Rumors Behind the Glass
Section Chief Kim Seong-tae, watching PD Choi in a panic, asked casually.
"Hmm. You a BBG fan, Choi PD?"
Choi PD hesitated at the question from his sky-like senior before finally speaking up.
"Yes. Among BBG, I'm a Suhyeon fan."
"Really? Well, don't be too disappointed. You know celebrities aren't always what they seem on TV, right?"
"Section Chief, I know that, but... hearing Suhyeon has a thug reputation is just so shocking. He never seemed like that at all. He's always so warm and smiling, so kind to fans."
"You know that old famous comic? The Glass Mask or something... Didn't you read it? They're just wearing masks for the fans."
"Sigh. But Suhyeon, so gentle and caring... a thug? I just can't picture it."
"Hahaha. Looks like our Choi PD is really shaken up."
Kim the driver, who'd been listening in, chimed in slyly.
"Fans that age always focus on the good stuff when they're obsessed with stars. They don't wanna see the bad."
"Hmm. Want me to tell you something Choi PD might like?"
"Yes! Please, Section Chief."
"That kid Suhyeon... sure, he gets called a thug, but he's no trash. If he were, we wouldn't call him a headache—we'd call him a son of a bitch."
"What do you mean?"
"The bastard only cares about himself, throws tantrums when drunk, hits on any girl he sees, spews profanity... but there are a few things he absolutely won't do."
"Like what?"
"Drugs, gambling, drunk driving—he never touches that stuff. If he did, the press would've buried him ages ago. Plenty of reporters gunning for him."
"Ah, that's a relief. But really... like you said earlier, does he hit on just any woman?"
"Damn right. Word is, at parties, virgin or married, if she's pretty, he goes at her like a dog in heat. Funny thing is, he never forces himself— no sexual harassment. Guess with that handsome face, women come to him first."
"I don't believe it! Suhyeon hasn't had a single scandal ever."
"Whoa, how long you been at KBC to underestimate YK already? They bury it all with money and pull. With the cash they rake in yearly, you think they'd skimp on cleanup? That's why they're called one of the big three agencies."
Section Chief Kim glanced at Choi PD with a sly smile.
"So yeah, he gets 'thug' from insiders but not 'trash.' You can keep liking him. Hahaha."
The driver, chuckling at their talk, added,
"Section Chief, Suhyeon's famous for something else too."
"Hm? Something else? Oh, right—blockhead!"
Choi PD's eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
"What? Suhyeon a blockhead?"
"Yup. Not just any blockhead—a super blockhead. First time hearing it? Know why a popular guy with that face doesn't go into dramas or movies?"
"No way! Suhyeon's been in dramas plenty. Movies too, multiple times."
"All cameos, quick hits. Can't memorize more than two lines of dialogue. YK tried a few times and gave up. Think how hard they pushed that pretty face... eventually threw in the towel."
"No way! Then how does he sing? Lyrics are long."
"Teleprompter's there. And BBG's here for pre-recording, right? Why else call them headaches? They fight among themselves over parts? Not our business."
The driver nodded in agreement.
"Even with prompts, Suhyeon forgets lyrics mid-song. That's why pre-recording. Not just for BBG schedule—live would be 100% broadcast accident."
Biting her lip at the barrage of shocks, Choi PD murmured hesitantly,
"Maybe... like some kid who fell off a roof young? Memory issues, brain damage...?"
"Hahaha. You don't buy it, huh? Next company dinner, I'll get Suhyeon there for you. See him talk smooth as silk in front of girls—you'll never say that again. Kid's brain only grew for playing. Probably never cracked open a textbook."
Suddenly, the driver cut in with a work tone.
"Section Chief, BBG's ready for recording."
"Got it. Enough chit-chat—let's start. Driver Kim, tell the cameraman on Suhyeon solo to watch his mouth and singing sync. YK'll bitch if it goes wrong again."
"Yes, sir."
Section Chief Kim eyed Choi PD, still dazed in shock.
"Choi PD... you prepping or what?"
Snapping out of it, she scurried back to her seat.
- Recording standby. Five. Four. Three...
July 8, 2017. Early July, when the real heatwave kicked in. BBG wrapped their fourth single Sudden Love Mode activities after three months and entered a break. Each member was busy with solo schedules.
Suhyeon, hospitalized for three months and discharged just three days ago, finally headed to YK's Cheongdam-dong headquarters.
No special personal schedules yet, fresh out of the hospital. In the empty BBG practice room, he sat cross-legged, scrolling his smartphone.
What an amazing world. Knowledge and info worth a fortune back then, overflowing in this tiny device... So much to learn—it's blissful.
The door burst open. Park Dongju, manager of YK's Actor Team 1, shouted as he entered.
"Gyeongbin here?"
Spotting Suhyeon, he asked urgently.
"Gyeongbin not here yet? Robin neither?"
"Both shooting—probably not done."
"Damn. Calling for a cameo last-minute... Anyone in BBG who raps? I only know those two."
"Rap? You mean the music where the speaker expresses inner thoughts, adjusting strength and pace for rhythm?"
"...Yeah. Why you gotta say it so fancy? You know it?"
"Yes. Practiced sometimes in the hospital."
"Right, hospital... You good now? All healed?"
"Yes. Fully healthy."
"Good. Glad you got out safe. Any schedule now?"
"No."
"Perfect. No schedule? Head to Ilsan CBS now for a cameo. School drama—play a senior rapper, quick bit. I'll tell your team lead... Got time?"
"Yes."
"I'll call the PD there—head out now..."
Park sighed deeply at the ceiling, something dawning.
"Haah... Shit."
"What suddenly?"
"Just remembered. Music teacher actress is Yoo Ayoung... Damn. You can't go. Nearly sent a lamb to slaughter."
"Actress Yoo Ayoung?"
"Yeah, man. You'd get shredded. Death sentence... Sigh. Who to send in a pinch?"
Suhyeon sorted memories, recalling her.
Ah... that's Yoo Ayoung.
Decision made, he met Park's eyes.
"I'll go."
"Man, Yoo Ayoung! No manager backup, just you two? You'd be pulverized to dust."
"Haha. A little breakage is fine. The one who ties must untie. I sowed the seed; I'll reap it."
"You... changed a lot in months? Really okay?"
"Yes. Tell the drama PD I'm coming for cameo. Seongcheol hyung and I will go."
"Hmm. Not my fault. You insisted... I warned you."
"Don't worry. We'll be fine."
"Okay. I'll handle Jang PD."
Soon, Suhyeon left for Ilsan with road manager Baek Seongcheol.
At Ilsan CBS Drama Set, he got out and walked to the School set.
Break time—only a few engineers checking gear, no PDs or actors.
Looking around, Suhyeon told Baek,
"Seongcheol hyung, seems break. I'll say hi quick."
"Hi? To who? Don't tell me... Yoo Ayoung?"
"Yes."
"You crazy? Sane?"
"She won't kill me. Be back."
Baek watched Suhyeon head to the actors' lounge with light steps, muttering in disbelief.
"Kid really changed... Doing stuff he'd never dream of before."
Before a door with a large paper sign reading
[Yoo Ayoung's Waiting Room]
Suhyeon took a deep breath, then knocked.
- Knock. Knock. Knock.
- Yes~ Come in.
At the woman's permission responding to the knock, Suhyeon turned the handle lightly and entered the room.