A hindsight story about the rise and fall of a boygroup
-AEON-
End of an era
About
a boygroup named aeon
it is the end of may, 2010, when helix entertainmentdebuts their very first group: aeon. nobody knew then that this group from that unknown company would grow to be one of korea's most famous boygroups.
Their journey was frought with bumps. from a failed debut to company neglect to conflict within the group to members leaving to scandals. these men know what its like to huddle together eating noodles because they could afford nothing else, and they know what it's like to be hounded on the street by sasaeng fans.
now, 7 years later it is time for them to make decisions. their contracts are coming to an end. what will they decide and how did their journey shape them?
Info
there is a crossroads
Group: Aeon
COMPANY: Helix entertainment
fanclub name: eternity
debut date: may 30th 2010
rating: this fic will have some mature themes. there will be mentions of smoking, swearing, , the like.
Author's note
lavendermalibu
This story will be told in an unlinear way, going back and forth between the group at the end of their contracts trying to figure out what to do and flashbacks to the past. It will cover evertyhing from snippets to trainee days, to desperate times and they reached for stardom, to the consequences of fame and being careful what you wish for. it will deal with the heavier and darker parts of the industry, but i also want to include lighter bits, and romance!
I started reading this just because I was curious who the Dream4U MC Chanhee was but now I am sitting with my own alcoholic beverage and so much heartache for this cast. I am sure the apps you picked were ripe with ideas, but you really wove them together like a glorious conductor coaxing a symphony out of disparate parts. Within the first few chapters, I forgot I was reading an Applyfic instead of just a book off the shelves, full of beloved strangers.
commenting publicly this time, and gosh i feel so , but i suppose others must know their charas are being flailed over~
anyway
WONWOO DARLING the ahjummas of this story consistently have stellar taste in gentlemen. Honestly the way you swiftly characterize supporting characters in just a few lines blows me away every time, AND you reveal so much about Wonwoo's state of mind in the same lines? Yo, help, I stan ahjumma already. Also I stan Wonwoo even more because he's so soothing and indulgent. (Though I suppose more stans is the last thing he needs now. I can't help it though, I love me some tildes~~)
It's funny how the one who used to come off most floaty and detached is now one of the most relatable (dat parking lot moment haha) as well as the most emotionally grounded and willing to connect... which takes me to THAT REVEAL YOOOOO if you see my mind washed up on the beach, know that this is the moment I lost it.
I read the word "betrayal" and was like... No way. Really? No wa- OH MY GOSH. `That melancholy mood shrouded in neon haze just gained even more weight. There are so many things wrong in this conversation, which basically means you got everything right. Just as Wonwoo's growth and quiet proactiveness has me rooting for him and wiping a tear, the ways Joowon has changed really sting. All the more with how perceptive Wonwoo is (man, you picked the most heartbreaking POV for this). Of course Wonwoo notices the grating brightness. Of course he sees the mess that you laid bare a few chapters ago.
It aches to see Wonwoo's conversation hooks get left hanging over and over. The Joowon who arrived early to his audition would never have let Wonwoo's comment on hotel rooms slide without grilling him on details and offering insights in turn. The Joowon who herded Youngbae wouldn't have forgotten the terms of this meeting, nor would he have been so muted about the entire music production. I thought the lack of Joowon-ness when he was alone in the apartment felt wrong, but it's even more unnerving seeing it through Wonwoo's keen eye. Again, perfect choice of POV, and as heavily as the contents sit, this moment still offers some small glimmer of hope. All so you can hurt us better later? Or...? ('w')
JINYOUNG MY VOLATILE DARLING wow I missed his snide observations of the fashion. It stings also that he is stewing in his fashion terrorism without the other guys to rub it in, but Hana is more than picking up the slack here haha. I love her commentary on the commentary, holy crap, just amazing. The lady artistes of this fic just mean so much business and it's a shot of serotonin every time. I cannot articulate to you the victory lap I did around my computer when I saw Seoyeon pop up. Part of me started looking for Eunha's smoke machine even though she appeared just last chap, hehe, but anyway~ I'm getting ahead of myself. Back to Jinyoung's horrible suit with No Pockets. This is not what I meant by #GenderEquality, dang it!!!
Still, gotta love Jinyoung actually being comfy enough to whine, rather than drown his sorrows out of sight on a rooftop. He's on top of the world in a different way here, and it feels just as much a precipice. I always love his inner thoughts and how not-only-seen-but-exposed I feel seeing the way he takes affirmation and attention, from Hana and from the crowd. I am both thrilled and terrified watching Icarus inch closer to star status, and how quickly he goes from discomfort at the comments to convincing himself he is loved made me audibly say, "Oh no."
Still, for now, I am happy he can have this moment of all his sacrifices paying off. Perhaps this won't be the last time he can wave at someone and receive warmth in answer. Anyways, if you find broken bits of heart on the beach after the upcoming chapters, that's also me.
*also bonks Seokmin just because* *Chanhee would approve*
aaaaaand here comes MINJUNNN! More whining, haha, but of a different flavor~ also now you are making me imagine the AU in which Hana and Minjun became the pair, which is also a different flavor of terrifying. 'Tis sweet seeing Youngbae getting a bit more observant here tho! Meanwhile, Minjun's tactlessness is so dang refreshing. I loved how he tumbled in with all these rough edges and now has clearly settled in. After the heavy opening, I really needed this one-sided pillow fight and familiar dumb-dumb. Our newbie is shaking the group back to life, and I wonder if he even realizes just how much he's bringing people together.
Hahahaha this whole segment reviewing the MV is just delicious, delicious food. South Korea's what now?! >w<) also I SEE YOU NOTICING THE SONGWRITING, MR. SEUNGHOON. I SEE YOU~ AND YOUUUUNGBAE actually looking out for Jinyoung here when the others are having their fun. Our leader is maturing one +1 to Perception at a time. Though I can't believe he forgot Wonwoohoo was the visual who even got modeling work for his appearance, lol. Still some classic Youngbae in there. <3 anyways I wonder how Jinah is doing...
I am also cackling at Seunghoon's response to the very concept of men being appealing, haha. Our Seunghoon-ie who worried about plastic surgery and wrung his hands around a pride pamphlet is now able to take Minjun and Chanhee's comments without panic AND able to proclaim his own y!! *wipes tear* So dang proud.
Also: CHANHEE-SSI??! I worry for your definition of "educational" here???! You star in a School drama, for goodness' sake??!?! I got almost used to seeing Chanhee being a warm and frank mentor for the girls at PD99 and soon-D4U, so this was a most welcome reminder of just how much of a brat and how much of a solid bro he can be. It's so nice to see our baby snark doo-doo-doo unleashed again in a proper back-and-forth. That moment he shared with Seunghoon at the end of this segment was just so sweet too! What a lovely pay-off to all they have gotten each other through.
HANA POV HANA POV HANA POV *yeets MV* This right here is what I want etched into my brain. It's also amazing to see her dealing with the dress that everyone has been aggressively noticing. She owns it, yes, and she believes in herself, but that doesn't make the dress or heels any more comfy. Also fascinating to see Jinyoung now through her eyes, as fond of food as ever even if he has a habit of scolding the other guys for neglecting to diet. This is a good day for perceptive people's POVs revealing deep truths of the soul, haha. Also I'm not gonna think about how they are drinking together on the rooftop terrace just like- nope, nope!!
Awww Seokmin... *unbonks* You're fun when you... have fun... until you don't. Hana's perspective continues to be as captivating as she is, though. I knew you could wrangle romance like a baroque-era sculpture wrangling flowing fabrics, but I still wasn't prepared for the kind of magnetism charging up here. O polarity, thy name is HanaJin. The opening-up we see here is different from that of, say, Hyeran/Chanhee, yet it feels every bit as natural and visceral. All the way down to the chaotic girl talk~
Ah, so many beloved faces here!! Bongchacha! Gongjoojoo! Our OG Seoyeon! Each and every one of them have their priorities straight, and it is most excellent. Bongcha getting right to the important questions, Seoyeon actually looking out for(?) Jin a wee bit based on past knowledge of working with the boys, and Gongjoo checking in on the performance details. Love it. Love it all. Also my eyebrows are sailing out of the atmosphere at what the "everything" she told them may include...
O Joowon, my Joowon. Baby boy. Evil. So much drinking in this chapter haha, from the opening beers to the closing soju. Hyunjung is a delightful new dummie for our collection, but ooof, Joowon's cracks are showing so much that it doesn't even take a Wonwoo to spot them. Ah, but here cometh the music show host job. I knew I was signing up for disaster when I put it in the app, and I dang near forgot about it until it reared its sneaky head here... but trust you to remember all these awful details <3 o great Lavuigi is scary like that~~
Thank you thank you for another amazing update! Sneaky sneaky, but you know I love it always. Truly, I am grateful that our characters remain in your heart and continue to be massaged into existence by your brilliant juggling of all their threads.
The timeline marches ever forward, and I feel that age-old mix of dread and excitement as fresh as I always did with this fic. You've really created something special, and I can't wait to squeeze even more out of you, hehe >u<) work, beach! work!!! <3
Chapter 25: I'M HERE! I FINALLY CATCHED UP!
DUUUUDE! This all is so much of a RollerCoaster of emotions! I'm just dying inside with everything that's happening. THEY MANAGED TO BREAK JIN AND JOWOON! (they as in the system and the circumstances) ajhsbskansbna
Poor Baekhyun is too much of a cute child for this world. And I was internally crying with Seunghoon during his self acceptance period (btw akhdjskajbsja he got a date!!! Jabdnkajsbjajs he could have told that to Chanhee. Chanhee would be happy for him I think)
Talking about Chanhee. I always found him amusing because he was such a Tsundere, but now he's basically Aeon's heart (and mom) and that's so heartwarming! And during the start of the hiatus, he and Jowoon totally were the parents of the group xD now they are on the Brink of divorce :'(
Oh. And Youngbae. He's the oldest, but he can be the least mature of them all. Jahshskkabshskak I wonder how the group will go when he needs to step up for his leader role for real.
And Wonwoo tho. He was feeling so guilty because of that model thing. I guess he never thought that It could be something so big, and at the time he just wanted to be himself, (kind of) and not 'Primo'. I hope he can get over it.
Also, my Golden triad of secondary characters are Eunha, Doha and Youngji <3 Hyeran is not too Far behind, but those three are my favs! XD
Man, this is all a mess, and Minjun has no idea where he's getting himself into. Nor I had when i wrote him, but It worked, because It gives autenticy xD lol Talking about him, the present-moment snipets are so contrasting between him and the other members!! XD All of them are in a way of another ready to leave the stage, and Minjun Just wants to keep going. Oh man, I want so much to see how things will go once Helix puts him in the group XD
Btw, Helix and the CEO are big sh*ts, and not on the funny way, on the bad way. Man, talk about a company that doesn't know how to manage things!
P.S: I'm still not over the fact that Seunghoon and KWANG FREAKING INHO are workmates! :') I dropped my phone when I saw Inho's name. And this makes me Wonder if Seunghoon voted for Inho in DoD! XD
Chapter 24: BRB SEUNGHOON YOU PRECIOUS BOI --
Let Apollo be a guiding light to that boy omg omg omg eMBRACE YOUR GAYNESS
your chapters are so in depth how do I aspire to be this as well in my fics
i say this as watching disney movies from the early 2000's uhm
so yeah
love seeing apollo up on that side chara page c: ehehehe
Chapter 2: By those descriptions, I know I'm here for a lot of the supporting cast. XD (cough I also may have some support characters preference syndrome cough)
Chapter 15: [since folks snoop i guess i'll post it again here <3]
blublublub i don't think i will ever be done flipping out over this section T~T) like i guess i mentioned before, this is truly where the fic starts for me. at last, we have gotten a present day perspective from all of aeon; the full picture is finally here, albeit blurry
all the little details that you invented for him fit so perfectly in with the original chara of joowon, and honestly, i don't know what he'd be without them. of course he prefers the metro over driving. of course the car is company sponsored. of course he berates his own ungratefulness.
i love your little injections of meta knowledge into his POV haha. i guess there's a bit of you in all the characters, and joowonie got the bulk of your business savvy XD
also, much much appreciation for the subtle differences btw old joowon and "old" joowon! you don't outright say that he has become much more subdued left to his own devices; the lack of dialogue speaks for itself. you don't need to say that music still has a place in his life; the music sheets on the couch admit it to anyone listening. and you don't even need to say that this kinda of lonely routine is exactly that: a routine. the "similar takeout boxes" implies that just fine. i guess i get a slight advantage in finding these hints bc i am his much-too-biased creator, but man, kudos. kudos kudos kudos for sharing his story with such care and attention to detail. every sentence (esp the puns teehee~) in this POV is so precious ahhhhh
jinyoung, my sweetheart, forever wrestling with his bad thoughts. it's actually quite saddening to see how he was both so happy and so attacked from all the attention during the fansign.
i'm loving wonwoo's attitude shining through in all these little moments tho~ he showed a bit of not-so-above-it-all-ness when he joined in the vending machine scene (<3 <3 <3) but his efforts at humor here are just so touching haha. touching in slightly stoopeed way, but i wouldn't expect any less from these dorks XD (i'm also curious about wonwoo's potential snoopity in this section, hmm)
oh wow i almost forgot about these stage names. seunghoon is the only one who escaped lol. jin getting so excited for his fan is both adorably relatable and a reminder of just how much approval he has been deprived of. i still stand by all my previous rambling of "SOMEONE PLS JUST BE NICE TO THIS BIBBY SHEEP"
aww what happened to the "now and forever! we are aeon" that i think they had? here for eternity still works tho, esp considering their fanbase name~
ahhhh here it is! the genuine love jin has for the stage. even though that negativity is still constantly lurking at the edges, he lets himself let go, exist outside of his own little world for just a moment. it really lends new meaning to the whole claim of "doing it for the fans." sometimes, i get that it's just good form to say it like that, but jin (even if he didn't get the words out, poor thing) really did do it for the fans. that's a beautiful little thing in the midst of all his issues and the unfairness of his situation; that's why he went through all this crap, for those moments that make fame more than just a heartless ambition.
Chapter 14: There is SO MUCH I WANT TO SAY. SO VERY MUCH. But so very little time ;; I was going to SoC but between projects, finals coming up, and H:aH wordcounts for NNWM I do not have the time ;; So I'm gonna bullet point all the things that had me screaming:
- WHAT HAPPENED WITH BAEK AND JINYOUNG????? BAEK WHAT DID YOU DO?
- Bae, how have you not told the guys you're enlisting (and apparently leaving the group entirely?) We joke about your terrible leadering but DANG that is terrible leadering >~>
- SEUNGHOON BB. Literally all I have for this part, he's just so precious and squishy and it hurts me to know the industry is just gonna chew him up and spit him back out :(
- Oh wait, Baek being confused about Jinyoung's outfit was pretty great xD
- Baek. My son. My smoll pathetic child. This desperate enthusiasm is just... why. Baek is probably the dumbest character I've ever put to paper and it hurts me to see what that does to him. I'm sorry for birthing you child. I have sent you to an unforgiving world.
- CHANHEE SO HAPPY. SO ENTHUSIASTIC. SO CRUSHING HARD GOODNESS CHILD. CALM YOUR OBVIOUS DOWN. Hyeran is fantastic as ever, not taking his . Honestly this section had me squealing so freaking much, Chanhee with a crush has to be the more cringe-y cute thing I've ever seen.
- Oh man Joowon sections are always so interesting! Of all the kids he's definitely the most in tune with what's going on in the industry and more specifically what's screwing them over in it. Helix is such a ty company yeah, but I do wonder sometimes how it looks from the CEO's perspective. What's his motive for making these choices? They must seem like good ideas to him and it's not like he's purposely trying to lose money. Regardless I really enjoy the dynamic between Joowon and Seokmin here, and how we're starting to see some cracks in Joowon's image. Not so composed when things don't go your way, are you Joowon? I'm starting to see why he leaves despite it seeming like he's this perfect, dedicated leader. I'm really looking forward to more from him honestly.
And those are my abbreviated (more so in some cases than others) thoughts! I should be able to manage longer comments after NNWM and finals are over hopefully. But overall fantastic chapter as ever and I'm excited to see more!
Comments