Jaehwan had always loved singing.

He was not quite sure where his artistic inclination came from; no one in his family was particularly musically gifted or artistically creative, but yet there he is. When he was younger, Jaehwan was convinced that his mother had picked up the wrong baby home from the hospital. Now that he is older (and a bit more well-versed in Biology), he is convinced it is the recessive smart genes, which his elder brothers took completely and so he failed to inherit any, that converted to artistic talent.

Either way, Jaehwan was glad for his gift.

Granted, it was a long journey to get to where he is now – a successful idol group member with countless wins and awards – but Jaehwan was thankful for the experience. Plus he now got the opportunity to explore acting in musicals (which he also loves by the way) but if he really had to choose between the two, singing would still trump it all. It is, and will be, his first non-living-thing love.

There was just something magical in the way poetic lyrics come together with beautiful compositions to create a synergy that he could not explain. Particularly when the lyrics resonate within him; it stirs up emotions like a volcano. Or waterfall. Either way, that is probably why he always tears up when singing songs specially written for his Starlight babies. It is definitely NOT because he is a crybaby.

But ever since receiving her letter (which he is still in denial/anger/depression depending on what mood or weather the day is), Jaehwan has been finding it difficult to resonate with the songs he sings. Lively songs, sad songs, happy songs, 'emo' songs... none of them ignited anything within him so far. And it is driving him crazy.

He felt like a cardboard cutout – completely flat and dimensionless, even if he managed to execute what he had learnt from her with technical flawlessness.

No one else seems to have noticed any difference though. He must be a better actor than he thought he was. That, and partly due to the fact that his mask of boundless energy and ageyo was, well, a perfect mask. And he continued to sing despite the emptiness. 

I have been watching your vocal performances, and am amazed by how much emotion and soul you put into each one…

He wondered if she was watching him now.

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