Time to Go Fishing Again
Yoo Jae-sik answered Suhyeon's question.
"Yeah. I've got a few favors to ask. First off... you know Reckless Challenge, the show I'm on at MBS, right?"
"Come on, hyung... Is there anyone in Korea who doesn't know that show? Of course I do. But hyung, I heard it's been off-air for the last few weeks due to station issues."
"That's all sorted now, so filming should resume normally next week. It'll take a bit longer before it airs, though... Anyway, there's something that absolutely has to happen on the show this year, but we haven't done it yet."
"What is it that you haven't done?"
.....
"Got it, hyung. So I need to help with two things."
"Yeah. A bit much, huh? I know it's tough, but I'm begging you. I got the call in the middle of working out... In return, if you need anything from me, just say the word anytime. I'll help as much as I can."
"I appreciate it just hearing that, hyung. Alright, I'll look into it and get back to you."
"Sounds good. Take care."
After ending the call with Yoo Jae-sik, Suhyeon turned to Manager Baek Seongcheol.
"Yoo Jae-sik hyung asked for this, so we pretty much have to say yes, right?"
"Of course. If it's a request from Yoo Jae-sik, even Manager Yoo or Manager Park won't object. It's the national MC asking. Plus... you know how many entertainers are dying to appear on Reckless Challenge even once."
"No problem if my schedule's free, but I'm too busy to handle both on my own. Moonlight Escort filming starts in a few days. Hmm. What's the best way to sort this out?"
"Beats me. I'm not the sharp one here..."
Suhyeon let out a short sigh at the manager's response, then tapped his palm with his phone to organize his thoughts.
Whew. Been a while since I went fishing again.
With a plan in mind, Suhyeon muttered to himself and hit the call button.
"Hello?"
"Robin. It's Suhyeon."
"Oh, hey. What's up?"
"Where are you right now?"
"Me? Out shopping for clothes at Dongdaemun with Kevin."
"Perfect timing—you're together? Wrap up your shopping as fast as you can and head back to the company. Got something to discuss..."
Robin asked in a slightly annoyed tone at Suhyeon's words.
"What now? We're still on break."
"You'll see when you get here. Hurry up."
Suhyeon ended the call with Robin and stared at his phone, lost in thought again.
If I can just convince whiny Robin and shy Kevin, mission accomplished. Marvin and Gyeongbin will follow without complaint if I ask, so no need to call them...
Soon, Suhyeon arrived at the YK building and headed straight to BBG's practice room. No other members were there—Seongbin was practicing the new song's choreography alone.
"Hyung, you're here?"
"Yeah. You by yourself? Where's everyone else?"
"Just me. Who else is coming?"
"Robin and Kevin."
"They haven't shown up yet."
"Good. You have the Dispatch choreography drafted, right? Let's tweak it quick first."
"How?"
"I'll show you what I have in mind."
A moment later, after watching Suhyeon demonstrate the revised choreography, Seongbin's jaw dropped. Once Suhyeon's dance ended, Seongbin spoke in a flustered tone.
"Hyung, you're really changing it like that? None of the other members can handle it—only you and me. It's too much for them. Way too much..."
"I'm not saying we have to use this. Just memorize it quick. Then, when I say it's the new choreo and we demonstrate together, show it to the others. Can you do it?"
"Sure, I've been dancing since I was a kid, so yeah... but the others can't."
"I'll handle them. You just practice the changes."
"Got it."
As Seongbin practiced the revised moves, Suhyeon thought to himself.
This sets the bait... Sometimes the order matters more than the content. Three tricks in one—like jo-san-mosa. Not bad at all.
Time passed, and Robin and Kevin finally arrived at the practice room. The four sat in a circle on the floor and started talking.
"Listen up. Everyone knows Yoo Jae-sik hyung, right? He's got some urgent favors, and we need to decide who's handling what right now."
Robin asked at Suhyeon's words.
"He asked you? Then you do it. We're on break—literally time to do nothing and rest."
Kevin nodded in agreement. Watching them, Suhyeon thought.
That's right. Knew you'd react like that. You want to keep slacking off, British style. Let's see how long that lasts.
"There's this new KBC idol audition show called Union. They want me as a special judge a few times. Probably need some buzz early on to draw eyes."
Robin replied immediately to Suhyeon's explanation.
"Judging means evaluating, passing or failing people—deciding their futures. Too much pressure. I'm out."
Kevin chimed in.
"Me too. Too stressful. And we're on break... still over two weeks left. Last time I messed up narration because of you—"
Suhyeon nodded as if he'd expected it.
"Fine. If that's how you feel, I'll do the judging. Oh, and hyung has one more favor... You know what Reckless Challenge is, right?"
They nodded, so Suhyeon continued.
"They do a martial arts song festival every two years—it's the year. Station issues delayed it, but filming's starting soon."
Robin shot back.
"So?"
"To perform, they need a completed song for the festival. Need someone who can compose and write lyrics. Robin, you compose; Kevin, you write lyrics. You two together?"
Robin scowled.
"What about you? You do lyrics, composing, producing—all of it. You're perfect. Go solo. I'm not doing it."
Kevin nodded vigorously. Suhyeon nodded as if it made sense.
"Alright, I'll handle that too. Might be too busy for both, but oh well. Can't interrupt friends who want to rest—that'd be bad friendship. So I'll do both... But even on break, we gotta prep the new song, right? Seongbin and I made the Dispatch choreo. Practice starts tomorrow..."
Suhyeon turned to Seongbin, who sat silently.
"Seongbin."
"Yes, hyung."
"That choreo we finished earlier? Show it to these guys. Robin, Kevin—you start full practice tomorrow too."
"...Okay."
Suhyeon stood, took off his jacket, laid it on the floor, and started dancing with Seongbin to the music.
Robin and Kevin watched casually at first, but their faces turned pale yellow.
After finishing, Suhyeon picked up his jacket.
"Whew. Tough after so long. Be in the practice room by 9 a.m. every day starting tomorrow. Gotta nail the choreo before comeback. See you."
As Suhyeon turned to leave indifferently, Robin grabbed his pant leg.
"Suhyeon! Suhyeon! You can't just walk out!"
"Huh? What'd I do?"
"How are we supposed to do that choreo? We're not trainees, and I never learned taekwondo in the UK..."
"It's not that hard."
"Splits! How am I supposed to do splits?"
"Oh, that? Don't worry, Robin. I'm a martial arts expert. I know how to stretch without pain. Keep at it for ten days, and you'll split easy. Army'll make you do it anyway—practice now. Oh, right—you and Kevin skip service as Brits? Anyway, practice together starting tomorrow."
At Suhyeon's casual words, Robin sighed and stood, face full of defeat.
"Suhyeon, my bad. What do I do? Judging? Or festival?"
"Hmm... Festival solo? You can't without Kevin—he's still quiet."
Kevin shot up, face stiff.
"Leader says go, we go. Break? Who cares. Suhyeon, where should me and Robin head? Just say."
"Great. If you're both in... how about the festival? Time to show your talents wide. Sounds good?"
Robin answered without breathing.
"Perfect. Awesome. Me and Kevin for the festival. No splits, right?"
"Well, Seongbin and I put effort into it—hard to change easy... Oh, Robin—one more favor."
.....
"That's it? Nothing else?"
"Yeah. I'd be more than grateful."
"Fine. I'll do it all. Just spare my precious legs..."
"OK. You're going this far for me—gotta return the favor."
Suhyeon turned to Seongbin.
"Seongbin, sorry—you worked sleepless on it. We'll revert to the old choreo. Hyung'll buy you meat next time."
Seongbin, who'd watched quietly, chuckled and replied loudly.
"Yes, hyung. Got it."
Suhyeon slung his jacket over his shoulder and left the practice room with light steps, back turned to Robin and Kevin, who stood pouting.
The next morning, Suhyeon headed to KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi-do, with his manager. At KINTEX, he found Hall 9, the Union filming site, and spotted PD Park Ji-yeon.
The PD, who'd recently directed Happy Tomorrow with Yoo Jae-sik, was busy organizing the set.
"PD Park, hello."
"Oh, Suhyeon! You're here? Thank you. Must be swamped, but you came..."
"No big deal. Jae-sik hyung specifically asked. But... me, an idol, as a judge? Viewers might not buy it."
"Nonsense. Everyone knows you're a genius who writes, composes, produces. Don't worry. I'm swamped now—head to the waiting room? I'll come once things settle."
"Sure."
Suhyeon went to the nearby waiting room and knocked lightly.
- Knock knock knock -
"Come in."
As Suhyeon opened the door, a skinny man who looked like dried pollack greeted him warmly.
"Oh, Suhyeon! You're here?"
"Yes. Hello."