Internship (in) Love
A Gundam Wing K-Drama FanFic by Elle Smith
Summary: When Soo Jin Park takes an internship position at Preventer's Seoul Branch, the last thing she expects is to find herself drawn into a real-life K-Drama with the agency's most enigmatic and aloof agent, Heero Yuy. As she navigates office dynamics and the challenge of reaching a man who has built walls even he can't always climb, Soo Jin finds herself embroiled in a slow-burning romance fraught with angst, tender moments, and the hope of healing. Will she be the one to help Heero find peace in the aftermath of war, or will his demons prove too strong to overcome?
(Canon compliant, original female character, K-Drama tropes abundant, totally self-indulgent fic, I wish I was the female lead here, light-hearted fun tinged with angst)
Characters/Pairing: Heero Yuy, Original Female Character
Author's Notes:
After my heavily-charged and deep-dive-into-Heero's-hellish-existence story "Penumbra" proved to be a bit too much for some readers (I took it down for some revision), I decided to try something new – a more lighthearted approach to a story about my favorite fictional character – a K-Drama office romance!
As a K-Drama enthusiast, I don't claim to know much about South Korean culture beyond what they present in the media. I've had the pleasure of spending a few weeks in this beautiful country, but I'm sure that there's more to it than the glamor presented in their lovely and highly-addictive dramas. That being said, for the sake of unadulterated fun, I chose to use ALL THE TROPES I could think of in this fic and just say "the heck with it!" and have fun.
I hope you enjoy this too. I know, original female characters aren't anyone's cup of tea, but I find this angle more alluring than writing a K-Drama AU. Read it if you like it, leave it if you hate it. Just don't take your frustration out on me if this isn't to your liking. I write for myself – first and foremost. If you happen to like it – great. If not – then let's just agree to disagree and leave it at that.
If you do enjoy this story, please let me know. It's mostly complete and I intend to post regularly.
Thank you for your readership,
Elle
P.S
For those who might be curious about who I envision as the cast for this K-Drama, I'll gladly share that I envision Son Na Eun's character Mi Rae from "Romance in the House" (2024) as Soo Jin, and – as always – the late Haruma Miura in his role as Yuki Daichi in "Two Weeks" (2019) as Heero Yuy.
Chapter 1
The elevator hummed softly as it ascended, a gentle reminder of the journey Soo Jin had taken to reach this point. She stood quietly, her posture straight, a small office box clutched in her hands. The box bore her name in bold, black letters: Park Soo Jin. Beside her, the HR lady scrolled through something on her tablet, but Soo Jin's attention was elsewhere.
She caught her reflection in the polished metal of the elevator doors. Her Preventer skirt-suit was impeccable, the fabric smooth and perfectly fitted. Her brown hair was neatly pinned in a tidy updo, not a strand out of place—well, almost. She noticed a stray lock of hair and quickly tucked it behind her ear. With a quick check of her makeup—subtle and flawless—she gave herself a small nod of approval. Everything was in place.
A mix of nerves and excitement fluttered in her stomach. This was it—her first day at the Preventer Agency's Seoul Branch, a day she had worked so hard to achieve. Years of study, dedication, and relentless perseverance had led her here. Now, standing in the elevator on the way to her new office, it all felt incredibly real.
The elevator chimed softly as the doors slid open. Soo Jin took a deep breath and stepped out, following the HR lady into the bustling heart of the Cyber Threat Analysis Department. The open workspace sprawled before her, clusters of cubicles organized neatly into teams. Agents moved with purpose, some huddled in discussions, others focused intently on their screens.
"Welcome to the Cyber Threat Analysis Department," the HR lady announced, guiding Soo Jin forward. "This is where you'll be working."
Soo Jin quickly took in the layout. Her own desk was positioned near the front, next to the manager's office, giving her a clear view of the entire space. From here, she could see the meeting room, its glass walls offering a glimpse of the discussions within, and the kitchenette, where a few agents were gathered, chatting over coffee.
"This is your desk," the HR lady said, pointing to the nameplate that read "Park Soo-Jin – 박수진 – Office Assistant." Soo Jin smiled, setting down her box while looking at her nameplate with pride. Her parents had named her well—"Soo Jin" carried a sense of grace and determination, qualities she had needed in abundance to reach this point. Now, after all the hard work and long nights of study, she was exactly where she wanted to be.
As she placed the photo of her elderly parents next to the one of them as a young family, she paused. Her fingers lightly traced the edge of the frame, a soft smile forming on her lips. She thanked her parents in her heart for giving her a name that came with the strength to do what she had to do, both for them and for herself.
The HR lady gestured for Soo Jin to follow her. They made their way through the maze of cubicles, the HR lady pointing out various teams and introducing her to the agents along the way.
"This is Ms. Park Soo Jin," the HR lady announced as they entered the kitchenette. "She's our new intern from the military program."
Soo Jin bowed respectfully, as was customary. "Hello, I am Park Soo Jin. I'm twenty-seven years old. I started to work as an office assistant today," she said, her voice steady and polite. "I will do my best. Please take good care of me."
One of the agents, a tall man with a cocky grin, raised an eyebrow. "Oh, they brought a girl over this time! Not many of those enlist these days. It's voluntary, you know," he said, turning to Soo Jin with a smirk. "The war is over."
Soo Jin met his gaze evenly, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm well aware," she replied. "I volunteered to serve."
There was a brief, uncomfortable silence as the agents exchanged glances. The welcome wasn't exactly warm, but Soo Jin had expected that. These were veterans, seasoned professionals who had seen and done things she could only imagine. Fitting in here would be a challenge, but Soo Jin had never backed down from a challenge.
The HR lady continued the tour, leading Soo Jin back through the rows of cubicles. As they moved past rows of desks, something caught Soo Jin's eye—a desk that stood out from the rest. It was tucked into the corner of the open-plan office, right next to the large windows that overlooked the Seoul cityscape. It was the tidiest desk in the entire department. Not a single pen was out of place, no papers were strewn about. Unlike the other desks, which were decorated with personal photos, mementos, and clutter, this one was starkly impersonal. A nameplate read: "Heero Yuy – 히이로 유이 – Cyber Analyst".
"That's Agent Yuy's desk," the HR lady explained, her tone lowering slightly as if discussing someone of significant importance. "He's one of our top agents. You probably won't see much of him—he's almost always away."
Soo Jin nodded, feeling a mix of curiosity and apprehension. She couldn't help but wonder about the man behind the immaculate workspace. What kind of person didn't leave a trace of themselves at their desk?
"Heero Yuy… that's a Japanese name. Is he from the Tokyo branch?" Soo Jin asked, noticing the Japanese name.
The HR lady sighed. "Who knows? All I know is that HQ sent him over on temporary assignment from Brussels. He's been taken off the field for some top-secret reason, and we're stuck with him until they say otherwise."
Soo Jin nodded again, her curiosity deepening.
After a few more introductions and explanations, the HR lady finished the tour. "Well, that's everything. If you need anything, just let me know."
As the HR lady prepared to leave, she paused by Soo Jin's desk. "Oh, and don't forget to place your lunch order before 10 a.m. The cafeteria likes to have the orders in early."
Soo Jin nodded, smiling politely. "Thank you. I'll take care of it."
Once the HR lady had left, Soo Jin took a deep breath and began to unpack her belongings. First, she placed two photos side by side—one of herself, her brother, and her parents when they were younger, and the other of just her parents now, older and more solemn. She touched the second photo longingly, a soft smile on her lips.
She continued arranging her desk, adding a small potted plant, colorful pens, and pencils neatly placed in a holder. She swapped out the standard black keyboard and mouse for a more vibrant set, the bright colors bringing a bit of cheer to her workstation.
Finally, she sat down, taking a moment to look at her new workspace. Everything was in place. Her family photos, her colorful supplies, her potted plant—it all felt personal, yet professional.
With a satisfied smile, she turned on her computer. Her first task of the day – lunch. Soo Jin logged into the lunch ordering system, feeling a small thrill of excitement. The interface was simple, with a list of daily specials and classic options. She scrolled through the menu, her eyes landing on a comforting dish of kimchi jjigae, the spicy, tangy stew that was a staple in her home. Without hesitation, she selected it and confirmed her order.
Leaning back into her office chair, Soo Jin allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. The chair swayed gently beneath her, and she swung back and forth slightly, surveying her new domain. Her desk was neatly organized, her tasks for the morning outlined, and her lunch order placed. Everything was falling into place.
This is going to be great, she thought to herself, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Soo Jin sat at her desk, the soft hum of the office surrounding her as she methodically sorted through a stack of documents. The early morning sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over her workspace. Her fingers moved deftly, flipping through pages and scanning each one with a critical eye.
Her brow furrowed as she came across a report filled out in hasty, almost illegible handwriting. The data was incomplete, with entire sections left blank. She winced, her disapproval evident as she set the report aside on a growing pile labeled "Follow Up". Each report that landed in that pile was a reminder of the challenges she faced—agents who were careless with their paperwork, unconcerned with the details that made her job so difficult.
Undeterred, Soo Jin continued working, her focus sharp. She picked up the next document, a mission report, and quickly noticed several inconsistencies. The dates didn't match, and the summary was vague, offering little useful information. With a small sigh, she added it to the "Follow Up" pile as well.
Glancing at her computer screen, Soo Jin noticed that it was nearly time to set up the morning meetings for her boss. She picked up the phone, her fingers poised to dial. "Hi, this is Soo Jin from Cyber Threat Analysis," she said smoothly when the call connected. "I'm calling to schedule a meeting for Director Jeong. Yes, it's regarding personnel issues. Would 10 a.m. tomorrow work?"
As she jotted down the confirmation details, Soo Jin's mind raced ahead to the next task. There were more meetings to arrange, more forms to process, and that ever-growing "Follow Up" pile wasn't going to resolve itself. But she was determined to stay on top of it all. She was here to do her best, to prove herself in this demanding environment.
She made another call, this time coordinating with another department for a joint briefing. Her voice remained calm and professional, despite the tight deadlines and the pressure to keep everything running smoothly. As she hung up the phone, a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Despite the challenges, she felt a sense of accomplishment in her work, knowing that she was contributing to the agency in her own way.
Just as she was about to dive back into the stack of documents, a shadow fell across her desk. Soo Jin looked up to see an agent standing before her, holding out a stack of crumpled receipts. He dropped them onto her desk with a careless thud, not bothering to meet her eyes.
"Expense report," he grunted. "Just fill it out, will you?"
Soo Jin frowned slightly as she picked up the crumpled mess. The receipts were stained with coffee and nearly illegible. She smoothed them out with delicate fingers, trying to make sense of the smudged ink and torn edges. "Agent Baek, I'll need more information," she began, her tone polite but firm, "and you'll have to properly fill out—"
"Look, I don't have time for this," the agent interrupted, his tone dismissive as he waved her off. "You're the one in charge of the damn paperwork. Just figure it out."
The words stung, more than she cared to admit. Soo Jin's lips pressed into a thin line as she bit back a sharp retort. She could feel a knot of frustration tightening in her chest, but she forced herself to remain calm. "I can't process these without the proper details," she insisted, her voice steady despite the heat rising to her cheeks.
The agent rolled his eyes, clearly uninterested in her struggle. "Not my problem," he muttered before turning on his heel and walking away, leaving her standing there, receipts clutched in her hand.
Soo Jin watched him go, a mix of anger and helplessness bubbling up inside her. She looked down at the receipts again, her frustration mounting. Her hands trembled slightly as she tried to organize the papers, but they seemed to resist her every effort.
Unable to contain her emotions, she shoved the receipts into a drawer and slammed it shut with more force than necessary. Her breath came in short, uneven bursts as she leaned back in her chair, trying to steady herself. The feeling of being dismissed, of not being taken seriously, gnawed at her, making her feel small and insignificant.
She needed a break.
Soo Jin walked into the kitchenette, hoping to find a moment of peace. The space was small and utilitarian, with plain white cabinets and a lone percolator sitting on the counter. She opened one of the cabinets, searching for something more comforting, but her heart sank when she saw that the only coffee available was from the old percolator. The familiar bitterness of disappointment welled up inside her as she poured herself a cup of the stale, lukewarm brew.
She stood by the counter, staring down into the murky liquid, her thoughts racing. She took a tentative sip and immediately regretted it. The coffee was bitter and unpleasant, a poor substitute for the comfort she had been seeking. She swallowed it down with a grimace, her frustration deepening.
The door creaked open behind her, and Soo Jin turned to see a gruff-looking agent enter the kitchenette. His expression was hardened, his eyes darkened with fatigue. She noticed his arm was in a sling, the bandages peeking out from under his sleeve.
Soo Jin offered a polite smile, though her heart wasn't in it. "Good morning, Agent Kang. I noticed your arm… Are you okay?"
The agent grunted in response, his face showing little interest in conversation. "Just a break. Sports injury. Nothing glorious, at that," he muttered.
Soo Jin hesitated, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup. "Still, have you made the insurance claim with HR and finance? I can assist you with—"
"Last thing I need is more paperwork," he muttered, cutting her off. He reached for a cup and poured himself some coffee. The moment the bitter scent hit his nose, he made a face. "Chk," he grunted, "Disgusting. Welcome to the glamorous life of a Preventer," he added sarcastically, taking a reluctant sip.
Soo Jin sighed, the weight of the day pressing down on her shoulders. The bitter taste of the coffee lingered in her mouth, but she couldn't bring herself to take another sip. Instead, she dumped the rest of the cup into the sink, the dark liquid swirling down the drain.
The emptiness in her chest expanded, filling her with a sense of defeat. She rested her hands on the counter, gripping the edge tightly as she tried to gather her strength. The frustration, the sense of not belonging, refused to dissipate. The idea of spending the next two years walking on eggshells around these hardened agents made her stomach churn. Her mother's voice echoed in her mind, insisting that she never should have enlisted.
But she refused to let her mother be right.
Soo Jin glanced at the empty cup in her hand, her thoughts drifting to her brother. Jin Ho wouldn't have backed down. He would have found a way to turn things around, to make these men see that she wasn't just some intern to be brushed off.
"You just watch me, Jin Ho," she whispered into thin air, her grip tightening on the cup, "I'm going to make this work."
She set the cup down with a sense of finality, her resolve hardening.
The quiet hum of the office surrounded Soo Jin as she sat at her desk, methodically reviewing the end-of-month reports. Her eyes skimmed over rows of data on her computer screen, checking each entry to ensure that all clock-in and clock-out times were properly entered, vacation days and sick leaves were properly logged, and that the forms were ready for her manager's approval before they went to HR and Finance.
It was tedious work, but Soo Jin found a certain comfort in the routine. Each completed task was a small victory in a job that often felt overwhelming.
As she scrolled through the list of agents, a particular entry caught her eye. Agent Lee had filed a sick day earlier in the month, before her arrival at the department, but there was no doctor's note attached to his entry. Soo Jin frowned, knowing she couldn't let the omission slide. She needed that note to complete the file.
With a determined breath, Soo Jin stood and made her way across the office to Agent Lee's desk. He was hunched over, engrossed in something on his screen, and didn't look up when she approached.
"Agent Lee?" Soo Jin began, her voice polite but firm. "I noticed that you filed a sick day earlier this month, but I couldn't find the doctor's note in your submission. Could you please upload it so I can finalize the report?"
Agent Lee finally looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. He was a young man with a YOLO demeanor, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Oh, that," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "I was just nursing a hangover. No need for a doctor's note for that, sweetheart."
Soo Jin's lips pressed into a thin line. "Agency policy requires a doctor's note for any sick leave, Agent Lee. I need the documentation to process your time off correctly."
He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that made Soo Jin's skin prickle. "You're a stickler for the rules, aren't you? I like that. Keeps things… interesting." His gaze lingered on her for a moment too long, making her uncomfortable. "I'll see what I can do," he added with a wink, clearly not taking her request seriously.
Frustrated, Soo Jin turned on her heel and returned to her desk. She could still hear Agent Lee's chuckles as she sat down, her irritation simmering beneath the surface. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her desk drawer as she yanked it open, grabbing the candy bar she had bitten into earlier and tearing off another piece with more force than necessary. She chewed in frustration, the sweetness doing little to soothe her nerves.
Just as she was about to take another bite, she noticed another problem. Agent Kim had filed an expense report for an assignment in Busan, but parts of it were incomplete. Details about a meal at a restaurant were missing, and the total expenses didn't add up. Soo Jin sighed, running a hand through her hair. This was another task she couldn't leave unfinished.
She approached Agent Kim's desk with the same determined professionalism she had shown with Agent Lee. "Agent Kim, there's some missing information in your expense report for the Busan assignment. I need details about the meal at the restaurant you visited."
Agent Kim, a wiry man with a perpetually harried expression, barely glanced up from his screen. "I was a little busy trying to prevent the collapse of Korea's digital infrastructure," he said dryly, "so I didn't exactly prioritize keeping track of meal receipts. Can't you just dock it from my pay and leave me alone? Seriously, why bother with this stupid nonsense?" He threw his hands up in exasperation. "Like I care if the Agency pays for my gaebul or not…"
Soo Jin's ears perked up at the mention of the dish. Gaebul—commonly known as "penis fish"—was a rare delicacy, something she knew wasn't available at just any restaurant. She smirked to herself, thinking it suited this dickhead to be eating penis fish.
She gave Agent Kim a polite nod before heading back to her desk. He had given her just enough of a clue to track down the restaurant on her own. She quickly set to work, pulling up a list of restaurants in Busan that served gaebul. After narrowing down the options, she began making calls, her determination renewed.
It didn't take long before she found the right place, with a gaebul ordered during Agent Kim's stay in Busan, and near his hotel too. The numbers matched as well. The restaurant owner was more than willing to help, and within minutes, a copy of the receipt was emailed to her. Soo Jin added it to the report with a triumphant smile.
Feeling a rare moment of satisfaction wash over her, Soo Jin leaned back in her chair, reaching for the candy bar she had left beside her keyboard. As she took a well-deserved bite, she savored the sweetness, smiling to herself as she chewed happily. She skimmed over the hourly reports one last time before approving the monthly data sheet and sending it to her manager. But as she neared the end of the list, something made her pause.
Agent Yuy.
She hadn't seen him once during her first week on the job, yet his hourly reports were impeccable. He had clocked in early each morning and clocked out late at night, every single day. He had even made lunch reservations in the cafeteria—takeout orders—and logged in his commute expenses. There wasn't a single error, not a single missed entry.
Soo Jin's gaze shifted to the family photo on her desk, her eyes softening as they lingered on Jin Ho's young face. The precision in Heero Yuy's reports reminded her of her brother's meticulous nature, the way Jin Ho had always been so thorough in everything he did, whether it was his studies or his chores. That same immaculateness was evident here, in the work of a man she had never met but who seemed to hold himself to a similarly high standard.
But as the warm memories of Jin Ho faded, Soo Jin found herself frowning, her attention drawn back to the present. Her eyes drifted over her cubicle wall to where Heero's desk sat, still perfectly tidy and unoccupied. Who was this mysterious figure who seemed to work tirelessly but was never seen? The curiosity that had been simmering since her first day began to bubble up again, more insistent now.
She leaned back in her chair, chewing thoughtfully on her candy bar as she gazed at his empty desk. "Who are you, Heero Yuy?" she wondered out loud.
The unanswered question lingered in the air, mingling with the bittersweet memories of her brother and the growing mystery of the agent who seemed to exist only on paper.