Big Hit Entertainment.
I stared at the building in disbelief. Just over a month ago I was here with YoonMi thinking when I would have the chance to meet BTS. Sometimes life really could bring you to unexpected path.
"Excuse me, but you can't stay here."
Two men wearing black jackets and pants approached me, probably the building security.
"Annyeong haseyo, my name is Lana Goen and I'm the new English instructor for Big Hit. I have an appointment with.." I searched for the name card given to me by Director Park, "Mr. Lee Sejin at 7am."
"Wait a moment" One of the men said to me as the other one talked into the walkie talkie.
"Lana ssi, please follow us."
Both of the men escorted me inside the lobby and up to the second floor.
"I'm sorry but I need to search you and your belongings before you can go in."
"Sure, go ahead."
They patted me down, asked me take off my shoes, and basically searched every nook and crannies of my bags.
Wow, the security is even tighter than in the airport.
"Lana ssi, you need to turn off your phone at all times when you're in the building, may I?"
"Oh yeah sure, you can turn it off."
"Please refrain from wandering to undesignated rooms and don't take any pictures. If we find out you're not following the rules, you'll be banned from entering the building ever again."
Gosh, that's harsh.
"Ok, I'll keep that in mind."
"Here is your badge. Please follow me."
I follow the guard through the corridor and couldn't help to look around as I walked. I could see rows of office desks inside a glass door, a series of rooms on the left and right side of the corridor with panels written in Korean on the doors.
Geez, this guys walk so fast I don't even have enough time to read the signs on the doors.
The guard stopped abruptly in front of me, catching me off guard.
"Lana ssi, this is Lee manager's office. You may go in." He pointed at the door in front of him, indeed it said Lee SeJin on the panel.
"Ok, thank you very much for your help."
My heart started to beat faster and my palms were sweating like crazy. I knocked twice on the door and waited for a response.
"Come in." The voice from inside said.
I opened the door and saw a glasses-wearing mid 30s large-built man with a friendly face writing on his messy desk.
He looked up at me and said, "Annyeong haseyo, Lee Sejin imnida. You are the new English instructor from Berliz, Lana Goen ssi, correct? Please take a seat, sorry about the mess."
"Annyeong haseyo. Yes, I'm Lana Goen from Berliz. Director Park told me to come here as Ms. Claire's temporary replacement."
"Your Korean is good, that's a plus point because Claire ssi wasn't fluent in Korean so sometimes we have some miscommunication."
"Oh, thank you, but I still have a lot to learn."
"Ok, let's get started then. Your responsibility is to help Bangtan's members with their English speaking skills. As you know, they are going international now so they will get a lot of interviews, and Bang PD nim wants them to be able to communicate effortlessly with international media and fans. I believe Director Park has told you about most of the dos and don'ts, and you have read and signed the confidentiality agreement too, right?"
"Yes, I promise I'll comply to all the rules."
"I know the agreement might sound very harsh, but just treat the guys like your regular students. I think they would appreciate it more. Judging by the materials you've sent us so far, I think the guys are in good hands." He gave me a reassuring smile, probably sensing that I was all nerves.
"Thank you Mr. Lee. I'll do my best."
Manager Lee took a look at his watch and stood up from his seat to open the door.
"Should we meet them then? They'll be here soon, we can wait for them in the conference room, which you will be using for the lessons from now on."
"Oh ok." I got up and followed him out to the conference room which was not far from manager Lee's office.
Calm down Lana, remember stay professional. Don't show that you're an army.
I could feel butterflies in my stomach rose to my rapidly beating heart then to my throat. I let out a small cough to get rid of the nerves.
"Please sit down, I think the guys are on their way up."
Oh. My. God.
I tried to suppress the scream that was about to escape. Then, before I was ready, the door cracked open and a bunch of guys barged in.
"Hyung, why so early in the morning? We practiced until very late last night." The one with black fisherman hat, oversized black hoodie and sweatpants said as he collapsed onto one of the rotating chairs and lay his head on the table.
Jungkook.
The rest of the guys only murmured "Hyung" "Hyungnim" here and there without taking their eyes off their phones.
"Ye dur ah, let me introduce you to your new English instructor. This is Ms. Lana Goen from Berliz, she's Claire ssi's temporary replacement."
The guy with the black baseball cap and greenish hair looked up from his phone first.
Namjoon.
"Ya, ye dur ah, ireona." Namjoon said while tapping his bandmates' shoulders. "Hi, my name is RM and I'm the leader of BTS." He said in English.
"Annyeong haseyo. I'm Lana Goen, nice to meet you." Trying to appear as calm as I could, I extended my right hand to shake his.
Arghhh, I touched King Namjoon's hand!
"Hi, I'm Jin, nice to meet you."
"I'm Suga."
"Hi, I'm Jimin."
"I'm V."
"Yo, I'm Jungkook."
Somebody pinch me, I think I've died and gone to heaven.