Second Try Idol

I heard that considerable effort had gone into the music video for the title track of our first full album. Given the exceptional response to our group's universe and the substantial influx of interest it generated, it had been one of the few areas where the company hadn't held back on investment since our debut.

This particular music video showcased an abundance of fantastical elements, resembling a condensed fantasy Hollywood movie. The realization that we were actually the characters in such an epic production was both astonishing and an honor. The production time had been understandably extended several times.

“The scenes showcasing the sky are seriously incredible, aren’t they? Oh my gosh. I had no idea it could look this stunning.”

“The world falling apart? I was in awe when the background behind Hyun-Woo hyung collapsed."

“Exactly. Me too. Jin-Sung, could you sit down? You are blocking Yoon-Chan from the camera."

I tried to calm down an excited Jin-Sung while also agreeing with him. The other members’ initial reactions mostly focused on the music video's special effects.

“And what about the story? Do you guys get it?" Joo-Han asked. He tried to steer the conversation in a new direction, but the members who had been enthusiastically praising the visuals suddenly fell silent. We exchanged awkward smiles. It was a clear sign that most of us, myself included, hadn't fully grasped the story.

Joo-Han seemed to have some understanding of the plot, but chose not to elaborate. As the silence lingered, all the members burst into laughter.

“I trust our Rings will interpret the story well,” I said. “They always understand these things better than we do."

“Yeah, it's always surprising. How are you guys so smart? Every time we see your interpretations, we are like, 'Was that really what happened?' It's amazing."

As Jin-Sung became excited again, I gently nudged him to sit down. It was almost a routine to manage his bursts of enthusiasm.

Since each member took turns speaking, the room quickly filled with chatter. Joo-Han quieted everyone down and said, “Let's start wrapping up our thoughts on the music video for ‘Phantom Spirit.’ Just one comment from everyone and we will finish."

“That’s a good idea.”

“Okay, I will start." Joo-Han volunteered, seemingly eager to set the tone. “I really enjoyed the visuals. Yoon-Chan, you ran a lot. Thank you for that."

“…That’s quite a personal remark, isn’t it?” Goh Yoo-Joon teased with a soft chuckle.

Joo-Han just shrugged nonchalantly and pointed at Jin-Sung. “Next up, our youngest. What did you think about the video?"

“Am I limited to just one sentence?"

“Yes."

As Jin-Sung was getting ready to speak, hands formed into makeshift microphones were thrust in his face.

Jin-Sung looked somewhat exasperated and glared at Goh Yoo-Joon, Joo-Han, and me. "I didn’t expect it to turn out so cool and shocking,” he blurted out. “Hyun-Woo hyung looks handsome. That’s it. Okay! Back off!"

"'Suh Hyun-Woo looks handsome' is all you have to say?" Goh Yoo-Joon laughed mockingly.

I stood up, pushed Goh Yoo-Joon away playfully, and asked Jin-Sung, “Do you want to elaborate a bit more?"

“You get flustered when praised but act like this?"

“No, honestly, didn’t Hyun-Woo hyung look incredibly handsome this time? The flower field makes him look way more handsome than normal. Last time, I was the handsome one," Jin-Sung said as if reciting memorized lines before awkwardly trailing off.

“Right, he was so handsome that I couldn’t take my eyes off him," Yoon-Chan added as he tried to capture some compliments.

I ended up feeling ticklish all over from the praise. I covered Jin-Sung's mouth to move the discussion along, but Joo-Han brushed my hand away and said in a serious tone, “No, you are always handsome."

Goh Yoo-Joon playfully snitched on Joo-Han with a faux hurt expression. “…Hyung, you say Suh Hyun-Woo and Yoon-Chan are pretty no matter what they do. Rings! Joo-Han hyung has favorites for sure. His favorite is Suh Hyun-Woo, and his second favorite is Yoon-Chan!"

“Yoo-Joon and Jin-Sung look mature and handsome. I love them all equally. What favoritism are you talking about? How much pocket money have I given you, you rascal?" Joo-Han retorted.

I, Yoon-Chan, and Goh Yoo-Joon each shared our thoughts in turn.

“Yes, we were all very satisfied watching the music video, but I wonder what our Rings will think about it."

“I hope it gets released soon. The music video, the song, and the choreography turned out so well. I can't wait to enjoy them together with our fans."

After I spoke, Joo-Han nodded in agreement before moving on to the closing remarks. “Then, everyone, we hope you enjoyed all that we've prepared so far. See you on stage soon! Two, three!"

“We are Chronos! Thank you!"

“Bye!" Jin-Sung waved to the camera as he said his final farewell, ending the recording.

“…Shall we watch it one more time, Suh Hyun-Woo?"

“Sure." I pressed the space bar on the laptop, and the music video played again.

Even upon another viewing, the graphics and visual effects were stunning. We ended up replaying it at least five more times before resuming practice. The music video would be released alongside our comeback album in a week.

***

With three days until the comeback, our routine had become increasingly monotonous. Practice, dorm, practice, dorm, practice, dorm. Some days, we skipped the dorm altogether and crashed in the practice room to both sleep and live there due to the unprecedented difficulty of the dance routines.

The choreography was not only physically demanding but also required precise coordination with the dancers and careful attention to every movement and limb angle, leaving us barely able to walk by the end of practice. It was exhausting. Yet, the thought of delivering such a high-quality performance kept us going.

However, today, we broke from this repetitive routine to shoot a video for UTube to celebrate our comeback.

“Are we all set? Can we start filming?"

“Yes!" came the energetic reply from the Chronos team staff.

Free from their sweat-drenched practice clothes, the members were now dressed in suits and looked every bit the part of polished idols.

“Chronos, please walk on set! Find your seats marked with your names!"

“Yes!" The set resembled a corporate boardroom. We took our places at the designated spots marked with our names.

It was time for the second Chronos meeting. The success of the first Chronos meeting, which had been filmed during the last founding ceremony and released on UTube, had been phenomenal. With individual variety show appearances in the pipeline and this build-up, the Chronos meetings were slated to become a regular content feature.

Today's session was again led by Joo-Han. Me, Jin-Sung, Goh Yoo-Joon, and Yoon-Chan were all on different teams.

“Let's start shooting! Three, two, cue!"

Dramatic background music befitting a prime-time news broadcast could be heard in the studio.

“Ladies and gentlemen, hello. Two, three!"

“Hello, we are Chronos. Thank you for having us!"

“Yes, today the much-anticipated second Chronos meeting is going to take place."

Joo-Han's lead was met with enthusiastic responses from the members. He clasped his hands over his heart and bowed from side to side, greeting everyone.

“First, let’s review the issues from the first meeting. The biggest controversy was—"

“Controversy, what controversy!" Jin-Sung suddenly stood up, interrupting Joo-Han with a loud objection.

Joo-Han pointed at him with an unabashed expression. “Jin-Sung's guardian, please keep your kid quiet."

“Ah, yes, sorry. This child is acting up again… I will make sure he stays quiet. Please forgive him this time."

“What? What are you talking about!"

“We will forgive him this time. Please be careful he doesn’t act up again."

I quickly apologized and calmed Jin-Sung, making him sit back down. Across from us, Goh Yoo-Joon and Yoon-Chan were biting their lips, trying to hold back their laughter.

As if nothing happened, Joo-Han continued, “Last meeting’s big debate was 'For how long will Jin-Sung keep bulking up?’ The majority decided to ban him from bulking up for a while. Has he been adhering to that?"

Goh Yoo-Joon raised his hand. Joo-Han pointed at him with the baton, adding a touch of flair that nearly made him look like a wizard about to cast a spell.

“Yes, Goh Yoo-Joon. Your comment?"

Goh Yoo-Joon lowered his hand and pointed directly at Yoon-Chan. “Teacher, he has something to say."

“…I am not your teacher."

“Teaaacher!"

“…Sometimes I think Goh Yoo-Joon is crazy," I whispered to Jin-Sung, who nodded in agreement.

Joo-Han sighed deeply and nodded. “Yes, then. Park Yoon-Chan."

Ah, he actually went along with it.

“Speak up. What do you have to say?"

Yoon-Chan glanced at Goh Yoo-Joon and me before addressing Joo-Han. “I have something to report about my roommate, Jin-Sung."

“Yes, go ahead."

“Ah, hyung!" Jin-Sung banged on the desk and stood up again.

I quickly stabilized the shaking desk and calmed him down. “Jin-Sung, shh, shh. Let him talk, will you?"

“Ah, Hyun-Woo hyung, not you, too!"

Yoon-Chan firmly stated, “After Jin-Sung was banned from bulking up, he secretly did push-ups before bed. I’ve seen him looking up dumbbells online."

“What, I can’t even do push-ups now?"

“Jin-Sung, come on! How can you do push-ups in the dorm and look for dumbbells! How could you..."

Goh Yoo-Joon feigned shock and pointed at me. “Look at Hyun-Woo losing his cool. That’s all from getting tossed around by Jin-Sung."

“Why are you like this?"

Joo-Han, more stylishly this time, pointed the baton at me. “Hyun-Woo, quickly! Feel Jin-Sung’s shoulders and arms!"

“Why are you making me do this? This is weird!" I felt Jin-Sung’s shoulders and arms and raised my hand. “Judge, I mean, teacher! Jin-Sung’s arms are very firm!"

Joo-Han excitedly shouted and suddenly returned to a stone-face before lifting the gavel. “Jin-Sung has not adhered to the bulking ban, so his penalty will be extended for the duration of this activity."

Bang, bang, bang!

Jin-Sung cried out in protest at the verdict while the other members laughed.

Joo-Han managed to maintain the lighthearted atmosphere for a while before moving on to the next item on the agenda. “Now, let’s officially introduce the first topic of this second meeting.”

He peeled off a sticker from the panel he was holding.

[Goh Yoo-Joon's 'Honey' Situation: How Will He Take Responsibility?]

- During the shoot of Again After Rainfall, Goh Yoo-Joon improvised endearments like 'honey' during a video call with Suh Hyun-Woo that wasn't scripted.

- As a result, Rings began demanding that each member produce similar video call skits after this video was released on UTube.

- Goh Yoo-Joon's remarks have put the members in a position where they will need to perform cringe-worthy acting.

- How will Goh Yoo-Joon take responsibility for this situation?

“Yes, this issue was anonymously suggested by someone from our Chronos team and staff regarding Goh Yoo-Joon's 'honey' incident," Joo-Han continued.

Goh Yoo-Joon scoffed, looking incredulous. “Is this really something I need to take responsibility for? I was just doing my job!"

Jin-Sung dramatically stood up and slammed the table as if he was about to break it. He yelled, “Are you saying Hyun-Woo hyung sucks at acting?"

“…Why am I being brought into this?" I couldn't help but interject.

Jin-Sung cracked a smirk as his momentary immersion broke. He chuckled. The meeting had plunged into chaos.

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