Eunji 

The sound of our voices fills the studio.

Today is vocal training day for me and the girls. We’ve been sweating it out for three hours straight, perfecting our harmonies, polishing our vocal techniques, and building our stamina, preparing ourselves for live performances for our upcoming tour.

But as much as I have always loved spending time in the studio with the girls, doing what we love, I can’t help but use this busy morning as a deliberate escape from the haunting memory of my sister’s recent visit—two days ago, a visit that shattered my delicate peace.

Eunmi looked like a picture of radiant health when she walked into my foyer. Her cheeks flushed with color, her lips glossy, and her light-brown hair, the same shade as mine before I bleached it to my signature light-blonde for my debut, cascaded over her shoulders, shiny and bouncy.

She wore that smile, a familiar weapon, that concealed a torrent of emotions, a prelude to pain, solely for my benefit.

From childhood, I knew my sister’s smile to be a cunning instrument, a means to hurt me, to manipulate me, to make me feel inferior.

My wariness was justified, for the words that followed her entrance were a visceral punch to my gut.

“Mom is awake.”

She said it casually, with a smug curl to her lip, as if she was commenting on the weather. But the wave of shock, fear, and guilt crashed over me like an icy bath.

Mom had been in that coma for so many months, a year and a half to be exact, that I’d made peace that she would never wake. A peace that I had grown to cherish. A peace that allowed me to forget.

Forget the accident.

The accident that was my fault. The accident that Eunmi never forgave me for, and never will. She relished in my guilt.

“She woke up yesterday,” she said, and watched me with a malicious grin as I clutched my stomach before fleeing to the bathroom just in time to expel everything, the bile burning my throat, her laughter ringing in my ears.

I came out of the bathroom, shouting, “You could have called me, and you know that. And you also know you’re not welcome here... after what happened. That was our agreement.”

“Fuck your stupid little agreement,” she hissed, her voice an arctic breeze.

Our agreement that FTG Entertainment drafted after the accident and had her sign, stated that she would stay away from me and my career, and I would pay for her living expenses and bills for a year, and she would never speak to the media or anyone about what happened that day or even reveal that we’re related. It was the only way to silence her, and FTG wanted to avoid a scandal that could ruin me and the group’s reputation, at any cost, so I know they paid her a hefty amount.

“I’m not scared of your fancy little company. Besides, I couldn’t help it. I wanted to see the look on your face when I told you.” she sneered, adding, “Also, I think mom deserves better than that. She deserves for you to be haunted by her, and I will do her bidding gladly.”

“Get out!” I croaked, wiping my mouth with a tissue.

I couldn’t meet her eyes as her footsteps receded and I heard her take the elevator down.

Mom’s awake.

Mom’s awake.

Alex

William and I sit in a trendy coffee shop, a modern space with large windows that allow the warm Korean sunlight to bathe us as we sip our drinks 

The walls are covered with a mix of local artwork and vintage posters, the wooden tables are paired with comfortable cushioned chairs, and soft jazz music plays in the background.

I swipe through the article on my phone, devouring the words as I read, tuning out the hum of quiet conversations mixed with the gentle whirring of espresso machines.

“FTG Entertainment was founded in 1999 by Lee Joon-ho, a former musician with a passion for the American Hip-Hop sound.

In its early years, FTG Entertainment focused on scouting and training local talent in Seoul. The company’s first major success came in 2002 with the debut of the hip hop-inspired boy band “DCS Brothers”, which became a national sensation before their eventful disbandment in 2005.

After the success of DCS Brother, in 2005, FTG Entertainment expanded its operations to include actors and actresses, becoming a comprehensive entertainment company. The company’s actors have starred in some of Korea’s most popular dramas and films.

In 2010, FTG Entertainment made a strategic decision to focus on creating idol groups that could succeed not just in Korea, but globally. This led to the formation of Blossom6 in 2015. Blossom6’s unique brand and sound, combined with their powerful performances and charismatic personalities, quickly caught the public’s attention. Their debut album broke numerous records and they became a global phenomenon.

Today, FTG Entertainment is known for its commitment to nurturing talent, its innovative training system, and its ability to produce globally successful artists. The company continues to shape the K-pop industry, with Blossom6 leading the way as its flagship group. FTG now plans to…”

“Hear that, mate?” William asks, tapping on the table to capture my attention.

I look up from my phone, closing the article, my brow furrowed. “Oh sorry, Will, what’s that?”

Ever since our unexpected reunion two days ago at the orientation event, Eunji’s name, her life, has become an obsession, a vortex pulling me into her orbit. Her name, a mantra, guided my fingers on my phone’s keyboard, unleashing cascades of revelations with every click.

I had no idea what I was about to discover when I first typed her name on the search engine.

I mean, I knew she had to be famous given our encounter at the airport, but I never could have imagined it was to this extent.

Her group Blossom6 is the most popular K-pop group in the whole world.

These past two days, whenever I wasn’t working at the program, I was doing something on my phone that had something to do with her.

Delving into the world of Eunji Kim.

I’ve scrolled through dozens of articles and fan pages about her, she is a global phenomenon.

I’ve learned everything I could find about her journey with the group, which began when she joined as a trainee four years ago. I watched old and new videos of her online, dancing.

Her dancing is stunning. Poised, graceful, ballet-style dancing that I could watch for hours.

Images of her adorn magazine covers and promotional materials, capture her striking beauty.

I’ve clicked on interviews where she spoke passionately about her experiences, detailing the hard work behind the scenes. Her humility and genuine personality shone through, contrasting with the glitz and glamour of her public persona.

Social media provided me with a more personal glimpse into her life. Me and 100+ millions of others, which is a number I had a hard time fathoming.

I caught glimpses of moments of downtime, candid snapshots with her group members, and glimpses into her travels around the world.

That’s how I found out that the day we crossed paths at the airport she was coming back from vacation.

William’s blue eyes gleam with anticipation. “I just found out there’s a traditional Korean market nearby! This guy at my hotel swears by their street food. Let’s check it out, yeah? Break from all this serious stuff.”

William and I are on a corner table with a view of the bustling Seoul street outside. Sunlight streams in, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden surface.

William is sitting right across from me but he might as well be miles away; my mental landscape remains occupied by Eunji— her voice, her lips her smile, her dark eyes.

I allow a faint smile to grace my face as I power down my phone. “Street food, then? Sounds like a plan. Lead the way.”