Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2

Through Pain and Grace (Yujin)

The news of the collaboration had spread like wildfire. It was to be one of the most ambitious stages in MAMA history, uniting top dancers and visuals from 4 out of 5 generation of K-pop: Taeyang from BigBang and Taemin from SHINee for the 2nd generation, Kai from EXO and Jimin from BTS for the 3rd generation, Hyunjin from Stray Kids and Yeonjun from TXT for the 4th generation, and finally, Wonbin from RIIZE and Yujin from ZEROBASEONE representing the emerging 5th generation. They were to perform Super by Seventeen, with a revamped choreography and an extended dance break, showcasing the evolution of dance and performance through the years.

For Yujin, the youngest of the lineup, this was a surreal honor. The 18-year-old had spent his trainee days idolizing Taemin, Kai, and Hyunjin, and now he had the chance to share a stage with them. The thought was exhilarating and nerve-wracking in equal measure. He promised himself he wouldn’t let anyone down.

The rehearsals began a month prior to the award show. Under the meticulous guidance of Taeyang and Taemin, the group dove into creating a seamless performance. Taeyang, with his commanding presence, ensured everyone stayed focused, while Taemin’s gentle but firm approach made the gruelling sessions manageable.

“Don’t overthink it,” Taemin advised Yujin during one of their breaks. “You’re here because you deserve to be. Trust yourself.”

Yujin nodded, but the pressure he placed on himself was immense. He spent extra hours practicing, refining his moves, and watching recordings of their sessions.

Hyunjin, who often partnered with Yujin during the choreography, noticed his determination. “You’re doing great,” Hyunjin said one evening after practice. “Don’t burn yourself out, though. You’ve got nothing to prove.”

But Yujin wasn’t just trying to impress the audience—he wanted to prove himself worthy of standing alongside his idols.

The day of the performance arrived, and the energy backstage was palpable. As they gathered in a circle before stepping onto the stage, Taeyang spoke up, his voice calm and reassuring.

“No matter what happens, we’re a team out there. Let’s show everyone why we were chosen.”

They all nodded, exchanging good-luck wishes. Yujin’s heart raced as the stage lights dimmed, and the opening beats of Super reverberated through the arena.

The performance was electric. Each dancer brought their own flair, blending their unique styles into a cohesive masterpiece. The crowd roared, enthralled by the synergy between generations.

Yujin poured everything into his moves, his focus unwavering—until something sharp struck his stomach. The impact made him stumble slightly, but he quickly recovered, not wanting to disrupt the performance.

Before he could process what had happened, another object—a stiletto heel—hit his face, grazing his left eye. Pain flared instantly, and his vision blurred. His heart pounded in panic, but he forced himself to keep going, hoping no one had noticed.

Hyunjin, however, saw everything. Positioned beside Yujin, he had witnessed the lightstick and heel being thrown from the crowd. His first instinct was to stop and check on the younger idol, but seeing Yujin push through, Hyunjin decided to wait until they were offstage.

As the performance ended, the idols exited the stage to thunderous applause. Yujin lagged behind, one hand discreetly cradling his stomach while the other wiped at his watering eye.

“You okay?” Kai asked, noticing Yujin’s uneven steps.

“Yeah,” Yujin replied quickly, his voice strained. “Just a bit tired.”

Hyunjin frowned, stepping closer. “You’re hurt, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m fine,” Yujin insisted, avoiding their gazes. He didn’t want to seem weak, especially not in front of his idols.

But Hyunjin wasn’t convinced. He exchanged a worried look with Taemin, who had been observing silently. “Let’s keep an eye on him,” Taemin murmured to Kai.

As the night progressed, Yujin’s condition worsened. His eye burned, his vision was blurred, and the pain in his stomach made it hard to breathe deeply. Despite this, he continued to smile and interact with others, determined not to let anyone see his discomfort.

While walking backstage with his group, Yujin became disoriented. The combination of pain and blurred vision made it difficult to navigate, and he accidentally took a wrong turn, separating from his members.

Taemin and Kai, who had been monitoring him from a distance, noticed his absence and went to look for him. They found Yujin wandering the halls, clutching his stomach and blinking rapidly.

“Yujin!” Taemin called, rushing over.

Kai gently grabbed Yujin’s shoulders, steadying him. “What’s going on? You’re clearly not okay.”

Yujin tried to brush them off, but the pain was too much. “I think... there’s something wrong with my eye,” he admitted hesitantly.

Taemin examined Yujin’s swollen, red eye and exchanged a worried glance with Kai. “We need to get this checked out immediately.”

As they escorted Yujin toward the exit, they ran into Hyunjin, who had been searching for them. “What happened?” Hyunjin asked, his voice laced with concern.

“We’re taking him to a specialist,” Kai explained. “Can you let his group know?”

Hyunjin nodded, his jaw tightening. “Take care of him.”

At the hospital, the diagnosis confirmed their fears. The stiletto heel had caused a corneal abrasion, and immediate surgery was required to prevent permanent damage. Taemin stayed by Yujin’s side throughout the procedure, holding his hand and reassuring him. Kai handled the logistics, keeping Hyunjin updated so he could relay the information to ZEROBASEONE.

The surgery was successful, but Yujin needed to stay in the hospital for observation. When his members arrived after the award show, their worry was palpable.

Hanbin, the leader, was the first to reach Yujin’s bedside. “Why didn’t you tell us?” he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of frustration and concern.

“I didn’t want to ruin the performance,” Yujin admitted softly.

Zhang Hao gently scolded him. “Your health is more important than any performance.”

The others chimed in, offering their own reassurances and fussing over him. Despite the pain, Yujin felt a wave of warmth and gratitude.

Over the next few weeks, Yujin focused on recovering with the unwavering support of his members. They treated him like a baby, ensuring he rested and followed the doctor’s instructions. Jiwoong took charge of his meals, Zhang Hao helped with his eye drops, and Ricky and Matthew brought him snacks and entertainment.

Hyunjin, Taemin, and Kai also checked in regularly, their concern for Yujin deepening the bond they had formed during the collaboration.

When Yujin finally returned to the stage, his confidence had grown. At an MCOUNTDOWN performance, he approached Taemin, Kai, and Hyunjin, bowing deeply.

“Thank you for everything, hyungs,” he said earnestly.

Hyunjin grinned, ruffling Yujin’s hair. “You’re tougher than you look.”

Taemin smiled warmly. “We’re proud of you.”

Kai added, “Remember, you’re not alone. We’re here for you.”

Their words stayed with Yujin, a reminder that strength didn’t mean facing challenges alone. With his members and newfound hyungs by his side, he felt ready to conquer anything the future held.