Making of an Idol (8): Moonwalk

Yoona closed her eyes, concentrating on the sound of the music. She slid smoothly with the beat, adding a bounce to every step while twirling effortlessly. Her hands waved along the tunes in a complicated movement as she put all her weight on her right leg.

She twisted her back, going so low that she almost touched the ground with her head. In a second, she did a somersault, landing on her feet with grace.

"Good job."

She spun around to find Jinhyun standing at the entrance of the training room.

"I'm still learning," she said sheepishly.

"Why are you still here?" he asked. "Practice sessions are over. Go home."

"I-I am struggling with a dance move," she replied, her eyes fixated on the ground.

"Really? Which one?"

"Moonwalk."

Jinhyun put down the bag he was carrying. He took off his jacket and watch, putting them in a corner.

"Watch me carefully," he instructed her. Yoona nodded and watched him.

Jinhyun was still for a while before his legs began to move. He did a smooth slip as his feet walked forward but he pushed his body backwards. His feet slid back, as if being pulled the opposite direction. He finished the move with a rough turn.

"Try it," he said. "Walk forward but push your body backwards. The trick is to make an illusion of being pulled back while your feet move ahead."

Yoona sprang to her feet. She tried to replicate his move but her step was clumsy.

"Push your body backwards," Jinhyun repeated. He was patient as he explained the method to her again and again.

Finally after many tries, Yoona managed to perfect her moonwalk step.

"Good job!" Jinhyun complimented. "You've done it, Miss Sung."

"Thank you!" she said happily. "I couldn't have done it without your help!"

She was ecstatic. Not only did she manage to finish the step but she was taught by Jinhyun himself! Her insides were screaming in delight.

"It's late," Jinhyun said, picking up his bag. "Did you have dinner?"

Yoona shook her head. "The cafeteria has onigiri today," he said. "Come on."

She meekly followed him to the canteen. When establishing the agency, Jinhyun made sure that there was a proper nutrition chart and menu for all the employees. The nutritionist in charge was tasked with providing a balanced meal for all the artists because their busy schedules prevented them from eating properly.

It was a problem which Jinhyun himself faced a lot when he was promoting with EXOTIC. He was well aware of how it affected the mental and physical health of celebrities and their staff. Hence, he was particular about the dietary requirements of his employees.

The cafe itself was brightly lit. The walls were painted orange while some of Jinhyun's personally drawn art hung on them. No one knew that he was the artist, since it was not a skill he flaunted to everyone. But the paintings added a soothing aesthetic touch to the cafe which energised the artists while they eat.

"Two onigiri and two trout soup," he ordered at the counter. The cafe was empty since most employees had gone home. Only in-house trainees were at the building but they were in the dorms.

Jinhyun took the tray and headed over to the table where Yoona was sitting.

"Your car will pick you up, right?" he asked, as he bit into his onigiri.

"Yes," she replied. "But sunbae, why are you still here? Isn't it your birthday? You should go and celebrate."

"I'll head off to meet some friends after this," he said. "I just had some work left to do."

Yoona suppressed a smile. She tried to concentrate on her food but her mind kept on straying towards Jinhyun. She peeked a glance at him, observing his sharp jawline as he gulped his soup.

"Sunbae," she started, trying to make small talk. "Why did you leave EXOTIC?"

Jinhyun did not pause. He simply replied, "I think all the papers had already stated the reason two years ago."

"I want to hear your side," she said. "EXOTIC was your passion. As a fan, I knew how much it meant to you. The Ash Park scandal was terrible but EXOTIC could have gone on as a trio. But why-"

"Because EXOTIC is not a trio," he stated. "It was a four member group and will remain like that. No matter what Ash had done, we made a promise. If one person leaves, EXOTIC will disband."

He remembered that vow very clearly. It was right after their first stage performance when all of them made a promise. The hardships they went through together as a group just to reach that stage and the brotherhood they shared. For the sake of their undying friendship, they made a vow.

"It was either all of us or none of us," he stated. His eyes were lost as he reminisced on their bond. The decision he took after Ash left, had tormented him for years. But he wanted to honor their promise. In the end, KJ too, had relented.

Yoona was concerned for him as his eyes were filled with a deep sadness. She reached out to hold his hand but Jinhyun slid it away.

"Don't," he said sharply. "Don't ever hold the hand of another idol or colleague."

She was surprised by the sudden shift in his tone.

"I was just-"

"I understand that you wanted to console me," he said. "But you also have to understand professional etiquettes. As an idol trainee, you should know that even touching someone casually in public can cause a scandal. One innocent action will cause rumor mills to go wild. A few years ago, one famous female idol simply patted another male idol on stage as a gesture of good will. The very next day, she was being slut shamed by the male idol's fandom. At one point, the rumors went so out of hand that she committed suicide. So don't ever touch someone like this. Even casually."

His tone was strict and professional, clearly drawing a boundary between them. Yoona was taken aback but lowered her eyes and nodded her head.

"I will take note of this in the future," she said quietly.

"My words may sound harsh, but it will help you in your career," he reassured her with a smile. "So don't take it to heart."

He checked his watch. "I gotta go," he said. "Finish up your supper and go home. Get some rest and come back tomorrow to practice again."

Yoona nodded. He got up, picked up his empty bowls and dropped them at the dishwasher before leaving the cafe.

As soon as he was gone, a sinister smile formed on her lips. "So no one has ever touched oppa," she giggled. "My oppa is pure."

Her mind was replaying the past few hours she spent with him. It was a small step but she was getting closer to him.

"Soon, we'll be together," she blushed. "Oppa."