─ managers' office

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ The girl's posture and the look on her face were enough to give him a general idea of how her job was going, and very detailed one of her current mood. He assumed whatever was had been going so wrong was not the PR manager's fault based on how organized and perfectionist she was, as well as the way it she was usually confident things would work only to cancel again once an unexpected turn came about. For a moment, he considered whether she might still reject him, even with the food already in hand, but thankfully he watched her expression soften slightly as her eyes landed on him.

He offered a victorious smile as he pushed the door open, carefully closing it behind him, before making his way inside. He was quick to dismiss the girl's words with a shake of his head as he stepped further into the room. "I didn't /have/ to, but I thought you could use a break. If your schedule will prevent you from coming to me, I guess it is up to me to step up and take you away from it" As he says it, he lifts up the bags shortly respectively as he continues "Wasn't sure what you'd want so I brought in a few options and side dishes from the restaurant across the street." He added, gesturing towards her with his head "Come on, let's eat while it's hot" He offered again before glancing shortly around the room for some space to set down the bags where they wouldn't risk some accident. "Stay in or do you wanna head down to eat?"

@☾ natty suputhipong Sana was taken aback when Natty had called her 'master' and she let out a small chuckle while taking the cup of coffee from her slim hand. "Sana or 'sunbae' would be just fine, dear. Thank you." It had been a while for Sana, to have someone shadow her, let alone a girl group member who had already debuted. "Alright then, well follow me, I've only got a few things on my docket today so it shouldn't be that hectic for us. I hope you don't mind, I cleared out the space next to me so you can have a table for yourself. Remind me again why you wanted to shadow me today?" She asked while taking a sip from her cup of Joe while leading Natty over to the Manager's office and over to their desks. "Is there anything specific you'd like to know or do maybe?" Since the show started Sana didn't have much to do apart from checking in on her trainees. She was afraid there wasn't much she could offer Natty to work on but since she was resourceful, surely she could find something for the idol turned office employee for the day.

As soon as she got to her desk, she offered Natty to sit down at the desk next to her own then began setting up her things. "Usually, we'd wait for any email assignments that could be sent any time this morning or sometimes we'd look at any schedules that we can put the trainees under. See who is available and when, as much as possible it'd be best to group the girls together for one session so they all learn together rather than be staggered through the week. It'll usually depend on the mentor's availability too. So it's our job to check for any dates that they could be grouped together. Weekends would be ideal since they can train longer but if it's inevitable, weekdays after school should be doable." She said all this while showing Natty the calendars on her computer and the desk calendars.

"Since the show's started though, there isn't much to work on just yet but rest assured there are other things we get to do." She said chuckling softly before handing off a new small notebook and pen for Natty to write things in, I know it isn't much and it's only for a day but keep them. I usually like keeping a small journal around me to write my thoughts in y'know? I mean I know you all like using your phones but it's nice to keep something manual on hand." She smiled sheepishly, thinking maybe Natty thought she was lame or outdated. She wasn't that much older but she wanted to be a good older sister in some way.

@◈ minatozaki sana⁻ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ Natty heard Sana before she saw her, recognizing the click of heels anywhere after wearing so many of her own. She plucked the coffee out of the carrying tray, and had it extended to Sana as she huffed up the hallway. A smile split Natty's face as she rolled her shoulders back.

"Hello, gwajangnim!" she greeted brightly. "I wanted to thank you again for allowing me to shadow you today! I will do my best to stay out of the way, though you'll have to forgive me if I have some questions. Also, feel free to use me for whatever task you may need. Today, I am /your/ employee! Well, I technically already am, but you know what I mean. Coffee?" She extended the cup again, Sana's name written on the side with a little heart at the end. "It's fresh!"

@☾ natty suputhipong Sana huffed a little while looking at her watch, worried that she was a bit late to meet with Natty. It had been a late night previously and she had slept in a little than her usual alarm. She watched numbers go up, hoping no one would get on as she didn’t want to be anymore later. A sigh of relief left her lips as she arrived on her floor, smiling to herself as she walked out of it and made her way towards her department’s area.

She heels clicked in the marble floor as she walked with a quickened pace, smiling as she saw a familiar figure by the door. This was definitely new for her but it wouldn’t hurt to have someone shadow her for the day. It was said that Natty enjoyed doing this with employees to understand their work at least for a day. Sure it wasn’t enough to know everything but it was different almost everyday especially with the new show coming out soon, the trainees were on their toes.

“Natty, hi! I apologize for making your wait.. i hope it wasn’t long. Shall we get started then?”

@◈ park junhee⁻ᵖʳᵒᵈᵘᶜᵉʳ " Of course they messed the scheduling up, " she mutters to herlsf, eyes skimming over the email from KBS that they had lost their 8pm time slot for the trainee variety show. they'd either have to settle for an earlier or later time. 8 usually had the most hourly viewership , and naturally her assistant did not send in the request fast enough and the newest Show Me The Money season took it.

It seemed nothing has been going her way these last couple of weeks, new project on top of half finished ones. it left Jessica scrambling to tie up loose ends and she really didn't know which one's they were. She swiftly started writing up a reply to the KBS directive team, she had barely gotten to finish half a sentence when a knock draws her attention away from her computer screen. annoyance bubbles in the deepest parts of her soul but quickly dissipates seeing just who was interrupting her. Junhee , junhee who has take out bags in his hands. He didn't seem like he was willing to take no for an answer and truly she couldn't even if she really wanted to.

"You may," she replies back in English as well. shifting her chair away from her computer area to the more open space of her work desk. "You really didn't have to get me anything, you know? If anything I should be the one getting /you/ food, I keep being a dingle berry and overlapping our plans." She had felt bad for the multiple cancellations she had thrown at him. Something had always gotten in the way and nope she feels just as worse for not being the one to take the first steps of redemption by surprising him with food.

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ After their first surprise encounter at the meeting, they managed to talk for a bit and grew a little closer. Since then they'd bump into each other in the staff room more often and took some time off to talk, Jessica had even invited him to be her plus one for the award ceremony and they'd met up for lunch a couple of times just to check up on each other, but after a while, things started piling up that needed more of her attention and the girl's schedule started to close up. They'd still text occasionally, but mostly just to check in and make sure they were both doing okay. Still, by talking to common friends here and there or by seeing her back and forth constantly through the building hallways, meeting people, planning things, making sure everything was getting done and according to the schedule, amongst all of her other tasks, he could tell it was starting to weight down on her. Lunch plans had been canceled multiple times within the past two weeks due to things piling up, and her having to fix other people's mistakes more often than not. Today was no different, and as he was leaving Donghun's office after a meeting about a release he'd been tasked with, he noticed Jessica through the glass door of her office, fingers pressed to her temple as she carefully analyzed something on her computer screen. Jun considered giving it a knock and inviting her for a break but he knew she'd reject it in favor of finishing whatever was taking up her time, so this time he switched up the plans and instead went to get some takeout from the restaurant across the street and showed up at her door half an hour later, plastic bags in hand and a great deal of determination to get the girl to take a short break. With a soft knock on the door, he peeked at her through the glass before pushing the door open a little "May I?" He muttered in English as he lifted the bags to get the girl's attention to the food.

@◈ minatozaki sana⁻ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ Natty waited excitedly outside of Sana's office, dressed to the nines in her best "manager's outfit" (pencil skirt jacket combo and a ridiculously high heel and glasses with fake lenses because it wouldn't be the look without it). She held a cabaret with two coffees - one with her half-drank order and the other still untouched, ready for Sana. The two women had corresponded by e-mail over this day for a couple weeks now. It hadn't taken much convincing on Natty's end to be able to shadow the manager for a day. Most people questioned her motives and eventually caved, but some weren't as forthcoming.

Sana, however, was already exceeding Natty's expectations, which is why she was so nearly vibrating while she waited for the manager. This was going to fun, she could feel it.

@♤ lee seungjoo ˡᵒʳᵉⁿ Things had been pretty quiet the past few days. Donghun hadn't become a manager that long ago, and so there hadn't exactly been that many tasks given to him. However, he was more than ready to attack whatever came his way, and he was sure the best way to do this would be to build somewhat of a relationship with the group he was to be managing, and that is why he had invited them to discuss this next album with him in person.

Donghun had yet to get familiar with their whole story and discography, but for now his plan was to make sure he did his best to include the boys' submissions on the album.

A not too loud knock broke him of his thoughts. Making sure to re-arrange his blazer so as to make himself the most presentable he could, Donghun welcomed the boy, who he had recognized to be Seungjoo, as he swiftly got up from his desk.

"Ah yes yes, come on in!"

The boy was taller, definitely taller than him. His prominent features left no room for confusion, it was undoubtedly him, the boy whose picture had been presented to him in those early meetings he was made to partake in.

"Nice to meet you as well, Seungjoo is it? Or would you prefer Loren?" a hand was reached out towards the boy by now, Donghun hoping it wasn't too formal, but not too informal either. He just wanted to make sure the other felt comfortable as it could be weird to be forced into a work-relationship with someone you didn't felt at ease with.

"Sure sure, I'm very much free as I told you. So, you said you had some songs you were hoping to submit for the upcoming album? Feel free to tell me a bit about them. I'm not too sure how this usually works but if you could provide a demo or even a sample for me to present I would deeply appreciate it!"

He did his best to give some emotion to his words but in the end they ended up being way too formal. He had no idea what the correct way to address people in this line of work was, but he'd eventually find out. It was better to be formal now and slowly get more comfortable than the other way around... right?

@◈ lee donghun⁻ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ Took him a little more than planned to get lunch because he ended up bumping into Wooyoung on the way to the cafeteria, so of course they were catching up for a bit. Although they did meet up mostly on a daily and there was not really much to actually 'catch up on'. Still, it was nearing the three hour mark after he'd texted the groupchat when he finally did climb up to the managers' office floor where he glazed through the long hallway in search of the one door with the new name tag for their brand new manager. Once he finally found it, he gave the white door a couple of knocks and waited for permission before poking his head inside to get a look a good look at the man, offering a small bow in greeting along with a small smile. "Nice to meet you Donghun-ssi. Is now a good time?" He asked with a mostly unusual polite speech compared to the comfortable one he typically used.

@◈ lee donghun⁻ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ Lounging at Jessica's desk, munching her stashed cookies, was a usual state when no one else was in the managers' office, seeing as it's not exactly *my* place to be, but its proven to be my dwelling on more than one occasion. Still, I rush to hide the cookies away, when the door creaks open, blinking quickly at the person entering, hands still under the desk, only to find out it's not my sister coming to catch me red-handed. It's an unfamiliar face, with nerves so tightly wound that I feel second-hand anxiety. "Congratulations?" I an eyebrow. Where normal people would introduce themselves back, I use the time to scrutinize the newcomer from top to bottom. "Well, you found *someone*, if you want to call me that." Ah, a new manager. That was gonna be his office too, then, he had much more right to be here than I did.
But he doesn't need to know that.
I bring the cookies back out.
"Schedule is by the door, coffee's in the kitchenette, but it's from this morning - use at your own risk. Jessica is out today." I add in absolutely non sequitur, probably my mouth trying to explain why am I sitting at her desk before I am even questioned.

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@❖ stephanie hwang Gripping the device tightly with his shaky right hand and holding it against his ear, left hand clenching around his right harm in a respectful manner, Donghun paces around the hallway in which he was instructed to wait, nodding every so often so as to show understanding of the situation - as if the person on the other side could actually see him.
As the restlessness he was feeling slowly slips away at the unexpected gentle nature of his new boss (the people he'd worked for previously could definitely use some of this energy), Donghun allows a short yet content sigh to escape his lips. "I completely understand miss- yes yes, that's really okay, I'll manage to find my way! Thank you so much!".
Pleased that his boss seemed to really care for him (and therefore her employees), Donghun follows her directions - not before getting lost a couple times of course (*haven't I passed this door just now?*).

As he (finally) finds what he'd been looking for, a nervous palm is placed on the door, letting him into the unknown room and allowing him to catch a glimpse of someone he'd never seen before.
"Ah- My name's Lee Donghun!" he bows his head without even taking a proper look at the person in front of him, his eyes falling mostly on the definitely not so interesting floor. "Miss Stephanie told me to look for someone in here- I'm the new manager!"

@◈ lee donghun⁻ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ "I am so so sorry i had to rush out on you like this, dear, I promise my usual hostess manners are not like that - there's just been an emergency with the sitter... you know how it is"
//the sound of keychain rattles through the phone receiver, a car door opening and slamming soon enough, as Tiffany's voice cuts through clearly, now in a more quiet environment than the clacking of heels just seconds ago/
"And I apologize we had to cut our meeting short, I really wished to acquaint you with the job and the rest of the staff... You know what, I believe i saw someone in the managers' room when i passed by earlier - why don't you pop down there - it's the door right next to my office - and check that out? I'm convinced whoever was in there will more than happy to show you around, at least show you the ropes, until we reschedule our onboarding meeting, how does that sound?
//keys in the ignition, sound of an engine humming to life - the telltale signs that this car was about to go on the road, and the meeting wasn't happening/

___________________________________________________________________

@☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ *Yuqi was a scolded puppy, and she could feel her emotions getting the best of her as they usually did. Eyes swelled with tears made it difficult to see Jessica as she left them to ruminate in the consequences of their own actions*
*This was so unfair. Yet all she could do was follow after their fuming leader. Out the door, and back to her dorm room to contemplate, as she'd been told to do*

@☾ song yuqi @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ .

Then what were we to do - no matter what we said, our words would have been twisted!
//getting emotional and raising my tone is probably (definitely) not the best policy, but i realized we had literally no winning move, and in my mind - we were being scolded unfairly, but anything further i have to add is quickly doused by Jessica's ending statements - she was in command, leaving no further room for arguments, and she was probably right otherwise this would loop around forever/
Thanks, sunbaenim.
//taking no further time, i push away from the desk and march out the door, fists clenched at my sides through the glass corridors of DSF/

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .

yeah she probably did, that is exactly what i'm telling you
she massages at her temples , trying to calm the raging headache which was spreading and her rising irritation
I am doing all i can to speak with publishers to keep that headline from spreading and to save face.
i genuinely thought you guys were ready to handle the big girl stages of stardom but you're not and maybe that's our fault for not prepping you for this sort of thing. all i ask is that you ladies watch what you say especially when the cameras are rolling.
and a small suggestion would be to see Chrystal, maybe you need a bit more media training. that's all i have for you girls, you may go whenever you feel like. you know my number if you need me.

@☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ *Yuqi stayed a few steps behind Yongsun with her eyes cast down and hands clasped behind her back. It felt like being scolded by her mother... Or worse, her grandmother. That woman knew how to be terrifying*
*DIA was blessed to have a courageous leader, though, and Yuqi listened in accord at the explanation that was given*
*but Jessica didn't buy it, and she almost flinches away from the harshness of her words*
But you have to understand unnie, the interviewer was out to get us - she probably had our downfall planned from the moment we showed up on her schedule !

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@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji itching* lmao

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .
that’s what the media does!
she responds swiftly after letting yongsun say her piece. she rests her chin in her hands , lips pursed
they were trying to provoke and they can and will twist the story. you guys are NOT just kpop idols anymore, i’m sorry. You’re not. You are a global group thats bigger than just the korean market, the west media is it hing to tear you apart because you are not just a group but a /successful/ girl group who are foreign.
that’s a lot of pressure and i’m not saying by any means, don’t just take disrespect but you MUST watch your words because just like this
she gestures towards another magazine that has their TIME magazine shoot on it
can turn into this
gestures back towards the scandalous headline
cancel culture is THRIVING right now and they will cancel you if they can.
Im not scolding as much as i am worried for your image. you have worked so hard , dont let a green fifthed interviewer ruin YEARS of blood sweat and tears with ONE interview. This industry is not fair, never guaranteed a next hit or sustained relevancy.

@☾ song yuqi @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ .

//the "im not mad, just disappointed" spiel stings even worse than if Jessica would have yelled at them. Yongsun bunches up the end of her top and twists it between her fingers, sitting down when told. Felt like , but Yongsun was leader, she was going to take the responsibility and speak up/
They were complete s to us.
//clears my throat as the statement doesn't come out strong enough/
They were literally taunting us, unnie. Waving our families' history in our faces, and making us look catty with each other. They were gonna write this rag no matter what we said and were gonna twist our words. Junhee-oppa was there, he can tell you. We did our best to be polite as much as possible, but this... poor excuse of a person kept pushing.
We got TIME magazine's daesang, and we are getting flamed by some gossipy rag?
It's unfair...
//the last words come out quieter, my anger dying down as quick as it burned while explaining how they mistreated us, only leaving the feeling of unfairness, disappointment and frustration/
And what if we're divas? Didn't we earn it? Some respect?

SCREAMINGi did it again()

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@☾ song yuqi @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji .
.
upon the first knock she swung her door open stepping aside as she waits patiently for the four member group to begin pouring into her office
i hope you all feel empowered and are happy with your response in which you gave
she says shutting the door behind them softly, she gave all four a pointed looks as she rounds her desk and takes her seat
sit. as you know I am not one to get upset easy, i have no reason to invest energy into ugly emotion and truly I wouldn't even say i am angry right now, just disappointed.
she sits quietly for a paused moment before reaching in her drawer and pulling out a magazine and laying it on her desk for all of them to see
'Entertainer of the year or divas of the year', thats the headline. in two weeks it went from nothing but praise to your name getting slandered. have i taught you nothing? all the media training was for nothing? I understand that you felt disrespected, well at least from the sources i have that were there, but it was a trap. dirtiest trick in the book and you all fell for it ! please take me through the thought process?

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ knock-knock
You called us in, sunbaenim?

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ she hugs back, ensuring to give an extra squeeze before letting go
I will make sure I sneak some time in for you too then, here and there
Ensure you get a break from all the corporate bumhole meetings

@♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ taking up my time? Psh, as if.
I would much rather talk to you than corporate s all day. But alas , I do have a meeting 30
eye roll , honestly
please bother me when you feel like, i dont mind the company.
she rounds the desk with outstretched arms and wraps the trainee in a hug
you have a good day, lovely

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ she remains seated, eyes narrowed for a moment
I don't think I have many worries beyond that.
And if any come up, I'll be sure to let you know.
pushing herself up from her seat, she does a little curtsey before nodding to the door
I shouldn't take up too much of your time

@♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ okay then that’s that.
i think we covered the important topics!
oh
she backtracks , stopping herself from getting up completely
do you have any worries or things you would like to discuss regarding your debut?