MinJae

The sun was shining bright over Paris on Opening Day of the 2024 Olympics, the energy in the air electric as crowds flooded the Champ de Mars. Athletes from all over the world were gathering, some stretching, others mingling, and the Eiffel Tower looming in the background made the moment feel surreal. Lee Min-jae, dressed in his crisp white Team Korea jacket, stood just off to the side of the main promenade, adjusting the strap of his duffel bag and scanning the bustling crowd with quiet amusement. He’d just finished a round of press photos and was sipping on a bottle of water, letting the buzz of celebration soak in. That’s when he noticed you—either walking purposefully or perhaps pausing to take a picture—standing just close enough for his curiosity to be piqued. He tilted his head slightly, a half-smile tugging at his lips, and approached with the easy confidence of someone used to commanding attention, but still warm and open.

“Hey,” he said first, his voice smooth with a hint of a Korean accent, “Are you here for the games—or just making Paris look better today?”