94 - Upki Girl

< Today Is a Possible Day > "Hyung, can I take a picture with Plan L?" "Why are you asking me? They don't really mind those things, so just ask them directly." "What are their personalities like? Are they easygoing?" "Yeah. Suhyun is really laid-back, like one of the guys, and Jaehee is cool." Thinking of Jaehee and Suhyun, we moved to a restaurant with private rooms. Jongwoo and Uijoon couldn't hide their excitement as they searched for Plan L's profile and photos. I took a brief moment to log into a K-pop community website, where high-quality fan-cams are usually shared first, along with immediate updates on various insider information and on-the-ground reactions from fans. The number of views typically reaches thousands, and the best posts can hit around 20-30,000 views. I navigated to the girl group category and searched for "Upkey Girl." After the "Chain Murder Dome" episode, the post regeneration rate increased significantly. Among Yona's individual fans, some transitioned to being hommas (fan site admins), so member-specific fan-cams are steadily uploaded. Two new posts related to Upkey Girl had been uploaded since I checked that morning. One of the posts, which went up two hours ago, had an unusually high number of views. That's because the title was a perfect bait for attention. ――――――― [Personal Experience] Might Escape Being Forever Alone Thanks to Upkey Girl lololol I'm a 21-year-old who's gone through an all-girls middle school, high school, and university—a long-time solo virgin. Besides that, both my parents are high school teachers and church deacons, so I grew up in a puritan household that wouldn't even allow male friends, let alone a boyfriend. Nowadays, kids are said to start dating from kindergarten... Wait, let me wipe my tears for a moment... *sniffle* Two weeks ago, there was a school festival, and Upkey Girl came as the guest. But honestly, at my age, there's no way I'd be interested in same-gender idols lol. I was already grumbling about why they didn’t invite some hot artists or something instead... Did I really pay tuition for this? Still, I was up front with a friend (who's a major fan of Jakdu-nim) with a soju pack, watching Allegory Crew perform first. But then, oh my gosh, what in the world? These ladies made an impression from the get-go lol. Two members came out dancing first, and then the others joined in perfect sync to a sharp choreography. As a fellow woman, I can't deny they looked amazingly cool and beautiful lol. My friend and I were busy going "Wow, awesome!" over and over. At this point, I was already immersed in the stage, much like a dog catching a scent lol. The guys next to us were busy searching their profiles on their phones lol. After the opening performance, they sang two songs by other artists. They did so well that the crowd thought they were lip-syncing. They said they released an album, but it's just a digital single, so they only have one song out so far. And when they sang their song last, it was surprisingly good, making me wonder why it hadn't blown up yet. The part where they kept repeating "Hug me, hug me" was so catchy that by the second verse, the whole audience was singing along and going wild lol. Turn up! Now, here's the main point. A member named Eunbit (whom I fondly call our savior) was in charge of the team’s talk segments and was incredible with fan service, being very bubbly. I was in the front row filming a video, and, huh? Eunbit suddenly took my phone while singing the encore song and started taking selfies and videos with the other members on stage lol. I was so impressed by the fan service and bragged to my friend, who suddenly turned serious and asked: "What if you don't get your phone back?" Yeah. I didn't get it back lololol. . . (shortened) . . I'm meeting that guy over the weekend lolololol. As I mentioned, I've never even been on a blind date before, nor do I have any male friends, so I'm a core not-a-relationship person. Please give me lots of advice and support so it goes wellㅠㅠ What should I wear? I’m posting the video Eunbit shot on stage. Beware of cuteness overload and bouncy energy lol. ――――――― Ah, I remember this. It was a festival at a university in Pocheon. The audience response was great, and a member got so excited that they mistakenly gave the phone to a person who wasn't its owner—a guy at that—instead of the woman who owned it. Eunbit found out about the mix-up after coming down from the stage when the other members told her. I had no idea what happened afterward, but it turns out the phone owner herself posted a review. The gist is that through the erroneous return of the phone to a different guy, they ended up developing a romantic connection. Eunbit practically played matchmaker. The post was up for less than two hours, but comments and views were exploding. The girl's fun storytelling garnered a positive reaction, and since the "Chain Murder Dome" effect hasn't completely faded, the incident dovetailed with building Eunbit's and Upkey Girl’s characters. Plus, the video she shared showed Upkey Girl's members joyfully owning the stage. Their crazy dance moves and quirky, in-sync interactions were captured perfectly, akin to what they usually show on their live broadcasts. ―Soulsage: So you're going to start dating now? ―Mochaccino: No way, is Honest Eunbit forcing a blind date this time? ―Lee Jaehyun: Are they like Kindaichi or Conan, creating episodes wherever they go? lolol This time matchmaker lolol ―SpectatorK: Review coming? ―NeedAStory: So hilarious lolol! We need a follow-up! ―ArlinMir: Looking for Upkey Girl concert tickets. ―tjrlqhsh: LMAO, why would you give someone else's phone to another person? lol ―IceHouse: Hope it turns out well. Please update with a follow-up. ―FourM: Not even a fan, but this group is seriously so great lol Friendly vibes. ―LazyAhh: Meanwhile, their dance moves are high quality lolol. ―WhySoEntertaining: Acknowledging the high-quality crazy dance moves lolol. As a fellow netizen, I found myself eager to read more about this story. Then, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. Could this situation be used as a marketing opportunity for Upkey Girl? Perhaps the members could make an appearance at the meeting between the two and cheer them on, capturing everything on video for a follow-up review. It might also make for a great episode in the reality show we're starting to film from today. I like it. Humming, I shared the post in the staff's group chat and jotted down my idea. Jaehee and Suhyun arrived just a few minutes later. Even without makeup and dressed casually, they carried themselves differently. Suhyun greeted me first. "Oppa, it's been a while. From what I've heard from Jaehee, you're on a roll these days?" "On a roll? Feels more like I'm dying." "Why? Teacher Yeom said you're finally getting some attention?" "Putting popularity aside, managing the members is so exhausting." "Well, that's to be expected. You do have five members..." While I exchanged pleasantries with Suhyun, Jaehee effortlessly sat down beside me, greeting the guys with a smile that seemed to melt them. "Hello." "Uh, h-hello..." "Were you not at Yoonho oppa's farewell party last time? I don't think I've seen you before, right?" "Yes, I-I was on a different team... We had ours earlier." "Oh, I see. Why are you standing? Please, have a seat." "Y-yes, well... Why is it suddenly so hot in here? It's getting warm." Of course, these idiots. They were so cocky about calling over Plan L, and now they can't even make direct eye contact. Like bashful bachelors at their first-ever meet-up, they sat there with flushed faces, not knowing where to look, so I decided to steer the conversation. "Hungry? This place has good food that works well as a meal." "No, we're okay now. We had some bread in the car. Eat whatever you guys want." When we mentioned we'd already been out drinking earlier, Suhyun and Jaehee mixed themselves some soju shots and casually downed them. Witnessing this, Jongwoo and Uijoon insisted on joining in the soju mix. "Oh~ Do you handle your alcohol well?" Jaehee asked brightly, her eyes sparkling, and Uijoon answered with a cocky expression. "Anyone at our company can drink." Jaehee let out a small, knowing chuckle. Jongwoo tried to add a joke of his own. "It's true. In our company applications, you have to write down your alcohol tolerance. Women need to manage two bottles, and men three, or you don't make the cut." My heart sank. These guys, who clung to urinals while throwing up or dashed out without a word at my previous farewell—I know them, and I know Jaehee's tolerance. Suhyun and Jongwoo usually tap out after a bottle and a half of soju. Whereas Jaehee can handle at least three. Even if it’s 2-on-1, she'd wipe the floor with them. But these weren't the kind of guys who'd listen to me, so I decided to egg them on by siding with Jaehee. "Hey, Plan L was selected for their drinking skills as much as their singing. Look up 'Plan L drinking tolerance'." "For real? Did you reveal it on a show?" As our guys genuinely began to search it up, Jaehee and Suhyun snatched their phones with playful deceit. "Why are you like this, Yoonho oppa? We really can't drink." "That was all scripted for the show." And, of course, they took it all at face value, wearing smug expressions. "I'm not trying to be sexist, but from a physiological standpoint, men will always outdrink women." "That's true. Metabolism of alcohol works differently." Two hours later... "A... I'm sorry, I really can't drink anymore... I think I'm gonna die..." "Aww! Why are the gentlemen, who supposedly metabolize alcohol faster, doing this? Drink up!" "No, I really can't drink..." "Quickly! Cheers!" Uijoon had passed out a while ago, sleeping in his seat. Jongwoo, who persisted as far as he could, also gave up after ten shots, claiming his liver was out of sorts due to recent late nights at work. He declared his surrender and begged for a five-minute catnap, nodding off in his seat. Respectable. Considering none of them were hugging the urinal, throwing up as my former teammates did, it wasn't a bad show. Meanwhile, Jaehee and Suhyun, aside from slightly slurred speech, remained perfectly alert. As for me, I had paced myself from the start, reaching a pleasant buzz. Eventually, the ladies turned their attention to me. Jaehee, playfully demanding, piped up with: "What's with everyone at your company? All talk and no substance!" "It’s not my company anymore. I quit four months ago." "You’re okay, right?" "Yeah, I barely drank." "Huh? When did you two start speaking informally? Were you always like this?" "I was supposed to speak casually with oppa, but he never switched." "Oh, what! Then I want to talk casually too. Oppa, speak casually with me!" Jaehee seemed adorable. Just slightly tipsy, it appeared. Her cute pouts and shortened words as she protested cutely made me want to wrap her up and tear her apart from cuteness overload. She reminded me a little of Seowon with her competitive nature and jealousy over even trivial matters. I wondered what Seowon was up to. Earlier, he was shadow-boxing after I left his message on read, but he's been silent since. Is he already asleep? Did I hurt his feelings with my harsh words? "Why are you acting cute? Are you drunk?" Suhyun made a double chin as she scolded Jaehee. Jaehee shook her head vigorously, responding sarcastically. "No? I'm not drunk!" "Ugh, look at that half-split tongue! Gross, cut it out!" Seemingly enjoying Suhyun's reaction, Jaehee exaggeratedly clung to my arm. "Heeheehee, oppaa~ Can Jaehee speak casually too?" Ah. Referring to herself in the third person? It naturally reminded me of Riya. Come to think of it, I've been too harsh with Riya as well. She's only 17... Even if she wouldn't show it due to her pride, she's probably hurt on the inside. But out of everyone, Riya has shown the most improvement. I should've held back one more time. Current time: 11:38 PM. It's a little late for the kids to be asleep, but... The reality show's cameras must still be rolling, right? Are Seowon and Riya still sulking? Not just them, I miss the other kids too. It's just a temporary separation, but strangely, I'm worried... and I kinda want to hear their chatter again. "Yoonho oppa!" "Yes? Huh? Yes? What...?" "Let's go for the third round. Want me to wake the guys?" "Uh, sure. Let's go for the third round. Where to?" "Karaoke!" "Ah, karaoke. Sounds good. Let's go. But let me make a quick call first." "To who? The kids?" "Yeah... I'm worried..." "That's how you spoil them." "Don't call. It'll just make them more conceited." I relayed everything that happened today to the two. "It's just... with them suddenly not contacting me, I was worried something happened..." "They're probably asleep!" "Oppa, your heart's way too soft." Jaehee wholeheartedly agreed with Suhyun’s assessment. "Yes, this oppa is really soft-hearted. That's why he's different from other guys." "That's why the kids walk all over him." "It's not so much that they're walking all over me. They're healing from emotional wounds. They're slowly getting better." "Oh~ Look at him defending the members even when they act up. So kind." "It's not defending; it's just the truth..." Damn, these kids. They're like drugs. Or like the scent in between my upper lip and nostrils. Like 'Hug Me.' Kids I've raised. They’re incredibly addictive. Even being separated for just a few hours makes me this curious about them. Author Uhm Seungmi recommended not to meet them until after the prank, but... "Suhyun." "What?" "I really like this oppa. I want him." "Huh. And what am I supposed to do with that?" "I'm heading out with oppa first." Ah, Jaehee. Why have you turned into such a bulldozer? Well, you were always kind of like a bulldozer, but today you're pushing harder than ever. Yet I still have nothing to offer you. I'm too old and worn to handle the heat of your youthful passion. Still, Jaehee's words were enough to wipe away thoughts 1 through 5. Just as I was biting my lip out of a sense of regret, a figurative pop-up appeared before Jaehee's face. ―――――――― ―Chief Planner Yoonho Kim's Work Journal ★It's possible. Today is a possible day. Let’s reward myself for all the hard work. A little change of pace is sometimes needed to use it as a catalyst to work even harder. ―――――――― Uh...? What, what's possible...? Is it what I'm thinking...?! Hah! Haaah! < Today Is a Possible Day > End