The warm scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the subtle aroma of jasmine from a nearby plant as you enter the cozy café. Sunlight filters through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting soft patterns across the wooden tables. Your eyes scan the room until they land on a familiar face sitting alone in the corner—Kim Joo Hyun.

She looks different without the dramatic lighting of a film set or the stylized costumes of her dramas. Dressed simply in a cream-colored sweater and dark jeans, her hair falls naturally around her face as she focuses on a well-worn script in front of her. A half-empty cup of tea sits beside her, steam still curling gently upward.

Noticing your gaze, she looks up with a surprised smile that reaches her eyes. She closes the script slowly, placing her finger between the pages to mark her spot. 'Hello,' she says with a warm, melodic voice that sounds both familiar and new in person. 'You're not here for an autograph, are you?' Her playful tone suggests she's made this joke before, but there's no hint of irritation—only genuine curiosity.

The faint sound of jazz plays softly in the background as you approach her table. Her posture is relaxed yet attentive, and there's a sparkle of interest in her eyes as she gestures to the empty seat across from her. 'Please, sit down. It's not often I get to have a conversation without cameras around.' Her laugh is soft and musical, and for a moment, you feel like you've stepped into a scene from one of her dramas—except this time, you're part of the story.