Formalities

“Jihyun-ah, wait up!” Doh Kyungsoo called, catching up with his costar as she was about to walk into her waiting car.

“Yes, oppa, what’s up?” Nam Ji Hyun replied as she turned around, smiling at him. They just finished their Vlive together with Kim Seon Ho and Han So Hee. Like those two, she knew that Kyungsoo was about to go to another prior engagement, while she was going to meet with some of the 100DMP cast and staff to watch the first episode in a samgyupsal restaurant. She already changed into more comfortable clothes.

“Are you free the night after tomorrow? I want to give you a proper drama send off so I’d like to buy you dinner,” Kyungsoo said, smiling at her expectantly.

“Oh, no, oppa, you don’t have to do that, really -“

“But I insist, Jihyun-ah. Do it as a favor to me, ahrasso? I want to do this before I fly to Berlin, and before your school load gets heavier,” Kyungsoo pleaded. “I promise your birthday gift will be separate,” he added mischievously, grinning at her.

“Ya, I didn’t - I certainly wasn’t trying to -“ Jihyun sputtered, grateful that they were at least out of earshot.

Kyungsoo snickered. “Yes, yes, I was just teasing you. So, what about it? Please, Jihyun-ah...” he hoped his full charm would work this time. Please, Jihyun-ah. Say yes.

Jihyun gazed at him thoughtfully, trying to guess why he was insisting on this. “Okay, okay. Where do you want to eat?”

Kyungsoo beamed. “There’s this really good restaurant that I go to that’s pretty near your school. So I can pick you up from there after your classes tomorrow, ok? No taking back,” he quipped, just obviously happy she said yes. He led her and opened the door of her waiting car.

Jihyun waved him goodbye as her manager drove off. What was that about?

==========

“This place is beautiful,” Jihyun whispered to Kyungsoo, who was leading her to their reserved seating facing the full glass windows that reflected the city lights. “Who would’ve thought a place like this is just tucked in here?” she quipped, turning to Kyungsoo, her eyes shining. 

He beamed at her. “Wait til we eat though, you will hopefully like this place even more,” he said, taking the menu from their host. He ordered a bit of his favorites, in addition to what she said she liked.

He was observing her mostly throughout their dinner. He likes the way she eats - with gusto - savoring each and every bite, but primly, as ladies are wont to do. He found it endearing though when she just went for her portions, not cutting down her food intake for his sake, for this date. And yes, it’s a date, if that wasn’t clear to her, well, she will have another thought coming before this day ends.

Yes, Kyungsoo told himself. Today is the day.

He drove her home, talking animatedly in his car as they ate up the miles going to Incheon. He knew Jihyun was trying to keep things light, as she tries her hardest not to assume anything. Cautious as she was, Kyungsoo wasn’t about to get frustrated again as she is probably trying to put him in the friendzone like she did early on during their filming. That brotherly pat he gave her on their last kiss and rolling mat scene definitely worked against him. Jihyun-ah, he sighed in his head, as his car turned to her house’s driveway, this is it.

“It’s still pretty early, let’s go take a walk,” he said, his voice deep and thoughtful enough that Jihyun knew not to decline. 

They got out of his car into the cool summer night. There was a park nearby, so they both headed towards its entrance, enjoying the silence Incheon afforded them, away from the cacophony of the sounds of Seoul.

“Our first episodes did pretty well, oppa,” Jihyun said, breaking their comfortable silence as they walked leisurely on the park’s paved pathway.

“Yes, it did,” he answered back, “I’m happy about it. I hope people will get to love it since we all worked so hard for it.”

“Me too,” she said in a hopeful voice. They walked a few more steps, and then Kyungsoo stopped. “Jihyun-ah,” he called, turning his whole body to face her.

She stopped too, her lovely face framed by her fringes being blown softly by the cool night air. “Hm?” she questioned, eyes seeking his.

A heartbeat, and then: “Nae-ga neo-reul joh-a-hae yo, Jihyun-ah.” He knew she heard his confession, as a blush slowly suffused her cheeks, making her look even lovelier. Her eyes widened a little, as her mouth parted when she breathed.

“I really like you. I do.” Affirming his confession, his voice just naturally went deeper and more quiet. “I’ve been sorting and thinking about this feelings a lot for a few months now, Jihyun-ah, but you don’t have to answer me right away. Just that...please consider taking a chance with me before making your decision. I’ll wait.”

Jihyun held his gaze thoughtfully for a few moments. A shadow of a smile began to break through her lips, and Kyungsoo can finally feel his heartbeat again. “Ok, oppa. I’ll consider what you said as I think about...this...us...” she trailed off as a full, tender smile made her face radiant even at night.

Kyungsoo’s brain froze again at the word us. Keep it together, us isn’t yes, pabo-ya, his mind supplied giddily as he fought his smile.

His heart and footsteps were light as he walked her back to her house, as he drove back to Seoul with Day6’s song blasting in the background.

Berlin Music Bank, 09.15.2018

Missing Home

“Annyeong, oppa,” Nam Jihyun greeted when her call got picked up. “We are on our way to the theatre now.”

Doh Kyungsoo’s melodious voice filled her ears. “Okay then. Enjoy the musical, and take care. I know Ji Changwook-ssi will do well. Did you remember to bring the gifts?”

“Yes, oppa, they’re pretty standard,” she replied, peeking at the gift bag. She’d done this already for Park Ji Bin and Lee Hyun Woo and her close male friends and relatives who served in the army before. “I made sure not to include prohibited items, hahaha.”

“Aigoo, yes, don’t get him in trouble,” Kyungsoo retorted, a smile in his voice. “Call me later when you’re done - I will have time to meet and drive you home. We’re just going have dinner.”

Ending their call, Jihyun leaned back in her seat with a pensive smile. Her hairstylist since forever turned to her and asked, “All set? It’s still a bit chilly out. And what’s with that look in your face?”

“Nothing, unnie. I’m just relieved we will be finally able to fulfill our promise to Chang Wook orabeoni. My schedule the past year has been so busy, and you know that it gets really lonely in there,” she said thoughtfully, remembering the things her male bestfriends confided in her when she visited them while they were serving their country. Active duty soldiers can get pretty much everything that’s available in the military commissary, but most of them cannot escape bouts of loneliness and missing home from time to time, especially in their first six months. It hits her hard now, especially when that is the main thing she and Kyungsoo oppa talk about nowadays.

“Don’t worry about it, Changwook-ssi is nearing the end of his service. I bet he didn’t expect you’d really visit him while he’s serving, since he told you himself not to and that he can last, hihi.”

“Ahhh but...I don’t make promises I cannot keep,” Jihyun said. “Most of them become homesick one time or another, so what we do brings a small amount of comfort that goes a long way.”

==========

Six months later

“I’ll get it, omma!” Jihyun volunteered to answer the door when the bell rang. It was probably the macarons for her birthday Kyungsoo oppa told her he was sending, since he couldn’t be there.

“Annyeong haseyo, kamsaham...” she stood there, stupefied, as she opened the door to reveal a grinning Doh Kyungsoo wearing his trademark horn rimmed glasses,  a navy sweater and jeans. His face, though a bit tanned and thin, was glowing.

“Waaahhh oppa what are you doing here? You must’ve traveled for hours, why didn’t you tell me you were going here? Did my parents know about this, ya, answer me...” she launched herself in his waiting arms that enveloped her immediately into a tight hug. She can feel the laughter bubbling out of Kyungsoo’s chest as he answered, “If I told you then I would’ve spoiled this, Jihyun-ah.” He kissed her forehead, looked at her in the eyes, and solemnly, he said, “Saengil chukha-hae. I wouldn’t miss today if I can help it.” He rested his forehead against hers, just breathing in her warmth, her smile, and basking in her presence.

“I told your ommonim that I wanted to cook for your birthday,” Kyungsoo said, finally releasing her and taking his shoes off to walk into the house.

“—but I’d have none of it, for now,” Jihyun’s mom interjected, smiling at Kyungsoo who bowed deeply upon seeing her. “You can do so some other time, arachi? Please rest, Kyungsoo-ssi, we’ve already done the cooking. The birthday girl will keep you company while we get everything ready.” Kyungsoo handed over his gifts and she left the two of them sitting in the sofa, giving them some privacy.

“Ya, oppa, stop giving me that look, you’re making me shy,” Jihyun blurted out, cheeks coloring as she noticed that she’d been talking non-stop for a few minutes now and Kyungsoo was just listening and looking at her.

“Hohooo, nope. I’m on break and nobody’s gonna stop me from doing what I want. Come here, chuseyo,” he said, shifting his body to make room for her. “I’m perfectly content listening to and hugging you so don’t mess up my tempo,” he sang the last part, earning a chuckle from Jihyun.

They were both home.

Care Package

“Cut! Good job, yeorobun, let’s take a break,” PDnim said. 

They were on the set of Nam Ji Hyun’s current drama and the weather has been extra chilly the whole day. She put her puff jacket on and rubbed her hands.

“Jihyun-ssi, we did very well today,” Lee Joon Hyuk said, smiling at his younger co-star. “I do hope the weather improves though, I can feel the bite of the cold this early and it’s only 2 PM!”

“Yes, Joon Hyuk-ssi, I hope so too. We still have a few hours of shooting to go,” Jihyun replied.

“Jihyun-ssi?” her assistant called. “We need to go somewhere. Are you free?” 

Jihyun nodded and excused herself. “Where are we going? Did they change the shooting schedule?” She asked, walking fast to generate more heat.

“No, Jihyun-ssi, just the location. They want to see you to decide if you need to change what you’re wearing.” They were near the entrance of the set.

“Ok, kamsahamnida, unnie, for telling me. I do hope I…” she trailed off, upon rounding the corner and seeing a Churro King food truck parked at the entrance.

The sign on the truck read “Jihyun-ssi, Joon Hyuk-ssi, and all the staff: keep warm! I am rooting for you! Hwaiting!”

Jihyun turned to her assistant, her face breaking into a smile as she saw her unnie’s mischievous grin. “So this is the new location? Ya, unnie, that was sneaky of you.”

“Psssshhh. Let’s go see what we can eat, but first take a picture!”

Jihyun approached the person manning the food truck. “Annyeong haseyo, Nam Ji Hyun imnida,” she greeted, bowing deeply. “May I know who sent this please? I would like to thank him or her personally.”

“Annyeong haseyo, Jihyun-ssi,” the attendant said, leaning over to speak in a lower voice. “He said his name is Yul, and he wants you to have this as well,” he said, handing over a separate food box.

“Ah, kamsahamnida,” Jihyun replied, taking the box from the attendant. She lifted the cover and peeked inside to see her favorite macarons and a couple of tea bags.

“Wow, dongsaeng is generous, that he is,” Joon Hyuk said, coming up from behind her. “Oh, he told me he’s going to send something over,” he said kindly, noting the surprised look in Jihyun’s face. “And he said to keep it from you because it’s a surprise,” he added, eyes crinkling up with a smile.

“Ahhh that guy…” Jihyun said, smiling as she fought her blush from creeping up to her cheeks. “Let’s choose something to eat and drink!” 

Jabs at the Heart

Knock knock. “Jihyun-ssi?” It was her female assistant.

Jihyun opened the door of her room in the hostel they were at. “Wae, unnie? Is there something wrong?” She was in her pajamas, ready to crawl on her bed and call it a night.

“Oh, no, no,” her assistant quipped, smiling at her. “Kyungsoo-ssi just wanted to give this to you,” handing Jihyun a boxed tube of muscle relief cream.

“Huh? Oh wow, thank you! I’ll send him a message,” Jihyun said, bidding her assistant goodnight as she shut her door.

She opened the box and together with the tube was a handwritten note: “Jihyun-ah, for pulling your arm so hard many times today.”

She sleeps with a small smile on her face that night.