EPISODE 26: The New A-Star
**SCENE START]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - RECEPTION - DAY
The lobby is sleek and modern, a stark contrast to the small, cluttered office of Nexus Entertainment. HYUN-WOO (18) stands in the center, his heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and quiet triumph. He's here. He made it.
A brief FLASHBACK shows him at a payphone, frantically dialing. He's calling the CEO of Starlight Entertainment, a man he knows from his future, but who in this time is still a promising young producer.
HYUN-WOO (V.O.) It's Hyun-woo. I was at the academy singing competition. I know you were there. I'm not just a kid with a good voice. I have a plan. I have songs. I know what this company needs.
The flashback ends. A RECEPTIONIST looks up at him.
RECEPTIONIST Mr. Lee is ready for you now, Hyun-woo.
Hyun-woo nods, a flicker of his past life's confidence returning to his eyes.
[SCENE END]
INT. CEO'S OFFICE - DAY
The office is minimalist, with a large window overlooking the Seoul skyline. CEO LEE, a sharp man in his 30s, is looking at a tablet. He looks up as Hyun-woo enters, a small, intrigued smile on his face.
CEO LEE Have a seat, Hyun-woo. You made quite an impression on my team. You're a talented songwriter.
HYUN-WOO Thank you, sir. I'm ready to work.
CEO LEE You're not like the other kids who come through here. You have a fire. I like it. I've been thinking about our next move. Our new boy group. You'll be one of the core members. You'll be the leader.
Hyun-woo's breath catches. In his past life, he was the leader of A-Star, but he was chosen for his looks and his stable demeanor, not his skills. This time, he's earned it.
CEO LEE (Gesturing to a stack of photos on his desk) I've already scouted two others I think you'll work well with. They're here now. I want you to meet them.
[SCENE END]
INT. PRACTICE ROOM - DAY
Hyun-woo enters a practice room. It's a large, white space, clean and empty. Two boys are standing there, talking.
The first is MIN-SU (18), the confident rapper from the street performance. He's wearing a tracksuit, his hair a mess from practice. He's loud and energetic, gesturing wildly as he talks.
The second is SEUNG-HO (18), a soft-spoken boy with kind eyes. He's wearing a sweater and jeans, his posture a little shy, and he listens intently to Min-su.
Min-su spots Hyun-woo and instantly sizes him up, his confident facade hardening. Seung-ho just gives a small, polite bow.
MIN-SU You're the new guy? Heard you're a genius songwriter.
Hyun-woo doesn't miss the edge in his voice. Min-su sees him as a rival, just like Min-jun did. But Hyun-woo knows what Min-su truly wants.
HYUN-WOO (He smiles, genuinely) Just a guy who loves to rap. I saw your street performance. You've got an amazing energy. We need that.
Min-su's face relaxes slightly, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
MIN-SU You saw me?
HYUN-WOO Yeah. We're both going to need to work hard to match Seung-ho's voice, though. It's incredible.
Hyun-woo turns to Seung-ho, who flushes red, his eyes wide.
SEUNG-HO (He stammers) Oh... I... I'm not that good.
HYUN-WOO (He smiles warmly) You have a voice that can make people cry. That's a gift.
Hyun-woo's words are a revelation. He's not here to compete; he's here to build them up. Min-su and Seung-ho look at each other, a new, tentative sense of trust forming between them. The group has begun.
[SCENE END]