Chapter 12: Returning & Provocation

My first commute in years felt oddly unfamiliar.

“Returning to work… It’s been a long time.”

I remembered the director’s words about bringing good news. What on earth was he thinking? I passed through KBC’s front gate and headed straight to his office.

“Director, I’m here to report for duty.”

He was tidying his desk when I arrived. I offered a brief greeting.

The director looked up, as if expecting me, and walked toward the center table.

“You’re here? Take a seat.”

“What’s this good news you mentioned?”

He placed a file with approval forms in front of me.

Unsure, I raised an eyebrow, and he gestured for me to open it.

‘An audition for the anchor position?’

“As you know, anchor positions are filled via audition—you were one of them.”

“That’s right.”

It was standard procedure to select main anchors through tests and interviews. I remembered being the youngest anchor appointed for News9.

‘But didn’t Cha Seo‑rin get appointed without this round…?’

I frowned at the company audition announcement—no mention of interviews.

“We originally planned an informal interview, but we changed course to a public audition this time.”

“That makes sense for fairness.”

“Exactly. So I recommended you for this audition.”

As he set the file down, I looked up in surprise.

“Am I qualified?”

“This audition has no eligibility requirements, and as of today, you’re officially back with radio news.”

He took the file back with a casual smile—almost saying, ‘No need to explain further.’

An audition… it seemed the decision between Ji-Han and me ended up here.

“My help should be enough, right?”

It was more than enough.

“Of course. You’ve always got my thanks.”

I couldn’t help but smile, picturing Seo-Rin’s reaction when she heard the news.

I left the director’s office and walked with him toward the announcer’s room.

Along the way, I wondered… why did they suddenly switch to an audition?

“Director, why change it to an audition so suddenly?”

He paused mid-step.

“Well… anchors are the face of news. And I thought, as you said, there’d be backlash otherwise.”

He paused, chuckled softly, and resumed walking.

He was hiding something. I followed closely.

“If the higher-ups are changing their decision, there must be a good reason.”

“Anyway, I told you, you’re sharp.”

The director didn’t look back and just kept walking.

“You won’t tell me yet?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon. We’re almost there.”

‘I’ll find out?’

He stopped at the announcers’ room and turned to face me.

“Anyway, welcome back after a year—congratulations, Announcer Yoon.”

“Thanks to you, Director. Thank you.”

He smiled and opened the door.

The usual chatter halted abruptly—everyone froze.

“Alright, listen up.”

He cleared his throat. I could see eyes widening as announcers recognized me.

“This is Yoon Yeo-Jin, returning to the radio news team as of today. You all know her, right?”

Gradually, the announcer room relaxed, and congratulations started floating around.

“Welcome back!”

“Yeo-Jin, long time no see—been a year?”

“Yes, welcome. Where’s Seo-Rin? She’s friends with Yeo-Jin, right?”

Yeong-Joon, the anchor for the 9 p.m. news, laughed and began looking for Chae Seo-Rin. The group looked around, and then the door opened again.

“Why is everyone gathered?”

“She’s here. Seo-Rin, look—Senior’s back.”

Seo-Rin, carrying newspapers in both hands, entered, her face puzzled. Then her gaze landed on me. Suddenly she dropped the papers with a thud.

“Long time no see, Seo-Rin.”

Her lips quivered in shock. Her wide eyes flickered as she pointed toward me with a trembling finger—exactly as I anticipated.

A satisfied smile curled on my lips at the thought of what was to come.

“I said I’d see you soon.”

* * *
Peeking at the monitor’s clock in front of the studio, I realized we were nearing the end of the broadcast.

[And now, the final weather report. Tonight and tomorrow, expect mostly cloudy skies nationwide…]

This was the radio studio. It’d been years since I last sat here during my occasional weekend radio news shifts.

[That concludes our news. This is Yoon Yeo-Jin.]

I removed my headset as the full news segment—stories through weather—ended. It was my first broadcast back in five years, and finishing without a mistake brought a wave of relief.

Gathering my script and belongings from the table, I exited the studio. Back in the announcer’s office, my colleagues—both seniors and juniors—surrounded me once more.

“Yeo-Jin, why radio broadcast today?”

It was the question from Yeong-jun, the News9 main anchor who co-hosted with me. Sitting at my desk, he looked genuinely curious.

“Yeah—you could’ve hosted a TV show, Yeo-Jin.”

He observed that radio news often demands hosting five or six shows a day, delivering news purely through voice—no room for mistakes.

Even for someone who’d been a main news anchor, returning as an announcer is rare.

Aware of their concerns, I responded with a soft smile, “It is still news. Radio’s just as fulfilling; it’s just without the camera.”

“True, true. We just hate to lose you from TV.”

He sounded genuinely regretful. I smiled more brightly but sensed a subtle shift in the atmosphere—colleagues now seemed to pity my situation.

“Thanks for caring.” I rose from my seat, anticipating a flurry of questions if I stayed.

At that moment, my eyes met Seo-Rin’s. Unlike the tense expression from earlier, now she looked relaxed—I headed over to check the afternoon schedule board.

After the afternoon broadcast, I’ll head home and then straight to the hospital.

Just before lunch, Dr. Kim had contacted me that Mom and Dad weren’t doing well. I’d go as soon as I finished broadcasting.

[Break Room—later]

I quietly sat in an empty break room when Seo-Rin walked in with folded arms and then settled across from me.

“Congrats on returning,” she said—though whether the tone was sincere or sarcastic, I couldn’t tell.

“Thanks.”

“I didn’t expect you to be back so soon… And radio news? Really, why?”

“…”

“Still, you’ve got strong backing. A career break announcer returning right away might not be common.”

Though she quietly mixed in a familiar tone, the comment was laced with sharp undertones. I laughed at her “background” remark, which struck me as comical.

If I truly had that kind of clout, I wouldn’t have had to struggle this much to regain my job.

“What’s so funny…?”

“Nothing. Hey, Seo-Rin, aren’t you preparing for the evening broadcast? Shouldn’t you be writing your script?”

My direct remark snapped her smile off.

My phone lit up with a missed call notification.

“Excuse me.”

It was a call from Chairman Seo Mu-jin. As I answered, Seo-Rin’s expression subtly shifted.

“Grandfather? You called?”

― Yes, dear. How are you holding up? You must be going through a tough time. I was worried.

Chairman Seo was close with my own grandfather, and I had always called him “Grandfather”—so to him, I was like a granddaughter.

He had clearly heard about the wedding and my recent challenges and was calling with concern.

Seo-Rin paused, likely recognizing who I meant.

“I’m okay. But my parents… they’re not in good health.”

― Dr. Kim told me too. Ji-young’s family has it hard right now. I hope they recover soon. If you need anything, just tell me.

“I will… thank you.”

He then shifted topics gently:

― By the way, Yeo-Jin, I heard you returned to work.

“Yes, I did.”

― Well… It’s your decision, but don’t overdo it. Take care of yourself.

Even Ji-han had never offered such genuine concern. My eyes watered, but I forced a calm smile.

― Also, why don’t you and Ji-han stop by Pyeongchang-dong sometime?

“Yes, I’ll arrange it with Ji-han, Grandfather.” I emphasized his name.

When I ended the call, Seo-Rin was looking at me without a word.

“Sorry for picking up that call; it was from my in-laws.”

“…”

“Even though I said it’s okay, he was really worried… He wants us to join him for dinner.”

Seo-Rin had hoped to wed into that family—the Hojin Group. Now her lips tightened, and her eyes flickered with unspoken longing.

Crave it all, Seo-Rin—just keep walking toward hell.

I responded, polite yet cold, “You mentioned backing, right? That’s right. I didn’t think of that. I think I’ll ask the chairman for a favor while I’m at it.”