chapter four

of collisions and wonders
april 22nd, 2016

“You want to add a member to Ethereal?” Seojun, Ethereal’s official manager, asked the stagnant Eric in front of him, “You want Ethereal to become a five-member girl group? Why now? When they have already recorded 2 pre-debut singles that are doing fairly well with the general public and are halfway through recording their debut album?”

Eric merely nodded, a cocky smile taking over his features, “It’s for the best. They wouldn’t stand a chance despite having Kai’s sister in it, a breathtakingly beautiful yet arrogant girl in it, a former YG trainee and Shinhwa’s Company hidden weapon.”

“But why all of a sudden?” He questioned, yet again,  infuriated by Eric’s sudden and unforeseen severe and perhaps highly penalizing actions, “You must have a valid reason to do such thing to a group that’s eight weeks away from officially debuting.”

Eric let out a heavy sigh, “YG Entertainment is debuting a girl group, a four-member girl group,” he explained, “In a sense, its assumed that it will be a carbon copy of their only girl group, 2NE1. I rather not take chances against such a powerful company.”

Seojun watched the expression plastered on Eric’s face – a mask filled with uneasiness that was being covered up by a fake sense of confidence and certainty that everything would sail. By adding a member there would occur a chain reaction, a chain reaction so chaotic it could damage the group’s dynamics.

“Really?” Seojun pointed his finger at Eric.

He, in return, raised his left eyebrow, curious over what the frantic manager had to say, “Please, talk all you want.”

Perhaps it was the sense that the four current members of Ethereal were, in a way, being deemed not enough to make it, perhaps it was the fact that he hadn’t slept in three days, or perhaps even both. “I will do so with pleasure.”

Eric cautiously watched the man in front of him.

“At the beginning, you intended on debuting a six-member girl group in hopes of mirroring Shinhwa, having them being known as the female counterpart of the longest lasting Korean Pop group, but gave up once G-Friend rose to fame. Noticing how K-Pop was being led by large groups you wanted to create a small one to reinstate the fact that smaller groups also stand out. And now you want a five-membered girl group, why? Because Red Velvet’s latest comeback didn’t do so well? What if they rise to fame eventually, what if they surpass Twice? Will you make a seven-membered girl group so they can stand a chance?” Seojun fiercefully spoke, gaining several glares from Eric, “Following your logic, they wouldn’t because there’s AOA."

Eric clapped, “You should become a politician. However, this is my company. I can do whatever I want. If I want to add a member to a group I can, even if the members of said group are against my choice.”

“You want a Stellar 2.0?” Seojun inquired, “A debut title track that flops, two members, leave, you find new members and make them have a comeback, and when the sea begins to waver too much you jump out of the boat? Because that’s what it seems like.”

Angered, Eric slammed his hands on his desk, “Stellar was a mistake overall.”

“Ethereal is the guinea pig.” Seojun retorted, “A lab experience, they must feel extremely honored.”

The conversation went on, it seemed endless. But all Seojun could focus on were his boss intentions. Were they ill or were they benevolent? Both his reasoning and mind were elusive, not comprehensible to the eye, no matter how hard he tried.

Seojun tried to persuade the man, however, to no avail.

Ethereal was no longer a four-member girl group, but a five-member girl group and the consequences of it was what Seojun genuinely feared for the girls wouldn’t know until Eric found it necessary.

And that’s what pained Seojun the most. Pretending that everything for Ethereal was set in stone.

of bitter sweetness and good mornings
may 18th, 2016 

At the bridge of insecurity and uncertainty, a familiar face was always present, her name was Chan Kyulbin, and she was to debut in Shinhwa Company’s very first group, Ethereal. Despite considering herself unworthy of such chance for in her opinion she was nothing but a filler member, however as the spring flowers bloomed slowly, so did Kyulbin, and she flourished beautifully, outshining even the prettiest of flowers that everyone had the desire to smell.

Still, the monster that represented her anxieties lingered. And it became ever so present once the covers all the members had recorded were posted online.

Kyulbin had covered ‘The Starry Night’ a reasonably unknown song by LAYBACKSOUND, however, a song that managed to showcase her honey voice, a voice you could fall asleep listening as it’s so soothing it calms one's fatigued brain and her guitar skills, skills she only learned once she joined Shinhwa Company.

Himawari had covered ‘Hug Me’ by Jung Joon Il, a song that In Kyulbin’s opinion oddly matched the girl she had always described to others as unapprochable until everything clicks into place. Jangmi covered ‘Leon’ a duet by Park Myungsoo and IU, a song that showed her delicate yet intriguing voice. And by last but not least, Dajung covered ‘Speak Now’ by Taylor Swift, being the only member to perform an English song, the song suited her, and like Kyulbin, she played the guitar further showing people their multi-talents.

The views on the four covers were reasonable. However, Kyulbin knew from day one that her three remaining members would get the higher numbers for they were already known to the public. Despite the two of them – Jangmi and Himawari – dislking being associated with SM Entertainment and their pre-debut team, SM Rookies, being a part of it gave them leverage. The same happened with Dajung as she had been part of YG Entertainment and had been recognized by Yang Hyun Suk himself as one the most talented trainees he ever had declaring her voice as "YG's Golden Voice" yet, he easily let her go when the creative direction for BLACKPINK clashed with Dajung's age.

Even though she took these facts into account she couldn’t help but be somewhat jealous over the occurring events, Kyulbin was still contented to see her members thrive, but she also wanted to prosper alongside them and not being a mere shadow in the group for shadows eventually disappear from Human’s sight.

Her brain had wandered off, numerous concerns drowning her thoughts Jangmi’s approaching figure becoming a mere blur as well an imperceptible figure to Kyulbin’s glazed eyes “Are you okay?” the older girl asked.

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