21 Making Of An Idol (3): Prepare Yourself

Sung Gojin was reading the newspaper. His mind was in a turmoil as he read every sentence of the article worriedly. Jinhyun's face was sprawled on the front page with the headline, "Idol King Jinhyun Opens His Own Agency." 

It was the talk of the town. From social media to newspapers and TV shows, everyone was talking about Jinhyun's new agency. It gained momentum in a short period of time since Jinhyun is still popular among the industry. Well known artists have signed up with his firm and have also promoted his self made songs on their social media accounts. Some of the artists from CNQ Media itself have switched there due to more creative freedom. There was also a dedicated segment for actors, which attracted more talented celebrities. 

"This boy is barking mad!" he exclaimed furiously as he threw away the newspaper. He refused to be upstaged by a puny pest like that. He was so angry, that he could feel his blood pressure rising. 

Gojin pressed the intercom beside his bed. 

"Sojin!" he barked. "Bring me my medicines." 

"Yes sir,"  Sojin's voice came from the other end. Within a few minutes, she entered the master bedroom, holding a box of medicines. 

Sung Gojin extended his hand as the maid wrapped the pressure measuring machine around his arm. She swiftly took the measurement as Gojin grumbled. 

"Sir, your blood pressure has risen above the recommended level," she stated. "I will schedule an appointment with the doctor tomorrow." 

"What's the point?" Gojin growled. "His medicines won't help my health. Not as long as that brat keeps on getting in my way!" 

"Sorry, sir. I don't understand." 

Gojin pointed at the newspaper. Sojin picked it up to see an article on Jinhyun. 

With great difficulty, she managed to suppress a smile. 

"Sir, please do not let business issues affect your health," she advised. "I'll make you some rice porridge to help you calm down." 

"Where's Yoona?" Gojin asked. 

"She is in her room," Sojin replied. "Talking to her mother." 

"Her mother?" Gojin scoffed. "That woman hardly ever comes home! God knows where she is at this moment. Suddenly, she remembered that she has a daughter?" 

"Madam cares for Yoona, sir," Sojin stated. "She sends her gifts every week-" 

"Gifts don't do shit!" Gojin yelled. "She should be home, taking care of her only child! Frankly, you are more like a mother to Yoona than Semi ever was!" 

Sojin did not reply. She lowered her head and picked up the medicine box and newspaper. 

"I'll send the rice porridge for you, sir," she said, bowing down. Gojin acknowledged her and she exited the room. 

She was passing by Yoona's room when she paused and decided to check up on her. Sojin was about to enter the room when Yoona's voice made her freeze. 

"Oppa, our hands touched today," Yoona giggled. Sojin discreetly opened the door a little to peer in. Yoona was sitting on the floor, clutching a picture of Jinhyun. 

"Our hands touched," she said, hugging the picture. "Oppa, you love me too, right?" 

Yoona's eyes gazed at the picture. She did not even realize that Sojin was listening to her. 

"We'll be together soon," she promised. "No one can separate us…" 

Sojin quietly backed away. She silently went back to her room and closed the door behind her. She sat on her bed, feeling conflicted. 

After dropping baby Jinhyun off at the orphanage, she changed her identity and secured a job with the Sung family. For thirty one years, she served them without any questions. They have been good to her. But she also knew their dark secrets. 

Even though Yoona was a sweet child, Sojin was aware of her obsession. Falling in love with Jinhyun was not the issue, but Sojin sometimes wondered how far would Yoona go to get closer to him? 

"No," she said, shaking her head. "Yoona won't cross any limits. I raised her. It's just an infatuation." 

She was trying to console herself. If a day ever came when she would have to choose between Jinhyun and Yoona, she would die from within. 

…. 

Jinhyun was feeling extremely cranky. He wanted to sleep for a long time but he woke up after merely thirteen hours. It was lunchtime and he was searching the fridge to find something to eat. Unfortunately, he did not get time to shop for groceries during the past few weeks and hence, would have to go out. 

Grumbling loudly, he groggily put on a fresh pair of t-shirt and jeans before covering his face with a mask. Topping his look with a cap, he grudgingly ventured out of his house. 

Out in the street, he let out a wide yawn. It was a bright, sunny day. The streets were less crowded as people preferred to stay in and relax on weekends. There were a few couples enjoying a daytime date and also children who were playing around.

Even though he felt sleepy, Jinhyun felt a little elated under the sunlight. He loved summer and rarely missed a chance to walk around under the sun. 

He headed towards the convenience store across the road. Picking a trolley, he strolled it with him as he picked up the groceries. 

"Eggs…" he muttered as he scanned around. "Ah there!" 

He picked up a dozen of eggs and was moving on to the other items when he noticed a familiar face at the counter. Kang Semin. 

"Thank you and please come again!" Semin cheerfully said to a customer. Jinhyun moved forward and dumped his groceries on the counter. 

"You work here, Kang Semin?" he asked. Semin frowned at the masked stranger. 

"How do you know my full name?" she asked. Jinhyun looked around to see if anyone was watching. 

"Don't shout," he said as he slid down his mask briefly. 

Semin almost shouted in excitement but managed to control herself. 

"Sir!" she whispered excitedly. "You're here?" 

"Just shopping for groceries," he sighed. "I'm about to have ramen. Wanna join in?" 

"Yes!" she said. "Let me make your bill and sub with someone." 

She quickly scanned the items with a barcode. Jinhyun paid the bill and picked up his ramen bowl and a can of orange juice. He heated it in a microwave near the counter and strode off towards a table near the window. He was slurping on his ramen when Semin joined him. 

"You live around here, sir?" she asked. 

"Yeah," he replied. "Juice?" 

He offered her the can. 

"Thank you sir!" she exclaimed, accepting the can. 

"Don't you have studying to do?" he asked, taking another bite off his ramen. "What are you doing here?" 

"I've given up on my studies," she sighed. "All I care is to somehow pass high school and become a full time singer. I want to earn a lot of money for my grandmother."

"What about your parents?" 

"Ahh…" Semin lowered her eyes. "My mom died when I was a child. Dad got into trouble with loan sharks and ran away. It's just me and my grandma now. She tries hard to pay for my schooling but it's hard on her. So I want to earn a lot of money through singing. I love to sing and write my own songs so I want to make her proud . It's all I can do for her." 

For some reason, the girl reminded him of his former EXOTIC groupmate Dasom. She had the same energy as him. 

"So that's why you auditioned," he said, nodding his head. "It's not gonna be easy."

Semin gave him a quizzical look. 

"What do you -" 

"You will be under constant scrutiny," he said, slurping on ramen. "People will judge you even for the smallest mistake. Your life will no longer be private. From what you eat to what you wear. Everything will be out in the open. It's fun at first."

"But after a while, you will start to regret it," he continued. There was a bitterness in his tone. "You'd want to sing but your voice won't come out. Your mind will be in shambles as you constantly try to hide from people. They will follow you everywhere. They will become obsessed with you and stalk you until you become mad. You'd start to wish you never chose this. But you'll have to live with this decision."

He looked at her. "If you're hundred percent sure that you want to become an idol," he said. "Then prepare yourself for the repercussions of the job. You won't find a moment's peace but once you're on that stage, nothing will matter other than your performance. So if you really want this, prepare yourself and attend the practice sessions." 

Semin was stunned at his words. It felt as if he shared a deep secret with her. "Did you tell this to the other contestants?" she asked. 

"No," he said as he discarded his empty bowl into a bin. "Just you." 

"Why did you tell me then?" 

"Because," Jinhyun said. "You genuinely love to sing." 

With that he left the store, leaving behind a very confused Semin.