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“SEONGHWA_UPDATES: #SEONGHWA shares vlog of his vacation in Austria
⭐: “We’ve arrived guys… it's already beautiful”
👤: “I’m sooo hungry T_T”
Apparently he had someone’s company 👀”
Seonghwa stared blankly at his phone, it was definitely a mistake that the company ended up posting the vlog of their vacation; like two whole months after, considering most of the shots had Hongjoong in it, but he still refused to go through the video in case his observant ass will notice something and start overthinking.
He hears someone fiddling with the lock and the door opening. Now that Hongjoong had wrapped up that leg of tour and Seonghwa was working with more Korean brands, they went back to living together like always.
Seonghwa loved it really, every time they had to live separately for a while it never sit right with him. Not because he got sad or because he thought that his, now husband, couldn’t take care of himself, but because after so long living together, coexisting in a shared living, even when they trained together, it was already something they had accustomed to, establishing rules, traditions and habits only they would understand.
But that was all behind now, at least for the next few months before Hongjoong has to hit a plane for the next leg of the tour.
After they came back from their vacation and broke the news to their friends and family, they quickly started doing the preparations for a little ceremony. And with a not so willingly green light from their company to go ahead with the officialization, they got married right away, in Hongjoong’s next stop in the tour.
“Hwa, are you home?” he hears Hongjoong’s voice from the entrance followed by the sound of his shoes being removed.
“In the kitchen!” Seonghwa screams looking up from the opened tab with their video in it. “Hey handsome” he smiles as he sees Hongjoong enter his field of view.
“Hello, baby” Hongjoong gives his husband a quick peck before hugging him tight as if they hadn’t seen each other a few hours ago, in the morning. “Are you done with work?”
As Hongjoong sits on the other side of the kitchen counter, Seonghwa answers, “Yeah I finished everything and came home early, just to see this posted” and he shows Hongjoong their vlog posted on his personal channel, although clearly managed by his company.
“Oh God” the shorter says as he grabs the phone form Seonghwa’s hands. The taller knows his husband will insist on watching it, so he is not surprised once he hears the intro playing from the speaker of his phone.
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“This view is kind romantic, isn’t it?”, and another cut…
It had been like this the whole vlog, Seonghwa said something, and it was quickly cut to the next shot. It was to be expected really, they didn’t record their trip to be aired like that, it was just for them. But for some reason the taller’s company decided to edit it the best, or worse, they could and post it.
To say Hongjoong was mad was kind of an understatement, their whole trip was very special for them for more than one reason, and though people wouldn’t know, it was still something disturbing his husband’s peace.
Seonghwa was worried sick, thinking about if something had slipped the editors’ mind, it definitely wouldn’t go unnoticed by his fans. He was stressed because they could be aired out, yes. Not because he didn’t want to make them public, but because it was certainly not the time nor the way they planned to do it.
Fortunately, by the end of the video all they could notice was the clear presence of someone else with Seonghwa, Hongjoong’s muffled voice every once in a while, and the clear shift in environment pre and post engagement.
“They will see the massive ass ring in my ring finger just randomly appear” Seonghwa cries out as he closes the laptop in front of them.
“I don’t think that you getting engaged on a Tuesday is a theory they will end up with, baby” the shorter starts feeling Seonghwa’s back up and down through his light-weight shirt to somewhat calm him down.
“Well, not the fans, but journalists definitely will” Seonghwa says in a significantly more relaxed tone.
“It’s okay, it could be just a normal ring you just decided to wear” Hongjoong reasons.
“I hope they think that” Seonghwa gives up and decides he will leave it alone for now.
“DISPATCH NEWS: Matching rings? Idol Kim Hongjoong and Model Park Seonghwa spotted together leaving an apartment complex in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, wearing matching rings, the same one the model sports on his new vlog… have they been hiding something?”
“This is a mess” Mingi mutters from where he is sitting staring at his phone, Yunho sitting beside him to peer at the phone, both his and his not-boyfriend’s drink in hand.
“It’s bullshit, to be honest” Wooyoung declares firmly, and he feels San smack him in the arm “Why are you hitting me I’m stating facts”, the longhaired guy protests.
The internet had gone insane with their appearance coming out of their home, and the reason they were going out in the first place was nothing else than to reunite with their friends in what was supposed to be a chill hang out.
After they got to the cozy bar, Hongjoong and Seonghwa were met with the surprised eyes of their friends. They showed the couple what had just happened, and they both turned every color of the rainbow trying to process everything going on.
“Isn’t it supposed to be a gated complex Hyung?” Jongho asks in a confused voice.
“Well yeah, it must have been someone who either had the information that one of us lived there or it could have been a random person that sold those photos” Hongjoong answers, having made up the theory a few minutes back when he was pondering about the situation.
“Honestly I’m surprised your manager hasn’t called you Hwa” Yeosang says as Jongho scoots so his boyfriend can sit beside him.
“He did leave me a few messages, but I think he’s taking the situation lightly for now, maybe management haven’t informed him how to move forward” Seonghwa answers logically, “It shouldn’t be long until both of us are called in for a meeting”
“Well…” Hongjoong starts, aiming everyone to start on their drinks, “There’s nothing that can be done so let’s just move on with our reunion” he says.
“Yeah, Joong is right…please tell me how was your tour Mingi? I heard you sold out!” Seonghwa asks enthusiastically.
Despite the given circumstances, it felt really nice to hang out and chat with his friends, it had been way too long since the eight of them were together like this.
The both of them will worry about everything when required. Right now, they made sure to pay undivided attention to Mingi and his never-ending stories of the tour.
@user1111: hongjoong is gay??? i’d never guess
@starhwa: PLEASE respect Seonghwa’s privacy for God’s sake😭
@joongieeeS2: this is exactly why hongjoong keeps his private life private, can’t believe y’all…
@user000: this is probably another pr stunt lmao. idk how yall believe this
@rockstarhongie: this is extremely disrespectful not only for hongjoong but for seonghwa too!! That is probably the home of one of them…
@girlslovehwa: did we all not see hwa at this guy’s concert??? They were probably just hanging out. you are so weird.
@user195363728 : seonghwa trapping another guy, wow what a surprise.
@pshupdates: Replying to @user195363728 pls get your facts right before talking shit about artists…none of seonghwa’s dating rumors were true lol.
Hongjoong felt Seonghwa’s tight grip in his hand, both of them sweating as the nerves washed over them.
The much-dreaded meeting with their management was finally called in. They didn’t know what people knowing about them meant for them professionally, but it’s not like their company didn’t know about them, so they had no right to throw it in their face and blame them for it.
They didn’t know if their contracts would be terminated or if they were going to be forced to deny their relationship publicly, all they knew was whatever management decided, they would endure it together. And try to negotiate as much as possible to mend some damage.
“I’m going to cut to the chase guys…” the head of public affairs spoke semi-sternly as soon as she entered the room, “We will give you options while trying to maintain both of your reputations”, and he slid two pieces of paper in front of them.
They eyed them quickly motioning to the woman to continue, “Regarding the pictures and the stalking, legally, we will take actions no matter how you decide to move forward. Now regarding the rumors… we can either release statements straight up denying and you withdraw from seeing each other for a while, while everything cools down or we can say we don’t have a say in your personal lives and it’s up to you whether to be in a relationship or not, all very vaguely, just as we have been doing with Seonghwa up until now”
Seonghwa starts thinking about it just as Hongjoong starts reading the documents properly, sensing a catch.
And there it was, “It says here that we must ‘temporarily end our relationship’ what do you mean by that?”
“Unfortunately head office made it a condition that either way you have to part ways…Not really if you don’t want to! But you must stop interacting in every way, for three months minimum.”
Seonghwa, who hadn’t said a thing ever since they sat down, felt his arms go numb and the anxiety hit his body with no mercy.
Hongjoong on the other hand, felt his blood boil, he realized they had no intention of seeking what’s best for the artists, but only what was best for the company.
“What if we don’t want either of these options?” Hongjoong said placing the papers back down with determination, as he felt his husband’s hand pull at his once again for comfort, “Or worse, what if we didn’t stop seeing each other? We are married, it shouldn’t be as easy as this, it is a serious relationship, and we all know it”
“We made our best to come up with options that suited best for you both and the company without much loss, and unfortunately if you don’t follow instructions from management your contracts will be terminated” the woman said with an ever so slightly apologetic tone, as if she felt pity for them. “But don’t worry, we will give you time to think it over, and if there’s any inconvenience, we can discuss it to accommodate the options for you without crossing the guidelines from management”
Hongjoong heard Seonghwa’s breath hitch at that, he himself starting to get more frustrated with every word that came form the woman’s mouth.
“We get that this is not a discussion to take lightly,” the woman starts again “but please let us know as soon as you have made your decision” she politely smiles and bows, and just as fast as she came into the room, she left.
“They want us to deny or feign dementia” Hongjoong says as he sits down.
Once they got out of the meeting room they headed straight to their home, where Yunho and Mingi were already waiting for them to know everything.
“Yikes” Mingi puts simply, sympathizing with his friends.
Yunho and Mingi were a strange case, and Seonghwa found it fascinating yet he felt bad that it was because of a similar situation as theirs.
“They said we’d have time to think it over, and we could negotiate” Seonghwa summarized, “but if we end up not following instructions we’ll be terminated”
“So for them is a win-win, but we are losing” Hongjoong finishes and his husband nods in agreement.
“This is so fucked up, I’m so sorry guys” Yunho empathizes.
“Well, it was bound to happen really, I just wish it wasn’t like this, and it was up to us to decide” the taller says reasonably.
“You know, actually, you should ask Sannie about his sister’s new company” Mingi adds to the conversation, “I heard she’s looking for artists and because it’s her I’m sure she’ll understand your situation and seek what’s best for you guys”
“Oh yeah” Yunho follows what his not-boyfriend just said, “He told me something about it, if I ever were to move companies he said she could help us out”
“Apparently their contracts actually have their artists wishes in mind and not only their reputations” Mingi finishes the train of thought.
Hongjoong actually had talked to San about it, right after the younger told him that Sooyoung was in the talks for the local. He even had thought about opening his own management at some point, but that goal seemed so far away, and with everything he had going on in his life, it was shortly a discarded idea. So, seeing his noona accomplish something she was seeking for so long made him feel relieved and somewhat understood.
The idea of moving companies and starting fairly from scratch again didn’t feel too dystopian for the couple now.
So, after a little more weighting on their options and a few messages to San so he could give his sister a heads up, they gave Choi Sooyoung a call to coordinate and negotiate a possible new contract.
”So, what do you think?” Hongjoong asks his husband after hanging up the phone.
“I think right now this is our best option” Seonghwa answers surely, “Only if you are comfortable confirming us”
“Of course I am, we already talked about this” Hongjoong takes the taller’s hands in his to give it a soft squeeze, “as long as you are willing to accept me publicly, I am too”
Seonghwa smiles feeling like all of the stress he was going through disappeared and a sense of calmness invaded his body and his soul.
“Hello, this is MZ Entertainment. We would like to inform you of the contract termination of artists:
-Park Seonghwa
-Kim Hongjoong
This was decided through mutual agreement and we wish the best for the artists.”
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“Hello, This is CH Entertainment.
We welcome Park Seonghwa and Kim Hongjoong as new representatives to our company.
We hope to reach your expectations and fulfill our duty as their management company.”
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@userlvshongi: omg does this mean they cut them off cuz they’re together?? lolol it looks so bad for MZ
@hongfrutilla: this is Sannie’s sister’s company omg!!!!
@hwastar: thank god seonghwa got out of that damn company 🥱🥱 fuck u MZ
@user121000: i have no idea who this people are but good for them!! we love the gays
Their soon-to-be former company was definitely not at all pleased when they came back with an answer. They had been sure that threatening them with a contract termination would make them decide between the two — awful— options given.
Surely that was not the case as Seonghwa and Hongjoong came back after a week or so, with a decision and a contract with CH Entertainment backing them up.
The few manager representatives of their respective management teams and the office of public relations tried to talk them out of terminating their contract, but were still giving half-assed solutions that didn’t work for them. So by the end of the day, their contract termination was an on-going process.
If everything went according to their plans, they would be signed with their new company in about two weeks.
They didn’t know how the situation would affect them, how releasing a statement to bid farewell to MZ Entertainment and announcing the new company would affect their branding, or how making their marriage public would affect their reputation. However, they trusted Sooyoung to manage everything the best she could and trusted their fans to be understanding of their relationship.
@pshupdates: #SEONGHWA shares new photos of his vacation!! There are a lot of pictures with Hongjoong❤️🫣
@rockstarkhj: #HONGJOONG shares close up of his and Seonghwa’s wedding rings! They are so cute ✨
@sirenseonghwa: i have prayed for times like this
@hongjoongmarryme: hongjoong sharing his rings!! 🥹 he loves hwa so much
@matzbasic_unit: they finally have freedom of their socials! slayyy
Cameras were flashing and everyone was yelling at the man to look at their lenses. Just as every time, Seonghwa felt the adrenaline of being perceived by so many people right before he walked the runway, but this time, there was something else.
Hongjoong was in the crowd, and it was the first time he was walking after announcing his marriage. He had thought about multiple scenarios where people booed him and kicked him out of the stage with cruelty, but it couldn’t have been more different. Of course it was as always but now people weren’t asking him who he was with or if he’d been seeing someone, everyone just asked questions regarding his career and him as a person and future projects. He could get used to this, being treated as a human and not only a source of gossip for the industry.
Shortly after him, Hongjoong made himself present in front of the cameras and doing his promotional content. Usually he would reject those who asked too many personal questions, but he was so content with how everything turned out and so excited to see his husband walk, he kindly answered most of the questions. Once in a while wouldn’t hurt nobody.
After the promotional content was all finished, they were together again, lounging around talking with acquaintances —mostly Seonghwa, waiting until he was called in to get ready.
Some congratulated them for their marriage, some asked how they managed everything to turn out good, some even dared to give them dirty looks, but that didn’t matter, at least not for them.
Seonghwa was called and they parted ways, “Good luck, baby” Hongjoong waved, though he knows his husband doesn’t need it.
“I love you, bye!” and Seonghwa disappeared in the sea of models also getting ready.
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Contrary to what people believed, even after years of experience, the nerves of the runway never went away, it’s a kind of anxiety that quickly becomes excitement with the adrenaline of the cameras and everyone’s eyes on you. Seonghwa knew where Hongjoong was sitting, but he remained profesional as always as he waited for his que.
The que came and he quickly changed into his model-persona, with a stern face that yet that seemed relaxed, determined steps and a perfect posture.
He could feel his cheeks burning and the flashes of the cameras fighting to make him blind, but he just walked away with his eyes set in front of him.
Once he reached the front edge of the stage, for a split of a second, he slightly turned his eyes, and there was Hongjoong.
It felt like the time froze and everyone disappeared, and they were alone again, having dinner while Hongjoong unintentionally confesses his love for Seonghwa.
Hongjoong’s gaze feels intense even if it is for a fleeting moment, the shorter feels proud of his husband and really takes in the moment. A few months ago it felt like a distant future that he could love his husband out loud.
And just as quick as Seonghwa glanced in his direction, he returned his gaze to the front to continue walking coldly.
Seonghwa stepped foot backstage he broke into a wide smile, letting out a stray chuckle, feeling giddy. He felt like a teenager, falling in love with Hongjoong over again, like he was just caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to, though he was sure no one had noticed his slip.
Round after round of walks later, he was finally able to clock out. He could either go to the after-party or escape to his hotel with his husband. He knew which one sounded better.
The last thing the press saw that night was Hongjoong and Seonghwa hand in hand heading towards their car, smiles so wide it looked like their cheeks hurt and a warm feeling spreading over their chests.