Entry #2

"Pornstars?" Aeri stared at Soyeon like she'd just asked her to commit a felony. "You want me to write an article about pornstars?"

"Adult content creators," Soyeon corrected without looking up from her notebook.

"That is literally the same thing?! If it walks like a duck and acts like a duck, then what the fuck is it?"

"Tomato, to-mah-to." Soyeon waved a dismissive hand.

Aeri groaned, flopping back into her chair so dramatically that the wheels squeaked. "Ok, fine. Adult content creators. What am I supposed to write—'The Pornstar Handbook: How to Make it Big in the Porn Industry'? Should I include a pull-out poster?"

Soyeon finally looked up, one eyebrow raised. "You're a journalist. Find the angle."

“Yeah, a lifestyle journalist. I write about pop culture, food, travel, wellness, you name it,” Aeri threw her hands up. “I’m surprised you didn’t assign this to Namjoon.”

Soyeon shrugged. "Namjoon's on vacation. And you're the only one who didn't flinch when I said 'adult content'."

Aeri narrowed her eyes. "That's not a good sign."

"Well… this topic needs a... feminine perspective," Soyeon said.

Aeri blinked. "A feminine perspective? You mean my perspective?"

"Exactly. Think intimacy, consent, self-expression—all that. Besides, lifestyle includes culture, Aeri. Adult content is part of digital culture now—platforms, creators, communities, economies. It's an industry." Soyeon grinned. "You could do something tasteful. Interview someone anonymously—talk about career transitions, mental health, the human side of it. Nothing scandalous. Just... honesty."

Aeri squinted at her. "Okay, but why this? Why is this worth writing about?"

Soyeon shrugged, leaning back. "Because it's real, Aeri. People do it—millions of them. Some are even making six figures on OnlyFans. Some became A-list actors. Did you know Woo Do-hwan actually starred in a porn video before he became an actor?”

Aeri blinked. "The Bloodhounds actor?!"

Soyeon nodded smugly. "Yep. Dude starred in adult films before transitioning to mainstream acting."

She crossed her arms, her expression softening into something almost passionate. "See? It's not just some seedy underworld—it's a whole career path. It's a reflection of how the internet changed everything—careers, privacy, intimacy, labour. And no one talks about it like actual human beings. It's either judgment or sensationalism. I want something in between."

Aeri was quiet for a moment. Then: "I don't know, Soyeon... this is way out of my niche."

Soyeon’s expression softened. "I get it. It's uncomfortable. But that's exactly why you should do it—because you're not the obvious choice."

She smiled gently. "People trust your voice, Aeri. You write about human stuff with heart. Not gossip. Not a scandal. Just... people. This is still about people. Just a different kind than you're used to."

Aeri chewed her lip, staring at the ceiling like it might offer an escape route.

It did not.

"...Fine."

Soyeon perked up instantly.

"I'll do it. But—but—I pick the creator. I find someone normal-ish. Not a super famous one with millions of followers. Someone who just... happens to do this."

"Works for me." Soyeon grinned. "I'll give you three months."

Aeri blinked. "Three months? Soyeon, this is supposed to be a blog post, not a documentary!"

"It's an investigative piece on digital intimacy and labour," Soyeon said, already turning back to her notebook like the matter was settled. "Of course it takes time."

Aeri slumped in her chair, defeated.

Three months...I'm going to have to research so much internet weirdness.

“Aeri!”

Aeri looked up from her PC and met the gaze of her co-worker and close friend, Yunjin, leaning against her cubicle with a smile.

“Hey,” She returned the smile with a slight bow. “How’s it going?”

“The usual. Wake up. Do your nine-to-five. Go home. Sleep. And the cycle continues.” She shrugged.

Aeri laughed. “I feel you. Wish we had a little excitement around here.”

Unless you count writing an article about pornstars as excitement.

“Speaking of excitement, do you know about Mark’s new girlfriend?” Yunjin asked.

The amount of willpower Aeri had to keep her smile from dropping the moment that dreaded question left Yunjin’s mouth deserved a medal and a paid vacation. But then again, she knew she was bound to hear about that sooner or later since news, rumours and gossip spread around the office like wildfire. 

“Can’t say I have,” she lied. “What about it?”

“I heard he met this chick at some charity event he attended for his new column and hit it off some weeks ago.”

“Mhm.” Aeri pressed her lips into a thin line, trying not to combust.

“I’m surprised you don’t know about it. Aren’t you two close?” Yunjin tilted her head to the side.

He did. Via text.

“Maybe he wanted to keep it private?” Aeri shrugged which made Yunjin roll her eyes, full rotation.

“Girl, please. That man’s dating life is as open as the front cover of Playboy. He’s not exactly an expert at hiding it,” she said. 

I know, right? And it’s honestly surprising how he managed to keep our situationship a secret for this long.

“How long do you think it’s going to last with this chick anyway?” Yunjin asked. “Usually it’s a month—two months if he’s lucky. He’s on what? Girlfriend number five now?”

Seven actually.

“Bottom line is, Mark it this close to dethroning Johnny as Metro Seoul’s playboy,” Yunjin said.

Aeri’s stomach twisted as Yunjin kept talking, but she forced a light chuckle.