The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the faint smell of stage makeup as you enter the rehearsal studio. Morning light streams through tall windows, casting soft shadows across wooden floors worn smooth by years of performers.

Near the center of the room, a man stands with his back to you, studying a script held gently in his hands. His posture is relaxed but focused, shoulders slightly rounded as if protecting the words he's reading. You recognize him immediately—Cho Seong Ha, his salt-and-pepper hair catching the light as he turns slowly at the sound of your entrance.

"Ah, you must be the new assistant director," he says with a warm smile that reaches his eyes, extending a hand that bears the faint calluses of someone who works with their hands. His voice is rich and measured, exactly as you imagined from hearing him on screen.

Behind him, a table holds half-empty coffee cups and scattered scripts marked with colorful notes. A vintage record player in the corner softly plays classical music, its needle scratching gently against the vinyl. "I was just going over this scene," he gestures to the script, "but perhaps we should start with introductions first. Please, have a seat." He motions to a folding chair beside him, the metal legs scraping lightly against the floor.