Accidental Love

Chapter 7

That next morning, it had all hit me, all at once. I am in tears of joy. All the time I spent waiting, I might have waivered here and there, but for the most part, I stayed loyal to Bang Chan. I cannot believe what fate was able to do. It had brought two long distance lovers back together after years and years of waiting. Before Bang Chan left for work, he paused for a moment, seeing me crying in his room.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Bang Chan asked.
"Oh, nothing. I'm just so happy. I'm really here, in Seoul, with the love of my life. About to experience something I've been waiting for the past decade." I said.
"We have something special planned for you. You are going to collab with Stray Kids!" Bang Chan exclaimed.
"What? Like right now? I'm not even ready yet." I said.
"Well, take a shower, and our stylists will fit you to our concept. You're going to feature on a special version of Phobia." Bang Chan said.
"No way, I love that song. So, who's part am I doing?" I asked.
"I wrote a new part for you that you will sing yourself." Bang Chan said.
"Oh my gosh, you're so talented." I said.
"Why, thank you. I've been thinking a lot about you these past years, and I've come up with the perfect part for you to fit into this version." Bang Chan said.
"Can't wait." I said.

I hopped into the shower and did my regular morning routine. Then, once I was ready, Bang Chan leads me to the recording studio where hits have been created by Stray Kids, and the legends who came before them. I am pulled out of the studio to be styled by professional makeup artists and hairstylists. This is a whole new experience that I have never had before. The way Koreans do makeup is much less bolder than in the US. It has a much softer look. For those more darker concepts, they are willing to tap into bolder looks. For this concept, we'll be following the God's Menu concept. With scars and really cool makeup and hair. Once my look was finished, I take a look in the mirror. I look like a completely different person, wow. I was even given prescription lenses to wear, which I was a little scared to try, but once they were in, they felt like nothing, so it's okay.

We are actually filming my part first. I wasn't expecting Phobia to ever have a music video, but since this is a special version, featuring me, then I guess they wanted to film something. I meet up with the rest of Stray Kids and we start going over the plans for today. They told me how cool I look. I read over my part in the song. Half of it is in Korean and half in English, I think with some coaching, I can actually get through this. The members help me read my Korean lyrics, going over the pronounciation and everything. Reading the Korean lyrics is hard at first, but after going over it a couple times, I'm starting to get the hang of it. When I feel ready, it's time to record my part. The instrumental plays in the background and I lip sync, trying to have a strong facial expression. Stray Kids also coached me on how I should look on camera and on stage. I took note of this and put it into action.
"Okay, perfect. Cut!" The director said.
"Was that good?" I asked.
"Like a natural." Bang Chan said.
"Do I have to potential to be an idol?" I asked.
"Yes." Stray Kids said in unison.
"Oh, well then. . ." I said, laughing.
"No, seriously. You have potential. I know being in the spotlight isn't your thing, but just know it's an option." Felix said.
"I don't want to be an idol." I said.
"We respect your decision." Seungmin said.
"Thanks, everyone. For all your help today." I said.

After filming the music video part, it was time to record it in studio. Then, I would also need to learn the choreography to this song. Wow, being an idol really has a lot work behind it. I mean, I already have the look, so why not go all the way today. Being an idol for the day has been fun so far. I went through my part of Phobia, as coached by Stray Kids. I haven't sung in a long time, but I feel like I still have it in me. The producers are smiling and nodding, which is a good sign. Only Bang Chan stuck around so the rest of the members wouldn't be a distraction. I finish my part and I come out of the studio.
"Could you go over this part one more time with more volume?"
"Sure." I said, walking back into the studio. I go over the part again, belting this time. They put a thumbs up, which means I got it this time.

Now, the only thing left to do was to learn the choreography. After today, I feel like I'll have Phobia stuck in my head. Since this song is a sort of b-side song, the choreography isn't as important as the title track, but they still created one just so they would have something to do during this song. Learning choreography is another challenge for me. For one, I have two left feet, so I can't dance to begin with. I get frustrated with myself because of how badly I dance. I break down in the middle of it.
"Hey, hey. Just keep trying. There's no point in giving up." Bang Chan said.
"I literally can't dance. What am I supposed to do?" I asked.
"I've got your back, we've all got your back. I know we have years of experience, and you only have one, but you've been doing incredible for it only being today." Bang Chan encouraged me.
"Okay, sure. Let's keep going." I said, getting up.
"Que the music!" Bang Chan exclaimed.
The music begins again and we start from the top. We started at half speed, then as I got to know the choreography, we sped it up to full speed.

Having learnt the choreography, that was the last thing to do today. I'm so proud of myself. To celebrate, Stray Kids are taking me out to Korean BBQ. I haven't had it in so long, I can't wait. We go to a popular restaurant in Seoul and get seated for nine people. I take a look through the menu. I want to try all the beef dishes, that's for sure. They all look so yummy. I point to what I want while the waiter is here. He nods his head and jots down my order. We get all our food very quickly, which is very shocking. Back home, we would have to wait at least thirty minutes for our food. This food came out within ten minutes of us ordering. Okay, Korea is really impressing me. I indulge myself in all the delicious foods. I told Bang Chan years ago about what I don't eat because of my personal beliefs, and he still respects that. He told me what's what, and I noted that. All that besides, the rest of the food is so good. I've never had better food. Hyunjin challenges me to eat the extra spicy tteok-bokki. Knowing myself very well, this can only end badly. Either way, I've taken up enough challenges today, one last one for the night wouldn't hurt. He told me to pick up a bunch with chopsticks and put it in my mouth all at once. Shaking my head but eating it anyways, my face immediately turns red. I wave my mouth from how spicy it is.
"Oh God, it's so hot!!" I exclaimed.
"Here, have water." Bang Chan said, handing me a glass.
"Ahh, how do you guys eat this?" I asked, sipping water.
"We eat it a lot." Felix said.
"Well, obviously." I said.
After cooling down my mouth, I eat some rice to hopefully soak up the remaining spice. Then, we finish eating, heading back to the dorms for the night.