K-pop For Life ch5: K-pop School Life

The sun had barely risen, casting hues of orange and pink across the Seoul skyline. The morning chill lingered in the air as Liu Park rubbed his tired eyes, staring at the schedule that awaited him. At sixteen, he was South Korea’s youngest K-pop idol, and while the spotlight was a dream come true, it came with its challenges—one of the biggest being balancing his school life.

“Liu, we’re going to be late!” His older brother, Tae, called out from the kitchen, clinking glasses as he poured juice into one. Tae was Liu’s guardian since their parents had moved back to the countryside to care for Liu’s aging grandparents.

“Coming,” Liu muttered, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. The house was cozy but filled with the kind of organized chaos that only a teenager’s life could create. Sheet music lay scattered on the dining table, mixed with homework assignments and fan letters that Liu always tried to read before bed.

He hurried out to meet Tae, who handed him a sandwich wrapped in foil. “You need to eat something,” Tae said, concern softening his voice.

“Thanks,” Liu replied, taking a bite as they rushed out the door and into the brisk morning. The drive to school was a mixture of silence and the low hum of the radio, playing the latest pop hits. Liu gazed out the window, watching as the city came to life—cafés opening their doors, joggers in the park, and buses packed with students.

The school’s front gates loomed ahead, swarming with students dressed in identical navy uniforms. Some whispered excitedly when they spotted Liu, their eyes wide with awe. He was used to the attention, but it still made his stomach twist.

“Hey, Park!” someone shouted from across the courtyard. Liu turned to see his classmate Min-ho waving, his grin as bright as ever.

“Morning,” Liu said, managing a smile. Min-ho was one of the few friends who treated him like any other high school student. Most others were intimidated by his fame or tried too hard to befriend him for clout.

As he walked through the corridors, Liu could feel the gazes following him, a mixture of admiration, envy, and curiosity. Whispers flitted like the wind:

“Did you see his last performance? He was amazing!” “I heard he barely sleeps. How does he even manage school?”

He pushed open the door to his homeroom and slipped into his seat by the window. The teacher, Mrs. Kwon, barely glanced up as she called roll, her voice monotone and practiced. But Liu liked that. He liked that in this classroom, he could just be a student, another kid trying to figure out calculus and literature.

“Alright, class,” Mrs. Kwon said, adjusting her glasses. “We’re diving into Shakespeare’s Macbeth today. Turn to Act One.”

Liu opened his textbook, the familiar lines of old English blurring before his eyes as exhaustion tugged at him. The late-night rehearsals and recording sessions often left him battling to stay awake in class. He pressed a hand to his face, willing himself to focus. The last thing he needed was to fall asleep and have another viral “Liu Park sleeping in class” video circulating on social media.

“Are you okay?” Min-ho whispered, nudging him with a pencil.

“Yeah,” Liu replied with a small nod. But the weight of the world seemed to press harder on his shoulders that morning.

When the final bell rang, releasing the students into the crisp afternoon air, Liu felt a rush of relief. He waved goodbye to Min-ho and began the familiar walk to his secret spot—a quiet beach just outside the city.

The journey was long enough to leave the bustle of Seoul behind but short enough for Liu to reach before the sun began to dip into the horizon. The path to the shore was lined with tall grasses that swayed in the breeze, whispering secrets only nature could understand. Here, Liu could finally breathe without the suffocating expectations that surrounded him.

He kicked off his shoes and stepped onto the cool sand, letting it sink between his toes. The rhythmic sound of the waves, steady and gentle, washed over him, carrying away the day’s worries. Liu sat down, pulling his knees to his chest as he watched the sun begin its descent, painting the sky with shades of gold and violet.

This place had always been his refuge. It reminded him of simpler times when he and Tae would come here during summer breaks, building sandcastles and collecting seashells. Back then, dreams of becoming a K-pop idol were just that—dreams. Now, they were his reality, complete with its highs and lows.

“You’re here again.” A soft voice interrupted his thoughts. Liu turned to see Ji-won, a girl from school who had discovered his hideaway by accident one day. She had promised to keep it a secret, and she had.

“Yeah,” he said, a small smile forming. “Needed some air.”

She nodded and sat beside him, drawing shapes in the sand with her finger. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds being the crash of waves and the occasional seagull’s call.

“Does it get easier?” Ji-won asked suddenly, looking out at the horizon.

Liu took a deep breath. “Sometimes. But there are days when it feels like everything is just... too much.” He glanced at her, seeing the understanding in her eyes.

“Well, if it helps, I think you’re doing great,” she said softly.

“Thanks,” Liu whispered, feeling a warmth spread in his chest. It was moments like these that reminded him that not everything had to be a grand performance; some things were beautiful in their simplicity.

As the sky darkened and stars began to appear, Liu stood up, brushing the sand from his uniform. “I should get going. Tae’s probably wondering where I am.”

“See you at school,” Ji-won said, waving as he walked away.

Back home, the lights were on, casting a warm glow over the small front yard. Liu pushed open the door to find Tae in the kitchen, humming as he prepared dinner.

“Hey, you’re back,” Tae said, turning with a smile.

“Yeah,” Liu replied, slipping off his backpack. The sound of tiny footsteps echoed down the hallway, and soon, five-year-old Sumi, their neighbor’s daughter whom Tae often babysat, came running into the room.

“Liu!” she squealed, her eyes wide with excitement. “Can you read me a story?”

Liu’s exhaustion melted away as he picked her up, her giggles filling the room. “Of course. Which one do you want tonight?”

“The one with the brave prince,” she said, eyes sparkling.

He carried her to the living room, where a pile of picture books awaited. Tae watched from the kitchen, a fond smile on his face as Liu opened the book and began to read.

“Once upon a time, in a kingdom by the sea, there was a prince who was kind and brave,” Liu began, his voice soft and melodic. The words rolled off his tongue like a familiar tune, and Sumi’s eyes widened as she listened, enraptured by the story.

“The prince faced many challenges,” Liu continued, turning the page to reveal an illustration of the prince standing before a dark forest. “But he knew that courage wasn’t about being fearless; it was about facing those fears for the sake of others.”

Sumi gasped as Liu’s voice deepened for the next part. “And one day, when the kingdom was shrouded in storm clouds, the prince ventured into the enchanted forest to find the magical stone that would bring back the sun.”

Her small hand reached out, tracing the prince’s figure in the picture. “Did he find it?” she whispered.

Liu smiled at her eagerness. “He did. But it wasn’t easy. He faced fierce winds and strange creatures that whispered doubts into his ears. But he remembered his promise to his people and pressed on.”

Sumi’s eyes sparkled with a mix of wonder and determination. “Like you, Liu! You’re brave too.”

Liu’s heart softened, the weariness from the day ebbing away like the tide. “Maybe a little,” he said, ruffling her hair. “But you know, even the bravest prince needs friends and family to remind him he’s not alone.”

Sumi giggled, hugging her stuffed rabbit close. “I’ll be brave too, just like the prince.”

“You already are,” Liu whispered, turning to the final page where the prince held the glowing stone high, the storm clouds breaking apart to reveal a bright, golden sun. He read the last lines with a gentle, soothing tone. “And so, the prince brought light back to the kingdom, and everyone remembered that true bravery lies in the heart.”

He closed the book, looking at Sumi, who yawned and leaned against him. Her eyes fluttered shut, a content smile on her face.

You are stronger and more loved than you realize. Today is just one page in your story, and amazing chapters are still waiting to be written. Keep shining your light—you never know who’s basking in its glow. 🌟

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