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James woke up 5 in the morning to prepare himself for the taping of an episode if Knowing Brothers and to go to the market to buy some fresh fruits for Choa, and for the members of AOA as well.
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"Good morning, halmeoni~~" James greeted the old lady in the fruit stand.
"Good morning~ what are you doing here so early?" the old lady is asking him.
"I'm here to buy some fresh fruits. I'm on my way to visit a friend.. to give her a fruit basket" James politely replied,
"Oh why? Is your friend sick?" the oldy asked,
"um yeah, I guess you can say that. She is not feeling well lately.." James replied.
"Araseo~ let me help you fill the basket with the right fruits. She will be fine in no time.." the old lady offers help.
"That would be great, kamsahamnida halmeoni!!" James politely bows and thanked her.
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"Mornin---... what are you guys doing?" Hyejeong just woke up and saw few of her members are in the kitchen cooking.
"Morning!" Yuna is brewing some coffee. "James is coming for breakfast.." Chanmi explained it to Hyejeong.
"Oh okay... but why? You guys going somewhere?" Hyejeong walks to Seolhyun's side who is now making egg rolls.
"No, I invited him over because you know, Choa unnie.." Seolhyun explained. "I see.. yeah he might be able get her back to herself. Should I wake her up?" Hyejeong said. "No, let's wait for James. This is some sort of a surprise breakfast.." Seolhyun replied.
"Araseo. I guess I'll just take a shower while he's not here yet. Pretty sure he will tease me again if he saw that I didn't wash my hair.." Hyejeong decided to take a bath first.
"Haha that still annoyed you? that was just one time.." Chanmi chuckles.
"Still!! The one time I didn't wash my hair and he noticed it! He roasted me big time!" Hyejeong is getting grumpy and her members are laughing at her.
"To be fair we always tease and makes fun of him every time he is with us.." Yuna pointed it out. "It's not like James always tease and make fun of us, it's only if we initiated it first. Plus be thankful he didn't went all out on us when we guested on his show" Seolhyun commented.
"Why are you defending him? What are you, his girlfriend?" Hyejeong is really grumpy.
"No, but I'm his best friend.." Seolhyun just smiled at her.
"Aigoo.. aish.." Hyejeong just walk away to get her towel while she continue to mutter somethings and she bumped into Mina who just got out from the bathroom.
"Haha don't worry, once she had breakfast she will be back to being human.." Yuna said to Seolhyun and Chanmi, and the girls just laughs.
"What's wrong with her?" Mina asked the girls in the kitchen.
"Don't mind her.."
"and what are you guys doing?" Mina follows up another question.
"James is coming over for breakfast.." Chanmi answers. "Oh, that explains.." Mina sits in one of the chair in the kitchen counter.
"Coffee?" Yuna asked her, "Sure.." she replied and Yuna poured a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
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Several minutes later their guest has finally arrived with a basket full of fruits.
"Wow the dorm smells nice for the first time.." James jokingly said as he went to the kitchen.
"Morning to you too.." Seolhyun said to him. "Just kidding.." James sits besides Mina.
"Here's your coffee.." Yuna served him a cup coffee. "Kamsahamnida noona~" James smiled at her.
"So where's Choa noona?" James asked as he takes a sip of the freshly brewed coffee. "Ohh that's good.." he commented on how good the coffee is.
"She is still sleeping.. we'll wake her up once we finished cooking.." Chanmi answers.
Seolhyun just finished cooking the egg rolls and cleans up so Chanmi can now cook the soup. After that she put couple of pieces in a small plate to give it to James.
"Here.." Seolhyun sits beside him.
James looks at the small plate with two pieces of egg rolls on it and commented, "I don't know if you guys knew, but I'm not an idol so I don't do diets and eat small portions of food.."
"Paboya!" Seolhyun pinches him, ".. I give you that so you can taste it!!"
"Ouch! I know haha" James just laughs and took a piece of the egg rolls.
"How was it?" Seolhyun is waiting for his answer while he savors it.
"hmm.. it's edible.." James replied,
"YAH!!" Seolhyun is about to slap or pinch him or whatever but James is prepared for it as he deflects and get a hold of Seolhyun's arms.
"Just kidding.. it's delicious.." James is grabbing Seolhyun's arms and not letting it go.
"Really?"
"Yeah, it was a great improvement from the last time.." James smiles and let go of Seolhyun's arms.
"I added bacon.." Seolhyun said to him. "Ahh~ That's whyyy. Well bacon makes anything good.." he replied and takes a sip coffee. Meanwhile, Hyejeong got out from the bathroom..
"Eyy! You washed your hair.." James teased her right away. Hyejeong just give him a mean look while walking back to her room. Seolhyun gives him a slap on the back of the head.
"Can you stop teasing her? She took a shower this early so you can't make fun of her.." Seolhyun scolds her best friend.
"Mianhae~ I'll stop.." James apologized, ".. I mean if she walked out of the shower with just a towel wrapped on her, I probably wouldn't had made fun of her.." he jokingly added.
The girls looked at him and they are in disbelief from what he just said, "I'm just saying.." James said, and because of that he deserves a pinch from Mina and slap on the back of the head again from Seolhyun.
Jimin just woke up and heard the commotion coming from the kitchen, "Oh hey James..", she greeted him as she stepped out from her room heading to the bathroom. "Morning noona!" James greets her.
"Hey now that everyone is awake, why don't we wake up Choa noona?" Yuna asked them.
"Sure!"
All of them are now looking at James who is eating the last piece of the egg rolls. As he took the last piece in his mouth he noticed everyone is looking at him,
".. what?" James asked the girls and they just give him a tilt signaling him to go to Choa's bedroom.
"Me? Why?!" he asked them but the girls just smiled and nods.
"Araseo~" he stood up and went to Choa's room, the girls follows him.
Upon arriving in front of Choa's room, he hesitates for a moment to think how to wake her up.
James knocks on the door lightly and calling out her name in a soft voice, "Noona..". Hearing no response he looks back to the girls and they are signaling him to go inside.
He knocks again before opening the door, "Noona I'm opening the door..". He peeked inside and saw Choa in her bed. James quietly enters the room and carefully walks closer to her bed. "Noona... noona... noona..." he is quietly calling her. Choa's body starts moving and James took a couple of step backing away.
"James? Is that you?" Choa is rubbing her eyes, she can't see him clearly but she recognized his voice.
"Yes, it's me noona.. uh, they asked me to wake you up.. t-the breakfast is ready.." James said to her.
"Oh.. okay, I'll be up in a minute.." Choa replied in a husky voice.
James just nods and went out of her room. "Noona said she will be up in a minute.." he said to the girls waiting outside of the room. The girls nods and they start to prepare the table.
Several minutes later Choa joins them in the table and they start eating. James did what he is expected to do, it is to make Choa feel better. He did everything he could, from telling her funny stories to making fun of other members, all for just to make Choa laugh. Seolhyun and her members wasn't disappointed and instead they are beyond grateful because they saw Choa smiling and laughing again.
After the breakfast Choa and James spend a couple of minutes alone in Choa's room just to have a private talk. They are sitting right beside the window and admiring the view outside while they're having a conversation..
"Hey.. gomawo.." Choa put down her cup of coffee and give him a warm smile,
"Eh?" James acted confused.
"I know why you are here.." Choa winked at him and giggles,
James chuckles and said, "I'm just worried noona.."
"I know, and I'm really thankful for that. And mianhae for making you worry.." Choa replied.
James just nodded and smiled at her knowing that she is finally back. He took a couple of sip on his cup of coffee and joins Choa on admiring the view outside, until..
"So, is Irene your girlfriend now?" Choa asked him a sudden and out of the blue question in which James almost spit out the coffee he is drinking.
"Noona.. *coughs*.. what .. *coughs*...", James is still coughing while Choa is patting his back. "Looks like I hit you with the right question.." Choa is still laughing at him.
"Noona.. *cough*.. ehem.. it's... hot... ehem.." James is clearing his throat and now starting to feel how hot the coffee in his throat.
"Mianhae.."
"She... *ehem... she is not my girlfriend noona.." James finally able to reply.
"Why not?" Choa asks,
"What do you mean why not? It's impossible.. " James replied.
"You're being so negative.." Choa said to him.
"Noona.. it's Irene. It's not about being negative, by default I won't have a chance to be his boyfriend. It's like playing 1v1 against Lebron, and I dunked on him.." James explained to her.
"Aigoo. You are so wrong.." Choa is shaking her head, ".. okay let me tell you this,.. you do realize that you are in AOA's dorm, you had breakfast with us, you can visit and enter our dorm anytime, and not to mention... you are here in my room with me and I'm just wearing pajamas. Now, what are the chances of that? Is it also by default that you don't have the chance that all of these are happening to you?" Choa raised a brow and made her point to him. "One more thing, you had dinner with the member of Red Velvet couple of days ago in their dorm., plus you and Irene spent half a day in your apartment.." she added.
James is stunned by Choa's word. He is lost for words, he doesn't know what to reply to her. He is just staring at her blankly.
"Looks like I broke you.." Choa giggles as she went back to drink her coffee.
"Okay, noona you are really feeling better now.." James finally able to speak.
Choa just laughed at him and said, "Come on, you have a chance with Irene. Stop saying you don't. You said to me that you like her.."
"Yeah, I like her. But noona, I'm still a fan.. you know.." James replied,
"So?"
"So it means that it's normal to like her, to love her, because I'm a fan of her. I mean I also like you, and the girls outside because I'm a fan first before all of us became friends.." James explained.
"Okay, I understand your point. But what if Irene says she likes you? It will be different right?" Choa asked him.
"Well yeah but of course, again, it's impossible. There's tons of idols, actors and other celebrities out there that are more handsome and attractive than me. Which is more... suited for her.." James said to her,
"Aish, you don't know anything.." Choa shakes her head, ".. anyway, for your information.. you are handsome and attractive.." she said to him.
"Noona you don't have to do that, I'm fine.." James replied.
"What?! I'm serious! You are handsome and attractive than most idols, if not all.." Choa said to him but James is not buying it, "psshh.. not believing you noona..".
"Aish.. I don't know what else to say in order for you to believe me.. aish~~" Choa gives up because James is not believing her, ".. just don't come running to me when someday Irene becomes your girlfriend, or for that matter any idol, actress or celebrity.." she added.
"Haha noona believe me, if that happens I will buy you a.. uh.. I don't know, a dog or a cat.." James said to her, "Call! I will hold to that promise, pinky swear?" Choa asked him and James agrees and they locked their pinkies.
Choa and James spend a couple of more minutes of serious talks that will only stay between the two of them. Since James became friends with the members of AOA, Choa became like a big sister to James and Choa treats him like a younger brother.
James said goodbye to the girls before leaving and promised to visit them more frequent.
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Hours later in the middle of the taping for the next episode of Knowing Brothers...
"Are you guys the popular ssiruem club of Knowing Brothers High School?" Rain enters the ssiruem arena and behind him was Hani of Exid. "I heard you guys are the most popular ssireum club.." he added.
"That's true!" Yeongchul said to him.
"Today will be you last day.." Rain warns them.
"What? I'm lost for words.." Soogeun said,
"Are you the top athlete here?" Rain walks up to Ho dong and taunts him,
"I'm sorry but I'm not interested with you.." Janghoon said to Rain and he went to Hani to get her to join their team instead.
Heechul approached Hani and had a stand off with her, "Do you think you can win against me?" Heechul tries to intimidate Hani.
"Of course!" Hani replies and she grabs a handful of sand then throws it to Heechul,
"Honestly, I really think Hani noona can win against Heechul hyung.." James commented. Hani and the brothers laughed at what he said, Hani gives him a high five.
"Yah! do you underestimate me?" Heechul yelled at James, "He's right.. Hani can throw you out of the ring.." Soogeun said to Heechul. "Yeah he is.." Heechul quickly agrees.
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"I heard that you win against all high school ssireum champions, is that true?" Ho dong asked Rain,
"Yes, I did six years ago.." Rain confidently replies, "I really want to challenge you.." he added.
"Okay, we accept your challenge but.. we have our own rules. If you win against all of us, then we declare you the winner. If not, you lose. Understood?" Ho dong explains the traditional unfair rules of the show.
"Yes.." Rain proudly agrees and accepts everything.
"What will you do if you lose?" Janghoon asks. "Give us your watch.." Heechul follows up. "Yes, the one you wore today.." Ho dong said added.
"I'll give whatever watch I have, but not the one I wore today, I have to give it back to the sponsors.." Rain explains why the watch he wore is out of the picture.
"Wait.. If I win, you have to put my music video at the end of the show.." Rain tells them his wager.
"Sure, that's not that hard.." , "We will do that if you win" The brothers accepts his wager.
"If he lose against us.. that lady who we all know.. she should come to our show.." Janghoon presents his wager, he is referring to Rain's girlfriend, actress Kim Tae-hee.
"Ohhh.. I like that.." , "Yeah yeah, Rain can come back to the show with her.." the brothers agrees.
"What do you say?" Ho dong is asking Rain, "Well, honestly, I don't have the power to do that.. I can't make that decision. Ask me something that I can do.." Rain replied.
"Okay, Let's do this.." Soogeun speaks up and looks to his brothers first before he continue, "I ask you sincerely, if we win.... then please solve Sangmin's debts...". Everyone burst in the studio burst out laughing at the unexpected wager.
"We are asking you sincerely.." Soogeun kneels down in front of Rain. Sangmin also drops to his knees, and sooner all of the brothers are kneeling and begging in front of Rain, even Hani joins the brothers.
"Araseo, I'll try.." Rain just agrees to their wager.
"Let me make a suggestion.." Ho dong proposes another wager instead, ".. here's what we're going to do, I want you to ask her to be on the show and when if someone cancel their guesting, you have to promise to come to our show.." Ho dong announced their final wager to Rain.
"Alright, I'll accept that!" Rain quickly agrees to the more convenient offer.
Now that everything is settled, the first official ssireum match in Knowing Brothers finally started. The first match is between Hani and the youngest female producer of the show. And for the referee, they invited a former ssireum champion and Ho dong's junior.
Before the match starts Ho dong gives the young producer a quick lesson and techniques. The two girls then lined up in the middle and kneels down to gets in the starting position. The referee help the two ladies to get in the right position and made sure that both of them are holding the satba.
The match started and the female producer attacks and makes the first move but Hani managed to hold and prevent it by holding her ground. Hani tries to make a move by attempting to trip her opponent but she was quickly overpowered by the female producer who countered Hani's attempt by using the same technique. Hani looses her balance and falls to the sand first in which results in her defeat and the brothers celebrates their teammates win against the idol.
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And now it's time for Rain to defeat all the brothers. He needed to defeat all the 8 members one by one, seems impossible but Rain is determined that he can defeat all of them.
Ho dong gathers the brothers to came up with a plan. The plan was simple, Ho dong will be the last because he is the strongest among them and he is a former ssireum champion. For the remaining seven members, all they need to do is to exhaust Rain so that when face Ho dong, he is almost out of stamina.
They have decided that Kyunghoon will be first, then followed by Heechul, Sangmin, James, Yeongchul, Janghoon, and Soogeun, then the final boss is Ho dong. James asked to go 3rd because he doesn't know anything about ssireum and he wants to observed the first ones so he can grasp on how to compete in ssireum. He was placed 4th because Ho dong put Sangmin on 3rd as a surprise tactic. They want Rain to feel over confident if he easily manage to beat Kyunghoon and Heechul first.
The first match is between Rain and Kyunghoon, well the match ended in 3 seconds. Rain completely obliterate Kyunghoon, right after the whistle has blown Rain quickly subdue Kyunghoon and ended the match with a little effort. The brothers are shocked that Rain is really in fact good at ssireum.
As for the second match, well same thing happen but Rain didn't used much effort as he easily lifted Heechul and puts him on the sand right after. Seems like the plan is not working, the first two matches was like a stretching exercise for Rain.
"We have to be fair so we will give you time to breathe.." Ho dong said to Rain, "..this 1 against 8 itself is not fair at all.." he admits and feels a bit shame that the whole thing is in fact unfair. They give Rain a break for a couple of minutes before they start the next match.
It's now time for their surprise tactic in form of Sangmin. He knows a number of techniques and had a experience in ssireum. They expects him to put up a good fight against Rain, not necessarily to win but to exhaust Rain. Sangmin technique he attempted to use is by burying his feet in the sand to increase his stability. Unfortunately, Rain knows exactly the counter for that, so the match ended in less than 3 seconds, just like the first two. The brothers are shocked and Ho dong is lost for words due to the fact that Rain also knows how to counter techniques in ssireum. Everyone applauded Rain for his performance.
"From what I see, Rain should be seen as a former professional ssireum wrestler. He knows how to compete.." Ho dong praised and recognized Rain's talent in ssireum.
"He used a skill against Sangmin that is called 'Neck Hitting'.." the referee commented,
"Right! Amateurs can't do that easily.." Ho dong agrees, "This technique is something only top athletes can do.." the referee added.
"Wow.." the brothers are amazed and they start to feel intimidated.
"You're next James, you ready?" Soogeun asks him. "I mean yeah, I learn nothing from the first three matches so let's get this over with. Pretty sure I will be on the sand in just seconds.." James replied, he already admits defeat before he can even go against Rain.
"Haha we put him in 4th because he doesn't know ssireum so he wanted to observe first but you defeat the first 3 easily.." Ho dong is laughing hard while he explained it to Rain about James' comment.
"Hyung you better warm up now,.. Rain hyung will defeat all of us in no time.." James said to Ho dong while he is getting ready for the match. "I guess you're right.." Ho dong nervously laughs.
"Before we start the 4th match, we have a performance from Hani of EXID!!" Janghoon announces.
A special performance by Hani and Heechul, they dance to EXID's hit song 'Up & Down'. The HeeNi sub unit has a great chemistry while they dance, from the original sexy dance they turn it to a cute and hilarious one. Everyone enjoys HeeNi's performance as they provide great laughter to the audience.
The next match is between James and Rain. A battle against someone who completely have no knowledge in ssireum versus an experienced and skilled ssireum enthusiast. The two gets in the position and they are just waiting for the referee to blow the whistle. Everyone is watching and waiting for Rain's next technique he will use this time. To everyone's surprise, once the whistle has blown Rain quickly attacks first just like what he did in the first three matches, but.. James holds his ground shocking everyone as it make Rain's attempt failed.
"OHHH!!!" the brothers are up from their seats as they witness something unexpected.
Rain repositioned himself and tries to attack again, and James manage to hold on for a bit more but he lost his footing and Rain took advantage of that and he finally managed to put James on the sands. Everyone is clapping and cheering as they finally witness a good match. Rain helped James up and praised the youngest brother for his effort.
"Wahhh.." the brothers are amazed that James managed to hold against Rain for at least 8 seconds.
"How did you do manage to do that?" Heechul is proud that the youngest put up a good fight.
"I don't know.. I-I just try to hold on.." James is catching his breath, "Rain h-hyung is.... really strong.." he added.
"How did you manage to hold on?" Sangmin is really impressed.
"From what I see, James knows how shift the weight of his body very well that's why when he lowers his center of gravity it was very effective.." Ho dong explains what he observed. "He could have a chance if he knows some techniques, he didn't know how to attack, he is just holding his ground.." the referee added.
"I have to admit.. I underestimate him because he doesn't have any knowledge about ssireum, so I thought I can also defeat him easily because when I grabbing his satba at the start I don't feel any strength on him, but when I tried to attack he suddenly felt heavy.." Rain confessed that he underestimate the youngest brother, he comes over to James to praised him again.
James is now seating back to their bench, exhausted and trying to catch his breath.
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The next one to face Rain is Yeongchul, as for him... well that match ended quickly. Rain composes himself and went back on focusing to his goal, defeating Kang Ho dong.
Rain's next opponent is the giant Janghoon. Even though he is much more taller anyone can tell that he is at a disadvantage because his center if gravity is much higher compares to Rain. But of course Janghoon is a former athlete, Korea's greatest basketball player of all time, so Rain didn't want to let any of his guard down against him.
But before the next match begins, they called in the next person to perform.. Buzz's lead vocalist, Min Kyunghoon.
After the short performance from Kyunghoon, the match between Janghoon and Rain begins. Knowing that his opponent is someone you cannot easily underestimate, Rain devised a technique that is perfect for someone tall and heavy person like Janghoon. After the whistle has blown Rain quickly moves in so Janghoon will not have a chance to strengthen up. Rain let go of his right hand that is holding the satba on Janghoon's left side and wraps both of his arms around Janghoon's right leg to focus all his power on lifting that leg. He managed to lift the giant's leg and made him lose his balance and fall. It was another brilliant win for Rain, taking advantage of Janghoon's weak and aging legs.
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Next up is Soogeun, Ho dong's right wing man..
"We only have Soogeun and Ho dong left.." Sangmin commented.
"Does Soogeun hyung have experience in ssireum?" James asked the older brothers. Sangmin nodded at him.
"Then he might have a cha----.... what hahahaha" James wasn't able to finish his sentence when Soogeun starts to taking his shirt off.
"Haha good, intimidate him.." Sangmin and the brothers are laughing.
Soogeun and Rain then lined up to get in their positions, but Soogeun is all over the place trying to give Rain a hard time.
"Good job, Soogeun!!" Sangmin and Ho dong yelled from their bench seeing that Soogeun is draining Rain's stamina.
James and Kyunghoon are quietly laughing because Rain is having a hard containing Soogeun to the right position. The match hasn't even started yet. The referee is trying to help but Soogeun is ignoring him, so the referee gives him a light slap on the back. Soogeun finally stopped and let go.
"Haha he slapped him.." the brothers are dying from laughter.
"Wait.. he kept rubbing his shoulder in my chest like this.." Rain is protesting and went to the referee to demonstrate what Soogeun is doing to him.
"why did you slap him?" Ho dong asked the referee, "He went over the line and not listening to the instructions.." the referee replied.
Soogeun apologized to the referee and admits that he is just doing that to drain Rain's stamina. Ho dong calls Soogeun and gives him a thumbs up for doing that, "Good job, you drained his energy out.." Ho dong said to him.
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The whistle is blown signaling the start of the match. Rain quickly makes his move by pulling Soogeun in but Soogeun manage to maintain his ground and he also did the same thing. Rain and Soogeun are trying to pulling then pushing each other sideways. It was a clash of strength, the circling around while continuing to pull each other out of balance, but Rain managed to trip one of Soogeun's foot. Enabling him to overthrow Soogeun and slam him to the sand.
"WOW!!!!" Everyone in the studio is either shocked or going nuts from what they have just witnessed. It was like they are watching professional ssireum wrestler fights.
Rain showed to everyone that he is skilled in ssireum, and that he got what it takes. The brothers praised him for this amazing win against Soogeun. Meanwhile, Ho dong is amazed and speechless at the same time. Hani is clapping very happily to Rain.
Soogeun is still on the sands laying down..
"Are you okay?" Yeongchul helps him to get up.
"Ho dong hyung, this is no joke.." Soogeun is still pretty much shaken up from being overthrown to the sand.
"Hyung how about we stop this?" Sangmin went to Ho dong and tells it to him.
"Hey, I'm a Man of Strength, I don't ......" Ho dong pretends to tripped at got his arm injured, "AGGHHHH!!".
"Eyy! Look at him!" , "That's too obvious!" the brothers cannot believe that Ho dong is doing that kind skit. "Hyung that was poor acting!" the brothers kept telling him.
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Before the final match, there is one last performance. A very popular song in South Korea, the song of a legendary group Roo'ra, it's the song '3! 4!'. It was performed by the leader of that group, Lee Sangmin, and of course accompanying him is Heechul. While everyone is singing along and enjoying the performance, Ho dong is at side warming up.
Ho dong finally stepped in side the ring wearing the satba, as he enters he let out a roar/scream.. "AHHHHHH!!!", it was maybe to intimidate Rain.
For the first time today, Rain is looking nervous. He has 7 win streak but now, he is up against an entirely different monster. Hailed as the strongest man in South Korea, 5-time Man of Strength, and 7-time Man of Baekdu, are just a few of what Kang Ho dong is known for. The greatest one is probably, the 'man who defeated the unbeatable king of ssireum, Lee Man Gi'. Kang Ho dong os a living legend of Ssireum. So yeah, those are just the few things Rain needs to consider about his opponent.
Ho dong and Rain are now getting ready..
"He is strong and his skills are really good.." Ho dong is acknowledging his opponent's strength.
"Please don't throw me too far.." Rain makes his one last wish.
Ho dong and Rain prepares as they now getting a hold the satba, trying to get a good grip.
"Wahh..." now that he is in the position and grabbing his opponent's satba, Rain finally realized the what monster he is dealing with.
Both of them are now on their feet waiting for the whistle. Everyone in the studio is feeling anxious now.
The whistle has blown, and the much awaited match has finally started. Unlike the previous matches, Rain didn't make a move this time now that he is facing a monster. Instead he waited for the right moment to make his move. Rain is slowly and carefully moving to his left circling around Ho dong to look for the spot to attack him. It looks like he is going for a surprise trip technique as he is providing a good spacing for him to initiate that move.
Unfortunately for Rain, Ho dong read clearly what he is trying to do. Well what do you expect from the legendary ssireum champion. Instead of stopping him early, Ho dong patiently waits for Rain to make the move or at least to get in the positioned to strike him. Just what he anticipated, Ho dong surprised Rain just when he about to start to make his move.
It was a very tiny window of opportunity but for someone like Ho dong who is a legendary athlete, that split of second thing was an easy thing to do. What Ho dong did is that he waits for the moment Rain is shifting his body weight, hence losing his balance for a moment. One simple way to figure out someone his shifting his weight while attempting to make a move is by watching the knees. Once the knees bends it means that person is shifting his/her weight to initiate or attempt something with force, and while in this process that person is losing the grip of his/her balance at that moment. It is something that elite athletes can easily do. With that, Ho dong easily lifted Rain and dragged to the side with him just hanging from him. Ho dong slowly pushed and dropped Rain to the sands.
Well the result was expected, from the beginning Rain doesn't even have to chance to defeat Ho dong. What's important is that Rain did his best and he showcased his skills in ssireum to everyone.
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Later that night...
James' phone is ringing again. He failed to pick it up at first because he was still in the shower. Minutes later he finally got out from the shower. He then went to the kitchen to get some snacks first before going to the living room. He turns the tv on and sat down in the couch, he opens the bag of chips while he scans the channels.
"I should check how Choa noona is doing.." James finally reached for his phone to send a message to Seolhyun. Upon opening it he saw 2 missed calls from Song Hye Kyo.
"2 missed calls from... Hye Kyo noona?, oh god..." James quickly calls Song Hye Kyo back.
"Hello~" Song Hye Kyo answers the call.
"Noona.. mianhae~ I must be in the shower when you called.." James apologize and explained why he wasn't able to pick up the earlier calls.
"It's okay.. don't worry.." Hye Kyo replied,
"By the way noona, why do you call? something wrong?" James asked.
"Aniyo. Nothing is wrong. I have a good news for you!" Song Hye Kyo sound excited,
"Good news? what is it?"
"Starting tomorrow you will be taking acting lessons and seminars.." Song Hye Kyo tells him.
"Oh.. okay, that's somewhat early for me to take those but okay sure.." James replied.
"Wait that's not the good news. The reason why the agency wanted you to start taking acting lessons is because.. you got casted in an upcoming drama!!!" Song Hye Kyo is very happy and excited for him.
"EH?!?! Really noona?!" James cannot believe what Song Hye Kyo just said to him,
"Yes! Although it's a minor role, and you will be appearing for at least 3 episodes.. but still!" Song Hye Kyo explains further.
"It's okay noona! I don't care, I- I just cannot believe it.." James is having a goosebumps, he cannot believe that he will be appearing in a drama. "By the way noona, how I got casted? Am I not suppose to audition?" he asked.
"You see, sometimes the directors and producers can just cast someone that they think will be a good fit for the role. I'm so happy for you!!" Song Hye Kyo explains to him, she is like a big sister that is so proud to his little brother.
"Wahh.. I wonder why they think I fit for that role. Noona did they said what role is it and what is the drama about?" James asked her.
"Sorry, that's all they told me. But we will find out tomorrow, I will come with you to the agency. I wanted to know the details also." Song Hye Kyo told him,
"I see. Wahh noona.. I'm having a goosebumps.." James is trying to calm himself because his heart is racing due to excitement.
"Haha I also had too when they told me the news.." Song Hye Kyo replied, "Anyway, you should go to bed early okay? Gonna be a long day for you tomorrow. If you have plans tomorrow you might wanna cancel those.." Song Hye Kyo added.
"All good noona, tomorrow is my rest day so I'm free." James replied.
"Araseo~ I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight! and congratulations again!"
"Goodnight noona!" James says goodbye to Song Hye Kyo and they ended the call.
After that call James dropped his phone and he is just staring blankly in the tv. It may be the aftereffects of the news.
"Am I dreaming?..." James slaps himself to check if he is not dreaming, "..ouch... that hurts. I'm not dreaming.... this is really happening..." he mutters.
After a couple of minutes he turns off the tv and head to his bedroom. He plops down to his bed and he is just staring at the ceiling..
"I wonder what is the title of the drama..."
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To be continued...
*sorry for updating quite late. as for this chapter, the original draft I made was more than 10k words. I decided to cut it down because I think it was too long hehe. Anyways... have a happy weekend everyone! Stay safe!