#gracechu

[bangtanhoneys]

GRACE TOUR DIARY: April 11th 2025, Seoul

Note: this is over 10k. I'm sorry for the delays but now you know why, this thing is a monster. I've linked the songs I used and the outfit that AI helped me create. Enjoy! Can’t wait to read your comments 😂

The Seoul Olympic Stadium stood proudly in the background of the morning news broadcast, where reporters captured scenes of dedicated ARMYs bundled in sleeping bags and tents, determined to be the first inside. The BTS tribute concert wasn’t set to begin for hours, but the excitement was already palpable. Tickets for the 90,000-seat event had sold out within minutes, and whispers swirled about the high-profile attendees: idols, actors, politicians, and even foreign dignitaries, all invited by the South Korean government. The statistics for ARMY in attendance showed a high level of Korean fans but also international, including Japanese, American, European and a few others from further afield. 

The lineup promised a night to remember, with performances from Tomorrow x Together, Seventeen, Stray Kids, IU and more. Naturally, BTS and their team as well as families would be in attendance, but the biggest mystery remained: where was Grace?

To the public, Grace had essentially vanished. Her last tour stop was in New York and her next stop wasn’t until April 17th, when she would appear on stage in Paris at the Accor Stadium. There were reports she had flown elsewhere, though no one knew where. Theories were rampant, but only a handful of insiders, including Seokjin, knew the truth. Grace’s appearance at the tribute concert was a closely guarded secret, executed with meticulous planning to keep even the rest of BTS in the dark.

It didn’t help when reports came in of Seokjin returning to Incheon Airport, with a suitcase in hand and looking tanned. Clearly, he had been on holiday and returned in time for the concert, but he hadn’t returned with Grace.

Speculation ran wild online. Social media exploded with conspiracy theories: some claimed she was in rehab, others that she was pregnant or recovering from surgery. A few even speculated she had died. None of them were even close.

The government had also kept quiet and with such a star-studded lineup, eager to redeem itself after the debacle in Busan, had spared no expense. While funding came from the state, HYBE and Big Hit had full control over the concert set list (with input from the boys) and creative direction, ensuring everything was perfect for the thousands in attendance and for the millions watching live.

Grace hadn’t had a very good night’s sleep. She didn’t know if it was nerves or worries or excitement—maybe it was a mix of all three—but she tossed and turned. In the end, rather than waking Seokjin with her bad night, she ended up on the couch with a mountain of blankets and pillows. Her cat, Min-ji, had judged her antics with a single glare before retreating to the spare bedroom.

The soft murmur of the television had been her only company as she drifted in and out of sleep. By 7 am, she admitted defeat, taking a scalding shower to wake herself up. By 9, she’d made breakfast - poached eggs, bacon, and toast - and completed a light workout to settle her nerves and get her joints ready for a long day. 

Seokjin found her in the living room, sipping tea while scrolling through her phone. He shuffled into the kitchen, squinting at the sunlight. “Rough night?” he grumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

“Try a mix of anxiety, nerves, excitement, and panic,” Grace replied without looking up, her fingers darting over the screen as she texted Sejin for updates.

Moments later, a response came through: Pick you up at noon. The stadium is ready. The crew arrived early this morning. Your rehearsal and soundcheck are at 1 p.m.

Letting out a long sigh, she tossed her phone onto the coffee table and leaned back, closing her eyes. “It feels different,” she admitted. “When we were touring, even now on my tour, everyone knew I was performing. This secrecy makes it... heavier.”

Seokjin, now equipped with iced coffee and looking more awake, joined her on the couch. “That’s the point,” he said with a small smile. “The reveal is going to hit harder because no one expects it.”

He wasn’t wrong, but that didn’t make the waiting any easier. Grace had crafted a careful narrative to keep everyone off the trail. Her short, cryptic message in the group chat—Delayed in New York. It’s been a nightmare getting home—had been enough to stop Jungkook from going AWOL. Sejin had done his part, adding another layer of reassurance for the rest of the group: She’s working hard, and we’re all trying to get to Seoul as quickly as possible.

But now, the charade was almost over. By 6pm, the truth would be out. Grace would face the dramatic fallout of BTS’s teasing and complaints, but for now, all she could do was focus on the task ahead.

“Sejin-oppa will pick me up at noon,” Grace said, breaking the silence. “What about you? What’s your schedule?”

Seokjin leaned back, nursing his coffee. “Meeting the guys at the company around three for makeup, hair, and another briefing. Then we head to the venue around 4:30 for the red carpet and... waiting.”

Grace nodded, her nerves still humming. By the end of the night, everything would change. But for now, it was just another morning.

The morning slipped away in a haze of nerves and preparation. Grace triple-checked her bag as if she hadn’t packed it the night before, to make sure everything was in there - rehearsal outfit, outfit to get changed into after the performance, Seokjin’s lunch he had prepared for her and even a few snacks for the hours of waiting she anticipated. Speaking of the man in question, he had returned from his shower a few minutes ago and was now lounging on the couch, scrolling through his phone but Grace could tell he was keeping an eye on her.

“Relax,” he said finally, setting his phone down. “You’ve performed these songs a thousand times before.”

“Not like this,” Grace sighed, zipping up her bag with more force than necessary. “I’m not performing it with seven other people, I’m doing some of the songs on my own as well as staying in the centre spot, doing all the choreography and on top of that, it’s a secret performance dedicated to all of us. The whole world is watching and the rest of the group doesn’t even know.”

Seokjin laughed, leaning back with an air of practised calm. “Well when you put it like that,” he paused and caught the look on her face. “You’ll be fine. And besides, the look on their faces when they see you will be worth it.”

Grace couldn’t help but smile at the thought. She could already picture Jungkook’s wide-eyed shock, Taehyung’s playful outrage, Jimin’s high-pitched noises, Namjoon’s sense of outrage, Hobi’s over excitement and Yoongi’s fake calmness but the gummy smile would give it away. 

By noon, Sejin arrived, his usual calm demeanour giving her a sense that everything was alright. “Everything’s running smoothly,” he said as Grace climbed into the back of the car, the bag at her feet. “The venue is secure, and rehearsals are on schedule and all the performers have arrived.”

Grace let out a low and long breath, nodding. She glanced back to the house that she and Seokjin owned, tucked away in Hannam-dong and she could see a hand holding a small paw, making it wave from one of the curtains. A grin broke across her face as the car pulled away.

The drive to the stadium took twenty-six minutes, weaving over the Yongbi Bridge, through Seoul Forest, along the Han River, and across the Jamsil Bridge. Though it wasn’t the most direct route, Grace appreciated the detour. It gave her a chance to soak in the city transformed by the concert. Streetlights and railings were adorned with banners, and ARMY filled every corner of the stadium park, creating an atmosphere brimming with excitement.

No one noticed the sleek car as it sped past, but Grace kept her hoodie up and her posture low, even though the tinted windows offered plenty of cover. Upon arrival at the underground entrance, security swiftly ushered them inside.

The moment she stepped out of the car, Grace was flanked by a team of bodyguards, moving with her and Sejin through a maze of hallways toward the dressing rooms. The energy backstage was electric—staff darted around with equipment, costumes, and stage props while coordinating last-minute changes through their headsets.

“You’ve got about half an hour before rehearsal,” Sejin informed her once they reached the dressing room. “I’ll grab your microphone and earpieces.”

Grace nodded, exhaling deeply as she dropped her bag onto the couch and began unpacking. She laid out her personal clothes neatly, tucked her shoes underneath, and set her snacks on the coffee table. A quick check of the mini-fridge revealed it was stocked with iced coffee, tea, and water.

With minutes to spare, she changed into her rehearsal outfit—leggings, a sports bra, and one of Seokjin’s oversized hoodies.

The quiet was short-lived as Sejin returned with her bright orange microphone and matching earpieces. Right behind him was Hana, her manager, ushering in two makeup artists, a hairstylist, and a stylist. They greeted Grace warmly, their chatter buzzing with excitement as they unpacked their supplies. Makeup palettes, hair products, and her first costume were laid out meticulously, while the rest of her outfits were already staged beneath the platform for quick changes.

Sejin clipped the monitor to the back of her leggings as she adjusted one of her in-ear monitors. With everything in place, she followed him out of the room and down the hallway. The other performers had finished their rehearsals an hour earlier and had been taken to lunch to maintain the secrecy of Grace’s participation.

Standing on stage, Grace exhaled the longest breath she could manage. Even without an audience, the sheer scale of the stadium was overwhelming. The sight always reminded her of the massive crowds BTS had drawn over the years: 90,000 in August 2018, 120,000 in October 2019, and millions watching online during Permission to Dance in 2021 and then in person in 2022.

Now, another 90,000 people were gathered to watch a tribute to BTS, featuring performances from idols, groups, and Grace herself.

The soundcheck went smoothly. An hour was more than enough to confirm the staging, ensure the dancers were comfortable, and perfect the timing for her introduction. By the end, Grace felt ready.

Still, nerves churned beneath her surface. Her hand trembled slightly as she returned her microphone to Sejin and removed her in-ear monitors. As she stepped offstage, the stadium lights dimmed, allowing the crew to adjust for the next rehearsal. She caught sight of Tomorrow x Together arriving for their soundcheck, their cheerful voices filling the air.

Soobin spotted her briefly, offering a warm smile but saying nothing before joining the rest of his group on stage.

Back in her dressing room, Grace had a moment to herself to snack and hydrate before the staff returned. Her makeup was light but designed to withstand sweat, and her blonde hair was styled in soft waves for added volume.

And then, she was left alone again.

The hours leading up to showtime were agonizing. She resisted the urge to bite her nails—painted purple for the event��and ignored the lunch Seokjin had lovingly packed. Nervous cramps churned in her stomach, making the thought of food unappealing.

Performing at her own concerts brought its own set of nerves, but this felt entirely different. Her usual shows were her own songs, and her own choreography, and the goal was simply for the audience to enjoy themselves. Tonight, though, the stakes felt impossibly high: ARMY was watching, along with the world. Cameras would broadcast her every move, other idols and groups were part of the lineup, and she would be performing BTS’s iconic tracks.

The weight of expectation pressed down on her shoulders, and for the first time in a long while, Grace felt truly overwhelmed.

The hours crawled by as Grace waited. She changed into her first performance outfit with the help of the stylist and the make up artist did a quick touch-up. No one needed to tell her what was happening as she could hear the noise from above as the crowd started filling the stadium, the sounds of BTS music videos being played across the large screens and outside of her room she could hear the hustle and bustle of the staff.

“One hour,” Sejin said as he poked his head in.

“Fuck,” Grace quietly swore to herself but from the chuckle off Hana, it meant that it hadn’t been too quiet. 

She practised her lines, double-checked a bit of the choreography that had given her a little bit of trouble and tried not to let her mind wander too far. Hana forced her to have an energy bar and a bottle of water, more to get her energy up, which ended up in Grace needing the bathroom for one nervous wee. 

The noise was building and when Sejin came to get her, her nervousness had settled into a steady hum. No matter what happened, no matter what occurred, she was going on stage to do her job whether her nerves wanted to or not. The walk to the stage was long and she was surrounded by bodyguards and staff, leading to her changing area where she would spend all of the concert when she wasn’t on stage.

“Here we are,” Sejin said, stopping outside the curtained area. “So quick run down,” he said to Grace, Hana, the stage manager who was designated to Grace only and two of the head bodyguards.

“It’s going to begin with a message from the President, then Bang Si-Hyuk, then they're going to play your message and the performance you did of No More Dream and your introduction to Tomorrow x Together. While they're on stage, we’ll get you to your platform and have you ready, there’s a quick message from BTS and then it's your turn,” the stage manager explained.

Grace nodded, sitting down on the couch provided. Although the space was simple and a little small, it contained a mirror and a monitor, which provided the stage feed, a table with water, and two racks of costumes. Not that she had many, but as they had learnt from her own tour, it was better to have a backup.

The stadium’s energy crackled through the walls, sending a shiver down Grace’s spine. The noise from ARMY was overwhelming and the last few notes from the music video playing on the screen were barely heard over the noise of the crowd. She resisted the urge to look at the monitor, letting the noise above her dictate the moment instead. 

The sound of the crowd changed as the announcer said, “Please welcome to the stage, your hosts for today, Yoo Jae-suk and Jee Seok-jin.” Two presenters with close ties to BTS, it seemed practical to have them as hosts for the evening and the crowd’s response to the two men as they walked across the stage to where there was a little podium.

“Tonight, we celebrate not only the achievements of Bangtan Sonyeondan but also the global community they have built,” Jae-suk announced, his voice filled with admiration for a group who felt the same admiration towards him. “Their music, message, and passion have inspired millions worldwide, from all different nations.”

Seok-jin nodded, adding, “It is an honour for us, for our country, to host this tribute to their legacy, and we have a spectacular night lined up for you.”

Grace barely registered their words, her mind too focused on the moment when she would appear on stage to start her own performance. She didn’t even notice when the President of South Korea appeared on stage, delivering what seemed to be a heartfelt speech about BTS’s journey, their impact on the South Korean culture, and their drive which encouraged their fans, who in turn came to the country in honour of their idols. While the government and BTS didn’t have the greatest of relationships, the audience roared in approval, their cheers a powerful reminder of what they felt towards their group.

On-screen, Bang Si-Hyuk appeared to the cheers of the crowd. He remembered the early days, of when he first met all eight members of what was going to be the biggest band in the world, how each of them was different and unique yet their bond was clear from day one. He continued with how proud he was of them as a group, of how they broke records, how their solo careers flourished and how they broke their own records with their solo careers. 

“You don’t sell out a concert venue in 10 seconds,” he finished saying on screen.

There was a brief pause, silence and the noise from above caused Grace to wince and adjust her in-ear monitors.

“Dearest ARMY,” she heard her own voice say. “Please accept my sincere apologies for not being with you tonight. I’m unfortunately stuck in New York City and every attempt to make it home has been foiled. So I want to send a little message to you all before we start this concert tonight.”

Sejin grinned to himself from where he watched at the doorway to the small area, eyes on the monitor as he watched Grace pull off the perfect ruse. 

“It’s been twelve years since we first appeared in front of you all and I remember when No More Dream was picked as the debut song. I’m sure you can remember the eyeliner, the outfits, how we were a small group from a small company with big dreams. And thanks to you, those big dreams became a reality as we grew. And now, here we are, celebrating those twelve years with some amazing performances. And while I can’t be there in person, I hope you all have an amazing night. I love you all and I will see you soon.”

The screen faded to black.

A split second later, the pounding bass of No More Dream shook the stadium, and the screen lit up again—this time, with a pre-recorded video of Grace performing the track, her movements sharp and commanding. The crowd roared in response.

Beneath the stage, Tomorrow x Together passed by Grace’s hiding spot, heading towards the lift that would take them to their cue. Dressed in grey school uniforms reminiscent of BTS’s MMA 2019 look, they practically buzzed with excitement. This was their moment—not just as BTS’s juniors, but as a force of their own. They knew these songs better than anyone, ready to put their own stamp on them.

As Grace’s video performance ended, her voice echoed through the arena once more:

“Please welcome to the stage, our greatest successes, Tomorrow x Together.”

The opening beats of N.O kicked in, and Soobin launched into the first verse. The crowd’s energy surged again as the group powered through a medley of BTS’s early hits—Boy in Luv, Danger, Run, and finally War of Hormone. Each member owned the moment, putting their own spin on the classics while staying true to the spirit of the originals.

As Danger played, Grace stood, gripping her microphone loosely, her lips silently mouthing along to Jangnanhae neo dodaeche naega mwoya as the audience screamed the words in unison. She had timed this moment in rehearsals down to the second. Across the stadium, multiple screens flickered between past and present—the Danger music video, BTS’s very first live performance, their last time singing it together, and the live stage unfolding now.

It was a perfect reminder that no matter who took the stage, BTS would always be there.

Grace exhaled slowly, her heart thrumming with adrenaline as the final beats of War of Hormone crashed over the stadium. From her position beneath the stage, she could hear the deafening cheers, and feel the vibrations of thousands of voices calling out in exhilaration.

It was time.

With a final glance at the monitor, Grace took a steady breath and stepped forward, her team moving in perfect sync beside her. Her grip tightened around the microphone. Timing, precision, energy—every second had to be flawless.

As the lights dimmed on Tomorrow x Together’s electrifying set, ARMY was still catching their breath when the stadium was suddenly filled with the unmistakable echo of la la la...

The opening drums of Fire rumbled through the arena.

No introduction. No warning. Just that familiar beat—and then, in an instant, the surprise was revealed.

"BULTAOREUNE!"

Grace shot up onto the main stage as flames erupted around her, the explosive heat mirroring the roar of the crowd. The backing track carried BTS’s voices, the chants of Fire! shaking the stadium walls.

The reaction was immediate. The stadium erupted.

There she had stood, as if she did this every day, dressed in an outfit that could only be described as sensational. High heel stilettos and a pair of simple gold earrings were just some pieces to elevate the ensemble - it was the rest of the outfit that had people reacting to it over Twitter. High-waisted shirts tailored for a flatting fit, hugging the waist while providing enough stretch for comfort. Adorned with black and red sequins, ensuring they would catch the light on the stage.

The crop top, something Grace wasn’t exactly used to, was fitted with shimmering black and red sequins, a square neckline and sleeveless, highling her shoulders and collarbone for a sleek, yet edgy appeal. Gold chain detailing trimmed the neckline which matched the ones on her shorts.

Ending it all, was the jacket. Black with bold red embellishments, long sleeves with gold chains and easy to pull off when needed.

The perfect outfit for what was about to happen.  

As the echoes of Fire and oh-e-oh trailed behind her, Grace strode the steps and toward seven waiting dancers, their silhouettes barely visible through the haze of pyrotechnics. The entire arena was in hysterics—the biggest dupe had just unfolded before their eyes, and Grace had pulled it off flawlessly. Even in the VIP section, six stunned men sat frozen, jaws slack as they processed what was happening.

Seokjin, however, only smirked.

The camera zoomed in as Grace took her position in the centre of the dancers. With a glint in her eye, she grinned at the lens, mouthing Yoongi’s iconic “Bultaoreune.”

And then—she was off.

The all-too-familiar choreography surged through her body, each movement effortless, ingrained from years of performing beside them and long rehearsals. She held the centre position with ease, her voice sharp and commanding as she launched into Hoseok’s verse, the rock guitars roaring behind her.

The screen behind her flickered to life, revealing the live band, the same one from BTS’s Yet to Come concert in Busan. The added instrumentals made the song even more intense, raw, and alive.

This wasn’t just a performance. This was a statement.

The noise of the crowd was deafening even as they sang along, her in-ear monitors almost useless against the overwhelming roar as she moved into the song’s iconic footwork. With each step, she sang louder to be heard, “Need to burn it down.” The crowd’s approval surged, and without missing a beat, she pushed forward, her voice rising as she belted out, “Ssak da bultaewora bow-wow-wow.”

By the end of the chorus, the stadium was in a frenzy. Fans were on their feet, ARMY Bombs waving in the air as the lights cut out once more. The crowd’s energy didn’t fade, it only grew, as the screen flickered to life.

The crowd didn’t quiet—their energy only grew as the screen flickered again.

A familiar figure appeared.

Namjoon.

His younger self from the Dope era, standing strong as ever. His voice echoed through the speakers, sending a wave of nostalgia crashing over the audience.

“Eoseo wa, Bangtaneun cheoeumiji?” (Welcome, first time to BTS?)

The second the lights cut out, Grace moved. She ran, sprinting toward the thrust stage that led to a smaller, more intimate platform closer to the audience. As the lights snapped back on, she shed the jacket, handing it off to a dancer who tossed it seamlessly to the staff below.

“Ayo, ladies and gentlemen!” she sang, the start of Dope, voice dripping with confidence as she stalked down the stage. The dancers hyped the crowd, amplifying the chaos.

By the time they reached the smaller stage, she was fully in BTS mode, navigating Hobi’s verse effortlessly. ARMY Bombs and phone screens filled her vision, capturing every second of this legendary moment.

She couldn’t see the VIP section. She didn’t know exactly where they were. But she could feel their eyes on her.

Through her in-ear monitors, Grace could hear the audience singing back to her, their voices blending into one overwhelming wave of sound. She powered through the chorus, moving effortlessly into Jungkook and Jimin’s iconic bridge.

“Say what?” she called out, throwing the mic toward the crowd.

The stadium screamed in response, their energy sending a thrill down her spine. A grin spread across her face as she slipped back into position, ready to close out the song.

But it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

The unmistakable beat of Baepsae kicked in—

And the entire stadium lost it.

Fans screamed. ARMY Bombs flickered wildly. The energy in the air was almost electric.

Grace didn’t need to check Twitter to know what would happen next. Baepsae had always been a fan-favorite, a performance that never failed to go viral. The reason? Namjoon, Hoseok, and Jimin’s infamous hip thrusts—a move that had practically become legendary.

And every time the song was performed, fans always pointed out the same thing:

Why didn’t Grace ever do the hip thrusts?

The answer had always been simple.

It was considered too suggestive for a woman in Korea, especially at the level BTS performed it. Instead, she was given a modified movement—a safer alternative that kept the flow of the dance intact without pushing boundaries.

But now? This was her stage.

She stepped forward, locking eyes with the camera, the glint in her gaze unmistakable.

“They call me baepsae,” she sang, standing tall in front of her dancers.

There was no hesitation. No second-guessing. No worrying about the reaction.

This time, she wasn’t holding back.

She could already hear the internet exploding. She could already hear the comments. She could already hear the press and the reactions of the world after that. 

The second she rolled her hips forward, the screams reached an ear-splitting level. The bass reverberated through the stage, matching the pounding of her heartbeat as she fully committed to the movement.

The dancers behind her didn’t miss a beat, keeping up with her energy as they powered through the choreography. It wasn’t just a performance anymore—it was a statement. A line crossed. A boundary shattered.

The camera zoomed in at the exact moment she thrusted again, and she knew—knew—this clip would be replayed millions of times before the night was over.

The audience's reaction was instantaneous.

Gasps. Screams. Absolute chaos.

She didn’t even have to look at the VIP section to know what was happening.

The bridge of the song hit, and she owned it, every move precise, every note perfectly controlled. The camera caught her smirk as she moved to the center, leading the dancers into the final chorus with a confidence that could only come from years of standing on stages just like this.

As the last note rang out, the crowd erupted again, their cheers almost deafening. Grace stood there for just a second, chest heaving, taking it all in and then the stadium lights cut out.

As directed by the stage director, the familiar eight members stood together on screen. Another thing they had all pre-recorded together before Seokjin’s military enlistment.  

The sight alone sent the audience into a frenzy.

A wave of emotions surged through the stadium—shock, joy, disbelief. The sheer volume of screams nearly rattled the stage as the eight of them stood together on screen, side by side, just as they always had.

The pre-recorded video played seamlessly, their voices filling the air.

"Did you miss us?" Namjoon’s voice rang out first, his smirk unmistakable.

Jimin grinned. "It’s been a while, huh?"

Yoongi, ever so dry, added, "Not that long. But long enough."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Even through the screen, their dynamic was effortlessly intact.

Then, Seokjin flashed his signature Worldwide Handsome smile. "I hope you didn’t think you’d get rid of me that easily?"

The stadium erupted again.

As she was escorted down the stairs and off the stage, Grace felt a lump rise in her throat, but she held it back, exhaling slowly as she watched. Even though she had been there when they filmed it, seeing it now, in this moment, with this reaction—it hit differently. Even though they were seated in the seats above, two were already back from their military enlistment and the others were so close to the end, that unshakeable feeling of simply missing them beside her hit like a wave as she was taken to underneath the stage.

It took awhile to get her outfit off but she stood still, watching the screen as the eight of them powered through their message of how they missed ARMY, how they were excited to be on stage again as eight and that it wouldn’t be too long. But for now, while they wouldn’t be on stage, they would be there through the night, in the audience, enjoying their career being played out for them. 

As the video of the eight of them played for the arena, the BTS VIP section was chaotic.

Jungkook was gone, half off his seat, hands buried in his hair as if trying to physically process what just happened. His mouth hung open, eyes darting from the stage to the massive screens above, replaying every moment over and over again.

Jimin? Not much better. His hands were clasped over his mouth, shoulders shaking with silent disbelief. “She didn’t—” He turned to Taehyung, eyes wild. “She did.”

“She did.” Taehyung, for his part, looked far too pleased, his boxy grin wide as he nodded approvingly. “And she did it right.”

Hobi, meanwhile, had launched himself back in his seat, clutching at his chest dramatically. “Aigoo—someone help me! I wasn’t ready!” He wheezed out a laugh, nudging Namjoon hard in the ribs. “You weren’t ready either, were you?”

Namjoon was not ready.

His expression was a whirlwind of shock, scandal, and outright horror. He had been gripping the edge of the VIP railing so tightly his knuckles had turned white. “What the fuck was that?” he blurted, looking around like someone needed to explain immediately. “What did I just witness?”

“That,” Yoongi said, smirking as he finally pulled himself from his stunned silence, “was your sister breaking the internet.”

Namjoon whipped around to Seokjin. “You knew about this, didn’t you?”

Seokjin was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, the smirk on his face only growing with every passing second. He hadn't moved much—hadn't reacted as wildly as the others—because he had seen this coming.

“Of course I knew, by accident though,” Seokjin finally said, admitting finally to the truth. 

Namjoon gaped. “You let her do that?”

Seokjin turned his head slightly, leveling him with a look. “I didn’t let her do anything,” he said, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. “She chose to do it.”

A beat of silence.

And then Taehyung cackled, nudging Jungkook, who was still trying to process. “Ohhh, hyung, you’re so done,” he teased, grinning at Namjoon. “Twitter’s gonna be a war zone.”

“Twitter? Twitter?!” Namjoon repeated, looking increasingly distressed. “ARMY’s gonna riot, the government—”

“And they’ll get over it.” Yoongi stretched, looking far too amused. “This was her moment. And she owned it.”

The stadium was still screaming, the crowd refusing to settle even as the pre-recorded video continued playing on the big screens. The energy hadn’t dipped—it had only escalated. “She knew exactly what she was doing,” Hoseok mused, shaking his head in awe. “She knew the cameras would catch it. She knew how the world would react.”

Namjoon exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down his face.

“This is going to be a problem,” he muttered.

Seokjin’s smirk widened.

“For who?”

For who, exactly? Because ARMY were still reeling, the rest of the VIP section were muttering amongst themselves about Grace appearing from absolute nowhere and where had she been?! But for who, exactly, would this be a problem?

The answer to that question came almost immediately.

The second the lights dimmed for the next performance, Namjoon’s phone buzzed violently in his pocket. He barely had time to pull it out before Jimin’s did the same. Then Taehyung’s. Then Jungkook’s.

A chorus of oh no’s and shit, already? rang out as they stared at their screens, the notifications flooding in faster than they could keep up. Twitter was already ablaze, clips of Grace appearing from the stage, to her starting to sing Dope and finally, her hip thrusts, spreading like wildfire, each one accumulating thousands of retweets and comments in real time.

GRACE DID THE HIP THRUST. I REPEAT. GRACE DID THE HIP THRUST. WE ARE IN A NEW ERA.

BIGHIT STAFF LEFT THE CHAT.

SEOKJIN, CONTROL YOUR WIFE!

THE CAMERA ZOOMED IN. SHE KNEW. SHE FREAKING KNEW.

Jungkook finally snapped out of his daze with a full-body scream, shaking Namjoon’s arm like a child who just saw their favourite superhero in real life. “Hyung, look at this!” He shoved his phone forward. “SOMEONE ALREADY MADE A SLOW-MO EDIT—IT’S BEEN FIVE MINUTES!”

Namjoon groaned, eyes darting across his screen, the sheer volume of mentions making his head spin. “I—this is—” He gestured wildly at Seokjin. “YOU’RE TOO CALM ABOUT THIS!”

Seokjin, still maddeningly relaxed, simply shrugged. “I told you. I knew.”

Nothing more could be said however as the lights on the stage flickered, a mass of dancers appearing out of nowhere and over the noise, “Seventeen right here.”

The roar of the crowd surged again as Seventeen took formation, their presence electrifying. The opening beats of ON echoed through the stadium like a war drum, a call to arms that sent the energy soaring to new heights.

Yoongi finally spoke, voice low but certain. “This night just keeps getting crazier.”

Beside him, Namjoon exhaled, his grip tightening on his drink. “Yeah,” he admitted, eyes locked on the stage.

And something told him—it wasn’t over yet.

The songs passed by quickly with Seventeen taking control of ON, Not Today, DNA. And then, there was a little break for the hosts to take over again and do some talking before finally announcing the second group for the night. 

Stray Kids, dressed in pastel and white outfits, appeared through the lights as the backing track for Boy with Luv introduced them and the crowd for what was to come next. They sang their way through the song, to Need U and Save Me and closed out their set to Butter. 

The night was progressing well, ARMY were dancing and singing in their seats, even the foreign dignitaries were having fun as they had been provided ear pieces so someone could translate the lyrics into their ears. 

Namjoon had finally relaxed and after a couple of drinks, provided by Jungkook, he had joined Hobi and the maknae line in singing along to Butter. They were getting into the vibe, not caring they could be seen or that they were meant to be the VIPs of the moment. They were just living the moment, enjoying themselves, getting led into a false sense of security. 

Underneath, Grace had eaten Seokjin’s lunch and had finally relaxed. She had appeared, done her songs and had gotten changed for the next part of the surprise. As much as she wanted the night to be over so she could be with her boys, she had another three parts to go and the night wasn’t over yet. 

The stadium had barely calmed from Butter when the lights dimmed once more, a deep, thrumming bass vibrating through the air. The energy shifted—something was coming. 

Something big.

A distorted voice echoed through the speakers, layered over a creeping beat.

"What you gonna do?”

The moment the opening to Cypher Pt. 3 dropped, the crowd lost it. ARMY knew exactly what this meant. A cypher performance? Here? Now?

In the VIP section, the reaction was just as explosive.

“Wait—what?” Jungkook jolted upright, his eyes widening. “No way.”

Yoongi, who had been calmly watching with a knowing smirk, finally sat forward, intrigued.

Namjoon, however, frowned. Something wasn’t right.

He knew this song better than anyone. This was his song.

But that wasn’t his voice.

The stage flooded with red and black lighting, smoke curling along the ground. A lone figure stepped forward—tall, poised, dripping with confidence. The second he raised the mic, it became undeniable.

It was Tiger JK.

Namjoon choked on his drink. “You’re kidding.”

Hobi, eyes wide, smacked his arm. “That’s Tiger JK!”

Namjoon didn’t respond. He couldn’t. He was too busy watching one of Korea’s most legendary rappers spit his verse on Cypher Pt. 3, delivering each line with the same venom and precision that had once made the original version so lethal.

The stadium was a frenzy of disbelief and euphoria. A collaboration no one had seen coming.

And it wasn’t over.

As Tiger JK’s verse ended, the beat transitioned smoothly into the next verse—J-Hope’s 

Verse.

Except it wasn’t Hobi who stepped forward this time.

It was Gaeko.

J-Hope screamed.

“He didn’t tell—”

Gaeko, one-half of Dynamic Duo, one of the most respected lyricists in Korean hip-hop, was right there, rapping his part, filling the stadium with his signature flow.

It was unreal.

Namjoon was grinning now, fully enjoying the absolute chaos unfolding in their section. 

Yoongi, who had been quiet this entire time, tilted his head slightly, curious.

And then the beat switched one final time.

A slow, deliberate pause.

A lone, familiar voice.

Dressed in black jeans with a black hoodie, the hood pulled up, Grace appeared. 

Now Namjoon started to understand why this song had mysteriously been added to the set list. It was a cypher they had last performed in Busan with the government concert and he knew Grace well enough that she would have added this in as another little ‘fuck you’ to the government. And if Namjoon knew Grace enough, he knew what was coming. 

“SUGA a.k.a Agust D,” she rapped as the camera panned towards, circling around to show the little cartoon design of Yoongi dressed in his Daewitcha assemble. 

If any of Grace’s performances from the night caused headlines, this was the one that would shoot straight to the top.

She delivered every line with precision, her flow sharp and effortless, keeping up with what Yoongi had written all those years ago without deviating from a single word. She didn’t soften it. She didn’t adjust it. She owned it.

And beside her, legends stood in her corner.

Tiger JK and Gaeko hyped her up, their voices booming over the crowd as they urged the audience to make some noise. The energy in the stadium was unreal—every ARMY in attendance screaming, chanting, jumping in sync to the beat as the track powered forward.

Then, as the song neared its end, Grace lowered her hood, locking eyes with the camera. And she didn’t stop.

She took over.

She took Namjoon’s final verse.

And with every word she spat into the mic, the message was unmistakable.

"Haters, I have a lot but no problem, I killThe shovels digging on my career in order to bury meFuck, I don't care, you can't control my shitI became a ninja who has endured distrust and returned again.”

The second she finished, the reaction was instantaneous.

The crowd erupted.

It was deafening—cheers, screams, and the relentless flashing of phone cameras capturing what would become the most replayed moment of the night.

Some would later say this was Grace’s warning shot to the government and the world—fuck around and find out.

Fuck around and mess with her career, with their career, and you’d find out.

She wasn’t just performing. She was making a statement, echoing what Namjoon had felt back in Busan when Seokjin’s military enlistment had been looming, the announcement only days away. That frustration, that helplessness—it was all here, laid bare in every syllable she spit into the mic.

Even the hosts weren’t sure what to say. They tried to keep to the script, to smooth over the moment, but everyone knew. Everyone. They knew what had just happened and the reaction it would cause.

But the show had to go on.

And Grace knew that, too.

She disappeared beneath the stage for another outfit change, vanishing into the shadows just as IU took her place under the lights.

Spring Day.

A single note was all it took.

The stadium fell into a hush, a collective breath held as IU’s voice rang out, delicate but powerful. Every word laced with meaning, every glance at the camera a quiet message in itself. Her subtle nod to the Sewol Ferry tragedy wasn’t missed. It never was.

And nearly everyone—ARMY, idols, staff, even the VIPs—felt their eyes sting.

The night continued with various appearances of idols and groups, each having their own take on BTS’ songs and their legacy. Intermissions were strategically placed so people could go and buy drinks, have a break and come back to have their minds blown with whatever was about to happen next.

The stage had been set in total blackness apart from one spotlight, centered on the main stage as dancers in white did ballet choreography while black feathers rained over the audience. 

And with the sound effects of wings, Grace appeared.

Dressed entirely in black—tailored pants, high heels, a lace bodysuit covered by a sleek black jacket adorned with gray feathers along the lapel—she commanded attention. Her gaze met the camera, and the audience held its breath.

“Do your thang, do your thang with me now,” she sang, slipping effortlessly into the all-too-familiar routine, flanked by seven male dancers dressed in white.

As "Black Swan" came to its haunting end, the stage darkened, leaving only Grace’s silhouette before the opening chords of "Blood Sweat & Tears" began to play. The audience erupted, knowing she wasn’t done yet.

She commanded the stage with fluidity, embodying the sensual and tragic beauty of the song, easily reverting back to her character from the BU Universe and WINGS, slipping into that sexiness that sometimes didn’t come naturally to her. By the gasps and reactions of the 90,000 attendees, they had somewhat forgotten how sensual the song was. 

As the lights dimmed for Blood, Sweat and Tears to end, Grace slipped off her jacket so the lace bodysuit that had been hidden by the jacket could now be revealed. A sexy top for a tragic, but sexy song as the chords of Fake Love hit ARMY like a tidal wave. 

“ARMY, sing it,” she yelled.

“I’m so sick of this fake love,” they sang back to her. 

The audience fell into a hushed whisper as Grace softly sang the end, slipping into the centre and holding her hand up as the dancers who each represented one of the boys fell into the ending pose of the song. 

There was much time left between the end of the show and as the hosts started to reveal the end of the show, with only three more songs to go, Grace rushed underneath the stage for the final change of the night. The next three songs were going to be the most energetic and with it being the finale, the outfits had to be special.

The dramatic music and entrance of Dionysus, especially when the viewers caught sight of Grace sitting at that familiar table. It was a heavy and busy song, its choreography one of the hardest and it was hard for one member just to do their part, let alone everyone’s parts and sing and do the dance break. 

BTS in their section were almost holding their breaths, Seokjin included for he knew just how hard this song went and he knew what Grace would have to go through to get all the way to the dance break, finish that and the finally get to her part of the song which was one of the fastest. Her outfit of choice, the same one from the Melon Music Awards back in 2019, was a sore point for Grace - the first time she had worn it, it had almost killed her but here she was, rocking it again, looking more comfortable than she had been and in more sensible heels. 

The noise upped in scale as the dance break finished and Grace leaned against the table, taking a moment to catch her breath before she launched into her part, causing the crowd to almost raise the roof in approval. 

At the final beats of the song and on the final high note from Seokjin, Grace sat on the silver thrones and for the first time in the night, took in the crowd. Thousands of faces filled the venue—men and women, young and old, Korean and international—all waving their ARMY Bombs, basking in the music, the moment, the legacy.

She was exhausted, sore, her voice on the verge of giving out. She wanted nothing more than to kick off her heels and collapse into bed.

But it wasn’t over just yet.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Jee Seok-jin's voice rang out. "It has been our pleasure to journey with you through the remarkable career of Bangtan Sonyeondan—from their humble beginnings to their latest triumphs, from idols to legends, from one dream to a movement…”

A wave of anticipation rippled through the crowd as Jee Seok-jin paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. The cheers softened into a reverent hush, thousands hanging onto his every syllable.

"This night is more than just a performance. It is a celebration of resilience, of passion, of music that has transcended borders and languages. And as we near the end, we have just two more songs left."

The energy in the arena reignited like a flame catching in the wind.

Beneath the stage and after the quickest change of her life, Grace exhaled sharply, shaking out her limbs. Two more. She could do this. She would do this.

The moment the first notes of MIC Drop echoed through the venue, the crowd exploded. The pulsing bass, the commanding beat—it was a track that demanded presence, demanded power. Grace took her place, the camera focused on her now booted foot, the adrenaline drowning out her exhaustion.

This song had a bite. A message. A testament to every hurdle, every doubt, every barrier shattered in Bangtan’s journey.

The verses hit hard, and Grace delivered them with razor-sharp precision, her voice unwavering despite the strain. Her movements were fierce, aggressive—driven by the raw energy surging from the audience. Every step, every beat, every lyric felt like fire beneath her skin, propelling her forward.

Then came Namjoon’s familiar line:

“Haters gonna hate.”

The entire stadium roared in response, ARMY’s voices rising like a tidal wave, growing louder and louder as the song thundered on. And when Grace placed her hands over the hips of the dancers beside her and executed that all-too-familiar body roll, the eruption of screams shook the arena.

But there was no time to recover—there was no mic drop.

Instead, the electrifying EDM beat of “Oh-oh-ooh-whoa” pulsed through the speakers.

IDOL had begun.

The choreography hadn’t kicked in yet, giving Grace the freedom to sing her heart out as she strode down the thrust stage, closing the distance between herself and the crowd.

“You can’t stop me lovin’ myself!”

She sang directly to them, jumping in sync with the fans who leapt with her, their ARMY Bombs bouncing wildly.

“It’s okay, I’m in love with my—myself!”

Her voice soared, filled with joy, defiance, freedom. Twenty dancers flooded the stage around her, and without missing a beat, she seamlessly slipped into the choreography. From the front row, she caught glimpses of ARMY mirroring her hand movements, their faces beaming.

The heavy EDM bass rumbled beneath her feet, making the entire stage vibrate.

“Sing it!” she shouted, thrusting her mic toward the crowd.

“Oh-oh-ooh!” they sang back in perfect unison, their voices shaking the arena.

Grace grinned, sweat dripping down her temple.

“One, two, three!” she counted down, perfectly timed with the beat drop.

She took off, sprinting back toward the main stage—where everyone who had performed that night was waiting.

Soobin and S.Coups flanked her as she reached them, bouncing on their feet, the adrenaline still rushing through their veins.

Then—the final verse.

“Oh-oh-ooh!”

Everyone on stage sang together, voices blending into one.

With one last spin, they dropped to the floor as the song reached its final beat. The camera pulled back, capturing the entire stage in a breathtaking wide shot—a sea of performers, a sea of ARMY, a night that would never be forgotten.

The moment their bodies hit the floor, the stage lights dimmed, leaving only the glow of ARMY Bombs twinkling across the vast arena. For a few lingering seconds, there was nothing but the sound of thousands catching their breath—hearts still racing, bodies still buzzing with energy.

Then, like the crash of a wave, the cheers erupted.

It wasn’t just applause—it was thunderous, deafening, overwhelming. The kind of sound that shook the soul, that echoed through every heartbeat, every breath. Grace lay on the floor for a second, chest heaving, staring up at the darkened rafters. She felt everything—the exhaustion in her muscles, the sweat clinging to her skin, the ache in her throat from pushing her voice to its limits.

But more than anything—she felt whole.

The stage lights began to rise again, casting a soft golden glow as everyone lifted themselves off the ground. Laughter, grins, playful shoves. Performers clung to each other, sweaty and exhausted but buzzing with euphoria.

Soobin threw an arm around her shoulders, grinning.

“You killed that,” he said breathlessly.

S.Coups nodded, eyes wide with admiration. “I don’t even know how you survived Mic Drop and Idol back-to-back.”

Grace laughed, still catching her breath. “Me neither.”

A booming voice cut through the stadium, drawing attention back to the center stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for a wonderful night. From all of us here at the Seoul Olympic Stadium, to all the ARMY here, to all the ARMY’s watching and to BTS,” Yoo Jae-suk started as he and his co-host, Jee Seok-Jin, stood in front of all the performers who managed to stand up. The camera panned to the seven male members of BTS, all of whom were up and clapping, “On behalf of us all, thank you.”

They all bowed to the audience, to those watching in the stands and to those watching at home, to the crew, to the dancers and finally to the group who made it happen. 

As the lights came up to signal the show was over, Grace let out the deepest breath she could and for the first time in the day, she felt relief. It was over, it was done and now she could go and see her boys. 

The stage emptied but also filled, with performers disappearing to get changed and to head to the after party. Staff filled the stage and Grace caught the eye of Sejin as he made his way over with Hana and their team of security. A cold bottle of water was given to her and Hana immediately got to work, dabbing away the sweat on her forehead as security led them offstage.

“How are you feeling?” Sejin asked, keeping a steady arm around her shoulders.

“Tired,” Grace all but croaked. “And a sore throat.”

“Not surprising, given what you just pulled off,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “That setlist was brutal.”

They maneuvered through the backstage maze—past dancers, crew, and fellow performers trying to stop and congratulate her—until they finally reached her dressing room.

She should have known it wouldn’t be empty or even just filled with staff. Because standing right there, waiting, were seven very familiar faces.

Seokjin. Namjoon. Yoongi. Hoseok. Jimin. Taehyung. Jungkook.

Two bottles of champagne sat on the table (which was hilarious considering she didn’t even drink alcohol), and judging by the way they were poking around her things, they had been waiting for a while.

“Not even a minute,” Sejin sighed, shaking his head with a fond smile. “I should’ve known.”

Grace barely had time to process before Jungkook launched himself at her, wrapping her in a bear hug.

“NOONA, YOU KILLED IT!” he practically shouted in her ear.

She winced, but couldn’t stop the tired laugh that bubbled up. There was a clamour from the maknae line and Hobi, each chomping at the bit to tell her which bits were her favourite. Sejin didn’t even manage to get in the door, simply handing the honey tea to Yoongi who passed it to Seokjin who passed it to Grace.

Jungkook, pouting because his noona was distracted by her boyfriend, had somehow found his way to the food table, stuffing his mouth with whatever snacks had been laid out. He looked up mid-bite, eyes widening as he realized everyone was watching him.

“What? I’m hungry!” he mumbled around a mouthful of tteokbokki.

Grace chuckled, shaking her head. “You just watched me perform a whole concert, and you’re the one who’s hungry?”

Jungkook swallowed (barely) before pouting more. “I was stressed! Watching you do all of that on your own made my stomach hurt.”

Yoongi smirked, leaning against the counter. “You act like you’ve never seen her perform before.”

“Not like that,” Jungkook shot back. “That was next-level.”

The others hummed in agreement, and Grace rolled her eyes, finally slipping off her heels.

The relief was instant.

“Bloody hell,” she sighed, flexing her toes. “I swear those things were out to kill me.”

Seokjin, not having said a word since she saw him, simply grabbed the pair of slippers that Grace had packed away and helped her slip her sore feet into the fluffiness. There was an instant sigh of relief and Seokjin straightened up, Grace using the moment to all but lean on him as his arm wrapped around her waist. 

Jimin flopped onto the couch, letting out a strange noise, completely shattering the moment.

“So!” he chirped. “What’s the plan for the afterparty?”

Grace groaned, sitting down on the couch next to him, tilting her head back against the cushions. “Jimin, I’m dead. You really think I can go out after that?”

Jimin grinned. “Absolutely.”

Hobi laughed, already pulling out his phone. “I mean, it’s tradition. And everyone’s going to be there—HYBE staff, performers, even some industry seniors.”

Grace grimaced. “That sounds exhausting.”

Namjoon, ever the voice of reason, nudged her knee. “You don’t have to stay long. Just show up, say hi, and leave when you want.”

She sighed, knowing she probably should make an appearance. Even if she was tired, having come off her own tour, had a few days of secret rest, done some of the hardest BTS choreography known and had killed it on stage. 

“She’s going to need some more energy,” Seokjin simply commented and the next thing she knew, she was being handed plates of snacks. There was a general conversation about TXT, IU, Seventeen and other performers and they all stood about, even as Hana came back in to help Grace change into a simple black dress with flat shoes this time. Her hair was brushed out and her make up taken off, only to be replaced by very light eyeshadow and some lipstick.

“Come on, the quicker we go to this after party, the quicker we go home,” Grace sighed as she watched Hana pack away her things and shoo her off. Her staff would make sure her things returned home and her costumes would be packed away, going into storage apart from those that might not be needed for her tour. 

They made their way down the hall, security keeping a quiet but firm perimeter around them as they moved. The afterparty wasn’t far—it was being hosted at a high-end venue just outside the stadium grounds—but the moment they stepped out into the night air, Grace felt the exhaustion hit her all over again.

Seokjin, who had been watching her like a hawk, didn’t miss it.

“You sure about this?” he murmured, just for her to hear.

She shot him a tired smile. “I’ll be fine. One hour, remember?”

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t argue either. Instead, he just stayed close, his presence grounding as they arrived at the venue.

The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. The bass thrummed through the floor, laughter and conversation filled the air, and industry elites mingled over drinks and light bites. Performers, producers, managers—everywhere she looked, she saw familiar faces.

A cheer erupted near the entrance as TXT spotted them first, Soobin waving them over. “Hyung! Noona! Over here!”

Grace felt her lips twitch into a smirk as they made their way through the crowd. The younger group was buzzing with excitement, still riding the high from their own stage.

“That was insane,” Beomgyu gushed, eyes flicking between Grace and BTS. “Like, we knew you were gonna be amazing, but that? That was legendary.”

“Literally unreal,” Taehyun agreed. “I don’t know how you had the energy to pull off all that choreography while still being on tour.”

Grace let out a light laugh. “Trust me, I have no idea either.”

Hobi threw an arm over her shoulders, grinning. “She won’t admit it, but she’s basically superhuman.”

“She’s also running on fumes,” Seokjin cut in, giving Hobi a pointed look. “So let’s not make her stand here all night.”

Huening Kai nodded enthusiastically. “Let’s grab a seat!”

The group maneuvered toward a VIP section, a little more secluded from the crowd but still lively. Drinks were poured (non-alcoholic for Grace, per Seokjin’s silent insistence), and the night settled into a comfortable buzz of conversation and laughter.

Grace found herself leaning back against the plush seating, soaking it all in. The music, the energy, the warmth of being surrounded by people who genuinely cared.

Maybe an hour here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

So many people came and congratulated on a performance, how she killed it on stage, etc. All words just flowed over her as she nodded, bowed and thanked them for their kind words. She could see so many familiar faces and she focused enough especially when Big Bang’s own G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung wandered over to say congratulations. 

But the wariness was getting to her, as was not having enough sleep and the honey tea hadn’t worked as well she had hoped. 

Seokjin caught her eye, just as he returned to the table with her water. “Done?”

“Yeah, I think it's time to go home.”

Surprisingly, it didn’t take much to gather the boys and they all said goodnight early to the party goers. They managed to pile into the van together, Sejin at the wheel and Grace let out a sigh of relief as her feet met the cool metal of the van. 

Yoongi slipped in beside her, closing the door behind them and without thinking, she reached over and rested her head on his shoulder as Seokjin covered her with his jacket. 

“Is she ill?” Yoongi whispered to his hyung, who glanced at Grace and gave half of a shrug.

“Exhausted from tonight and her tour I imagine,” Seokjin replied but he made a mental note to see what Grace would be like in the morning.

“Sleep over?” 

It wasn’t Jungkook who was suggesting it but rather Namjoon. 

Seven pairs of eyes met, the eighth was closed, and they all nodded.

“Your place?” Sejin asked, catching Seokjin’s eye in the mirror.

“I guess we’ve got visitors,” he grinned. 

Grace got a burst of energy when she realised she was home and Jungkook reached over, helping his noona and the woman he considered his mother, out of the van. The eight of them piled around the front door as Soekjin put in the security code and they were immediately met with a pair of eyes on the stairs.

“Uh oh, we’ve been out too long,” Grace sighed as the boys kicked off their shoes and she made her way over the stairs, letting her hand smooth down Min-Ji’s fur. “I know, I’m sorry. You’ve got extra people to pester now.”

Min-ji graced the boys with his presence by wandering around their feet. Hobi and Jimin took control of sorting out beds for everyone, Namjoon checked his emails and social media for Grace updates, Taehyung started making everyone hot chocolate and Yoongi & Seokjin almost bullied Grace into getting a shower and changing into her pyjamas. 

A hot shower and clearing all the makeup away, Grace found the seven men spread across the various couches with the TV on as the news reported back on the concert. “Are you going to keep watching this?” Grace teased, her throat sounding even worse but she felt more awake and more clearer. 

“Hey, let us bask,” Jungkook pouted.

Grace stepped over feet and planted herself between Seokjin and Yoongi, the latter passing her a mug of hot chocolate. It was nice to hear them after all this time, and she hadn’t even had a chance to say how much she had missed Namjoon, Taehyung, Jungkook and Jimin with them being away for the military. She saw Yoongi whenever his social work for the military would allow him to and Hobi was busy with his solo projects.

But here they were with her, with Seokjin, as they boasted about her performance, and interacted with fans on the V app, teasing each other for their over-reactions. And as she watched and listened, she settled into Seokjin’s side and felt him press his lips to the top of her head. 

She did it, she was home, her boys with her and soon they would all be back together as an eight. She just had her tour left to do, the Paris date was looming but she would worry about that later. Right now, she just wanted to relish in the feeling of having Seokjin’s strength beside her, Yoongi’s silent comfort, Namjoon’s careful watch, Jimin and Hobi’s warmth, Jungkook’s care and Taehyung’s sweetness. They were all home, finally.

[bangtanhoneys]

GRACE TOUR DIARY: April 4th - 10th 2025, Seoul

APRIL 4TH: INCHEON AIRPORT, SOUTH KOREA

The noise from the private plane made for an uncomfortable sleep, and Grace was awake on and off throughout the journey. The adrenaline from the concert and the adrenaline of the thought that she was finally going home, albeit for not much of a break, meant sleep came sporadically. Up, down, up, down. Deep sleep, light sleep, no sleep. A lap or two of the plane to get the blood flowing into her legs, multiple trips to the bathroom, and returning to her seat to curl up underneath the blanket. 

Catching up on her Korean dramas kept her mind off the remaining hours of the long flight, and the bits of food shared by her team meant she had enough fuel for the remaining few hours in the sky. By the time it hit 3 am, she was wide awake and into a comfortable set of clothes with her face washed and her hair tied up underneath a cap. 

Getting into Incheon Airport at 5 am meant there would be little traffic around, and since this was a trip back home undercover, no press or announcement had been made. For all anyone knew, Grace’s tour finished in New York last night, and her current whereabouts were unknown to everyone, including BTS. A couple of fan photos taken of Seokjin arriving at the airport two days ago added to the speculation that the couple would be going on holiday together, missing the tribute concert that the government had been putting together.

What people didn’t see was Seokjin being escorted back out of the airport and taken home. This was child's play for a couple who had to hide their relationship from everyone for several years. For them to dupe even the rest of the band meant a job had been done very well. The big test would be if anyone was in the airport at this time of the morning to spot them. 

Lucky for Grace and unlucky for those wanting updates, the private jet touched down without much fanfare, and two blacked-out SUVs were already waiting on the tarmac, as was an official from the airport. Her passport, ticket, immigration, and everything else were checked and double-checked before she was allowed to leave the plane. Outside, the cold air hit her, and as she breathed it in, it finally hit Grace that she was finally on Seoul soil and that she was home. Grace spotted a familiar face as Sejin, Hana, and the others loaded up the two cards.

Seokjin, leaning up against the passenger side of the cart, his face partially hidden by his mask and a cap covering his still short hair. It was unmistakably him, and his eyes lit up when he saw her, though he looked as tired as she felt.

“Welcome home, superstar,” he said as he pulled her into a tight hug the moment she was in front of him. 

“You have no idea how much sleep I need,” she murmured into his chest as the tension of the tour and the flight began to melt away.

He chuckled softly, tucking the escaping hair back under her cap that wasn’t doing a good job of hiding who she was. “Oh, I think I do. You look like you could use a week of sleep.”

That sounded like an amazing idea as she climbed into the passenger seat of the SUV, and Seokjin walked around to the other side, slipping into the driver’s seat. She’d have a couple of days of rest, but then it would be straight to work for the government BTS tribute concert. 

“They have no clue?” she asked, watching as the airport drifted away and they were on the road to their shared apartment.

“Nope,” Seokjin laughed. “Yoongi was just complaining to me the other day over dinner that you were likely to miss the concert. I think the boys think you’re still stuck in the States, and I’ve somehow managed to go over there, though they know I’m going to be at the concert so they suspect something. But no, they’ve not fully cottoned on yet.”

Perfect.

There were seven days until the government concert, and Grace had two days of rehearsals, once again in secret. So that meant she had four days of chill time, where she could catch up with her parents, Seokjin’s parents, her nephews, and her team, and get to work. Maybe there would be a chance to escape somewhere with Seokjin for a day or two.

“Fancy a trip to the beach?” 

It was as if Seokjin read her mind, and she glanced towards him. “Let me shower first; I feel like I’ve been through a war.”

APRIL 8TH: HYBE, SEOUL

How Grace managed to stay under the radar while at home was a complete mystery to her. No one had spotted her while she ran to the local convenience store near her home with Seokjin; no one had seen her entering and leaving her parents' apartment building; and no one had seen the two of them as they drove from their home to Hyangho Beach and back again. 

It was a perfect few days of lazy mornings, late-night conversations, and home-cooked food where her attention wasn’t demanded for hours on end. 

But now there was no denying that it was going to be a case of going back to work.

The concert was three days away, and the hype around it was more than the Busan concert. Many were guessing what songs were going to be played, many were guessing who was going to perform, and many were guessing who was going to attend out of BTS. Big Hit had been very tight-lipped, and no mention of the concert had been spotted anywhere on any of Big Hit's social media accounts other than HYBE, who shared the date of the concert, and that was it. 

However, inside of HYBE, it was chaotic. 

One of the practice rooms had been set aside for Grace only to practice in and this is where many of the meetings about the concert were held with the director, stage, dance captain, costume and more. While two of HYBE’s artists, Tomorrow X Together and Seventeen were both set to perform - they also had no idea of Grace’s involvement. Other than Soobin, who like Seokjin, had managed to find out completely on his own and had remained tightlipped about it. 

The set list had been prepared and signed off months ago with songs set aside for various groups and artists. Sets had been designed, costumes had been designed and props had been allocated for various uses. It was going to be a long concert to try and cover the most popular songs and some of the bigger hits while trying to show off a long career that only BTS could pull off. 

While the boys had some say in it, it was mostly left to the Big Hit team and, in secret, Grace. What songs could she easily perform on her own without needing seven others? What songs could she do all the choreography to without someone else taking over? Some hard-hitting hits really needed to be showcased, especially to a government that used and abused BTS at any given moment. Something Grace herself wanted to at least pinpoint with one particular song. 

“So, this is the stage's layout,” a staff member pointed out to Grace and the seven male dancers she used for her tour. The stage itself was similar to the LOVE YOURSELF tour stage, a little bigger to accommodate bigger idol groups and a live band as well. “For the entrance, you’ll be popping out of here,” the staff member circled a set of stairs that was on the main stage, “and then walking down the steps to come towards the edge or near the edge of the main stage.”

Her introduction would be one of the biggest of the night and every single second had been planned with meticulous detail. The intro or at the least the instrumental had been messed around with enough that it could give Grace time to get down the stairs and where she needed to be to start the performance. 

But for now, she needed to pre-record her opening. 

The biggest dupe the K-Pop world had ever seen. 

It would have been easier to do the pre-record before she left for her tour, however, the song in question hadn’t been given the green light as the team wasn’t 100% on what it should actually be. Something newer like RUN BTS or an old hit? But in the end, it had been Tomorrow X Together who had solved the issue with the medley they were set to perform.

Out of HYBE and only a fifteen-minute drive away, Grace found herself on a soundstage that had been set up for the pre-record. She would give a very brief hello and introduction before performing a live version of No More Dream with the band, who were some old friends of Yoongi’s crew and their band from Busan.

As the cameras were being prepped, Grace softly rapped both Yoongi and Namjoon’s parts under her breath. While it was easy to focus on one rapper, this song in particular had four rapper parts and two of the fastest were right at the beginning. It had been an age since she had performed this song, let alone danced to it and she could see out of the corner of her eye the seven male dancers from her dance crew were practising the breakdown. 

This would be the opener for Tomorrow X Together and their medley of early Bangtan hits including Danger, War of Hormone, Run and Boy with Luv and, of course, No More Dream. However, Grace would be doing her own version of their very first single - acoustic and sitting on a chair, on her own with the band and then as it got to Yoongi’s second verse, the dancers would appear. 

Four large screens on stands behind the band would play four separate videos: the original music video for No More Dream, the last performance of No More Dream which was from the Map of the Soul: One 2020 concert, the ARMYPEDIA version and the final dance practice which was uploaded to YouTube. 

The set itself was dressed in black with hints of gold and white, referring back to the original NMD clothes.  But thankfully for Grace, she wouldn’t be required to go back to the original look - black jeans, black top, black leather jacket and the old school black & white Converse. Simple and easy to dance in, but effective to put her back into those old days and her blonde hair was styled back into the ponytail she always used to wear. 

It took the whole day to record the performance for everyone to be happy with it. For Grace, it had been hard to remember the lyrics of everyone and dance the central position after not performing the song itself in years and for the dancers it was getting the dance break down to match the original movements. And after reviewing the footage for a couple of hours, they got the all-clear to say they could go home.

APRIL 10TH - SOMEWHERE NEAR SEOUL OLYMPIC STADIUM

It was the final day of rehearsals for everyone including Grace. For the idol groups and idol performers, all their rehearsals would take place at the Olympic Stadium and for Grace, they hired Jamsil Arena for her rehearsals. 

There was a large monitor for her to watch everyone do their rehearsals and she could send notes to the director, making points and suggestions as to what she thought. Trying to fit a nearly 13-year career into two hours was a difficult one especially when some of the songs were demanding on idols who might not be used to the high intensity of the dance routines. 

But for the people outside, ARMY were oblivious to what was going on.  

Every day they would crowd around the stadiums, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone. Whether it was from Seventeen, Tomorrow X Together, Stray Kids, Enyphen, or even Twice, they were all kept under secrecy. But at least ARMY were allowed to get to the merchandise stalls, food trucks and a megamix of the BTS songs was playing over the speakers and videos were being shown on screens around the area.

 And somehow, they didn’t see Seokjin being driven in. 

“You got this whole place to yourself?” Seokjin asked, amazed even though he wasn’t sure why he was since this whole thing had been a big spectacle of a show. Of course the government had hired a separate arena just for Grace, of course they had hired the best teams, and of course, they had hired the best designers to make costumes. 

“I can keep an eye on everyone’s rehearsals and their timing their performances with my own, so we can keep an eye on the full run time,” Grace explained as she sat down next to her partner who handed her a takeaway cup of tea. 

“Mental,” he shook his head as he watched everyone get the stage ready for the next rehearsal. 

“Still nothing from the boys?” Grace asked, leaning against Seokjin’s shoulder and closing her eyes for a moment.

He snorted and shook his head, taking the cup from her as a just in case. “Namjoon is fully starting to suspect something, he’s been asking questions at the company and Yoongi has been doing his digging around. As far as I’m aware, no one has given away anything. So they're going to be fully surprised tomorrow as long as no one blabs.”

The 8th member of BTS yawned and stretched, her body starting to feel sore with the amount of rehearsals as she was starting to get used to doing the famous BTS routines but in only a matter of days, she’d be back rehearsing for her own tour. This time in Europe, with Paris being the first stop. 

“Grace!”

Seokjin laughed at the sigh that came from the person who the name belonged to. “Go on, you’re needed.”

“You hanging around for a while?” Grace asked, standing up with a reluctant pout.

“I’m here for another hour or so and then I’m heading to the company as we’ve got a meeting about tomorrow. Apparently, we’re being debriefed by the military,” Seokjin raised his eyebrows at that.

“Oh, joys. Well, if I don’t see you in an hour, I’ll see you at home. Need me to pick anything up on the way?” she asked, taking the tea off Seokjin and accepting his kiss on the forehead (they were in public after all.)

“Min-ji wouldn’t mind some snacks and I’m sure you can think of something to get me,” he grinned then gently pushed her towards the stage where the dancers were waiting. “Go on, Grammy award-winning singer.”

Seokjin cackled at the dark look he got in return and settled back in his seat, with Sejin joining him to watch rehearsals for the next hour. ARMY, BTS and the world were going to be blown away by the concert and Grace’s performance, he knew that. To see her perform some of their hardest routines while singing all their lines and without being out of breath - the only person who could pull that off would be Jungkook. 

Tomorrow would be one of her greatest achievements. 

[bangtanhoneys]

Grace & Namjoon - AU Headcanons

ARMY has always been fascinated by the bond between Grace and Namjoon. From the very beginning, their relationship stood apart—Grace was the first person Namjoon met at Big Hit after the executives, and from that moment, she became a guiding force in his journey. She trained with him, refined his already impressive English, and helped shape him into the leader she always knew he could be. What started as nervous introductions quickly grew into mutual respect, and over time, into something even deeper.

There was no singular moment when their feelings shifted—no grand revelation or sudden realisation. Instead, it was a quiet, natural progression. For Namjoon, it was in the early days, standing back and watching Grace fight for her place in Bangtan, holding her own in an industry that wasn’t ready for her. For Grace, it was the way Namjoon meticulously deleted or reported cruel messages in their chat, protecting her in ways he never spoke about.

The four-year age gap means nothing. Though she’s technically his noona, he has never once seen her as anything but his equal.

Their relationship remains a secret—not out of shame, but out of caution. They’re unsure of how the rest of BTS, the company, or the world would react. But the boys? They knew before either of them ever admitted it.

Telling Big Hit was the hardest part. The company had expectations, rules, and a brand to uphold. But Grace and Namjoon were strategic, making sure that if their relationship ever threatened their careers, they could step back from each other without jeopardising BTS.

Because in the end, no matter what, Bangtan comes first.

Without anyone noticing, they slipped seamlessly into their roles as co-leaders. It felt natural—Grace, with her British accent and effortless ability to connect with female fans on a personal level, brought a different kind of relatability. She had known the idol world and the music industry a little longer than Namjoon, and that experience gave her an edge.

For Namjoon, as the first member of BTS, his role remained unchanged—his intellect, his poetic mind, his “Namjooning” ways—he was magnetic. The industry wanted him. The world listened when he spoke.

And when the two of them stood side by side at the Blue House, delivering a speech on the realities of idol life, something shifted.

The world finally saw it.

This wasn’t just a couple. This was a force to be reckoned with.

The speech was meant to be a moment, a simple conversation about the pressures of idol life. But as Grace and Namjoon stood before some of the most powerful figures in Korea, speaking with the kind of conviction that couldn’t be ignored, it became something much bigger.

They spoke about mental health in the industry, about the expectations placed on idols, the unrealistic standards, the sacrifices no one talked about. They didn’t just talk about change—they demanded it.

The room was silent, but the world outside? Explosive.

Headlines dominated every major outlet:

“The Leaders of BTS Call for Change in the Industry.” – The Korea Times

“Namjoon and Grace: The Power Couple Redefining K-Pop.” – The New York Times

“When Two Leaders Speak, the World Listens.” – TIME

Social media erupted. “This isn’t just about BTS anymore. This is about every idol who has ever suffered in silence.” “Grace and Namjoon have officially entered their ‘revolutionary power couple’ era.” “If I ever disappear, just know it’s because I called them Korea’s Beyoncé and Jay-Z.”

Even industry insiders couldn’t ignore it. Labels scrambled to release statements, idols subtly showed their support in hidden ways—song lyrics, small gestures, even just the way they carried themselves in interviews.

But for Grace and Namjoon, it was just another moment. Another stand they took together, without ever revealing the full extent of what they were to each other.

That is, until Big Hit’s announcement.

As Namjoon prepared to enlist, the company released its standard statement—urging fans to respect his privacy during his service. But this time, there was an addition.

“We kindly ask for your support and understanding as the artist fulfills his duty to our country. Additionally, we request that you respect the privacy of his partner, Grace Chu, as she navigates this time while continuing her solo career and her role as the 8th member of BTS.”

The world stopped. And just like that, the secret was out.

Big Hit had anticipated backlash, expected their stocks to drop, and foresaw antis going mad over the news. However, what actually transpired made them pause. There was celebration, rejoicing; their stocks surged into overdrive, interest in Grace’s solo career increased, and magazines were clamouring for the first exclusive interview with the couple the moment Namjoon was discharged.  

ARMY were counting down the days to his and Taehyung’s dischargement. Not because they missed them, but because they knew what was coming. Grace had been there for every single one - Seokjin, Hobi, then Namjoon and Taehyung, then Jimin and Jungkook and finally Yoongi. But ARMY wanted to see how the couple would react in public, with cameras on them as they filmed the idols leaving the military for the final time. 

And there it was—a simple hug. But the world saw the way Namjoon instantly relaxed, as if all the weight he’d been carrying had vanished in an instant. They saw the way Grace tucked her face into his neck, the quiet comfort in that fleeting moment. The way the boys, ever the protective brothers, casually blocked the cameras just long enough for them to whisper something only they would hear.

And then, just like that, it was over.

No updates. No V-LIVEs. Nothing for an entire week.

The Korean media went into a frenzy, speculating on their sudden disappearance. Some guessed they were locked in the studio, cooking up a diss track. Others whispered about a secret project.

Then, finally, an answer—one that didn’t come from a news outlet or an official statement, but from a single tweet.

A fan posted a blurry picture of a couple from behind. The image was unassuming to most, but to anyone who had followed them for years, it was obvious.

"ARMY! I’ve been holding this in for so long, wanting to respect their privacy, but I can’t anymore! I was in Rome last week and GUESS WHO WAS THERE?! Namjoon and Grace!! They were literally everywhere we went. Just vibing. No one knew who they were except for me and my sister. They were just… normal. A simple couple, living their best life. No stress, no pressure—just them.

The cutest thing? Namjoon buying Grace gelato, then holding her cone while she ran into a shop real quick. I just—ugh. They’re soft and domestic, but also effortlessly powerful at the same time. When they have kids? Just know those babies are about to inherit everything.”

The moment they stepped foot back in Korea, it was straight back to work. The world demanded their attention. Magazines fought for the first exclusive interview. Artists lined up, eager for collaborations. The Met Gala extended a personal invitation. The Grammys were calling. Everyone wanted a piece of them.

Yet, despite being the most sought-after couple, Namjoon and Grace remained the most understated. They didn’t chase the spotlight—it followed them. They didn’t need to prove anything to the world. They were enough as they were.

But Vogue Korea got to them first. The Cover That Said It All

Instead of a grandiose set or an elaborate concept, the photoshoot took place at HYBE.  The cover? Striking in its simplicity.

A black-and-white shot of their silhouettes standing in front of BTS’ legendary trophy cabinet. No faces, no theatrics—just their presence, side by side, casting long shadows over a decade’s worth of history.It wasn’t just a statement. It was a legacy.

They never attended the Met Gala, leaving the spectacle to others. The GRAMMYs? Only with BTS. Always with BTS.

Because their focus never wavered. It wasn’t about the glitz, the headlines, or the status. It was about the music, the message, and the family they built with ARMY. And now, the world was waiting—breath held, hearts racing—for the comeback that had been promised for so long.

Fans were treated to BANGTAN BOMBS, behind the scenes of the album planning, the tour that would be announced with big fanfare and ARMY could see the couple back in their natural roles but their relationship was never put on display for the camera. They remained professional, focused on the job. 

When the tour ended, BTS didn’t disband—they evolved. Some members focused on family, others on solo projects. For the first time in years, there were no restrictions, no deadlines. Priorities shifted. They had spent so much time on the road, so much time away from home. It was time to breathe. For Grace and Namjoon, starting a family was a want, but not a need. Their focus was elsewhere—on the future.

On idols trapped under strict contracts. On those suffering under agencies that didn’t care. On those who abused their power and fame. On those who didn’t survive the idol life.

They had lost too many. And they refused to lose more. That’s when the documentary was born. It was raw. Unfiltered. The truth.

Grace’s story—from the very beginning. The moments when producers doubted her, when they questioned whether she was “Korean enough.” The whispers, the hurt, the battles she fought to be heard and seen. How idols, faces hidden, used to say things about her looks and her body. How the internet used her to either demean her or over sexualise her. 

Namjoon’s perspective—the way he and the boys stood by her, not because she was Korea’s Noona, not because she was an asset, but because she was one of them. A Bangtan member. A leader. A fighter. The documentary shook the industry.

Companies could no longer pretend. Fans could no longer ignore it. Idols, both rookies and veterans, began to speak up. And just like that—the conversation changed.

HYBE stood behind them—not just as a company, but as an ally. They had started as BigHit, a small company that had fought against the industry norms. Now, they were facing the biggest shift in idol history. They issued a statement. Not just of support, but of change.

The industry had to evolve. Fans had to see idols as people, not untouchable gods. They could date. They could smoke. They could have families. And they deserved a life beyond the stage.

Then came the moment that shook Korea. Grace and Namjoon stood at the Blue House, side by side, dressed in matching black suits—a power move in itself. The Korean media couldn’t look away.

This wasn’t just an idea anymore. It was a movement.

They announced their plan: They weren’t taking over HYBE. They were taking back BigHit.

Back to its roots. Back to the company that had given BTS a chance. A company built on belief, not control.

And with it—they unveiled their program.

Mental health support integrated into idol training.

Proper nutritionists ensuring idols weren’t starving to meet beauty standards.

Programs on financial stability, legal rights, and navigating fame without losing oneself.

It was radical. It was unheard of.

And yet—idols were already lining up to join.

The moment Grace and Namjoon left the Blue House, the world exploded.

News outlets. Talk shows. Twitter.

Every headline screamed the same thing—

"Kim Namjoon & Grace Chu: The Couple Changing K-Pop Forever."

Within days, the shift was undeniable.

Idols started speaking up.

Former trainees exposed horror stories from their past.

Fans, once blindly loyal to companies, demanded change.

And the industry? It panicked.

Labels scrambled to issue statements, some denying abuse, others vaguely supporting reform. But everyone knew—this was no longer something they could brush under the rug.

Then came the announcement that shook the world: BigHit Entertainment was officially under new ownership. Not by faceless executives. Not by outsiders chasing profit. But by the very people who built it: Grace, Namjoon, Seokjin, Yoongi, J-Hope, Jimin, Taehyung and Jungkook.

The ink had barely dried before the reforms started.

Contracts were rewritten—no more slave deals, no more seven-year traps.

Health and safety protocols became mandatory.

Dating bans? Gone.

Mental health breaks? Encouraged.

And just like that, the idol world changed.

For the first time in history, idols weren’t just products. They were people.

It was only a matter of time before one of the biggest labels cracked. A high-profile scandal surfaced—one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies was exposed for decades of abuse, contract manipulation, and cover-ups.

And this time? The public didn’t look away. They fought back. Boycotts. Protests. Investigations. For the first time, a major K-pop company collapsed under its own weight.

And in the middle of it all, Grace and Namjoon stood their ground. They weren’t just Korea’s Power Couple. They were the change the industry never saw coming.

Their work was nearly complete. The industry had changed, the idol world had evolved, and they had done what they set out to do. So when Namjoon and Grace finally announced that they had secretly married, no one was surprised.

What did surprise them was the second announcement— Grace was pregnant.

And with that, she bowed out of BTS. Her journey as an idol had come full circle. Her work wasn’t over—far from it—but it was time for a new chapter. While Namjoon continued to take the stage with the boys, Grace would take her place alongside Bang PD as the CEO of BigHit. She wasn’t stepping back. She was stepping up.

As BTS continued their encore performances, the world couldn’t help but wonder—what came next? For the group, for the industry, for Namjoon and Grace. Speculation ran wild, but Grace, ever the strategist, remained quiet. Her focus was on BigHit’s transformation, on shaping the next generation of idols, and on preparing for the most important role of her life—motherhood.

Then, one crisp autumn morning, Big Hit issued a simple statement: “Welcome to the world, the brightest star.” No names. No pictures. Just a message of love, respect, and privacy.

But the industry felt the shift. It wasn’t just the birth of Namjoon and Grace’s child. It was the start of a new era—one they had built from the ground up, one where idols had choices, where the industry was no longer a machine but a home. And when Namjoon finally returned to the stage, his wedding ring glinting under the lights, his voice stronger than ever, ARMY knew—this was never an ending.

This was just the beginning.

[bangtanhoneys]

BANGTAN BABY: 25 Prompts

A little gift to you guys for putting up with my crazy ideas and thoughts. From Nov - Dec, I will be posting the following prompts with Grace, Seokjin & the rest of BTS. If you think a particular prompt works well with a member, send a member with a number you'd like!

Shopping for nursery furniture for little one. YOONGI

Holding the little one for the first time. OT8

Being immensely proud when little one takes their first steps alone. OT8

Singing nursery rhymes to get little one to sleep.

Finger painting with little one. JUNGKOOK

Little one getting food all over their face. JIN

Going on a walk together with little one. NAMJOON

Little one coming to sleep with you after having a bad dream. JIN & GRACE

Little one’s first birthday.

Little one’s first trip to the zoo or aquarium.

Singing songs and rocking little one to sleep.

Reading a book with little one on your lap. NAMJOON

Having to show little one that the food tastes good by having some too. JIN

Playing airplane/train to get little one to open their mouth and take a bite of food.

Little one chasing after bubbles to pop them. OT8

Little one snuggling with a stuffed animal. (RJ/BT21)

Little one eating a slice of fruit and getting juice all down their chin. YOONGI (TANGERINE)

Kissing little one where they got hurt to make the pain go away. GRACE

Little one stripping their clothes and running around in their diaper. TAEHYUNG

Waking up to little one crying out in their sleep.

Little one biting everything they can stick in their mouth as they teethe. JIMIN

Having little one wear their first formal wear. TAEHYUNG

Choosing little one’s name together. OT8

Little one getting in a laughing kick where everything is funny. HOBI

Little one chasing down the pet to rest their head on them and hold them tight. BAM

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS: Jungkook & Grace - MUM!!

Jungkook didn’t want to admit it but he was lost. Lost inside a supermarket in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand, with his phone still inside the campervan and completely unsure of where the other members had gone. It wouldn’t have been too bad if everyone spoke Korean but he was in a country that spoke mainly English and he just about knew enough to get by. 

This wasn’t going to go well. 

He went up and down each aisle, trying to spot either a cameraman or even one of the members but no luck. He knew he was going to get a massive scolding from this but right now, he had to find everyone. 

Jungkook headed to a customer service desk and asked the lovely woman at the desk if she had seen a woman, matching Grace’s description but in his broken English, he was describing every woman in the store. 

Giving up, he left the actual store and if he had turned right and walked a bit further, he would have seen everyone enjoying the local coffee. He walked further away from the store and every person he came across, he asked if they had seen his mum. 

Of course, they hadn’t because his actual mother was in Korea, where he should be right now, but his second mother was in New Zealand with him. 

It wasn’t until someone tapped him on the shoulder and pointed in the direction of where the other members of BTS were gathered that Jungkook finally relaxed. After thanking the person in every way he knew how, Jungkook spun around and yelled, “Mum!!!”

There was only one person who Jungkook called that and that person in question jumped in her seat, glancing up from where she had been looking at the map with Jin. “What the heck?” she muttered, ignoring Jin’s laughter from beside her.

It was perfect timing - one camera catching Jungkook running up to Grace, yelling Mum, another camera capturing Grace’s reaction and it created the perfect moment as an elderly woman was coming past. She stopped for a moment, wondering what was with the camera crew but simply took one look at Jungkook then Grace. 

“He’s a good-looking boy, he clearly takes after his father,” she said nodding in Jin’s direction which caused him to stop laughing. “You both look good for your age with a young son like that.”

She then toddled off, not realising who she had actually spoken to. 

It became such a popular fan moment that it was clipped and posted to Twitter at every chance and with it, BigHit acknowledged Grace as Jungkook’s honorary mother.

[bangtanhoneys]

GRACE TOUR DIARY: April 14th - 16th 2025, Seoul & Paris

APRIL 14TH - SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

The entire country was still riding the high of the BTS tribute concert, and Grace’s personal Instagram notifications were in overdrive. Celebrities who followed her flooded her mentions, tagging her in photos from the show, posting behind-the-scenes clips, and sharing videos they had taken from the audience. Meanwhile, ARMY was working overtime on TikTok, creating endless edits and compilations—many of which focused on what they had now dubbed "The Grace Chu Effect." It was the kind of impact only she could have: commanding the stage, delivering powerhouse performances, and captivating an audience in a way that felt almost effortless.

HYBE had been turned into a floral wonderland, filled with bouquets from industry friends, collaborators, and high-profile admirers. But even more overwhelming was the sheer number of flowers that had arrived at her home—personal gifts from friends and family, including, of course, Seokjin. Amid the fresh scent of peonies and roses, there were still traces of the boys’ recent visit scattered throughout the house—a quiet but undeniable reminder of their presence.

Jungkook, true to form, had left a pair of sneakers by the door. Namjoon’s glasses sat forgotten on the kitchen counter. Yoongi had left behind his signature act of care—not an object, but a fix; the slightly tilted bathroom shelf she had meant to get repaired for months was now perfectly aligned. Hobi and Jimin had gone on a snack-shopping spree, ensuring the cupboard was fully stocked with every possible craving she might have. And Taehyung, in his usual understated way, had left nothing but a small handwritten note with a single word: "Thanks."

It had only been two days since the concert, but five of them had already returned to their military service. While they had been granted a day off for the performance and another to recover, not even South Korea’s government was willing to spare them any additional time. Duty called, and just like that, they were gone again.

For Grace, it meant the focus was now fully back on her own tour.

The tribute concert had reignited a fresh wave of excitement, especially for her upcoming Paris stop. Parisian ARMY had begun speculating wildly about possible setlist changes, new additions to the stage production, or even surprise guests now that Grace had officially entered the European leg of her tour. The energy surrounding the show was electric, and expectations were higher than ever.

But for Grace, the aftermath of the concert had hit her in the worst way.

Her throat was completely wrecked.

Between the emotional weight of the night, the nerves, anxiety and the sheer power of her performance, Grace’s vocal cords had taken a serious beating. When the tribute concert ended, her team had decided for her—strict vocal rest until the morning of her flight to Paris. No speaking, no singing, just silence.

Her dancers, crew, and most of her team had already flown ahead straight after the concert, ensuring everything was in place for the European leg of the tour. That left only a small group behind: Sejin, Hana, and a team of bodyguards, who would travel with Grace and Seokjin on the later flight.

The morning of their departure was complete chaos.

Grace and Seokjin had barely gotten a full night’s rest before they were woken in the most Angela way possible. Her parents had arrived the night before, settling in for their planned fifteen-day stay at the couple’s home, and Angela had taken it upon herself to make sure they were up bright and early.

“Morning!” Angela’s chipper voice rang through the bedroom as she yanked open the curtains, flooding the room with light.

A groggy groan came from under the blankets as Grace pulled the covers over her head, desperately trying to block out the intrusion.

Seokjin, still half-asleep, blinked up at the woman standing near the window, hands planted firmly on her hips like she was about to run a military drill.

“…What time is it?” he asked, voice thick with sleep as he rubbed a hand over his face.

“Six,” Angela announced matter-of-factly. “Plenty of time for a shower, breakfast, and sorting out your bags before Sejin arrives with the team.”

She paused for a beat before reaching out and patting the lump of blankets where she knew Grace’s feet were buried.

“Up and at ‘em, kids.”

And then she was gone.

Seokjin lay there, momentarily stunned. No matter how often he interacted with Grace’s mother, she always caught him off guard. For as long as he had known her, Angela had this effortless way of treating him as just Seokjin—not Jin of BTS, not a global superstar, but simply her daughter’s partner. It was something he wasn’t used to, yet something he quietly cherished. There was no performance, no expectations beyond loving her daughter, and that was all that mattered.

“Fuck,” Grace muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow.

Seokjin laughed, running a hand through his already messy hair. “Good thing we weren’t naked. That would’ve been awkward.”

Grace let out a long, suffering sigh, internally questioning her life choices for what felt like the thousandth time. Slowly, she peeled herself out from under the blankets and glanced at the cat still curled up in his spot at the foot of the bed, blissfully undisturbed.

“Lucky him,” she mumbled.

Seokjin smirked, stretching before attempting to get out of bed, nearly tripping in the process. He managed to catch himself at the last second, straightening with an exaggerated sigh as his bad day pajamas hung askew.

“You shower, I’ll finish packing the bags,” he offered, glancing toward the half-zipped suitcases in the corner of the room. Then, with a reluctant groan, he added, “And I suppose we better have breakfast before your eomma drags us downstairs.”

Grace gave him a deadpan look. “She will drag us downstairs.”

“Even more reason to hurry,” he said, shaking his head before shuffling toward the bags.

With one final glance toward the sleeping cat, Grace finally got up and made her way to the bathroom, bracing herself for the chaos the rest of the morning would bring.

As Grace stepped into the bathroom, the warm steam from the shower helped shake off the grogginess still clinging to her. The exhaustion from the past few days was relentless—between the tribute concert, the sudden influx of media attention, and the impending flight to Paris, it felt like her body was running on autopilot.

She leaned against the cool tiles for a moment, letting the water soothe her aching muscles before finally forcing herself into motion.

Outside, Seokjin was busy stuffing the last few items into their luggage, mumbling to himself as he double-checked everything. Just as he zipped up the final bag, Angela poked her head back into the room, hands on her hips.

“You two aren’t dawdling, are you?” she teased, eyes flickering to the untouched bed.

“Grace is in the shower,” Seokjin assured her, barely glancing up as he struggled to get the zipper all the way closed. “I’m just finishing the packing.”

Angela watched him for a moment, then walked over and, with a simple tug, easily closed the suitcase. Seokjin blinked.

"Years of practice," she grinned, patting his shoulder before nodding toward the kitchen. "Now, come downstairs. Sung has made everyone breakfast."

Fifteen minutes later, Grace and Seokjin emerged, dragging their suitcases behind them as the scent of a mixed Korean and British breakfast filled the house. Min-ji, who had been lazing on the stairs, darted past them and headed straight for the kitchen, his nose leading the way.

"That’s not for you," Sung-chul gently chastised, though he still bent down to sneak the cat a small treat.

The reason for her parents’ extended stay was, in fact, the cat in question. Min-ji had always been sharp—he could tell when his humans were about to disappear for a while, and rather than disrupt his routine, her parents simply came to him instead.

"Morning, Appa," Grace yawned, covering her mouth as she shuffled toward the dining table.

"Good morning," her father greeted, offering her a small smile before turning back to the stove.

Seokjin, ever the polite future son-in-law, stepped forward. "Is there anything I can help with?" He knew the answer already, but it was second nature to offer.

"Shoo! Go sit down, I’m almost done."

Like obedient children, they retreated to the dining table, where Angela sat sipping her tea, her reading glasses perched on her nose as she flipped through a newspaper from England. At the sound of chairs scraping against the floor, she folded the paper neatly and set it aside.

"Alright, let’s go over your schedule so we’re all up to date," she said, giving them her full attention.

Grace gratefully accepted the honey tea her father placed in front of her—one of her doctor’s strict instructions for her recovering throat—and wrapped her hands around the warm mug.

"Seokjin and I fly out to Paris this morning. We’ll land around 6:30 PM, their time. After the Paris concert, we head straight to London. Then after my last London show, we drive up to Manchester. And on the 28th, I fly to Sweden, while Seokjin comes home."

Angela nodded, mentally mapping out their movements. "And when are you fully back in Korea?"

Sung-chul reappeared with plates in hand, listening as Grace replied, "I’ll be back in Seoul on May 11th for a few days, then I fly to Hong Kong on the 15th. The tour officially ends on June 13th."

Her father hummed in understanding. "Ah, of course. Bangtan Sonyeondan’s anniversary."

Then, just as swiftly, he disappeared back into the kitchen.

Grace watched him go, a soft smile forming. It never failed to amuse her how similar her father was to Yoongi. Both had that unmistakable tsundere nature—cool and reserved on the surface, but warm and deeply caring underneath. They were the type to look after you without making a fuss, strict yet endlessly supportive.

At first, her father was sceptical of her career in Bangtan, preferring her to stick to her stable admin job, but he never stopped supporting her. Years later, she knew that he had secretly helped BTS during their early struggles, contributing to food and finances when things were at their worst, without them realizing it until much later.

A typical Korean man in many ways, yet softened by a lifetime spent outside of Korea. He had lived in Europe too long, loved an Englishwoman too long, and seen too much of the world to cling blindly to outdated traditions. He understood that some Korean customs, especially in the media, were long overdue for change.

And for that, Grace was endlessly grateful.

Just as Grace took her first sip of tea, Sung-chul returned, setting a steaming plate of food in front of both her and Seokjin. A mix of British and Korean breakfast staples filled the table—fluffy scrambled eggs, toast, and sausages alongside steaming bowls of rice, kimchi, and doenjang jjigae.

Seokjin’s eyes widened in appreciation. "Wah, you really went all out."

"You’ll be gone for weeks. Eat properly before you go," Sung-chul replied, taking his own seat across from them.

Angela smirked as she stirred her tea. "That’s his way of saying he’ll miss you both."

Sung-chul gave his wife a pointed look but didn’t argue. Instead, he turned his attention to Grace, studying her for a moment before asking, "How’s your throat?"

Grace swallowed a mouthful of egg before answering. "Better. Not great, but better."

Her father gave a curt nod. "Keep drinking the tea. And don’t push too hard in Paris. The tribute concert was impressive, but you shouldn’t be overextending yourself."

Seokjin, ever the concerned partner, nodded in agreement. "Exactly. If you strain your voice too much, I’ll personally confiscate all your mics."

Grace rolled her eyes but smiled. "Yes, yes, I know. I promise I’ll take care of it."

Sung-chul seemed satisfied with that answer and went back to eating. Angela, however, was still focused on their schedule.

"So, you land at 6:30 PM in Paris. Do you have anything scheduled for tonight?"

Grace shook her head. "Nope. My first official schedule is the rehearsal the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow is completely free."

Angela raised an eyebrow. "And what are you planning to do with that free day?"

“Croissants.” That was the simple answer.

In reality, they would only have a few chances to be tourists. Grace’s schedule in Paris was packed with official meetings and appearances, and the demand for her time was undeniable. The list was overwhelming—interviews, fashion events, and industry meetings—but with limited time, only a select few had been prioritized. The day would end with a private dinner in the city and a special after-hours tour of the Louvre.

And then, the next morning, she’d be in full rehearsal mode, adapting her show for a European stage. 18,000 ARMY were waiting—her social media flooded with excitement as fans counted down the hours until her first Paris performance.

Before she could respond, Sejin’s voice rang out from the hallway. "Good morning, everyone!"

Just like that, being home was over. The house instantly shifted into travel mode. Min-ji meowed in protest but regretted it almost immediately when Grace scooped him up, rubbing under his chin as he struggled to get away. Seokjin didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to the cat.

Angela hugged her daughter tightly. "Go and enjoy Paris as much as you can. Take care of yourself, and have a great show. And say hello to the UK for me."

Grace smiled, relaxing into the familiar warmth of her mother’s arms. "Of course. Message me if you want Seokjin to bring anything back—tea, gifts, whatever you need."

Seokjin snorted but nodded anyway, shaking hands with Sung-chul—only to be caught off guard when Angela pulled him into a hug as well.

Sung-chul patted Grace’s shoulder, with his usual reserved affection. "Call if you need anything."

"I will. And thanks for looking after Min-ji."

"Oh, don’t worry," Angela said, already scooping the cat up to wave his paw at them. "He’s going to be spoiled rotten."

As they climbed into the car, Grace watched the home she shared with Seokjin grow smaller in the distance. She exhaled slowly, bracing herself. The moment they arrived at the airport, her idol persona would have to switch on.

Seokjin, reading her perfectly, glanced over. "How bad is it?"

Sejin, seated in the passenger seat, turned to answer. "Bad, but manageable. Fans know Grace is flying out, obviously, but they don’t know you’re coming. We’ve got extra security in place, the airport has increased their personnel, and even the police have sent a team. It’ll be controlled."

He checked his phone before continuing. "Hana is already there, giving us live updates. She’s checked you both in, so everything is on track."

As they neared the airport, the atmosphere in the car shifted. The chatter died down, replaced by a quiet focus. Seokjin reached over and gave Grace’s hand a reassuring squeeze. She turned to him with a small smile, grateful for his presence.

"Once we get through this, it'll be smooth sailing until Paris," he said, his voice light but reassuring.

Sejin’s phone buzzed again, and he glanced at the screen. "Hana says the crowd is big, but security has everything under control. They’re holding the press at a distance, but expect a lot of cameras."

Grace exhaled, mentally preparing. She had done this a thousand times before, yet it never truly got easier. The moment she stepped out of the car, she would cease being just Grace—she would be Grace Chu, 8th member of BTS, a global superstar, the idol that people saw, admired, and dissected.

The car rolled to a stop at the entrance, where staff were already waiting. Outside the barricades, fans had gathered, waving banners and lightsticks despite the early hour. The noise of the press—camera shutters clicking, reporters speaking into microphones—blended with the excited cheers of ARMY. Even through the closed windows, the hum of anticipation was palpable.

Sejin turned back to her. "Ready?"

Grace adjusted the mask over her face, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Always."

The car door opened, and the noise surged—cheers, screams, a rapid-fire barrage of camera flashes. Questions were shouted from all directions, and news anchors narrating the scene for their viewers. But Grace kept moving, her posture poised, her expression unreadable behind the mask.

Seokjin followed closely, his own face mostly covered, but ARMY recognized him immediately. A fresh wave of screams rippled through the crowd at the sight of him and he gave a short wave in response.

Staff and bodyguards moved swiftly, forming a protective barrier as they were guided inside the terminal. Fans and the press tried to push forward, desperate for more photos, but they were held back by airport security and police.

Once inside, Hana was already waiting for them.

"Smooth entrance, as always," she remarked. "The private lounge is ready, and everything is on track."

Grace pulled her mask down once they were safely clear of the crowd, offering her manager a tired smile.

"Anything else we should know?" Seokjin asked, pulling off his mask completely and shoving it into his coat pocket.

Hana laughed. "Just that Twitter is losing its mind now that Seokjin-nim has been spotted. Sorry, but you’re both trending again."

The couple sighed in unison as they were ushered into their private lounge. The moment they entered, Grace made a beeline for the couch by the window overlooking the runway and sank into it with a relieved sigh.

Seokjin set their carry-ons down before plopping onto the couch beside her. He stretched his legs out, sighing as he rested his head against the cushion. "At least now we can breathe."

Grace hummed in agreement, watching as a plane taxied across the runway. For the first time that morning, there was silence—no screaming fans, no flashing cameras, just the muffled hum of airport activity outside their private lounge.

An hour later, they were called for boarding. Masked up once again, they moved swiftly through the terminal and onto the plane. The moment they reached their first-class seats, Grace exhaled, shrugging off her coat and tossing her hair into a messy bun. She kicked off her shoes, plugged in her phone, and curled up comfortably, ready to relax until takeoff.

Seokjin settled in beside her, but before switching off, he sent a quick update to the group chat:

‘On the plane to Paris. Will check in when we land. No special requests from anyone! Grace’s eomma is already making a list for me for London.’

The response was immediate.

Hobi: "LV BAG!"

Seokjin rolled his eyes, smirking at the reference to Hobi’s latest single. No other replies came from the boys, except for Yoongi, who sent a simple yet effective message:

"Plenty of rest. Honey tea. Enjoy."

Grace glanced at the screen and let out a soft laugh. "Classic Hobi. And of course, Yoongi would say that."

Shaking her head, she put her phone on silent and settled in for the long flight. Sixteen hours until Paris. Sixteen hours before the chaos resumed. But for now, at least for now, she could rest. The two spent time sharing KDramas together, catching up on personal social media with friends, for Grace she caught up via text message with Chaelin and IU and for Seokjin, he had a level to complete on his Switch. 

As predicted, they landed in Paris at exactly 6:30pm. And while there was a credible amount of fans and press, the exit out of the airport went smoother than it did in Seoul. They were met by two large cars, a massive amount of security as their luggage was piled in and Grace let out a yawn as she got in, the flight having made her more tired than before. 

The moment they pulled up to the hotel, the staff were already waiting. The Ritz had always been discreet, accommodating celebrities with quiet efficiency, and tonight was no different. Within moments, their luggage was being whisked away, and a private entrance ensured they bypassed any lingering paparazzi.

Grace let out another yawn as she stepped into the elevator, rubbing her eyes. "I swear, flights make me more exhausted than performances."

Seokjin chuckled beside her. "That’s because you get to sit still for once. Your body doesn’t know what to do with the stillness."

Grace hummed in agreement, leaning her head against his shoulder as the elevator ascended. Hana and Sejin were deep in conversation about schedules, with Seokjin chiming in occasionally, but it all became background noise. She was too exhausted to focus on anything other than keeping her eyes open.

When the elevator doors slid open, Seokjin’s hand guided her forward, his touch grounding her. As they walked down the hallway, her gaze flickered to the name of their suite—Opera.

The moment the door swung open, the sheer opulence of the suite made her raise an eyebrow. Gilded mouldings, velvet drapes, and crystal chandeliers gleamed under the warm lighting. It was elegance at its peak, fitting for one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

But her focus zeroed in on three things—the plush king-sized bed, a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of Paris, and a deep, inviting bathtub.

"This," she sighed, stepping inside and taking off her shoes. "This I can work with."

They managed to order room service quickly, but Grace barely remembered eating. The exhaustion from the flight, the time difference, and the nonstop schedule hit her like a tsunami. The last thing she recalled was sinking into the plush bed, and then—nothing.

APRIL 15TH - PARIS 

The next morning, she woke to the sound of movement in the living area. Blinking against the morning light filtering through the curtains, she stretched before dragging herself out of bed.

Peeking into the suite’s living space, she found Seokjin sprawled on the fancy couch, coffee in one hand, Switch in the other. The TV was playing an English news channel with Korean subtitles, but what truly made her pause was the sight of him wearing a face mask—the cooling, hydrating kind—making him look like a King of Beauty lounging in his royal chambers.

Grace leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a smirk on her lips. "Who's the real star of this show?"

Seokjin cursed as he lost his game, snapping his head toward her. "Yah! You distracted me!"

She chuckled, stepping forward. "Pretty sure you did that to yourself, King of Skincare."

Spotting the teapot on the table, Grace poured herself a cup and took a careful sip. Not honey tea for once, but proper tea—strong, from a tea bag, steeped just right. She sighed in contentment and settled onto the couch beside Seokjin. “Finally, real tea.”

Seokjin smirked. “You slept through the arrival of room service. Your croissants are waiting.”

Grace nearly spilled her tea as she bolted upright, rushing over to the table. There they were—fresh fruit, proper French croissants, and an assortment of other pastries. She loaded up a plate, looking very pleased with herself until she noticed Seokjin holding up her phone, screen facing her.

A message from Sejin: One hour.

Grace groaned. “Seriously?”

She glanced at her plate, torn between savouring breakfast and squeezing in a shower before the day’s madness began. After a second of deliberation, she downed the rest of her tea, stuffed half a croissant into her mouth, and started toward the bedroom.

“I’m taking a shower. You coming?”

Silence.

Then the unmistakable sound of Seokjin scrambling—his Switch hitting the couch, a muffled yelp as he got tangled in his blanket, and finally, the rapid thud of feet chasing after her.

Grace laughed all the way to the bathroom.

They barely made it out in time, rushing to get dressed just as Sejin let himself in, a team trailing behind him. The usual routine followed—quick greetings, polite bows, grateful cups of coffee, and the last remnants of breakfast left behind from their impromptu shower rendezvous.

Sejin, already deep into his schedule, barely looked up from his phone as he rattled off the plan for the day.

“We’re heading to Balmain first—Olivier and his team have finalised your tour outfit. Then, we’re off to Louboutin for their new collection, followed by a quick photoshoot at their store. After that, a brief meeting with the French President, some official photos, and then a private tour around Paris. Finally, we head back to change before dinner.”

Seokjin, standing still while a stylist adjusted his jacket, grinned. “So, the usual then.”

Grace rolled her eyes, staying still as the makeup artist carefully applied a soft pink tint to her lips. Emerald green earrings were slipped onto her ears, perfectly matching the delicate band on her middle finger—one Seokjin had gifted her a while ago.

“It’s going to be a long one, just like New York,” Hana added, slipping essentials into a bag—Grace’s phone, charger, bank card, passport, and mints. “Getting around here takes longer, so expect delays.”

True to Hana’s word, the day stretched endlessly. Navigating through Paris was even more time-consuming with security and a translator in tow. While Olivier Rousteing, ever the charming host with his signature cheek kisses, spoke English, it was still a relief for Seokjin, who didn’t have to rely on Grace’s less-than-perfect French.

They were led into a private showroom, where Olivier stood beside a mannequin draped in the completed piece. The moment Grace laid eyes on it, she knew—it was perfect.

“This,” Olivier gestured dramatically, “is a masterpiece for a queen.”

Before her was a breathtaking gown, designed to be as versatile as it was striking. The bodice was corseted, hugging her frame with an elegant yet powerful structure, embroidered with intricate lace appliqués and crystal embellishments that shimmered under the showroom lights. It had a deep sweetheart neckline, framed by delicate cap sleeves that just barely dusted her shoulders.

The skirt flowed down in layers of silk organza and structured satin, designed to transform mid-performance. For her ballads, it would remain a dramatic, sweeping gown, but at the right moment, the outer layers could be removed, revealing a sleek body suit underneath—one that allowed for ease of movement during high-energy numbers.

Grace reached out, brushing her fingers over the details, entranced. "This is incredible," she breathed.

Olivier beamed. "A tour outfit must be more than just beautiful—it must tell a story. You start as the queen commanding the stage, then—" he snapped his fingers, "—you become the icon, ready to dance. Effortless. Powerful."

Olivier clapped his hands, and an assistant stepped forward with a pair of Louboutin stilettos—sleek, pointed, with a subtle shimmer that caught the light. No bulky boots, nothing that would weigh her down. Just elegance, refined to perfection. 

The dress fit her like a glove, moulding perfectly to her form. As she moved, the team took quick notes, adjusting minor details to ensure the transformation would be seamless. One key issue stood out—the skirt needed a more efficient release mechanism, one that allowed the dancers to remove it swiftly without hesitation. Speed was the priority, not delicacy. The outfit would be needed for tomorrow’s rehearsals so the team quickly made notes and pulled the garment away for the work to be done that night.

Another round of quick hugs, air kisses, and they were whisked away to Louboutin, where the ritual of air kisses continued. Delicate lemon tea was served alongside petit biscuits, a moment of quiet luxury before the next wave of excitement. The brand had prepared an exclusive collection inspired by Grace—a line of shoes designed to match her stage aesthetic, now set to be released to the public. Demand had skyrocketed since their collaboration was announced, with fans scouring the internet for every pair she had been spotted wearing.

What was meant to be a quick photoshoot turned into a half-hour marathon, the team anxiously eyeing the clock. The realisation hit—they were going to be late for the French President. A rushed goodbye, more air kisses, and they were swept into the car, arriving just in time.

By the time they finally returned to the hotel, Seokjin felt the weight of the day settle over him. Maybe it was because he hadn’t toured in a while and hadn’t been that fully in demand himself, but he had forgotten just how demanding everything outside of performing could be. Interviews, press conferences, photoshoots—go here, go there, smile, pose, speak. And yet, Grace handled it all like a seasoned pro, never missing a beat.

Watching her now, calmly slipping off her stilettos and massaging her feet, he couldn’t help but wonder—how did she keep track of it all? How did she manage to stay present, engaged, and in control when every second demanded something new from her?

“You’re thinking too loud,” Grace murmured, stretching as she flopped onto the couch, her voice laced with exhaustion.

Seokjin chuckled, rubbing a hand over his face as he sank onto the plush seat beside her. "Just wondering how you haven’t lost your mind yet."

She smirked, eyes half-lidded. "I lost it years ago the moment I met Bang PD and signed up to Big Hit.”

But there was no time to rest. Get changed, make-up changed, and outfit changed to something that was matching for the two of them so as Sejin pointed out, they could post to Instagram. 

Within the hour, they were whisked away to a private dinner—just the two of them and the team—at an intimate Michelin-starred restaurant tucked away in a quiet Parisian alley. It was a moment to exhale, to sip wine, to enjoy something other than a rushed meal in a hotel room.

The chef himself came out to greet them, presenting a multi-course tasting menu that had Seokjin practically vibrating with excitement at the sheer decadence of it all. The foodie and the chef in him had him taking photos of everything from the chef, to the food, to the decor, to his own face (of course). They hadn’t realised the photo of the two of them, dressed up for their dinner and taken by Sejin, had already racked up millions of likes and had been dissected on Twitter. 

Grace, however, was slower to eat, the exhaustion creeping in from a rushed day and jet lag. She twirled a piece of steak around her fork, barely listening to Sejin and Hana discussing the next day’s schedule.

Seokjin nudged her knee under the table. "Eat, before you pass out in your dessert."

She shot him a look but obeyed, biting into the perfectly cooked dish. The flavours woke her up, just a little. Maybe she did need this—time to sit, time to be normal, time to not have cameras flashing in her face.

After dinner, they were ushered into a private tour of the Louvre, long after the museum had closed to the public. The silence was eerie, the grandeur of the empty halls almost overwhelming.

“It’s kind of unsettling without the crowds,” Seokjin whispered as they walked through the dimly lit corridors. It was hauntingly beautiful and the privacy gave them a chance to marvel at the most famous artwork. Namjoon would be jealous.  

Grace hummed, tucking her arms through Seokjin’s. “It’s peaceful.”

A guide led them through the masterpieces, stopping for an extended time in front of the Mona Lisa. Grace studied it, half-expecting it to look different without the swarm of tourists and flashing cameras. But the same quiet, knowing smile remained.

Seokjin leaned in, whispering, “I don’t get the hype.”

Grace elbowed him. “Don’t be disrespectful in front of the girl.”

Their small group laughed softly, the sound echoing through the empty museum.

By the time they returned to the hotel, the two of them and the team were tired. Jet lag was hitting all of them and they needed a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s rehearsal. Sejin’s mind was already whirling with the schedule for tomorrow yet no one cared, all heading to their various rooms for sleep and relaxation. 

Grace collapsed onto the couch the second they stepped into their suite, kicking off her heels with a relieved sigh. There was time to have a hot bath which made her muscles instantly relax and Seokjin sat next to her, in his pyjamas, showing the game he was playing that morning before he was distracted.

They each did their skin routine and had time to check in with her parents, who sent about twenty photos of the cat. By the time they were done, midnight had rolled around and the bed was calling. 

But just as she got comfortable, her phone vibrated against the top of the bedside table where it lay charging. “If that’s Sejin, tell him I’ve quit the industry.”

Seokjin rolled over her, planted a kiss on her lips and snatched the phone before she could, grinning as he read the group chat. “It’s Jungkook.”

That got her attention. Grace pried one eye open. “What’s he saying?”

Seokjin cleared his throat dramatically. “Did you die or are you just ignoring me?” He snorted. “Wow. So much love in that message.”

Grace let out a breathy laugh, reaching for her phone. 'Alive. Just exhausted.' The reply was immediate. 'Pics or it didn’t happen.'

Seokjin laughed at the audacity. “He’s such a menace.”

Grace barely lifted her phone, snapping a lazy, half-awake selfie with Seokjin half appearing in the picture next to her. She sent it off, expecting no more than a teasing reply and rested the phone against her chest.

Instead, the phone rang. Facetime. 

Seokjin groaned, already rolling away onto his side. “Ignore him.”

Grace smirked, answering anyway. “You rang?”

“You guys look like you got run over.” Jungkook’s voice was muffled, likely trying to get a Facetime in before he was just at the base. “Is Paris that bad?”

“It’s Paris,” Grace replied simply. That’s all she needed to say as she caught Jungkook’s look. 

A pause. “Are you okay?”

That made her smile a little. Beneath the teasing, Jungkook always knew when to check-in. Her adopted son, who she and Seokjin had both raised since he arrived at Big Hit, was checking in on his parents even though it was against his base rules. She glanced at Seokjin, who had already started dozing off beside her.

“We’re okay, Kook,” she murmured.

“Good.” His doe eyes shifted to the left. “Okay, I’ve got to go. Go to sleep now. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

APRIL 16TH - PARIS 

Grace resisted the pull of awakeness, her body heavy with finally getting enough sleep. But Paris refused to be ignored. Through the slightly open window, the heartbeat of the city murmured to her—the distant hum of morning traffic, footsteps against cobblestone streets, and the occasional trill of laughter from early-rising tourists eager to soak in the marvels before the city was fully awake. Somewhere below, the clatter of porcelain rang out, followed by the sharp scrape of a chair against the pavement. A coffee cup met a saucer with a little too much force, and the sound jolted her senses.

Her eyelids fluttered open.

Beside her, Seokjin stirred, letting out a drowsy grumble before rolling onto his side, his deep, even breaths resuming almost instantly. His pyjama top was twisted around his torso, allowing for his belly button to peek out. 

Grace turned her head toward the nightstand, eyes flickering to the clock. 9:00 AM. She let out a sigh, stretching lazily before pushing herself upright. Rehearsals weren’t until 1 PM, which meant she had a few blissful hours to herself. A long, hot shower. A proper breakfast—brunch, really—something hearty enough to keep her energy up. Maybe even a bit of exercise to loosen her muscles before the day truly began.

By the time she emerged from the bathroom, steam curling from the open door behind her, she was wrapping a towel around her damp blonde hair. The scent of citrus and vanilla clung to her skin, a contrast to the crisp morning air that drifted in from the window.

Seokjin was awake now, propped up on one elbow, watching her with drowsy amusement. "You didn't wake me," he murmured, voice thick with sleep.

“You were fast asleep in dreamland, probably dreaming about ramen.”

Seokjin huffed, rubbing a hand over his face before flopping onto his back. "I don’t think it was ramen but still, you should've dragged me with you. A shower would’ve helped wake me up." His voice was still laced with sleep, deep and a little husky.

Grace chuckled as she walked toward the wardrobe, pulling open the doors. "You can take one now," she teased, glancing over her shoulder. "Or you could keep lying there like a prince waiting for the world to cater to you."

He smirked but didn’t argue, stretching his arms over his head before finally sitting up. His dark hair was a mess, strands sticking up in odd directions, but it only made him look effortlessly handsome. "Tempting, but I think I'll join you for breakfast instead."

Grace rolled her eyes with a knowing smile. "Ah, there it is. Your true motivation."

"Of course," he said shamelessly, standing and padding barefoot toward her. His arms snaked around her waist as he pressed a lazy kiss to her shoulder. "Food and you—the two most important things in my life."

Warmth bloomed in her chest, but she masked it with a scoff, nudging him away playfully. "Go shower, you sap. I’ll order something while you get ready."

Seokjin groaned dramatically but obeyed, disappearing into the bathroom. Grace shook her head with a soft laugh, reaching for the hotel phone. The hotel’s breakfast menu had plenty of options, but she already knew what she wanted—fresh croissants, eggs, toast, some bacon, fruit, and coffee as well as tea, strong enough to keep her awake through rehearsals.

By the time Seokjin returned, towel-drying his hair, the scent of warm pastries filled the air, mingling with the lingering traces of her perfume. He raised an eyebrow at the spread she’d ordered. "Planning to feed the entire dance crew?"

Grace grinned. "No, just myself. But if you're good, I might share."

He scoffed, sitting beside her and stealing a bite of her croissant without hesitation. She gasped in mock offence, but he just grinned around his mouthful, eyes twinkling.

"You're lucky I love you," she muttered, shaking her head.

Seokjin swallowed, leaning in closer. "I know," he murmured, brushing his lips against her cheek before reaching for another bite.

Grace let out a dramatic sigh, but beneath the playful exasperation, her heart swelled with contentment. Mornings like these—slow, intimate, wrapped in the golden glow of early daylight—were a rare luxury. With their schedules pulling them in different directions, she had learned to cherish every unhurried moment, every stolen second of quiet before the inevitable chaos of the day took hold.

The low murmur of the television filled the room, a gentle background hum against the soft clinking of utensils and the occasional rustle against the couch cushion as they shifted. Neither of them spoke much, lost in the simple comfort of sharing a meal. Seokjin scrolled through his phone, catching up on missed messages, while Grace idly sipped her tea, letting its warmth seep into her hands. It was peaceful. It was theirs.

Then came the knock.

A sharp rap against the hotel room door shattered the delicate tranquillity, the quiet bubble of their morning bursting in an instant.

Seokjin groaned, dropping his phone onto the table with a thud. "Well, it was nice while it lasted," he muttered, stuffing the last bite of toast into his mouth as he pushed himself up.

Grace smirked, watching as he trudged toward the door with all the enthusiasm of a man facing an early-morning lecture. He peered through the peephole, letting out a sigh before unlocking it. The door swung open, revealing Sejin and Hana, both looking infuriatingly well-rested—like they had somehow managed a full twenty hours of sleep and were now brimming with energy.

"Here I was thinking I’d have to drag you out of bed," Sejin remarked, stepping inside and gratefully accepting the cup of coffee Seokjin handed him. He sank into a chair, his sharp gaze flickering toward the remnants of breakfast.

"That’s Jungkook," Grace replied casually, popping a grape into her mouth.

Sejin huffed out a laugh, shaking his head as he reached for a pastry. "That boy will never change."

"Wouldn't bet on it," Seokjin added, smirking as he took a sip of his coffee.

Hana, meanwhile, helped herself to tea and a slice of toast, settling into the seat across from Grace. The conversation drifted into easy banter—Jungkook’s late-night habits, his uncanny ability to function on minimal sleep, and the ongoing mystery of whether he’d ever develop a normal morning routine.

After a few minutes of lighthearted chatter, Grace leaned back against the back of the couch, crossing her legs. "Any updates?"

Sejin glanced at Hana, who was already checking her phone, her screen illuminated with the latest messages from the crew’s group chat.

"Everything is on track," Hana confirmed, scrolling through the updates. "Olivier’s dress is due to arrive at the hotel within the hour, so we’ll bring it with us to the arena." She looked up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "The lighting team did a final run-through last night, and the soundcheck is set for noon. No major issues so far."

“Sounds like Paris is ready for us then,” Grace sighed and downed the rest of her tea. 

They departed just after noon, the four of them piled into a sleek black car while their team of bodyguards followed closely behind in a separate vehicle. The drive from the Ritz to the Accor Arena was supposed to be around thirty minutes, but Paris traffic had other plans. The streets were alive with the midday rush—tourists wandering along the sidewalks, cyclists weaving between lanes, and the occasional honk of impatient drivers as they inched forward at a crawl.

Grace leaned against the car window, watching the city blur past in slow motion. The Seine shimmered under the pale winter sun, its waters reflecting the muted hues of the buildings that lined its banks. She loved moments like these—quiet, fleeting pockets of time where she could simply exist without the weight of expectation pressing down on her shoulders.

Seokjin, ever the opportunist, snapped a quick photo of her before she even realized, the soft lighting catching the contemplative expression on her face. Within seconds, he had posted it to his personal Instagram with a caption that read: See you soon, Paris!

The notification pinged on her phone at the same time Seokjin let out a small laugh, clearly pleased with himself.

Grace turned to him, unimpressed. "Really?"

"Really," he replied smugly, holding his phone just out of her reach when she made a half-hearted attempt to grab it.

A smack to his arm was all the retaliation she could muster, but it didn’t matter—her mentions were already flooded. The public was eating up every behind-the-scenes moment, loving that Seokjin had decided to follow the European leg of the tour, even if only for a while. His presence added a new layer of excitement, a glimpse into something more personal amidst the grandeur of it all.

The further they drove, the more Paris shifted from old-world grandeur to sleek modernity. The historic architecture gave way to towering glass buildings, bustling avenues, and the unmistakable pulse of a global metropolis. Soon, the Accor Arena loomed ahead, its massive structure welcoming them in.

As they followed the road around to the underground parking entrance, security was already in position, checking credentials and scanning vehicles. The car slowed to a stop as a guard approached, peering through the tinted window.

“Grace Chu,” Sejin said smoothly, producing the necessary passes and paperwork.

After a quick inspection, the guard nodded and waved them through, along with the van behind them carrying their team of bodyguards.

The moment they entered the underground lot, the energy of the production hit them full force. The space was a hive of activity—trucks offloading equipment, crates stacked high with costumes, and massive flight cases containing stage elements being wheeled down corridors. Crew members zipped past, earpieces crackling as they gave rapid-fire instructions, their hands gesturing in sharp, precise movements.

To an outsider, it might have looked like barely contained chaos, but Grace knew better. Every person here had a role, every movement had a purpose. It was controlled madness, a well-oiled machine operating at full speed.

Seokjin let out a low whistle as he took it all in. "I’ll never get over how intense these setups are."

"You should’ve seen it in New York," Hana commented, checking her phone for the latest production updates. "That was next-level insanity."

Grace simply smiled. This was her world—fast-paced, meticulous, and endlessly demanding. And she wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The car eased into a designated parking spot, and before the engine had fully shut off, a production assistant was already jogging toward them, headset in place and clipboard in hand.

“Grace, Sejin—welcome back,” she greeted, slightly breathless but composed. “We’re on schedule so far. The first stage check is happening now, and sound engineers are ready for your mic test in twenty.”

Grace nodded as she stepped out of the car, adjusting the sleeves of her hoodie. The underground parking lot was buzzing with activity, but she moved through it with the quiet confidence of someone who had done this countless times before.

Seokjin emerged behind her, taking in the scene with an amused expression. “I feel like I should be carrying something to blend in.”

Hana, still scanning her messages, smirked. “You can be the drinks carrier.”

They were led through the winding hallways of the arena, past stacks of flight cases labelled with equipment details, racks of stage costumes, and the faint hum of sound tests happening in the distance. The deeper they went, the more the familiar pre-show energy settled in—the adrenaline, the anticipation, the quiet but focused urgency that came with a performance of this scale.

Finally, they reached the main stage entrance, where the floor crew was making their final checks. Grace stepped out onto the stage, the vast, empty arena stretching before her like a waiting canvas. Even now, with the seats unoccupied and the lighting not yet fully adjusted, the space felt electric.

Seokjin whistled under his breath as he followed her out. “That’s a view.”

Grace took a deep breath, letting the magnitude of it sink in. The calm before the storm. In a few hours, this place would be filled with thousands of voices, with flashing lights, with the sheer, overwhelming energy of a live audience. But right now, it was just her, the stage, and the weight of what was to come.

“Alright,” Sejin said, snapping her back to reality. “Mic test first, then cherography run-through. We’ve got a long afternoon ahead of us.”

Grace rolled her shoulders, shaking off any lingering stiffness. “Let’s do this.”

She stepped forward, ready to lose herself in the rhythm of rehearsal, knowing that soon, the silence would be replaced by the roar of Paris. The moment Grace stepped up to the mic stand at centre stage, a crew member rushed over, handing her in-ear monitors. She slid them in, adjusting them as the sound engineer’s voice crackled through the frequency.

“Grace, let me know when you're ready for a level check.”

She gave a thumbs-up, tapping the mic twice before speaking. “Testing—one, two.”

Her voice echoed slightly in the cavernous space before the engineer adjusted the levels, bringing everything into balance. The arena’s state-of-the-art sound system kicked in, filling the emptiness with warmth.

“Levels are good. Give us a few lines when you’re ready.”

Grace exhaled slowly before letting her voice carry through the venue, smooth and effortless. The notes lingered in the air, resonating even in the vacant seats. Seokjin, watching from the side, grinned.

The dance team, some of the same dancers who had followed BTS from early on in their career and some of them were new, bowed to Seokjin as they passed and made their way to the stage. Seven females, and seven males, all ready to start rehearsals for the opening number of 7 Rings. They would run through the first three opening songs, getting back into the swing of things and making adjustments for the dancers to get a feel of the stage. 

An hour turned into two, and then a ten-minute break turned into fifteen which allowed for the live band to get their equipment on stage for the final full run-through of everything. 

She sat on the edge of the stage, stretching her legs as she sipped her water. Seokjin joined her, handing her a small towel.

"You looked good out there," he said, nudging her shoulder.

She smiled, dabbing the sweat off her forehead. "It felt good. Just a few tweaks to transitions, but otherwise, we're solid."

Before Seokjin could reply, Hana appeared beside them, phone in hand. "Band is set up and ready when you are. Soundcheck will run straight into the live run-through."

Grace exhaled, standing up with the help of Seokjin and shaking out her arms. "Let's go, then."

As she walked back toward centre stage, the energy in the arena shifted. The live band, stationed behind her, adjusted their instruments, waiting for the cue. Her musical director gave her a nod from the side.

"Starting with the opening number," the sound engineer’s voice came through her in-ear monitors. "Whenever you're ready."

Grace positioned herself in front of the mic stand, rolling her shoulders one last time. Then, with a deep breath, she gave the signal.

The first notes rang out, filling the empty space with a rich, full sound. The band was tight, each instrument blending seamlessly as the stage lights flickered to life in testing mode. Grace stepped into her first verse, letting the music take over, her voice soaring through the cavernous arena.

This was it. The final step before the real thing.

Seokjin, watching from the wings, felt a familiar mix of awe and pride. He had always known how talented she was, but watching her command a stage—even in an empty arena—was something else entirely. She was made for this.

The run-through continued seamlessly, each song flowing into the next. Adjustments were made on the fly—small tweaks to lighting, minor audio level shifts—but overall, everything was coming together.

By the time the last song wrapped up, Grace was breathless but satisfied.

"That's a wrap for now," Sejin announced. "We’ll go over last-minute notes, then it's dinner and rest before the real thing tomorrow."

Grace pulled out her in-ears, giving the band a grateful bow before stepping offstage. 

Seokjin was already waiting with a bottle of water, which she accepted with a grateful sigh.

"You happy with everything?" he asked.

She took a long sip before answering. "Yeah. It’s going to be a good show."

Seokjin grinned. "Of course it is. It's you."

Grace chuckled, nudging him lightly even as he wrapped his arms around her waist, matching her footsteps with his as they essentially waddled out together with Sejin and Hana and their team following. Tomorrow, the arena would be filled with thousands of voices, lights, and pure energy. But for now, she was content in the quiet after the storm.

Tomorrow, Paris would see the full Grace Chu effect. 

[bangtanhoneys]

Bangtan Baby: The New Arrival

They were told labour could take anywhere from eight hours to nineteen when it came to the first child. It was going to be a long and painful process, where all you could do was wait and breathe and push when the time came to it. Grace’s mother took twelve hours to deliver Grace, and Seokjin’s mother took twenty hours. Either way, it was going to take a bit of time. 

Grace had been in labour for 48 hours before the doctor delivered the news she could start pushing and by that point, all she wanted to do was sleep and eat. The no eating was the hardest because she really wanted a greasy cheeseburger with extra pickles, curly fries that were covered in cheese and a big cup of fizzy cola. Throughout her whole pregnancy, she had been careful with what she had eaten though being on the road with a long tour meant homecooked meals were out of the question. 

But it was all worth it. 

The delivery room was quiet now, the midwife in charge had done her final pieces of paperwork and clean up and checks and left the new family to it. The last fifty hours had nothing but machine beeps, the door being constantly opened with nurses and doctors and family, sounds of life going on outside and then the sounds of a baby being born. 

Tired eyes glanced over to the large windows where Seokjin was cradling his first child close to his chest, pointing to the world that knew nothing of the important arrival. Life went on in Seoul, though the most important people had been on call and waiting. Six men had been by their phones in the midst of practice, waiting for the news that would make them drop everything. Bang PD had also been asking for regular updates and the grandparents had been in and out of the delivery suite all day. 

Grace’s mother had been by her side as had Seokjin, the two never leaving and taking it in turns to stay up with Grace during her contractions. They two had worked well as a team of constant support - breathing, massages, walking Grace around to help get those contractions going, lifting legs, helping to make trips to the bathroom. 

Now the grandparents were off for some well earned rest.

“How you feeling?”

Grace focused her eyes and it took her moment to answer, letting out a large yawn instead. “Tired, very sore. But happy.”

“I bet. That was probably worse than one of Hobi’s dance practices,” Seokjin commented. The baby in his arms fussed for a second and he paused, holding his breath until he and the baby relaxed. 

“See, knew you’d be a natural,” grinned Grace as she shifted in the bed. She couldn’t wait for a hot bath and a hair wash and that greasy burger. 

“I haven’t tried doing the nappies yet,” the new father sighed and sat down in the chair next to Grace who laughed softly and closed her eyes. “Why don’t you get some sleep? Me and the munchkin will be alright.”

“Muchkin? Nicknames already?” Her eyes were closed but she was still awake, grinning at the thought. 

“I’m working on it,” Seokjin shrugged. “I’m not letting Jungkook beat me to it.”

“Uncle Kookie,” Grace muttered under her breath and Seokjin knew she was starting to fall asleep.

“Hmm, she’s certainly going to have her hands full with uncles and saying their names.” Of course, the baby in his arms didn’t care that she had six famous uncles, a famous father and a famous mother. Right now, baby was content to sleep in her father’s arms, completely unaware of what was going to be awaiting her when she woke up. 

But she was finally here and Jin sighed happily, breathing in that new baby smell. His daughter was all his now and he’d be there every step of the way to introduce her to this new strange world and to the ARMY who were waiting patiently for her arrival. 

The perfect representation of a couple fully in love, of six uncles who already adored her and of a fanbase of whom she was named after.

[bangtanhoneys]

BANGTAN BABY MASTERLIST

Bangtan Baby 25 Prompts

25 Weeks

The New Arrival

Soompi: Jin & Grace are parents!

New Fishing Buddy

Namjoon & Bora: Sweet Alyssum

When TXT & Seventeen met Bora

Bora's First Christmas

The Kim, Chu, Jeon Household

just gimme them babies

Easter Bunny

In the Soop

30 Weeks

Maternity clothes inspiration

Bangtan Baby - written by others

Wardrobe Adventures

Go back to mainlist

[bangtanhoneys]

GRACE TOUR: March 19th 2025 - SEOUL

Gocheok Sky Dome was starting to fill up nicely. Vendors were selling the last of their merch and ARMY were getting their drinks and snacks, making their way to their seats…all 25,000. Of course, there were plenty of celebrities who had turned up for what was going to be the first night of Grace Chu’s solo tour. 

Members of Seventeen, Tomorrow By Together, XG, Black Pink, IU, CL, Ateez, Twice, Ailee, G-Dragon, Jay Park were just a few names that ARMY were whispering about when they had spotted the idols in the various VIP seats. Not only that, there were entertainers, comedians and politicians who had turned out tonight. It seemed as if half of Seoul’s idol world had turned out to see what was going to become of the In My Head Tour.

As the arena was filling up, various BTS music videos with the appropriate song were played over the speakers. With most of the members still in the military, only two members were present and they were backstage enjoying the snacks provided for the main star. 

“Did you come for the food or to support me?” Grace asked, laughing in the makeup chair as she watched Seokjin fill up his plate with traditional British food. J-Hope was next to him, doing exactly the same but on a smaller plate. It was a nice distraction from the nerves that were swirling in her stomach as updates came in from Sejin about the arena capacity and who he had spotted in the audience. 

“Both!” the two men said as they sat down at the small table provided. 

She rolled her eyes and tried not to move again as the make up artist applied the make up, not a lot but enough to do give her the look she was going for. Her newly dyed blonde hair had been styled down into loose waves but pushed away from her face so it wouldn’t get in the way of anything. 

The dancers, fourteen males and seven women, were in their respective rooms getting ready as well. The noise from them was enough to drown out the noise from the crowd above, singing along to the music being provided. 

“Here she is!”

Grace glanced over, seeing Bang PD arrive with Sejin and Hobeom, all with flowers in their hands. 

“I didn’t know you were coming,” she grinned as the make-up artist paused and allowed her to jump off the chair to go hug her favourite men. 

“Of course! I’ve got a box with the two hungry men over there and a few others,” her CEO nodded in the direction of the BTS members who were currently resembling their BT21 characters with how stuffed their cheeks were. 

“One hour call,” the stage manager announced from the door. 

“You finish getting ready, boys finish that up and I’ll meet you upstairs.”

It wasn’t hard to ignore the noise that suddenly erupted from the seats as the VCR started playing as Grace crouched on the lift, letting out a deep breath as she held onto her mic tight. Her female dancers were spread onto two other lifts, all looking excited and nervous but ready to go. 

The moment 7 Rings began to play, Grace was lifted to the stage.

The roar from the crowd almost drowned out the music in her ears and from the band behind. ARMY had been waiting years for Grace to show off the skills they knew she had for a solo stage and for a solo concert. The hype around this tour had been immense, with international news also picking up on what was expected to be one of the highest grossing tours. 

From her view, Grace could see the ARMY bombs light up purple in tandem with the beat of the music and all worries and fears went out the window when she could hear them singing back to her. This was (mostly) a Korean crowd, singing in English, back to her. 

The dancers moved easily with her, especially the seven male dancers who moved past the female dancers as they had been practising for over a year. It felt complete to dance with seven dancers, making her feel like she was back with the boys again and each male dancer had been, jokingly, given their BTS equivalent. 

The worries about hitting the high notes and making sure she breathed easy felt stupid now. They flowed out with ease and while she was sure it wasn’t going to be like this for every tour, it gave her the confidence as the music and lights and VCR slipped into In My Head. 

The song choice was met with another roar of approval from the crowd as Grace moved down the stage to the start of the thrust stage where one dancer, given the nickname Jimin was waiting for her and another nicknamed Tae was waiting further down to join them. 

By the time they got to the next costume change, Grace was on cloud nine. 

Of course, they didn’t expect her to bring Butter to the stage. 

Nor did they expect her to sing everyone’s lines perfectly, stay in the centre of the formation and deliver the song perfectly.

From the VIP section, Seokjin was recording the Butter performance to send to the boys while everyone in their box sang along to the lyrics. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as Hobi narrowed his eyes when the dance break came and remained like that until it was finished and the final verse was being sung.

“Perfect as always,” Hobi yelled over the sound of the music, giving a thumbs up to the camera with the big screen in the background as Grace rapped ‘ice on my wrist I’m the nice guy.’ Seokjin laughed and zoomed in, as the dancers formed their ARMY sign with Grace at the end, throwing a finger heart to the camera. 

By the time the concert was over, ARMY had been left on the biggest high. It had been awhile since they could sing and dance along to BTS’ songs in a concert environment and Seokjin could hear them as they began to leave once the lights came on and staff were directing them on where to go. 

Backstage, Grace found herself covered in the arms of her parents. 

“We’re so proud,” her mother cried as her father patted her head. 

“Mum, let me go, I’ve got to get this makeup off,” Grace laughed but hugged her back all the same as she watched her father then shake and hug all the dancers as they headed towards their respective changing rooms. 

Everyone was happy, content and more than made up that the first concert had been a success. The noise down the corridor from stage hands, HYBE management, staff, make-up artists and the like was louder than the ARMY’s singing as they left. 

“Ah who needs BTS when we’ve got Grace Chu,” Hobi laughed as he entered the dressing room, arms wide open which Grace all but bounced into. 

“Did I do okay? Are you happy?” she asked her dance captain, who threw his arms around her and spun her around the room.

“Happy? He was crying at one point,” Seokjin mentioned as he was followed by Bang PD, IU, CL and even Tomorrow by Together. 

By the end of the night and by the time Grace got home, social media had exploded with the news. 

Grace Chu had been turned into a solo megastar. 

[bangtanhoneys]

Grace Era - Birthday Live

The moment BigHit teased the random dates under the ChuGrace hashtag, everyone was excited to see what was coming. Many had speculated this would be Grace’s comeback or at least a solo debut while others suspected it might be something to do with modelling or maybe even acting. No one had given any clues out and all social media had remained silent, though a countdown video had appeared on BigHit’s website and Twitter after a post was made with the date of Grace’s birthday and a time. 

Many news outlets and websites had taken to sharing the news, including various other idols such as IU and CL who were excited for their close friend to be finally debuting as a solo artist while representing the biggest band on earth. Twitter saw Grace’s name trending for at least a week with many questioning what could be happening. 

The one date everyone agreed on was May 14th, Grace’s birthday. Without fail, there would be some kind of social media post or weverse live from Grace to celebrate her birthday - sometimes with the members, sometimes on her own, sometimes even during a concert. But ARMY was always included and they hoped this year would be no different. It would be Grace’s first birthday since everyone’s enlistment, a fact that didn’t escape other news outlets when they mentioned the countdown. 

DISPATCH were tasked to keep an eye on the Hybe building to see if Grace was spotted coming and going but there was nothing to report. The only thing that came out of it was bunches of flowers appearing from different florists across Seoul. A picture of someone carrying a bouquet made up of Lily-of-the-valley and white roses was posted to their website, zooming in on the card which had Grace’s Korean name on it. 

Another picture of massive pink balloons were seen as well, a rumour going around that it had ‘it’s a girl’ printed on a couple of balloons had sent the social media world into a frenzy. However, BigHit had remained silent and no statement had been released to clear anything up or to even expand on what was happening. 

The premiere of the Weverse Live was reaching over two million people who were simply waiting for Grace to appear. It had been live since 9pm that evening with a few thousand waiting and the closer it got to the time, the more were joining. The woman in question was sitting in a studio filled with people, from Hitman Bang, PDogg, Sejin, assistants and even her parents were there behind the camera that was pointed towards a table. Behind the table was a purple background with GRACE in big balloons, posters with handwritten notes from staff and a birthday cake at the side ready to be eaten. 

She was nervous since this would be the day where she couldn’t stay hidden. Grace had kept herself in a little bubble, only appearing when she needed to and then staying behind closed doors. Visiting the other members, popping in to say hello to Seventeen and TXT, going to their concerts, visiting IU and CL, attending other concerts in secret, recording, modelling, signing contracts…it was ongoing even if it wasn’t in front of the cameras. She simply hadn’t stopped, especially when the tour had been confirmed with all the stadiums, dancers, choreographers, production, Disney+ and more. 

It was a huge undertaking on her own and while she had the boys' support via her phone, no one was physically there now to simply give her a pat on the back and say ‘You’ve got this.’ Though Sejin had simply stepped into that role and acted like her father, collecting her in the morning to take her breakfast, staying with her for her whole schedule, lunch then dinner and making sure she got home at a decent time. 

He even took over the role of looking after the cat, Min-ji. Speaking of said pet, he was content to spread himself over Hitman Bang’s lap in a small collar. It wasn’t odd to find the long, white and hairy cat walking around the set or the studio like he owned the place. He had become a favourite amongst the staff. 

Taking a deep breath, Grace glanced over to the screen as the countdown started to dwindle into single figures. Her eyes darted to her parents, to her father, who gave her a big thumbs up and a nod to say ‘you’ve got this.’

5 4 3 2 1

ARMY saw the screen switch from black to Grace sitting in front of them, securing a small but funny birthday hat to her head. Of course, the chat was spammed with ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ messages to the point where Grace couldn’t keep up and the staff moderating the chat couldn’t control it either.

“Thank you ARMY for all the birthday wishes! It’s currently 12 am here in Seoul, so it's currently 3pm in the UK which won’t be celebrating my birthday just yet. I’m 34 years old,” Grace paused and sighed. “That makes me sound so old. 34 years on this planet, I’m getting even closer to 40 and that’s just a very odd thought. But thank you so much for all your messages, I can’t see them all since they're going so fast and there’s so many people. Five million? Wow, thank you everyone.”

She pulled the birthday cake in front of her, specially made by her mother which she told the viewers. The candle was lit for her and ARMY could hear people in the background singing Happy Birthday to Grace who closed her eyes for a moment, stayed there for a second then blew out the candle.

“If you’re wondering who you keep hearing, there’s a lot of special people behind the camera right now,” Grace grinned as she handed the cake to the staff member to cut up for everyone then pulled off the birthday hat. “No it’s not the boys but their very important people. My parents are here as well.”

She paused to read some of the messages, a couple catching her eye which made her chuckle. “I’ve been teasing you? Have I really? Well there’s a good reason for that, which I will be revealing shortly for you all. I know the world has been waiting to see what the news will be and I even saw a DISPATCH report that said I was pregnant because they saw ‘it’s a girl’ balloons arriving at the building. I will quickly clear that up before it goes anything further - that’s for one of the staff members who recently found out she’s having a baby girl. Nothing to do with me.”

She kept the talk light, referencing various questions from the chat and ARMY was delighted when Min-Ji made his way over, jumping into Grace’s lap and resting his upper body across the table. “Min-Ji is here to help me tell you the news,” she laughed as she reached over to give his ears a good scratch.

“Okay, I’ve left this for as long as I can. So ARMY, even though it’s my birthday today, I wanted to give you a present. You’ve been waiting patiently for a very long time and even though I’ve always said something was coming, I’ve never been able to tell you everything until now,” she paused and glanced towards Hitman Bang behind the camera who stood and nodded, ready to jump in if he needed to. 

“Dangerous Woman was my first mixtape that I did with Hitman Bang, PDogg, Yoongi and Namjoon and I always wanted to create a sequel to Dangerous Woman but unfortunately never fully had the chance because obviously BTS became busier than normal and other things took precedence which I didn’t mind. Now, I’m on my own and the boys are in the military, I think it’s time I kept my promise to myself,” Grace started and went silent, causing ARMY’s to explode the chat with questions.

“Coming soon, there will be a new album.”

The Weverse stopped working for a full few minutes as the team quickly worked to get it back up and Grace was laughing when she came back in view, realising the news had caused ARMY to overwork the servers. Even social media was struggling to keep up with the news as Sejin saw the headlines already being spread across the various news outlets in Korea. 

“Not only that, the new album will have Dangerous Woman as its first CD but you’re getting a new CD with full new tracks. I’ve had them ready for a little while but I wanted to make sure I was happy with it all and that it was something I was ready to show ARMY and the world so I can’t wait for you all to enjoy the album,” she finished but she knew the next piece of news was going to send ARMY into a right tizzy.

“But I’m not only giving you a new album,” she paused and looked straight at the camera, a grin on her face. “I’m also going on tour. So wherever you are in the world, keep an eye out as dates will be announced soon and I can’t wait to see you all again. I knew if Yoongi could do it, I could as well though I think I can go a bit harder than he can so I need you all to hype me up as much as you can.”

The comments were going too fast for her to see and even Sejin couldn’t keep up with what was happening on his phone, messages coming in from various people over whether the news was true or not. Celebrities had even taken to their own social media to wish Grace a happy birthday but to include congratulatory messages over the new album and tour announcement. 

TXT had taken to their own social media accounts to post the news, wishing their noona a happy birthday and that they couldn’t wait to see her in concert. Seventeen soon followed as well as Twice and (G)I-DLE, then IU, Jessi, Epik High, Taehyung’s Wooza friends and then a message on WeVerse popped up from Jin towards the end of Grace’s live. 

“To my Grace - happy birthday! I’m sorry I can’t be there with you but I’ll be back for the next one. I can’t wait for ARMY to hear your new album which I know they’ll love and I can’t wait to see their reactions to your tour. You’ve worked so hard and it’s all going to pay off when you stand on that stage. ARMY, get ready to be amazed and please support your queen in my place. I’ll be home soon. I love you.”

Grace didn’t see the message till after the live but ARMY had seen it straight away, instantly commenting on it over Jin’s words. If there was going to be anyone who would follow Jin’s words to the T, it would be their fanbase.

“You’ll be seeing me a lot more now and I can’t wait to see all your reactions when everything is posted. I hope you’ll love the album, the tour, everything and I can’t wait to see you all. So many things are going to be happening in the next few weeks so prepare yourselves, because it’s going to be a lot. Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and messages, thank you for all your support. ARMY, I love you!” With a heart over her head with her arms, Grace gave her final message and let out a sigh of relief when the camera was switched off.

The news was out, the team was in place to get started and now she could fully relax and enjoy what was to come. Grace Chu was finally coming to take over the KPop world with a bang and so much more.

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS: OT8 - This Is What You Get

It was another RUN BTS day and they had completely taken over a kitchen, separating into two groups. Grace had taken the children, as per usual, while Yoongi had taken the hyung line and each group had been tasked to recreate certain meals that you would find at expensive restaurants in Seoul. 

Lucky for Grace, the children listened to her and while two of them may not necessarily have kitchen skills, they worked diligently and precisely. Yoongi, on the other hand, had to deal with Masterchef Jin, a hapless Namjoon who caused nothing but chaos and Hobi who kept worrying about the cleanliness of the place. 

You’d be right in thinking that Grace was currently winning as they finished two out of the four dishes they had been chosen to create. 

“Ya! You can’t mix those two together.”

“Ya! You can’t slice it like that.”

Grace could see Yoongi get increasingly frustrated with his hyung much to the amusement of the maknae line who had taken one look at their older brothers and fell about laughing to themselves. 

As time went on, Grace was struggling to keep a straight face and had been caught biting on her lower lip to keep from laughing. It wasn’t until she heard Yoongi swear at Jin that she decided to step in. 

Pulling apart some lettuce, Grace made her way over to the opposing team and tapped Jin on the shoulder. He could barely get a word out before the piece of lettuce was shoved into his mouth.

“Just shut up and eat, alright? Otherwise there’s more of this coming you’re way.”

Grace squeezed Yoongi’s arm, ignored the laughter coming from the rest of the room and joined her team again. “This is what you get when you start whining,” she called over as Jin pulled out the soggy lettuce with a disgusted look on his face. 

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS: Jungkook & Grace - Hold Me

Grace hated being on standby. She wasn’t the most patient person when it came to waiting for stages to be reset, or for some changes to be made and then go again. She’d rather they keep going and going until they were all satisfied with what they were seeing on the screen. So the fact they had to wait for a reset to make some changes to lighting and whatever else was getting on her nerves a little. 

They were on the set of the last part of the Butter video and Grace stood there, arms folded over her chest and her eyes closed. It was as if she was fast asleep, standing up, ignoring the complete and utter chaos happening around her. 

Her ears picked up the sound of Jin saying something to Jungkook, who then said something to Jimin who then said something to Taehyung who then decided he was going to chase Jungkook around the stage they were on. 

One eye opened just in time for Jungkook to run straight at Grace, who uncrossed her arms just in time to be bodyslammed. 

“Everytime,” she sighed but laughed as Jungkook’s strong arms wrapped around her waist. “What are they doing now?” she asked him, brushing a lock of dyed hair away from his eyes.

“Jin-hyung started it,” Jungkook muttered against the material of Grace’s jacket, ignoring the fretting from the make up artists and stylists who were now in fixing mode. 

‘Of course,’ she thought to herself and glanced over at the man in question, glaring at him for a moment then glaring at Jimin and Taehyung who she knew were just as bad and culprits at the same time. 

It took a while to get Jungkook away and it took the leader’s solid hands for him to finally get Jungkook in place.

[bangtanhoneys]

GRACE TOUR DIARY: March 25th 2025 - Los Angeles

It was nice to spend the morning not having to rush. Grace was currently lounging in her bed in her suite, on one of the floors of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. She could already hear Sejin on the phone, hear the bustle of make-up artists and hair stylists clearing up the stations from the past few days. Her suite had become ‘Queen HQ,’ having taken on another Queen name like her team had - here talks were done about interviews, schedules checked, last-minute costume checks and the like. 

But after tonight, she would be heading on a private plane and heading to Chicago. More interviews, photoshoots, meeting some important people, her concert and then she was off to New York. It was a whirlwind of noise and lack of time - how everything was scheduled to the last minute, trying to cram as much in as possible without overdoing it.

So far, each concert had been met with amazing reviews apart from the good few who were claiming she was nothing without BTS and just another singer who thought they could pull it off. Her numbers so far were totalling 66,000 if everyone attended tonight’s concert. 

She had also seen the guest list for the VIPs tonight - Beyonce being one of them which made her stomach twist with nerves. One of the biggest artists of all time was coming to see her. The Kardashians were also in attendance, Harry Styles and the list went even longer than that. 

With a deep sigh, Grace threw back the covers and went to take her shower.

The set list ran through her head, her body doing the dance moves but smaller in the shower and she was singing along to 7 Rings as she got dressed, twisting her wet hair into a messy bun for it to be dealt with later. Her mind then went to Chicago, then New York and then she would fly back to Seoul for another important performance.

If any solo career had looked simple, Grace’s had looked complicated.

Everything planned and prepared in secret, from early 2023 right through to her birthday last year when the album had been announced, her tour announcement, the mini album and then her first tour date. Yet in between all that, she was meeting designers, doing interviews to be released later on, making plans for later on.

Always later on.

Never once interfering with her boys’ plans. 

That had been the major rule: whatever the boys wanted to do, it was going to come first. 

She had been there for nearly all of it and she had seen all the good and the bad, she had seen what worked and what kind of didn’t. She had been behind the scenes of all of Jungkook’s GOLDEN album and his promotion for it. And by the time she had been ready to put her own on display, she had a very good idea of what she knew what was going to work.

Interviews in England, rather than America as they could wait till her tour, focus on Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand even though her tour wouldn’t be going there mainly due to time. 

And cross fingers, her solo career had been somewhat of an success. 

“Morning,” she said as she went into the dining area of the suite and flicked the kettle on.

“Morning,” various voices came back to her.

“Grace, what do you think about doing a pre-recorded performance for iHeart Radio Awards?” Sejin asked, flicking through some paper while typing something on his laptop.

“Do we have time for that?” she asked, adding two sugars to her tea and a good splash of milk. “When is it?”

“Award show is on the 27th but it could be recorded while we’re in Los Angeles, we just delay heading to Chicago until the filming is done. The Grammy Museum have given us permission to use their rooftop venue as well,” Sejin read from the email and glanced over.

Grace paused. She knew it would be a good opportunity and she knew it wouldn’t have been asked of her to do it if they didn’t think it she could do it yet they only had a day to do it, even that. 

“Is it my songs or BTS?” 

“They want you do 7 Rings and then Butter,” Sejin replied.

Another pause.

“Okay, let’s do it. See if we mix the two so they can flow together - I’ll use one of the tour costumes that we haven’t used yet for the show and we just need seven dancers so see if anyone is up for doing this, the rest and the rest of the time can fly out to Chicago to get started on rehearsals. Interviews and everything else, well let’s see what time we can get out of L.A.”

She must have been mad.

By the time she got the concert venue, her mind had switched off to what else was going on and focused on the concert ahead of her. BTS and TXT songs were playing around the arena and outside where people were already waiting, hoping to catch a glance of celebrities.

A quick change into her gym clothes, Grace made her way to where they had set up a small gym area with a BANGTAN BOMB camera following her. She had a quick laugh with the camerawoman before the filming started. “So, you want to know my tips for how I can sing and dance and run all at the same time?” Grace grinned at the camera, which ‘nodded.’

“Here’s is the secret technique - pick a song that’s really going to make you sing and then get on the treadmill,” Grace said as she flicked through the music choices on her phone that was connected to the speakers. Outro: Ego started as Grace set the treadmil to a slow walk then just as Hobi started, she had broken out into a jog.

It was quite impressive to watch her sing along, all the while building up her speed until it got to the chorus where she started doing the choreography albeit not to the full extent as she was stuck on the treadmil. 

They still had a few hours left until the concert so a run through was planned, to go over niggles from the night before which was mostly blocking and making the volume loud enough for everyones in-ears.

By the time they were done and back stage getting changed, Staples Centre was open and filling up.

“Los Angeles night two - let’s go out there and show Queen B that she is amazing and we love her,” Grace said as she was surrounded by her dancers who all laughed. “Okay, just half joking. BANG,” she left it off as her dancers followed with “TAN” as they lifted their hands.

Nothing, absolutely nothing could replace hearing the crowd lose their absolute shit as the VCR played and the beginning beats of 7 Ring. Her female dancers glanced at each other then her, grinning and nodding their heads before they were lifted up. 

SO MANY ARMY BOMBS!

Even in the VIP area, she could see them and it lit up the whole crowd as the colours changed to the beat. They were constantly out, even when VCR’s played so they could do costume changes and the cheers never stopped. Neither did the singing. 

“Los Angeles, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be with you tonight,” Grace started out on the main stage, dressing in her outro gear to finish up the concert. “Thank you for being an amazing crowd, you’ve certainly outdid yourselves from last night. If you could put down your ARMY bombs for second,” Grace paused and watched with a fond smile as every single one dropped out of sight.

“How many of you out there are BTS fans?”

The whole crowd lit up again, screams were heard and then the screaming got louder the moment Dimple was played. Three male dancers joined her on stage, dressed similar to what the boys had worn and even though she was singing in Korean, she swore she could hear the crowd singing along.

By the time she got to Dangerous Woman, got to thank everyone and bow to the crowd, the screams had not stopped. They were still going as she climbed down the few steps off the stage, Sejin there with a bottle of water. 

And he did something he rarely did.

He hugged her.

“I’m very proud of you,” he said as he let her go to wrap the dressing gown around her shoulders tightly. “We all are.”

It took awhile to get back to her hotel after removing her costumes, make up and washing her hair and then getting through the traffic. The moment she got through her hotel door, staff had left her lamps on for her and on the coffee table was a large bouquet of pink roses. 

‘I’ll be seeing you soon

Jinnie x’

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS: Taehyung & Grace - Wooga

Taehyung’s birthday always came at an awkward time - right after Christmas, the day before New Year's Eve. And while they didn’t necessarily celebrate Christmas or New Year with how busy they were, a birthday was always celebrated no matter where they were. Luckily for Taehyung, he had a group of supporting friends who could celebrate his birthday at any point and they were always down to make plans at any time of day. 

As such, Grace had managed to contact one member of the Wooga squad to explain that BTS were heading to New York City for New Year's and wouldn’t be around for them to celebrate Tae’s birthday. It took a week of shifting plans and talking to management, but Grace cleared a weekend before Christmas so the boys could take Tae out for the evening. 

Tae got a message from Peakboy to be ready for 7pm, get dressed up and tell the rest of BTS that he wouldn’t be home until probably the very early hours of the morning. And Grace spotted him at the front door, eagerly waiting for the knock to come. 

Within two minutes, the knock came and the Wooga squad found themselves almost falling into the dorm after Tae pulled the front door open on them unexpectedly. 

“Taehyung, at least let them come in first before you up and leave,” Grace gently scolded from where she stood in the kitchen. And it was amusing to watch five boys including Taehyung line up in front of the kitchen counter and do some kind of greeting similar to what she and the boys did.

“Cute,” she chuckled. Even though two members of the Wooga squad were older than her and one was the same age, they acted as if they were her dongsaengs. And they were incredibly bashful upon meeting her. 

She turned her attention to Park Seo-joon, knowing he was the oldest one of the group and her elder by two years. “Seo-joon-shi, take this and make sure Tae has a good night. He’s deserved it,” she said as she pulled her black bank card from her pocket and handed it over.

“Are you sure?” he asked, trying not to show how embarassed he was by how his hand was slightly shaking. 

Grace was almost like a mythical creature to the Wooga squad as Tae talked as if she was an angel and now seeing her in person, even if she was barefaced and had her comfortable clothes on, they could believe it. 

“One hundred percent, just make sure you return that to me when you bring him home, regardless of his state.” She patted the young man on the shoulder then opened her arms for Tae to run into.

“Go and enjoy yourself and I’ll see you in the morning,” she muttered to him and gave him a quick squeeze before sending the young men on their way to enjoy the night.

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS - OT8: Conference

They were at their Map of the Soul 7 conference and Seokjin had just answered his question about his military service, causing Grace to glance at him out of the corner of her eye but made no move to comfort him or say anything in addition - after all, they had kept their relationship a complete secret from the media and ARMY alike for the past two years.

Someone in the crowd of journalists must have thought the mood needed lightening as they spoke towards Grace, who had just opened her bottle of water to take a sip. Speaking for over an hour tended to make your tongue drier than it did while you were singing.

“Miss. Chu,” the journalist started. “You’re turning 30 this year and you’ll become the eldest out of all the members of Bangtan Sonyeondan. Are you thinking at all of the future and whether you’ll be thinking of starting a family?”

As the question was read, Grace choked a little on the water she had just taken a good gulp of and hurriedly swallowed. Jimin, who sat next to her, couldn’t help but laugh to himself as he handed his older sister a napkin.

“Thank you,” she said to Jimin while dabbing at her chin then picked up the microphone to direct her gaze to the journalist. Namjoon and Yoongi already had hands around theirs, ready to spring in at any moment.

“Thank you for reminding me I’m turning 30,” she sighed as the rest of the room laughed. “At this moment in time, I have no plans to start a family. I already look after seven boys and I have no plans of increasing that number. I hope, maybe one day that a family could be on the horizon, and that I would be lucky enough for that to happen. However, I don’t believe a woman’s age or status dictates when she should do anything - I’m enjoying life as a billboard singer who has an amazing group of people around her and these boys mean everything. So to wrap up the answer to that question - no.”

She levelled her gaze to the journalist and rested her microphone on the table, causing Yoongi to laugh behind his hand while Jungkook mimed ‘mic drop.’

[bangtanhoneys]

BTS MOMENTS: Jin & Grace - Sugar Gliders

“What on earth are they?”

Jin looked up from where he had been feeding his sugar gliders sliced apples to see the only female member of BTS standing there with a pile of washing in her hands. 

“These are Odeng and Eomuk, my sons.”

“Your sons?” Grace asked, amused as she stepped into Yoongi’s part of the room and dumped the washing on his bed since it was his after all. “And your sons are what exactly?”

“Sugar gliders,” Jin answered as he handed one to Grace who took the animal in one hand and took a bit of apple with the other. “My parents bought them for me last week. I’m not surprised you don’t know about them, you never step a foot in here.”

“Yoongi moaned at me the last time I did that because I touched his underwear that he had left in his basket to wash so I never came back in,” she said completely distracted by the cute animal in her hand as it nibbled on the apple. “Jungkook’s been collecting the laundry instead.”

Jin laughed at that, placing Odeng in the cage while Eomuk continued to nibble on the apple, content to stay in Grace’s hands. 

“Thinking of getting a pet yourself?” he asked, wiping his hands on the paper towel.

“Nope, I have seven animals to look after already and they're pretty messy to deal with. At least their potty trained,” Grace grinned as the sugar glider finished its treat and she handed it back to its father. 

“One of us isn’t,” Jin grumbled and Grace laughed, standing up from where she was sat on Jin’s bed. “I’ll tell Namjoon you said that then.”