“You are trying to say I am culturally ignorant and should have some respect.”
“I wouldn’t phrase it exactly like that, but close.” He shakes his head. “You’ve got some preconceptions that I strongly encourage you to reassess. This is a multibillion dollar industry.”
That’s something to think about but… “That’s the business side. It’s the rest that’s strange. They audition and get trained and live in group housing like they’re in boot camp before some corporate suit sticks them in a band.”
“You think the music is more valid if they meet organically.”
“Yes.”
“Like a symphony does? Or does the first chair violinist also not count as an artist?”
“What about the variety shows where they dress up and whack each other on the ass, like, a lot?”
“Fine,” he concedes after a long moment. “Those are bizarre to me, too.”
I keep going, pulling on knowledge gathered from my StarLune binge. “Plus, they do the same dance every time for each song.”
“The choreography is part of the song, and it’s not like a dancer changes their moves for each performance ofThe Nutcracker.” He stares off into the distance as if trying to figure out what to say. “It’s limiting to think of it that way. These are multimedia experiences that combine music, style, dance, and performance. It’s a different concept than you’re used to, but that doesn’t make it absurd or lesser.”
I pause as the drinks get delivered. “You’re being surprisingly severe about this.”
He wipes a spill off the table. “You’ve hit one of my sore spots. I spend an inordinate amount of time trying to convince people that bands like StarLune count as legitimate even though they top global charts. It’s like people see Asian faces and refuse to believe there’s any creativity or artistic merit involved.”
“Fine.” I try to keep my voice disinterested despite feeling a little attacked. “Now, can we get on to business?”
“This is business.”
“Other business,” I say. “Tell me what’s going on with Hyphen.”
“Ari.”
“I’ll keep an open mind,” I promise.
“Good, because I want you to come to Seoul.”
“Seoul?” I put my drink down and wonder if I heard him right.Jihoon lives there, my brain eagerly reminds me. I could see him. Or I could have, had I not dumped him as he was leaving the country. Work is definitely not a safe zone anymore.
“Yes, and soon. Desiree was supposed to come with me, but she’s going on early maternity leave.”
I frown. “Isn’t this a conflict of interest?”
He shakes his head. “You’re not in a relationship with Mr. Choi, and no one but us knows it might have been different.”
“Right,” I say, trying to ignore the emptiness in my chest I’ve accepted as permanent when it flares into a precise pain.
“Newlight wants to get to know me while we finalize the North American plans for one of their debut groups. Are you in?”
I twirl a straw around my fingers. I don’t usually take vacation time, so Alex’s offer provides the chance to travel without feeling as if I’m slacking. In fact, it’s a potential career enhancer since I can work closely with Hyphen, and it shows they value me.
These are two good reasons for wanting to go that have absolutely nothing to do with the opportunity of being in the same city as Jihoon.
However, I don’t make quick decisions, even though I’m yearning to go, and I need to check with the partner in charge. “Let me get back to you.”
“You don’t need to see Mr. Choi while we’re there. We won’t be working directly with StarLune.”
I shift uncomfortably on the vinyl seat. “I wasn’t thinking about that.”
“If you say so.” He gives me a long look, but I steer the conversation back to Hyphen, and that’s what we talk about the rest of the night.
