Welcome
The gravel road leading to Jiyoon’s family farmhouse stretched out like a ribbon through the lush countryside, flanked by blooming wildflowers and rows of tall sunflowers swaying gently in the breeze. The quiet hum of nature was interrupted by the faint sound of tires crunching over gravel, growing louder as a sleek black car approached.
Jiyoon stood by the wooden gate, her heart racing as she clutched a basket of freshly baked cookies. Her father had insisted they wrap them carefully that morning, tying each package with twine and a sprig of lavender from the garden. “First impressions matter,” he had said, giving her a reassuring smile.
As the car came to a stop, Jiyoon shifted nervously, brushing a stray hair behind her ear. The door opened, and Jungeun was the first to step out, her face lighting up the moment she spotted Jiyoon. “You’re here!” Jungeun called out, her voice warm and full of excitement. She hurried over, her steps quick and eager, as if she couldn’t wait another second to bridge the gap between them.
Jungeun’s presence alone was enough to soothe some of Jiyoon’s nerves, but then the other car doors opened. One by one, the rest of izna emerged, each member carrying an air of effortless charisma. Even in casual clothes, they seemed to radiate a star quality that set them apart, making them look both approachable and otherworldly at the same time.
Jiyoon’s grip on the basket tightened as she glanced at each of them. Her mind raced, cataloging their faces from the countless music videos and performances she had seen. Yet now, standing here in her quiet little village, they seemed both larger than life and surprisingly human.
Jungeun turned to the group, her voice warm and filled with pride. “Everyone, this is Jiyoon,” she said, motioning to the girl standing by her side. Then, with a sweeping gesture toward the five women behind her, she looked back at Jiyoon. “And this… this is izna.”
Jiyoon’s cheeks flushed as she bowed politely, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s nice to meet you all,” she said softly, her hands gripping the basket tightly. She took a small step forward and held it out. “I made cookies for you... I hope you like them.”
Mai, the group’s leader, was the first to approach. Her calm and composed demeanor made her seem almost regal. She stepped closer, her movements graceful, and accepted the basket with both hands. “Thank you, Jiyoon,” she said, her smile warm and genuine. “This is so thoughtful of you. They smell amazing.” She glanced at Jungeun, teasing lightly, “You’ve been keeping her a secret, haven’t you?”
Jeemin, who had been hanging back with a curious expression, suddenly perked up. Her eyes lit up at the mention of cookies, and she stepped forward eagerly. “Wait—homemade cookies? Yes, please!” she exclaimed, reaching into the basket and grabbing one with a grin. She took a big bite and let out a delighted hum. “These are so good! Jungeun, why didn’t you tell us your friend was this talented?”
Jungeun rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool. “I didn’t want to oversell it,” she said, though the faint blush on her cheeks betrayed her pride.
Koko circled the basket skeptically before picking up a cookie and inspecting it as though she were a food critic. She took a small bite and nodded slowly, her lips curling into a teasing smirk. “Not bad,” she said, her tone playful but approving. “Do you bake often?”
“Sometimes,” Jiyoon replied, her voice soft but sincere. “It’s more of a hobby than anything serious.”
Sarang bounded over next, her excitement practically radiating off her. She leaned in close, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and warmth. “You’re already spoiling us!” she said with a laugh. “Jungeun’s been talking about you nonstop—it’s so good to finally meet you!”
Jungeun’s face turned a bright shade of red as she waved her hands in protest. “Sarang!” she hissed, her voice a mix of embarrassment and exasperation. But her reaction only made Sarang giggle louder, clearly enjoying Jungeun’s flustered state.
Finally, Saebi, the youngest member of the group, approached timidly. Her camera hung around her neck, and she fiddled with the strap nervously. “Thank you for the cookies,” she said softly, her tone polite but reserved. She hesitated for a moment before adding, “Your village is really pretty. Can I take pictures?”
Jiyoon smiled, her nerves easing at the younger girl’s bashfulness. “Of course,” she said, nodding. “There are some really nice spots near the fields. I can show you later, if you’d like.”
Saebi’s face lit up, and she nodded eagerly. “I’d love that,” she said, already adjusting her camera settings as if planning the shots in her head.
The group began to relax, the initial introductions melting into laughter and lighthearted conversation. Jiyoon glanced at Jungeun, who gave her a small, reassuring smile. For the first time, Jiyoon felt like she might actually fit into Jungeun’s extraordinary world.
After settling in with iced lemonade in the farmhouse garden, Jiyoon offered to show the group around the village. The warm afternoon sun bathed the landscape in a golden glow, and a gentle breeze rustled the wildflowers along the dirt paths. The izna members eagerly agreed, their curiosity for rural life evident as they followed Jiyoon down the narrow trail.
Jeemin was the first to get distracted, her eyes lighting up at the sight of a group of chickens clucking near a small coop. She gasped, clasping her hands together. “Oh my gosh, look at them! Can I feed them?” she asked, practically bouncing with excitement.
Jiyoon chuckled, unable to resist Jeemin’s enthusiasm. She scooped a handful of feed from a nearby container and handed it to her. “Here. Just sprinkle it on the ground, and they’ll come running.”
Jeemin let out a delighted squeal as she tossed the feed, watching the chickens flock around her feet. “This is amazing! I’m a farm girl now!” she declared, crouching down to get closer to them. “Someone take my picture!”
Saebi obliged, raising her camera with a laugh. “Say ‘cluck!’” she teased, capturing the moment.
Koko, meanwhile, had wandered off slightly, drawn to the shade of an old oak tree. She sat down cross-legged, pulling a small notebook from her bag. As the others explored, she began scribbling furiously, pausing occasionally to glance at the serene landscape around her. “This place is like a poem,” she muttered to herself, her words flowing into rhymes and metaphors.
Mai walked alongside Jiyoon, her demeanor calm and thoughtful. She glanced at the fields stretching into the distance, then turned to Jiyoon. “It must be nice here,” she said softly. “Peaceful. But… doesn’t it get lonely sometimes?”
Jiyoon hesitated, her gaze dropping to the ground. “It does,” she admitted. “But I like the quiet. It gives me time to think and write. There’s a lot of inspiration here, even in the small things.”
Sarang, as expected, had already befriended a group of local children who had gathered to watch the celebrities. She was teaching them simple dance moves, her energy infectious. “Come on, Jiyoon!” she called, waving her over. “Let’s teach them something cool!”
Jiyoon laughed but joined in, showing the kids a few steps while Jungeun watched from the sidelines, her smile growing wider with every passing moment.
Even Saebi, who had been quietly snapping photos, approached Jiyoon with her camera. She turned it around to show a picture she had taken—a candid shot of Jiyoon and Jungeun laughing together near the barn. “You look happy,” Saebi said softly, her own smile small but sincere.
Jiyoon stared at the image for a moment before meeting Saebi’s eyes. “I am,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows over the village, Jiyoon’s father appeared and invited everyone to stay for dinner. They gathered around a large wooden table set up under the stars, adorned with simple dishes that Jiyoon and her father had prepared earlier. The meal was hearty and comforting, filled with warm conversation and laughter.
Jeemin kept the mood lively, sharing funny anecdotes from izna’s tours. “There was this one time,” she began, barely able to contain her laughter, “when Mai accidentally wore two different shoes to a photoshoot. She didn’t notice until halfway through, and the stylist nearly fainted!”
Mai groaned, covering her face with her hands. “Why do you keep bringing that up?” she asked, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
“Because it’s hilarious!” Jeemin replied, earning another round of laughter from the table.
After dinner, Jungeun retrieved a guitar from the farmhouse and strummed a few chords. The group began singing acoustic versions of their songs, their harmonies blending beautifully in the crisp evening air. At one point, Jungeun turned to Jiyoon, holding the guitar out to her. “Play something for us,” she said gently, her eyes encouraging.
Jiyoon hesitated, her fingers hovering over the strings as she glanced at the expectant faces around her. But with Jungeun’s reassuring smile, she began to play a song she had written. Her voice started softly, almost tentative, but grew stronger with each note. By the second verse, the izna members had joined in, their harmonies wrapping around Jiyoon’s melody like a warm embrace.
When the song ended, Mai reached out and placed a hand on Jiyoon’s shoulder. “You have a real gift,” she said earnestly. “If you ever want to share it with the world, let us know. We’ll be rooting for you.”
Jiyoon glanced at Jungeun, who was looking at her with pride shining in her eyes. In that moment, surrounded by laughter, music, and newfound friends, Jiyoon realized she was no longer just a girl from a small village. She was part of something bigger—something extraordinary.