A Step Into the Unknown
At seventeen, Jiho finally received a second chance — an invitation to audition for a mid-sized entertainment agency in Seoul.
The journey from his small neighborhood was both thrilling and terrifying.
The city's neon glow cast long shadows over the crowded streets as he arrived, clutching a worn notebook filled with lyrics and dreams.
He was no longer the wide-eyed boy singing alone in his room.
He was a trainee now — a word heavy with promise and peril.
The Audition Room
The waiting room was sterile, suffused with nervous energy.
Jiho watched other hopefuls — some confident, some trembling — each wearing the mask of ambition.
When his name was called, he stepped into a bright room where a panel of producers sat, their faces unreadable.
He sang his heart out.
Every note was soaked in years of sacrifice, hope, and quiet desperation.
But the judges remained silent, their expressions cold.
The Harsh Reality
Days later, the rejection letter arrived.
They said Jiho lacked "star quality" and "marketability."
The words stung like shards.
But instead of breaking, Jiho used the pain to sharpen his resolve.
He wasn't done yet.
The Training Begins
Soon, another agency took notice — smaller, less glamorous, but willing to invest in Jiho's raw talent.
He was accepted into their trainee program.
The schedule was brutal: dawn vocal lessons, afternoon dance practice, evenings in acting workshops.
Sleep became a luxury.
Social life, nonexistent.
Friends and Foes
Jiho quickly realized the trainee world was a microcosm of the industry's ruthlessness.
Some trainees bonded over shared hardship; others viewed each other as competition to be crushed.
Jiho found a rare ally in Minseo — a bright, empathetic dancer who reminded him of the boy he once was.
But rivalry with Hyunwoo — a polished trainee favored by management — quickly escalated.
The First Betrayal
During a group performance rehearsal, Jiho was assigned to harmonize a critical part.
Hyunwoo saw an opportunity.
He deliberately misled Jiho about rehearsal changes, causing Jiho to miss key practices.
When the performance received harsh criticism, blame quietly shifted to Jiho.
The sting of betrayal was sharp and personal.
Dreams Tested
One cold winter night, Jiho stood on the rooftop of the trainee dorm, staring out over Seoul's glittering skyline.
He clutched his phone, scrolling through messages from home.
His mother's voice lingered in his memory: "No matter what, keep your heart."
But Jiho felt it cracking.
The path ahead was darker than he imagined.
A Glimmer of Hope
Amid the pressure, a mysterious message appeared on Jiho's phone.
A simple text, unsigned:
"Not everyone here is your enemy. Look closer."
Jiho didn't know who to trust — but the message was a spark in the encroaching dark.