TRAINEE HWANG WOONG DREAMS OF RISING HIGH
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basics
Hwang Woong
April 7, 1999 (21)
Seoul, SK
Seoul
South Korea
Korean
Lee Hangyul (X1? IM? H&D now I think)
Lee Jeno (NCT)
appearance and style
Currently, Woong is sporting bleached locks, but there are definite plans to dye his hair back to dark very soon. Wnen not performing, he's sporting glasses as he is slightly near sighted, usually with his air pods in his ears as he listens to some music while envisioning choreo or letting his mind wander otherwise. But his posture if great, his head held high, and he's got the air of confidence about him that makes you think he has everything under control.
Expensive are his clothing, even his work out and training gear. Everything is well made and nary a thread seems out of place. while expensive, his fashion is fairly muted and simple, and if not for the name brands and price point, it'd be very casual and unassuming more than anything.
#178cm #70kg
personality
"I know you're trying, but that move was wrong and you keep getting it wrong. From the top again. Pay attention to what I do, ask me if you don't understand. We've got less than an hour before evaluations.and you know the trainers won't be kind."
- Hwang Woong during a dance practice, 2018
In comes Hwang Woong, all perfect posture and head held high. His ability to walk with purpose and deliberacy, seemingly haing airs of regality in how he carries himself, has earned him a nickname around HRE of "Prince Hwang". Poised and rarely seemingly caugh unaware of things, Woong is perfect example of someone who seems to have everything in order. He might even appear as the most put together person you might meet. As he's stretching in front of the practice room mirror, his eyes remain focused on his reflection.
While not a perfectionist, he takes great care in how he works towards his objectives. With the music coming alive around him, Woong takes his first step at the drop of the beat. Fluidly he moves, seemlessly to the eyes of those watching him. What they don't see is the nights before of him standing in front of this same mirror and replaying the one piece he messed up over and over again. It needs to be right. Every movement has a purpose and should be correct. It's almost mechanical how he narrows in with precision. Details matter. Know the flaws and correct them. Why don't others understand this and see it that way?
He sees what people are saying and thinking. They don't always get to know what he is, but he is cognizant of their thoughts and feelings on matters. He doesn't want to let it affect him, but it does. He loses focus for a moment upon seeing someone peering in at him and whispering to someone else.
Or how about no one sees how he pours his all into a dance because...what else is there? He doesn't know where he's going in life. He knows what he SHOULD be doing. That's easy. Tell him what to do and he can do that. Ask him what he wants to do? He stumbles a little in his movement, internally wincing as he regains his momentum and continues his dance. Please don't ask him what he wants o be doing...Woong doesn't even know anymore.
He sees what people are saying and thinking. They don't always get to know what he is, but he is cognizant of their thoughts and feelings on matters. He doesn't want to let it affect him, but it does. He loses focus for a moment upon seeing someone peering in at him and whispering to someone else.
Or how about no one sees how he pours his all into a dance because...what else is there? He doesn't know where he's going in life. He knows what he SHOULD be doing. That's easy. Tell him what to do and he can do that. Ask him what he wants to do? He stumbles a little in his movement, internally wincing as he regains his momentum and continues his dance. Please don't ask him what he wants o be doing...Woong doesn't even know anymore.
And no one saw him break out into an excited laugh when he got the moves just right all alone in front of the mirror. The last thing people never seem to see is how pleased he is when he does things right. How at the end of all this, he'll sneak some kimbap into his dorm, huddled with his headphones to watch some bad horror or sci fi movie. Away from prying eyes, he can just be a lazy boy who sometimes laughs just a little loudly with a snort. Drop the regal demeanor, because who needs "Prince Hwang"? Right now, he's just Woong. The same one, in the privacy with his closest trainee friends that makes faces at them, deadpans, purposefully overact his stumbles and falls because he and they think it's funny. If he didn't feel like the weight of expectation was so high on him, maybe others would see this Woong over the star of HRE all the time.
So what's real? Woong sometimes doesn't even know. He'd rather be stumbling around, laughing at some dumb joke a frien made a little too hard, or tripping over his own feet because he didn't need to be so mindful of them. Alas, in public, Woong swallows those all down to be HRE's golden trainee.
"No, come here! Look, look, LOOK. See this cat video? IT'S THE CUTEST I SWEAR! Don't look at me like that, LOOK AT THE CAT!"
- Hwang Woong, dorkus maximus 2019
#indecisive #Diligent #Confident #Reticent #Poised #reallyisthebiggestdork #Empathetic #Critical #Obstinate
pre-debut history
Starting at the young age of 5 with CFs and modeling children's clothing, Woong has only known the spotlight seemingly his whole life. He even landed roles as yung versions of characters in the dramas "To the Beautiful You", "Listen to My Heart", and "The Innocent Man".Woong's parents have always been so proud of their accomplished child, showing him off everywhere.
"Woongie, recite that poem mama taught you!"
"Woong-ah! Smile pretty for the camera!"
"Baby stand up straighter, your shoulders are hunched."
"Woong-ah, when you get older we might talk to auntie's husband. He's a plastic surgeon-"
"Our Woong is too good for HRE's current groups."
"Our Woong actually taught them that dance, you know?"
"Just wait for it. Jungkook, Jimin, Daniel who? Hwang Woong will be the next top star!"
- Things his parents have said past and present.
Excellence. In the Hwang family it is what's expected. While his father never did quite become a famous actor or doctor, he does run a successful real estate business along with a long line of familial wealth. Maybe it was vanity that made Woong's father decide his child deserved the spotlight where he couldn't have it. The draw of a life in the spotlight filled with glamour. Along with a former model of a wife who knew people in the industry, and everyone knows Woong was offered so many opporunities growing up others would have killed for.
While Woong knows he's lef a priviledged life, he always wished his parents would have backed off a little. He would have liked not spending his time rushing between auditions, photoshoots, and school to stay on top of things. Where was the time to go to the arcade with schoolmates? Or how about even going to study groups or just getting something from a cafe? As bad as it sounds to some, Woong would have killed to have some more of the mundane things in his life.
Thankfully, acting lessened once his parents discovered he had more artistic inclinations in dance and singing. Soon, acting and auditions changed to vocal lessons and dance studios. Life was structured and regimented to ensure he had time for his career and to maintain good scholastic standing. It wasn't long after that they began shopping around for entertainment companies for Woong.
Enter High Rise Entertainment.
idol history
It really did surprise everyone when 2016 rolled around and Woong didn't end up debuting with The XX. He'd trained with them for almost a year since his entering of the company and there are practice videos and even demos of him doing the vocals of their debut song and practicing the choreo. However, a final decision was made to not debut him with the group due to needing more powerful vocalists along with working out a contract dispute his parents had with the company.
It wasn't as if that was the end of it though. There was full intention to have him join the group the following year during Easy Love promotions after the dispute was worked out, and in an attempt to add more interest into The XX, but then Produce 101 happened. Instead, they sent him as the representative for HRE, and there are promotional pictures of him for the show. He had to drop, however, when an ankle injury during the "Pick Me" performance left him unable to dance and required he rest. So he never actually appeared in any episodes and HRE did not send any other trainees.
It wasn't as if that was the end of it though. There was full intention to have him join the group the following year during Easy Love promotions after the dispute was worked out, and in an attempt to add more interest into The XX, but then Produce 101 happened. Instead, they sent him as the representative for HRE, and there are promotional pictures of him for the show. He had to drop, however, when an ankle injury during the "Pick Me" performance left him unable to dance and required he rest. So he never actually appeared in any episodes and HRE did not send any other trainees.
By now, adding him to The XX was not ideal and truth be told, someone upstairs probably thought it'd be a waste of Woong. Briefly, he was considered possibly for Agate, but that was shot down very quickly as they didn't want to take the gamble of him in that experiment.
Instead, Woong begins actually choreographing and helping the label with their dancers and artists. He tends to appear as a backup dancer on stages when needed and has even contributed or created to the choreography for some title tracks, especially for The XX. Woong is a staple around the label at this point and people at the very least recognize him if not outright know him. He's an asset to HRE, and as such does tend to get preferential treatment it seems at times.
HRE New is what people call the trainee/rookie group of dancers High Rise has promoted as a mini-project group of sorts. They even have 2 MVs out. Things really are looking promising as HRE is due to debut a boy group next (supposedly). Woong will no doubt be part of these plans, right?
Through all this, Woong has been dreading the day it happens.
idol/trainee life
"Here comes Prince Hwang."
"Woong do you want to join us for lunch today?"
"Not likely. There he goes, off to more practice or whatever the heck it is he has to do today. He ain't got time for us peasants."
- A couple of HRE Trainees
Woong is a common sight at HRE at this point in his life. Starting his training five years ago, he was already a good dancer and decent vocalist when he joined HRE. A lot of people were impressed by him when he joined and many assumed he would be part of The XX. Everything should have lined up: he trained with them near daily.
But that was not to be and Woong continued his days/years as a trainee in HRE.
Ever diligent and reliable, Woong was quick to become known as the Golden Trainee. Through his training he only continued to hone his skills while balancing school. He always gave this air of near perfection. Sometimes annoying perfection as the model trainee and student. Woong had to keep up appearances.
Woong hated it. He was relieved when he didn't debut with The XX honestly, and he feels bad about feeling that way. Everyone is rooting for him and making opportunities happen. He had their expectations to live up to...
Train, meet up for more training with the other top dancers of HRE's male trainees, meet up with an XX member maybe either for a bit of social call or maybe even more training, onto vocal and rap training: Woong barely has time to eat. He's such a common sight at HRE and involved in their artists, that fans of HRE's idols are already well aware of him and who he is. Woong is seemingly the perfect debut waiting to happen.
But these expectations have made it hard for Woong to associate with the other trainees anymore. With the three others part of "HRE New", Hwiseul and other members of The XX, Woong finds he's more often alone than not. Even when he tries or wants to socialize, he either has little time or intimidates others into being awkward with him. Woong doesn't get it: he's not mean or anything. In fact, he's so far from the perfect trainee character he portrays. Yes, he's critical of the other trainees when it comes to their actual training, but beyond that he just wants to be a dumb teenager/young adult.
People want him to debut, but Woong feels like he's suffocating under the pressure as time goes on. He avoids interactions more and more, and lately even the stage and training rooms he used to find solace in seem intimidating and uninviting. Does he even want any of this anymore? Does he have a say? He's so conflicted and confused...
...and just unhappy these days. He can't find joy in most things having to do with idol life. And that is becoming more and more a problem.
idol/trainee profile
woong
Hoshi (SVT)
5 Years
NA - not including time spent as a child actor, or in independent dance studios.
group members
"I swear if High Rise doesn't debut these boys, I'll give up kpop!!"
- Random fan comment on "Lilili Yabbay"
HRE New - Not really an official group so much as a performance unit of their top dance trainees. They really are meant to be exhibition to further promote HRE between their artists. They were created in 2018 and have put out two MVs: Lilili Yabbay and Highlight. They choreographed their owns dances for this music and arguably are some of the more successful non-idol MVs on HRE's channel.. **a/n: I imagine the MVs to be less well produced than the actual ones linked here and more about the choreo**
They're relatively close and have only grown closer over the course of their training together. Most in HRE assume when the next boy group is debuted, they expect these four to be part of it. Honestly, if Woong were to debut, and at least have some of these guys with him...he thinks he could enjoy it.
**if they debut or plan to, I envision them using Oneus' discography or maybe AB6IX**
Noh Jisung | FC: Xion (Oneus) | 00 liner | Dancer, Vocal | Quiet and sometimes invisible until he performs, Jisung is the slow burn type that you never expect to suddenly say something sassy, but he surely is. He doesn't tend to get as much attention as his fellows at times because of this, but on stage he moves so fluidly and charismatically that people forget this and all eyes are on him. He's been only with the company for two years and was the last to join of the four. It's generally agreed that he is probably the third best of the four with dance. 
Lu Ren | FC: Lai Kuanlin | 01 liner | Dancer, Vocal | Ren is terribly earnest. He's eager to please and impress, and he definitely doesn't let fluency in Korean stop him. Fortunately, the other three have tried to learn enough Mandarin to help him along as needed. He cares not for the mistakes he makes, and keeps on going: the same energy he uses in his everyday life. Ren really exudes that typical "bright, cute, happy maknae" energy. Even though he is a great dancer, out of the four he's probably fourth ranked. 
Kang Cheolmin | FC: Dino *(VT) | 99 liner | Dancer, Rapper, Vocal | Between him and Woong, they are known for their choreo and talent among the trainees. Had Cheolmin joined HRE just a year earlier, he might have also been part of The XX. Next to Hwiseul, Cheolmin is Woong's closest friend and they are usually together even out of practice. Emotional and quick to react, he's a fun loving guy who also works diligently and without rest when he wants to succeed. He hasa crush on a fellow trainee, though he pretends no one is aware of it (spoiler: he's so transparent it's painful to watch him deny it). He and Woong are often neck in neck on who the best dancer is, though most agree Woong tends to edge him out in most cases. relationships
Si Hwiseul | Member of The XX | May be his elder but lbr BFF FOR LIFE The first friend he made in HRE and the one he tends to miss the most when not around.Hwiseul was already there when Woong joined, and knew Woong before he became HRE's "Prince Hwang." In fact, any time anyone mentions Woong being this persona, he just scoffs and pulls out a story of when Woong was a total goober and exposes him for the guy he really is. Not that Woong minds. Having Hwiseul know him and be friends with him as he actually is is probably one of the things that keeps Woong from going too much into a spiral of despair. Hwiseul seems to mean well about be Woong's not being in The XX, and honestly he does try to keep Woong from going down a rabbit hole of despair when he does begin to feel anxiety about the potential to debut.
Woong will always say Hwiseul is the best looking member of The XX. Always refutes anytime anyone tries to say he's the least attractive member or useless except for his voice, and Woong will fight you and your mother if you say that again. (Collab with Luigi-a)
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Nam Riye | Member of Ursa | Riye was always his bias in Ursa when he used to watch their MVs and shows. It actually surprised him when one day she actually comes up to him and compliments him on his dancing. He's a little stunned, but Riye is quick to befriend, and he likes her quite a bit. What surprises him is how she seems so genuine. It feels like a trend with the Nam siblings. He sees her almost as that badass older sister figure, and she seems to actually care about his well being despite some of the rougher moments. She sure teases and torments him when she can like a sibling for sure. Doesn't help that Woong is practically head over heels for her little sister, Youngae. Riye is passion, and Woong wishes he had her fire as well. (Collab with lowcation)
Nam Youngho | Member of The XX | The next person Woong is close to in The XX. Youngho can bring out the freer, less strict side of Woong. Woong envies Youngho at times: good looking, able to bring the "smolder" and then be a giant dork the next moment without anyone thinking twice about it - Woong wishes he could be like that. Youngho can draw out the dork and goofball in Woong. But he's also known Woong long enough to see his glow diminishing as time goes by. It's something he's starting to see all around him, and he really would like to stop that from happening...he just doesn't know how. His favorite thing to currently tease Woong with relentlessly is his apparent like of his little sister. He's taken to asking Woong when they'd become brother-in-laws just to see Woong panic and freak out. It's hilarious.
Im Shion | Member of Ursa | There's something of a two way mirror beween these two. While not outright on friendly terms, they are fairly familiar with each other. and are polite. The shared experience of being in the limelight maybe a little early and the wearing down it causes is something they may not outright recognize, but it's there. Think of it similarly to a kindred spirit. What Shion sees when she has a moment to care in Woong is herself, already worn out and trying to make it seem like everything is okay, but before the next life altering step has been made. Woong sees in Shion one of the ways his life could play out. It's a very complex and fragile mirror between the two, and anxiety seems to recognize anxiety in this case.
Nam Jeonguk | Member of RE:VIVE | When a back-up dancer for Jeonguk had a last moment injury, Woong was ushered in very quickly to stand in. Jeonguk proved to be very friendly and introduced himself. This helped Woong's first time stage nerves, and from then on, Woong is surprised when Jeonguk actually continues to connect with him. Normally it's to practice a dance together, and Woong finds he's quite comfortable in the idol's presence. Enough so that he doesn't heisitate to tell the older if he does something wrong or advises if he can improve upon something. It's even at the point that Woong doesn't feel the need to keep up his image around him, which Woong really appreciates. Along with Riya, Hwiseul, Shion, and Youngho, Jeonguk is another facet of idoldom that colors what he expects the future to be if he were to ever debut. (Collab with buttfluff)Hwang Jihoo and Park Kyunglim | Parents| To be fair, Woong's parents aren't terrible people. Just horribly overbearing, demanding, and rich. Very rich. His mom was a former model, and these days is a housewife. She is a very demure woman but also a perfectionist. Jihoo is very successful, but has always lamented not being a star. Is he living vicariously through his son? Absolutely. But he also genuinely thinks being famous and a star will bring his son happiness. Between the pair though, Woong is closer to his mother and she would be more willing to let it drop if Woong were to ever genuinely tell her he was unhappy. Its not that they don't care: they just show it in a way that has to equate to a monetary or status gain sort of value. Woong...lets them know he's alive. He doesn't ignore them but doesn't seek them out. Lately, hearing them talk about his future just continues to add to his anxiety and frustration.
trivia
➼ His favorite song right now is Rooftop. It's been his favorite since it was released.
➼ He's trained The XX and Agate on some of their dances, and has even been responsible at least in part for the choreogrpahy for "Fear", "Hit", and "Flash", and "Bomb Bomb". Despite being a trainee, his sense of movement and choreo is well respected.
➼ He would honestly tell you working on choreo and teaching it is something he really enjoys.
➼ Most, if not all, of The XX are familiar with him, though his closest friend is always Hwiseul followed by Youngho.
➼ His bias in URSA is Riye, and it conitnues to be so after befriending her.
➼ Attended and graduated Hanlim.
➼ Favorite food is anything like stew: Budae jigae, Kimchi jigae, etc.
➼ He was as a young child with Fantagio for his few acting and CF credits.
➼ Woong's a er for cute things. Especially animals. He goes down the rabbit hole of animal videos so easily.
➼ He's also a big horror fan and keeps up with domestic and foreign content.
➼ And also the worst at video games hands down.
➼ Currently doesn't attend university, but if he could he wouldn't mind learning more about the industry and not just from the trainee front. Practical application and work is just as important, right?
love interest
Nam Youngae
23
NA
Trainee
Elly (Weki Meki) and Dahyun (Twice)
personality
#Gullible #Clumsy #Spunky #Insecure #Friendly #Emotional #Oblivious #Sociable
((Click her pic to go to her profile!))
((Click her pic to go to her profile!))
love story
What is there for Woong to say about how he feels towards Youngae? He meets her during practice one day when she is a new trainee with HRE, and almost instantly he noticed her out of the group. Woong isn't going to be daft and say it was love at first sight or anything.
It was her incessant chatter and her less than coordinated way of moving amidst the other trainees. Sure, there were ones there who had probably been dancing their whole lives, who were more impressive than others. However, it was the effervescent persona of Youngae Woong couldn't stop turning his attention to.
Maybe it was nerves, but when Cheolmin brought her over to say hi to him and the other guys, the first thing out of his mouth was, "You should be more careful. People could get hurt." Internally, Woong screamed in embarassment and turned away to leave. That's the sum or their interactions half the time. They end up training near each other or interacting, and invariably nerve-wracked Woong ends up saying something critical or moderately insulting to her. That's at least when he's not avoiding her or not making a whole lot of eye contact since he knows he's just going to say something to upset her, he just knows it.
Around Youngae, Woong loses the reputable exterior he usually has...and it's EMBARASSING. His reputation as "HRE's Golden Trainee" or "Prince Hwang" doesn't help much either in setting expectations between them.
So the cycle repeats. Woong meets Youngae. Woong says something to upset her. Woong screams into his pillow when he thinks no one is watching because life .
Eventually, after encountering each other enough and maybe in preparation for the concert, they actually have some one on one time. Bored while waiting, Woong cautiously offers Youngae to share his phone where he is watching silly cat videos. Thus the mask of too high above everyone Woong is shattered and they realize they're more similar than they thought. And maybe this leads to something more between them, and maybe a little bit of happiness for Woong not tied directly to debut.
Woong admires her tenacity and goals. Youngae seems to know what she wants, and runs towards it positively. Woong wishes he could be like that again and not worry about the expectatons of others. He just wishes he didn't mess up so much and could feel more comfortable acting like himself around her. He really just wants Youngae to like him as himself...thankfully, she doesn't seem to like him as others see him anyways, so that's a start, right?
It only gets more awkward knowing she is Riye and Youngho's sister. And they actually know him. And its embarassing when they so blatantly about liking Youngae.
You'll find Woong screaming about his situation in his pillow later, thank you.
trainee_HWANG_WOONG.txt
X
"You're going to be so famous!"
"You should have debuted with The XX!"
"Don't worry. When the next boy group comes out, you'll definitely debut with them. Don't be surprised if you're the leader too!"
Woong doesn't know how to explain to all the people around him (the staff, his family, his management, the trainees, his labelmates) that maybe he doesn't want all of that. Woong has been under a spotlight for so long. He's always sighed a little in relief when he doesn't debut or doesn't get a role.
He's so tired. He's growing more anxious and nervous. What does he even want anymore? Does it even matter? Some introspection and hard decisions are needed, but can Woong make them?
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