Lina looked toward the camera, making sure to keep a still and blank face. Her makeup was much more flashier since it matched the outfit. Today, she had to be dressed in a yellow see through rain coat. She wore a bikini underneath. It had been hours since the beginning of the shoot and Lina had already forgotten that she was advertising makeup. Eye makeup. She didn't understand why the raincoat had to be see through. Made no sense.

Despite her unknown discomfort, she posed for the photos. Manager Kang had informed her that if she did well posing for this makeup brand, they'll be her makeup sponsor since she hadn't gotten around to looking for that. It was killing two birds with one stone.

Meanwhile, she had these photos already sent to her email, where she'll post the photos up on her SNS after the photos get published. It was a have-to kind of thing. To bring in more publicity. Lina had over a hundred followers within two weeks. Daesung liked every single photo that was posted up, making her heart flutter and her stomach a good achy mess.

"Alright, it's a wrap!" The photographer shouted. "Lina, come and check them out. They came out well."

Lina smiled and went over to the computer where all her photos were uploaded. The photographer was showing her the shots that he took with a big smile. Lina was shocked at the photos. She didn't think it'd come out as if it was something straight out of a magazine or something she'd see on billboards on the side of the street. She was very surprised at the outcome of the photo.

"What do you think? It came out great right?" The photographer asked.

Lina smiled and nodded. "They did."

"Well, the company that will be using this for advertising will feature other models alongside yourself. I think I outdid myself." He smiled. "Well, this was easier than I thought it to be since you're a rookie model. Just a bit of advice from personal experience, you'll meet a lot of other photographers from around the world. Not all of them are as nice or as cool as I am so if anyone gives you a hard time, remember you're modeling for them. They're taking your photos so you don't need those kind of negativity to get under your skin. Let it flow under the bridge like water."

Lina smiled and gave him a quick hug. Despite being happy to have met the photographer that was so kind to her, he was absolutely right. The next photographer was one from the large clothing company, Lina was signed under as a person being sponsored by them. The moment she got in, he shouted at her for being late. Of course her manager quickly stepped in and told him that they were thirty minutes earlier. The photographer then proceeded on rushing Lina out from changing her outfit.

During the shoot, Lina was very stiff because she was uncomfortable with the photographer. However she tried to pose, the photographer would scold her, telling her to angle her face this way and that way. When she did what she was directed, the photographer would then change his mind, telling her that her face wasn't fit for such an angle and it made her look more overweight.

"We're going to take a break. I'm too tired to deal with your unnatural poses." The photographer said before walking off the set to smoke a cigarette.

Lina walked over to manager Kang. Her eyes were brimmed with tears while manager Kang nodded, understanding how she was feeling. During the shoot he had already called Director Kang and informed him about the photographer, claiming he was being too unprofessional with Lina who is just a rookie.

"Don't worry, Director Kang said he's going to call the photographer." Manager Kang said, rubbing her back to comfort her.

"Why is he so rude?" Lina sighed, patting the tear that slipped from her eyes. "Did I do something wrong to him? I can understand if I dated his younger brother and broke his heart or I accidentally shot his cat causing him to treat me this way but I didn't do any of that so I'm confused."

"His name is Ho Koosung, he's been trying to get a higher paying job as a photographer but his skills are very minimal. Compared to other photographers, he has no chance. This clothing company only hired him because they were able to give him little pay so that the company could save money. Which is why he is so grumpy. He's bad at what he loves doing." Manager Kang explained. "Director Kang told me about him. His behavior is known among the rookie models in different companies as well."

Lina sighed. "Well, that just makes me feel bad for him."

After the break was over, the shoot went on for another two hours. It was obvious Director Kang gave the photographer a ear full during his break because he simmered his attitude down a smudge. It was enough for Lina not to get worked up and continue to work through with the shoot until the end.

Lina's management team had begun returning her belongings back to the van. While they were busy, they didn't see Lina making her way over to the photographer who had been smoking outside of the warehouse. He didn't look to please as he scanned the screen of his phone.

"Thank you for your hard work." Lina said to him, bowing.

"Yeah." He said plainly.

After a few long seconds of silence Lina spoke up, "I know it's not my place to say this-"

"So don't say it." Koosung says blowing smoke out of his nose.

"Maybe if you were less mean and stressed, your mind could open up to it's creativity so you can take better pictures." Lina suggested.

"I'm sorry, who do you think you are to be telling me this? A rookie model who's career will plunge to the ground the moment you grow a few years older?"

"What difference is a rookie model telling a no talent photographer some advice?" Lina shrugged. "You're too uptight so the pictures are bound to be uptight too. I'm just trying to help but people who don't want to be helped, can't be helped so I'm sorry I stepped out of line." Lina bowed before leaving the bewildered photographer alone.

"Lina, there you are. We're ready to go."

Lina smiled and followed manager Kang to the van. Their next schedule consisted of a radio talk show. For the whole twenty minutes of the car ride to KBS, manager Kang was explaining things she could say about YGK Plus and things she cannot say about YGK Plus. If she was dating someone, she wasn't allowed to reveal who it is. Personal information was no. Basically, there wasn't much to reveal to the public about Lina that she was allowed to talk about.

At KBS she met with a famous comedian who goes by the name of YooRi. She was a little short and had her hair in a high bun. She wore a jacket with matching jeans and had a neck tie. YooRi was known mostly for her funny appearances on dramas, a few variety shows and even having multiple skits on Gag Concert. It was Lina's personality to know who YooRi was and even know every drama YooRi had a cameo in. With that being said, it was obvious that Lina is a huge fan of YooRi.

"It's an honor to meet you. I'm such a huge fan." Lina says bowing while shaking YooRi's hand.

YooRi bowed and smiled kindly. "Awe thank you. I know you're still new but don't worry, it's not that hard." YooRi lead the way while waving for Lina to follow her. "This is the radio booth, it's quite big and in the window you'll be able to see all the producers and directors for the radio show. They'll talk to us through the computers by message so we can talk back and forth with them and you can do the same with your managers." YooRi said.

"This is so cool." Lina said looking around and bowing to the directors that were seen inside the large window. 

"Yup, and today for the show we'll be going to be asking you questions and then we'll do a short sessions where your fans get to contact us and ask you questions personally." YooRi says smiling.

"Uh..." Lina says, rubbing her hands together out of nervousness. "I don't have any fans."

YooRi chuckled. "You do have fans. It's mostly not in Korea but we're able to connect you even to your fans internationally. You're quite popular overseas."

Lina smiled. "If you say so."

Lina sat in the seat next to the radio show's host. There was a large mac desk top in front of her, showing the screen with the words '0 Fans' posted in red at the top of the screen. There was also a mic hanging in front of her. Just above the door they had just entered hung a white and red sign with the words On-Air written on it. It wasn't lit up but it made Lina extremely excited. YooRi told her to put the large head phones on because they're going to be starting soon. So Lina sat patiently while waiting for the director to call out through the window. 

"Hello everyone, we're here with one of the newest members of the YGK Plus model family. Lina, it's great to meet you." YooRi says giving Lina an encouraging smile.

Lina nodded. "Hello everyone, I'm Jung Lina." 

The 0 on the monitor turned to 10 and it made Lina excited.

"So we're going to go ahead and ask you a few questions, like how did you get into the company or like how were you recruited?" YooRi asks.

The question got Lina to laugh because of how she got in. "It's actually pretty funny. I can honestly say Kang Daesung and Park Nabi are the reasons for me being in YGK+."

"Kang Daesung and Park Nabi? As in Big Bang Kang Daesung and G-Dragon's girlfriend, Park Nabi?" YooRi asks. "Exactly how did the two get you into YGK+?"

The meter suddenly went from 10 to 58 at the mention of Kang Daesung.

"It's actually a funny story. Well I was running late to work and it was because Daesung was filming a show where he goes on a date with his fans. The whole production crew and his fans were completely blocking the street, making it hard for me to even get across. So I pushed my way through, trying to get to work on time and I ended up tackling Daesung and it's been all over the internet when that happened. It was quite embarrassing but it got the attention of the higher ups in YG Entertainment." Lina explained. "And I was late to work which got me fired that day." Lina chuckled.

"Oh no." YooRi chuckled. "I guess everything turned out alright for you. Where does Park Nabi's role gets put into the story?" YooRi asks.

"She was the one who recognized me on television and told her uncle that she knew me." Lina smiled.

The comments on the feed were starting to roll in more frequently now that there were over 200 people logged on and listening to the show. Some comments were in English but most were in Korean. Most of the comments were about Daesung and how his fans remembered him being tackled down in the streets. They all thought it was a crazy fan not knowing it was Lina. A comment came up, telling Lina that she parachuted her way into YG. That comment struck her harder than even the positive comments have. It made her heart ache reading the mean comments about her using her connections to get famous.

"So, we'll go ahead and use this time to speak with your fans." YooRi says. "Fans, it's the right time to start asking us questions, by calling and messaging us."

"Yeah and for my international fans who are listening, I also speak Spanish." Lina smiled seeing a lot of Spanish being spoken in over the English and Korean.

"Okay that one has an upside down question mark, why don't you go ahead and read it in Spanish and Korean, also answer it in both languages as well." YooRi says excitedly.

" ¿Dónde aprendiste a hablar español? " Lina smiled. "The question is asking where did I learn to speak Spanish. Mi madre es de México, así que soy medio mexicano, I'm basically explaining that my mom is from Mexico and I'm half Korean, half Mexican." Lina says going over the comment.

"That's amazing. Do another one." YooRi smiled, encouraging her.

Lina chuckled. "Alright, this one says, ¿Eres amigo de Daesung después de haberlo abordado?, Asking if I'm close with Daesung after tackling him." Lina giggled. "Sí lo soy. Es un buen amigo, He's a good friend." Lina began going through the list. "Let's answer some Korean questions."

"Good idea."

"You're skin is on the darker side, don't you think you should lighten your skin a little to fit Korea's beauty standards?" Lina gave an obvious uncomfortable laugh. "To answer that question," Lina inhaled, "No. I will not be lightening my skin color to fit the color of South Korea's beauty standards. I have seen some tanned idols and actors that embrace their beautiful tan colors, I should be able to do the same."YooRi was given a wave to by her director from inside the room and YooRi announced to the mic that the interview with Lina is now over and how lovely she is as a guest. She then began letting people know that Lina will be featured in a magazine and that they should check her photos out because they're going to be stunning.

Once the light went out for On-Air sign that hung above the exit route, Lina took her head phones off and stood up. YooRi gave Lina a rub on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. YooRi told Lina that it's usually hard for some rookies to handle this type of showing. She was surprised that her company even allowed her to do these kind of showing for popularity. Lina bowed in thanks as YooRi wished her luck in her career.

"You did amazing. A fantastic job." Manager Kang says.

"Thank you. Where else do we have to go?" Lina asks.

"You are done for today. That's all that is on your schedule." Manager Kang says.

"No photo shoots? But it's only two o'clock." Lina says looking down at her watch.

Manager Kang sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry, I haven't gotten a call back."

Lina shook her head. "It's fine. It's totally fine."

Manager Kang lead Lina to her van where the other manager was waiting in the driver's seat. She hopped into the back, a little sad she didn't have anything else to do. She only had one photo shoot and that was a horrible thing to go through since the man was so uptight. Then she had this good five minute of talking session on the radio show which she can honestly admit she was lucky to land a spot on any radio show. Now it was nothing. She was doing odd photo shoots in the beginning for small local designers. She knew it was going to be hard to fit the mold that Korea has for beauty. She knew her chances of landing anything would be slim so it was understandable why her manager had yet to receive any call back from any company.

Lina's phone began ringing with a text message. The message got her mood to brighten up completely and her frown to turn upside down.

Daesung:
Want to hang out tonight?

Lina immediately texted back an answer which made her excited to hang out with her good friend, Kang Daesung.

...................

So I'm back guys!!! I'm sorry I was gone for so long let alone leaving this story unfinished while I waste away in paradise for a whole year. I hope some of you are still into this book, if not, that's alright.....I was gone for almost a year.

I wanted to let everyone know about my time in the homeland, the land I was born in and my year long stay there.......of course in gifs

So i'm from an island which sounds tropical but most of the beaches looked like this except twenty stories higher

So if you swam there, you'd drown or something

And my grandma is old school so she even makes medicine from random plants out in her garden and she'd be pointing at different plants and telling me the difference in them but they all look the same so she's in her own world of gardening

I don't like my grandma working out in the sun so I try to help her but I'm as useless as Tom and I don't got a green thumb even if I tried

Anyways they had two types of weather there and both sucked depending on the activity of the day

But it was mostly hot that I'd be sweating and slowly dying

But anyways, I'm finally home and I finally get to start writing my stories again. I hope you guys enjoyed them