Living Long Enough to Get a Nickname Like This
Just two days after Siren's new song "Mystery Boy" music video dropped, it racked up a staggering 30 million views on YouTube in a mere 48 hours. Not only did it shatter records in the K-pop scene, but it also claimed the top spot on global YouTube trending.
Of course, Siren's massive global fandom played a huge part. But the explosive reaction this time clearly had another factor at its core.
The comment section overflowed with overseas fans' shock and rave reviews. Fans abroad were stunned by the existence of Seo Eun-seong in the music video. As a result, they started calling him by the proper noun Mystery Boy.
With the overseas buzz heating up like this, domestic fans' pride shot through the roof.
Indeed, rave comments were pouring in from fans both domestic and abroad.
"Mystery Boy, huh... Living long enough to get a nickname like this."
Seo Eun-seong lay on his bed, scrolling through the endless reactions and letting out a hollow chuckle. If his one-minute cameo in the movie Glorious Outing had just stamped his face in viewers' minds, this music video was the wedge that perfectly engraved the three letters of "Seo Eun-seong" into the public's memory.
From bolt-from-the-blue star to global sensation. The surreal situation still didn't feel real to him.
Saturday afternoon, in Seo Ha-rin's living room at the Han River luxury apartment.
"Aigoo~ Feels so good. Right there, perfect."
"Oppa, how's the pressure? Should I go harder?"
"Yeah, that's just right. Thanks, Ha-rin."
Normally, I'd be tied to the kitchen in an apron, frantically whipping up meals for my gluttonous crew. But today, the tables had turned 180 degrees.
"So refreshing~ I'm melting~ melting~"
I sprawled out like an emperor on the plush sofa in the middle of the living room, with all five gluttons clinging to me like leeches.
Siren's new song had swept every domestic music chart upon release. Acknowledging my contribution, the girls had volunteered for a "gratitude massage session."
"Oppa, your eyes must be tired too? Let me loosen up your temples and under-eyes."
Ha-rin, seated by my head, gently pressed my temples and eye area with soft touches.
"Seo Eun-seong, look at these knotted shoulders."
Chae-yeon, positioned behind my back, kneaded my shoulders with her firm grip.
"Krrgh~ That's the stuff~ Chae-yeon, you're so thorough?"
A mix of soothing relief and pleasant ache drew out a groan.
"Eun-seong oppa.. Does your wrist hurt? Let me massage it for you."
Ah-hyun knelt on my right, carefully clasping my big (??) hand and pressing into the palm.
Every time my fingertips brushed her, Ah-hyun's pale cheeks flushed peach-pink.
"Eun-seong o-o-oppa.. Your biceps are so solid.. hehe."
On my left arm, Min-ji hung on with a dazed expression. Whether she was massaging or just koala-clinging was anyone's guess. But her squishy touch wasn't bad.
"Hoo~ This must be paradise. All five gluttons massaging me. Gotta live long to see this."
I closed my eyes and hummed contentedly.
That's when it happened.
"Hm?"
Vrrr. My phone on the table buzzed.
"Huh? Bear Doll? It's a call from Manager Oh Ji-yeon."
Eun-jin noona, handling my calves by my legs, read the caller ID.
"Oh? For real? Put it on speaker for me."
I nodded from my reclined position, and Eun-jin noona hit the speaker button.
"Eun-seong-ah. What're you up to?"
Oh Ji-yeon's refined voice flowed from the speaker.
"Just resting at home, Manager. What's up?"
"Nothing major. Come to the company tomorrow morning early with Ha-rin and the Siren members."
"Headquarters? Not the salon?"
"Yeah. Got something to show you. And a meeting. Don't be late. Rest well since it's the weekend."
"Got it. See you tomorrow."
The call ended briefly. Just as the screen went dark after the work directive for tomorrow—
"Mm..?"
I sensed Eun-jin noona's hands on my legs turning suspicious from some point on. Her soft palms had slid from calves to knees, then knees to thighs... and now they were creeping toward my inner thighs. That super dangerous, sensitive absolute territory(?).
"Wha?!"
I jolted awake, eyes flying open.
"So firm? Bear Doll?"
Eun-jin noona pressed and stroked my inner thigh with an innocent expression, like she had no clue.
Her hot body heat seeped through my thin training pants.
"Ugh, Eun-jin noona?! Where's that hand heading?! That's crossing the line! Stop!"
I freaked out, twisting my waist and clamping my legs shut.
The other four gluttons nearby stared in shock.
"Oh? What's wrong? Bear Doll? I just saw your inner thigh muscles were super tight and was gonna loosen them up properly~"
Eun-jin noona pouted, playing dumb. But her eyes sparkled with mischievous allure.
"You're insane! Eun-jin unnie! Where are you touching oppa?!"
"Unnie! That's seriously dangerous!"
Ha-rin and Ah-hyun, grasping the situation, blushed furiously in horror.
"This unnie's showing her true colors, huh?"
"I wanna touch too.."
Chae-yeon pointed accusingly, while Min-ji reached out with her same dazed look.
"No way! Everyone back off! My paradise is closed for good!"
I bolted upright on the sofa, sweating bullets.
Really... I couldn't let my guard down for even a second around these gluttons.
The next morning, 7th floor of J&J Entertainment headquarters in Cheongdam-dong.
"First time on the 7th floor?"
Ding! I stepped out of the elevator, guided by Oh Ji-yeon. Trailing behind me were Ha-rin, the Siren members, and Tae-ho hyung.
"Here, Eun-seong. This is it."
Oh Ji-yeon led me to a large glass door at the end of the 7th-floor hallway. Beside it hung an elegant plaque softly illuminated.
[Actor Team 1 - Seo Eun-seong]
"Oh?"
I rubbed my eyes at the plaque with my name.
"What's this? Manager?"
"What else? The dedicated office for our company's first actor, Seo Eun-seong. Go on in."
Oh Ji-yeon nodded toward the door.
I opened the glass door with trembling hands and stepped inside.
"Whoa?"
An exclamation escaped me.
The office took up half the floor—massive. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Gangnam. In the center sat a top-tier conference table with plush leather chairs. One wall had a huge smart TV for monitoring my work. Even a private sofa bed and mini bar for breaks were perfectly set up.
"Huh? This is way bigger than our Siren practice room!"
Ha-rin and the members following behind gaped at the lavish space.
It was extravagant enough to make top idols like them jealous.
"Manager.. Isn't this too much for me?"
I asked, feeling burdened, but Oh Ji-yeon smiled her signature smile and patted my shoulder.
"Too much? Do you know how much you've boosted our stock price? Soon, your hair/makeup team, dedicated coordinators, PR staff—they'll all be working out of here. You've earned it as an actor."
"Thank you.. I'll work like an ox. Ji-yeon noona—no, Manager."
Her sincerity moved me deeply.
"Manager.. You're playing favorites so hard. You just nag us all the time."
Eun-jin noona grumbled, puffing her cheeks, and Oh Ji-yeon chuckled.
"No jealousy, Eun-jin. I called you all because there's good news for you too."
"Huh? Good news?"
"Good news, right?"
We gathered around the conference table at her direction.
"Tae-ho-ssi?"
Oh Ji-yeon, at the head, nodded to Tae-ho hyung.
"Ahem."
Tae-ho hyung cleared his throat and spread documents on the table.
"Pay attention, everyone."
He straightened up for the big announcement.
"Everyone knows the new MV went mega global, right? Public interest in Eun-seong, Ha-rin—you siblings—is skyrocketing. Same for Eun-jin and the members."
"We know that, Tae-ho oppa. So what's the point? Spill it—we're dying here."
Ha-rin urged, and Tae-ho grinned.
"The point's obvious. Broadcasters aren't sitting idle. Variety show offers are piling up for Eun-seong, Ha-rin, and the members."
"Variety shows? Tae-ho hyung?"
"Tae-ho oppa, variety shows?!"
Ha-rin and I shouted in unison.
"Yep. They're requesting to film your real sibling daily life. It's that big observational variety you all watch often—I'll leave it at that."
"....?"
The room buzzed at Tae-ho's words. A big observational show meant high odds it was that Friday night staple.
"Oppa! We're doing variety! Together with you!"
"Whoa? Bear Doll's variety debut with us?!"
Ha-rin and Eun-jin noona lit up in surprise.
But...
"....."
I froze in my seat.
After movie bit part and MV, now variety? And an observational one exposing my entire life on camera?
"Wait! Tae-ho hyung! I've never done variety.. I get camera shivers just thinking about it!"
I protested desperately, but it was futile.
Oh Ji-yeon crossed her legs elegantly and drove the nail in.
"Camera shivers? Just be your usual self, and ratings will soar. No dodging, Seo Eun-seong? You promised to work like an ox."
"Huh?"
She threw my own words back at me.
Guess that's why they say to be careful with smart women?
"Haa.."
I let out a deep sigh. No escape no matter how I thought about it.