Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82271 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Smart business for management—but for us, they’ve been a thorn in our sides.
When we were helping them produce songs for their debut, we had no clue they’d turn on us the minute they felt a slight taste of fame.
Last year they even snubbed us at an awards show by not paying respect and it was so blatant it made the news. We of course had to smile through it and be gracious and act like it wasn’t a big deal. We did such a good job that the press believed it was an accident—they were just too stunned they won best new artist.
Talk about loyalty.
I take my time and look at each member of the group. I swear if Suho doesn’t stop staring at Rae in that condescending way or copying what Rae wears, he’s going to have to deal with me. I envision myself jumping across the table and punching him in the throat. The fantasy appeases my anger for only a second—what’s happening inside is the exact opposite of what I’m projecting out. I’m supposed to be calm and innocent—the guy who’d never get in a fight.
And here I am, imagining how good it would feel to smack this kid in the face.
I keep my mask firmly in place and am grateful they can’t see my clenched jaw.
As if we’re in sync, we all do slight bows and pull out our chairs.
I know I’m not the only one angry about this group’s disrespect. We are so in tune with each other that I can feel the fury emanating from each of the guys.
Rae is the most explosive. He’s sitting next to me and is so tense, I’m afraid he might be pushed to react. Lucas can feel it too, and actually reaches out and grips Rae’s thigh as if to say pick your battles.
I keep my face firmly glued in front of me, blindly staring out the window behind the group, trying to focus on something that doesn’t make me want to commit a crime.
“How have you been?” Suho asks Rae in Korean. His voice even rubs me the wrong way.
Rae answers coolly in English. “Good, you?”
Suho answers back in English. “Perfect.”
And his English is in fact, perfect.
I detest him even more since I still get nervous with mine.
I can understand it nearly perfectly now, speaking is another story. I get jittery and I feel like I’m stuttering and my thoughts get jumbled, so it’s just easier to pretend I have no clue what people are talking about, that way in interviews they don’t target me. I get to keep my image of innocence and youth. I just nod my head and smile when the rest of the guys answer. That’s not so hard to do. Everyone, except Kai and me, are completely fluent, though Kai’s really close, he just speaks a bit slower.
The mystery guy pulls out a chair next to Ari and Solia sits on the other side of him, while the owner of our label, Siu, walks in. He’s wearing black sunglasses, a black suit, and smiling from ear to ear. He’s in his early fifties and his hair is graying in places—I’m sure some of it can be attributed to the stress of the business all the idol scandals.
Siu, looks around the room and addresses us. “Sorry about the changes in schedules but we had a marketing meeting and TestME were already here for another meeting with producers.”
Yeah because they can’t self-produce to save their asses.
I keep my mouth shut and smile.
“No problem.” Rae’s smile is so forced I’m surprised his face doesn’t break in half from the pressure of holding it together. “What’s this about? Is everything okay?”
“More than okay.” Siu leans forward. “I know both of you are on strict production schedules, but we think you’re going to love this idea. And the more we think about it, the more we believe it’s going to be great for the brand. It’ll be a good promotion for both groups—we decided to have ZL taken off the project for various reasons.”
Jay actually has the nerve to cough while Kai elbows him.
ZL was, past tense, a new girl group that got caught in a shit ton of school bullying scandals. There’s no way are they doing any group activities right now, the press would lose it.
“We’ve decided to shift gears and try something new.” He nods before telling us. “Filming will start in two days. We’ll use the footage for promotions and we know this will really resonate with the fans. We’ll film every day and upload twice a week to the labels YouTube channel.”
Lucas leans forward and asks the question we’re all thinking. “What exactly are we filming?”
We’ve done our own reality show and variety show leading up to a comeback, so while stressful, this kind of marketing angle is normal. Still, it’s just another thing I have to worry about.