The Early Sparks
By the time Kang Seonwoo—soon to become K—and Lee Sangmin crossed paths, both had already been forged in the brutal crucible of Seoul's entertainment industry. Their histories, though distinct, were marked by similar betrayals and hardship.
Their meeting was inevitable—a collision of ambition, pain, and survival instincts.
A Chance Encounter
It was at a high-profile agency event where Seonwoo first locked eyes with Sangmin. The air was thick with ambition and veiled hostility.
Sangmin's cold, calculating gaze met Seonwoo's fiery defiance. Neither spoke, but the challenge was clear.
Opposing Worlds
Seonwoo had been shaped by Hyunsoo's manipulations, climbing slowly but surely with a growing network of allies and secrets.
Sangmin, meanwhile, was a master of political warfare, weaving alliances and sowing distrust within the agency's upper ranks.
Their worlds were parallel yet diametrically opposed.
First Battles
Their rivalry ignited during a critical project assignment. Both were vying for a coveted lead role that could launch careers.
Sangmin deployed whispered rumors to undermine Seonwoo's reputation; Seonwoo retaliated by revealing a damaging secret from Sangmin's past.
Betrayals and Alliances
The battlefield was never just between them but involved others—friends turned foes, mentors turned manipulators.
Every interaction was a calculated move; every smile, a potential betrayal.
Sangmin's faction and Hyunsoo's growing influence became proxies in their silent war.
The Shadow Game
As their rivalry deepened, both learned to operate in shadows—using media leaks, anonymous tips, and forged alliances to destabilize each other.
Their conflict wasn't just personal—it was a war for survival and dominance in a ruthless industry.
The Breaking Point
The war reached a crescendo when Sangmin engineered a scandal that threatened to destroy Seonwoo's already fragile standing.
Seonwoo, however, had been preparing — quietly gathering dirt on Sangmin and allies ready to strike back.
The fallout shattered friendships, alliances, and reputations on both sides.
A Fragile Truce
Though neither would admit it, the two understood that a direct confrontation could ruin them both.
They agreed on a tenuous truce, a silent acknowledgment of mutual destruction should the war escalate.
The Seeds of the Future
Their rivalry would endure for years, shaping their decisions, alliances, and betrayals.
What began as a clash of ambition became a personal vendetta — one fueled by scars, secrets, and a desire to own the shadows.