In the afternoon at Magic City International Airport, sunlight filtered through the glass dome, which should have filled the arrivals hall with warmth, but a sudden burst of screams tore through the calm.
The moment the gangway touched the ground, before Kim Ji-soo had even finished straightening the hem of her ivory coat, the eruption of noise from the crowd seized her attention.
"God! Ji-soo! It's Kim Ji-soo!"
"Goddess!"
The cries were like sparks cast into boiling oil, instantly setting the air at the arrivals gate ablaze.
The people who had been scattered about suddenly surged together. Hands holding fan signs rose high above the crowd, while light boards printed with Kim Ji-soo's smiling face flickered amid the bobbing heads.
Song Joong-ki, who had come down right behind her, had only just taken off his sunglasses. Before he could nod to the cameras, the incoming tide of people forced him half a step back.
Wave upon wave of frenzied cries piled atop one another. "Goddess, give me an autograph!"
"Sign it right on my chest!"
"Oppa Song Joong-ki, look over here! Can we take a photo?"
The pleas mingled with the click-click of camera shutters, weaving an airtight net across the hall.
Although the bodyguards and managers had come prepared, the force of the fans' rush still caught them off guard.
The bodyguards in black suits quickly formed a circle around the two of them. Their arms were stretched taut as they tried to keep the fans constantly pressing forward at least half a meter away.
An emotional fan broke through the outer line of defense and reached out to touch Kim Ji-soo's sleeve. Her manager hurriedly stepped in front of her, voice urgent.
"Please keep your distance! Watch your safety!"
But amid the chaos, such reminders were quickly swallowed