EPISODE 30: A New Leader, An Old Threat
**SCENE START]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - RECEPTION - DAY
The five members of ECHO are gathered in the lobby, a tangible buzz of excitement in the air. The CEO's words are still fresh in their minds: "July 16, 2014." Their debut date is set.
MIN-SU is practically bouncing on his toes, a wide, triumphant grin on his face.
MIN-SU I can't believe it! Ten months! We're going to be so ready. Did you guys hear the CEO? He said we're the future of this company!
SEUNG-HO smiles, nodding happily.
SEUNG-HO I'm just glad we have a timeline. Now we can really focus.
JAEHYUN sighs in relief.
JAEHYUN Finally. All this work for a real goal.
TAEYANG, ever quiet, just gives a small, confident nod.
Hyun-woo watches them, a mix of joy and unease in his heart. He knows what's coming. The CEO's phone call. The name Nexus Entertainment.
HYUN-WOO (Softly) We have to be careful. Other companies will try to get to us now.
MIN-SU (He scoffs, waving a hand dismissively) Let them try. The CEO just said they're small time. It was probably a scouting agency. Nothing to worry about. We're in Starlight Entertainment now. No one can touch us.
Hyun-woo looks at him, his face serious.
HYUN-WOO They're not just scouting. That's not what they do.
Min-su's grin fades. He looks at Hyun-woo, his new-found leadership authority on full display.
MIN-SU Look, Hyun-woo. I'm the leader now. I'll handle the business stuff. You just focus on the music. Okay?
Hyun-woo's jaw clenches, but he nods, swallowing his protest. He can't tell them the truth. Not yet.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - DANCE PRACTICE ROOM - DAY
The five boys are practicing a new, complex choreography. Min-su's leadership is a mix of high-energy passion and impulsive decisions. He constantly interrupts the routine to change a move or add a new one.
MIN-SU No, no, no! My move needs to be flashier right here! Everyone, hold!
Jaehyun and Seung-ho stop, looking exhausted. Taeyang just keeps moving, his eyes on his reflection, ignoring Min-su.
MIN-SU (To Taeyang) Hey! Did you not hear me? Stop!
TAEYANG (Without looking at him) We need to get the whole routine down first. Then we can add the embellishments.
Min-su's face flushes with anger. Hyun-woo steps in before a real fight can break out.
HYUN-WOO Taeyang's right. Let's do a run-through. Just the core moves. We have to be a single unit before we can be five stars.
Min-su looks at Hyun-woo, then at Taeyang, then back at Hyun-woo. He gives a frustrated sigh but nods.
MIN-SU Fine. Let's go from the top.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - HALLWAY - LATER
Min-su is walking down the hall alone. Hyun-woo catches up to him.
HYUN-WOO Min-su. We need to talk.
MIN-SU (He keeps walking, not looking at Hyun-woo) Look, I know what you're going to say. We're a team, blah blah blah. I get it. I just want us to be the best, okay?
HYUN-WOO It's not that. It's about Nexus Entertainment.
Min-su stops and turns, his face a mix of annoyance and suspicion.
MIN-SU What about them?
HYUN-WOO They're not just a small-time agency. I've heard things. They're desperate. They're trying to take down other groups to get ahead.
MIN-SU (He laughs, but it sounds forced) Oh, you mean like rumors and gossip? Hyun-woo, we're not little kids. We don't have to listen to every little thing we hear.
HYUN-WOO (Leaning in close, his voice low and serious) This isn't a rumor. The man who called the CEO, Director Lee... he's dangerous. He'll stop at nothing to get what he wants. He's the reason A-Star...
He stops himself. He can't say it.
MIN-SU (He looks at him, a flicker of doubt in his eyes) A-Star? What about them?
Hyun-woo takes a deep breath.
HYUN-WOO Nothing. Just… trust me on this. Don't underestimate them.
Min-su looks at him, a confused and slightly angry expression on his face. He's not used to being challenged. He walks away, leaving Hyun-woo alone in the hallway.
[SCENE END]
INT. NEXUS ENTERTAINMENT - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT
DIRECTOR LEE is at his desk, a laptop open in front of him. He is on a call, his voice calm and cold.
DIRECTOR LEE (Into phone) It seems Starlight Entertainment has decided to protect their investment. Very well. Let's send a little message to their little stars.
He hangs up. On his laptop, he pulls up a website for an anonymous blogger. He types a new post, his fingers moving with a chilling certainty.
The title flashes on the screen: "STILL TALENTED, BUT ARE THEY UNLUCKY? A-STAR'S CURSE MAY HAVE FOLLOWED ONE OF ITS MEMBERS TO STARLIGHT."
He attaches a blurry, out-of-focus photo of Hyun-woo in the distance. He doesn't need to be clear. He just needs to plant the seed of doubt.
FADE OUT.
[SCENE END]