"Wait wait, it"s way too early for you to have a heart attack" I try and calm her down, my voice still not fully adjusted to the morning. "So we were caught? I ask trying to get a grip of the situation, "It"s not a big deal to me if our relationship is public. It may affect your life but we can deal with it"
"No no no" She is quick to correct me, " We weren"t caught... You...Were Caught!!"
"Hols on a second what do you mean?" I ask confused
"Here. Here. Here" She points excitedly at her phone as I read the t.i.tle, "Prince Charming and his real life female lead"
Below the headline, is a picture of me holding a sleeping Won in a princess carry as I put her in the front pa.s.senger seat, lovingly tying her seat buckle.
"Uhm ... Choo. This is not ... what it looks like"
"I know." She rea.s.sures me, "Besides Unni called and explained everything already"
"Unni? Won?"
She nods her head cutely.
"Thank you, Moon Won. You just saved my life"
"So this ... is trending? Don"t people have something better to do" I say still fully griping the entire situation.
"It"s not just trending, Oppa. It"s ... Everywhere. Chosun, Munhwa, Kookmin, Dispatch. It"s everywhere."
"Why are you so excited about my scandal?" I can"t help but ask
She takes a moment eyeing me evilly, "Because. My dad is definitely going to need an explanation"
Fear takes over my entire being at that exact moment. As I realise the real big boss is hiding in wait.
This is not going to be an easy morning and it"s only 9am!
............
Sitting on a press chair, in a well lit room in silence.
Won and I patiently wait for the next round of promotional interviews to begin.
Typically these PR stuff is dealt with the lead actors but since Sungi is shooting 2 Days 1 Night in Jeju and Hojoo is in South Africa for fashion week.
I was called in by the studio to step in.
Considering my recent scandal, the big bosses in charge thought that Won and I could use the rumors for ratings gold.
The atmosphere is a bit tense as my nervousness is apparent.
Firstly, I"ve never been interviewed before and Secondly, I"ve never had a dating scandal with a celebrity before.
"Obviously the reports were denied, but that just added fuel to the fire of K-netizens".
Well, Let"s just hope I don"t, pardon my french "Sh*t the bed*"
Unable to hide my worry, Won notices my ever moving leg, putting her hand on my thigh.
"Dylan... don"t worry.
Just think of it like a normal chat. And I"m here as well. Trust this noona" she says ever so motherly, always so tenderly.
Lifting my head to face her, I take a proper look at her for the first time this morning.
Her hair is loose, settling around her shoulders perfectly.
Wearing a tantalizing sheer white blouse with a short black and purple plaid skirt, showing off her model like legs.
She embodies what confidence and beauty is.
Paired with a cute baby face and that lovable dimple is unfair to the male psyche.
"I always do." I eventually answer after my feast for the eyes ends.
*Knock Knock*
A female reporter enters, she"s wearing a business suit and her hair is tied into a ponytail.
Won recognizes her and whispers into my ear, "I know her, she"s from star-date. They are pretty fun."
The female reporter greets enthusiastically, "Good Morning, how are the two love birds doing today?"
"Well apart from that statement not being accurate. I couldn"t be better," I smile and give Won her turn to speak
"Great as well, thanks for asking and how are you .... Eul? right?" Won asks pretending to be unsure.
"Omo, I apologise" The reporter teases, "And how are you even able to remember me?" She questions Won glad at the fact a celebrity remembered her name.
"Well you left an impression" Won answers with a slight smile.
"Thank you guys for taking time out to chat to me today" She begins.
"So if you can please introduce yourself (pointing to the camera" She directs
Since I"m on the right we decide to go clockwise and I start off, "Annyeonghaseyo, I"m rookie actor Dylan Park. Please take care of me" I offer a slight bow at the end.
I"m followed by Won who in her typical composed and cold tone, "Annyeonghaseyo. I"m actor Won Moon. Please look forward to our new drama ... Brilliant Legacy"
"My first quest is for Won...." She pauses dramatically " You"re all the rage these days. Do you agree?"
I almost do a spit take, what is with this line of questioning.
Won flashes a bright smile seeing this, and tilts her head to the side as if she is pondering how to seriously answer the question before giving a slight nod saying, "That"s right, Yes"
"Dylan... What"s your opinion?"
"Well. It is obvious isn"t it? Those male fans were outside since 5 am." I roll my eyes
"Why do you think Won is so well liked?" She continues her line of question, definitely trying to make a headline out of my answer.
"Well Won noona, is ....." Eul waits with abated breath for my answer, "a natural actor. She thinks a lot about the character.
Whenever something doesn"t feel right. She will go to the director and say "Director, I don"t think
Seungmi (her character) would respond like this." She"s really cool like that"
"Also? Is there anything else" The reporter presses for me to continue until she gets the right answer.
"She"s really really pretty" I answer before finding myself slightly embarra.s.sed.
"Ding Dong Deng!! Finally you got the right answer" She laughs, writing down my words fiercely.
"So how was it working together? From what I can tell you are really good friends, and don"t lie we have pictures to prove it" She says
Taking the lead, Won proceeds to answer, "In this line of business, its not often you make friends. It is work after all. I usually don"t really get to know my co-stars really well, in truth this job is very ...lonely.
People come in just for a paycheck and then leave.
Dylan was just much more comfortable to be around. I never had as much fun shooting as I had with him. You want to know what he did on the first day?"
"Nooo! Noona please don"t" I plea trying to stop her from speaking.
She side-eyes me as if to say this is for promotional purposes, revealing my shameful past, "After we shot our first scene, he went up to all the senior actors with a notepad.
And then asked if they had any tips on how to improve his acting. He was so serious at the time, it was really cute. Sungi played a trick on him once and made him do an entire scene while shaking, literally vibrating. He was supposed to be angry not break-dancing." She giggles as the scene plays in her mind
"Dylan is this true?" The reporter questions
Lowering my head, because I can feel my cheeks turning read, I nod reluctantly
Won looks towards me for a moment and smiles proudly, "See, isn"t he just adorable"
The reporter nods her head, "Dylan. You are going to be very popular once the drama airs. I can tell"
"Thank you" "I guess"
The reporter is tapped on the shoulder by one of the staff, I think this is to signal that her time is over.
She accepts easily and says, "Since that"s my cue, I will ask you guys one final question... Is there anything at all ... you want to say to the viewers?"
Won faces the camera and stares straight at the camera with her big dark eyes, as if she is speaking directly to the person watching, "I"ll continue to work hard and always be better in every drama and film you see. Thank you"
I then proceed to lift up my mic ".... 25th of April. SKBS 21:45 on Sat.u.r.day and Sundays.
Tune in and fall in love with me" I use finger guns and wink trying to be cool but cheeky at the same time. Perfectly fulfilling my public character.
The reporter thanks us for our time. As I turn to Won, and pull at my hair
"AAAAH noona that was so embarra.s.sing, why did I have to end the interview like that!!"
Her cheeks puff up creating perfect little smiles as a tear begins forming in her eye and she chuckles, changing her voice into something deeper she mimics me, " "Tune in and fall in love" booyah! what was that even? Dylan the netizens are going to get you good (hehe)"
Little did I know how accurate that prediction would be. But that is a story for another time.