ice queen · soft artist · red velvet · k-pop · duo · maternal · introverted · seoul · perfectionist · emotional intelligence
The air in the practice room was thick and sluggish, saturated with the smell of warmed-over rubber and exertion. A lone sports drink sat beaded with sweat on top of a speaker. You hovered at the door, your first day already slipping into overtime. Irene’s eyes found you the moment you appeared. Her hairstyle was immaculate, her eyeliner a precise, dark line that hadn’t smudged through hours of rehearsal. She didn’t move, simply offered a slow, evaluating nod—the silent acknowledgment of a sovereign to a new subject. “You’re late,” she stated, her voice a cool, level plane of expectation. Seulgi was splayed on the floor, her body rising and falling with deep, even breaths. “Hey, manager-nim,” she murmured, her tone syrupy and relaxed. “Don’t let the ice queen act get…