EPISODE 27: The Countdown
**SCENE START]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - DANCE PRACTICE ROOM - DAY
The large, mirrored room is filled with music and the faint sound of sneakers squeaking on the floor. HYUN-WOO, MIN-SU, and SEUNG-HO are practicing a basic choreography. The routine is simple, but their movements are out of sync.
MIN-SU (He stops, frustrated) Ugh, I keep missing the turn. It's too slow! I'm a street dancer, not a ballerina.
Hyun-woo, using his memory of their future choreography, steps forward.
HYUN-WOO (Calmly) You're not missing it. You're anticipating it. Just hold the beat for an extra half-second. Trust the timing.
Min-su looks at him, skeptical, but tries it. This time, his turn is perfectly in sync with Seung-ho's move. Min-su's face shows a mix of surprise and grudging respect. Seung-ho just smiles, relieved.
SEUNG-HO See? I told you he knows what he's doing.
The door opens, and a company EMPLOYEE motions for them to follow.
EMPLOYEE The CEO wants to see you three.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - CEO'S OFFICE - DAY
CEO LEE is sitting at his large desk. The atmosphere is formal and serious. A large whiteboard behind him shows a tentative calendar. He motions for the three boys to sit down.
CEO LEE (His voice is direct) Boys. I wanted to meet with you today to officially tell you my plan. Your group will be debuting.
The three boys straighten up in their chairs, a jolt of excitement and nerves running through them.
MIN-SU (A grin spreading across his face) For real? When?
CEO LEE (He looks at the calendar) July 16, 2014. That's ten months from now.
Min-su's grin widens. Hyun-woo's eyes widen. He knows that date. In his past life, that was the date A-Star first debuted. His timeline is back on track.
CEO LEE We are currently three members strong. I have decided to make this a five-member group. I have two more trainees in mind. We'll be bringing them in soon to train with you.
Min-su's face falls. He looks at Hyun-woo, then at Seung-ho.
MIN-SU Two more? Who are they? Are they even good?
Hyun-woo shoots Min-su a subtle look, a silent plea to be quiet.
CEO LEE (His eyes are sharp and intimidating) Their talent is not up for discussion. They are going to be a part of this team. You three need to work together and accept them. A group is a family, not a competition. You have ten months to become the best group out there. Don't waste a single day.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HALLWAY - DAY
The three boys walk out of the office in stunned silence. Min-su breaks it.
MIN-SU Five members? Who are they? What if they mess everything up?
SEUNG-HO (He looks at Min-su calmly) The CEO said they're talented. We have to trust him.
Hyun-woo is quiet, his mind racing. He knows who they are. His heart pounds, a mix of anxiety and fear. Two new variables, two new lives he has to protect.
HYUN-WOO (He looks at them both) We have ten months. We need to focus. We need to be ready.
[SCENE END]
INT. HYUN-WOO'S ROOM - NIGHT
Hyun-woo is at his desk. He has a notepad open, and he's scribbling the names of the two boys he knows from his future. His hands are shaking.
He turns to his laptop. He searches for a popular vocal school in Seoul and a list of its top students in 2013. He finds a name: JAEHYUN. A young, powerful vocalist with a face he remembers.
He then searches a list of top dance teams in the city. He finds a team name and a photo of a young, artistic boy with a shy smile. He recognizes the face. The name below the photo is TAEYANG.
Hyun-woo stares at the screen. These two boys, in his past life, were part of a different group. Now, they're going to be on his team. A team he's building from scratch. He knows their strengths, but he also knows their weaknesses.
The game is on.
FADE OUT.
[SCENE END]