Chapter Text
With a big smile on his face, Felix said goodbye to his family and friends at the airport. He waved cheerfully, trying to hold back tears. You’d think he didn’t have any tears left after the emotional week he’d just had, breaking down every time he thought about leaving. It was a bittersweet moment: a mix of joy and sadness. Joy, because he had found the courage to chase a once-in-a-lifetime dream, a one-in-a-million opportunity. Sadness, because he was leaving behind everything familiar: his friends, his school, and most painfully, his family.
It was 2017, and Felix, not yet 17, was leaving Australia to move to South Korea. He had some relatives there who could support him if needed, which gave him a bit of comfort, especially since he would no longer have his parents’ support. That was the part that hurt the most of all. Felix had always been empathetic, trying to understand others by putting himself in their shoes, and this situation was no different.
His parents had moved to Australia searching for a better life, for themselves and for their future children. They didn’t dislike Korea, but they disagreed with certain traditional values and customs. They believed raising their children in a more open-minded, prejudice-free environment would offer them greater opportunities. And that’s exactly how Felix and his two sisters, one older and one younger, were raised.
His sisters had always been his greatest support system, but during this new chapter of his life, they stood by him more than ever. They were excited for his future, but also heartbroken to say goodbye to their favorite sibling to tease and annoy.
They all attended a Catholic school, took part in extracurricular activities, and were raised in a deeply traditional and religious household. From a young age, they were taught to help others, donating time and resources to those in need. Felix had even planned to volunteer abroad after high school, something that felt natural to him. Helping others gave him a sense of purpose, like he was doing something that truly mattered.
Outside school and volunteering, Felix had three main interests: computer games, taekwondo, and dancing. And it was one of these hobbies, dancing, that had led him to this pivotal moment, and to his current conflict with his parents.
Felix had always been energetic. His father enrolled him in taekwondo and swimming classes early on. As he got older, he discovered a love for dance and video games. To make his father happy, and because he was genuinely talented, he stuck with taekwondo, even participating in tournaments. But two to three times a week, he took dance classes. His mother had convinced his father it was a great way for Felix to burn off energy and stay healthy.
It was those dance classes that changed everything. One day, the studio informed him about an audition opportunity with a major entertainment company. He had been contacted once on Facebook, but assumed it was a scam. Coming from his dance studio, though, the offer seemed legitimate, and the company was no less than JYP Entertainment, one of South Korea’s biggest agencies. The opportunity was too big to ignore.
Felix told only his sisters and began preparing. When the big day arrived, he was a bundle of nerves. But as soon as the music started, he forgot everything else. With a wide smile, he danced with all his heart. And just like that, it was over. They told him he’d be contacted if he passed.
The next few weeks were torture. He could barely focus on school or anything else. As days passed, he tried to prepare himself for disappointment. But then, one afternoon, his dance teacher gave him the news: JYPE was interested and wanted to speak with his parents.
That’s when the fight began.
Hoping to soften the blow, Felix and his teacher told his parents the same day they received the call. But his parents refused immediately, without even discussing it. Seeing that the teacher’s presence wasn’t helping, Felix went home with his parents, and the conversation quickly turned into an argument. His older sister even tried to mediate, but they asked her not to interfere.
Felix backed off for the night, hoping they’d come around by morning. But the next day, nothing had changed. His parents remained firmly against the idea. That’s when he found himself forced to make an impossible choice: his dream or his family.
After many emotional discussions, where both sides presented their points, Felix made a decision. He would prove to them that he had a real future ahead. He understood their fears: the intense beauty standards, the distortion of reality in the entertainment world, the gossip, the pressure on idols, and the heartbreaking stories of those who couldn’t handle the spotlight. It was all valid. But he believed in his upbringing, in his values, and in himself. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, he knew he’d never forgive himself if he didn’t try.
It was a decision made with a heavy heart, leaving without his parents’ support or approval, but what gave him the strength to follow through was the unwavering encouragement of his sisters and a few relatives who stood by his side, reminding him that he wasn’t alone.
The night before his flight, while their parents still avoided the topic altogether, his sisters sat beside him on the edge of his bed.
“You sure you packed your toothbrush this time?” his older sister teased, arms crossed as she leaned against him.
“Yes!” Felix laughed, nudging her lightly. “And no, I’m not forgetting my phone charger again either.”
“Good. Because we won’t be sending care packages every week, you know,” his younger sister added, pretending to sound stern but failing to hide her watery eyes.
He softened. “I’m going to miss you both so much.”
“You better,” said the older one, pulling him into a tight hug. “And you better come back famous so we can brag about you.”
“Deal,” Felix whispered, holding on a little longer.
So, with things still tense and barely speaking to his parents, Felix said goodbye to everything he knew. He was heading to a country with unfamiliar customs, a different culture, and a language he barely spoke. Despite their strong objections, his parents had ultimately signed all the necessary paperwork for him to pause his studies and live abroad, perhaps a reluctant sign that, deep down, they still believed in his potential. His uncle, who still lived in Korea, had offered his support from the very beginning and was the one who paid for Felix’s plane ticket, believing in his dream when almost no one else did. That gave Felix a small sense of peace in the middle of so much uncertainty.
After boarding the plane and settling into his seat, the tears finally came freely, uncontrollably. And that’s how it stayed for most of the flight, until exhaustion overtook him and he finally fell asleep.
Felix arrived in Seoul early in the morning. Along with the fluttering butterflies in his stomach, there was a quiet tension in his chest. He silently hoped that the person assigned to pick him up at the airport wouldn’t notice his slightly swollen eyes, leftover from all the crying during the flight, or mistake them for simple signs of sleepiness. As soon as he stepped onto Korean soil, the brunette boy made the sign of the cross, quietly thanking for the smooth and safe journey, and praying that, from this point forward, his new path would also be blessed.
Finding the person assigned to pick him up turned out to be easier than Felix expected. Among the crowd waiting for passengers from his flight, families reuniting with loved ones, friends embracing after time apart, and people clearly there for business, one man stood out. He looked to be in his forties and was holding a small sign with Felix’s name written on it. Approaching him, Felix greeted the man with the best Korean he could manage and bowed politely, offering a grateful smile as the man stepped forward to help with his luggage.
The ride to the dormitory was smooth and quiet. Unfortunately for Felix, who loved to talk, especially to ease his nerves, the silence lingered awkwardly between him and the driver, who didn’t speak much English and Felix’s Korean was far from fluent. With little room for conversation, he found himself gazing out the window, absorbing the sights of Seoul, the towering buildings, flashing signs, and endless movement were overwhelming yet mesmerizing. Everything felt new, fast, and full of possibility. It was both exciting and terrifying to realize that this place was now his reality.
When they finally arrived, a young woman was waiting for him at the entrance of a modest apartment building. Miss Choi, the same person who had coordinated everything with the dance studio and his parents, greeted him with a warm smile and immediately apologized for not being able to pick him up at the airport herself. She gave him a quick but thorough rundown of everything he might need to know and then led him upstairs to a small, shared apartment. It wasn’t anything luxurious, but it was comfortable enough. He’d be living with three other boys who, like him, were there chasing their dreams. At that moment, they were all out, each busy with their own routines, but Miss Choi assured him he’d meet them later that evening.
After settling him in and answering his remaining questions, Miss Choi left him to adjust and rest for the day. He’d be officially introduced to the company the next morning, joining the other trainees he now shared a room with. Just before leaving, Miss Choi hesitated at the doorway, glancing back with something almost maternal in her expression.
“It’s not a palace, but it’s a start. All idols begin somewhere.”
“It’s perfect,” Felix replied honestly.
She paused, her features softening with a quiet pride. “You did something very brave, Felix. Don’t forget why you came here, especially on the hard days.”
“I won’t,” he said, his voice quiet but firm.
“Good.” She nodded. “Tomorrow is your official first day. Rest well tonight. You’ll need all your energy.”
“Thank you, Miss Choi… for everything.”
“You’ll be fine,” she said with a wink, before stepping out the door.
Alone in the apartment, Felix quietly unpacked the few belongings he had brought, placing them carefully where Miss Choi said he could use space. A soft melody played from his phone in the background as he moved around the room, time slipping by faster than he realized.
One by one, the other trainees eventually returned. Felix did his best to greet them with a smile, relying on gestures and quick translations on his phone to bridge the language gap. Two of them spoke little to no English, but one of them, thankfully, knew enough for them to have a basic conversation. Through him, Felix got a sense of the daily routine, expectations, and a bit more about who his new roommates were.
The conversation didn’t last long. Everyone was clearly exhausted, and although Felix wasn’t sleepy at all, his body buzzing with adrenaline and all the new experiences, he forced himself to lie down at the same time as the others. Before turning off his phone, he sent a quick message to his family, letting them know he had arrived safely and wishing them a good night. His sisters replied almost immediately, full of excitement and encouragement, and their messages brought a bittersweet smile to his face.
Tomorrow would bring even more new experiences. And with enough focus and hard work, he hoped it would also bring the kind of changes he had dreamed about for so long.
After a night spent tossing and turning, thinking about everything the next day would bring, Felix woke up early with a huge smile on his face, despite the exhaustion. There would be time to rest later, once the first day at the company was behind him. He carefully chose his best training clothes and every accessory he had picked out the night before. First impressions mattered, and he was determined to make a memorable one. He packed a small backpack with a water bottle, a few snacks, a towel for his face, and a change of clothes. He had no idea how the day would unfold, so it was best to be prepared.
When they arrived at the company, Miss Choi was already waiting for him near the front desk. She greeted him warmly and gave him a brief tour of the facilities, pointing out every place he’d be expected to report to: vocal lessons, rap classes, dance training, stage presence and facial expressions, Korean language classes, and more. It was a whirlwind of information, and Felix’s head was spinning by the end of it. On top of it all, he’d still need to complete his education somehow, maybe through an alternative program, but with a schedule like this, it wouldn’t be easy.
His morning training would take place in one of the large dance studios, filled with other trainees around his age. He was thrilled to be starting with what he loved most. He tried to keep a relaxed and confident posture as he followed Miss Choi into the room. She spoke to the group in Korean, announcing that he would be joining them starting that day. While she explained things, Felix took the chance to glance around the studio. He noticed the instructor and greeted him with a polite nod and a smile. Then he scanned the rest of the room, boys who looked anywhere from 16 to 19 years old. But appearances could be deceiving. Some were stretching on the floor, others leaning against the wall, all looking half-asleep. Understandable, given how early it was and the intense schedules they likely all had.
When Miss Choi gave him the cue to introduce himself, Felix took a step forward and, with his naturally deep voice, which didn’t quite match his still-boyish features, he smiled softly and said confidently in Korean: “Hello, my name is Felix.” He bowed slightly in greeting.
As he returned to scanning the room, his eyes landed on one particular trainee, a striking boy who seemed to be frowning at him. He was gorgeous, of course, but Felix wasn’t surprised. In a place like this, good looks were expected. After all, they were all hoping to become idols. Still, Felix believed that talent and hard work mattered much more. The boy had full lips pressed together, sharp features, and he looked taller than Felix. When Felix had first walked in, he had caught this boy mid-stretch, but it seemed he had frozen in place, now simply standing there, openly staring. His expression wasn’t exactly welcoming.
Felix had no idea what he might have done to earn such scrutiny, but rather than feel intimidated, he flashed the boy with a big, cheerful smile. That seemed to snap him out of it, and he quickly looked away.
He settled into his spot, the energy of the room buzzing quietly beneath the polished studio floors. He was used to new spaces, new faces, his life now full of them, but there was something different about this one. The air was heavier, more focused, and everyone here moved like they already knew the rhythm of the place.
As the instructor began the warm-ups, Felix followed closely, muscles responding automatically. His foundation was strong, years doing taekwondo back home had made sure of that. He could feel eyes on him occasionally but didn’t let it throw him off. He was used to standing out a little.
Then came the pairing.
He heard his name called alongside the same boy who had stared earlier, the one with the sharp eyes and the unreadable expression.
Hyunjin.
The name echoed in his head as they moved toward each other. Felix gave him a small nod, still smiling, trying to ease whatever tension had been there. He didn’t expect much back, and he didn’t get much, a brief, almost reluctant nod in return. It didn’t bother him. Not really. He’d danced with people colder than this. But as they began running through the routine together, something unexpected happened.
Hyunjin moved with such fluidity, such emotional depth, that it pulled Felix in. It wasn’t polished perfection, there were slips in timing, slight hesitations but there was a rawness to it, something that felt alive. Felix had seen a lot of dancers back home. He’d trained with good ones. But this boy danced like the music was made for him.
They rehearsed quietly, not saying much. Their communication was mostly in glances and mirrored movement. And yet, Felix felt something start to click. He adjusted his steps slightly, matching Hyunjin’s energy without thinking. It was rare to find someone you didn’t need words with.
At one point, their hands brushed during a transition, brief, barely noticeable, but it sent a small jolt through him. He stole glances at Hyunjin, who seemed completely focused and unbothered. Studying him curiously, Felix noticed a small beauty mark just beneath his left eye. Somehow, that tiny detail made Hyunjin even more intriguing.
He smiled again, this time softer. He didn’t know what to make of this boy. He didn’t know if they’d ever speak again after this.
But something about Hyunjin made Felix want to stay just a little longer. Watch just a little more closely.
Felix had always been curious by nature.