Monday morning arrived with a different kind of excitement hanging in the air at Lumina Studio.
The entire office felt unusually lively.
People moved around carrying bags, cameras, garment racks, lighting equipment, and travel cases. Laughter echoed through the hallway as staff members hurried from one corner of the building to another.
Today was the start of their one-week work trip to Jeju.
After weeks of preparation, meetings, and planning, everything was finally ready.
Outside the building, six cars were already parked in a neat line in the company parking lot.
Each team would travel together.
And one car was reserved for the cooking team, who would handle meals during the week-long shoot.
The cool morning breeze carried the sounds of chatter and excitement.
Some people were double-checking luggage while others were busy teasing each other about the long drive ahead.
"Did you bring snacks?" someone asked.
"Of course I did," another replied proudly.
"Then sit near me. I don't trust people who don't share food."
Laughter broke out around them.
The Car Arrangements
The teams naturally gathered around their assigned vehicles.
Each car would carry one team so they could continue discussing concepts and ideas during the trip.
Team One was the first to settle into their car.
Kim So Hee stood beside the vehicle with her usual calm expression while Lee Si Ah and Kim Hyun Soo loaded the last equipment case into the trunk.
"Make sure the camera case is secure," Hyun Soo reminded them.
Si Ah stretched lazily before climbing into the back seat.
"This trip better be worth all this effort," she joked.
So Hee simply adjusted her seatbelt.
"It will be."
Nearby, Team Two was already louder.
Seo Min Ah was talking excitedly while Lim Jiyeon leaned casually against the car door.
Cho Yu Na stood beside them, holding her camera bag.
"Jeju scenery will be perfect for photos," Yu Na said quietly.
Jiyeon grinned.
"I'm more excited about the beach."
Min Ah laughed.
"Of course you are."
Yu Na opened the driver's door, hiding the faint smile on her face.
Not far away, Yerin and Dahye stood beside their car.
Park So Hyun had already climbed into the back seat, humming softly while checking her phone.
Dahye loaded her camera equipment carefully before closing the trunk.
Yerin walked around the car, making sure everything was secured.
"You packed too much," Dahye teased.
Yerin looked at her.
"You packed three cameras."
"That's different."
"How?"
"Because I'm the photographer."
Yerin rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile.
Even though their relationship was still a secret, moments like this made it hard not to look at each other.
Dahye leaned slightly closer.
"Excited?"
Yerin nodded.
"A week away from the office? Of course."
Their hands brushed briefly as they both reached for the same door handle.
Neither of them said anything.
But the small moment lingered between them.
Behind them, Park So Hyun watched quietly.
At the fourth car, Park Hyeji, Kim Bora, and Lee Jae Min were busy arguing about music choices.
"No sad songs," Bora declared.
Jae Min protested.
"That's my playlist!"
"Your playlist makes people fall asleep."
"Exactly," Hyeji added. "Which is perfect for a long drive."
They eventually settled inside the car still bickering.
The fifth car was calmer.
Kim Eunji carefully arranged garment bags while Han Yuri adjusted her seat.
Park So Min leaned against the car door.
"This trip will be fun," Yuri said.
Eunji smiled.
"It better be. We worked too hard preparing for it."
The Cooking Team
The sixth car was already chaotic.
Because the cooking team included three very different personalities.
Kwon Nari was leaning against the hood of the car with sunglasses on, sipping iced coffee like she owned the parking lot.
Eunseo stood beside the trunk organizing food boxes.
And Haerin…
Well.
Haerin was talking.
A lot.
"Did you bring enough seasoning?" she asked.
"Yes," Eunseo replied.
"And vegetables?"
"Yes."
"And what about snacks?"
Nari sighed dramatically.
"Haerin."
"Yes?"
"If you ask one more question, I'm leaving you here."
Haerin blinked.
"Wow. You're so mean."
Eunseo tried not to laugh as she finished closing the trunk.
Despite the chaos, she felt surprisingly comfortable.
Working here had introduced her to people she never expected to meet.
And Nari kept glancing at her with that playful smile that Eunseo still didn't understand.
"Ready?" Nari asked.
Eunseo nodded.
"Ready."
Departure
Soon all six cars were filled.
Engines started one after another.
Inside the cars, conversations immediately began.
Some people shared snacks.
Some discussed work ideas.
Some simply leaned back and enjoyed the ride.
Inside Yerin's Car
Park So Hyun was already half asleep in the back seat.
Dahye was driving while soft music played through the speakers.
Yerin sat beside her, scrolling through messages on her phone.
"You didn't sleep much last night," Dahye said quietly.
Yerin glanced at her.
"How did you know?"
"You look tired."
Yerin smiled faintly.
"I'm fine."
After a moment Dahye reached toward the center console and passed her a small snack.
"Eat something."
Yerin accepted it.
"Thank you."
Their fingers brushed again.
Dahye quickly returned her attention to the road.
But a small smile appeared on her face.
Other Cars
In Team Two's car, Min Ah and Jiyeon were laughing about something ridiculous while Yu Na focused on driving.
At one point Jiyeon stretched dramatically.
"This road trip feels like a vacation."
Min Ah nudged her.
"We're working."
Jiyeon grinned.
"Same thing."
Yu Na remained quiet, though a small smile formed at the corner of her lips.
Meanwhile in the cooking team car, Haerin was still talking.
"…and then I thought maybe we should cook seafood one day—"
"Haerin," Nari interrupted.
"Yes?"
"Breathe."
Eunseo burst into laughter.
The Long Road
As the cars moved further from the city, the scenery began to change.
Tall buildings slowly disappeared.
Wide open roads stretched ahead.
Mountains and green landscapes surrounded them.
Some people continued chatting excitedly.
Others slowly fell asleep during the long journey.
Music played.
Laughter echoed through the cars.
And ahead of them waited Jeju Island.
Seven days.
New scenery.
Work.
Memories.
And maybe…
A few unexpected moments none of them saw coming.