Page 69 of Idol Moves

Tae Hyun looked up from the route map on his phone, surprised at Seong Min’s solemn tone. His eyes were on the road, but his expression was serious to match. “Of course.”

“It’s about your sister, sir.”

Tae Hyun stifled an inappropriate chuckle, recalling his chat with Yun Seo about Seong Min. “Alright.”

Seong Min swallowed hard. He was obviously nervous, which was a first for Tae Hyun. He had to try hard not to prompt his bodyguard to spit it out. “I’d like to start courting Yun Seo, sir.”

Tae Hyun shrugged. “Okay.” Then he resumed watching the route map on his phone.

“I–” Tae Hyun tried very hard not to laugh when Seong Min hesitated. “Are you sure?”

Tae Hyun finally let himself chuckle. “Of course, I’m sure. Why? Is there some reason I shouldn’t be?”

“No, sir. Absolutely not.”

Tae Hyun shrugged again. “Then, yeah, as long as it doesn’t impact your job, I’m sure. Although, I’ve got to be honest. She might be more than you can handle.”

It was Seong Min’s turn to chuckle. “Oh, I’m well aware of that, sir. Believe me.”

Tae Hyun laughed. “Good. And I think this is our turn.”

Tae Hyun had never explored Seongsu-dong, an old industrial neighborhood revitalized over the years as its warehouses and factories were converted to shops, cafes, and artist lofts. Even Seong Min was unfamiliar with the area. So the pair got lost and turned around several times before they found the correct address and a nearby place to park. I Jun’s studio was located above a coffee shop on Seongdeokjeong-gil, a few blocks from the river. A barista in the coffee shop pointed them to the building entrance off the alley, where Tae Hyun found the call box and pressed the studio’s call button. The call box buzzed, and the door unlocked, so Seong Min held it open as the pair entered a long, narrow hallway with a small elevator on the far end. They rode the rickety elevator to the third floor, where the doors opened directly to I Jun’s studio.

Tae Hyun was immediately concerned. Perhaps it was because he’d never worked with I Jun outside the KBR building or on location. But he’d expected the studio to be larger. Or, at least, nicer. The main room still showed the distressed signs of its industrial heritage, with bare concrete floors and exposed beams, plumbing, and ductwork. But, where the coffee shop downstairs had polished the concrete to a brilliant shine and stained their wood-clad walls and beams, I Jun had done none of that. Much of the space was filled with a group of long folding tables pushed together to make a large workspace with a half-dozen or more garments in various stages of construction laid across the top. The walls were covered by half-full clothing racks, at least ten fabric rolls vertically propped up against them, and a collection of dressmaker’s dummies congregating in the far corner.

Tae Hyun and Seong Min shared a concerned glance before Tae Hyun sighed and accepted that an artist’s surroundings weren’t necessarily an indicator of their work. His choreographer’s dance studio was an excellent example of that.

“I Jun? Are you here?”

Something clattered as it dropped to the floor, echoing from one of the pair of doorways leading off the main room. “Tae Hyun? Is that really you?” A smiling I Jun emerged from the doorway, arms spread wide in welcome. “I can hardly believe it!”

Tae Hyun quickly relaxed at the sight of his former designer, who, despite his shoddy surroundings, was impeccably dressed in a white, linen, tunic-style pullover with a thick black stripe across the chest, slender black pants or leggings, and shiny black leather loafers with pointed toes. His artfully jagged hair was bleached to a strawberry blond.

Tae Hyun smiled. “I Jun!” He walked over and accepted the designer’s warm hug. “It’s so good to see you.” Then he gestured toward his bodyguard. “This is Song Seong Min.”

I Jun offered Seong Min his hand. “Jeon I Jun. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Seong Min nodded as he shook I Jun’s hand but stayed silent, so I Jun turned back to Tae Hyun. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. Have you eaten? Would you like some tea? I was just setting the kettle to boil.”

Tae Hyun shook his head. “No, thank you. But I’d love to hear about what you’ve been up to.”

I Jun shrugged. “Nothing as newsworthy as you, I’m afraid.” He shook his head. “The last time I saw you, you were finishing up theBlossomtour. But you’ve been busy since then, eh? The army? A solo career?” He grinned. “A boyfriend? Who I was hoping to meet today, by the way.”

Tae Hyun chuckled. “Guilty on all counts. But Jason had other obligations today, so it’s just me. I’m sorry about that.”

“It’s fine.” I Jun waved off Tae Hyun’s apology. “But I still can’t believe my little Tae Hyun is really gay.”

“Little? You’re not that much older than me.”

“I’m ten years older than you.” I Jun smiled. “But I hope you’re willing to work with a gay designer.”

“So you are?” Tae Hyun awkwardly frowned. “Gay, I mean. I suspected you were, but–”

I Jun nodded. “But it wasn’t something I could really talk about. So, I guess that makes two things we have in common. We’ve both been fired by KBR, too.”

Tae Hyun laughed. “If we don’t end up working together, we could always start a support group.”

I Jun didn’t quite cover his frown in time. “Of course. If I might ask, who are the others you’re considering?”

“Absolutely.” Tae Hyun listed off some of the designers he’d talked to. “But, right now, I’m leaning toward Renée Laurent.”

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