Episode 46: A New Sensation in Vibrant Colors
Despite Jin-ah’s plea to go along with Seung-ah, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Like a pro wrestler escaping a bear hug, I tried to pull away from her.
I leaned back dramatically, hands fixed in the air, making my discomfort as obvious as possible.
With my upper body and hips pulled back, I must’ve looked like a mountain gorilla with a slipped disc.
Even in a private setting with just us, dancing a slow blues with my assigned idol felt like a grave sin.
If I imagined a GraceOne member dancing like this with a male manager, I’d feel utterly betrayed.
But following Jin-ah’s lead, Ah-hyun, mid-song, shot me a look with furrowed brows, urging me to be kinder to Seung-ah.
What, am I supposed to hug her back and dance?
Seung-ah, still clinging to my waist, swayed side to side, stepping to a blues rhythm.
Out of principle, I refused to match her tempo.
I’ve never danced like this with a girl before, so I wouldn’t even know how.
Soon, she seemed to sense my unease.
Loosening her grip and creating some space, she asked, “Oppa, do I smell like sweat?”
“No, no, no.”
“Is it the alcohol smell?”
“No, you don’t smell bad. You smell nice.”
“Then why do you keep pulling away?”
Let’s just be direct.
“It’s just… this feels a bit uncomfortable.”
“Oh no… I’m sorry!”
Seung-ah flinched, stepping back.
Her high energy crashed, and she shrank into herself.
“It’s because I’m drunk. I’m so sorry…”
I felt bad for killing her vibe, but as a girl group stan and a manager, my conscience wouldn’t let me continue.
Of course, I don’t delude myself into thinking Seung-ah has any rational interest in me.
I’m not some clueless loser who thinks a smile means she’s planning our grandkids.
She’s just comfortable with me, expressing friendly affection in her excitement.
She’s always been touchy with the members—slapping their arms when laughing, using Ah-hyun or Jin-ah as a pillow during practice breaks, even hugging Seon-yu, the newbie, without hesitation.
“If I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry, oppa. I didn’t mean it like that…”
Ah-hyun and Jin-ah glared at me, their eyes scolding my lack of tact.
I felt like the bad guy.
Trying to lighten the mood with a line the Creation Ministry often uses, I said, “It’s been said since ancient times in the Three Bonds and Five Relationships that idols and managers shouldn’t dance the blues… haha…”
Dead silence.
No one laughed.
Jokes need timing, and my forced attempt just made things colder.
Even Seon-yu and Woo-ya gave me pitying “that was rough” looks.
Seung-ah clung to Ah-hyun’s back, giving her a back hug while she sang.
“Wahhh, Ah-hyun, I messed up big time with oppa because I’m drunk… I know there’s no such thing in the Three Bonds…”
Is she… crying?
Is she actually crying?
Jin-ah, as if she saw this coming, slumped her shoulders with a sigh.
Her blatant expression—a first—gave me a sinking feeling I’d opened Pandora’s box.
“Seung-ah, that’s not what I meant…”
“No, it’s fine, oppa. I messed up. I thought we were close, but I didn’t think you’d be uncomfortable… I’m not that drunk, really. I just did it because I like you and feel comfortable, so please don’t hate me. If you hate me, I’ll be really hurt…”
“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just… felt bad for your fans…”
“What fans do I have…?”
“Hey, you’ve got tons of fans.”
“No, I don’t have any fans. And what’s the point if the closest person to me hates me? Wahhh!”
Seung-ah’s wails escalated into full-blown sobbing.
Now I get why Jin-ah and Ah-hyun were so on edge.
Ah-hyun, glaring at me, tried to soothe her.
“Unnie, why are you crying again?”
“Do you hate me too, Ah-hyun?”
“No way. Who in the world could hate you?”
“Min-ji unnie and Ji-an unnie hated me.”
“That’s because they were crazy.”
“Hyun-jong oppa says he hates me too…”
“No, he didn’t say that. Right, oppa? You don’t hate Seung-ah unnie. You like her, don’t you?”
Ah-hyun, pausing her song, winked at me, urging me to comfort her, even if it’s just empty words.
This isn’t like calming a kid…
Drunk Seung-ah’s mental age had regressed to an elementary schooler.
“Seung-ah’s the best,” I said, unleashing a cringey “there, there” I’d never even used on a girlfriend.
The other members joined in with a praise relay and gentle pats, boosting their regressed leader’s spirits.
“Yay, love it, love it!”
Like a manic-depressive swing, Seung-ah’s tears turned to laughter as quickly as they came.
She danced and sang with gusto, then mistakenly chugged “soju” from the water bottle again and collapsed heroically onto the sofa.
“Wow… so that’s passing out drunk. Ah-hyun, we can’t let Seung-ah drink anymore…”
“She won’t have time once album prep starts. She probably went all out tonight thinking it’s her last chance,” Ah-hyun said.
“You hold your liquor pretty well, huh?”
“I don’t get drunk easily.”
“Woo-ya, didn’t you drink a lot too?”
“I’m fine, oppa. I barely drank at the restaurant.”
“Man, look at the time. We gotta go. Let’s wake Seung-ah.”
“You might have to carry her,” Ah-hyun teased.
“No way. There’s too many people outside.”
“Who cares? You’re her manager. And no one recognizes us anyway.”
“No one? Didn’t you see on the way in? Five of you together is pure attention bait.”
“Ugh, you’re worrying for nothing. You’re overprotective,” Ah-hyun sighed.
“Overprotective? Your leader’s passed out and needs to be carried. Of course I’m worried.”
The karaoke place was about five minutes from the dorm.
It’s just one block through the busy street to the residential area, not far at all…
But still, no way.
Even if they’re not super famous, they’re still a girl group.
In this era, even a non-celeb passed out and carried by a guy could get snapped and go viral on SNS. If someone recognizes Seung-ah as Free Sense, it’s game over.
Right now, we need to be cautious of even a drifting dandelion seed.
“Carrying her is a hard no. Let’s just wake her up. Seung-ah, come on, we gotta go.”
I tried shaking her, but she wouldn’t budge.
Our karaoke time was up, and the 10 p.m. minor curfew was approaching.
“Then don’t go out as a group. Split up. Hyun-jong, carry Seung-ah and go first. We’ll follow,” Jin-ah suggested.
“Sigh…”
No choice.
Jin-ah’s right—splitting up might diffuse attention. Cover her face as much as possible…
“Woo-ya, put your cap on Seung-ah. And someone grab a mask from the store.”
“I’ll go,” Seon-yu offered.
“Take the company card.”
With Seon-yu’s mask and Woo-ya’s cap hiding Seung-ah’s face, I hoisted her onto my back.
Even if she’s light, carrying a limp person is no joke.
“Follow behind and watch for anyone taking photos.”
“Come on, you’re being extra,” Ah-hyun grumbled.
“Better safe than sorry.”
“Got it.”
Hoisting Seung-ah onto my back, I climbed the stairs and hurried toward the dorm.
It would’ve been nice to cover her short shorts, but with no jackets among us, her thighs were fully exposed.
I could feel the sneaky glances from guys passing by.
Their thoughts were obvious, so I quickened my pace.
“Ugh, seriously…”
The faster I walked, the more Seung-ah’s body swayed.
No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, her chest kept brushing against my back.
Being a girl group manager is an extreme job in more ways than one…
Good thoughts, good thoughts!
Imagine Pororo floating on his back with a clam on his belly.
A red panda startled, falling backward.
As we left the busy street and entered the quiet residential area, I breathed a sigh of relief.
The girls, matching my pace from behind, slowed down, chatting casually as they followed.
Seung-ah stirred just before we reached the dorm.
Her groggy voice tickled my ear.
“Oppa…”
“Hey, you’re awake?”
“Is karaoke over…?”
“Yeah, we’re at the dorm now.”
“You carried me?”
“Yup. Tried waking you, but you were out cold.”
“Ugh, sorry…”
“Can you walk? I’m dying here.”
“No… too dizzy…”
Seung-ah, limp arms dangling over my shoulders, tightened her grip around my neck.
“Sorry…”
“No more drinking at the dorm, got it?”
“Wah…”
***
Three days later.
The ‘Smile Again’ guide track was complete.
That same day, Free Sense’s official YouTube channel launched.
Channel name: Free Sense / New Ensemble.
We uploaded a video of the five members greeting from the practice room and a “Juice-Squeezing Battle” filmed at the dorm a few days ago.
Jun-ho handled the editing for the juice video, and the company paid him officially for it.
[A New Sensation in Vibrant Colors]
[Free Sense Restarting as a Five-Member Group]
—Pony: Been holding my breath as a Free Sense fan. Finally!!! 😭😭😭
—Nemorino: Wow, the two new members are gorgeous? This lineup’s 99% talent…
—ggaja: Who’s here from ‘Halloween Day’ memes? ✋
—Donggurami: Love this member combo!
—BaeksooKing: Yo, I’m feeling it! Visuals alone say this is gonna blow up 😂😂😂
—Gorittang: 😍 Is this the birth of a legendary mid-liner?
—MQ: Four months into face-reading studies, and Seung-ah’s aura looks even better.
—cky1990: Seon-yu’s visuals are insane. You’re my pick now!!!!
—Kottiard: GraceOne’s sister group, right?
—Marugle: Woo-ya’s eyes… something’s wrong with me…
—Sseos: Jin-ah, your oppa’s here!!!!!
—Makssugo: Was this group always this pretty????
—richdad: Member count and visuals upgraded ^^
—Pungroejunsa: Good luck!
—Mulmulbangul: Congrats on the new start. Aiming for #1 on the charts. Keep soaring. Great work.