!The lights are on; the cameras are rolling; and the world is your stage.
As a member of the all-girl k-pop group ST4RDOM, fame comes naturally to you. From the moment your first album was released, everything went your way—money, fans, tours, merch, and most importantly, your rise to stardom.
But fame comes with consequences—when does it not?—and it arrives in the form of your first world tour. After all, what is a tour without the looming threat of drama permanently disbanding the group?
All of a sudden, your life is thrown into chaos for the next four months as tension rises between another popular k-pop group, heated fights break out, "coincidental" incidents occur, and complicated feelings arise.
Will your career manage to stay afloat amidst the drama, or will it sink under the pressure?
Well, there is only one way to find out; let's see if you are still standing by the end of those eighteen weeks.
<b>ST4RDOM is a 17+ interactive fiction game with themes like mild alcohol, violence, language, (potential) sexual content, homophobia, sexism and other disturbing themes. Please do not read if you are sensitive to the topics that have been listed.</b> It should be noted that the ones listed may not be the only warnings, and more could be added in the future.
<<button "Let the tour begin!" "prologueopener">><</button>>
<center>//Note that this is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.//</center>Members of ST4RDOM
Min Eun-ji (민은지) | Sofie | She/her | 24 | Main Vocals
Wikipedia states: "Min Eun-jin, known professionally as Sofie, is a South Korean singer. She is a member of South Korean girl group ST4RDOM."
The leader of your group; your eonni. As the eldest and the defacto leader of ST4RDOM, Sofie considers herself a mature young woman tasked with the exhausting chore of babysitting the rest of you. Well, not really. You know deep down that she is rather fond of you and your friends. Sofie is the one who gets everyone to calm down, focus, and get to the studio on time even when it seems impossible.
Jang Ha-yun (장하윤) | Vi | She/her | 21 | Vocals
Wikipedia states: "Jang Ha-yun, known professionally as Vi, is a South Korean singer. She is a member of South Korean girl group ST4RDOM."
Vi is the slightly troublesome, mischievous middle child in your group. Manager Hyunwoo affectionately refers to her as the troublesome thorn in his side. Even Sofie has a hard time keeping track of her. Vi is a sweet person though, as you have seen the caring side of her when she is in front of her fans and in private. As much fun as she likes to have, Vi genuinely cares for you and considers you and Nari her younger sisters.
Song Nari (송나리) | Nari | She/her | 20 | Main Rapper | RO
Wikipedia states: "Song Nari, also known mononymously as Nari, is a South Korean singer. She is a member of South Korean girl group ST4RDOM."
Nari is the maknae of ST4RDOM, and she acts like it, too. Bubbly, cute, and everything people expect from her as the youngest, it is hard for fans not to love her. Pampered and doted on frequently, she could make anything appear adorable. It is honestly surprising how she is the main rapper of your group; it seems to contradict her front. But when it is just the four of you, Nari drops the cutesy attitude, allowing her to express her true self.
MANAGERS OF ST4RDOM
Gok Hyun-woo (곡현우) | He/him | 41 | Manager
Kim Diana (김다이아나) | She/her | 37 | Manager
Son Seong-jin (손성진) | He/him | 34 | Manager
Hyeon Gyeong-Hui (현경희) | She/her | 30 | Manager
STAFF
Jun Chang-ho (전창호) | He/him | 25 | Bodyguard | RO
The one tasked with protecting you from fan mobs and seeing to that you aren't murdered overnight. Chang-ho is an invisible presence during your concerts, but once over he is always by your side. You do not see much of him during your time in Seoul, but once your world tour starts Chang-ho will become someone you can hardly forget. Mainly because he's always there and is such a stick in the mud.
Andy Kwon | Gender selectable | 21 | Translator | RO
The members of ST4RDOM barely know how to speak more than four languages—you included. And with the world tour coming up, it will be hard to communicate with international fans beyond using online translators. Thus why INDIGO Entertainment has hired Andy Kwon. Born and raised in Boston, Andy can speak four languages fluently (English, Korean, French, Spanish) and knows another three well enough to hold a normal conversation (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien). They seem eager to help you out and is rather interested in learning more about you.
EX-TRAINEES
Choi Seungho (최승호) | Seungho | He/him | 23 | Main Vocals | RO
Wikipedia states: "Choi Seungho, known mononymously as Seungho, is a South Korean singer. He is a member of South Korean boy band KMonarchs."
Seungho is the face of KMonarchs, a k-pop boy band that has gained as much traction as ST4RDOM. Some would go as far as to say that KMonarchs is the male equivalent of ST4RDOM. Having released numerous albums, Seungho has received it all in stride. You were friends with him during the trainee program, and you know he has the talent and charm of a idol. You haven't talked since he was selected. It has been four years since, and Seungho has certainly changed a lot. The dating scandals speak for themselves. And as it turns out, KMonarchs will be touring Europe around the same time as you. You wonder if he still remembers you...
Gracie Liu | She/her | 22 | Model | Semi RO
Wikipedia states: "Gracie Liu is a British-Chinese model. She is one of the only British models of Chinese descent. An ex k-pop trainee from INDIGO Entertainment, Liu returned to London to continue her modeling career at the age of 17 years old."
Gracie was someone you knew during the trainee program. You became close friends as you had always admired her ability to walk on a stage with confidence and stride. When you had been selected as one of the members for ST4RDOM, Gracie suddenly turned away from you, treating you with hostility until you left. You heard she was kicked out of the program and returned to London, where she now makes a living of strutting down the walkway. Gracie has grown her hair, lost weight, and looks every bit the perfect model. She likely still hates you, but you hear she has a show coming up soon in Paris. Maybe it's time to stop by and amend what was broken.
Note that Gracie is a semi RO due to your and her respective jobs.<<run UIBar.stow();>><<run UIBar.hide();>>
!Prologue
!!Part One<span class='fadeIn'>
!!!"I wanted to be famous. I wanted everyone to love me. I wanted to be a star. I worked really hard and my dream came true."
!!!-Madonna
</span>
<<timed 5s>><<button "Begin the first part of the prologue." "prologuepg1">><</button>><</timed>><div class="color"><h3>You were eight years old when you decided that you wanted to be a k-pop idol.</h3></div><<run UIBar.unstow();>><<run UIBar.show();>><<nobr>><</nobr>>
You grew up with a love for music.
Although the memories of your early childhood are blurry, you faintly remember an elderly woman humming you to sleep. Rocking your body gently as you drifted in and out of consciousness.
Your //grandmother//.
She had died early in your life, but her voice remained permanently beautiful in your mind. You don't think you will hear any other voice as calming as hers, or any that could possible compare.
This planted the seed of music into your heart.
You would sing anytime to your favorite songs and dance with your earbuds popped in. The songs were mostly Korean and western songs, but soon your taste veered towards k-pop.
A whole new world opened up to you--one that would later be the center of your life.
Eventually, k-pop became your obsession. You amassed albums from various groups, posters you stuck to your bedroom walls, and a signed //Sunflower// album from Forever With U (FWU), one of the greatest k-pop boy groups of all time. You had an amazing voice, according to your family, and you believed that because you lived in Seoul, there was a chance you could become a trainee too.
You even told your parents your aspirations, although they laughed at the idea that you could make it as a k-pop idol. It was much safer for you to go to college, get a degree, and work a nine to five job. //Guaranteed//.
[[But you were determined to become one.|prologuepg2]]<div class="color"><h3>You were twelve years old when you auditioned for INDIGO Entertainment and got in.</h3></div><<nobr>><</nobr>>
Seoul is a beautiful city; you had spent so many days wandering through the streets with your friends. To this day, you still do. So it should not be surprising that your love for being in the city was the reason why you were able to become a trainee.
You were walking around the city with some friends when a scout approached your group. He handed everyone his business card, informing about auditions for a certain company.
Nobody needed to ask him who he was or what the audition was about. As soon as he said he was from INDIGO Entertainment your friends chattered over his soothing voice.
At the time, INDIGO Entertainment was one of the top entertainment companies with some of the most well-known idol groups operating under it. The company tended to be flexible regarding non-Korean hopefuls looking for their chance to become famous. Anyone could join the program as long as they had a good enough voice and dancing abilities. Plus, a lot of groups had been formed under the company, which meant there was a good enough chance for one to debut.
However, INDIGO had been the center of scandals in the past few years. Accusations of mistreatment towards female idols and trainees, allegations of sexual abuse, and strict rules against dating among trainees went rampant. It left many concerned, leading the company to suffer major losses from it.
But that did not stop you from fantasizing about the benefits.
This was your //dream//, and now the opportunity has fallen into your lap. It seemed that the lucky stars of fate were in your favor. And who were you to deny your destiny?
So, after managing to persuade your parents--despite your father feeling strongly against it and your mother reluctant to let you go--you tried out.
You don't remember what song you sang and danced to. You don't remember the questions you answered. You don't remember much of the audition, actually. Just the carefully neutral looks on the judges' faces and the wave of confidence you felt once you stepped down. You knew you did good. //Really damn good.//
Something deep within your heart told you that you had made the cut. There was no shadow of a doubt. You <u>knew</u> it.
That something turned out to be right.
You, along with a few friends, soon received an email of your acceptance two months later.
Your parents never expected you to make it that far. Looking back now, you can understand their concern for you and what your next six or so years might have looked like if they allowed you to go. Younger you did not.
They could not accept you, their only child, leaving to pursue a career in the entertainment system--not when so many things can go wrong.
But they relented. Because you were defiant, determined, //unwilling// to listen to their demands. You knew what you wanted and what you were capable of. If your talents were to go to waste, regret would follow and cloud your mind forever. Turning down the opportunity was like turning down a billion won (with more to be made in the future).
And you could not risk that.
So, at twelve years old, you entered the training program.
[[This was the start of your career.|prologuepg3]]<div class="color"><h3>You were eighteen years old when you were selected for ST4RDOM.
</h3></div><<nobr>><</nobr>>
Unfortunately, you remember everything as if it were yesterday. The day you were selected was the best and worst day of your life. The day all of your hard work towards debuting finally amounted to //something// that was truly worth your aching limbs, hoarse throat, and headaches endured.
You had been training at INDIGO Entertainment for //six// years. Some of the friends who joined with you had left the company by then, but that did not deter your spirit.
No, you did not spend years waiting and training only to quit. You did not renew your contract for nothing.
There were auditions held for a female group INDIGO was planning to form. Only a select amount of girls--perhaps those the company thought were spectacular at the time--were informed about it. //You// were one of them.
It was nerve-wracking; even after you left there was a pit in your stomach--hollow and anxious.
But months later...
The announcement came out.
It was a chaotic time when you were announced as the final members of ST4RDOM among the company. You and three other girls were brought into a private meeting room and given the schedule rundown--but you are not authorized to give out //that// type of information; NDAs and all that.
ST4RDOM, pronounced as "stardom" like the 4 was not there, symbolized your exceptional talent and your eventual fame. And for the 4...it was supposed to represent the number of members that would be in the group.
Sometimes you think about why the company chose the number 4, given its similarities to death. They could have chosen //any other number,// but they went with 4. Maybe the negative connotations associated with 4 is why you never say the actual number, despite it being in the name.
Anyways...
You were formally introduced to each other through the executives present, but you were unable to get to talk to them casually afterwards. As soon as the briefing was over you were ushered out of the room and congratulated since of course news spreads fast. Trainees made huge circles around you, congratulating you for literally winning the lottery.
[[Which leads you to the present.|prologuepg4]]Three years since you were selected, nine years since you entered the program, and after thirteen years of dreaming of this moment; you finally reached the peak. The top of your mountain. The //best// of your career.
<b>At the age of twenty, you are going to go on a world tour.</b>
The idea of a world tour had been in the works ever since you released your second album //Daydream//. Like your first one, it did astoundingly well, but the high success of your previous album most likely contributed to the number of times your songs were repeatedly played on streaming platforms. Your managers, producers, concert directors, and //many teams// of people designed, planned, and came up with the official schedule for the tour.
As well as the official name of your tour...
<ul>
<li>[[Reaching for the Stars|prologuepg5][$worldtour to "Reaching for the Stars"]]</li>
<li>[[Journey Across the Cosmos|prologuepg5][$worldtour to "Journey Across the Cosmos"]]</li>
<li>[[T4KEOVER|prologuepg5][$worldtour to "T4KEOVER"]]</li>
<li>[[4 Point Stars|prologuepg5][$worldtour to "4 Point Stars"]]</li>
<li>[[The Space|prologuepg5][$worldtour to "The Space"]]</li>
<li>[[Imagining You|prologuepg5][$worldtour to "Imagining You"]]</li>
<li>[[Actually, it is...|urworldtour]]</li>
</ul>!!!$worldtour, ST4RDOM's First World Tour!
In true world-tour fashion, you will be travelling every week to someplace different, making your way across the globe before going the other way back home. You will be performing concerts at some of the largest stadiums in the world, interacting with your fans every day, and exploring the cities. That is, if you manage to convince your bodyguard to turn a blind eye, though he would never.
<ul>
<li>[[Actually, you're not too crazy about it. You tend to keep to yourself...|prologuepg6shy][$reservedOutgoing += 5]]</li>
<li>[[You are excited about meeting all of your fans! You love interacting with them, and you have not met many international fans, so going on tour will be interesting.|prologuepg6extro][$reservedOutgoing -= 5]]</li>
<li>[[It is nice hanging out with fans, but you like spending time to yourself too.|prologuepg6neutral]]</li>
</ul><b>Note that the name will sometimes have the phrase "//world tour//" at the end of the sentence! Example: T4KEOVER World Tour</b>
<<textbox "$worldtour" "">>
Okay, so maybe this was an exception. //They// were not the ones who came up with the name in the first place.
You made the recommention, and when you found out the company had taken your suggestion to heart you were surprised they had considered it. In fact, you were unaware of this fact until you saw the official poster with the name //you// came up with. Although you have noted the lack of credit, it doesn't really matter! Not to you, at least.
[[Continue|prologuepg5]]<<set $worldtour to "unknown">><<set $sofierelationship to 70>><<set $virelationship to 70>><<set $narirelationship to 70>><<set $changhorelationship to 50>><<set $fanrep to 80>><<set $mediarep to 60>><<set $nariromance to 0>><<set $changhoromance to 0>><<set $hobby to "none">><<set $reservedOutgoing to 50>><<set $friendlyStandoff to 50>><<set $sarcasmGenuine to 50>><<set $airportSunglasses to false>><<set $airportHat to false>><<set $airportMask to false>><<set $andyromance to 0>><<set $andyrelationship to 50>>[[Profile]]
[[Reputation]]
[[Relations]]
[[Regality App]]
[[Credits]]Although you dislike interacting too long with fans, it comes with the job. And your passion for singing usually squashes down any nerves about performing well.
//Usually.// That does not mean you haven't been close to throwing up in the past.
But this tour is taking it to the next level, so you have no choice but to adapt.
The tour had officially began on March 8th with your first destination.
Your first stop--which happens to be your home country--Seoul, South Korea. Granted, you already //live// in Seoul with your group, so this was a comforting blanket.
That will be changing tomorrow, however.
Tomorrow you will be on a plane to Tokyo, Japan.
[[But that is tomorrow. This is today.|prologuepg7]]Being around people fills you with an inexplicable amount of happiness. Getting to spread your music and meeting fans who have been impacted by it emboldens you to do better. For the sake of the people that love ST4RDOM. Perhaps even for yourself.
Getting to meet-and-greet international fans is terrifying considering you have only been around Northeast Asia. But the opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime and you would never pass it up.
You did not have to wait too long. The tour officially began on March 8th with your first destination.
Your first stop--which happens to be your home country--Seoul, South Korea. Granted, you already //live// in Seoul with your group, so this was a comforting blanket.
That will be changing tomorrow, however.
Tomorrow you will be on a plane to Tokyo, Japan.
[[But that is tomorrow. This is today.|prologuepg7]]That's not to say you hate your fans. As a k-pop idol, you know that fandoms will always be attached to k-pop groups. At this point in your career, you have long accepted it as a part of your life forever now. But talking to people drains your energy.
You like having your space whenever possible, recharging your batteries for the next social event thrown your way by the managers. Breathing room was going to be crucial if you wanted to survive the next eighteen weeks.
So. The tour officially began on March 8th with your first destination.
Your first stop--which happens to be your home country--Seoul, South Korea. Granted, you already //live// in Seoul with your group, so this was a comforting blanket.
That will be changing tomorrow, however.
Tomorrow you will be on a plane to Tokyo, Japan.
[[But that is tomorrow. This is today.|prologuepg7]]Today, you wear a white shirt reading "//$worldtour, ST4RDOM//" and jeans. Ten minutes ago, before you returned on stage to deliver an encore, you were dressed in an itchy outfit. To say you were happy once it was removed is a understatement. A //huge// one.
Your arms are thrown up, and a smile spreads across your lips. Adrenaline is rushing through your veins, buzzing with life and the excitement of completing another encore without fail. There is sweat everywhere--in places where you don't want to think too much about. The in-ear monitor has gone quiet, though it does its job of muffling the audience's screams. It is reminiscent of those edits of ST4RDOM's songs reverbed and slowed-down. The mic set hanging on the side of your face droops as you tilt your head, glancing at the girls standing by either side of you.
On your left, Sofie's hands are planted on her hips. She gives the stadium a surveying glance, a subtle grin widening as her eyes cross over the cheering crowd. For a moment, you lock eyes, and she simply nods. That's all the confirmation you need to know you did a good job--silent praise from your leader.
Min Eun-ji--everyone knows her by her stage name, Sofie--the de facto leader of ST4RDOM. And she certainly acts like it.
Mature, serious, as well as the oldest, you have known her as the steady presence in your life. Your success may not have been guaranteed without her; otherwise Vi and Nari would still be sleeping or snacking on seaweed. You know she is tough on everyone because of your common goal.
//To be the best girl group in the whole world.//
And you cannot hold that against her when that is what you want, too.
When you are not rehearsing or performing, Sofie is one of the kindest people you have ever met. In your group dynamic, she would be the mother hen, always covering your back with her triple backup plans and preparing soup for sick members. //That's// the type of person she is, even if she does not seem like someone who would do such.
[[A hand suddenly lands on your back from the right side, a reminder of the present.|prologuepg8]]!Relations
!!Members of ST4RDOM
<div class="color-sofie"><b>Min Eun-ji (민은지) || Sofie</b></div>
<<if $sofierelationship lte 40>>She refuses to make eye contact with you, or even //speak// to you. Not by her will, though.<<elseif ($sofierelationship gt 40) and ($sofierelationship lt 50)>>You can tell she is displeased with you, but at least she doesn't hate you...you think.<<elseif $sofierelationship === 50>>She tolerates you.<<elseif ($sofierelationship gt 50) and ($sofierelationship lt 60)>>Sofie considers you a friend, willing to help you if you need it.<<elseif $sofierelationship gte 60>>Although she would never admit it, Sofie cares for you deeply as a younger sister. //Much// more than she is willing to say out loud.<<endif>> //<<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $sofierelationship");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
<div class="color-vi"><b>Jang Ha-yun (장하윤) || Vi</b></div>
<<if $virelationship lte 40>>Vi hates you with every bone in her body. Which says a lot.<<elseif ($virelationship gt 40) and ($virelationship lt 50)>>You are alright with each other, but she does not talk to you as much as she used to before. More...distant.<<elseif $virelationship === 50>>Vi likes you.<<elseif ($virelationship gt 50) and ($virelationship lt 60)>>Vi considers you a good friend! At least, she trusts you enough to show off her secret collection of anime figurines.<<elseif $virelationship gte 60>>You and Vi are super close. She loves teasing you and poking fun at your every habit.<<endif>> //<<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $virelationship");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
<div class="color-nari"><b>Song Nari (송나리) || Nari</b></div>
<<if $narirelationship lte 40>>Nari //hates// you. Hopefully she doesn't try to kill you with dessert.<<elseif ($narirelationship gt 40) and ($narirelationship lt 50)>>She has some problems with you, but will get over it. It's a love-hate relationship, really.<<elseif $narirelationship === 50>>You seem nice. Nari sees you as a friend and groupmember!<<elseif ($narirelationship gt 50) and ($narirelationship lt 60)>>Nari believes you are a great friend! She's not afraid to joke with you or use her puppy dog eyes on you.<<elseif $narirelationship gte 60>>You and Nari are close with each other. She trusts you with her secrets and always smiles at you ==and is not afraid to pout to get her way, she knows you //will// bend==.<<endif>> //<<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $narirelationship<br>Secret romance counter: $nariromance");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
!!Staff
<div class="color-changho"><b>Jun Chang-ho (전창호)</b></div>
<<if $changhorelationship lte 40>>He hates his job. You are pretty sure the only reason why Chang-ho is still protecting you is because of the contract he signed, otherwise he would have left you in a ditch by now.<<elseif ($changhorelationship gt 40) and ($changhorelationship lt 50)>>You are a nuisance. Chang-ho does not trust you to leave you be for one second.<<elseif $changhorelationship === 50>>You are not //terribly// annoying...he supposes.<<elseif ($changhorelationship gt 50) and ($changhorelationship lt 60)>>He does not mind accompanying you. Occasionally you speak to each other and Chang-ho may have inadvertedly told you about that cat incident...<<elseif $changhorelationship gte 60>>He does not //hate// your company. Quite the opposite, actually. Your companionship is another reason for him to still hold his contract.<<endif>> //<<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $changhorelationship<br>Secret romance counter: $changhoromance");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
<div class="color-andy"><b>Andy Kwon</b></div>
<<if $andyrelationship lte 40>>Andy hates $ahisher job. You used to be $ahisher favorite member in the band, but after getting to know you...$aheshe isn't so sure about it anymore.<<elseif ($andyrelationship gt 40) and ($andyrelationship lt 50)>>You make $ahimher uncomfortable, always wanting to keep a distance away. Which is quite a feat, considering how much $aheshe admired you as an idol and a person altogether.<<elseif $andyrelationship == 50>>Andy honestly believes you are a nice person.<<elseif ($andyrelationship gt 50) and ($andyrelationship lt 60)>><<print $aheshe.toUpperFirst()>> admires you and would really like to be your friend, or at least get closer to you. Andy wants to figure out who you are--who the //real// $stagename is.<<elseif $andyrelationship gte 60>>You are a very good friend to $ahimher! Potentially even one of $ahisher only friends. Would even be willing to teach you some words in other languages, if you want. Maybe $aheshe would do anything to help you...<<endif>> //<<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $andyrelationship<br>Secret romance counter: $andyromance");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
[[Return to the game.|$return]]Created on Twine Sugarcube! This game would not have been possible without it.
Big thanks to my friend Alby for proofreading the //very// first draft of the game and delivering much needed criticism. I appreciate them a lot <3 make sure to check out their game //After The End//, a fantasy IF about getting dumped by your fiancé for another and given a chance to change your fate upon receiving two letters of differing propositions. It is an amazing game and I highly recommend you check it out!
Additionally, thank you to all of my beta readers for reading through and finding errors in the first draft of the game! This could have been a crazy, nonsensical game without their help.
I learned most of my coding through <a href="https://www.motoslave.net/sugarcube/2/docs/#setting-api" target="_blank">Motoslave, which you can check out here!</a> It was super helpful and allowed me to use code pieces for things like radiobuttons :)
All images were taken from Unsplash and the game cover was designed on Canva.
[[Return to the story.|$return]]!Reputation
!!!Fan Reputation
<progress @value="$fanrep" max="100"></progress>
<center>$fanrep%</center>
!!!Media Reputation
<progress @value="$mediarep" max="100"></progress>
<center>$mediarep%</center>
!!!Friendly / Standoffish
<div class="stats"><progress @value="$friendlyStandoff" max="100"></progress></div>
<<if ($friendlyStandoff lte 55) and ($friendlyStandoff gte 45)>>Honestly, you are a mix between friendly and scary, switching between the two when necessary.<<elseif $friendlyStandoff lt 45>>To others, you are hard to approach, coming off as curt and <b>standoffish</b>.<<elseif $friendlyStandoff gt 55>>You are <b>friendly</b> to all you meet, always making sure to smile and treat others politely even if you secretly want to punch them.<<endif>>// <<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $friendlyStandoff");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
!!!Reserved / Outgoing
<div class="stats"><progress @value="$reservedOutgoing" max="100"></progress></div>
<<if ($reservedOutgoing lte 55) and ($reservedOutgoing gte 45)>>In any situation, romantic or otherwise, you are neither reserved nor bold.<<elseif $reservedOutgoing lt 45>>In any situation, romantic or otherwise, you come across as <b>outgoing</b>, the life of the party (or in your case, concerts). If it were up to you the night would never end.<<elseif $reservedOutgoing gt 55>>In any situation, romantic or otherwise, you come across as <b>reserved</b>, eager to end things as quickly as possible as you are not very keen to socializing.<<endif>>// <<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $reservedOutgoing");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
!!!Sarcastic / Genuine
<div class="stats"><progress @value="$sarcasmGenuine" max="100"></progress></div>
<<if ($sarcasmGenuine lte 55) and ($sarcasmGenuine gte 45)>>When you speak, you tend to give a mixture of responses ranging from sarcasm to genuine replies.<<elseif $sarcasmGenuine lt 45>>When you speak, you tend to give <b>genuine</b> replies. People seem to appreciate your honesty.<<elseif $sarcasmGenuine gt 55>>When you speak, <b>sarcasm</b> drips from your every word. It might as well be your love language.<<endif>>// <<link "[View stat value]">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Numerical Value");
Dialog.wiki("Currently: $sarcasmGenuine");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//
[[Return to the game.|$return]]You do not need to look to know who it is. The familiar slap-on-the-back is her way of announcing her presence, even though you sensed it as soon as the song ended.
Regardless, you turn to smile at Vi.
Jang Ha-yun, aka Vi. The first word that comes to mind when you think about her is //crazy//. The second word is //mischievous//. And finally, the third word is //playful//.
If a person were given these words, they would know what type of girl she is. A late-night partier, the one who goes for the dares in a game of truth-or-dare, the tomboy. That is what many, if not all, see when they look at her.
Though you know there is so much more to her, having known Vi for almost two years already.
Her smiles whenever she is greeting fans, taking photos, chatting, or participating in a night of karaoke. Every time she offers to share her snacks or blanket space when there is not enough room during movie night (she always sounded reluctant, but you know Vi is anything but). When she helps with the chores or cleans up the living room without being asked to. It is a softer side often hidden by sarcasm, but when it comes out, you are reminded of her care.
She suddenly catches your gaze, shooting you a playful wink and grin.
Yeah. That is very Vi-esque for her to do.
[[You do not need to work too hard to find the final member of ST4RDOM.|prologuepg9]]The shouting from Sofie's left side alerts you of her presence. You look around your leader, spotting Nari jumping and waving to the crowd.
Song Nari, the //maknae// of your group. She acts like it too, if her overeager jumping says anything. Most people see her as a ball of never-ending energy, and you would not say that is necessarily wrong. She has a lot of stamina, but when she crashes, she crashes down //hard//. The princess (the title Nari was crowned by fans and the media; you find it amusing despite her personal feelings) tends to get grumpy when she gets tired, and nobody wants to be around her when she acts super bossy.
As the youngest, most fans are overly protective of her. Her young and adorable face helps to sell this idea, and you suppose her lovable attitude is the cause behind those #ProtectNari accounts on your social feeds. It is ironic, her personality, when contrasting it to her job in the group--the main rapper.
Behind her small smiles and dimples is a girl whose agility is unmatched. She is witty, knowing how to make or break the atmosphere with a quip or jest.
It's funny how quick her smile morphs into a smirk whenever someone insults her. While Sofie would be diplomatic in her approach and Vi would throw back sarcastic remarks, Nari is calculating in her answer. You can usually expect to see the offender leave trails of smoke as they stalk away, while Nari reverts back to professional mode as if it never occurred.
At some point she calms down to observe the crowd, grinning so wide it looks like it hurts.
It seems everyone is taking in this moment.
[[This final concert before you leave Seoul.|prologuepg10]]The crowd is still going crazy. You should really do something, maybe speak to them to calm the thousands of fans in the stadium before you. Or you could leave it to the other members--Sofie is often the speaker for the group, though Vi and Nari like to jump in with quips every once in a while.
Sometimes there are rehearsed bits you will do to get the crowd riled up. And by riled up, you mean //really// excited.
But perhaps getting them even more ecstatic when you were supposed to be done almost thirty minutes ago is not the greatest idea...
<ul>
<li>[[Thank the fans and make your exit. This was already your second encore, and your throat is getting a bit hoarse.|prologuepg11bye][$reservedOutgoing += 2, $friendlyStandoff -= 1]]</li>
<li>[[Thank the fans and ask if they want another performance. You live for the chaos and you know what the majority response will be.|prologuepg11again][$reservedOutgoing -= 2, $friendlyStandoff += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Leave it to Sofie.|prologuepg11sof][$reservedOutgoing += 2]]</li>
</ul>"Thank you all for coming!"
The crowd goes wild upon hearing your voice--though you note that it cracks near the end.
"Although this is our //last// concert in Seoul for $worldtour...our hearts will always belong to this city!"
Vi laughs. "Yeah, because we //are// from here. This isn't going to be the last time we will be here!" That is true. Sofie nods.
There will be a next time.
Among the chorus of laughter, you can hear your fans chanting your names. //Sofie//, //Vi//, //Nari//, and your name...well, your stage name.
<ul>
<li>[[Aera|nameclarify][$stagename to "Aera"]]</li>
<li>[[Athena|nameclarify][$stagename to "Athena"]]</li>
<li>[[Ellie|nameclarify][$stagename to "Ellie"]]</li>
<li>[[Yoo Sun|nameclarify][$stagename to "Yoo Sun"]]</li>
<li>[[Write down your own stage name!|stagenamewrite]]</li>
</ul>"Thank you all for an amazing night! In fact...what about--"
Right as you are about to suggest another song, Sofie interrupts. "Ah, this is not the last concert we will be performing in this beautiful city! But that is all we have for you!" She gives you a glance, and taps her wrist as subtly as she can. Well, as subtly as she can in front of the crowd. //Time.//
Not like you weren't aware of it, but at least you tried. Looks like there will be no third encore.
You huff, the puff of air heard through the mic. "Alright, alright. We can perform //another// encore when we come back." Noises of disapproval echo from various corners of the packed seats, but nothing can convince Sofie otherwise.
Speaking of Sofie, her shoulders sink after your reluctant agreement--was she tense? A relieved smile makes its way onto her face, and she nods at you, her dark brown eyes conveying a silent message.
Next time, she promises.
Among the chorus of screaming, you can hear your fans chanting your names. //Sofie//, //Vi//, //Nari//, and your name...well, your stage name.
<ul>
<li>[[Aera|nameclarify][$stagename to "Aera"]]</li>
<li>[[Athena|nameclarify][$stagename to "Athena"]]</li>
<li>[[Ellie|nameclarify][$stagename to "Ellie"]]</li>
<li>[[Yoo Sun|nameclarify][$stagename to "Yoo Sun"]]</li>
<li>[[Write down your own stage name!|stagenamewrite]]</li>
</ul>"Thank you all so much for being here! We are so glad to see you, our //stars//, shining among the stands!" Sofie looks like the type to calm things down--which isn't wrong--but she also knows how to satisfy the fans. "//Unfortunately//, our time is soon coming to an end."
Vi chuckles, her cue to add on, "Rather unfortunate, but thankfully this is not the last time we will be here. Seoul will forever remain in our hearts." It's sappy, but people cheer regardless.
Among the chorus of screaming, you can hear your fans chanting your names. //Sofie//, //Vi//, //Nari//, and your name...well, your stage name.
<ul>
<li>[[Aera|nameclarify][$stagename to "Aera"]]</li>
<li>[[Athena|nameclarify][$stagename to "Athena"]]</li>
<li>[[Ellie|nameclarify][$stagename to "Ellie"]]</li>
<li>[[Yoo Sun|nameclarify][$stagename to "Yoo Sun"]]</li>
<li>[[Write down your own stage name!|stagenamewrite]]</li>
</ul>Stars or starries. Depending on how you feel.
"And remember stars. Keep on shining as bright as the night sky!"Although...<ul>
<li>[[Your stage name is just...your stage name. You have your given name, of course.|koreanname]]</li>
<li>[[Your given name is your stage name, neither one different from each other. So you will always be called by your real name whenever you talk to your fans.|prologuepg12][$name to $stagename]]</li>
</ul><<textbox "$stagename" "">>
You can hear people chanting this name from everywhere. It is your brand. It is who //you// are to the public, and you cannot imagine being called anything else by strangers.
[[Although...|nameclarify]] So then. What is the name your friends and family call you?
<<textbox "$name" "">>
<<link 'Suggestions for names!'>>
<<script>>Dialog.setup("Name Suggestions");
Dialog.wiki(Story.get("Name Suggestions").processText());
Dialog.open();<</script>><</link>>
[[Continue|prologuepg12]]The stage you stand upon vibrates of pure enthusiastic energy. Distantly, you know the fireworks are sizzling in the air behind you. Flares flying, then falling down in a rain of sparks. Confetti shapes of stars fall with it, a paper-thin star landing on your shoes.
Your mind does not register the noises. Sofie must be saying something, because the crowd is getting louder.
You do not realize how distracted you are until a cool hand slips into yours. How long have you been absently staring at the packed stadium? It must be the realization that the concert is coming to a close so quickly sinking in. You look at the perpetrator--Sofie--who has taken Nari's hand too.
Vi catches on quickly and grabs your empty hand, squeezing it. Everything goes by quickly; your arms are thrown up as all four of you bow together in front of the fans--//your// stars. By the time you are standing upright again, your hands are empty.
"Love you all!"
"Thank you for an amazing time!"
Everyone is waving hands and lightsticks, and suddenly everything is perfect. It feels like you are in a movie, starring as one of the main characters who achieved their goal.
You see tearful fans. Hands reaching out for you. //Begging// you to stay a while.
That doesn't happen. It never has, not for long.
Because, exactly as planned, smoke steams from the side of the stage and from below up.
Your exit strategy.
[[ST4RDOM likes to go out on a high note.|prologuepg13]]Chae-yeong (채영 - glory and honor, color jade)
Mi-suk (미숙 - beautiful, charming)
Soo-min (수민 - excellence and cleverness)
Aini (아이니 - spring, flower)
Sun-hee (선희 - pleasure and goodness)
!!!More will be added in the future!The platform you are standing on descends into the ground fast enough that you are under the stage by the time the smoke clears out. No doubt the fans would have noticed that you left.
Gone, just like a mirage that was never quite there in the first place.
Sofie moves her mic away from her face--it is not necessary since they have already been deactivated--and sighs. Some unknown burden appears to be lifted off her shoulders.
"Why did that feel more exhausting than the first day?"
"Maybe because we were performing overtime?" Vi asks, lifting her arms as assistants rush around you. They are careful to take the mic pack off her. "It felt longer."
Sofie nods slowly, quietly acknowledging this. How does she not look like she has a crick in her neck? You swear your muscles cry every time you lean your head to the side.
Nari snickers. "We still have the hi-touch to do, you know." Everyone, yourself included, lets out a collective groan. Vi lowers herself to the ground, face buried in her arms as she places herself in a crouching position. She is clearly going through something right now.
This day has been nothing but a hustle, and you're confident that everyone is absolutely ready to go back and get a good night's sleep before tomorrow's flight.
But you have to do it for the "stars"--the fandom name for ST4RDOM, though sometimes you call them "starries" if you feel like it. Because although you are tired and ready to go to sleep (or collapse, you aren't sure which feeling is more prevalent), you have to do this meet-and-greet. You do it because you have to satisfy your stars.
So you muster up the strength to lift your arms--//just// enough for the stylists to take off the box strapped to your back.
"Then we should get going," you declare, "before my legs turn into noodles." Nari perks up.
"We should. Come on, let's go!" Sofie claps her hands, ushering you towards the dressing rooms to change. You don't fight back, allowing yourself to be dragged from your spot.
[[Get ready for the post-concert content.|prologuepg14]]Your regular concerts always include some type of post-concert benefits like photo-ops or hi-touches. No matter what you are left feeling after performing, you are required to attend them under your contract.
Sometimes you just do not want to do anything but go to sleep.
However, the smiles the fans wear as they pass by make everything worth it. The genuine happiness they exude as they get up close to their favorite idols and members of a group. As long as you are able to provide that brief moment of joy, exhaustion can be put aside.
As you step onto the platform, you see the crowd of people watching with their phones on landscape mode. There is an invisible barrier between you, giving you the impression that you are like an animal at the zoo being observed and recorded. Your every movement caught on camera to be uploaded on the internet.
...it's better not to look at them. You shift your attention away and get in position between Nari and Vi.
Nari gives you a soft nudge. "Are you ready?" It is not lost on you that she used the exact opener Sofie says before your first song during a concert.
<ul>
<li>[[Totally!|prologuepg15exuberant][$reservedOutgoing -= 3, $friendlyStandoff += 3]]</li>
<li>[[Let's get this over with.|prologuepg15yeah][$reservedOutgoing += 1, $friendlyStandoff -= 1]]</li>
<li>[[Sure, as ready as you will ever be.|prologuepg15sure][$reservedOutgoing += 1]]</li>
<li>[[No, but when did you ever have a choice?|prologue15nochoice][$reservedOutgoing += 3, $friendlyStandoff -= 3]]</li>
</ul>A white fluffy dress, its fabric rubbing against your thighs. It barely reaches your knees but there is no time nor place to complain about it. Right now you don't dare to bend over for fear of the skirt riding upwards. You //have// to stick it through.
(Was going add this in prologuepg7 but found out that they usually change out of their stage outfits for the encore so they would be wearing regular clothes)"Yeah, totally." You smile. "Don't worry about me, Nari. I still have energy in me."
She grins. "Really? Didn't seem like it." Nari is joking, of course she is, but your tired brain barely registers how your eye twitches. Thankfully she either does not notice or chooses not to comment on it. "Give it ten minutes, and we'll be home by midnight."
What? Midnight? Is it really that late? Too bad there is no clock around for you to tell. Maybe if you lean around Vi, you can ask Sofie for the exact time...
Oh, no, you see the fans starting to come up.
[[Guess you will have to live without knowing the time.|prologuepg16]]"Yeah, let's just get this over with."
The two of you exchange sympathetic looks. She nods solemnly.
"Just keep on existing for, like, ten more minutes, and I bet you we will be out of here by midnight."
Midnight? Is it really that late?
"How do you know it's almost midnight?"
Nari tilts her head, pausing a moment to absorb the question. Her eyebrows are furrowed. "Huh? How do I--oh! Well, my stomach is grumbling, which it usually does around midnight. I'd go to make my own food, take something from the fridge, or buy from a vending machine. Depending on which is the closest."
"Really?" You can't help but chuckle. "How come I never noticed this?"
She smirks, puffing out her chest and folding her arms.
"That's because I'm //very// sneaky. You don't even notice me slip out of the room. I am that fast. And tiny. //And// quiet."
...You wouldn't have expected any less of a response coming from her. The conversation dies down when her attention wanders to the line of fans heading towards Sofie, the first one up. It is for the better, anyway. Conversing with your fellow groupmates during a social event is not the greatest impression to give.
[[Time to enter professional mode.|prologuepg16]]"As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
Vi snorts from beside you, "Wow, what enthusiasm. I can feel it //radiating// from you, right Maknae?"
Nari blinks, surprised at the usage of the name you all call her when alone. She looks very similar to a lost puppy. "Uhm...I'm not sure if I know what you mean."
Vi snickers, like she knows something Nari does not. "It's alright, never mind." And then, as if she had never interrupted, Vi faces forward.
"Huh." The youngest in your group shakes her head. "Anyways, I predict we will be out of here and back by midnight, at best."
What? //Midnight?// Is it really that late? Too bad there is no clock around for you to tell. Maybe if you lean around Vi, you can ask Sofie for the exact time...
Oh, wait, you see the fans starting to come up. Now isn't the best time to do so.
[[Well. On with the show.|prologuepg16]]As soon as she asks the question, you have to keep yourself from groaning too deeply. Who knows if someone is recording and clips //that//? "No," you respond, "but when did we ever have a choice?"
She hums. "That is the question...did we have the choice to be here? To stand here, giving high fives and waving at forty people when we could have been eating dinner?"
"Huh?" The dinner part catches you off guard. "We ate dinner before the concert though."
Nari laughs, sheepish. "Ah, sorry, we did. That was my stomach speaking. I haven't had my midnight snack yet so I need food very soon. Or else I might end up eating the table. Or someone. Maybe you."
Your smile morphs into a questioning one--she was joking about that last part, surely. "Yeah right. Is it really midnight?"
She shrugs. "I honestly don't know, but my stomach is my personal clock, and it's telling me it's time to eat my midnight snack, so...I'm assuming it is around midnight."
That makes sense. She pats your shoulder. "We will be out of here soon. We //have// to, I'm not sure if I can feel my legs anymore. Just...hang in there."
You hum, half-distracted by the flow of "stars" already making their way down the line.
[[Just hang in there.|prologuepg16]]Like the other members, you put up a faint smile as each fan passes by you. A small lift of your lips on both corners forms a sufficient look for an idol like yourself. You alternate between waving, posing, and offering a high-five to keep the line going--doing the same thing repeatedly becomes tiring during events like hi-touches, you know from experience.
More than half the time, you are told something along the lines of "I love you so much!" "You are my favorite member!" or "I loved (insert favorite song or album)!" as you begin to raise your hand for a high-five or wave. Knowing that ST4RDOM has made a difference in people's lives still surprises you. It really shouldn't--not when you have gotten this far--but the fact is surreal. //You// are impacting hundreds of thousands of lives, if not millions.
The younger generations will grow up listening to your songs. And who knows? You could be the inspiration for future idols, much like Forever With U was for yourself.
You catch a glimpse of Nari's chin-length pink--rose gold, she claims--hair on a fan's tote bag. There is a bright smile on Nari's face, as she holds up a peace sign to whatever camera was directed at her that day. No doubt it was fanmade, but the quality seems good.
You should try to get Nari one, just to see her reaction.
Following that particular fan, you see it.
//Your face//, plastered huge on a t-shirt with your name, $stagename, above the image.
[[And you have to say, you did not look half-bad in that particular photo.|prologuepg17]]!!!Hair
Your natural hair color is a shade of...
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "jet black" checked>> Jet black
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "raven black">> Raven black
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "soft black">> Soft black
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "dark brown">> Dark brown
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "chestnut">> Chestnut
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "chocolate brown">> Chocolate brown
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "caramel">> Caramel
<<radiobutton "$naturalhaircolor" "light brown">> Light brown
(//<<link "Why are there no other natural hair colors?">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Explanation");
Dialog.wiki("I knew it was going to be a problem while writing this--Koreans naturally have dark hair, and I wanted to stay true to this even if MC is half-Korean. Therefore, I have allowed dyed hair, which will stay 'permanent' throughout the rest of the game. I hope this is a good enough substitute and does not ruin your experience!");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//)
...but that does not necessarily mean it is that //exact// color. More than once, your managers have encouraged you to color your hair to "distinguish yourselves from each other."
<<radiobutton "$hair" "$naturalhaircolor" checked>> But you never listened to them. The color of your hair has always stayed the same.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "$naturalhaircolor">> Your hair used to be dyed, but has since faded to its normal color.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "auburn">> So you dyed it <b>auburn</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "intense red">> You chose <b>intense red</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "vintage orange">> It is <b>vintage orange</b>, which you note became popular once you were seen with it.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "ash blonde">> Now your hair is <b>ash blonde</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "golden blonde">> Your hair is currently <b>golden blonde</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "platinum blonde">> It is now <b>platinum blonde</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "soft green">> Your hair has been a <b>soft shade of green</b> for a while.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "light blue">> Thus why the current color of your hair is a <b>light blue</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "cobalt blue">> Which is why your hair is still <b>cobalt blue</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "indigo blue">> And to be honest, you prefer your <b>indigo blue</b> hair.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "lavenver">> <b>Lavender</b> looks better on you anyway.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "royal purple">> You are more recognizable with your <b>royal purple</b> hair.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "hot pink">> So it is <b>hot pink</b>, a variation to Nari's.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "pastel pink">> Nari hasn't stopped talking about it ever since you dyed your hair <b>pastel pink</b>.
<<radiobutton "$hair" "silver">> Sometimes you swear you see your hair glow from how <b>silver</b> it is.
As for the texture of your hair, it is...
<<radiobutton "$hairtexture" "silky" checked>> Silky
<<radiobutton "$hairtexture" "straight">> Straight
<<radiobutton "$hairtexture" "wavy">> Wavy
<<radiobutton "$hairtexture" "curly">> Curly
<<radiobutton "$hairtexture" "coily">> Coily
Oh, and as for how long it is...
<<radiobutton "$hairlength" "short" checked>> Short
<<radiobutton "$hairlength" "chin-length">> Cut up to your chin
<<radiobutton "$hairlength" "shoulder-length">> Cut up to your shoulders
<<radiobutton "$hairlength" "medium-length">> In between your shoulders and waist
<<radiobutton "$hairlength" "waist-length">> Long, reaching to your waist
<<radiobutton "$hairlength" "very long">> Way beyond your waist
Whoever took that photo must have been a professional. The image may be cropped, but you can see your hair perfectly well. Good lenses.
[[Ah, and speaking of lenses...what about your eyes?|prologuepg18]]!!!Eyes
By nature, you just so happen to have dark brown eyes.
That has never stopped you from wearing colored contacts. //If// you really wanted to...
<<radiobutton "$eye" "dark brown" checked>> But you don't wear contacts.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "dark brown special">> Technically you don't wear colored contacts, but you do wear contacts because of your bad eyesight.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "light brown">> You wear contacts, and so your eye color is a lighter shade of brown.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "hazel">> You wear contacts, the color a mix between green and brown--hazel.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "amber">> You wear contacts, a very light shade of brown known as amber.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "gray">> You wear contacts, and they are gray.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "blue">> You wear contacts, and they are blue.
<<radiobutton "$eye" "green">> You wear contacts, and they are green.
<b><<checkbox "$eyesight" false true autocheck>> Your colored contacts also act as lenses for your eyesight (if you do have them)!</b>
In every photo you have seen of yourself, the sparkle in your eyes is always present. You aren't sure if it is due to editing, the lighting, or if that's what you actually look like. Perhaps you may never find out...
[[And then, there is the color of your skin.|prologuepg19]]!!!Complexion
Most people you know have light, fair, or pale skin. They are also Korean, so perhaps that is a contributing factor. However, you know that there is a growing diversity due to the growth of foreign-born people living temporarily in the country.
But you? You have a...
<<radiobutton "$skin" "pale" checked>> Pale complexion
<<radiobutton "$skin" "fair">> Fair complexion
<<radiobutton "$skin" "peach">> Peach complexion
<<radiobutton "$skin" "olive">> Olive complexion
<<radiobutton "$skin" "tan">> Tan complexion
<<radiobutton "$skin" "dark">> Well, let's just say your skin is //much// darker compared to your groupmates. Not that they mind it.
(//<<link "Why are there no option for darker shades?">>
<<script>>
Dialog.setup("Explanation");
Dialog.wiki("Another one of the things I struggled with while writing. I know that MC has to at least be half-Korean, but I was not sure about specifying her race. I have decided to leave it vague as this is a work in progress, so this may definitely change in the future and may impact the story as well. I would have to add the additional warning of racism, and I'm not sure how comfortable people are with reading stories that involves this particular theme. So for now, I will leave it open for interpretation. Sorry!");
Dialog.open();
<</script>>
<</link>>//)
And that is about it in terms of your physical description.
Huh. It's very different looking at yourself in a picture compared to when you look into a mirror. You are not sure what it is. Maybe because the mirror version feels more real.
[[Wait, stay focused! High-five the fan and move on.|prologuepg20]]Eventually the flow of people slows down, until the final person goes through each ST4RDOM member before heading off. By then, it is clear that your job is just about done.
The night is not over yet. You //still// have to get to the car, which hopefully has not been surrounded by fans.
With a final wave to the observing crowd, ST4RDOM takes its leave.
[[After that, it is a bit of a blur.|prologuepg21]]After a long day like today, things tend to blur together. Everything goes by too fast for you to recount, or it could be your brain blocking out memories that are not worth remembering. You have gone through these motions before; it's not like this time was different from the rest.
You managed to get back to your company dorm three minutes past midnight. The stadium was not too far from the building, and so it was not long of a drive. The crowd "seeing" you off were present up until you got into the car. You think there was a bright camera flash when you stepped out of the building into the parking lot, but that's normal.
Everything you do now, from the moment you wake up to when your head hits the pillow, is completely normal. It's scary to think about it. This is what every day will look like for the next ten years or so.
Sometimes you will still have enough energy to do an impromptu singing session with the girls and the radio. This time you were too exhausted for that. As soon as you climbed into the back seat of the car by the window, you were out for the rest of the ride.
Adrenaline crashes hit <b>hard</b>.
Soon, after what seemed like forever, you were shaken awake by a familiar face.
<ul>
<li>[[Sofie|prologuepg22sof][$sofierelationship += 5]]</li>
<li>[[Vi|prologuepg22vi][$virelationship += 5]]</li>
<li>[[Nari|prologuepg22nari][$narirelationship += 5]]</li>
</ul>Sofie smiles when she realizes that your eyes are open. "Hey, we're already home. Just come up and then we can get to bed."
Everyone has already gotten out of the car. Only half-registering her words, you begin to take off your seatbelt and stumble out of the black vehicle. Sofie reaches out a hand to steady you. The coolness of the night wakes you up well-enough.
"So she was sleeping again."
[[Ah. You recognize that familiar deep voice.|prologuepg23]]Vi grins when you stretch and unbuckle your seatbelt. "Hey, morning, sleepyhead. We were about to ditch you until I noticed you were not out of the car yet." Her hand, as it is rolled-up in a fist, eases. Thankfully, she didn't try to punch you like she usually does. You do not think you would have handled it well.
Vi must be more tired than she looks.
Somewhere behind her, a few steps away, a voice swiftly protests upon hearing her speak.
"Excuse me, I believe you mean //I// noticed she wasn't out."
[[Ah. You recognize that familiar deep voice.|prologuepg23]]Nari giggles when you startle at her closeness. She steps back, closely watching you as you grasp in the dark to unbuckle the seatbelt. "Sorry, sorry. It's sort of adorable how quickly you flinch. The car had already stopped, so I volunteered to wake you up before we abandoned you by accident. It was an accident, I promise." Her smile says there is more, but she likely will not say anything about it.
<ul>
<li>[[Huh? Did she just call you...cute? Despite being too tired to think straight you can't help but notice this certain detail.|prologuepg23.5][$nariromance += 1]] 💖</li>
<li>[[Someone behind her says something you are unable to hear, but you recognize that familiar deep voice.|prologuepg23]]</li>
</ul>Jun Chang-ho stands across from you, arms folded and lips a thin line.
You suppose the best way to describe him is by using only two words: your bodyguard. At least, that is what most people like to refer to him as, but it is not limited to that title. There have been rumors that you had a certain, //special// relationship with him considering how close he likes to stay by your side whenever you are out in public. Thankfully he never held your hand in any of those photos.
But really, he only sticks close to you because it is his job, and you find in him a silent dedication to carry it out. Although he would never admit it.
His stern expression eases when he looks at you. "I already checked the area, and it's safe for you to go in. We should head inside."
Mouth surprisingly dry, you nod. Chang-ho gestures for you to go forward with a sweeping motion.
[[Even though he has been your bodyguard for six months, Chang-ho still uses formalities with you.|lastname]]Your eyes shift to Nari, searching for an answer you aren't sure will be answered.
Huh, this is different...why is your mind scrambling to say something, but none of it goes through? You would usually have something to say by now, but you are staring at Nari and she's staring back and--
She blinks, and leans away. "Well?" Oh, she...doesn't notice.
Right, yes, that makes sense. You have to calm your racing mind and stop thinking too deeply like her. You take a deep breath and take a step out of the black vehicle, nearly stumbling as you do. Nari's hand hovers over your waist, some warmth transferring from it to you. Very sweet of her, as always.
The night is not too cool, though you associate this with the sudden warmth through your body.
"Is she finally awake?"
[[Ah. You recognize that familiar deep voice.|prologuepg23]]He often calls you Miss...
<ul>
<li>[[Park|prologuepg24][$lastname to "Park"]]</li>
<li>[[Jeong|prologuepg24][$lastname to "Jeong"]]</li>
<li>[[Lee|prologuepg24][$lastname to "Lee"]]</li>
<li>[[Kang|prologuepg24][$lastname to "Kang"]]</li>
<li>[[Han|prologuepg24][$lastname to "Han"]]</li>
<li>[[Bae|prologuepg24][$lastname to "Bae"]]</li>
</ul><<textbox "$lastname" "Enter last name">> [[Next|prologuepg24]]"You first, Miss $lastname."
You will never get used to him calling you by a //title//. Your head can't wrap around how it sounds coming from his mouth, and you could be on a first-name basis if it weren't for his insistence.
As you pass by him, the corners of his lips turn up. It is small and disappears as soon as it came, but it was there.
<ul>
<li>[[Did you ever mention that you have a crush on him? Because if not...you do.|prologuepg25crush][$changhorelationship += 1, $changhoromance += 1]] ❤️</li>
<li>[[You smile back.|prologuepg25smile][$changhorelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Return the gesture with a little nod.|prologuepg25nod][$changhorelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Ignore it. He won't be offended by it, you know.|prologuepg25ignore]]</li>
</ul>A big, mindless smile grows as you maintain eye contact for a few seconds longer than necessary before he looks away, softly clearing his throat. The briefness of the moment both stings and makes your heart flutter. Nevertheless, it happened, and that is all that should matter.
You have liked Chang-ho for a while—it must have started when he pushed an aggressive fan off you and promptly asked if you were injured as if he had not engaged in a physical altercation right before.
Or it could have been before that, back when you had met him for the first time.
Who keeps track of when they begin to like someone? Certainly not you.
He is //handsome//, and fans feel similar considering those fan accounts about him. With neat black hair, deep dark eyes, and a well-built figure, it makes sense why your heart and fans alike go crazy over him. Yet your attraction to Chang-ho stems deeper.
He is protective of you—though this could be due to his job. It makes sense, but that does not mean you won't overthink it. Perhaps you do like deluding yourself.
You aren't even sure if he feels the same way. It could be his professionalism that keeps him from showing any signs.
[[Feelings aside, you are one step closer to home, where your bed resides.|prologuepg26]]You shoot him a quick smile and you swear his eyes crinkle with amusement before he abruptly turns away.
Now that you think about it, Chang-ho is handsome, and fans feel similar considering those fan accounts about him. With neat black hair, deep dark eyes, and a well-built figure, it makes sense why people love him so much. Even so, you know he has never been in a relationship, at least not while he worked for you.
Still, you know he is nice when he isn't refusing to let you go to the bathroom because "you have to go onstage in five minutes."
[[You push aside your thoughts for now; just a few more steps until you reach your bed.|prologuepg26]]You return the sentiment with a nod before turning your focus to heading inside the building. As you follow Vi and her own bodyguard, your mind begins to wander through thoughts.
Now that you think about it, Chang-ho is handsome, and fans feel similar considering those fan accounts about him. With neat black hair, deep dark eyes, and a well-built figure, it makes sense why people love him so much. Even so, you know he has never been in a relationship, at least not while he worked for you.
Still, you know he is nice when he isn't refusing to let you go to the bathroom because "you have to go onstage in five minutes."
[[You push aside your thoughts for now; just a few more steps until you reach your bed.|prologuepg26]]Although you do not respond the way he likely thought you were going to, Chang-ho would never hold that against you. That's one of the things you can appreciate about him, though you are certain there are other things people appreciate about him...
Chang-ho is handsome, and fans feel similar considering those fan accounts about him. With neat black hair, deep dark eyes, and a well-built figure, it makes sense why people like him so much. Even so, you know he has never been in a relationship, at least not while he worked for you.
Still, you know he is nice when he isn't refusing to let you go to the bathroom because "you have to go onstage in five minutes".
[[You push aside your thoughts for now; just a few more steps until you reach your bed.|prologuepg26]]The walk to your dorm is quiet, the soft padding of feet hitting the carpeted ground muffling sounds that would have been loud on any other type of flooring. Everyone must be alone in their own thoughts, and quite frankly, you do not care. You are too focused on dragging your feet across the floor so your legs don't collapse on itself.
As soon as you are in your dorm, the smell of soft citruses flood your senses. Nari and Vi bought a collection of air fresheners, each a different type. They change the smell every two weeks, but you never spend too much time in the dorm to pay attention to it. Almost always, you are outside somewhere.
The smell is refreshing--most certainly a change from the stuffiness in the stadium and sweltering atmosphere.
Chang-ho closes the door behind you, likely to stand outside or hang around the building.
Nari moves to the kitchen, the allure of food too good for her to pass up. Walking by you, Sofie heads to the bedroom, offering a quiet "I'm going to bed" before she disappears behind the door. Meanwhile, Vi collapses on the couch, already scrolling through her phone. Knowing her, she will no doubt fall asleep on the couch for the night...again.
For you, there is no option--you are going to bed //now//.
[[Beeline to your shared bedroom.|prologuepg27]]Color distinguishers!
Nari: Pink
Chang-ho: Red
Andy: Green
Seungho: Yellow
Gracie: Purple
Meanings behind them below:
★ Nari is the color pink because it is her favorite color. It's not only because of that, though, but I find that pink usually means innocence, love and comfort. That is exactly what her romance route is like, though because she is naiive it takes a while for relationships to bloom. A relationship with Nari will include soft love, sweet moments, and a romance worthy of a k-drama series.
★ Chang-ho is the color red because of how dangerous his job is and foreshadows how well people are going to react if he has a relationship with the MC (spoiler, it is not going to be a pretty sight). He is a brave, protective, and sacrificial person who is also pretty intense in his romantic relationships. Expect passion in every touch, gaze, and kiss. Chang-ho is hard to pursue because of his dedication to doing his job. Red flag RO? No, couldn't be...
★ Andy is the color green because of how refreshing they will be to the MC. Although yes, they are a huge fan of ST4RDOM, they treat MC as if she is any other person. Green symbolizes wealth, new beginnings, and envy or jealously, which encapsulates who they are. Born in a rich family, working with a k-pop group as popular as ST4RDOM, and getting jealous whenever MC spends time with other people for a unreasonably long time. Clingy?
★Seungho is the color yellow because stars are yellow and he tends to be optimistic. A relationship with him would be bright, but there is some jealousy, as well as cowardice. Although he seems like the type to jump into relationships head-first, his crush on MC will make him much more hesitant to enter a relationship with her out of fear that it won't work out or she will reject him. Energetic in relationships otherwise.
★ Gracie is the color purple because purple symbolizes grace, power, and ambition. She is all about these things. Purple also stands for wealth, which she absolutely is. A romantic relationship with her will take a while, considering that she will want to make sure the person genuinely wants to be with her, and not for the money or boost in status. In her you will find together a very mature relationship full of love, warmth, and tender care.Sofie is using the bathroom at the moment, so you have to decide what to do in the meanwhile. Internally you groan as you look around to find something to do.
Since your plane will be leaving early tomorrow, your outfits and necessities have been packed by the staff. Most of your clothes are gone, so the room feels emptier than usual.
<ul>
<li>[[Your books have been taken, too.|prologuepg28][$hobby to "reading"]]</li>
<li>[[And you know that you packed your journal.|prologuepg28][$hobby to "writing"]]</li>
<li>[[Your entire sketchbook collection is still here, but the supplies are gone.|prologuepg28][$hobby to "art"]]</li>
<li>[[You can't help but notice the absence of your musical instrument, too.|prologuepg28][$hobby to "music"]]</li>
<li>[[At least your special camera is safely stored in its bag.|prologuepg28][$hobby to "photography"]]</li>
</ul>You could scroll through social media. Seeing how busy you are, you rarely have time to do so.
A ST4RDOM article is recommended to you upon a simple internet search, written by the Korean gossip newspaper //Regality//.
//Regality// is the place where you can find plenty of articles gushing about Korean celebrities and stars. They have all of the latest gossip on dating rumors and the scandal of all scandals, and it is not like they have a particular fixation on a specific person or group. You wonder what other articles were released today...
Shaking your head, you click on the article. Under the title is an unflattering picture of you, Sofie, Vi, and Nari, with your fists in the air. It looks like it was taken during your smaller tour around South Korea. It looks like that stadium in Busan. Nari seems to have been captured mid-blink.
!!![['"ST4RDOM is going on their first-ever world tour!" the title reads.'|prologuepg29]]!!!ST4RDOM is going on their first-ever world tour!
<center><b>By An Yoo-jung</b></center>
<center>//3/6/30 06:23 ET //</center>
Well, everyone, the day is near. A year after their debut, ST4RDOM will be going on their first-ever world tour in two days!
The all-female group, consisting of Sofie, Vi, $stagename, and Nari, first gained popularity with the release of their first-ever album, "Under the Spotlight," which was an immediate hit with fans across the globe. ST4RDOM broke records for releasing a full album compared to the mini albums that most k-pop groups released.
Their second album, "Daydream," sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. They were one of the fastest-growing k-pop groups of 2029, and at the beginning of this year, it was reported by an insider that they were planning to go on tour. Two weeks later, the management behind ST4RDOM announced what everyone had been hoping for—a worldwide tour.
Their international concert //$worldtour World Tour// will span for eighteen weeks in eighteen different cities in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
Starting in their own country, the group will cross over to Japan before heading to various countries in Europe. They plan on touching three states in the U.S. before visiting Argentina, followed by Australia, and will travel upwards from then on as they make their way back home.
For an official list, here are the following locations:
<b>Seoul, South Korea
Tokyo, Japan
Moscow, Russia
Berlin, Germany
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
New York City, United States of America
Toronto, Canada
Seattle, United States of America
Los Angeles, United States of America
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sydney, Australia
Jakarta, Indonesia
Singapore
Bangkok, Thailand
Hong Kong
Macao
Taipei, Taiwan</b>
<center>If you would like to see more articles like this, make sure to subscribe to our daily newspaper, where we give the latest gossip on the k-pop drama as they come out!</center>
//The note at the bottom mentions the article is available to read on the Regality app, which you happen to have downloaded on your phone. How interesting...//
[[Close the tab.|prologuepg30]]Sofie: @_sofiee
Vi: @ultra-violet
Nari: @lovelinari
Chang-ho: @changho_352
Andy Kwon: @andythetranslator
Seungho: @yourking_seungho
Gracie: @gracieliu (working under Aristo Model Management)
ST4RDOM: @ST4RDOM.indigo
KMonarchs: @kmonarchs.indigoYou finish reading the article just as Sofie steps out of the bedroom, a eucalyptus facial mask covering her face. She smiles--as best as she can while wearing it--and gestures to the bathroom as if to say //it's all yours//. You make sure to grab your proper clothes to change in there.
When you first moved in, Sofie made it a rule for the bathroom to be cleaned up every time the occupant finishes. It explains why your bathroom looks clean and bright, and why the whiteness of everything still surprises you, not a stain in sight.
When you step into the bathroom, the first thing you do is look at the vanity mirror hovering above the sink. The light fixtures framed around the mirror are bright--almost blinding, but it gives you a clearer picture of what you look like.
Sometimes you wish it didn't.
The bags under your $eye eyes barely stand out thanks to the concealer the makeup artists applied earlier. Your makeup looks worse for wear, your $hair hair is undone, and your t-shirt is ruffled up. Concerts are known to suck the energy out of anyone, and you have found that you take it particularly hard to recover after a long night like this one.
However, considering that you have to board a plane early tomorrow, you will need as much sleep as you can get.
[[It is best not to linger long.|prologuepg31]]As your bedroom consists of two bunk beds, you <<cycle "$bunk" autoselect>><<option "↻ climb onto the top bunk" "top bunk">><<option "↻ get into bed on the bottom bunk" "bottom bunk">><</cycle>> that you share with Nari. When you first moved into the dorm together, Nari suggested a coin flip for first picks. You had won and got to choose.
Those were the early days.
Sofie is already lying in bed, and you can only assume that she is asleep, seeing how still she is. The lights are off, but the bunny night light on the table brightens the room a bit. You had gotten it as a birthday gift for Nari, but really, everyone uses it. You can't help but smile to yourself at that.
You remember to take a deep breath as you lie down in bed.
You are going to leave the country, the beginning of the world tour, although it //officially// began on March 8th.
It is not the first time you will be leaving the country, but it is going to be a while until you return. Anxiety of what tomorrow could bring lingers in your gut, but it is nothing compared to the contrasting anticipation.
[[The morning arrives as fast as you fall asleep.|prologueopener2]]<<run UIBar.stow();>><<run UIBar.hide();>>
!Prologue
!!Part Two<span class='fadeIn'>
!!!"Dreams don’t happen in your sleep. They happen when you’re awake."
!!!-DJ Tukutz
</span>
<<timed 5s>><<button "Begin the second part of the prologue." "prologuepg34">><</button>><</timed>>!Profile
Unfortunately, your profile will remain locked until the end of the Prologue. Sorry!
[[Return to the game.|$return]]You open up the app. The blue curly R logo wearing a same-colored crown greets you in a big pop before disappearing with a flourish, allowing you to see the hot articles of the day and features. Luckily dark mode is enabled, otherwise you would have been blinded by the immediate brightness of the default light pink interface.
<ul>
<li>[[Check out the featured articles.|Features]]</li>
<li>[[View ST4RDOM articles.|ST4RDOM Articles]]</li>
<li>[[See if there is anything about the KMonarchs.|KMonarchs Articles]]</li>
</ul>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Close out of the app.|$return]]</center></div>!FEATURED ARTICLES
<ul>
<li>[[Which INDIGO group is the best?? Take this survey to find out!|indigosurvey]]</li>
<li>[[Seungho Wishes He Had Done This... an interview with KMonarchs' leading member!|seunghointerview]]</li>
<li>[[Inside the Life of a K-pop Ex-Trainee|gracieinterview]]</li>
</ul>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the home page of the app.|Regality App]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the game.|$return]]</center></div>!ST4RDOM
//Most relevant to your search://
<ul>
<<if hasVisited("prologuepg29")>><li>[[ST4RDOM is going on their first-ever world tour!|st4rdomtourarticle]]</li><<else>>There is nothing here...<<endif>>
</ul>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the home page of the app.|Regality App]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the game.|$return]]</center></div>!!!ST4RDOM is going on their first-ever world tour!
<center><b>By An Yoo-jung</b></center>
<center>//3/6/30 06:23 ET //</center>
Well, everyone, the day is near. A year after their debut, ST4RDOM will be going on their first-ever world tour in two days!
The all-female group, consisting of Sofie, Vi, $stagename, and Nari, first gained popularity with the release of their first-ever album, "Under the Spotlight," which was an immediate hit with fans across the globe. ST4RDOM broke records for releasing a full album compared to the mini albums that most k-pop groups released.
Their second album, "Daydream," sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. They were one of the fastest-growing k-pop groups of 2029, and at the beginning of this year, it was reported by an insider that they were planning to go on tour. Two weeks later, the management behind ST4RDOM announced what everyone had been hoping for—a worldwide tour.
Their international concert //$worldtour World Tour// will span for eighteen weeks in eighteen different cities in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia.
Starting in their own country, the group will cross over to Japan before heading to various countries in Europe. They plan on touching three states in the U.S. before visiting Argentina, followed by Australia, and will travel upwards from then on as they make their way back home.
For an official list, here are the following locations:
Seoul, South Korea
Tokyo, Japan
Moscow, Russia
Berlin, Germany
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
New York City, United States of America
Toronto, Canada
Seattle, United States of America
Los Angeles, United States of America
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Sydney, Australia
Jakarta, Indonesia
Singapore
Bangkok, Thailand
Hong Kong
Macao
Taipei, Taiwan
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the home page of the app.|Regality App]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the game.|$return]]</center></div>!!!Which INDIGO group is the best?? Take this survey to find out!
<center><b>By Chun La-nie</b></center>
<center>//10/19/29 17:50 ET //</center>
INDIGO Entertainment is one of the largest Korean entertainment companies in this day and age. Known for forming boy groups like April Wind and KMonarchs, they have created plenty of other fan favorites, which has sparked up much debate on social media and forums everywhere. I thought it would be interesting if I set up a survey for that since personally, my favorite is April Wind 😊😊
So here you go, everyone: a poll to see who is the //real// best INDIGO group of all time!
<<if hasVisited("submit")>> //You have already taken this survey.//
[[Return to the game.|$return]]<<else>><<radiobutton "$bestindigogroup" "April Wind" checked>> April Wind
<<radiobutton "$bestindigogroup" "KMonarchs">> KMonarchs
<<radiobutton "$bestindigogroup" "QTIES">> QTIES
<<radiobutton "$bestindigogroup" "POW3R">> POW3R
<<radiobutton "$bestindigogroup" "ST4RDOM">> ST4RDOM
[[Submit.|submit]]<<endif>>!!!Seungho Wishes He Had Done This... an interview with KMonarchs' leading member!
<center><b>By Jo Kwang-sun</b></center>
<center>//2/2/29 12: 45 ET//</center>
K-pop has become the most listened to genre in all of South Korea, and this especially applies to the younger generation. Although I am personally not a huge fan of it (it's not my preference) I have come to respect it. They always look so energetic in concerts, meet-and-greets, interviews, etc.
It can't be as easy as it looks, so I figured: why not interview a k-pop artist and get their thoughts? And that is where Seungho comes in.
Choi Seungho is one of the members of KMonarchs, one of the leading k-pop boy bands in the music industry. Some even say he is the unofficial leader of said group.
Honestly, it was almost impossible to secure this interview with him since Seungho was meant to have a shoot two hours afterwards, but. //It.// //HAPPENED.// His schedule is very packed and unpredictable--okay, semi-unpredictable. He has a general idea of what his week and the week after will look like, but as for his sleeping schedule...
"My managers are behind the plans, and we are to go along with it," Seungho said. "Sometimes we could be home as early as 10 PM or go as late as the early morning." He told me it was hard some days to keep his eyes open.
But his motivation?
The fans. "And I would not have it any other way."
We talked for about an hour about his background and how he obtained the dream job for many hopeful trainees.
"I was, uh, when I first went to try out I did not care too much about getting in. I only did it because my friends saw the audition and wanted to try out. So really, I was going along with what they wanted. They said it would be fun and it would not affect me if I did not get in." He then laughed. "I was the only one that got in, though." After that, he spent three years in the trainee program before he finally was chosen to join the KMonarchs at the age of seventeen. Ever since, Seungho jokes, he has not had a regular sleep schedule.
Before long we were talking about his hobbies. In particular, Seungho enjoys playing video games and the guitar, and (get this!) cooking. His mother's cooking inspired his love for food and, he said, if he had not become an idol, he would have started a restaurant. "I am the one who does the cooking in the morning and for Seollal. Everyone calls me the Master of the Kitchen," Seungho joked with a smile.
Following up on this, I asked him if he held any regrets for anything. For auditioning when he could have sharpened his culinary skills.
And for the first time since sitting down with Seungho, he was quiet.
"I do have regrets," he eventually would admit, "I missed opportunities. I made choices that I can't go back on. But honestly, I don't think about it. There is no point in thinking about it because I cannot change the past. I have come to a point where I...have accepted that being a k-pop idol is my life. And I am completely okay with that."
The flashy life of an idol is not easy in the k-pop industry, Seungho explained.
But when it comes to his passion for music, it is //absolutely// worth it.
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the home page of the app.|Regality App]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the featured articles.|Features]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the game.|$return]]</center></div>!Inside the Life of a K-pop Ex-Trainee
<center><b>By An Yoo-jung</b></center>
<center>//11/14/29 16:32 ET//</center>
Back in the summer of 2021, 13-year-old Gracie Liu moved from her home in London to Seoul with the hopes of returning as an idol. She had wowed the executives of INDIGO Entertainment, one of the largest entertaining companies of its time, with her confidence, beauty, and voice. And as a bonus: she could speak fluent English, Korean, and Chinese.
During her time training, she spent much, if not all, of her time preparing herself for the day she would debut.
<div class="color-gracie"><h3>"Every second I did not spend sleeping was used for training my voice. Seeing how high I could reach. The intensity of the songs I danced to. The rhythm, the pace, the endurance. It was a very rigorous schedule, and the rules imposed on us trainees were ensured by monitoring through the CCTV."</h3></div>
She was ready, prepared for the day of her selection.
However, it was not meant to be. By the end of 2028, Gracie Liu had not received the chance to debut. When a female group was teased by the company earlier in the year, she had not been selected for the auditions to try out. With her contract close to ending, she decided to leave the company as soon as it expired, which it soon did at the beginning of 2029. Her exit did not go without drama, and to this very day she reportedly still holds bad blood with INDIGO.
Before she left London, Gracie Liu had been a relatively unknown model. Her career began as early as five years old, when she posed for a children's clothing brand.
Once she returned to her city in 2029, it was like she never left at all.
Liu soon signed with Aristo Model Management and has gone back to modeling ever since.
It is nice to see that Gracie Liu has built an better life for herself, although one can only wonder if in an alternate universe she //could// have become an idol.
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the home page of the app.|Regality App]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the featured articles.|Features]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the game.|$return]]</center></div>Thank you for your participation!
If you would like to view the other features, check it out [[here|Features]]!
<div class="regality"><center>[[Otherwise, you can return to the game here.|$return]]</center></div>Also, I want to add an motivation like what Theo recommended. It gives MC a bigger reason for being in the industry and adds more flavor text! I am definitely sure I can handle it since it does not seem like much and I am very determined to get it done.
↳ Options include something like doing to for the artistry of it, or because you actually enjoy the hard work it takes and it gives you a purpose to focus on, or because it always reminds you of your grandmother, or just for the fame.
Sahara, meanwhile, recommended that I add more options to customize MC, like how she was scouted and acts towards the crowd (for example, smile or act cute). I think I would do the latter part in the next update since I don't really feel like adding it now.
I need to be on the lookout for filtered words, according to Lisy. I have to edit the game after it goes out so that it can be even better! Or I can just edit it now, either way works. I think I don't have the time atm to fix everything but I want to try the best I can.
Also, Sofie wears a necklace that her mother gave her. It is a simple line with a pink stone danging from it.Seungho definitely knows how to speak Korean, but his English is mostly good. PK and Alex have definitely tried to teach him French and Spanish respectively but he only knows the basics. And, of course, how to say "I love you" and "My love/darling" in both languages. He is not very good at picking up languages, and honestly he could not put in any effort to study them at all. He just...gets bored easily.
Sofie has the most experience. Although her native language is Korean, she knows how to speak English and Japanese well. Also might know Mandarin!
Vi is someone who is not very interested in learning languages. She would know Korean and English at the bare minimum. She would pick up some languages and learn a few words so that she can have a basic conversation though. Spanish, Japanese, and Indonesian would be those languages.
Nari speaks Korean, English, Cantonese, and some Mandarin.
You can choose to speak Korean, English, and either Mandarin, Japanese, Indonesian or Thai depending on player choice.
Andy speaks Korean, English, French and Spanish fluently, but they also dabble in Hokkien, Cantonese, and Mandarin!Once finished, you wrap a fluffy white towel around you, pattting down your curves and any droplets that linger on your waist. You feel <b>reborn</b>; clean.
Your nighttime routine is pretty much the same--use makeup remover to properly scrub your face, rinse with water, apply your face cleaner, rinse again, use a number of lotions to moisten your skin, brush your teeth, and change into a new set of clean clothes.
Most of the makeup has already been removed, but for some reason you cannot get rid of a particular spot near your eye no matter how much you rub at the skin.
Before the area turns red, you lean away from the mirror and throw the wipe in the trashcan with more force than you anticipated. You can deal with it tomorrow.
Sofie might have a solution; she spends so many hours on her skin that most of her free time is spent looking for new face cleaners, lotions or moisturizers and applying them. Once she regaled the whole group about her 20 step nightly routine, so you have an idea of how much Sofie cares about her skin.
You look back at the mirror one last time, trying to see what people see when they notice those posters featuring you and the rest of your friends.
...you can only find an ordinary, tired woman looking back at you.
[[Leave the bathroom.|prologuepg33]]On the days when you came barely keep your eyes awake--which occurs more often than not--you skip washing yourself and go straight to your daily routine.
But today you want nothing more than to scrub off every speck of dirt on your body. Sweat and humidity and grime sticks to your skin, a barely visible layer you can only see if you squint hard enough.
The aftermath of a concert on a humid day.
It's //disgusting.//
<ul>
<li>[[So you step into the shower.|prologuepg32]]</li>
<li>[[So you turn on the faucet to prepare the bath.|prologuepg32]]</li>
</ul><<run UIBar.unstow();>><<run UIBar.show();>> The smell of potatoes and eggs is a comforting scent to wake up to. As the final moments of your dream fade away, the scent becomes stronger, your awareness of your surroundings grows.
Faintly through the walls, muffled voices shout at each other. The bedroom remains quiet, otherwise.
<ul>
<li>[[Move your fingers.|prologuepg35]]</li>
<li>[[Move your hands.|prologuepg35]]</li>
<li>[[Move your head.|prologuepg35]]</li>
<li>[[Move your legs.|prologuepg35]]</li>
<li>[[Feel your surroundings.|prologuepg35]]</li>
</ul>Slowly, your limbs move around, feeling the mattress your body lies on and the warm blanket covering it. For a second, you think, it would be nice to remain in this semi-comatose state.
But, as your mind likes to remind you, brief moments like this often come and go.
You have to lean over to check the time on the clock hanging from the wall across from you.
4:53 A.M.
A little more than two hours before you have to board the plane. There is still time.
[[You should get up.|prologuepg36]]Getting out of bed is difficult, as various bones crack when you stretch your arms, but you manage. Preparing your outfit is not as bad--you made sure to set it aside when you had packed your things. The voices has quieted; you have an inkling as to who it could have been.
The sight of food greets you when you step out of the bedroom. Baked potatoes, toast, and various fruits have been laid out on the table in your fused dining-room-and-living-room.
Nari is sitting at the table, scooping strawberries into her bowl. She has chosen to wear a white shirt with blue overalls, paired with mismatched socks--one pink and the other blue. Vi is beside her, surprisingly quiet, peeling a banana at the leisurely pace of a snail. She is dressed in black, from her leather jacket to boots and sunglasses. From the kitchen, you hear sizzling, although you are not sure if it is Sofie. Somewhere in the room, //Rhythm// by OverAchiever plays from a speaker.
The first one to notice you is Nari; she looks up as soon as you have approached the table and smiles.
"Morning! Sofie is making eggs right now, but there's some baked potatoes and fruit if you want it."
<ul>
<li>[[Take a seat at the table.|prologuepg37eat][$narirelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Go check on Sofie—something is up.|prologuepg37check][$sofierelationship += 1]]</li>
</ul>You take the empty seat across from Nari, a plate already placed in front of you. The eggs are in the making, but there are other options to choose from.
There is no way Nari, Vi, Sofie or Chang-ho will let you leave the dorm without having some sort of substance in your body. You should probably get something so that your stomach will stop grumbling.
<ul>
<li>[[Take some toast.|prologuepg38eat]]</li>
<li>[[Take some fruit.|prologuepg38eat]]</li>
<li>[[Take a baked potato.|prologuepg38eat]]</li>
<li>[[Actually, you should check up on Sofie and the eggs.|prologuepg37check][$sofierelationship += 1]]</li>
</ul>"Actually, I'm going to go check on eonni."
Nari bobs her head. Vi does not show any visible signs of agreement. //Strange.//
You nod one last time at your maknae before you head into the kitchen.
Your managers often tell you four that there is no need to cook food for yourselves. If you are hungry, all you need to do is call to place your orders. However, you were given a dorm with a kitchen, and Sofie happens to be a competent cook.
Enough that the dorm would never burn down and the food always turns out edible.
Sofie turns when you enter, her first instinct to scowl at the disturbance in the kitchen. However, she immediately softens when she realizes who is there. "Oh, good morning. Sorry, I thought you were someone...else."
"That's alright. And good morning to you, too." You approach her, looking down at the hard-boiled eggs resting in the pot, cooling down.
"I figured Manager Gok would yell at me again if I made scrambled eggs," she sighs, resting her hip against the counter. "They're 'too oily and greasy for an idol to have'."
The memory comes back vividly, and you snort at the words he had said at the time. Other than that, you find that words do not come to you as easily. Not when Sofie is staring at you, head tilted expectantly.
[[Silence, for a moment.|prologuepg38check]]The three of you quietly dig into your respective choices for breakfast. The song has transitioned to another by OverAchiever--not that any of you are complaining. Their songs are a hit-or-miss, but the band has plenty of good songs.
A part of you wants to say something to Vi, since you have yet to acknowledge her. However, you observe her hunched back and lack of makeup. It might not be a good idea to speak to her, but then again she might appreciate it.
The other part wants to poke the bear. //Just// to see what happens.
<ul>
<li>[[Keep quiet.|prologuepg39silence][$virelationship += 3]]</li>
<li>[[Ask.|prologuepg39ask][$virelationship -= 1]]</li>
</ul>"Good morning, Vi." It's best to start off easy by addressing her using her stage name.
Ever since her stage name was decided by INDIGO, Vi has insisted that you call her by such. You are unsure if it is because of the history behind her first name, the meaning, or if she wholeheartedly despises it, as Vi always dodged the question. Thus why she prefers you use her stage name instead of any honorifics.
Vi lifts her head, her sunglasses preventing you from telling if she is //actually// looking at you, and nods. "Morning."
You smile, brain scrambling to figure out a way to breach the topic of her silence. "Did you sleep well?"
Vi scoffs, taking a bite out of her banana. "What do you think?" The bite in her tone catches you by surprise.
"I--"
"Never mind, don't answer that," she grumbles, attention snapping away from you. You frown at her reaction. As it turns out, poking the bear will not give you any actual responses.
Nari, after watching your exchange with an impassive face, catches your eye and points to her phone, then at you.
You take out your own, seeing nothing but your home screen until a text message is silently delivered.
//<b>Nari: </b> vi and eonni had a fight//
//<b>Nari: </b> bc vi drank some soju last night and passed out on the couch//
//Oh.// That explains the behavior. And Vi's scowl. And everything.
Nari gives you a pitying look just as Sofie enters the dining room with steaming eggs.
[[She puts them on the table with purpose.|prologuepg40]]Actually, it is better to just stay quiet. Your gaze lowers to your food, and you force yourself to take a few more bites.
Something nudges your leg, the soft sensation causing you to jerk back. Nari lifts her head up with wide eyes, having not expected your sudden response, while Vi continues to eat as if she never felt the movement of the table.
Nari mouths something. Unfortunately you are horrible at reading lips. Despite being a idol and a good singer, that does not mean you are good at figuring out what a person is saying just from the movement of their mouth.
You shake your head, trying to convey that you do not understand. She makes a face--frowning in a way that it looks <<if $nariromance == 1>> cute on her. //Wait what?// That is not what you meant. Definitely not.<<else>> funny on her.<<endif>>
She points to a device in her hand--her phone--then at you. You take out your own, seeing nothing but your home screen until a text message is silently delivered.
//<b>Nari: </b> vi and eonni had a fight//
//<b>Nari: </b> bc vi drank some soju last night and passed out on the couch//
//Oh.// That explains everything.
Nari gives you a pitying look just as Sofie enters the dining room with steaming eggs.
[[She puts them on the table with purpose.|prologuepg40]]"Here are the eggs. Hard-boiled."
Vi stares, blankly, at the bowl of eggs.
Sofie waits for her reaction, eyes silently judging.
Nari sinks lower in her seat.
And then, before anyone can do anything, three sharp knocks on the front door echo through the dorm.
"I'll go get it," you offer, already up and halfway there. The knocks intensify as you get closer to the door; if the dorm had a doorbell it would have been pressed for so long that the ringing would drive Sofie insane. You too, likely. "Alright, alright, I know you're there! God..."
Out of instinct, you look out of the peephole.
Chang-ho's head looks so much larger than usual, and he is looking directly at the peephole as if he can sense your presence. His unwavering gaze sends goosebumps down your arms.
You unlock the door, and the words tumble out of his mouth immediately, "Are you ready? We had to leave five minutes ago."
From the dining room, Nari loudly yelps, followed by the pacing of feet. You turn around to see Sofie sprinting towards you and Chang-ho, the panic readable in her eyes.
[['"Five minutes ago?!"'|prologuepg41]]"...did you come here to check on the eggs? Or is there another reason?"
You laugh, "I can't come in here without a reason?"
"Well," she shrugs, "you can, but I figured you were hungry and wanted to eat as soon as you woke up. Right?"
<ul>
<li>[['"Well yeah, but I came to check up on you."'|prologuepg39you][$sofierelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[['"I am only here for the eggs."'|prologuepg39eggs][$sofierelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[['"Why can't I be here for both?'"|prologuepg39both][$sofierelationship += 2]]</li>
</ul>You grin, "Why can't I be here for both? Maybe I just wanted to see how you and the eggs were doing."
Sofie chuckles, "Sure. I believe that."
In that moment, you remember Vi and the way she was before. Perhaps Sofie knows something about it. "Oh, that reminds me...did something happen with Vi?" Her shoulders stiffen.
That is not a good sign. Could she have...?
At first, you don't think you will get a response from Sofie. Her lips are pursed as if she is mentally weighing the pros and cons of telling you or not. Then: "Vi drank a lot and passed out on the couch last night."
Oh. That was...not what you were expecting her to say.
You begin to open your mouth to say something, but she shakes her head. "It's fine. It's between me and Vi. You shouldn't have to deal with it." Despite her words, however, you see the smile on her face waver for a second.
[[She slips out into the dining room before you can blink twice.|prologuepg40]]You smirk, "Sorry, but I'm actually here for the eggs and nothing more."
The laughter that she puffs is bright yet amused. "Alright then. Tough love."
"Food over friendships," you simply reply, watching her put the eggs into a white square bowl. "You understand."
She hums. "I actually do. Sometimes I think I would pick it over having a mature conversation with Vi." The air feels cooler, even though the air conditioner is not on.
"Did...something happen with you and Vi?"
At first, you don't think you will get a response from Sofie. Her lips are pursed as if she is mentally weighing the pros and cons of telling you or not. Then: "Vi drank a lot and passed out on the couch last night."
Oh. That was...not something you were expecting her to say.
You begin to say something, but she shakes her head. "It's fine. It's between me and Vi. You shouldn't have to deal with it." Despite her words, however, you see the smile on her face waver for a second.
[[She slips out into the dining room before you can blink twice.|prologuepg40]]"Well yeah, but I came to check up on you. See if you are okay." She stares out of the window, where the sun has yet to rise.
"That's sweet of you, but I'm fine." Your eonni turns back to you, smiling. "Really."
This is it. Now you should ask her, before the timing is off. "Did something happen to Vi?"
The changes are small; the way her jaw tightens, her eyes flickering back to the window, arms tightening across her chest. "No..."
You mirror her folded arms.
Her lips are pursed as if she is mentally weighing the pros and cons of telling you or not. Then: "Vi drank a lot and passed out on the couch last night."
Oh. That was...not something you were expecting her to say.
You begin to open your mouth to say something, but she shakes her head. "It's fine. It's between me and Vi. You shouldn't have to deal with it." Despite her words, however, you see the smile on her face waver for a second.
[[She slips out into the dining room before you can blink twice.|prologuepg40]]Things are a //little//...chaotic after that. You have to quickly grab your serving of breakfast and consume it within thirty seconds. Nari's offer to time it proves that you can eat two pieces of toast completely in fourteen seconds. Sofie is running around your place, putting away the dishes from breakfast while the rest of you wait outside. She insisted that she needed no help before going back inside. As soon as she is done, she hurries out with her purse in tow.
"How much time do we have to get to the airport?" you ask as you head down to the car through the elevator. Nari's bodyguard--you don't remember his name--presses the button for the garage while yours answers.
"Twenty minutes, depending on traffic--the building is close to the airport, so the drive will not take long. However, we still have to get you all through security //and// on the plane. That's not including the fans waiting for you outside. Or the paparazzi."
Vi swears besides you, followed by Sofie lifting her hand to touch the pink stone dangling from her necklace, muttering a silent prayer.
The elevator door dings before opening. A congo line of black cars greet you once you walk out. As usual, you and your friends get into the first car, while Chang-ho and the others follow in the ones behind.
Your heart does not jump when you see Manager Son Seong-jin in the driver's seat; he is the one who always drives you everywhere, so you are never surprised when you see him already there. Vi has chosen to sit in the passenger seat, leaving the rest of you packed in the back.
He turns around, meeting all of your eyes with his dark eyes. "Are you ready?"
Everyone nods, and he turns back around, starting the engine. "Then we should get going, else Gok kicks my ass for being late again."
[[The drive is surprisingly quiet, with occasional conversations.|prologuepg42]]"Do we have the tickets?" You ask, aiming the question to Sofie.
"I don't, but I'm sure Manager Gok has them," she replies like she knows you were asking her, looking up from her phone. "I think we will be sitting in economy." Ah, economy. So it is not business this time. You are not sure how much privacy you will have if there are fans on the same flight as you, so you have no idea how to feel about it.
"Yes to both." Manager Son butts in. "If he does not have it, then Manager Kim will. //Someone// has it."
<ul>
<li>[[Well, that's comforting to know.|prologuepg43][$sarcasmGenuine += 3]]</li>
<li>[[As long as someone has it, everything will be fine.|prologuepg43]]</li>
</ul>As Manager Son pulls up to the terminal, presumably yours, fans quickly whip around with their bright and colorful signs. Their screams of joy are muffled by the glass barrier separating you from them.
Nari has grabbed her hat, while Sofie adjusts her own mask and hat. You don't believe Vi has anything other than her sunglasses--not that she needs to wear anything when you go inside. The masks, hats, and glasses are only to keep attention from drawing to you, but sometimes you feel it has the completely opposite effect.
You make sure to put on your usual accessories before you step into any airport. //If// you do.
<<checkbox "$airportSunglasses" false true autocheck>> You grab <b>sunglasses</b>.
<<checkbox "$airportHat" false true autocheck>> You take your <b>hat</b>.
<<checkbox "$airportMask" false true autocheck>> You get a <b>mask</b>.
Manager Son gets out first, then the bodyguards. Two of them open both of your doors, allowing noise to flood inside the vehicle. Nari is quick to scramble out, nearly tripping in haste.
[[You get out of the car, sticking close to maknae.|prologuepg44]]The crowd is quick to surround you, but thankfully your bodyguards are quicker, forming a human barrier around your group. At Sofie's nod, your group advances into the airport, //starries// following behind like trailing puppies.
Sometimes you wonder how fans manage to get information of when ST4RDOM would be going to the airport to leave the country. Information about your departures and arrivals have never been released to the public in order to prevent situations like now from happening. Yet in any huge public space, you can always expect to find a crowd waiting for you.
While you are in your thoughts, a hand suddenly grazes your arm. For a moment, your mind goes blank as you flinch away, looking around for the source. Whoever it was has either gone back to position or was pushed back.
Once you get to the security checkpoint after passing through customs, finally, //finally// does the amount of fans lessen.
[[For a moment, you allow yourself to relax.|prologuepg45]]...which is a mistake, especially when the staff members notice you, recognition passing through their eyes as they look from member to member. <<if $airportSunglasses is true>>You adjust the sunglasses, pushing it further up the bridge of your nose.<<elseif $airportHat is true>>You touch your hat, tilting it further down in an effort to block their vision.<<elseif $airportMask is true>>Out of habit, you fix your mask, as if it will hide your face.<<else>> You have to keep yourself from adjusting your clothes or touching the strands of your $hair hair due to nerves.<<endif>>
However, things go through very quickly--after a brief search of your bags, you pass through to head to the gate with nobody stopping you for an autograph.
<ul>
<li>[[Which is...a little disappointing.|prologuepg46sad][$reservedOutgoing -= 3]]</li>
<li>[[It's a relief.|prologuepg46relief][$reservedOutgoing += 3]]</li>
</ul>Honestly, you would not have been complaining if a //star// had the confidence to approach you for an autograph. If anything, you'd have asked where, no questions asked.
"Where is the gate?" Nari begins to walk ahead of the group, searching for an unknown gate number. "Is it further ahead?"
"102," Manager Son replies, looking down at his phone and typing something in. A smile flashes on his face before he stashes it away along with his device. "I believe the others are already here, and we have, maybe, half an hour for a break. Boarding is very soon, though."
"The managers are already here?" Vi speaks up for the first time since you left the dorm. "It is best for all of us to meet up just in case."
"Then we should locate the gate first."
[[Wherever the hell it is.|prologuepg47]]It is a relief--you have already gotten through the worst of your visit at the airport, and garnering attention for simply existing in one is not very appealing to you. You have no clue what you will do or say if a fan comes up to you with a pen and paper.
"Where is the gate?" Nari begins to walk ahead of the group, searching for an unknown gate number. "Is it further ahead?"
"102," Manager Son replies, looking down at his phone and typing something in. A smile flashes on his face before he stashes it away along with his device. "I believe the others are already here, and we have, maybe, half an hour for a break. Boarding is very soon, though."
"The managers are already here?" Vi speaks up for the first time since you left the dorm. "It is best for all of us to meet up just in case."
"Then we should locate the gate first."
[[Wherever the hell it is.|prologuepg47]]As it turns out, you do not need to find gate 102. Instead, it finds //you//.
A group of well-dressed businesspeople are gathered near the front of the gate, discussing amongst themselves. A familiar face--one that you recognize enough--calls out to you before you notice any of them. Heads turn at the sound, eyes widen at your appearance, but no fan dares to walk over.
Manager Gok Hyun-woo raises a hand by means of greeting, Manager Son returning the gesture. He is an older man past his 40s, if the thin gray hairs intertwined with his black hair says anything, with the experience of managing your group ever since it was formed. The tour would not have been possible had he not been the one overseeing the majority of it.
Beside Gok are Kim Diana and Hyeon Gyeong-hui, the other two managers. Manager Kim, the older of the two, wears a thin smile and a soft black-and-gray blazer. The latter is dressed less formally, but enough that from one glance anybody could tell that she meant business.
There are other people dressed in suits and blazers galore, but you do not recognize them.
Yet one particularly stands out among them. Not because of the way they are dressed, but because of how much...//younger// they look compared to the older group.
They, along with Manager Gok, glance at you as if they can tell what you are thinking. The latter flashes a mirthless smile as you quickly approach. "Is everyone here?"
It is clear he is talking to Son, even though he does not look at him. "Yes, everyone is here."
"Good. Since there are many of us, we will be on two seperate flights. Another plane will be leaving in an hour, but for you four, this one here is going to be yours." To Sofie, "Make sure you sit next to each other. Your bodyguards will be close, but not directly behind you."
You nod in unison with the girls. It's not like you were planning to sit away from each other--it makes sense that you stick together in case anything goes wrong. As a tight-knit group, sitting elsewhere would feel strange. Especially when you have been living in a dorm together for over a year already.
"Oh...and that reminds me." Manager Gok clasps his hand on the younger person, a hearty gesture filled with familiarity.
<ul>
<li>[['"This is Andrew Kwon. He will be your main translator while on tour."'|prologuepg48man][$AndyName to "Andrew", $aheshe to "he", $ahimher to "him", $ahisher to "his", $ahishers to "his", $aself to "himself", $agender to "male"]]</li>
<li>[['"This is Andrea Kwon. She will be your main translator while on tour."'|prologuepg48woman][$AndyName to "Andrea", $aheshe to "she", $ahimher to "her", $ahisher to "her", $ahishers to "hers", $aself to "herself", $agender to "female"]]</li>
</ul>He sticks out to you considering that he is the only one wearing a suit that //isn't// completely dark gray. Instead, his suit jacket is a dark greenish-gray, paired with dark colored pants. His brown hair is cut short and parted in a style that screams professionalism and seriousness. You find it amusing that he has the same slim nose as Manager Gok.
"Actually, it's just Andy," the man says, only to be quieted by Gok's hand squeezing his shoulder.
"He will be with you at meet-and-greets for translating help. There will be other translators present, but $aheshe will be travelling alongside ST4RDOM the entire tour." He then looks at the man, releasing his shoulder to push him forward. Andy stumbles, caught by surprise at the force used by Manager Gok, but $aheshe is able to stabilize himself. He looks at each member, $ahisher black eyes lingering on you for a second longer before he addresses everyone.
"Uh, hi. It is nice to meet you all; actually, I've been a big fan of ST4RDOM so I am very excited to work with you. Like what Mr. Gok said, I will be your translator. You may call me Andy, or Mr. Kwon. Whichever one." He holds his hand out to Sofie, who shakes it accordingly. He moves down the line, Nari shaking his hand with enthusiasm, before Andy finally makes it to you.
There is a nervous smile on $ahisher face, hand waiting for yours to meet it.
<ul>
<li>[["You shake " + $ahisher + " hand."|prologuepg49shake][$andyrelationship += 3]]</li>
<li>[[You do not reciprocate the gesture, only nodding at him.|prologuepg49noshake][$andyrelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Holy shit, he is hot. You shake his hand, barely able to keep your thoughts from wandering.|prologuepg49bold][$andyrelationship += 3, $andyromance += 1, $reservedOutgoing -= 2]] 💚</li>
<li>[[Warmth blooms on your face as you reach out to shake his hand.|prologuepg49shy][$andyrelationship += 3, $andyromance += 1, $reservedOutgoing += 2]] 💚</li>
<li>[[You do not shake his hand, nervous that yours might be sweaty and he would notice if you did shake hands.|prologuepg49awkward][$andyrelationship += 3, $andyromance += 1, $reservedOutgoing += 3]] 💚</li>
</ul>Instead of wearing a blazer, she has a dark greenish-gray blouse, paired with beige trousers. Her brown hair has been pulled up into a ponytail, just one loose strand draping over the side of her face. Just from looking at her, you cannot quite tell how long her hair actually is. You note with amusement how she has a slim nose like Manager Gok, though hers is smaller.
"Actually, it's just Andy," the woman says, only to be quieted by Gok's hand squeezing her shoulder. Either way, her lips tighten.
"She will be with you at meet-and-greets for translating help. There will be other translators present, but $aheshe will be travelling alongside ST4RDOM the entire tour." He then looks at the woman, releasing her shoulder to push her forward. Andy, having seen it coming, catches herself, standing upright with as much grace as she can manage. She looks at each member, $ahisher black eyes lingering on you for a second longer before she addresses everyone.
"Hello. It is nice to meet you all; actually, I've been a big fan of ST4RDOM so I am very excited to work with you. Like what Mr. Gok said, I will be your translator. You may call me Andy, or Ms. Kwon. Whichever one." She holds her hand out to Sofie, who shakes it accordingly. She moves down the line, Nari shaking her hand with enthusiasm, before Andy finally makes it to you.
There is a nervous smile on $ahisher face, hand waiting for yours to meet it.
<ul>
<li>[["You shake " + $ahisher + " hand."|prologuepg49shake][$andyrelationship += 3]]</li>
<li>[[You do not reciprocate the gesture, only nodding at her.|prologuepg49noshake][$andyrelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Holy shit, she is hot. You shake her hand, barely able to keep your thoughts from wandering.|prologuepg49bold][$andyrelationship += 3, $andyromance += 1, $reservedOutgoing -= 2]] 💚</li>
<li>[[Warmth blooms on your face as you reach out to shake her hand.|prologuepg49shy][$andyrelationship += 3, $andyromance += 1, $reservedOutgoing += 2]] 💚</li>
<li>[[You do not shake her hand, nervous that your hand might be sweaty and she might notice.|prologuepg49awkward][$andyrelationship += 3, $andyromance += 1, $reservedOutgoing += 3]] 💚</li>
</ul>The shake is brief, yet speaks strictly of business. Andy smiles at you before pulling away, hands <<if $agender is "male">>smoothing out his gray suit.<<else>>running down the sides of her blouse and pants.<<endif>> "It's nice to meet you."
Sofie nods at $ahimher. "Likewise. Although I have to say, I was not expecting us to have an official translator." She glances at Manager Gok.
"I figured it would be proper to have one." He glances at his watch. "So now that introductions have been made, people can go around and buy food if you want before we board. Just be careful around others and watch what you say." He looks at Sofie, Vi, Nari, and you in particular. "That's all. Dismissed."
With that, the managers gather around each other, likely to speak about plans and such. Everyone else scatters, except for Chang-ho, who stands right beside you.
"I'll stick around, but not too close. Don't want to attract attention to either one of us." He smiles, as if he already knows what you would have said //if// he had given you the time to, before stepping back a few meters.
What can you do?
<ul>
<li>[[See where the girls are at.|prologuepg50girls][$sofierelationship += 1, $virelationship += 1, $narirelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Try to find Andy.|prologuepg50andy][$andyrelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Wait with Chang-ho.|prologuepg50changho][$changhorelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Just go on your phone. Maybe read some articles while you're at it?|prologuepg50read]]</li>
</ul>Instead of shaking the proffered hand, you nod at $ahimher, hoping that $aheshe gets the hint. Thankfully, Andy does, and $aheshe drops the hand, although you note the small frown on Manager Gok's face before it disappears. "Well, it's nice to meet you."
Sofie also chooses to nods at $ahimher. "Likewise. Although I have to say, I was not expecting us to have an official translator." She glances at Manager Gok.
"I figured it would be proper to have one." He glances at his watch. "So now that introductions have been made, people can go around and buy food if you want before we board. Just be careful around others and watch what you say." He looks at Sofie, Vi, Nari, and you in particular. "That's all. Dismissed."
With that, the managers gather around each other, likely to speak about plans and such. Everyone else scatters, except for Chang-ho, who stands right beside you.
"I'll stick around, but not too close. Don't want to attract attention to either one of us." He smiles, as if he already knows what you would have said //if// he had given you the time to, before stepping back a few meters.
What can you do?
<ul>
<li>[[See where the girls are at.|prologuepg50girls][$sofierelationship += 1, $virelationship += 1, $narirelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Try to find Andy.|prologuepg50andy][$andyrelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Wait with Chang-ho.|prologuepg50changho][$changhorelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Just go on your phone. Maybe read some articles while you're at it?|prologuepg50read]]</li>
</ul>Normally, you would be giving $ahimher a flirty comment of sorts to see $ahisher reaction, but you know that it is not the right timing. Not when Manager Gok is closely watching you from the moment your hands touch--so you hold your tongue. Still, your hand lingers a moment longer, basking in the surprising warmth of Andy's hand before $aheshe pulls away. The smile on $ahisher face remains friendly. "Uh, it's nice to meet you. All of you."
Sofie nods at $ahimher. "Likewise. Although I have to say, I was not expecting us to have an official translator." She glances at Manager Gok.
"I figured it would be proper to have one." He glances at his watch. "So now that introductions have been made, people can go around and buy food if you want before we board. Just be careful around others and watch what you say." He looks at Sofie, Vi, Nari, and you in particular. "That's all. Dismissed."
With that, the managers gather around each other, likely to speak about plans and such. Everyone else scatters, except for Chang-ho, who stands right beside you.
"I'll stick around, but not too close. Don't want to attract attention to either one of us." He smiles, as if he already knows what you would have said //if// he had given you the time to, before stepping back a few meters.
What can you do?
<ul>
<li>[[See where the girls are at.|prologuepg50girls][$sofierelationship += 1, $virelationship += 1, $narirelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Try to find Andy.|prologuepg50andy][$andyrelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Wait with Chang-ho.|prologuepg50changho][$changhorelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Just go on your phone. Maybe read some articles while you're at it?|prologuepg50read]]</li>
</ul>Your cheeks must look rosy to anyone observing the pair of you shake hands. At least, that is what it feels like. It takes one loose handshake for you to let go of $ahisher hand, perhaps a bit too quickly, judging from the way $ahisher eyebrows raise. Nevertheless, the smile remains on $ahisher face, unchanged. "It's nice to meet you. All of you."
Sofie nods at $ahimher. "Likewise. Although I have to say, I was not expecting us to have an official translator." She glances at Manager Gok.
"I figured it would be proper to have one." He glances at his watch. "So now that introductions have been made, people can go around and buy food if you want before we board. Just be careful around others and watch what you say." He looks at Sofie, Vi, Nari, and you in particular. "That's all. Dismissed."
With that, the managers gather around each other, likely to speak about plans and such. Everyone else scatters, except for Chang-ho, who stands right beside you.
"I'll stick around, but not too close. Don't want to attract attention to either one of us." He smiles, as if he already knows what you would have said //if// he had given you the time to, before stepping back a few meters.
What can you do?
<ul>
<li>[[See where the girls are at.|prologuepg50girls][$sofierelationship += 1, $virelationship += 1, $narirelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Try to find Andy.|prologuepg50andy][$andyrelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Wait with Chang-ho.|prologuepg50changho][$changhorelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Just go on your phone. Maybe read some articles while you're at it?|prologuepg50read]]</li>
</ul>You shoot Andy an awkward smile, nodding your head at $ahimher instead of taking $ahisher proffered hand. Hopefully you don't come off as rude or arrogant. That would be //embarassing// on your part, especially when you do not want to be seen as such. You run your clammy hands on your clothes, either out of nervous habit or because Andy is watching you like $aheshe wants to say something. The smile on Andy's face remains the same, thankfully. "Ah, uh, it's nice to meet you."
Sofie nods at $ahimher. "Likewise. Although I have to say, I was not expecting us to have an official translator." She glances at Manager Gok.
"I figured it would be proper to have one." He glances at his watch. "So now that introductions have been made, you can go around and buy food if you'd like before we board. Just be careful around others and watch what you say." He looks at Sofie, Vi, Nari, and you in particular. "That's all. Dismissed."
With that, the managers gather around each other, likely to speak about plans and such. Everyone else scatters, except for Chang-ho, who stands right beside you.
"I'll stick around, but not too close. Don't want to attract attention to either one of us." He smiles, as if he already knows what you would have said //if// he had given you the time to, before stepping back a few meters.
What can you do?
<ul>
<li>[[See where the girls are at.|prologuepg50girls][$sofierelationship += 1, $virelationship += 1, $narirelationship += 1]]</li>
<li>[[Try to find Andy.|prologuepg50andy][$andyrelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Wait with Chang-ho.|prologuepg50changho][$changhorelationship += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Just go on your phone. Maybe read some articles while you're at it?|prologuepg50read]]</li>
</ul>It does not take you long to find them in line at a nearby cafe. The people behind them are giggling and taking photos of your three friends.
So much for discretion.
You join their group just as Sofie steps up to the counter. As the eonni, she's always the one to give your orders to the cashier. Nari startles when you tap her shoulder, a pitiful squeak arising from her voice before she stifles it with her hand. Vi snickers beside her.
"I knew you were going to do that," Vi tells you with a knowing look. "Though I never thought maknae could make a noise like that--"
"Oh, shut up!" Nari's protest does little to deter the smirk Vi wears. "You have heard it plenty of times, don't lie."
Sofie turns to your group after she has swiped her card. "Just wait outside, I can get the stuff by myself."
"Are you sure you can handle it?" Sofie raises her eyebrow at you and nods. You are forced to accept her decision, and the three of you leave the shop, the whispering never dying down all the while.
Once Sofie comes out with the orders, she hands you your orders with practiced ease. You really should not be surprised that she knows your usual after knowing each other for over a year, yet you still are. Even //you// could take down theirs and get everything correct.
Upon taking your seats at an empty table, you talk to the girls about anything. The tour, the songs, the concerts, the places you will be going to. The new restaurant that Nari went to a few weeks before. "I have to take you guys there when we come back!" she says with a smile. "It has //really// good food, I have no idea where it has been all my life..."
It's a nice time to catch up with friends--a break before you board the airport and leave your city for...a long while.
[[It's bittersweet.|prologuepg51]]You try to remember where you last saw Andy heading before following your instincts.
Soon, you find $ahimher by a drinks shop, walking out with a forest green beverage in hand. <<print $aheshe.toUpperFirst()>> lifts the drink to $ahisher lips, and a grimace immediately finds its way onto $ahisher face. A part of you winces with $ahimher, and you quickly approach just as $aheshe is about to throw it into the trash nearby.
"You know, that's kind of a waste of a drink."
Andy startles at your voice, glancing your way with a sheepish smile. "I know, but it tastes //terrible//. Mouth-aching kind of terrible. But you caught me." <<print $aheshe.toUpperFirst()>> suddenly holds it out. "You want to try it?"
"Nope. No thanks." After seeing Andy's reaction...it does not inspire any confidence in the drink's flavor whatsoever.
Andy sighs, "Well, I don't want it, you don't want it, and there is nobody I could possibly give this to. Thus, I'm throwing it away." As if to punctuate $ahisher statement, $aheshe tosses it into the trash, the cap keeping the liquid from spilling inside.
Well. It's not like you could have changed $ahisher mind. "Hm. Your choice."
"So," Andy begins, walking past you at a slow enough speed for you to catch up. "What is it like, being a k-pop idol? Having fans who adore you and your every move?"
"It's fine." You keep your real thoughts about it to yourself. You would rather not ponder on it now, not when there are others around. "You get used to it."
"Really? I would think that it becomes a burden after a while." <<print $aheshe.toUpperFirst()>> shakes $ahisher head. "I wouldn't have been able to handle it; there is //way// too much socializing that comes with the job. As much as I'd like to be famous, I would not choose your profession as a way to become famous. <<if $agender is "male">>No disrespect to you, though! I do respect everything it is that you...do." You listen--though perhaps the better word is //watch//--as Andy tries to explain $aself. The hole continues to get deeper, but it does not lessen your amusement. Eventually, $aheshe stops talking just as you arrive to the terminal gate, leaving with nothing more than a feeble, "Bye."<<else>>No disrespect to you, though. It is admirable, but I don't think I could stand it for very long." You cannot help but nod along with her, since you do agree with her, in a way. Being an idol is not for introverts. <<if $reservedOutgoing gt 55>>Sometimes //you// question why you chose the path of fame. You tend to keep to yourself more often than not, after all.<</if>>
<<print $aheshe.toUpperFirst()>> continues to pepper you with questions the entire way to the terminal, inquiring further about your lifestyle. For the sake of the conversation, you indulge her until you arrive at the terminal gate, where she leaves with nothing more than a quiet, "See you later."<<endif>>
Huh.
[[What an interesting person...|prologuepg51]]You decide to sit down in an empty seat, gesturing for Chang-ho to join you. For a moment, the hesitation is clear on his face, but eventually he gives in, much to your surprise and glee. If there is anyone who deserves a break, it would be Chang-ho. You do not think you would even say it for yourself. He has to be the one constantly on alert--you only need to be aware.
An awkward silence lingers longer than it possibly should. You need to come up with something to say, or else--
"Do you need to get anything?" he suddenly asks.
Your eyebrows furrow. "No...I don't think I do."
Chang-ho nods, stiffly, his eyes shifting away. "Oh. Okay." His fingers, once still, begin to tap against his leg anxiously.
You fidget in your seat, eyes getting swept up by the people passing by you. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, you still try to find some sort of entertainment to keep your brain from overthinking.
Someone's child digs through a small fountain and fills his pockets with change. Another two are arguing about who started pushing each other first. A family scurries past you, waving down a gate that appears to be closing its doors. An elderly couple leisurely walks by, eyeing you and Chang-ho as they head to an apparel store.
Life passing by as you remain frozen in time.
And then, Chang-ho stands up, smoothing down his already-even suit. "That was a nice five-minute break and all, but I'm done sitting for now."
You suppose he is right, and considering the time, you will have to get up soon.
[[Boarding is about to start.|prologuepg51]]Oh, this is going to be good. As you slide into an empty seat, you quickly pull up your phone, the wi-fi already connected to the airport's public, free, and horrendously slow internet. It isn't great, but your phone functions better with it than not.
The Regality app opens with a loading screen, but the articles soon show up, though the images for each one takes even longer to load up. You try to think about which one is more interesting to read, before deciding on one about the KMonarchs.
The KMonarchs are a popular boy group with the majority of the population enjoying their music, or at the very least liking one of their songs. They have grown their fanbase over the few years since their debut, and you firmly believe that no group could strive to reach the same amount of fame as they have.
Except for you. You could blow up one of these days, and the promotion of your world tour could certainly reel in new fans.
And...the lead singer of the group...just so happens to know you.
You skim over the article, even if it is only a five-minute read at most. The KMonarchs, it seems, are currently on tour in Europe, visiting various countries to perform in their cities. The fan who wrote the article raves about a KMonarchs concert she attended, going into detail about the process and what happened that night. However, before you can get further, Chang-ho advises you to pack up your things in preparation for boarding. So you exit out of the app, losing your spot within the article.
You can probably read it later once you have free time again.
//You can now read the KMonarchs article in the Regality App at any time!//
[[If you do.|prologuepg51]]A line has already begun to form for the first class and business. By the time you have gathered up the other members and their bodyguards, boarding has opened up to your section.
Sofie hands your tickets and speaks for your group, per usual. She does not need to speak twice, as the attendant appears to recognize who you are, handing them back before bending forward in a bow.
And thus, you board the plane with little difficulty. Though it was not always this way, compared to a year ago.
Airplanes used to be //terrifying//. The first time you boarded one was during your first tour with the group. At the time, it was hard for you to believe that it could lift off the ground and soar in the air for hours without a break. It was an...interesting first experience. Beforehand, your parents made it a point that if you needed to get somewhere, all you needed to do was drive. They never had the money to afford big vacations outside of South Korea, and for a long time you never minded it or complained.
Until now.
Travelling has become an essential part of your life. As scared as you were, you had to force yourself to get over it if you wanted to stay in the kpop industry.
There are two rows reserved exclusively for your group. It might have seemed like a waste of money, but since there were only three per row and the managers did not want anyone to sit alone, they had booked out two rows entirely, for two people to sit in each.
Prior to boarding, Vi pushed you to sit next to her, promising you the window seat if you did. Given that when you sit next to Nari you never get the chance to look outside, you agreed.
You take your seats behind Sofie and Nari, Vi already taking out headphones to plug into the screens in front of you.
[[Just as you begin to get comfortable in your seat, you hear a soft gasp from behind.|prologuepg52]]Against your better judgement, you turn around in your seat to see a eye peeking through from the seat behind you. It would have startled you had you not been used to scenarios like this. The eye suddenly disappears, and instead a small head appears above your seat.
It is a little girl--you estimate that she is around eight years old.
"Y-you--you are..." You wait as she tries to find the right words, sounding like a broken record all the while. If you were in her position, you aren't sure what you would have done. Freak out? Scream? Beg for an autograph?
Vi, noticing your gaze upwards, takes off her headphones. "What are you--" She pauses when the girl's eyes shift to her. "Oh. Hello."
The girls blinks, owlishly. And for some reason you cannot shake off the feeling that she reminds you of someone very familiar...
No, never mind.
<ul>
<li>[['"You should sit back down in your seat. It is dangerous for you to be standing up." You try not to sound too hopeful.'|prologuepg53sit][$reservedOutgoing +=2, $friendlyStandoff -= 1]]</li>
<li>[['You put on a smile, already knowing the request. "What do you want us to sign?"'|prologuepg53sign][$reservedOutgoing -= 1, $friendlyStandoff += 2]]</li>
<li>[[Where is this kid's parents? Did they really leave her unattended?|prologuepg53help]]</li>
<li>[[This is so awkward. You are not...the greatest with little kids.|prologuepg53help]]</li>
<li>[[You turn back around. Vi is better with people than you, she can take care of it.|prologuepg53vi][$reservedOutgoing += 2, $friendlyStandoff -= 3, $virelationship -= 1]]</li>
</ul>"I-I will. But, I wanted you to sign this for me." //Of course she does.// She hands you a thick album, and the moment you take it you realize that it is a...scrapbook. Of ST4RDOM. How long did it take her to make it?
"Oh, of course." You take out the golden pen stashed away in your right pocket. You have learned that it is better to be prepared than take a fan's pen. They can truly do a lot with a pen touched by a famous idol like yourself. You open the first blank page and sign your name in a reasonable size before handing it off to Vi, who of course writes her name along with an encouraging message in a cursive yet messy style.
And of course, without the girl requesting her to do so, Vi leans over the seat and hands it to Nari and Sofie. The book disappears behind the seats, and a few moments later it resurfaces. You hand it back to the girl, who looks close to fainting by the time she takes the signed book back.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" With that, she finally takes her seat. A sigh escapes before you can think twice, Vi glancing your way with an amused smile.
Just as you are in the middle of browsing the available movies, the screen freezes. The pilot comes on, speaking in broken English first before reverting to Korean.
[[The safety video begins to play.|prologuepg54]]She immediately perks up, much like a tiny puppy. "Really? Thank you!" With her small hands, you receive a thick album. The moment you take it, you realize that it is a...scrapbook dedicated entirely to ST4RDOM.
How long did it take her to make this?
"Of course!" You take out the golden pen stashed away in your right pocket. You have learned that it is better to be prepared than take a fan's pen. They can truly do a lot with a pen touched by a famous idol like yourself. You open the first blank page and sign your name in a reasonable size before handing it off to Vi, who of course writes her name along with an encouraging message in a cursive yet messy style.
And of course, without the girl requesting her to do so, Vi leans over the seat and hands it to Nari and Sofie. The book disappears behind the seats, and a few moments later it resurfaces. You hand it back to the girl, who looks close to fainting by the time she takes the signed book back.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" With that, she finally takes her seat. Vi gives two thumbs up before returning her previous focus to the screen.
Just as you are in the middle of browsing the available movies, the screen freezes. The pilot comes on, speaking in broken English first before reverting to Korean.
[[The safety video begins to play.|prologuepg54]]You look around the sparse aisle as the last remaining people file into the airplane. Either her parents are in the bathroom, away, or she truly is travelling by herself. In which case, you have no idea what to do if it is that last option. Thankfully, saving you from having to talk, Vi responds. "Yeah, sure, why not? What do you want us to sign?"
The younger girl brightens. "Really? Thank you!" She lifts a thick book over the seat, handing it to Vi. Her eyes have widened considerably at the size of it, and you note your group's name in big, pasted letters on the cover. Vi produces a silver pen from her pocket, signing it off with her signature and a small, encouraging message in a cursive yet messy style.
You hold back a sigh as the book is passed down your way. At least you have your golden pen for emergencies and surprises like this.
Sofie and Nari also sign the book, having heard your conversation. The girl looks close to tears by the time she is returned her hard work. "Thank you, thank you so much! I won't forget this." With that, she finally takes her seat.
Vi gives two thumbs up, as well as a knowing nod.
It is nice having a friend who is willing to say the hard things for you.
Just as you are in the middle of browsing the available movies, the screen freezes. The pilot comes on, speaking in broken English first before reverting to Korean.
[[The safety video begins to play.|prologuepg54]]...Yeah, you cannot be dealing with this so early in the day. You just //can't//. Your body is still in a semi-comatose state, and you really need to take a nap. After shooting Vi a look--//please deal with her for me, I'll pay you back//--you turn towards the window and get ready to sleep.
"Uh, I can sign whatever it is you want me to."
"Really? Thank you!"
There is shuffling noises, along with a soft thump. A pen clicks on, followed by scribbling. The background noise of other passengers on board help you tune out the sounds afterwards, and for a moment you would have thought you dozed until you are poked by something sharp.
Vi is holding her silver pen out to you--the one that she always carries around with her in case of instances like now.
You slowly take the pen and attempt to write your name, but it looks like chicken scratch if you lean back. Regardless, the girl gratefully accepts it, thanking Vi at least five times before she eventually sits down.
Vi clicks her tongue--you //think// it is aimed at you.
As you are browsing through songs to listen to while you sleep, the screen freezes. The pilot comes on, speaking in broken English first before reverting to Korean.
[[The safety video begins to play.|prologuepg54]]Even though you have been on various airlines before--and thus seen thousands of in-flight safety videos--none could truly prepare you for the one you were about to watch.
You choke on your words when the boy group KMonarchs are shown rolling up to the airport, pulling their suitcases along in slo-mo. It is exactly the type of thing you would see in k-dramas and movies, which only makes it all the more amusing to watch.
//This is going to be good...//
"This is so trippy..." Vi mutters as a familiar face appears, putting on his seatbelt as the narrator informs the viewers watching to do the same. Your breath catches in your throat when he looks directly at the camera, his brown eyes conveying a silent message.
He sees you.
It is as if Choi Seungho, your old friend and the main vocals for KMonarchs, can practically see you despite the layers that separate you from him.
[[The moment is brief, but it happens.|prologuepg55]]You do not even realize the video has finished until Vi speaks up. "How come they used the KMonarchs? They should have done us--that would have been so cool, don't you think?"
"Hm?" You aren't sure if she is talking to herself or if it is a genuine question. You rub your eyes and meet her quizzical, dark brown ones. "Wait, was that an actual question?"
"Yes, obviously. What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Okay, maybe you could have said it a //little// slower. Vi squints her eyes and leans closer, as if forcing you to back up against the wall will get you to crack on whatever--whoever--you were thinking about. A second later, she is back outside of your personal space, already putting her headphones back on. "Sure. Never mind, then."
Now that her focus has been redirected, you can think on your own. How long has it been since you last saw Seungho? He left the trainee program ages before you did. It must have been at least two years before you were chosen to be a member for ST4RDOM.
So it has been about...five years?
Five years since you last talked to each other...
<ul>
<li>[[He probably does not remember you.|prologuepg56]]</li>
<li>[[You wonder what he is up to now.|prologuepg56]]</li>
</ul>There's no use in thinking about him. You lost contact with Seungho the moment he was chosen to be part of the KMonarchs. He never bothered to reach out to you, which is understandable since he was busy, but then again neither did you.
The engines below roar to life, and the body of the plane slowly backs up. You feel your seat creak with the plane as it moves towards the runway. The rumbling matches the beating of your heart as you sit upright with anticipation. The flight attendants make their way down each aisle for the final time before take-off, ensuring every tray table and seat is upright.
Although it is still early dawn, you open the window just a crack. Sunlight immediately shoots through, nearly blinding you in the process. Still, through it you can see the airport marshall waving the pilot down towards a long strip of road.
It is a little past 7 AM by the time the plane has properly corrected itself.
[[It is time for take-off.|prologuepg57]]You close your eyes, leaning back as it goes faster down the runway.
The sensation of being lifted off the ground is over as soon as it came. It is similar to a roller coaster as the ride goes up, except it soon stabilizes itself enough that the seatbelt warning is turned off, the pilot announcing that if passengers needed to access the bathroom, they were now safe to.
But you do not move to get up and stretch. Instead, you keep your eyes closed.
You aren't sure when you fell asleep or when a blanket is wrapped around you.
But one thing is for sure: you end up sleeping the entire flight.
After all, you are going to need all the rest you can get.
[[End Prologue.|endprologue]]!End of Prologue
Thank you all so much for reading! That is the end for now; Chapter One is going to be entirely about ST4RDOM's time in Tokyo, Japan.
Until then, you can check up for updates on the game's personal Tumblr <a href="https://st4rdom-if.tumblr.com/">right here!</a> If there is any feedback you want to give, please send it to the Tumblr account. Thanks again for all of the love and support ♥!KMonarchs
//Most relevant to your search://
<ul>
<<if hasVisited("prologuepg50read")>><li>[[KMonarchs Tour: Barcelona|kmonarchstourarticle]]</li><<else>>There is nothing here...<<endif>>
</ul>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the home page of the app.|Regality App]]</center></div>
<div class="regality"><center>[[Return to the game.|$return]]</center></div>!!!KMonarchs Tour: Barcelona
<center><b>By Isabelle Garcia</b></center>
<center>//3/12/30 15:32 ET //</center>
Yesterday, I attended a KMonarchs concert in Barcelona, and it was one of the best days of my life! I'm not even exaggerating when I say that the production quality for the concert was really high. Usually whenever the group is in the city, I barely have any time to attend. But I wanted to share my experience here so that others can know what to expect when they attend a kpop concert!
I made sure to wake up early; I had VIP tickets, which allowed me access to the soundcheck for that day, as well as a hi-touch once the concert was over. So as soon as I got my pins ready, I headed off to the stadium.
It was sunny yesterday, so I put on my sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses before leaving--God knows how long I might stay there. Spoiler: I ended up staying for more than seven hours. Before the soundcheck, I hung around. Once it began, they were all waving at us, and everyone present was ecstatic to be there. I'm pretty sure PK waved at me, too!! He was so cute, I even took a photo of him! I might set it as my lock screen, who knows~
The concert didn't start until later that day, but I lingered around the stadium anyway. It was better just because I didn't know what else I could do in the meantime.
They were selling a lot of merchandise inside the stadium. I bought a couple of bookmarks and got some banners to wave during the concert. They were also giving out a limited amount of free lightsticks! I managed to get some shortly before returning to my seat.
I'm not even going to begin to describe how it went. If you want to experience it for yourself, they are going to have one more concert in Barcelona before they head off to Madrid. There are some last-minute tickets that are still available at the time this article was written. You should really experience it for yourself, as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you're not going to want to miss!
All I have to say is...
Shirtless Seungho.
ANYWAYS after about three encores, the concert unfortunately came to an end, and for many fans the night was over. However, it was not for me, as I still had the hi-touch event afterwards.
I took photos with every single member!! And PK high-fived me, which is honestly something that still feels surreal?? Like I still can't believe it was just yesterday when it happened.
If you want to experience a KMonarchs concert, they are currently touring around Europe for their "//Our Kingdom//" tour! I would highly recommend it, though not if you are sensitive to flashing lights, because they have a lot of it.
Their tour locations are as it follows:
Barcelona, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Lisbon, Portugal
Berlin, Germany
Paris, France
London, United Kingdom
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Dublin, Ireland
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Vienna, Austria
Milan, Italy
Moscow, Russia
Stockholm, Sweden
Moscow, Russia
Warsaw, Poland
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