Can't Stop

Chapter One (preview)

"A blurry silhouette I saw from afar
The moment I came closer, it clearly became you"

Seungmin’s day was off to a typical start. Rehearsals began before the sun had fully risen, each hour ticking by in a blur of choreography and vocal warm-ups. Stray Kids had been pushing hard, preparing for their next comeback, but today was different. Today, he was stepping out of his usual routine to work on something a bit more out of the ordinary: an OST for an upcoming drama. But it wasn’t just any drama—this one was special. The lead role was being played by Jeo Minji, the industry’s newest sensation.

By the time Seungmin arrived at the recording studio, he was running on caffeine and adrenaline. The familiar smell of polished wood and faint coffee greeted him as he walked down the hallway. The producer had sent the song demo a few days earlier, and Seungmin had listened to it on repeat, mentally preparing for what he hoped would be a smooth session.

As he entered the studio, he immediately spotted her. Jeo Minji stood by the large window, her back to the room, gazing out at the cityscape below. Even from behind, she had an undeniable presence, her posture radiating confidence. She was wearing a casual outfit—a simple white blouse tucked into high-waisted jeans—but she made it look effortlessly chic, as if she’d just stepped out of a magazine shoot.

Seungmin cleared his throat as he approached, unsure of what to expect. Despite being a vocalist known for his ability to deliver emotionally charged performances, he was still just Seungmin—a guy who loved teasing his members and watching movies in his downtime. This was his first time working with someone like Minji, someone who seemed to command the room without even trying.

As if sensing his presence, Minji turned around. Her eyes met his, sharp and assessing, and for a moment, Seungmin felt like he was the one under scrutiny, not the other way around. She didn’t smile right away, didn’t offer the usual pleasantries. Instead, she just looked at him, her gaze flicking over him as if sizing him up.

“So, this is the famous Seungmin,” she said finally, her tone neutral but carrying a hint of something more—was it challenge, or amusement? “I was expecting someone taller.”

Seungmin blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He wasn’t used to this. Most people who met him for the first time were a little starstruck, a little eager to make a good impression. But not Minji. She didn’t seem the least bit fazed by who he was. If anything, she seemed more interested in pushing his buttons.

He felt a grin tugging at his lips, deciding to play along. “And I was expecting someone shorter,” he shot back, raising an eyebrow in mock surprise.

Minji’s lips twitched, the ghost of a smile. “Touché.”

Before Seungmin could respond, the producers walked in, interrupting the brief moment of banter. They greeted both of them warmly, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension and amusement between the two young stars. As the producers started going over the details of the OST, Seungmin tried to focus, but his attention kept drifting back to Minji. She was listening intently, her arms crossed, her expression calm and collected. But there was something in her eyes—something sharp, like she was constantly evaluating everything around her.

She wasn’t just another actress, he realized. She was a fighter, someone who had likely clawed her way to the top, and she wasn’t going to let anyone—even him—think she was anything less than formidable. The thought intrigued him, more than he cared to admit.

“Seungmin, are you ready to give it a shot?” one of the producers asked, pulling him back to the present.

He nodded, slipping into professional mode. This wasn’t the time to get distracted. He had a job to do, and he intended to do it well. He moved into the recording booth, the glass walls separating him from the rest of the studio. As he put on the headphones, the music started playing, and he let the melody wash over him, familiarizing himself with the rhythm.

Through the glass, he could see Minji watching him, her gaze steady and unblinking. There was no sign of nervousness or hesitation. She simply observed, as if waiting to see what he would do next. The producers were busy adjusting the sound levels, but Minji’s eyes never left him, and that alone made Seungmin want to deliver something exceptional.

He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Then, as the first note played, he began to sing. His voice filled the booth, smooth and controlled, each word carrying the weight of the emotion the song demanded. The lyrics spoke of loss and longing, of a love that slipped away too soon. It was a theme he’d sung about before, but this time, he pushed a little harder, drawing from the depths of his experience.

When the final note faded, he opened his eyes, his gaze immediately going to Minji. She didn’t react right away, just kept looking at him with that same unreadable expression. The producers exchanged glances, nodding in approval, but Seungmin barely noticed. All he cared about in that moment was what Minji thought.

Finally, she leaned into the intercom, her voice crackling through the speakers. “Not bad,” she said, her tone neutral but with a hint of something more. “But I think you’re holding back.”

Seungmin raised an eyebrow, surprised by her bluntness. “Holding back?”

Minji shrugged, her expression challenging. “Yeah. Like you’re afraid to let go. Try it again, but this time, sing like it’s your last chance to be heard.”

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, Seungmin didn’t know how to respond. Most people praised him for his control, for his ability to deliver a performance with precision. But here was Minji, telling him to let go, to lose that control. It was a risk, one that could either elevate the performance or send it spiraling.

But the way she looked at him, with that glint in her eye, made him want to take that risk. Maybe it was her confidence, or maybe it was the way she seemed so sure of what she wanted. Whatever it was, Seungmin found himself nodding, adjusting his stance as he prepared for the next take.

He closed his eyes again, but this time, he didn’t just focus on the technical aspects of the song. He let himself sink deeper into the emotions, drawing from a place he usually kept hidden. He thought about the times he’d felt that same sense of loss, of wanting to say something but not having the chance. He channeled that into the song, letting his voice carry the weight of those feelings.

When he finished, there was a brief silence in the studio, the kind that felt heavy with unspoken words. Seungmin opened his eyes, meeting Minji’s gaze once more. This time, there was a spark of approval in her eyes, something that made his heart skip a beat.

“That was better,” she said quietly, almost as if she didn’t want to admit it. But then her usual bravado returned, and she added with a smirk, “Looks like you can keep up after all.”

Seungmin couldn’t help but laugh, a sound that felt lighter than it had in days. “I’m just getting started,” he replied, feeling a surge of excitement.

As the session wrapped up, Seungmin grabbed his jacket, ready to head out. But just as he reached the door, Minji’s voice called out to him, stopping him in his tracks.

“Hey, Seungmin,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of something that made him turn around. She was standing in the middle of the room, her expression serious but with that same challenging glint in her eyes. “You know, this isn’t just about the music.”

Seungmin frowned slightly, curious. “What do you mean?”

Minji stepped closer, her gaze locking onto his with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. “There’s more at stake here than just a good OST. But I guess you’ll find out soon enough.”

Seungmin opened his mouth to ask what she meant, but before he could, Minji shot him a wink and turned away, leaving him standing there with a dozen questions and no answers.

As he walked out of the studio, his mind raced with possibilities. What was she talking about? What more could there be beyond the music? And why did it feel like he’d just stepped into a game where the rules weren’t clear, but the stakes were incredibly high?

He had a feeling that whatever Minji was hinting at, it wasn’t going to be something he could easily walk away from. And for some reason, that excited him more than anything else.

But little did he know, the real challenge had only just begun. And as Seungmin left the studio, a part of him couldn’t wait to see what Minji had in store for him next.