There have been many theories given about the Spring Day music video, from “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” to Sewol Ferry tributes. There is one theory no one has ever explored. Why the Laundromat?
A Fan Fiction Theory….
Disclaimer: This fanfiction draws from real characters and events however its connections are purely the work of the author’s imagination.
My Playdate with V
by J.H. Pyo
CHAPTER 1: THE LAUNDROMEET
Hi my name is Rye and this is my account of a story between one idol and his forever fan.
A little introduction about myself and how I got entangled in this beautiful story. I teach Korean at an after school program in Los Angeles. In 2014, I was asked to be a translator for a Kpop group called BTS who were coming to LA to shoot a reality show called American Hustle Life. My friend’s father had connections to a Korean entertainment company and helped me get the job. Although I grew up on Korean music, I was unfamiliar with the current popular groups. To me, this was an opportunity to earn some extra money.
From the moment BTS arrived, I was with them pretty much night and day. They were typical boys who were fun but also hard-working. By about the eighth day, they were more comfortable with their new living arrangements and their staff. They were also more relaxed and knew their way around things a bit more. While filming, they were given the task of managing their household chores, such as cleaning, grocery shopping and laundry. I was assigned to the laundry team, so we headed off to a laundromat.
Those of you who have seen American Hustle Life might recall a scene in Episode 4 in which Taehyung, Suga, and Kookie won some toys from the crane machine. They were playing with the toys while waiting for their clothes to wash. Meanwhile, off-camera someone tapped V on his shoulder and said in Korean, “그거 가지고 놀아도 돼요?” Which means, Can I play with that? This took all of us by surprise because this little girl was black but she spoke near-perfect Korean! She wore an oversized dress shirt with a mismatched vest that was ripped at the seams. She looked about six years old and seemed very comfortable with them, as if she knew who they were. The little girl did not stop with just one question. She proceeded to have a conversation with V, completely in Korean.
V responded, “당연하지! 너가 가져도 돼.” (Of course, you can have it!) He gave her the toy and patted her head, smiling at her. “아, 귀엽다! (Ah so Cute!) 너는 이름이 뭐니? (What is your name?)”
The little girl answered, “내 이름은 (Talayiah) 이에요. (My name is Talayiah.)”
“안녕. (Hi.) 내 이름은… (My name is…)” V started to introduce himself, but Talayiah interjected.
“알아요. 뷔. (I know, it’s V.)”
V was quite surprised. “너, 내가 누군지 어떻게 알았어? (How do you know who I am?)”
Talayiah ignored his question and pointed at Suga and Jungkook. “아저씨는 수카, 그리고 정국. (And you are Suga and Jungkook.)”
All three boys stared in shock to be recognized so far from home and in a laundromat by the seemingly most unlikely person.
Talayiah confidently stated, “유투브에서 봤어요. (I see you on YouTube.)”
V asked, “너가 유투브를 본다고? (You watch YouTube?)”
Talayiah nodded. “네. 유투브를 보면 행복해져요. 저는 이모랑 같이 사는데, 이모는 저에게 컴퓨터로 티비만 보게 해요. 예전에 우리 엄마랑 저는 함께 유투브로 재미있는 한국 쇼 프로그램을 보곤 했었어요. 엄마가 그리워서 지금도 유투브를 봐요. (Yes, because it makes me feel happy. I live with my aunt and the only thing she let’s me do is watch TV on the computer. My mom and I use to watch funny Korean shows on YouTube so I watch them because I miss her.)”
V began to understand it a bit more. “그래서, 유투브를 보면서 한국말을 배운거야? (So is this how you learned Korean?)”
“아니요, 우리 엄마가 한국 드라마를 좋아해서 제가 한국어를 배웠으면 하셨어요. 엄마는 나중에 이민호랑 결혼할 거고 나에게 아빠가 생길 거라고 했어요. (No, my mom likes Korean dramas, so she wanted me to learn Korean. She told me one day she will marry Lee Min Ho so I will have a daddy.)” Talayiah said in earnest and belief, as V and the boys chuckled.
V looked around the laundromat. “너의 엄마는 어디 계시니? (Where is your mom?)”
Talayiah’s eyes teared up. “돌아가셨어요. (She died.)”
“이런…(Ayegoo)…” V bent down and hugged the little girl. “미안해. 그럼 누구랑 여기에 왔니? (Sorry…sorry…then who are you here with?)”
“혼자 왔어요. 빨래 다 된 것을 가지러 왔는데 아직 다 안 돼서 기다리고 있어요. (I am by myself. I was suppose to pick up the laundry and bring it home, but it is not ready.)” She frowned at the machines.
V asked, “어디에 사니? (Where do you live?)”
“저기요. (Over there.)” and pointed outside.
V put an encouraging hand on her shoulder. “진짜? 어디? (Really? Which building?)”
She walked out and the boys followed her. She pointed to the industrial-looking building next door.
V smiled happily, “우리도 저기에 살아! 우리가 도와줄게. (We live there too! We will help you!)”
Due to the amount of laundry we had, they called the production crew to drive over and help. We loaded everything into the car, including Talayiah’s laundry and headed for the dormitory. The boys were so sweet to her and helped her bring her laundry to her unit.
Talayiah’s steps slowed as we approached her door.
We could hear yelling and fighting inside and the boys looked on nervously as Talayiah’s tiny hand reached for the doorbell. She hesitated for a moment, as if summoning courage, then pressed the bell. The door swung open and the women in the doorway began yelling at Talayiah, “Where have you been?! What took you so long?! Why are you dragging home Chinese people with you again? How many times do I have to tell you, your mama ain’t ever coming back so give it up!”
She grabbed the laundry basket out of Jungkook’s hands, gave them a dirty look, and walked away without saying thank you.
Talayiah turned to the boys. “도와줘서 고마워요. 오늘 재미있었어요. 다음에 또 놀아도 돼요? (Thank you for helping me. I had a lot of fun with you today. Can we play again?)”
V hugged the little girl tightly. “당연하지! 우리 바로 저기에 살아. 언제든지 놀러와. (Of course! We live right there.)” He pointed across the hall. “알았지? (Come any time ok?)”
As Talayiah turned to go inside her apartment, V struggled to let her small hand go. The door closed, but V remained kneeling in front of the door hunched over in sadness. After a moment of silence, Suga lifted him up, patted him gently on the back and led him toward their unit.
Illustrated by: Sandee
Edited by: Telumiel & C. Moon
There have been many theories given about the Spring Day MV, from “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” to Sewol Ferry tributes. There is one theory no one has ever explored. Why the Laundromat?
Baby Bangtans 
3 thoughts on “My Playdate with V”