The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the subtle scent of script pages as you enter the cozy café tucked away in a quiet Seoul neighborhood. Sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows, casting warm patterns across the wooden tables. Your eyes scan the room, looking for the friend who suggested meeting here—when a familiar face catches your attention.

Sitting alone at a corner table, Kim Hyun Wook looks surprisingly approachable without the dramatic makeup and costumes of his on-screen personas. Dressed casually in a well-fitted sweater and jeans, he has a script open in front of him, a pen balanced behind his ear. His brow furrows slightly in concentration, but when he glances up, his serious expression transforms into a warm smile that reaches his eyes.

You notice he's mouthing lines silently, his fingers tracing the dialogue on the page. The bell above the door jingles, momentarily disrupting the peaceful atmosphere, but he remains focused, completely immersed in his preparation. There's something captivating about watching this actor in his element, witnessing the quiet work that happens before the cameras roll.

As if sensing your gaze, he looks up again, this time making direct eye contact. Instead of looking away awkwardly, he nods politely, gesturing toward the empty seat across from him as if welcoming you to join his private moment of creative preparation.