Hex Apartment, Gangnam Seoul.
"The company has released a statement refuting the rumours but I doubt that it will be enough to keep your fans from worrying", Ryu Bong-Ju logged into the company's official website and scroll through the comments. His earlier predictions were right, the fans were still doubtful, he looked up from his phone and glanced at Cheng Ying and Yu Seok, the stood on opposite sides of the room while glaring at each other.
Cheng Ying rolled his eyes at Yu Seok and looked down at his phone. His expression darkened as he read the official statement released by the company, he scowled at his phone. Flexing his jaws, he glared at Yu Seok and then looked away. The other three members of the group, Song Tae-eun Ahn Minghuk and Sunwo were also present in the room but unlike the scowling bunch, they were seated on the couch. Song Tae-eun frowned and shook as he saw the exchange between the two since Cheng Ying and Yu Seok were both acting stubborn. He took the initiative to find out what the company had planned.
"Hyung, What do you have planned", he asked their manager, folding both hands on his chest and learning back.
Ryu Bong-Ju wasn't phased by their behaviour, he has known each of these idols since their trainee days and as such had a good understanding of their temperament. "Your fans are worried that the group would disban_"
"Would it be so bad if we did?" Cheng Ying spat out glaring at Yu Seok. "I already don't trust him, why go on with this charade!"
"Why indeed, I don't know maybe because we still have a year and a half till our contract is up. Do you honestly Intend to burn all your bridges because of a girl who never even took you seriously", Song Tae-eun levelled his eyes on Cheng Ying, who looked away a few seconds later.
Ahn Minghuk smiled at their exchange and leaned to the side, tapping his chin as he watched Cheng Ying's Stubborn expression crack. "Cheng Ying, my man. Jin Mi-ok approached you when she was dating someone else. While I feel your pain, you cannot blame Yu Seok. it is not like anyone was aware that you were dating Jin Mi-ok".
"Is that supposed to justify his actions?"
The youngest in the group Sunwo stood and placed his hand on Cheng Ying "No Hyung, but is it wise for you to leave, because of this. Even if you don't want to be a member of hex, you should wait for the contract to expire. Why do you want to punish us because Yu Seok couldn't stop drinking long enough to think with his brain and not the ever randy part of him", he glared at Yu Seok as he said the last few words.
"ever randy_ You little_" Yu Seok charged forward but was pushed back by Minghuk, who hissed at him, "stand back!"
Song Tae glanced at both men and let out a snort, "You are nearly thirty, when will you ever grow up. I don't care about any of your so-called feelings, not when every one of us is affected by your mess. I suggest that before the end of today, you two turn hold a Livestream and act like the chummy little male besties you were." He stood and walked up to Cheng Ying, "You don't want to be in the group that is fine, just wait for your contract to end. Do not get us involved in this mess!"
Cheng Ying pursed his lips and swallowed. He glanced from Song Tae and nodded. Three hours later, Cheng Ying and Yu Seok begrudgingly hosted a Livestream together for an hour and a half. They acted as they normally did, they joked around and interacted with fans. By the end of the Livestream, the fans were convinced that they were still on good terms.
The members of Hex left for their apartments one after the other once the live stream was done, leaving only their manager. They had all moved out of the group's shared apartment years ago. However, since they still made use of the apartment during promotions, the company maintained the apartment.
Song Tae-eun drove straight to his best friend Shin Dae Hyuk's apartment after leaving the dormitory. Shin Dae Hyuk lived in a high-tech Penthouse in the popular Eunsun private community. Song Tae-eun like most members of his family lived in Arin Private community. Arin community was a joint development project between GK group and Noh Construction. He took the private elevator up to Shin Dae-hyuk's house from the underground parking lot.
Shin Dae-hyuk was waiting by the Elevator with a glass of Whiskey as the elevator door opened. He handed it to Song Tae-eun, "Here, you need this after the past few days. How are Yu Seok and Cheng Ying holding up?". He walked to the small bar in the living room and went behind the bar. He mixed himself a Gin tonic and sat on the stool behind the counter.
"Things are as bad as I had predicted. Cheng Ying wants to leave the group".
Shin Daehyuk Chuckled, "Cheng Ying has always been too emotional which is why he got fooled by Mi-ok. You will have to force him to listen to reason".
"No, I won't. I will not resolve another one of Yu Seok's messes for him. He is an adult now, he should deal with whatever trouble he causes" Tae-eun frowned pouring himself a fresh glass of whiskey.
Shin Daehyuk watched his friend silently for a few seconds and sighed, "looks like this problem won't be easily solved, Yu Seok is not one to admit his mistakes. He would prefer to remain stubborn until the very end".
"He will if I leave him with no other choice but to behave."
"What do you intend to do".
"Freeze him out, Director Choi already suggested that but I rejected that offer. Now considering the current situation, Freezing him out is the best step to take".
Shin Daehyuk nodded, "that might work"
"It will work, especially when everyone else is doing something together and only the both of them are left. Yu Seok can not handle isolation well, neither of them can.
Tae-eun brought the half-drank glass of whiskey down, placing it on the counter. He looked up and said, "enough about my problems, how are things at your end. What is it that has driven you to drink? Your Exclusive contract with MAD entertainment will be ending soon. Do you intend to resign with them again?"
The smile disappeared from Shin Daehyuk's face, he swung the cup up and drank up the whole cup in one go, "No, they are deliberately asking for too much".
"What about the other agency that sent you an offer, have you decided on a new company?"
"Yes, I have signed a contract with Beat entertainment".
"Huh? that quick. They must have impressed you".
Shin Daehyuk nodded, "unlike MAD entertainment their profit split is fair and they offered me creative freedom."
"Nice, I guess there are specs to going solo."
Daehyuk emptied his glass and poured himself a fresh glass, he brought the glass to his lips and took a sip. "it certainly beats being part of a group because you don't have to deal with all those solo stans. I can still remember how much I was attached whenever I had a private schedule. Those fans are brutal, even after all these years I still get accused of destroying 'MAZE'. At least HEX doesn't have things as bad as we did, since you are all equally popular and do your own thing. We were not so lucky".
"That has never stopped netizens from coming after me".
Daehyuk paused and glanced at him, "Don't worry about those two, they will get over this. You just got discharged, don't let these things disturb you. Try to get used to the changes around you, you don't gave to worry about the contract renewal for the next year and a half. Relax"
"I will", He grinned and clicked his glass with Daehyuk's. Tilting his head to the side he glanced at Daehyuk, "isn't signing a contract with a good agency, a good news", he looked down at the bottle of drinks beside Daehyuk's glass, " Why are you downing drinks like water?"
"MAD doesn't intend to let me leave peacefully, I got dropped by a few of the appearances I had planned. When I asked around turns out they did that to appease JJ".
"JJ his resigning with MAD Entertainment? I guess pride don't pay the bills. What a wimp".
"Well, at least he is consistent"
"Hahaha, true". the two shared a laugh.