"AAAAHHHH!”

His stream of words gets violently interrupted by annoyingly high-pitched screaming. We both turn around just in time to see some girls run – in our direction!

And for the first time today, Minho´s expression gets from excited to annoyed. I mean – he still smiles at the girls – but it´s a less open smile. Five girls stop right in front of us. They wear the same outfit, as Minho does, and they carry something indefinable in their arms.

Books, maybe?

The moment, they reach their arms out to – wait – touch him? - I make a step forward and they step back.

"Don´t touch him!”

They step back again and stare at us like scared puppies.

Minho sighs. When he talks to them in Korean, his voice is all smooth and friendly, and he continuously smiles at his fans. Then, they reach out again. This time, I pull back his arm.

Quite confused, he turns around and stares at me.

"Don´t take things from strangers,” I tell him.

The confused expression changes into an amused one and he laughs.

"Oh boy. They´re just fans, John! They want me to sign their booklets and CD covers. Chill!”

He sounds like my therapist. 

Take it easy.

You´re not in Afghanistan anymore!

Not every person who approaches you means harm!

Easier said than done.

I can´t just switch off my currently alarmed button and go to normal like I used to.

Too much has happened since then!

I sigh and step back. At the same moment, the girls relax and continue talking to Minho, who´s in the middle of signing everything they hold up.

When Minho´s done signing, he lets the fans take pictures with him.

His smile is beaming – almost too friendly. When it gets unbearable, and I want to turn away, he calls out for me.

"Right, John? You´re just a friendly giant, aren´t you!”

"Whatever,” I reply and try to smile at the group.

"Come on, grumpy, show them how nice you can be!” “But-” “Just bow down and say annyeonghaseyo, will you?”

"Say what?”

"Annyeonghaseyo.”

"What does that even mean?”

"Hello.”

I stare at six faces.

I´m not gonna do that! I have my pride! I´m absolutely not-

Minho shifts from one foot to the other and keeps staring.

I bow down so I face the ground and mumble something that sounds like anneonsee.

The girls start to giggle when I look up and Minho says something in Korean.

"That was great, Mister Grumpy Bear! I knew you could speak Korean!” 

Why does his voice sound so sarcastic, then?