The restaurant was the kind of place that didn't have prices on the menu.
I gave my name at the host stand—"Han Ji-Mang, with the Kang party"—and was immediately escorted through the main dining room to a private area in the back. Of course Yoo-Na's father had reserved a private room.
Yoo-Na was already there, looking uncomfortable in a cream-colored dress and heels. When she saw me, relief flooded her face.
"Ji-Mang! Thank god." She rushed over and grabbed my hand. "You look amazing. How was Bok-Jin's thing?"
"Exhausting. I met his father."
"Oh god. How bad?"
"Polite but evaluating. Like I was a business proposal he was considering."
"That sounds about right for Choi Jae-Hyun." She lowered her voice. "My father's going to be the same way. Just smile, be yourself, and don't let them intimidate you."
"Who else is coming?"
"Two of my father's business partners and their kids. So six of us total, plus my father." She grimaced. "One of them is Lee Min-Woo. We went to high school together. He's... fine. A little full of himself but harmless."
"And the other?"
"Park Soo-Jin. She's actually cool. Runs her own startup. You'll like her."
The door opened, and Yoo-Na's father walked in.
Kang Dae-Jung was shorter than I expected, compact and precise in an expensive suit. He had the same elegant bone structure as Yoo-Na, but where she was warm, he was austere.
"Yoo-Na," he said, nodding to his daughter. Then his eyes found me. "And you must be Ms. Han. Yoo-Na mentioned she was bringing a friend."
"Yes, sir. Thank you for including me."
"Any friend of Yoo-Na's is welcome. I understand you're studying law at SNU?"
"Yes, sir. Third year."
"Impressive. We need more young people in law. Too many going into finance these days." He said it with mild disapproval. "What's your specialty?"
"Environmental law. I'm interested in administrative oversight and regulatory frameworks."
"Even better. Environmental compliance is going to be crucial in the next decade." He gestured to the table. "Please, sit. The others should be arriving shortly."
We settled at the table—a long, elegant thing with perfect place settings and more silverware than I knew what to do with. Yoo-Na sat next to me and squeezed my hand under the table.
"You're doing great," she whispered.
Two more people arrived—a man in his fifties with sharp eyes and a woman around the same age with kind smile. Their kids followed: a guy our age in a designer suit who immediately zeroed in on Yoo-Na, and a woman in her late twenties wearing bold red lipstick and an air of complete confidence.
"Everyone, this is Han Ji-Mang, Yoo-Na's friend from university," Mr. Kang said. "Ji-Mang, this is Director Lee Sung-Min and his son Lee Min-Woo, and CEO Park Mi-Sun and her daughter Park Soo-Jin."
We exchanged greetings and settled into our seats. I ended up between Yoo-Na and Soo-Jin, which felt like strategic placement on Yoo-Na's part.
"So, Ji-Mang," Min-Woo said from across the table, his attention very focused on me. "What brings you to this thrilling business dinner?"
"Moral support," I said. "And free expensive food."
He laughed. "Honest. I like it. Most people pretend they're here to 'network' or 'build connections.'"
"I mean, I'll take the networking too. But mostly I'm here because Yoo-Na asked."
"How do you two know each other?" Director Lee asked.
"We're roommates," Yoo-Na said. "Have been since freshman year."
"And you're studying law?" CEO Park asked me. "What year?"
"Third year. Taking the LEET in two months, then applying to law schools."
"LEET." She nodded approvingly. "That's a brutal exam. My nephew took it three times before he got a decent score."
"I'm hoping for one and done, but we'll see."
"What made you choose law?" Min-Woo asked. "Most people say 'I want to help people' but then end up in corporate law making money."
"I like arguing and I'm good at research. Law seemed like the logical choice." I paused. "Also, yes, I want to help people. But through systemic change, not individual cases. Environmental law lets me work on regulations that affect everyone."
"Idealistic," Director Lee said. "That's refreshing."
"Or naive," Mr. Kang added, but he was smiling slightly. "Depends on whether she maintains it after a few years in the system."
"I prefer determined," I said.
Soo-Jin laughed. "Oh, I like her. Ji-Mang, have you thought about environmental tech? We're developing monitoring systems for industrial emissions. Always looking for people who understand both the legal and technical sides."
"I'm still figuring out my exact path, but I'd love to hear more about it."
The food started arriving—course after course of beautifully presented dishes that probably cost more than my weekly grocery budget. I tried to pace myself, eating enough to be polite but not so much that I looked like I was there just for the food.
The conversation flowed around the table—business deals, market trends, industry gossip. I mostly listened, occasionally asking clarifying questions when they mentioned regulations or legal frameworks.
"You're very quiet, Ms. Han," CEO Park observed. "Are we boring you?"
"Not at all. Just absorbing information. I don't know much about business strategy, so I'm learning."
"What do you want to know? Ask anything."
I thought about it. "Okay. When you're making decisions about environmental compliance—like investing in better emissions controls—how much of that is genuine concern versus just avoiding penalties?"
The table went quiet for a moment.
Then CEO Park laughed. "That's a blunt question."
"Sorry, I just—"
"No, no. It's a good question. Honest answer? It starts with avoiding penalties. But the companies that thrive long-term realize that environmental responsibility is good business. Customers care, investors care, employees care. So it becomes genuine concern because it has to."
"So economic incentives drive moral behavior?"
"In corporate settings? Usually." She leaned forward. "That's why good regulations matter. They make the right choice the profitable choice."
"Which is why we need lawyers who understand both sides," Mr. Kang added. "People who can write regulations that work in reality, not just in theory."
I found myself actually enjoying the conversation. These weren't just rich people showing off—they were genuinely discussing real problems and potential solutions.
Min-Woo kept trying to catch Yoo-Na's attention, but she was pointedly focused on her food.
"So, Yoo-Na," he said finally, "are you still doing that brand management thing? I remember you talking about luxury goods strategy in high school."
"Still interested in it, yes," she said politely but coolly.
"You should talk to my father. We're expanding into luxury automotive. Could use someone with your perspective."
"I'm still a student, Min-Woo. Not really taking consulting gigs."
"Right, right. But after graduation—"
"After graduation, I'll figure out my own path. Thanks though."
I bit back a smile. Yoo-Na was being diplomatic, but barely.
Soo-Jin caught my eye and mouthed "He's been trying to date her for years." I had to cough to cover my laugh.
By the time dessert arrived, I was genuinely full and mentally exhausted. Keeping up with business conversation while managing table manners in a fancy restaurant while being subtly evaluated by multiple adults was its own kind of workout.
"Ms. Han," Director Lee said as we finished our coffee, "Yoo-Na mentioned you work part-time while studying?"
"Yes, sir. Library job and some tutoring on the side."
"That's admirable. Shows work ethic." He pulled out a business card. "Our firm handles corporate contracts. If you're interested in corporate environmental law after you finish law school, reach out. We have a mentorship program."
"Thank you, sir." I took the card, adding it to the small collection I'd accumulated tonight.
As the dinner wound down and we prepared to leave, Soo-Jin caught my arm.
"Hey, real talk? You handled that really well. Most people get intimidated by rooms full of executives."
"I was intimidated. I just hid it well."
"That's the secret." She pulled out her phone. "Give me your number. I'm serious about the environmental tech stuff. Even if you end up in traditional law, it's good to know people in the industry."
We exchanged numbers, and I felt something unexpected—genuine connection. Not networking for the sake of networking, but actual interest.
Outside, Yoo-Na and I waited for our ride while our fathers talked business nearby.
"You were amazing in there," Yoo-Na said. "My father was impressed. I could tell."
"Really? He seemed pretty neutral."
"That's him being impressed. If he didn't like you, he would've ignored you completely." She linked her arm through mine. "Thank you for coming. It was way less awful with you there."
"Min-Woo has it bad for you."
"I know. I keep hoping he'll give up, but apparently he's persistent."
"You're not interested?"
"God, no. He's nice enough, but we have zero chemistry. Plus, I'm pretty sure he's only interested because our fathers want to merge companies and he thinks dating me would smooth things over."
"Strategic romance. Very business-minded of him."
"Very annoying of him." She checked her phone. "Car's almost here. Want to share? I can drop you off."
"That'd be great. I'm exhausted."
My phone buzzed.
Bok-Jin: How was dinner?
Me: Survived. Actually kind of enjoyed it. Yoo-Na's about to drop me off.
Bok-Jin: Want to call when you get home? Or are you too tired?
Me: Call. I want to hear your voice.
Bok-Jin: Same. Talk soon.
The car arrived—a driver in a black sedan, because of course—and Yoo-Na and I climbed in.
"So," she said as we drove through Seoul's nighttime traffic, "you met Bok-Jin's father tonight?"
"Yeah. It was... exactly what you'd expect. Polite, evaluating, making mental calculations about whether I'm suitable."
"That sounds like Choi Jae-Hyun. How did Bok-Jin handle it?"
"He was tense. You can tell he hates those events."
"He's been dragged to them his whole life. Must be exhausting, always performing."
I thought about that. Bok-Jin at the networking event—smiling, professional, every inch the chaebol heir. Then Bok-Jin in the car afterward, tension bleeding out of him the moment we were alone.
"Do you ever feel like that?" I asked. "Like you're performing?"
"All the time. Tonight, for instance. I was 'Kang Yoo-Na, dutiful daughter and future business leader' when really I just wanted to eat good food and complain about Min-Woo with you."
"You hid it well."
"Years of practice." She looked at me. "That's why I liked having you there. You're real. You don't perform."
"I was definitely performing tonight."
"No, you were being careful. That's different. You were still yourself, just... strategically yourself."
The car pulled up to our building.
"Thank you," I said. "For inviting me. For introducing me to your world."
"You're my friend. That's part of the package." She squeezed my hand. "Now go call your boyfriend and debrief about your fancy evening."
I went upstairs, changed into comfortable clothes, and flopped onto my bed. Min-Ji was already asleep, and the apartment was quiet.
I called Bok-Jin.
"Hey," he answered immediately. "How was round two?"
"Less nerve-wracking than yours, actually. Yoo-Na's father is intense but fair. I met some interesting people."
"Get any business cards?"
"Four. I'm apparently very networkable."
He laughed. "You're brilliant and interesting. Of course people want to stay in touch."
"How are you? After tonight, I mean."
He was quiet for a moment. "Frustrated. Seeing my father treat you like a business decision instead of a person reminded me why I hate that world."
"He wasn't cruel. Just... calculating."
"That's almost worse. If he was openly hostile, I could fight it. But this subtle evaluation, this quiet judgment—I don't know how to push back against that."
"You don't have to push back right now. We just started dating. Let's not borrow trouble before it arrives."
"You're being very reasonable about this."
"One of us has to be. You're spiraling."
"I'm not spiraling, I'm—okay, I'm spiraling a little."
"Go to bed. Get some sleep. Tomorrow we can go back to being normal people who aren't performing for business executives."
"Normal people sounds amazing." He paused. "I love you. You know that, right?"
My heart did that stupid flutter thing. "I know. I love you too."
"Goodnight, Ji-Mang."
"Goodnight, Bok-Jin."
I hung up and stared at my ceiling, processing the evening.
Two fancy events. Two glimpses into a world I'd never really understood. Two reminders that Bok-Jin and I came from fundamentally different places.
But also: I'd held my own. I'd been capable and professional and myself. People had taken me seriously.
Maybe I could do this. Navigate his world without losing myself.
Maybe.