Behind the Spotlight

— You’re shaking. Kim Lia looked down at her hands. — I’m not. — You are. The girl sitting beside her smiled. — Your fingers are shaking. Lia discreetly slipped her hands under the table. — It’s just nerves. — Then you’re definitely a trainee. — Why? — Because we’re all nervous here. Lia smiled. — I’m Lia. — Sumi. Sumi held out her hand. — Welcome to Luxen Entertainment. Lia shook it. — Thank you. They were sitting in a waiting room filled with young women. Some were quietly practicing their lines, while others were stretching in front of the mirrors. Sumi looked at Lia. — Do you sing or dance? — Both. — Have you trained somewhere else before? — No. — Then why Luxen? Lia slightly shrugged. — Why not? Sumi burst out laughing. — I like your answer. — What about you? — Me? I've been trying for two years. Lia widened her eyes. — Two years? — Yeah. And you? — It's my first day. — I know. — How? — You look at everything like you're visiting a museum. Lia laughed. — I'm discovering the place. Sumi pointed toward the hallway. — See that door? — Yeah. — Dance room number three. — Okay. — It's cursed. Lia frowned. — Cursed? — If you mess up the same choreography three times, the instructor makes you repeat it until you get it right. — That's not a curse. — It is to me. Lia laughed. — You've been here for two years and you're still afraid of her? — I respect her. — You said “afraid.” — I said “respect.” — Important difference. Sumi smiled. — We're going to get along. A door opened. — Kim Lia? Lia stood. — Yes. — It's your turn. Sumi gave her an encouraging smile. — Good luck. — Thank you. — And breathe. — I am breathing. — Not enough. Lia took a deep breath. — Like this? — Much better. Lia entered the room. — You can start. The music began. Lia danced. She knew the movements, but she wasn't used to dancing in front of several people judging her. When she finished, she caught her breath. A woman checked her tablet. — You're twenty-four? — Yes. — That's a little older than average. — I know. — And you still want to become an idol? Lia smiled. — Yes. The man sitting beside the woman put down his pen. — Why? Lia thought for a few seconds. — Because I've always wanted to try. The woman looked at her again. — You know the schedule will be difficult? — Yes. — Training sessions can last for hours. — I expected that. — And you're ready to start over again and again? Lia nodded. — Yes. The man smiled slightly. — I like that determination. The woman checked her tablet. — We'll give you a trial period. Lia blinked. — A trial period? — You start today. — Thank you very much. — Don't thank us too quickly. You might change your mind tonight. Lia smiled. — We'll see. She bowed slightly before leaving. As soon as the door closed, Sumi rushed over to her. — Well? Lia showed her badge. — I'm accepted. — Seriously? — Yes. Sumi grabbed her hands. — I knew you'd make it! — You've known me for less than an hour. — That doesn't matter. Lia laughed. — Are you always like this? — Only with people I like. — Then I'm lucky. — Exactly. Training started almost immediately. — Five, six, seven, eight! The music filled the room. The trainees started the choreography again. Lia followed as best she could. — Faster! — Sorry! — Don't apologize! Do it again! Sumi gave her an amused look. — Welcome to Luxen. — I'm starting to understand. The music stopped. Lia placed her hands on her knees. — I need a break. — You just had one. — That break was three minutes ago. — So? — I protest. Sumi burst out laughing. — You'll get used to it. — I hope so. A few minutes later, they sat at the back of the room. Sumi opened a small bottle of water. — So, Lia, where are you from? Lia hesitated briefly. — I've moved around a lot. — Oh. Sumi didn't ask anything else. — I'm from Busan. I've wanted to be a singer since I was little. — And your parents? — They think I should get a normal education. — They don't want you to become an idol? — They mostly think I'll give up after six months. Lia smiled. — Then prove them wrong. Sumi raised her bottle. — To our future debut. Lia raised hers. — To our future debut. They clinked their bottles together. The door opened. Almost all the trainees immediately straightened up. Sumi whispered: — AUREX. Lia turned around. Four boys had just entered the hallway. They were instantly recognizable. AUREX, Luxen Entertainment's most popular boy group. Sumi discreetly pointed out the members. — The first one is Min-jae. Next to him, Do-yun. And the youngest is Seo-jun. Lia looked at the last boy. — And him? Sumi smiled. — Kang Jae-hyun. The leader. Jae-hyun walked with the other members. Do-yun was talking quickly. — I'm telling you, it wasn't my fault. Seo-jun sighed. — You always say that. — Because it's never my fault. Min-jae looked up from his phone. — That's exactly what a guilty person would say. — Traitor. Sumi tried not to laugh. Lia smiled despite herself. Jae-hyun, however, said nothing. He walked quietly behind them. Then his eyes settled on Lia. She froze slightly. Their eyes met for a few seconds. Jae-hyun simply nodded in greeting. Lia did the same. Then he continued walking. Sumi immediately moved closer. — He greeted you. — I saw. — He almost never greets new trainees. — Maybe he's just polite. — Maybe. Sumi smiled. — But I'll keep an eye on you. — Why? — Because I can already sense complicated stories coming. Lia threw a towel at her. — Go back to training. At the end of the day, the trainees gradually left the room. Lia was packing her things when Sumi came back in. — You're leaving already? — I have to go to the dorm. — Wait. Sumi handed her a small sheet of paper. — What's this? — Tomorrow's schedule. Lia looked at it. — Wake-up at six? — Yes. — You're joking. — No. — And training at seven? — Yes. Lia stared at Sumi. — I'm going to die. — No. — How can you be so calm? — I've learned to accept my fate. Lia burst out laughing. — Good night, Sumi. — Good night, newbie. — See you tomorrow. — See you tomorrow. Lia left the room. She walked quietly down the hallway. As she passed a row of photographs, she noticed an AUREX poster. The four members were smiling at the cameras. She kept walking. Then she stopped. An older poster was hanging right beside it. It showed five members. One of them had been covered with a black strip. Lia narrowed her eyes. — Who's that? A trainee passing behind her answered quickly: — Nobody. — Nobody? The girl stopped. Her expression changed. — A former member. — He was part of AUREX? The trainee looked at the poster. — Yes. — Why isn't he there anymore? She hesitated. — I don't know. Then she walked away. Lia remained in front of the poster for a few seconds. — Strange. But eventually, she shrugged. She still had a lot to learn about the agency. That evening, Lia returned to the dorm. Sumi dropped her bag onto her bed. — So, first day? Lia took off her shoes. — Exhausting. — But? — But I liked it. — Are you staying? Lia looked at her badge. — Yes. — Good. Sumi turned off the light. — Good night, Lia. — Good night. The room became silent. A few minutes passed. Lia opened her eyes. She looked at Sumi. She was asleep. Lia slowly sat up. She opened her bag. Underneath her clothes was a small black pouch. She took it out. Inside was a badge. Not her Luxen badge. An official badge. NATIONAL POLICE — KIM LIA Her expression changed. She then took out a photograph. The same boy from the old poster. Kang Min-ho. Lia turned the photograph over. A sentence was written on the back. “His death wasn't an accident.” Her phone vibrated. She looked at it. A message appeared. MISSION: INFILTRATION CONFIRMED. Lia stared at the screen. A second message arrived. OBJECTIVE: FIND OUT WHO KILLED KANG MIN-HO. She remained still. Then one final notification appeared. TRUST NO ONE AT LUXEN. Lia slowly raised her eyes toward the door.