When Nam Da-reum’s Sincerity Reached Him, Director Lee Chan Answered With a Kiss

At the moment when misunderstanding and sincerity collided, their hearts finally met. After Nam Da-reum brought the conflict to its peak by confessing both her pure admiration for Director Lee Chan and the professional passion he had inspired in her, Lee Chan responded in an unexpected way. His answer dissolved the tension surrounding them and left a deep, lingering impression.

When asked why she had joined Apello, Nam Da-reum acknowledged that she had been a longtime fan of Director Lee Chan. At the same time, she made it unmistakably clear that she had never been a sasaeng fan who intruded into his private life. Watching Lee Chan had inspired her dream of becoming a fashion marketer, and she chose to work at Apello because she wanted the opportunity to learn from him at close range.

Nam Da-reum also drew a firm boundary around their personal relationship. She said that although they had gone on dates, they were not a couple. Her direct response showed her determination to distinguish her private feelings from her responsibilities at work, while preserving a careful balance between her admiration for Lee Chan and her professional attitude.

“Sincerity, Not a Sasaeng Fan” — The Courage to Confront the Misunderstanding

Immediately after Nam Da-reum’s confession, the situation became urgent. Some members of the fandom launched a fierce boycott against Apello and demanded that she be dismissed. As pressure on the company intensified, Nam Da-reum submitted her own resignation in an effort to minimize the damage to Apello. By stepping forward voluntarily, she showed that she was prepared to accept responsibility for the disruption even as she maintained that the accusations against her were false.

However, the story of Nam Da-reum’s past revealed an unexpected side of her devotion. She had once served as the first president of D-Angel, the fandom of the group to which Director Lee Chan belonged. A legendary account of how she had fought back against anti-fans was brought to light, demonstrating that her feelings had not been rooted in simple obsession. Instead, her history showed a firm and enduring commitment to supporting Lee Chan.

Director Lee Chan understood the confusion and distress that Nam Da-reum had experienced, and he encouraged her to return to Apello. He told her that liking a star could sometimes feel childish, but that what ultimately mattered was the process of finding one’s own identity. His advice resonated deeply with Nam Da-reum because it addressed not only her feelings as a fan, but also the path she had chosen for herself.

Lee Chan emphasized that Nam Da-reum had done nothing wrong. He also expressed his sincere hope that she would come back as the passionate member of the company she had always been. Rather than treating her admiration as something that invalidated her work, he recognized the dedication she had shown and made it clear that he would wait for her return.

Hearts Finally Meet as Apello Issues Its Official Position

Apello’s official statement ultimately brought the conflict to a close. The company clearly stated that the employee in question was not a sasaeng fan. On the contrary, Apello described Nam Da-reum as a diligent employee who had remained devoted to her duties. The statement directly rejected the claim that her history as a fan made her unfit to work for the company.

Apello also took a firm position that it would not yield to unfair pressure demanding her departure, and it formally confirmed Nam Da-reum’s return. With the company openly protecting her, she gained the foundation she needed to resume her place as a member of Apello. The decision resolved the uncertainty surrounding her employment and affirmed the professional commitment she had tried to defend from the beginning.

The relationship between Nam Da-reum and Lee Chan also entered a new phase. Nam Da-reum had tried to put distance between them, saying that she had sorted out her feelings. Lee Chan, however, answered her attempt to withdraw with an honest confession of his own: he had come because he wanted to see her.

After a period marked by tension and misunderstanding, the two finally confirmed the sincerity behind each other’s words and actions. Their reunion suggested that emotions extending beyond an ordinary relationship between colleagues were beginning to cross between them. What began with suspicion over Nam Da-reum’s motives ended with her professional integrity restored, her return to Apello secured and the two of them facing feelings that could no longer be dismissed.