A Long Night





“Big bang big bang we're back again one more time say
No way no way neomu swipge tto nami dwae”


I watched Big Bang from the monitor that was placed inside our waiting room in the karaoke. I couldn’t help but be amazed at them. The guys who were performing in the monitor suddenly transformed.


They were no longer the childish, immature boys who were fighting with us as if we took their favorite toys.


Standing in that little stage set in the middle of the karaoke, they transformed into slick concert performers, looking cool and owning the stage, giving fan service to their screaming and giggling fans.


Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think our group is any less than they are. We also have our share of screaming fans, ogling at us, yelling that we marry them. But there’s something about Big Bang that I knew we still haven’t achieved at the moment.


Big Bang is already a legend.


I turned my attention towards their leader, the man who was partly the reason why their group is what it is now. The man who brilliantly composed beautiful words and turned them into phenomenal hits.


Kwon Jiyong.


“Na michil geot gatae ama jichin geot gatae (wae)
Anya jillin geot gatae beolsseo ttabunhae sisihae”


For the first time, I was looking at him with high regard, with admiration to the musical genius that he is.


I have been hearing a lot of praises for him, mainly about his genius in making music. Before, I found it hard to believe that a twenty-four year old like him was regarded as one of the most influential men in South Korea’s music industry.


But now, watching him perform “Tonight” for the first, the song he had made and realizing the meaning of it, gave him a newfound respect for the guy.


“Han yeojaroneun manjok mot haneun bad boy but I'm nice
An neomeogagoneun mot baegilgeol let me blow ya mind”


I turned to my right and saw Dara watching the monitor silently. 


But even in her silence, he could see one thing that was undeniable shining from her eyes.


Pride.


She was watching him with so much pride that I felt my heart suddenly constricting, making it hard for me to breathe.


I saw her lips starting to form a smile so discrete that only a lovesick puppy like me could have seen it.


She was watching him as if he was the only one performing. 


No TOP.


No Taeyang.


No Seungri.


No Daesung.


Just G-Dragon performing alone on that stage and only Dara Park watching him silently.


I tore my eyes away from her, afraid that if my eyes spent a little second more in her direction, my heart would start breaking into pieces.


I painfully looked at the monitor and focused my attention at him.


Will I ever be as good as him?


I heard myself saying though no one could hear it.


Will you ever watch me perform with those loving eyes of yours, Dara?


My eyes were still concentrated on him, Kwon Jiyong. I was looking at him with a different perspective now.


He was no longer G-Dragon, the man I had a newfound respect and admiration for.


He was back to being Kwon Jiyong, my rival to Sandara Park’s heart.


“Neoreul chajaseo oeo nal bichwojuneun jeo dalbicharaero
Geudael chajaseo oeooo kkeuchi eodinji moreugetjiman hey
Tonight tonight tonight tonight
Ajik nan sarangeul molla tto hollo gayeoun I bam”


The crowd erupted as Big Bang moved in unison, showing the cohesiveness of their group.


I looked towards my group and found them all watching the monitor. I felt a tug in my heart as I saw that they were wearing the same face as I was.


Envy. 


Longing.


When Jay-hyung left our group, we were distraught and lost. Park Jaebeom was not only a member of 2PM but also our leader, the man we looked up to and respected.


He had always regarded me as his little brother. When I felt alienated being the only Thai among our group, it was him who first made me feel welcomed. He would make fun of me and call me pretty boy, Thai Prince and even worse, would regard me as a pretty girl while the members would all laugh at me. Instead of getting mad at him for making me look like a fool in front of everyone, I actually felt happy with him teasing because it was his playfulness that had endeared me to the other members. Gradually, they opened up to me and regarded me as their own brother. They regarded me as one of their own.


I looked again at Jiyong. They were actually a lot alike. Besides being the leaders of their respective group, both Jay-hyung and Jiyong possessed great leadership traits. Like Jiyong, Jay-hyung was playful as well, being in the center of chaos whenever our rowdiness and rascal side kicked in. He would bring us to the Karaoke and sing countless of songs, 2NE1’s songs, especially “Fire” being his favorite. Though playful, he would immediately drop his goofiness and display his authority and leadership when the need arose. He was also protective of us, his dongsaengs. He would be the first one to answer questions that he felt were intruding us or being too offensive to us.


That was probably the reason why he left us. He wanted to protect us from the scandal he had created.


“Hyung, you don’t have to go.” I was telling him, no, more like begging him. Jay-hyung looked at me and gently patted my head.


“I have to.” He answered. “The scandal I have caused is just too much. It’s pulling down or group.” He looked down to his shoes as we all watched our leader started to crumble.

“If I don’t go now, I will just pull all of you down to my sinking ship.” He raised his eyes and looked at all of us intently. “You guys don’t deserve to suffer because of my recklessness.” He said, remorse was visible in his eyes.


“Hyung…” I started, feeling my eyes starting to well up. I bit my inner cheeks to stop the tears from spilling. I could feel the other members doing the same thing.


“I know all of you are strong. You don’t need a leader, especially one like me, to make 2PM a success.” He looked sad but still managed to give us a weak smile.


“You will go on and be better, better than what others would have expected. Before all of you know it, you will become the legends that you were all destined to be.”


He took his bags and quietly made his way out of our apartment. We wanted to stop him but couldn’t. Our feet were routed to the ground.


He turned around for the last time.


“And when that day happens, I will be there to watch you and cheer for all of you proudly, my dongsaengs.”


I smiled upon recalling that chapter in our lives. Until now, those words are what pushed us to strive harder, become better, and be one step closer to become the legends Jay-hyung had predicted us to be. So that when that time comes, we will be able to see him smiling at us once again, watching us proudly.


I approached our members as I heard the last two stanzas of “Tonight”, our signal to start preparing as we were up next.


“Neoreul chajaseo oeo(tonight ) nal bichwojuneun jeo dalbicharaero (such a beautiful night)”


“Hey guys, come on. Let’s do this!” I cheerfully told them. They all looked the same as I was, nervous and unsure. Performing after Big Bang was really a difficult feat to overcome.


“Let’s do this for Jay-hyung.” I spoke reverently. All of them looked at me with curiosity.



“Geudael chajaseo oeooo kkeuchi eodinji moreugetjiman (goodnight)”


“This will be streamed in youtube, right? Let’s show him that what he had predicted of us is not far from reality.” I told them seriously. Each one of them nodded, understanding full well what I was telling them.


I heard the intro of our song being played in the loud speaker.


“2PM, HWAITING!” 


We all looked towards our side and realized that 2NE1 were standing there, quietly watching us with gentle smiles on their faces.


We bowed our heads and thanked them, feeling a renewed energy and faith that somewhere, our leader was watching us.


As we were making our way out of the room, I felt a gentle hand tapped my shoulder.


I turned around and saw Dara smiling at me.


“Make him proud.” She said softly, her smile not leaving her face for a second.


I smiled and felt my heart beating so fast at her small gesture.


“Kamsahamnida.” I bowed to her and made my way outside together with my brothers.


We all walked together while our hearts silently cried in unison.


Hyung, this is for you.





“Dola oljido molla
nun dola oljido molla ah
weh dola ojileul ana
nan iluhkeh nul gidaligo issuh
babo gateun na…”


He was seated in front of his laptop, intently watching his friends as they took over the stage, confidently performing as if they were in a major concert.


The song they were performing was not as fierce as Big Bang’s “Tonight”.


You Might Come Back…


It was the song that netizens speculated was for him. They sang it with so much heart and passion that he felt his heart would explode from so much pride.


This was the first time he saw them perform with so much intensity, so much feelings that they seem to be unaware of the screams greeting them.


“That’s it. Prove to them that you are unbreakable.” He whispered. 


“Dola oljido molla
nun dola oljido molla ah
weh dola ojileul ana
nan iluhkeh nul gidaligo issuh
babo gateun na
dola oljido molla
nun dola oljido molla ah
weh dola ojileul ana
nan iluhkeh nul gidaligo issuh
dola oljido molla…”


“Jay, aren’t you coming with us?” A guy with a basketball called out.


“I have to do something.” He answered, not taking his eyes off the monitor of his laptop.


“Tsk. You’re watching them again.” The guy replied. Jay ignored the condescending tone his friend had.


“Neh, I will watch them take over the world.” He said softly as he heard the door closed behind him.


He smiled proudly as he watched his favorite dongsaengs claiming the spotlight once again.









We entered 2NE1’s waiting room and were greeted by loud applause and screams from our favorite dongsaengs.


“Wassup 2NE1!” We all shouted enthusiastically.


“Big Bang! Big Bang!” 2NE1 happily chanted as they all rushed and hugged us, congratulating us for the good performance we did earlier.



“Oppa! You were great as always!” CL exclaimed as she gave me a hug. I chuckled at her enthusiasm and ruffled her hair.


“Kamsahamnida!” I thanked her with a bright smile.


“We’re so proud to have oppas like you!” Minji exclaimed which brought a huge smile to our faces.


“Really, Lil Minji? We’re really that good?” I asked her as I gave her a hug. Bom noona nudged me.


“Ya! Don’t be so full of yourself! Minji’s just a minor blinded by her adoration for her oppas.” Bom noona teased us. “But yeah, all of you were great.” She smiled as she hugged me. I smiled back.


“Kamsahamnida, noona!” I bowed and thanked her.


My eyes scanned for Dara and saw her standing beside Seungri, looking shyly at me. All at once, my smile grew bigger.


“You want to hug me too, right? Come here!” I told her jokingly. She stuck her tongue out but went to me nonetheless.


I wrapped my arms around her as she came close to me. I inhaled her familiar scent which made my smile grew bigger, as if it could get any bigger anymore.


“Ya! You’re making us look like a rookie again performing like that!” She exclaimed, still tucked in my arms. Her hands found its way around my waist, wrapping them around me, making me sigh in content.


“You really have a weird way of congratulating us.” I chuckled as I pinched her nose which made her blush slightly.


“YA! Why are you hugging noona so tightly? Are you two back together again?” Seungri, our annoying maknae, yelled from across the room.


Dara jumped back and pulled away from my arms, suddenly embarrassed by our show of affection.


“Aniyo.” She answered shyly. I felt a slight painful tug in my heart upon hearing her say that but I knew that it was the truth.


“We’re not together again. Yet.” I emphasized on the word “yet”. “I plan to court her again.” I answered smiling brightly at her. She looked at me and smiled as well.


The group all let out an “aaaawwww” and giggled giddily like preschoolers.


After a few seconds, we turned our attention to the monitor that showed 2PM’s ongoing performance.


“WOW! They are really good tonight.” CL let out a soft whistle as her eyes were glued on the monitor. 


“Hamggeh itneun gutmaneulodo jo as-suh
(nuhleul) bogoman issuhdo gibooni jo ahsuh
(naneun) sesang modooleul da (da)
gajin deut heh geuletneundeh yeah…”


“Neh! I remember when they first performed this on Music Station, their palms were sweating before entering the stage.” Bom noona shared with got 2NE1 laughing. We just smiled at them, not being able to relate to their laughter.


“Yeah, unnie! Junsu-oppa looked like he was ready to vomit any time!” Minji, CL and Dara laughed as Bom giggled.


I looked over to Seung Hyun-hyung and noticed that his eyes grew sharp but still forced a smile on his face.


“And Taecky paced back and forth, back and forth until Junho could not take it anymore and dragged him towards a seat.” Dara giggled upon reminiscing that time.


“But to his dismay, Taecyeon-oppa started stomping his foot nonstop which drove Junho-oppa and everyone else crazy. Haha!” Minji laughed.


“But the highlight of that night was Khun-oppa!” CL giggled. “He was so absent-minded that he failed to see that they were ascending the stairs already and he lost his footing, falling backwards to Woo-oppa and like domino effect, 2PM came crumbling down the backstage!”


2NE1 laughed in unison and I noted that Dara laughed the loudest. 


“Haysst! Thank god the audience was screaming so loud that they didn’t hear the commotion happening backstage.” She laughed again, that contagious, infectious laugh of hers.


I looked at the other Big Bang members and we all shrugged, not knowing what to make of the scene before us.


We continued watching 2PM perform and I noticed something that made me watch them intently.


It was true that we did very well earlier. We were fierce and we got our choreography down to a tee.


2PM, on the other hand, were performing as if it were their first time on stage. They had fire in their eyes. They had passion in their voices that seemed to draw the attention of everyone watching them.


They were performing as if they were singing the song for someone other than the audience.


They were performing like we were when we debuted and had our first official stage at YG Family concert back in 2006.



I chuckled at my sudden realization.


Who would have thought that the group we all believed as our rival was actually a lot similar to us?


I chuckled at my sudden realization.


I turned my attention to 2NE1 and noticed that they were still intently watching the monitor. Their faces reflected something that made my heart ached a bit.


Pride.


They all clapped and screamed loudly as 2PM sang the final stanza of their song.









2NE1 rushed towards us as we made our way towards the waiting room. Psy, our emcee for tonight, was already entertaining our mini audience.


“OMO! Oppas, you were very good tonight!” Minji greeted us as we gave her a hug.


“Neh! This was your best stage so far!” CL excitedly told us as we hugged her as well.


“Ya! I didn’t know you guys can be so emotional onstage!” Bom noona joked to us while giving us playful punch in our shoulders.


“Aigoo, noona! Don’t embarrass us like that!” Junho covered his face as he blushed. We all did actually which garnered laughter from 2NE1. Bom noona offered her arms and hugged us.


“Aigoo… my dongsaengs! You really made noona very very proud!” Dara exclaimed while hugging each one of us that made us beam with more pride.


“Noona, you really enjoyed our performance?” Taecyeon asked expectantly.


“Neh! You were really good, Taecky!” She playfully pinched Taecyeon’s arm as he did the same.


“Unnie’s right. You were really good back there.” CL shyly said to Taecyeon which made him blush.


“Omo! Ok Taecyeon’s red as a tomato!” Woo exclaimed teasingly which urged Taecyeon to chase him as we all laughed at their childishness. Woo hid behind CL which made Taecyeon stop abruptly, scratching his head helplessly.


We almost rolled on the floor laughing.


We were watching the happy scene between 2NE1 and 2PM from afar.


They all looked so happy. 2NE1 was smiling proudly at 2PM while 2PM was beaming with so much pride upon seeing all the love 2NE1 was giving them.


It was like watching a familiar scene back in Korea a year ago. 


Only it was us, Big Bang and not 2PM who 2NE1 was happily congratulating.


It was us, Big Bang, who were beaming with pride upon seeing all the love 2NE1 was giving us.


I looked at Seung Hyun-hyung, Seungri, Dae and YB. I know that the look on their faces reflected my own.


Envy.


Longing.


It was like things have made a 180 degree turn since 2NE1 came to Japan.


I looked at Dara who was now beside Nichkhun, smiling brightly at him. His eyes beamed with pride as he looked at her.


Have things changed, Dara?


I saw her hugged him. I had to close my eyes to lessen the pain I was feeling.











We rushed towards the stage as we were called out by Psy.


We looked over the audience. Though there were only a few people watching us, we couldn’t help but feel giddy seeing as how they were all so excited and happy to see us standing in front of them.


“Omona! Dara’s so pretty! Dara’s so pretty!” We heard one of the girls sitting in front yelled out.


“Hayyyst, TM_luvG-D! You sound like an obsessed fan girl! Omo, there’s CL!” Another girl hissed and exclaimed simultaneously.


“Hayyst, who’s the fan girl now?” A girl from her right teased. “Wow! Bom has really nice legs!”


Her seatmate nudged her. “Ya, Jenny_Roadrunner! You sound like a ! Are you a guy?!” They both laughed at her statement.


“Ya, Larachristina1130! You’re also eyeing Minji, eh?” Jenny_Roadrunner teased. Another girl chipped in.


“Ya, stop lusting over 2NE1! We’re all girls her for crying out loud!” 


“Ya, x2NE1x! We’re not lusting!!!” The girls all cried in unison.


I looked towards Bommie, Lil Minji and CL-roo and we all broke into laughter.


After a few seconds, our song blasted from the speaker and immediately, we fell into our usual position.


CL started singing which brought the audience to their feet.


“Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t
Don’t stop the music
Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t
Don’t stop the music (Oh)…”


We danced to the beat as the audience sang along with us.


“Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t
Don’t stop the music
Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t
Don’t don’t don’t don’t…”


We were feeling the energy the audience was feeding us.


“Everybody hands up high
Du son meori wiro olryeo bwa
Seoro majubogo noryeo bwa
Rock, rock, rock meomchuji ma...”


I scanned the room and saw my good friend, Wookie, sitting beside one of best singers in South Korea, Rain.


I snapped back my attention to our performance as I heard Minji singing her lines.


“Igeon jaemineun nori
Neol wihan chwegogeub yori…”


I smiled as I noticed the camaraderie between Wookie and Rain, two of South Korea’s best male singers.


My thoughts were cut short when it was my turn to sing.


“(Fiore) ee eumak soge uri Fiore
(Fiore) Bulgeun jangmi gashi cheoreom uri wiheomhae
(Fiore) Ee rideumsoge neoreul magyeobwa…”


CL-roo wowed the audience with her fierceness.


“(Fiore) Ee goseneun just music and you…”


It was Bommie’s turn to face the spotlight.


“Jigeum ee eumagi meochwo beorigo namyeon
Neol dashi bol su eobdaneungeol areo
So DJ deo shinnage eumageul teureo
Jigeum ee sungan modeungeol ijeul su itge…”


CL-roo, Bommie, Minji and I all became one. We all sang in unison, showing the world the bond that we have formed. The bond the no one can break.


“Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t
Don’t stop the music…”


The bond that was formed by our common love.


Music.


“Don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t don’t
Don’t don’t don’t don’t…”












We were gathered in the waiting room, watching 2NE1 wow the audience with their infectious energy and undeniable stage presence.


I looked at each of our faces. At this moment, we were not 2PM and Big Bang fighting for the attention of 2NE1.


At this moment, we’re 2PM and Big Bang, proud oppas of our dongsaengs, 2NE1.


At this moment, we’re one in cheering our favorite girl group.


At this moment, we’re not idols of South Korea.


At this moment, we’re 2NE1’s number one fanboys.










We were all still reeling from our performance earlier. The audience gave us so much so much love and admiration that we giddily hopped towards the waiting room, only to be greeted with more love and admiration from Big Bang and 2PM.


“We have the best oppas in the whole world!” Minji exclaimed happily as we were happily chatting with 2PM and Big Bang.


Psy was still talking to the audience, giving us a brief time to catch our breaths, relax and prepare for our next performance.


After a few minutes, CL-roo and Minji were called out for their “I’ll Be Back” performance. We all wished them luck and cheered them on.


“CL and Minji, hwaiting!” Taecyeon and Daesung yelled in unison. They looked at each other and broke into a grin.


“CL and Minji, go go go!” Seunrgi and Junho also yelled in unison. They laughed upon the coincidence.


“CL and Minji, YA YA YA!” We all yelled in unison as Minji and CL laughed and waved at us. They hurriedly made their way towards Psy and the excited audience.














I stood beside Dara who was busy watching the monitor. She was beaming with pride while watching Lil Minji and CL performing onstage.


“Ya! You look like an eomma proud of your children.” I as she turned around. My face softened as I saw her eyes welling with tears.


“Mianhe…” She said almost in a whisper. “It’s just, just that I, I’m so proud of them.” She eyed the monitor again. “Look at how good they are! They have come so far!” She was beaming with so much pride that I wanted to hold her so tight, kissed the tears away from her eyes and claim her lips right then and there.


I controlled myself and wiped the tears from her eyes instead. I leaned closer and whispered to her ear.


“You have come so far as well, Dara.” I gazed at her, letting her know I meant the words that came out of my mouth.


She looked up at me and stared at my eyes for a long time, making my heart start beating crazily. Finally, she opened her lips and a beautiful smile formed on her face.


I felt at the moment, I could have flown even without wings.


“Kamsahamnida, Jiyongie.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. It felt so good. So right.


“Kamsahamnida, Dara-ya.”


I leaned my head on hers.


Neh, everything will be alright.















I felt sweat forming on my forehead. I carefully wiped it with my bare hands, afraid that I may smudge the make-up that our make-up artist took time and effort to do.


I looked over at Bommie who was standing across me. I saw her fidgeting with her fingers and I had to smile.


Yep, Bommie, like yours truly, was scared as hell as well!


Why wouldn’t we? We were only going to sing one of the famous song of the famous duo, GD & TOP.


Yep, GD & TOP.


Kwon Jiyong and Choi Seung Hyun.


The two men who play a major role in our lives.


I let out a sigh as I heard the music being played. 


Jibe Gajima.


Hayssst! I might as well go home tonight if I screw this performance!


I looked at Bommie and she gave me a “thumbs up” sign. I smiled at her and gave her a “hwaiting” pose.


We entered the stage as the audience greeted us with shocked faces. They were probably expecting Tabi and Jiyongie.


I started singing, keeping to mind all the pointers Jiyongie gave me.


“Jibe gajima baby
noege jul sonmuri yogi itneunde..”


The stunned audience erupted into cheers as I started singing and dancing to the beat. I felt my self-confidence boost up.


“Onereun jibe gajima baby ye~
nado sireun iksukhaji anhayo sweet heart~…”


I gave the floor to Bommie.


“A-yo turn it up oosaekhan bunwigineun sirho sigye chim soriga wolle jorido kosseulkka?
moge chim neomoganeun neowa achimeul matgo shipho
oneul i bami da gagi jone dulmaneui secret party~…”


I smiled widely upon watching Bommie rap. She looked so confident and sure of herself. She’s actually good! 


Waaa! Tabi did a good job!


“Keundae deon like cinderella yeol-du si ttaeng chimyeon jibe garyo hae
honjain bameun gireo callin' up neo-eui bumonimkke
sseon cheok hajiman maume gollyo s.o.s jindoneun morosso
ho ireon jamkkan na wae iroji? cwihaetna ojirowo jami dero…”


The audience suddenly screamed in unison. Bommie and I looked at each other in confusion.


I was about to sing my part when I felt a hand intertwined in mine and started dancing beside me.


My eyes widened as I saw the owner of the hand that claimed mine.


Jiyongie!


He winked at me as we danced in sync.


I was lost in our little moment that I failed to notice that Tabi was by Bommie’s side as well, the two having their own little moment as well.


“Jibe gajima baby
noege jul sonmuri yogi itneunde
onereun jibe gajima baby ye~
nado sireun iksukhaji anhayo sweet heart~…”


I looked at Jiyongie, silently asking him if I was doing a good job.


As if understanding my intention, he smiled and nodded slightly, discreetly giving me a “thumbs up” sign.


I continued singing and dancing, my confidence a notch higher than earlier.


“Buderoun emak sorie ppalgan jangmi kkot gadeukhan areum, ooh~


The audience gasps as I reached out my hand to Jiyongie, offering a single red rose. As if on cue, Bommie materialized behind me ready to snatch the rose but Jiyongie was quick. He took the rose before Bommie could have snatched it.


Bommie pouted in confusion as this was not part of the choreography. However, her pout turned into an “awww” together with the audience when Tabi tapped her shoulder and offered another rose to her.


I smiled giddily seeing my two friends showing affection towards one another. I felt my cheeks turned red, though, as I felt Jiyongie’s fingers touched my cheek, giving me an indirect kiss.


The audience erupted in loud cheers and applause at Jiyongie’s action.


“Hey I can't let you go, no wa jamsirado, ttorojilsu obso okjiro chamji marajwo…”


I felt Jiyongie’s gazed on me, making my knees weaken a bit.


“Jibe gajima baby
noege jul sonmuri yogi itneunde
onereun jibe gajima baby ye~
nado sireun iksukhaji anhayo sweet heart~…”


I was facing Jiyongie now. His eyes still locked with mine.


”Baby take my hand, 
Don't be afraid, baby 
Just stay together…”


Jiyongie grabbed my hand again, pulling me to his side. I glanced at Bommie who was in the same position as I was. Her hand shaking a bit as she tried her best to rap her part while Tabi’s gaze and hand were on hers. 


I trembled as well as I sang with her but I did my best to not show the audience.


“Neol mannan huro choeumiya jibi omhaeso gob najiman excited
hyudaephon jindong an joheun jingjo choinjong ding dong piharaneun sinho bingo
hwaksineul jwoyaji genyeoege gereolssahan mallo dullodaege?


Bommie and I pulled away from Tabi and Jiyongie. We came close to each other and turned our backs towards one another, imitating Tabi and Jiyongie during their performances.


“I sesang gajang yeppeun fiance jo pureun chowon wi nim gwa hamkke
wolle wild hajiman soft hae chaekim mot jil mal aye mothae
girl you know what i mean igol solmyeonghagin oryowo hagin piryo obtneun yegi…”


Jiyongie and Tabi moved towards us, dancing to the beat.


“Jomyeongeul natchugo neowa siseoneul matchujyo
kwak jamgin danchugo saljjak pulgo ibi mareugo muneul jamgeugo…”


We were pulled again by Jiyongie and Tabi and we let ourselves be pulled, enjoying the moment we were having.


“Jibe gajima baby
noege jul sonmuri yogi itneunde


Suddenly, I felt Jiyongie’s soft lips touched my cheek. 


For a split second, my world stopped turning.


I shook my head to get back to reality and continued singing as I heard Jiyongie gave a soft chuckle.


“Onereun jibe gajima baby ye~
nado sireun iksukhaji anhayo sweet heart~…”


Bommie and I faced opposite directions as we sang the bridge part of the song. Bommie went to Tabi’s side while I went to Jiyongie’s side.


“Ah…”


Tabi, Jiyongie and Bommie pointed towards me as the audience chanted “D-D!”


“Ah…”


Tabi, Jiyongie and I pointed towards Bommie as the audience chanted “Bommie P”.


“Moduga jamdeun i bam honja itneun gon shirho…”


Bommie and I faced Tabi and Jiyongie who had their backs now turned against us.


“Ah..”


Bommie knocked on Tabi’s back. Tabi turned his head towards her and shyly covered his face as he faced front again.


“Ooh ah..”


I knocked on Jiyongie’s back. Jiyongie turned his head towards me and shyly covered his face as he faced front again.


“Jo dalbiche sumoso dalkimhan soksangimeul hae…”


Tabi took Bommie’s hand while Jiyongie took mine. They twirled us around and we landed in their arms, securely fastened in their embrace as the music ended.


The audience broke into frenzied screams and applause while Bommie and I were still reeling from our first collaborative stage performance.












I knew I shouldn’t be jealous. It was a stage performance after all.


But seeing Dara singing and dancing happily and closely with Jiyong made my heart ache so much.


I was finding it hard to admit to myself that the two of them looked good together but the truth is, they do.


They looked so damn good together that I wanted to scream and raise havoc in the waiting room.


It didn’t help that after their performance, Dara and Jiyong came back together in the waiting room. Jiyong’s arm was still securely placed in Dara’s shoulder which was reminiscent of their “Hello” performances. The performances that they shared when they were still a couple.


I felt I needed to breathe so I excused myself from everyone else and made my way out of the room. Dara never noticed me leaving as she was so engrossed with what Jiyong was whispering in her ear.


I took a glance at her before completely leaving the room. She was still looking at Jiyong, attentive to everything he was saying.


I caught Woo looking at me, concern painted on his face. I heaved a sigh and continued walking out of the room.


There’s no use pretending now.














I was still reeling from my performance earlier that I failed to notice Khun Khun was missing.


I asked 2PM where he was and Woo told me he went out to get fresh air. I guess he was exhausted from their performance earlier.


I went to Jiyongie and excused myself. He looked reluctant at first but just nodded okay.


My instinct told me to go to the balcony of the karaoke but got disappointed when I didn’t see him there. 


Nevertheless, the view from the balcony was breathtaking that I had to stay a little while to enjoy it.


I felt the cold wind brushing my face gently and I felt calm and peaceful. I smiled while my eyes were still closed.


After our last performance, I will tell him finally what I have decided.


Neh. He will know before this night end what he truly means to me.


Before this night ends, I will open my heart again. I will trust again.


Before this night ends, I will love again.


And before this night ends, I will tell…


My thoughts were cut when I felt strong arms circling my waist.


“Dara…”


I froze.


“Just let me hold you like this, please.”


His arms tightened around me, hugging me tightly. I couldn’t move as I was still in a state of shock.


“Khun Khun…?” I finally found my voice.


I felt him buried his head on my back and I felt fresh tears dripping on my blouse.


I turned around and cupped his chin, raising his face towards me.


“Why are you crying?” I asked, confused at his state.


“Mianhe, Dara. Mianhe.” He was looking down on his shoes even if I was cupping his face to look at my eyes.


“I don’t understand. I…”


He cut me with the words I least expected.


He slowly moved up his face and gazed at me with those tender eyes of his.


“I love you, Dara. Saranghae.”


His words were like a grenade that fell on me. I was shocked at his revelation.


As if his confession wasn’t enough to reel me, he suddenly grabbed my face and moved it closed to his.


Without thinking twice, he moved his face towards mine and claimed my lips.


A familiar feeling washed over me as his kiss reminded me of the kiss we shared during our shooting for our commercial.


It was sweet and tender, almost weakening me.


Then his kisses became deeper that I gasped at his sudden aggressiveness which gave him access to fully explore my mouth.


I don’t know what came over me. All the plans that I have thought of in my head awhile ago, all the thoughts that I had awhile ago, suddenly flushed out of me.


It was as if I was magnetized by the kiss we were sharing.


I wasn’t even aware that I was already responding to his kiss.


I wasn’t even aware that not far away from us, the man that filled my thoughts earlier was silently watching us. 


His heart along with his hope was silently breaking, shattering into pieces that would be very hard to piece together.