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I’m at the IPARK Mall browsing stickers at the bookstore when I get a text from Secretary Park about a last-minute variety show recording.
Hyemi’s already in the back seat of the van when they pick me up outside the mall.
“Good morning, Seonbae,” she says in her squeaky voice. Not for the first time I wonder what her role in ASAP will be, whether a vocalist or a rapper or both.
“Good morning, Hyemi. Are you excited about today’s recording?”
Hyemi nods, though I can tell she’s nervous, fidgeting with the bracelet she always wears around her wrist.
“An actress was scheduled to appear on the episode,” Secretary Park says, as she maneuvers the van around the taxis outside the mall, “but she had to cancel last minute.” This explains why Hyemi was invited at such a short notice. Joah must have requested to send her as a replacement.
It’s a great opportunity for Hyemi, since she hasn’t had any exposure to the public. Even I’ve had more exposure than her, with my modeling and radio show appearance. If netizens searchfor Woo Hyemi online, they’ll be able to find this episode, instead of something embarrassing in her childhood, like a prepubescent middle school photo. Though, as Hyemi’s first variety show appearance, it’s a bit like throwing her into the deep end and hoping she can swim.
“What program is it?” I ask Secretary Park, my mind already racing with ideas on how to coach Hyemi so that she’ll know how to respond in every situation that might arise.
“Catch Me If You Can.”
My pulse leaps. That’s one of my favorite shows. It airs every Wednesday, and Ajumma and I always watch it together after dinner. It features weekly guests—the cast of a currently airing drama or an idol group—who, after a short, silly interview with the hosts, split up into two teams to play an elaborate game of tag.
“Who are the other guests?”
“It’s a Seoul Arts Academy–themed episode this week. The filming location is the school. And the guests are all SAA alumni or current students, like Hyemi.”
I remember how Hyemi had told me that she’d enrolled in the school at the beginning of this year.
“And Youngmin,” Secretary Park adds.
I frown. “Youngmin? But I thought the XOXO members were on hiatus.”
“They are, but this was scheduled in advance. All of them will be guests. Oh, and I forgot to mention. When the producer realizedyouwere also an alumnus, they insisted you join as well.”
I blink. “What?”
“You and Hyemi will both be guests on the show.”
“Congratulations, Seonbae!” Hyemi says. “I’m so happy we’ll be on the show together.”
Sensing my state of confusion, Secretary Park elaborates, “The producer listened to your episode ofThe Woori and Woogi Show. She says she’s a fan.”
A... fan? AfterThe Woori and Woogi Showmy name was trending, with netizens speculating who my boyfriend was and whether he was an idol trainee. I even reached the top fifty in the weekly search rankings. But it never occurred to me that someone had listened to the show and likedme.
I shake my head, pushing these thoughts to the back of my mind. I need to focus.
“When does the recording start?” I ask.
“We have about an hour and a half.”
“Okay,” I say. I can feel the gears shifting in my head. “Then let’s make every minute count.”
We pass through the gates of Seoul Arts Academy with seconds to spare, pulling into an empty space in the parking lot. I’m panting a little, the last hour and half seeming to go by in the blink of an eye. After calling up my hairstylist for hair and makeup, I’d asked Angela if she could bring some of her clothing to the salon for Hyemi to borrow, since they’re about the same size and I thought Hyemi would look great in Angela’s fresh, youthful style.
“Do I look all right?” Hyemi asks, nervously pulling on her shirt. She’s wearing a fitted top with a square neckline and cap sleeves.I’ve paired it with a flowy mini skirt—with black safety shorts underneath, of course—and white sneakers, since we’ll presumably be running during the shoot. Normally I would have asked her to choose what to wear herself, as she’d feel more confident in clothingshefelt shelooked good in, but there wasn’t any time.
“You look beautiful.”
Hyemi blushes. “Youlook stunning, Seonbae.”
I’d switched outfits with my hairstylist, Soobin, at the salon—the T-shirt dress I’d worn to the mall was too casual—and I’m in a corseted top and skintight jeans. Luckily, I was already wearing sneakers.
