Chances

Chapter 2: Song Hyejin

On nearly the opposite side of the world, Min Yoongi, Kim Seokjin, and Park Jimin were sitting around a table with the CEO of Hybe Corporation Bang Shiyuk, discussing about the production of their next upcoming album.

The members of BTS had suggested they spearhead the production process as they did with many of their albums before. Only this time they had wanted to be in charge of the photoshoot as well instead of producing the music video only. Bang PD-nim, as they liked to refer to him, had instantaneously agreed, with the reason being that he had complete trust in them to create the album and all its parts, justice.

A string of other meetings and workshops on production work had led them to their final meeting before the start of production, Bang PD-nim had called on them to finalize their plans. Seokjin and Yoongi leading the presentation deck, discussing timelines, themes, the roles of each member, and what they've accomplished so far.  Bang PD still had questions for like what was their estimated budget, will they be hiring crew members, when will recruitment begin, have they listened to all the completed tracks of the album, and as if it had just occurred to him wondered where Namjoon was and why Jimin was here instead of him.

Jimin had been there for support.

And Namjoon as Seokjin explained was in New York with Taehyung recruiting their photographer. Yoongi further explained that Namjoon had recently read an article about Reyna Lee, a young and upcoming photographer who's photo filled the page with so much soul, so much passion, and feelings that they just had to have her. Seokjin then answered the rest of Bang PD's questions clarifying that the budget would depend on the crew Reyna wanted to hire since, like Namjoon read, she was very specific about the people she worked with and that if she didn't agree they'll just look for another photographer no problem.

Turns out Reyna Lee didn't do editorial shoots. Namjoon called the number referred to by the art gallery he and Taehyung went to  in order to contact Reyna Lee but the person he was apparently speaking to was the assistant of a friend of Reyna's. The assistant explained that Miss Lee didn't like being contacted directly and that her boss Hyejin Song would serve as the mediator between the two parties. She had asked for more details so she could inform Miss Song later and upon hearing photoshoot the assistant cut him off telling him "She's a landscape photographer, she wouldn't agree to editorial or commercial shoots." Even so, she had said "I'll still pass the message to Miss Song, she's an editorial photographer at a shoot right now as we speak, she might possibly agree to do it in Miss Lee's stead." After thanking her, Namjoon sighed as he hung up the phone. 'So much for getting Reyna Lee.' he thought.

Not knowing what to do after the phone call he decided to face time Yoongi, to update him on what was going on. "Apparently, she won't do editorial shoots, she's 'landscape photographer'" he had said in quote after exchanging pleasantries with the older member. Yoongi was suggesting how they needed to find back ups in case she declined, which seemed very probable at this point. Namjoon brought up Miss Song, who wasn't a terrible second choice, he searched around for her and found her official Instagram account full of pictures from Time, Vogue, Elle, other big magazine brands and a few of her own non-magazine based portraits. 

Unlike Reyna Lee's photographs were filled with color, different garments and textures and tones dancing around each of her subjects faces and body. She had albums upon albums of ordinary people each looking raw- as human as the camera could possibly portray them, highlighting their flaws and figures, ultimately creating delicate and euphoric photographs. Opposite to Lee's dark, depressing but beautiful photos, this Hyejin Song captured lightness in her film that undoubtedly made you cry from how painfully joyous her subjects were. Not exactly the emotion they wanted to cover for their album, but something equally heart wrenching that she could just pull it off.

After updating each other and saying their goodbyes, Namjoon closed his eyes breathing for a few moments acknowledging how tired he had been. He was still a little bit jetlagged from the plane ride and wanted nothing to more to collapse onto bed by the time they got to New York but had continued on, getting all that he needed to do while he was there. He was about to drift into sleep without meaning to when the hotel door opened exposing a Kim Taehyung holding bags of food.

Laying out the containers filled with burgers and pizzas, French fries and hotdogs, and even churros and chocolate chip cookies for dessert, Namjoon got off the couch and approached the table diving into the delicious wagyu beef burger Taehyung just bought. The latter asked how'd the call go and Namjoon reiterated what he said saying he's already talked to Yoongi as well. Just as Taehyung was about to respond Namjoon's phone went off indicating he had a call. 

Dropping his burger and chugging a bottle of water on his way to his phone, silently praying he wouldn't miss the call in case it was important, he reached for it and clicked answer before swallowing and taking a breath. After saying 'Hello' there was dead silence on the other end of the line he tried again "Hello? Anyone there?" Still no reply. He checked the caller ID and saw that it had been someone from Europe, internally panicking and feeling confused tried to ask again "Anyone there?"

He didn't expect to be met with a British accent, well a very sometimes there sometimes not, British accent as the other person finally spoke back "Terribly sorry, I was in the tube and connection went a bit fuzzy. This is Hyejin Song." She sounded more stern than he'd imagine, not quite as joyful as the pictures she took. "I'd really like to meet you Mr. Kim, is it? As well as your other band members if that's alright. I'm quite a fan and would be very willing to photograph you all but I understand you rung me for Reyna, correct?" She spoke fast and with her accent he couldn't really understand her much, but he understood Reyna so he led with that. 

"Yes Reyna Lee, we were hoping she could be our photographer for our next album release."

"I see, I'm quite devastated you didn't think of asking me but well it's Reyna understandable. But look I'm sure my assistant already told you she doesn't do editorial shoots and if I brought this up she'd surely have my bum, you understand?" Frankly, he didn't but nodded otherwise.

Realizing she couldn't see him he let out a small "Yes, I do." The line was quiet. Namjoon not knowing exactly what to say next and Hyejin Song not piping in either. With the lack of voice and the sound of London's street hitting the mic, it instead picked up on a locked door being unlocked with a few press of buttons. Once she was in she began to speak again "Well if that's all and I can't persuade you to have me instead, I guess this is goodbye Mr. Kim. Tata." Before she could end the call Namjoon yelled 'wait' in Korean before panicking again realizing she might not understand but to his surprise she quipped with "네,여보세요?" (yes, hello?) in perfect Korean.

"You can speak Korean?" He questioned in his native tongue, no longer flustered or panicked, but relieved. To which she replied "Yes, I'm Korean." And for the first time, her tone lightened, amusement rolling off her response. And so they conversed that way, her explaining what she had said and Namjoon being delighted to come meet her and possibly get her on board, forgetting all about Reyna Lee. However, Hyejin had to apologize since she was stuck in London for another week to finish up work and embarrassingly asked the talented rapper to fly to her if he could. As he mentioned, they urgently needed to assemble a crew since production were to begin in two weeks time so he had to get back to Korea the following day but to not worry since "Jin hyung and Jimin could meet with you instead." to which Hyejin replied to with an "Excellent!" And proceeded to email you her contact details and current residence.