Beyond the Spotlight | Volume: 1

19

H O O N G J O O N G

The room buzzed with excitement as the Ateez members engaged with their fans at the fan meet. Tomorrow marked their first comeback with "Say My Name," and the anticipation was palpable. Hongjoong could see the eagerness in the eyes of their fans, and it mirrored his own excitement.

Yunho, always the lively one, grabbed the mic and teased, "Who's ready for tomorrow? I bet you're all dying to hear 'Say My Name'!"

The fans erupted into cheers, waving their banners and light sticks fervently. Wooyoung, never one to miss a chance for mischief, leaned in and whispered loudly to the crowd, "I heard someone say our new song is going to make you all faint. Are you ready for that?"

The fans screamed in delight, and San jumped in, "Remember to have someone catch you when you fall from how amazing it's going to be!"

Hongjoong laughed, feeling the camaraderie and energy from both his members and the fans. This was what made all the hard work worth it. Jongho, ever the vocal powerhouse, sang a few lines from their upcoming song, and the room fell silent, captivated by his voice. The silence quickly turned into an uproar as fans recognized the teaser.

Yeosang took the mic next, a shy smile on his face. "We can't wait to show you what we've been working on. Thank you for always supporting us."

Mingi, with his usual confidence, added, "Get ready, because 'Say My Name' is going to blow your minds!"

The members continued to joke around, sharing inside stories and moments from their practice sessions. The fans were in stitches, loving every moment of the interaction.

"Who do you think messed up the dance moves the most during practice?" Wooyoung asked, looking around at his fellow members.

San pointed at Wooyoung, "Definitely you! You were tripping over your own feet half the time."

Wooyoung feigned offense, "Lies! All lies! I was perfect, right, Atiny?"

The fans cheered in agreement, playing along with the banter. Hongjoong took a moment to soak it all in, feeling a profound sense of gratitude. He picked up the mic, his voice steady and warm.

"Tomorrow is a big day for us," Hongjoong said. "We've worked incredibly hard, and we can't wait to share this new chapter with you. Thank you for being the best fans in the world. Let's make tomorrow unforgettable together!"

The room filled with cheers and applause, the energy electrifying. As the fan meet drew to a close, Hongjoong and the members felt an overwhelming sense of love and support from their fans. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

As the fan meet wrapped up, the members returned to their waiting room, still buzzing with excitement. They were greeted by their manager, who had a broad smile on his face.

"Great news, everyone," the manager said, holding a tablet with the latest sales figures. "Our pre-order sales for 'Say My Name' have slightly risen compared to our debut album!"

The room erupted in cheers. Mingi high-fived Wooyoung, and Yunho and San did a little victory dance. Hongjoong felt a wave of relief and pride wash over him. This was a clear sign that their hard work was paying off and that their fanbase was growing.

"This is amazing!" Yeosang exclaimed. "Thank you, Atiny!"

Jongho grinned, "This just means we need to keep working harder to make them proud."

Their manager nodded, "Exactly. The increase in pre-orders is a good sign, but we can't let our guard down. We need to keep promoting and engaging with our fans. Tomorrow's comeback is crucial."