Chapter 134: End-of-Year Stage (4)

The unforeseen camera issue threw off the rhythm of our practice, leading to a brief interlude. At this moment, the atmosphere thickened with pressure as the director signaled for a break while the cameras reset. Even though we had not done much yet, I had a feeling that today’s practice would stretch far beyond the usual, filled with more than just rehearsing.

“Hyung... it's really scary here," Jin-Sung's voice trembled slightly, and his fingers were clutching my arm with a timid urgency.

"There's nothing to fear," I reassured him, though the unyielding presence of the senior idols was indeed overwhelming. As rookies, all we could do was brace ourselves for it.

Meanwhile, other rookies from different agencies appeared relaxed, being with their company's direct seniors. Jin-Sung and I, on the other hand, found ourselves occasionally under scrutinizing gazes, especially regarding the topic of this special stage.

Yet, amidst the murmurs and fleeting looks, our direct seniors stood like lighthouses, their presence offering comfort in the turbulent sea of this industry.

“Why are you guys... just standing there?" Da-Win's voice cut through my thoughts.

I shot back with a half-truth, masking our anxiety. “We are just... a bit shy."

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Behind Da-Win and Sae-Yeon, Jin-Sung and I hovered like shadows, cautiously glancing around the practice room. After all, pretending to ignore such piercing, boundary-laden stares was a challenging task.

“...Alright, do as you wish," Sae-Yeon finally sighed, his voice carrying a hint of annoyance mixed with reluctant acceptance. He left us to our devices, silently permitting us to continue our covert observations.

Lurking in their shadows, I surveyed the members responsible for the first part of our performance. Each one was a renowned dancer, their skills so famed that any TV host would inevitably ask them to showcase their talents. Their dedicated fans also swelled with pride at their abilities.

In such a galaxy of stars, standing in the spotlight of the formation seemed like an impossible dream to a mere rookie like me. Unlike the bold yet inexperienced trainees of YMM, these were veteran performers, backed by a formidable wall of fans. It was an intimidating landscape, yet there were still pathways for us to navigate.

“Hyung, it's been a while, hasn't it? Saw your comeback. As always, it was phenomenal..." Lee Dong-Woo, from the idol group Next under YU Entertainment, approached Da-Win with a thumbs-up. He was one of the members responsible for the first part with me.

Da-Win responded with a light, amiable smile and a nod, acknowledging the shared respect among veterans of the stage. “Thanks. What about your comeback? It's been quiet on your end."

“Exactly. We are just as curious," Dong-Woo admitted, settling comfortably among Allure, sparking off a conversation.

Dong-Woo continued, “Well, you know, a rising star recently emerged in our agency. Seems like our comeback got pushed back because of it.”

“Really? That is absolute nonsense.”

“It happens. With so many groups in my agency, it's a battle for good songs. The juniors can be quite formidable," Dong-Woo explained, his voice tinged with a playful lament.

Observing this exchange, I noticed the strong bond between Dong-Woo, Da-Win, and Sae-Yeon. Sensing the perfect moment to break away from Sae-Yeon's protective shadow, I strategically blended in my rookie's charm with timid curiosity as I started to inch closer to Dong-Woo, careful not to disrupt the relaxed ambiance.

On the other hand, Jin-Sung appeared tense, attempting to blend into the background but inadvertently standing out more. His restless eyes betrayed his feigned calmness, and now, he looked more like the typical underdog.

My covert glances soon caught Dong-Woo's attention, causing him to pause in his conversation as his gaze shifted to me. The members of Allure followed his lead, turning to regard me with a mixture of surprise and realization.

“Is it your first time seeing them in person? They are our direct juniors, the group known as Chronos,” introduced Da-Win.

“Ah, of course, I know you guys," Dong-Woo responded with a relaxed demeanor, his curiosity now fully piqued.

Stepping forward, I brought Jin-Sung with me as we approached Dong-Woo with a mix of reverence and excitement. “Two, three! Hello, we are Chronos! Nice to meet you!" Our formal greeting seemed to slightly burden Dong-Woo, as evident in his reaction.

“Woah, there's no need for such formality with me. I'm Lee Dong-Woo of the group called Next," Dong-Woo replied, his face a blend of surprise and amusement.

Brimming with exhilaration, I introduced myself with a beaming smile, “I am Suh Hyun-Woo! It's an honor to meet you, senior!"

“And I- I'm Lee Jin-Sung!" Jin-Sung chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of admiration and nervous excitement.

At this moment, the dynamic shifted. It seemed that our eyes spoke of our aspirations and the reverence we held for our seniors.

“There's no need for such formality. We are not that far apart in age after all," Dong-Woo tried to ease the air, but his words were gently countered by Da-Win.

“Dong-Woo, that's not the point. A five-year gap makes a world of difference to Chronos. You are a senior in every sense of the word to them," Da-Win interjected with a chuckle.

Dong-Woo looked a bit embarrassed but appeared to be quite pleased. After all, High Tension was the first boy group to launch after a series of girl groups in YU. Moreover, the leader of that group was Ji-Hyuk, the CEO's son, so Dong-Woo had probably never received such admiring looks from his juniors in High Tension.

“Hyun-Woo, are you in the same part as me?" Dong-Woo asked, turning his attention back to me.

“Yes, senior! It's an incredible privilege to share the stage with you," I replied.

As Dong-Woo heard my earnest words, his face lit up with a mixture of gratitude and camaraderie. “I'm touched by your words. I've seen your

Pick We Up

performance and music shows. You guys are really impressive," he complimented, his words wrapping us in a warm and encouraging embrace.

All of a sudden, the atmosphere around us was filled with warm conversation. I was actively flattering him from where I sat, ready to call him “hyung” and everything. First and foremost, it was crucial to be favored by Dong-Woo.

Dong-Woo of YU had been a member of the thriving group “Next” long before I became a trainer, and he was someone I had never met in person. However, being a direct senior to YU trainees and a well-known dancer in the industry, he was one of the idols I used as an example the most as a trainer.

He indeed had a formidable talent, but to be honest, he was probably the easiest to surpass among the members with the same part as I was.

Dong-Woo's skills were outstanding, but his style differed from the fluid grace we aimed to embody. Had he been in the second part, he would've become the center. But in the first part, I felt like he was wearing clothes that didn’t quite fit him. I knew this because I had dissected Lee Dong-Woo's dance moves more times than I could count.

He was likely the only member not specifically chosen by the legendary choreographer Justin. Though humbly downplaying his glory, as the solo dance force of Next, Dong-Woo still remained a popular idol after all this time.

Placing such a talent in the first part felt somewhat weird. It was as if the influential YU Entertainment had strategically maneuvered him into the spotlight for maximum visibility.

However, shoehorning him into a part was one thing, and standing out in Justin's meticulously crafted formation was another. Dong-Woo's place in the dance hierarchy might have already receded.

My role was evidently to outshine Dong-Woo and embody the endearing, charismatic rookie—a persona crafted to subtly appease the disgruntled fans of Next. It was a strategy of saying little but giving my all—simply put, to channel Yoon-Chan's essence.

Anyway, Dong-Woo seemed to have taken a liking to me. As he wrapped up our brief interaction and returned to his conversation with Allure, the director announced the start of the shoot.

“The filming is starting now. Please move to your assigned practice rooms!" The hustle of activity started, and people dispersed from their huddles, heading toward their respective positions.

“Hyun-Woo, shall we go?" Dong-Woo asked, starting to take care of me.

“Take care of Hyun-Woo, please. He's a bit shy. I am not sure how he will mingle." Da-Win's voice was very comforting as he patted my back, and Dong-Woo just flashed a knowing smile.

“You are doting on him a lot. Is it because he’s your first junior? Don't worry, I will look after him." Dong-Woo ushered me toward our practice room. Now, the group practice was about to unfold.

***

I had thought... it marked the beginning of our collective rehearsals. But I was mistaken. The cameras peppering the room weren't just there to capture our practice sessions. Hadn't Supervisor Kim mentioned it? This was for an entertainment show.

Practice time was already limited, yet there was an air of ease—perhaps because the room was filled with individuals already well-versed in choreography.

“Hey! Change the song!"

“Okay, what should we play? What do you suggest?"

“Hyun-Woo, what do you want to play?"

After thinking a bit, with an assertive voice that cut through the buzz of excitement, I suggested, “How about 'Parade' by Chronos?"

“Ah, perfect choice!"

The lights in the practice room started flickering on and off every fraction of a second. Unleashed, all of us danced wildly, creating an atmosphere akin to an impromptu club.

In the midst of this euphoria, I found myself embracing my role as the endearing youngest, headbanging at the epicenter of this whirlwind of energy.

It was a casual warm-up before the real grind, or so they claimed. As the lights dimmed, the room transformed into a nocturnal playground. They then cranked up the music, and everyone started to move with a synchrony that seemed almost rehearsed, their bodies swaying like drunk people lost in the night.

A realization dawned on me during this orchestrated chaos.

‘They are all so close to each other, and this is how it's done in front of the camera.'

Slowly, I found my rhythm, gravitating toward the heart of the practice room.

Taking on Park Yoon-Chan's friendly and likable character, I dropped my careful facade as soon as I saw this scene. I realized this was the real atmosphere of the team, and it made me feel free.

Yes, it was excellent. This was all part of the filming. To seamlessly merge with this group, which already appeared to be in perfect harmony, was a challenge I gladly accepted. At this moment, I became “partygoer” Suh Hyun-Woo, immersing myself completely in the vibrant energy of the room.

※ Side Story

[Profile (Lee Jin-Sung Edition)]

Name/Age: Lee Jin-Sung / 17 years old

Birthday: April 25

Height: 186 cm

Blood Type: B

1. In Chronos, I am the main dancer.

2. What am I currently interested in? Dancing and cool sneakers

3. Favorite/Least favorite food: Meat!!! I am pretty much a carnivore, hehe / Anything related to my dieting, especially chicken breast and blended veggie drinks.

4. What I like/dislike: Dance!!! / Right now, Yoo-Joon hyung is on my not-so-good list.

5. What am I thinking about now? Yoo-Joon hyung keeps messing with my profile. He just got scolded by Hyun-Woo hyung and Joo-Han hyung, but he is up to no good again.

6. What does Kang Joo-Han mean to me? He was intimidating at first, but now, he's a comforting presence in Chronos, really awesome. He always nudges me to study and often scolds me, just like a teacher in my school.

7. What does Goh Yoo-Joon mean to me? A master prankster. But beyond his jokes, he's mature and takes great care of us. I wish I had a best friend like Yoo-Joon hyung, just like Hyun-Woo hyung does. It’s great being pampered as a fellow member.

8. What does Suh Hyun-Woo mean to me? The leader on stage. His skills skyrocketed overnight, leaving me awestruck. I suspect he has a secret trick up his sleeve, so I've been observing him. Our dance styles differ, but he has a unique charm that I secretly tried to emulate. Still, I must admit, I prefer my own dance style haha... Lately, he seems to dote on me a lot, always playing the adult role.

9. What does Park Yoon-Chan mean to me? The most angelic person in the world. If he asked me to be a guarantor, I'd do it in a heartbeat. (Do you even know what that means, Jin-Sung?) Yoo-Joon hyung is really getting on my nerves. Anyway, truth be told, Yoon-Chan hyung is my favorite.

10. My goal in ten years? To be a dancer on the Billboard charts.