𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘆 || 𝒌𝒑𝒐𝒑 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒊𝒔𝒕 ᴮᵒᵒᵏ ¹ [MAJOR REVISIONS👷]

❝ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀... ❞(✔︎)

[ YEAR < 02 / 21 / 2014 > ]

⎯⎯ ୨ THIRD PERSON'S ୧ ⎯⎯

The chilly morning air from Japan still clung faintly to Kala's skin as she sat quietly in the backseat, flanked by her manager, Jisoo, and her father. The three were heading back to BigHit Entertainment, a place that had recently shifted from just another building to a crossroad of Kala's future. Only two days ago, she had taken home the grand prize at Asia's Street Dancing Competition—a victory that should have felt purely triumphant. Yet beneath her bright smile and quick laughter, there was a quiet turmoil only a handful of people knew about.

Kala, born December 21, 2005, had learned early how to hide her pain—both physical and emotional. Not a soul outside those directly involved, including her, knew about the bruises she skillfully concealed with skin-tone sprays and meticulous body makeup. Her family, friends, even the industry insiders who adored her sunny disposition, saw only the outgoing, dependable young woman she chose to show them.

Outgoing and approachable, Kala was the type of person who could light up a room with her humor and warmth. She was a rare kind of workaholic—one who didn't just meet deadlines but beat them, always ensuring her work was flawless and on time. Being the youngest in her family or circle hadn't stopped her from earning respect; in fact, her ability to impose clear boundaries and demand respect made her a pillar of reliability. At work, she was serious and detail-oriented, laser-focused when needed, but off the clock, she was witty, funny, and full of infectious cheer.

People called her a breath of fresh air in the ruthless world of K-pop, where competition often bred jealousy, insecurity, and harshness. Kala wasn't afraid to speak her mind and offer blunt, honest critiques—always with the intention of lifting others up, not tearing them down. "Respect begets respect," she often said, a mantra she lived by even when the industry's pressure threatened to crush confidence instead of nurturing it.

Two days before this morning, BigHit's CEO, Bang PD, had called her Manager Jisoo with a proposal—to meet with Kala about a possible contract. It was the first time Kala seriously entertained the idea of signing with a company, especially one that housed her brother Jihyun and his group. After discussing it quietly with her parents and Jihyun, everyone had agreed to support whatever decision she made.

Now, with the city awakening outside the car window, Kala wrestled with her nerves. Becoming a performance director wasn't something she had ever planned. Until June 2013, when her brother debuted, the thought of joining an entertainment company—even as a choreographer—had never crossed her mind. And yet here she was, about to meet Bang PD for what could be a life-changing offer.