Monday Morning Mayhem: A SEVENTEEN Manager’s POV
The alarm blares at 5:30 AM, not with a gentle melody, but with the brutal certainty of a K-Pop manager’s Monday. While the world outside is still dreaming, my day is already a high-octane sprint towards… well, 13 very active, very talented, and very sleepy idols. You think waking up one teenager is hard? Try a baker’s dozen of them, each with their own unique brand of morning grogginess and chaotic energy. Welcome to my life, the official alarm clock and chief cat-herder for SEVENTEEN.
The dorm is eerily quiet at this hour, a deceptive calm before the storm. It’s like standing on the edge of a volcano, knowing that any moment, the eruption of youthful exuberance (and a lot of shouting) will commence. My first mission: coffee. Strong, black, and enough to fuel a small car. Because without it, I might just curl up under the nearest sofa with Wonwoo and pretend the world doesn’t exist.
The Great Idol Wake-Up Call
My rounds begin. Each door presents a new challenge. S.Coups, bless his leader heart, is usually the easiest – a gentle nudge and he’s up, already thinking about the schedule. Jeonghan, on the other hand, is a master of the ‘play dead’ technique, often requiring a second, more assertive prod. “Jeonghan-ah, if you don’t wake up, I’ll tell Carats you tried to dye your hair purple in the dorm sink again.” That usually does it, eliciting a sleepy groan and a mischievous grin.
Then there’s the trifecta of Hoshi, DK, and Seungkwan. My strategy for them? Volume. Lots of it. I stride into their room, armed with the knowledge that subtlety is a lost cause. “RISE AND SHINE, BOYS! WE HAVE A SCHEDULE! THE WORLD IS WAITING!” My voice echoes, competing with the nascent sounds of Jun singing dramatically in the shower and Dino’s quiet humming from his room.
The air fills with the cacophony of 13 unique voices clashing: sleepy groans, off-key shower singing, frantic shouts for lost items, and the ever-present sound of someone complaining about not getting enough sleep (looking at you, Woozi). It’s a symphony of chaos, and I am its weary conductor.
The Daily Battle: Socks, Snacks, and Shower Schedules
Just as I’m halfway through my second cup of coffee, the first real challenge of the day emerges: The Great Missing Sock Hunt. “Manager-nim! My left sock is gone!” Mingyu hollers from the living room, holding up a lone, defeated sock. Simultaneously, Joshua is asking where his favorite hat went, and Vernon is already dressed, but looking for his headphones as if his life depends on it.
This is where my multi-tasking skills truly shine. I’m shouting directions (“Check under the sofa, Mingyu! Hoshi probably borrowed it!”), mediating minor squabbles (“No, Jun, you can’t have DK’s banana just because yours is bruised!”), and reminding everyone of the tight schedule.
Breakfast for an Army (and the BSS Energy)
The kitchen transforms into a warzone. The smell of freshly cooked rice, sizzling bulgogi, and kimchi fills the air – a feast fit for an army, which, let’s be honest, they are. Plates are piled high, chopsticks clatter, and the general noise level somehow manages to ratchet up another notch. I try to ensure everyone eats enough, but also that no one sneaks too many extra snacks before practice.
Sometimes, in the midst of this controlled chaos, I’ll hear the unmistakable beat of “Fighting” erupting from one of the rooms. The BSS trio has an uncanny ability to inject instant energy, even at the crack of dawn. It’s their natural state.
They’re not just a group; they’re a force of nature, especially when fueled by a hearty breakfast. The energy in the dorm is infectious, even for a tired manager. It’s easy to get caught up in their enthusiasm, to forget, for a moment, the mountain of tasks awaiting us.
The Heartwarming Chaos
Despite the frantic pace and the endless list of demands, there are always these small, heartwarming moments that remind me why I do this. Dino, still a bit sleepy, offers me a perfectly peeled tangerine. The8 quietly tidies up his and Jun’s dishes without being asked. Seungkwan cracks a joke that makes everyone erupt in laughter, momentarily forgetting their stress.
As we finally pile into the vans, bags checked, members accounted for (mostly), a sense of tired satisfaction washes over me. Hoshi, squished between DK and Mingyu, gives me a tired but genuine smile. “Thanks, Manager-nim. We appreciate you.”
And just like that, the exhaustion fades, replaced by that familiar, overwhelming feeling of family. This isn’t just a job; it’s a front-row seat to watching these 13 incredible young men chase their dreams, and being a small, vital part of their journey. It’s chaotic, it’s exhausting, but above all, it’s a privilege. Now, about that missing microphone… it’s going to be a long day.
original article by kpop.you
