#i love how he'd do these things and hui would give him a look but let him get away with it anyways

[kangcurrant]

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! I can hear it even in gif form.

1-31: Happy Wooseok Day!

[jinkoh]

See you soon

Hui x female Reader

Tags: hurt/comfort, meeting again, ambiguous (hopeful) ending, college/science? au

word count: ~2,5k

a/n: Happy Hui Discharge Day ♥️ I drabbled this a while ago and thought it was good timing to post it now. (Not really proof read - sorry >_<) It's also a bit of a love confession to ptg and their friendship tbh. I hope you enjoy it~

Masterlist

When Hui first met you, he'd already accepted his scholarship to do his PhD abroad. It wasn't the kind of thing you think about for too long— being able to study at a renown university abroad AND do his PhD— that kind of chance didn't appear so easily. Of course, he'd miss his friends, but he'd only be gone for two years since he'd be able to write the last bits of his doctor's thesis from Korea.

But after meeting you, only four months before his departure, he started to question his decision. Would he have still said yes if he'd known you earlier?

You were new at the faculty, switching over from a different university in order to pursue your research further.

Hui's friend Changgu had immediately adopted you as part of the group and brought you along whenever everyone met up.

Hui wasn't sure how or why, but the two of you hit it off immediately. You just clicked from that first evening you met at the shabby bar everyone always went to. It was embarrassing to admit, but Hui still remembered the scarf you wore and the drinks you ordered, even after all this time.

He was sure there was something more between the two of you. You felt like home and comfort to him, but there was also this tension, they way your gazes lingered a little too long on each other and they way it made his heart flutter.

There was no doubt in his mind that you were feeling the same.

But he didn't make a move and neither did you, the shadow of his approaching departure looming over both of your heads.

He didn't want to leave with painful memories of breaking up, nor did he want to ruin what you had by trying out a long distance relationship. Maybe, if he'd gone to Japan or something. But he would be a continent away, a 16 hours time difference between the two of you. That couldn't work and he'd rather leave like this than to taint the beautiful memories between the two of you.

You seemed to think so too, never crossing the line even if there were a million chances to do so. It was like an unspoken rule between the two of you.

When the time came for him to depart, his friends wanted to see him off at the airport. But he declined, feeling like it would be too painful to bear.

Instead there was a small gathering the evening before he left where he said goodbye to everyone.

Well, almost everyone. He knew it wasn't very mature, but he didn't tell you the date of his departure. You came to the party thinking you had a little longer, thinking you could come to the airport and say goodbye then. Because you trusted Hui to tell you. Why wouldn't he?

The answer was easy, he was scared. The thought of saying goodbye to you was just too terrifying and painful to him.

On the day of his departure, everyone was still scattered over the shared flat, sleeping off the alcohol. Only Shinwon was awake already, since he'd volunteered to be Hui's driver. Hyunggu had also offered, but considering the amount of wine he'd consumed yesterday... Yeah, no, Shinwon was a good choice.

"You ready to go?" He asked, his voice hushed in order not to wake Wooseok who was asleep on the floor of the living room.

Hui glanced at his suitcases again and then took a last look at the flat. It'd be weird not to live here anymore.

Shinwon looked at him and shook his head in amusement. "Don't be so dramatic, it's not like you'll never come back here."

Hui shrugged. "What if you decide to give up the flat until I'm back?"

Shinwon shrugged. "Nah. Even if everyone moves out, I'm sure at least Wooseok and I will hold the fort."

Hui had to chuckle at that. He could imagine it pretty well, though it would be good if someone stuck around to do the dishes...

"Okay. Let's go then."

"You sure you don't wanna wake the others and say goodbye again?"

"Nah, it's okay. We said goodbye yesterday."

"Who said goodbye?" A sleepy voice came from the hallway, accompanied by shuffling steps. Changgu looked up at the two of them, rubbing at his eyes sleepily. "Are you leaving, hyung?"

"Yeah, it's time."

Changgu nodded slowly, before shuffling closer and hugging Hui tightly. "Take care," he mumbled. "And have a safe flight."

Changgu put so much weight on Hui's shoulder, it almost felt as if he was going to fall asleep on him.

"I will," Hui replied, hugging him back tightly before trying to pry him off, which only succeeded with Shinwon's help.

The drive to the airport went by way too fast. Hui told Shinwon he could just leave after dropping him off, but Shinwon stuck around. He said it was to help with the luggage but Hui knew him better than that. He simply didn't want to say goodbye yet. Maybe that was also the reason why he volunteered to drive in the first place.

It was almost time to say goodbye, Shinwon and him hugged around the twelth time now. Both of them had cried and maybe it would have been embarrassing in front of someone else, but they didn't worry about keeping face.

Just when Shinwon decided it was time to go for real, an angry voice sounded through the airport.

"LEE HOETAEK!"

Hui flinched and turned around to see you walking towards him with angry steps, your eyes and nose red from crying.

"Why the fuck didn't you tell me?"

Hui stared at you in confusion. "Uh, I—how?"

At that moment Changgu walked up behind her awkwardly. "Sorry, hyung, I accidentally told her..."

Both Shinwon and Changgu said goodbye (again) and left in order to give the two of you some privacy before Hui had to leave.

"Did you really think you could leave without saying goodbye?"

He shrugged, looking at the ground. "Maybe?"

"Why would you do that?!" instead of angry you sounded mostly hurt now, your voice thick with tears.

"I just- I didn't want to say goodbye." He sniffed too.

"Then let's not say goodbye. Let's just say see you soon?"

"Soon," he let out a breathy chuckle. "Sounds good."

“You have to bring back some souvenirs for me.”

“Of course.”

“I heard they have tasty chocolate over there.”

“I’ll try it.”

You wiped your eyes. "I'm really, really going to miss you," you said, stepping closer to hug him.

He was taken off guard for a moment. Sure, you had hugged before, but never like this. Not for so long, not so closely.

He hesitantly raised his arms to hug you back, wrapping you tightly in his arms. "Me too."

You stayed like this for a while, sniffing into each other's shoulders.

"You know," you mumbled after a while. "The people around us will probably think we are dating since we're making such a scene."

 "If we dated I'd say all the romantic stuff." He chuckled, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "You have to wait for me. Don't look at someone else. Don't fall for someone else." He tried to make it sound like a joke, but he felt as if his voice betrayed him.

If only he could say these things for real, if only he'd taken the leap and asked you out.

But now it was too late, that was not the kind of question you ask minutes before leaving for two whole years.

So he just laughed, sad and bitter before he raised his voice again. "Let's stay in touch, yeah?"

"Please."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

You didn't stay in touch though, and maybe both of you had known that the moment he'd turned around to go to his gate.

He wanted to text you or call you or even write you a letter. But he didn't know what to say. He knew what he wanted to say. I love you. I miss you.

But he couldn't do that so he said nothing at all.

You didn't contact him either, so any update he had about you, like how you got a job at the university's new research project, was something he'd heard from Changgu.

He was busy with his thesis, having to work day and night, but that's how he liked it. He didn't want to waste this opportunity, even more so since it felt as if he'd given up so much to be here.

It was a good way to distract himself too, thoughts of you hunting him in every calm moment.

Hui tried his best to keep himself busy, always working on something, being with someone, going somewhere. But despite his best efforts his thoughts came back to you ever so often.

He kept buying small souvenirs that reminded him of you, knowing full well he'd probably never get to give them to you. But he simply couldn't help himself.

When the time came to go back to Korea, he had mixed feelings about it. He would miss the friends he'd made in America, but even more than that he had missed his friends from Korea, had missed you.

But what if things had changed while he was gone, what if he'd come back just to see that everyone moved on without him?

There was no use thinking about it too much though. He would have to just let it happen.

Hongseok had offered to pick him up from the airport and somehow, the way he'd asked so naturally like "Hyung, when do you land? I'll pick you up." had given Hui a bit of comfort. As if even if things had changed between him and you, at least his friends were still the same.

The moment he stepped out of the door after picking up his luggage, he wasn't just greeted by Hongseok though. Instead, the whole gang was waiting there for him, holding up cheesy posters with his name and welcome home written on them. It was ridiculous and maybe someone else would have been embarrassed (well, Hyunggu clearly was) but Hui loved it. He loved it so much, it almost moved him to tears.

As he scanned over the familiar faces with a big smile, he quickly noticed that it wasn't exactly the whole gang. You weren't there. But what did he expect after two years of radio silence?

The guys had driven to the airport in two cars, since they obviously couldn't all fit into one, and somehow it warmed Hui's heart that they'd gone through the trouble for that.

Yanan, Wooseok and Yuto drove back with Shinwon while Hyunggu, Jinho, Changgu and Hui squeezed into Hongseok's car.

On the way back to flat he was quickly updated about this and that, though since he'd stayed in touch with everyone there wasn't really that much to update each other on.

It was a fun ride though and it made him feel as if he'd never been gone at all. Hyunggu connected his phone to the bluetooth speaker of the car, having Jinho immediately cringe at the music choices, while Hongseok started to sing along and Changgu just laughed at their antics.

Truly, this was what home felt like.

Things at the flat had changed a little, but just like Shinwon predicted, he was holding the fort.

Hongseok had moved in with his girlfriend by now (to no ones surprise since they'd been dating for years now) and Jinho got himself a little closer to his workplace. Changgu and Yanan had also moved out and were sharing a small apartment now.

But everyone else was still living in the flat.

"Honestly though," Hyunggu said with a roll of his eyes. "Everyone is here so much, I don't know why they even bothered to move. I think they should still pay rent."

One perk though, was that everyone had a little more space now, getting to have their own rooms instead of sharing with someone else.

Hui got used to being back really quickly. Just as Hyunggu had said, the guys were still coming around the flat a lot and he also got to see some of them at the faculty often.

The only person he hadn't seen yet was you but he felt like he couldn't ask about you either.

The souvenirs he'd bought for you were still sitting in his room, kept safe in a small box on his shelf.

Almost a month after his return, there was a small gathering from the people working at the faculty to celebrate one of his professors getting a prize for a research he'd published.

Since Hui was well liked among everyone, they also took it as a chance to celebrate his return to Korea.

Of course, you were there too.

You didn't sit next to him, but Hui couldn't stop glancing at you from time to time. You never met his gaze though.

"So, how was America?"  one of the professors asked, while pouring Hui another drink. "I'm sure you left behind a lot of broken hearts, huh?"

Hui chuckled awkwardly, finding the topic a little uncomfortable. "Ah, uhm, actually-" he started, but then he saw you getting up at the other table, excusing yourself to take a smoke.

"Sorry, if you'll excuse me for a moment," Hui quickly mumbled and went out after you.

You were leaning against the wall of the building, eyes closed.

"You don't smoke." Hui said when he stepped outside and you raised your head to look at him.

"Maybe I started." You said with a shrug. "Two years are a long time."

Somehow the thought of you changing and becoming someone else, even if it was only small aspects of you, hurt him.

"Did you?"

"...no."

He felt himself breathe out in relief before he leaned against the wall next to you.

"You didn't text me," you said after a while.

"No." Hui nibbled at his lower lip, a nervous habit he hadn't been able to shake. "You didn't either."

You let out a bitter laugh. "No, I didn't." And then, a little quieter: "But I wanted to."

Hui's head shot up at your words, looking at you with big eyes.

"Really?"

You met his gaze then, swallowing thickly before you replied. "Every day."

"Me too."

It was silent for a while, both of you unsure what to say. Maybe both of you had been idiots for not staying in touch.

But maybe it wasn't too late to pick things back up?

"So, how was it?" you eventually broke the silence.

"Well it--," Hui interrupted himself. "Do you really want to talk about that?"

You shrugged. "I don't know. But we have to start somewhere right?"

Start.

The word echoed in Hui's head like some kind of spell. Maybe the two of you really had a chance.

It didn't have to be as lovers, you didn't have to start dating.

Just the prospect of having you in his life  again was enough.

Hui smiled. "The chocolate over there tastes terrible."

Masterlist

[julyarchives]

Watch Me || (M)

→ A/n: Hui x Female Reader x Shinwon

→ Genre: Smut

→ Words:  2.8K

→ Contains: implied poly relationship; open relationship; threesome sort of; blowjob; consensual voyeurism.

→ A/n: Better late than never, here it is this 🥵🥵🥵 story heheh. Special thanks to the anon who requested it! We hope you all like it <3

It wasn't a secret that you had a crush on Hui. In fact, everyone knew this a long time ago. So when you started dating Shinwon everyone was completely shocked. Even Hui.

Before anything happened between you and Shinwon you made sure to tell him that having a crush didn't mean having feelings for someone. Hui was nice and hot, you wanted to hook up with him one day but that meant nothing when it came to loving someone and Shinwon was the one who actually stole your heart. He too was nice and hot but something about him made your insides twist and butterflies go crazy in your stomach.

Thankfully Shinwon got it, he understood that loving someone didn't make everyone else ugly and unattractive and that he too had a crush on someone else and just like you he'd hook up with them if he could. You both laughed about it and jokingly agreed on only hooking up with your crushes if the other was present. Shinwon had a blast whenever you met with his long-time friends since Hui was one of them. He'd keep teasing you even if it was for your ears only.

Hui was thrown back when you started dating Shinwon because he too knew about your crush, even if he didn't do anything about it. He wasn't a close friend but he thought you were nice and pretty as he told you once. So when he saw you with your boyfriend he was always slightly confused.

You weren't always with the boys so when you showed up it was always special. Tonight was no different. Everyone gathered to have a pre-party and get wasted before going out, so you wouldn't need to pay an absurd amount for drinks at bars. You decided to not drink that much and Shinwon followed you, only casually accepting one or two shots.

Needless to say, a couple of hours later and everyone was already pretty drunk and caught up on their own shit. You and Shinwon were lost in your little bubble. Your boyfriend was looking especially hot tonight, probably had taken his time dressing up to go out, but you just wanted to rip that pretty shirt off of him. The alcohol probably had something to do with the urge to just grab him and kiss him with all you got.

You were still in public, though probably no one was sparing a glance at you two, so you just made out lazily on the couch. The thing is that when you two start kissing, you always can’t stop yourself. Shinwon was a good kisser, and you couldn’t get enough of him. The kiss started getting hungrier, your hands messed around his hair when his’ hooked around your hips and pulled you up to straddle him. Normally, you would be embarrassed by a hot make-out session in public, but for some reason it made you feel sexier, arousal already pooling in your panties with the idea of being watched.

Shinwon himself seemed to be showing you off, grabbing your ass and slightly lifting your shirt to explore the skin on your back. He trailed wet kisses along your jaw up to your ear, nibbling the lobe and getting a breathy moan out of you. You felt his grin, knowing he was very well aware that he hit your sweet spot.

“Looks like your crush is watching us, baby” he whispered for you to hear, giggling secretly.

You turned your head just enough to see Hui on your peripheral vision, smirking at you two;

“Don’t worry, I bet he is too drunk to remember anything in half an hour like everyone else is.” you answered, biting your lip.

“I’m sober enough to hear you two, and please don’t stop because of me” you were interrupted, heart racing as soon as Hui’s voice hit your ears. His grin grew wider.

“Give him a show, baby girl” Shinwon hummed lowly and pulled you closer.

You involuntarily grinded your hips when he tightened his grip and were pleased to feel his semi-hard through the thin fabric of your shorts. He tugged on your hair, exposing your neck to him, and took his time sucking on the skin, and you were sure you would regret letting him mark you, the trouble of covering that for work on Monday would be a pain in the ass, but right now it felt too good for you to care. It was also hard to keep yourself from letting noises fall from your lips, as every touch of his sent shivers through your whole body, but you tried your hardest to make sure he was the only one to hear it.

When his lips found yours’ again, his hand went down to your ass, guiding you to grind on him again, the friction giving you some relief and this time the moan that escaped you was loud enough that you were sure Hui, who had his eyes glued on you all the time, heard it.

Shinwon noticed it too, and a chuckle vibrated on his throat.

“Look at him, just can’t help himself seeing how hot you are and how good I make you feel” he said to you.

And then you saw what he was talking about. Hui was palming the barely-visible-but-still-there tent on his jeans, eyeing up and down and biting his lips.

It took you by surprise when Shinwon took you off of him and got up, holding your hand and guiding you to the bedroom. Part of you felt a very small pinch of disappointment, wanting to show yourself off to the man you crushed. But your boyfriend was full of surprises, and one of them was when he stopped on his tracks, and looked back at Hui, enunciating:

“I’m not going to ask you twice to come with us.”

Hui lifted one eyebrow, pleasantly surprised at the proposal, but didn’t waste any time following you two.

Shinwon didn’t bother closing the door, throwing you on the bed as soon as you entered the room, making you yelp in surprise. He climbed up in between your legs, attacking your lips with determination. Your legs instinctively crossed around his hips, making him grind, and you took pleasure in the friction.

You only remembered Hui when you heard a small gasp leave him, who was watching you two while leaned against the now-closed door.

Shinwon climbed off of you and commanded you to sit in a bossy tone that had you squirming in anticipation.

“Come here, baby” he said, monitoring for you to get closer. He tugged the waistband of your shorts “you know what to do with these.”

You got up and, facing Hui, shimmied out of your bottoms, leaving the lacy underwear on. You watched his eyes travel down your body with lust as Shinwon, standing behind you, pulled your shirt off. You felt his naked torso pressed against your back while he kissed your shoulder.

His hand cupped your breasts over the bra and you didn’t miss the way Hui’s breath quickened. You closed your eyes to enjoy Shinwon’s touches, feeling like you could melt under his palms.

“kneel down for me” he whispered.

You turned around and followed his instructions as he sat on the edge of the bed, supporting himself with his hand behind him. You kneeled in between his legs and grazed your nails on his abdomen before undoing the button and unzipping his jeans. You took it off of him along the underwear, his cock springing free and bouncing against his stomach, fully hard this time.

You licked your palm, your eyes locked on his, and grabbed his member, jerking it teasingly slow, giving small licks to the tip.

“Look how hard I already am for you, baby, I don’t think we have time for teasing.” he caressed your head, taking the opportunity to hold your hair into a make-do ponytail.

“In a hurry?” you chuckled.

A hiss left his lips instead of an answer and you sucked the tip of his dick in your mouth, swirling your tongue around it and already tasting the leaking pre-cum. You knew alcohol made people hornier and therefore they lasted less than usual, so you quit the teasing before it was too much and lowered your head, trying to fit the most of his length inside.

You hollow your cheeks and sucked, your hand moving close to the base where you couldn't fit in your mouth. Shinwon moaned wantonly and warned you about not lasting longer. You'd chuckle if you could, knowing your boyfriend all too well. Bobbing your head up and down, falling into an easy rhythm, your own breath sped up at the feeling of his dick twitching inside of your mouth, your tongue tracing his veins.

The room was hot, three different labored breaths mixed together made you feel even wetter. Knowing Hui was watching you sucking Shinwon off made you moan around his dick. You couldn't see Hui but heard his intake of breath whenever Shinwon moaned a bit too needy, so you knew he was watching intently.

Shinwon came without warning, his seed sliding down your throat making you almost choke. Your boyfriend didn't relent, hips moving with your head, moaning softly at how you swallowed every drop. He was watching you closely through heavy eyes and you were loving it. Soon enough he came back from his high and you opened your mouth, showing him how you truly swallowed and he groaned.

"I think Hui is a bit neglected, baby". Shinwon spoke and you froze. "Go show him some attention".

Shinwon was spent, laying back on the bed but still watching you closely. You turned your head and stared at Hui. He was a mess, heavy breathing and palming his bulge. Upon being put on a spotlight, Hui only walked into the room, still slightly open, and stood next to Shinwon, on the side of the bed. You followed his movements and only stopped a foot away from him.

"Hi", you said, giggling like a girl with a crush, which, well, you did.

"Hey you", he said right back, hands quickly finding your waist.

"You're too clothed for her, Hui", Shinwon said from the bed and you chuckled, watching your boyfriend move on the bed to watch you two.

Hui laughed and moved to take his shirt off. You took the opportunity to get his pants open and down on the floor. After that you both moved quickly, not quite knowing who reached first but kissing hard and desperate, tongues fighting for dominance. Hui's hands expertly opened your bra and you took it off, enjoying the feeling of his hands on your breasts.

You laid on the bed on your own accord and Hui followed, breaking the kiss only to position you and himself better, laying next to Shinwon, your head close to his hand. Hui took his underwear before moving on top of you and you almost pouted. You wanted to actually see him and touch him but the alcohol and the dim lights made it all too difficult.

It was all a bit too hazy and tipsy, your bodies moving together while you kissed, his dick leaving a wet patch on your panties even though they were already soaked. It was too overwhelming and Shinwon touched your head gently, caressing the top of it before whispering something to Hui who broke the kiss to nod and take your panties off.

"Let him take care of you, babe", Shinwon spoke to you when you looked from Hui to him.

Hui stopped to touch your folds, fingers moving easily because of how slick you were. Rubbing your clit fast, Hui moved on top of you and kissed you once more. You were enjoying it too much to notice Hui aligning his dick to your entrance. When you felt it moving inside, you only felt pleasure, you were too wet and Shinwon's gentle caress on your head was keeping you grounded, just as Hui's kiss was.

When he was fully inside, he didn't waste any time and moved, a bit too sloppy for what you thought but it was perfect. You knew it was the alcohol and your body reacted in the same way, sloppily following his rhythm until both of you found a good one and it became perfect. You moved in sync with Hui and only pulled him closer, hands crawling his sides and back.

You were moaning loudly and freely, the feeling of finally having someone you were so attracted to was too much, the alcohol and Shinwon right next to you only adding fuel to the fire. Shinwon chuckled and Hui followed, a silent conversation going on above you. Suddenly you felt Shinwon moving and soon enough two of his fingers were in your open mouth. Your immediate reaction was to close your mouth around the digits and suck.

"Ah, that's it. You're being too loud, babe". Shinwon spoke and you groaned around his fingers. "Keep sucking them like that and I'll have you on your knees for me again".

You moaned as much as you could, his words making your belly heat up even more. Looking at Hui, you put on a show of sucking Shinwon's fingers as much as you could. You were still a bit loud and Hui only whispered "fuck, Shinwon, do it right", before you could barely move your mouth. Shinwon was still keeping his fingers inside your mouth but now he was pressing your tongue down, successfully quieting any loud noise you could make.

"Tsk, I tried to be nice, babe. You made me look soft in front of Hui. Can't have that".

You groaned but the sound died on Shinwon's fingers, making you groan even more, clenching at how hot this whole thing was. You were thrown to the edge when on top of all that, you watched Hui bite his lips while staring at your mouth.

"Wish I was the one doing that", Hui spoke between heavy breaths, "I bet your mouth feels so good sucking me".

It was all it took for you to explode, white lights flashing behind your eyelids and you held Hui closer than before, body trembling beneath him. Your mouth closed around Shinwon's fingers, your moans turning into gibberish and you even a bit of drool escaping because of the make-do gag.

Hui fucked you through your orgasm, moaning as his own high approached. His voice asking Shinwon to not let go of your mouth made your orgasm last more or even come back after seconds, you weren't sure. You just knew that you felt absurdly exposed and you loved it. Hui came minutes after that, emptying himself inside of you and you made a grunting noise at the feeling, not quite having the strength to moan anymore.

Hui got out of you and sat on his heels as Shinwon helped you move to snuggle him and make space for Hui to lay next to you.

"That was something else", Shinwon was the first one to say.

"Hm, it was", Hui answered, still out of breath.

"Yeah, it definitely was", you laughed, sitting up after getting seconds of rest.

"Thanks for being so cool with all this, dude", Hui said to Shinwon and he only nodded.

"In fact, this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for our trust, you know. So as long as you don't break any boundaries, we're fine", Shinwon spoke and held you closer.

"I get it. I truly do", Hui watched you and you fought back the urge to kiss him. "It is really nice, what you two have".

"Honestly, it's amazing. If it wasn't for our communication, friendship, and trust, I think Shinwon would have given up on me already", you answered, giving your boyfriend an affectionate kiss.

"I would never", Shinwon made a theatrical move of outrage and you and Hui laughed. "Nah, it's fine. Y/N had the hots for you since forever".

"Oh I know. Just never thought of hitting on her because it was clear you were into her".

"Come on, guys. Love and attraction aren't always together, you know?", you chimed in and they chuckled.

"That's obvious now to me", Hui spoke and gave a quick kiss on the forehead. "I still wanna go to the party tho, will you guys come?".

"If everyone is up, sure", Shinwon shrugged.

"Maybe we can go the three of us…?", you asked.

Hui and Shinwon watched you for a few seconds and you got a bit scared of crossing a line you shouldn't have until Shinwon kissed you on the lips and got up, holding his hand out to you. You took it as Hui got up on his own and suddenly you felt very warm.

"As friends, right?" Shinwon asked, but you could see clearly his playful manners and you laughed.

"As my boyfriend and his friend!", you answered and Hui walked past you with his clothes in hand.

"I'm clearly the boyfriend now", he said.

The three of you laughed as Shinwon ran after him in a small room, butt naked and you sat back on the bed to watch the scene roll. Having Shinwon as a boyfriend meant always getting a pleasant surprise.

[imaginariaextraordinaire]

Episode 8 is one hella packed episode and it is an absolute joy to unpack it, beginning with this:

Clever, clever idea to have Ji-Woo repeat the line that Mi-Joo just said to indicate Ji-Woo is taking charge of things as far as Assemblyman Ki is concerned. It's also a good reminder of how tone and intent can change the meaning of a sentence even if the words are exactly the same (which is why we need good translators).

Seeing Mi-Joo stride across the screen with Seon-Gyeom behind her, it struck me that we've seen a variation of this many times before, beginning with the credit titles. While Seon-Gyeom is the sprinter, the one we see constantly trying to up the pace and charge ahead is Mi-Joo. She's always intent on moving ahead faster — perhaps to outrun the past that she finally makes peace with during the marathon? — while Seon-Gyeom moves at a slower pace, disentangling himself from the constraints of his troubled past and troubling father. The only one time we see him race ahead (in episode 2), we also see him come back and slow down.

What I particularly love about Park Shi-Hyun's writing is that in addition to all the layers and complexity she's written into the scenes and characters, she's also written a very, very funny show.

Both Shin Se-Kyung and Kang Tae-Oh do such a fantastic job with both the physical humour (without being over-the-top) and the timing that's needed to play up the wit in the dialogues. Not that Siwan and Soo-Young do a bad job — the scene in which Dan-Ah proposes to Seon-Gyeom is hilarious. My favourite is still May, who is very funny throughout this episode (the shot in which we learn she sleeps with her eyes open! GOLD).

The transitions in this episode are so well written. The insights from one scene ricochet off the next. For example, Dan-Ah in the scene at the bar — where she tells the bartender she can't risk keeping the book in her own study because she can't risk people guessing she has anxieties — gives us a look at the problems of the privileged. This is followed by a scene in which Yeong-Hwa and Mi-Joo discuss student debts, which is a relatable middle-class problem. This in turn is followed by Tae-Woong saying that he takes selfies because he's addicted to the validation he gets from the likes each of those photos gets him — a Gen Z problem. And so it is that we get a spectrum of problems that people face and hide behind performative façades.

The likes that Tae-Woong talks about pop up with manic frenzy at the end of the heartbreaking scene with Dan-Ah in the parking lot, presenting the viewer with a terrible contrast — driving away from him is the love and acceptance that he yearns for from a sister who (he hopes) knows him. All he has to hold on to is the superficial attention of the love professed by a fandom that doesn't really know him at all. Soo-Young's performance is fantastic in this scene, especially when she asks in a voice tinged with desperation why Tae-Woong keeps coming back to her despite her treating him so badly. For the first time, you realise how much it takes out of her to lash out at this desperately-sad boy. "It takes effort to hate someone," Tae-Woong tells her. My heart!

Another fantastic set of transitions comes later on in the episode, when Mi-Joo and May are unwinding at the end of a long day at the film shoot.

This is such a great example of writing inter-generational female friendships. When May remembers not being paid for working overtime, it's an acknowledgement that things are better for working women (especially in film) than it was before, but as Mi-Joo's experiences show, there's still a lot to be done because women are still driven by a certain insecurity and anxiety to push themselves way too hard (as we see a sick Mi-Joo do later in the episode).

Of course a man tries to break this gathering up — because he wants to go to bed. Superb excuse, particularly because these women are talking how much they have to work — and it is deeply satisfying to watch all three of them shut him down and establish their right to unwind.

This scene of female friendship is followed by one that shows the friendship between the three runners. Then we get to see a fight scene full of male actors. The machismo of that performance is a sharp contrast to the awkward tenderness of Woo-Sik and Yeong-Il's conversation.

While on the subject of toxic masculinity, this is the episode in which we find out Dan-Ah's father forged Myeong-Min's birth certificate to make him legally older than Dan-Ah even though he's actually 10 months younger than her. All to ensure he has a male heir. It's a nice detail that Myeong-Min's mother is the one laying out the memorial service for Dan-Ah's mother because it hints at a sense of solidarity.

Also dismantling traditional notions of masculinity is Seon-Gyeom, whom we see at his most domestic as he cooks and packs meals for May and Mi-Joo, and does chores around the house once they're gone. It's very much an inversion of the standard male-female gender roles with the woman going out to work and the man as the homemaker. To underscore this point, we see Seon-Gyeom consider the leopard-print shirt (that May and Mi-Joo hang to give strangers the impression they've got an alpha in the house) for a second before putting it away.

Speaking of alphas, Mi-Joo's really got a thing for wild cats. In addition to that shirt, her blanket is also a leopard-print and when we see her calling Seon-Gyeom, she's standing in front of a painting of a tiger. All these seem to be digs at her posturing that she's strong and invulnerable and I burst out laughing when Seon-Gyeom folds the leopard-print blanket while muttering, "I'd have guessed this is hers even if she hadn't told me."

As disinterested as Seon-Gyeom may be in films, they play a big role in sustaining him emotionally. In this episode, it's the film set that helps Mi-Joo and him come together after their stupid disagreement. Equally importantly, the film set is where he gets the time and space to reconnect with his mother.

Run On has so much fun being meta with the film bits. The film shoot within a drama is indeed an old fake.

There are two film sets we see in this episode — one with Ji-Woo and the other with Mi-Joo. While Ji-Woo's set feels relaxed, the one Mi-Joo's working in is chaotic and taxing. The two women are also at different ends of the professional spectrum. Ji-Woo is a star while Mi-Joo is not just working behind the scenes, but she's come to fill in for the person who was the juniormost member of the crew.

When pointing out the main players of their film crew to Mi-Joo and May, Hui-Jin describes the cinematographer as "a bit racist, but still a gentleman". (Mi-Joo's response is superb: "Weird.") It's an interesting choice to make the cinematographer racist because that's the crew member who decides how subjects and scenes will be framed. "Racist but a gentleman" feels like a precise summary of the orientalist perspective which (aside from being overwhelmingly masculine) shows the East through stereotypes that are often superficially beautiful, but also reductive and damaging. Not surprisingly, this cinematographer is the reason Mi-Joo flounders while translating on set.

The film set is also the first time that Seon-Gyeom sees Mi-Joo's vulnerable side when she falls ill. It's such a clever choice to have Mi-Joo stop performing in a setting that's all about performances. Not only does Mi-Joo give up the alpha act when she's sick, she admits to Seon-Gyeom that when she's feeling helpless, her instinct is to resort to a performative lie — calling out for mom because that's what she saw other kids do as a child in a sick ward (imagine how isolated and neglected she must have felt to do this. Also, she's felt this way so many times that this performance has become second nature to her).

The anecdote suggests Mi-Joo's mulish championing of her self has its roots in past incidents when she tried to fit and either failed or was rejected. And yet, for all her strength and confidence, she's chasing phantoms and has been doing so since she was a little girl. All because she was alone and didn't have anyone she could reach out to for help. Which is why what Seon-Gyeom tells her at the end of the episode is so relevant. He helps her to reorient.

To which Mi-Joo, bless her leopard-print-loving heart, responds with

But my favourite part of this episode is the conversation that Ji-Woo has with Seon-Gyeom when he visits her set. First of all, Ji-Woo is playing a "vegan murderer", which is brilliant as ideas go and it's adorable how delighted she is about her violent roles.

I love how Run On doesn't punish Ji-Woo for sacrificing her family life for her work. Instead, it holds out the possibility that it is ok if you have that imbalance. In this scene, we see Ji-Woo's family reforming at the film set with Eun-Bi sending the coffee truck and Seon-Gyeom showing up just because Ji-Woo asked him to be there.

The mother-son conversation gives us a glimpse of Seon-Gyeom's bleak childhood and we learn that everything Seon-Gyeom did for his father was actually him doing what his mother had asked him to do. It comes as a surprise to Seon-Gyeom that his mother has noticed what he's suffered and that she understands how he'd hoped silently suffering would keep the family together. It's almost as though he's feeling seen for the first time.

Much like Dan-Ah, Ji-Woo may seem self-centred because of her ambitiousness, but she does notice what's happening beyond the obvious, especially when it comes to people she cares about. Both women are up against the worst of patriarchy. Also, I love that when she's talking about motherhood, Ji-Woo is blood-spattered — after all, being a working woman and a mother in a patriarchal is nothing short of fighting a war.

In previous episodes, it seemed as though Ji-Woo was the 'bad' (or at least not ideal) mother while Director Dong was the ideal, modern mother. Yet in comparison to how Director Dong later reacts to her son coming out, you can't help but feel Ji-Woo, with her unconditional support for her kids, might just be the better parent. What is great about Run On though is that that the script doesn't pit the two older women against each other as competing examples of motherhood or femininity. The point is that everyone's struggling, making mistakes and trying to learn from them. Ji-Woo is doing that and so will Director Dong eventually.

Love that the scene ends with Seon-Gyeom effectively declaring himself his mother's son. Take that, patriarchy.

[jinkoh]

Pentagon - Saying "I love you"

SFW; Warnings: none;gender-neutral reader

Headcanons about how and when the members would say the three words to their s/o~

Masterlist

Jinho

doesn't say it until you've been dating for a while

might say it first because he likes to see you flustered

would say it in a warm and quiet moment

would laugh if he catches you off guard and you're all red and shy and wide-eyed

but would still make sure that you know he means it

Hui

says it early

he has so much love to give I don't think he can hold back for long

he'd say it softly, mayber after kissing you, while looking at you with his sparkly boba eyes 🥺

would probably say it first, but if you say it first he'd be moved to tears

Hongseok

doesn't say it early but also doesn't wait that long

would say it first if he feels confident that you feel the same

he'd tell you with a soft smile, cupping your face

will say it a lot after that first time so get ready to receive a lot of love

Shinwon

won't say it first

probably even struggles to say it back if you say it first

he'd just be really caught off guard, staring at you with wide eyes, unsure how to react

i am so sorry but he might say "thanks"

he's okay with saying it in casual settings, like maybe you bought fries for him and he'll be like "omg, i love you" without even really noticing what he said

if he does say it seriously in a romantic setting he will not be able to resist the urge to ruin the moment afterwards by saying something like "ew cringe"

he loves you though, I promise

Changgu

doesn't mind saying it first, and might say it rather early

if it feels right, it feels right, you know?

would probably say it after seeing you laugh or smile, because it's the most gorgeous thing in the world to him

he'd tell you happily, with a smile on his face

would literally beam if you say it back

Yanan

doesn't say it first

would blush like crazy when you tell him

but he'd say it back after overcoming the initial shock

he'd say it in a tiny voice, with pulled up shoulders

has a shy smile on his face and looks up at you through his lashes

would be really happy seeing you happy about it

surely he brings out his actor smile and timidly opens his arms for a hug

Yuto

honestly he might say it first

but only if he feels very safe and comfortable with you

would say it in a really calm moment, probably not anything super special

maybe the two of you were laying in bed together or cuddling on the couch, not even talking and just enjoying the other's presence

and then he'd say it with a small smile and the warmest eyes

wouldn't be able to hold back his happiness if you said it back

Kino

he's okay with saying it first

similarly to Jinho he'd love to see you all flustered about it

tells you how cute you are with your cheeks flushed red

he'd be pretty confident that you feel the same way, so he wouldn't look nervous saying it

instead he'd be wearing a charming smile, not shy to make eye contact

has a shit-eating grin on his face when you say it back

but would reassure you that he's serious if you get pouty about it

Wooseok

i don't think he says it first and if he does he might blurt it out on accident

turns quiet and flustered after realizing what he just said

tries to laugh it off and play it cool but fails miserably

looks at the ground and fumbles at the hem of his shirt while saying something like "haha, can't believe I just said that, was totally not my intention haha"

but then he looks up at you with anxious eyes, hoping that you'll say it back

he'll be all giddy if you do 🥺

Masterlist