*Ha ji min, wow, that's a great choice. She'll suit Ji Chang wook,Why did they even consider Lee Sung Kyung? She isn't even lead material.*
*You have clearly not watched Weighlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo. She nailed the role. I wasn't a fan of hers but she completely won me over. Also, in spite of being a top model she gained weight for the role. I appreciate her dedication to the character too*.
Lee Sung Kyung sighed and casually threw the phone on to the sofa. She had just declined a title role of a drama offered on a good channel and was facing the backlash. She didn't feel ready that was one of the main reasons she had decided to back out. Playing Kim Bok Joo had taken a lot out of her. The attention that followed intimidated her further. She needed some time off to heal and to feel rejuvenated. Besides, she wanted a bright character to play. She was temporarily done with characters that had the touch of insane.
She was feeling mopey again after reading the comments. She knew there was a lot of love for her out there even then it was tiring to read some of the comments. She couldn't help but feel sad about how sometimes hard work and genuine sentiments were not respected enough.
She heard the door bell and was surprised to find Yoon Kyung Sang & Lee Jong Suk on the monitor. Why had they suddenly decided to drop in. She checked her phone, had she forgotten some get together plan?
They barged in chatting away casually, side hugging her in greeting. They were two of her closest friends but she hadn't met them in a long time now. She felt slightly guilty about that as it occurred to her that they had come to cheer her up.
"Wow, I'm honored to have top stars in Korea visiting my humble abode"
She said lightly. Jong suk punched her forearms making her wince.
"Ouch. That hurts"
He shrugged while Yoon Kyung Sang made himself comfortable on the dinning table emptying the contents of the grocery bag on it.
"Ya!! What's all this?"
Sung kyung asked as she inspected the items on her table. They were mostly food and drinks.
"We came to cheer you up but you seem just fine" said Yoon Kyung Sang as he playfully glared at Jong suk.
Her expression softened as she thanked them.
"Kyung sang ah, didn't you have drama shooting today ?" She asked, concerned.
"No, had a day off" He shrugged as he unwrapped a sausage and started nibbling on it.
"What about you Jong suk ah" she asked turning to jong suk who was inspecting the roses in her flower vase.
"Who's been sending you roses?", he asked completely ignoring her question.
She just rolled her eyes. They were always like that. Many years of friendship had made it easy for them to ignore each other's questions without anyone taking offense.
"Last time you guys came home to console me about winning the daesang" laughed Jong Suk.
Both Kyung Sang and Sung Kyung groaned at the joke. They had been a moral support to him when he was bashed for not making a satisfying speech at getting the coveted Daesang. As was his habit, he had chosen to joke about their attempt at comforting him.
"So biblee what's up with you ? You are supposed to be bawling your eyes out right now?" Asked JS.
"Are you saying something, superstar?"
Sung Kyung rolled her eyes again.
"I'm just saying this is unlike you.. you need a good cry usually, it doesn't seem like you have" JS elaborated while YKS concentrated on eating the chocolate he had just unwrapped.
Sung Kyung smiled. Even though completely annoying when he interrogates, it was touching that he knew her well.
This time she shrugged and asked the two if they'll have dinner. Both nodded as they settled themselves on the dinning table bantering away while she got the dinner ready. She would occasionally call them useless for being of no help. But they would shrug and continue without a care. It did keep her mind occupied. So occupied in fact that she had not checked her phone in hours.
When her door monitor beeped again. Both Jong suk and Kyung Sang looked up from their food.
"Ooh, who's visiting you late at night, young lady" JS guffawed.
Lee Sung Kyung felt her heart skip a beat at seeing who the person was. Oh damn, the phone! She hadn't checked it. Was it on silent ? Damn damn damn.
She quickly opened the door feeling terribly guilty when she saw how tired the person at the other end was.
As soon as he saw her, he asked her with utmost concern, "Gwenchena..Are you ok?"
When she saw the look on his exhausted face, the look that embodied his love and concern, she felt a sob emerge from within. He had come all the way after his shoot worried about her, she had stupidly not kept her phone handy. The thought that he cared so much and her own subdued pain came to the forefront. She rushed into his arms and broke into loud sobs.
"Hey" he said softly comforting her while he kissed the top of her head lightly.
Her crying increased in intensity as she crushed him in a hug.
"Shsh.. " he whispered comforting words into her ears.
When she finally stopped crying and let go of him, he gave her flowers, smiling. She gave him a quick kiss. That's when they heard the claps.
"Wah, that was quite a show you guys put up there" JS said as he pretended to wipe his tears.
YKS merely looked mildly stunned. Both had clearly forgotten to continue to eat their dinner.
"Hey Nam Joo Hyuk.. since my close friend Lee Sung Kyung wouldn't tell me, why don't you say how long this has been going on?"
JS asked with crossed arms.
If Joo Hyuk was surprised to find an audience for his private meeting with his girlfriend, he didn't show it.
He merely smiled and greeted them formally.
"I'm sorry I didn't check my phone" said Sung Kyung by the way of explanation. He merely shook his head to indicate it was alright and smiled at her.
"Ya.. we are still here!" Said JS looking mildly revolted.
"Well, that's not my fault" she replied cheekily.
"Ya!! That's not fair. We came to support you" JS said pretending to look offended.
Before Sung Kyung could answer Joo Hyuk did. "And I'm thankful you could be here for her"
JS opened his mouth to say something but stopped and just nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"How long have you two been dating ?" YKS asked curiously.
"4 months" Sung Kyung replied casually.
"What???" Both JS and YKS said in unison. "Are you telling us, you hid it from us for so long, here I thought we were friends." JS mustered all his dramatic talents and unleashed it on the unsuspecting lovers.
Nam Joo Hyuk felt burdened but Sung Kyung knew her friend.
"Stop being so dramatic" she laughed.
" well you are a lucky fellow my friend " YKS extended his hand to Joo Hyuk who shook it smiling.
Then he added "you know how many hearts will be broken when this comes out "
JS joined back the conversation, "he isn't even talking about the fans you know?"
"Yeah, I know" Joo Hyuk smiled.
"What are you guys talking about ?"
Sung Kyung asked confused as she took a seat next to joo hyuk who was sitting opposite the other two.
"Its nothing" Joo hyuk said cheekily as he patted her back. She casually held his hand and draped it around her shoulder while holding onto his fingers.
"Do we have to see this too?" JS pretended to close his eyes while YKS laughed.
"What are they talking about?" She asked Joo hyuk seriously.
"Oh good luck, it's that tone mate!" YKS deadpanned.
Nam Joo hyuk looked unruffled as he looked at his girlfriend. Unlike what people thought he didn't feel insecure in the least. He didn't mind telling her the truth.
"There are quite a few guys who like you " NJH started but it was JS who continued, "Some are your close friends too"
She laughed and was about to protest this seemingly absurd statement but her laugh stopped mid way when she found that the others were dead serious.
"What? Who?" She asked.
Joo Hyuk shrugged letting Jong Suk and Kyung Sang fill in on her on the details of his girlfriend's many admirers.
"Whaaa.. seriously? But...", she shook her head befuddled that so many of her friends were interested in her. Why hadn't they said so, she couldn't help but wonder. She looked at Joo Hyuk who was eating calmly. He wasn't shocked by any of the revelations, clearly. She stared at his face for a few seconds and her face broke into a big smile. It didn't matter because nobody could make her feel the way he did, that's what mattered.
"Look at her give him that love sick look" Jong Suk commented loudly. She turned to glare at him but he pretended to be addressing Yoon Kyung Sang instead. Joo Hyuk smiled watching them as he continued eating.
" I think we should leave now, before she throws us out. You know, boyfriend over best friends. Sigh. Traitor." Jong Suk said with exaggerated actions. Taking a butter knife pretending to stab himself.
Sung Kyung threw an orange at him, that elicited a puppy like yelp out of him.
"They should take back that Daesang" she said, annoyed at his continual dramatic ribbing.
Yoon Kyung Sang burst out laughing while Joo Hyuk grinned indulgently.
"Wait, you are doing this to me, your friend of ten years over this.. this kid" JS continued his dramatic over acting.
"Don't. Call. Him. A. Kid." she tried to reach across the table and rap him with a folk.
Joo Hyuk calmly held her back as he could feel her rising agitation. He wrapped him arm around her as he pulled her back to her seat. She stared at his smiling face for a minute and calmed down. She smiled back happily then rested her head on his shoulder.
Thankfully JS was done with pulling her leg and went back to eating, shrugging though pretending to mutter about backstabbing best friends.
The friends got ready to leave as soon as dinner was done.
"The boyfriend will help you with the dishes" Yoon Kyung Sang said cheekily.
"Ya., not you too" said Lee Sung Kyung exasperated. He laughed giving her a side hug, as he put on the coat.
"Have fun kids" said Jong Suk, as he gave her a hug and winked at Joo Hyuk.
Then they left leaving the lovers to themselves.
" Hey, I'm sorry if you were offended by Jong Suk, he doesn't mean it. He's just crazy that way. Sometimes says weird things" she tried to explain then stopped, seeing the expression on his face.
"Why do you have that look" she asked mystified.
He pulled her closer to him. A little too close, but she liked that about them. They liked getting into each other's personal space.
"How long have I known you?, he asked.
"Huh, 4 years?"
"Do you think I know you well?"
"Of course you do" she sounded annoyed at his seemingly obvious questions.
"Have I heard you talk about your best friends before?"
"Of course you have.. " then she stopped and smiled.
Then she smacked him lightly.
"Ok ok, I know you are not a typical boyfriend. You know me well but.. "
"But what" he asked holding her face close enough to kiss, making her lose her train of thought.
"Oh forget it" She said, as she dived in for the kiss. He smiled as he kissed the craziest, zaniest, most beautiful girl he had ever met. His best friend, his love.