126 - Upki Girl

< Temple Stay > The teaser filming date and location for 'Replay Girl' was set for four days later. This meant that all 15 teams had been scheduled. Outwardly, everyone would be smiling and greeting each other, but with around 100 girls of the same age gathered in one place, there'd naturally be an intense, invisible tension and battle of wits. Initially, everyone would put up a front to maintain their images. However, it’s impossible for all 100 to have great personalities and patience. Once they get accustomed and desensitized to the cameras, their true personalities would start to emerge. Since they’re all non-mainstream idols thirsty for popularity, competition and conflict would inevitably arise once the actual recording starts, making them more sensitive and irritable. Such is human nature. A truly kind person is someone who doesn’t lose their kindness and consideration, even in tough times. From our team’s perspective, Eunbi and Hongyi are genuinely good kids. No matter how tough things get, they never lose their sense of consideration. Yona is in the middle. She'll endure as long as she can, but explodes when something clearly isn’t right. Riya rarely gets angry, but when she does, she tends to sulk and lacks patience, often disrupting the mood. Seowon remains quite sensitive. Although her personality has improved significantly thanks to consistent professional counseling and fun times with the members, she still falls below average in temperament. Furthermore, she inherently enjoys choosing sides, being combative by nature; thus, as filming progresses, there’s a high likelihood she might find herself in trouble with other teams. There's already been bad blood with rival Eye Contact, and the company has no choice but to be deeply concerned. Given that they've already been marked by the CP, any minor friction during shooting is bound to end poorly. It won't even take the infamous 'devil's edit'; Seowon's innate sensitivity leaking out could spell disaster. To address this, I considered a temple stay. According to blog reviews from those who’ve gone, even a short one-night, two-day course was ideal for finding peace of mind. I thought it would be a positive experience not just for Seowon but for the other four as well. "A temple stay? Why that?" "So you can relax and find some peace before filming begins. You've been stressed with all the practice, haven't you? I've booked a one-night, two-day session." "Wow, that sounds fun. I love going to temples!" While most were pleased with the idea, Riya asked, "Mumeum, what's a temple stay?" "It’s where you spend a night at a temple, meditating and calming your mind." "But what if I don't believe in Buddha?" "It's fine. We’re going with the spirit of practice, not for religious reasons." "Alright, let's do this!" "Unity through Buddhist spirit!" "Manager, are you coming with us?" In response to Seowon's question, I shook my head firmly. "No. You go by yourselves." "Oh, why not!" "If I go, you'll only get dependent." "Then I'm not going." "Me neither. If we're doing this, it has to be together. You're part of our team too, Oppa." "Yeah, manager, come with us. What fun would it be without you?" "If Mumeum isn't coming, at least send Jangwoo along. Riya needs someone to help her. Or we'll take Cassie with us." "Oh, temple food! I haven't had it in ages. Their meals are delicious... Manager, come with us." This is what they’re like. If I don’t go, they’re adamant about not going either. In the end, both Jangwoo and I decided to go, and we made a reservation at a temple in Namyangju. *** "Pfft, Yona, look at this. The temple’s name is Gwaneum Temple." "It sounds oddly suggestive." "Don't they chant things like 'Namu Amida Butsu Gwaneumbosal'? Does it mean Buddha watching over us?" "Eunbi, that’s Gwanseeumbosal." "Oh, Gwanseeum. Haha!" "They said Gwaneumbosal, Eun-bit’s nuts! Haha!" At an age where even a rolling dung beetle would be amusing. Seeing the signboard as we approached the temple entrance, the kids giggled. "Wow, the air feels so different, right?" "Ugh, it's cold. I hope the heating's good. I can't sleep in the cold." "Should we all cuddle together for warmth?" "If you snore, you'll make the mountain echo. Won't that bring down wild boars?" "It’s fine. I’d win." It was about a two-minute walk up to the temple. The air was indeed fresh as soon as we got out of the car, just as Yona had said. Snow from a few days ago still clung to the tree branches, adding to the ambiance. As we walked further, we came upon a pond with a bench where we could rest. Two birds the size of small children sat on the bench instead of people. Wait, were those geese? Eunbi shouted out, "Ducks! They're ducks!" "Wow, amazing. I've never seen real ducks before. They're huge." "They're really white. But what's up with their beaks? Are they injured?" "Duck meat is tasty... Oh, I shouldn't talk like this at a temple. Sorry, duck." "But it looks kind of scary. Jangwoo, Aliya's scared. It might peck me with its beak." "Come behind me." "Jangwoo, get in front." "Yes..." Is this a generational gap? Why does nobody know? Those aren't ducks; they're geese. The two large white birds stretched their necks, watching us like guard dogs. "Guys, those are geese, not ducks." "So, do they make foie gras from their livers?" "Correct." "Ew, I’ll never eat foie gras again. They’ll haunt my dreams, pecking at me with their beaks." "I have a dream~" Seowon started humming the chorus of 'A Goose’s Dream,' and everyone joined in. "I believe in that dream!" Were we too noisy? The first goose, who had been staring at us intently, flapped its wings widely. I remember seeing on an animal show that geese can be quite aggressive... "Hey, Goose, come here. Aren’t we cute? Gugu gugu!" "Hey, Eunbi, don’t call them over. It's scary!" "Come on, what's there to be scared of? They look friendly." "How would you know?" "You can tell from their eyes. They look nice. Goo-goo, goo-goo!" "Hey, stop it. What if they actually come over?" "Oh no, they're coming! Eunbi, stop it!" "Oh-oh-oh? Jangwoo, Aliya's scared!" Friendly, my foot. ―Screech! Screech! As if responding to Eunbi's call, one of the geese started flapping its wings and let out a chilling cry as it stepped down from the bench. The presence was intimidating. Only then did the warning sign hidden behind the geese on the bench become visible. 'Geese can be aggressive at times. Please refrain from making large movements or loud noises.' Why even let them roam free! "Mama!" "Ahh! Manager! Manager!" "Aaaah!" "Mom, what do we do? What do we do?" "Jangwoo, do something! Kick them! Kick them!" "Eek! Hyung, I'm scared of birds, too!" "Aliya is scared! Aaaah!" "Killer geese!" "Mama!" In the midst of everyone panicking and using each other as bait, retreating backward... Only Hongyi stood frozen in place, facing off with the goose. I shouted in surprise. "Hong! Come over here!" "Honghong unnie... ouch!" Whoa! Eunbi, who had turned to look back while running, stumbled and rolled over. "Oppaaaaaa! I fell! It hurts!" It's chaos. "Just sit tight!" ―Honk! Honk! The goose flapped its wings and barked like a dog, threatening Hongyi. Nonetheless, it didn’t charge in right away. Hongyi calmly unzipped her long padded coat and, like a flasher opening a coat, spread it wide, warning with a sonorous voice. "You rascal." ―Screech! "You rascal!" ―Honk-honk! "Hey, Hong, another one's coming!" The other goose, which had been watching from a distance, now spread its wings like a dragon and advanced. Our kids had completely lost their will to fight against the goose's presence and had steadily retreated; I was the closest to the scene. I followed Hongyi's lead, spreading my jacket wide to appear larger and charged toward the geese. "Don't underestimate humans!" ―Screech! "You rascal." ―Honk! Honk! Honk! "Hong, come here! Stand by my side!" "Yes, yes! Thank you!" For over ten seconds, the geese flapped their wings while we swelled our padded jackets, standing off in a tense two-versus-two face-off. A person wearing a beanie, a nun from the temple, emerged with a large broom, pretending to spear at the geese and shooing them away. "You rascals, shoo! Shoo!" ―Honk! "Go! Go! Why are you always standing in the way and bothering people! Shoo!" They were tough customers. The geese retreated while persistently snapping at the broom like cobras with long, swivel-neck strikes. "Wow, they're biting! I'm glad you didn’t fight them, Hong." "It's okay, I would have won." "Aren’t you scared?" "If I think of them as meat, it's not scary. I’ve even slaughtered live chickens at my grandma’s house before." So, you’re the top predator after all. Yona helped Eunbi up from her fall, brushing off her back. I shook my head at Jangwoo who was slowly approaching, looking exasperated. "Hey, aren't you at least better than Hong?" "Hyung, ever since I got pecked by a chicken when I was young, I've been scared of birds. That's why even pigeons freak me out." And yet you promised to protect Riya... "Eunbi, are you okay?" "Oww, I hit the back of my head again, and my butt hurts." It’s chaotic from the start. After chasing the geese away into the bushes, the nun returned triumphantly. "Hello." Hongyi, who mentioned she had been to temples before with her Buddhist mother, clasped her hands together in greeting, and the rest of us followed suit. "We're here for the temple stay." "Yes, yes. You must have been quite startled." "Are they being raised here?" "Not exactly, but they've been living here for a few years now. They weren’t so aggressive initially, but after their chicks were taken by stray cats last year, they’ve become like this. They’re a couple." "Oh no, that’s so sad..." "The poor geese..." Eunbi and Riya were already teary-eyed, fully empathizing with the geese. "Muneum, can't we take them and raise them on our terrace?" "What nonsense. Let’s go." "We’ll guide you to fill out the forms and show you around once you're ready." The program was set to start at 2 p.m. After filling out the application, we were assigned rooms and changed into temple robes. Jangwoo and I shared a room, while the kids split into two separate rooms. A few moments later, the nun in charge came by and handed us a schedule detailing the temple etiquette and activities for our two-day stay. All the monks here were women. After a short tour of the temple grounds, we engaged in an hour of calligraphy, grinding our own inkstones. Alongside us were four women who had come together as friends. "Can we write anything we want?" "Yes, whatever you wish. As you grind the ink, try to engage in deep conversations with your inner self. Minimize unnecessary chatter with those around you." Shortly after, Eunbi tapped my back, giggling. "Oppa, look at this." She wanted me to see her calligraphy; she’d written the affectionate nicknames that fans used for the members. Possessiveness Villain, Han Seowon Goddess Rapper, Yeon Hong Yonyae Leader, Yi Yona Dancing Liyah, Jinye Liyah Shiba Kobuk, Yu Eunbit The Sixth Member, Kim Yoonho Youngest Oppa, Lee Jangwoo I almost burst out laughing at the sudden randomness of Yeon Hong and asked, "Why am I called The Sixth Member?" "Because you're the sixth member, the 'sixth (육/yuk)' member." "Oh, that 육 (yuk)." "I want some stir-fried pork (제육볶음)..." "Kup!" "Pfft!" At Hongyi’s offhand comment, everyone burst into laughter. A soft warning came from the nun. "Please refrain from unnecessary talking, as it might disrupt others’ practice." "We're sorry." However, once laughter spreads like a virus, it’s hard to contain. The four girls from the other team couldn't hold back and ended up giggling too. The reason I chose this temple was that reviews suggested the program had a rather solemn atmosphere. It emphasized discipline over relaxation or healing. Perhaps because of this, the nun seemed slightly displeased. She was smiling, but veins were visibly pulsing near her temples. <End of Temple Stay>