The Idol who can't smile

Chapter 16.

The spotlights were bright as I stood on the stage. In front of me were the cameras and the audience, and I could feel the excitement in the air. The interviewer, a friendly lady with a smile on her face, began the conversation.

"Hello and welcome! We have a very special guest with us today - Y/n from Newjeans! It's great to have you here," the interviewer announced with a smile, turning to face me. The interview was conducted in English, as not everyone knew that I spoke German.

I smiled and bowed politely. "Hello! Thank you, I'm very happy to be here," I replied in English. The interviewer made an inviting gesture, and we sat down on the comfortable red chairs.

"Let's dive right in. You are widely known as a K-Pop star. How did you get into music, and how did you become an idol?" asked the blonde lady, glancing at her clipboard with a smile on her lips.

My thoughts went back to my childhood in Seoul, the long hours at the piano, and the singing lessons, which I often took at the music store at the end of the street. My father had always forbidden me from making music. I began to tell the story of how I was discovered in my hometown and how my passion for music developed.

"That sounds exciting! However, you were born and raised in Korea. How is it for you to be in Germany for the first time? Can you speak any German yet?" asked the blonde lady, laughing a bit. She placed her hand briefly on my knee before returning it to her clipboard.

I felt the excitement as I talked about my mother, who was German. "This is actually my first time in Germany, and it's an exciting experience. It almost feels like a sort of homecoming... and yes, I can speak German," I replied with a smile on my face. The interviewer looked at me, amused.

"Well, then show us your German skills," she said, clearly amused. She switched to the German language, looking at the camera and mentioning that subtitles would be provided. She then turned back to me and asked the next question in German.

"Impressive! Are there artists or music genres that particularly inspire you?" she asked, genuinely interested. Her legs were crossed as she looked at me with a smile. I smiled as well.

"To be honest, there are quite a few. Of course, my seniors from Hybe, but also Mamamoo and Itzy. But when it comes to Western music, it's definitely Adele and Taylor Swift. I lean more towards the melodramatic side of music," I said with a light laugh. I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter. Somehow... I didn't feel very comfortable in this interview.

"Those are really great singers. So, you're more into female empowerment, huh?" the blonde woman asked. Her blue eyes stared directly into mine, making me a bit nervous. Her foot lightly touched my leg, and she didn't seem to move it. It made me quite uneasy.

"You have a huge fan base that supports you. How do you view your connection with your fans?" she asked. I didn't like her tone. Why did it seem like she was trying to flirt?

A smile spread across my face as I talked about my fans. "My fans mean everything to me," I replied, briefly looking at the camera and making a finger heart. This made the woman laugh, and shortly afterward, I felt her hand on my knee again. Surprised, I looked at my manager. He seemed to have noticed it too and appeared to be talking to the show's director.

I cleared my throat. "I always try to make time for my fans, whether I'm on my way somewhere, during concerts, TikTok reels, or just going live. I dedicate all my time to my fans," I added with a smile. The blonde woman hummed with interest and glanced at her clipboard.

"Are there any new projects or surprises in the near future that your fans can look forward to?" the older woman asked, raising her eyebrows. "You can tell me, right?" she said, trying to be funny. Her hand was back on my knee. This time, I turned my knee in the other direction, but I still had a smile on my face.