Episode 17: The Album Launch
Three months later, Seo‑kyung's debut album, Unspoken, was released.
The launch party was at a larger venue than the showcase—a proper concert hall in Hongdae, filled with journalists, industry executives, and fans who had discovered her through the viral single. Seo‑ah sat in the front row, Ju‑hyuk beside her, her hands clasped in her lap.
Seo‑kyung walked onto the stage in a simple black dress, her guitar slung over her shoulder. She looked terrified for a moment—then her eyes found Seo‑ah, and she smiled.
"This album is about things we don't say," she said into the microphone. "The words we swallow. The walls we build. And the people who help us tear them down."
She played the entire album, front to back. The songs were raw, honest, beautiful. When she played the one about the sister who built walls, Seo‑ah cried openly, not caring who saw.
After the show, Seo‑kyung came offstage, breathless and glowing. She ran straight to Seo‑ah and threw her arms around her.
"You came."
"I said I would."
They held each other for a long moment. Then Seo‑kyung pulled back and looked at Ju‑hyuk, who was standing a respectful distance away.
"So you're the boyfriend," she said.
"I'm the boyfriend," he confirmed.
Seo‑kyung studied him. "She talks about you all the time. It's annoying."
Ju‑hyuk's lips twitched. "I'll try to be less annoying."
"Don't." Seo‑kyung grinned. "It makes her happy."
She pulled them both into a group hug, and for a moment, Seo‑ah felt like everything was exactly as it should be.