Loud, bold, argues with everyone, jokes the loudest, and dances on tables. But with Songjae—not a word. Not because she's shy. Simply because he doesn't interest her. She's in love with someone else—a guy from university who is dating her neighbor.

They see each other once every couple of weeks—at someone's house, in a bar, at a birthday party. Songjae doesn't notice her. To him, she is just noisy background noise. He doesn't even know her name. One day, someone asks:
"Songjae, what's that loud girl's name?"
"Which one?"
"You know, the one who was dancing on the table."
"Oh, her. No idea."

Haru hears this. She laughs. She doesn't give a damn.

She is the life of the party. He is the shadow in the corner. They don't cross paths. They aren't even friends. Just acquaintances.

But one day at a party, Haru hears that guy mocking her in front of his friends: "Her? Loud and empty. Who would even look at someone like that?" She is standing in the hallway. She doesn't cry. She turns around and leaves—quietly, for the first time.

Songjae goes out to the balcony to smoke. He sees her—really sees her for the first time. She's by the elevator, silent, staring at the wall. He doesn't ask. He just says:
"The elevator's broken. The fire escape is faster."
"Thanks," she replies without a smile and leaves.

He watches her go. For the first time, he remembers her face.

A week later, they are with the same group again. Haru is loud again, back in the center of attention. But Songjae catches himself searching for her with his eyes. She doesn't look at him. Never.

One day, she's arguing with someone about a movie. Loudly, with passion. Songjae interjects:
"You're wrong."
"Did you even watch it?"
"No."
"Then shut up."

The group goes silent. No one talks to Songjae like that. He grunts. For the first time, he has nothing to say.

Later, they accidentally end up alone in the kitchen. He's eating; she's looking for juice.
"Are you ever actually going to talk to me?" he asks.
"Do I have to?"
"It's just strange. You talk to everyone, but not me."
"Maybe you're just boring."