HBH TRAINEES

“You guys need more energy.” LeeBoi critiqued into the microphone. Subin snorted. “They’d have more energy if you gave them a break to rest their vocal cords.” Her statement was overheard through the speaker, but neither of the producers acknowledged the commentary.

“Let’s try it from the top. Remember, more energy.” LeeBoi talked over Subin, ignoring her like usual. Subin rolled her eyes and played with the ends of her hair, her frown somehow drooping more than before.

The recording finally ended when Fren.z’s alarm went off. Their time in the recording studio was up. The trainees exited the studio, thanking all three producers as they passed. When Taehyung dipped into a bow for Subin, Fren.z chuckled dryly. “She’s younger than you, Taehyung. No need to break your back in half.” He laughed. Subin narrowed her eyes at the older producer, giving him a look so icy it made Sanghoon’s eyebrow twitch. Taehyung let out a weak chuckle before leading the other boys out of the studio.

“God, they’re awful to her.” Taehyung whispered as soon as they left. “I should have stood up for her, shouldn’t I?” 

“Nah, Subin can fight her own battles.” Longwei reassured his friend, giving the other trainee a clap on the back. A mischievous smirk spread on his face. “I bet she appreciated that adequate bow, though.” 

“Shh.” Taehyung chuckled, rolling his eyes. “I had to show my appreciation somehow.” The four boys made their way to the elevator, taking it back up to Trainee Town to complete their training for the day.

When most of the trainees filed out of the practice rooms, Sanghoon decided to stay behind. Lately the stress of showcases, trainee events, and upcoming debut team announcements has been getting to him. He wanted to take some time to do what he really loved: creating his own music.

He knew that all studios were free after three. He took the elevator down to The Dungeons alone, his bags slung over his shoulder.  He’d only stay until four, then he’d head to the dorms and get some shut eye before another day of practice. 

Sanghoon headed to his favorite recording studio, the Green Room, at the very end of the hall. As he walked down the hallway, he heard a familiar beat coming from the Red Studio. He slowed his pace, wondering if Fren.z or LeeBoi were still here. Sanghoon contemplated turning back just to avoid any awkward encounter with the producers, but then he heard a feminine sounding growl of annoyance. 

The trainee furrowed his eyebrows and glanced into the studio. At the soundboard was Subin, running her hands through her platinum hair. Suddenly, Subin wheeled the chair she was in back, turning around sharply. Sanghoon and Subin made eye contact, both of them jumping in surprise. 

Subin, with a hand still over her racing heart, opened the door.

“Sanghoon, don’t do that again.” Subin sighed, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward ever so slightly into a ghost of a grin. “Sorry… I just…” Sanghoon fumbled for the words. “No worries, man.” Subin shook her head. “I get sketched out after three anyways. Y’know, witching hour and shit.” 

“Yeah,” Sanghoon’s fingers fidgeted with the straps of his bags. He spends so much physical time with Subin that he forgets that they don’t really know each other. At all. He wasn’t quite sure how to respond to his boss’s daughter. 

“What were you working on?” Sanghoon asked, his eyes darting to the soundboard that Subin was previously sat at.

“Oh, yeah,” Subin looked over her shoulder at the equipment. “The demo you guys recorded earlier sounded like ass once Tweedle Dick and Tweedle Dumbass layered it onto the backtrack. I’ve been trying to fix it, but they created a monster.” 

Subin looked back and Sanghoon with a small grin on her face. “Wanna hear what I’ve got?” 

Sanghoon felt like rejecting the founder’s daughter was not a good idea, so he nodded. Subin let him step into the studio, offering the spare chair next to her at the soundboard.

“See, this is what it sounded like before I got my grimy little hands on it,” Subin pressed play on her computer. The song that they had recorded earlier sounded so manufactured. So bland. Sanghoon’s dislike seemed to have shown on his face, because Subin clapped her hands together and cackled. 

“See? It’s booty isn’t it?” She asked.

“Yeah, that sucks.” Sanghoon agreed. Subin chuckled before typing on her computer again.

“Alright, but now this,” She pressed play. “Is how I think it should sound.” 

Subin’s version was much better. There was more dimension, more personality. She kept the more messier recordings of them chanting rather than the robotic and uniform chant the other producers preferred. The track sounded exciting and fresh.

Sanghoon tapped his fingers to the beat. As good as it was, it was missing something. “Uh-oh,” Subin turned the volume down. “You don’t like something?” 

“No, no. It sounds great. Really great. But…” Sanghoon tried to search for the words.

“Something’s missing, right?” Subin asked. “Yeah.” Sanghoon nodded. “I think you need some like… Adlibs or something.” 

Subin nodded. Her eyes darted to the empty recording booth, then back at Sanghoon. “You’re a rapper, right?” She asked. “Yeah.” “Do you think you could improv some cool adlibs?” She asked, a smirk appearing on her face.

Sanghoon’s plan to stay until four was tossed out the window once he and Subin started bouncing ideas off one another. Even if Sanghoon noticed how late it was, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. He really enjoyed spending time with Subin. She was chill and took things so simply. Being around Subin was like taking a break from reality, and Sanghoon wasn’t ready to return back just yet. It was nearing five in the morning when Subin finally recognized how late they had stayed. 

“Holy hell, look at the time.” Subin gasped, holding up her cellphone. “We should probably go. You have practice in a few hours.” 

“Don’t remind me.” Sanghoon groaned. “Hey, debut announcements come out soon. Hopefully you’ll only be a trainee for a little while longer.” Subin comforted him. “Just enjoy the ride. Soon you’ll be looking back on your trainee days with nostalgia.” 

Sanghoon nodded, taking in her advice. He was just about to leave when a realization hit him.

“Hey, are you walking home alone?” Sanghoon paused in the doorway. Subin chuckled. “Do I really look that weak?” “No, but I’ll still walk you to the subway or something.” Sanghoon shifted his bag awkwardly. 

The producer pouted. “You’re cute, Sanghoon. But don’t worry about it. I’m ordering an Uber to come pick me up in a few. It’ll be right outside the company, don’t you worry.” “Okay. Cool.” Sanghoon nodded, shifting his weight on his feet. “I guess I’ll see you tomor- in a few hours, then?” 

Daisuke let out a low ‘ooh’ of amazement, his cellphone recording the whole thing. Longwei chuckled and stopped stretching to watch the horrific act. Was Songgye the only one deeply disturbed right now? 

Jaehwa cleared his throat, causing Kyungchul to stop abruptly, spilling some water down his chin.  “Kyungchul, maybe we should resume practice.” Jaehwa advised. Kyungchul wiped the water from his chin and swallowed whatever water was left over.  “Right.” Kyungchul clapped his hands together and rubbed them anxiously, just now realizing that the attention on him carried a different weight now that the show was over. “Let’s uh... Let’s do Mirotic again.”  “Good idea.” Jaehwa smiled. Jaehwa moved towards his position and everyone else followed in suit. 

After running through the routine for Mirotic several more times, putting emphasis on the parts they struggled with the most, Jaehwa finally suggested to Kyungchul that they end for the night. Kyungchul then dismissed everyone. 

Songgye, on the other hand, was not going to go back to the dorms with everyone else. He wasn’t able to focus when all of them were practicing together. There was just too much going on. He wanted some alone time to really get the moves down.

When the other boys left, Songgye started the music up again, breaking down one step at a time. He was about an hour into practice when the door opened. Surprised, Songgye jumped back, halting his movements. In the doorway was a messy-haired Hoyong. 

“Jesus,” Songgye placed a hand over his heart. “You scared me.”  “Sorry! I’ll practice next door! Sorry!” Hoyong bowed several times as he backed out of the practice room, closing the door behind him. Songgye shook his head, but resumed his practice.

Only thirty minutes had passed when Hoyong stuck his head into the practice room again, a sheepish smile on his face.

“Hey, hyung...?” Hoyong called out from the doorway. Songgye sighed, stopping his movements again.  “Yes?” “Can I practice in here with you?” Hoyong asked, his voice a little higher pitched than normal. “What’s wrong with the other room?” Songgye asked, only realizing how rude his tone was after the words left his mouth.  “Nothing! I just... It’s late and being alone in that big practice room... The lights sometimes get a little wonky, you know?” Hoyong hesitated. Songgye let out another huff of air. Unfortunately he knows exactly what Hoyong was talking about. The practice room next door was lit a little dimmer and always seemed a little gloomy at night. 

“Yeah, I know.” Songgye nodded. “Come on in.”  Hoyong exhaled deeply, like he was holding his breath this whole time. The younger boy scurried in, closing the door behind him. He placed his stuff on the opposite end of the wall from Songgye’s belongings. Then he took over the other side of the dance room, focusing on his own routine.

Another hour or so passed. Songgye had practiced not only the HBHT20B routine, but the two other routines he had to know for HBHT936 and HBHT1314. Exhausted and sweaty, Songgye waved goodnight to Hoyong, who was still practicing, before heading to the showers. 

Songgye sighed contently as the warm water hit his sore muscles. He started humming the tune to Mirotic, having it be stuck in his head after listening to it all day.  “Jogeum dachyeodo neon, kwaenchanha Oh,” Songgye sang, lathering shampoo into his hair. “Neon nareul wonhae, neon naege ppajyeo,” Another voice sang along with his own. Songgye froze, his blood turning cold with shock. He slowly peeled back the curtain. Sitting on the sink, kicking his feet and still singing along, was Hoyong.

“Hoyong.” Songgye frowned, arching an eyebrow. Hoyong stopped singing, his legs still swinging back and forth. “Yes, hyung?” “What are you doing?” “Waiting for you...” Hoyong gave a weak smile. “Why?” Songgye asked bluntly. Hoyong sighed, looking up at the ceiling. “I’m hungry and I want to go get something to eat at a convince store, but I’m afraid of the dark. And it’s not like there’s anything good at the dorm because Taehyung went shopping this week and he only buys whole grain things. If I wasn’t afraid of the dark I would already be at the convince store by now but I’m terrified and you’re like, six feet tall and strong so you feel safe to walk with at night because I don’t think anyone would mess with you. Me on the other hand...” Hoyong finally looked back at Songgye. “I have a perm.”

Songgye bit his lip. After a speech like that, he couldn’t turn the kid down.  “Fine. Give me five seconds to wash my hair.” Songgye offered. “Sure. I’ll wait here.” Hoyong resumed his leg kicking, humming TVXQ under his breath.

Songgye has never seen anyone inhale tteokbokki so fast in his life. He was convinced he was going to have to reach across the picnic table and give Hoyong the Heimlich maneuver any second now. But Hoyong seemed to be very skilled in shoveling rice cakes into his mouth. He didn’t even cough once. In about five minutes, the empty cup of tteokbokki was placed down on the table with a dull thud.

“Woo!” Hoyong grinned. “That was so good. You should have gotten some, hyung.”  “Nah, I’m fine.” Songgye pursed his lips. In all honesty, he just wanted to go home so he could get some shut eye before practice in six hours. “Whatever you say.” Hoyong shrugged, standing up from the picnic bench. “I know I’ve been really annoying tonight. You were really nice to me though. Thank you.”  “Yeah, it’s nothing.” Songgye shook his head, standing up as well. Hoyong tilted his head at the older trainee, his eyes scanning over the facial features that were illuminated by the street lights above them. “What?” Songgye asked. “You seem sad.”  “Just tired.” Songgye insisted. “No, like... You have that look on your face all the time.” Hoyong frowned. “Like, even when you’re hanging around Jaehwa and Saito.” Songgye hesitated. Suddenly the younger boy seemed a little bit more intimidating now that he was analyzing him. He shifted his weight, debating on whether he should just start walking home or not.

Then Hoyong exhaled. “Sometimes I feel like that too. Like, grey.”  “Grey.” Songgye repeated the word. He had a hard time believing that this little ball of light ever felt dulled, especially compared to his previous actions of the day. “Yeah. Like you feel like you sink into the background, like no one sees you, or cares, or understands.” Hoyong shrugged, looking at the ground. “You just gotta remember that loneliness is a choice. Someone’s always going to listen. You just have to, like, find them.” Songgye let the sudden dump of emotion sit there for a moment, unsure what to do with it. He’s never been good at comforting or conversing about ones emotions. Hoyong snapped himself out of it, straightening up instantly. “We should head back. I’m getting sleepy. I’m sure you’re even more tired than I am.” 

The two finally made it home safe and sound. Hoyong was right, no one did mess with Songgye, except for maybe Hoyong himself. Besides the jumbled mess the younger had left Songgye’s brain in after psycho analyzing him outside the convince store, Hoyong had tried to make Songgye laugh the whole way home. 

After a few more shots, the photographer called in Daisuke and Kotori. The younger kids stepped forward. Kotori and Daisuke were dressed in the same style as the other two, except Kotori was sporting a purple color scheme white Daisuke was in green. Erii was very thankful that they dressed Kotori in something age-appropriate. Her hidden mom mode was always turned on when she was around the younger Japanese girl. 

“Aw, lil Koko.” Saito grinned, patting the top of Kotori’s head fondly. Kotori wrinkled her nose and dodged his touch, sending the crew into a chorus of laughs at the sass that the tall girl was exhibiting. 

The four of them had a very fun shoot. There were shots involving them group hugging, which resulted in Kotori getting sandwiched between all of them. There was one where Erii and Saito were playing ‘tug of war’ with the sleeves of Kotori’s sweater while Daisuke appeared to be shocked in the background. They also had shots where Kotori  and Daisuke were getting pushed around in shopping carts, looking like they were about to collide.

When they were finally finished with group shots, the trio was able to view the previews. They huddled around a monitor with some other staff members, looking at an array of pictures that were taken.  “This one looks like a family portrait.” Erii commented, pointing to one where Saito and Erii were standing next to each other while Kotori and Daisuke sat on stools in front of them. Erii’s hand was on Kotori’s shoulder, smiling brightly. 

“Baby Koko!~” Saito teased, reaching over to give Kotori’s cheek a pinch. Kotori moved away, sticking her tongue out. Erii chuckled, watching Saito pretend to be disgusted with Kotori. Saito rounded to give Daisuke some love, but Daisuke swiftly stepped backward, avoiding any personal touch.

After confirming that they were satisfied with the shoot, the three Japanese trainees were released. They thanked the staff before heading to their manager’s car. 

Once inside the car, Erii checked her cellphone for the first time since the shoot started. The group chat with all her trainee friends in it was blowing up. 

“Jesus, I should have muted them.” Erii complained, showing Saito how many messages were popping up on her phone.  “What’s going on with them?” Saito asked out of curiosity.  “Who knows. Probably boy drama... Jiah’s been a little restless lately.” Erii shook her head, already feeling a headache coming on thinking about Jiah’s recent decisions.  “Yeah... Longwei might have mentioned a thing or two about her.” Saito shared.

Erii shook her head again, this time in disappointment. She’s been a trainee for a long time and she’s seen a lot of wild shit. None of it ever ended well. Her friend, Soyeon from Promise, slept around when she was a trainee and all that was exposed a couple years after her debut thanks to an ex-trainee that never liked her. Jiah isn’t exactly the most likable person at HBH. If she isn’t careful, someone would do the same to her. 

“I think you and I are the only two trainees from HBHT15 who haven’t let our hormones get the best of us.” Saito joked.  “Haeun hasn’t slept around, has she?” Erii asked. Saito shrugged, furrowing his eyebrows. “Why would I know that? I’m not a gossiper like you, Erii.” The man teased.  “I’m not a gossiper! Right, kids?” Erii looked over her shoulder to get the opinion of the younger trainees sitting behind her. Kotori and Daisuke both had earphones in, scrolling through their cellphones without even looking up. “Nevermind.” Erii shook her head, knowing better than to disrupt the 02 liners and their screen time.

Saito chuckled. “But no, can we just talk about how many of our friends are fucking right now?” He asked. “I thought you said you didn’t gossip?” Erii teased. “I’m also a liar. C’mon, you know me.” Saito shrugged. “Anyways, I cannot believe that Jiah is fucking not only Hanjae and Longwei, but I’m pretty sure she’s gonna start messing with Sanghoon too.”  “Sanghoon? He seems too innocent and nice to have a friends with benefits situation going on.” Erii contemplated.  “Think again. He’s nice but he wants to get his dick wet just like any other boy his age.” Saito rolled his eyes. 

“Like Yeetai?” Erii’s grin quirked.  Saito hesitated, a smile forming on his face. “Wait what do you know?”  “Nothing confirmed but... Have you seen him and Seolhee interact lately?” Erii asked. “They’re like in that stage where they don’t get along but they clearly like each other, you know? Kinda like how elementary kids flirt.”  “Oh man.” Saito ran a hand over his face. “I told these fuckers when the season started: ‘don’t mess around with other trainees, it always ends bad’. Now I find out that my own son, the one I raised from when he was a wee baby, is going down the same path as other trainees before him.”  “Tragic, I know.” Erii sympathized with her friends dramatic distraught.  

“At least our maknaes are still pure.” Saito angled his head towards Kotori and Daisuke.

“Actually...” Kotori suddenly spoke up, taking an earbud out. “Kijung has a huge crush on Suwei.”  “It’s true. He’s whipped.” Daisuke sighed. “Mother-” Saito burried his head in his hands. Erii cackled, leaning forward as the laughter rolled through her body. 

Linyang comes from a line of very wealthy Chinese business people. Linyang’s father is the head of a textile manufacturing company while her mother works as the head publisist of a fashion magazine. The rest of their family works as CEOs, international businessmen, actors, models, and film producers.

Linyang did not want to be an idol until about a month ago, when the idea crossed her mind after listening to one of her cousins brag about the new CEO position she had obtained from her father. What was Linyang supposed to do, let her cousin have the whole family’s attention? She requested idol training at HBH the following morning instead of her usual private vocal and dance lessons.

Now her schedule involved actual effort. Now she had to be in the practice room at six in the morning. She couldn’t use social media as freely as she used to. She had to live in dorms with girls she barely knew. And, the worst of it all, she actually had to work with these people.

“Linyang. I’m not gonna say it again.” Rushi clapped her hands together, the little patience that the Chinese trainee had was clearly wearing off. “It’s so important that you don’t just stop dancing when you forget a move. It looks even worse when you stop.” 

Linyang rolled her eyes. “If you actually taught me the steps, I wouldn’t forget them. You move way too fast.”  Rushi arched her eyebrow. Haeun let out a low whistle. 

“It’s not my job to accommodate for your incompetence, princess.” Rushi adjusted her cap, narrowing her eyes at Linyang. “We’re starting from the top. No stopping. Keep your moves clean.” 

The music started again. The phrase “princess” echoed in Linyang’s head throughout the whole routine. When the girls finished, Rushi called for break. 

Linyang marched over to her designer gym bag, which she kept far away from everyone else’s stuff. She didn’t trust any of these rats with her belongings. While the other girls chatted and laughed, Linyang touched up her make up and stretched out her limbs. 

While she was reapplying her concealer, she felt something a little off. She glanced to her right and saw that in the reflection of the mirror, Suwei was watching her while she chewed on the rubber straw on her water bottle. 

Linyang arched an eyebrow. 

“What?” Linyang asked in her foreign tongue. Suwei blinked, slowly raising her finger to her cheek, pointing at a faint red mark.

“What concealer is that?” Suwei asked, responding back in Mandarin. “La Prairie. And no, I don’t know any drugstore dupes.” Linyang frowned at the girl through the reflective glass.  The younger girl didn’t respond. She still watched as Linyang blotted the concealer with her fingertips, concealing any small imperfection on the woman’s face. Linyang usually wouldn’t complain about someone staring, but now it was getting a little awkward. And the small spot that Suwei had pointed to on her own cheek only seemed to be more and more noticeable to Linyang. 

Finally, her nerves snapped. Linyang turned around, narrowing her eyes at Suwei.

“Come here.” She commanded. The younger of the two stepped closer, her eyes wide. Linyang placed a drop of product onto her fingertip and blended it into Suwei’s skin, instantly covering up the small blemish.

“There. Is that what you wanted?” Linyang asked, crossing her arms and arching her eyebrow. Suwei observed the spot where her blemish previously was, touching the skin lightly. “Thank you.” She said breathlessly. “Hm.” Linyang responded with a short huff before Rushi called everyone back to finish up practice before dinner.

When the practice finally broke, Suwei made her way back to Linyang’s side as they gathered their things. Linyang frowned, looking sideways at the younger trainee.  “Linyang, if you want... we can work on dancing together.” Suwei offered, a smile on her face.  Linyang exhaled through her nose. She’d rather fling herself in front of a moving car than accept help. Especially not help from one of these lowlifes. But if she didn’t do better next showcase, her time as a trainee could be cut short.  And having a connection who can speak both Korean and Mandarin well would not be the worst thing.

“Tonight, then.” Linyang said shortly. 

“Tonight. Okay. See you then!” Suwei nodded, giving the older girl a thumbs up before jogging over to Kotori, who was waiting for her friend by the door.