Ex-Idol's Role Afterwards

Prologue: Nice to See You Again

In a quiet cafe in Seoul, the door swung open with a slight jingle a young man entered. A few eyes peer over to him as he walked by, but with a cap and a a face mask, it was only thinkable that he was a celebrity. His good proportions and muted, yet fashionable appearance was very eye catching and would people look back twice. Sitting down at a corner, the view blocked by a partition, it raised a few eyes. The onlookers wondered if this celebrity was on a date.

"Hyung... it's been a long time." He said as he sat down.

Pulling down his mask, it revealed the face of an cute teen heartthrob whose youthful face with a hint of manliness made him popular with netizens. He gave a smile as he looked at the person across from him. The person looked up from his phone, showing off an angular yet smooth face that suited a old chic city romance movie, and put his phone down. He smiled back lightly casually, barely curving his lips up into a smile.

"Mm. It's been nearly half a year, right, Wonho?"

Wonho pulled closer, staring at his body, before grabbing his shoulders gently and gave a look of concern. "You look so pale and thin. Taejin... should I take you out for dinner every night from now on?"

Taejin patted Wonho's hand before sliding it off him gently. "I'm doing just fine. I'm more curious about you. Haven't you been traveling around the country for your movie?"

"Ah, it's been really busy. It's always filming, moving, filming, moving, sleep. It's the first movie as the main lead, I'm so nervous. Filming ended just last week, but I'm glad that we are able to meet. I'll be seeing the others later tomorrow."

"Wonho... you've always done your best in everything you've done, so unless our upcoming best male actor isn't Wonho, you'll do great. You liked the script, the directors, and the actors involved, so, you'll become really successful once it releases."

Wonho laughed slightly. "You really think so?"

"Of course. You always liked acting, haven't you?"

Wonho leaned his elbows against the table and propped his head in between and looked at Taejin.

"And you? You love singing, yet you're working as a sales rep for a medium-sized company. I can just tell by how you are that you had to drink last night for one of your clients, right?" Wonho spoke in his usual friendly drawl that had a hint of annoyance in it.

Taejin scoffed and curved his lips up. "If singing actually earned me any money, we wouldn't have disbanded. We wouldn't have wasted seven years on a failed group and those that could become famous would have much sooner and those that couldn't, wouldn't be in huge debt because of them."

Wonho sighed and lifted his head up and leaned back into the chair and folded his arms.

"Hyung... I said that I would pay it back for you. I really don't want you riddled with debt and interest. Isn't it easier to pay me back later than to suffer because you don't want to owe me anything?"

Taejin looked at him with a serious expression as he leaned his body forward slightly, resting his arm against the table and clenched his fist.

"Once I get the end-of-year bonus and stay in the top three for sales, I'll be done with the company. I won't have to speak to them anymore, hear their name anymore, or see those characters ever again in my life." Taejin spoke in a low voice, however it couldn't hide the frustration in his tone.

Wonho pressed his lips together. "Fine. You can do it your way. I just wanted to help you now that I'm in the position to be able to help everyone. Seungwoo is finding his way into variety shows and is a regular on a popular program, and Inseong working hard as a model. And, Hamin is working hard as a composer for online celebrities. I wanted to see you first because you're the only one that decided to leave the entertainment world for good."

Taejin nodded his head slowly. "I loved being on stage in front of the cameras, but I didn't like the past me. I ended up deciding to join a small company in hopes of debuting quickly because I was confident in my ability to get us famous quickly. I got us halfway with CFs, magazine shoots, and fan cams, but it wasn't enough. We weren't selling and we tried to stay as an idol group. Perhaps if you put effort into acting and Seungwoo focused on variety shows, we would be in a different place. But the world was not that kind and we lost. I just need to keep my head down low, smile, and make money."

Wonho held onto his hands and moved his fingers slightly, licking his lips. "I didn't come here to talk about all of this. I just wanted to see you again and talk like always. But, I guess it's difficult after not seeing each other for a while."

Taejin heaved a sigh, narrowing his shoulders as he pressed his hands into his knees and looked down. "I'm sorry about how I'm acting. I got too worked up and everything. Bringing up the past just brings too much regret and I'm always spiteful whenever I think of it. I'm not directing this at you specifically. It also doesn't help that I drank last night and I still have a hangover."

Wonho smiling knowingly. "I know. We've known each other for more than a decade."

Taejin pushed his hair back with his hand and looked up at him. "It really shouldn't excuse my actions in the end. I'm glad to see you, though. You seem much more happier."

Wonho laughed slightly before opening his mouth to speak. Before he could, another voice came out first.

"Um, excuse me..." Wonho turned his head to the right and looked at a young woman that looked around the age of a college student with bright dyed blond hair. "You don't happen to be Jung Wonho?"

Wonho smiled widely and laughed slightly, embarrassed. "Yes, I am. I can't allow pictures though."

The woman shook her head nervously, pressing her lips together. "No... that's alright. I was wondering if you could sign my notebook."

"Oh, of course, I'll do that. What's your name?"

As the woman fumbled around with her bag, she spoke in a soft voice. "So Dayoung."

Taejin, who was looking away, suddenly turned his head towards the two.

"Ah... that's a very unique last name. I don't hear that often." Wonho laughed slightly before taking the pen from her. "Where did you hear about me?"

"Oh, well... it was in Studio X."

"Ah... I'm surprised. I was only a supporting role. But I should be thankful that you decided to become a fan after such a small role."

She shook her head as she was handed back her notebook. "No... it's because you're really talented and stand out by your whole being. Um, and good luck with your movie, and I won't tell anyone about your date!"

Wonho's face expression contorted slightly as he heard the shocking statement.

Taejin looked at her and spoke in a slightly lazy tone. "We aren't dating. I would never date a member of my group."

Dayoung showed a shocked expression and looked over at Taejin. "Eh... Wonho-sshi was part of an idol group?"

Wonho laughed slightly, however it was a bit robotic as he was still recovering from her statement. "Ah, yes I was. We disbanded a while ago. This guy isn't in the entertainment business anymore, so that's why I didn't want any pictures."

Dayoung's face reddened as she became flustered. "No... I'm really sorry about that. I shouldn't have assumed..."

"No, it's fine. Well, I hope you the best, So Dayoung, and have a wonderful rest of your day."

Dayoung bowed deeply. "Yes, thank you for letting me have a signature. Have a good day!"

As she fled, Taejin's eyes followed her back until she quickly disappeared.

Wonho smiled as he watched Taejin's eyes. "What? Are you suddenly interested in younger girls?"

Taejin's eyes then swept back to meet Wonho's. "No. I was reminded of a coworker of mine. Her name is So Damin. They don't look too similar, though."

"Who knows. She was wearing makeup and had dyed hair. It would be a funny coincidence, wouldn't it?"

Taejin frowned. "No. Not really."