Chapter 2: The Calm Before the Storm
The news hit the K-pop industry like a lightning bolt. Dream Entertainment's quiet announcement of their first-ever boy group had barely made ripples, and now, only days later, the industry was shaken again. Starlight Music, one of the titans of the K-pop world, had announced that they, too, were debuting a boy group in 2024. The timing couldn't have been worse for Dream Entertainment, and everyone at the agency knew it.
In his small office, Mr. Han, CEO of Dream Entertainment, leaned back in his chair, staring at the glowing screen in front of him. He was browsing the latest K-pop news, and every headline seemed to carry the same story: "Starlight Music Announces Boy Group Debut in 2024."
Han exhaled a quiet, defeated sigh. He wasn't surprised by the news; Starlight Music had a reputation for striking at the perfect moment. They were a behemoth in the industry, known for creating top-tier idols with massive fan followings, and now, they were setting their sights on debuting their own boy group. He could already picture it: flashy teasers, countdowns, viral choreography, and fans flooding social media with hashtags. Starlight didn't need to try hard to make the world notice—they had the resources, the connections, and the fanbase that smaller agencies like Dream Entertainment could only dream of.
But when Han clicked on the article, he couldn't help but chuckle. The timing was too perfect. It was as if Starlight Music had waited for Dream Entertainment to make their move first, only to crush their hopes with an announcement that would overshadow everything. COSMIX, that was the name they had chosen. Like a cosmic storm, they would inevitably sweep over the scene, leaving nothing but destruction for their competitors. The difference was staggering: within 24 hours of Starlight's announcement, COSMIX had already amassed over 100,000 followers on G-gram, over 110,000 subscribers on WeTube, and more than 123,000 followers on Twitt.
In contrast, AERONIX, Dream Entertainment's group, had struggled to get noticed. Han had decided to introduce the name of the group and launch their official social media accounts the day after the announcement. Despite the small following Dream Entertainment had, they managed to gain some traction. 1,500 followers on G-gram, 2,000 subscribers on WeTube, and 2,300 followers on Twitt within 24 hours. For a small agency, it was a decent start, but compared to Starlight, it felt like a drop in the ocean.
Han ran a hand through his thinning hair, a weary smile tugging at his lips. He was no fool. He had seen this kind of thing happen countless times in the K-pop industry. Big agencies like Starlight always dominated. They had the money to invest in massive marketing campaigns, the influence to get media coverage, and the legacy that drew fans in without question. He knew the odds were against them, but there was something inside him that refused to give up. He believed in AERONIX. He believed in the boys he had trained for years. They had something special, something that no amount of money or influence could manufacture: heart.
With a deep breath, Han turned back to his computer. Dream Entertainment may not have the reach or the resources of Starlight, but that didn't mean they were out of the race. AERONIX still had a chance, no matter how slim it seemed. He clicked on Dream Entertainment's official G-gram account and began typing a new post.
"Introducing AERONIX: Our first boy group, debuting soon. Stay tuned for more updates. #AERONIX #DreamEntertainment #KpopDebut2024"
He attached a simple graphic with the group's name in bold, futuristic letters. No flashy images, no dramatic teasers—just the name and a promise of what was to come. As he hit 'Post,' he felt a flicker of hope. The numbers may not be on their side, but Dream Entertainment was used to fighting an uphill battle. They were a small agency, yes, but small agencies had something the big ones often lacked: hunger.
---
Across the city, in a sleek, high-rise building that overlooked Seoul's bustling streets, the atmosphere at Starlight Music was different. The mood wasn't one of nervous anticipation but of confidence and certainty. Mr. Lee, the CEO of Starlight Music, stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of his expansive office, gazing out at the city below. He could see the winding streets, the glowing signs of K-pop cafes, and the constant movement of people—tourists, fans, and workers all intermingling in the heart of the city that was home to the global K-pop phenomenon.
Lee's office was the picture of modern luxury—sleek furniture, minimalist décor, and a polished sheen that spoke of power and prestige. Everything about the space, much like the company he ran, exuded wealth and success. Starlight Music had been one of the top agencies for over a decade, and Lee had been the mastermind behind some of the most iconic acts in K-pop history. When he had first taken the reins of the company, they had been big, but now, under his leadership, they were untouchable. Their idols dominated charts, sold out concerts around the world, and had millions of devoted fans.
And now, with the debut of their newest boy group, COSMIX, Starlight was ready to do it again.
"100,000 followers in 24 hours," Lee mused, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He turned away from the window and walked over to his desk, where the latest social media reports were laid out in front of him. The numbers were impressive, but then again, he had expected nothing less. Starlight's reputation alone was enough to draw fans by the thousands. The announcement of COSMIX had sent a ripple through the K-pop world, with fans already speculating about the group's concept, members, and debut date. Yet, Lee hadn't revealed much—just the name and the group's social media platforms, similar to what Dream Entertainment had done.
Lee chuckled to himself, thinking about Dream Entertainment. He had seen their announcement about AERONIX and watched as their numbers slowly ticked upward. It was almost endearing how optimistic they were. Dream Entertainment was like a small fish in an ocean full of sharks, swimming upstream against the current. But Lee knew better than to dismiss them completely. The K-pop industry was unpredictable. Sure, talent wasn't always enough to guarantee success, but sometimes, the most unexpected groups could rise to the top. Still, that wasn't something he was worried about. Not when COSMIX was involved.
"Sir," a voice interrupted his thoughts. His secretary, a young woman dressed in a sharp black suit, stood at the door, holding a tablet. "The reports from our marketing team are ready. Would you like to review them?"
"Of course," Lee said, nodding for her to enter. He took the tablet from her and scrolled through the detailed reports. Everything was going according to plan. The marketing team had laid out a comprehensive strategy that would dominate social media in the weeks leading up to COSMIX's debut. There would be teasers, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interactive fan events, and collaborations with high-profile influencers and brands. The buildup would be massive, ensuring that when COSMIX finally stepped into the spotlight, they would already have a global fanbase ready to support them.
"We're expecting follower numbers to hit 500,000 within the next two weeks," the secretary continued, her tone professional and calm. "The engagement rates are already through the roof, and the fanbase is growing exponentially. We haven't even revealed the members yet, and there's already a significant amount of buzz."
"Excellent," Lee said, nodding as he handed the tablet back to her. "This is just the beginning. Keep me updated on the progress. Once we reveal the members, I want a press conference arranged immediately. It's time we show the world what COSMIX is all about."
As the secretary left the room, Lee sat back in his chair, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him. COSMIX was destined for greatness. They had all the ingredients for success—talent, resources, and a marketing machine that would ensure their dominance. He had no doubt that when the dust settled, COSMIX would be the next global sensation. As for AERONIX and Dream Entertainment? Well, they would likely fade into the background, just another small agency trying to make it in a world dominated by giants.
But Lee wasn't one to underestimate anyone completely. He had been in the industry long enough to know that anything could happen. Still, the odds were heavily in his favor, and he wasn't the type to leave anything to chance. COSMIX would debut, and they would debut big. And when they did, the world would know that Starlight Music wasn't just a player in the K-pop industry—it was the leader.
---
Back at Dream Entertainment, the boys of AERONIX were gathered in their practice room, oblivious to the storm brewing on social media. They had no idea that their biggest competition was already preparing to dominate the same stage they were aiming for. All they knew was that they had one goal: to give it everything they had.
"Again," Jaehoon said, his voice steady but commanding.
And once again, the music filled the room, and the boys of AERONIX danced, sang, and rapped with all the energy they could muster. Their bodies were exhausted, their muscles sore, but they didn't stop. They couldn't. Not when their debut are around the corner. Not when the world was finally about to see who they were.
Dream Entertainment might have been small, but they weren't giving up. Not yet.