Chapter Text
The bright morning sun shined down on the big city, as people began to rise from their slumber and get ready for their day. Smoke arose from building roofs, window blinds in nearby apartments rolled up, and lights were flicked on. Couples said good morning to each other, and office workers filled up coffee pots whilst the drooping bags under their eyes became bigger and darker.
For Oh Pureum however, her mornings became much more eventful over the years. Her life went from coffee shop worker to full-time famous singer in the span of a mere 5 years. She had since graduated from Hongdeok University, and had gone serperate ways with all her peers and those she had met during those days.
Although, In her second year of college, she went on a path she never thought she would end up taking.
Becoming a singer.
Ever since she had been rejected by the guy she had once admired and loved, she tried to find a new form of escapism to occupy her. She couldn’t run back to art, since of the trauma it ensued on her. And she couldn’t keep making coffee at Cafe Blossom, since she was too embarrassed to run back to the same place where her first love and her connected the most during that one mere week of working together.
One day, as she happily waltzed to her home after doing great on her finals in her second year, she was passing a crosswalk and a familiar person ran by her and shoved her. Pureum turned around to see who it was, and a familiar face peered at her from 20 feet away.
It was one of the people who ran the child prodigy program she was on as a kid. The guy quickly ran back to her and tapped her shoulder.
Not to mention, this guy had become quite influential since the last time Pureum saw him. He had connections to the biggest entertainment companies in South Korea, friends who became idols, and he carried quite a hefty portfolio on his back.
The guy immediately recognized her.
“Hey, Oh Pureum, is it? How are you doing?” He said with an uplifting tone and a exciting gleam on his face. Pureum looked at him, confused for a second.
“Who are you again?”
Long story short, they had sat down for coffee in a nearby shop. They talked about art, producing, and many other things that would interest people who were involved in the arts.
All of a sudden, the guy grasped his wallet out of a pocket on his pants. He cracked it open and slipped out a business card and gave it to her.
“What is this?” Pureum said, glaring down the peculiar card the man held in his wrinkly, bony, fingers.
“Pureum, you mentioned you were friends with the music majors in your art school, is that right? You probably know a thing or two about music, right?”
Pureum had only vividly remembered those days. Most of what she recalled from that time period was about her mom. But yes, it was true. She had learned a decent amount about music from the music majors at her middle school and high school. She had only picked up an instrument a couple of times though, and her knowledge was very limited.
So you can probably imagine the shock on her face when the business card was for a popular idol agency.
“My buddy’s company is looking for talented soloists who can bring in the locals and foreigners. You have the face, the knowledge, and the voice. I’ve been secretly evaluating our talk today.” He said, confidence in his voice.
Pureum was absolutely flabbergasted. How can you evaluate someone’s talent just by talking and staring at them? She thought.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t dance”
“Ya don’t need to. Just get up on that stage and play a random-ass instrument, and the people will love it.” He quickly responded.
Is.. that really just it? She wondered. She had always watched idols on stage for many years. Do they seriously just get hunted down for their looks? Without the agencies being aware of their talent?
Pureum told ahold of the card with her own two hands and eyed it for a bit. A5 Entertainment. Call 000-XXX-XXXX for further instruction once card is accepted. Located in Seongsu.
“Just think about it. You’re a college student who’s probably drowning in debt. A dead mom, and a deadbeat dad. Show ‘em what you’re made of, kid.”
She didn’t enjoy how he talked about her parents. She missed her mom a ton, her dad- not as much though. Pureum didn’t enjoy being reminded of her past. But to be fair, it was a good offer.
“When you debut, I’ll be you first fan, kiddo. You deserve it.” The man said to her, winking using his right eye. They had a laugh, and that was the end of their interaction.
Pureum couldn’t pass up on the offer. She eventually became a trainee, and debuted when she graduated university at age 25.
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Pureum blinked and blinked, her vision blurry. She quickly arose from her bed, her hair in a mess, and her second alarm blared loudly.
She took ahold of her phone, turned off her alarm, and checked the time. It was 7:10. A message appeared on her phone home screen from her manager, whom she lived with.
Minji Kim/Manager
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Hey Pureum, I’m out getting us breakfast from the coffee shop you’re obsessed with. I should be back soon. Make sure to get ready for today- and dress comfortable please. All you have on your schedule today is a magazine event at 7:30. You perform at 8:15. I’ll be driving you there.
- Sent at 6:55 AM
Pureum let out a yawn. You’re amazing, Minji. I don’t know what the heck I’d do without you she thought, forming prayer hands.
She pulled off the covers of her bed, and jumped to change into a comfy outfit, just as Minji had recommended to her. Clearly stained and ripped, Pureum had picked out her favorite clothes that she still had from college, A extremely oversized t-shirt with her favorite fictional cat on it which revealed her bra strap a bit, and a pink ruffly skirt that was a bit over her knees length-wise.
She ran toward her bathroom, which had cabinets filled to the brim with vitamins, skincare, and makeup.
Pureum stared at her face in the mirror. She applied some of her favorite lip balm while peering at her lips in the reflection. She rubbed her lips a bit, and was suddenly reminded of something which seemed extremely embarrassing to her. Her face flushed red just even thinking about it.
At the ripe old age of 27, she had never even had her first kiss. Not even a boyfriend. She had a doll-like appeal to most, which brung in many people who adore her features- such as her dark, curly hair, and big doll-like eyes. Yet not enough for them to be romantically interested in her. After all, she had been rejected by the Jaemin Lee. Were her standards just too high or was she just seriously unapproachable?
Now that she’s an idol, the chances of her dating have decreased even more. It’s probably in the negatives. Because most Korean idol fans are extremely obsessive and possessive, if she even talks to a man or is in close proximity with one, she gets flamed by the media. It’s not worth the risk, in her eyes. Although it would be nice…
Nope. Nope nope nope. Not happening, my dear Oh Pureum. You chose this career path, you deal with the consequences. She reminded herself in her head. She smacked herself in the face with both hands, and aggressively drenched her face with water from her sink. And then proceeded to pat her face dry gently.
From afar, she heard the click of a doorknob, and the shutting of a door. She knew who it was. Minji.
She raced out of her bathroom to say hi. She ominously stood in the hallway of their apartment, staring her poor manager dead in the eyes.
“G-good morning Pureum?”