Did Someone Say Kpop

Kim Chunja

It was the name printed on her ID card.

It was her name, yes. But it should not be there.

She did not want this slip of plastic that hung loosing from the black string around her neck. It felt more like a noose than a necklace, and the ID was her passport to hell.

She looked up at the tall building in front of her. So many rooms. So many people. So much work. So little time. And she was right in the middle of it

Pledis Entertainment.

The name was written on the side of the building as well as across the top of the badge. And here she was. A rival of this company, the daughter of an SM Entertainment manager. After spending 12 years of her life with the company she was now working for someone else. And she did not like it one bit.

With a sigh, she pushed her way through the heavy doors to the building.

She followed the directions she had been given in her head. Head for the elevators. Go to floor 3. Walk to the room at the end of the hallway. Open the door. Make a right. Arrive.

Inside awaited one man. He stood proud and tall as he stared at the city outside. Just as she closed the door he slowly turned around.

"Mr. Han" She bowed lightly, unsure of how to act in this situation. Should she be happy for her new job? Or should she curse the ground the man walks on?

Mr Han nodded to the girl and walked over to the lounge that sat near the window. "Come sit, Mrs. Kim." He said and motioned to the other end of the sofa.

The girl looked to the door, her only means of escape, then look to the man on the couch. Her only hope of making her father happy rested in his hands. She reluctantly walked over and sat herself down on the other arm of the seat.

Mr. Han was silent for a second. He just watched the bustling people on the streets as they ran about.

Chunja tried to see what he was so focused on but it seemed like nothing popped out to her.

"You have been in this line of work for quite sometime. Haven't you Mrs. Kim?" He asked.

The woman watched as a yellow taxi picked up a man who seemed to be in a hurry before rushing off. "I grew up in this line of work Mr. Han. I have ever since I was eight years old." She said

Mr. Han looked pleased with her answer. "Good. I think someone like you is just what we need."

"In return for my silence towards your family's secret, you are to serve under my company." He said the words as if it was any ordinary business deal. But it wasn't. Chunja was sighing her life away if she chose to work with this man. But then again... if she didn't she was destroying her fathers life.

"I understand the terms of our agreement Mr. Han. I have reviewed the contract and can recite it as if it were on the back of my hand." She pulled a thick booklet of paper out of her backpack and held it in her hands.

The contract. It strangely felt like a boulder weighed in her palms opposed to stack of ink and paper.

"Then you've read the many rules and regulations that come with the position. As in. You yourself will be living as an idol." He said the word so nonchalantly it almost seemed like what he was saying made sense.

Chunja swallowed the lump in her throat before looking away. "Yes."

Mr. Han seemed pleased. "I am glad you have chosen to accept our terms Mr. Kim. Now there is only one thing left for you to do." He reached into his breast pocket to reveal a red pen. It was embroidered with a gold metal and the point of it looked sharp enough to cut.

He handed the pen over to Chunja without saying a word. "You're job with be to look after 13 young boys. They can't seem to keep one manager for longer than 6 months. With your signature we could change that." He placed the pen in her hand. It felt strangely light as opposed to the paper in her hands. "You've basically did the same job while watching over 11 men before. Imagine this as your last job but with two more boys and the title."

Chunja stared at the signature line. In one motion, without giving herself time to think. She had sold her soul to the devil. In exchange for her untarnished family name.

Mr. Han smiled widely.