The lecture circuit became Min Hee-jin’s new reality. She found herself traveling to different universities, sharing her story with students who were eager to learn from her experiences. Each lecture felt like a small step forward, a way to reclaim her voice and her sense of purpose. The process was both exhausting and exhilarating, but she felt alive in a way she hadn’t for a long time.

The response from the students was overwhelming. They wanted to know everything—how she had navigated the complex world of K-pop, how she had dealt with the intense pressure and scrutiny, how she had managed to create something as unique and groundbreaking as NewJeans. They asked about her creative process, about the challenges she had faced, and even about the personal trials she had gone through.

She was honest with them, as honest as she could be. She talked about the mistakes she had made, the people she had trusted who had betrayed her, and the toll it had taken on her both professionally and personally. But she also spoke about the moments of triumph, the joy of seeing her vision come to life, the pride she felt in the artists she had worked with.

And through it all, there was one question that kept coming up, one that she found harder and harder to answer:

“Would you do it all again?”

It was a question that haunted her, one that forced her to confront the complicated emotions she had tried so hard to bury. Would she go through it all again—the highs and lows, the successes and failures, the love and the pain—if she knew how it would end?

She didn’t have an answer, not really. But she knew one thing for sure: she didn’t regret the journey. She didn’t regret the risks she had taken, the people she had believed in, or the dreams she had chased. Because without all of that, she wouldn’t be who she was today.

One evening, after a particularly intense lecture at a prestigious university, she found herself wandering through the streets of Seoul, the city alive with lights and energy. The sky was clear, the air crisp with the first hints of autumn. She walked aimlessly, her thoughts drifting back to the past, to the choices she had made, to the people who had come and gone from her life.

She found herself standing in front of a small café, one she hadn’t been to in years. It was the place where she and her sister used to go, back when life was simpler, before everything had become so complicated. She hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle, then pushed it open and stepped inside.

The place hadn’t changed much. The same soft lighting, the same cozy atmosphere. She could almost see her sister sitting at their favorite table, her eyes bright with laughter, her smile infectious. Min felt a pang of longing, the familiar ache of loss settling in her chest.

She ordered a cup of tea and sat down, the memories washing over her. It was here that they had talked about their dreams, their hopes for the future. Her sister had always believed in her, always encouraged her to take risks, to follow her heart.

Min closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the tea cup seep into her hands. She wished her sister could see her now, see everything she had accomplished, everything she had survived. She hoped she would be proud.

The sound of a familiar voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she looked up to see one of the members of NewJeans—Danielle—standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Min! I didn’t expect to see you here!” Danielle said, her voice filled with warmth and a hint of nervousness.

Min smiled, gesturing for her to join her. “I didn’t expect to be here either. What brings you to this part of town?”

Danielle slid into the seat across from her, a shy smile on her lips. “I was visiting a friend nearby. I didn’t expect to run into you.”

They fell into an easy conversation, talking about the usual things—work, friends, life. Danielle told her about the new songs they were working on, the upcoming projects. She seemed happy, genuinely excited about the future.

“I’m so glad to see you doing well,” Min said softly, her heart swelling with pride.

Danielle’s smile faltered slightly, and she looked down at her hands, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup. “We miss you, you know,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s been hard without you.”

Min felt a lump form in her throat, the emotions she had been trying to keep at bay threatening to overwhelm her. “I miss you all too,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “But you’re doing amazing. You’re stronger than you think.”

Danielle looked up, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything they had been through hanging between them. Min reached across the table and took Danielle’s hand, squeezing it gently.

“You’re going to be okay,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty. “You’re going to be more than okay.”

Danielle nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thank you.”

They talked for a while longer, the conversation lightening as they reminisced about the good times, the funny moments that had kept them going through the tough times. It felt good, this connection, this sense of family that they still had, even after everything that had happened.

When they finally parted ways, Min felt a sense of peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. She knew there were still challenges ahead, still battles to be fought. But she also knew she wasn’t alone. She had people who cared about her, who believed in her, who would stand by her no matter what.

And that, she realized, was more valuable than any title, any company, any dream.

She walked home, the city lights guiding her way, her heart lighter than it had been in months. She didn’t know what the future held, didn’t know where this new path would lead. But she knew she was ready to face it, whatever it might be.

Because she had survived the worst, and she was still standing. And as long as she had that, she knew she could find her way.

One step at a time.

~ The End ~