Chapter 14
Daily Life, and the Dorm
Two weeks after the end-of-year evaluation.
After spending three golden days of vacation in Gunsan, I turned twenty-two as the new year arrived.
2014
The entertainnt industry was bustling from the start of the new year.
The news of a famous girl group mber and a top star actors romance swept the entertainnt news, and a drama that reminisced the 90s was making headlines every day.
And there was also the upcoming big event.
Sothing about a kingdom.
An animation that Ji-ho had been raving about ever since he saw the trailer on YouTube, saying Hyung! Hyung! You have to watch this for real! was about to be released.
Should I book the tickets for him?
I was checking the screening schedule on my smartphone when I closed the window at the notification that asked to log in.
Ugh, too much hassle.
Bi-ju or Ri-hyuk will do it, right?
Then I zipped up my padding jacket all the way.
The chilly wind was blowing in the alley of Sinsa-dong.
I walked briskly into the Lemon Enter building.
I was about to go to the practice room with a heater when I saw a stranger in front of the elevator.
A woman wearing a black mask and a padded jumper.
She pressed the elevator button several tis, then noticed a paper that said and got annoyed.
Ugh, this sucks!
A husky voice.
Shes a singer.
Why does it have to break down today of all days!
She seed to be furious at the thought of having to carry her luggage up the stairs.
A heavy-looking carrier.
Can I help you?
Why today, of all days!
She burst out again, and I quietly backed away.
Im the weakest link in this company.
A lowly citizen like just passed by quietly.
Excuse .
And a failed escape.
Excuse ?
The black mask went down to her chin, revealing her fair skin.
She had a big and distinctive pretty face.
And a face that I knew.
She was one of the mbers of Scarlet, a senior group in the company.
Sorry, but can you help with this?
Yes!
I smiled brightly and nodded.
Of course I should help you.
The basic of social life is to look good and be liked by the seniors.
Besides, its just a carrier.
Lets get it over with quickly, I thought, and grabbed the handle of the carrier.
Thats really heavy, so be careful-
Dont worry. This much is nothing Hrk!
I lifted the carrier and fell over.
I told you. Its really heavy.
I didnt know it was this much.
Even though I did 100 push-ups every day after being discharged from the military, I strained my muscles.
It felt like a sack of rice.
After several attempts, I finally lifted the carrier, and the other person went up the stairs and reached out her hand.
What is it?
I asked you to help move it.
Yes. You did.
I ant lets carry it together.
I didnt want to pass the luggage to her, but seeing her roughly 150 cm height and thin arms and legs, I changed my mind.
It would be easier for to do it alone.
Ill just carry it, senior. Just show the way.
She stared at my face closely as I climbed up slowly, one step at a ti.
I dont recognize your face. Youre a new trainee, right?
Yes.
Im a senior singer.
I smiled at the sight of the other person who was puffing out his seniority with a stern face.
You obviously know who I am.
Of course.
I also knew his na.
Arent you Daisy, the senior?
Thats right.
Daisy of Scarlet smiled with satisfaction.
Youre a great junior.
Thank you for your ahhhh.
Hey, are you okay?
Im, Im fine. Senior.
You dont look fine. You have the expression of a grandfather whos about to collapse.
Rain poured down in my heart.
Sigh.
Lemon Enter, second floor.
As I passed by the recording studio where I learned composition from Director Jo Gyu-hwan every week, another studio appeared deep inside.
When I finished the delivery there, sweat was pouring down my armpits and back.
Good job.
Daisy handed a tissue as if to wipe off the sweat.
I watched her open the carrier while poking her eyes.
What was in there?
The box of red ginseng was packed so ambitiously.
No wonder it was heavy.
I was surprised when another item was added.
Do you carry dumbbells around the studio?
Theyre for stretching my feet. The chair is too high. Like this.
The short senior singer lifted the dumbbell with difficulty and placed it under the studio chair. Then he sat down and tapped his feet.
Perfect height, right?
It felt like he was saying Ta-da, impressive, right? but I was just dumbfounded.
Senior.
Yes?
Have you ever heard of a footrest? Its one of the great inventions of the 21st century.
Senior?
He wasnt listening to at all.
Daisy, who was humming a tune and filling the studio fridge with red ginseng drinks, handed several bottles.
You worked hard, so drink a lot.
Thank you.
I drank the red ginseng juice as soon as I took it.
It tasted bitter and healthy.
As expected, free stuff is the best.
I looked around and asked.
Is this the studio of Scarlet seniors?
Yep.
I was envious.
I wonder if we could get a studio soday.
Who did the interior design?
Who do you think?
She asked back with an expectant look. I pretended not to know.
Did you do it, senior?
Thats right. I did a great job, didnt I?
A pink sofa with a zebra cushion.
It was the kind of interior that an interior designer would change for free.
By the way.
Daisy asked as she closed the fridge door.
I heard a while ago that youre collaborating with Jang So-won senior?
Yes.
There was a huge rumor in the company.
What rumor?
The new trainees did a great job, and the PR team staff were gossiping about it. They said the managers mouth was up to his ears because they got free publicity.
She showed her curiosity.
How is it going now?
I dont know. They said theyre negotiating with Hwai Entertainnt.
Daisy opened her mouth and said Hmm.
Well, I hope it goes well.
Thank you.
With that, we said goodbye.
Its ti to start the lesson. Ill go now.
Wait a minute.
She stopped from leaving.
She opened her wallet from her padding and handed sothing.
What is this?
Its a tip. Buy so snacks with the kids.
There were two Shin Saimdangs.
All the fatigue I had so far lted away.
Oh, its okay
Why dont you lower your mouth and say it? Take it before I change my mind.
Ill take it gratefully, senior. Ill buy a delicious al with the kids.
What senior.
It was ti for her to say to call her comfortably.
Call sister next ti.
Huh?
Call sister comfortably.
Well, I can call you that if you want, but
She tilted her head at my words.
What are you talking about? Youre not a high school student, are you?
Im twenty-two.
She suddenly went silent and blinked her eyes.
Really?
Yes.
Oh, you look so young. Good job and see you next ti.
I smiled quietly as I watched Daisy fumble with her words. Then I bowed my head and left.
As soon as I closed the door, I heard a faint scream of Embarrassing!.
I took out my smartphone and typed Daisy in the search bar. Her profile appeared.
-Day-Z (Kim Nayoon)
-Singer
-Born: 1996.03.27
-Group: SCARLET
-Agency: Lemon Entertainnt
Shes three years younger than .
What is this happy feeling?
I didnt feel this way when I was in high school, but now that Im in my twenties, I feel happy when I hear soone say Im young.
I have to tell my siblings quickly.
***
Lunchti.
We had finished our morning work and ca to a nearby restaurant.
Black Pork Butcher Shop.
It was our favorite spot for lunch, cheap and tasty.
As usual, we ordered the bulgogi set and chatted about what happened to this morning.
So what did he say?
Im twenty-two, you know. His pupils started shaking when I said that.
The mbers burst into laughter.
We were always laughing at the slightest things, since we spent all day in the practice room.
Bi-ju added.
I get where Nayoon is coming from.
Huh?
I felt the sa way when I first t hyung. I thought he was younger than .
too, I thought he was a high school student.
Right. If he hadnt told us his age from the start, we would have made a mistake too.
Hmm.
What was this satisfying feeling?
Well, I do look young, dont I?
Nah, thats not it.
Jung-hyun said with a smile.
Hyung, the more I look at you, the more I see that old vibe.
True.
Doesnt hyung have that thing? Whenever he gets a chance, he goes ouch~ and rubs his back.
Lol Lol Lol
A similar laughter spread among the kids.
Maybe we had beco close enough to do that.
We whispered jokes without hesitation.
I looked at the duck hot pot boiling on the gas burner.
It was a special treat we bought with the 50,000 won soone threw at us this morning.
Jung-hyun savored the delicious sll and said.
But Nayoon must be making a lot of money. She pulled out a 50,000 won bill and paid right away.
Of course she is. Honestly, 100,000 won wouldnt be a problem either.
Ouch.
Scarlet is one of the top girl groups right now. If they keep it up for another year or two, they could buy a building in this neighborhood with cash.
Really?
Ri-hyuk nodded at my question.
They have more sales than bigger groups, but our company pays well.
Oh.
Woojoo hyung, you didnt know that when you joined?
The youngest explained.
Among the small agencies, Lemon Entertainnt was one of the few that matched the big four in terms of welfare for their artists.
Oh.
That was news to .
The youngest showed the internet and explained how other companies paid. Then he suddenly changed the topic as if he rembered sothing.
Right. Guys, do you know this? There was a post about us a while ago.
What?
Hold on.
For real? For real?
Everyone crowded around Ji-ho.
It was the first episode of Street Boys reality show yesterday. So there were so reactions posted, and we were ntioned too.
[Anyone watched the new reality show on K-net?]
I usually start stanning groups through reality shows
I turned on the TV and saw Street Boys?
They have a reality show now
It was not very fun so I was about to turn it off, but the scene where they did the year-end evaluation or sothing was interesting lol
The kids from Lemon Entertainnt seed to do better
[37 comnts]
-I dont usually stan groups through reality shows or variety shows
-The reality show was boring Its only the first episode so its hard to tell, but I dont really want to watch more
Honestly, when was the last ti a debut reality show was fun? You watch it for the fresh vibe
-Who knows the na of the brown-haired guy in the main picture? Its urgent!
Whats the rush lol
What are you going to do with them, they havent even debuted yet
How would I know the profile of a trainee who hasnt debuted
-They only appeared briefly but they were good I was more drawn to them
-Are they all staff from the agency or what? Theyre not just good-looking, right?
Ugh, I sll a male fan with bad eyesight
The fight started in the middle of the comnts, and out of the 40 comnts, 70 percent were arguing.
What?
Ri-hyuk frowned.
Is this all we get for our reaction?
Well, technically, its a reaction to Woojoo hyung, so its our reaction.
Yeah, Ri-hyuk.
Bi-ju said with a smile.
Honestly, it feels good just to be ntioned, right?
The mbers scrolled down the comnts to see if there was any ntion of them.
But at so point, they beca quiet.
They followed a link and played a video, and then they all looked at .
Whats wrong?
Woojoo hyung.
The mbers eyes were filled with admiration.
You gave up the college entrance exam to save your grandfather?
They all looked at as if they had completely misunderstood sothing.
***
Hey!
Break ti.
When I ca back to the practice room after drinking water, Ji-ho shouted.
Its him! Its him!
And then various jokes followed.
You guys are hooked on this.
I felt embarrassed every ti I heard the awkward nickna of hero.
The younger ones threw a word or two at , as if they enjoyed seeing embarrassed.
As they joked around and rested, our manager Yoon Seok-hwan appeared at the door.
What are you doing, not practicing?
He always cos when were resting.
He looked like he was going to nag us like our grandmother who would co into our room and scold us during exam periods, so I cut him off.
What brings you here?
Oh, right.
Seok-hwan hyung nodded.
I have sothing to tell you. I have three good news for you, which one do you want to hear first?
The best one first.
We just finished the revenue sharing negotiation with Hwai Entertainnt. We signed the contract, so youll be collaborating with Jang So-won right away.
Finally, the schedule is fixed.
Whats the other news?
Second, we also finalized the contract for your dorm. You can move in from this weekend, so adjust your schedules accordingly. The sooner you move in, the better.
We have a dorm now.
We all exchanged glances and muttered aweso with our mouths. We were looking forward to the last good news, but we were surprised by the words that ca out of his mouth.
Lastly, your group na is also confird. Its New Black, the na you ca up with.
Wait.
The na I took from my sweatshirt logo?
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