Beyond the Spotlight | Volume: 1

13

H O O N G J O O N G
DMMD
Back in Seoul, Hongjoong and his group were hard at work, delivering performances for their debut song "Pirate King." Each day was a whirlwind of rehearsals, sound checks, and live performances, but the energy of their fans kept them going.

The members of ATEEZ had become more confident with each performance. Yunho's powerful dance moves, Yeosang's captivating stage presence, San's charisma, Mingi's energetic rapping, Wooyoung's precise choreography, and Jongho's impressive vocals—all combined to create a spectacular show.

Hongjoong, as their leader, was both proud and constantly pushing them to be their best. They had developed a strong bond, and it showed on stage.

"Alright, everyone, let's give it our all today!" Hongjoong said, rallying the group before they went on stage at Music Bank.

"Yes, captain!" the members responded in unison, their eyes filled with determination.

The music began, and the lights illuminated the stage. The familiar beat of "Pirate King" filled the air, and the members moved seamlessly into their positions. The crowd's cheers were deafening, a testament to their growing popularity.

Hongjoong led the group with his usual intensity, his voice strong and clear as he rapped and sang. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, fueling his performance.

As they executed their choreography with precision, he stole glances at the other members. Yunho and San commanded the stage with their dynamic moves, Wooyoung and Yeosang synchronized perfectly, while Mingi and Jongho kept the energy high with their parts.

The fans waved light sticks and sang along, creating a sea of light and sound that enveloped the stage. It was moments like these that reminded Hongjoong why he loved performing.

After the performance, the members gathered backstage, panting but exhilarated.

"That was amazing!" Wooyoung exclaimed, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Did you see the fans? They were incredible," San added, grinning widely.

Hongjoong nodded, a sense of pride swelling in his chest. "We did well. Let's keep this momentum going."

Their manager approached with a satisfied smile. "Great job, everyone. The feedback is fantastic. Fans are loving your performances."

"Thank you," Hongjoong replied, his heart still racing from the high of the stage.

Later that night, as they prepared for their next schedule, Hongjoong took a moment to reflect. The journey hadn't been easy, and there were still challenges ahead, but seeing the happiness in his members' faces and the support from their fans made it all worth it.

In the dorm, they watched the replay of their performance. The room was filled with laughter and occasional teasing about small mistakes, but mostly it was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"Look at that part where Mingi almost missed the beat," Jongho teased.

"Hey, I covered it up well!" Mingi retorted, throwing a pillow at Jongho.

Hongjoong chuckled, feeling a sense of warmth. Despite the hard work and exhaustion, moments like these were priceless. He knew they were just at the beginning of their journey, and with each day, they were getting closer to their dreams.

As he lay in bed that night, Hongjoong's thoughts drifted to his future together with his teammates.

With a deep breath, Hongjoong closed his eyes, ready to face another day of challenges and triumphs with ATEEZ. They had a long way to go, but he was determined to lead them to success, the success that they had worked hard for.