The GPS coordinates led them towards Incheon, and eventually, they ended up outside "the portal of Korea", Incheon airport. Senghi cruised the parking lot with one eye on the parking app, finally feeling relaxed and somewhat back in touch with her cool.
"So, we're at the airport", Joonah muttered. "That means we're in for a long day".
"Remember that time when you guys had to compete for plane tickets, and you ended up filming in the Chinese countryside?" Hana giggled. "That was hilarious."
"From what I can recall, 'hilarious' is not the way I'd describe that experience", Joonah replied dryly. "I had to plant rice for five hours straight, and the whole thing got edited out because no one in production found it funny. It was the most expensive episode in the show's history, and we ended up losing viewers."
Senghi tried to hold back a laughter, and failed.
"At least you got to go abroad", she mumbled while parking and turning the engine off. "Alright people, let's hustle."
At the annex of the departure hall, the production's field team awaited them.
They cheered enthusiastically at the sight of the, for once, punctual Joonah. Senghi was also greeted with a warm welcome that almost overwhelmed her, before the team took care of their bags.
Fortunately, the departure hall was still emptied of travellers at this early hour, and there were no fans in sight who would want to ask the cast members for selfies or autographs.
Senghi and Hana held on to their 'Goodwin bags', and Senghi feverishly scanned her memory for Hansung's arrival instructions, while a member of the field team explained to them where to go next.
"We'd better get a move on", she muttered. "Joonah-ssi, do you have everything? Wallet, phone?"
Joonah quickly felt his pockets and nodded. "Wallet, phone, in-ears. That's all I need."
Hana panted, trying to adjust his collar while jogging next to him. As Joonah gently pushed her hand away, Senghi spotted something new in his eyes, a kind of intense focus that hadn't been there before. His back had straightened and his steps were determined as they approached the filming site.
"Behold the transformation from Joonah to Goodwin", Hana whispered in her ear, and Senghi realized that it wasn't merely a joke. The closer they got to the place ahead of them, packed with people and cameras, the calmer and more serious Joonah's expression turned.
"Okey, have fun now." Hana gave Joonah's shoulder an encouraging pat, then steered Senghi with her over to a corner area where a bunch of very casually dressed people were standing, all of them carrying shoulder bags and looking bored to their teeth - the designated manager and stylist area.
After saying hello to some of the other managers and stylists, Senghi couldn't help but send a curious glance towards the click of colourfully dressed, well groomed men that Joonah joined. He greeted all five of them warmly - long hugs and high fives with interlocked hands left and right.
Senghi stretched her neck a little. Yes, there they were, all of them. The veteran comedians Cha Inseong and Lee Jongwoo, both a little on the chubby side, the handsome actors Bae Jinho and Park Mangko... and above everyone else, the king of all variety shows since over a decade, and the leader of the k-pop group SYN-R-GY... mega star Sang Ji. Seeing them all together like this felt almost unreal, even for someone like Senghi.
Actually, Joonah was feeling almost the same thing at that moment, standing with his crew, his brothers, the energy of variety starting to seep into his system. Some of the anxiety that always accompanied him seemed to vanish as soon as he greeted his colleagues. It was time for Goodwin to shine. The other members looked equally relaxed, as their friendly banter slowly helped Goodwin shake Joonah off almost completely.