Twenty

                                    

                                          
The next morning, I found myself walking through the sleek glass doors of StarForce Entertainment, the bright lights and polished floors making everything feel even more surreal. My heart pounded with nervous excitement as I followed the assistant who had greeted me, leading me toward the conference room where I was set to have my interview. The air smelled like coffee and possibility, and despite the nerves dancing in my stomach, I couldn't help but feel like I was stepping into a new chapter of my life.
After so many sleepless nights agonizing over my decision to leave JYP and the boys, this felt like a fresh start—a chance to rebuild my career on my own terms.
As we approached the door, I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what lay ahead. I had done my research on StarForce, and I knew this meeting was going to be a pivotal moment. With Stray Kids behind me, I now had a solid reputation in the industry, but stepping into a new role with a new group—it was both exhilarating and terrifying.
The assistant held the door open, and I stepped inside, greeted by a group of executives sitting around a large, modern conference table. The room was filled with bright, natural light streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a stunning view of Seoul.
Soojin, the woman I had been in contact with for the past few weeks, stood up and smiled warmly at me as I entered. Her energy was immediately welcoming, which helped ease the tension in my shoulders.
"Minji! It's so great to finally meet you in person," she said, shaking my hand with a firm yet friendly grip.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the excitement bubbling inside me. "It's an honor to be here."
"Believe me, the pleasure is ours," Soojin said, gesturing for me to take a seat. "We've been following your career with Stray Kids, and we're absolutely thrilled by the possibility of you joining our team. Your experience with them, especially from their early days to where they are now, is invaluable."
Hearing that warmed me more than I expected. The pride I felt for the Kids ran deep, and even though I was no longer with them, knowing that my work with them was still recognized meant the world to me.
The interview flowed naturally after that, as we dove into my management style, the challenges I faced at JYP, and how I had helped guide Stray Kids to the success they were now enjoying. The more we talked, the more I realized how perfectly aligned this role was with what I wanted. I could feel the team's excitement grow as I shared stories of how I balanced the boys' schedules, made sure they had breaks, and fostered a supportive environment while also keeping them focused on their goals. 
Toward the end of the meeting, Soojin exchanged a look with one of the executives before turning back to me with a smile. "We'd love for you to meet the group you'd be managing, Minji. They're still in the early stages, but we see a lot of potential in them."
My curiosity piqued, I nodded eagerly. "I'd love that."
A few moments later, the door opened again, and five boys walked in. They were younger than I expected, their eyes wide with nerves as they stood in front of us, bowing respectfully. Their energy was different from Stray Kids—less confident, more hesitant—but there was something there, a quiet fire waiting to be ignited.
"Hello, I'm Minji," I greeted them warmly, hoping to ease some of their nerves.
They introduced themselves one by one, their voices soft but polite, though they couldn't quite hide the tension in their postures. Taejin, Kyungho, Dohyun, Seongyu and Jisuk. I smiled at them, recognizing that same uncertainty I'd seen in Jeongin when he was first starting out. He was so young back then and went to Korea all alone. Surely, some of them did too. It was endearing.