Seoul Dance
Title: Seoul Dance
Pairing: Hyukhae, mention of others
Genre: genfic?
Rating: PG
Summary: Seoul is a place where you get to meet wonderful new people.
A/N: inspired by the Seoul Song MV by Super Junior and SNSD. Hyuk only got like 2 seconds in the entire thing! So I incorporated him into the story-lines in the MV. Not very well-written, imo :(
Seoul Dance
Seoul is the city of opportunities. It’s what Donghae’s been taught to believe, ever since he was a child in elementary school. And that’s why the Mokpo boy travels all the way to that city to fulfil his dreams of dancing.
He is stunned by the beauty of it - the streets full of aspiring artists, the shops full of brands he’s never seen before, the impressive bridge by the river, and the busy people walking around everywhere like they all have a place to be in the city.
He grins as he picks up his pace. Seoul is a place where he can begin dreaming again, meet wonderful new people…it’s a place he falls in love with at once.
--
Hyukjae hates Seoul. It’s crowded, noisy, full of things he’s seen over and over again, and it doesn’t take long to get bored of it all.
He used to think that Seoul was where he’d start living the life of his dreams, after being accepted into the entertainment agency as a dancing trainee.
But he was wrong, or at least he thinks so now, months later from then. Training is gruelling, food is expensive, and most of the people think that dancing is no way to get anywhere in life. The rich businessmen look at their golden watches while pushing through the streets, as if the rest of them don’t have an equal right to be there.
The glorious old palaces become nothing but tourist attractions to earn revenue for the government, as well as over-priced hanboks for sale in the shops nearby.
Dancing is the only thing that keeps him going on right now. It’s a good thing he loves it, he muses, or else he’d probably have returned to his hometown.
He used to think he’d be able to begin dreaming again and meet wonderful new people, but it doesn’t happen.
--
Donghae steps out of the little wooden street-shop, having purchased a trinket that he knows his mother will love, and nearly bumps into another young man walking down the same street.
“I’m sorry!”
The other man shakes his head and smiles happily. “Oh, it’s nothing!” He eyes Donghae’s backpack and the little shop. “Are you visiting in Seoul?”
Donghae nods. “Just arrived here this morning. Isn’t it just a lovely place?”
The other smiles widely. “I know, isn’t it? If it’s your first time here, one place I think you should go to is the Banpo Bridge over the Han River, especially at night.”
Donghae writes the name down on his hand before he forgets it. “Thanks. By the way, my name is Lee Donghae.”
The shorter man extends a hand. “I’m Kim Ryeowook. Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime. Somehow in Seoul, you end up meeting people you know everywhere.”
--
“Still taking pretty pictures, I see.”
Lee Sungmin looks up to see his friend Lee Hyukjae walking towards him. “It is my job, you know.”
Hyukjae takes the black camera from Sungmin and scrolls through the pictures. “Wow, you make Seoul look like a paradise.”
“Well, the company’s been hired to take pictures for the tourism campaign they’re planning on launching later this year. Gotta make it look good to attract the foreigners.”
Hyukjae snorts, and continues going through the pictures. He suddenly stops pressing the button, and stares at one of the photos. Sungmin peers over to see which one he’s looking at, and smiles.
“I took that without his notice. Looks like a Seoul visitor, doesn’t he?”
Hyukjae looks at the expression of wonder and excitement on the face belonging to the young man captured on the camera. It’s an expression Hyukjae wore when he first arrived in Seoul, and it feels odd to see it so wholeheartedly on the face of a person not even posing for a shot.
“A-are you going to submit this one?”
“No, that was just for fun. We aren’t allowed to submit individual shots without consent. I just thought it was nice to see someone so enthralled by his surroundings.”
It’s not just nice, Hyukjae thinks. More like beautiful.
--
Donghae takes a seat near one of the old palace walls, watching as a person in a cute costume distributes balloons to little school children.
He notices the young artist beside him making a caricature of the costumed person, and grins at how cute it is. He looks at the other works beside the man, when one catches his eye.
It’s a sketch of a young man, obviously dancing, from his posture, with a look of mixed concentration and delight captured by the artist’s skilful pencil. Donghae breathes in wonder at the sharp jawline and large eyes of the dancer.
The artist looks up at him, and follows his gaze to the picture. “That’s not really for sale, sir.”
Donghae turns to him in surprise. “You don’t sell your works?”
He shrugs. “I’m actually an art student. I like to practice out here because there are so many things and people to watch and draw. It’s like putting life down on paper.” He signs the caricature. Cho Kyuhyun.
Donghae points to the picture. “Was he a dancer?”
Kyuhyun tilts his head to the side and tries to recall. “Ah, he was from that group of dancers who put up a small performance here this morning. Out of all of them, he had the most interesting expression. It felt a bit like…like dancing was everything to him.”
Donghae trails a finger down the portrait, fascinated by it, and wishes he could meet the young man.
--
Hyukjae finds Sooyoung dancing her favourite ballet routine on the roof as usual. She sees him and stops, beckoning him over to join her.
“What’s up with you lately?” She quips, taking a gulp from her water bottle. “You seem a little out of it. Something bothering you?”
Hyukjae shrugs, not quite sure how to put in words how he’s feeling right now. It seems so stupid to be thinking about some stranger in a photo he’s never met before.
She senses his reluctance and gives him a strong pat on the back. “You know, whenever I’m feeling frustrated by something, I just go and dance it out. Maybe you should try it.”
“Don’t we dance every day in the training room?” He asks, with an amused smile on his lips.
She shakes her head ardently. “No, dancing there just reminds you of how much hard work you need to succeed in this rat race of life. Go out somewhere and dance. On the street, in the park… anywhere but here.”
He sighs and looks out at the scenery, a particular bridge catching his attention.
--
“Excuse me, do you know how to get to Banpo Bridge?” Donghae looks up at the kind-looking man hopefully. He would have asked the plump policeman further away, but the officer looks pretty distracted by that schoolteacher with all the kids.
The man dimples, and shows him how to get there on the map.
“Jungsu-oppa, is he coming yet?” A girl on a four-wheeler calls the man from a distance and points somewhere in the opposite direction.
Jungsu hands Donghae’s map back to him and whips out a snazzy-looking pair of binoculars. He puts them away with a wide grin and gives her a thumbs-up, and she begins cycling slowly.
“Planning to see the rainbow fountain at Banpo Bridge?” He asks Donghae, who nods happily.
“It was recommended to me by someone I met.”
Jungsu smiles at the younger man’s excitement. “There normally aren’t many cars at the lower bridge at night. If you want, it’s pretty safe to walk there and observe the fountain and lights from inside, before going out to have another look.”
Donghae’s eyes widen. “That’s a great idea! Thanks!”
They walk together along the path, when an idea occurs to Donghae. “Do you often see dance groups performing in these public places?”
Jungsu frowns in thought. “Well, not this area, I think. This is more for people getting their exercise, like jogging and cycling.” He gestures to the girl, who’s cycling next to a tall man on his daily run. “Why, are you an aspiring dancer?”
Donghae flushes slightly before nodding. “It would have been nice to meet a group of dancers, and see them perform.”
Jungsu shoves his hands into his pockets. “Well, you never know if you’ll just happen to bump into another dancer somewhere else.” He turns to Donghae and smiles. “You find all types of people in Seoul, even those who dance freestyle in public, just because they feel like it.”
--
Donghae walks along the lower bridge of Banpo Bridge, devoid of cars at this time of night, and he admires the dazzling water fountain display from within.
He puts on his headphones and turns his iPod back to his current favourite - Sorry, Sorry by Super Junior. Then, he leaps out onto the empty road and begins dancing his latest routine in wild abandon. The music pumps through his body and energises him as he twists and turns, a delighted smile on his face.
Hyukjae strolls up along the bridge, barely noticing the water display outside as he tries to clear his mind of all the jumbled thoughts he’s been having. Just as he takes out his own music player, he notices another dancing figure a way off.
Smiling to himself, he pushes in his earphones and starts his own dancing, unconsciously moving closer towards the other dancer.
It takes Donghae a while to realise he isn’t the only one dancing, and nods, impressed as he sees the other man displaying a series of moves at a more professional level than Donghae’s own.
Their eyes meet for a second, and both of them grin as they complement each other’s style, finally leaping into the air for one glorious second as the water outside splashes down into the river in a burst of colours, and they land at the same time on the ground.
Donghae drops down, panting a little from the exertion, and Hyukjae follows suit, his bangs hanging over his eyes as he wipes the sweat from his face.
“Your dancing is awesome!” Donghae claps his hands enthusiastically, and Hyukjae can’t help but smile at the sincere compliment.
“So is yours. Are you a trained dancer?”
Donghae shakes his head and takes a drink from his bottle. “I came to Seoul hoping to become a pro.”
Then Hyukjae realises that they haven’t properly greeted each other yet, even though it feels like they’ve connected through their dancing, and quickly stands up. Donghae rises as well, and they both look straight at each other.
Hyukjae breathes in sharply, recognising the dreamy face. “The guy from the photo!”
Donghae’s eyes widen as well. “The guy from the portrait!”
“It’s you!” They point at each other simultaneously, and then look equally confused at the turn of events.
Something inside Hyukjae bubbles up and he bursts into laughter, even though he doesn’t quite know why. Donghae smiles uncertainly, but finds the situation funny as well, and soon they’re both laughing like there’s no tomorrow.
Hyukjae manages to stop and extends a friendly hand. “I’m Lee Hyukjae.”
Donghae grasps it in a firm handshake. “I’m Lee Donghae.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Later as they go off for a drink as new-found friends, Hyukjae decides that despite all its flaws, Seoul is definitely a place where you get to meet wonderful new people. People like Donghae.
I appreciate all sorts of comments and constructive criticisms! :D
Pairing: Hyukhae, mention of others
Genre: genfic?
Rating: PG
Summary: Seoul is a place where you get to meet wonderful new people.
A/N: inspired by the Seoul Song MV by Super Junior and SNSD. Hyuk only got like 2 seconds in the entire thing! So I incorporated him into the story-lines in the MV. Not very well-written, imo :(
Seoul Dance
Seoul is the city of opportunities. It’s what Donghae’s been taught to believe, ever since he was a child in elementary school. And that’s why the Mokpo boy travels all the way to that city to fulfil his dreams of dancing.
He is stunned by the beauty of it - the streets full of aspiring artists, the shops full of brands he’s never seen before, the impressive bridge by the river, and the busy people walking around everywhere like they all have a place to be in the city.
He grins as he picks up his pace. Seoul is a place where he can begin dreaming again, meet wonderful new people…it’s a place he falls in love with at once.
--
Hyukjae hates Seoul. It’s crowded, noisy, full of things he’s seen over and over again, and it doesn’t take long to get bored of it all.
He used to think that Seoul was where he’d start living the life of his dreams, after being accepted into the entertainment agency as a dancing trainee.
But he was wrong, or at least he thinks so now, months later from then. Training is gruelling, food is expensive, and most of the people think that dancing is no way to get anywhere in life. The rich businessmen look at their golden watches while pushing through the streets, as if the rest of them don’t have an equal right to be there.
The glorious old palaces become nothing but tourist attractions to earn revenue for the government, as well as over-priced hanboks for sale in the shops nearby.
Dancing is the only thing that keeps him going on right now. It’s a good thing he loves it, he muses, or else he’d probably have returned to his hometown.
He used to think he’d be able to begin dreaming again and meet wonderful new people, but it doesn’t happen.
--
Donghae steps out of the little wooden street-shop, having purchased a trinket that he knows his mother will love, and nearly bumps into another young man walking down the same street.
“I’m sorry!”
The other man shakes his head and smiles happily. “Oh, it’s nothing!” He eyes Donghae’s backpack and the little shop. “Are you visiting in Seoul?”
Donghae nods. “Just arrived here this morning. Isn’t it just a lovely place?”
The other smiles widely. “I know, isn’t it? If it’s your first time here, one place I think you should go to is the Banpo Bridge over the Han River, especially at night.”
Donghae writes the name down on his hand before he forgets it. “Thanks. By the way, my name is Lee Donghae.”
The shorter man extends a hand. “I’m Kim Ryeowook. Maybe we’ll see each other again sometime. Somehow in Seoul, you end up meeting people you know everywhere.”
--
“Still taking pretty pictures, I see.”
Lee Sungmin looks up to see his friend Lee Hyukjae walking towards him. “It is my job, you know.”
Hyukjae takes the black camera from Sungmin and scrolls through the pictures. “Wow, you make Seoul look like a paradise.”
“Well, the company’s been hired to take pictures for the tourism campaign they’re planning on launching later this year. Gotta make it look good to attract the foreigners.”
Hyukjae snorts, and continues going through the pictures. He suddenly stops pressing the button, and stares at one of the photos. Sungmin peers over to see which one he’s looking at, and smiles.
“I took that without his notice. Looks like a Seoul visitor, doesn’t he?”
Hyukjae looks at the expression of wonder and excitement on the face belonging to the young man captured on the camera. It’s an expression Hyukjae wore when he first arrived in Seoul, and it feels odd to see it so wholeheartedly on the face of a person not even posing for a shot.
“A-are you going to submit this one?”
“No, that was just for fun. We aren’t allowed to submit individual shots without consent. I just thought it was nice to see someone so enthralled by his surroundings.”
It’s not just nice, Hyukjae thinks. More like beautiful.
--
Donghae takes a seat near one of the old palace walls, watching as a person in a cute costume distributes balloons to little school children.
He notices the young artist beside him making a caricature of the costumed person, and grins at how cute it is. He looks at the other works beside the man, when one catches his eye.
It’s a sketch of a young man, obviously dancing, from his posture, with a look of mixed concentration and delight captured by the artist’s skilful pencil. Donghae breathes in wonder at the sharp jawline and large eyes of the dancer.
The artist looks up at him, and follows his gaze to the picture. “That’s not really for sale, sir.”
Donghae turns to him in surprise. “You don’t sell your works?”
He shrugs. “I’m actually an art student. I like to practice out here because there are so many things and people to watch and draw. It’s like putting life down on paper.” He signs the caricature. Cho Kyuhyun.
Donghae points to the picture. “Was he a dancer?”
Kyuhyun tilts his head to the side and tries to recall. “Ah, he was from that group of dancers who put up a small performance here this morning. Out of all of them, he had the most interesting expression. It felt a bit like…like dancing was everything to him.”
Donghae trails a finger down the portrait, fascinated by it, and wishes he could meet the young man.
--
Hyukjae finds Sooyoung dancing her favourite ballet routine on the roof as usual. She sees him and stops, beckoning him over to join her.
“What’s up with you lately?” She quips, taking a gulp from her water bottle. “You seem a little out of it. Something bothering you?”
Hyukjae shrugs, not quite sure how to put in words how he’s feeling right now. It seems so stupid to be thinking about some stranger in a photo he’s never met before.
She senses his reluctance and gives him a strong pat on the back. “You know, whenever I’m feeling frustrated by something, I just go and dance it out. Maybe you should try it.”
“Don’t we dance every day in the training room?” He asks, with an amused smile on his lips.
She shakes her head ardently. “No, dancing there just reminds you of how much hard work you need to succeed in this rat race of life. Go out somewhere and dance. On the street, in the park… anywhere but here.”
He sighs and looks out at the scenery, a particular bridge catching his attention.
--
“Excuse me, do you know how to get to Banpo Bridge?” Donghae looks up at the kind-looking man hopefully. He would have asked the plump policeman further away, but the officer looks pretty distracted by that schoolteacher with all the kids.
The man dimples, and shows him how to get there on the map.
“Jungsu-oppa, is he coming yet?” A girl on a four-wheeler calls the man from a distance and points somewhere in the opposite direction.
Jungsu hands Donghae’s map back to him and whips out a snazzy-looking pair of binoculars. He puts them away with a wide grin and gives her a thumbs-up, and she begins cycling slowly.
“Planning to see the rainbow fountain at Banpo Bridge?” He asks Donghae, who nods happily.
“It was recommended to me by someone I met.”
Jungsu smiles at the younger man’s excitement. “There normally aren’t many cars at the lower bridge at night. If you want, it’s pretty safe to walk there and observe the fountain and lights from inside, before going out to have another look.”
Donghae’s eyes widen. “That’s a great idea! Thanks!”
They walk together along the path, when an idea occurs to Donghae. “Do you often see dance groups performing in these public places?”
Jungsu frowns in thought. “Well, not this area, I think. This is more for people getting their exercise, like jogging and cycling.” He gestures to the girl, who’s cycling next to a tall man on his daily run. “Why, are you an aspiring dancer?”
Donghae flushes slightly before nodding. “It would have been nice to meet a group of dancers, and see them perform.”
Jungsu shoves his hands into his pockets. “Well, you never know if you’ll just happen to bump into another dancer somewhere else.” He turns to Donghae and smiles. “You find all types of people in Seoul, even those who dance freestyle in public, just because they feel like it.”
--
Donghae walks along the lower bridge of Banpo Bridge, devoid of cars at this time of night, and he admires the dazzling water fountain display from within.
He puts on his headphones and turns his iPod back to his current favourite - Sorry, Sorry by Super Junior. Then, he leaps out onto the empty road and begins dancing his latest routine in wild abandon. The music pumps through his body and energises him as he twists and turns, a delighted smile on his face.
Hyukjae strolls up along the bridge, barely noticing the water display outside as he tries to clear his mind of all the jumbled thoughts he’s been having. Just as he takes out his own music player, he notices another dancing figure a way off.
Smiling to himself, he pushes in his earphones and starts his own dancing, unconsciously moving closer towards the other dancer.
It takes Donghae a while to realise he isn’t the only one dancing, and nods, impressed as he sees the other man displaying a series of moves at a more professional level than Donghae’s own.
Their eyes meet for a second, and both of them grin as they complement each other’s style, finally leaping into the air for one glorious second as the water outside splashes down into the river in a burst of colours, and they land at the same time on the ground.
Donghae drops down, panting a little from the exertion, and Hyukjae follows suit, his bangs hanging over his eyes as he wipes the sweat from his face.
“Your dancing is awesome!” Donghae claps his hands enthusiastically, and Hyukjae can’t help but smile at the sincere compliment.
“So is yours. Are you a trained dancer?”
Donghae shakes his head and takes a drink from his bottle. “I came to Seoul hoping to become a pro.”
Then Hyukjae realises that they haven’t properly greeted each other yet, even though it feels like they’ve connected through their dancing, and quickly stands up. Donghae rises as well, and they both look straight at each other.
Hyukjae breathes in sharply, recognising the dreamy face. “The guy from the photo!”
Donghae’s eyes widen as well. “The guy from the portrait!”
“It’s you!” They point at each other simultaneously, and then look equally confused at the turn of events.
Something inside Hyukjae bubbles up and he bursts into laughter, even though he doesn’t quite know why. Donghae smiles uncertainly, but finds the situation funny as well, and soon they’re both laughing like there’s no tomorrow.
Hyukjae manages to stop and extends a friendly hand. “I’m Lee Hyukjae.”
Donghae grasps it in a firm handshake. “I’m Lee Donghae.”
“It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Later as they go off for a drink as new-found friends, Hyukjae decides that despite all its flaws, Seoul is definitely a place where you get to meet wonderful new people. People like Donghae.
I appreciate all sorts of comments and constructive criticisms! :D