Point Five: What Goes Around, Comes Around

Two weeks later, and the big day for Tae Hyun had arrived. The entire So family (sans Mi Yun, who was still overseas) and their extended family (the Goos and the Songs) turned up in force to support him at the high school hall, where the audition was held. The hall, however, was closed to visitors, which meant that everyone had to wait outside for him.

Some time had passed since Tae Hyun had gone into the hall, so the parents decided to retreat to the canteen for refreshments, while the kids decided to hang out near the hall to wait for their brother/friend.

"How do you think Hyun will do?" Min Ae, the Goo' daughter asked out loud, while leaning against a wall.

Jinsu turned to his childhood friend and shrugged. "It's hard to say. Hyun is good, but who knows what the judges may think."

"I think my oppa will do just fine," Mi Sun said simply. "He's a better dancer than TIGER-oppa."

Jin Kwang, Jinsu's younger brother, gasped exaggeratedly. "But he's your favourite member of Sabre, Sun-ie! How would TIGER-hyung feel if he knew you said that?"

The youngest So daughter shook her head as she smiled. "He won't know..." she said, leaning into his ear, "Because you're not going to tell him."

"Busted!" Jin Kwang yelled, attacking Mi Sun with tickles, making her shriek in laughter.

"Shush, you two!" Mi Ae hushed, bending down to cover Mi Sun's mouth as Jinsu poked at his brother, "We have to be quiet out here. There's an audition going on inside, don't forget."

The two younger kids nodded solemnly. "Sorry, noona," whispered Jin Kwang.

Just then, the doors to the hall opened, and a number of people were let out. Mi Sun wriggled out of Mi Ae's grasp, and ran over to see if her brother would emerge.

"Oppa!" she chimed, upon seeing her older brother emerge the last from the room, looking dazed and somewhat relieved, and ran to give him a big hug. Tae Hyun smiled and ruffled his little sister's hair.

The other F4 kids followed behind, and the eldest Song boy went up to give his best friend a fist-bump greeting.

"So," Jinsu nodded at Tae Hyun, "How did it go?"

...

"It was... strange," Tae Hyun murmured, recounting his audition experience to the rest of the group in the school canteen.

"What do you mean, Hyun-ah?" Ga Eul prompted, rubbing her son's back, "Why was it strange?"

"It was like I had no identity," her son replied, "All I was in those few hours was a mere number, 1208. That was all I was known as. '1208, sit here please. 1208, look at the camera.'" Tae Hyun shuddered. "It was unnerving."

Jun Pyo, who was sitting across from the Sos, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"That almost sounds like being in the army, no?"

Woo Bin almost gagged on his apple juice, causing Jae Kyung to pat his back in a frenzy.

"I do believe," he said in awe, in between gasps of breath, "Our Jun Pyo just made some sense."

"Yah! Song Woo Bin," Jan Di yelled, glaring at the construction chaebol, "My husband makes perfect sense without needing any help from you, thank you very much!"

The fracas was soon interrupted by sound of a cup being tapped loudly on the table.

"Kids, kids!" Mi Ae raised her voice, "Let's not forget who we're here for."

The adults stirred and mumbled apologies, while the Goo chaebol looked smug, proud of that his only daughter inherited his initiative, and sensible nature.

"We weren't allowed to talk to the judges," continued Tae Hyun, "Not allowed to greet them or to introduce ourselves. We auditioned in groups of ten. We had to bow, perform for a minute, bow again, and step back into our line. That was it."

"But it went okay, right?" Jinsu asked nervously, "Your audition?"

Tae Hyun sighed.

"My CD skipped part way," he whispered, his head hanging low, "So I had to dance without the track. I don't think I did very well."

The table fell silent; the people there didn't know what to say to bring comfort to Tae Hyun's disappointment. One person, however, got up from his end of the table, and walked to place his hands on his drooping shoulders.

"No matter the outcome," Yi Jeong said, "I'm proud of you for trying, Hyun."

Tae Hyun glanced up and gave his father a grateful smile. "Thank you for believing in me, appa."

"It may not seem like it, boy," the elder So smiled, as he ruffled the younger boy's hair, "But I always have."

...

Tae Hyun never received the letter from the agency the following month. Nevertheless, he continued to dance, training on his own and under the tutelage of his teacher, Crash. His family continued to support his endeavours, and no one was more supportive than Yi Jeong, who would attend every dance performance and competition his son partook in.

...

After training for three years, the members of 5STRONG finally made their debut on a cable music programme, to much hype. They rode most of the Korean wave strongly, emerging as one of the newest talents to bring up the K-Pop profile, which had long been on a downward spiral.

Amidst releasing award-winning albums, holding successful concerts both locally and overseas, and acquiring high profile product endorsements in the casual wear and beauty line, the group was well known to be workaholics (whether by choice or otherwise), with their commitments and rehearsals keeping them up all night. Their management were also constantly plagued by rumours of income embezzlement and implementing unfair contracts to minors... until these rumors were proven true.

5STRONG was dissolved as a group almost four years after their debut, to much despair from their fanclub, affectionally named 'Estrellas', or 'stars', who continue to hope that their five stars will one day be one strength again.

...

When news of 5STRONG's disbandment broke, 26-year-old celebrity dance choreographer So Tae Hyun took half a day off from work, promptly drove home, and gave his father, So Yi Jeong, a big hug.

This time, Yi Jeong wasn't surprised at all.