.
It's already past 12 midnight when James got home from his little thanking ceremony to the divines/deities at Han River. Ever since he dropped off Irene back to their dorm, the smile of happiness never disappears in his face. He has been smiling like crazy for more than an hour now. He still cannot believe that Irene is his girlfriend now, it feels like it is all just a dream. James even try slapping himself, pinching himself hard, and even punching a wall, he did all of that just to make sure that he is not dreaming.
James is just standing in the middle of his condo, he is replaying everything that happened earlier in his first date with Irene. One of his favourite moment is when she told him that she wanted him to be her boyfriend.
After a couple of minutes of just dreaming and replaying those scenes in his head, something comes to his mind and he quickly pulls out his phone..
"Hmm... ani... she might be sleeping by now. I'll just leave a message to her" James decided to just leave a message to his bestfriend about the good news.
After he sent a message to his bestfriend, he gives a call to his parents back home to share the good news. James found out that his family has been expecting and waiting for it to happen as they know all the news and rumours about them. His mother is not surprised at all since she already had a hunch that at some point it will happen.
That is not the only good news James have for his parents, he told them that he is now going to buy them a house that he promised. It was such a surprise that her parents started crying and the last 15 minutes of their phone call was really emotional. All of his hard work is finally paying off.
"Wew..." James wipes off some tears after the phone call from his parents. He then went to the kitchen and starts cleaning. A couple of minutes later someone rang his doorbell..
"Eh? 1am.. who might that be?" James looks at the clock and he is confused on who might possibly visiting him at this hour. He quickly went to the door to see who it is, and as soon as he opens the door...
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"I TOLD YOU SO!!!!",
James was met by a shout from his bestfriend. Seolhyun cutely shouted at him, in his face.
"Yah! Why are you shouting?" James almost gone deaf and his ears is still ringing.
"I told you! Irene unnie likes you!! I TOLD YOU SO!!" Seolhyun shouts at her bestfriend again.
"Araseo~ Araseo~" James chuckles while he is telling Seolhyun to calm down. "What the, hey.. are you in your pajamas?" he laughed after seeing Seolhyun is in her pajamas and just wearing a long coat to cover it.
"Yes I am! You owe me a dinner! A week from now, on the restaurant where you met Kim Go-eun! Goodnight!" Seolhyun is still all hyped up on the news. She then started walking away.
"Wha.. hey where are you going?" James is really confused.
"I'm going home! I can't stay, I have an early schedule tomorrow! Tell me everything over dinner! Bye!" Seolhyun stopped and turns around for a moment to reply to him. She then starts walking away afterwards.
"Wait, so you came all the way here just to say 'I told you so' in my face?" James let out a laugh.
"That's right!! I've been waiting for this moment!" Seolhyun replied without looking back.
"Hey~ keep it a secret!" James shouted a little since Seolhyun is getting far. Seolhyun didn't say a word, she just lift both of her arms and gives two thumbs up.
James just let out a laugh at his crazy bestfriend. He then just went back inside his condo to finish cleaning up.
..
..
October of last year when he first heard Irene's voice over the phone. A year ago he heard Irene saying 'Hello' to him for the first time. And a year later, Irene is saying 'I love you' to him. October 5th of this year was the last day of Chuseok, at the same time it was the the first day for Irene and James as a couple.
Couple of days has passed since Irene and James officially became a couple. Unfortunately they haven't seen each other after their first date. Irene is busy preparing for their next comeback album and the filming of the music video had already started. At the same time, they are preparing for their first showcase in Japan that will be held in Tokyo on October 23rd. Meanwhile, James is busy preparing for his upcoming stand up show in Seoul, as part of the final stop of his comedy tour.
Their relationship remained a secret to a lot of people especially to the public. Members of Red Velvet, their managers, Seolhyun, James' team(Yuna, Minji, Yeonhee), and the management of both S.M. and UAA, were the only ones who knows that Irene and James are in a relationship. S.M. and UAA both agreed to give the couple the freedom on when they are going to make it public. For the meantime, both management suggested that they should keep it low until they decided when to announce it to the public. And when that time comes, both S.M. and UAA will be going to release a statement at the same time. Since the couple are still busy with their schedules and it's been just a few days, they planned to meet both agencies regarding the matter after James' stand up show has ended.
..
"Unnie, are you okay?" Joy asked their leader who is sitting alone in the kitchen.
"I'm fine. Why?" Irene asked.
"Nothing, It's just that you have been quiet since we got home" Joy explained her worry.
"Gwenchana~ I'm just tired.." Irene weakly smiles at her worried member.
"It's because her boyfriend haven't contacted her since this morning. And they haven't seen each other since their first date" Wendy pops out nowhere. Irene just glared at her.
"Oh, is that so? Maybe oppa is just busy. The show is already tomorrow, so he might be preparing for it all day" Joy said to their leader.
"Yeah, and we are going to watch his show tomorrow. You're going to see your boyfriend so don't worry unnie~" Wendy agrees with Joy, and told their leader to just relax.
"I know~ I just miss him already. I wonder if he already ate dinner.." Irene sighed and cutely pouts while looking at the photo of her and James in the wallpaper of her phone.
"Aww~ don't worry, I'm sure appa is doing okay" Yeri shows up in the kitchen to join them with a little smirk in her face. Irene just giggles a little at the maknae's little tease.
The doorbell rings...
"I'll get it~" Wendy went to get the door.
"Unnie, I'm really excited for tomorrow! It's going to be my first time watching a stand up show live.." Yeri excitingly remarked.
"Me too! I'm excited to see oppa perform live!" Joy can't hide her excitement also.
"I think James oppa is going to laugh when he saw how many from our company is going to attend" Yeri laughingly remarked.
"I hope it doesn't make him nervous.." Irene commented.
"Unnie, do you know who else are going to watch the show tomorrow? other celebrities.." Joy asked their leader.
"hmm.. Song-Song couple, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook or maybe Gong Yoo, Seolhyun and probably the whole AOA, Mina, Sejeong, Twice I think since he became close with them especially to Dahyun and Tzuyu.." Irene enumerates all the people she knows that will probably going to be in the show tomorrow, ".. Oh, Blackpink! Jennie told me that they are all going to watch" she added.
"Waahh.. seems like the show will be star-studded" Yeri commented.
"Tell me about, I mean even if just the Song-Song couple, it will be already a big deal!" Joy remarked.
"Who was it?" the girls asked when Wendy comes back in the kitchen.
"It's manager unnie, she brings the slippers I forgot in the car earlier~" Wendy explained while taking a seat.
"Well, they are like his older sister and brother so it is expected that they will be there to support James. But aside from them the cast of Goblin will be there. If not, at least Kim Go-eun is surely going to watch.." Irene explained it to her members.
"Ohh.. unnie~ aren't you jealous of Kim Go-eun?" Joy suddenly asked.
"Eh? Why?" Irene looked at her all confused.
"You know.... since James oppa really likes her.." Joy said to her.
Irene just smile and shakes her head before explaining, ".. Yeah, of course he likes her. She's pretty and cute, and she is really great in Goblin. But it doesn't mean he have feelings for her. James likes Song Hyekyo also because she is beautiful and great actress..".
"James oppa just admires her since she is one of her favourite actresses" Yeri agrees with what Irene explained.
"Araseo~ I'm just worried since they are very close.." Joy commented.
"Of course they are close. Kim Go-eun is a close friend of James..." Irene told her.
..
"Exactly, Go-eun noona and I are like bestfriends~",
Irene got startled when she heard a man's voice behind her. She immediately recognized the voice and she quickly turns around.
"AAAHHHHH~" Irene jumps from her seat to hug her boyfriend. She also turns into a dolphin in the process. Irene is very happy at James' surprise visit that she is getting all jumpy and hopping like a kid while hugging him.
James is just smiling happily seeing how Irene is excited to see him. Also at the same time he is enduring Irene's happy squeals right into his left ear. The rest of the girls are also surprised at the sudden appearance of James in their dorm.
"Oppa you startled me!" Joy told him.
"Mianhae~ I asked Wendy noona to help me sneak in.." James just smilingly explained.
"Uh, noona are you okay?" James asked his girlfriend who is still hugging him. Irene didn't say a word and she just nods while clinging tightly to James.
"She's just very tired because we were filming the music video the whole day. And of course she misses you" Wendy explained it to him, speaking on behalf of their leader.
"And oppa, you didn't leave her a message the whole day.." Yeri added and she giggles a little.
"Oh.. mianhae~~" James hugged Irene tightly as he apologizes.
"Gwenchana~ I know you are busy preparing for the show tomorrow" Irene replied, her voice is muffled because she is pressing her face really hard against James' body.
"Ani.. I'm not preparing for the show. Today was actually a rest day.." James replied.
"huh? then what were you doing the whole day?" Wendy and the girls are little confused.
"I went to Daegu" James smilingly replied.
Irene loosen up her hug and looked up to James, "You went to Daegu?".
"Yup. To meet your parents" James smiles at Irene.
"Eh? My parents? Why?" Irene is surprised and confused why James went all the way to Daegu to meet her parents. Her members are also wondering the same thing.
"I asked for their permission to date you.. To be your boyfriend.." James smilingly explained why he went to Daegu.
Irene got surprised and starts to blush. She cannot believe that James did that, going to Daegu all by himself to ask for her parents' permission. A little chivalrous and a little old school, but for Irene, it was probably the most sweetest thing.
"Aww~ that is so sweet~" Wendy commented as she cupped both of her cheeks. Joy and Yeri are also kinda doing the same thing. They all find it really sweet and romantic that they can't help themselves from blushing a little.
"D-Did you really.... do that?" Irene stutters a little and continue to blush.
"Yes noona~ Although, I think technically I should have done it first.." James smilingly giggles.
Irene is speechless and she is just looking at James. She didn't know that it is still possible to fall in love to the person she already love. Irene just loves James even more. She really wanted to give him a kiss but it will be a little awkward because her members were there.
"And that reminds me.." James excuses himself and he quickly went to the front door where he left a package for Irene.
"Your mom asked me to bring this to you.." James gives a big lunchbox to Irene.
"What's this?" Irene asked.
"Tteokbokki~ Your mom cooked it for you~" James just give her a warm smile. Irene opens the lunchbox and instantly, the smell of her mom's tteokbokki makes her hungry.
"But I can't eat this now.. I'm on a diet.." Irene pouted. She is now craving for her mom's tteokbokki.
"Aw, but your mom told me to make sure that you eat it. Or else she will take back her blessing to me.." James giggles as he jokingly told her.
"Jinjja?" Irene immediately stuffing her mouth with tteokbokki. She didn't even bother getting a chopstick or a fork, she just uses her fingers.
"Calm down.." James can't stop laughing at his cute girlfriend. Irene's cheeks are puffy while she is chewing all the tteokbokkis she ate.
"mmhhmmhh..." Irene is trying to say something to her boyfriend. Irene then gets a piece of tteokbokki and puts it in front of James' mouth.
Moments later, they are all eating and sharing the tteokbokki. Irene is being a sweet and caring girlfriend as she keeps on feeding James.
"By the way, where's Seulgi noona?" James asked.
"She is on the phone talking to her parents in her room.." Wendy replies.
"I see. Well I guess I should be going now.." James stood up from his seat. He then looked at his girlfriend who is cutely pouting at him. "Mianhae~ we're going to see each again other tomorrow" James lightly pinches Irene's cheeks.
"Araseo~ I'll take you to the door~" Irene really wants to spend more time with James but she understands that he needs to get a good rest for the show tomorrow.
"Goodnight! See you all tomorrow~" James waves goodbye to the girls.
"Goodnight!" , "See you tomorrow oppa!" , "Good luck oppa!" the girls waves back.
..
..
"Good luck tomorrow!" Irene is hugging James again.
"Gomawo~" James hugs Irene tighter.
Irene looks behind her to check if her members followed them. When she confirms that her members are not hiding and they are still in the kitchen, she pulls James towards her and gives a quick kiss in the lips.
"Saranghae~" Irene cutely smiles.
"Saranghae~" James is visibly blushing and he cannot hide his smile. James wanted to kiss Irene a little bit more but they are still in the early stage of their relationship and they are being cautious to show their affections to each other when there's other people around them.
James exited Red Velvet's dorm with a smile on his face. Even though it's a very quick goodnight kiss, it is more than enough for him to have a goodnight sleep.
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The next day..
The day has finally arrived, the last stop for James' stand up tour. This show in Seoul is different compare to the shows in other countries. One reason is that it is held in a bigger venue, in Olympic Hall, a popular venue for music concerts. James is actually a little skeptical on this choice as a venue for his show in Seoul, mainly because it is a very big venue for a stand up comedy show. He wanted a smaller venue like theaters, but UAA pushed through with this choice as they are aiming for James to achieve a historic feat. After the success of the first two international show, UAA finalized their plan for James to held his show in Olympic Hall, a venue with a capacity of more than 10,000 seats. UAA's goal for James is be the first stand up comedian in South Korea to held the biggest stand up show, in which they manage to achieve. The tickets for the show went on sale just right after Chuseok, and it took 2 days for the tickets to sold out. Which is considered to be a surprise since it is a stand up show and not a music concert which can be sold out in just a couple of minutes. James is very shocked when he finds out. He was not expecting that many prople will want to watch his show. UAA did a great job on promoting it by hyping the people using the clips of James' show in other countries, and the result is, immense interest from the public.
James is in the waiting room backstage, doing some final preparation before the show starts. He is very nervous that it feels like his heart is about to explode. He performs in front of 18,000 people at Los Angeles before, but that show is because there other comedians. Performing in front of more than 10,000 people in his own solo show is very nerve-racking for James. To add more to his nervousness, James got informed that there are a lot of celebrities in attendance, his celebrity friends are already included, which means even other celebrities he haven't met yet are in the crowd.
..
..
Several minutes later, the show has finally started..
James closes his eyes and prays for a couple of seconds. He then looked at the production crew and gives them a signal that it's 'Go time'. James shakes his body and took a deep breathe before stepping out on the stage. As soon as he stepped out, all the stage lights when on and an introductory music plays. The crowd starts cheering and clapping their hands as soon as they saw James enters the stage.
James now saw how many people went to buy tickets just to see him performs live. He can't help but to smile while waving and bowing to everyone in the crowd. He also saw a few celebrities in the crowd.
"What's up Seoul!! Annyeong!!" James speaks to the mic and energetically greets everyone. The crowd response with another round of applause and cheering. All of his friends are in the crowd cheering for him, to majority of them, this is the first time they are going to witness James doing a stand up live.
"Wow!! Kamsahaminda! Thank you guys for coming~ You may all go home now. This is a scam, I got all your money now.." James starts off right away, and the crowd laughs.
"Just kidding! Hey I hope you guys are doing okay back there~" James points at the furthest seats, and people from that area cheered. He then checks on the people on the right and left side, in which he got the same enthusiastic response.
"And lastly, to the people in front of me..." James smiles as he looks to the crowd near the stage where most of celebrities in attendance are seating. The crowd in the middle cheered just like the others.
"Wow, it is really jam-packed in here. I'm seeing a lot of famous personalities, specially here in the middle. Wow, thank you for coming.." James is actually getting more nervous now that he saw the famous personalities in the crowd in front of him. He is keeping his cool when he actually wanted to freak out upon seeing some of the celebrities he hasn't even met yet.
"Now I just want to say this before we officially start, since there's a lot of you, I'm going to address each one of you all throughout the show. You know... because it might take awhile if we do it all at once.. " James laughs a little while saying it to all his celebrity friends.
"But first of all, I can't just ignore them when they are sitting right in front of me. I want to say Hello to Song Hyekyo and Song Joongki. They are like my big sister and big brother in the industry.." James bows to the Song-Song couple after he addresses them. The couple are sitting front row center. The whole venue cheered and applauds loudly after James mentioned the couple. "Yup, the Song-Song couple is here, the most beautiful couple, Asia's power couple. Hyekyo noona and Joongki hyung thank you for coming" James smiled at the couple.
"Noona, how you doing? You need wine?" James targeted Song Hyekyo first. "Hey, I need a glass and three bottles of wine, just for Hyekyo noona..", he added while pretending talking to someone in the staff of the show, and the crowd laughs. Song Hyekyo burst into laughter, she already have a feeling that she will be James' first target, and she is right.
"Okay, I know some of you are a little surprised that I'm making fun of South Korea's most influential couple. Well,.... yeah I am. Just incase some of y'all are wondering. You know so we're on the same page.." James laughs with the crowd. "Hey~ they knew it's going to happen. I warned them and they still come. So basically they paid me to make fun of them, and I'm just doing what they paid for~" he added and the crowd laughs.
"And that goes to ALL OF YOU!" James points to everyone and the crowd laughs even more.
..
"Quick question.. who here already watched my stand up before? In Happy Seoul Club, or somewhere else. Raise your hands.." James asked the crowd and they started raising their hands. "Oh, okay kamsahmanida~.. that's about half, more or less. Now, I'm pretty sure you all know what's going to happen to the people sitting... here.." James smirks while pointing at the middle section in front of him.
"Look, some of you are getting nervous. I can see it" James burst into laughter at the reactions of the people in front of him. And the crowd are laughing with him as well.
"Just relax. You all paid for it. The moment you guys bought the tickets, it is also the moment you allowed me to make of you. I'm just making your money's worth" James chuckled, ".. and the people back there paid to see me make fun of you guys.." he added.
"Just kidding, relax guys. I'm just going to say a few things.. that's it. No need to get nervous.." James continue to tease the people in front of him. Mainly for his celebrity friends.
..
"Anyway, I guess you guys are wondering why I'm wearing this. Yup this is a uniform from the show. An official uniform of Ask Us Anything High school.." James' outfit for this show is one of the uniforms from his variety show, Knowing Brothers. ".. that is because the real title of this show is 'The 8th Brother', I'm the 8th cast of the show, and I'm the 8th Brother.." James explained to everyone.
"Also it is because JTBC is the media partner of this show and it is also to promote the show as well.." James quickly added and the crowd laughed.
"Speaking of, where we are my Brothers? Oh there they are.." James did a quick scan in the crowd and he saw his brothers from the show, sitting front row but on the corner most.
"Haha why are you guys in the corner most?" James laughingly asked. The Brothers responded by pointing at Janghoon, and James immediately understood what they are trying to say. "Ahh.. araseo~ because of Janghoon hyung's height. Well good choice.." James gives them a thumbs up.
"You know what.. why don't I start with you guys. Yup I'm going to start from this side.." James walks to the right side of the stage, near where his Brothers are sitting. The crowd laughs and started cheering loudly as if they are really looking forward for it. The Brothers are laughing and some of them are covering their faces.
"Wait.. where's Sangmin hyung? Oh, is he sitting way back there? Yeah I understand.. the tickets are cheaper back there" James starts to make fun of Sangmin, even though he just saw him sitting between Kyunghoon and Janghoon. The whole crowd burst into laughter as they completely understood what James meant. Sangmin is standing up and waving his both of his hand while shouting that he was in the front.
"Oh there you are. Wait what are doing in the front row? Did Janghoon hyung bought the tickets for you?" James continue to make fun of his older Brother. Everyone cracks up again, especially Janghoon. "Just kidding hyung, you know I love you. But that will be our excuse when your creditors asked, okay?.." James gives him a one last hit before letting him go.
"Okay I'm not going to each one of you. No matter how much I want to roast and make fun of you guys. I can do it in the show anyway.." James laughs and all of the Brothers let out a sigh of relief. "But thank you, seeing all of you here gives me a boost to perform.." he thanked them before moving on. James then slowly walking back to the center of the stage while still looking at that side.
"Oh, Shindong hyung, Leeteuk hyung and Eunhyuk hyung.. thank you for coming as well~" James thanked the Super Junior members sitting in the second row just behind his Brothers.
..
"Boyoung noona! Annyeong!" James greets the actress who is sitting in the front row. "My cousin Bongsoon is here, haha. Noona, thank you for sending flowers backstage and of course thank you for coming~" James thanked Park Boyoung.
..
"Lee Kyung-kyu sunbaenim, kamsahamnida~" James thanked the senior and veteran comedian who is sitting near his Brothers.
"Jo Hyerun noona, Jang Doyeon noona, and Moon Seyoon hyung, thank you for coming as well.." James thanked another set of senior comedians of him for coming to his show.
"In case some of you didn't know, they also performs in Happy Seoul Club with me" James is now talking to the crowd again.
"Now I have a story to share, the three of them, and as well as the other comedians in Happy Seoul Club, they all think I'm a little... odd. What I mean by that is the way I make my materials, my jokes. It's because I start with the punchline, and then I build a story around that punchline. Which I think is pretty common, some other stand up comedian do it like that. The reason I do that is because it is easier for me, and I find it very effective. I will just think of a funny punchline and then it became easy for me to make a funny story using that punchline. Okay to give an example, let's say the punchline is.. 'I farted in his face'..." the crowd started laughing again.
"Hold on.. look... see!!... Kyunghoon hyung is laughing hard already. I haven't had the story yet, just the punchline.." James is pointing at his older Brother who loves fart and poop related jokes. Kyunghoon is cracking up on his seat, and struggling to stop himself from laughing.
"See, it's effective. I didn't even need to make a story out of it" James laughs while talking to the crowd.
"Anyway, back to the story, so yeah.. my other comedian friends thinks that the way I make my jokes is somehow time consuming and difficult. I said to them to try it, because for me it's very effective. And they tried it and for them it's not effective. Which is also true because people all have different ways of doings things in their own way. Then I decided to try their ways as well. And the result for me.. not good. I'm about to perform in a couple of days and I still don't have a complete material. By the way this story was when I'm still a newbie stand up comedian, back when I'm still doing regularly at Happy Seoul Club, also before I went to perform in other countries.." James made a small clarification before continuing the story.
"So yeah, I'm getting stressed because I really need to think of something, I can't tell the same jokes for weeks. Then one day, Moon Seyoon hyung invited me to a birthday party celebration of his nephew. It's in a some sort of private villa, or was it a hotel, I forgot. So, Seyoon hyung told me that I should get a little break, it will help me to come with a good material if I'm not stressed out. So I went with him since I think it's a good idea and also for me to relax a little. Well, that didn't happen at all. I actually got more stressed out.. because I got in a little argument with Moon Seyoon hyung's nephew. Yup, I got in a little argument with a 11 year old boy~" James told them and the crowd started laughing again.
James then continue to tell the story, "Here's what happen, I was sitting alone in the corner of backyard. I'm eating and watching the trailer of Avengers Civil war in phone. I'm just sitting there quietly when that kid, approaches me and said 'Ew, Avengers'. And I was just smiling at him because I don't know what to response. Then that kid speaks again, 'They sucks. Superman is the best superhero'. Now I feel like I should something or nod to him so he can stop and leaves me alone. So I nod at him and said, 'Yeah, Superman is cool'. That was a wrong move, that kid didn't stop, he continue to talk about superhero stuff then he says, 'Marvel sucks, DC is the best! ' then he touched my phone and closes the video I was watching"
"Ohhhh.." the crowd is now feeling the story.
"Right?" James laughs with the crowd. "In my head I was like, 'Okay I need to give this little shrimp something to cry about'.. but he was the birthday boy so I give him a chance. But then he continue to talk smack to the superheroes of Marvel, which I really don't care. What I really care is I want to throw this boy to the swimming pool and wait for his beloved superheroes to save him.." the crowd began to laugh loudly.
"But I didn't do it. It was all just in my mind" James laughingly clarifies. "What I did was I engaged in a little debate with this kid, taking the side of Marvel even though my knowledge on comics are not that great. So I said to him 'Actually, Thor is way cooler than your Superman'. Yup, I really went to an argument about superheroes with a kid. Mature right?" James told to the crowd and he laughs with them.
"Then that kid, 'Ani, Thor sucks as well, he is dumb'. In which I replied quickly, 'Thor is cooler because he is the God of thunder and he have a cool hammer. While Superman is dumb because he wears his underwear on the outside'. After I said that I feel like that kid is getting angry because I'm making fun of his favourite superhero. That kid didn't stop and he continue to debate, 'Well, DC have more cooler superheroes than Marvel'. Then I responded by challenging him, 'Really? Okay give me the name of superheroes from DC that you think is cooler than Marvel's..'. He thinks for second and said, 'Wonder Woman.. Flash..'. Then I replied, 'Okay, they are cool~'..." James' is getting the crowd to laugh at the story, at the same time they are getting more engaged.
"The kid continue to say more DC superheroes and says, 'Green Lantern' . I was like, 'Wait... Green Lantern? Really? He is the worse..'. After I said that, the kid got agitated and he said, 'Green Lantern is very strong'. Then I asked him this, 'Why Green Lantern is strong?'. In which the kid replied, 'Green Lantern have a ring. That ring gives him power!'.
"And this is my response to that kid, 'That's a lame power, and it's not true. No man in this world who wears a ring that has power",
The crowd burst into laughter and they are clapping their hands. The laughter echoes all over the venue.
"If you guys don't believe me, ask Joongki hyung and Hodong hyung!!" James said to everyone, and the crowd erupts in laughter even more. The Song-Song couple, specially Song Joongki, were dying from laughter. Meanwhile, Hodong's face is bright red from laughing, he was also guilty.
"I've seen it with my own eyes, the strongest man in South Korea and ssireum champion, Kang Hodong, is afraid of his wife. And Joongki hyung, one of the most respected and influential actor, he is nothing when Hyekyo noona is around" James just exposes Song Joongki and Kang Hodong, and the crowd is loving it.
"Noona, hyung.. tell me if I'm wrong, come one tell me~" James is smilingly pointing at the couple who are still laughing hard. Song Hyekyo just gives him a thumbs up.
"Anyway, back to the story. Yeah it's not yet over.." James chuckles as he resumes the story. "So yeah, the debate about superheroes with that kid continues. It ended when he finally got upset, he is about to cry and he went to Seyoon hyung to say that I'm being mean to him. Then of course I apologized to the kid because I just destroyed his beloved superheroes, and I also feel bad for Seyoon hyung. But then in my head, 'You little shrimp, you want me to get in trouble~'. I faked a smile and befriend him. Then that kid invited me to join them on some sort of water gun fight in the pool. Since I already feel bad, and Seyoon hyung was standing there when the kid invited me, I had no choice but to accept. Then Doyeon noona who was also invited, decided to join. Then couple of minutes later, I was sitting with my water gun and just watching the kids in the pool with their water guns. Doyeon noona approaches me and asked, 'Yah, I thought you are going to join?'. I replied, 'I will, I'm just waiting..'. Then Doyeon noona asked me again, 'Waiting for what?".
"I smiled at her and said, 'I'm boiling some water in the kitchen~". The crowd erupts in laughter again.
"Doyeon noona burst into laughter after I said that, and she was like.. 'Oh my god that is so evil. I think even the devil did the sign of the cross". The laughter from the crowd grew louder.
"Haha okay calm down. I didn't do that.." James laughingly said to the crowd. ".. you are all looking to me like I'm going to hell, straight down to the boiler. Haha aniyaa~ I'm not that kind of person" the crowd continue to laugh.
James then decided to tell the rest of the story, "Here's actually what happened.. I joined them in water gun fight. It was fun. Then I got my little revenge when everyone is now fighting outside of the swimming pool, everyone was in the lawn now and it was chaotic. And when I got the chance, I tripped that kid, and he fell to the ground. But he was fine because it's all grass, so it's soft. After he falls, I come over to him and pretends that it wasn't me who tripped him. When I was helping him, I said this to him... 'Hey, I am a superhero too, wanna see my power?..."
.
.
"And I farted in his face!",
"Boooomm!~ You guys didn't see that one coming don't ya? I already told the punchline. You all know it's coming and but you guys have no idea when.." James smilingly said to everyone. The crowd erupts in the biggest laughter and everyone is applauding James for that unexpected ending of the story.
James is just smiling as he watches everyone laugh their asses off. He is proud of himself for successfully executing that joke. James then looked to the area where his girlfriend is sitting, and he saw the brightest smile on Irene's face. Her eyes is almost not visible from laughing too hard.
..
James goes back to scanning the crowd in front of him, addressing the people he knew.
"Hey Jim! You okay? why are you holding your jaw?" James chuckles as he points at Jimin, who are still laughing. "Laughing too hard? Ahh araseo~ hey calm down.. that will be a weird reason to go to the hospital" James laughed at him.
"By the way, BTS are here.. the international stars. Yeah, congrats boys! And thank you all for coming, I know you guys are very busy" James points at BTS who are also seating on the same side where the Brothers are.
"By the way, these shoes I'm wearing right now is a gift from Kook. I mean Jungkook, sorry I called him 'kook', haha. Kamsahamnida~" James show the shoes to the crowd and thanked Jungkook.
..
"Oh, Mina-ya, Sejeong-ssi, you guys made it! kamsahamnida~" James spotted the two members of Gugudan who are also sitting on that side. "Mina-ya, if you want some snacks just tell me.. araseo?" James teases her. Mina laughs while shouting neomuhae back to James. Meanwhile Sejeong is cracking up.
..
James attention moved to the middle section where one of his favourite actress is sitting.
"Kim Go-eun noona is also here. Kamsahamnida noona, I know you are busy as well.." James smiles and thanked the actress. Then he saw that Kim Go-eun is pointing to the person sitting next to her. James almost freaked out when he realized who that person was..
"Oh.. is that Yoo In-na?" James asked Kim Go-eun and the actress is nodding. "Oh.. annyeonghaseyo~ thank you for coming~" James immediately greets the actress. Yoo In-na bows to him as well.
"Wait.." James spotted another person sitting beside Yoo In-na. "Okay, where's the cameraman.. ahjussi please take a shot of them.." James politely asked the cameraman to focus where Kim Go-eun and Yoo In-na is sitting. The crowd who are far away are getting curious.
"Three beautiful human beings are sitting right next to each other. Kim Go-eun, Yoo In-na and IU" James mentioned the names. IU is sitting next to Yoo In-na and Kim Go-eun.
"Kamsahmanida IU noona~" James thanked IU as well.
"Hold on..." James looks back to the other side, ".. kook! Yoohooo.." James calls Jungkook's attention and he is tilting his head towards IU, giving Jungkook some kind of signal. Jungkook shyly laugh and starts to blush a little. Meanwhile his members are laughing hard. "No? Later after the show? Araseo~" James teases Jungkook again.
"Anyway, as you all know, IU noona is technically my boss right now. She hired me to host her events and concerts. And it was an honor that I'm on IU's team!" James said to everyone and crowd gives an applause. "
..
"Now back to the two of you..." James is already giggling as he went back to the Song-Song couple. "The Song-Song couple, Asia's power couple, Asia's most influential couple... and what Am I to them?... Asia's third wheel!!". the crowd laughs.
"Yup, that's me. But it's fine, I love hanging out with them. Because I'm learning a lot of things by just observing them. And you guys know what I find out? They're just like everybody. They are humans too, and no different to normal couples. They argue, they have misunderstanding, everything.. they just like every couples I know. Yeah, I've been a third wheel to many couples, it's not my first time, I have friends you know.." James said to everyone and the crowd starts to laugh.
"And since I've always been a third wheel. I witnessed a lot of problems that every couple has. Whether famous couple or just normal people, they all have the same kinds of problems. And With that being said, I think I'm the best person to give advice to a lot of couples" James chuckles and crowd is giggling. "I mean it. You guys may think that I'm not capable because I'm young and don't have experience, well there's more to that. Giving advice is based on learning from real events. You all still don't believe me? Okay, I'll show you.." James said to everyone, the crowd starts cheering.
"First problem and the most common one that every couple have. The problem lies in this question.. 'Where should we eat?'..",
After James mentioned that, the crowd burst into laughter and they are cheering loudly while clapping their hands.
"See.. everyone can relate. Look at the couples they are laughing and pointing at their partners" James laughingly pointed out. "That question is like bomb, if you cut the wrong wire, Boom! If you pick the wrong restaurant, Boom! the dinner date is ruined" he added and the crowd continue to laugh.
"Now as an experienced third wheel. Here are the cause of that problem, now before I start I will be speaking for both sides okay?" James clarifies before he continue. The show suddenly became a couple's seminar.
"The problem with you ladies, if you said these words, 'You pick, I'm okay with anything..', for the love of God please do mean it!!" James said and the crowd erupts in laughter. "Look at all the guys clapping their hands.." James laughingly points to all the boys who are cheering.
"Ladies, please do mean it. You all said that, and when we boys picked a restaurant and food to eat, you ladies will all get mad, y'all be like 'What's this? You know I can't eat that. You know I'm on a diet. I'm not in the mood to eat this". The laughter from the crowd gets louder when James does a voice impression of a woman.
"Okay now, the problem with us boys, is that we are dumb. That's it, we are dumb as hell. Do I need to say more?" James said to everyone, and this time the girls are the ones who are laughing louder now. "Listen, I know I can speak for all the ladies here. Boys remember this... if our girl gives us the choice to pick which restaurant, please think carefully and don't be dumb. Your girl just told you couple of days ago that she is on a diet and you will take her to an eat-all-you-can buffet! with grill all you can meat! Come on bruhh!". The crowd erupts in laughter, while all the ladies are cheering and giving James a round of applause.
"Don't get us wrong, we know deep inside that we are dumb. But then we are dumb to realize it. Now, I'm saying this because I'm also dumb as hell. For real, I'm really dumb, go ask my.... friends" James almost mentioned his girlfriend. Thankfully he saved it and prevent the possible disaster. "Yes, sometimes I do dumb shit too, and ask dumb questions just like any men".
"For example, we tend to ask questions like this.., 'Which is painful? Giving birth or getting kicked in the nuts?" James asked the crowd and they all laughed. Afterwards some are shouting their answers.
"See you all have different opinions. It is a dumb question because no one can feel both things, right?" James said, and the crowd continue to laugh.
"Giving birth is painful. And getting kicked in the nuts is also painful. But then if we based it to reality,.... getting kicked in the nuts is more painful" James said his opinion, and instantly, expectedly, all the women in the crowd are disagreeing.
"Haha I can see everyone women here are disagreeing, and you all have the right to. But let me explain..." James smiles and calmly speaks.
"I will make this very simple.." James smilingly said to everyone. ".. We can hear a women talk to their husband and say, 'I want another baby'!. But have you heard any man say 'Hey bro, kick me in the nuts again!'. Have you?".
The crowd burst into laughter. With that explanation, no one can argue anymore to James. Everyone is cracking up and clapping their hands.
"See what I mean?" James giggles. "But then, if we based it on enduring the pain,.. giving birth is really hard and painful. In fact the whole pregnancy period of any woman is painful itself". Every women in the crowd is now clapping their hands as they agree to what James had just said.
"So I think overall, we have to give it to the ladies.., giving birth is much more painful because women are enduring the pain in a long period of time. While us guys, if we get kicked in the nuts, we cry on the floor for several minutes. Then we will stand up again and do dumb things again" James ended that topic and the crowd are laughing at the explanation.
"Hold up... don't worry boys. I have something for us against the ladies." James said to all the guys in the crowd and they all started cheering. "Listen here ladies, if you ask your man what he is doing., and he replied by saying, 'nothing'. Just fucking believe that shit and don't overthink okay?". The crowd laughs and this time all the men in the crowd are cheering.
"Just believe us if we said that we're doing nothing. 80% of the time when we said we are doing nothing,.. we are really doing nothing!! The other 20% we are doing some dumb shit. Ladies, you don't understand.. us men, the whole male species in general, we have the capability to really just do nothing. We can just sit there and think of nothing else.." James explained and the crowd burst into laughter.
"So to sum it up, women overthinks, and men.. underthinks. Women are paranoid and Men are dumb. We just need to work together~" James laughingly said to everyone, and they all claps their hands.
..
James took a little break to drink some water. He gets a bottle among the bunch in front of the stage. "Excuse me~" he turns around for a few seconds to drink. When he faced the crowd again, he got a glance of his girlfriend smiling brightly at him. James finally decides to address his girlfriend's girl group, Red Velvet. They are sitting in the front row middle section near Song-Song couple.
"Red Velvet is here also, Irene noona, Seulgi noona, Wendy noona, Joy and Yeri.. all of them. Thank you so much for coming, I know you girls are very busy" James is doing a good job trying to act cool and not to give some kind of hint that there's something going on between him and Irene. They both decided to stay that way for awhile when they are in front of the public, until they finally reveal their relationship to the world. Irene and James just give each other a warm and meaningful smile, but not too obvious in a way.
"Wahh.. all of them are here~" James turns his attention to a group of people who are also sitting near the Song-Song couple in the middle section. "Wahh, SNSD is here. Kamsahamnida~" James smiles and bows to his favourite group of all time.
"Now, I think it's just right that I should dedicate a few minutes of my first stand up show in Seoul to thanked my favourite idols of all-time. They are Girls' Generation.." the crowd gives a round of applause. ".. before anything great happen in my life, their songs gave me energy to push through and fight the obstacles of life. I remember after I quit high school and started doing all sort of jobs available, I was always listening to their songs Way To Go and Tell Me Your Wish. And every time those songs plays, I sing along while wishing for good things to happen with me and my family. I also wished that someday,... someday I get the chance to meet them and thanked them personally because their songs give me strength.." James shared a little story why he greatly treasured SNSD.
"And now here's my chance.. Taeyeon noona, Tiffany noona, Sunny noona, Hyoyeon noona, Yuri noona, Sooyoung noona, Yoona noona, Seohyun noona,.... and even Ms. Jessica.. Kamsahamnida~" James gives SNSD a very thankful and respectful bow. The crowd were clapping their hands louder.
"Yeah, even Ms. Jessica. I know it might be a little sensitive to bring that out but for me, and in my heart, she is always part of SNSD.." James proudly said and some of the Sones in the crowd cheers.
"By the way, it goes for everyone. All idol groups, actors, actresses, any celebrities.. I hope you all know that somewhere in this world, you guys are being someone else's inspiration. Somewhere out there is another me, getting motivated by all of you guys.." James smilingly said to all famous figures watching him. Everyone gives him a rather warm round of applause.
"Once again, thank you~" James looked at the members of SNSD again. ".. and it's an honor performing to in front of all of you.." he added.
"By the way, Taeyoon noona, thank you for the cupcakes you gave backstage. I will eat it after the show" James smiled and bows to Taeyeon. "Although noona are you sure the cupcakes are not for Zero? I know you bake cupcakes for dogs..." James laughingly asked Taeyeon, and she burst into laughter as well as the crowd. Taeyeon goes along with him and she responded by shouting 'I don't know".
"Haha you don't know?" James burst into laughter at Taeyeon's response. "I will still eat it noona, don't worry. I've been poor.. I will eat anything~" James laughingly remarked. "Just kidding noona, thank you thank you~".
The next group he addresses is another group from S.M.,
"EXO are also here, thank you for coming~ I really appreciate it" James thanked the members of EXO. "But hold on... why are you boys sitting a little far away from you labelmates.." James teasingly remarked the fact that EXO is sitting to the other side and in the 3rd row. The members of EXO members started laughing as soon as they understood the subtle teasing. "Haha relax, I'm not going tease you.. I have other days to do that.." James is trying to say that to one specific member of EXO. He didn't say the name but most people in the crowd knew it is Baekhyun. James main reason he didn't do it because Taeyeon is in there.
"Shinee hyungs are also here. Thank you hyungs! I really appreciate it~" James greeted and thanked the members of Shinee.
..
"Blackpink is also here. Kamsahamnida~" James thanked the girls from Blackpink. "Oh, I just want to share this, the first country in this comedy tour is in Australia. And Rosé's parents came to the show after they watched the guesting of Blackpink in Knowing Brothers. Rosé's parents are very sweet, they visit me backstage to give some cookies they baked" James shared his meeting with Rosé parents. "By the way Rosé, your dad asked me to say this to you,.. he said you should go home.." James laughingly said to her. Rosé is laughing in her seat and she just gives a thumbs up.
..
James now turns his attention to another girl group..
"Haha mianhae Dahyun-ah, but your skin is so white that it looks like there's a spotlight on you, or you are the spotlight.." James laughingly commented on how white Dahyun's skin is. ".. it feels like there a bright light in the corner of my eyes" he added. The members of Twice burst out laughing, and Dahyun is blushing a little from James' teasing.
"Twice are also here, thank you girls for coming. I know you girls are very busy and yet you are all here. Kamsahamnida~" James thanked the girl group.
..
James continue his show by doing some of his usual routines and materials like the voice impressions. But James altered everything just for this show in Seoul. He then proceed to tell more new materials/jokes he prepared just for this show. Everyone is having a great time at his show. This show in Seoul is very different because he can't use 80% of his materials he prepared for the tour, he can only do those to other countries. For Seoul, it is like back to square one. James prepared something that Koreans will easily understand the reference. Halfway of his show, James gives/tells the materials/jokes he prepared for Koreans. It was a success given how everybody are laughing their asses off and how easily they understood the reference.
All of his celebrity friends, more especially for the first timers, are all amazed to see him perform live. They all know James as a funny and chill guy, but when he is on stage, they feel like he transform in to something big. Their admiration and respect for James only grew bigger because they realized how hard it is to make more than 10,000 people laugh at the same time, and continue to do it for more than an hour.
Irene is just sitting there with twinkle in her eyes, a very proud girlfriend supporting her boyfriend. This is her first time seeing James performing live. She already think great of him, but during the show and surely after as well, Irene's immense love and admiration for James continue to soar up. She never thought that when on stage, James is like a different entity, he became larger than life for her. But he is and will forever be the only man she ever loved.
..
James is having another very short water break. This is also a short break for everyone else to rest their jaws from laughing.
"Now maybe you guys think that I forgot some people to thank, well you're wrong. For some reason they wanted me to thank them last.." James chuckles while telling it to everyone, ".. You guys knew who are the people I'm talking to.. that's right, my partner in the radio show, Kim Shinyoung noona and my bestfriend Seolhyun. Thank you for coming~" James addresses the two who wanted to be mentioned last.
"But Shinyoung noona and Seolhyun-ah, mianhae~ I have other people who I wanted to thank for the last part" James just laughed at them.
James then looked at the crowd and starts talking to them, "Now before we go to the last part of the show. I want you guys to meet a group of the kindhearted people I knew. Ladies and gentlemen, they are the family who helped and welcomed me when I first landed here in South Korea. After getting scammed on first day here, and I have nowhere to go, no place to sleep, they are helped me even though I'm a total stranger from a foreign country. If not for them, I will not be here standing on this very stage in front of everyone. Please give them a warm round of applause, the Yoo Family" James points at the Yoo family who are sitting in front row. Instead of just an applause, Song-Song couple stood up and gives them a standing ovation. Then everyone else follows and gives the family a standing ovation they deserved. Each family members are tearing up for the all appreciation they are receiving. "Most especially to Haejoo, thank you so much for stopping in the street for helping on translating what the taxi driver is trying to say to me. If you didn't stop and just continue to walk, who knows where am I at this moment. Haejoo.. kamsahamnida~" James gives a Haejoo a very respectful and thankful bow. Haejoo is now trying to stop herself from crying in front of everyone.
..
"Araseo~ araseo~ some of you be like, 'Oh my, I paid to laugh, not cry~". James acts and mimics an emotional person. "Mianhae~ I just want to get this opportunity to thanked them" he explained.
"Now, speaking of important people. I have two foreign bestfriends who are also stand up comedians, who unfortunately cannot be here with us. Hold on.. why did I make it sounds like they are dead? they are not! haha mianhae let me re-do it" James realized that talks about it like his bestfriends are dead. The crowd started laughing again.
James resumes and this time he made sure to say it properly, "What I'm trying to say is that they can't be here in Seoul because they both have their own career. Their names are Larry Richardson and Frank Cooper. Larry is African-American and Frank is British. We called ourselves Pandas. Yup Panda, like the animal. Well because Larry is black, Frank is white, and I'm asian, so Panda!" the crowd burst into laughter.
"Anyway, we all met in Ken Jeong's comedy team. We are all rookie comedians that time, and after being together just a couple of months we became best of friends. For a month, we are touring and doing shows to different states, and one particular night, we almost got into trouble. Not just trouble, it's a big trouble because we could have died.."
"Ohh.." the crowd is getting interested with the story of their adventures in US.
"Seriously, but thanked God we got out of there safe.." James said to the crowd before continuing, ".. What happen was we are travelling in the interstate to go to another state where we have a scheduled show. Then after hours of driving we finally made it there, but we are a day early, so we need to find a hotel to sleep. But before we look for hotels, we decided to grab something to eat so we end up in this place with a huge parking lot and a number of fast food restaurants lined up on the side. Me and Frank went to the same restaurant while Larry went to a different one. Several minutes later, Me and Frank got out from the restaurant, then from a far we saw Larry having some kind of altercation with another dude. So Me and Frank immediately rushed to help Larry. Then we found out the reason why... it was just some dumb shit." the crowd laughs again.
"This dude got mad at Larry because when Larry is exiting the restaurant, he didn't leave the door open for that dude. See, it was just dumb shit.." James continue telling the story to the crowd. ".. Me and Frank are just standing there confused why they are fighting over that reason. Then minutes later, their heated argument is about to get physical. I think the dude had enough, and he told us that he will 'pop the trunk' on us. Now for those who don't know what that means, 'pop the trunk' means that he will get a gun from his car and he will shoot us.." James explained.
"Ohh..", for some reason the crowd's reaction almost made James laugh.
"Then Larry replied by saying, 'Oh really? Imma pop the trunk on you first!'. But Larry doesn't have a gun. Me and Frank knows it. Now Frank is getting a little scared because it really does looks like that dude really have a gun. So Frank is giving me signals to do something.. I don't know what to do, it was also my first time to be in that kind of situation. But then Frank keeps on giving me signals, and then I speak and said to this to that dude, 'Okay, so where did you park?'. The crowd burst into laughter.
Instantly after I said that, Larry and Frank looked at me with the expression on their face saying 'What the fuck bruh'. Then I said, 'I need to know because if he parked somewhere far we can have enough time to leave" James added and the crowd continue to laugh hard.
"But don't worry, the two of them just got into a fist fight, which ended like.. more or less ten seconds. Well Larry grew up in a tough neighborhood so he knew how to fight.." James explained to the crowd. ".. if you guys are wondering what we did when they started throwing punches, well Me and Frank just leave and eat our food somewhere else.." James laughs with the crowd. "I mean our food is getting cold and we're hungry. We're not having none of that.." he added and the laughter continues.
"Now, Larry and Frank came to Seoul to visit me. And guess what, we got in another trouble. Not big as the one before, but what happen here in Seoul is very,... cute and funny. We got in some kind of trouble.. with a dog" James said to everyone and crowd started laughing.
"It happened during their last night of stay here in Seoul. Larry and Frank wanted to go out for a drink, then I took them some place nice. Then after that, the three of us are going back home. Larry and Frank are drunk, but Larry is the most drunk. And Me, well I drink a few so I'm a little tipsy.." James continues the story. ".. then on our way back we are passing by a residential area. Larry is so drunk that he can't walk straight but he is fast. Meanwhile, Frank is getting a little sober. Then moments later, since Larry is walking fast, he turns to another street then we heard that he is talking to someone. Me and Frank rushed to see who is he talking to, and when we got there, Larry is talking to dog. Yup, this drunk dumbass is talking to a dog. Then he complains because the dog is ignoring him. Then I said to him, 'of course the dog will ignore you. He doesn't understand you. Try talking to him in korean". The crowd burst into laughter.
"Hey, don't judge me. I'm a little tipsy so, I don't know what I'm saying that time.." James laughingly said to everyone.
"And next thing I knew, I'm talking to that dog in Korean. Larry asked me to, so I did", the laughter from the crowd continues.
"But then the dog is ignoring me also. So Frank told me, and this is why I knew he is still drunk, he told me, 'Hey why is the dog ignoring you? Maybe he doesn't understand Korean as well..". James laughingly continue telling the story.
"This is what I said, 'Oh, maybe he is not from here. Maybe he doesn't understand Seoul dialect. But I don't know other dialects..", the crowd burst into laughter.
"Now that I tell the story, maybe I was drunk also.." James burst out laughing, he is now laughing together with the crowd.
"Anyway.. so this dog is like having none of our dumb shits, so it just walks away from the three of us.." James resumes telling the story. ".. when the dog walks away, Larry started shouting at it. But then the dog doesn't give a single fuck about it and just continue to walk. What happen next is what proves what I said earlier,.. men are dumb..." the crowd started to laugh.
"Now, Larry picked up a small rock and throws to towards the dog, and it hit just below the ears. And you guys now what happened next? The three of us is running away from that dog. Yup the dog got mad and it chases us..", everyone in the crowd is laughing hard.
"So we are running as fast as we can not to get bitten by this dog. We are focused on running that we didn't bother to look behind us. What we didn't know is that that dog actually stopped chasing us for God knows when. The three of us is still running... running away from nothing. Until we turn in to a dark street, and seconds later the three of us are lying down in the concrete groaning in pain. Larry stumbled in a garbage can and fell hard. Frank hit a stopped stop/slow down sign. And me, I bumped hard to the light post that is suppose to be lighting up the stupid street.." James tells the story and crowd burst into laughter.
"So Frank broke his nose and he is bleeding, and I dislocated my left shoulder. Meanwhile Larry, well he kissed the pavement. But overall he is fine. And that makes Frank a little mad and started nagging at Larry. Then while Frank is doing that, I slowly got up while holding my dislocated shoulder and walks towards Larry, and..."
.
.
.
.
"I farted in his face!",
"Goodnight everyone! You guys are amazing! Kamsahmanida!~~" James ended his first ever stand up show Seoul with a bang.
The whole venue erupted in laughter and while everyone is clapping their hands. Then they give James a well-deserved standing ovation. Seconds later the wave of laughter was changed by cheers from the crowd.
..
James walks to each side of the stage to thanked everyone by waving at them and giving them a proper bow. James smiles brightly when he looked at his girlfriend, who is proudly smiling at him. James really wishes that he can address his amazing and wonderful girlfriend on his show but because of the circumstances he can't just do it.
After a minute James exited the stage and he was immediately met by his team and everyone else that is part of the show. Everyone is cheering and throwing confetti at James for a very successful show. The management of UAA, the sponsors, and the head of the production team of the show were the first ones to congratulates James backstage. This show will be aired on the next weekend at JTBC as part of partnership with the broadcasting company. And soon, it will be available in Netflix as well.
Several minutes later, all of James' celebrity friends who attended the show are visiting him backstage one-by-one. Each one of them went backstage with the same reason, to congratulate him. James thanked each one of them for their support on his first ever stand up show in South Korea. Since there's a lot of them it took a long time for James to accommodate everyone. As a remembrance, James took a photo with each famous person who attended his show. There was actually more people who is close with James who wasn't able to attend because they have another important things to do or conflict in schedule.
Meanwhile, Red Velvet members and their managers are waiting just outside of backstage. They are waiting for the other people to leave before they take their turn to congratulate James. Hours before the show started, James sent Irene a message telling them to be the last one to come his waiting room backstage as he planned something.
After several minutes, Red Velvet members finally have their chance..
"James.. uhm.. Red Velvet is here~" Yuna not entirely sure if she can just carelessly announced that Irene is James' girlfriend.
"Finally~" James is excited to see his girlfriend.
"Oppa!! Congrats!!" Joy and Yeri shouted as they entered the room. "Oh.. mianhae~~ annyeonghaseyo~" the two of them immediately got shy and timid seeing that there are other person inside the room.
"Haha, annyeong~ don't be shy, come in~" Song Hyekyo and Song Joongki smile at the girls.
"Annyeonghaseyo~" the three older members of Red Velvet enters the room and greets the Song-Song couple first.
"Annyeong~ ohh.. you girls are so pretty~" Song Hyekyo warmly welcomes them.
"Nice to see you girls again~" Song Joongki greets the girls as well. ".. it's been only more than a year but all of you look more beautiful and mature" he added.
"Do you girls want some wine?" Song Hyekyo asked them if they would like a glass.
"uh, we're fine, kamsahamnida~" Joy and Yeri said to the actress.
"Come on Seulgi noona, I know you want.." James teasingly laughed at Seulgi.
"uh.. but.." Seulgi is having second thoughts.
"I'm pouring you one.. don't be shy~" Song Hyekyo giggles as she started pouring some wine.
Meanwhile, James whispered something to Yeonhee who is standing near him. Yeonhee nodded and she immediately went to the door and closes it. And now that the door is closed, James can finally proceed with his plan..
"Noona, can I have a glass too?" James went to Song Hyekyo and gets a glass. "Sure~" Song Hyekyo poured the wine. "And another one for Wendy noona, she will say it's fine but she really wants a glass.." James laughingly said to Song Hyekyo. "Araseo~" Song Hyekyo giggles as starts pouring wine in another glass.
"ah ah.. ka-kamsahamnida~ I can do it Ms. Song Hyekyo~" Wendy immediately got shy and she went to Song Hyekyo to help the actress.
James walks towards Irene while holding a glass of wine. He then gives her a wink, signaling her that he is about to do the plan. Irene starts to blush a little and she is trying hard not to giggle.
"Noona, here's your wine~" James gives the glass of wine to Irene. "Gomawo~" Irene thanked him.
"Thank you for coming~" James suddenly hugged Irene in front of everyone.
"You were really great out there~" Irene hugs James back tightly.
.
"huh?.. *cough*..." Song Joongki cannot believe what he is seeing that he almost spit out the wine he is drinking. James and Irene is hugging like a couple. "Y-Y-Yah...." he is trying to grab and pull the arms of his fiance.
"Wha--- omo!!~" Song Hyekyo' jaw dropped when she saw James hugging Irene.
"Hold on... yah!" Song Joongki finally called them out.
"Yah! James!" Song Hyekyo immediately walks towards the hugging couple.
James have that smile in his face when he heard the surprised voices of the Song-Song couple. He loosen up the hug and winked at his girlfriend before he faced the Song-Song couple.
"Oh, Hyekyo noona, Joongki hyung, I would like you to meet my girlfriend..." James holds Irene's hand while introducing her as his girlfriend to the Song-Song couple.
"Jinjjaya?!?!" Song Hyekyo's voice is getting all high-pitched while she is smiling big. James just smile and gives the actress a nod.
"I knew it!!" Song Hyekyo screams and jumping a little out of excitement. "I knew you had something special with Irene.. I knew it!!" she then repeatedly hitting Song Joongki in the shoulder.
"Finally!!" Song Joongki exclaimed, "congrats! But when did the two of you became a couple" he asked.
"5 days ago.." James replied.
"Yah! Why didn't you call us?!" Song Hyekyo pouted and hit James in the shoulder.
"I wanted to surprise you guys and see the look on your faces.." James giggles.
The Song-Song couple were very happy about the news of Irene and James are now a couple. All of them spend some time in the waiting room to chat and talked about the new couple. James only planned to tell the couple about the news but the couple asked many questions like how, when, where. James left no other choice but to tell them, almost everything. The Song-Song couple were very excited that they already invited the new couple for a dinner date, a double date kind of dinner.
After the mini gathering, James invited Red Velvet members and their managers to stay around and join them for the show's dinner party. During the dinner party, Song-Song couple is not yet done with Irene and James, they wanted to know more.
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About a couple of hours later..
"Unnie, why are you still awake?" Joy got up and went to the kitchen to get some water where she saw their leader alone in the kitchen.
"Oh.. uh yeah, can't sleep.." Irene let out a small laugh.
"Why?" Joy asked while getting water in the fridge.
"Nothing. Just thinking about James..." Irene replied.
"You're missing him already? gwiyeowo~ you're so clingy unnie~" Joy chuckled.
Irene giggles, "Ani.. I'm just worried.."
"But why?" Joy asked as she closes the fridge door and drinks the water.
"He's going to Japan.." Irene replied.
"Wait.. isn't oppa going to be in Japan the same day of our concert in Tokyo?" Joy asked.
"Yeah.."
"Then why are you worried?" Joy asked their worried leader.
Irene sighs before she tells Joy why she is very worried, "James is going to see Natsuki.."
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A couple of days ago..
"Hello? Who is this?",
"Seiichi, it's me.., James" James calls Seiichi for the first time in two years.
"Oh, that's why the voice is familiar.." Seiichi giggles, ".. you finally called, good to hear your voice again".
"I'm sorry if I took so long.." James apologized.
"No need to explain. I understand.." Seiichi replied. "So, does this means...?"
"Yeah, see you on the 23rd.." James said to him.
"Oh.. very well. I will save our conversations over a couple of bottle of high-grade sake.." Seiichi chuckled.
James let out a small laugh, "That would be great. I'll see you in Nara..".
"Alright, see you~" Seiichi told him before ending the call.
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After the call, Seiichi immediately calls someone..
"James is coming. Prepare Nara, and even Fukuoka..." Seiichi said that with a smile on his face.
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To be continued...
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**
Author's Note:
I'm really sorry guys. This chapter is supposed to be published a week ago but things happen. I've been down with a very bad case of flu. I can't eat properly and don't have energy. It became worse when I received a news that an officemate has tested positive. And since covid and flu somehow shared some of the symptoms, I need to quarantine myself at home and monitor everything that is happening to me. But don't worry I'm doing fine now, I'm still recovering from it.
I resumed writing yesterday since I'm feeling better, but I have to I can't do it straight. I need to take rest several times. So I have to cut at least 20% of James' stand up, because... I completely forgot where I wrote the other jokes/materials, Lol. Really sorry :)
I'm really sorry for making you guys wait~
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I also noticed that this book just reached 100k. WOW! Thank you so much guys!! Like I said before, I never even imagined that it will reach 1k, but here we are now.. this is all because of you guys. Thank you so much!!
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I know I'm a little late but...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAEYEON!!!!!!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BYUNTAENG!! KID LEADER!! THE BEST VOCALIST!!