Chapter 1: Inside The Global Village

I'm half Korean but I still don't understand why a lot of people here choose to wear sweatshirts to work on a sweltering June weekday. I mean, come on, my pits are sweating and it's only 10AM. You can't really blame me for huffing as I make my way to my workstation.

"Annyeong haseyo!" That's Mina Kang, my fellow video PD, whose small face seems perpetually fixed with a smile.

"Annyeong haseyo, Mina-ssi" I say, not bothering to hide my foreign twang. She involuntarily flashes a toothy grin every time I say her name in my Australian-Korean accent.

"Sarang-ah, syeocheu yeppuda!" [Sarang, I like your shirt!] Mina says, praising my navy blue muscle shirt which I haphazardly tucked into a gray skirt.

"Kamsahamnida!" I respond, trying to hide my reddening cheeks while pushing the power button on my computer. I'm not sure if I'm blushing because of the compliment or the fact that she continues to call me Sarang. I've only been working at JYP Entertainment for a few weeks but my new colleagues somehow already picked up on the nickname my boss gave me, along with my working habits. I start putting my headphones on, drowning myself in a symphony of sounds and colors and movements. Everyone knows that this is the start of my 8-hour-long work-related silence.

*Flashback*

I still remember that day distinctly. I was sitting on a leather upholstered swivel chair, and across the table, in the massive boardroom, sat Mr. Jinyoung Park and several other Korean executives, whose names I barely remembered after all the hand-shaking and polite bowing and nerve-wracking eye-contact I had to go through. After several predictable job interview questions, they asked me what changes I would like suggest for their latest video projects.

"Well... I think a change of colors would be great for RealGOT7... Maybe add some fun, quirky animations to show just how much the boys have changed since their debut. I think it'll be a great way to visualize their comeback for Season 3 and for the new album," I answered in an awkward jumble of English and Korean phrases. At that time, I wasn't really sure what the concept for GOT7's new album was about, but with the way JYP's face lightened up when I said that, I was sure I hit jackpot.

They called me in three days after the interview to sign a contract, which signaled the end of my freelancing days in Seoul. On my first day, I found myself talking to JYP PD-nim inside the elevator and he asked me if Love was my real first name. I was very much tempted to flash my passport at him to prove I wasn't lying. "Yes sir, my full name really is Love Kangjeon" I said, half-smirking. That was when JYP decided to call me Sarang. I guess whatever nickname he decided on was bound to stick. He is, after all, one of the founders of the company.

*Flashforward*

Here I am, two weeks later, walking towards his office with trembling hands after receiving a call from his secretary. "PD-nim wants you to discuss the new video format," The young woman said in Korean. Her sharp honorifics over the phone, and the smug look on her face as I pass by her, gives me the impression that she does not like seeing me around.

I open the door to find GOT7's manager sitting beside PD-nim, along with some people from the creative team. They are huddled in front of a massive TV screen, waiting to watch the final edit I made.

"Oh there you are," PD-nim says. All the heads and eyes in the room turn to me. "Thank you for coming. Come and tell us about what you did for Episode 3." I force a small smile as I move to stand beside the TV screen.

"Annyeong haseyo," I say, bowing awkwardly in front of everyone. "Je ireumeun Kangjeon Love imnida. Jeoneun video PD yeyo. Bangapseumnida!" [My name is Love Kangjeon. I'm a video PD. Nice to meet you!]

"Geureom..." [Well then...] I stop to clear my throat, willing my voice to come out as I continue my little speech. "As you can see, we focused on four different colors in the new opening billboard sequence: That's green, blue, yellow, and red. These colors were based on their outfits from the DVD jacket photo shoot. We actually coordinated with their stylists to know what colors were assigned to each member and why." I take the remote from the center table, hit fast forward to show a frame of the boys wearing colored sweatshirts.

"The title card is made up mostly of green and as you can see in this frame, Jackson and Yugyeom are wearing green because it represents their playful side. We have blue to represent GOT7's more mature and serious side just like how JB, Junior, and Mark are wearing blue. Then we have two other colors to symbolize GOT7's pop and hip hop genre. Youngjae is wearing yellow because he is the main vocalist of the group, and BamBam is wearing scarlet red because he represents GOT7's unique rap style. Then there's this animated cloud that symbolizes JYP, the company that brings all the elements together to create GOT7." I hear tiny 'oohs' and 'aaahs' from the people in the room and I can't help but feel proud of what I have created.

"The font for the word 'Real' is edgier now and was handwritten to represent the candid, unscripted moments of the show. We used a simpler font for GOT7 and Season 3 to balance out all the other elements. Moving forward, we will be using these animated elements in the OBB clips and segment title cards for upcoming videos." I end my speech with a simple nod towards PD-nim and a silent prayer of thanks because I have succeeded in publicly speaking in Hangul yet again. I have been living in this country for two years now but I still get nervous whenever I speak the language in front of others.

"That's very impressive, you did your research well. You can go back now," The PD-nim said.

"Kamsahamnida," I smile broadly as I bow before making a move towards the door.

"Oh, Sarang-ah!" I turn to PD-nim once again. "Please start working on the next episodes as soon as you can. I want to see photos from the recent shoot done in this style. This is the last season for RealGOT7 and I expect nothing short of perfect." I am floored by the suddenness of JYP's declaration. I wonder why they had me change the format for the remaining episodes of Season 3. Even so, I answer with a nod before leaving the room.

I close the door behind me and let out a small sigh of relief. JYP's secretary seems to be in a better mood now so I nod and smile at her, only to find, the second I walk past her, that she doesn't even know I'm there. Apparently, she's too busy preening for the approaching men. "JB-ah, you're looking very handsome today!" She exclaims, her voice slicing through the narrow hallway ahead as the group continues to walk towards us.

JB's face is plastered with a polite smile. Junior, Yugyeom, and Youngjae are talking animatedly behind him. Both BamBam and Jackson are busy with their phones. Mark seems to be lagging behind. I make way for them by walking closely to the wall, looking down on my feet I pass by them. Mark's brown suede boots appear in my line of vision, his feet shuffling and then slowing down and then disappearing from my view altogether. I wouldn't say I'm a fan just because I've only ever listened to their songs casually, but I know enough to say that they have gotten good and popular since their debut.

Out of nowhere I feel this strong force at the back of my head. It's like a tiny string pulling me back, though not powerful enough to make me want to turn around completely. I turn my head to look back and my heart stops. Mark is gazing at me curiously, his body half-turned towards me, a mysterious smile hanging sweetly on his lips.

I scurry away as I hear the door closing, my heart pounding so loud I can't even hear my footsteps anymore.