make em' laugh

“no bahamas. maybe bali, though. i’ve always thought it looked nice,” he said with a tiny smile

“run, king, and don’t look back~ just make sure to come back like... once. empire will have a comeback stage someday that you’ll need to be present for,” he laughed

“i guess i need to learn to take myself less seriously,” lia laughed, rolling her eyes. “those tips are all well and good, but i always freeze up and wonder if i look like an ass or not. without fail.”

“yeah, but i promise you, everyone looks like an ass at some point. even the mcs,” jaemi told her. “they’ll edit it out. or they’ll edit it to make it funny. and that last part is sick if you don’t take yourself too seriously because it organically creates really great moments.”

“that’s…really solid advice,” aeri admitted. “thank you. it gives me something to work towards instead of just feeling hopeless.”

“nothing’s hopeless, aeri. it feels sucky right now, but you’re talented. you got a fanbase. it’s only a matter of time and hard work.”

“three years, with a three year extension after the first two years,” she answered with a tiny sigh. “so i have about two years to go.”

“use this time to make connections then,” jaemi insisted encouragingly. “start working on stuff-- songs, choreo. and then when you leave, use those connections to find a better label, and you’ll have material to get out of the gates hot.”

“i don’t know. it’s just so cringey. i don’t know how to like…….not feel like i’m making a huge ass of myself. like, i don’t take myself seriously, but i also know that i’m a heavily tattooed metalhead in a space for cute uwu kpop girls.”

“i think.....everyone looks stupid on those shows, so like...accepting that is the first step,” jaemi began, rubbing his chin. “you really need to like...forget the cameras are there and have a good time with the hosts and your group. like fuck what you look like, or being to image conscious-- do stuff that makes you smile, and build a rapport with everyone else. it comes off a lot more natural.”

“i.. didn’t think of that,” he admitted with a tiny frown. “i was about to say something about jisung being wildly more popular than me, and he is, but eyes nose lips…….i guess i’ve probably bought myself some time.”

“yeah, no, you had the biggest song of this year probably. and you were on itaewon freedom too. you could probably move to the bahamas on no notice and higher would let you.”

maybe it was silly to take notes during an actual conversation with his brother, but that’s just what kyu did– he wanted more than anything to do these trainees right, and jaemi could help him do that. “that’s really helpful,” he retorted. “i’m the image coach. i have to say, i’m a little concerned. because i know how to be a male idol and what that entails, but there are differences with being a female idol. to suggest otherwise is stupid. and i don’t want to let the trainees down and not be able to speak to their experiences too.”

“i mean...if you’re worried about that, talk to giselle or someone. or honestly? talk to sora. she’d know,” jaemi pointed out. “but most of what you’re judging them for is pretty universal. like...specific instances may not be in your wheelhouse, but general rules? you have that on lock.”

“yeah, i guess it couldn’t hurt to learn some of your tricks. being on those shows is kind of your job now, isn’t it?”

“i mean, my official title is comedian, but yeah. i’ve been the main weekly idol mc for a few months now,” he laughed. “what do you think you struggle with the most?”

“yeah… i suppose that would be a huge deterrant. it’s sad, though– i’ve heard you sing. you’d do great solo. just like i’d be a great dancer if they let me do what people like yein get to do.”

“maybe it’s time to reevaluate your options, then? how long was the contract you signed for?” jaemi asked, nudging her slightly (verbally. he wasnt touching her, just telling her to do something)

“everyone keeps saying that, but i have genuinely no idea,” he admitted. “maybe i’m just stuck with the radioactive mindset, but i signed a contract. i’d imagine higher would want to get the most out of it they an.”

“maybe, man, but i don’t think higher is like that. they seem a lot more...grass roots. for the artists, you know? they let jisung do whatever the fuck he wants. they’d probably let you do the same.”

“Hey, the tactic seems to work pretty effectively for the most part,” Hyunsik responded.

“i… thank you,” jinjoo responded, turning bright red. “i don’t know about lucky. i think i’m the real lucky one here…”

“you’re both lucky. you helped step in and save a struggling group, and they helped solidify your career. it’s symbiotic.”

“i wish it hadn’t blown up like it did– higher’s going to want me to do more,” daeseok replied with a long-suffering sigh. “i was tryign to slow my career down, not make it explode.”

“that’s just your fault for having the voice of an angel, man,” jaemi countered, shaking his head with a laugh. “i mean, you have all the power, don’t you? you’re a veteran soloist, with a ton of pull. if you want to slow down, the success of a good song shouldn’t negate that.”