breathe # minsung

21

minho nervously waits backstage, anticipation eating him alive. for awhile he'd been working as a background dancer for BTS, and finally after five years of hard work, he was on stage with his own background dancers. minhos dance career was very successful from the beginning, but ever since his 3racha dance cover with hyunjin and felix, everything took off. mnet had offered him a performance, more so jyp. minho was given three weeks to come up with a three minute long choreography, and perform it perfectly while being able to rap j.ones verse. minho picked his favorite song of all time, runners high. this song made him feel unstoppable, like he was the center of attention, like all eyes were on him. and finally today, that feeling has come true. he could hear the screams of the crowd as other groups and soloists performed, him being a small squeeze in made him want to make the crowd scream just as loud. he's going to go out there and give it his all. "next up we have dance choreographer lee minho performing a cover of 3rachas, runners high!" he hears the spokesman say. the crowd is seemingly quiet minus a few applauds. expected, minho wasn't really known outside of his "fanpage." he walked onto the stage, his purple hair glistening from the lights shining down on him. his heart beat quickens the moment he's visible to so many eyes. he's so used to being onstage but never was he a center. ever better, never was he alone. his head drops, hands make their way behind his back as he awaits the music. he closes his eyes, inhaling deeply. "don't think, just breathe," he told himself, clutching onto the mic in his backhand. after a moment of silence that felt like centuries, the instrumental faded in. minho could hear the backtrack in his earpiece, keeping him on track. his head jolts up and instantly he's moving. moving so passionately, moving with precision and sharpness. his eyes gaze out into the brightful crowd full of light sticks swaying back and forth. a smile appears on minhos face as he continues to dance to the first section of the song. then it comes up, the part he was most nervous for, the rap. minho was no rapper, nor was he good at it. but when jyp gave him the opportunity to promote 3racha, no way was he going to turn it down. his final move before the rap was perfect, he could feel the adrenaline coursing throughout his body. he brought the microphone up to his mouth and the words began to pour out like he'd listened to this song the moment he was born. minho said every word clearly and his flow was astronomical. rapping while dancing to an extremely intense choreography is insanely difficult but up on stage, minho made it look like it was light work. the crowd erupted into cheers, cheers so loud minho couldn't even hear the backtrack. but he didn't need it, he stayed on beat, on course with everything, and he did amazing. when the song came to an end minho took his final position. legs slightly separated, passing his shoulders just slightly, right arm behind his back, left in the air clutching the microphone, and his head down. when the music cut off the screams from the audience was so loud it made minhos ears ring. his heart was beating so fast and he was sweating up a storm. finally, he walked off. when he got backstage he rejoiced with himself.

"MINHO HOLY SHIT!" he heard his bestfriend scream as he ran towards the back. the blonde came into view, pulling minho into a tight hug. not long after a series of screams are heard down the hall. "hyunjin and seungmin, they couldn't get front row seats," felix laughs. minho pulls from the hug, tears brimming his eyes. "i did it," he grins widely. "HELL YEAH YOU DID!" hyunjin screams, jumping onto minho from behind. "min you did so fucking good!" seungmin exclaims. minhos ears go red from the compliments, "it felt so good," he sighs, content. "you looked so hot, you should've heard all the girls squeaking asking if you were an idol," felix giggles. minho collapses onto a nearby chair, fanning himself. "dinner tonight, my treat!" seungmin cheers. the four rejoice backstage until the rest of the show is finished. as they're packing their things, an oh so familiar face makes his way in front of minhos. "minho! you did amazing!" said a happy hoseok who wore a wide smile. hoseok and minho weren't close friends but on the days hoseok had off he would help minho perfect his dancing skills. "thank you so much," minho takes a bow. hoseok pats him on the shoulder before excusing himself. "oh." "my." "god." hyunjin, seungmin, and felix whisper shout in union. "you literally just got complimented by THE jung hoseok," hyunjin grabs minhos shoulders. "this isn't new." "yeah but you're like famous now!" felix jumps up and down. "don't get ahead of yourselves, i'm still plain old minho. now let's go, i'm starving," he laughs. the staff give the four boys odd looks as they walk out of the building, if only minho knew what was in store for him when he got outside. normally, when minho left concert type things as a background dancer, leaving was as easy as coming. but oh boy did he forget he just performed by himself. people are bound to be drawn to new public figures, especially ones as attractive and talented as him. the moment the four boys take a step outside they're crowded. people pushing and shoving to get a picture, a word, anything. felix and seungmin protectively cover minho, assuring that he's untouched. hyunjin on the other hand takes over as minhos "manager," smiling and waving at cameras, telling people minhos name, instagram, etc. minho in a state of panic tries his best to hurry off. the attention so suddenly, the attention at all, this isn't what he wanted. he wanted attention onstage, not off. he felt trapped as he tried to push past people, he's not good with crowds or being interviewed at that. all the cameras flashing was blinding him, he felt so lightheaded. "alright, move the hell out of the way!" a very tall woman with dark brown hair yells, making an exit for minho through all of the photographers. once in a closed off area where minhos car was parked the boys finally got a good look at the woman, "park jihyo..." seungmin mumbles. "OH MY GOD!" felix screams happily. "you did great out there uh..." "minho." "you did great out there, minho." she smiles. "thank you!" the purple haired boy bows, his ears flushing red. "CAN I HAVE A PICTURE?" hyunjin exclaims. "of course!" jihyo grabs hyunjins phone, smiling widely as she snapped a photo of her and the four boys. "i've gotta go now, you might wanna cover up these next few weeks," she winks at minho with her gorgeous smile still on display as she walks off.

"that was horrible," minho groans. "YOU LITERALLY JUST MET JIHYO?!" "NOT THAT PART IDIOT, THE FUCKING CAMERAS AND SHIT." seungmin shakes his head, "i don't think hyunjin over here gets it, he seemed to be enjoying the spotlight." "you know what? let's just get going yeah? hyunjin can ride with me, we'll trail behind you and min," felix clasps his hands together. "sounds like a plan, minho let me drive." the four make their ways into their designated cars and start their journey to their favorite diner in seoul.