WHEN
After our hectic schedule, I found myself waking up in the middle of the night and developed a bad habit: watching reruns of K-dramas.
That's when I started following a very promising actor, Do Kyung Soo. I was watching one of his movies, "Pure Love," for the umpteenth time, sobbing uncontrollably, when I got a call from ChanYeol. I looked at the clock on the wall: 3:51 am.
While I was debating whether or not to answer the call, the saddest part of the movie happened, and ChanYeol kept trying to get in touch. Trying not to sound tearful, I cleared my throat, muted the movie, and answered.
Chanyeol still hadn't discovered that I had become a K-drama lover, or better yet, a dandanie.
"Hyung, is everything alright?" I tried to keep my voice from breaking as I watched actor KyungSoo cry heartbreakingly.
"Everything is perfect, but I need your help, Jongin-AH," he sounded a little flustered, so I let him try to catch his breath and continue with what he wanted to tell me.
- Hyung, there's a lot of noise, where are you?, I tried to get him to continue the conversation while I kept watching the movie "Pure Love".
"Excuse me, Jongin-ah, but I'm catching a flight to Incheon right now, that's why I was calling. I know it's late and you'll kill me when I see you again, and I know you love getting your nine hours of sleep straight, but I think I can ask you this favor. You see, I've been in China for two weeks and haven't had a very good reception so far. And I completely forgot that I had to film a music video for a new artist. I talked to production about postponing my scenes, and they said they could do it, but they needed you to film a commercial for a fried chicken chain while we were on set. I know you don't like being filmed, but I think it's a great opportunity for you and the group—"
- Hyung, I can't do that, I'm too shy-
"Please Jongin-AH, your fans are dying for you to reveal your face, you always wear a face mask or those awful turtlenecks no matter how hot it is (41°C)."
- But Hyung!
"Jongin-ah, you know I wouldn't ask you to do this under other circumstances, but Sehun is arriving in Korea in a week, and he doesn't like fried chicken, but you do. Besides, you just have to eat it deliciously in front of a TV; you won't even have any lines to memorize. Please, Jongin-ah! Help me!"
- I, I... I'll help you, Hyung, but I expect a good birthday present this time. This year's was too tight, and I had to give it to my manager's son.
"Thank you so much, Jongin-ah, you saved my life. I have to go, I just got a taxi to take me to the airport. See you soon."
- See you soon, Hyung! But when you get in your taxi, you can call my manager to come pick me up; I don't think I'll be able to do it myself.
- "About that Jongin-AH... your manager is on the other end of the line and he already knows, he knew you would accept, you're the best Jongin-AH, bye bye.
- ¡Hyung! ¡Hyung! ¿Hyung?
"Hi Kai, it's your manager... it seems Chanyeol has already hung up. I'll pick you up at 7 a.m. The recording is in Gyeonggi at noon, and since it's Friday, it will take us longer than usual. I suggest you get some rest."
"Oh, Manager-NIM! Yes, of course, you already know the password, and you could bring me some rice cakes. I don't think I'll be in the mood for breakfast so early. But I can eat them on the way."
"Okay, noted. I'll take the company car since the van will wait for Chanyeol to take him to the location tomorrow. Which reminds me that I packed a suitcase for a two-week stay near the location; apparently, they'll be filming some scenes for his next album when Sehun returns to the country."
- Okay Manager-NIM, see you soon.
The call had ended and after arranging everything for the trip, I slept soundly. When Manager-NIM came to pick me up, I ran to the car and fell into a deep sleep.
It wasn't until we arrived at the location that I was awakened by the commotion caused by the recording staff.
My stomach was still empty and that's when I realized I hadn't eaten the rice cakes. I got out of the car and ate them while I looked for my image designer, when suddenly I saw Do KyungSoo in front of me.
I dropped the box of rice cakes and he, with reflexes so fast my brain could barely register it, caught the box with great ease. I was in shock; I couldn't understand what he was saying when he handed me the rice cakes intact, nor when he said goodbye to me.