Chapter 4: Rising Stars
Tuesday arrived with a buzz that echoed through the K-pop industry. Fans across the globe were eagerly anticipating the next member reveal from COSMIX. The second member to be introduced was Kaito, a talented dancer and vocalist from Japan. As the clock struck noon, COSMIX's official Instagram account posted Kaito's profile, and fans were ready.
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Name: Kaito Yamamoto
Birthdate: June 12, 2006
Position: Main Dancer, Lead Rapper, Sub Vocalist
Nationality: Japanese
Languages: Japanese, Basic Korean, English
Training Period: 4 years
Skills: Hip-hop Dance, Vocal Performance, Martial Arts
Fun Fact: Kaito is an avid skateboarder and has a pet parakeet named Piko.
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The moment Kaito's profile went live, the reaction was instantaneous. Within minutes, COSMIX's Instagram following surged by 10K, and it didn't stop there. By the end of the day, their followers had reached a staggering 456K within just 8 hours. The teaser video featuring Kaito performing a dazzling dance routine, complete with smooth transitions and charismatic expressions, achieved 100K views in just 30 minutes. By the time the clock hit eight hours, the video had garnered 400K views on YouTube.
Kaito's name was not only making waves within South Korea but was also trending in 10 countries: Japan, South Korea, the United States, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Canada, and Australia. COSMIX's Twitter account experienced a dramatic rise as well, with Kaito's name trending and the group's followers reaching an impressive 430K in just 7 hours.
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Kaito watched as the notifications on his phone flooded in. He had always dreamed of this moment—standing in the spotlight, recognized by fans across the globe. However, reality felt overwhelming. As he glanced at the screen, his heart raced. Kaito was overwhelmed by the support and excitement surrounding him.
"Is this really happening?" he thought, a smile creeping onto his face. "I can't believe it."
His fellow COSMIX members gathered around him, their own excitement palpable. Each notification was met with cheers and laughter as they reveled in their collective success. But Kaito also felt a nagging pressure. This was only the beginning, and he wanted to prove himself as a valuable member of the group.
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While COSMIX was riding high on their newfound popularity, Dream Entertainment remained quiet. They chose not to reveal any new members that day, creating an unsettling atmosphere for AERONIX, who found themselves in a mixture of awe and apprehension as they watched the rapid growth of their competitor.
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Jaehoon leaned back in his chair, his phone resting on the table in front of him. As he scrolled through Twitter, the constant barrage of tweets celebrating Kaito's reveal filled his screen. He felt a knot in his stomach. "How are we supposed to compete with this?" he thought.
The reality was harsh. As much as he wanted to focus on their training, he couldn't help but feel the weight of competition pressing down on AERONIX. He glanced over at his members, who were engaged in their discussions about Kaito and COSMIX. The excitement was infectious, but Jaehoon couldn't shake the feeling of doubt creeping in.
"We need to work harder," he announced, rallying his team. "We can't let them outshine us. We have our strengths too."
The members nodded, their determination rekindled. They knew they couldn't dwell on COSMIX's success; they had their own journey to focus on.
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Across the industry, reactions from senior K-pop groups also began to surface. One such group was Eclipse, a six-member boy group that had debuted three years ago under Rising Star Entertainment. Despite being a smaller agency, Eclipse had gained a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim for their music and performances.
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Eclipse Profile:
Name: Eclipse
Agency: Rising Star Entertainment
Debut Year: 2021
Members:
1. Kim Donghae (Leader, Lead Vocalist)
2. Lee Junghoon (Main Rapper)
3. Park Minsoo (Main Dancer, Vocalist)
4. Seo Hyunwoo (Vocalist)
5. Yoon Sangho (Sub Rapper, Visual)
6. Choi Jiwoo (Maknae, Lead Vocalist)
Eclipse had made a name for themselves with chart-topping hits and impressive choreography. Their unique sound and captivating performances had drawn fans from various backgrounds, and they were now regarded as one of the rising groups to watch in the K-pop scene.
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Donghae watched the social media activity surrounding Kaito's reveal with keen interest. "Looks like COSMIX is ready to make a name for themselves," he remarked to his members as they sat together in their practice studio.
"Honestly, it's impressive," Junghoon replied, scrolling through Twitter. "Their follower count is insane. They're going to be a strong competitor."
Minsoo chimed in, "It's exciting, though! This just means we have to step up our game. The more competition, the better it is for the industry."
Donghae nodded. He appreciated the competitive spirit among the new and veteran groups alike. "We'll have to reach out to them after they debut. It'll be interesting to collaborate with fresh talent."
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As the day progressed, fans took to social media, expressing their thoughts and excitement regarding Kaito's reveal. The buzz surrounding COSMIX had reached a fever pitch, with comments pouring in from fans across different platforms.
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"Kaito is going to be my bias! His dancing is next level! #COSMIX"
"Can't believe how fast COSMIX is growing! They're gonna take over the industry! #Kaito"
"I love how COSMIX is bringing international members together! This is what K-pop is all about! 🌏❤️"
"COSMIX is fire! Can't wait for their debut! #COSMIX #Kaito"
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Seojin was ecstatic about Kaito's reveal. He had seen Kaito's dedication and passion during their training sessions, and now that the world was getting to know him, Seojin felt proud to be part of this journey.
"I knew Kaito would be a hit!" he exclaimed to the other members as they gathered to watch the reactions unfold on their phones. "He's so talented, and he has such a good vibe."
As the hours ticked by, the atmosphere in their practice room shifted from excitement to a determined focus. They knew they had to keep pushing themselves, both as individuals and as a group.
"We can't let this momentum fade," Seojin said, rallying his members. "Let's keep working hard. We're COSMIX, and we're going to show everyone what we can do!"
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With the release of Kaito's profile and the massive growth of COSMIX, the competition was heating up. Both COSMIX and AERONIX were on the brink of debut, but the stakes were higher than ever. As both groups continued their journeys, they knew that the world was watching, eager to see who would come out on top in the vibrant world of K-pop.