I sit next to my two best friends – Kim Taehyung and Park Jimin. The three of us sit at the back of the classroom, chattering away while we wait for our teacher, Mrs. Lee to show up.
Taehyung‘Can you believe that we are actually going to debut together?’
Taehyung asks excitedly while Jimin nods, sharing the same excitement.
Jimin‘Tell me about it. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I start thinking I dreamed it all up until I hear everyone’s snoring in the same room or smell everyone's stinking feet.’
Jimin says, making me and Taehyung laugh.
Taehyung‘I wish you could have signed with our company Peaches.’ Taehyung says with a pout and I smile
Taehyung‘I mean how awesome would it have been if the three of us could be together in the same company?’ He asks.
You‘Very awesome Tae-Tae but your company doesn’t sign girls.’ I say with a roll of my eyes.
You‘We’re both in small companies but I think we’ll do just fine and don’t worry. We’ll still see each other a lot.’
I say, trying to reassure him.
Jimin‘Of course we will. If you don’t visit your big cousin, Hoseok-hyung will have your head.’
referring to my talented handsome cousin Jung Hoseok who is also part of their group.
Jimin‘You know I’ve got to say Peaches, your cousin definitely got all the good-looking genes and left nothing for you.’
You‘I am not short. Tell her Tae!’
Jimin‘I am not short. Tell her Tae!’
Taehyung presses his lips together and places his hand in front of his mouth so he doesn’t start laughing loudly. Jimin rolls his eyes and crosses his arms across his chest.
Jimin‘You’re lucky you’re one of my best friends or I would kick your butt.’
He murmurs under his breath but still loud enough for me and Taehyung to hear.
Before we can say anything else, the door opens up and Mrs. Lee walks in with another man who I do not recognize. Everyone grows quiet as we find our places and greet them. Mrs. Lee smiles as she goes to the middle of the room.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, today we have a very special guest. This is Mr. Yang and he is involved with various idol training. He is also someone who supports this high school a lot and gets very invested in what the students are doing. Please, help me welcome him.’ Mrs. Lee says.
All of us greet him, bowing our heads slightly but Mr. Yang waves it off.
He looks like he is in his early forties but something tells me he is older than he looks. He’s wearing an expensive suit, definitely not one that anyone of us could even dream to afford. It’s navy blue and under his blazer I can see a blue and mustard yellow vest right above his white shirt. His hair is silver which shows that it’s not naturally grey buy dyed. It’s slicked back, styled perfectly. He’s wearing an expensive pair of sunglasses which he takes off slowly and as he does, he reveals an expensive Rolex around his wrist. He smiles, or, smirks. I’m not sure which one as he walks towards the teacher’s table. With one swift move, he’s sitting on it, one leg extended as he looks at each one of us.
‘I look at you boys and girls and I see the future of Korea’s talented nation.’ He begins. The way he says it makes me feel like he has said this speech a hundred times already. ‘I see many talented artists – musicians, singers, dancers, actors and entertainers. Some will bask into more glory than others as they delve into the idol world but with great power comes great responsibility.’ He says.
Taehyung‘Is he quoting Uncle Ben from Spider Man?’
Taehyung whispers to me and I shrug, trying to keep myself from laughing.
‘As idols, you need to pay attention to many things but one of the most important things is your reputation. It is imperative that your reputation is not hindered in any way. Unfortunately, we live in an age where media likes its stories and won’t hesitate to drag any of you through the mud to get a good story on you. One scandal is all it takes for your reputation to get ruined and once it is ruined, it is game over.’ He says.
Jimin‘Ohh scary.’ Jimin whispers from the other side.
I roll my eyes as I try to motion him to shut up before the three of us end up getting into detention instead.
‘Boys, girls will be obsessed with you and you will meet some who do not know what boundaries are. Your sense of freedom and privacy will be restricted and your fans will scrutinize every move you make. There will be comments that will get under your skin but no matter what, you cannot lose your cool. Ignore and keep moving on. Girls, I hate to say this, but I do believe that for you it’s even harder. You will often find yourself the target of sexual gratification and lewd comments but you most not pay attention to those. Girls, your reputation is even more fragile than that of the boys’. So be very careful what you do.’ He says.
Taehyung and Jimin both stop snickering and smiling as they shift their eyes on me. The look of playfulness is gone and instead there is genuine concern or sympathy. I play nervously with my fingers, not wanting to let this impact me but I can’t just ignore it. A part of me wants to just label him as a sexist * but the more rational part me knows he is telling the truth. Being an idol is extremely hard for everyone but it is even more so for females. It’s just the way the world works and it’s not fair! I want so badly to do something about it and I hope that one day, I’ll have a strong and loud enough voice to do that.
Suddenly, I see a note passed on my table. It’s a crumpled ball and I look at the two *s next to me who nod while Mr. Yang continues to drone on. I quietly open the paper to see quick and scrawny hand-writing. I smile as I see the message.
Don’t be afraid Peaches. We won’t let anyone ever hurt you. Tae-Tae and Mochi got your back!
I smile when suddenly I feel a shadow behind me. Mrs. Lee goes to grab the paper from me when she pauses. I see her read it and the corners of her mouth turn up into a small smile. She sighs, putting the paper back on my desk and then squeezes my shoulder before moving on. I let out a sigh of relief that she didn’t take it or punish me for not paying attention but I think the message on the note moved her or something because she is still smiling. She makes her way back to the front, her eyes landing on Taehyung and Jimin. I see her nodding to herself, as if admiring these two boys. They might be goofballs and they may be class clowns sometimes but they are genuinely caring and loving.
I focus back on Mr. Yang who is still talking. ‘As Benjamin Franklin once said, it takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.’ He says, finishing his speech.
Taehyung, Jimin and I are at the canteen and while the boys eat their lunch noisily, I play with my food, the words from earlier echoing in my mind.
Taehyung yells a bit, bringing me back to reality.
You‘Were you talking to me? I’m sorry I got distracted.’
I admit as I run my hand through my hair and they both scoff. Jimin shifts so he looks at me, one eyebrow raised.
Jimin‘Yeah, sure because twirling your ramen with your chop sticks is so much fun.’
Jimin retorts and I sigh. ‘Are you still thinking about what Mr. Yang said earlier?’ He asks, in a much softer voice.
You‘Yeah, I mean he’s kind of right, you know? I know what I am getting myself into. The idol world isn’t just fancy lights and dancing and singing. There is a lot of hate and pressure and I just hope I’ll know how to handle it.’
Taehyung‘Well, peaches, you don’t have to do it alone. I know earlier we were joking about the whole being apart thing but Chim and I are always here for you and so your cousin and the rest of our group.’
Jimin‘Yeah, you can come talk to us, any one of us. Namjoon-hyung will probably always know what to tell you with him being the leader and all plus he’s a genius so he’ll know what to say or do.’
Jimin adds and I smile and nod, grateful to have my two best friends with me right now.
You‘Thank you boys for always reassuring me. I never imagined I could find two such incredible friends at high school and I hope we stay friends forever.’ I say, this time more cheerfully.
Taehyung‘Of course we will Peaches. Promise.’ Taehyung says presenting his little finger. I chuckle as I put out my little finger out as well. We look at Jimin who smiles and nods.
Taehyung‘Here’s to being friends forever and to the world of success that awaits us.’ He says, putting his tiny little finger with ours as we seal the promise with a mess of thumbs against each other.
