Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

Language Barrier Blues (Junhui)

Junhui had always prided himself on being adaptable. Moving to Korea as a teenager, navigating a new language, and stepping into the chaotic world of K-pop hadn't been easy, but he worked tirelessly to fit in. Over the years, his Korean had improved exponentially, though there were still moments where he hesitated, wondering if his words were coming out right or if he'd unintentionally said something strange.

For the most part, he masked his insecurities well, laughing off slip-ups and leaning on the other members when he needed help. But every now and then, the doubt crept in, whispering that no matter how hard he tried, he'd never fully belong.

The latest Seventeen comeback had been nothing short of a whirlwind—photoshoots, performances, interviews, and lives stacked one after the other. Despite the chaos, Junhui loved the energy of promotions, the chance to connect with fans, and the sense of camaraderie among his members. But today, that joy had been overshadowed by a mistake that felt like a punch to his confidence.

The group was midway through a live interview, the kind where hosts fired rapid questions, and the members answered in turn. Everything had been going smoothly until the host turned to Junhui.

"Junhui-ssi," she said with a bright smile, "what was the most challenging part of preparing for this comeback?"

Junhui hesitated, his mind scrambling to translate the question. In his nervousness, he misheard one of the key words, thinking she was asking about the funniest moment instead. He laughed, sharing a lighthearted anecdote about a prank Dino had pulled during practice.

The host's confused expression sent a ripple of unease through the room. Seungkwan, ever quick on his feet, stepped in to clarify, steering the conversation back on track.

Though the interview continued without further hiccups, Junhui's cheeks burned with embarrassment. He barely registered the rest of the questions, replaying the mistake in his mind like a broken record.

When they returned to the van after the schedule, Junhui stayed quiet, pretending to scroll through his phone. A quick glance at social media only worsened his mood. Clips of the interview were already circulating, with captions poking fun at his response. Some fans defended him, but others weren't as kind, leaving comments that stung.

"He's been in Korea for so long, and he still can't understand basic questions?"
"How embarrassing for the group."

Each word felt like a jab, reopening insecurities he thought he'd buried long ago.

Over the next few days, Junhui began pulling back. During practice, he stayed on the edges, avoiding unnecessary conversation. In group meetings, he spoke only when directly addressed, his usual playful banter noticeably absent.

At first, the members chalked it up to exhaustion. Promotions were taxing, after all, and everyone was feeling the strain. But as the days stretched on, Junhui's silence became harder to ignore.

"Has anyone else noticed that Jun's been really quiet lately?" Joshua asked one evening as the group gathered in the dorm's living room.

"Yeah," Hoshi said, frowning. "Even during practice, he's not as lively as usual."

"He's barely been eating with us," Mingyu added. "And I haven't heard him crack a joke in days. That's not like him."

Jeonghan leaned back against the couch, his expression thoughtful. "Something's definitely bothering him. We need to figure out what it is."

"Maybe he's homesick," DK suggested.

Seungkwan, who had been unusually quiet, spoke up. "I think it's about the interview."