Senghi found Hana, also known as "The Joker" because of her bright red hair and unproportionately wide mouth, in a storage room on the first floor of the agency. The young stylist was eagerly browsing through a clothing rack filled with fancy designer jackets.
"We-ell?!" Hana exclaimed, viewing Senghi with a sly glimpse in her eyes. "You met, him, didn't you? Was he anything like you expected?"
"He was actually nicer than I expected."
Senghi plopped down on a stool next to the giant pile of clothes that Hana put together, relieved to be able to drop honorifics for a while. Korean etiquette still bothered her a little bit, and she wasn't used to this much social interaction. Working as a writer, she didn't have to mingle much with new people, and she was starting to realize that that was about to change.
"Do you think he would look good in this?" Hana displayed a short-sleeved, brown shirt that in Senghi's eyes looked like something a physics professor would wear to work. She caught a glimpse of the clothing brand on the inside of the collar, and at that, a small laughter escaped her.
"Why is designer wear always so ugly? Can't you just let him wear a pair of jeans and a hoodie? He seems to be comfortable in those kinds of clothes."
Hana snorted.
"He's on TV, so he has to look a little classy. Besides, they'll be wearing jeans or comfy clothes in the evening segment. This is for the day segment."
Senghi shook her head.
"I don't understand how I'm going to wrap my head around all this stuff. I feel dizzy."
"Don't sweat it." Hana put a comforting hand on her new colleague's shoulder. "You got the packing list from Hansung, didn't you? Goodwin isn't complicated, it's just the usual stuff. Toothbrush, toothpaste, skincare, cigarettes, aspirin. Be greatful you're not managing Inseong or Jongwoo, I swear those guys bring half of their earthly belongings with them."
Hana opened up one of the wardrobes and pulled out a mid-sized shoulder bag from one of the storage boxes inside. Someone had written "Joonah" in small, wobbly letters next to the zipper.
"You will need this. Hansung always brought it, he called it "the Goodwin bag". It's filled with stuff that comes in handy. I have one too, for make-up, hair styling products and such. This one holds more of the hands-on things, you know - extra socks and underwear and a change of comfy clothes if he gets wet. Deodorant, wet tissues... oh, that's right, you can fill up this cooling compartment right here with energy drinks."
Senghi tentatively accepted the bag. The thought of packing for a grown man in this meticulous manner, especially while the man in question was practicing taekwondo, made her think about what it must be like having kids. She shared her reflection with Hana, who replied with heartily laughter.
"That's exactly it. You summed up the work of a manager perfectly. My friend, you're now a pre-school teacher, but for a grown man. If it makes you feel better, at least it's not part of your job to wash his hair and compliment his pore size."
Senghi joined in the laughter, finding Hana's comment amusing and worrying at the same time. What if she actually didn't have what it took? The job as a manager looked easy enough on paper, but it started to dawn on her now, that travelling with a TV show wouldn't be as straight forward as she might have imagined it.
"Hana... be honest. Is it hard? Do you have to be prepared for, like.. anything?"
"Anything." Hana nodded, her face suddenly serious. "The fact that the cast knows nothing about what will happen doesn't really make your job easier, either. He might have to jump into water, he might fall over and hurt himself. He might get stressed or angry if something goes wrong. Goodwin will be relying on you for those situations."
Senghi took a deep breath, trying to hold back a sudden and intense feeling of anxiety.
"But it usually goes... smooth, right? He's a professional, isn't he?"
"Yeah, he is - but he's also human. Being on that show is really hard work."
Much later, as Senghi got home, she couldn't resist to pour herself a glass of wine and curl up in her favourite armchair. She knew she ought to go to bed, but her mind was spinning with thoughts on her new mission as Joonah's 'pre-school teacher'. She took a sip of wine and grimaced. Sure, yes, she was quick-witted and helpful by nature. But that wouldn't be enough. She didn't know Joonah and couldn't read him very well yet. But she couldn't really refuse to go, either. The employment contract was already signed, and she had, bless her heart, agreed to come on this trip.
"I will try not to be a liability to you, Joonah-ssi", Senghi muttered, lifting the glass to her lips again.