untitled ; 2024

a world on fire

[31st May 2002, 7:00 PM]

The training room at SM Entertainment was unusually quiet. Normally, it would be filled with the sounds of music, chatter, and the rhythmic thumping of dance practice. But tonight, the trainees were huddled around a small television set in the corner of the room, their eyes glued to the screen. It was the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan 2002, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Hyun-jeong squeezed into a spot between Dong-hae and Hyuk-jae, her heart racing with anticipation. The whole country had been buzzing about the World Cup for months, and now that it was finally here, it felt like the entire nation had come to a standstill. Even their usual rigorous training schedule had been adjusted to allow them to watch the games.

As the camera panned across the stadium, showing the sea of red-clad fans waving flags and cheering, Hyun-jeong couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This is our moment, she thought, her eyes shining with excitement. We're hosting the world.

"Can you believe this?" Hyuk-jae said, his voice filled with awe. "I've never seen anything like it."

"It's incredible," Dong-hae agreed, his gaze fixed on the screen. "I wonder what it must feel like to be out there, representing your country on such a huge stage."

Hyun-jeong nodded, though her thoughts drifted to her aspirations. One day, she thought, I want to be up there too, with all eyes on me, knowing that I've finally made it. The idea of performing in front of thousands, maybe even millions, of people was both thrilling and terrifying.

As the ceremony continued, the trainees found themselves getting swept up in the excitement. They cheered along with the crowd, their usual shyness and exhaustion forgotten in the heat of the moment. Even their instructors, usually so strict, had relaxed their guard, joining in on the enthusiasm.

When the first match of the tournament began, the room fell silent, everyone holding their breath as the teams took to the field. The intensity of the game was unlike anything Hyun-jeong had ever seen, and she found herself on the edge of her seat, her heart pounding with every pass, every shot, every save.

By the time the final whistle blew, the room erupted into cheers, the trainees high-fiving and clapping each other on the back. South Korea had won their opening match, and the energy in the room was electric.

"This is just the beginning," one of the older trainees, Hee-chul, said with a grin. "We're going all the way this year. I can feel it."

"I hope so," Hyun-jeong replied, her smile wide. "It would be amazing to see our team make history."

[10th June 2002, 9:00 AM]

Over the next few weeks, the World Cup fever only intensified. Everywhere Hyun-jeong went, people were talking about the tournament. It was all over the news, on every billboard, in every conversation. Even during training, the boys couldn't stop discussing the latest matches, analyzing every play, and debating the team's chances.

"Did you see that goal yesterday?" Jong-woon asked as they took a break from dance practice. "It was insane!"

"I know!" Ki-bum chimed in, his eyes wide with excitement. "I thought I was going to lose my voice from screaming so much."

Hyun-jeong smiled at their enthusiasm, though she was more focused on the way the country seemed to be coming together. For once, it felt like everyone was on the same page, united by a shared dream. It reminded her of why she had wanted to become an idol in the first place—to bring people together, to make them feel something bigger than themselves.

That's what it's all about, she thought, watching the boys argue over the best plays. It's not just about the fame or the success. It's about making a difference, even in small ways.

[22nd June 2002, 5:00 PM]

The day of the quarter-final match against Spain was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of Hyun-jeong's life. She and the other trainees were gathered in the dormitory, the tension so thick it was almost unbearable. No one spoke much, their eyes glued to the screen, their breaths held with every pass.

When the match went into extra time, Hyun-jeong could barely stand it. The stakes were so high, and the possibility of losing was too painful to consider. She glanced at Sung-min, who was sitting next to her, his face a mask of concentration.

He's just as nervous as I am, she realized, feeling a strange sense of comfort in that. We're all in this together.

Finally, when the penalty shootout began, the room fell deathly silent. Each shot felt like a lifetime, and when South Korea's goalkeeper made the final save, the dormitory exploded with joy. They had done it—they were going to the semi-finals.

Hyun-jeong found herself laughing and crying at the same time, overwhelmed by the sheer emotion of it all. She wasn't alone—everyone around her was caught up in the moment, hugging, cheering, even jumping up and down.

"This is unbelievable," she heard someone say, though she couldn't tell who it was. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that they had won, and the whole country was celebrating.

[30th June 2002, 11:00 PM]

The World Cup final came and went, and though South Korea didn't make it to the championship match, the pride and unity that had swept the nation were unforgettable. The trainees gathered one last time to watch the closing ceremony, the mood bittersweet but filled with a sense of accomplishment.

"We did something amazing this year," Hyun-jeong said quietly as they watched the fireworks light up the night sky. "We showed the world what we're capable of."

Dong-hae nodded, his eyes reflecting the colours on the screen. "It's just the beginning for all of us."

She smiled at that, feeling a sense of warmth and hope. The World Cup had brought them closer together, not just as trainees, but as friends, as a team. And as they sat there, watching the world celebrate, she knew that they were ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.

This is the fire that will keep us going, she thought, holding onto the moment as tightly as she could. And it's only going to get stronger from here.