"There was a time when not one person...cared to even glance in our direction."

“Isn’t that the lead singer of H.O.T.?”

“No, no, that’s the ex-lead singer, right? H.O.T. disbanded months ago!”

“Oh, right. He’s a nobody now, isn’t he?”

“Of course he is! Does he really think he can take on a solo career?”

Chil-Hyun kept his head down and shoved his hands deeper into his coat pockets, squeezing his eyes shut in hopes of blocking out the gossip. He took slow steps down the sidewalk. Could he really make it on his own? Could he succeed without the support of his then-group? Could he build up his own fanbase from scratch?

Would he be able to continue on, against the criticism of everyone?

A man suddenly bumped into him rather harshly, causing him to wince.

“Sorry, didn’t see you there,” the man said, not sounding sorry at all.

Chil-Hyun walked on, with more determined steps this time.

He would be able to make it on his own; he knew he could. If there was one thing he possessed that he was absolutely sure of, it was pure talent.

That alone, would surely be enough to propel him forward once more.