Chapter Text
Jimin was working as a scriptwriter for JTBC, an entertainment company in Korea. He was always interested in writing, storytelling and even had a radio jockey phase so a career related to writing wasn't very surprising to the people around him, although that didn't mean he had unbridled support from his parents--especially his dad. He did well in his school, so his parents had expected him to pursue being a chemistry major but something else called him to Seoul.
He liked listening to people's story and people liked listening to his interpretations of said stories. At least, that's what he thinks based on the ratings his latest drama got. Jimin was elated about the ratings, he couldn't stop smiling for days. His parents called him for a dinner party that day and his father said to him something he never expected, it was a long speech he gave as a toast but it could be summarized as his father apologizing for looking down on his writing career. Humbly speaking, Jimin felt on top of the world these past weeks.
Jimin is successfully entering his late 20s, he realizes how lucky he is to be a young adult in Korea right now having paychecks every month, things were looking up for him. As a matter of fact, Yoongi recently called him for a meeting regarding a new project.
Needless to say, he is very excited.
"So, I want you to work as a co-writer for Jin. He's a director under KBS, and he liked your drama, here, meet up with him," Yoongi drawled. Jimin was utterly shocked, he had so many questions. "Who is Jin?"
"Yah! This kid, you should learn about the industry," Yoongi smacks him on the head lightly.
"Hyung!" Jimin whined.
"Look, it's a pretty good offer okay? Jin makes unconventional dramas and movies. Remember "Moon shining over me?"
Jimin nods and immediately checks Naver.
"You're lucky he selected you, and..." Yoongi pauses and smiles sheepishly, "I'm not supposed to tell you this but he liked your vision so much he is thinking of letting you co-direct."
Jimin is barely listening as he looks up from his phone which he shows to Yoongi, "His last drama only got 1% rating. Why?"
Yoongi rolls his eyes, "This boy, really," Jimin shrinks away from him, "Focus on what I said!!"
"I said, he's gonna let you co-direct, did you hear what I said or not?"
Cue Jimin's gasp.
Yoongi smirks. '
Jimin is clutching his phone tightly as he mumbles, "I'm taking it. I'm taking it. I'm--"
"-taking it. We get it, Jimin. Now go, before I have to kick you out." Jimin is giggling as he walks, he can't wait to tell his friends about it, they'll be so jealous.
Jimin goes straight to his desk, where he finds a sticky note on his computer screen - 12 lunch ok? Written in Taehyung's large font of handwriting. He ducks his head out of his cabin searching for a mop of auburn hair. Taehyung isn't in his. He sits back down in his seat.
"Hey," Taehyung appears suddenly in front of him.
"WAH! You scared me," Jimin giggles, Tae fondly smiles back at him, "You got my note?"
Jimin raises the crumpled paper; not looking up from his laptop. Taehyung nods.
"Where do we go today? The canteen is serving fish so we obviously can't eat here today," he says while sliding the last crumbs of chips into his mouth, "I'm really snacky these days too, my diet is messed up now."
"Maybe you're stress eating," Jimin says not looking up from his desk. "Let's go to Juri's."
"JURI'S! I wanna go too!" Hoseok walks towards them with a beaming smile, he casually leans on Jimin's cubicle, "Making plans without me, I see." He fake pouts.
"Hyung, you like fish. We were just making plans to eat outside cause picky eater here can't eat fish," Jimin acts fake-offended at Taehyung's words.
"I'm not picky. I can eat almost everything except seafood." Both of them make faces at each other. Hoseok is giggling at them, "That's true Jimin. You are picky. One time you were eating Ramen and when I told you it was Shrimp Ramen, you pretended to gag when actually, you were deliciously gobbling it up just the second prior."
Taehyung shakes his head at him. Jimin looks down in shame. "Anyways," Hoseok says, "You guys heard the big news? Jeon Jungkook got promoted to COO last Friday."
Somehow Jungkook always seemed to become a part of their conversation these days; it has been 6 months since he became part of their company, after working for a rival company for years, Jimin had been meaning to mention that they knew each other personally; used to, more like; but it seems the perfect time never came.
As the conversation went on, he can't help feel but feel uncomfortable at the thought of having to let them eventually know in the future and the awkward explanation of why he hid it for so long.
"It's not big news, hyung. It was inevitable we all knew. The executives kept going to meetings in restaurants." Taehyung lazily replied. Hoseok slightly annoyed at the lack of surprise, replied in a pout, "I know but now we know it for sure, I wonder what changes he'll make. He'll have to start making the rounds now. I'm a little nervous. Jimin would be even more nervous, right?" He bellowed.
"EH? Me? Why?", Jimin was flabbergasted, did Hoseok know, he is famous for knowing the gossips around the office so it wouldn't be a surprise?
"Cause' you're technically a rookie among us so you'll be picked on mostly. Our seniors aren't kind to young rookies." Jimin couldn't help but feel annoyed at Hoseok's reminder of this horrible Korean hierarchy in the office, something he is very familiar with as it is. Though Hoseok shouldn't be blamed he doesn't know where to channel his annoyance, he feels apologetic about it immediately after thinking that as he looks at Hoseok laughing at something Taehyung is saying.
Jungkook and he had dated when they were teenagers. They had broken up when Jungkook decided the small town wasn't enough for his big dreams, a typical story. He had invited Jimin along but he was too scared back then; He was still traditional in his thoughts back then, he thought Jungkook was crazy for pursuing work in entertainment companies. He remembers asking him what he had wanted to do. Jungkook would just shrug his shoulders, and say, "I just want to get away from here."
Jimin is 28 now but he was 25 when he finally understood what Jungkook had felt back then and he was 21 when he too packed up his bags to search for work in Seoul as a writer. It was tough writing stories as a ghostwriter, he had met Taehyung in a group chat for Writers.
Taehyung and Jimin used to exchange stories, he was already working for JTBC even back then, Jimin doesn't know where he would be if Taehyung hadn't insisted he send in his resume to JTBC to work with him.
"Anyways, if y'all could stop your yapping about Jungkook, I have some news."
"You got a new boyf-"
"I got a new--Taehyung shut up!--I got a new project, and I might codirect."
Jimin smirks looking at the gaping faces of his friends, Taehyung has dramatically dropped his chips packet onto to the table, Hoseok is pretending to cry.
"Yah! This is embarrassing, congratulations Jimin but this is embarrassing. My junior is getting work after work."
"Right hyung! I agree, I'm sure yoongi hyung is biased," Taehyung adds jokingly, just to tease.
Jimin pokes out his tongue at them, flips his hair back, "This is talent, brothers. Ta-L-E-N-T."
"Wow, he knows how to spell," Hoseok bellows.
"Chicken and beer on me," Hoseok and Taehyung immediately bow down to Jimin in mock after Jimin's treat suggestion. And then everyone laughs.