Between two worlds | Chanlix

The call

The weeks following Chan's departure from the company felt like a whirlwind. There was a sense of freedom in the air, but also a gnawing uncertainty. The future was wide open, but finding a way to secure their footing in the industry was harder than Chan had anticipated.

The music world, although filled with opportunity, was also saturated with competition. With their reputation as former stars of the company, there was some hope, but it wasn't enough to open every door. They needed an investor—someone who believed in them, someone who could see the potential of the new venture they were building. But finding that person, that perfect connection, felt almost impossible.

It was frustrating, the constant back-and-forth with businesspeople who didn't quite understand their vision. It wasn't just about the music—it was about creating something raw, something that wasn't watered down for the masses. They needed someone with a true passion for what they were creating, not just someone looking to make a quick buck.

Chan found himself working late, every night feeling like the weight of his dreams was on his shoulders. His music was taking shape, the songs they had been working on starting to feel like something more. But without the right backing, it was all still just potential.

Then, one morning, as Chan was reviewing the latest song drafts, Han burst into the room, his usual wide grin stretched across his face. "You won't believe this!" he practically shouted, excitement radiating from him.

Chan looked up from his laptop, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"A businessman!" Han said, breathless. "He's interested! He wants to meet with us about investing in our project!"

Chan's heart skipped a beat. "Are you serious? Who is he?"

"I don't know much about him yet," Han replied. "But he's apparently a big deal. You know, the kind of investor who's been in the industry for years. I think this could be it, Chan!"

Changbin, who had been sitting quietly across the room, gave Chan a playful nudge. "Looks like we might have our break, huh?"

Chan's mind raced. It had been so hard, so exhausting, but maybe—just maybe—they had finally found someone who believed in what they were doing. His heart thumped in his chest as he nodded. "Let's meet him."

The three of them made their way to the meeting location later that afternoon, an upscale office building downtown. The air felt different—crisp, charged with the potential of what was to come. Han was practically bouncing in his seat as they rode up in the elevator, Changbin cracking jokes to lighten the mood. But even amidst the jokes, there was a shared sense of nervous energy in the air.

When they arrived, they were escorted into a sleek, modern office. The man who greeted them was in his late forties, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit. His handshake was firm, and his eyes held a calculating gleam.

"Mr. Kim," the man introduced himself, "I've been hearing a lot about you lately."

Chan forced a smile, though his heart was beating wildly in his chest. "It's good to meet you."

"Let's get straight to the point, shall we?" Mr. Kim said, settling into his chair. "I've been following your work for a while now. I believe in what you're doing—creating a new sound, a new vision. And I'm prepared to back it."

Chan blinked, his breath catching in his throat. "Are you serious?"

Mr. Kim continued, "I'm willing to invest in your project—financial backing, promotion, everything you need to get this off the ground. In exchange, of course, I'll want a partnership agreement. We'll need to work closely, but I believe we can make this happen."