Author's Friendly Suggestion: Do listen to Han Namja by Kim Jong Kook as you read this, hehe. Enjoy^^ The lyrics of Han Namja are in bold.

Kim Jong Kook gave the cue to the musicians to start the music. Inhaling a deep breath, he attempted to relax to calm himself. In his heart, he was counting to the beat to the music. Once the beat was right, he started singing his song, One Man. He wanted this performance to be the best one he had ever put on as this time, better than all of his performance he ever had. Unlike the other performances that he had done before, this time it was different. With his gaze fixated on his one and only woman, Song Ji Hyo, he meant every word that he uttered.

It must’ve been a long time. Long enough for these words to become colourless.

-

It was a drinking session in Kwang Soo’s house back in 2013. They were drinking for hours when Jong Kook realised that almost everyone had collapsed. Jong Kook didn’t drink but was there just for the atmosphere. Sensing the environment, he knew that this was his opportunity to do what he had been itching to do.

His arm was placed over Ji Hyo’s shoulders. After confirming that she was certainly drunk, he shifted his arm and wrapped her in an embrace.  With their faces apart from each other, he inhaled in her intoxicating beauty.  

Inching forward, he whispered in her ear.

“Ji Hyo, I like you.”

He tightened his embrace to hide his face which was in a deep shade of red, burning with embarrassment. It would be embarrassing if anyone caught him doing so.

“Really?” Ji Hyo asked.

“Really.”

“Me too.” 

Her words caused a wide grin to plaster on Jong Kook’s face at that exact moment. Moments later, he let the reality sink in when he remembered that she’s currently attached. But since, she’s drunk. Jong Kook felt that it was nothing but letting a burden out of his chest. At least he wouldn’t have any regrets since he managed to confess to the woman he loves.

-

Even if I just see your eyes, I know everything,

-

Jong Kook found Ji Hyo crying on her phone on one Running Man filming day as he passed by her changing room. He couldn’t help but be concerned with the source of a sobbing woman. He saw through the gap within the door and found Ji Hyo bursting into tears while shouting in the phone.

The pain reflected in Ji Hyo’s voice caused Jong Kook to be concerned for her despite knowing who might be on the call, her boyfriend, Baek Chang Joo. But, knowing that Ji Hyo wants her private life to be protected, he didn’t pry. Instead, he went to the nearby café to pick up a cup of americano and delivered it to her.

When Jong Kook walked into Ji Hyo’s changing room, he leaned towards the door to checked if the call had ended. Hearing silence, he gently knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” Ji Hyo asked.

Jong Kook heard the hoarseness in Ji Hyo’s voice. But he just pretended like he didn’t.

“It’s me,” Jong Kook said and entered the room with the cup of americano.

Ji Hyo looked at Jong Kook, surprised that he would visit her in her changing room before filming. He observed slight redness in her eyes. Something must have happened.

“I happened to pass by the café today. Here, a cup of americano for you,” Jong Kook smiled as he passed the cup of americano to Ji Hyo.

“Thanks, oppa,” Ji Hyo thanked.

“It’s nothing. See you in a bit when the filming starts!” Jong Kook said and walked out.

-

Like your friend, like your shadow.

-

His eyes were always fixated on Ji Hyo on Running Man filming. As long as the other members happen to be there for Ji Hyo, he would pretend to be indifferent. While other times, he will ensure that he is always there right beside her. He wants to be the one to care for her. But he couldn’t do it openly, especially not when she has an on-screen boyfriend, on-screen husband and well, a real boyfriend. The only establishment in an alliance he can with her is Spartace, where he is Sparta Kook and she is the Ace.

-

Kim Jong Kook slowly walked down the aisle. From the pianist to the string ensemble, he walked one step with every beat.

-

We must’ve been together always. When you’re having hard time and you are sad,

-

“Oppa, can we get a drink tonight?” Ji Hyo asked.

“Do you want me to get Kwang Soo along?” Jong Kook asked.

“He has filming today and Dong Hoon oppa have to go home for Byul unnie. But I desperately need a drink today,” Ji Hyo explained.

“Oh, okay then. I will watch you drink. Let’s go.” Jong Kook said.

The two decided to crash Kwang Soo house as Kwang Soo lives alone while the other two don’t. Kwang Soo trusted them and allowed them to. Jong Kook accompanied Ji Hyo to get a dozen bottles of soju from the convenience store and brought it to Kwang Soo’s house.

Jong Kook didn’t want Ji Hyo to drink all of them but if she’s desperate for a drink, he decided that he should just get as much as possible then restrict her when he saw her reaching her alcohol limits.

After reaching Kwang Soo house for half an hour, the two lazed in Kwang Soo’s living room floor. Jong Kook watches as Ji Hyo downed glasses of soju after soju. He was thankful that the soju glasses that Kwang Soo have in his house are smaller than typical soju glasses.

“Care to share?” Jong Kook asked Ji Hyo.

“It’s nothing. I just want to drink,” Ji Hyo lied.

“I know that you are lying. If you aren’t lying, why are you looking so sad and miserable right now?” Jong Kook asked.

“I just broke up and it hurts…” Ji Hyo burst into tears.

“It’s going to be fine. You’re going to be fine,” He comforted Ji Hyo in his soothing voice as he brought her into an embrace.

It was then Jong Kook realised that he could only be the friend she entrusted to share her problems.

-
even when you’re lonely. Holding onto separation a bit longer,

Even when I’m hurting to wipe away your tears.

-

They had attended a Running Man staff member wedding that day.

“Oppa, can we get a drink tonight?” Ji Hyo asked in which Jong Kook flashed her a look as if questioning her, so she reasoned, “It feels unfortunately lonely tonight seeing a couple married today. I don’t want to cry myself to sleep.”

“Sure,” Jong Kook said.

By then, Jong Kook had already moved out of his parents’ house and lived alone. And so, Ji Hyo went to Jong Kook house for a drink instead of Kwang Soo. Despite not being a drinker, he had his soju stocked up for just one person, Song Ji Hyo.

“Oppa, do we need to get soju before going to your house?” Ji Hyo asked when they were in Jong Kook’s car.

“No need, my house has soju. Err, someone gave me soju and I didn’t know what to do so, just help yourself later,” Jong Kook said.

Ji Hyo just nodded, thinking that someone would not know that Jong Kook is a non-drinker and still give him soju.

When they reached his apartment, Jong Kook led Ji Hyo to the box of soju. Ji Hyo couldn’t help but be surprised at the wide array of the choices of soju that Jong Kook have at his apartment, despite being a non-drinker.

That night, Jong Kook watched Ji Hyo down shot after shots to fill the void within her. How he wished that he could show her that he truly cares for her!

Although Ji Hyo was knocked out by the alcohol already in dreamland, Jong Kook couldn’t help but feel his heart aching when he saw tears flowing out from Ji Hyo’s eyes. Gently, he held his thumb and wiped away the warm tears from Ji Hyo eyes. If only Ji Hyo could see that he wanted to be the one for her.

-

Now, Jong Kook stood beside the string ensemble as he saw how Ji Hyo fixated her eyes on the screen that projected their on-screen memories. While his song, One Man, reminded him of their off-screen memories.

-

There’s a man. Who loves you so much.
There’s a man, who can’t even say I love you.
-

For seven years, he saw his dear dongsaeng, Kang Gary, always having the chance to do cheesy acts of love on-screen in front of everyone. Again, and again, Jong Kook could only endure and not show it.

When Running Man was starting the Monday Couple love line, it was true that Kang Gary was crushing on Ji Hyo then. But when the news of Ji Hyo dating her CEO came out, Gary finally decided to move on from Ji Hyo.

Jong Kook knew that allowing them to have fun as the Monday Couple love line was the least that he could do, besides he isn’t anyone to Ji Hyo besides being like a caring oppa who a close co-worker is also.

-

By your side I put my hand out and
at a path where you can always reach me
I, who cherishes you more than myself, am with you.

-

It was in 2016 after Kang Gary left Running Man. That day was different, he woke up to know that he and Ji Hyo were removed by Running Man staff and will be replaced by Kang Ho Dong.

Jong Kook was so angry that he went to the boxing rink to let out his anger. He couldn’t understand why his beloved staff would do such a thing to Ji Hyo and him. He knows that he is affected by that, but he couldn’t help but feel so weak to be unable to protect his girlfriend and let the staff kick the two of them out.

He took half a day to vent out his anger at the boxing rink. When he felt better, he got some takeaway food and then drove to Ji Hyo house. He cannot afford to be any weaker if he wanted to be the strength for Ji Hyo.

Ji Hyo was so upset at the news that she locked herself in her room. It was only with Jong Kook’s soothing that made her willing to open the door. For once, Jong Kook allowed Ji Hyo to have the meal on the bed. Ji Hyo had always thought that the bed is a sacred place and should not be mistreated and Jong Kook felt that food doesn’t belong in the bedroom. But this incident made their principles waver as they leaned on each other for support.

-

Jong Kook and Ji Hyo locked their gazes. She was sitting down by the table in the centre of the rooftop garden while he stood by the projection screen, singing his song. He couldn’t help but felt miserable at how expeditious she looked away and focused on the screen instead. But he knew that he deserved it for lying to her. It was only natural for her to be livid at him.

Perfunctory, he gulped down a chunk of saliva when the instrumental of his song inched in.

-

To make you laugh, I think of only that and
When and wherever you are I’m watching you and missing you.
And who worries of only you,

-

Whenever Ji Hyo is feeling a little down during filming, he would try the best to cheer her up. At times when they have special roles in the episode, Jong Kook always felt bad when he had to bl