Eun Gi scrubbed down in the hot water, standing under the steady stream to let it clear out the last of the mental cobwebs. Nerves were a snake in his belly, coiling to the point of nausea. He set his forehead against the cool tile and willed away the queasiness. Music had been his life, solace, and strength for so long that he sometimes wondered if he could actually do anything else.
When he’d accepted the acting job, he had naively assumed he might get to enjoy a little lighter schedule, but Kyung Mi had had the opposite idea. He was still expected to maintain all of his obligations while acting. None of them ever had a ton of free time, so it wasn’t unusual. It would be a schedule with an intensity like when they were touring, which was…somewhat sustainable. He wouldn’t be acting forever, so he could manage. He hoped.
His phone pinged while he was drying off, and he checked the read out.
Eomeoni:
I see you’re in the news again.
I’ll be needing double this month.
The urge to throw the phone overwhelmed him, but he forced himself to turn away from it. He debated blocking the number, as he had contemplated a hundred times before, but experience had taught him to answer his mother quickly.
Eun Gi:
Fine.
His savings would have to take the hit to accommodate the request. Again.
“Hyung wants me to make sure you eat breakfast,” Hwan yelled from the kitchen when Eun Gi vacated the bathroom.
“I’ll grab something on the way.”
“Coffee doesn’t count. You’re supposed to go by their apartment before you leave.”
When he was dressed, Eun Gi and Hwan swept down the communal hall where the sweet, nutty scent of yachae juk rice porridge seeped out of the apartment the others shared. Min Jae opened the door before they even got there, and Sung Soo was already ladling out bowls. He waved Eun Gi over to take the first one.
“I’m declaring it good luck for us to be there on your first day,” Sung Soo said.
Eun Gi paused in his eating to smile. “I look forward to it. I think I’m starting to get excited.”
“Good!” Hwan swung an arm around Eun Gi. “You have to enjoy the process so I feel less bad about teasing you when we watch the final cut.”
They indulged in a group hug before Eun Gi ran down to catch the car that was waiting for him. Traffic was dense, but he’d made it out with enough time to get to the studio with a couple minutes to spare. Kim Ha Yun was waiting, rushing him into makeup the moment he stepped through the door.
There was a buzz in the air that came from the beginning of a fresh project; a bright newness sitting on the edge of possibility. Eun Gi saw Tessa out of the corner of his eye, perched on a chair wearing a red dress and black tights with his coat folded over her arm. She looked so much healthier than the last time he’d seen her. Ha Yun interrupted his walk towards her, shoving him along so he didn’t have time to stop and chat.
The face that greeted him when he sat down at the makeup chair was like a swift punch to the gut. Kim Hye Jin was petite and perfect. Jet-black locks were tamed into a French roll, not a hair out of place. Her makeup was as soft as the sweet round face it adorned, with a pink blush across her cheeks that highlighted her alabaster skin. She had once worked for EchoPop Entertainment. A dating scandal had ended with her quitting her job, and he hadn’t encountered her in years. He hadn’t known she’d been hired with Elite Studios.
She smiled at him, the same affectionate, immaculate expression he remembered.
Her beauty was what initially caught his attention, but her obvious talent and delight in her skills was what had intrigued him enough to ask her out.
“I wish you were here for a music video,” she told him as she picked up her tools. “We could have so much more fun with your makeup.”
She wasn’t awkward at all around him, and there he was stewing in anxiety. How was that fair?
He caught sight of the writer in the mirror. She fiddled with his coat, clearly unsure if she should approach.
“Good morning, Baek Eun Gi-ssi,” she said in polite, fluid Korean.
“Good morning.” He nodded slightly, careful not to disrupt Hye Jin’s work.
She held out his coat, but then realized he was otherwise occupied. “I brought back your coat. I just wanted to say thank you.”
Hye Jin glanced between them. “I’m surprised at you, Eun Gi. You’re usually so discreet, but this was all over the media.”
“We’re not together.”
“Uh huh.” She turned to the writer. “I hope you haven’t been getting hassled. If you need any advice for how to deal with it, feel free to come talk to me.”
Not everyone can quit their job and run away.
“Oh, no. It’s been fine,” the writer said.
“We’re not together,” he insisted again.
“If you say so. It certainly looks like you are. She’s returning your clothes.”
Eun Gi empathized with the startled expression on the writer’s face. His hackles rose. He didn’t owe Hye Jin an explanation of why anyone had been at his place.
“You don’t have to hide it from me.”
His cheeks warmed at her words.
“I’m more than familiar with how to be discreet when it comes to the affairs of idols.”
Not discreet enough.
His gaze swiveled back to the writer in the mirror. Someone may as well have tossed cold water in her face. If she was a fan, she might recognize Hye Jin’s name from when the company had swept the scandal under the rug in his youth.
“This is hardly the place to discuss that, Hye Jin.” He didn’t want to discuss it. He wanted to go back to pretending it had never happened.
Hye Jin winked. “I won’t say a word, don’t worry.”
“There’s nothing. Just drop it.”
“Oh, calm down. You were always so uptight.”
The writer looked mortified as she fled the room. Eun Gi made a mental note to apologize for Hye Jin’s lack of tact.
Tessa
The coat was still in Tessa’s hands, forgotten in her haste to get away. She’d come across that particular scandal in her obsessive search to assess their current situation, but there had been no information about what had become of Kim Hye Jin. Now she knew.
She hung around the edge of the set quietly until UpBeat emerged from makeup and Lily appeared to start filming. When the director called action, Tessa pressed her fingers to her lips, heart racing as she saw the words she’d written come to life.
It was eerie. UpBeat slipping into the role of a performer changed the entire set of his body, his face, how he moved. He was much better than Tessa had expected, not that she wasn’t confident he could pull off anything artistic he wanted to do. She’d seen glimpses in behind-the-scenes footage and knew about the clear distinction between UpBeat and Eun Gi. It was so much more interesting to experience it happening in person, to see Eun Gi get tucked away and replaced with Lee Do Yun of the Kingdom of Joseon.
Tessa was utterly fascinated. They embodied the characters so well, bringing them into existence in a way she never imagined being able to see. Barely breathing, she stood enraptured until the director called cut and the historical personas disappeared in an instant.
They paused for water, rearranged the people and the camera angles before reshooting the scene. The buzz of Tessa’s phone in her pocket startled her.
Kelly:
Call me when you have a moment <3
Tessa slipped outside, not wanting to disturb the production. The burst of chilled air hit her, and she pulled on UpBeat’s coat. She dialed Kelly’s number and sat down on the steps leading into the studio.
“Hey, what’s up?” Tessa asked.
“I wanted to make sure you were available before I left. How’s filming going?”
“It’s the most surreal feeling.” The smile on Tessa’s face leaked into her voice. “It’s so, so amazing.”
“You’re too cute. I’m on my wa
y now, it’ll take me about half an hour to get there and then we can go for lunch. Sound good?”
“Absolutely,” Tessa agreed. “Hey, Kel, do you remember a few years ago when UpBeat and a woman named Kim Hye Jin were all over the fan forums?”
“Yeah, why?”
“She’s working here.”
“Huh. How is she?”
“Beautiful. I dunno. I kind of panicked and bailed out.”
“I’m curious. The scandal was hushed up fairly quickly, but it was big for a while.”
“How is everything related to dating here a scandal?” Tessa snuggled deeper into the coat. “Let adults date. Honestly.”
“Oh, I agree with you, but it’s bad for marketing. I’ve seen idols deny relationships right up to the altar to temper the backlash.”
“I kind of get it, like, I still had moments of God I wish that were me whenever it came up in the media, but I just want them to be happy.”
Kelly let out a little squeak. “Quit being so cute! Talk to you in a bit. I’m getting on the subway. Bye!”
Tessa shivered in the breeze.
“Tessa-ssi!”
She turned towards the voice.
Lee Hyeong Hwan was heading up the steps towards her, followed by Park Sung Soo and Jeon Min Jae. Tessa forgot how to breathe. They were instantly recognizable with Sung Soo’s and Jaybird’s blue and pink hair, respectively, and Hwan’s perfectly swept black hair.
“Are you feeling better?” Hwan asked in Korean.
Jaybird held out his hand. “This is how foreigners say hello, right?”
It took her a moment of staring before she put her hand into Jaybird’s for a handshake. Sung Soo observed her silently.
“Yes, to both of you,” she replied.
Jaybird grinned. “I’m glad you speak Korean. I never got the hang of English.”
“It’s definitely difficult to learn,” Tessa said. “Halmeoni used to complain all the time about why it couldn’t just make proper sense.”
Jaybird’s eyes lit up. “You’re Korean?”
“Uh, part? Only a quarter.”
“What’s the rest of you?” Jaybird scrutinized her face.
Sung Soo kicked him in the back of the leg. “Don’t be rude.”
“It’s all right,” Tessa cringed. “People ask me all the time, so I’m mostly used to it. I’m mixed; Mamãe is Brazilian, also mixed, and Appa is half Korean, half English.”
“We went to Brazil on one of our world tours,” Jaybird told her. Tessa knew, of course, because she was all too aware of the entire musical history of 24/7. She’d wanted to attend one of their concerts in Rio, but it had coincided with her grandfather’s birthday, and she’d stayed in Fortaleza for that instead.
An icy wind whipped over them.
“Let’s get inside. I’m cold.” Sung Soo pushed them toward the doors.
They waited quietly, albeit impatiently. When the director called for a break, the three of them flooded onto the set, throwing themselves bodily at UpBeat in a riotous hug. He squawked and disappeared amid arms, torsos, and excited voices.
“You’re lucky it’s lunch-time, or I’d have to admonish you for ruining my work,” Hye Jin teased as she snuck up on the boys.
“Hye Jin!” Jaybird abandoned the pile and squeezed the makeup artist into a hug. “I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“You’ve been busy touring the world.” She stuck out her tongue. “I’ve been here painting faces. We don’t cross paths often anymore.”
“You should come to lunch with us,” Jaybird insisted.
“I don’t think Eun Gi would like that.”
Jaybird snorted. “But I would!”
Hye Jin smiled and cupped his cheeks. “Thank you for the offer. If he says I can come, then I’ll join you. If not, there’s lunch here, so don’t feel too bad for me if he says no.”
He turned to Tessa. “You should come for lunch too.”
She reeled in her deer-in-headlights response as best she could. “I’d love to, but I’m going to lunch with Kelly.”
“Is she a writer too?”
Tessa shook her head. “She’s a vlogger.”
Jaybird’s eyes lit up and he tapped away on his phone before turning the screen to Tessa. “Is this her?”
“I, uh, yes, it is. Do you watch her channel?”
“Sometimes, when I have time. I like watching people cook, and she does those fun mukbang episodes. You should bring her.”
“Sure, I’ll text her.” Tessa smiled. “She’ll love that you’ve seen her videos.”
UpBeat showed up out of costume, but still with his hair and makeup. “Where are we going?”
“There’s a noodle house a couple of streets over that has great reviews,” Sung Soo offered.
Jaybird turned imploring eyes to UpBeat. “Hyung-nim, can Hye Jin and Tessa-ssi come to lunch too?”
“You can’t guilt me with honorifics.” UpBeat glared at the maknae. “If I say no, are you going to harass me about it until I give in anyway?”
“Yep.” Jaybird grinned widely.
UpBeat sighed. “Fine.”
The maknae pumped his hand in the air, victorious. “Tessa-ssi, text your friend and tell her to meet us at the noodle place. We’ll save her a seat.”
She looked to Sung Soo for guidance, and he nodded. She’d known that Jaybird ran roughshod over them because he was the baby of the group, but it was still a bit strange to see them buckle to his whims so easily.
Surreal didn’t even begin to explain the situation as Tessa sat down to lunch surrounded by the idols.
When Kelly arrived, the table was already laden with bowls of translucent japchae noodles and a variety of banchan side dishes. Tessa had tried to prepare her via text, but it was impossible to not be a little starstruck coming face-to-face with four excitable idols.
Sung Soo, Kelly’s own bias in the group, chatted with her about her work. Jaybird seemed able to focus on three conversations at once, offering commentary to Kelly on his favourite videos, while still dividing his attention between Tessa and Hye Jin.
“Tessa-ssi,” Jaybird said, “how long are you in Seoul for?”
“A month.”
He frowned. “That’s not very long.”
“Well, it’s only a vacation. They don’t need me on set or anything, so there’s not much sense in staying. If she got her way, Kelly would have me moving here.”
“You should!” Min Jae said. “Seoul is great.”
Kelly high-fived him. “Hell yes. Another one on my team!”
The concept sent a thrill up her spine, but she couldn’t quite tell if it was fear or excitement at the prospect of relocation.
“You’re in charge of telling my parents I’m leaving Canada then,” Tessa said to Jaybird. “Mamãe might hunt you down for suggesting it.”
“I’m far away. Plenty of time to hide.” He stuck out his tongue.
UpBeat filled the periphery of her vision, slurping up his japchae. It annoyed her that he managed to still look perfect while inhaling noodles. It shouldn’t be humanly possible.
“Ow!” UpBeat jumped, startling her. He glared at Sung Soo. “What?”
Sung Soo looked from UpBeat to Tessa expectantly.
Tessa stared at the two of them, wondering if Sung Soo had kicked him under the table.
UpBeat set down his chopsticks and turned to her.
“What do you think of the drama so far, Tessa-ssi?”
A grin stole over her face. “I love it. You’ve been amazing. Not that I didn’t expect you would be.”
Sung Soo smiled. “It’s not easy to impress a creator with their own characters.”
“I’ll take that as the highest of compliments.” Eun Gi smiled and consumed another mouthful of noodles.
“You’re perfect for the part, honestly. I mean, I didn’t write him with you in mind or anything, but I couldn’t think of anyone better to play Lee Do Yun.”
UpBeat gave her a long look. �
�Thank you. I was a little worried about taking the role, but I feel better that you think I’m doing it justice.”
“I kept telling him he’d do great, but I’m pretty sure it means more coming from you, Tessa-ssi,” Sung Soo said.
Her cheeks warmed. “Happy to help.”
Sung Soo paid for the group, despite protests, and shuffled them back toward the studio. Tessa burrowed deeply into her coat when a honk sounded behind them.
UpBeat snared an arm around her waist and whipped her towards him scarce moments before a delivery motorbike zoomed past on the sidewalk. The handlebar lashed the skirt of her dress, and she’d have tipped backwards if not for him keeping her upright. She shrank against him, and his grip tightened. Tessa stood there in his arms, heart thundering.
“Are you okay?”
Tessa nodded dumbly. His brown eyes were wide and concerned, and she couldn’t help but stare. Her palms were still pressed to his chest, and she sheepishly withdrew them, stepping back. Every gaze burned on her, but more than that was the unexpected heat where his arm had been, where her hands had rested. She almost wished something else would zip down the sidewalk so he’d touch her again.
“You okay, Tess?” Kelly asked.
“Yeah.” She tucked her head down to hide her blush. “What are they doing on the sidewalk?”
Kelly shrugged. “I’ve stopped noticing them by this point. Every flat surface is a road to them so they can make their delivery deadlines.”
Tessa tried not to think about UpBeat’s arm around her waist.
She sighed and hunched her shoulders against the breeze.
Ha Yun was waiting for them when they arrived, shuffling UpBeat and Hye Jin back to work. Sung Soo, Hwan, Jaybird, and Kelly stayed on to watch some of the production. They were all infinitely charming in their enthusiasm for UpBeat’s career, even if it didn’t involve them at the moment. Every time the director called cut, his face lit up seeing them there cheering him on. It warmed Tessa’s heart to see them there for him as much as it did to see Kelly there for her.
They ended up whiling away the entire afternoon until things wrapped up for the day.
“Ready to head back?” Kelly looped her arm through Tessa’s.
Heart and Seoul (The Seoul Series Book 1) Page 5