<OST: Sleepless Night - Crush ft. Punch>
"Of all places... a tripe restaurant?"
"Why?" Hyejin laughed as she snipped the pieces of gopchang into small bite-sized pieces. "Tripe is delicious, is it not?"
"It sure is... but I don't know-" Namjoon chuckled as he reached his chopstick out and grabbed a piece. "I'd think tripe would be last on the menu for someone who said she didn't have an appetite."
"Tripe is suitable for all types of occasions-" Hyejin giggled as she finally put down her tongs and scissors and dug in. "Damn! This is amazing!"
"Well, I agree-" Namjoon laughed. "Come to think of it, I think one of the first times we spoke to each other, didn't you ask me to go eat tripe with you?"
"Did I?" Hyejin burst into laughter. "Daebak... See? I said tripe is suitable for any occasion."
"Back then... you told me you believed in working hard, playing hard and eating well..." Namjoon recalled. "I remember being very impressed by what you said. But it seems like... you've lost a little bit of that drive, since you were gonna skip lunch..."
"Well, I guess you're right, bujang-" Hyejin confided in him, setting her chopsticks down for a brief moment. "To be honest with you, I was lying when I said I didn't have an appetite - I just wanted to work even harder than everyone else."
"And that's good-" Namjoon pointed out. "But don't forget the playing and eating in your motto."
"You're right-" Hyejin sighed. "I guess back then, as a newbie, it was easy for me to proclaim that I was striving for a good work-life balance. I thought things would get easier once my job started becoming more stable... but I was wrong. The more I achieved, the more I needed to work hard to live up to expectations."
"Whose expectations?"
"I don't know-" Hyejin pursed her lips. "Just people. Yours, mine, Chungha and Hoseok sunbae-nim's, colleagues', parents', family's, viewers, the list goes on."
Namjoon nodded in silence, briefly setting down his chopsticks as well as he engaged in deep thought. "I totally get that. Expectations are always high, no matter where you go and what you do."
"Mmhmm."
"I think it's a good thing that you're using expectations as a means of getting better-" Namjoon advised. "But if it gets to the point whereby it stresses you, I no longer thing it's that good of a thing. In fact, it may be more detrimental than helpful for you. It's unhealthy for your mental health."
Hyejin nodded silently.
"You know how I deal with expectations?" Namjoon carried on. "I'm the CEO of this start-up news company, I definitely know what expectations are. But do you me ever skipping a single meal?"
Hyejin thought for a while. "Actually... now that you mention it, I don't think so."
"When I go home everyday, I take time out of my busy schedule to exercise and rest too. That's the definition of a good work-life balance, don't you think?"
Hyejin nodded in agreement. "But how do you do that? Don't you always have a lot of work stuff to do?"
"I do, that's a fact-" Namjoon shrugged. "But sometimes, taking time out of your schedule to do things that make you happy is just as important as that case file waiting for you on that table. Eating well, sleeping well, resting well - these are also all part of conditioning your mental state to function optimally and efficiently. If you deprive yourself of all these for too long, you're not gonna be happy. And the work you produce from those extended hours of working... isn't going to be of outstanding quality either. Does that make sense?"
"Oh..." Hyejin nodded with a little smile. "Actually, it does. I get it now, bujang."
"Things aren't going to get easier moving forward," Namjoon continued. "Hyejin-ssi, you're doing extremely well so far - to be honest with you, you're definitely one of the up and rising reporters that I have my eye on. But the most important thing is that you always never forget the person you are at the beginning - that same bubbly girl filled with drive and energy, I hope you never forget her till the very end."
"I won't, bujang." Hyejin beamed. "I promise."
"So now promise me you won't skip a meal just to work overtime ever again, will you?" Namjoon said as he picked up his chopsticks once more and popped a piece of tripe into his mouth. "Especially not tripe... this is way too delicious."
"I agree, tripe sure is delicious." Hyejin smiled too as she watched Namjoon close his eyes and grin in delight. "It's really nice, bujang, to be able to sit here and enjoy some tripe as I listen to your advice."
"That time, you were the one who gave me advice at the restaurant too, weren't you?" Namjoon chuckled as he looked up at Hyejin. "That's what friends are for, isn't it?"
"You're right, that's what friends are for-" Hyejin picked up a piece of tripe and placed it on Namjoon's plate, glancing up at Namjoon with a grateful smile on her face. "For both good food, and for good talks."
-•-•-
Taehyung absolutely slayed his audition.
He absolutely nailed the role so much so that Yoongi, who was clearly extremely critical of him, couldn't even make a single complaint when he was done.
"Wah, daebak..." Jennie clapped her hands excitedly. "That was amazing... Oppa! Since when have you gotten so good at acting? I thought you were just good at singing and dancing but it turns out you're good at acting too... What are you not good at?"
"Ah, you're praising me too much..." Taehyung laughed as he took his seat, glancing briefly at Yoongi. "I'm getting a little shy."
"Oppa, don't you think it was great?" Jennie prodded Yoongi in the arm. "He exceeded your expectations, didn't he?"
"He was... pretty alright," Yoongi finally managed as he glanced at Taehyung condescendingly. "For how long have you been acting?"
"Well..." Taehyung thought for a while. "I have done minor acting in my music videos and some CF shoots. But I haven't had any role in an official drama before, so this will be my first."
"And it'll be the lead role?" Yoongi glanced at Jennie. "If he doesn't have experience on set, it'll be very difficult for him. Right now, he's just acting in front three people... but acting in front of a camera will be much, much harder."
"But you said he was good!" Jennie argued with her eyebrows furrowed. "You were left in awe after he acted too! And he has so much experience in front of the camera! I don't think it'll be a problem - am I right, Taehyung-oppa?"
"Mmhmm!" Taehyung looked at Yoongi with an earnest look on his face. "I spoke to my sajang-nim earlier about this role and I told him how keen I was - he told me he had faith in me and that he was sure I'd do well. I may not be that experienced, but I will definitely give it my best shot, Min PD-nim!"
"Giving it your best shot is not enough," Yoongi said as his fingers traced the side of the table mindlessly. "You need to be good."
"I am good, Min PD-nim!" Taehyung exclaimed confidently. "I can show you with my skill. Please trust me this once! This is something I have always wanted to have the opportunity to try... I promise that I will not let you down!"
Yoongi thought for a while more, as Jennie watched on nervously. "You know that memorising lines for a drama will be much harder than memorising lines for a song, right?"
"I am aware."
"And simply memorising it isn't enough," Yoongi said sternly. "Delivery is so important. Your audition stage earlier was under 2 minutes... but in a drama itself, one single scene of yours can last even up to 10, 15 minutes. Are you confident that you can convey the same level of energy and emotion throughout?"
"Yes, PD-nim," Taehyung said with a firm nod. "I am confident that I can do that."
"It is a whole different ballgame from being a singer, I'm telling you-" Yoongi carried on, sounding and looking extremely serious. "Being a singer just requires you to sing and dance on stage - once you're off, you can be who you want to be... who you really are. But acting is different. Acting requires you to constantly be in the frame of mind of your character - you need to be able to snap in and out immediately, which is difficult. And that is why, many experienced actors and actresses adapt their lives around their current role. Are you able to make such sacrifices and adjustments just to take on this role?"
Taehyung did not hesitate. "Yes, PD-nim."
"I like you, Taehyung-ssi," Yoongi finally said as he got to his feet, pushing the contract across the table. "I don't know how much of your promises you keep, but you have this inextinguishable passion and drive in you that I am looking for. I look forward to working with you."
Taehyung's entire face lit up, as he first glanced at Jennie in disbelief, then at Wheein, who slapped him on the shoulder happily as he jumped to his feet, shaking Yoongi's hand excitedly.
"I won't let you down, Min PD-nim!" Taehyung beamed from ear to ear. "I'm looking forward to working with you and Jennie!"
Jennie grinned as she gave Taehyung a high-five. "See? I knew you could do it!"
Yoongi grunted a little as he took his seat.
-•-•-
"Hyung, what's our next schedule?"
"Huh?" Seokjin glanced at Jungkook through the rear-view mirror. "There's no more schedules for tonight."
Jungkook sighed as he rested his head against the car window, his eyes closed. "It's only 9 plus though?"
"It's already 9 plus though?"
"Fine, whatever-" Jungkook sighed. "My head hurts, hyung. Let's go home."
Seokjin released the brakes. "Right on it."
"Hold on-" Jungkook's eyes fluttered open as he glanced out of his window. "On second thoughts, hyung- let's not go home."
Seokjin frowned. "You said your head hurts, where else do you wanna go?"
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Jungkook looked at Seokjin and smiled a little. "Let's go grab a drink."
Seokjin sighed. "It sure has been quite a long time since we last drank together. Let's go."
Seokjin's car zoomed off, amidst the rain that kept getting heavier and heavier. It was 10pm by the time they finally arrived at the bar they often frequented and settled down with a few bottles of soju.
"Wah..." Seokjin looked around the bar as Jungkook poured them some soju. "We haven't been here in over a year, I think... but it's just like before."
"Mm, it sure is," Jungkook said distractedly, barely even looking around him. "Here, hyung."
The two of them clinked their glasses together and downed their first shots in one gulp.
"Ah... it's nice-" Seokjin chuckled as he watched Jungkook refill his glass. "I remember the first time we came here together seven years ago. Back then, it was with all the other trainees, remember? Wah... that was such a long time ago, but back then you were already such a brat."
Jungkook looked up at Seokjin, glaring at him.
"What? It's true." Seokjin laughed as he picked up his shot glass. "You were really rude to me. People think you're rude now, but to me, you've softened up so much. You were one angsty teenager back then."
Jungkook cocked his head to a side, eyeing Seokjin cynically. "Are you gonna drink or...?"
"See?" Seokjin sniggered softly as he downed his shot in one swift motion. "You just proved me right."
Jungkook was drinking silently, two times of Seokjin's pace, and it was then that Seokjin realised... he came here to get wasted today.
"Hey, slow down-" Seokjin grabbed Jungkook by his wrist before he could down his fifth shot of that night. "If you're gonna drink like that, you might as well drink directly from the bottle itself."
Jungkook hesitated, before picking up the soju bottle at once.
"Ya!" Seokjin hurriedly snatched the bottle from Jungkook's grasp. "I didn't mean literally! I'm telling you to slow down, JK."
"Let me drink."
"Drink slowly, I'm here to drink with you today-" Seokjin said as he poured him and Jungkook one more glass each before pressing on the buzzer on their table. "Ajumma! Two pints of beer, please!"
"Why are you ordering beer?" Jungkook frowned. "I didn't ask for it."
"To slow you down." Seokjin rolled his eyes. "Drink slowly please, JK. I don't want to have to carry you on my back all the way home later."
Jungkook pursed his lips as he downed yet another shot and had a bite of some dried squid.
"Fine."
-•-•-
"I know everything now."
Yoongi looked up at Jennie as they entered the lift to their apartment building later that day. "What?"
"I know everything," Jennie said with a small grin. "I know why you were acting so weird today."
Yoongi raised his eyebrows. "Why?"
"You were acting weird for the entire day..." Jennie narrowed her eyes. "Firstly, you weren't nervous at all because you said you could do without him. Secondly, when you met him, you grabbed his hand so tight I thought his blood flow to his hand was gonna be completely cut off. Thirdly, you acted all nonchalant even when it was clear that you were impressed. Lastly, you threw 101 questions in his direction before you finally accepted him. You made it so freaking difficult for him to become my costar. And there's only one reason for this."
Yoongi inhaled sharply. "What?"
"The reason is..." Jennie took a step towards Yoongi and he backed up against the wall, smirking knowingly. "It is..."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Yoongi's eyes widened as he pressed his hands back into the lift wall.
"It's obviously..." Jennie grinned. "Professionalism!"
Yoongi deflated at once. "Hm?"
"You were so cool today, don't you think?" Jennie took a step back, a dreamy smile spreading across her face as she recalled the day's events. "I always knew you were cool and good at your job, but seeing you talk all technical with Taehyung-oppa today... ah, really! My respect for you has just gone up another level! No wonder you weren't nervous at all... You took almost a decade long break but you're back even stronger than before, this drama is gonna be such a hit!"
Yoongi could only chuckle and nod along.
Ding!
The lift door opened and Jennie and Yoongi walked out into the hallway on their floor.
"Ah... Now we have me and Taehyung-oppa all set-" Jennie chirped. "Who shall we cast next? Shall we post an audition advertisement? What's the next step?"
"Jennie-ya."
"Ah..." Jennie carried on, completely oblivious. "I should call Jeongyeon-ie for help tomorrow."
"Jennie-ya!"
"She's really good at thi-" Jennie finally heard Yoongi and spun around at once. "Huh?"
Yoongi laughed as he pointed at the door next to him. "Your apartment is right here, where are you going?"
Jennie looked slightly disconcerted in the moment as she spun around on the spot, wondering how on earth she had completely walked past her door. She let out a sheepish laugh before wobbling her way back to join Yoongi.
"Ah, silly me-" Jennie laughed as she looked up at Yoongi. "I'm always so clumsy..."
"You're right-" Yoongi chuckled as he ruffled her hair a little. "You seem to get pretty absorbed in your thoughts easily, don't you? That time at the restaurant, you didn't even know I was the one who cut up your steak for you."
"Oh-? Really?" Jennie's eyes widened as she heard this fact for the very first time, and she burst into laughter. "Ah... yeah, how could it be that the restaurant served it like that? It doesn't make sense. I always seem to embarrass myself around you, oppa... I don't do such things around anyone else but you, maybe it's because I like you too much..."
Yoongi's face turned beet red, his heart speeding up a little as Jennie slowly glanced up at him.
"Ah, sorry, my mistake-" Jennie chuckled awkwardly, looking away as she ruffled her hair a little. "I promised not to say such things to you anymore..."
"It's okay, it's alright to make mistakes sometimes."
Jennie looked up, her eyes meeting Yoongi's for a brief moment. "Huh?"
"I said it's okay," Yoongi said without a smile, as he slid his hands into his pockets nervously, avoiding Jennie's gaze. "You can say that now and then."
"That?" Jennie swallowed hard, her voice trembling a little. "Say that, as in... what?"
"That, as in..." Yoongi swallowed hard, his eyes wavering before they slowly fixated on Jennie once more.
"I like you."