Chapter 108: Because I Trust the Center (1)
Inside Tipple’s dorm.
Sung Jihoo’s phone gave a short vibration.
Bzz—
A reply had come to the text he’d sent during dinner.
— Let’s meet up once promotions start
— We could have a meal together too.
ㄴ Yes! I’m fine with whenever, haha
It was Do Seohan, the main dancer of Stardust — Tipple’s direct junior group and currently a rising star.
Maybe it was because they shared the same position, but ever since their last meeting, he’d found himself especially drawn to this junior.
Munch munch—
Choi Yeonwoo, who had been wolfing down an instant cup rice, lifted his head.
“You’re going to eat together?”
“Yeah.”
Sung Jihoo scrolled down with an indifferent expression.
The reply had come pretty quickly…
At this point in his career, though, other worries started creeping in first.
With a belated concern, Sung Jihoo asked Choi Yeonwoo,
“Would that be too much pressure, maybe?”
“What would?”
“If a 7- or 8-year-senior asked you to grab a meal, how would you feel?”
“I’d hate it.”
“……”
Choi Yeonwoo plopped a piece of kimchi on his rice and shoved the whole bite into his mouth.
Tipple’s maknae, who would never touch the cheap cup rice if it were Sung Jihoo, was eating it with the gusto of a YouTube mukbang.
“Mmm, tasty.”
“Do I come off that much like an old-fashioned senior?”
“The moment you’re wondering that, we’re already…”
“Hey.”
Sung Jihoo was left speechless by Choi Yeonwoo’s blunt jab.
Of all people, Do Seohan was the youngest in Stardust. How old was he again this year…
Tap tap tap.
Sung Jihoo opened the green search engine and looked up Do Seohan’s age.
Born in 2000 — eighteen this year.
“Damn.”
Basically just born yesterday.
A wave of reality check hit him.
“Ugh, the generation gap’s gonna be huge.”
“How many years apart?”
“Nine.”
“… That’s enough for the landscape to change once.”
“Isn’t that the one I bought you?”
Sung Jihoo glared at Choi Yeonwoo, who was scraping up the last grains of kimchi–flying fish roe fried rice, and reached out his hand.
“Give it here.”
Whoosh—
But Tipple’s maknae, who had spent eight years eating in constant awareness of others, wasn’t about to lose so easily.
The smooth swipe with which he snatched away his food spoke of some serious skill.
This punk should be improving his dancing, not just his agility.
“…?”
Choi Yeonwoo tilted his head once, then buried his face back in the cup rice.
“Haa…”
Sung Jihoo grabbed his hair and let out a sigh.
“Guess it’s not a good idea after all.”
It was just that he wanted to share a meal with a junior he liked, so he’d asked him out. But now that they were actually going to meet, he couldn’t figure out what to say first.
What if he just ended up making him uncomfortable?
Resting his chin on his hand, Sung Jihoo muttered seriously,
“Should I ask him which singers he likes these days?”
“Are you going on a blind date?”
“Or which celebrity he respects?”
“You’re not expecting him to say your name, are you?”
“Maybe I should just eat.”
“Mm.”
Choi Yeonwoo gave a short reply and focused all his attention back on the meager kimchi–flying fish roe fried rice.
After finishing the rest in just a couple more spoonfuls, Choi Yeonwoo looked up.
“But honestly, hyung, you’re not really the type to be close with juniors, are you?”
That was true.
To juniors, he was a senior who was hard to approach. To seniors, he was a first-tier idol who’d grown up too fast.
Since debut, Tipple had walked a smooth, untroubled path, leaving them relatively few opportunities to interact with other groups.
If he’d had a bunch of friendly juniors to begin with, he wouldn’t be worrying about this now.
Choi Yeonwoo added, sounding a bit surprised.
“Wow, that’s a first — you having a meal with a junior.”
“It’s my first time with a junior from our company. I should take care of him.”
Sung Jihoo spoke in a casual tone, but his real feelings were plain as day.
‘Since when were you such a considerate senior?’
Stardust had seven members, and from the moment he singled out one of them to ask for his number, it was obvious.
That junior must have really caught his interest.
‘Is he trying to recruit someone for Doubles’ main dancer line?’
With one hand holding his phone while watching YouTube, Choi Yeonwoo asked casually,
“What’s he like?”
Sung Jihoo hesitated.
He honestly didn’t know how to answer.
They hadn’t known each other for long.
Aside from being juniors from the same company, they had no real connection…
He barely knew anything about him.
It was just that a male idol debuting from Doubles after such a long time had piqued his interest.
“Mm.”
Do Seohan, that is.
He didn’t know much, but his first impression had been this:
A calm demeanor for his age, and an image that looked diligent. Overall, the wholesome type Sung Jihoo liked.
Sung Jihoo answered Choi Yeonwoo’s question in a composed voice.
“He just… seems kind of smart, dances well for his age… calm, so he seemed like a good kid…”
That was when it happened.
A bizarre sound blared from Choi Yeonwoo’s phone.
— Bbeeeeeeep—
Huh?
Some kind of bird call…
— Bbee-eeeeeep!
Sung Jihoo lifted his head with a puzzled look at the sudden, sharp cry.
He spotted Choi Yeonwoo, spoon set down, watching a YouTube video.
“Who is that?”
It was a hot clip on the official Weekly Pocket Idol YouTube channel. By perfect coincidence, it had popped up in Choi Yeonwoo’s algorithm.
In an even voice, Choi Yeonwoo said,
“The kid you’re having a meal with.”
“……”
— Bbeeeeeeep!
Choi Yeonwoo nodded and added,
“Real calm, huh.”
Way too calm, actually.
The next day, in Doubles’ meeting room, discussion was in full swing over Stardust’s second mini-album.
After releasing a fan song last month, they had skipped an actual hiatus and jumped straight into the next album — a tight schedule.
Still, the faces of Stardust’s members gleamed with anticipation.
Today was the day their second album’s title track would be finalized.
“We’ve decided on the next album’s title track.”
A face they were happy to see again after a while —
Kim Seyoung, manager from the A&R team, smiled as he spoke.
“The song is really good.”
His opening remark was paired with a satisfied grin.
Even in the hallway, whenever they’d run into him, the A&R team had bragged like this:
“This one’s amazing.”
“It’s crazy good, I’m telling you.”
“You can look forward to it.”
It was the title track that the A&R team had pulled an all-nighter to secure. Seo Han’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
But—
There was one thing the members didn’t know.
“The title of this track is Comet…”
A word meaning “Hyesung” — comet.
“And actually… Cha Seongbin took part in it.”
What?
“Huh?”
“Seriously?”
Since when?
At Kim Seyoung’s words, the members’ eyes went wide. Ha Junseo grabbed Cha Seongbin’s shoulder in surprise.
“Wait, the composition lessons you’ve been taking — this is what they were for?”
“Seongbin-hyung’s form is crazy right now.”
“You worked on this without anyone knowing?”
“No, no. I was going to say something once it was confirmed as the title track.”
Cha Seongbin waved his hands with a sly grin.
“I didn’t hide it on purpose~.”
“This title track is insane.”
“Hyung, are you a genius?”
Cha Seongbin really was a genius.
Seo Han clicked his tongue in genuine admiration. He might not have been the sole composer, but for a rookie not even a year into debut to have his name on the credits for the title track’s composition was amazing.
He had long since surpassed the stage of tinkering clumsily with arrangements.
If Stardust’s official Ocean Sunfish hadn’t dropped out early, wouldn’t he have churned out one killer title track after another?
A devil’s gift, given in exchange for taking away a strong mentality — that was exactly it.
Kang Siwoo spoke in a slightly excited voice.
“We’ve gotta hear it.”
“Yeah, let’s see Seongbin-hyung’s skills.”
Jin Sehyun added with a smirk,
“Shall I play it?”
Just as the members wanted, Kim Seyoung from the A&R team played the title track.
This time, it was the guide recording with the full lyrics.
Boom, boom, boom.
The beat of a flashy EDM led the hook in the intro.
Right from the start, the beat was deeper than their previous title track — a slick melody that would likely do well overseas.
every beats of heart
한계는 없어, 더 멀리 뻗을 테니
We’re a comet in the night
brighter than the moonlight
수천 번을 되뇌었어 we will shine
Cha Seongbin’s intense rap hit their ears hard.
‘I’m Stardust’s main rapper.’
As if declaring exactly that, a high-level rap poured out, leaving the members’ jaws dropped.
Unlike Spacewalk (Yuyeong), this was a song with a much more powerful mood.
With an addictive beat that felt like it would smash the stage to pieces, Seo Han found himself nodding along without realizing it.
The vocal part flowed in neatly as well.
Clear control of dynamics.
내 손을 잡아
이 여행을 끝낼 시간이야
Why was this song so good?
“Wow.”
A&R team really came through.
You could understand how many other contenders they must have cut before settling on this track.
Seo Han kept nodding, unable to stop exclaiming.
“This is crazy.”
First time hearing it, and it was just incredible.
“It feels like it sticks in your ear right away.”
In fact, Stardust’s second mini-album title track was a song Seo Han had only known by name.
It wasn’t that the song hadn’t done well — he’d just never once gone to listen to it.
When Stardust’s second album came out, Seo Han had just left Doubles and quit being a trainee.
Back then, he’d avoided listening to it, thinking it would only stir up complicated feelings.
He had holed himself up in the library, focusing only on studying.
Thanks to that, for someone who started late, he’d managed to get an acceptance letter from a pretty good university, but most of the music from that period was cut off from his memory.
And now, round and round, here he was again.
Seo Han smiled faintly.
“It’s so good.”
“Right? I’m telling you, we nailed the title track.”
Kim Seyoung’s overflowing confidence wasn’t for nothing.
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
“If the choreography comes out well, it’s going to look amazing.”
“We could totally own the year-end stage.”
One by one, the excited voices of the members joined in.
How could you stay calm listening to this — the song was insane.
From Stardust’s perspective, this second mini-album was a crucial turning point.
They had caught the public’s attention with their first album; now was the time to solidify their place as a true rising star.
The song was good — all that was left was to give it their all.
Kang Siwoo spoke with confident determination.
“We’ll work hard on it.”
“I’ll put everything I’ve got into it!”
“Me too, me too.”
Just when it seemed like the meeting was wrapping up, Song Jinha from management raised his hand again.
“Hold on. The title track is settled, but we’re going to have one more promotion track…”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“It’s not confirmed, but I wanted to bring it here to get your opinions.”
It seemed the included track for music show promotions was practically decided.
“There were about two candidates, but the one our team is pushing for is this one!”
Kim Seyoung checked the song list and began to speak.
“Actually, this is something I think Do Seohan will really like…”
At that, Cha Seongbin’s eyes lit up.
“Sexy?”
“Do-sexy?”
“…No.”
Seo Han waved his hands and shook his head.
“I’m not hung up on sexy concepts anymore.”
“Yeah, right.”
“What a joke.”
From the way they looked at him, there was a trace of expectation.
Anyone could see he still hadn’t let go.
Ha Junseo chuckled and chimed in.
“Is it a concept like Tied to You?”
“Yup. Do Seohan still warms up with that in the practice room.”
At Seo Haim’s revelation, Seo Han jabbed him in the side, flustered.
“I told you, no.”
“Yeah, no!”
“…? No what?”
“I mean, it’s not a Tied to You kind of vibe.”
What came out of Kim Seyoung’s mouth was rather unexpected.
“It’s a cute, charming song — kind of like Touch Me!”
“Ah.”
The reply came ten seconds late.
Seo Han’s eyes blinked slowly.
“I like it.”
What was with that disappointed face?
‘Didn’t you say you’d let go?’
His expression was more transparent than he thought, making Song Jinha burst out laughing.
“Seo Han doesn’t like cute things~.”
“It’s fine! It’ll suit you perfectly.”
“Haha…”
At this point, maybe they just didn’t know Do Seohan’s taste after all.
Kim Seyoung fished out his phone while speaking.
“Shall we listen to it?”
This time, he didn’t delay — the song started playing right away.
.
.
.
.
Track 4 of the second album, the included track, was titled Come On In.
The song’s main appeal was its provocative lyrics, offering to make room in a long-closed heart and daring the listener to step inside.
Since the title track had a strong vibe, you could feel Doubles’ intention to choose something more bubbly for the included track.
‘Oh… the lyrics say “noona”…’
It could be seen as the second installment of the younger-guy concept following Touch Me.
Compared to Touch Me, the lyrics felt a little bolder and slyer.
Like Seo Ian turning dark and becoming Cha Seongbin, maybe?
Seo Han’s eyes widened at the song he’d expected nothing from.
What the—
It’s good?
“This song’s good too.”
Seo Ian added with a smile, and Seo Han agreed.
“Right? The included track is really nice too.”
It was easy to see why they’d chosen such a bright song for promotions.
When performed alongside the title track, the contrast in mood would likely make fans love it even more.
Personally, it felt like a mood he could express well, so he liked it.
Seo Han analyzed the song and nodded in satisfaction.
Right then—
“Oh, and I have one announcement to make here.”
Kim Seyoung’s gaze turned to Seo Han.
“Our center!”
“Yes?”
“The composer specifically asked for you to take this part.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
He nodded without even knowing what it was.
“It’s an important part, so make it as impactful as possible!”
Impact?
Whichever way it went, he figured he could pull it off…
But when Seo Han checked the part Kim Seyoung was pointing to, his expression turned strange.
“Th-this part?”