The K-Pop Scandal - Chapter Four

Chapter Four – Checking-in at the Airport

It had been five years since Gong-Gi set foot in an airport. After a dozen countries, all the airports look the same. He didn't miss the endless queues and scratch marks caused by suitcases. Security guards were telling everyone with a bare face to put their masks on. That deja-vu hit him like a tonne of bricks until he was asked to do his lateral flow test. As far as he was concerned, nothing belonged up his nose.

He knew that COVID was a terrible disease. One of his teachers had died from it. As selfish as he knew it was, he wished the test would come back positive. It meant he could go home, it would have been better than being part of some crappy pop band. "Please be positive!" Gong-Gi whispered to himself.

Only one line appeared. He couldn't stop fidgeting. "I shouldn't be here," he muttered to himself. Back then, music was all he had. His wife would wake up to a half-empty bed, and there will be one less person on the dinner table. His phone was where he left it by the kitchen side.

Taeyang adored Gong-Gi. What a nice lad. Hhe really deserved better. The sparkle in his blue eyes along the way he grinned. Even though Taeyang had it rough, he reminded Gong-Gi of one of those energetic protagonists from the anime shows. Taeyang also reminded him of the loser kids who went on to become the nation's sweetheart.

"What a big place." Taeyang was awed, giggling like a schoolgirl. Gong-Gi could not help but wonder if this was how he always acted, or if it was clever acting to make Flo Glitz happy. "This is our one-way ticket to stardom."

"You've got that right," Flo said, rubbing her cheeks. The sunflower pin attached to her coat flashed red. Gong-Gi had never known sunflowers to have red in them."Aww, you two look so cute together." With every movement Flo Glitz made, the sunflower pin started to change colour like a mood ring. "You're the perfect couple. I hope you invite me to the wedding. I have the perfect speech written out for you."

"We've only just met," Gong-Gi reminded her. With his eyes away from the pin, he came to terms with Flo Glitz's plan. There was still a chance that their first record would flop. The music industry had always been a competitive scene where only a few could survive. Popstars were also disposable at the drop of a hat. Gong-Gi hoped that the band wouldn't last long. "We're just standing here. We're not even a couple. I have a wife."

"She might not be your wife anymore." Flo Glitz shrugged her shoulders and smirked. She didn't have to know that they were planning on splitting up. "Anyway, I don't care about that whore."

If Flo Glitz was a man, Gong-Gi would not have hesitated to punch her. "If you're going to insult my wife, I am going home." What could his Mini-Rose have done to make Flo Glitz think so little of her?

Before he could ask, Flo hopped in front of him. "How are you getting home? You left your phone and wallet at home. You have no way of paying, let alone booking a taxi for a reasonable price. Just forget about her. I promise you, if she's as lovely as you think she is, she will understand."

Taeyang stood there, scratching his head. "Have I done something wrong?" Taeyang asked.

Gong-Gi turned around to face him. "No, you haven't."

Flo Glitz squealed. "Aww, you two are lovely. You both need to hold hands."

"What for?" Gong-Gi asked.

"In case the press comes," Flo Glitz replied. As soon as Gong-Gi curled his fingers around Taeyang's palm, she pressed the back of one of the petals. "You need to act like a convincing couple. I want you to both look like you're in love now."

Taeyang twirled his head. "Miss Glitz, I don't see any paparazzi or cameras anywhere."

Flo Glitz had her fingers pressed against the top petals. "Listen, we've got a private jet and cameras. I have invested so much money into this project. You are legally obligated to fulfil my project."

Gong-Gi released Taeyang's hands and frowned upon the sight of both of them. Flo Glitz was using them as pawns for her vanity project. Flo Glitz would soon get her karma one of these days, and it wouldn't be pretty. They weren't the only artists that she had screwed over. There were plenty of bitches in the world, and Flo Glitz was the biggest bitch of them all.

As for Taeyang, there was plenty he could say about him. He looked like a young boy hiding a lot of pain and saw this project as an escape. Gong-Gi knew that Taeyang struggled at school, but there was more to life than school. He was only eighteen. There was so much he could do in his life which would be better than being an industry puppet. Gong-Gi remembered his excitement when he debuted with VALENTINE COOKIE. The excitement soon turned to stress and exhaustion.

Taeyang opened the palms of his hands to Gong-Gi. "I guess we should try it."

Gong-Gi could sense his nerves. Holding onto his hands, he felt his arms vibrating as if they were wires exchanging electricity. There were a lot of stakes here for Taeyang. For Gong-Gi, he wouldn't mind if the project fell apart. Then, he could go back to his family. There were things way more important to him than fame and fortune.

"Sure," was all he could muster. For now, Flo Glitz had got what she wanted.

There were only two people that Gong-Gi had held hands with: his mother and his wife. Holding hands with a man that he had only just met didn't just feel bizarre, it was barbaric. Checking into the flights and the airport was smooth progress. Taeyang was playing his role, sinking his head into Gong-Gi's shoulder at every single opportunity.

"I'm glad that you're finally submitting to my plan," Flo whispered to Gong-Gi as she hugged both men as if they were her own babies. "I have already written the press statement, and it's gonna go viral tomorrow."

Gong-Gi squinted. "What press statement?"

Flo lead them to a Seven-Eleven and purchased a newspaper and three coffees. With a coffee in one hand and the newspaper in the other, Flo passed the newspaper to the two men who held either newspaper side. Within the first couple of pages was an article about Gong-Gi.

GONG-GI IS BACK

It has been five years since VALENTINE COOKIE disbanded. While the other members have embarked on either new bands or solo careers, Dal Gang-gi has been hiding since completing his military service. According to sources, Gang-Gi still had five years left on his contract. One user on Reddit even suggests that Gang-Gi has a wife and two kids and wants the money to provide a stable income for his family.

Dal Gong-Gi's new band project is Taegong. The band will be managed by Flo Glitz Entertainment, where he was also signed with VALENTINE COOKIE. His manager will be his ex-girlfriend and company founder Flo Glitz.

WHO ARE TAEGONG?

Taegong is a South Korean K-pop duo consisting of Dal Gong-Gi and Gang Taeyang. Gong-Gi is well remembered for his vigorous dance routines and soaring vocals. Taeyang's older brother won Korea's Got Talent, but rejected fame to become a doctor.

Taegong is expected to debut next week as special guests performing for Korea's Got Talent.

Gong-Gi was not available to comment.

"Wow," Taeyang said. "I'm still being overshadowed by my brother."

Gong-Gi's wife would read this and think that their marriage is over. There had to be a way to show his family that he hadn't left them. Perhaps through the music, he could show that he still loved his family.

***

Some western presses had accidentally referred to Taegong as Tea Gang. The fandom had been split in two: the ones that referred to themselves as Taegongers, and those who say they are part of the Tea Gang. Tea connoisseurs found themselves confused as there was no tea in sight whenever the band were about.

Some of the most notorious Taegongers in the Tea Gang had spent their monthly salaries just to follow the band in their taxis. Anything to get a glimpse.

“You’re my OTP!” Taeyang could hear the fans cry. Among the other phrases in multiple languages that Taeyang felt too young to hear. He switched off to anything that sounded sexual.

He looked up at Gong-Gi. “Do you know what an OTP is?”

Gong-Gi shrugged his shoulders. “No idea. It’s a load of old poppycock to me.”

“And what does poppycock mean?”

“Rubbish. You ask too many questions.”

“I’ve never heard that phrase before. It sounds English.”

“I learned it from Fanny Bru.” Gong-Gi rolled his eyes, having to bring her up. “She’s a drag queen who writes songs. Used to be in a girl group.”

“I’ve heard of her! She’s a friend of Auntie Sung-Hee.”