past, present, and future | hwang hyunjin

e p i l o g u e

Eight years later...

A lot has changed since that day we declared our love for each other underneath the bright stars of the incoming night. 

One thing was the fact that JYP has debuted two new girl groups. VCHA was one of them, and I didn't really notice them much but they were there while I was recovering from my memory loss. Another was their newest, just debuting two or three years ago. The name was CrysTaL, and they had seven members, but the one I knew the best was definitely Joon Park. Yes, the one that looked up to me. I looked up to her too, sometimes. Even though I was an experienced senior and she was only a rookie idol, there was a lot of energy I could learn from her. She was one of my only girl best friends outside of my group, and I loved her so much, platonically.

Another thing was k-pop fans' opinions on dating. Sure, some delusional K-netizens might still be clinging onto the last shard of this toxic culture, but for the most part, Hyunjin and I have been able to teach the fans their boundaries. It had been really sad to see that it took a young couple in fucking 2024 to teach them something that should have been taught to them a long time ago, no, that they should've already known. 

We've gone on radio shows together and talked about this together, not only in front of cameras, but by ourselves too. I didn't know how other people haven't taken action against this before, but here we are now, I guess. Maybe that was our purpose in life. If not, what was?

As for the girl who tried to kill me, long story short, she's in jail for attempted murder, and she'll be in there for most of her life. Plus, after being released, she will be on probation for the rest of it. With a strong lawyer and lots of evidence, we were able to easily win the case and give her the punishment she truly deserved, for someone whose heart was as cold as hers.

I guess the love part hasn't changed though. Hyunjin and I might have our fair share of disagreements at times, but we do have a very healthy relationship. I have the utmost trust in him, and I confide all my deepest worries and secrets to him. He does the same to me. We both agreed that it's nice to have someone outside of your group to talk to, however much we love and appreciate our groupmates.

Speaking of our groupmates, they haven't changed at all. Sana is still as bubbly as ever, Jeona is still as grumpy as ever, and Zoe is... well, just Zoe. We renewed our contracts just about a little more than a year ago, and still have been producing music. Even though our popularity may not be sky high as it was around our prime time, we still have our very loyal fans who will support us until the very end.

Stray Kids definitely has not changed. They renewed their contracts in 2025, which was six years ago. They're approaching their next renewal date in a year, and this time, I'm not sure what kind of decision they'll make. But it will always be the best for them.

It's been eight years since the day under the night stars, and I only want to build even stronger connections with all the people around me who have made a significant difference in my life, whether it was my short-term bursts of happiness or long-term feelings of contentment, satisfaction, and feelings that yes, I have completed my goal in life. 

I think I am finally ready for whatever society throws at me.

- - -

"That dress looks perfect on you," Sana clapped happily, then gave me a thumbs up.

"I agree," Zoe and Jeona chanted in unison, then looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"I can't believe you're getting married!" Sana squealed. "Ah, my Ari is all grown up!"

"Shut up," I nudged her playfully. "You're literally younger than me. Also, don't you have a boyfriend of your own? Like, the sunshine?"

At the mention of her special someone, Sana blushed red. "Well... ahem! That's a whole other story. We don't need to get into the details!"