My Summer in Seoul

“A Jeep,” Rae repeated. “Is the top off?”

“Yes!” I wanted to do a dance. “That’s the fun part!”

The guys all looked at one another like they didn’t know how to actually respond.

“It’s not too hot!” I said quickly. “I looked.”

“But,” Rae said in a soft voice, “the sun is still out.”

“Huh?”

“Hats,” he announced to nobody in particular. “Sunscreen, make sure you guys are wearing long sleeve shirts.”

“But then they’ll be—”

Rae shot me a glare. Okay, message received.

When the other guys looked as confused as I felt, Rae said something in rapid-fire Korean.

I was still confused a half-hour later when we were all piled into the Jeep, and I was pulling us out of the parking garage and down the street. It should have felt like a triumph; instead, it felt like I was forcing my kids to go to school.

Literally.

Every single one of the guys wore sunglasses as well as a hat that shaded their faces and long-sleeved shirts.

I was sweating just looking at them.

“I don’t get it,” I said once we’d been on the road for at least thirty minutes. “Why is everyone dressed like it’s winter?”

Rae shook his head. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“Excuse me?”

“Take a look around—a good solid look—haven’t you ever seen all of the stores promoting ways to make your skin whiter? I’m not trying to be an ass, but it’s a thing here. I had a friend who couldn’t even debut last year because his label said his skin was too dark. They even have the opposite of tanning beds—beds to make you white.”

Stunned, I had a hard time even processing what he was saying. I frowned. “Well, yeah, I’ve seen some of the commercials and stuff, but…” I switched lanes. “I’m sorry it just seems bizarre, and I know that’s my ignorance speaking but, your skin isn’t dark, and even if it was… who the hell cares?

He shrugged. “It’s part of the job, Grace.”

I kept driving, gripping the steering wheel, my mind reeling. I mean, seriously? That seemed so… I didn’t even have a word for it, but I wasn’t sure it was even appropriate for me to react, so I just asked, “Do fans really care that much?”

“Do they care that much?” He countered. “That we’re constantly paranoid fans are going to complain because we aren’t attractive enough? Or that it will affect the image of the band? Image is everything… fucking everything. Lighter skin will always be better when you’re an idol.”

“Okay.” I gulped and tried to reign in all the reactions I had. I mean, really? “I’m sorry I rented the Jeep. I wasn’t thinking about—”

Feeling dumb, I wanted to disappear but also fight on their behalf over the unfairness and pressure. “It was a good idea. It’s fine. I was just trying to explain our reaction, that’s all.”

“Thanks,” I said a few minutes later. “For taking time to explain.”

His smile was slow as it spread across his face, almost like he was finally able to relax, able to be free. “Of course.”

The drive wasn’t too long, but since the top was down it was hard to hear anyone other than Rae. Poor Sookie was smashed between Kai and Jay shoving Lucas into the opposite door meaning every once in a while I’d look into my rearview mirror and see a scowl. Yay. He was literally plotting my death. I felt it in my soul. But hey, at least they fit. Was it slightly illegal since we only had five seatbelts? Probably. Did I care at this point? No.

The guys were on their phones the entire drive to Naksan Beach. I’d wanted to take them somewhere they could relax and even packed a tent so they could have privacy, though supposedly the beach was never that busy. Then again, I could be totally off base once we get there, but in all my research, it seemed like a relaxing place to go where they wouldn’t be bothered if we just parked, grabbed our food and drinks, and ran to the beach to set up camp. On top of all my paranoia, since Solia knew and I had to get her permission because duh intern over here, she said she’d have a security team follow us just in case, and after a few looks in the rearview mirror, I could see two cars at the very least making sure they were staying back but close enough just in case something happened. Thank God for favors like that. I knew security almost never intervened unless they were needed, but it was good that they were there just in case.

I attempted to get something that wouldn’t give Sookie nightmares but still stayed within the grounds of what they were allowed to eat. It was harder than I thought, picking out all the different foods and drinks and I’d been suddenly thankful that I wasn’t cooking and unknowingly poisoning the guys on a daily basis.