Kim Minjeong
This is a part of my life when I finally appreciate the quote:
'Being at the right place at right time'
Because that day, on the press conference, I was supposedly with Mr. Lee inside the building getting shots for our company website but, fortunately, Ryu, our website manager, volunteered to personally do the work.
"I wished I was outside back there! Can you see this photo of you Minjeong? You're so cool!"
We, - I meant Ryu and I, were inside her office. I only came here for the reason that she wanted to see me for an important discussion.
But.
She was just complaining and bragging my photos that was now circling on the internet. - Wearing
a navy blue oversized hoodie and my light blue baggy jeans. Thankfully I have a black facemask on and the hood is over my head when we're entering the building.
Ryu was still looking at me teasingly. I was sitting in front of her, accross her desk.
"So...-"
Before she continue whatever it is that she's about say, I cut in.
"Don't. I had enough of that." I eyed her, brows arched - a warning.
I was grateful for the support, truly, but I was also intensely private. The last thing I needed was my face plastered all over the internet as 'Karina Yu's Protector.' or that - 'Cool Oppa'
My felt my face crinkled.
Ryu sighed dramatically, leaning back in her chair. "Fine, fine. Oppa. " This time, I rolled my eyes at her.
She chuckles, revealing her whisker smile, "But seriously, Minjeong, you were amazing out there. You practically became her famous bodyguard overnight."
I shrugged, "I just did what anyone would have done," I mumbled, looking down at my hands. The truth was, I hadn't thought about the consequences. I had simply reacted, driven by the side of me who dislikes toxic behaviors and also the need to protect Karina.
"Yeah, but not everyone has the guts to yell at a crowd of reporters," Ryu said, grinning."You were like a badass mafia. 'Get out of the way!' Iconic."
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile crawl at the corner of my lips. "Okay, enough about that. What did you want to talk to me about?"
Ryu's expression turned more excited, leaning forward, resting her elbows on the desk and she's now smiling from ear to ear, "It's about the comeback," she said. "Mr. Lee wants you to be the lead photographer and videographer for Karina and that other artist's surprise collaboration."
My forehead creased, confused.
Videographer too?
Isn't that too much work for me?
"W-what?"
"He was really impressed with your work during the last shoot. Remember? Before the drama happened, before the original MV got cancelled."
Oh. That.
"I - I don't know what to say," I stammered.
"Say yes," She said, more like demanding. "This is your big break, Minjeong. Don't let it pass you by."
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. "What about the main videographers? Won't they be upset?"
"Mr. Lee already talked to them," Ryu said. "He made it clear that this was his decision, and he expects everyone to respect it."
Just then, the glass door swung open.
"Shin Ryujin - caught slacking off on working hours. "
Choi Lia, Ryu's assistant entered the room while typing on her iPad.
"What? I'm not slacking, we're discussing you woman!" Our web-manager defended. They're always like this, bickering. "Minjeong tell that wicked woman."
I shook my head, mischievously, an idea came to mind, "Actually Lia unnie she summoned me here just to chit-chat -"
"WHAT!?" She exclaimed, her face feigning offense.
Bingo.
Lia faced me, her eyes almost disappearing from smiling, "Thank you Minjeong for telling the truth. Anyways...Mr. Lee wanted to see you at his office. Now."
I stand immediately.
This had to be about the offer.
"Shoo shoo go away you traitor!" Ryu shooed me, waving her hands dismissively. "Go get that bread, Minjeong! But don't forget your unnie when you're already rich and famous!"
I chuckled, shaking my head at her antics. "I won't," I promised, grabbing my camera. "See you later, Ryu unnie."
~
Lia stopped in front of the door, turning to face me. "Good luck, Minjeong," she said, offering a small smile. "I think you deserve this opportunity."
I nodded, grateful for her support. "Thank you unnie, appreciate it."
I knocked on the door, and a voice called out from inside, "Come in."
Lia opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. I took another deep breath and walked into Mr. Lee's office.
He was sitting behind his large mahogany desk, then gestured for me to sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
"Thank you for coming Ms.Kim," he said, his voice formal. " Let's just wait for Yoona and Karina to arrive."
I nodded in understanding.
Moments later, the door opened, Yoona unnie entered, followed by my boss, Karina Yu.
I shifted on my seat, straightening my posture.
"Good morning, Mr. Lee," Yoona unnie greeted, bowing respectfully.
"Good morning," Karina echoed, offering a small smile.
I swear our gazes met for a second, but of course she averted her eyes somewhere.
Is she planning to avoid me forever?
Then the glass door swung open once again.
"Omo - sorry Mr. Lee, am I already late? Our van got stuck on the traffic."
"And what are you doing here exactly?" There's an obvious hatred in Karina's voice.
All eyes on the person who was on the process of closing the door.
"Hwang Yeji! No... we're not starting this meeting without you."
My jaw dropped.
This means she was the other artist for the collaboration?
Yeji bowed apologetically to Mr. Lee.
Mr. Lee waved his hand dismissively. "It's alright, Yeji. Just take a seat. Now that everyone's here, we can begin."
My friend smiled politely at Yoona unnie, ignoring Karina who's beside her manager, then her eyes landed on me. Her eyes widened slightly, then she smiled warmly. "Oh, hi Minjeongie! Nice to see you again."
I returned the smile, "Hi Ms. Hwang."
I can't just call her 'Yeji' here in front of our director.
Well, to avoid a lot of unnecessary questions.
She took the empty seat beside me. "So, I guess we're working together now Yu?" she said, her voice souded mockingly-cheerful.
Karina didn't respond, her gaze fixed on Mr. Lee.
"Alright, now that everyone's here," Mr. Lee said, clearing his throat. "Let's discuss the concept for this collaboration. As you know, we want to create something that is both unique and impactful. Something that will showcase the talents of both the Karina Yu and Hwang Yeji, the Korea's top arstists -"
He launched into a detailed explanation of the project, outlining his vision for the music video, the song, and the overall marketing strategy.
I really, really tried to focus on what he was saying, but I couldn't help but steal glances at Karina and Yeji's silent war.
Finally, the meeting came to an end. Mr. Lee stood up, signaling that it was time to leave.
"Alright, everyone," he said. "I think we've covered everything for today. Ms. Kim, I'll need you to start working on the concept photos and video storyboards as soon as possible. Yoona, please coordinate with Yeji's manager to schedule the recording sessions and music video shoot. And Karina and Yeji, please try to get to know each other better. It's important that you have a good working relationship."
He smiled, his gaze sweeping over each of us. "I have high hopes for this collaboration," he said. "I think it has the potential to be something truly special."
But the truth is, they decided to have this collaboration because of the damage of both company's image regarding the deaths and drama that happened.
With that, he dismissed us. Yoona unnie bowed respectfully and led Karina out of the office.
We did the same - me and Yeji.
And when we're finally out the director's sight, Yeji then turned to me, "So, Minjeong-ah," she said, hooking her arms on mine. "Are you excited to work with me?"
We started walking on the hallway, Yoona and Karina's ahead of us.
"Yeah, I am," I admitted, glacing at her, "But I'm also a little nervous."
She chuckled. "Don't worry," she said. "I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun." She winked.
Typical Hwang, always flirting.
"Minjeong!" Our conversation was interrupted by an irritated call of the woman beside Yoona unnie.
She stopped in front of us, her eyes flicking between me and Yeji. "Can I talk to you for a second? Alone?"
Before I could say a word Yeji beat me to it.
Oh God please not here, not now!
"She's coming with me - plus its already lunch time. I'll steal her from you for a while Ms. Yu, don't worry, we'll be back."
I saw how Karina's lips twitched.
"She's my photographer, she's not working in your company - Minjeong's coming with us."
Yeji unhooked her arms on mine, then stand in face to face again with Karina.
Oh no...Yoona unnie send help!
"As I said, it was lunch time Karina, we're just going to eat, together - It was not working hours."
I saw Yoona unnie walking towards us.
Heavens, blessed this human being!
She positioned herself between world war one and world war two.
And I was standing behind Yeji like a coward soldier.
I'm sorry Yoona unnie, my lifesaver.
"Girls, girls," her anxious eyes were bouncing on the two. " We can all have lunch together, right Minjeong?"
All their eyes on me.
I unconsciously nodded aggressively than intended.
"Let's go now. We have lot of things to do after this."
The two slowly nodded in agreement.
May I remind you Minjeong.
- this is only the first day.
~
Yoona unnie found a spot for us in the company cafeteria.
But before we arrived here, we pass through a lot of trainees who wanted Yeji's autograph or a picture with her. Since this is not her building, after we exited the elevator, all of them swarmed over her. Yoona unnie tried to stop them but of course Yeji says it's fine with her.
On the table, me and Yeji were seated next to each other since she's clinging onto me this whole time. I already received a lot of questioning and suspicious stares from the staffs and other people who saw us.
Karina planted herself across from us, practically radiating a I-don't-give-a-fuck-but-fuck-you vibe while staring at Yeji or at us?
Yoona unnie, bless her soul, was trying to smooth things over, chattering about the upcoming schedule, but it was like trying to put out a wild fire with a water gun.
"So, Minjeong-ah," Yeji started, her voice loud enough to cut through Yoona unnie's chatter, " What kind of concepts are you thinking for the collaboration photos? Something fierce? Or maybe something a little more..." she trailed off, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
I almost choked on the water that I'm drinking as I saw how Karina basically glares at me.
"I... I haven't really started brainstorming yet," I stammered. "I wanted to get a better feel for the song first."
"Well, whatever you come up with, make sure it's something that'll make us both look good," Yeji said, winking, "I mean, we gotta live up to our reputations, right?"
Karina finally spoke, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm sure you'll have no problem with that, Hwang," her eyes narrowed. "You always manage to steal the spotlight."
Yeji unnie just laughed, unfazed. "Hey, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do," she said, shrugging. "Besides, I'm just trying to make sure this collaboration is a success. For both of us."
I also joined Yeji, but it turned to a nervous laugh.
The tension was so thick you couldn't cut it with a knife. I could feel Yoona unnie's anxiety radiating off while she's stuffing her mouth with food.
"Okay, girls," Yoona unnie said, clapping her hands together. "Let's talk about something else, shall we?"
There's a moment a silence.
And of course it'll stay just a moment, when a familiar pink haired girl came with a tray of food on her hand.
"Hey everyone? Miss me?" Aeri plopped herself on one of the chairs beside Karina. "Here's the food for the company's favorite."
Oh... that's why Yoona unnie didn't order some for her.
"What? They made this all for you? How special, how sweet. - omo! they also attached a letter? what's this...from...LMS..." Yeji read.
"It's not just today, it's everyday even when she's home, the company will bring something to her." Yoona unnie informed.
Amazing...
Karina has this proud look on her face. Well, she's the number one asset of the company what do we expect.
~
"Minjeong-ah let's go home together!" Yeji run towards me, hooking her arms on mine and started walking again.
"Aren't your manager waiting for you?" I asked cause earlier I saw him, talking with our director.
She shook her head, " I told him, I'll go with you. He already knows that we're friends so...he agreed."
We're now on the first floor, when she stopped and made me face her.
"Wait, let me just -" Yeji pulled my hood over my head. " There, better. Keep that mask up. There's a lot of those - your fan girls waiting outside." She pointed on the glass door.
My fan girls? Why would I have those? I'm not even an artist nor a trainee.
She's overthinking things I guess.
The automatic door slides open and when it did, an unwavering squeals were heard from the teenage girls who are standing near our company van.
"Oh my God! She's with Hwang Yeji!"
"Can you please pose for us?"
"You're so hot!"
"Please take off the mask unnie!"
Yeji dragged me to the van while she's smiling and waving to the girls.
And finally when the door slide shut, Yeji's laugh was heard.
I look at her baffled.
"Ya Minjeong-ah -" she's still laughing. " They are people not zombies!"
I'm sorry okay? I was just too stunned to react with that kind of crowd.
Then suddenly, my phone vibrated.
Maybe it's Yoona unnie.
I thought.
I fished out the device from my pants pocket, unlocking the phone to see her message.
It's not Yoona unnie.
Neither Karina nor Ning.
It was the unknown number - the same number who's been constantly messaging me from the last God-knows-what years.
"Don't you dare cheat on me. Kim Minjeong."
But then I remember.
This was the first time, after a month of not receiving anything, that this person messaged me again.