Taegong: Sinking In

The filming in Rome was complete. Rehearsals for their debut TV performance were over. They had one shot and one shot only to impress the world. Taeyang couldn't believe that he did it all in one day. He knew that there would be trouble with the video: Taeyang locked lips with Gong-gi outside the Vatican. They got kicked out of Sistine chapel when Gong-gi spanked him. The highlights of the day were holding hands on the Spanish steps and making wishes by Trevi Fountain.

Now they were back in the tourbus. There was nothing Taeyang needed more than a good night's sleep. As heavy as his eyelids were, they remained open.

Taeyang held his hands in excitement: he was going to be on TV. Anyone could upload themselves on the internet, but not everyone could be on national television. Gong-gi laid on his chair as if it was nothing special. He wondered what went on in his head. It was a challenge to get the guy to crack a smile. Maybe in time, they'll be best friends. They have no choice. It's the only way they would cope in this crazy situation.

All this time he thought the road to stardom would be a walk in a park. Panting, Taeyang twirled around the room, pacing up and down. Tucking his hands under his hears, he inhaled his screams. This was his life and it was going to be great. He couldn't wait to be on stage and give it his all. The idea of screaming girls at his feet enthralled him. The idea of rolling in money also appealed to him.

One side tugging was the money, designer outfits, beautiful women and big properties. The darker side, which Taeyang tried to deny was the corruption, long hours, little rest and scrutiny. Every moment of his life will be captured on camera, and his every word will be recorded. Of course the fans will praise him for all the good stuff he done but the critics will be ready with their pitchforks if he takes an inch out of line.

Rehearsals tired him out. Ten hours of non-stop dancing was better than reading clunky textbooks, but it was just as exhausting. Taeyang confessed that he failed as an academic, but he had skills in athletics and hopefully the arts. With bad grades, and a disappointed family, this band was all he had left.

"My legs are burning!" Taeyang massaged his own thighs and a sudden thought came to him. He had never been in love. Despite having over a hundred girlfriends, they all ended either nowhere or as one-night-stands.

Gong-gi laughed. "Get used to it."

"Wow! You're cold..."

"I'm being honest." Gong-gi followed him as he continued pacing around the room. "You have no idea how lucky you are."

"I know I'm lucky!" Taeyang's footsteps halted when Gong-gi grabbed his shoulders. "But I'm overwhelmed. This time last week I was a loser kid, and now I'm an idol."

"You need to sit down!" Gong-gi took him back on the bed. "You have to be resilient in this job. You won't get much time to rest so make the most of it. I had to work eighteen hours a day with no breaks and a strict diet."

"Come of think of it..." Taeyang stared at Gong-gi, admiring his cheek bones. "You're lucky too. I mean you've got a nice family and you didn't have to pay a fine for breaking your contract."

"What was I suppose to do?" Gong-gi asked. "Nobody contacted me after my military service so I just assumed they didn't want me anymore. These five years out of the spotlight have been the happiest times of my life."

"So do you think Mini Rose will ever go back to music?"

"She as her own YouTube channel," Gong-gi explained. "She no longer uses her stage name anymore."

"So how were you two able to afford two kids without a job?"

Gong-gi straightened his lips. "Royalties from the band aren't much. Flo takes most of it for herself. My wife makes more money now than she ever did as an idol. She also takes pictures."

Taeyang opened his mouth. "Pictures... I know what sort of pictures you mean."

"Artistic photos not pornographic..."

"Sure it is..."

"Please believe me, she's had work in galleries. The President even bought one of her pictures."

"Let me guess, it's her naked."

"Let's not talk about this anymore."

"What work did you do?" Taeyang asked. It couldn't have been just his wife making all the money.

"I was a professional man of leisure."

"So you did nothing?"

"No not nothing... I gambled, drank, wrote books, travelled the world with my family. Last year we went on a world cruise around the world."

"You and your wife must be very talented."

"Indulgent of me I know." Gong-gi lowered his head. "I should never have drank. Now we won't have much money left but I guess this will help. Since there's only two of us... we should get more royalties."

"How many was in VALENTINE COOKIE again?"

"Thirteen!"

"That's a lot. I bet they all admired you being the lead singer and all..."

Gong-gi shook his head. "Wrong. A lot of them didn't like me at all. They would shout at me or getting the dance routine wrong or singing out of key. I got accused of things I hadn't done. It backfired on them."

"Sounds like it's karma..."

"They all thought I was getting more money then them, but we were all paid the same. Dosen't help that I was the lead singer in most of the songs...okay... ALL OF THE SONGS. They were there for the harmonies, backing vocals and the dancing. The guy wanted their turn in the spotlight. They should be happy: they've all got their own bands now."

"At least the fans didn't try to cancel you..."

"Jealousy is hideous."

Taeyang agreed, but he understood why people would envy him. Gong-gi had a wonderful purple quiff and an athletic figure people would pay thousands for. Comparing his skinny arm to his, Taeyang felt inferior.