THE guy on the screen was tall and well-muscled, each movement showing the solid shape of his body beneath his clothes. His black hair was messy on purpose, framing a face with bright gray eyes that looked deep and shiny. His skin was pale, which made his dark hair and shiny eyes stand out even more. He had a high, straight nose that added to the sharpness of his features.
He wore a loose black tank top that showed off the powerful shape of his chest and shoulders. His joggers were fitted but not tight, letting him move freely while also drawing one's attention to how long his legs were. On his feet were sleek black sneakers that looked comfortable. The whole outfit was simple, but it's perfect for dancing.
Even though the young man was wearing such simple clothing, it didn't affect his handsomeness. Just by the way he carried himself, even if he wore a sack, he could convince anyone that what he's wearing was some designer clothes or something.
No matter how much Haneul narrowed his eyes and stared at the screen, Jung Taeyang was still there. It was a good thing he had incredible self-control. Or else, the second he saw the other, he would have stood up and just screamed the other's name. That's how surprised he was.
So, who was Jung Taeyang, you ask? Before Haneul's death, Jung Taeyang was the most popular solo artist in Korea. Whenever he released a song, it would top all the domestic music charts. During his career high, he even entered Billboard Hot 100. Which was such a big deal, considering that he wasn't an idol but a soloist instead.
His songs mostly combined hip-hop, rap, and R&B. What set him apart from other soloist in Korea was the fact that he wrote and produced all his songs. And the general public just loved his music.
One might wonder what exactly was so surprising about him appearing here. Of course, it's not because the other's face was the last thing Haneul saw before he died. He wouldn't show this much of a reaction just because of that. It's the fact that Jung Taeyang was never a part of Boys Odyssey. He debuted as a solo artist three years later after the show aired.
So, what was he doing here, auditioning, no less?
Then a thought suddenly entered Haneul's mind. Wait- could it be that Jung Taeyang failed his audition here? That's why he wasn't part of Boys Odyssey? Haneul instantly calmed down when he thought of that possibility.
It's not like what he thought was impossible. No matter how talented the Jung Taeyang he remembered was, there might have been a time in the other's life where he's not as good. After all, the Jung Taeyang 10 years from now could not possibly be the same as the Jung Taeyang of today.
Haneul looked at the screen. The best way to know the answer to that was to watch Jung Taeyang's audition right now. So, he decided to focus all his attention while the other was performing.
And soon, the music started. Haneul immediately recognized what Jung Taeyang was about to perform just by hearing the first beat of the song. It was [Beat Breaker] by Infinite Boys.
They're currently the most popular male idol group, not only domestically but also internationally. Together with the girl group, Noir Roses, the two made K-POP more famous globally. The two groups were often called the representatives of the third generation.
There were obviously pros and cons in auditioning with a song by such a popular group. But since Haneul was not part of the judging panel, that's hardly any of his problems. So, he focused once again on Jung Taeyang's performance.
Yeah, who can stop me now?
I'm the one who sets the stage on fire
You can try to bring me down
But I'll keep rising higher and higher
When the first lines of the verse started, his voice carried across the room with confidence, and every word landed right along with the beat of the music. His eyes stayed fixed on the people watching him. With every move he made, he got the audience hyped up, and his natural charm filled the whole space.
My rhythm hits hard, it's unstoppable
Every beat I lay down, undeniable
I break through barriers, I'm untameable
On this path to greatness, unshakable
As the pre-chorus began, Jung Taeyang's movements got sharper, and his rhythm fell in line with the beat of the music. He sang each line clearly, cutting through any residual noise from the crowd. As he sang and danced, everyone got pulled into the energy he was giving off, and they couldn't look away from him. Some of them didn't even realize they were cheering and shouting along.
Beat breaker, I'm the one who shakes the ground
My flow's so sick, it's profound
With every verse, I leave my mark
Beat breaker, I'll light up the dark
When the chorus hit, his energy went up another level, and everyone could hear him clearly over the music. With every word he sang, he gave off confidence and swagger. His movements got more intense and sharp, and the people below all watched him with their full attention.
And Haneul was one of them.