༺ Requesting Cloud Support from a Shooting Star – 1 ༻
Hee-wook was okay in his own way.
The idol group he belonged to, ‘Two Planet (2Planet)’, was in a situation where it was hard to say that they had a promising future, even as a lie. But he wasn’t depressed.
Even though the new song he had prepared and released every few months couldn’t even make it into the top 100 on the charts, and despite the lack of new faces among the fans with each comeback and the gradual decrease in the number of existing fans was noticeable, he had to clap in the darkness when an idol colleague who debuted at the same time won first place on a music show.
Hee-wook believed that he would be okay as he was. If there were 100 debut idol teams in reality, only one or two teams managed to make their name known to the public, and the bottom dozens of teams barely made it to the opening of the music show.
Two Planet, now in their fourth year since debut, had been consistently releasing albums, and during their activity period, they always appeared in the middle of all music shows, including the three major networks. They also got invited to various local events and stood on stage.
Releasing an album required a huge amount of money, but they could pay off some of the debt with event fees. They weren’t at a level where they had to worry about what would happen tomorrow.
Hee-wook firmly believed that Two Planet would thrive even more if they worked hard, as it was clear that they were in the upper-middle tier in this industry.
“We’re off work!”
At the event hall in Paju, the Two Planet members who finished their stage hurried towards the parking lot. Among them, Jae Gyu yawned and shouted loudly.
Hee-wook got into the car and deeply leaned his body into the seat. The intro to a girl group’s new song and cheers faintly rang in his ears. The audience that filled the large event hall was mainly waiting for them.
Hee-wook, who barely slept last night, blinked his eyes open and closed. The manager was the last to get in the van and start the engine. Hee-wook looked around at the members. Everyone was busy looking at their own phones. Hee-wook also took out his phone and connected to SNS.
Not long ago, all the members were allowed to set up personal SNS accounts with the company’s permission. Today, there were DMs from fans as well. Hee-wook opened the message at the very top.
[YK_woogie : Hee-wook Oppa! You worked hard today as well. I’m in America, so I can’t go in person. I kept looking for pictures and fancams, and you were really cool today. I hope I can see you on a music show soon! I love you so muchㅠ I always support you! -Yu Kyung-]
Hee-wook closed his eyes as he scrolled through the colorful hearts attached to the end of the exclamation point.
He considered the age of the fan named Yu-kyung. She must be about to enter high school. The sight of her reminded him of his younger cousin who showed up at every holiday, growing taller each time. A strange smile lingered on his lips. Hee-wook recalled the time when his passionate fan, Yu-kyung, came to see him in person.
It was less than a month since Two Planet had debuted, and Yu-kyung was only fourteen years old at the time.
＊＊＊
“I wish you were loved more than you are now.”
A girl, with her hat pulled down, said this in front of Hee-wook who had just finished signing. Her skin was dark as if sunburned, her black hair reaching her shoulders. A husky voice flowed from between her cherry-like lips.
“I want to see you for a very long time.”
“Yu-kyung…”
When Hee-wook called her name, the girl lifted her head. On the first day of the fan signing event, when he asked the trembling child her name, she mumbled ‘Yu-kyung…’. So Hee-wook didn’t know Yu-kyung’s surname. There was no way to know the fans’ surnames as he usually wrote only the first two characters of their names without the surname after ‘To’ when signing, and it was not really important.
“Wouldn’t it be possible if you promise to keep supporting me?”
Clear eyes hidden under the shade of the hat sparkled. Strength returned to her previously drooping shoulders. Yu-kyung, who clenched her fist on the table, nodded vigorously.
“Of course. Even if it becomes difficult to see Two Planet because of their skyrocketing popularity, I will continue to love them!”
Hee-wook held his breath for a moment at her determined gaze. It was as if starlight was pouring from her dark, sparkling eyes.
Although she was a small, young girl, the immense affection and admiration he felt from a fan made Hee-wook feel overwhelmed, as if his heart was thumping. He momentarily hesitated as his chest welled up, but then he regained his composure and smiled broadly.
“Right. Yu-kyung should continue to like me even when she grows up, right?”
Yu-kyung nodded her head vigorously.
“It will be forever.”
He was pleased with the vehement affirmation, but in reality, Hee-wook didn’t fully believe in the word “forever.”
Yu-kyung was a child who followed her sister, a fan of Two Planet. She was only seventeen now. Having just graduated from elementary school, her interests would likely diversify as she interacted with her friends, and it would be difficult to continue her active fan activities while focusing on her studies. As she grew older, she would probably completely forget about the male idol who was nine years older than her.
However, unexpectedly, Yu-kyung consistently visited for a year. She regularly attended fan sign events with her sister, Kyung-jin. She always wore her hat low, dressed in a bulky hooded tee, with her natural hair cascading over her shoulders.
The last time Hee-wook saw Yu-kyung was when she was fifteen and he was twenty-four.
“Yu-kyung, you’ve grown a lot. You might be taller than our youngest, right?”
It was the first fan signing event after the release of their mini third album. Yu-kyung, who he hadn’t seen for about three months between activities, seemed gloomy that day. Seeing that her face, passed over from the next member, seemed higher than before, Hee-wook casually made a comment, which made Yu-kyung flinch and sigh deeply.
“Hello.”
“Why does your voice sound like that? Do you have a cold?”
“No!”
Although her voice was husky to begin with, when he asked because it sounded particularly raspy, Yu-kyung was startled. Seeing Hee-wook’s wide eyes, she quickly waved her hand.
“No, yes. That’s correct.”
Yu-kyung, who quickly corrected herself, took a deep breath. Hee-wook grinned and signed the album.
‘To. Always beautiful Yu-kyung.’ Over Hee-wook’s head, who meticulously wrote even the adjective Yu-kyung didn’t ask for, a heavy voice dropped.
“Oppa.”
“Hm?”
“I can’t come anymore.”
Surprised by her depressed voice, Hee-wook looked up.
“Because of your studies?”
“No, rather than that……”
Yu-kyung lowered her head and bit her lower lip.
“I’m going somewhere. Not moving. I, I’m going to study abroad.”
“Study abroad?”
Yu-kyung, who had been staring at the floor, suddenly met his eyes.
“But it doesn’t mean I’m no longer your fan. I’ll continue to support you. And I’ll write letters.”
It was very disappointing to hear the farewell of a fan who had been consistently visiting, but as an adult, he couldn’t afford to make the young fan uncomfortable. Hee-wook smiled lightly.
“Studying abroad, that’s cool. I’m envious. You have to keep me updated on how you’re doing.”
“Yes……”
“When you come to visit Korea later, make sure you come to see me. I won’t forget your face by then.”
“……Really?”
Yu-kyung stared at Hee-wook with a tearful expression.
“Of course.”
When Hee-wook extended his pinky, Yu-kyung hesitated for a moment before linking her finger with his. Yu-kyung, who usually chatted away, was silent that day, staring at Hee-wook’s face before she left her seat.
After that, Yu-kyung left messages every day instead of visiting in person.
She wrote letters on the ‘To. 2Planet’ board of the official fan cafe, left secret comments on posts Hee-wook made on ‘From. 2Planet’, etc. Yu-kyung’s messages stacked up daily in various ways.
[Thank you for uploading your selfie, Hee-wook Oppa. You’re really handsome. Thanks to you, I think today is going to be a refreshing day! Thank you!]
After Hee-wook set up his personal SNS, DMs started coming in.
[YK_woogie : The outfit was really beautiful! As expected, Seong Hee-wook looks perfect in red. The new choreography must have been difficult to adjust to, but you looked so natural without any awkwardness. Really.. there’s nothing cute or sexy you can’t doㅠㅠ]
On days when there was a stage schedule, feedback on Hee-wook’s performance flew in.
[YK_woogie : How was your day today? I was really busy and it was tough…ㅠ Got scolded by the teacher too… Ha ㅠㅠI miss 2Planet]
On days when there was no content to comment on, Yu-kyung’s small daily stories were shared.
[YK_woogie : I’m sorry that I always come here and whine when I’m feeling down…ㅠ I wish you always have good things happening]
Although he could not respond, Hee-wook read the fans’ messages every day.
He never felt it was bothersome. He often forgot his fatigue and smiled at the unusually supportive messages, frowned with concern when a depressing message came in, and felt touched by the words wishing for his fortune.
Reading the support messages sent by fans, including Yu-kyung, was the strength that sustained Hee-wook’s day-to-day life.
＊＊＊
“We’re here. Everyone get out! Good job.”
In front of the villa where 2Planet’s dormitory was located, the members got out of the car one by one. Hee-wook was the last to get out and glanced at the passenger seat. The passenger side door opened at last when the other members, who had gotten out earlier, were about to press the entrance password.
Yoon Min, who was neatly dressed from head to toe, unlike the other members who were drenched in sweat from dancing and whose clothes were in a mess from sleeping as if they had passed out while on the move, got out of the passenger seat.
Hee-wook, who had been watching Yoon Min leisurely fastening his shirt sleeve buttons, approached him. Yoon Min quickly raised his eyes to identify the person.
“Cha Yoon Min, can we talk for a bit?”
Yoon Min glanced at the waiting members. The members, who had been observing the two with a mix of sleepiness and curiosity, slowly entered the entrance.
“Sure, I was dying to have a smoke anyway.”
Hee-wook took the lead as he saw Yoon Min’s smiling face.
Sitting on the bench set up on the rooftop, Hee-wook looked straight at Yoon Min who was lighting up his cigarette, and opened his mouth.
“You made a lot of mistakes on stage today. Even messed up the lyrics.”
“Did I? Was it noticeable?”
Yoon Min nonchalantly asked as he exhaled a cloud of smoke. Hee-wook scowled.
“I know you’ve been busy because of the new drama you’re filming, but it’s our recent song, you can’t mess it up like that.”
“Ah, you’re right! It’s this year’s release. I was pretty bad.”
“…If you know, practice regularly. So you won’t mess up next time.”
“Yeah, but hyung.”
Yoon Min, who had been responding weakly, took a deep puff of his cigarette and exhaled. The smoke spread in the air like a cloud. With a frown, Hee-wook stared at his handsome, smooth face. The most popular member of 2Planet revealed his white teeth and smiled.
“There won’t be a next time.”
The statement was far from definitive, sounded lackluster and drained, but it struck Hee-wook like a whip. Hee-wook froze with his eyes wide open. In that moment, Yoon Min added another sentence.
“I’m planning to quit being an idol.”
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