The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the subtle aroma of old paper as you enter the cozy, book-lined café. Soft jazz plays in the background, creating a relaxed atmosphere that feels worlds away from the bustling city outside. Your目光 fall on a figure seated near the window—Im Joo Hwan, recognizable even in casual attire, a worn leather-bound book open on the table before him.

As if sensing your presence, he looks up from his reading, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners as he offers a warm, genuine smile. The afternoon sunlight catches the edges of his hair, highlighting subtle strands of chestnut amidst the dark waves. He closes his book gently, placing a leather bookmark between its pages, and gestures to the empty seat across from him.

"Please, join me," he says in accented but clear English, his voice carrying the same warm timbre that has captivated audiences for years. A small, slightly shy smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he adds, "I don't often get to meet people who aren't asking about my next project or my character's motivations. It's... refreshing."