Tackling English was a challenge, but nothing was more difficult for JYJ than being banned from performing in their own country. Ever since the lawsuit broke out, the found all their broadcast schedules "mysteriously" cancelled or replaced. Soon, every single television channel had coldly turned their backs on them. They were waist-deep in quicksand, slowly fading out of the public's memories and in danger of disappearing from existence.

If making the trio’s celebrity days into living hell was what Lee Soo Man was after, he was getting what he wanted.

It killed Jaejoong to see his dongsengs' disappointed expressions whenever the reality of the entertainment industry slapped them in the face.

At times, he cursed himself for being so helpless, but he also knew (wisely) that the SM persecution was out of his power.

He must prevent his angry members from provoking the company, he decided. Any blatant accusation or insult would add fuel to the fire.

At times like this, Jaejoong couldn't help but to wonder how different it might have been with Changmin and Yunho. Perhaps, with those two here beside him, these mountains would have looked more like mounds.

"Calm down, hyungs," the maknae would have rolled his eyes, forever a realist. "It's not like we didn't know this was gonna happen."

"At least we're together," Yunho would have patted their backs, forever a leader.

Together, Jaejoong sighed, and realization dawned on him.

The problem wasn't the company, the broadcasting companies, or the entertainment industry. It was themselves. They weren't whole.