Chapter Text
Article: WWH JIN to Make Singing Debut on “Yours” OST
Source: BigHit via Naver
You heard it here first, Jinnies!
We just got inside information that Worldwide Handsome Jin is not only starring in the new drama “Yours”—he’s also reportedly making his singing debut on the show’s OST!
Here’s what we know so far: the song is titled after the drama, and it’s said to be a ballad that matches the heartwarming and emotional storyline of the series. Set to have 24 episodes, “Yours” chronicles the journey of park ranger Kang Hyunjo (played by Kim Seokjin) against the backdrop of Mount Jiri. More details regarding the plot and cast members will be released soon, as the drama’s first episode is set to air in 2 months.
Our sources also say that the OST will be produced by none other than Genius Lab. The renowned recording label, under the direction of triple powerhouse rapper RM, choreographer J-Hope, and producer SUGA, are known for their broad musical portfolio that includes hiphop, pop, R&B, and most notably, trot. Previously, the label worked with soloist Park Jimin on the song “With You”( prod. SUGA) which appeared on the soundtrack of the drama “Our Blues” and received a fervent response from the public last year.
Many netizens are curious as this is the first time our WWH, who also goes by The Nation’s First Love and The Nation’s Son-in-Law, has ever expressed any interest in music. But backed by a label like Genius Lab, it’s easy to believe he’s in the right hands.
Are you excited for Jin’s solo debut?
- [+613, 0] seokjin-hyung is going to be AMAZING at this and if u disagree i WILL report u
- [+130, -2] that actor must be relieved cuz every song suga touches is gold ㅎㅎ
- [+128, -409] first song and working with these legends already?? pretty privilege is so real
🎵🎼🎹🎶
“Hyung…are you sure?”
Jungkook is looking at him like a deer caught in headlights and, quite frankly, Yoongi doesn’t understand what this hesitation is about. “Yes, Jungkook-ah, you can have the last skewer.”
“Oh. But that’s not…well. Thanks. Let me just”—he swipes the last stick with a quick hand, like Yoongi might just take it back, bites into it and continues with his mouth full—“but what I meant was the other thing.”
When Yoongi had stopped by the practice room earlier today and suggested they go grab lunch at their favorite skewer place (keyword: his treat), Jungkook didn’t imagine he’d be getting anything other than, well, skewers. Sure, he’s known to get a little spaced out at times, but in his defense, there really wasn’t any hint of a song being put on the table.
And yet, Yoongi seems surprised that he has to clarify two, three times. “You mean the OST, then? Yeah, I’m sure.”
“Really?” He asks around a mouthful of lamb, “But Suga-hyung, I’m still a trainee…”
“Why does that matter?” Yoongi asks back. There’s an easiness in his tone that’s a little reassuring. “Think of it is a…what do you kids call it these days? A soft launch?”
Jungkook wishes he had some of his hyung’s unbridled confidence, he really does. But as it stands, he’s only got trainee-level confidence: the kind that’s just gotten comfortable with doing aegyo on camera without breaking into giggling fits. He still hasn’t figured out how to get his knees to stop shaking when he’s in front of an audience of more than 50 people! Being the lead vocal for an OST of a highly-anticipated drama? He’s not so sure…
Something like nervousness settles in Jungkook’s tummy, right beside all the meat. “Can…can you really do that, hyung?”
Yoongi scoffs, “Why? You don’t trust me?”
“No, it’s not that! But…shouldn’t I focus on my debut showcase first?” He’s been waiting for this moment for years, and sometimes he can’t believe it’s finally a month away! Hoseok keeps telling him that the key to a flawless debut is to practice, practice, practice, which is why they’ve doubled his training hours.
And as much as he doesn’t want to question Yoongi’s authority now, especially not on anything music-related, he can't shake the fact that he’s only a trainee. A quick Naver search of his name pulls up funny selfies he tweeted in secret from Hoseok’s verified account, and maybe a grainy video of him doing taekwando in 2008. Even if he is a Genius Lab trainee, that doesn’t really mean much to anyone outside the industry. It feels risky to agree to something like this—and even the imagined headlines aren’t convincing. Would anyone really pay attention to a no-name trainee singing on a title track for a major drama?
Still, though, Yoongi seems willing to take the risk.
“It’s a good way to show your range,” Yoongi says, “and have even more people anticipating your solo stage.”
Yoongi decidedly doesn’t mention anything about their soul-sucking meetings with the snooty TV execs. Every time he enters that board room, he dies a little inside, never truly ready for another one of their endless back-and-forths. They already have the melody and the lyrics down, but they keep getting stuck when it comes to choosing the “right” singer. They’ve gone over a dozen potential talents—any of whom could’ve fit the bill, by the way!—but the TV producers always had something to say. It has to be someone “more exciting!” (Sorry, Lim Youngwoong) Someone with “more impact!” (Sorry, idol groups) Someone more…more…what?! Yoongi doesn’t even know anymore, and he bets even the execs themselves don’t really know either. They just keep saying shit so it looks like they have shit to say.
Honestly, Yoongi’s exhausted.
What he does know is this: he’s had enough of their impossible-to-please comments. All he wants is for this long, grueling process to end so they can start recording and finally, finally get this song out of the way.
What they need is a wildcard. Someone so left-field that they haven’t even considered yet, and will no doubt shock the whole conference room once they realize how perfect this choice is.
Said wildcard is seated across him at the table, deep in thought as he uses a barbecue stick to remove a stubborn piece of lamb stuck between his teeth. Yeah. This kid will do.
“Jungkook-ah,” Yoongi says in his wise producer tone, “I’ve worked with lots of artists before, and I think you’re one of the most talented singers I know. I mean that. You can do this.”
And, well, Jungkook has always been weak for compliments. He tries to stop himself from grinning but fails, nervously tucking his long hair behind his ear. “Ah, hyung…”
“Remember what happened to Park Jimin last year? That could be you,” Yoongi adds as encouragement.
Park Jimin’s OST was his doing, too. They worked together on a song called “With You” that surprised everyone by winning OST of the Year. Jimin had since blown up, and now everyone’s waiting eagerly for his first solo album. (If anyone’s to blame for this sudden urge of OST offers on Yoongi’s door, it should be Jimin. He usually does hiphop, sometimes pop, but it was that collaboration that revealed prod. SUGA’s hidden talent for writing and producing ballads—and how they ended up with this “Yours” dilemma in the first place.)
Jungkook looks up with a shy smile. “I’ve always wanted my own ‘prod. SUGA,” he confesses, “I just didn’t think I’d get one so soon!” If Yoongi says he can do this, then maybe he can! He’ll need to split some time between his dance rehearsals, vocal lessons, and workouts to make way for a few additional recording sessions but—he can do this. Probably. “I won’t let you down, hyung-nim! I’ll work hard!”
Yoongi smiles, picking up on his growing enthusiasm. This is a spark he has to fuel very carefully, but once it does, production will come easy. “I know you will.”
“Now, what should I do?” Jungkook asks, buzzing with excitement now, barely sitting still. “Should I warm up? Can I hear the melody? Do you want to see me dance?!”
Yoongi shakes his head. “Let’s start with the song guide. That’s what the execs will want to hear. Clear your schedule tomorrow and come to my studio first thing”—Jungkook opens his mouth like he’s about to protest, but Yoongi holds up a finger—“and if anyone gets in the way, tell them to talk to me.”
Jungkook shuts his mouth and salutes. “Understood, hyung-nim!”
Yoongi smiles even wider.
This is where the magic comes from, this enthusiasm that they can’t just get from any other artist. Working with Jungkook is going to be a breeze. Yoongi settles into his seat, feeling complacent and satisfied as he watches Jungkook inhale what’s left of the lamb skewer.
There’s no other artist in the whole of Seoul that he’d rather do this song with.
🎵🎼🎹🎶
Seokjin finds out mid-interview, which is his second least favorite way of finding out about things.
He’s surprised they gave it to him, honestly. It was only a pleasant suggestion. Half a joke, at most. He just happened to be at the right place, at the right time, hearing one of the executive producers tell his manager, Sejin, that none of the singers they shortlisted for the soundtrack had been a good fit. And so, without much thought, Seokjin raised his hand.
He didn’t think they’d tell the press so soon, either. (Though he’s not entirely sure that the media got wind of it in an entirely legal manner—Sejin didn’t even know!) This spanking new opportunity is awesome, but a little warning would’ve been equally awesome.
It’s not that Kim Seokjin isn’t good on his feet—if you’ve ever seen him on a variety show, you’d know that he’s excellent, thank you very much. It’s mostly just his ears—how embarrassing! The red ears always give him away when he gets any unexpected attention, and news of him suddenly trying his hand at singing is as unexpected as it gets. As it should be, of course; people see the pretty face and think that’s all there is to it, but now here he is adding a little more intrigue by saying, wait ’til you hear THIS! And there’s nothing his fans love more than a good intrigue!
Seokjin understands. Except at this very moment, he’s more concerned about the grand task at hand: overcompensating on live television. His ears cannot win this round.
“And now on to our exclusive scoop!” The host exclaims, loud and jarring, jolting Seokjin out of his thoughts. Her energy is through the roof, urgent with the adrenaline of being the first to break the news. “Jin-ssi is here with us today to talk about his new drama where he will not only be the leading man, but also the leading vocal! That’s right, Kim Seokjin-ssi is making his singing debut on the ‘Yours’ OST!” She claps excitedly, making up for the absence of a live audience in the studio. “Can you believe it? Singing! Wow, Jin-ssi, what can’t you do?”
Seokjin can feel his ears warm up. He has rehearsed answers for questions about the drama, but none about his role in the OST. Ah, whatever. Honesty is the best policy, so he answers with an easy laugh, “That’s what I’m trying to find out!”
The host laughs exaggeratedly, thwacking him on the shoulder. “Always so funny! So, let’s talk a little more about this decision to cross over to music,” she scoots closer to the edge of her seat. “Has it always been your dream?”
“Ah. You might know this story from before,” Seokjin begins animatedly, “When I was 19, I was street-casted while getting down from a bus. But what I didn’t share back then was that there were actually two scouts: one for an acting agency, and another for an idol company.” The host gasps right on cue, and Seokjin can’t help but enjoy the dramatics. “At the time, I was majoring in Theater and Film, so you can see why I chose to sign with the acting agency. But that other offer has always been at the back of my mind, like a ‘what if?’ for me.”
“Amazing! Really, I just got goosebumps!” She tells the camera, and turns to Seokjin with a look of admiration. “And have you had any vocal training before?”
“Oh. None at all,” he admits.
“Then it’s fair to say that it’s very brave of you to pursue this new dream with no prior experience,” she comments.
“…is it brave?” He asks candidly. “I’m actually pretty simple-minded. I don’t believe in having boring dreams, that’s all. If your dreams are dictated by all the things you’ve tried before, then what’s the point? I think it’s good to want to explore something that’s so different—that’s why we call them ‘dreams,’ right?”
The interviewer nods, seeming genuinely impressed. “I don’t know about everyone else, but when I try something out of my comfort zone, I usually feel nervous,” she turns to him with curious eyes. “I’m sure even with your interest in singing, it still counts as something outside of your comfort zone. Tell us, does the Kim Seokjin ever get nervous?”
And there it is.
The chance to deliver the high point of the interview, the part people will remember and replay and turn into GIFs. He knows exactly what to do.
Seokjin flashes her a coy smile (the one he knows they love) and says, “Nervous?” Playful pause, eyebrow raise. “I’m Worldwide Handsome—I don’t know the meaning of the word.”
It’s a bit cheesy and a lot conceited, but Seokjin makes it work. He mentally counts to three, giving the viewers at home time to shriek over his smooth delivery, before ending with a grand finale straight to Camera A: a perfectly-timed wink and his signature hand kiss.
(It works—nowhere in any of the articles does anyone point out his beet-red ears.)
🎵🎼🎹🎶
“Okay, okay—how about this: get wasted in a club, or date Jin-hyung?”
From the kitchen, Seokjin grunts at the sound of his name. What are those two up to this time? He calls out, “Are you brats playing drinking games before dinner?!”
He waits. No response. Typical.
When he walks into the dining room, hot plate of steak in his hand, he finds Taehyung and Jimin at opposite ends of his marble dining table, shooting grapes at each other’s mouths. He can’t say he’s too surprised.
Jimin throws one into the air and Taehyung leans back gracefully, the shine muscat falling into his mouth. It would be impressive if there weren’t at least five other pieces on the floor, and if all this wasn’t happening in the middle of Seokjin’s elaborate dinner spread.
“I would rather…date Jin-hyung!” Taehyung replies, chewing loudly.
Jimin scrunches his face in obvious disagreement. “Really?”
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”
Taehyung ignores his hyung’s confusion and continues to brainstorm. “But of course, the story needs a little more…je nais se quoi.” He snaps his fingers. “Ah! I got it! I’m dating Jin-hyung, but he’s a terrible lover! It’s a hopeless, loveless sham of a relationship!” He says, voice tapering off into an almost-sob at the end.
“Genius!”
“Don’t encourage him, Jimin-ah,” Seokjin narrows his eyes as he rearranges the side dishes. “And for the record, I’d make an excellent lover,” he adds in a small voice, mostly to himself.
“Hyung is too busy for me!” Taehyung laments using his stage voice, “Filming this drama! Attending that premiere! What about Tete Time?!”
“Nooo!” Jimin gasps, two tiny hands framing his cheeks. “Not Tete Time!”
“What the hell is Tete Time! Stop this right now!” Seokjin flails, snatching the bowl of grapes from Jimin’s side and gesturing towards the table. “If you two don’t sit within the next 10 seconds, I’m starting without you and leaving nothing but the fat!”
“Aw, see what I mean?” Taehyung sighs, forlorn, as if that proved his point exactly. Jimin shakes his head in solidarity, but both of them move to find their place at the table anyway.
Despite his faux threat, Seokjin serves them the steak first. Thank god that skit didn’t run long; the last time they did something like that, they got super into it that the meat had gone cold.
“What’s all this about, anyway?” He asks as he hands Taehyung his plate.
“I need a scandal,” Taehyung says like it’s life-or-death. “My agent said so.”
“Your agent said so,” Seokjin repeats, doubtful.
He nods as he digs into the meet appreciatively. “You don’t understand, hyung! Us little people, we need our names on headlines! I’m desperate and too beautiful to be irrelevant! I need something—anything!”
“We both decided Dispatch would be the best choice,” Jimin continues proudly, adding a ‘thank you’ as he receives his serving.
It’s not hard to picture them staying up all night, putting this strategy together. Seokjin pictures it happening under a blanket fort, with Jimin scribbling notes underneath Taehyung’s flashlight.
“Dispatch will give Taehyungie the most impact for the least amount of effort,” Jimin goes on to explain. “A dating scandal between the two of you is surprisingly easy to orchestrate. All you need to do, Jin-hyung, is be seen wearing Taehyung’s shirt, possibly get matching phone cases or house appliances…a hickey, at most! And they’ll run with it for sure! Can you imagine the headlines?”
A hickey at most? Kids these days are something else!
“I have a crazy idea,” Seokjin turns to Taehyung instead, making the executive decision to ignore everything he just heard, “why don’t you audition for a new drama?”
Taehyung pouts. “Serious suggestions only, please.”
“Your last one did so well, Taehyung-ah,” Seokjin says genuinely.
“Hyung, I died in the seventh episode!”
“So? It was powerful acting! I even shed a tear.”
“I shed multiple!” Jimin interjects.
“Okay guys, as much as I appreciate your support, let’s not forget the facts. The drama had 36 episodes, do you think anyone cares about a minor character who dies seven episodes in?!” He whines. “I didn’t even reach the double digits! One more minor role and I’m going to cement my spot as handsome background character forever.”
“And obviously that’s not going to happen,” Jimin cuts in, “I’m sure we all agree that Kim Taehyung deserves more than that…which leads us to Dispatch.”
“My agent said I need to get ‘out there’ to land more roles,” Taehyung says.
Seokjin’s brows knit together, trying to figure out the thought process. “And you think a dating scandal with me is going to help because…?”
“Exactly!” Taehyung clasps his hands together. “I knew you’d get it, hyung! I mean, what’s more ‘out there’ than”—he pauses to look at his hyung, testing the waters—“being the Nation’s First Love’s first love?”
While Seokjin’s knee-jerk reaction is to fling himself against the nearest wall, he has to admit, it does make a reasonable PR strategy. “That’s a fair assumption, Taehyung-ah,” he starts, “but unfortunately, my loyalty lies with the nation. What would the women of South Korea do without me to project their unrealistic ideas of love unto?”
“Don’t forget the men!”
“And the men! Thank you, Jimin.”
“One night stand,” Taehyung bargains.
Seokjin shakes his head.
“Kiss. On the cheek.”
Seokjin counters, “Punch. To the face.”
“Are you sure, hyung?” Jimin clarifies. “Taehyung’s a very good kisser. You’re missing out, seriously.”
“Why don’t you date each other, then?!”
Jimin giggles as if he had just heard a joke. “Sure, hyung. Let me date my literal soulmate who I go on live with at least once a week, and just yesterday showed a thousand viewers as we got matching soulmate tattoos! The gossip sites would love that!” He says, heavy on the sarcasm.
“We’ve had dating rumors, like, what, every month since we first started hanging out?” Taehyung recalls, “No one bats an eye these days. It’s like they’re sick of us!”
“It’s true. When we went live yesterday, the comments kept telling us to get a room. I wonder why, all I did was kiss the spot on Taehyung’s skin before the tattoo artist came in with the needle,” Jimin shrugs.
Seokjin raises a brow, unamused. “And where was that?”
“Left thigh,” Taehyung flashes a boxy grin, then waves it off like it’s no big deal. “Anyway, I’m looking for a dating reveal that will break the internet, you know?”
“Well, then, I’m sorry Taehyung-ah. I’m not going to break South Korea’s heart for you,” Seokjin says, and he has enough decency to put a hand over his chest like he’s truly sorry about it.
Taehyung clutches his heart, severely wounded, and fake-collapses into his chair.
Jimin looks between the two of them, eyes sparkling, and claps. “Dinner and a show! I love it here!” As he reaches for his wine glass, he seems to remember something important and elbows his soulmate urgently. “Hey, Tae, can you come back to life for a sec? You can’t die before we toast to hyung!”
Seokjin immediately shakes his head. “Jimin-ah, that’s not necessary, let’s just eat—”
“What are you saying?! Of course it’s necessary!” Jimin insists as Taehyung successfully revives himself. “Hyung, you’re releasing a song! This is huge! It’s the whole reason why we’re even having this fancy dinner!”
“Oh, is that what this is?” Seokjin jokes, looking around at the intricate table setting that he prepared himself, “I thought you two just came over ‘cause you were too lazy to cook.”
“Ha-ha, very funny,” Jimin says.
“I’m with Jimin on this one, hyung,” Taehyung echoes, “it’s totally a big deal! Everyone was already looking forward to this drama, but nobody expected you to sing! Now it’s like, we’re all twice as obsessed! I even sent my mom all the clips and articles from your interview this morning. Sometimes I think she loves you more than me. By the way, my comment was the highest-rated one, did you see?”
“Was it? I didn’t check,” Seokjin replies quickly, trying to brush it off. His ears are warming up again. He grabs his wine glass and swishes the liquid around just so he has something to do with his hands. “But thank you, guys. You’re always first to support me in anything.”
“Duh, that’s ‘cause you deserve the world!” Jimin says like he’s only pointing out the obvious. He raises his glass as well. “To our amazing, wonderful, talented Worldwide Handsome Jin-hyung, who can do anything he sets his heart to!”
“What Jimin said!” Taehyung joins in, clinking their glasses together.
Seokjin thinks of Jimin’s toast and wonders how true the words are. Can he really do anything he sets his heart to? Even this? He always says it’s unlike him to be nervous, but after making it a point to say so thousands of times, who is he really trying to convince with all the repetition?
Ah, what is he thinking? A celebratory dinner is hardly the right time or place to dwell on these thoughts. Despite the stirring in his stomach, Seokjin forces a smile and refocuses on his dongsaengs who seem to be more excited than he is.
“I worked with Genius Lab last year, hyung, remember? I had a lot of fun!” Jimin is saying, grinning wide. “I’m sure you’ll love it! They’re all very nice!” He starts telling an anecdote about a fun recording day with the producer he worked with (“He’s a genius!”), and his optimism is so palpable that Seokjin feels it in waves across the table.
Watching Jimin tell his story, complete with exaggerated gestures and Taehyung playing along as one of the producers, makes Seokjin feel a little better. In fact, he doesn’t feel nervous at all.
Nervous? Who’s nervous? He doesn’t even know the meaning of the word.
🎵🎼🎹🎶
Just as expected, Jungkook sang the guide flawlessly. Sure, there were (literal) hiccups at the start, but it was nothing a glass of warm honey water couldn’t fix. The trainee was back to his best condition for the rest of the recording, taking directions perfectly and hitting all the right notes. He matched Yoongi’s pace well, didn’t waste any time, and even managed to finish the guide an hour earlier than expected which almost never happens. For the first time in a long time, Yoongi feels like everything is on track with this OST.
Just as not expected, someone buzzes the doorbell to his studio as he’s rearranging the audio. An interruption. Yoongi sighs, but shuffles to the door anyway.
He doesn’t expect Hoseok to be on the other side, striding in with a weird, high-strung energy. What’s up with him? Yoongi doesn’t even have a second to guess, though, because the first thing Hoseok says is, “Hyung, care to explain why Jungkook just missed dance practice this afternoon?”
Yoongi raises an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
The lack of a response makes Hoseok explode. “He has a month left until his showcase! No, scratch that—19 days! And he says he has a ballad to focus on? Since when?!”
“We just talked about it,” Yoongi says, hoping his casual tone will temper Hoseok’s hysterics. “He’s a good fit, it’s a good opportunity.”
“Sounds perfect! And just forget about all his standing commitments while we’re at it, right?!” Hoseok snaps.
“C’mon, Hoba, what’s one dance pra…” his voice trails off, feeling the sharp edge of Hoseok’s glare. Damn perfectionists. Yoongi doubles back, “I just need him for a week. Three recording sessions max—or maybe even two, considering it’s Jungkook. It’ll be quick, you won’t even notice.”
“I’m sure as hell noticing right now!”
“Wow, Hoseok. Language,” Yoongi says.
Hoseok glares at him. “I had him living and breathing the music, hyung! Mindset is everything! This ballad thing is going to confuse him and his schedule!”
“There’s nothing confusing about it, though,” Yoongi counters stubbornly, “It’s just a song. No music video, no choreography, nothing else.”
“Okay, but how is he supposed to embody upbeat pop energy on-stage when you’re filling his head with…with all this melancholy?!”
“I’m not filling his head with anything. It’s one song,” Yoongi says unhelpfully.
“It’s ruining the vibe!” Hoseok throws up his hands in frustration, “Take it back!”
“Eh?”
“The OST—take it back!”
“Make me,” Yoongi replies, deadpan. He’s definitely not going to do that. “We already did the guide, Hoba. We’re halfway done.”
“It’s one-thirds and you know it! You messed up my entire week, hyung,” Hoseok snipes. He glares at Yoongi and doesn’t break eye contact as he reaches for his phone, taps on the screen, and holds it up to his ear.
Yoongi frowns. “You’re not seriously calling for backup?”
Hoseok sticks his tongue out, because he’s real mature. “Hey, Joonie, you’ll ever guess what Yoongi-hyung did—” he’s cut off abruptly as Namjoon speaks on the other end. Hoseok’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Oh? You’ve been looking for him? I’m in his studio. Okay…okay, I’ll tell him,” he pauses to glare at Yoongi even harder, “yeah, got it. Bye.”
“You really had to bring Namjoon into this,” Yoongi says, shaking his head. “Fight your own battles next time.”
“I know I called him for backup, but it sounds like you messed up his entire week, too,” Hoseok breaks into a laugh, like that’s enough poetic justice. “He’ll be here in 5 minutes, so don’t go anywhere. Good luck with that—and don’t touch Jungkook’s schedule again. Or else!”
“I’ll think about it,” Yoongi calls out lazily as Hoseok storms off. He decides to just save his file and exit the program; given how he seems to be ruining everyone’s week lately, it feels like he won’t be getting much work done in between these confrontations.
True enough, a few minutes later, Namjoon shows up at the door looking distressed. “Yoongi-hyung, where have you been?!” He asks as soon as he’s let in. He’s a little out of breath, like he sprinted all the way here. “You’ve been ignoring my calls for like two days!”
Oh. Has it been that long since he last checked his phone? “I was just here. Working.”
Namjoon runs a hand over his face. He should’ve known better. “Well, I’ve been sending you updates because Sejin-ssi came back with very important news.”
Yoongi blinks. “Who?”
“One of the managers from ‘Yours’?” Namjoon reminds him, then rolls his eyes at Yoongi’s inability to retain any details from their very important meetings. “Anyway, the executive producers reached a decision the other day. They picked a singer for the OST! I know, whew, finally, right?!”
Wait. What’s going on here? They haven't even scheduled another one of their long-ass meetings to discuss that yet. They can’t just veto a decision like that! Those meetings are supposed to be a huge deal. Yoongi was planning to impress everyone with Jungkook’s vocals on the guide once they reconvened.
“But I picked a singer,” Yoongi says blankly.
“You?” Namjoon repeats, dumbfounded. “Who did you pick?”
“I had Jungkook sing the guide.”
Namjoon lets out a relieved exhale. “Oh, that’s fine! I thought you meant—”
“And I told him he should sing on the final track.”
“You what?”
Yoongi scowls. “What ‘what’?”
“Why would you tell him that? Why would you make that decision on your own?!” Namjoon’s crisis control thoughts are going a mile a minute. Yoongi can practically see the wheels in his brain turning, and he’d feel bad for causing the distress if he didn’t think Jungkook was their strongest option. Something in Namjoon’s mind clicks. “Wait, you ruined Hoseok’s week for this?”
Yoongi waves his hand to brush off the accusation. It’s not as bad as it looks. It’s good, even. “Jungkook’s talented,” he says, “and they were taking forever to decide.”
“Still! That’s not a call only we get to make, hyung!” Namjoon says, almost running out of patience. “Besides, Jungkook’s schedule is full. You should know this! We don't want to overwork our trainees. You better tell him he’s out before he gets his hopes up. The last thing we want is for him to have a mix up with—”
“With who? Who could they have possibly chosen?” Yoongi cuts off, challenging.
He knows he sounds a little childish right now, but why does it feel like he suddenly has no say in the musical direction? These TV people were put on this earth for the sole purpose of wasting his time. What was the point of sitting in on all those meetings, then? They just finished recording the guide! With Jungkook! This could be so, so easy. Yoongi has a dozen responses running in his head, but nothing could’ve prepared him for what Namjoon says next:
“They want Kim Seokjin to do it.”
Whatever worst case scenario he was bracing himself for, it definitely wasn’t this. That name is very familiar, and not in a good way. “Isn’t he an…actor?”
“He’s the lead, yes,” Namjoon confirms diplomatically, schooling his features into that of neutrality. Except Yoongi can read him well enough to know this person isn’t his first choice, either.
“I don't see why that’s important,” Yoongi mutters, but then turns to Namjoon with a grim expression. “Unless…are they making him sing because he’s the lead?”
“Uh…not exactly?” Namjoon cracks an awkward smile. Clearly, he’s trying to be very careful with his words, which means none of this can be good. “Sejin said Seokjin wanted to explore music, so he told the producers if there wasn’t a sure choice yet, then maybe he could try…”
“Since when was our label the preferred method of trying out a music career for fun?” Yoongi frowns. Is this what celebrities think of their label? Some push-button machine they can play with when they feel like their careers need a little spicing up?
Namjoon winces. “It’s not like that, hyung. You know we’re not like that—but it’s different for every project, right? Some collaborations are good…in a business perspective. And Kim Seokjin is…he’s…”
“Can he sing?” Yoongi demands.
“Sejin-ssi assures me he can.”
Right. The manager said so. Because that’s such a reliable source. Sejin would probably say Kim Seokjin could learn to fly for the right paycheck and good publicity. This is getting bad.
“Namjoon-ah,” Yoongi takes a deep breath and pinches the bridge of his nose. He feels a headache already underway. He hates this so, so much. “The last time we said ‘yes’ to something like this, the whole team worked overtime for a week to cure the vocals on a 30-second advertisement. PDogg threatened to quit!”
“He was joking! He clarified!”
Yoongi shakes his head. He can’t do this. “This song is four minutes long, it’s an emotional ballad that’s supposed to bring people to tears! They expect to win OST of the Year choosing a lead vocal who’s…never sung before?”
“I know,” Namjoon says. He doesn’t even argue, like he’s completely resigned to the fact, which Yoongi hates even more. Where is the integrity? The love for the craft? The singer who will do this song justice? But Namjoon moves on quickly, voice calm and steady, “Hyung, the best thing we can do moving forward is focus our energy to making the most out of—hey, don’t look at me like that! I’m just the messenger! Besides, it’s kind of non-negotiable at this point.”
“Jungkook has perfect pitch,” Yoongi says as a weak last attempt, “at least listen to how he sounds on the guide!”
“Maybe if we presented alternatives earlier, we could’ve…but when Sejin-ssi called, it was more of a formality.”
“And talent isn’t?”
“Bang PD already signed off on it.”
And. Well. That’s one way to end an argument.
Yoongi sinks back into his chair, defeated. “I really, really don't want to work with some random actor, Joon-ah,” he says stubbornly. “I’ve won awards, you know? I’m good at my job. I deserve a little respect—and autonomy.”
“I know, but let’s not make this harder than it is, hyung,” Namjoon says, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Do you really want to go talk to Bang PD and explain why we recommend going with the trainee over The Nation’s First Love?”
Yoongi snorts. That’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard. “They don’t really call him that, do they?”
“He could be The Nation’s Biggest Fool and the song would still be his,” Namjoon shakes his head, “though to be fair, maybe Kim Seokjin deserves the benefit of the doubt. He’s a great actor, and Sejin seems like a reasonable man. Who knows? Maybe this might actually be a really good collaboration!”
Yoongi lets out a long, tired exhale. This was supposed to be smooth-sailing—with Jungkook!—and now he’s not even sure how his lead vocal sounds. “You’re just lucky you’re not the one sitting across this guy in the recording booth.”
“That depends on who you ask,” Namjoon says, and because he’s a know-it-all, he holds up his phone showing articles about this actor. Huh, maybe Yoongi should check his phone more often. This guy must really be famous, given the way the headlines are talking about his involvement in this soundtrack. “Everyone’s saying whoever’s working on this song must be the luckiest guy in Seoul. It even says, ’The stars must be on your side if you’re going to be the first to hear an angel sing.’”
Yoongi looks at him, straight-faced. “You’re going to see your angels if you don’t shut up right now.”
🎵🎼🎹🎶
Seokjin is a big believer in being fashionably late.
It’s not like he’s a diva or anything. It’s just, the way he sees it, every appearance if his counts as a performance. There’s an art to it. And a five-minute “will he? won’t he? well, where is he?” charade serves as the ideal window to keep the adoring public on their toes. Pushing their anticipation to the brink until they have no choice but to scream their hearts out the moment they catch sight of him. It’s perfect.
(The origin story was at an awards show a few years back, when Seokjin genuinely was running late because of traffic. He was ready to slip into the venue unnoticed but, as soon as he stepped out of the car—right as the opening remarks were starting—heads and cameras all turned towards him. Part of it was curiosity towards the late-comer, but their attention largely stayed because of his undeniable good looks. His entrance brought the whole program to a momentary halt as the cameras panned towards him, broadcasting his entrance that all of a sudden went viral in at least seven countries within the hour. From then on, he was known as Viral Car Door Guy—and more importantly, he learned how to make tardiness work in his favor.)
Except today.
Today, he is unfashionably early. He woke up hours earlier than his alarm, feeling this tingling sensation he’s been ignoring all week settle like a bad bowl of mulhwe in his stomach.
He had stood in front of the bathroom mirror and splashed cold water on his face. “Seokjinnie, you can do it!” He had told his sleep-rumpled reflection, “Fighting!” (His reflection, although gorgeous, was not convinced.)
He handled the past few days very well—the interviews, the friends, the fans—but clearly that was the easy part. Seokjin never usually has performance anxiety leading up to a new stint, always stepping up to new roles with learned confidence, but he does feel the nerves catch up the split second before the cameras start rolling or before he goes on stage. But today, of all days, the nerves are starting very early.
He’s supposed to meet the producers from the label today, and it’s been messing with his head. Will these people take him seriously?
“There’s no singing for today, not yet,” Sejin had reassured yesterday. And texted him again this morning. “It’s just a little ‘hi, hello’ before we get down to business. And you’ll have vocal lessons before recording, of course.”
These people are experts, and processes are in place to make sure the song turns out well. Seokjin tries to find comfort in that. All he has to do later is show up to the meeting and be his usual, charming self. He should be excited to meet these producers—producers who Jimin worked with last year and speaks so highly of. There’s no reason why this won’t all work out in his favor. So why is he still feeling so jumpy?
It doesn’t help that this place—Genius Lab, his brain supplies—is one of those cold, monochromatic, modern buildings. There’s no pop of color anywhere, not a single fluffy welcome mat in sight, and the thermostat is most definitely in the negatives. Seokjin is shivering. Worse, everything is automated! There wasn’t even a receptionist to greet him good morning. Instead, a robot led him in, printed out a guest ID, and seemed to disappear into thin air!
Walking into the place feels like entering a different universe, and if Seokjin were the sentimental type, he’d find that parallel rather fitting since singing itself is a whole different universe for him.
LED screens plastered along long gray hallways flash performances and training videos of the label’s talents, and every single person looks brilliant. Seokjin has the fleeting realization that he doesn’t get a free pass to call himself an aspiring singer just because he debuted as one in the third season of Dream High.
The glass doors in front of him don’t budge because the facial recognition can’t identify his face, so he takes a left from the main hall, passing by a group of girls in outlandish cowboy outfits. They strut down the hall like they own the place, and spare a sideway glance at Seokjin—an obvious intruder—then whisper amongst themselves.
Why do the youths have to be so threatening? And why do they keep looking at him like that? Is there something on his face?
He definitely should’ve worn a face mask today. Seokjin keeps his back straight, stands tall, and brisk walks until he’s out of their sight and walks into an empty cafeteria. It’s just after the lunch hour, and he’s suddenly grateful for all this white, empty space.
There’s only one other guy in the huge room. Seokjin figures it’s another trainee having late lunch. He finds a seat at an empty table across the guy and finally lets out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding.
He has two hours left before the meeting…should he get something to eat?
Seokjin’s gaze lands on the trainee’s tray curiously. He absently watches as the kid guzzles down a bottle of citrus kombucha and force-fits a rather large sandwich into his mouth. (He should look away now, but what else is there to look at? This must be the appeal of mukbangs…)
The lone trainee, as if reading his mind, looks up abruptly, surprising Seokjin with a scowl on his face. His brows are knit so fiercely together as he chews.
Shit. Was Seokjin staring too much?
He flushes and immediately looks away, fiddling with his phone. After a few seconds, he glances up at the trainee and—as if perfectly timed, the kid’s eyes snap up to meet his a second time. Eyebrows still drawn, frown deepening as he continues to chew. He looks really mad.
Ugh. So much for making a good impression at this label. He hasn't even been here for an hour!
He expects the kid to be the one to say something rude—spit out an insult or something. But instead, he seems to go for the silent treatment, still chewing with that angry look aimed towards Seokjin’s general direction. Is this a stare-down or something?
Seokjin decides he doesn’t want this to blow up at all. It’s not within his Worldwide Handsome persona to get involved in fights with trainees. Deciding to be the bigger man, he clears his throat awkwardly, the sound echoing within the empty cafeteria.
“Do—ahem—do you want me to say sorry?”
The sound of his voice seems to flip a switch within the trainee, who startles. He drops his sandwich on his tray and his face softens in an instant, registering Seokjin’s presence in the next table. “What?” He asks, voice surprisingly gentle. Without the scowl, he looks much younger. Soft-looking cheeks, a friendly-shaped nose.
“Oh,” Seokjin feels awkward now. “Ah, I’m sorry. I must’ve misunderstood—you were looking at me and I thought—it looked like you were mad at me. You were frowning like this?” He motions to his eyebrows and copies the expression.
“Huh? What, no!” The trainee looks instantly apologetic and shakes his head profusely. “I’m not mad! I was just thinking to myself, ‘This chicken sandwich slaps!’ I try to make my own in my dorm and it never tastes this good!”
Seokjin laughs before he can think about it. Maybe he’s the one who needs to calm down a little. “I see. My mistake. Sorry about that, please enjoy your food,” he bows slightly before shifting away.
“I’m Jeon Jungkook!” The kid offers brightly, even though Seokjin didn’t give any sort of indication that they should keep talking. Jungkook has a pleasant look about his face, kind and unguarded. Seokjin wonders if the friendliness is because he’s a fan.
“Hi, Jungkook,” Seokjin smiles back. Jungkook looks at him expectantly for one, two seconds, like he’s waiting for something. It takes Seokjin a moment to realize that the kid is expecting him to introduce himself. Seokjin doesn’t usually have to do that anymore—it’s cute, in an innocent kind of way. “I’m Kim Seokjin, nice to meet you,” he says after a short lull, but Jungkook doesn’t seem to mind.
Jungkook purses his lips together, thinking about something. “Your name is super familiar, but I don’t think we’ve met before…” he whispers, “Are we label mates?”
“No, no,” Seokjin shakes his head, “I’m an actor.”
“Oh!” Jungkook looks curious now. “Anything I’ve seen?”
“If you have to ask, then probably not,” Seokjin snickers. There’s something charming about the kid’s naiveness, a gentle reminder that there are still people out there who see him as Some Guy. Seokjin continues, “But I am here to record a song. It’s going to be my first one—an OST for my new drama.”
“Cool, me too!” Jungkook lights up, delighted that they have something in common. “I mean, I’m recording an OST too—I don’t have a drama! I haven’t even debuted yet.”
Seokjin smiles to himself. He’s adorable. “How’s that going?”
Jungkook hesitates for a second, then shakes his head. “Um. It’s okay. It’s a ballad, and that’s not really my style. Or at least not yet! Maybe I’ll get used to it after some time, that’s what Yoongi-hyung says. I’m training under Hoseok-hyung mostly, so it’s a lot of pop and R&B and hiphop. I like those genres more.”
“That sounds fun,” Seokjin comments politely, choosing not to point out the uncertainty in his voice, or the fact that he doesn’t know who these people he’s talking about are.
Jungkook lets out a deep, deep breath, and turns to Seokjin. “Okay fine, since you asked,” he starts.
“But I didn’t—”
“I’ll tell you a secret, sunbae-nim, but promise you won’t tell anyone, okay?” Jungkook says seriously.
Wait a second. Why is he acting like Seokjin begged for this information? “Uh. Are you sure you should be telling me this?”
“Here’s the thing,” Jungkook carries on, scooting closer, “every trainee dreams of debuting, right? That’s the one thing all of us here are working for.”
“Jungkook, I don’t think you should—”
“My debut showcase is in 19 days! Can you believe it? I’ve been practicing really hard with Hobi-hyung, and I’m feeling more confident about it…but this new song for the drama, it’s great and all, but it’s honestly throwing me off.”
Oh no. Seokjin is suddenly invested in this. He leans in, encouraging Jungkook to continue.
“Like, I’ve been training for this one showcase for years and all of a sudden I have to master this ballad in less than a week, just to impress the TV people? Isn’t that crazy?” He deflates in his chair, “I’m a little guilty because Yoongi-hyung keeps saying it’s a good opportunity. I trust him with my career and my life, you know? I haven’t told anyone this, but…I’m scared.”
“Of what?” Seokjin asks softly.
Jungkook looks at his hands. “I don’t know—everything? I’m scared of disappointing people, of losing focus on one thing and messing up both things.” He shakes his head, “Am I being too much of a coward? I know…you’re probably judging me right now, aren’t you?”
“Why would I judge you?” Seokjin says, “I understand why you feel that way. I’d get scared, too.”
Jungkook gives him a look, like he’s not buying it. “You’re obviously just saying that.”
“You think I’d lie for your sake? Just who do you think you are?!” Seokjin says melodramatically, upping his antics a bit to lighten up the mood, “Jungkook-ah, if you must know, I’m afraid of everything! Pigeons, loud noises, zombies—argh, I really can’t do zombies!” He shoots the trainee a dead serious look and feels satisfied when he sees a faintest hint of a smile creep into Jungkook’s lips. “I…I’m even scared right now, actually. Just like you.”
“No way,” Jungkook denies, “You don’t look scared at all!” He looks at Seokjin from top to bottom, as if there’s something telling in his crisp, striped button-down and designer slacks.
“Ah, that’s just ‘cause of my handsome face,” Seokjin replies easily, and Jungkook snorts. “Also ‘cause I cast spells.”
Jungkook’s eyes go wide, not expecting to hear something so ridiculous. “You what?”
“Okay, calm down Jungkook Potter, don't get too excited—I didn’t mean actual magic,” Seokjin backtracks and starts to explain, “It’s just this thing I like to do when I have a difficult task or an audition coming up. I tell myself, ‘Seokjinnie, you’re the best! You can do this!’ It’s like a spell so I remember to believe in myself. Not exactly real magic but it might as well be, ‘cause I always end up doing great.”
Jungkook is fully smiling now, and whether he’s amused or impressed, it really doesn’t matter to Seokjin as long as he’s not sulking anymore. “Wow,” Jungkook says, “and that really works?”
“I don’t know, should we ask my 23 Daesangs?” Seokjin wiggles his eyebrows playfully, and Jungkook bursts out laughing as expected. “See? I told you! It’s the power of my spells.”
Jungkook’s big eyes are fixed on him, like he’s not sure what to make of it all. “Amazing…”
“And lucky for you, I’m feeling generous today! So now, let me cast a spell on you, too!” Seokjin rubs his hands together in mock seriousness and extends a hand towards the trainee, “Jeon Jungkook, you’re the best! You can do this!” He closes his hand to a fist and raises it, “Fighting!”
“Fighting!” Jungkook plays along, shoulders shaking in laughter. “Ah, this is silly. But thank you, sunbae-nim.”
“You’ll debut well, Jeon Jungkook,” Seokjin says, casually this time. “Don’t worry too much, I’m sure your hyungs know what they’re doing and your OST troubles will figure themselves out in the end. I’ll wait eagerly for your showcase.” He smiles, then adds, “But if all else fails and the idol career doesn’t work out, you can always give me a call.”
This impresses the junior even more. “Really?! You’ll use your industry connections to help me?”
Seokjin shakes his head solemnly. “What connections? My nephew’s birthday is coming up, we could use some free entertainment. I assume you’re familiar with Baby Shark? If not, I can teach you.”
Jungkook breaks off into laughter again, and Seokjin finds it so easy to laugh along. Suddenly, Genius Lab feels a little warmer, just like that.
🎵🎼🎹🎶
Namjoon prides himself in being very efficient, which is why he already blocked off an hour of his and Yoongi's calendars to make way for this Very Important Meeting days ago.
Unfortunately, where Namjoon is efficient, Yoongi is relentless, which is exactly why Namjoon’s phone lights up with a phone call a minute before they’re scheduled to meet.
Namjoon takes a grounding breath before answering the call. “Hyung?”
“Namjoon-ah! There’s an emergency!” Yoongi practically screeches from the other end. He sounds like he’s trying to sound panicked.
But because Namjoon isn’t an asshole, and despite his bullshit detector going off on those four words alone, he gives his hyung the benefit of the doubt. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“The doctors say I’ll make it, but—”
“What? Why are there doctors?”
“—it’s not looking good,” Yoongi coughs. Even though his voice is fine. “They recommend bedrest…”
“Since when were you sick? You literally sent a Soobin fancam to the groupchat this morning.”
“I won’t get into the details, but they very explicitly said..." Yoongi pauses. Is that supposed to be for dramatic effect? “…I shouldn’t go to any meetings.”
Namjoon’s standing outside Yoongi’s studio now. He didn't expect the producer to show up to their Very Important Meeting anyway, so he did his due diligence and stopped by to pick him up. From the other side of the frosted glass door, he can tell that the lights are on. When he crouches down to peek at the bottom part where the glass is slightly clearer, he can see Yoongi’s chair swiveling back and forth.
This is ridiculous.
“So you’re in the hospital right now?” Namjoon clarifies. He hopes the exhaustion is clear enough in his voice that Yoongi just gives up the act altogether.
“Yes. Unfortunately. It’s very serious. No visitors,” Yoongi answers, and has the audacity to add, “I’m really sorry about the meeting. Good luck without me, though.”
Namjoon rolls his eyes. Without putting down the phone, he punches in Yoongi’s code (the one he thinks one else knows) and walks in. Yoongi’s chair swivels towards the door until they’re face to face, and Yoongi sits there frozen with his phone against his ear.
Namjoon drops the call, equal parts smug and annoyed. “Funny, this doesn’t look like a hospital.”
Yoongi, perfectly safe and healthy, narrows his eyes. “No one’s supposed to know the code. This is trespassing.”
“I would call you out for being immature right now except this really wasn’t your best work. You could do better,” Namjoon says, sounding like a disappointed parent. “Anyway, now that that’s out of the way—let’s go. A superstar is waiting, we’re almost late.”
Yoongi crosses his arms. “Do I really have to?”
“Do you really have to go to this meeting and get acquainted with Kim Seokjin, our most trending talent to date?” Namjoon asks rhetorically. Yoongi is lucky he’s so patient. “Hyung, this song comes with a lot of expectations. He needs all the help he can get, it’s only right that we welcome him with full force.”
“I’m the one who needs all the help he can get,” Yoongi mumbles, but finally moves to stand. He drags his feet as they make their way to the elevator, as if prolonging the agony will make him feel better. “I really don’t want to do this.”
“Then you should’ve thought of a better excuse,” Namjoon shrugs, pressing a button on the elevator and abruptly thinking of something. He grins, “Hey! Hyung, maybe next time, you can get acting tips from Kim Seokjin!”
Yoongi’s frown only deepens. “You’re not funny.”
🎵🎼🎹🎶
Is Yoongi the only person in the whole of Genius Lab not looking forward to this?
It definitely seems that way, judging by how a small crowd of people have gathered outside the conference room that Kim Seokjin is supposedly waiting in.
A few are even shameless enough to peak through the frosted glass walls to catch a glimpse of the guy. Do they not realize that this business is built on music and not good looks? Their employees, of all people, should not be so easily distracted by visuals. Yoongi wants to grab them by the shoulders and shake them until they realize the truth.
Namjoon, though, chuckles at the sight before them. “No loitering in the hallway," He says politely as he passes through. “Back to your offices or studios, please.”
“Jang Yijeong, not you, too,” Yoongi sighs, recognizing one of his closest producers holding a phone in hand, camera ready.
“What?! I love this guy!” He replies shamelessly. “His dramas keep me company when we work late. Seriously! Mikrokosmos? I was watching him the whole time!”
Yoongi can’t even look at him. “Traitor.”
“Everyone, let’s show our guest that we’re professionals in this workplace, hmm?” Namjoon turns to them one last time with an expectant look. People hesitate but eventually disperse, and Namjoon lets out a breath and turns to Yoongi, “Ready, hyung? Smile, please. It’s showtime.” He demonstrates his own dimpled smile and waits one second before finally opening the glass door.
Namjoon’s client-facing personality is an interesting thing to behold. Normally, he’s a soft, reserved person, but when he needs to, he can flip a switch and transform into the most commanding person in the room. Kind of like how he is now, form straight, strides long, looking even taller than his usual 182cm, walking with a confidence that wasn’t there a moment ago.
“Ah, there he is!” Namjoon says in his patronizing voice (a bit over-the-top, in Yoongi’s opinion), “Kim Seokjin-ssi! The Nation’s First Love!”
Yoongi can’t see what they’re walking into—Namjoon’s huge and basically blocks everything in front of him—but he does feel the energy in the room shift.
Yoongi hears more than sees the movement from the conference table, and suddenly it seems like the world rearranges itself on its axis. As if in slow motion, a man seated in the middle stands, and for a second, it’s like he’s the only one in the room. Everyone is looking at him in stunned silence, Namjoon included.
And, look, Yoongi doesn't live under a rock. He has seen Kim Seokjin before, like on TV or somewhere. He knows what the actor looks like, vaguely: black hair, brown eyes, fair skin, that general pretty boy look. But this—seeing him up close, in person—there’s something magnetic about him, Yoongi can’t bring himself to look away. It’s so—he’s so—
“Yes, it’s me!” Seokjin says in a booming voice, then strikes a stupid pose. “Ah, but don’t stare too long—you might just fall in love, too!” Stupid smooth skin, stupid straight nose, stupid bright eyes that are twinkling right at Namjoon. The man has the audacity to wink, and the tiny movement is enough to shatter Namjoon’s well-built professionalism.
Namjoon looks away, shy dimples poking through, as Seokjin laughs like all of this is amusing to him. They do a quick round of introductions from his camp, which includes his manager Sejin and his PA.
When Namjoon finds his steady voice again, he starts to make conversation. “We’re so excited to work with you, Seokjin-ssi, and on your first singing project, too!”
“I’ve always wanted to try my hand at singing, and it’s an honor to work with legends like you,” Seokjin replies, somehow managing to come off as gracious despite his obvious confidence. “To be honest, I’ve watched you guys a lot because my dongsaengs love your music. It feels surreal to be working together.”
Yoongi notes the way Seokjin’s smile hasn’t faltered once since they walked in, like it’s permanently plastered on his face. How can someone just exist with a smile that looks like that?
“Ah, well, we’ve watched you a lot, as well,” Namjoon admits.
Wait, is he giggling?! Yoongi shifts his glance away for a second, knowing damn well Namjoon has never sat through any of those dramas in his life.
“And of course we had to pair you with one of Genius Lab’s pillars, not to mention one of our brightest producers”—he gestures towards Yoongi, finally—“this is Suga. He might not be around the spotlight much, but he does get a lot of the recognition. 7-time Bonsang awardee, youngest Producer of the Year nominee, and a recurring name on Billboard’s Producers to Watch.”
“Wow,” Seokjin nods, acknowledging Yoongi’s presence for the first time. Yoongi decidedly ignores the jolt it sends to his stomach, something like an electric current.
Seokjin’s gaze stays on him. Yoongi doesn’t know what to do with it. He looks at the boardroom interiors, and then his feet.
“So you’re the one behind the studio,” Seokjin says casually. “I think what you do is very cool. Nice to meet you, Suga PD-nim.” He bows, and when he stands back up, he’s grinning a little. “Kim Seokjin, 23-time Daesang awardee, Worldwide Handsome, Nation’s First Love, Nation’s Son-in-Law,” he lists the titles shamelessly, “and by the time you and I are done with this OST, I’m going to be the Nation’s Silver Voice.”
The whole room erupts with laughter, because it’s a bit. Obviously, it’s a bit. But Yoongi can’t help it.
“Is that really all you care about?” He snaps.
Everyone goes quiet.
“Well, no. I—” Seokjin pauses, not sure how to respond. For the first time, his picture-perfect smile flickers just a bit. Yoongi finds it strangely satisfying to break through that charade of his, to force his curated persona to crack at the edges. Seokjin says pleasantly, “Of course it’s not the only thing. But is it so wrong to be optimistic, PD-nim?”
Optimistic? Yoongi scoffs. “I’d rather my artists were realistic.”
“Oh.” Seokjin is still trying his best to maintain the picture of celebrity politeness. He chuckles, obviously sheepish but somehow still pulling it off. “I was under the impression that all of us were looking forward to this project with the same amount of enthusiasm—but I must have overshot mine by a long run. Sorry, I tend to do that when I’m excited.” He turns to Namjoon instead, maybe looking for backup.
Sure enough, Namjoon nods reassuringly. “Yes—of course, no need to apologize! We’re all looking forward to this! Same amount of enthusiasm across the board!” He smiles back, a little forced, and puts an arm around Yoongi. “Isn’t that right, hyung?”
Yoongi shrugs him off. “Sure,” he says, not even trying to sound convincing.
Namjoon opens his mouth to say something, but Seokjin’s manager cuts in before he can. “If that’s the case, then perhaps you can recommend other producers in your roster who can match our level of enthusiasm. Or at the very least, one who thinks highly of Jin’s singing debut.” Sejin puts a protective hand on Seokjin's shoulder, and gives Yoongi a cold look.
Is that a threat? Yoongi sizes up the manager and raises a brow at him. Who does this stuffy man think he is?
“Tell me, how am I supposed to think highly of a singer who’s never sung before?” Yoongi asks. And he knows he should pull back a little, that at the end of the day, they can’t do anything to defend themselves against this guy’s fame and army of fans, but he refuses to be a pushover.
“I understand the cynicism from the tabloids and internet trolls, Suga PD,” Manager Sejin says, voice almost venomous, “but I expected nothing but professionalism from this label and most especially from the producer who we’re entrusting Seokjin's voice to.”
Namjoon pipes up, “Sejin-nim, I assure you—”
But the manager raises a hand, stopping him. “With all due respect, Namjoon-ssi, your producer has been all too eager to talk back. I’m sure he can speak for himself. Unless he has nothing nice to say to me or Seokjin, in which case it’s best if he leaves us for now.”
Yoongi can feel Namjoon’s eyes on him, telling him to just apologize. It could be so simple. But he feels a lot like a child who’s just been scolded, and in his own label of all places. He helped build this place, damn it. Respect goes both ways, and he doesn’t deserve to be treated like this.
He should’ve just said no to working with these TV people. All they do is make unrealistic demands and expect everyone else to accommodate them, and for what? Another award to put on a shelf, another title to add to a name?
Namjoon elbows him not-so-subtly, like they’re running out of time. Apologize now, he means to say, with a sharp poke to his side.
But Yoongi is not in the habit of letting things like these slide. He’s definitely not going to pretend and play nice just to make up for some actor’s lack of experience, no matter how nice said actor's smile is. Well, Kim Seokjin should know what kind of genius producer he’s working with: no-nonsense, no sugarcoating, no special treatment. Not even for him.
Yoongi shakes his head, turns around, and walks out.
The room stays quiet when he’s gone.
Namjoon is frozen in place, like he’s not sure how the last 5 minutes just unfolded. Meanwhile, Sejin looks particularly unimpressed and whips out his phone, composing a strongly-worded message to god-knows-who. If first impressions are anything to go by, then this OST is doomed.
“So!” Seokjin breaks the silence, the smile on his face slowly returning. Somehow, even after all of that, he still looks a little perfect. “Personally, I think that went really well! Don’t you?”