A Job of a Lifetime

My mouth goes parched. "You...what?" Never have I struggled this hard to form words. "You want me to be An Hajun's assistant?"

This day is just full of surprises, isn't it?

"That's right, yes." Minjun frowns at me, obviously concerned with my face turning paler and paler by the second. "You look like you could use some water, Rose." He hands me a bottle of water out of nowhere, and I accept it gratefully before taking a couple of gulps.

I swallow hard. "Minjun oppa... You realize that I have absolutely no experience, right?"

That is still an understatement. I've never worked before in my life, my parents always wanted me to focus on my studies full-time. Truthfully, I'm not ready for any kind of job, and especially not one that entails taking care of the busiest men in the country.

"Well, that's the point. Junnie's been complaining that his previous assistants have been too old and could not relate to him, so they are looking for someone younger now."

Last time I checked, An Hajun is the 21-year-old lead singer of the most famous boy band in the world. I doubt anyone can relate to him, no matter their age. However, I restrain myself from sharing that snarky comment with Minjun since I know he would only become defensive of his precious Hajunnie.

This is one of the main reasons why I dislike the importance of age in Korea. Maknaes always become so spoiled.

"Sure, but I don't know how to be the assistant of a K-Pop idol."

He just waves that argument away as if it was nothing. "Don't worry about it; they don't expect you to. The people at HA Entertainment will train you accordingly. Besides, the main reason why you'd be the perfect fit is that they want someone who speaks fluent English now. It's a requirement for all future HA employees, as our fanbase is becoming more global."

"I see," I mumble. "I... Thank you for the offer, but I... I need to think, oppa. Working with an entertainment company, ...it's not a normal job. This is not a decision I can make with the snap of the finger."

He nods and doesn't seem offended. "I expected you to say this, don't worry. You have a week to decide; they want to make a final decision until then. Hand me your phone, and I'll give you my number. Text me once you've made your choice. But don't send me any memes, please. Yejun already sends me way too many of those daily."

The way he so naturally mentions one of his other band members, Yejun, reminds me of the fact hat he's just a person. Just as Yejun, who's been voted sexiest man of the year three times in row, is just his friend.

"Oh, okay," I say, overwhelmed once again as I watch how he types his number into my phone. On the one hand, this is just my old dance teacher, but on the other hand, this is currently one of the most famous people in the world. And now I have his number.

Eun's going to be so jealous.

He gives me back my phone and winks at me before leaving the room. "See you soon, Rose."

He says that with so much confidence, it sounds like he's already sure of which decision I'll make.

...

"Wait, wait, slow down," Eun stops me, raising her hand. "How come you never told me you know Kim Minjun from freaking Youge??"

It's a day later, and we're sprawled out on the sofa in her apartment, watching Netflix. Minjun's offer from yesterday has stayed engraved in my brain, and it's all I've been thinking of, not even being able to focus about the US corruption documentary I've been begging Eun to with me for weeks (she hates documentaries).

I just shrug at her question. "Because it didn't matter. It was a long time ago, and until yesterday, I was convinced he didn't even remember me."

"So, how did you meet exactly?"

"I must have been eleven or twelve years old. I don't remember exactly. It was back in Busan. Remember how I told you my parents forced me to attend a Korean middle school so I'd improve my Korean quickly? Well, that sounded like a smart plan in theory, but in reality, I was being bullied by everybody for being the weird foreigner. Minjun was in high school back then and helping out as a dance teacher at his old school. That's how we met, and he decided to take me under his wing. He would always defend me against anyone who made fun of me."

"Cute," Eun comments while popping some chips into her mouth. "So, are you going to take it? The job offer, I mean."

"Do you think I should?" I ask, scratching my head. It's unhealthy, but sometimes I really care more about Eun's opinion than my own.

However, she shakes her head at my question. "That's not my decision to make you and know that. Whatever you choose, I just want you to keep in mind that you shouldn't choose lightly. This is not just any job, Rose-ah. This is not just like a meaningless café job. Working for a K-Pop idol... that's a 24/7 job. It never stops. It's a life commitment."

I frown at her statement. "Don't you think you're exaggerating it a little bit?"

"When idols go on long tours and look tired by the end of it, fans always feel sorry for them and ask them to take a break. But who's there with the idols, accompanying through every single stop of the tour? Their staff. It's just as exhausting and stressful, except they don't even get the appreciation. Idols who thank or even just mention their staff in interviews or award speeches are the exception, not the rule. Don't forget that, Rose."

"But I would get paid a lot more than at a café," I interject.

"Certainly. And you would also learn a lot more and feel more fulfilled by the end of it. I'm not saying it's a bad job, Rosie." She offers me a caring smile. "Just don't forget it will be the job of a lifetime."