Chapter 1: A Silent Beginning
Dream Entertainment wasn't the kind of name that turned heads. Established in 2022, it was a small agency trying to find its place in the vast, glittering world of K-pop. For two long years, they had worked behind the scenes, building quietly, hoping that one day they would create something that would change their fate. But two years passed, and Dream Entertainment remained a shadow in the industry, barely noticed, barely heard.
Their social media presence was a reflection of their obscurity. On G-gram, WeTube, and Twitt, they had a combined total of just 3,000 followers—a painfully small number in an industry where millions of fans worldwide supported their favorite idols. Dream Entertainment's name was hardly known, and even when they announced their plans to debut their first-ever boy group, the news barely registered.
No fanfare. No excitement. Just another small agency trying to survive in an overcrowded market.
The announcement had been made quietly, without the flashy teasers or countdowns typical of major K-pop companies. There were no eye-catching posters, no behind-the-scenes documentaries. Just a simple message posted on their official Instagram:
"We're excited to announce the debut of our first boy group. Coming soon in 2024. Stay tuned for more updates."
The message was met with silence. A few comments from the small following they had showed curiosity, but the rest of the K-pop community didn't even notice. Why would they? Dream Entertainment wasn't Starlight Music Entertainment, Galaxy Sound Entertainment, Harmony Wave Entertainment or Elevate Entertainment. They weren't even on the radar of most K-pop fans.
The agency hadn't even revealed the name of the group yet. The five boys, who had trained tirelessly for this moment, still remained in the shadows. There was no official social media account for the group, no teaser photos, no profiles introducing the members. They were still an enigma, a mystery that no one was eager to solve.
In a cramped office on the outskirts of Seoul, Mr. Han, the CEO of Dream Entertainment, stared at the screen in front of him. The numbers on their social media accounts were stagnant, refusing to climb despite their best efforts. He sighed, running a hand through his greying hair. This was not how he had envisioned their first boy group debut.
When he had founded Dream Entertainment, he had been full of hope and ambition. He had left a secure position at one of the larger agencies to start something of his own, something meaningful. But two years later, reality had hit hard. The K-pop industry was ruthless. Hundreds of groups debuted every year, and only a handful ever made it. The competition was fierce, and Dream Entertainment was at the bottom of the ladder, barely holding on.
Still, he believed in the group. The five boys he had watched train day and night had something special. They weren't just talented; they were passionate, determined, and hungry for success. But talent wasn't enough in this industry. They needed visibility, they needed fans, and most of all, they needed a miracle.
---
Inside a practice room in the building that housed Dream Entertainment, the five boys were deep in rehearsal. Their bodies were drenched in sweat, muscles aching from hours of practice, but none of them slowed down. This was their chance—maybe their only chance—and they weren't going to let it slip through their fingers.
Jaehoon, the leader, was the oldest at 19 years old. He had been a trainee for four years, moving from one agency to another, always on the verge of debut but never quite making it. Dream Entertainment had been his last hope, and now, as leader, he felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.
"Again," he said, his voice firm but not harsh. The other members, equally exhausted, didn't complain. They reset their positions and began the routine again.
Leo, the main dancer, moved with precision and grace, his every step sharp and full of energy despite his fatigue. He had been dancing since he was a child, and his body responded to the music like it was second nature. But even he knew that talent alone wasn't enough. They needed something more—something that would make people notice them.
In the back, Vann, main vocalist, practiced his lines quietly while keeping an eye on the others. He knew his looks would help draw attention once they debuted, but he didn't want to rely on that alone. His voice needed to be just as strong, just as memorable.
At 18, Zhang, the lead rapper, was the quietest of the group, but his intensity was unmatched. His raps were sharp, full of emotion, and he spent every free moment perfecting his lyrics. This debut meant everything to him.
And then there was Jaehyun, the youngest at just 17. He was the maknae, but he had more energy than the rest of them combined. His enthusiasm was infectious, but even he couldn't ignore the uncertainty that hung over them like a cloud. No one knew who they were. They hadn't even been introduced to the public yet, and already it felt like they were fighting an uphill battle.
As the music played again, the boys danced, sang, and rapped with everything they had. In that small, dimly lit practice room, they were stars, even if no one else knew it yet.
---
Later that evening, after practice had ended, the boys gathered in the dorm they shared. It wasn't anything fancy—just a small, two-bedroom apartment provided by the agency. They sat around the small kitchen table, eating instant ramen, their bodies still aching from rehearsal.
"We've been training for years for this," Leo said, breaking the silence. "And we're debuting under an agency no one's even heard of."
Jaehoon looked up from his bowl of ramen, his eyes tired but determined. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy. Dream Entertainment isn't like the big agencies. But that doesn't mean we can't make it."
"But how?" Jaehyun asked, his voice small. "No one even knows who we are. We don't have fans, we don't have anything."
Jaehoon's gaze softened as he looked at the maknae. "We have ourselves. We have each other. That's where we start."
The others nodded in agreement, though the doubt still lingered. They had worked too hard to give up now, but the road ahead seemed impossibly long.
Across the city, Mr. Han sat in his office, staring at the glowing screen of his laptop. He had a plan, but he knew it wasn't enough. Dream Entertainment needed something more, something big. And soon, the world would know AERONIX. He just had to find a way to make them care.
As the night deepened, the boys of AERONIX fell asleep, their minds filled with dreams of stages, lights, and fans chanting their name. They didn't know what the future held, but they knew one thing for sure: when they finally stepped into the spotlight, they would give it everything they had.
Dream Entertainment may not have been popular. It may not have had a massive fanbase or the backing of a powerful agency. But it had heart. And sometimes, in a world as unpredictable as K-pop, heart was all you needed.