Surri!
"She laughed when she wanted to laugh and cried when she wanted to cry. She brazenly spoke out. She didn't fit the mould."
Her Story is simple;
Surri, whose real name was Choi Jiri, entered the Korean entertainment scene in 200x when she was just 11 years old.
She went on to audition for M.S Entertainment, one of Korea's biggest entertainment companies, and was accepted as a trainee, a much-coveted gig.
In 200x, she made her debut with K-pop girl group Effects. The then five-member group's debut album topped the Korean charts and they quickly became one of the biggest K-pop girl groups.
The dream right?
Well, not quite.
Surri, she is the girl that Korea let down.
The child star, idol ,actress, activist.
Taken from the world at a young age.
During the past decade, with the increase of media and entertainers nowadays.
The Hallyu wave not only brought an unprecedented amount of focus on Korean culture.
It also forced young K-pop figures to taken on a greater burden than ever before in a market that is as competitive as ever.
They cannot eat and sleep well, yet adults want them to look healthy and smile.
Young artists are expected to be sexy, but not have sex; they're expected to be tough, but not fight with anyone.
K-pop artists are called 'idols' in Korea... [beings] that must be ideal, perfect people and performers at all times even in their personal lives.
Idols at a young age are expected to suffer in exchange for fame and money. Psychotropic drugs is rampant, as it promises 'convenience and fast results'.
Big entertainment agencies complacency on this issue only worsens the problem.
Beyond all the scum in the industry that prey on the weak, beyond arguments that malicious comments should be regulated.
It is an undeniable fact that more could have been down to help a 25 year old who was literally and figuratively drowning.
....
"So what brings you to Busan, Jiri" I can't help but ask her. It's quite the trip for a 15 year old to take unassisted
Her eyes shift from side to side, as she avoids direct eye contact with me, "Uhm... I was visiting my family and its nearby so I asked Choo-Choo Unnie to meet up"
She is experienced.
She is telling me a half-truth.
The way she explained her logic is that logical.
Point A to B.
There lacks a bit of a human touch.
"Dylan...." Hora looks like she wants to ask me something, probably to back up Jiri's statement but stops herself, I know that look of lost between two shores.
She wants to help Jiri, but doesn't want to lie to me.
Speaking up, I interrupt her not waiting for her to make a decision "Oh feel free to make yourself comfortable. I have more than enough space. Hora, a quick word in the Kitchen"
I stand up and have her follow me as Jiri watches on nervously.
Standing by the kitchen faucet, I let the water run lest their be any prying ears.
With my back against the counter, I motion for my girlfriend who is busying herself twirling her fingers.
Once she is close enough, I wrap my arms around her as I lower my head as I speak softly.
"So.... what's the deal Baechu"
"W-what do you mean?" Her eyes ask slightly dewy.
"With the little girl? Why does she have bruising on her shoulder. I don't think an ordinary 'family argument' could be the cause. Tell me, what's going on"
She pauses for a moment before trying to pull away, "Baechu" I plead
She tries to pull away again, as I hold tighter to which she relents, " It isn't what you think.... those are normal... from training. I'm trying to show you, you Idiot! "
Not quite believing her she doubles down, "Look, (she points at her elbow) I also have swelling. Becoming an Idol is hardwork" She says proudly
"Okay, I'll believe that for now.... Why did she look so uncomfortable when she spoke about her family?"
Hora laughs slightly, "Because she is. She hasn't been home in about a year. So things are a bit tense there"
"That's all?"
"Yes. Why?"
'Because I know what's going to happen to her'
"Because she's just a little girl... And it's not...."
"Normal for her to be so mature?" She completes my sentence. To which I nod.
She reminds me way to much of myself.
Those callused hands are no more, but the memory of having to fight and claw for everything in life.
My escape was.... You... ... Hora.... Choo Bae.... Baechu.... I was your fan...
While the very nature of a celebrity suggests that a fan could never know the true person that exists behind that fame.
At the time... I only hoped as a fan, that the person whose music, acting, comedy gave me joy, would be as happy as she could be.
How many of Surri's fan's did not feel the same.
'I just want to ....save someone.... like you saved me....'
"She has been in the show business since she was eleven, she had to grow up fast Dylan. So that's why I try and treat her like a kid, when I can."
'That is definitely something you would do, wouldn't you Baechu?' I think as a smile looking at the teenage princess that is slowly resembling that person once more.
" So what you do you need me to do?" I ask for guidance.
Her sweet smile melts me, as she gives me a quick peck on the cheek.
"Just do what you have been doing. I'm really proud of you caring for someone you just me" She pats my head, ruffling my hair as she speaks.
"She's your friend. I care about the people you care about Baechu"
She nods, turns off the faucet heading back to living room but not before commenting, "Oppa!(Darling) when you say things like that. It's unfair"
'Oppa?'
'OPPA!?'
"Baechu! what did you just call me? Say it Again!" I scream in excitement as I quickly chase after her.