“Oh my God.” Seulgi said for what felt like the tenth time since she had found out. We had been sitting in our seats in the venue for a little while already and Seulgi hadn’t seemed to have lost any of her excitement since we gave her the surprise ticket at lunch time. “You guys are the best!” She cried, attempting to hug all three of us at once with some difficulty.

“You’re welcome!” Jihye exclaimed as she tried to free herself from Seulgi’s arm which was pulled round her neck. “It’s gonna be good.” She continued “Right Sumin?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I said, as excitedly as I could muster. “I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never been to TV broadcast before!”

“Me neither.” Jieun agreed. “It’s gonna be so much fun! I heard WINNER are performing actually Sumin. Don’t you like them? You were playing their album so much when it came out last summer.” She pointed out, and I inwardly cursed at her great observation and memory.

“Yeah I guess I like them.” I replied, the comment reminding me about a message I received out of the blue during class this morning. I reached to get my phone out to read through the conversation carefully, the others now deep in a deep discussion about something else.

SMINO: A little bird told me you’re coming to watch us perform tonight. [09:35]

Hazel~: Yah. How did you get my kakao? [11:16]

Hazel~: Besides I’m going only because it’s my friend’s Birthday and we got her surprise tickets. [11:16]

SMINO: Excuses Excuses. Well Hanbin leaves his phone lying round too much, especially for someone who doesn’t put a passcode on his phone. ;) [11:17]

Hazel~: Delete my number! [11:20]

SMINO: Oh I feel hurt ㅠㅠ [11:22]

SMINO: Aren’t you too harsh to your oppa Sumin-Ah? [11:23]

Hazel~: Not really. [11:24]

SMINO: :( Anyway, make sure you cheer for me too! Hanbin can’t steal all your support, especially when you were an Inner Circle first^^ [11:25]

Hazel~: Don’t use that against me. I’ll cheer for you if you delete my number. [11:27]

SMINO: Such a hard choice, but I’m sure you’ll cheer for me even if I keep your number ;) ;) [11:27]

The frustrating thing was that I knew he was right. I had missed a little of the chatter when I put my phone away and so when my attention was back with them, I could see Seugi squealing over something. I was about to comment when Jihye cut in, her loud voice piercing. “It’s shame IKON can’t be here too.” She said sadly. I was still thinking about Mino’s texts to me, annoyed at myself for being slightly excited when I saw his Kakao ID flash on my screen. It wasn’t my fault that I was a fan before I met Hanbin and all this drama happened.

“They haven’t debuted yet.” Seulgi said. “But IU will be there, and that’s the only person I really care about right now! She has the voice of an angel.”

“Face of an angel too.” I added.

“Of course. IU is perfect.” Seulgi continued, leaning back her chair. “Jihye, how did you get such good seats? The view is great.”

“My Dad. I don’t know how he does it, but I’m not complaining.” Jihye grinned. “These are good seats.” She added.

We were sitting in row next to each other, on the right hand side of the venue, the small centre stage that protruded out from the main stage only a few rows in front of us. It was in fact an extremely good view.

*

 The recording had gone smoothly so far. Because it was a live special, there was no starting and stopping or retaking of the video and so the various acts seemed to fly past. I sat in wonder as I saw yet another girl group with a somewhat y concept entered onto the stage, performed and swiftly exited. How were there so many groups that I had never heard of, let alone heard any of their songs?

“The next performer is known as Korea’s little sister.” The MC announced. Jieun had muttered to me near the beginning of the show that he was a member of the EXO group. Not that I knew anything about that. “She is one of Korea’s finest solo artist. Please welcome IU!” The crowd cheered at this, I turned to see Seulgi screaming at the stage, a huge smile plastered on her face.

IU performed her newest song ‘My Old Story’ as well as an older classic ‘Good Day’ with class and confidence. I couldn’t help but admire her fantastic vocal range as well as her ability to swag the crowd, most of whom were not there for her specifically. The same could not be said Seulgi, who definitely didn’t need to be swayed. After IU had performed, the recording stopped for a short advert break to run.

“That was amazing.” Seulgi cried, her eyes bright with the excess adrenaline release from seeing her role model perform. “Thanks so much. Oh my God.”

Jihye laughed. “You don’t need to keep thanking us. You’re welcome.”

“IU was really good.” I said.

“Always the tone of surprise Sumin.” Seulgi said jokingly. “IU has always been this good. It’s just you who’s only just noticing it.”

I nodded. “It’s probably true.” I admitted. “So who is next to perform?”

“From the order posted online, there’s only 5 groups left.” Jihye said, reading off her phone. “It looks like WINNER are next.” She added.

“Oh ok.” I said quickly and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of nervousness wash over me. It was irrational really but having now met Mino, who knows what he could do on stage. My mind playing through the messages he had sent me earlier that day.

“Looks like it’s going to start again in a minute.” Jieun whispered as she pointed at the MCs walking back up onto the podium on the right of the stage. She was right. Within the minute, the stage lights were back on with a blaze and the cameras were rolling.

“Welcome back.” The same MC as before said lively. “This is still the Inkigayo anniversary special. Up next we have the biggest rookies of the year.”

The other MC continued, he was slightly shorter but had bigger hair that had been styled to be lifted up from the face, making the two MCs look like they were the same height. “When they debuted in August of last year, they became the most one of the most successful group in ter