Idol Life: ON Stage

Ch. 1 - Taejun

"Taejun-ah, please look over here!" A fan screamed off to my right. I blinked for a split second and looked over as I threw a finger heart. The crowd screamed, and I smiled.

As I turned away, I heard some fans in front of me talk, "That smile was totally forced. It's like he doesn't want to interact with fans. Why is he even here then?"

"Hey! That's my bias your talking about! Taejun oppa, over here!"

Rule #1: Don't look at the fan as if you heard the comment. Relax, and smile at the next fan who is awaiting your autograph.

I held in a sigh as I took the album of the next fan. "Hello, what's your name?"

"It's Elly! I'm from the United States, like you!" The fan, I think, was probably a teenager. She looked at me excitedly. "I was so excited when I received a ticket to the fan sign!

"Oh, it's nice to meet you!" I shook their hand. "How was the trip?"

"It was nice! I'm glad I finally get to tour Korea!"

I smiled, and handed her album to the next member. "Oh, have a safe trip back home!" The fan thanked me and went along her way.

"Hyung, look what I got!" Minhyuk exclaimed as he held up two antler headbands. "Wear one with me!"

"Should I?" I took one of the antlers and struck a pose as the crowd screamed.

"Minhyuk oppa!"

"Taejunnie, your my favorite!"

"Doyoon!"

"Universe! Universe!" Fans screamed our group's name as we went to the front to bid goodbyes to our fans.

"Hello, Uni-Stars!" I waved to our fans. "It was a wonderful day to see you again after the pandemic. We had so much fun today, and we hope we can meet more of you guys tomorrow, Day 2 of the ongoing fan sign. Please have a safe trip home since it is raining outside. Be careful and stay healthy! One, two, three! Unite! This was Universe!"

My members and I exited the stage and headed straight towards the changing rooms.

"No, we have to take a photo and upload it onto Instagram for your fans. Stay in your outfits!" Our manager ushered us back into the waiting room.

"You guys can take the picture first." I handed the phone to our maknae and left the room to go get a bottle of water.

"Taejun." My manager called out to me as I started drinking my water. "A fan complained that you weren't paying enough attention to the crowd."

I sighed. "I've been doing this for six years, hyung. Our group's contract with the company will be terminated next year. I'm experienced at my work, and you know we've never received this type of complaint before. I'm sure it was a mistake."

"There are no mistakes, Taejun. If a fan wants it, you do it."

"Hyung. Just because I make music and they listen to it doesn't mean they own me and I'm their toy. Please stop."

My manager's jaw twitched. "While we're on this topic, I just want to tell you that the other members want to renew their contract. They need their leader."

I stayed quiet. "My head hurts. Please, I don't want to talk about this right now."

"If we don't talk about this now, when will we talk about this, huh? You're just going to keep avoiding the subject. The day of renewing the contract will eventually come Taejun, and it's better that you think about your options now than rushing it later."

"I never said I would push it. I said that my head hurts and I don't want to talk about this right now."

My manager shook his head and tried to bring up another subject. "Taejun, the entertainment wants you to try pursuing an acting career. Why not make a debut as an actor. That could bring some more fame to the whole group."

"What am I, the entertainment's toy? For them to play with?"

My manager scoffed and tiled his head. "You knew the consequences and signed into this label. Take responsibility of it and stop whining, Taejun. Your a fully grown adult."

"I don't want to be an actor. What else should I say? I signed into this label agreeing to be an idol. Not an actor. No where in my contract does it say actor-"

"TAEJUN! Listen to me. It doesn't matter what you signed when you came into this label. You agreed to lay over your reins to our label. As long as the contract isn't terminated, the entertainment can force you to become an actor if they think it's best. You know what they tell the crowd? That you also agreed that it's the best."

"Give me my phone."

He shook his head, "Taejun, don't-"

I cracked my knuckles. "Hyung. Give me my phone."

"As the oldest, you should-"

"Hyung. Not now. My phone."

My manager started to wave his hands around. "I'm trying my best to help this group, but none of you guys are listening to me."

"I wonder why."

"Why you little-"

I pushed past my manager and started to walk back towards the waiting room. Who does he think he is, yelling at me like that?

"Taejun Lee!" My manager called, but I kept walking. "Taejun, I swear!"

I didn't listen and walked into the waiting room.

"Hyung, are you okay?" Doyoon asked, concerned about the argument in the hallway.

I didn't answer his question. "Who's going to take the picture and upload it?"

"Just me and Minhyuk," Doyoon answered. "Wait, but are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm going to head to the dorms first. Okay? Help the staff clean up a little bit and then come to the dorms and rest at least a little before practicing again. Also, we have a commercial shoot tomorrow morning, so we need energy for that."

Doyoon just nodded and bowed. "We'll be there soon, hyung-nim."

"Hyung, what about this selfie?" Minhyuk threw a phone in my face.

"It's good. Upload it." I slowly put his arm back next to him, and walked towards the door.

"Get some rest, hyung." Doyoon smiled apologetically at me as I walked through the door.

I just nodded. "Don't forget that we have the award shows next week. I'm going to practice later at night, so if you want to practice, be there." I then walked out of the room. Finally, I can breathe.