Chapter 132: End-of-Year Stage (2)

As Jin-Sung diligently practiced with the others, I found myself engrossed in learning my own routine on a laptop. I realized why I was the only one split into a different team. Unlike the powerful dance Jin-Sung was practicing, the move I had to perform was a delicate one that emphasized body lines, combining elements of contemporary dance and fitting my usual dance image.

Sitting down, I tried following the choreography with my hands and feet. It seemed like a good idea to work on my flexibility as the practice session progressed.

As I was stretching lightly, the choreographer instructed the members to come over and press on my back hard.

“Ouch!” I exclaimed.

“Do it properly if you are going to do it. Don’t just half-heart it.”

“Ah, teacher, it hurts!” I cried out, my upper body almost folding in half.

“Jin-Sung, you are bending your knees too much!”

“Okay!” The others then chuckled at me and continued their practice.

After about an hour, it was finally my turn to practice, having waited while the members finished.

“Hyun-Woo, stand in the middle.”

“Me, in the center?” I asked, surprised.

‘Among this many members from different idol groups?’

The choreographer shook her head and replied, “I'm not sure. The position has not been decided yet, so we will start practicing with you in the middle. Have you warmed up?'”

“Yes!”

“Start with your head down.”

“Okay.”

During the long one-hour wait while stretching, I watched the choreography video and managed to memorize almost all of it, except for the finer details.

“Slowly lift your head and twist your waist, then kick back and turn! A bit faster!” Thanks to my preparation, the practice progressed quickly, and soon we were able to practice with music.

“Has Hyun-Woo always been this quick at memorizing?” Da-Win asked in amazement.

When I glanced at the others, I noticed Jin-Sung shaking his head in disagreement and answering, “No. He got much faster after

Pick We Up

. I was amazed at how quickly he improved.”

“Oh, yeah? That's impressive. You’ve been flying around on broadcasts lately, Hyun-Woo.”

“What about me, senior?” asked Jin-Sung.

“Haha, Jin-Sung, you are flying even higher! How are your legs?” replied Da-Win. When did they become so close? Jin-Sung was now chatting amicably with Da-Win. Meanwhile, I was reaching out into the air, performing a poignant movement toward an imaginary partner.

“Bend one leg and jump from there! You need to move positions!”

“Noona, isn't what Hyun-Woo is doing a contemporary dance?”

“It’s just giving off that vibe. How can you do a real dance in just a week? Hyun-Woo, you need more grace!”

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

‘I can’t focus on grace!’

I struggled to maintain this posture as my body lacked flexibility. Despite having the choreography in my head, my body didn't seem to cooperate during practice.

While the sounds of conversation from those who had finished practice continued around me, I had no leisure to pay attention to them.

“Ouch!” It felt like I had strained my back. Our usual group dance didn’t require this much flexibility.

“When you turn your head here, think of turning your hair along with it!”

“With my hair too?” I muttered, already anticipating the soreness that would linger from today's intense practice session. Despite the physical discomfort, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the opportunity to perform an unfamiliar genre of dance at the year-end stage.

An hour later, the choreography practice had advanced significantly beyond the original plan for the day. However, I found myself still struggling to add my own flair or details, merely following along as best as I could.

“Is it because they are idols honed through survival shows? Jin-Sung is also quick to memorize the choreography. One week should be more than enough, guys."

“Noona, why don't you praise us?"

Hearing the words of the Allure members, the choreographer laughed heartily. “How many years has it been since your debut? It's only natural for you to do well. Dismissed! Allure, you have schedules later on, right?"

Even amidst this, they still had schedules to follow. Amazing. I gave a thumbs up to the Allure members, who were quickly packing up with their manager and then slowly got up.

Jin-Sung crawled over to me from the floor and asked, “Hyung, are you going to practice more or head back to the dorm?"

“What about you?" I counter asked.

“I want to practice more. It's been so long since I last danced, and as the main dancer of Chronos, I have to perfect everything before the group practice. I can’t let our reputation down!"

“Then I will stay a bit longer too. Let's rest for a bit first," I suggested and then crawled on the floor toward the mirror like Jin-Sung.

While packing up, the choreographer laughed and said to the manager, “It's my first time with Chronos, but it's great to see the kids working hard."

“That's right. They are very diligent."

“Honestly, I prefer talented kids over hard-working ones, but those who are both diligent and talented are even better. Chronos is adorable."

It didn't seem like she meant for us to hear it, but since the practice room was quiet, her praise was clearly audible. Overhearing their conversation, Jin-Sung smiled slyly with his back turned to them.

“Good job, guys!"

“Thank you!"

Not seeing Jin-Sung's expression, the choreographer waved her hand grandly and left the practice room. As she disappeared and I was about to play Jin-Sung's part of the song, the manager quickly approached and said, “You've worked hard. While you were practicing earlier, I suddenly received a call. KEW will provide a group practice room for you guys."

“A group practice room?"

“It seems it will be at the YU building, and they plan to record your practice on video."

“Oh, that's good."

The manager nodded. “It's not just a recording. They plan to make it part of a variety show. Well, I'll let you guys know the details once they confirm this."

“Okay!"

The prospect of having cameras all around us was met with nonchalant nods as we resumed practicing. At that moment, I had no idea of the challenges that would come my way over the next week.

***

Late in the evening, I headed straight to the company after Jin-Sung went back to the dorm. Producer Do, Joo-Han, and I looked gravely at the work program in the company’s work studio.

“What do you think? Just tell me if it's good or not."

I shook my head at Joo-Han’s words. “Hmm, the chorus is lacking."

Joo-Han banged his head on the desk.

Thud!

“Hey, what are you doing banging your forehead like that? You are an idol!"

Despite the reprimand, he did it again, even harder. “What can I do more from here...? Can I even complete this song? Is making a title song always this hard?" Joo-Han, still with his head down, turned to look at Producer Do.

Producer Do nodded calmly. “Of course. Did you think making a song was easy?"

“It's not that, but I'm lost. I don't know what more to do here or what else to remove."

“I don't think we need to remove anything. Hmm..."

“

Sigh

..."

As Joo-Han seemed about to bang his head on the desk again, I quickly placed my hand between his head and the desk.

Bang!

A dull pain shot through my hand.

“

Ouch

!"

“Ah, sorry... I was about to hit my head again, but... Are you okay?"

“Hey, please stop overthinking here. The song is really good," I said as only the chorus lacked a certain grandeur. Chronos would definitely do a highlight dance break here, but it needed more emphasis.

“Hmm."

How to add that

oomph

to the song? The three of us brainstormed together, deep in thought. After a long silence, Joo-Han hyung sighed with no answer in sight. “It's too late for regrets now.

Sigh

... I got too greedy. It's frustrating to see my limits so clearly."

Then, he went to bang his head again on my hand.

Thud!

“Hyung! You are really going to get hurt!" The dull thud resonated through my hand from the desk.

‘...Wait, a dull thud?’

The sound of Joo-Han's head hitting the table sparked a sudden idea in my mind.

“I have a suggestion," I said.

“Go ahead, what is it? Just throw anything." Producer Do perked up.

I cautiously suggested, “What if we don't just lay down simple drum beats but actually hire a professional drummer? Or not just a drummer, but a whole band. Let them take over the whole vibe of the song."

※ Side story

[Profile (Goh Yoo-Joon Edition)]

Name/Age: Goh Yoo-Joon / 19 years old

Birthday: September 30

Height: 187cm

Blood Type: O

1. In Chronos, I am in charge of the best—

ehmm

, sexy voice.

2. What am I currently interested in? Songwriting and games

3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Any kind of meat, burgers, and chicken / I eat everything, but maybe not something too sweet?

4. What I like/dislike: My fellow members and clothes shopping / rude people

5. What am I thinking about now? The members keep messing with my profile. My back still hurts from being hit by Joo-Han hyung just now,

ugh

.

6. What does Kang Joo-Han mean to me? My best friend and the future's number-one composing genius. WAIT! Joo-Han hyung wrote the previous answer. He's very mature and responsible. While he is a bit stingy about money, in reality, he spends a lot on us. He notices when one of us is having a hard time even before we say anything. He also knows how to comfort us softly. I'm always grateful to have received a lot of help from him. I wish he would rely on us when he's struggling though.

7. What does Suh Hyun-Woo mean to me? My toy, my role model, and the teacher I respect the most.

Ugh

, Suh Hyun-Woo wrote the previous answer as well. Being around him makes me work harder. I feel proud whenever I watch his stage performances, even as his friend. However, he's been lost in thought a lot lately. I'm not sure if it's because he suddenly became an adult or if he has some worries, but he's become quieter than before. I'm concerned. If something's wrong, he should talk to me. I'm always on your side, man.

8. What does Park Yoon-chan mean to me? A scaredy-cat crybaby. Lol, Just kidding. He's a kind friend who always puts the members' needs before his own. He could afford to show more of his true self. The others adore Yoon-Chan so much that they find everything he does cute.

9. What does Lee Jin-Sung mean to me? A muscle-head who knows nothing but dancing. He’s the future's number one dance god.

Argh

, no! Jin-Sung wrote the previous answer, oh my gosh. He whines and clings to the hyungs every day, but he looks really cool on stage. He's as dependable on stage as he is with his muscles. I was saddened when he pushed himself too hard and got hurt, but I still love him.

10. My goal in ten years? To maintain the current state (being an idol with Chronos members)