The Idol and The Manager

Jay Lee

Jay's POV

Jay stretched his arms above his head, his back aching from the endless hours of practice. He could feel the strain in every muscle, the exhaustion in his bones. He yawned, trying to push past the fatigue that was steadily creeping into his mind. It had been another grueling day—one of many in the lead-up to their comeback.

"Jay-a, tired? Same!" Mak’s voice broke through his tired thoughts. Jay glanced over to see Mak’s usual playful grin, though even that seemed a bit forced today. He caught the tiredness in his eyes, the same exhaustion he could see reflected in all the members.

“Same,” Jay said with a tired smile, nodding toward the others. They all seemed to be pushing through the exhaustion together, their usual enthusiasm replaced by the weight of their schedule. The constant rehearsals, the endless practice sessions—it was the price of success, and Jay had long since accepted it. Still, there were days like today when the strain felt like too much.

It was comeback season—the most exciting yet exhausting period for any idol. For the past week, they’d been rehearsing relentlessly, preparing for performances that would have their fans screaming in excitement. They had worked tirelessly for hours, giving it their all despite the lack of sleep. Most nights, they only managed an hour or two of rest before waking up and diving right back into practice. Their bodies ached, their minds were foggy, but the thrill of being on stage kept them going.

Yet, as much as he loved performing, Jay couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing.

He had always dreamed of being a doctor, a dream that seemed so far away now. Jay had been driven by a desire to help others, to make a real difference in the world. He used to imagine himself in a hospital, working with patients, offering comfort, using his skills to heal. It was a simple dream, but one he had held onto since he was a child.

But fate had other plans.

It had all started when he was scouted by SM Entertainment, of all places, while he was doing something he never thought he would be doing—collecting trash and distributing posts. It had seemed so random, so surreal, and yet that moment had changed the course of his life. When SM approached him, he didn’t even know what to think.

Music wasn’t his first love; helping others was. But the offer to become an idol had been too tempting to ignore, and Jay had found himself swept up in the world of K-Pop.

He had enrolled at the Seoul School for Performing Arts to study applied music, a decision that had brought him closer to the music industry and further away from the dream he once held. He enjoyed performing, sure, but there were still times when the pull of medicine, the pull of healing, tugged at his heart. It wasn’t that he regretted his choice—it was just... complicated.

As the seventh member of ECT Dream, a sub-unit of the larger ECT group under MS Entertainment, Jay had found his place in the industry. He was skilled in dance, rap, and vocals, and his good looks often made him the center of attention. He had become an all-around performer, contributing to almost every aspect of the group's music and image.

He had even written lyrics for their songs like “Dear Dream” and “Puzzle Piece,” songs that had a deep meaning for him, reflecting his own journey. But no matter how much he loved being on stage, he couldn’t help but wonder what life would have been like if he had followed his original path.

Jay wasn’t the type to dwell on what-ifs for long. He had his members, his brothers, his family within the group, and that was enough to keep him going. He had always been a bit of an outsider in high school, unable to make many friends. But in the group, with Jen, Mak, Chonlo, Ronjen, Chan, and Sung, Jay had found the camaraderie he’d always wanted. They were more than just bandmates—they were his support system, his strength when everything else felt overwhelming.

But sometimes, when he lay in bed after a long day, exhausted and alone with his thoughts, Jay couldn’t help but think back to his childhood dream. Helping others, saving lives—that had been his calling, his purpose. He’d pushed that dream aside, but it had never truly left him.

"Jen-ya, let's go buy some coffee," Jay said, the idea of a warm cup of caffeine a welcome distraction from the nagging thoughts that lingered in his mind.

Jen glanced at him, his tired face softening with a knowing look. "Okay. Let's go."

They stood up, making their way toward the exit. As they walked down the corridor, Jay’s mind drifted. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the empty hallways, and for a moment, he felt a strange kind of peace. It was brief, fleeting, but it was enough to make him pause. He didn’t regret his journey, not entirely. But there were days when he wondered if he had truly found his purpose.

"Sometimes I wonder if this is what I really want," Jay muttered quietly, half to himself, half to Jen. "If I made the right choice…"

Jen looked at him, his eyes full of understanding. The bond between them was something unspoken but strong, something that had been built through years of shared experiences.

"You made the choice you had to make. We're here now, together. And you've done more for others than you realize."

Jay let out a small, appreciative smile, feeling a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the cold corridors they were walking through. Jen always knew just what to say to make him feel better, to remind him that even if his dreams had shifted, he was still doing something meaningful.

"Yeah," Jay said, his voice quieter now. "Maybe you're right."

They stepped into the elevator, and for the first time that day, Jay felt a little lighter. He had his brothers, his fans, and this group that had become his second family. And while the dream of helping others through medicine still lingered in the back of his mind, he knew that for now, this was where he was meant to be.