Breaking free
Jungeun sat in the back of the sleek black car, staring blankly out the window. The familiar sounds of the city had long since faded, replaced by the soft hum of the tires on the road. She could barely make out the towering buildings that had once felt like home, now tiny specks on the horizon as the car sped further into the countryside. The world outside felt distant, as though she had already left everything behind.
The rhythmic hum of the tires against the asphalt was almost soothing, but it couldn’t drown out the noise inside her head. She rested her forehead against the cool window, staring blankly at the passing landscape, trying to quiet the thoughts that kept swirling. Her fingers absentmindedly traced the fabric of her sleeve, seeking some comfort in the familiar motion. The fields stretching out before her looked endless, green and lush, a stark contrast to the gray, concrete jungle she had just left.
Her manager’s voice cut through the quiet of the car, sharp and clear. “We need to figure out what’s next. The company’s bankrupt, Jungeun. Izna is on hiatus. We’re waiting on offers from other agencies, but nothing’s set in stone. You understand that, right?”
Jungeun didn’t respond immediately. Her lips parted, but the words caught in her throat. What was there to say? The news had hit like a blow to the chest, knocking the wind out of her. She had known it was coming—the whispers of trouble behind the scenes, the vague promises of change that never materialized. But hearing it, hearing the finality in her manager’s voice, made it all too real. Izna was no longer an idol group. They were just six girls left to pick up the pieces of their shattered dreams.
The weight of the conversation settled over her, heavy and suffocating. She had always given everything to the group, had devoted herself to it completely. Yet, now that it was over, she felt like a piece of her was missing. She had poured so much of herself into being Jungeun, the idol, that she wasn’t sure who she was without it. The flashing cameras, the screaming fans, the endless schedules—it all seemed so distant now, like a life she had lived but no longer recognized. Even her members—Mai, Jeemin, Koko, Sarang, and Saebi—were lost in this uncertain future. They had shared so much, their bond more like a family than anything else. Now, they were all scattered, unsure of what to do next.
The sound of her manager’s voice pulled her back to the present. “Jungeun, you need a break. A retreat, somewhere far from all this. Go somewhere quiet. Recharge. You’ve been running on empty for too long.”
Jungeun nodded silently, her eyes unfocused as she stared out the window. She didn’t have the energy to argue or protest. A retreat. It sounded like a dream, a fleeting hope that maybe, just maybe, she could find herself again. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the car’s gentle motion lull her into a stupor. She hadn’t slept well in days, the stress of the company’s collapse keeping her up at night. The thought of being alone, far from the prying eyes of fans and paparazzi, was almost too tempting to resist.
Eventually, the car slowed, its tires crunching on gravel as it veered off onto a narrow road. The landscape outside changed once again, the fields giving way to dense trees and winding paths. The air smelled different here—fresher, cleaner. Jungeun rolled down the window slightly, letting the cool breeze wash over her. For the first time in what felt like forever, she could breathe. The city, with all its noise and pressure, seemed so far away. Maybe this place would give her the escape she desperately needed.
Her manager turned to her, his expression softer now, as though he understood how fragile she had become. “This is it,” he said. “Take as much time as you need. We’ll check in with the agency when we know more. But for now… just rest.”
Jungeun nodded, her gaze lingering on the peaceful surroundings. It was exactly what she needed—peace, quiet, and solitude. No cameras, no schedules, no expectations. She could almost believe that she was free.
As calmed down , the sounds of the countryside filled her senses. The chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves in the wind, the distant hum of a tractor. Everything felt slower here, more deliberate. She closed her eyes for a moment, just listening. This was a world she had never known, a world she had never allowed herself to experience.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her moment of peace. She pulled it out, half-expecting another message from her manager or the company, but it was a text from Mai.
“Are you okay? We miss you. We’ll get through this together, right?”
Jungeun’s heart clenched as she read the message. Mai was strong, always the one who kept the group together, but even she was struggling. Izna was more than just a group to them—it was family. They had been through everything together. Now, they were left standing at the edge of uncertainty, unsure of what their future held.
She quickly typed a reply. “I’m fine. Just need a little time. I’ll be okay.”
It was a lie, but she wasn’t ready to face the truth yet. Not yet.
She looked up, her thoughts momentarily distracted by the peaceful surroundings. But before she could take another step, the car suddenly jolted to a stop. The sound of the tires screeching against the gravel caught her off guard.
“Something’s wrong with the tires. Go out for some fresh air while I check it out,” her manager said, already stepping out of the car.
Jungeun nodded absently, too tired to question it. She stepped out of the car, stretching her legs as she took in the breathtaking view around her. The air was crisp and cool, the kind of refreshing air that felt like it was cleansing her very soul. She walked a few paces, her eyes scanning the fields before her. Everything seemed so simple here, so ordinary, and yet it felt like the most extraordinary place she had ever been.
And then, she saw her.
A girl, probably around her age, with long dark hair tied up in a messy ponytail, was tending to the farm. She was bent over, pulling weeds from the soil, her movements calm and practiced. The sight was so serene, so peaceful, that Jungeun couldn’t take her eyes off her. The girl was so immersed in her work, so at ease with her surroundings, that it was hard not to envy her. In that moment, Jungeun couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a life so simple, so free of the weight she carried every day.
The girl looked up, catching sight of her. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Jungeun quickly looked away, suddenly self-conscious. She wasn’t used to being seen as just Jungeun—the girl who longed for a break from everything. She was the idol, the one everyone watched. But here, in this quiet village, she was just a stranger.
"Are you okay? Do you need help?" The girl called out, her voice warm and genuine.
Jungeun blinked, surprised that the girl had noticed her. She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Uh, yeah… I think… yeah! It's all good, just something with the tires, but it's getting fixed. Don't worry!" she replied, a little embarrassed.
The girl didn’t seem to take offense. Instead, she walked closer, a kind smile on her face. "No, I meant are YOU okay? You seem a little tired… and lost. Is everything alright?"
Jungeun felt the weight of the question settle in her chest. It was rare for someone to ask about her well-being, especially in such an unguarded way. She nodded slowly. "Oh… that. Yeah, I'm a little tired. I just needed to get away for a bit, you know?"
The girl nodded sympathetically. "City life can be so exhausting, can’t it?"
Jungeun blinked, startled by how perfectly the girl had read her. "Yeah. You get it. Thank you for worrying, though. I appreciate it."
"I'm Jiyoon," the girl introduced, her voice still soft but filled with warmth. "I live here. So, if you need anyone to talk to or anything during your little trip, you’re welcome here."
Jungeun smiled, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over her. "Now I’ll definitely visit again, Jiyoon," she said, her smile genuine for the first time in a while. She waved as she walked back to the car, her thoughts swirling. She hadn't had a conversation in so long where she wasn't Jungeun, the idol, but just Jungeun, a random girl. And it felt good. It felt like a part of her had been allowed to breathe again.
As the car pulled away, she glanced out the window one last time, the village fading into the distance. But Jiyoon remained in her thoughts, her genuine kindness and the simplicity of her life leaving a lasting impression.
Jungeun couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be her—free from the pressure of the spotlight, free from the expectations of the world. For just a brief moment, she had felt like she could finally breathe. And for the first time in a long time, she found herself looking forward to her next visit.