EPISODE 33: The First Strike
**SCENE START]
INT. PHOTO SHOOT STUDIO - MORNING
The studio is a whirlwind of organized chaos. The air smells of hairspray and new clothes. Stylists, makeup artists, and assistants are scurrying about. In a small waiting area, the five members of ECHO sit together, a mix of nervous energy and excitement.
Hyun-woo, drawing on the calm he's regained, watches the others. Min-su is trying to look cool, but his foot is tapping a mile a minute. Seung-ho is quietly reviewing his notes, and Jaehyun is looking at his phone, his face lit with a shy smile. Taeyang is simply observing, his eyes taking in every detail.
A stylist approaches Min-su, holding up a sleek black jacket.
STYLIST (MALE) (To Min-su) This is for you. You're the leader, so we want you to have a strong, sharp look.
Min-su's chest puffs out with pride. He looks at Hyun-woo, then back at the stylist, a new sense of authority in his demeanor.
MIN-SU Yeah. That's me. The leader.
Hyun-woo watches the interaction, a silent, knowing smile on his face.
[SCENE END]
INT. PHOTO SHOOT STUDIO - PHOTO AREA - DAY
The lights are bright and hot, a sudden, blinding flash. A PHOTOGRAPHER is shouting directions from behind the camera.
PHOTOGRAPHER Okay, guys! We're doing group shots. Look at each other. Laugh! Be brothers!
The boys try to follow the directions, but they're stiff and awkward. The poses are forced. The photographer sighs.
PHOTOGRAPHER (Slightly frustrated) Come on, guys! I need to see some real chemistry! You're a team!
Hyun-woo steps forward, his voice calm and clear.
HYUN-WOO (To the photographer) Give us a minute.
He turns to the other four, his voice dropping to a whisper. He reminds them of their late-night practice sessions, the shared snacks, the exhaustion, the laughter.
HYUN-WOO Remember who we are. Not just five boys trying to debut. We're a family.
He looks at each of them. A spark of understanding passes between them. They step back into their positions, and this time, the smiles are genuine. Min-su and Taeyang share a quiet look. Seung-ho puts an arm around Jaehyun. The photographer starts shooting again, and the clicks of the camera are fast and furious.
The clicks of the camera grow in speed and a new, genuine energy comes over the group. The stylist, who had been watching, gets a phone call. He excuses himself to take it. His face hardens as he listens. He looks at Hyun-woo from a distance, then looks at his watch.
[SCENE END]
INT. PHOTO SHOOT STUDIO - BREAK AREA - CONTINUOUS
The boys are on a five-minute break, getting a drink of water. Hyun-woo notices the stylist acting strangely. He is now hovering near the group, his hands a little too close to their perfectly styled hair and clothes.
Suddenly, the stylist "accidentally" bumps into Jaehyun, smudging his meticulously applied makeup. He "trips" and runs his hand through Min-su's styled hair, messing it up. He tries to adjust Taeyang's pose, twisting his arm awkwardly.
Hyun-woo immediately steps in, his hand gently but firmly stopping the stylist's arm.
HYUN-WOO (Calmly) I think we've got it. We can handle it from here.
The stylist looks at him, a flicker of fear in his eyes.
HYUN-WOO (He leans in close, his voice a chilling whisper) Director Lee told you to do this, didn't he? To ruin our photos. To make us look unprofessional. Tell him he's failed.
The stylist's face pales. He stammers a denial, but Hyun-woo doesn't give him a chance.
HYUN-WOO (He looks at the other boys, a small smile on his face) Min-su, fix your hair. Seung-ho, help Jaehyun with his makeup. We need to be ready in two minutes.
The boys look at Hyun-woo, then at each other. They understand immediately. The stylist, defeated, watches them. The boys, with no training in styling, work together to fix themselves, their actions coordinated and swift.
[SCENE END]
INT. PHOTO SHOOT STUDIO - PHOTO AREA - LATER
The shoot is wrapping up. The photographer looks at the camera screen, a wide smile on his face. He's looking at a photo of the five boys standing together, a look of pure, confident defiance in their eyes. The shot is perfect.
PHOTOGRAPHER That's a wrap! Great job, gentlemen! I think these are the best shots I've ever taken.
The boys all look at Hyun-woo, a sense of relief and quiet victory on their faces. They know they have survived another attack. They are not just a group anymore; they are a fortress.
[SCENE END]