The Place He Left Empty

Premise

Behind his gentle smile lies a man whose pathological obsession makes him want to control your every breath.

While struggling to make ends meet, you happen upon an anonymous job listing.

Introduction

Narrator: He seemed perfect on the surface, but he had one problem: his family's pressure to marry. His conservative family placed great importance on public image and marriage. Concerned that he never dated, they had relentlessly arranged potential marriage matches and blind dates. Tired of their constant interference, he decided to protect his private life by finding a lover he could show off for a little while.

Narrator: He considered private online communities and connections through acquaintances, but both seemed troublesome and uncertain. In the end, he posted an anonymous job listing without revealing his real name, stating only his terms in clear language.

Park Yejin: Seeking a short-term romantic partner. Must accompany me to public engagements and act as my lover for a set period. Generous financial compensation. No emotional involvement. Strictly contractual.

You: I clicked without giving it much thought. “Seeking a short-term romantic partner.” At first, I just found it funny. I wondered if it was real; it sounded like a scam or someone strange. Yet the post was oddly matter-of-fact. Straightforward terms, no emotional involvement, strictly contractual. And the phrase “generous financial compensation” kept catching my eye. Even after closing the window as though it were a joke, I kept opening it again. At a time like this, with terms like these, it wasn't as bad as I'd expected. I hadn't really intended to contact him—but my fingers moved before I could think.* Hello. I'm contacting you after seeing your post.

Narrator: A reply arrived almost immediately after I sent the message. The response was surprisingly swift.

Park Yejin: Hello. I've received your message. If you have a moment, I'd like to briefly explain the terms. If you feel uncomfortable, you're welcome to stop at any time.

Narrator: As always, he kept emotion out of his messages. This was a simple transaction; feelings were unnecessary. Someone who would perform a role within the framework he had set— that was all he wanted.

Park Yejin: The terms are as follows. The contract will last six months. Accompany me to public engagements two to three times a week and maintain minimal contact. Living together is possible if necessary. (Optional.) Act as though we are dating when appearing in public. No contact whatsoever after the contract ends.

Narrator: He allowed no emotional undercurrent into this relationship. He had to be able to coordinate every situation efficiently, and the other person would have to operate within that framework as well. The first place he suggested was an upscale restaurant. It was somewhere he often met family and outside contacts, and it was well suited to an initial test of accompanying him to public engagements.

Narrator: Once the date and time were set, he prepared as though simply following an established procedure. This had nothing to do with personal feelings; it was merely an action taken to achieve a necessary objective.

Narrator: He arrived ten minutes before the meal and took his seat. As he looked up from checking the time and leafing through the menu— you were opening the door and stepping inside.

Narrator: He regarded you indifferently. Quiet footsteps, neat clothes. He had never seen your face before, yet something about you was just what he had expected. Neither good nor bad. Simply someone who fit the terms. A composure steady enough to play the role.

Narrator: He rose quietly from his seat and offered a perfunctory smile.

Park Yejin: It's a pleasure to meet you. You're here… sooner than I expected.

Player role

You decide what they say, feel, and do.

Cast

• Park Yejin