Chapter Text
Working at RR_A has been tremendous for Sohee.
He's made actual friends, he does something he likes to do, and he gets paid enough to afford a hefty lunch once a month. He still rememebers his welcome email word by word, but he swears he's not obsessive.
"So, what's the concept for their new album?" Sohee pulls out his notebook and takes a seat in the spacious meeting room. He's been assigned to a band, FUN_X, full of sweet boys that he sees as baby chickens.
"Well," Junmo sighs, "it's a bit tricky. You know that feeling when you want something so bad and you finally get it?"
"Yeah?"
"It's like that, but angsty. Like, you think you don't deserve it."
"Oh, okay." Sohee writes down 'Desperation (?)' onto his paper. "So—"
"—But then it's actually about realising your worth and then embracing it. And then throw ladybugs into the mix."
Sohee pauses. He crosses out whatever he's written. "Right."
"It's not that bad, actually," Junmo insists. "My team can put on some sick eyeliner art and your outfit choices can accentuate that."
Sohee smiles. "It's not a tricky concept at all, it's just that—"
The door barges open, and the man that breaks in is... very handsome. Sohee feels like he knows him from somewhere.
Junmo shoots up. "Hong Seunghan?!"
Ah, there's the name. An actor, isn't he? Sohee bows to him, still staying put in his seat. "Hello."
Seunghan lifts his sunglasses to his head, and shifts his gaze to Sohee. "Lee Sohee?"
The man in question startles. "Uh, yes?"
"The stylist in charge of FUN_X?"
"...Yes."
Seunghan gives him a once-over, eyes sharp and... dark, with something Sohee can't decipher behind them. "You're coming with me."
Sohee raises a brow, then turn to Junmo, who's still standing up. Junmo shrugs. "I don't know if you've noticed, but we're currently holding a meeting—"
"Oh, I've noticed, pretty." Seunghan laughs. "I've noticed all your other works as well. Every FUN_X member is dressed to the 9's for something as simple as a guest appearance for five minutes. You and your styling team really outdo yourselves. I've wanted to buy your own pieces online, as well. One of a kind, truly."
"... Thank you," Sohee whispers, unsure of what to say. He ignored his heart in his throat growing strong at each compliment. "But why are you—"
"You're my new stylist."
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"I'm sorry I didn't warn you in advance, Mr. Lee. Seunghan's old stylist suddenly quit and the CEO said that we could choose someone we thought could easily fill in the roll." Seunghan's manager bows deeply, and Sohee almost feels bad for keeping his arms crossed.
"Just Sohee is fine." Sohee quips. "I still don't understand, but... I'll adapt. So what are we doing today?"
"Oh, nothing. We just wanted to introduce you to the actor. Today must've been odd for you, uhm. I'll fill you in on his schedule and what you'll usually have to prepare for him, because he likes to... uhm. Ask his staff to do other things."
Sohee tilts his head. "'Other things?'"
"Yeah, like stuff I should be doing as the manager, but it's when I'm not around or helping with something else."
"But... you're the manager. You're meant to manage—"
"Look," Seunghan's manager — he should really get a name from this guy — pleads, "Seunghan really, really, wants you as his stylist. He's had his eye on you for God knows how long."
Sohee stays silent.
"You can think of it as being just a casual stylist, like how you style the idols for fan meetings, variety shows, and photoshoots. It's just that Seunghan is a bit... picky. With staff— stuff. With stuff."
"Picky?" Sohee questions.
"But!" The manager chirps, "With your influence, he'll probably listen to you. As much as I've tried, he does what he wants on his own. We really need a pretty man in the management team."
"So you're saying I'm a—"
"You're a co-manager and stylist at the same time."
That was not what Sohee was going to say. "Right..."
"Please, this way! There's some forms you need to sign..."
This'll be an interesting challenge.
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"So you agreed?" Seunghan smiles, pristine white teeth on display in the mirror as the actor checks himself out.
Sohee closes the door to the dressing room, quietly. "Yes, Mr. Hong. If I may ask, how long have you been, uh..."
"What? Watching you?"
"Uh, yeah."
"Oh, last year we bumped into each other and I saw your name tag. I got curious and looked you up. Saw your designs and projects and... well. I saw you. Then, I was like, 'I gotta get this guy,' but you got assigned to FUN_X. But then the CEO was like, 'since you're making bank choose your staff members!' And then I chose you."
"And then I'm here..." Sohee says.
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Huh. Okay." Sohee will wake up in 15 minutes and reslise this was all a dream. He'll go back to being a stylist specializing in abstract designs and forget about Hong Seunghan who's been looking for him for a year. This isn't real.
"Here, I'll give you my number."
In the little time Sohee had to be in denial, he didn't notice Seunghan walk up to him. Sohee has to tile his head up to meet the other man's gaze.
Seunghan wiggles his eyebrows. "I haven't given my personal number to any other staff other than Insik. So... consider yourself special, Sohee."
"Uh," Sohee blushes, trying to step back, only to meet the door. "Thank you, Mr. Hong."
"Just Seunghan, precious. We'll be seeing each other a lot, so let's be casual."
It's as if Seunghan leans a bit closer just to mess with Sohee, eyes scanning around his face, and the stylist doesn't know what to do.
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Sohee sits at Brista's Delight, dumbfounded. The morning he was planning out outfits for a band, then suddenly and actor barges in and takes him out. He didn't even know Rise Realise Agency had actors under their title, specifically the really fucking popular one named Hong Seunghan.
He decides to do a little bit of internet surfing.
SEARCHED: Hong Seunghan
LOADING RESULTS...
This guy's got to have something to him, anyway.
RESULTS (PAGE 1/58)
HONG SEUNGHAN'S ACTING IN TH...
latest sneak peak of actor Hong Seunghan's next project show him in a rural setting. ladies and gentlemen, what do we...
#HeartKiller Hong Seunghan strikes a...
actor and singer Hong Seunghan spikes yet again in popularity as a video spreads around of him pulling his shirt up and revealing...
Rumored to WHAT?! Watch interview w...
gasp! read the scriptography of an interview with actor Hong Seunghan revealing answers to questions his fans desperately...
And the list goes on.
Sohee squints at his laptop. He seriously needs to BluRay glasses, or whatever they're called. He should ask Shotaro to buy some for his birthday.
He cracks his neck and dives into the articles. To be a good stylist, you need a foundation. Something to always circle back to that you can accentuate with ripped pieces of fabric or shiny hairpins and earring. Something that counts a staple in every outfit your client wears. Something that every outfit you choose has on that indicates it's you who made it, like a signature. Something—
An indicator, basically. Sohee could go on for hours about this.
He sighs and goes back to 'getting to know your client.'
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NEW MSG <> Hong Seunghan (the actor!!)
hey
i need your help with something