Episode 33: This Is Professional
Around 9 p.m., when practice was still in full swing, Team Leader Jeon Min-yong stopped by the practice room.
I thought trainers usually handled vocals and choreography, but as the team leader, he was there to check on Free Sense’s first practice session with Seo Seon-yu.
It was only the first day, but practicing nearly nonstop from 10 a.m. paid off.
“Hmm, Seon-yu’s picking up the choreography pretty well, huh? Honestly, I had low expectations, but this level on day one is impressive. Right, Seung-ah?”
“Yes, the dance trainer said she’s a fast learner too.”
Hearing praise from Jeon’s usually stern face brought an irrepressible smile to Seon-yu’s tense expression.
“Thank you. The unnies taught me so well.”
“Good. The trainers will handle your fundamentals and vocals, and the members can teach you the rest. At this rate, you’ll catch up quick.”
After addressing the members, Jeon gestured for me to step outside for a smoke.
Time to talk about Oh Woo-ya.
“So, we’re still looking for the last member with CEO Jung.”
“Yes.”
“I reached out to other companies for recommendations on decently trained trainees…”
He glanced at Woo-ya’s photos I’d sent, continuing.
“How’d you find this girl?”
“Saw her on YouTube.”
“She’s a total civilian?”
“Yes.”
“Look, visuals aside, how are we supposed to train a complete newbie in time?”
I’d been so excited about finding the last member that I hadn’t thought it through.
“Seon-yu at least had some trainee time, so she’s got a basic framework. Think about it—could you jump into a boy group and prep an album right now?”
“No way.”
Jeon clicked his tongue, reluctantly eyeing Woo-ya’s photo.
“Her visuals aren’t bad…”
“How about you meet her in person, Team Leader?”
“She’s in Busan, right?”
“Yes.”
“No contact info at all?”
“Nope. I just found her this afternoon and messaged you.”
“Another dream?”
“Huh? Oh, no.”
“So what, you just saw her on YouTube and got hooked?”
“Uh… yeah, pretty much.”
“Alright, here’s the deal. You go meet her and talk. If she’s interested, have her come to the company. Even if she’s a total rookie, the trainers can gauge her potential, so let’s at least take a look.”
“By myself?”
“Yeah, I’m tied up with boy group auditions starting the day after tomorrow. You know the shop’s location, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then go tomorrow. If it doesn’t work out, we need to move on fast. We’re seriously short on time.”
Was it because I’d proven myself capable so far?
Or was CEO Kim’s influence at play?
Jeon used to filter my ideas, good or bad, but this time he greenlit it faster than expected.
“Oh, and I put all the members’ events and ads on hold.”
“Huh? Did something happen?”
“No, we’re going five-member now, so we need to rework their image.”
They’d decided to focus solely on practice and song prep until the album drops, aiming to shift the public and fans’ perception of the current three-member Free Sense.
“Go to Busan tomorrow. KTX is easier than driving. Use the company card for expenses.”
“Yes.”
“I’m heading out.”
“Oh, Team Leader, can I take Seung-ah with me tomorrow?”
“Seung-ah? Why?”
“I think it’d be better with a member along. When I met Seon-yu, having members there seemed to help. Ah-hyun and Jin-ah need to stay to help Seon-yu practice…”
“Yeah, better than you going alone. Seung-ah’s the leader too. Do it.”
“Thank you.”
Jeon, remembering something, chuckled and added, “You wrote that pledge for CEO Kim, right?”
“Uh… yeah. If Free Sense doesn’t hit the top 100 charts, I’ll pay back the production costs with my salary…”
“Haha, it’s the talk of the company.”
“Seriously…?”
“Yup. The CEO laminated it and stuck it on the office bulletin board.”
“That’s basically public execution…”
“Just so you know, I’m not doing that. Die alone if you have to.”
“Haha, got it.”
“If your salary gets garnished, I’ll buy you a drink or meal.”
“Thanks. That’s reassuring enough.”
“Reassuring, my ass. It’s gotta work out.”
“It will.”
“No backing out now, so let’s do this like our lives depend on it.”
‘I’m not dying, I’m not dying.’
The next morning, I arrived at Seoul Station with Seung-ah.
Wearing a wide-brimmed bucket hat, glasses, a long-sleeved top, and short shorts, Seung-ah unmistakably gave off celebrity vibes.
Compared to the passersby, her skin tone and proportions were like a different species.
“It’s my first time on the KTX,” she said.
“Really?”
“Is it super fast?”
“Yeah, pretty fast. Cars max out at about 140 km/h on a clear highway, but the KTX hits close to 300 km/h.”
“Wow, no joke. Do I need motion sickness pills?”
“Nah, the ride’s smooth, like a subway.”
We sat in the waiting area by the platform entrance, each holding a morning coffee.
While watching news on the TV, Seung-ah giggled at her phone.
“What’s so funny?”
“Ah-hyun says she’s jealous she’s not coming to Busan.”
“Travel, my ass…”
“She’s always wanted to go to Busan.”
“You been?”
“Yeah, a few times with family. Went for events too, but I was stuck in the dorm, no sightseeing. You?”
“Same, with family.”
“Going to Busan or Jeju with friends at 20 was on my bucket list. But after debuting, I barely saw my friends, let alone went to Busan.”
“Yeah, makes sense.”
“Don’t you go on summer trips with friends?”
Come to think of it, I’ve never gone to the beach with friends.
Always talked about it, but military service and life got in the way.
“Nah, never been on a friend trip. Looking back, my life’s been pretty dull.”
“Psh, you can go now. So, we’re eating sashimi, right?”
“Maybe? Depends on time.”
“We’re eating, aren’t we?”
“Of course.”
“Then sashimi!”
“You like sashimi?”
“Love it!”
“Oh, so you’re into seafood.”
“No, sashimi’s the only seafood I eat.”
“Not shrimp?”
“Shrimp and crab are fine.”
“Oh, so you don’t like live octopus or sea squirts.”
“Ugh, no way!”
“They’re delicious.”
“My family loves them, but I can’t handle them. Oh, what’s that super good one? I forgot the name.”
“Sea cucumber? Abalone?”
“No, no. That thing that looks like a… you know…”
Flinch?!
I never expected the word “dick” to come out of Seung-ah’s mouth.
If she’d said “gochu” (pepper), I might’ve thought of the vegetable, but this was unmistakably that kind of “kkochu.”
She said it so casually, but my face turned red for no reason.
I’m not sure if it was her word choice, but a couple sitting in front of us burst out laughing.
“Sea pineapple.”
“Right! Just looking at cut sea pineapple makes me gag.”
“I’m not a fan of it either.”
As we chatted, I noticed something.
Guys passing by were sneaking glances at me and Seung-ah.
Not blatant stares, but their fleeting looks carried clear interest.
Most probably didn’t recognize her as Free Sense’s Lee Seung-ah.
She just stood out.
There’s a saying, “Even an ugly idol is still an idol,” and I was feeling it for the first time.
I lowered my voice so only Seung-ah could hear.
“You’re definitely an idol.”
“Why?”
“Guys keep looking at you.”
“Psh, they’re just looking because someone’s here.”
“You’re not the only person here…”
“No, no, they’re just looking.”
Maybe because we’ve gotten close, but when Seung-ah gets shy or flustered, she slips into informal speech.
Her bashful tone and expression, brimming with awkward charm, were adorable.
“Why do you deny everything I say?”
“Because what’s not true isn’t true.”
“What kind of idol has no confidence?”
“The world knows I’m a nobody…”
“You’re plenty charming as an idol, so stand tall.”
“Well, I do think I’ve got some charm. Just charm.”
She cringed at her own words and burst out laughing.
“Why am I like this, pfft!”
“Let’s board.”
“Yup.”
A few minutes after getting on the train, Seung-ah, buzzing and staring out the window, promptly fell asleep.
As Seung-ah’s head kept clunking against the train window, I gently propped it up.
Her head then slowly slid toward my shoulder, settling comfortably.
The scent of her shampoo and cosmetics, which I thought I’d grown immune to, hit me like a wave.
‘Oh, no.’
This is turning into a couple-like vibe!
Our ancestors warned not to adjust your hat under a pear tree.
Lending a shoulder isn’t a big deal, but someone might recognize Free Sense and snap a photo or stare.
To avoid any misunderstanding, I carefully repositioned Seung-ah’s head against the seat’s headrest.
Her head kept lolling up, down, left, and right, but I stayed firm and didn’t offer my shoulder again until we arrived.
This is professionalism.
This is being a manager.
***
“Ugh, I slept so well. I totally passed out, didn’t I?”
“Yeah. You were snoring.”
“For real?”
“Embarrassed the hell out of the people around us.”
“Eek! Oppa, that’s so embarrassing. I’m sorry!”
“Kidding.”
“What?! Really?”
“Yup. You just slept with your mouth open.”
“Ugh… that’s even uglier.”
“You hungry? Wanna grab food first?”
“Are you hungry?”
“I ate breakfast, so I’m fine. You didn’t, though.”
“She runs a toast shop, right? Let’s eat toast.”
“Alright, sure.”
We arrived at Busan Station and took the subway to Seomyeon, where Oh Woo-ya’s shop was.
Thanks to blog info about nearby schools, we pinpointed the exact location.
When we got there, the area had multiple schools, but since it was class time, there were hardly any students in uniforms. Only about five people were waiting.
Instead of joining the line, we stood a bit away to check out Woo-ya’s face first.
“That’s her?”
“Yup.”
“She’s so pretty!”
Having seen her in a video, not edited photos, her real-life appearance wasn’t much different.
Single eyelids, round nostrils, and plump, fair cheeks that looked like baby fat.
Her expressions while chatting with customers as she made toast were unpretentious, bright, and pure.
Seung-ah reacted more intensely than I did.
“Her eye smile is so pretty. I’m jealous. And her lips are so full.”
“You can see all that from here?”
“Yup, she’ll look even prettier up close. How old is she?”
“No idea yet.”
“She looks younger than me…”
Her face was definitely a youthful, babyish type.
But…
“Wow, look at her chest…”
Her physique was no joke.
Today, she wore a slim-fit dress with a low neckline that accentuated her figure. Every time she laughed at customers’ comments, her cleavage was on full display.
The video hinted at exaggerated reactions, but seeing her in person made it clear.
She’s deliberately playing it up to show off.
This is professionalism.
This is the god of sales!
While we were scoping her out, the five-person line dwindled to the last couple, and no new customers arrived.
“Now’s our chance.”
“Yup.”
As we approached, the female customer in the couple suddenly exploded at her boyfriend.
“What’s with you?”
“Whoa.”
“Is this why you wanted to eat here?”
“What’s your problem now?”
“You don’t even know what your face looks like right now?”
“What’s wrong with my face?”
“Why do you keep smirking like an idiot?! Losing your mind over a pretty girl?”
“God, are you crazy? Why are you making a scene?”
“Look at your face right now. When’s the last time you smiled like that at me?”
“Ugh…”
What a scene.
The guy, clearly used to this, gave up arguing and stared blankly at the sky.
Woo-ya handed the girl her toast, trying to mediate with a cute tone.
“Hey, what’s wrong, unnie?”
“Who the hell’s your unnie, you bitch? Eyes not working? Why’re you grinning like you’re high, shaking your tits at guys to make bank?”
Woo-ya shrank at the girl’s venom.
The boyfriend grabbed her arm.
“Stop it…”
“You bastard, whose side are you on?! If you like her so much, go live with her!”
The girl slammed the toast to the ground like a dunk and stormed off. The guy hurriedly paid, apologized to Woo-ya, and chased after her.
A 1,000-won bill he’d hastily handed over fluttered to the ground in front of the stall.
Before Woo-ya could step out, I picked it up and handed it to her.
“Must be tough.”
“Oh, thank you…”