NEW BEGINNINGS
Julie, Sunny, Jennie, and Sue sat on the couch. They were sitting quietly and watching anime. Since their national tour, they had been flooded with several goodwill messages. Fans were emotional and couldn't stop talking about how amazing the tour was. Now, the girls were enjoying their much-needed break.
The room was silent, except for the occasional reactions to the scenes. Julie was filing her nails as she watched, Sunny just lay there on the couch, and she looked like she was in deep thought. Jennie was yawning now, not because the anime was boring, but because she felt drowsy, and Sue was paying rapt attention with her legs crossed on the couch.
Sunny broke the silence.
“So, I know we've had a terrific run so far,” she started. “But why is no one talking about how it looks like we are at the end of the road?”
The girls looked at her, and they knew exactly what she was talking about. As Pink's Generation's journey in the K-pop industry continued, the girls had recently found themselves at a crossroads. There was no doubt that they had worked incredibly hard. They had invested their time, energy, effort, and talents into building the group, and in turn, they had reaped the reward of success and being celebrated globally as one of the best K-pop girl groups in Korea.
However, they knew that their expiration date as idols had drawn near. No one could stay a K-pop idol forever, especially because every year saw the influx of fresh trainees making their debut. This automatically meant that the attention of their fans would be shifted over time to the latest and newest talents in K-pop. Even though they knew that some fans were incredibly loyal and would still love them no matter what, the girls had to admit the truth. They had done exceptionally well, but they couldn't be K-pop idols forever.
“Did you really have to remind us of this right now?” Jennie complained and frowned. “We were having a good time.”
Jennie was still in denial. Retiring from K-pop wasn't something she wanted to even remotely consider. This was the life she had grown to love.
“But it's the truth, isn't it?” Sunny replied as she turned to look at Jennie. “We can't lie to ourselves.”
“I understand how you feel,” Sue told Jennie. She was as empathetic as ever. “But it's something we have to talk about at some point. We've made our mark as K-pop stars. Now, it may be time to move on.”
There was another round of silence and occasional uncomfortable stares. The girls had not foreseen that they would be discussing the uncomfortable topic of retirement anytime soon.
“I'm not ready to move on,” Jennie said obstinately. “Our tracks are still ranking, and our fans are solidly behind us. Why should we fix what isn't broken?”
Sunny shook her head; this was Jennie being Jennie once again, stubborn and determined to have her way. Sunny didn't understand why Jennie was refusing to admit the reality of things at the moment, and she was not ready to start talking sense into her.
Julie had been silent for some time because she wanted to listen to what the others had to say. She had a lot on her mind. The truth is that the topic of retirement is something that she had been thinking about for a while now. She knew it was important to confront it rather than live in denial.
“We've known each other for years now, haven't we?" Julie asked and watched as the girls nodded in affirmation. “We've been through so much as a team right from the very day we stepped into BS Entertainment. We've cried, laughed, and performed together as a team. Retiring from K-pop isn't retiring from life. It isn't retirement from each other. We've scaled through every obstacle life has thrown at us. What makes you think we will fail now? No matter what, I know that we'll be just fine.”
The girls were already emotional at this point. They reached for their tissues and tried to dab their tears as they sniffed.
Sue looked at Jennie. She wanted her to stop living in denial. “So, Jennie, how do you feel right now? You can tell us. We are here for each other.”
“The truth is I've been having some very conflicting emotions right now,” Jennie confessed. “On one end, I'm frightened by the thought of leaving K-pop. I mean, this is the life we've known for so many years, and thinking about leaving it breaks my heart. Yet at the same time, I'm excited by the endless possibilities just waiting for us.”
The girls smiled wistfully. Indeed, it was something to think about.
Everything must have an end, and that saying applied even to Pink Generation's stunning career. They entertained their fans, inspired young girls across the globe, making them believe that they could achieve anything, and most importantly, they made themselves and their friends and families, by extension, proud by smashing the goals that they had set for themselves. The girls had had a good run, and now it was time for it to come to an end. Their career had reached a beautiful peak, and the girls knew it was time to retire. Luckily, they all had varying passions that they had decided to explore in hopes of finding fulfillment in something other than K-pop.
***
Ye Ji sat behind the wheels, heaved a sigh, and turned to look at Sunny.
They were in the parking lot of Seoul College of Arts. Students were roaming around, trying to get to their classes. The environment was as busy as a bee's hive.
“You'll be fine,” Ye Ji said, even though her eyes showed a hint of sadness.
Sunny studied her for a moment and knew what her manager, or should she say the former manager, was thinking. Ye Ji was having a hard time letting go of the girls. She couldn't believe that just like that, their contract had expired and it was time for them to forge on to other careers. But that was the way it was meant to be.
Typically, K-pop groups had a 7-year contract with their management. After 7 years, the group and the management could decide to renew their contract, but most times they didn't. Sometimes, the group would have discovered new interests, and the management would have discovered new talents. Either way, it was simply easier for both to part ways. Right now, it wasn't looking easy for Ye Ji, though.
“No, you'll be fine,” Sunny echoed back Ye Ji's words.
Ye Ji smiled.
“We've talked about this,” Sunny said. “No one is dying. We still live in the same city. The only change is that I'm getting a new job.”
Sunny hadn't gotten the job yet, but she knew in her spirit that she was close. She had spent the past weeks digging through every job website for college job postings. She had a burning desire to mentor and teach young talents in entertainment, and she had the degree to match, so nothing was stopping her.
Ye Ji had watched Sunny work so hard. She had rummaged through website portals like Craigslist, Dave's ESL Cafe, and HiExpat. After searching, she had indeed discovered some leads, but most of them were dead ends. Eventually, Robb told her about an opening. A lecturer in the college had quit because he wanted to relocate to the United States of America. Sunny had been very excited. It meant that there was an opportunity for her to work at Seoul College of Arts. She didn't want to get her hopes up, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel very optimistic. It felt as if all the lines were falling into place for her. Typically, recruitment wouldn't even happen until sometime before the first semester.
“I know we've talked about this already,” Ye Ji said. “But I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness. We've been on this path for several years, and now our paths have branched out to different roads.”
“I know, but we are all here for you,” Sunny promised her as she squeezed her hand to show her support. “Julie, Jennie, Sue, and I will make sure we visit you twice a week with your favorite box of pizza.”
“With extra cheese?” Ye Ji asked.
“With extra cheese. All the cheese you so desire,” Sunny nodded in affirmation.
“And garlic,” Ye Ji pressed further.
“And garlic,” Sunny repeated as she smiled gently.
“It's a deal then,” Ye Ji said.
They hugged each other and then laughed abruptly. Hugging in a car was a bit awkward if they were being honest, and it didn't help that they were sniffing like babies. Sunny used a tissue in the car and stepped out.
“Good luck,” Ye Ji said as she drove out. “You'll do just great.”
“I hope I do just great,” Sunny thought.
She couldn't afford to mess this up. She walked up the steps that led to the university and hoped that she would get past the first stage of the interview.
***
Jennie breathed deeply and looked around the bare building. It had a few cracks in the wall, leaking sinks, and a hanging door, but it was nothing she couldn't fix. Well, not she in particular, but the workmen she was working with to put the place together. If this was what pursuing her dreams meant, then she would do it. She had just signed a lease on this space, and she was ready to open her own restaurant! Nothing had prepared her for the struggles and challenges she was passing through, but she knew it was all for the best. Nobody had told her that having a passion for cooking and creating recipes was a different ball game from actually taking the leap of faith to open a restaurant.
The move was scary and huge, but her friends were her biggest motivation. Just looking at how dedicated they were to their various career paths was enough to keep her going. Julie had already begun pursuing her passion for acting and had a burning desire to become a successful actress. Jennie believed Julie would achieve this dream sooner than later because she had already gotten her first script and was set to start shooting. After all, everybody already knew that Julie had the face for the camera. Every sensible director would want to feature her in their movie.
What about Sunny? Not a day went by without her analyzing the entertainment industry. Jennie was glad that finally, Sunny had decided to make the move to enter the education sector by lecturing at Seoul College of Arts. Jennie couldn't wait to see her get promoted and acknowledged for all the knowledge she was pouring into her students.
Sue, too, was doing just fine. Alex had encouraged her to shoot for the stars by registering a company in her name. Sue didn't even have an office yet, but she had big dreams of growing the company into a platform that would support and promote talented artists.
Jennie smiled inwardly. This was all happening so fast. Just like that, they had been thrust out of the cocoon that was created to shield them, and now they were being taught to fly. Ever since the talk they had about retirement, Jennie decided to take the bull by the horn and restore her passion for cooking. She was inspired by her mum's finger-licking, authentic dishes, and she wanted to create her restaurant in honor of her mum.
The place was looking like a mess at the moment, but Jennie knew this was the first phase of many beautiful memories to be made in the restaurant.
“Would you like red or brown for the doors?” the carpenter asked her.
“Red is just fine,” Jennie said with a smile. A confident smile that said everything was going to work out well in the end.
***
Sue's engagement came even faster than she expected. At the time that Alex had asked her to marry him, she was completely focused on bringing her company to life. He had proved, as always, to be very supportive in making her dream a reality.
He had been there every day, every single day when she had to work for hours on end crafting the perfect business plan. He was there to speak kindly to her when she was stressed out from work, and he was there to celebrate with her whether it was for her small wins or big wins.
Alex thought to himself, if he and Sue made such a beautiful couple, then why shouldn't they just tie the knot? Alex felt their bond strongly, and he knew there was no one else he would rather do life with, so he asked her to marry him, and they threw an engagement party to mark it.
The engagement feast was lovely, and the guests looked like they were having a good time. The party was intended to celebrate their upcoming marriage with their friends and family. The event was held at a spacious and airy restaurant. Sue's mom wanted a banquet hall, but Sue politely and respectfully insisted that she wanted a private and intimate engagement party that she could celebrate with her friends and family.
“We are so happy for you,” the girls said as they all shared a group hug.
They were all there, looking beautiful in their elegant attire. It wasn't just Pink Generation that graced the occasion from BS Entertainment. Ye Ji was there, and she was with Chang-Min. Of course, Sue and Alex's families were present. In fact, it was hosted by the bride's family, and they were the ones who had invited the groom's family as well as Sue's close friends to the party.
Words could not describe how happy they were that Sue was now engaged. The girls were especially emotional. They were just so happy to witness Sue's engagement. Sue had always been reserved, introverted, and conservative. It was incredibly beautiful to see her on the path of getting married to the love of her life.
There was a lot of food and drinks served at Sue's engagement party. The guests were filled with all the delicious options available at the buffet. They had also been kind enough to gift the couple different amounts of cash in bokjumeoni, which are otherwise known as envelopes.
It was the Korean way of saying, “Hey, I know you're going to need a lot of money to start your life together as a new couple, so here is my contribution to making that path easier for you.”
It was a beautiful way not only to support the couple but also to show that they were excited to see them take a step to live happily ever after.
But no group of people was more excited than Pink Generation. They were all happy that even in the pursuit of their careers, they were also having healthy relationships. Even Julie was already planning her wedding, and things were looking very good for the girls.
***
Julie arrived on set, and she was immediately greeted by the hustle and bustle of the crew as they scurried about to get ready for the day's shoot. She strolled into her dressing room and took her sunshades off so that the makeup and hair team could begin their job of transforming her into the character that she was to play.
It didn't take a lot of time for them to work their magic on her, and she was done. Julie made her way to the set where the other actor was ready. The director walked up to her.
“Julie, welcome,” he said. “I hope you're ready for today's shoot. Your acting skills in yesterday's shoot were superb, well done.”
He continued to tell her how he found her portrayal of the character impressive. Julie felt thankful but, at the same time, nervous. So far, she was doing great as an actress, and she loved every bit of it if she was being honest. As they walked through the set, the director started to explain exactly what he wanted from her character in the scenes. Julie listened without saying a word. She knew that her success in the industry was dependent on her success in the movies she acted in. She even asked the director a few questions to make sure that she was clear on what exactly the Director had in mind for the movie.
The crew was also working quickly to get the conditions for the filming right. They scurried to make the final adjustments to the equipment setup, which included the lights and camera. Julie was ready to start, and the director gave a signal for the scene to start.
Julie was fierce in the pursuit of her acting career. With her talent and determination, she had now successfully switched from being a K-pop idol to a celebrated movie actress. She was now starring in blockbuster films and had even received critical acclaim for her performances. Julie had earned her place in the movie industry.
The reviews she was receiving from her director were proof that she was on the right track as an actress. Even with the long hours she had been spending on set, Julie still found a way to stay focused and give her best in every scene she was to act. Julie had become one of the most respected actors in the Korean entertainment industry. She worked hard and practiced day and night just to perfect her craft. She couldn't wait to see the result of all the weeks they had spent shooting the movie. All the hard work and dedication had indeed paid off, and now she was a role model for aspiring actors and actresses.
***
The girls were so busy that they didn't have time to even call each other regularly. That was why meet-ups like this were very important as it helped them catch up.
“I miss you girls so much,” Sunny said as she scrunched up her face in a fake frown. “I wish we didn't have to meet up once every month.”
They had dived head-first into their respective career paths, and it was proving to be quite an experience. There was no room for mediocrity as they all held themselves to very high standards. Over the years, the girls had been accustomed to the concept of hard work and grueling hours because of their background as K-pop trainees. They knew that when it was time to get down to business, it was really the time to get down to business. So, whether it was acting rehearsals in the case of Julie, research for Sunny, crafting new recipes for Jennie, or entrepreneurship hustle for Sue, they were all investing their time into worthwhile ventures.
“We've been so occupied with work and life,” Jennie laughed. “We are even lucky enough to manage monthly meet-ups.”
“I'm just grateful we get to catch up like this,” Sue said and sipped her juice.
“Things are going better than I anticipated,” Julie sighed. “I just got a new script and it's so exciting.”
“Here goes our world-class actress,” Sunny cheered and raised a glass happily.
“Isn't that fab?” Julie joked. “Coming from our college professor.”
Sunny laughed. “I'm just a lecturer, but don't get me started on how we have a restaurant owner and business mogul in our midst.”
The four of them laughed. Jennie and Sue simply shook their heads because they knew the joke Sunny made was directed at them.
“I just wanted to say thank you to all of you,” Jennie said as she looked at all her friends. “I came into Blue Sky Entertainment all alone, but I ended up leaving with three friends.”
They all smiled.
“I'm glad we are all friends, Jennie,” said Sunny.
“Me too, and to think that we were literally quaking in our boots at the thought of retiring. See how things naturally turned out well?” Julie replied.
“Yeah!” Sue sighed. “Things did turn out well.”
As Pink Generation members embarked on this new chapter in their lives, they remained grateful for their journey in the music industry. They looked back on their time as trainees at BS Entertainment with fond memories, knowing that it was the beginning of their incredible adventure. They also cherished the friendships they had formed, and their bond as a group remained unbreakable, even as they pursued different paths.
***
Julie stood on the red carpet for the premiere of her recent movie in a breathtaking Ralph Lauren outfit. The green fabric with metallic hues made her skin pop. The dress had modest sleeves, a pretty sweetheart neckline, and some lovely details that made it stand out. The paparazzi were all over the place, trying to get a picture for their new content. Julie Kim had, in fact, done it again. After her transition from music to the acting industry, some skeptics thought it was over for her. They simply assumed that she had no place in the industry as a successful actress. But Julie had proved them wrong.
She stood proudly and elegantly, looking as beautiful as ever, flaunting her engagement ring in the process. Her fiancé, Tony, stood beside her in a dapper black tux and premium black leather shoes. He placed his hand on her sleek waist, and she turned around to smile sweetly at him.
Everyone couldn't help but talk about how the young couple had already become the beloved duo of K-drama. Most actors aspired to have Julie and Tony's level of talent and success.
As Julie posed for the camera with Tony beside her, she realized that this was it; she had beaten the odds again, just like she did when Pink Generation made their debut. She felt an intense wave of gratitude wash over her.
***
The students gave a resounding round of applause, with some even standing and whistling to appreciate her amazing insight and the knowledge she had just shared. Sunny, with her vast knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry, decided to share her expertise by becoming a college professor of entertainment at Seoul College of Arts. She mentored young talents, passing on her wisdom and guiding them toward success. Her passion for teaching and nurturing the next generation of artists brought her fulfillment and joy.
Sunny blinked and experienced a wave of nostalgia. She remembered how she and the girls would perform on international stages, and the crowd would cheer them on. Now, she was still experiencing a similar thrill as a college professor of entertainment.
As the curtain was gradually closing on Pink Generation's chapter as K-pop idols, a new generation of talents was emerging and following in the footsteps of Julie, Sunny, Jennie, and Sue. They remained fully involved in the industry, sharing their wisdom and experiences with the next generation.
Sunny, in particular, was directly involved in raising the next generation of talents in entertainment, as she was practically teaching them from her knowledge and expertise. They were continuing to make their mark as influential figures in the entertainment world. Who would have thought? She thought to herself. Everything was falling into place, and she was here for it.
***
Pink Generation showed up for their girl, Julie. Sunny, Jennie, and Sue were at the venue about 2 hours before the event started. Today, Julie was getting married to Tony, and it was a splendid affair. They made sure to arrive early so that they could take pictures with Julie in her dress and congratulate her.
“Julie, you look gorgeous in that dress!” Jennie squealed and hugged her tightly.
“Thank you,” Julie thanked her and smiled sweetly. She was so grateful that her friends were here with her, healthy and sound, to celebrate her wedding.
“We are so happy for you,” Sue said happily as the girls nodded.
At a corner of the hall, there was a table where family, friends, and well-wishers of the couple could go to give their wedding gifts. All the guests at the reception gave cash gifts in white envelopes, which were received by the friends of the couple.
“I just can't believe this is happening. Julie, you're getting married,” Sunny said as she wiped off her tears. She was already getting emotional that her best friend was getting married. She looked at how beautiful and innocent Julie looked, and she couldn't help but shed a few tears.
They had to go now. It was time for the wedding ceremony. Julie had always wanted a traditional wedding, and the fact that she was a celebrity did not stop her from going for the concept.
The couple wore a hanbok. It was the traditional Korean wedding attire, and it looked beautiful on the two of them. Julie stood there, looking so gorgeous in her colorful and elegant hanbok. It was custom-made with beautiful embellishments and a gorgeous jokduri. Her skin was particularly glowy and youthful, and her smile made her shine even brighter on her big day. Tony Lee was looking dashing as well and polished in his gat. They looked so good together, and everyone was happy to see them sit there and get married.
During the ceremony, Julie and Tony exchanged their vows and then their wedding rings. When they were done, they continued with the payback, which involved Julie and Tony bowing to their parents and offering them tea to show their respect and gratitude. Julie's mother and father looked proud of her. Her mother smiled warmly, a soft nostalgic smile that showed Mrs. Kim was remembering how Julie had grown up to be who she was today. Mrs. Kim thought about how Julie had always been so focused on her goals. She also remembered how her daughter struggled to be a K-pop star. She looked at her husband and saw that he looked equally proud of their daughter.
The wedding itself was star-studded. It was a grand affair, filled with glitz and glamour. Most of the wedding guests were Julie and Tony's friends from the movie industry. There were also other celebrities from different industries who had been invited to grace the occasion. And, of course, the family and friends of the couple were present. The wedding ceremony took place in a luxurious venue, and everyone talked about how grand it was. It was a fancy hotel ballroom with majestic décor to match. The food was delicious, the setting was serene, and the reception was festive. There was a lot of dancing and celebration, and the guests continued to greet and congratulate the couple, as well as the parents of the couple.
Julie and Tony's wedding was plastered on almost every entertainment newspaper and magazine. The paparazzi squeezed in everything they had to get the full gist of the lavish wedding. As expected, it generated a lot of excitement and media attention. After all, it was a much-awaited wedding between two stars in the Korean movie industry. That day was both beautiful and emotional. Overall, it was a beautiful and unforgettable event, which was both lavish and traditional in every sense of the word.
***
Retirement wasn't as bad as she thought, Jennie mused and laughed at herself for being such a crybaby at the time Pink Generation was getting ready to disband. Julie's wedding was over, and now it was time to get back to work.
She looked around her restaurant, which was fast becoming a household name in Seoul. She watched with a sense of pride as the waiters circled around, taking orders and attending to the customers. She shone brightly from the inside out, and even her outfit spoke of a successful restaurateur whose business was thriving in every sense of the word.
Her restaurant had become the top spot for people seeking food with just the right amount of exoticism and warmth. Her dishes reminded people of a mother's kitchen, but in a classy and luxurious space. Several homemaking magazines and cookbook websites had featured her, and she was making a name for herself on the national scene. Jennie's creativity and talent had earned her a reputation as a top chef in Korea. The reviews praised her for cooking every meal with love, and nearly everyone wanted to taste her food. The majority of the customers were foodies looking for that special experience, while others were K-pop fans of Pink Generation who were thrilled to see their idol in person. Some even took pictures of her, and Jennie didn't mind anymore.
Jennie and Mark Johnson exchanged vows in a beautiful wedding ceremony, overcoming the challenges of cultural differences and language barriers. They supported each other's endeavors, and their love blossomed into a strong and lasting bond.
Just as Jennie was thinking about him, Mark walked in with flowers and a plate of bindaetteok.
He kissed her and handed her the flowers and food.
“Bindaetteok for the chef,” he said.
Jennie laughed. Only Mark was sweet enough to do something like this. Who buys food for a chef? Mark, that's who.
“Thank you,” Jennie said with a smile and kissed him again to show her gratitude to her husband.
“You're welcome,” he said as he led her to her office, located in a private corner of the restaurant. He made her sit down.
“You should rest more often, Jennie. I know you want to put in everything you've got to make the restaurant a success. But look around you. It's already a success.”
Jennie knew he was right, and she felt internally grateful to have someone looking out for her.
“I know,” Jennie said. “I'm just so happy with how far we've come.”
Mark nodded in agreement. They had indeed come a long way.
She looked around once again and felt content within herself. If she felt this good, then just maybe she was truly on the right track.
***
Sue walked up to her grand office in a powerful pink pantsuit, her personal assistant right beside her. He held Sue's chic leather suitcase while using the other hand to support the iPad, which he used to track the day's schedule. Sue walked with confidence and purpose, exuding the air of someone incredibly successful in her field. Her staff greeted her as she passed, and Sue returned their greetings with her usual kind smile.
They reached the door of her spacious office, and as they entered, her PA informed her of the first meeting scheduled for 9 am.
Sue, with her business acumen and love for music, had established her own music company called Sue International. Using her experience and industry connections, she supported and promoted talented artists, revolutionizing the music distribution business in Korea. Her company quickly gained recognition as a leading player in the music industry, and Sue became a trailblazer and inspiration for women in business.
Sue sank into her plush leather swivel chair, feeling the relief of being able to rest, even if only for a few minutes. It had been a long week trying to get everything in order, but it was worth it. She sighed, appreciating the momentary respite. She was always on her toes, taking care of one task after another.
She asked her PA, “What else do we have going on today?”
“Well, later today you have a conference to attend,” her PA replied. “The one on Korean Women in Business where you're invited to be the keynote speaker.”
He scrolled further on the device, gathering the information. He noticed Sue's exhaustion; she had had a busy month. Her wedding had taken place just the weekend before, and yet she insisted on coming to the office to tie up loose ends before going on her honeymoon.
Sue and Alex's relationship had grown even stronger, and they realized that their love for each other was just as strong as their love for music. They had tied the knot in a private ceremony, deliberately avoiding media attention. They were more focused on getting married and spending the rest of their lives together.
Sue allowed her passion for elevating young talents to drive her work ethic. After today, she and her husband would be jetting off to the Maldives to enjoy the first month of their marriage undisturbed.
Her PA showed compassion, offering to get her a cup of coffee. Sue declined, shaking her head and saying, “I don't need coffee. Thank you.”
The PA nodded politely and left the office, giving Sue some time to herself. “I'll come around later to remind you of your speaking engagement,” he said as he shut the door.
Sue looked around her office and felt a sense of satisfaction. Yes, she was mentally exhausted, but she was pleased with herself. She had a life that she was excited to wake up to, and there were few things that could compare to that.
Her husband had been as supportive as ever, and the fact that he had taken care of booking their honeymoon was heartwarming. She looked forward to the white sand, turquoise blue lagoons, and refreshing weather.
She smiled at her PA's offer to get her coffee. Looking around her office, she took a deep breath. She was happy, and that was all the caffeine she could ever need.
***
Pink Generation was invited to KTV for another interview, only this time they were here in the studio as K-pop retirees and not K-pop idols.
“I’m so excited to see the four of you again,” the host said. “The last time we had an interview, you were K-pop idols. Jennie, do you want to throw more light on how different things have been since then?”
Jennie cleared her throat. She had expected this question. “The truth is, even though the four of us have gone on this journey together, we’ve followed four completely different paths. The changes have indeed been different for us, but one similarity we share is that we’ve remained there for each other in spite of the challenges.”
“That’s beautiful, Jennie,” the host said. “Sunny, I think it’s safe to say no one anticipated your transition to being a college professor! What sponsored that move?”
“It just seemed to be the most natural thing at the time,” Sunny began. “I’ve always had a lot of knowledge not just about K-pop, but also about music and the entertainment industry in general. I wanted to share this knowledge and experience with young people. So far, I’ve been able to impact several students, and that means the world to me.”
The audience clapped and cheered for her.
“Julie, between acting and singing, which would you rather be doing?”
Julie knew this was a tricky question. “Singing and acting are things I love doing. Entertainment sort of runs in my blood. So, I find it hard to choose,” she said as she laughed. “It’s just like asking me to choose between two of my favorite foods.”
The host joined in to laugh. Julie was indeed witty. She turned to Sue.
“Sue, some people are already watching out for any pregnancies from you and your friends. What do you have to say about that?”
“I get that some of these people are fans who are super interested in our lives,” Sue said. “But if I’m being honest, it’s just downright impolite to watch people’s wombs like that. Celebrities are still humans with feelings. It’s unfair to probe into sensitive issues like people’s weight or pregnancies.”
“Well spoken,” the host said and clapped in admiration of how wise Sue was.
“On a lighter note, we’ve seen some beautiful pictures of you and your husband on your honeymoon. Do you mind sharing your experience with us?”
Sue breathed as she relieved her honeymoon moments. “Maldives is just such a stunning place. I made a lot of memories that I now hold dear to my heart. The pictures are really just the tip of the iceberg.”
The host nodded for Sue to continue.
“A lot of people don’t pay enough attention to their mental health. Before I traveled out, I was physically and emotionally drained with my new company and the stress of planning a wedding, but going on that vacation refreshed me and I was able to come back stronger. So even if you don’t have the finances to go on a full vacation, you can consider planning a relaxing time in your home or even visiting places in your city that you haven’t explored yet,” Sue shared.
The audience clapped wildly for the nuggets of wisdom that Sue was sharing.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen,” the host said as she smiled into the camera. “Pink Generation’s journey for fame and love has been interesting to observe. It was never just about success in the K-pop industry, but also about discovering who they really are.”
The audience cheered as she continued.
“Their story is a testament to the power of passion, determination, and unwavering support from fans. We know that no matter what, they will forever be remembered as a legendary group in the history of K-pop.”