old storyline

It is a clear Sunday. A new family from the countryside has arrived in Seoul just right before noon. They are together with their belongings right below their newly rented apartment. It was pure frustration and chaos as some of the boxes were missing.

Mr.Seo (SeoHyun's Dad) : Yeobo! One of the boxes containing my clothes are missing.

Mrs. Seo (SeoHyun's Mum) : What?! How can that happen? Didn't we check everything before we leave the house?

SeoHyun: Omma! Omma! I can't find my Idol Poster collections! A box containing my shoes and accessories are gone too!

Mrs.Seo: Huh? Excuse me, Mr. Mover. Did you drop anything on the way?

Mr. Mover: Of course not! We're professionals, okay? Now, we will just move these things up to your apartment and that's it.


When the movers turn around and left the place:


Mrs.Seo: Look at that arrogant face. These city people are all like this.

Mr.Seo: Yeobo... Relax. We are just not used to it now. It will be fine soon.

Seohyun: But appa! I honestly did not want to leave our countryhouse. We were living quite fine there. I like it much better there!

Mr.Seo: Come on, Seohyun. There is no life for you there at the countryside. To be successful in life, you have to come out here to the big city and be exposed to the wide world! Appa is just creating chances for you to have a better life than me. You will do great here Seohyun, trust me.

Mrs.Seo: Hmph... we'll see about that. To get out of the countryside and rent this apartment has already used up most of our savings. Honey, you'll have to get a job fast, otherwise we won't be able to survive here.

SeoHyun: Omma, appa... I know I just graduated from high school, but I still can find a job. My income should help, eventhough it would be very little.

Mr.Seo: SeoHyun ah, I thought we came here for a place in the university? How can you be somebody in life when you plan to work just right after high school?

SeoHyun: Appa, we're not in the right financial state to talk about university now right? How will you be able to support those expensive tuition fees as the sole breadwinner? I understand what you expect from me. I will go to the university someday, Appa. But now, let us plan out our lives here first. Make our lives stable enough before we start saving money for my education again.

Mr.Seo: You're right... in a way. I'm glad you're so mature and thoughtful. Mianhe... Appa is not the richest man in the world to give you the best.

Mrs.Seo: Yah! I'm so tired here shifting stuffs. Can you both help me out? These men are terribly horrible to get along with. I don't like standing a minute longer with them. Help me with these boxes and get it done faster, so that they can leave.

SeoHyun: Appa, don't worry about me:)

Together, the Seo family quickly helped the movers shift their half-missing belongings into their newly-rented apartment. Life is just a new challenge starting from tomorrow.

[The next day]

SeoHyun: Appa, can you please pass me the newspaper? I want to look out for some jobs.

Mr.Seo: Here you go.

1 hour later...

SeoHyun: Eh... appa... This is really disappointing. Almost every single job that is suitable requires a degree from the university and needs at least 3 years of working experience. I can't find anything suitable.

Mrs.Seo: Now you know that life is hard. Even if I am a housewife for the past 20 years, I still know these better than you SeoHyun.

Mr.Seo: Take it easy, child. Leave it to appa to find a job.

SeoHyun: No! These jobs are posted out into the newspapers and so highly ranked because they are from huge companies. Maybe I should try my luck with walk-in interviews at the streets. Maybe I could find a small part-time job there.

Mrs.Seo: Really? But you don't know the place well yet!

SeoHyun: Omma, I can ask for directions. I heard about the famous Apgujeong Street. I should go there since it is not far from here too. I'm going out now! Anyonghi-geseyo.

Mr and Mrs.Seo: This daughter is really stubborn in her own way...

[Apgujeong Street]

SeoHyun: ARGH! I already entered 10 shops and they all say they are not hiring! What to do now...

The environment around SeoHyun is so lively and full of youngsters walking up and down the street. They are all so trendy and good-looking. It made SeoHyun feel like a country bumpkin. So, she decided to hide herself in one cafe. It is better to spend on an expensive cup of coffee rather than feeling so different in the middle of the streets.

[Cafe]

Waitress: What is your order, miss?

Seohyun: Erm, please give me this black coffee only.

Waitress: Okay, thank you very much.

Seohyun: *Thinking to herself* Oh my god... That black coffee is the cheapest in the menu, yet almost the most expensive drink in my life. I better slowly enjoy it, like what those people do.

Waitress: Excuse me, miss. Here is your black coffee. Enjoy!

As SeoHyun was slowly sipping the first and most bitter black coffee in her life, she suddenly overheard the conversation on the next table. It was only her and the next table's customer in the cafe currently. It was quiet enough to eavesdrop perfectly.

Man 1: Ah... I'm seriously facing a huge problem now.
Man 2: Huh? What problem?
Man 1: One of the group managers resigned abruptly. I cannot find anyone immediately to takeover the managing jobs. I'm afraid that their schedules will be in a mess. I am also afraid that those boys will get out of control. You know... youngsters nowadays.
Man 2: What? I thought it is easy to hire anyone nowadays? Everybody is searching for a job!
Man 1: No. What you think is definitely wrong. Managing a group requires a person to stay with the group for a long time. Sometimes, you don't get to see your family for a few months. Not everybody is that committed to a job. Plus, I specifically need to employ a male manager because they all have to stay together under the same roof.
Man 2: I see.
Man 1: Eventhough this is a job that requires no special degree, yet I face such a problem to hire a manager. This certainly isn't the best job in the world, I guess.
Man 2: Take it easy. I'm sure there would be someone in the company that can help out for a while.
Man 1: There is... but not for long.

SeoHyun: *Thinking to herself* A job? Gosh! I should go and ask. But... they need a male worker. Ah! I will just lie for now! As long as I get the job.

SeoHyun: Excuse me... I am sorry but I overheard your conversation just now. Are you needing people to work in your company?
Man 1: Yes. But... I need a male worker, miss. Plus, I guess you're too young to qualify to be a manager.
SeoHyun: Oh, of course. I was just asking for my brother. He's has been jobless for 3 month's now. My brother is 26 years old now. If you would be so kind to hire him, my whole family will definitely thank you!
Man 1: Really... but, this job requires your brother to stay away for home for a long time. Sometimes, you won't see him for months. Is that okay? This is the main problem.
SeoHyun: Erm, I guess for the money we're needing, it is okay.
Man 1: Very well. Here's my business card. Tell your brother to meet me at FNC Music Main Office tomorrow, 9AM sharp.
SeoHyun: Really? Oh my god! Kamsahamnida! Kamsahamnida!

After that, both men left the cafe and SeoHyun was left to think about how to cover her lies. Now, she secured the job. Yet, how can she turn herself into a 26 year old male? As SeoHyun ventured out of the cafe and walked by the streets of Apgujeong, she suddenly passed by an accessories shop. The most important she spotted - a wig.

SeoHyun: If I wear that, I won't have to cut away my beloved long hair and still look like a man! Yes! I have to buy the best one that makes me look real. Ah! I should buy a pair of fake glasses too. That will make me look different and more boyish!

After buying the short wig and fake glasses, SeoHyun realised another problem. Her body...

SeoHyun: Oh my god! How do I hide my chest? Am I going to wrap it in tight cloth like in the dramas? Impossible! I would die of suffocation. I am not exactly huge anyway... What about a sports bra? That will definitely flatten it. HAHA! Everything is going exactly like how I planned. Now... to convince appa and omma.

[At their new apartment]

SeoHyun quickly tiptoed into her apartment and straight to her room to hide her wig and other stuffs.
Then...

Mrs.Seo: Oh! SeoHyun you're home.

SeoHyun: Yes, omma. Omma...appa... I got a job.

Mr.Seo: Really? What job?

SeoHyun: Erm, it is as a personal maid for a residential home.

Mrs.Seo: You're cleaning other people's house?

SeoHyun: Yes, omma. It's the highest pay job I can get for being a countryside high school graduate.

Mr.Seo: But SeoHyun... Don't personal maids have to stay at their employers home too? How could you stay outside alone?

SeoHyun: We have no choice appa. I accidently saw your bank book that day and it is left with about 5 million won only. It won't last us long in the city. Everybody is fighting for a job now. Plus, you're old and unexperienced in most jobs except fixing the pipes for other people. We need this, appa.

Mr.Seo: Okay.. okay. I know it. But, I still feel unsettled. You're so young.

Mrs.Seo: Like you still don't know your daughter. If there would be someone to change her mind, it would be God.

SeoHyun: Omma! Don't be like this. I know you will miss me. I know you both will miss me. I promise to call you all everyday. To let you all know that I'm fine.

Mr.Seo: So... when are you leaving?

SeoHyun: Tomorrow morning. I have to be there by 9AM.

Mr.Seo: What?! So fast? Hmmm... I guess nothing can be done about that.

The next morning...

Mrs.Seo: SeoHyun ah... take good care of yourself okay! Don't come back home with an even skinnier skeleton of yours. Oh, what will happen to my SeoHyun without us. Yeobo!

SeoHyun: Omma! It's not like I'm not coming back. I promise to call everyday.

Mr.Seo: Take care, my child. Do your job well, eventhough as a maid. Appa will always be waiting for you to return home.

SeoHyun: I will return once my employers permit me to. I gotta go now appa... omma. I will miss you both so much!

After exchanging teary hugs and kisses, SeoHyun finally parted with her parents and left their new apartment. She quickly went to a public toilet and changed into men's clothing that she bought yesterday and put on the short wig. She cleared her face of all make up and adjusted her wig for once last time, making sure it won't fall off. Then, she stopped and have a clear look at herself. She marvelled at the reflection in the mirror.

SeoHyun: Wow... I really look like a man in this wig without any make up on. I guess I'm fated for this job. Now, let's face the challenge! FIGHTING!

[FNC Music Main Office, 9AM]

SeoHyun: *In a manly voice* Anyonghaseyo, I'm Seo Ki Bum.
Man 1: Anyonghaseyo. I'm the Director of this company, Mr Kim. I would like to inform you that you will take role as our temporary manager for the Idol group C.N.Blue. For now, let's treat this as your probationary period. If you pass this 3 months of probationary, then you will officially be a hired manager. Due to a rush, I understand that you haven't filled out your employee particles yet. I will send in someone to give you the form later. My assistant will bring you to C.N.Blue's dormitory and will brief you about the responsibilities of being a manager. Hope you will manage this job. You may leave now.
SeoHyun: Yes. Thank you very much.

[Outside Mr.Kim's office]

Mr.Lee: Anyonghaseyo. I'm Mr.Kim's personal assistant. Follow me.
SeoHyun: Yes.
Mr.Lee: Please get in the car. We will go to C.N Blue's dormitory and I will brief you on the way there about the responsibilities of being a manager. Since you're 26, every member in C.N.Blue is a dongsaeng to you. They will usually address you as "manager hyung".
SeoHyun: Okay.
Mr.Lee: As an Idol group's manager, the first and most important thing to do is to manage all of C.N.Blue's schedules well. Of course, some schedules require all of the members to attend, yet different members also have different schedules due to their participation in different programs. You have to be very updated and alert in any change of time, delays or emergencies. You need to take care of the daily needs of the members. You have to make sure the members won't get into trouble and ruin their popularity. You must also take care of the member's safety in public places by hiring security. You must make sure the members listen's to you as you are the manager. Get it?
SeoHyun: Yes... *In her heart* This is so hard...
Mr.Lee: This is just some of the basics. You will learn as days pass. Here we are.
SeoHyun: Here? Apgujeong street?
Mr.Lee: Yes. The members stay the top floor of this apartment. The penthouse.
SeoHyun: This is very near my home too.
Mr.Lee: Really? Good. But you still have to stay with the boys most of the time. They spend half of their lives at the hotel rooms with schedules in different countries. Lucky for you, they just arrived from Thailand yesterday and today is supposedly to be their day off. Looking at the time, they should all still be asleep. Their schedule is really busy as their popularity rises sky-high.

SeoHyun: ... *Thinking to herself* Oh my GOD! I'm about to meet one of Korea's most favourite boy band!