EPISODE 31: The Shadow of a Past Life
**SCENE START]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - DANCE PRACTICE ROOM - DAY
The five members of ECHO are on a short break. They are all sitting on the floor, scrolling through their phones, catching up on social media. The mood is light, filled with a nervous, pre-debut energy.
JAEHYUN (Laughing) Did you see that post about our upcoming debut? The fans are already speculating about our concept.
SEUNG-HO (Smiling) I know! It's so exciting. The hype is real.
MIN-SU (Scrolling on his phone, a smug look on his face) Wait until they see what we have in store. They have no idea.
Suddenly, Min-su's face freezes. His eyes are wide, and his confident smile completely vanishes. He slowly turns his phone to show the others.
The screen shows a viral post from an anonymous blogger. The title reads: "IS A-STAR'S CURSE BACK? AN OLD GHOST HAUNTS A NEW GROUP."
The first paragraph talks about a talented, new trainee at Starlight Entertainment who has a connection to the disbanded group A-Star. It hints at a scandal and suggests that this trainee's past failures will ruin his new team's future.
Min-su's hands are shaking. The other three boys lean in closer, reading the post. They look up at Hyun-woo, then back at the phone.
SEUNG-HO (His voice is a whisper) Hyun-woo... is this about you?
Hyun-woo's face is calm, but his eyes are filled with a grim certainty. This is exactly what he knew would happen.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - CEO'S OFFICE - DAY
A few minutes later, the five boys are in the CEO's office. The CEO, his face a mixture of concern and anger, is on the phone.
CEO LEE (Into the phone, his voice sharp) I don't care who you are. This is a malicious attack on a minor and my company. If this post isn't taken down immediately, I will be pursuing legal action.
He slams the phone down on the desk. He looks at Hyun-woo, then at the rest of the group.
CEO LEE This is completely baseless. We will handle this. It will be off the internet in a few hours.
Min-su steps forward, his face pale.
MIN-SU (To Hyun-woo) You… you knew. You told me to be careful. You knew this would happen. How?
The CEO looks between them, confused.
HYUN-WOO (He takes a deep breath, looking at his new family) I can't explain everything. But I know who wrote that post. I know what he's capable of. I know who the man in the red jacket is.
The CEO's eyes narrow. He sees that Hyun-woo has information he doesn't. He sees the trust in the eyes of the other four boys as they look at Hyun-woo.
CEO LEE (To Hyun-woo) You know this man?
HYUN-WOO His name is Director Lee. He runs a small company called Nexus Entertainment. He was trying to recruit Jung Min-jun, but now he's trying to sabotage us.
Min-su's face falls. He looks down at his hands, a deep sense of shame and guilt washing over him. He had been so arrogant, so sure of himself.
JAEHYUN Why would he do this? What does he want?
HYUN-WOO (He looks at Min-su) He wants to prove a point. That he can create a star and destroy one. He wants to show the industry that he is the one with the power, not them.
[SCENE END]
INT. STARLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - DANCE PRACTICE ROOM - DAY
The five boys are back in the practice room. The earlier excitement is gone, replaced by a tense silence. Min-su is sitting by himself, his head in his hands.
Seung-ho sits next to him.
SEUNG-HO Hey. It's not your fault.
MIN-SU (His voice is full of self-loathing) Yes, it is. I should have listened to him. He warned me. I was so cocky. So stupid. I should have listened.
Hyun-woo walks over and sits in front of Min-su.
HYUN-WOO (Softly) We don't have time for this. We have a debut to prepare for. And a rival to beat.
Min-su looks up, his eyes red.
MIN-SU (His voice barely a whisper) What do we do? We're a target now. We're a team, but we don't even know what we're up against.
Hyun-woo looks at each of them. He sees the fear and the trust in their eyes. He sees that they are no longer just a group of trainees. They are a family, and he is their leader.
HYUN-WOO (His voice is strong and clear) We fight. And we win. We're going to use everything we have. Every song, every dance move, every moment together. We are going to debut, and we are going to be the best. We have to show them that we are not afraid. We are ECHO.
The four boys look at him, a new sense of hope in their eyes. The fear is still there, but it is now overshadowed by a powerful, unified resolve. They have a leader.
FADE OUT.
[SCENE END]