A loud and constant ring broke through the narrow apartment, creating life in the otherwise silent space.
I groaned a little as the annoying sound kept going, but only sat up when I'd gained some will to keep living and turned off my phone alarm.
- 02:50 AM
I woke up this early because there was a long road to walk through, and I wanted to help around in Grandpa Jung's restaurant before leaving.
I grunted awake and got ready. My outfit for performing looked pretty casual since it's from an old song, so it was easy to move in.
I zipped up the suitcase I packed last night with a towel wrapped around my waist. My hair is damp, but I'm sure it would dry as I walk.
I put on a black jacket that was at least one size bigger on me and had a two-way zipper. I had on a light wash pair of jean-shorts. My shoes were ordinary black sneakers that I wear everyday.
Now, I know I said the outfit was simple, but this...
I shrugged, thinking I would figure it out on the way to the building.
By the way, I'm just heading to the company first, not to the actual location of the shoot. Of course, I know that we'll be using GNet's production center in Paju through Admin-nim, but let's all pretend to be surprised later on.
Anyways, I made sure that my house was clean and no items were forgotten, my phone charged full, and left my apartment with the lights off.
It's still midnight, so the streets were empty and the sky dark with neither the moon or sun in sight.
Yet I know that Grandpa Jung is waiting in his shop.
I made my five-minute walk down the street market and just as expected, the old man was doing some lifting.
"Gramps! You started earlier than usual."
Grandpa Jung was clearly happy to see me. His eyes drifted to the suitcase I brought, but that didn't last long as he smiled back at me.
"Yeah, we stocked up last night, but I forgot to buy rice," the old man said as he let me take the bags of rice from his hands.
He went ahead into the restaurant's kitchen, tying an apron on himself.
"Hey, son. Let's make kimbap for Jimin."
I smiled, dropping the rice on its usual space on the floor.
"Then I'll chop up the ingredients, gramps."
It wasn't necessary to ask whether or not I was helping, because the answer would always be 'yes'.
I was right to wake up early.
.
Grandpa Jung and I made some kimbap while preparing ingredients and sauces for the food in his restaurant's menu. I decorated Lee Jimin's lunchbox, which had kimbap and batter-fried zucchini Grandpa Jung had in his fridge for no reason, while the old man swept the front of Jung Family's Restaurant.
After a few other tasks, we had kimbap for breakfast together and some tea along with it.
I originally planned to start walking to the GNet building at 4, which was right on time as I finished eating with Grandpa Jung.
The sky is now a darker shade of gray, but with some light, and I'm standing in front of the rice cake shop I worked in for the last time in a while.
"Take care of yourself, got that, son?"
"I know, gramps. You too."
We didn't speak for a few seconds. There were no questions to ask left. If there was, it would be a mundane question that could wait until I came back.
In the end, I handed my spare apartment key to the old man without a sound.
Grandpa Jung sighed, pulling out his wallet then shoving a few bills at me.
"Pocket money, just in case ya forget this old man's rich as hell," he explained.
"Use it well."
I smiled back, not refusing it this time. I didn't bother counting anything, as even ₩1.000 from him was enough to be thankful for.
"I will. Thank you."
We bid farewell after that.
.
I walked for about an hour.
By the time I was by the building, three big busses were in sight. Next to them is land with mowed grass and some decorative flowers scattered around.
I was given a huge sticker with my given name written in latin letters, and I quickly put it on the center of my jacket.
I could see most of the guys already sitting on the ground, following the staff's instructions.
Everyone's luggage was put in one place and I just followed, putting mine a little far from other suitcases so I could find it quicker.
My jacket's hood was still up as I looked across the land and inspected the people already present.
'Kim Dojun is not here yet,' I thought, before my eyes landed on a pair that seemed to contrast each other.
It really is the time to put on my persona for good. No, it's time to become another person.
I snuck up behind Han Daniel and put my hands on either side of his shoulders.
"Surprise! I'm here!"
Han Daniel, unlike how his piercing eyes indicated, was quite the guy with narrow sense. He sucks at recognizing faces and lacks spatial awareness, it's funny to prank him.
Mahesha, who already saw me sneaking up from a mile away, laughed at the startled Han Daniel before greeting me back, "Good morning, Chan. Your outfit doesn't look so cozy."
I smiled as I sat beside Han Daniel who looked at me without a word. Had Mahesha not explained it to me before, I would've thought he was glaring, but Daniel was just looking at me normally.
"Yeah, but I like the cold," I answered so, but I zipped my jacket all the way up after saying that.
"Are you two performing together? Your outfits are matching!"
Han Daniel nodded.
"That's cool! You guys look so good in red and black! I can't wait to see you two on stage!"
Mahesha, "Thanks, man. You look like there's something up your sleeve, too."
Han Daniel nodded again, agreeing with Mahesha.
We held conversation for a while. The cameras, it turns out, were already rolling before the first person here even arrived. I was glad my cheerful act was already up and continued putting on my act.
I also offered the two guys from GYPE some kimbap that I accidentally made extra of this morning.
It seems they didn't have breakfast before, as they happily accepted the meal.
I was just watching them as the three of us sat in the back behind the other participants. We got to sit freely on the grass, but everyone knew to face the cameras and not move so casually.
By the time it was 5:30 AM, which was the starting time according to what we were told, a person, I'm guessing the main director, came out from hiding and stood in front of 60 guys sitting on the grass.
"Hello, everyone! Welcome to the official beginning of the survival show: Make Your Idol!"