Joon Jae-Stay Well

'Taewon sshi,' Tae-mong said. 'How do you feel now that your ex-members have been released from the military?'

Jan went still next to me. The audience quieted down. They held their breath, waiting for Taewon to answer. This was their big moment; after nine years, they might get the answers they wanted for so long. What happened all those years ago? The question lingered on in everyone's minds.

I remained impassive. I could not care less for what people think. We even anticipated the press would ask us questions regarding Soo-Yon and Cheng. Which is why our PR team strictly instructed the reporters and host not to ask anything about them. But I knew Tae-mong was not like other interviewers. He was an insolent asshole who loved dramas. Which is why I warned Taewon beforehand.

Taewon sat there, smiling. Whatever Tae-mong wanted, he certainly was not expecting a smile.

'Of course I'm happy,' Taewon said politely. 'I have nothing but respect for my ex-members. I'm glad Soo-Yon and Cheng returned safely.'

Tae-mong was unabashed. Of course he won't give up, I thought drily.

'Are you guys still in touch?' Tae-mong asked.

'We would love to share Christmas greetings,' Taewon said. 'But circumstances prevent us.' He turned to the camera. 'Soo-Yon ah. Cheng ah. Stay well.'

Yep, that's Taewon for you, I mused. To everyone else, it seemed like a former band member expressing his well wishes. But to those of us who knew Taewon, it was an obvious jab. He knew that fans have been dying for us to talk about Soo-Yon and Cheng. The only time Taewon would talk about them is when he wanted to diss them. And the only way to diss them, was to be nice. Fans also remained blissfully oblivious to it.

Tae-mong's face looked as if it got slapped. He definitely was not going to get the drama he wanted. Jan on the other hand looked absolutely clueless. He did not know Taewon and I had planned our responses beforehand. Jan was a blabbermouth. It was best to keep some things from him.

I winked at him. His face turned from clueless to surprise. Finally he caught on.

'So you're saying that your old agency is stopping you guys from keeping in touch?' Tae-mong persisted.

'I'm saying that circumstances prevent us from keeping in touch,' Taewon said coolly. 'Why don't you ask them? I'm sure you booked them sometime this month, right?'

Tae-mong laughed nervously. It dawned on him that he tried to bite more than he could chew. Quickly, he changed the topic.

'So, Joonjae sshi,' he clapped his hands. 'You've been working with Song Eun-Sang sshi on a new drama. Tell us all about your role.'