The Girl from Korea.

“Have you sent Evan over to the ‘south side’ studio?”
Janice nodded as she moved her coffee cup and with care sipped genty at the froth. “He’s almost 20 years old and time he took on more work given his talents and this time? Not going to go to waste.”

“The K-pop girls with some other solo artistes will be arriving, within the next few hours.” “Bernice has sorted out their accommodation “ Toren’s was pleased to hear the latest news.

Evan had been talking to several of the studio tutors but had been somewhat relieved, to see Tim who had arrived minutes after him.

“I gave the guest studios, a clean over last night.”
Evan was pleased to see Tim, Up until now he had felt a little isolated.

“The new equipment was also installed”
He decided to go with Tim and take a look as they stepped into ‘guest studio 1z;.

Many of the ‘tutors / coaches’ Evan had never met before and the ones he did know, appeared to be absent.

Well until later, as many did evening tutorials and training with choreographers Soma and Julius. Two of the most popular coaches AND highly prized by Toren’s for the amount of revenue they generated.

Social media had them elevated to stars. Due to their well earned competition and a variety of other activities they took part in re achievements.

“I’ve put in some more shelving and storage units, the changing areas, studio and rest areas.
Three large multi units with electronic locking.

To access their stuff all they have to do is place their phones or enter a 6 digit code = the data screen. ”

Evan heard his phone spring into life. Looking at the screen he smiled. “Ten minutes and they will be here. Traveling from London.”
Tim took at look at the mesage. “They made better time then I thought.”

So they had been in London for a week. Taking in the sights with some other treats, such as guest stage appearances, that had had been well attended, by fans of the so called ‘K-pop phenomenon’ . 

More than aware, of the so called ‘street mob, dance off K-pop craze, that had erupted since their arrival in the UK, with fans imitating some of them and producing or so he thought, a really enjoyable YouTube showcase.

Ah yes, the coveted ‘Red rose’ international competition that had been extended to many countries including special invites to those from Korea. Singers, dancers. Solo or groups.

At the rear entrance, they witnessed the large luxury coach, now pulling into the area, in front of them. Suddenly he was aware of Sophie and Donna joining them.

“Good to see you two!” Evan tried to limit the sarcasm in his voice. He was not pleased with them; since he had been anxiously wondering, where they were, for the last HOUR?

“We got caught up in traffic. Mooreston street is closed off to traffic so we had to make a detour.” He nodded kind of accepting their excuses as he now heard the hiss of the door to the coach opening up to reveal the steps into it.

No one on the coach moved. Well none bar one girl, who now appeared at the top of those steps to slowly descend down, until she was now in view of them.

She was Evan noted a very well dressed, very attractive and bubbly female.
From the off, he could sense her energy. She spoke in Korean, some broken English? introducing herself and handing Evan some documents.

It was, he noted, a list of all of the passengers plus a lot of other information?
Evan had been told to take charge of the welcoming committee Sophie and Donna knew this and kept quiet.

In almost perfect Korean, with all of tis accents and intonations; Evan was a total surprise to the girl, as he introduced those present and welcomed her.

She was very impressed not only with his audible skills, but hell, this guy was one gorgeous, well proportioned, tall, strong and oh yes; good looking.

She noted this had NOT gone unnoticed, by some of those on the coach.
Some were stood, watching them, lips moving making comments with one or two of them running their tongue across their lips! Thinking? no doubt along the same lines as their boss; Jisou.

“Would you please talk to the girls on the coach ? They are not allowed off the coach until you have spoken to them?”

This was NOT what Evan had given thought to. Torens had, with Pat’s help, somewhat complicit, in what was likely to happen. “That number of females, would make any male, run for the hills” Toren’s had laughed joined by Pat some seconds later. “I;m staying out of his way for a few days.” More laughter.

As he stepped into the coach and was now next to the driver viewing his ‘audience’ Some moving back to their seats. The full realization hit him, like a tidal wave. His head jerked momentarily as he regained his composure.

If Jisou had been totally stunned by his language skills? Those on the bus were equally astonished. Not only did he welcome them all BUT they could clearly understand everything he was now telling them

Firsly they would be given a tour of the studios and then taken to a restaurant for their mid day meal where other tutors / coaches from the studios would join them. A kind of meet and greet.

Split into four groups of some 10 plus in each one with Donna taking the first group followed by Sophie. If the remaining girls were hoping to be selected into Evan’s team? Each group had an interpreter, who did not speak as good as Evan BUT were certainly capable individuals.

The arrival of international celebrities;.Soma and Julius? All hell was about to break out. Luckily, Jisou simply had to open her mouth and peace was restored, with some order in play.

‘Heck I am beginning to like this girl.’ Soma and Julius left to leave for the restaurant venue; the meet and greet. They both made it clear they would be more than happy, re pictures with the girls.

it would be some hours later when Evan could finally relax. OK, so it was AFTER midnight! AFTER the girls had been settled into their rooms and he could escape to the bar for a much needed whiskey!

As he sipped at his drink he was aware of a figure approaching him.
Jisou? She sat next to him and he ordered her the drink of her choice.

“I don’t think we can accommodate you with Soju and beer..” He started to grin.“Thank you for all your help today; it was well appreciated”. Jisou smiled.

“The studios are really good. The equipment has Korean encoding to make it easy for the girls to use.

Of course they have brought some of their own equipment with them; some of them like certain microphones and systems. I liked the fact the wi-fi and other essentials was really good.
Fast and reliable? “

“Torens my boss, has had 5G next generation systems installed in some areas. 5G is however VERY selective. Does not work outside the studios. Panoramic or GREEN rooms you will see tomorrow will I guarantee take your breath away. ” He paused to order some more drinks.

“Have you seen the Karaoke rooms here ?”

Minutes later they were stood, in one of the rooms. Plush, soft seating, around the room. Lighting that could be electronically programmed to suit the mood and so much more !

“WOOOOW ” could be a good description of her expression. Jisuo watched as he moved over to the remote control units and picked one of them up. Then he handed her a mike unit.
The screen in front of them lit up and on it?

Jisou in all her glory.

She was singing, ‘You are my everything’. He paused the play and smiled at her as he altered the system configuration to lyrics only. “I want to hear YOU singing this here NOW?”

She would NOT disappoint him, she could tell the look on his face was one of soaking up the moment, with what could be a absolute; ecstasy. When he joined her for the last verse? Their eyes met, her lips trembled, she could feel all of her emotions in ‘ disarray, askew.

His voice had so much warmth to it, resonating the room and making her feel her knees almost giving way. He reached forward and she fell into his arms.
As she did so the movement. caused them to stumble, caught off balance and seconds later? Flung down onto the seating.

No words, can ever say, what in the moment, time brings into play; the smell of his flesh AND she noted NOT smothered with after shave or other, obnoxious; odors!! Pheromones being breathed in and not just driving her crazy; he was now realizing how the scent of her next to him was also bringing some of his animal lust to the fore.

What has Toren’s said about Sarah?? What drove him crazy?

The scent of her perfume, HER body next to me, sends

all of my senses, in disarray; askew?

If he thought he was alone?? He was wrong, she too; knew.

all of OUR senses, in disarray; askew?

Now I know the meaning of why, why YOU are my everything.

(to be continued)

박진주 - You Are My Everything [불후의 명곡2 전설을 노래하다/Immortal Songs 2] | KBS 210807 방송
PARK JIN JOO

 ALL Jess Corbin’s works are fiction re places, times, people, persons; unless stated otherwise.

*A poktan-ju (폭탄주) ("bomb drink") consists of a shot glass of soju dropped into a pint of beer (similar to a boilermaker); it is drunk quickly. This is similar to the Japanese sake bomb. Soju is sometimes mistakenly referred to as cheongju (청주), a Korean rice wine.