It is 2015 and Kim Taehyung had just experienced the pressures of being a K-pop idol. His group, BTS, broke through the Korean mainstream media and was enjoying commercial prosperity. But with that success came with a price. To escape the overwhelmi...
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"A bottle of 1997 Hermitage, Paul Jaboulet Aine, 'La Chapelle, ' please," Jung-kook told the server as he skimmed over the wine list.
"For how many guests, sir?" the stone-faced man asked.
"Two glasses would be good," Jung-kook answered.
"Then I suggest you choose something else because this particular dark red comes in an 18-litre container, which translates into 24 traditional bottles," the waiter explained.
"What?????" Min-woo suddenly shouted.
"That's fine," Jung-kook responded, "he's treating" pointing at the man who just yelled.
The server, turning towards Min-woo, informed him: "In case you're not aware, sir, that this bottle is $11,500 Canadian." The attendant paused, waiting for the numbers to register in Min-woo's head. That's like 10 Million South Korean Won!
"Plus taxes," the waiter finished. "Would you like to proceed, sir?"
"HELL NO!" Min-woo shouted as he stood up. "Jung-kook!!!"
"Well, we can always take it home," Jung-kook said, trying to suppress the laughter bubbling inside him.
"For your information, sir," the attendant replied, "the Melchior-sized wine is almost a hundred pounds. And depending on how much you gentlemen drink tonight, would determine if you're able to bring it with you. We do not encourage excessive consumption in our establishment as we still need to make sure our guests arrive home without incident."
Jung-kook put his head back and finally dissolved into laughter. He just glimpsed at Min-woo whose eyes were wide as saucers since he thought about how large a dent in his wallet, this meal would cost him.
"Not funny," Min-woo said scowling, "Are you trying to give me a heart attack? It's like my salary for four months!"
"That's payback for what you put me through earlier today," Jung-kook said between giggles which refused to die down.
"Excuse me, sirs, may I suggest getting the standard bottle, same wine, but circa 1988," the waiter interrupted, hoping that these two men could actually pay for their meal.
"An... and how much is that?" Min-woo asked, afraid to hear the answer.
"$480 Canadian plus tax, sir," the server replied.
Min-woo converted the amount in his head. 400 thousand something Korean won, still a tad expensive, but more reasonable.
"We'll have that instead, thank you," Min-woo said, feeling relieved.
Jung-kook looked at his friend, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead and realized that there were more things in life than Ji-Eun.
