“What?”
“Honestly, you don’t like being called the ‘Cha Yoonmin Group’ either, right?”
While Yoonmin took a few more puffs on his cigarette, Heewook froze, unable to even respond. Yoonmin stubbed out the half-burned cigarette in the ashtray and stood up. Tapping Heewook’s shoulder lightly with his palm, he was about 5cm taller than Heewook.
“Let’s go our separate ways now.”
Yoonmin’s dry words hung in the air as he trudged out, opened the rooftop door, and left without looking back. The heavy clang of the metal door slamming shut reverberated in Heewook’s ears like a shockwave.
“Separate?”
Left alone, Heewook muttered, his mind blank.
Heewook thought things were fine just as they were. Just moments ago, he was certain of it.
＊＊＊
The name of the group Heewook belonged to was ‘2Planet’.
But there was a name used far more often than the official name ‘2Planet’ or its abbreviations like ‘2P’ or ‘2P’. That name, which was even one character longer than the four-character official name, was ‘Cha Yoonmin’s group’.
“My name is Cha Yoonmin.”
Heewook clearly remembered the day Yoonmin first joined the company. Yoonmin was the last member to join the 2Planet team.
Having trained since childhood at a famous agency, coupled with his tall stature at 183cm, fair skin, and a gentle, soft-spoken handsome appearance, his somewhat lacking dance and singing skills went unnoticed.
Yoonmin made it into the debut lineup immediately, and the company had high expectations for him.
Despite his strikingly good looks, Yoonmin struggled to showcase his charisma on stage. Even with the agency’s strong promotion, he didn’t gain significant popularity early in his career. He also had fewer fans compared to the other members.
Then, in his third year since debut, he appeared in a web drama by chance. The drama became hugely popular with the public, leading to him being cast in a major TV drama almost immediately.
His handsome looks and acting skills, which were largely beyond reproach, earned him praise and successfully drew attention back to his original group.
While some members complained about the sudden upheaval in recognition, Heewook had no grievances about Yoonmin shining as the group’s face.
He believed it was a positive sign and actively supported Yoonmin’s acting career alongside his group activities.
There were many regrets, but he believed everything would ultimately benefit ‘Two Planet’.
Even when comebacks were delayed due to Yoonmin’s schedule, or mistakes happened on stage because of insufficient group practice time. He endured and endured, thinking it was all for the greater good when he looked at the big picture.
But all of that applied only when Cha Yoonmin was present in ‘Cha Yoonmin’s group’.
The variable of Yoonmin’s departure was something Heewook had never once considered.
“Wow, how could he just wrap everything up without even consulting us? Even packing his dorm stuff right away? Cha Yoonmin, that heartless bastard.”
Main rapper Jaegyu slammed his fist on the floor. Lead vocalist Eunsung, who had been quietly opening a can of beer, frowned.
“He never had much ambition for idol work to begin with. He was half-hearted on stage. Even when he got called out for it, he didn’t bat an eye. I knew this day would come.”
“I figured he wouldn’t renew his contract later. But I never expected him to suddenly defect like this.”
Heewook felt the same way. On stage, Yoonmin would half-open his eyes, his eyelids relaxed, yet in dramas, his gaze was impossibly bright and lively.
Still, he’d never mentioned wanting to quit being an idol.
Sure, he made a lot of mistakes on stage, but he never openly disrupted practice. They’d assumed he’d at least follow orders without complaint for the duration of his contract.
“What are we supposed to do now?”
Youngwoo, the youngest member who’d been fidgeting with his toes while the others drank, finally spoke up. He was barely twenty, just out of high school.
Hearing his anxious voice, Heewook picked up a dry snack and popped it into his mouth. He chewed it thoroughly.
“What else can we do? We’ll just have to manage on our own.”
“The four of us?”
Heewook looked around at the members in response to Youngwoo’s question. From the start, their musical talent and passion far surpassed Yoonmin’s.
Except for those who discovered Two Planet through actor Cha Yoonmin, fans who became fans after seeing their stage performances often favored other members over Yoonmin.
“Yes, the four of us.”
So even if Yoonmin left and only the four of them remained, the fans who loved the stage would still be there. Heewook tried hard not to waver, even at the end of his sentence. The three syllables ‘the four of us’ carried weight.
Heewook reached out and patted Youngwoo’s shoulder lightly.
“It’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”
Heewook deliberately spoke each word clearly and forcefully. Though clearly meant for the members, it felt like a boomerang returning to him. He opened another beer can and glanced at Yoonmin’s empty bed.
His body felt heavy, as if Yoonmin’s luggage, left behind after leaving the dorm, had been placed on his shoulders.
[Notice] 2Planet Yoonmin’s Future Activities
Hello. This is ONETHING ENT.
We are providing an update regarding 2Planet member Yoonmin’s future activities.
Currently, 2Planet is preparing for their comeback and is pouring their heart and soul into repaying your support and love.
However, member Yoonmin has been experiencing ongoing back pain and poor physical condition, leading to conflict regarding his singing activities. We have held in-depth discussions with the artist himself and his family about the possibility of future activities. After much deliberation, Yoonmin expressed his intention to suspend group activities, and we have decided to respect his wishes.
Yoonmin has concluded his activities with Two Planet as of today. We sincerely apologize for having to share this news with our fans.
While it is regrettable that he cannot continue with Two Planet, we kindly ask for your warm interest and support for Yoonmin’s future endeavors.
Thank you.
chacha! @**” Guys, the departure notice is out….
[93 Retweets]
LoveYoonMin @**: Yoonmin finally left? T_T
ApologyCat @**: Seriously, Cha-ssi is leaving??? Two Planet is ruined, what do we do?
Seo Yoo @HW_YK00: Cha Se-geolja leaving??? I’m speechless, it’s absurd. I’ve said it before, if you’re just going to half-ass the stage, quit being an idol. But to actually leave like this?
Cha Daraam @**: I… I like his acting too ㅠㅠ But I want to see idol Cha-gun more, why?? ㅠㅠ
Cinnamon @woogieloversclub: Just when TwoPull was finally getting some recognition, they go and ruin everything like this???? Cha Yoonmin, you traitor bastard. My teeth are chatteringㅗ^^ㅗ Being with you was disgusting. Let’s never meet again.
[31 Retweets] [9 Likes]
⤷ I love Cha Yoonmin @**: @woogieloversclub Huh^^; Who even set that award up in the first place?;
⤷ Ttattakongdu @**: @woogieloversclub Our Mini isn’t the type to rot in a shitty place like this, right?
⤷ CODEBLUE @**: @woogieloversclub Well, I guess I’d be hopeless too ㅠㅠ Yoonmin-less Yoonmin Group ㅠ But honestly, shouldn’t Yoonmin be the one sacrificing for the group..?
Cinnamon @woogieloversclub
Ah… Chazoomma, just be quiet. I’m so pissed I could die. No reply. Blocking all of you.
hanwoo @**: Twin Planet, succeed! T_T Let’s succeed so they can see!!!!!!
Cinnamon @woogieloversclub
Yeah T_T Let’s succeed so they can see! He was a member who wasn’t even necessary to begin with. His skills were lacking, yet he took all the parts, making the songs lose their power. Only the Cha members noticed, lol. He couldn’t even handle the choreography properly until the end of the promotions. But we carried him anyway… Oh well, it was all for nothing.
Cinnamon @woogieloversclub: Please make our Heewook succeed. Only Wook, please!!!!!!!!
Cinnamon @woogieloversclub: Honestly, Two Planet has no choice but to succeed!!!!
[1 Like]
⤷ YA @** @woogieloversclub: Ah, seriously, unless K-pop itself faces ruin, our kids will succeed.
⤷ Cinnamon @woogieloversclub: @** Yes. Absolutely. They’ll do even better. Unless a sudden plague spreads and all stages disappear lol, 2PLANET will be top tier. If not, I’ll do a handstand at Sangam Mulbit Park and twerk.
Seongddotto @**: #HeeWookLetter @2_planet_official T_T May tonight be one where you can sleep soundly without sinking into deep thoughts. Heewook, I hope you rest deeply, embracing only encouragement and love, not hurtful words.
Seo-yu @HW_YK00: @2_planet_official Heewook oppa, are you okay? #HeeWookLetter
Seo-yu @HW_YK00: @2_planet_official Don’t break down. Trust your fans and keep running. I’ll always cheer for you.ㅠㅠ #HeeWookLetter
Several hours after Yoonmin’s departure announcement went live, Heewook checked fan reactions online.
As expected, the responses from Yoonmin’s personal fandom, drawn in by the drama, and 2PLANET’s existing fans were completely divided.
Those who loved Yoonmin the actor more than the singer welcomed the news, while those who wanted him to continue idol activities expressed shock and disappointment.
Seeing people cheer for Yoonmin while speaking ill of Two Planet made his heart ache.
Heewook hurriedly tried to close his SNS app, but then tapped the hashtag still in his recent search history. ‘#HeeWookLetter’. It was the tag Heewook’s fans used when leaving messages for him on SNS.
Unlike usual posts dominated by everyday chatter or requests to see him, many messages now expressed concern for the leader’s well-being. Familiar profile pictures and nicknames.
As Heewook scrolled through the worried, short letters, his fingers slowed and then stopped.
Fans often took the group’s matters as their own, or even more seriously than the members themselves. Thinking about how those who had supported him since debut must feel made him feel even more sorry and troubled. He read aloud the encouraging messages left by fans and clenched his fist tightly.
“Keep going…”
There had been many hardships and adversities, both during his trainee days and after debut. He would inevitably face obstacles continuously from now on, and Yoonmin’s departure was just one of the inevitable hardships he would have to face.
So he told himself not to get too discouraged, steeled his resolve, and pressed his hand to his forehead.
‘I can do this.’
To clear his cluttered mind, Heewook left the dorm and stepped outside for some fresh air.
What began as a stroll gradually quickened into a run. After racing through the desolate night streets, he finally reached the practice room.
In the empty, deserted practice room, Heewook devoted himself to practicing alone. He spent more and more time in the practice room than in his lodgings.
After Yoonmin’s departure, Two Planet, now reorganized as a four-member group, poured all their efforts into releasing a new album.
In December 2019, Two Planet’s new song was released after three months. Since it was their first album after Yoonmin—whose dance skills were weaker compared to the other members—left, they deliberately designed the choreography to be highly difficult.
They were determined to showcase the members’ true abilities through a dazzling performance.
“Let’s do this!”
Just before stepping onto the comeback showcase stage, Heewook looked around at the members and shouted.
“We have to do this right.”
At Heewook’s solemn words, everyone nodded with tense expressions.
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