Supernova

Prologue - Formation

"So, boys."

She stood in front of us, slim, fragile looking in every way except those eyes. Eyes that burned, that held you with their intensity. Janie Lee, the first female CEO and producer in the entertainment industry, founder of UniQ Entertainment.

"We've made our decision." She looked at each of us in turn. "You. The seven of you."

We were silent, it was the moment we'd been waiting for, all of us knew what it meant. This was it.

"I chose you because I think you're different. Not just good, the best." She looked at each of us again and it was hard to meet those eyes, so intent, measuring and seeming to look into me.

"But I don't want this to be the usual idol group. Cute boys, coloured hair, great choreography, polished smiles. Jun?" She looked at him as he raised his hand.

"Isn't that what everyone wants, though?" Taejun asked. She smiled.

"Sometimes people don't know they want something, need something, until you give it to them." She walked around the table. "It's time for things to change in the industry. And you're going to be the ones that change it." She leaned forward and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Juni and Jii glance at each other. Kao had told us she had something different in mind for us, we'd been waiting impatiently for this.

"I want this to be the game changer. I want you to be game changers. If you'll let me, I'm going to take you to the top. If you'll trust me." She nodded at her assistant who came forward with folders and handed them out, one to each of us.

"This isn't going to be your standard contract. It's a partnership agreement. You will each have a say in your direction, in how this group evolves. In the music, in the choreo, in the videos and visuals, in what you perform and where, everything. You'll have my help, of course, but I don't want to be some puppetmaster pulling strings. I think we can do this together. If you'll trust me, I'll make you into the world's biggest group, the world, not just Korea. By the time we're done, everyone will know who you are."

"Global? Lee PD, that's...quite a goal." Juni said, his eyes wide.

"Yes it is." She nodded. "But I wouldn't say it if I didn't think we could pull it off. And Jun, it's Janie." She smiled at him.

"What's your plan?" Kao, ever the sharpest one of us all.

"Debut in 6 months. You've been training for a year or more now, so 6 months is achievable. One full album a year for the next five years and that means promotions, shows, vlogs, concerts, the works. And that doesn't include the endorsements, drama offers and other things I know will come your way once you're out there. Yes, you're going to be very busy," she said as one of the twins made a noise, "but we're going to manage your schedules so that we balance and don't overload you guys or the industry. We're going to make them thirsty for you."

Jii caught my eye and grinned. He was hungry for success, I could see her pep talk was revving him up. But what she said next made us all snap forward and stare at her.

"Then off you go to do your military service. All 7 of you at the same time."

Marcus sat back in his chair, exhaling. I knew what he was thinking. The usual way was for members to rotate into their military service so that a few were always active. That way, a band never lost its momentum.

"Won't people forget us, Lee PD?" Jii asked the obvious question, forgetting to address her by her name. She shook her head.

"Not with what I've got planned. We will be prepping for your service with videos, music, webtoons, special releases, teasing the public. Trust me, they'll be panting for you when you guys return. The comeback will be the most anticipated show in history."

"And then?" Kiha, who had been quiet throughout, spoke for the first time.

"Then, you come back with a vengeance. Three more years of activity, albums, music, culminating in one grand finale in your final year as a group." Shock on everyone's faces, all except Kao whose face remained impassive as ever.

"Final year?" Juni said slowly, breaking the silence.

"The group will be active for only 10 years?" Alex asked, exchanging glances with his twin.

"8 years." Kiha said. "We'll be off in the army for 2." He looked at our CEO as he spoke.

"That's right." She looked around at us again. "What do you think of that idea?" Her eyes met mine and she raised an eyebrow.

"I agree." I said quietly, not looking at the others but sensing their eyes on me.

"Why?" She asked, coming to stand in front of me. I was silent for a moment.

"Because most groups run out of steam after that. And get old. The life of an idol group is short, there's so much competition, so many jostling for a piece of that pie - and not enough pie to go around. Why not?" I looked around at the others. "Why not take that short lifespan and go all out, max it out, change the game. Knowing our endgame - that'll just make us work harder." I shrugged awkwardly. I was usually the quietest one, observer and listener, so this was the most anyone had ever heard me say. Alex and Juni were staring at me, while Kiha had a faint smile on his face. Janie was smiling widely.

"Wise Jinhae. That's exactly it. We're going to burn it up, all the way to the last year. Burn bright and big."

"It's a huge risk, Janie." Marcus said. She nodded.

"It is. No group has ever announced its disbandment date at debut time. It is a gamble. The question is," she looked around at us again, "will you gamble with me?"

We knew what our answer was.

We had talked long and hard the previous night, through to the early hours. We had all joined UniQ for different reasons - Alex and Marcus because it was the only agency willing to take them both on together, Kiha, Jii and Taejun because it was the only agency that had liked their individuality and hadn't suggested major changes. Kao had joined purely because of Janie, because her maverick spirit matched his. And me? Well I'd told the others I wanted a smaller agency because it was more personal, but the reality was something quite different. Not that I planned on sharing that. But that was beside the point. Right now, we were being asked to trust Janie Lee with our futures.

As one, we all looked at Kao, who answered for us, like the leader he would soon be.

"Yes."

Janie crossed her arms and grinned.

"I'm glad to hear you say that." She indicated the folders. "Take your time, read those, ask me all the questions you need to before you sign them. Partnership agreements, not contracts. And then we'll get to work on your debut."

"Lee PD? Er, sorry, Janie?" Juni amended hurriedly.

"Jun?"

"Can we discuss our group name?" He asked, excitedly. We all laughed at his enthusiasm. Janie smiled.

"Of course you can." She was about to leave us to it when Kao spoke.

"Actually, I think I might have one that fits." He said slowly. "Something that burns, bright and big, something that has a spectacular end."

"Supernova."