Chapter Nine: The First Exploration of S.M.

Kim Min-jung was very excited.

Her uncle had just said that he would take her to visit S.M. Entertainment later—a place that was the dream destination for every aspiring trainee in all of Korea hoping to become an idol.

Even more importantly, Myung-yeon had invited a senior artist along.

Jung Soo-jung.

Although Kim Min-jung was a small fan of EXO, she had long admired the senior members of F(X) as well.

“Next time, I’ll help you set up a meeting with Do Kyung-soo,” Myung-yeon promised his little niece.

“Uncle, do you know D.O. too?” This tactic really worked; at least it raised his status a bit in Min-jung’s eyes.

Myung-yeon smiled, “Of course. D.O. and I are good friends.”

He hadn’t worked directly with Do Kyung-soo, but since they shared a mutual older brother figure and had met a few times at gatherings, they were familiar with each other. That guy looked serious on the surface but was quite lively in private.

Getting an autograph was a piece of cake.

“Yeah, he’s an actor too,” Min-jung murmured softly.

As a fan, she was aware of the individual developments of the members she liked.

“Min-jung.”

“What is it?” The little one was lost in her own world and was startled by the sudden call.

Myung-yeon smiled, “Why do you call me ‘uncle’?”

Min-jung was momentarily stunned before realizing she had unconsciously voiced the term she had in her heart.

“Because, because…” The little girl didn’t quite know how to explain, “Because you and I aren’t that far apart in age.”

Honesty was the best way to solve problems. After all, they were only six years apart, yet the generational gap made them relatives of a different rank. Using “uncle” with a diminutive prefix seemed fitting.

“Alright, I like being called ‘uncle.’ Min-jung, that’s what you’ll call me from now on.”

Myung-yeon had always disliked being called old by his actual uncles. This middle-ground title was just right—it didn’t sound awkward.

Min-jung pressed her lips into a secret smile; her uncle was way more interesting than her mother.

…

Myung-yeon drove his little niece to a café near S.M. Entertainment, where they had arranged to meet Jung Soo-jung.

---

“Soo-jung, long time no see.”

The moment they met, Myung-yeon greeted her warmly.

He knew that the usually icy Soo-jung was someone who responded better to gentle approaches rather than harsh ones. It was best to get any unpleasant words out of the way first.

“I hear your name every day,” Jung Soo-jung said, her eyes narrowing slightly with a glint of displeasure.

That jerk who called to break up was the reason her usually sober best friend had gotten drunk. The guy was pathetic—he cried after barely finishing a bottle of soju, then cursed bitterly, saying the worst was that she could have helped raise his daughter. After that, he just went to sleep. She didn’t even know what to say.

Myung-yeon pulled Kim Min-jung to sit down. “Soo-jung, let me introduce you. This is my niece, Kim Min-jung.”

“Soo-jung unnie, hello,” Min-jung said with a hint of excitement, staring at the woman before her. Seeing Jung Soo-jung in person was a rare treat these days, even for fans.

“Min-jung, you should call me ‘auntie.’ Otherwise, it’s a generational mismatch,” Myung-yeon joked, suddenly finding the generational ranking topic amusing.

“You better watch what you say,” Jung Soo-jung gave Myung-yeon a sharp look but softened her gaze as she looked at Min-jung. “Hello, Min-jung.”

She could tell from their features that Myung-yeon and Min-jung were indeed related—they shared many similar facial traits.

Hmm… this kid’s forehead even resembled hers a bit.

“Soo-jung, thanks for helping out later.”

Jokes aside, Myung-yeon appreciated Jung Soo-jung’s kindness. She had gone out of her way to come and show his niece around the company, which was no small favor.

Jung Soo-jung waved it off, “No problem. I was coming to the company to discuss some work anyway.”

Her relationship with S.M. was complicated, but her contract was still active, and the group had occasional activities, so she had to interact with them regularly.

Besides, Jung Soo-jung wanted to find a chance to talk to Myung-yeon and had to vent about that jerk some more.

“Thank you, Soo-jung unnie~” Min-jung, though a bit nervous, spoke politely with a sweet little mouth.

“Min-jung, if you want to join S.M., be prepared to work hard,” Jung Soo-jung’s expression changed quickly—one face for Myung-yeon, another for Min-jung.

Min-jung lacked confidence in herself. Coming from the countryside of Liangshan, she felt disadvantaged compared to kids who had grown up in Seoul or even abroad.

“Soo-jung unnie, I don’t even know if I can get in,” she admitted.

“No worries, you have your uncle,” Myung-yeon interrupted.

“Right, you’ve got your uncle. He’s pretty amazing,” Jung Soo-jung rolled her eyes at him.

---

She had known Myung-yeon for three years and was well aware of his style.

He was a man of his word—once he promised something, he would deliver, even when it came to chasing girls. That was why her obedient best friend had fallen for him and hadn’t said a bad word even after a ridiculous breakup.

There were many kinds of scoundrels.

The three chatted casually in the café before Jung Soo-jung led them to S.M. Entertainment.

“This building is a recent move; we weren’t here back then,” Jung Soo-jung said with a hint of nostalgia. She had come from the Blue Sky and White Clouds era.

Jung Soo-jung had become a trainee at just twelve years old—Min-jung was still very young at that age.

Myung-yeon and his little niece were no different in their excitement; this was their first time visiting the holy ground of Korean K-pop. Myung-yeon rarely engaged with this world due to his acting career.

Min-jung clung closely to her uncle, nervous but filled with admiration.

Jung Soo-jung asked, “Min-jung, would you like to see the artists’ practice rooms first, or the trainees’ area?”

“I want to see the artists’ practice rooms,” Min-jung replied after glancing at Myung-yeon.

She was a trainee to debut—to become a dazzling presence on stage, just like her uncle, surrounded by many fans.

Jung Soo-jung chatted idly with Myung-yeon while showing Min-jung around the S.M. building, pointing out shared lockers, resting areas, and so on.

“All idols who debut from S.M. practice here,” she said, finally leading them to a practice room.

It was reserved for artists—the trainees’ rooms were in the basement, highlighting a clear hierarchy.

Only by breaking through layers of darkness could one finally bask in the sunlight.

Min-jung excitedly took out her phone to start taking pictures—this was not a place just anyone could enter.

Myung-yeon watched his happy little niece with a smile, then suddenly said, “Soo-jung, thank you.”

“No need. Are you really going through with the breakup?”

“I loved her.”

“Pfft!”