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We exit the van and make our way toward the first filming location, right outside the front entrance of the school. It’s a Sunday, which means classes aren’t in session. A few students have volunteered as extras for the episode, peering from out the windows of the school. They’re wearing their school uniforms, as well as face masks to protect their privacy.
“Seonbae, I’m nervous,” Hyemi says as we walk.
I take her hand, squeezing it. I wish I’d had more time to prepare her. While at the salon, she’d confessed she’d only seen a few episodes ofCatch Me If You Can.
“You’ll do fine,” I reassure her. “Just be yourself.” And hope for a good edit.
As we bow and greet the two hosts—a large, jolly-faced comedian and a handsome, older actor who was a heartthrob in the nineties—another large black van rolls through the gate into the parking lot.
Faint screams erupt from the school as the back doors of the van slide open at the same time. Jaewoo and Nathaniel jump out on opposite sides, followed by Youngmin, then Sun from the passenger side door.
Together, they bow to the staff members and hosts who rush over to greet them.
Jolly laughs at something Nathaniel says, while Heartthrob shakes Sun’s hand.
My eyes linger on Nathaniel, who’s dressed in a plaid long-sleeved shirt and ripped jeans. He’s dyed his hair dark brown again, from the edgy blue of the promotion cycle. Though the blue suited him, the brown is giving him strong “boyfriend” vibes and I feel my heart skip a beat.
“Good afternoon, Hyemi-ssi.” Jaewoo appears at our side. Hyemi beams at him—they must have met at the company at some point. “Are you excited for your first variety show recording?”
“Yes!” she squeaks. “Please take care of me, Seonbae.” She gives him a ninety-degree bow, to which he responds with an indulgent smile before sauntering away with one hand in his pocket. I shake my head, amused. He’s clearly fashioned himself a role as an older brother figure. Hyemi’s gaze follows him with figurative hearts in her eyes. He needs to tone it down before Hyemi develops a full-blown crush, though I guess that wouldn’t be so awful. She’d want to stick around if she had a crush—long enough to debut and for her father to follow through with his investment—and it’s not like anything would come of it, as Jaewoo’s head over heels in love with Jenny.
He wanders over to where Nathaniel is getting his makeup touched up. One of the artists holds a thin brush to his lips, staining them a dark burgundy. For a moment, I stare transfixed as the woman dabs color onto his lips. When Nathaniel lifts his gaze, I look away.
I need to focus if I want Hyemi to not only have a positive experience but also leave a good impression on the audience. As for myself, not looking like a fool would be ideal.
The recording starts on time with Jolly and Hearthrob making introductions to the camera. My heart drops when they ask us each to do a short intro dance, only to be surprised when Hyemi performs a cute, flirty dance. Youngmin and Nathaniel are the best dancers in XOXO, but since it’s a variety program, they go for laughs instead. Youngmin dances to a popular girl group song and Nathaniel spins on his head. When his shirt starts to ride up, the hosts and members pile on top of him to preserve his “modesty.” I lift my hand to cover Hyemi’s eyes.
When it’s my turn, I channel years of dance training to effortlessly move my body, following the rhythm of the song randomly chosen for me. Since Hyemi embodies the “cute and youthful” concept, I decide to play up “sexy” and “mature.” It’s always good to give the viewers variety. After I finish, I spot a woman—presumably the producer director, or PD—smiling at the monitor behind the main camera.
After filming the introductions, we take a short break to retouch makeup and hydrate—Hyemi has to use the bathroom—then commence filming the next segment in which we’re to pick teams for the game part of the show.
We play gawi bawi bo to decide team captains, with Nathaniel’s rock beating Jaewoo’s scissors to become one captain, and Sun’s paper beating Heartthrob’s rock to become the other. The rest of us line up in a row.
“Jihyuk-ah, why don’t you choose first?” Jolly prompts.
“Then I choose you, Hyeong!” Nathaniel points to Jolly and the host gives him a high five.
Sun holds his chin between his forefinger and thumb as he considers the rest of us. Then he points to Heartthrob.
Nathaniel opens his arms. “Youngmin-ah, come to Hyeong!”
“Hyeong!” Youngmin runs into Nathaniel’s arms, but he’s too heavy and they topple over.
Sun’s gaze lands on me, and then slides to Hyemi. “Woo Hyemi.” Hyemi claps excitedly before rushing forward to join Sun’s team.
Jaewoo and I are the only ones left, which is perfect because now Nathaniel has only to choose Jaewoo and I’ll be on a team with Hyemi. I can watch over her throughout the rest of the recording.
“Min Sori.”
My head jerks up. Nathaniel isn’t looking at me, but at Youngmin, who’s somehow acquired three hand warmers to juggle.
“Sori-ssi,” Hearthrob calls. “Nathaniel picked you for his team.”
In a daze, I walk over to stand beside them.
The final breakdown of teams are: Sun’s team, consisting of Heartthrob, Jaewoo, and Hyemi, and Nathaniel’s team, which is Jolly, Youngmin, and myself.
With the opening part of the episode wrapped, Hyemi and I are sent into a large tent, separate from the XOXO members, tochange our clothes. I sigh at all the trouble I went through to find suitable outfits, but I guess it was worth it just for that intro.
