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Every dream begins in a practice
room. 

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Every legend starts with just 
one song, 4 trainees, one shot 

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at debut, and the world that's 
waiting to see if they'll shine 

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or break. 
This is the story of SNWB. 

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Ray the idle pulse. 
Ryan the warm pulse. 

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Kian the Etch pulse. 
Sean the pure pulse. 

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Together, they're chasing their 
first stage against rivals, 

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against pressure, and sometimes 
against each other. 

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But every beat, every note, 
every fight brings them closer 

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to saying one thing to the 
world. 

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We are SNWB. 
SNWB. 

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The company's practice studio 
wasn't designed for dreams. 

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It was a rectangular box lined 
with mirrors that bore the scars

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of 100 routines. 
Fingerprints, scuffs, tape marks

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that never came off. 
The fluorescent lights buzzed 

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above, casting a pale glow that 
flattened everything except 

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sweat. 
And there was plenty of that. 

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The speakers clicked off, and 
the cover track they'd been 

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drilling for the last two hours 
collapsed into silence. 

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The boy staggered apart, each 
falling into his own rhythm of 

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exhaustion. 
Ray stayed in front of the 

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mirror. 
His silver dyed hair clung to 

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his forehead, damp and messy, 
but his grin didn't fade. 

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He wiped the sweat from his jaw 
with his wrist, rolling his 

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shoulders as though the 
performance wasn't over. 

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Even here, with no one watching,
he sparkled. 

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Ray was idle, pulse flirty, 
magnetic. 

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The one who moved like the stage
belonged to him. 

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Ryan, by contrast, walked calmly
to the side and reached for his 

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towel. 
He folded it neatly before 

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pressing it to his face, posture
still straight, chest rising in 

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steady rhythm. 
His dark hair was plastered to 

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his temples, but his eyes were 
clear, his presence grounding. 

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He was warm, pulse sincere and 
steady, the one who made the 

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chaos feel like it had a centre.
Kean threw himself flat on the 

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wooden floor, arms spread wide, 
sneaker squeaking as he 

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stretched out like he was done 
for the day, but the restless 

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tapping of his foot against the 
ground gave him away. 

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His WAVY hair was damp, falling 
into sharp eyes that burned even

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through fatigue. 
He smirked, daring the ceiling 

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to try him. 
Kian was edge, pulse, bold, 

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emotional, a rebel with fire in 
his chest, and Shun, the 

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youngest collapsed by the water 
cooler. 

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His cheeks were flushed pink and
he hugged the bottle with both 

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hands, gulping like he had in 
drunken days. 

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He wiped his mouth with the back
of his hand and laughed at 

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nothing in particular, just the 
thrill of moving, of belonging. 

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Shun was pure pulse, radiant, 
open innocents that refused to 

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be dimmed. 
The door opened. 

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Their producer stepped inside. 
No greeting, no nod, no smile. 

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He didn't even look at them. 
He simply pulled out his phone, 

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tapped at the screen and linked 
it to the Bluetooth speaker. 

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The room filled with something 
new. 

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Not a cover, not another trainee
routine. 

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The track exploded, bright and 
sharp, rookie pop energy 

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spilling from the speakers, the 
kind of sound that demanded 

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light sticks and screams. 
The beats hit the mirrors, the 

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floor, their chests. 
Ray froze, then grinned wider, 

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eyes locked on his reflection as
though he was already on stage. 

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Ryan's had lifted, calm but 
alert, his gaze shifting to 

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catch the others in the mirror. 
Kian propped himself up on his 

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elbows, sweat dripping down his 
neck, smirk fading into 

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something closer to awe, and 
Shun nearly spilled his water, 

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clapping along off beat, his 
grin stretching until it hurt. 

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They didn't know it yet, but the
song that had just shaken the 

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mirrors would be theirs. 
The final beat snapped into 

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silence, and for a moment the 
room held its breath. 

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The boy stood frozen, sweat 
dripping, as if afraid that any 

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sound might break the spell the 
track had cast. 

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Then the producer moved. 
Without ceremony, he set a small

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stack of papers on the desk, 
crisp white sheets, the ink 

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still smelling faintly of toner 
lyric sheets. 

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It's a demo, he said, his tone 
flat, clipped. 

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You'll practice with it. 
I'll decide later who sings 

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what. 4 pairs of eyes locked on 
the stack, 4 bodies shifted 

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toward it at once. 
Ray's hand was quickest. 

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He slid a sheet toward himself 
like a prize, the corners 

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crumpling beneath his damp 
fingers. 

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He scanned the lines with hungry
eyes, lips twitching into a 

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grin. 
The words weren't his yet, but 

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he mouthed them anyway, shaping 
the vowels already imagining his

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voice echoing across the stage. 
When he reached the chorus, he 

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leaned back with a satisfied 
smirk. 

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Perfect for me. 
He muttered, almost to himself, 

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but loud enough for the others 
to hear. 

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Ryan reached next. 
He lifted the paper carefully, 

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unfolding it as though it might 
tear if handle too rough. 

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His dark eyes moved line by 
line, steady and focused. 

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He didn't boast, didn't argue. 
Instead, he hummed softly under 

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his breath, pitching the notes 
in his head, testing the fit. 

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The sound was barely audible, 
but it carried warmth, a quiet 

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promise of what his voice could 
do. 

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Still, his fingers pressed to 
tighter against the page, 

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betraying A tension he didn't 
let show on his face. 

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Keon grabbed his copy and 
flipped immediately to the 

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section with rapid fire 
syllables. 

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His lips curled into a grin the 
moment he found them. 

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Without waiting, he wrapped the 
first few lines out loud. 

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The spark, the fire, the dream 
we claim. 

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Remember this breath. 
Remember our name. 

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His voice still rough from 
dancing but full of fire. 

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The words tumbled out fast, 
uneven but charged. 

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He slapped the lyric sheet 
against his thigh and laughed, 

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eyes glinting. 
This part's mine, he declared, 

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sharp and uncheckable. 
Shun was lost. 

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He pulled the paper toward 
himself with both hands, holding

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it close as though it might 
disappear. 

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His wide eyes moved across the 
line slowly, lips forming silent

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shapes before he dared to let 
sound escape. 

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His voice cracked on the first 
try, thin and off key, and he 

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winced. 
Then he laughed at himself, 

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cheeks pink, whispering that the
words were beautiful. 

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His wonder was unguarded, 
childlike, impossible not to 

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notice. 
The producer gave no reaction. 

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He only tapped at his phone 
again. 

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The demo restarted, the beat 
pulsing back through the 

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mirrors. 
This time, the boys didn't stay 

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still. 
Ray stepped forward, 

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instinctively pulling the chorus
out of the speakers and into his

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own voice. 
It wasn't polished, too breathy,

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off tempo, but it rang with a 
magnetic energy that pulled the 

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room toward him. 
Peon cut across with the rat 

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break, his rhythm jagged but 
bold. 

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Every syllable spat like a 
challenge. 

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He moved his body with it, 
throwing sharp gestures, already

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carving out a stage in the 
cramped studio. 

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Shun came in late, chasing the 
beat, clapping along as he tried

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to follow Ray's melody. 
He stumbled, tripped on the 

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words, but his laugh never 
faltered. 

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His joy filled the gaps his 
voice couldn't reach, and Ryan's

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voice threaded through it all. 
He didn't push, didn't fight, 

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just sang, his lines steady and 
sure, smoothing the chaos around

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him. 
It wasn't loudest, but it 

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carried A warmth that caught the
edges of their energy and kept 

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it from flying apart. 
They circled the room like it 

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was already a stage, Ray pulling
forward, chest out every step of

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performance. 
Kian throwing himself sideways 

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into sharp, rebellious motions. 
Shun bouncing behind off beat 

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but radiant. 
Ryan grounding them all 

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adjusting steps with quiet 
precision, his towel still 

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looped around his neck like he 
hadn't even stopped to put it 

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down. 
It was messy, off key, too many 

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voices fighting for space. 
Sweat hit the floor with every 

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turn. 
The mirrors shook with 

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overlapping echoes, laughter 
breaking through as often as 

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lyrics. 
But it was alive. 

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Ray dropped his hand from the 
air and barked a laugh. 

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If you can't keep up, just let 
me take the chorus, I'll carry 

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it. 
PN shot back instantly, smacking

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his lyric sheet against his leg.
Young. 

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Keep dreaming. 
The rap's mine and I'll make it 

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the only part fans remember. 
He called Ray young. 

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Older brother Kian was only a 
year younger, but in the strict 

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hierarchy of trainees, that year
meant respect even when he was 

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teasing. 
Shun, breathless, shuffled 

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behind Kian like a shadow. 
His voice was smaller, hesitant.

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Can I maybe just have the ending
line? 

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It's short, but it feels 
special. 

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His cheeks reddened even as he 
said it, fingers tugging at the 

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back of Kian's shirt like an 
anchor. 

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Ray's grin widened. 
MC nay wants the big moment, 

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huh? 
MC nay? 

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The youngest, Shung, was three 
years younger below Ray and 

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Ryan, the one they teased and 
shielded in equal measure. 

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Ryan looked up from where he was
adjusting his footing. 

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His voice was calm, almost 
fatherly. 

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Let's not fight parts before 
they're even given. 

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Producer decides we just make it
sound good. 

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Kian glanced back at Shun, still
clinging nervously. 

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He ruffled the younger's hair 
without thinking. 

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Relax, MC. 
Nay, you'll get your moment 

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then. 
With a playful smirk, he gave 

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Shun a light pat on the butt, 
the kind of gesture that in any 

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other group might just mean get 
moving. 

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Shun squeaked, stumbling forward
with a laugh that cracked mid 

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breath. 
His blush deepened, spreading 

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all the way to his ears. 
Ray smirked from the mirror. 

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Told you Mcnay better keep up or
Kean Young's going to drag you 

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by force. 
Ryan shook his head, but even he

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smiled. 
And then, without anyone calling

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it, they each drifted to their 
own corners. 

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Ray humming the chorus under his
breath, eyes locked on his 

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reflection. 
Kim, pacing, rapping, lines 

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sharper each time. 
Shun, trailing after him, still 

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lit up, pink from the touch. 
Ryan standing tall in the 

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center, voice steady, guiding 
himself back on the pitch. 

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The speakers still pulsed 
faintly, but the real music was 

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spilling out of them now. 
Not just sound, but intent. 

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For the first time, they weren't
practicing someone else's 

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choreography, someone else's 
words. 

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They were standing at the edge 
of something that belonged to 

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them, and it was only beginning.
SNWB. 

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The week stretched into a blur 
of music and sweat. 

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The same song played over and 
over until it stopped feeling 

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like sound from a speaker and 
began to live in their bones. 

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Most mornings the producer 
barely looked up from his phone,

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but then he would call one of 
them out, his voice low and 

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deliberate. 
Again, second verse slower or 

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repeat the rap, sharper this 
time. 

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He never explained why, never 
said who the part belong to, 

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only sing it again. 
Ray noticed he was always pulled

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to the chorus, Ryan to the 
bridge, Kean to the rap, and 

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Shun. 
Shun was the strange one. 

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Some days the producer called 
him forward to spit the rap, 

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stumbling through syllables that
tumbled too fast for his breath.

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Other days it was the softer 
Korean lines versus meant to 

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float above the beat. 
His voice wavered, but when it 

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caught, it glowed, delicate, 
unexpected. 

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Shun didn't tell the others, not
out loud, but after each 

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session, when they broke for 
water, he edged close to Qian, 

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whispering quick updates. 
Hyung, he made me rap again 

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today, or this time it was the 
verse. 

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He kept stopping me, told me 
slower, softer. 

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00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:52,880
Qian listened, eyes narrowing 
with every word. 

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00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:56,480
He clapped Shun's shoulder, 
sometimes rough, sometimes 

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reassuring. 
Good. 

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Keep telling me, macnae, we'll 
figure it out. 

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But the fire in his grin 
betrayed Moore. 

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Shun wasn't just the macnae 
anymore. 

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He was becoming competition. 
But as the days wore on, Ray 

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started leaning into the chorus,
throwing his voice higher, 

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sharper, testing how the hook 
could carry. 

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By midweek, his silver hair was 
sticking to his forehead as he 

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00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:22,440
pushed through another run, his 
pitch wavering with exhaustion 

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00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:26,160
but still radiating charisma. 
He spun toward the mirror, 

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midline, grinning as if an arena
of fans screamed back. 

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00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:31,960
Idle pulse. 
Born for the hook, born for the 

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00:12:31,960 --> 00:12:34,360
spotlight. 
Ryan didn't compete. 

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00:12:34,840 --> 00:12:38,120
He waited for the others to 
fade, then slipped his voice 

230
00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:41,800
through the cracks, rich, warm, 
steady. 

231
00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:45,000
When he sang the bridge, the 
room stilled even key and 

232
00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:46,760
paused, caught by the depth in 
it. 

233
00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:50,400
One pulse, the voice that 
carried weight, the voice that 

234
00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:54,600
deserved main vocal key and tore
into the rap sections, spitting 

235
00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:58,080
the words like fire. 
His rhythm was raw, his breath 

236
00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:01,000
control uneven, but every line 
came with force. 

237
00:13:01,520 --> 00:13:04,800
He struck sharp angles with his 
arms, carving out space in the 

238
00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:07,120
dance even as he stumbled on 
footwork. 

239
00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,520
Edge pulse. 
He wanted to own both rap and 

240
00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,480
center, no matter who stood in 
his way. 

241
00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,120
And Shun, cheeks still flushed 
from dancing, practiced the rap 

242
00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:20,120
and the softer lines on the 
softer lines. 

243
00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:22,320
His voice cracked on the high 
note the first day. 

244
00:13:22,640 --> 00:13:26,920
The second, it wavered less. 
By the third, it rang clear. 

245
00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,440
Pure in a way none of the others
could match. 

246
00:13:29,720 --> 00:13:32,720
Pure pulse, innocence with an 
unexpected strength. 

247
00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:35,400
The mirrors reflected more than 
voices. 

248
00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:37,720
They revealed the fight for 
space. 

249
00:13:38,360 --> 00:13:41,640
Ray always moved to center 
first, pulling the choreography 

250
00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:44,600
toward him with sharp turns and 
flashy gestures. 

251
00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:47,920
Kean pushed back, stepping 
forward when the beat dropped, 

252
00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:50,840
his sneaker squeaking as he 
tried to claim the middle. 

253
00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,200
They collided more than once, 
shoulder to shoulder, sparks in 

254
00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:57,960
their laughter and frustration. 
Ryan adjusted them quietly, 

255
00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:00,960
shifting an arm here, a step 
there, his steady presence 

256
00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:04,480
smoothing what chaos he could. 
And Shun followed from the back,

257
00:14:04,640 --> 00:14:08,280
learning to time his steps, his 
wide grin softening the edges of

258
00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:11,040
the fight. 
By the end of the week, the 

259
00:14:11,040 --> 00:14:14,280
outlines of roles were clear, 
even if the producer hadn't 

260
00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,040
announced them. 
Ryan's voice anchored the main 

261
00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:20,360
vocal lines. 
Kean's rap burned too brightly 

262
00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,160
to be given away. 
Ray's charisma made him the 

263
00:14:23,160 --> 00:14:25,680
inevitable center, no matter how
Kean pushed. 

264
00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:30,640
And Shun, gentle, radiant, was 
sub vocal, the bright lift that 

265
00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:34,400
filled the spaces in between. 
But clarity didn't mean peace. 

266
00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:38,240
Your foot's late again. 
Ray said, breathless, pointing 

267
00:14:38,240 --> 00:14:40,800
toward the mirror as he adjusted
his own stance. 

268
00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:43,760
His grin was sharp, playful, but
edged. 

269
00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,320
Kian barked out a laugh. 
Hyung, you call that sharp? 

270
00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,760
You're half a beat ahead. 
If anyone's wrong, it's you. 

271
00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,240
He exaggerated the step, 
snapping his sneaker against the

272
00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:58,520
floor with force. 
Ray mirrored it, bigger, bolder,

273
00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:01,120
spinning just enough to make it 
look like a stage move. 

274
00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:05,280
See, that's called flair. 
You should try it sometime. 

275
00:15:05,800 --> 00:15:08,400
Kian stepped forward until they 
were nearly shoulder to 

276
00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:11,400
shoulder, smirk matching Rays 
flare. 

277
00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:15,200
That's called sloppy. 
Shun, hovering close behind 

278
00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:19,200
Kian, lifted a hand hesitantly. 
But I think Ray Humes right 

279
00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:22,640
before he could finish. 
Ryan's voice cut through, steady

280
00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:24,680
and low. 
Not now, Mcnay. 

281
00:15:25,000 --> 00:15:28,600
Shun froze, cheeks heating. 
He lowered his hand quickly, 

282
00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:31,200
nodding. 
The tension broke with a laugh 

283
00:15:31,200 --> 00:15:33,400
from Ray, though his eyes still 
glinted. 

284
00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:37,080
Kian rolled his shoulders, as if
the fight was settled only in 

285
00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:39,720
his head. 
Ryan exhaled, adjusting his 

286
00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:41,880
towel at his neck. 
Quiet but firm. 

287
00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:44,680
Focus on the beat. 
The rest will come. 

288
00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:47,600
And for a moment, the room fell 
back into rhythm. 

289
00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,920
Four boys circling the same 
song, each chasing their own 

290
00:15:50,920 --> 00:15:54,120
place inside it. 
It wasn't official yet, but the 

291
00:15:54,120 --> 00:15:57,280
song was already shaping them. 
And in the mirrors, for the 

292
00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:00,080
first time, they didn't look 
like trainees covering someone 

293
00:16:00,080 --> 00:16:02,760
else's routine. 
They looked like a group. 

294
00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:08,120
SNWB. 
The studio felt transformed. 

295
00:16:08,640 --> 00:16:11,440
Gone were the scratched mirrors 
and sweat soaked wood. 

296
00:16:11,960 --> 00:16:15,640
In their place, white backdrops 
stretched taut, silver lamps 

297
00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:18,440
humming with heat reflectors 
angled just so. 

298
00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:20,720
Racks of clothing lined the 
wall. 

299
00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:25,160
Stylists swarmed like bees, 
tugging sleeves, blotting skin, 

300
00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:28,200
spraying hair into shape. 
For the boys, it was the first 

301
00:16:28,200 --> 00:16:30,200
time they weren't dressed like 
trainees. 

302
00:16:30,720 --> 00:16:32,840
It was the first time they 
looked in the mirror and saw 

303
00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:36,840
idols staring back. 
Ray stepped forward first, His 

304
00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:40,960
silver hair now teased sharp, 
cut the light with every angle. 

305
00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:44,080
Eyeliner darkened his grin into 
something magnetic. 

306
00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,640
He winked at the camera, tilted 
his chin, and the shutter 

307
00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:52,360
clicked in rapid bursts. 
Idle pulse, confident, flirty. 

308
00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:54,160
The spark that made staff 
whisper. 

309
00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:56,640
That's the one who make fans 
scream first. 

310
00:16:57,000 --> 00:16:59,880
Ryan followed his outfit. 
Darker, sleeker. 

311
00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:03,400
He didn't force himself into 
expressions, didn't overplay. 

312
00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,760
He simply looked into the lens 
with eyes that felt steady, 

313
00:17:06,839 --> 00:17:10,760
sincere, trustworthy. 
Every photo came out grounded, 

314
00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:15,280
natural, warm pulse, quiet but 
undeniable, the one whose 

315
00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,359
presence seemed to calm the 
noise around him. 

316
00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:20,760
Then came Kian. 
His jacket hung half off 1 

317
00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:23,640
shoulder hair falling wild over 
sharp eyes. 

318
00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:27,160
He tilted his head, smirked as 
though the camera wasn't worth 

319
00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:29,960
his full attention, then 
suddenly leaned forward with 

320
00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:34,040
fire, arms cutting angles. 
Every frame radiated defiance, 

321
00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:38,440
edge, pulse, rebellious, 
magnetic, the danger that burned

322
00:17:38,440 --> 00:17:42,440
against Ray's Polish and Shun. 
His hair was brushed down, 

323
00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:45,840
softer, his clothes lighter. 
At first he froze, shoulder 

324
00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:49,720
stiff, lips pressed tight, but 
when the photographer coaxed him

325
00:17:50,160 --> 00:17:54,640
relax, smile, he let out a 
laugh, bright and unguarded. 

326
00:17:55,200 --> 00:17:58,480
The shutter caught at mid 
breath, pure and real, pure 

327
00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:01,160
pulse, radiant innocence, the 
kind that couldn't be 

328
00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:04,080
manufactured. 
Together they moved in for group

329
00:18:04,080 --> 00:18:06,720
shots, closer, shoulder to 
shoulder. 

330
00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:09,800
The photographer shouted, Ray in
center. 

331
00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,120
Ryan, anchor the side under Ray,
peen, tilt forward. 

332
00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:19,000
Shun smile softer. 
Flashes popped, catching Ray's 

333
00:18:19,000 --> 00:18:23,560
playful grin, Keon's cocky lean,
Ryan's steady gaze, and Shun's 

334
00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,560
hesitant smile turning warm at 
the monitor. 

335
00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:28,280
They hardly recognize 
themselves. 

336
00:18:28,800 --> 00:18:32,920
No longer 4 sweaty boys fighting
for space in a practice room. 4 

337
00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:35,640
rookies, raw but magnetic. 
Already a group. 

338
00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:39,840
When the shoot rapped, the 
lights cooled, makeup smudged, 

339
00:18:40,360 --> 00:18:43,480
The boys slumped against the 
backdrop, catching their breath.

340
00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:45,200
That's when the producer 
appeared. 

341
00:18:45,240 --> 00:18:48,240
He didn't raise his voice. 
He didn't need to. 

342
00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:51,680
Parts are assigned. 
The words pulled them upright. 

343
00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:58,520
Ryan main vocal, Kian main rap, 
Ray leader, center sub vocal, 

344
00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:01,680
Sean sub vocal, visual and sub 
rap. 

345
00:19:02,160 --> 00:19:04,640
The silence stretched heavy with
meaning. 

346
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:08,040
Ray grinned, satisfaction 
flashing like it had been 

347
00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:11,280
obvious all along. 
Center was his, and he wore it 

348
00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:14,520
like a crown. 
Ryan dipped his head, quiet but 

349
00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:18,240
certain, the weight of main 
vocal fitting neatly across his 

350
00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:21,560
shoulders. 
PN smirked, pleased that main 

351
00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:24,840
rap but restless. 
His eyes still flick toward Ray,

352
00:19:25,120 --> 00:19:28,680
the fire of competition 
unquenched, and Shun blinked, 

353
00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:31,840
cheeks colouring. 
He laughed softly, almost 

354
00:19:31,840 --> 00:19:35,360
disbelieving. 
Sub vocal and sub rap, not the 

355
00:19:35,360 --> 00:19:38,360
fire key and spat, but a 
narrative rhythm spoken more 

356
00:19:38,360 --> 00:19:41,320
than shouted lines that would 
surprise with sincerity. 

357
00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:45,280
Pure pulse, innocent on the 
surface, but with words that 

358
00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,240
could cut deeper than anyone 
expected. 

359
00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:51,240
The producer gave no further 
praise, no further instruction. 

360
00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,920
He left them with only their 
titles, their places, their 

361
00:19:54,920 --> 00:19:58,200
rolls carved into stone. 
For the first time, they weren't

362
00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:01,200
guessing. 
For the first time, SNWB had 

363
00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:04,360
shape, and in the glow of 
cooling lamps, they stood 

364
00:20:04,360 --> 00:20:07,480
taller, the weight of their new 
identities pressing into their 

365
00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:10,960
shoulders like destiny. 
SNWB. 

366
00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:15,240
The dorm was quieter than the 
studio, but not by much. 

367
00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,360
Shoes kicked into corners, ram 
and cups stacked on the table, a

368
00:20:19,360 --> 00:20:22,200
faint hum from the fridge 
filling the pauses between their

369
00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:24,720
laughter. 
Shun sat cross legged on the 

370
00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:28,440
floor, phone in his lap. 
His thumbs tapped nervously at 

371
00:20:28,440 --> 00:20:30,880
the screen, eyes darting between
ABS. 

372
00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:35,320
After a moment, he looked up. 
Hyungs, Is anyone even searching

373
00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:38,720
for us yet? 
His voice was soft, hesitant, as

374
00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:40,640
if the question itself might be 
too fragile. 

375
00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:44,960
Ray snorted from the couch, 
silver hair still perfectly out 

376
00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:47,680
of place. 
Of course they will, just wait. 

377
00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,520
Ryan didn't look up from folding
his towel. 

378
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:54,400
It takes time, Shun. 
His voice was steady but kind. 

379
00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:59,280
Kian leaned over the back of the
couch with one hand, casual and 

380
00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:01,720
unthinking. 
He brushed Shun's hair back from

381
00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:04,840
his forehead. 
Relax, kid, they don't even know

382
00:21:04,840 --> 00:21:07,240
us yet. 
His tone was teasing, but his 

383
00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:08,960
touch lingered a moment too 
long. 

384
00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:13,520
Shun's breath caught. 
His cheeks warmed instantly, a 

385
00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:15,360
flush spreading before he could 
hide it. 

386
00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:18,760
He ducked his head, fumbling 
with his phone, pretending to 

387
00:21:18,760 --> 00:21:21,720
focus on the screen. 
That's when the notification lit

388
00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:24,440
up. 
A teaser, sharp and black, 

389
00:21:24,640 --> 00:21:26,360
glowing against the small 
display. 

390
00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:29,800
Silhouettes of five figures 
stood still, a single word 

391
00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:31,480
beneath them in red edged 
letters. 

392
00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:34,680
Obsidian. 
The name looked heavy, 

393
00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:37,320
unbreakable. 
Their teaser was stark. 

394
00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:40,960
No faces, just shadows, the 
promise of something polished 

395
00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,000
and dangerous. 
Ray leaned over Shuns shoulder, 

396
00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,480
his grin faltering as he studied
the outlines. 

397
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:50,320
Kian scoffed, pulling back with 
a laugh, muttering that dark 

398
00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:52,960
filters and dramatic names 
couldn't make a group real. 

399
00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,600
Ryan frowned, quiet but firm, 
telling them to focus on 

400
00:21:56,600 --> 00:21:59,280
themselves. 
But Shun kept staring at the 

401
00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:02,680
screen, his cheeks still pink 
from earlier, caught between awe

402
00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:06,840
and nerves. 
Then another vibration buzzed 

403
00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:10,160
through all their phones at 
once, a message from the company

404
00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,120
chat. 
Official debut date confirmed 

405
00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:15,600
three weeks. 
The dorm erupted. 

406
00:22:16,120 --> 00:22:18,840
Ray whooped and threw his arm 
around Ryan's shoulders. 

407
00:22:19,360 --> 00:22:22,560
Kian leapt onto the couch, 
laughing, while Shun clapped his

408
00:22:22,560 --> 00:22:24,800
hands together, voice cracking 
with joy. 

409
00:22:25,360 --> 00:22:28,200
Their noise filled the small 
room, spilling out into the 

410
00:22:28,200 --> 00:22:32,280
night, and in the glow of Shun's
forgotten phone, Obsidian 

411
00:22:32,280 --> 00:22:36,000
silhouettes remained still, 
sharp, silent, watching. 

412
00:22:36,520 --> 00:22:42,080
The rivalry had begun. 
BSNWB. 

413
00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:46,120
They started the week as 
trainees, fighting for space in 

414
00:22:46,120 --> 00:22:50,320
front of cracked mirrors. 
Now they stand as SNWB 4 Voices,

415
00:22:50,320 --> 00:22:54,000
4 Pulses, 1 Dream. 
But with debut on the horizon 

416
00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:57,160
and rivals already casting 
shadows, the road ahead won't be

417
00:22:57,160 --> 00:22:59,320
easy. 
Every beat will test them. 

418
00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:03,080
Every stage will shape them. 
And this was only the beginning.

419
00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,800
You've been listening to WE 
RSNWB Episode 1, the debut 

420
00:23:07,800 --> 00:23:09,960
track. 
See New World Breathe is out 

421
00:23:09,960 --> 00:23:12,560
now. 
Find the link in the description

422
00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:14,160
and hear the song that started 
it. 

423
00:23:14,160 --> 00:23:18,200
All four trainees stood in a 
practice room, sweating through 

424
00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:21,120
a song that wasn't theirs until 
it became theirs. 

425
00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:25,320
They fought, they laughed, they 
stumbled, and by the end they 

426
00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:28,280
weren't just covering someone 
else's dream, They were becoming

427
00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:32,680
SNWB Ray Idle Pulse. 
Ryan Warm Pulse. 

428
00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:38,120
Kian Edge Pulse. 
Shun Pure Pulse, four boys, one 

429
00:23:38,120 --> 00:23:42,120
name, one song. 
And now the spotlight is coming.

430
00:23:42,600 --> 00:23:45,160
The cameras are ready, the 
teasers are rolling, and the 

431
00:23:45,160 --> 00:23:47,560
world is about to see them for 
the very first time. 

432
00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:51,600
But famous and simple, when the 
light shines on one, it casts 

433
00:23:51,600 --> 00:23:54,720
shadows on the others. 
When rivals step forward, 

434
00:23:54,800 --> 00:23:58,520
competition turns sharper. 
And for Ray, the stage will give

435
00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,040
him everything he's wanted, but 
maybe cost him more than he 

436
00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:04,480
knows. 
This is We Are SNWB Episode 2, 

437
00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:11,080
the spotlight. 
The studio was no longer just a 

438
00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:13,320
set. 
With the lights blazing and the 

439
00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:15,360
track pulsing, it became their 
stage. 

440
00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:19,120
The choreographer clapped 
sharply, Positions again from 

441
00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:21,800
the top. 
The music hit and the boys fell 

442
00:24:21,800 --> 00:24:24,440
into line. 
Their sneakers thudded against 

443
00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:28,120
the taped markers on the floor, 
arms slicing the air in perfect 

444
00:24:28,120 --> 00:24:31,480
sync. 
At least almost perfect key in 

445
00:24:31,480 --> 00:24:34,040
more to the left. 
The voice cut through the beat 

446
00:24:34,040 --> 00:24:36,640
like a whip. 
Kean's smirk faltered. 

447
00:24:37,120 --> 00:24:40,280
His jaw tightened, and he threw 
himself into the next move, 

448
00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:43,440
sharper, harder, as though 
daring the mirrors to catch a 

449
00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:46,040
mistake. 
Sweat flew from his hair with 

450
00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:49,040
every turn. 
He hated being called out. 

451
00:24:49,320 --> 00:24:51,720
Rey Center, as always, didn't 
break. 

452
00:24:52,240 --> 00:24:55,440
His grin only widened, feeding 
off the spotlight as he spun 

453
00:24:55,440 --> 00:24:58,520
into the chorus. 
Every move was big, magnetic, 

454
00:24:58,600 --> 00:25:02,560
demanding to be noticed. 
Idle pulse flawless even when 

455
00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:05,520
messy. 
Ryan kept the line steady, his 

456
00:25:05,520 --> 00:25:08,800
timing precise. 
He didn't chase attention, he 

457
00:25:08,800 --> 00:25:11,320
anchored it. 
When Ray's step lean too far 

458
00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:14,480
forward, Ryan shifted a fraction
back, grounding the frame so the

459
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:18,240
formation held warm pulse, the 
quiet balance. 

460
00:25:18,880 --> 00:25:21,960
Shun, cheeks flushed, stumbled 
half a beat late. 

461
00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:25,600
His eyes flicked nervously 
toward Kian, then the 

462
00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,440
choreographer, then back to the 
mirror, but he caught himself 

463
00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:33,000
clapping softly on the offbeat, 
laughing as if to shake off the 

464
00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:36,880
nerves, and when the chorus hit 
again, he landed his move with 

465
00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:39,880
surprising clarity, innocence 
cutting through the tension. 

466
00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:42,760
Good. 
Again, the choreographer barked.

467
00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:47,160
The track restarted. 
They moved, reset, moved again, 

468
00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:50,640
over and over until the sweat on
the floor blurred into the 

469
00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:53,280
lights above. 
Every gesture was checked, 

470
00:25:53,280 --> 00:25:56,400
corrected, sharpened. 
Ray, bigger arms. 

471
00:25:56,960 --> 00:26:00,160
Ryan, watch your line. 
Kian, I said left. 

472
00:26:01,000 --> 00:26:03,600
The repetition wore on them, but
it also bound them. 

473
00:26:04,120 --> 00:26:06,440
By the 10th take, Their breaths 
matched. 

474
00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:08,360
Their sneakers squeaked in 
rhythm. 

475
00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:11,880
Their shadows in the mirror 
looked less like 4 separate boys

476
00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:15,480
and more like 1 moving body. 
But inside the formation, 

477
00:26:15,600 --> 00:26:18,880
tension simmered. 
Ray's charisma pulled everything

478
00:26:18,880 --> 00:26:21,320
toward him. 
Kian bristled with every 

479
00:26:21,320 --> 00:26:24,600
correction, pushing harder, 
faster, like the dance floor was

480
00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,240
a battlefield. 
Shun tried to follow Kean's 

481
00:26:27,240 --> 00:26:30,920
lead, clinging to his pace while
Ryan's steady gaze kept the 

482
00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:32,800
group from collapsing into 
chaos. 

483
00:26:33,320 --> 00:26:37,200
The cameras rolled, the flashes 
popped, and even through the 

484
00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:40,960
sweat, the exhaustion, the barks
of the choreographer, the truth 

485
00:26:40,960 --> 00:26:43,520
was undeniable. 
They didn't just look like 

486
00:26:43,520 --> 00:26:46,160
trainees anymore. 
They looked like idols. 

487
00:26:46,360 --> 00:26:49,120
The music faded, and the 
choreographer wiped his brow 

488
00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:52,320
with the edge of his sleeve. 
He leaned toward the producer, 

489
00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:54,720
voice lowered but not enough to 
be hidden. 

490
00:26:55,280 --> 00:26:57,080
They've got it. 
Formations tighter than last 

491
00:26:57,080 --> 00:26:59,720
week, even Kean's cleaning his 
lines. 

492
00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:02,840
The producer didn't look up from
his phone, but his tone was 

493
00:27:02,840 --> 00:27:05,040
clipped, satisfied. 
Good. 

494
00:27:05,360 --> 00:27:07,280
They need to be ready sooner 
than expected. 

495
00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:10,600
The film director, adjusting the
lens on his shoulder rig, gave a

496
00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:13,160
small nod. 
Ray's pulling center well. 

497
00:27:13,280 --> 00:27:15,760
Camera loves him. 
The others balance it out. 

498
00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:19,280
Looks like a group now. 
Ray froze mid sip from his water

499
00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,160
bottle, ears catching the words,
though the rest blurred. 

500
00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:26,920
His lips curled into a grin, 
wider than before, the kind that

501
00:27:26,920 --> 00:27:29,200
wasn't for the mirror this time,
but for himself. 

502
00:27:29,720 --> 00:27:34,040
Across the room, Kian noticed 
his eyes narrowed and the beat 

503
00:27:34,040 --> 00:27:37,400
restarted. 
SNWB. 

504
00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:41,400
The practice room was gone. 
In its place, the company's main

505
00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:43,800
conference hall, screens lining 
the wall. 

506
00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:47,080
Staff crowded shoulder to 
shoulder, the buzz of caffeine 

507
00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:50,760
and deadlines thick in the air. 
On the largest screen, their 

508
00:27:50,760 --> 00:27:55,480
teaser played white flashes, 
metallic logo, 4 silhouettes and

509
00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:58,240
sharp poses. 
Ray front and center, silver 

510
00:27:58,240 --> 00:28:01,920
hair catching the strobe. 
Ryan angled back, steady as a 

511
00:28:01,920 --> 00:28:05,160
shadow, keying off to the side, 
smirk cutting through the 

512
00:28:05,160 --> 00:28:07,960
darkness. 
Shun softened at the rear, 

513
00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:10,600
innocent eyes made brighter by 
the stark contrast. 

514
00:28:11,160 --> 00:28:14,640
The teaser ended with the single
word SNWB. 

515
00:28:14,800 --> 00:28:16,160
See New world. 
Breathe. 

516
00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:18,480
The room erupted. 
Staff murmured. 

517
00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:22,200
Phones buzzed, comments flew 
already from the live upload. 

518
00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:26,360
Who's the silver haired 1? 
Mcnee looks adorable, rap line 

519
00:28:26,360 --> 00:28:29,360
already iconic. 
Ray leaned back in his chair, 

520
00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:33,040
smirk tugging at his lips. 
He didn't need to check his 

521
00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:35,160
phone to know the comments would
stick to him. 

522
00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:40,320
Silver hair center spotlight. 
Shun sitting at the far end, 

523
00:28:40,320 --> 00:28:43,760
fumble with his phone anyway. 
His cheeks lit pink as he 

524
00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:46,120
whispered. 
Hyung, they're saying I'm cute. 

525
00:28:46,640 --> 00:28:49,120
Ray chuckled, ruffling his hair 
without looking. 

526
00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:51,560
Of course they are, Mac May, 
that's your job. 

527
00:28:52,040 --> 00:28:54,600
Keon scrolled furiously, jaw 
tight. 

528
00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:58,640
His eyes darted at the screen 
every time Ray's name or face 

529
00:28:58,640 --> 00:29:01,720
flashed in the chatter center. 
Doesn't last forever. 

530
00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:04,760
He muttered under his breath, 
tapping the phone so hard the 

531
00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:06,640
stylist rattled against the 
case. 

532
00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:10,280
Ryan said nothing. 
He simply folded his arms and 

533
00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:14,000
kept his gaze steady on the 
screen, absorbing, not reacting.

534
00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:17,040
The producer clapped once, 
silencing the room. 

535
00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:20,040
Teasers live, comments are 
strong. 

536
00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:23,040
We ride this wave hard. 
Music video shoot next week. 

537
00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:26,880
The screen replayed, flashing 
Ray's grin again, the spotlight 

538
00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:30,840
unmissable, and Kian's fists 
clenched tighter in his lap. 

539
00:29:32,640 --> 00:29:36,400
SNWB. 
The dorm lights were dim, the 

540
00:29:36,400 --> 00:29:40,040
hum of the fridge carrying 
faintly down the hall behind 1/2

541
00:29:40,040 --> 00:29:42,480
shut door. 
Ray and Ryan's room glowed soft 

542
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,560
from a desk lamp, Ray sprawled 
across his bed, hair still 

543
00:29:46,560 --> 00:29:49,520
styled from the shoot, his phone
in his hand but his voice 

544
00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:52,280
chasing Ryan instead. 
You heard them, right? 

545
00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:55,200
His grin was smug, even against 
the ceiling. 

546
00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:57,760
Director, producer. 
They said it was good. 

547
00:29:58,280 --> 00:30:01,240
That was about me. 
Ryan sat straighter at his desk,

548
00:30:01,320 --> 00:30:03,720
folding clothes 1 by 1, tone 
even. 

549
00:30:04,120 --> 00:30:05,880
I heard them say the group 
looked good. 

550
00:30:06,360 --> 00:30:09,680
That's what matters. 
Ray rolled onto his side, lips 

551
00:30:09,680 --> 00:30:12,880
quirking. 
Sure, but you know someone has 

552
00:30:12,880 --> 00:30:14,080
to stand out. 
That's me. 

553
00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:18,040
Ryan finally glanced over, eyes 
steady, not unkind. 

554
00:30:18,320 --> 00:30:21,040
If you shine good. 
Just make sure it's a light the 

555
00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:24,440
rest of us can stand in too. 
Ray chuckled under his breath, 

556
00:30:24,640 --> 00:30:27,920
but the sound softened, less a 
laugh, more the weight of 

557
00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:30,840
unspoken things. 
Across the hall. 

558
00:30:31,000 --> 00:30:35,000
Shun's voice carried through the
thin walls, muffled by fabric. 

559
00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:40,360
Kian Heung, you look ridiculous.
Inside their room, both boys sat

560
00:30:40,360 --> 00:30:43,600
cross legged on the lower bunk, 
glossy facial masks plastered 

561
00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:46,440
across their faces. 
Empty packets were scattered 

562
00:30:46,440 --> 00:30:50,440
like confetti on the blanket. 
Shun giggled as he tugged at the

563
00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:54,000
corner of his own mask, his wide
eyes crinkling with amusement. 

564
00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:57,840
Kian shot him a look, sharp even
under the sheet of serum. 

565
00:30:58,320 --> 00:31:00,040
Shut up, this is good for the 
skin. 

566
00:31:00,360 --> 00:31:02,880
He tapped his cheek with two 
fingers, smirking. 

567
00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:06,960
Fans like Flawless. 
Shun giggled again, muffling the

568
00:31:06,960 --> 00:31:10,240
sound in his hands. 
The playfulness filled the small

569
00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:14,520
room until his phone buzzed. 
He glanced at it casually, then 

570
00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:17,120
froze. 
His eyes widened, breath 

571
00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:20,480
catching in his throat. 
Kian hyung, look, look at this. 

572
00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:25,360
Dark silhouettes lined up across
the teaser image, Obsidian. 

573
00:31:25,840 --> 00:31:29,000
As they stared, a new line of 
text faded in beneath the name. 

574
00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:32,920
Debut. 2 weeks. 
Shun's voice cracked. 

575
00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:36,200
Two weeks, that's one week 
before us. 

576
00:31:36,720 --> 00:31:39,960
His hand shook slightly as he 
held the phone out, masks 

577
00:31:39,960 --> 00:31:43,000
slipping at the edges. 
His voice was smaller now. 

578
00:31:43,400 --> 00:31:45,400
They, they look strong, don't 
they? 

579
00:31:46,000 --> 00:31:49,120
Kian leaned closer, narrowing 
his eyes at the faceless 

580
00:31:49,120 --> 00:31:52,360
figures. 
For a moment, his jaw tightened,

581
00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:55,480
then the smirk returned, cocky 
and unbothered. 

582
00:31:55,960 --> 00:31:59,200
He snatched the phone, looked 
once more than tossed it back 

583
00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:01,760
onto Shun's lap. 
Please, they're hiding in 

584
00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:05,480
shadows for a reason. 
Dramatic names, dark filters, 

585
00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:08,240
it's all for show. 
Doesn't mean they'll win. 

586
00:32:08,560 --> 00:32:11,360
Shun clutched the phone, 
shoulders still tense. 

587
00:32:11,880 --> 00:32:14,160
But everyone's already talking 
about them. 

588
00:32:14,680 --> 00:32:18,080
Kian stretched out across the 
bed, peeling the mask from his 

589
00:32:18,080 --> 00:32:20,360
face and flicking it toward the 
trash. 

590
00:32:20,840 --> 00:32:23,440
His voice was casual, but the 
edge lingered. 

591
00:32:23,960 --> 00:32:26,720
Relax, Macnae, stay on your side
of the bed tonight. 

592
00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:31,320
Shun blinked, caught off guard. 
The words stung more than he 

593
00:32:31,320 --> 00:32:34,320
wanted to admit. 
He forced a laugh, tugging his 

594
00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:36,000
blanket closer. 
What? 

595
00:32:36,000 --> 00:32:38,920
Yeah, of course. 
But when the lamp clicked off 

596
00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:42,960
and the room sank into dark, his
blush lingered deeper than the 

597
00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:45,600
masks, warmth heavier than he 
understood. 

598
00:32:46,160 --> 00:32:49,400
Under his pillow, the phone 
screen glowed a moment longer, 

599
00:32:49,600 --> 00:32:51,520
silver letters burning into the 
dark. 

600
00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:56,200
SNWP. 
The weeks blurred into noise. 

601
00:32:56,720 --> 00:33:00,520
Obsidian's debut came first. 
Dark tones, black leather, 

602
00:33:00,520 --> 00:33:03,960
silver chains. 
Their song crashed like Thunder,

603
00:33:03,960 --> 00:33:07,320
sleek and polished, the crowd 
chanting their name as headlines

604
00:33:07,320 --> 00:33:09,960
scrolled past. 
Powerful rookies stormed the 

605
00:33:09,960 --> 00:33:12,240
scene. 
The next Global Idols. 

606
00:33:12,800 --> 00:33:16,160
Ray scrolled on his phone late 
that night, 1 elbow propped on 

607
00:33:16,160 --> 00:33:18,720
his pillow. 
He froze when he saw a familiar 

608
00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:21,440
face in Obsidians lineup. 
The hair was different, the 

609
00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:24,880
stair colder, but Ray knew a 
friend from high school. 

610
00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:28,600
He locked the screen before 
anyone could notice, but the 

611
00:33:28,600 --> 00:33:31,920
thought stayed pressing like a 
drum beat in his chest. 

612
00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:37,040
SNWB. 
Now it was here. 

613
00:33:37,520 --> 00:33:40,120
SNWB's final music video 
Shooting. 

614
00:33:40,800 --> 00:33:43,120
Cameras rolled on tracks for 
months. 

615
00:33:43,120 --> 00:33:45,320
They drilled choreography and 
practice rooms. 

616
00:33:45,520 --> 00:33:47,680
This time, the red tally lights 
were real. 

617
00:33:48,160 --> 00:33:50,280
Every mistake could follow them 
forever. 

618
00:33:50,840 --> 00:33:52,920
Positions. 
The director barked. 

619
00:33:53,400 --> 00:33:58,240
The track hit and they moved. 
Ray snapped to center, silver 

620
00:33:58,240 --> 00:34:00,120
hair catching even the dull 
lights. 

621
00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:02,720
He grinned into the nearest 
lens. 

622
00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:05,920
Instinctive, magnetic. 
The cameraman muttered under his

623
00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:07,120
breath. 
Natural. 

624
00:34:07,640 --> 00:34:10,719
Ryan steadied the frame, 
adjusting Shun's step with a 

625
00:34:10,719 --> 00:34:13,360
subtle tug while his own line 
stayed clear. 

626
00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:16,600
His voice over the mic check was
steady even here. 

627
00:34:17,159 --> 00:34:19,679
Kean leaned into the crane 
camera, smirk sharp. 

628
00:34:19,760 --> 00:34:23,320
Rat break, raw but alive. 
Shun stumbled on his first 

629
00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:26,280
entrance, wide eyes locking on 
the blinking red light. 

630
00:34:26,760 --> 00:34:30,239
His breath hitched until Ryan's 
harmony cut through the monitor,

631
00:34:30,239 --> 00:34:33,000
steading him. 
Shun caught the line, sang 

632
00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:36,440
clear, and staff watching at the
sides smile despite themselves. 

633
00:34:37,040 --> 00:34:41,080
The first run ended again. 
Adjust your angle, fix the 

634
00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:44,120
bridge timing. 
They reset by the 5th take. 

635
00:34:44,239 --> 00:34:46,560
Lungs burned, shirts stuck to 
skin. 

636
00:34:46,880 --> 00:34:50,560
But with every reset, the angles
sharpened, the frames clicked. 

637
00:34:51,159 --> 00:34:53,840
It wasn't just practice anymore.
Their music video was taking 

638
00:34:53,840 --> 00:34:59,280
shape. 
Then came the wait for their 

639
00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:02,360
official debut stage. 
Shun curled in his seat, 

640
00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:05,640
mouthing lyrics, but his eyes 
darted toward the door every 

641
00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:09,320
time staff hurried past. 
At one point, his voice cracked.

642
00:35:09,720 --> 00:35:13,400
What if my mic cuts out? 
Ryan checked the pack quietly 

643
00:35:13,400 --> 00:35:16,360
for the third time, steady hands
calming more than wires. 

644
00:35:16,920 --> 00:35:20,240
Kien sprawled wide, legs 
bouncing with pent up fire. 

645
00:35:20,720 --> 00:35:24,360
His smirk was still there, but 
his jaw flexed whenever the roar

646
00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:26,480
of another fan chant rattled the
walls. 

647
00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:30,120
Ray looked focused, but a 
flicker of unease traced his 

648
00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:32,520
face. 
His phone lit up every few 

649
00:35:32,520 --> 00:35:36,120
minutes, scrolling comments, 
teaser reactions, already 

650
00:35:36,120 --> 00:35:39,480
imagining tomorrow's headlines. 
When Shun whispered about 

651
00:35:39,480 --> 00:35:41,640
nerves, Ray cracked one eye 
open. 

652
00:35:42,200 --> 00:35:45,240
They won't bite, Mcnay. 
Just look into the lens and 

653
00:35:45,240 --> 00:35:47,520
smile. 
The camera always loves the 

654
00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:50,320
honest ones. 
Ryan sat straighter than the 

655
00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:52,680
rest, humming the chorus under 
his breath. 

656
00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:56,240
When the silence stretched too 
long, he drummed fingertips on 

657
00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:59,000
the table, pulling them back 
into rhythm without a word. 

658
00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:03,400
Hours crawled by until finally, 
SMWB stem by. 

659
00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:06,040
They stood. 
Shun tugged his sleeves. 

660
00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:09,560
Kian cracked his knuckles. 
Ray rolled his shoulders. 

661
00:36:10,120 --> 00:36:13,880
Ryan's gaze scanned them all. 
Once steady, the waiting was 

662
00:36:13,880 --> 00:36:17,120
over. 
The lights dropped, the intro 

663
00:36:17,120 --> 00:36:20,080
thundered, and NWB burst onto 
their moves. 

664
00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:24,040
Rey's charisma hit first, silver
hair blazing under the 

665
00:36:24,040 --> 00:36:26,600
spotlights, grin sharp, 
movements magnetic. 

666
00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:30,080
Ryan's voice cut through the 
hall, rich and emotional, 

667
00:36:30,160 --> 00:36:32,600
filling the air with warmth 
Polish could never buy. 

668
00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:37,720
Kian attacked his rap break, 
reckless, raw fire spilling past

669
00:36:37,760 --> 00:36:41,960
every imperfect beat and 
shunned, cheeks flushed, eyes 

670
00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:44,440
wide. 
When his high sub vocal soared. 

671
00:36:44,800 --> 00:36:47,920
The crowd screamed so loud he 
flinched, then grinned through 

672
00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:49,840
it. 
It wasn't flawless. 

673
00:36:50,240 --> 00:36:53,880
Steps lagged, breath wavered, 
but the rookie energy hit like 

674
00:36:53,880 --> 00:36:57,520
lightning, raw, unfiltered, 
unforgettable stop. 

675
00:36:57,520 --> 00:37:00,400
Behind, the monitors exchanged 
glances, some even clapping 

676
00:37:00,400 --> 00:37:03,000
under their breath. 
The boys froze in their final 

677
00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:06,440
pose, lungs burning, vision 
blurred by sweat and light. 

678
00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:10,640
Then the sound crashed in. 
The roar of fans, louder than 

679
00:37:10,640 --> 00:37:15,080
they'd ever imagined swallowed 
every flaw and every doubt. 

680
00:37:15,800 --> 00:37:19,160
Their first stage was over, but 
their hearts were still racing 

681
00:37:19,360 --> 00:37:23,640
alive in the echo of that cheer.
SNWB. 

682
00:37:24,880 --> 00:37:28,440
Back in the van, screens glowed 
blue against their tired faces. 

683
00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:32,040
Numbers jumped every time they 
refresh their music video, 

684
00:37:32,560 --> 00:37:34,920
climbing faster than their 
hearts could keep up. 

685
00:37:35,600 --> 00:37:39,240
Comments poured in. 
These boys feel real, not just 

686
00:37:39,240 --> 00:37:41,280
another idol group. 
SNWB is different. 

687
00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:45,040
Ray leaned his forehead against 
the cool window, sweat drying 

688
00:37:45,040 --> 00:37:48,200
from their first debut stage, 
grin spreading. 

689
00:37:48,720 --> 00:37:50,560
The world was finally seeing 
them. 

690
00:37:51,120 --> 00:37:54,640
His phone buzzed, a new message 
from an unknown number. 

691
00:37:55,160 --> 00:37:59,480
Congrats, I saw the music video.
No name, just a black square for

692
00:37:59,480 --> 00:38:02,480
the profile. 
Ray stared at it, heartbeat 

693
00:38:02,480 --> 00:38:04,880
thudding faster than the road 
beneath the tires. 

694
00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:09,160
Outside, another showcase hall 
loomed closer, voices already 

695
00:38:09,160 --> 00:38:12,640
gathering at the gate. 
The showcase wasn't just another

696
00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:14,840
stage. 
It was the rookie spotlight, 

697
00:38:14,840 --> 00:38:18,080
where every group was measured, 
every mistake replayed, every 

698
00:38:18,080 --> 00:38:20,760
spark of charisma judged by the 
entire industry. 

699
00:38:21,240 --> 00:38:24,600
Careers could tilt in one night.
In the waiting room, the 

700
00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:28,960
producers phone buzzed nonstop. 
Sponsors, executives, press. 

701
00:38:29,480 --> 00:38:32,760
His lips curved in the faintest 
smile, eyes glittering as he 

702
00:38:32,760 --> 00:38:36,040
glanced at the boys. 
This is it, Prestige showcase. 

703
00:38:36,640 --> 00:38:41,680
The industry's watching Obsidian
SNWB 2 rookies same night. 

704
00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:44,520
The world wants a showdown, so 
give them one. 

705
00:38:44,800 --> 00:38:48,520
The hallway was chaos. 
Stylists started between boys 

706
00:38:48,520 --> 00:38:51,520
spraying hair, blotting sweat, 
tugging at cuffs. 

707
00:38:52,040 --> 00:38:54,360
Staff shouted time cues over the
noise. 

708
00:38:54,960 --> 00:38:59,280
For the first time, Obsidian and
SNWB shared the same space, two 

709
00:38:59,280 --> 00:39:02,640
groups in opposite corners, 
glances sharp, silence louder 

710
00:39:02,640 --> 00:39:04,800
than words. 
The producer leaned close to 

711
00:39:04,800 --> 00:39:09,440
SNWB, voice low and firm. 
Don't think debut was the finish

712
00:39:09,440 --> 00:39:12,240
line. 
Think of it as the start, when 

713
00:39:12,240 --> 00:39:14,680
the stage and the world takes 
you seriously. 

714
00:39:14,960 --> 00:39:19,160
Ray's eyes slid past him in the 
rival lineup, just for a second.

715
00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:22,080
The face appeared again, his 
friend in the rival group. 

716
00:39:22,720 --> 00:39:26,200
This time their eyes met 
Obsidian to the stage. 

717
00:39:26,560 --> 00:39:29,640
The stage manager barked. 
Send WB, you're up next. 

718
00:39:30,000 --> 00:39:33,320
The boys gathered tight, four 
hands stacked in the center, 

719
00:39:33,320 --> 00:39:37,080
sweat slick against skin. 
Raise voice cut through the din,

720
00:39:37,080 --> 00:39:39,080
sharp and sure. 
Who are we? 

721
00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:43,440
SNWB. 
Obsidian had already struck the 

722
00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:47,560
stage 5 silhouettes in black, 
their lines sharp as blades, 

723
00:39:47,760 --> 00:39:49,800
their presence heavy as 
thunderclouds. 

724
00:39:50,360 --> 00:39:53,680
Black leather caught the 
strobes, silver chains flashing 

725
00:39:53,720 --> 00:39:58,360
as they moved in flawless sync. 
Every angle snapped clean, every

726
00:39:58,360 --> 00:40:01,480
turn precise, the kind of Polish
that looked unshakable. 

727
00:40:02,040 --> 00:40:04,240
When the chorus dropped, the 
hall erupted. 

728
00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:06,840
Chance of their name thundered 
like a storm. 

729
00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:08,920
The crowd swept up in their 
dominance. 

730
00:40:09,520 --> 00:40:12,760
Their voices and rap lines hit 
with power, their dance cutting 

731
00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:14,560
arcs larger than the stage 
itself. 

732
00:40:15,080 --> 00:40:18,160
By the time the lights dimmed, 
the air was still crackling. 

733
00:40:18,800 --> 00:40:21,600
Obsidian didn't just perform. 
They own the stage. 

734
00:40:22,400 --> 00:40:24,640
Then the beat dropped for S and 
WB. 

735
00:40:25,240 --> 00:40:29,840
Ray exploded into center, silver
hair catching every light, every

736
00:40:29,840 --> 00:40:32,240
grin, a magnet that pulled the 
crowd in closer. 

737
00:40:32,760 --> 00:40:36,440
His movements weren't polished. 
They were electric, reckless, 

738
00:40:36,560 --> 00:40:39,520
alive. 
Ryan's voice rose above it all, 

739
00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:42,120
rich and full, weaving warmth 
into the cracks. 

740
00:40:42,680 --> 00:40:45,840
Even when the choreography 
wavered, his tone anchored the 

741
00:40:45,840 --> 00:40:49,520
moment, giving the performance a
center no spotlight could shake.

742
00:40:50,240 --> 00:40:53,360
Pian attacked his rap like a 
weapon, jagged edges cutting 

743
00:40:53,360 --> 00:40:56,680
straight through the noise. 
He wasn't flawless, but his raw 

744
00:40:56,680 --> 00:40:59,440
fire spilled over the beat, 
drawing eyes even when his 

745
00:40:59,440 --> 00:41:03,280
timing slipped. 
And Shun, bright unguarded, 

746
00:41:03,480 --> 00:41:06,400
lifted the sub vocal higher than
he ever had in rehearsal. 

747
00:41:06,960 --> 00:41:10,040
For a second, he faltered, but 
then the fans screamed back, 

748
00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:13,200
chanting louder than the 
monitors, their voices crashing 

749
00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:15,720
like a wave. 
The sound jolted through his 

750
00:41:15,720 --> 00:41:18,000
chest, a heartbeat he couldn't 
ignore. 

751
00:41:18,520 --> 00:41:21,760
He grinned wide, fed by their 
energy, his voice suddenly 

752
00:41:21,760 --> 00:41:24,600
clearer, stronger. 
It wasn't perfect. 

753
00:41:25,120 --> 00:41:29,080
Their steps lagged, lungs 
burned, timing frayed, but the 

754
00:41:29,080 --> 00:41:32,520
roar of the crowd fused with 
their rookie fire, making every 

755
00:41:32,520 --> 00:41:34,320
stumble feel like part of the 
spark. 

756
00:41:34,880 --> 00:41:39,000
The fans didn't want perfection.
They wanted the pulse, and SNWB 

757
00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:41,120
gave it to them, raw and 
unfiltered. 

758
00:41:41,680 --> 00:41:43,920
By the final chorus, the hall 
was shaking. 

759
00:41:44,400 --> 00:41:47,240
The chants weren't just 
background, they were fuel, 

760
00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:52,560
every SNWB making the boys push 
harder, shine brighter, burn 

761
00:41:52,560 --> 00:41:55,480
hotter. 
When the last note rang out, the

762
00:41:55,480 --> 00:41:59,360
four froze in formation, sweat 
dripping, hearts pounding in 

763
00:41:59,360 --> 00:42:02,360
rhythm with the crowd. 
The lights blazed brighter than 

764
00:42:02,360 --> 00:42:06,360
before, and in that instant 
their dreams felt real, echoing 

765
00:42:06,360 --> 00:42:08,280
back in the sound of the fans 
who believed in them. 

766
00:42:10,000 --> 00:42:12,920
SNWB. 
The roar of the crowd still 

767
00:42:12,920 --> 00:42:16,800
clung to their skin as SNWB 
filed down the narrow backstage 

768
00:42:16,800 --> 00:42:20,520
corridor, breaths ragged, sweat 
cooling too quickly under the 

769
00:42:20,520 --> 00:42:24,080
harsh fluorescence. 
The echo of fan chants still 

770
00:42:24,080 --> 00:42:27,000
pounded in their ears, louder 
than their own footsteps. 

771
00:42:27,640 --> 00:42:31,080
At the far end of the hall, 
Obsidian appeared, sharp black 

772
00:42:31,080 --> 00:42:34,840
suits, shoulders squared, their 
storm still radiating off them 

773
00:42:34,880 --> 00:42:36,880
as if the stage had followed 
them back here. 

774
00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:40,680
Every step they took was 
measured, polished, a quiet 

775
00:42:40,680 --> 00:42:43,040
reminder of the precision they 
had just unleashed. 

776
00:42:43,600 --> 00:42:47,720
Ray's gaze slid across them, one
by one, the sharp lines, the 

777
00:42:47,720 --> 00:42:50,600
calm confidence, the aura of 
rivals already marked. 

778
00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:53,080
And then his eyes caught on a 
single figure. 

779
00:42:53,640 --> 00:42:56,120
For a breath, the noise in his 
chest shifted. 

780
00:42:56,600 --> 00:42:59,760
The world seemed to narrow, the 
hall shrinking until only that 

781
00:42:59,760 --> 00:43:03,360
figure stood there. 
Their eyes met, and then a 

782
00:43:03,360 --> 00:43:05,520
smile. 
Not mocking, not cold. 

783
00:43:06,000 --> 00:43:10,280
A smile that said I see you race
Stride faltered for half a beat 

784
00:43:10,280 --> 00:43:13,280
before Ryan's steady shoulder 
brushed his, pulling him 

785
00:43:13,280 --> 00:43:14,600
forward. 
Send. 

786
00:43:14,600 --> 00:43:18,160
WB passed Obsidian in silence, 
but the weight of that glance 

787
00:43:18,160 --> 00:43:21,720
followed like a shadow. 
The stage had ended, but the 

788
00:43:21,720 --> 00:43:24,920
battle had just begun. 
The battle stage was over, but 

789
00:43:24,920 --> 00:43:27,960
the noise hadn't faded. 
Both groups were ushered down 

790
00:43:27,960 --> 00:43:30,800
the same corridor, cameras 
already waiting at a press wall.

791
00:43:31,280 --> 00:43:34,400
SNWB and Obsidian, please stand 
by for a short interview. 

792
00:43:34,960 --> 00:43:36,720
The lights were harsher up 
close. 

793
00:43:37,000 --> 00:43:40,200
Mike shoved forward. 
The first question went to Ray. 

794
00:43:40,640 --> 00:43:45,240
Predictable center spotlight. 
He answered, smooth, practiced 

795
00:43:45,600 --> 00:43:48,040
his grin. 
Camera ready, but when the host 

796
00:43:48,040 --> 00:43:50,640
asked about teamwork, Ray 
glanced sideways. 

797
00:43:51,200 --> 00:43:52,960
Maybe our rapper should take 
this one. 

798
00:43:53,440 --> 00:43:56,600
He pressed the mic into Kian's 
hand before anyone could object.

799
00:43:57,120 --> 00:44:00,200
For a heartbeat, he and froze. 
Then the fire snapped back. 

800
00:44:00,720 --> 00:44:04,000
His smirk curved, sharp words 
playful but confident. 

801
00:44:04,000 --> 00:44:07,080
As he leaned toward the mic. 
The small crowd of reporters 

802
00:44:07,080 --> 00:44:10,000
laughed, flashes popping for the
first time. 

803
00:44:10,000 --> 00:44:12,200
The cheer wasn't for Ray. 
It was for him. 

804
00:44:12,800 --> 00:44:14,760
Moments later, the groups were 
released. 

805
00:44:15,320 --> 00:44:18,520
Outside, the night air broke 
loud with fans waiting behind 

806
00:44:18,520 --> 00:44:21,160
barricades. 
Ray stepped out first. 

807
00:44:21,680 --> 00:44:24,800
His silver hair caught the 
spotlights, grin flashing as he 

808
00:44:24,800 --> 00:44:28,320
raised a sharp salute. 
The screams doubled instantly, a

809
00:44:28,320 --> 00:44:30,440
wall of sound crashing against 
the vans. 

810
00:44:31,000 --> 00:44:34,520
Cameras flared, phones lifted, 
the moment stamped into memory 

811
00:44:34,520 --> 00:44:36,200
before he'd even lowered his 
hand. 

812
00:44:36,840 --> 00:44:39,520
PN climbed out next, smirk half 
formed. 

813
00:44:40,080 --> 00:44:43,080
She, I was going to do that. 
He muttered, but the roar had 

814
00:44:43,080 --> 00:44:46,680
already moved past him. 
Inside the van, screens lit up. 

815
00:44:46,680 --> 00:44:50,320
Within minutes, the salute photo
was everywhere, clipped, 

816
00:44:50,480 --> 00:44:53,080
captioned with one word. 
Iconic. 

817
00:44:53,400 --> 00:44:55,480
Shung giggled, holding up his 
phone. 

818
00:44:56,000 --> 00:44:59,360
Young, you're already a meme. 
Ray only leaned back, satisfied,

819
00:44:59,480 --> 00:45:02,560
eyes half closed. 
Told you center never lies. 

820
00:45:03,080 --> 00:45:06,160
The van rolled on into the 
night, their name climbing 

821
00:45:06,160 --> 00:45:08,080
faster than the wheels could 
carry them. 

822
00:45:10,000 --> 00:45:13,560
SNWB. 
That night, the salute picture 

823
00:45:13,560 --> 00:45:16,760
went viral. 
Fans tagged it endlessly raised 

824
00:45:16,760 --> 00:45:20,480
salute iconic. 
In the dorm bathroom, long after

825
00:45:20,480 --> 00:45:23,040
lights out, Kian stood alone in 
the mirror. 

826
00:45:23,480 --> 00:45:27,560
He tried to move once awkward 
again, sharper again with a 

827
00:45:27,560 --> 00:45:29,920
smirk. 
The sound of his own hand 

828
00:45:29,920 --> 00:45:33,960
snapping against his temple 
echoed in the tile across the 

829
00:45:33,960 --> 00:45:35,920
hall. 
A faint hum bled through the 

830
00:45:35,920 --> 00:45:38,800
walls. 
Ryan sat alone in the company's 

831
00:45:38,800 --> 00:45:42,720
recording booth, glass door 
closed, headphones snug, mic 

832
00:45:42,720 --> 00:45:45,960
light glowing red. 
His voice was low, steady, 

833
00:45:45,960 --> 00:45:49,520
weaving through a melody no one 
else had heard yet in the main 

834
00:45:49,520 --> 00:45:52,200
practice room. 
Ray hadn't called it a night. 

835
00:45:52,720 --> 00:45:54,720
Shun sat cross legged on the 
floor. 

836
00:45:54,960 --> 00:45:57,520
Then Ray's phone buzzed, a 
single vibration. 

837
00:45:57,960 --> 00:46:00,280
He frowned, swiping it open 
without thinking. 

838
00:46:00,920 --> 00:46:03,120
A new message from an unknown 
number. 

839
00:46:03,480 --> 00:46:06,680
Good stage today. 
You shine brighter up close. 

840
00:46:07,200 --> 00:46:10,400
The profile picture was nothing 
but a black square, but the name

841
00:46:10,400 --> 00:46:13,560
was there, short, simple. 
Jim. 

842
00:46:13,920 --> 00:46:16,560
Ray froze. 
He looked at the screen again, 

843
00:46:16,600 --> 00:46:19,000
heartbeat kicking harder than 
any dance beat. 

844
00:46:19,320 --> 00:46:22,800
The rival group, Obsidian and 
one of them had just reached 

845
00:46:22,800 --> 00:46:25,520
out. 
Shun blinked up at him, curious.

846
00:46:26,080 --> 00:46:29,680
Young, What is it? 
Ray locked the screen, slipping 

847
00:46:29,680 --> 00:46:32,680
the phone into his pocket, smile
flashing too quickly. 

848
00:46:33,120 --> 00:46:36,720
Nothing, He lied, but his eyes 
stayed on the mirror. 

849
00:46:37,040 --> 00:46:40,440
Not his reflection this time. 
Somewhere out there, another 

850
00:46:40,440 --> 00:46:43,400
reflection was waiting and the 
game had just changed. 

851
00:46:44,760 --> 00:46:48,760
SNWB. 
They stepped into the spotlight.

852
00:46:48,760 --> 00:46:51,000
Their name shouted louder than 
they ever dreamed. 

853
00:46:51,560 --> 00:46:55,800
But every light cast shadows. 
Fame can lift you high and pull 

854
00:46:55,800 --> 00:46:58,560
you apart. 
For Ray, the stage gave him 

855
00:46:58,560 --> 00:47:02,560
everything he wanted. 
Attention, applause, A fire that

856
00:47:02,560 --> 00:47:05,800
burned just for him. 
Yet in the crowd and across the 

857
00:47:05,800 --> 00:47:09,880
stage, another gaze followed. 
A rival, A reflection, a spark 

858
00:47:09,880 --> 00:47:12,560
he couldn't ignore. 
The battle for tomorrow had 

859
00:47:12,560 --> 00:47:16,480
begun, and with it, something 
more dangerous than rivalry. 

860
00:47:16,760 --> 00:47:21,560
Both debut tracks are out now. 
Obsidians, Storms Coming and SNW

861
00:47:21,560 --> 00:47:24,760
BS Spotlight. 
Listen to the official music 

862
00:47:24,760 --> 00:47:27,280
through the link in the 
description you've been 

863
00:47:27,280 --> 00:47:31,000
listening to. 
We RSNWB Episode 2 The Spotlight

864
00:47:31,560 --> 00:47:33,160
from the practice room to the 
stage. 

865
00:47:33,280 --> 00:47:36,440
From cheers to rivalry, this is 
only the beginning. 

866
00:47:37,120 --> 00:47:42,560
Last time 2 names entered the 
stage SNWB raw, unpolished, 

867
00:47:42,720 --> 00:47:46,880
alive, Obsidian, sleek, sharp, a
storm in motion. 

868
00:47:47,440 --> 00:47:51,280
One song screamed Rookie fire, 
the other thundered like power 

869
00:47:51,280 --> 00:47:53,520
already claimed. 
And between the cheers and 

870
00:47:53,520 --> 00:47:56,640
charts, the shadows of rivalry 
began to grow. 

871
00:47:57,240 --> 00:47:59,040
But not every battle is on the 
stage. 

872
00:47:59,240 --> 00:48:02,600
Some are silent, some happen in 
the space between voices. 

873
00:48:03,000 --> 00:48:06,840
For Ryan, the quiet leader, fame
shines on others first, but 

874
00:48:06,840 --> 00:48:09,280
sometimes the warmest fire burns
unseen. 

875
00:48:09,680 --> 00:48:13,680
This is We Are SNWB Episode 3 in
our breath. 

876
00:48:15,000 --> 00:48:18,120
SNWB. 
The dorm was dim except for the 

877
00:48:18,120 --> 00:48:22,280
blue glow of a tablet on the low
table. 4 boys leaned in, their 

878
00:48:22,280 --> 00:48:25,440
reflections faint in the glass. 
As the digital charts refreshed,

879
00:48:25,880 --> 00:48:30,680
the line shifted, Obsidian 
climbing, SNWB slipping just 

880
00:48:30,680 --> 00:48:33,480
below. 
Silence held for a beat, the 

881
00:48:33,480 --> 00:48:35,440
kind that hummed louder than 
sound. 

882
00:48:35,920 --> 00:48:39,080
Shun's breath caught. 
His fingers curled tighter 

883
00:48:39,080 --> 00:48:41,760
around his knees. 
We were ahead yesterday. 

884
00:48:42,280 --> 00:48:45,120
His voice cracked small, like he
wasn't sure if he should say it 

885
00:48:45,120 --> 00:48:47,800
at all. 
Kian scoffed, tossing a cushion 

886
00:48:47,800 --> 00:48:51,920
against the wall with a snap. 
Figures, chains and Thunder 

887
00:48:51,920 --> 00:48:55,640
always sell faster than sweat. 
His jaw flexed, even as his 

888
00:48:55,640 --> 00:48:58,360
smirk tried to stay. 
Ryan didn't answer. 

889
00:48:58,840 --> 00:49:02,000
He adjusted the tablet slightly 
so the glare faded, his face 

890
00:49:02,000 --> 00:49:05,440
steady but unreadable. 
The manager's voice cut through 

891
00:49:05,440 --> 00:49:07,240
from the doorway, brisk and 
sharp. 

892
00:49:07,800 --> 00:49:10,840
Don't get stuck on numbers. 
Exposure is what matters. 

893
00:49:11,080 --> 00:49:13,120
Next week. 
Variety slot confirmed. 

894
00:49:13,640 --> 00:49:16,320
Ray, you're up. 
Shum blinked, surprised. 

895
00:49:16,440 --> 00:49:20,080
Kean's jaw tightened. 
Ryan gave a small practice nod. 

896
00:49:20,600 --> 00:49:23,240
Ray just leaned back, rolling 
his shoulders loose as though 

897
00:49:23,240 --> 00:49:26,320
the weight was nothing. 
His grin came easy, bright 

898
00:49:26,320 --> 00:49:29,000
without trying too hard. 
Guess I'll try not to embarrass 

899
00:49:29,000 --> 00:49:31,280
us. 
Shun laughed too quickly, 

900
00:49:31,480 --> 00:49:34,280
clapping once. 
Kian muttered something under 

901
00:49:34,280 --> 00:49:36,880
his breath. 
Ryan stayed silent, steady, 

902
00:49:37,120 --> 00:49:39,560
though his hand curled subtly 
against his knee. 

903
00:49:40,160 --> 00:49:42,680
Ray's silver hair caught the 
glow of the screen as he 

904
00:49:42,680 --> 00:49:46,680
stretched out, grin gleaming. 
Told you centre, never lies. 

905
00:49:47,200 --> 00:49:50,160
The chart ticked again. 
Obsidian's name inched higher. 

906
00:49:50,640 --> 00:49:52,720
Kianne leaned back, scoffing 
under his breath. 

907
00:49:52,880 --> 00:49:54,840
Well, at least someone gets 
screen time. 

908
00:49:55,280 --> 00:49:58,360
Ray arched A brow, playful. 
You jealous already? 

909
00:49:58,960 --> 00:50:01,480
Not jealous. 
Kianne shot back with a half 

910
00:50:01,480 --> 00:50:03,440
smirk. 
Just saying, the rest of us 

911
00:50:03,440 --> 00:50:06,680
aren't mannequins. 
A small laugh from Shun tried to

912
00:50:06,680 --> 00:50:08,680
cut the tension, but it thinned 
quickly. 

913
00:50:09,160 --> 00:50:11,640
Ryan finally spoke, voice steady
but warm. 

914
00:50:12,040 --> 00:50:15,560
It's good for all of US1 
spotlight makes the whole stage 

915
00:50:15,560 --> 00:50:18,200
brighter. 
He glanced at Kianne, his hands 

916
00:50:18,200 --> 00:50:21,720
steady on his shoulder. 
Our time will come, don't rush 

917
00:50:21,720 --> 00:50:24,360
the fire. 
Kian smirk softened into 

918
00:50:24,360 --> 00:50:26,480
something quieter, though he 
didn't answer. 

919
00:50:26,960 --> 00:50:30,240
Ray tilted his head, grin easing
into something less sharp. 

920
00:50:30,720 --> 00:50:32,080
Then I'll make sure I don't 
waste it. 

921
00:50:32,560 --> 00:50:35,840
The silence after wasn't heavy, 
just layered, each boy carrying 

922
00:50:35,840 --> 00:50:38,360
it differently. 
SNWB. 

923
00:50:39,160 --> 00:50:42,000
The booth was dim except for the
red glow of the mic light. 

924
00:50:42,560 --> 00:50:45,880
Ryan's breath fogged the glass 
as he adjusted the headphones, 

925
00:50:46,040 --> 00:50:49,360
his reflection faint against the
dark alone. 

926
00:50:49,440 --> 00:50:53,360
He sang softly, not the debut 
track, but something slower 

927
00:50:53,440 --> 00:50:56,000
stripped. 
His voice barely rose above a 

928
00:50:56,000 --> 00:50:57,880
hum. 
The kind you keep to yourself. 

929
00:50:58,400 --> 00:51:01,240
And as the melody wound through 
him, memory pulled him back. 

930
00:51:01,800 --> 00:51:05,440
A few days ago. 
The evaluation room was dim, a 

931
00:51:05,440 --> 00:51:08,840
single mic stand in the middle 
and the producer at his desk 

932
00:51:08,960 --> 00:51:12,720
expression unreadable. 
Ryan bowed politely, lyrics 

933
00:51:12,720 --> 00:51:16,320
sheet folded with neat creases. 
He expected to sing the debut 

934
00:51:16,320 --> 00:51:19,000
track. 
He had trained it until his ribs

935
00:51:19,000 --> 00:51:22,360
ached, but the producer slid a 
tablet across the table. 

936
00:51:22,600 --> 00:51:25,080
A new file glowed. 
Not that one. 

937
00:51:25,480 --> 00:51:28,280
Try this. 
Ryan hesitated, just for a 

938
00:51:28,280 --> 00:51:30,800
breath, then nodded, pressing 
play. 

939
00:51:34,960 --> 00:51:39,840
Fragile, almost bare, he began. 
The first attempt broke early, 

940
00:51:40,160 --> 00:51:43,440
the key too low, his throat 
catching against the silence. 

941
00:51:44,000 --> 00:51:46,600
He steady tried to recover, but 
his breath ran short. 

942
00:51:46,840 --> 00:51:50,840
He stopped, bowing his head. 
The producer said nothing, just 

943
00:51:50,840 --> 00:51:53,040
scribbled a note, eyes never 
lifting. 

944
00:51:53,760 --> 00:51:57,120
Second try. 
Ryan inhaled deeper, pushing 

945
00:51:57,120 --> 00:52:00,960
warmth into each note. 
His voice smoothed, rounded this

946
00:52:00,960 --> 00:52:03,400
time, but still tight at the 
edges, like he was holding too 

947
00:52:03,400 --> 00:52:06,200
much back. 
His hand curled against the mic,

948
00:52:06,360 --> 00:52:09,200
knuckles pale. 
The last note lingered, almost 

949
00:52:09,200 --> 00:52:11,080
trembling still. 
Silence. 

950
00:52:11,640 --> 00:52:14,440
The producer shifted, then 
leaned toward the intercom. 

951
00:52:14,960 --> 00:52:16,240
Call. 
One of the engineers in. 

952
00:52:16,560 --> 00:52:19,600
The door opened quietly, an 
engineer slipping inside with 

953
00:52:19,600 --> 00:52:22,920
headphones in hand. 
He sat, adjusted a dial. 

954
00:52:23,440 --> 00:52:26,240
Ryan swallowed, heart hammering 
as the track reset. 

955
00:52:26,960 --> 00:52:30,000
Third attempt. 
He shut his eyes, let the piano 

956
00:52:30,000 --> 00:52:31,920
carry him instead of forcing 
control. 

957
00:52:32,400 --> 00:52:36,160
His voice cracked once, but he 
leaned into it, let it fracture 

958
00:52:36,160 --> 00:52:40,320
into something raw. 
In a breath, I feel the light. 

959
00:52:48,200 --> 00:52:51,360
By the chorus, his tone 
expanded, filling the room in a 

960
00:52:51,360 --> 00:52:55,240
way even he hadn't expected. 
When it ended, the engineer 

961
00:52:55,240 --> 00:52:57,760
looked up, exchanging a glance 
with the producer. 

962
00:52:58,200 --> 00:53:02,040
Subtle, quick, not surprise, 
recognition. 

963
00:53:02,640 --> 00:53:05,440
Ryan caught it. 
His chest tightened. 

964
00:53:06,040 --> 00:53:09,040
Outside, in the hallway, the 
other boys shifted in their 

965
00:53:09,040 --> 00:53:11,360
seats. 
The evaluation had been going 

966
00:53:11,360 --> 00:53:14,720
longer than usual. 
Shun chewed his lip, frowning. 

967
00:53:15,120 --> 00:53:17,040
Key, and tapped his knee, 
restless. 

968
00:53:17,560 --> 00:53:20,760
Ray leaned against the wall, 
brows furrowed, though he didn't

969
00:53:20,760 --> 00:53:23,800
say a word. 
Inside, Ryan stayed frozen at 

970
00:53:23,800 --> 00:53:26,600
the Mike. 
Finally, the producer spoke, 

971
00:53:26,840 --> 00:53:30,520
calm, deliberate. 
This one works more than I 

972
00:53:30,520 --> 00:53:31,800
thought. 
Ryan blinked. 

973
00:53:31,920 --> 00:53:34,960
Is it mine? 
The producer studied him, then 

974
00:53:34,960 --> 00:53:37,720
shook his head slightly. 
It's for the group, but you'll 

975
00:53:37,720 --> 00:53:40,120
carry it. 
The verses, the center, they 

976
00:53:40,120 --> 00:53:42,680
belong to you. 
The words pressed heavy, not 

977
00:53:42,680 --> 00:53:48,080
triumph, not praise await. 
Ryan bowed low and steady, 

978
00:53:48,120 --> 00:53:52,160
hiding the tremor in his hands. 
When he rose, the producer and 

979
00:53:52,160 --> 00:53:54,320
engineer were already making 
notes, moving on. 

980
00:53:54,840 --> 00:53:57,560
Back in the present, the booths 
red light glowed against his 

981
00:53:57,560 --> 00:54:00,600
skin. 
Ryan lifted his head, inhaled 

982
00:54:00,600 --> 00:54:03,160
slowly, and let the melody spill
out again. 

983
00:54:03,760 --> 00:54:07,840
This time there was no piano, no
backing track, just his voice. 

984
00:54:28,160 --> 00:54:31,720
Bare, steady, rising into the 
quiet like it belonged there. 

985
00:54:32,200 --> 00:54:35,760
It wasn't flashy, it wasn't 
perfect, but it was enough to 

986
00:54:35,760 --> 00:54:39,400
fill the room, to prove what the
producer and engineer had 

987
00:54:39,400 --> 00:54:41,960
already seen. 
The line hung in the air, 

988
00:54:42,080 --> 00:54:45,440
trembling on the edge of 
silence, and for a moment, Ryan 

989
00:54:45,440 --> 00:54:48,880
was the only sound in the world.
SNWB. 

990
00:54:49,680 --> 00:54:51,680
The recording studio buzzed like
a hive. 

991
00:54:52,160 --> 00:54:54,840
Staff shouted camera cues. 
Rookies shuffled into their 

992
00:54:54,840 --> 00:54:57,240
seats, the air thick with 
Hairspray and nerves. 

993
00:54:57,800 --> 00:55:01,560
Ray adjusted the mic clipped to 
his collar, silver hair catching

994
00:55:01,560 --> 00:55:04,320
stray spotlights even before the
cameras turned. 

995
00:55:04,800 --> 00:55:07,640
Beside him sat rookies from 
other companies, some already 

996
00:55:07,640 --> 00:55:10,800
with fans cheering from the 
stands, others wide eyed like 

997
00:55:10,800 --> 00:55:14,040
Sean on his first day. 
When the red light on the main 

998
00:55:14,040 --> 00:55:17,480
camera blinked, the host burst 
into frame with a booming voice.

999
00:55:17,880 --> 00:55:21,240
Welcome to rookie carnival. 
The crowd cheered. 

1000
00:55:21,880 --> 00:55:25,400
Ray's grin landed sharp and 
bright, posture snapping into 

1001
00:55:25,400 --> 00:55:27,920
idle form. 
The first game began, a speed 

1002
00:55:27,920 --> 00:55:31,720
quiz with tongue twisters. 
Ray fumble once, laughed at 

1003
00:55:31,720 --> 00:55:35,120
himself, then leaned in and 
nailed the second with a sharp 

1004
00:55:35,120 --> 00:55:38,360
roll of his tongue. 
The audience, how clapping. 

1005
00:55:38,800 --> 00:55:40,800
Even the older idols grinned at 
his timing. 

1006
00:55:41,280 --> 00:55:44,080
The camera cut close to his 
smile, lingering a beat too 

1007
00:55:44,080 --> 00:55:46,520
long. 
Next came a balance challenge on

1008
00:55:46,520 --> 00:55:49,680
the wobbling boards. 
Ray nearly slipped, arms 

1009
00:55:49,680 --> 00:55:53,280
flailing, then struck A dramatic
pose instead, earning laughter 

1010
00:55:53,280 --> 00:55:55,480
from the audience. 
The host shouted. 

1011
00:55:55,640 --> 00:55:59,160
Natural entertainer. 
As the crowd roared during the 

1012
00:55:59,160 --> 00:56:02,400
break, staff rushed on with 
water bottles and fresh powder. 

1013
00:56:02,920 --> 00:56:04,760
Ray sat back, catching his 
breath. 

1014
00:56:05,080 --> 00:56:07,560
Ray. 
The voice came from just behind.

1015
00:56:07,560 --> 00:56:08,760
He turned. 
Gin. 

1016
00:56:09,240 --> 00:56:12,840
The difference was sharp, his 
styling colder, jaw set, the 

1017
00:56:12,840 --> 00:56:16,240
aura of someone already used to 
the spotlight, but the eyes were

1018
00:56:16,240 --> 00:56:19,040
the same. 
For a moment, neither moved. 

1019
00:56:19,440 --> 00:56:22,440
Then Gin's mouth quirked. 
Didn't think we'd end up in the 

1020
00:56:22,440 --> 00:56:25,400
same place. 
Ray's lips twitched, almost a 

1021
00:56:25,400 --> 00:56:26,800
smile. 
Almost not. 

1022
00:56:27,160 --> 00:56:28,680
Didn't think I'd see you here, 
either. 

1023
00:56:29,160 --> 00:56:31,800
They held each other's gaze just
long enough for it to sting. 

1024
00:56:32,400 --> 00:56:35,680
A staff member called Jin back, 
but the moment lingered like 

1025
00:56:35,680 --> 00:56:38,560
static in the air. 
When the cameras rolled again, 

1026
00:56:38,840 --> 00:56:42,240
the host's grin sharpened. 
Ah, I saw something. 

1027
00:56:42,760 --> 00:56:44,640
You two were chatting during the
break. 

1028
00:56:45,000 --> 00:56:46,840
The crowd leaned forward, 
curious. 

1029
00:56:47,400 --> 00:56:51,000
Ray froze for 1/2 second, then 
let his practice grin return. 

1030
00:56:51,440 --> 00:56:55,040
Jin tilted his head, calm. 
We went to same high school. 

1031
00:56:55,400 --> 00:56:58,280
Jin said smoothly. 
The host clapped his hands. 

1032
00:56:58,400 --> 00:56:59,880
Really. 
High school friends. 

1033
00:57:00,400 --> 00:57:02,600
How nice. 
A reunion on our stage. 

1034
00:57:02,880 --> 00:57:05,120
The audience cooed. 
Ray chuckled. 

1035
00:57:05,160 --> 00:57:09,040
Light, careful. 
We weren't close, but we knew 

1036
00:57:09,040 --> 00:57:11,360
each other. 
The laughter rose again, eating 

1037
00:57:11,360 --> 00:57:15,080
it up as coincidence, but Ray 
felt Jin's eyes on him, the 

1038
00:57:15,080 --> 00:57:19,120
weight heavier than applause. 
The show rolled on, silly props,

1039
00:57:19,120 --> 00:57:21,800
louder jingles, rookies 
scrambling for points. 

1040
00:57:22,360 --> 00:57:25,240
Ray threw himself into it, 
charming the camera with quick 

1041
00:57:25,240 --> 00:57:27,960
wit, his grin returning every 
time it wavered. 

1042
00:57:28,440 --> 00:57:31,440
But between the games, every 
slip of his gaze found Gin 

1043
00:57:31,440 --> 00:57:33,680
again. 
Finally, the closing credits. 

1044
00:57:34,280 --> 00:57:37,040
Applause thundered, confetti 
cannons popping. 

1045
00:57:37,640 --> 00:57:41,320
Ray clapped politely, bowing 
with the others, still catching 

1046
00:57:41,320 --> 00:57:43,640
his breath. 
A quiet voice slipped in as the 

1047
00:57:43,640 --> 00:57:46,560
lights dimmed. 
Good work today, Gin. 

1048
00:57:46,680 --> 00:57:49,000
Closer now, low enough the mic 
didn't catch. 

1049
00:57:49,600 --> 00:57:52,520
Ray's reply came clipped, 
sharper than he intended. 

1050
00:57:52,600 --> 00:57:56,600
Yeah, you too. 
And then managers, both stepping

1051
00:57:56,600 --> 00:58:00,640
in at once, their smiles thin, 
their eyes colder than the idols

1052
00:58:00,640 --> 00:58:03,360
they guarded. 
One hand on Ray's shoulder, one 

1053
00:58:03,360 --> 00:58:06,160
on Jin's arm. 
No words exchanged, only a 

1054
00:58:06,160 --> 00:58:08,240
glance. 
Rivals, not friends. 

1055
00:58:08,760 --> 00:58:11,040
The boys were pulled apart in 
opposite directions. 

1056
00:58:11,560 --> 00:58:14,640
The cheers of the crowd faded, 
but the tension in that hallway 

1057
00:58:14,640 --> 00:58:17,080
stayed. 
SNWB. 

1058
00:58:18,320 --> 00:58:21,920
For three nights in a row, the 
same clip had played on every 

1059
00:58:21,920 --> 00:58:25,560
music show at break, across fan 
accounts, stitched into endless 

1060
00:58:25,560 --> 00:58:27,720
edits online. 
High school reunion. 

1061
00:58:27,720 --> 00:58:32,280
On stage, the host's voice 
boomed over and over, spliced 

1062
00:58:32,280 --> 00:58:35,840
with Ray and Jen's half smiles. 
The words flashed bold on 

1063
00:58:35,840 --> 00:58:39,520
screen, from classmates to 
rivals. 

1064
00:58:40,000 --> 00:58:42,760
The Dorn's laptop screen 
replayed it again, the four boys

1065
00:58:42,760 --> 00:58:46,160
crammed close on the floor. 
Sean scrolled through his phone 

1066
00:58:46,160 --> 00:58:49,600
at the same time, cheeks puffed 
as he chewed on dried squid. 

1067
00:58:50,080 --> 00:58:53,120
Listen to this. 
If Ray and Jin were classmates, 

1068
00:58:53,200 --> 00:58:55,960
imagine the stories they could 
tell and hear. 

1069
00:58:56,160 --> 00:58:59,720
Friendship arc incoming. 
He laughed, scrolling faster. 

1070
00:59:00,240 --> 00:59:03,880
They're shipping it already. 
Pian sat cross legged, peeling a

1071
00:59:03,880 --> 00:59:07,040
banana with exaggerated care. 
He bit into it sharply. 

1072
00:59:07,600 --> 00:59:10,600
Figures. 
Always easier to hype drama than

1073
00:59:10,600 --> 00:59:13,000
talent. 
Ray leaned back against the 

1074
00:59:13,000 --> 00:59:15,440
couch, tossing A cushion at 
Kian's knee. 

1075
00:59:15,840 --> 00:59:19,320
Jealous much? 
Not jealous, just saying. 

1076
00:59:19,600 --> 00:59:22,120
Kian muttered, waving the banana
like a pointer. 

1077
00:59:22,640 --> 00:59:25,520
I'm on a diet and even I can see
they're feeding the fans more 

1078
00:59:25,520 --> 00:59:28,600
sugar than scents. 
Shun nearly choked laughing, 

1079
00:59:28,600 --> 00:59:31,040
covering his mouth with squid 
stained fingers. 

1080
00:59:31,560 --> 00:59:34,120
On the screen. 
The trailer cut to Ray's laugh 

1081
00:59:34,120 --> 00:59:37,640
during the tongue twister, Jin's
steady smirk, then the caption 

1082
00:59:37,640 --> 00:59:39,960
again. 
Friend or rival? 

1083
00:59:40,160 --> 00:59:42,280
Find out this week on Rookie 
Carnival. 

1084
00:59:42,880 --> 00:59:44,960
Ryan hadn't touched his bowl of 
noodles. 

1085
00:59:45,440 --> 00:59:49,120
He sat forward, elbows on his 
knees, eyes fixed on the screen.

1086
00:59:49,600 --> 00:59:51,640
When he finally spoke, his tone 
was low. 

1087
00:59:51,640 --> 00:59:56,680
But sure, it's good for us. 
Even if it's hyped, it puts SNWB

1088
00:59:56,680 --> 00:59:58,320
in the same sentence as 
Obsidian. 

1089
00:59:58,600 --> 01:00:01,040
That matters. 
Kian rolled his eyes. 

1090
01:00:01,240 --> 01:00:03,960
Yeah, great. 
As long as people remember which

1091
01:00:03,960 --> 01:00:06,800
one of us is the actual group, 
not someone's ex classmate 

1092
01:00:06,800 --> 01:00:09,400
sidekick. 
Ray chuckled, though the corner 

1093
01:00:09,400 --> 01:00:12,640
of his grin faltered. 
Shun quickly nudged the mood 

1094
01:00:12,640 --> 01:00:16,560
back, holding up his phone. 
Look, the hashtags are already 

1095
01:00:16,560 --> 01:00:19,000
trending. 
People are saying both groups 

1096
01:00:19,000 --> 01:00:22,120
feel fresher because of it. 
The trailer looped again. 

1097
01:00:22,360 --> 01:00:24,720
The same captions, the same 
freeze frames. 

1098
01:00:25,240 --> 01:00:27,800
For the boys, it had already 
become background noise. 

1099
01:00:28,320 --> 01:00:32,000
For the fans, it was gasoline. 
The show finally rolled past the

1100
01:00:32,000 --> 01:00:33,800
trailers into the games 
themselves. 

1101
01:00:34,320 --> 01:00:37,920
Ray's face filled the laptop 
screen, his grin wide, posture 

1102
01:00:37,920 --> 01:00:40,920
perfect, the camera cutting 
close every time he moved. 

1103
01:00:41,480 --> 01:00:44,120
Wow. 
Kian said flatly, taking another

1104
01:00:44,120 --> 01:00:47,160
bite of his banana. 
You look 10 times better on 

1105
01:00:47,160 --> 01:00:50,520
camera than in real life. 
Sean burst out laughing, nearly 

1106
01:00:50,520 --> 01:00:54,040
dropping his dried squid. 
It's true, Hyun, the camera 

1107
01:00:54,040 --> 01:00:56,560
loves you. 
Ray threw a cushion across the 

1108
01:00:56,560 --> 01:00:59,280
room. 
I plan none of that natural 

1109
01:00:59,280 --> 01:01:00,800
talent. 
Oh please. 

1110
01:01:01,080 --> 01:01:04,680
Tian shot back, smirking. 
That balance pose staged. 

1111
01:01:05,200 --> 01:01:06,920
You practiced that in the 
mirror? 

1112
01:01:07,320 --> 01:01:10,520
Ryan, who hadn't laughed yet, 
finally cracked a small smile. 

1113
01:01:11,000 --> 01:01:14,520
He did, I saw him. 
Ray groaned, shoving his face 

1114
01:01:14,520 --> 01:01:16,200
into his hands as the others 
howled. 

1115
01:01:16,680 --> 01:01:20,680
Then the infamous clip rolled, 
the host leaning in, teasing 

1116
01:01:20,680 --> 01:01:24,880
about the high school reunion. 
Jin's face, Ray's careful smile,

1117
01:01:24,920 --> 01:01:27,600
the caption flash in gold. 
Just familiar. 

1118
01:01:28,120 --> 01:01:30,760
The three boys all turned to 
look at him at once, grinning 

1119
01:01:30,760 --> 01:01:33,160
like wolves. 
Just familiar, huh? 

1120
01:01:33,760 --> 01:01:36,280
Kian mimicked, voice high and 
mocking. 

1121
01:01:36,640 --> 01:01:38,400
He wrinkled his nose 
dramatically. 

1122
01:01:38,960 --> 01:01:40,760
If I was there, I'd tell the 
truth. 

1123
01:01:41,000 --> 01:01:42,520
Ray has nasty feet. 
Smell. 

1124
01:01:42,680 --> 01:01:44,360
It stinks. 
Stinky Ray. 

1125
01:01:44,400 --> 01:01:48,160
Young Shun laughed so hard he 
had to cover his face with both 

1126
01:01:48,160 --> 01:01:50,600
hands. 
Ryan joined in, deadpan. 

1127
01:01:50,840 --> 01:01:54,160
Don't forget the snorting. 
He snores like a train. 

1128
01:01:54,680 --> 01:01:56,240
I have to wear headphones every 
night. 

1129
01:01:56,480 --> 01:01:58,640
Ray groaned louder, throwing 
another cushion. 

1130
01:01:58,920 --> 01:02:02,440
Traitors, all of you. 
But Shun lowered his hands, 

1131
01:02:02,520 --> 01:02:04,840
still smiling softly. 
Not me. 

1132
01:02:04,960 --> 01:02:07,320
I admire Ray Young, he's the 
coolest. 

1133
01:02:07,760 --> 01:02:11,360
The room quieted for a beat. 
Ray blinked, the teasing 

1134
01:02:11,360 --> 01:02:13,880
faltering. 
Then Kian leaned in quick, 

1135
01:02:13,880 --> 01:02:16,120
locking an arm tight around 
Shun's shoulders. 

1136
01:02:16,320 --> 01:02:17,880
And me? 
What about me, huh? 

1137
01:02:18,360 --> 01:02:20,680
Say it. 
Shun laughed nervously, 

1138
01:02:20,680 --> 01:02:23,680
squirming. 
Kian squeezed harder, grinning. 

1139
01:02:24,160 --> 01:02:27,040
Say it. 
Shun finally blurted, half 

1140
01:02:27,040 --> 01:02:29,000
laughing. 
You're cooler, hyung. 

1141
01:02:29,560 --> 01:02:32,200
Cooler. 
The words came out rushed, but 

1142
01:02:32,200 --> 01:02:34,720
Key and smirk shifted for just a
second. 

1143
01:02:34,760 --> 01:02:36,480
His grin wasn't sharp, it was 
real. 

1144
01:02:37,000 --> 01:02:39,200
Ray shook his head, tossing 
another cushion. 

1145
01:02:39,640 --> 01:02:42,280
Unbelievable. 
You're all against me. 

1146
01:02:42,480 --> 01:02:44,920
But the laughter that filled the
dorm wasn't heavy. 

1147
01:02:45,360 --> 01:02:48,760
It was warm, the kind that made 
even rivalry feel far away. 

1148
01:02:50,200 --> 01:02:53,680
SNWB. 
The practice room was dim, the 

1149
01:02:53,680 --> 01:02:56,400
piano lights spilling over sheet
music and cables. 

1150
01:02:56,960 --> 01:02:59,800
Ryan sat on the bench with his 
phone in hand, thumb hovering 

1151
01:02:59,800 --> 01:03:02,320
over the screen. 
A message glowed at the top. 

1152
01:03:02,800 --> 01:03:04,960
Are you eating well? 
I listen to your song every 

1153
01:03:04,960 --> 01:03:07,280
hour. 
Don't overwork, mom. 

1154
01:03:07,800 --> 01:03:11,240
His lips curved faintly, but 
before he could type a reply, 

1155
01:03:11,440 --> 01:03:15,000
the door creaked open. 
Ryan, let's start, the vocal 

1156
01:03:15,000 --> 01:03:17,880
coach said, gesturing him toward
the mic stand. 

1157
01:03:18,400 --> 01:03:21,920
He slid the phone into his 
pocket, rose and bowed politely.

1158
01:03:22,400 --> 01:03:26,000
For hours, the ballad poured out
of him, verse by verse, line by 

1159
01:03:26,000 --> 01:03:28,360
line. 
The coach adjusted posture, 

1160
01:03:28,400 --> 01:03:32,000
corrected vowels, had him repeat
sections until his throat ached 

1161
01:03:32,640 --> 01:03:35,280
again, softer this time. 
Hold the note longer. 

1162
01:03:35,760 --> 01:03:38,080
Feel it in your chest, not your 
throat. 

1163
01:03:38,400 --> 01:03:40,640
Yes, like that. 
Keep it there. 

1164
01:03:41,120 --> 01:03:44,840
Ryan obeyed every cue, sweat 
dampening his hair, his shirt 

1165
01:03:44,840 --> 01:03:47,560
clinging. 
The song unfolded fuller, each 

1166
01:03:47,560 --> 01:03:50,480
attempt less like practice, more
like confession. 

1167
01:03:51,080 --> 01:03:54,040
At last, the coach closed the 
music file, satisfied. 

1168
01:03:54,560 --> 01:03:55,800
Good. 
You'll sing this in front of the

1169
01:03:55,800 --> 01:03:58,240
others tomorrow. 
Keep your voice strong. 

1170
01:03:58,240 --> 01:04:00,560
Drink plenty of water tonight. 
Rest. 

1171
01:04:01,120 --> 01:04:04,840
Ryan bowed again, deeper this 
time, his breath unsteady when 

1172
01:04:04,840 --> 01:04:08,000
the coach left, The room felt 
heavier in its silence. 

1173
01:04:08,320 --> 01:04:12,000
Hours had slipped by. 
Pulling his phone free, Ryan 

1174
01:04:12,000 --> 01:04:13,800
finally tapped his mother's 
message. 

1175
01:04:14,360 --> 01:04:17,680
His thumb hesitated before he 
pressed call instead of reply. 

1176
01:04:18,280 --> 01:04:21,760
The line rang once, twice, and 
then her voice filled his ear, 

1177
01:04:22,200 --> 01:04:26,400
soft, familiar, carrying all the
warmth he'd been holding back. 

1178
01:04:26,920 --> 01:04:29,240
Ryan. 
Her voice was gentle, a little 

1179
01:04:29,240 --> 01:04:30,640
surprised. 
It's late. 

1180
01:04:31,120 --> 01:04:33,480
He swallowed, leaning back 
against the wall. 

1181
01:04:33,960 --> 01:04:36,040
I'm OK, Mom, just finished 
practice. 

1182
01:04:36,680 --> 01:04:39,360
Did you eat? 
A soft laugh escaped him. 

1183
01:04:39,480 --> 01:04:42,280
Tired but real. 
Yeah, don't worry. 

1184
01:04:42,560 --> 01:04:45,240
There was a pause, then her 
voice softened even more. 

1185
01:04:45,760 --> 01:04:47,320
I'm proud of you, son, I love 
you. 

1186
01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:50,760
Ryan closed his eyes, the ache 
in his throat forgotten. 

1187
01:04:51,040 --> 01:04:53,960
Thank you, I needed to hear 
that. 

1188
01:04:54,480 --> 01:04:58,520
Silence lingered, not heavy but 
warm, like home, reaching across

1189
01:04:58,520 --> 01:05:01,080
the line. 
When he finally hung up, his 

1190
01:05:01,080 --> 01:05:04,960
phone screen dimmed to black for
a moment, the reflection staring

1191
01:05:04,960 --> 01:05:08,520
back at him wasn't an idol 
trainee, just the sun breathing 

1192
01:05:08,520 --> 01:05:11,040
easier. 
SNWB. 

1193
01:05:12,280 --> 01:05:15,640
The practice room smelled of 
resin and sweat, mirrors lined 

1194
01:05:15,640 --> 01:05:17,560
with smudges from weeks of 
drills. 

1195
01:05:18,080 --> 01:05:21,320
All four boys stood side by 
side, water bottles clutched, 

1196
01:05:21,640 --> 01:05:23,360
towels draped around their 
necks. 

1197
01:05:23,880 --> 01:05:27,120
The producer entered with a file
in hand, flanked by the vocal 

1198
01:05:27,120 --> 01:05:29,680
coach. 
He set a tablet on the piano, 

1199
01:05:29,960 --> 01:05:32,680
pressing play. 
A piano line filled the room, 

1200
01:05:33,080 --> 01:05:36,920
gentle, bare, almost fragile. 
Not the pounding beats they 

1201
01:05:36,920 --> 01:05:40,040
trained to for debut. 
The boys glanced at each other, 

1202
01:05:40,120 --> 01:05:43,320
puzzled. 
This, the producer said, voice 

1203
01:05:43,320 --> 01:05:46,560
flat but certain. 
Is your next track different 

1204
01:05:46,560 --> 01:05:48,600
from the debut? 
A ballad? 

1205
01:05:48,880 --> 01:05:52,920
The company wants to show range.
Ray raised his brows, curious 

1206
01:05:53,080 --> 01:05:56,560
but unfazed. 
Shun straightened, eyes wide. 

1207
01:05:56,840 --> 01:05:59,640
Kian scoffed under his breath, 
already restless. 

1208
01:06:00,160 --> 01:06:02,400
Then the producer looked up. 
Ryan stepped forward. 

1209
01:06:02,920 --> 01:06:05,480
Ryan froze, towel still in his 
hand. 

1210
01:06:05,840 --> 01:06:09,400
The producer gestured again. 
Slowly, he moved to the mic. 

1211
01:06:10,000 --> 01:06:13,960
The backing track rolled again. 
Ryan inhaled, eyes fixed on the 

1212
01:06:13,960 --> 01:06:16,720
mirror. 
The first note slipped out, raw,

1213
01:06:16,720 --> 01:06:19,280
steady, the kind of sound that 
didn't need flash. 

1214
01:06:19,880 --> 01:06:22,520
His voice filled the practice 
room, stretching across the 

1215
01:06:22,520 --> 01:06:24,360
mirrors, wrapping around the 
others. 

1216
01:06:24,800 --> 01:06:27,440
Shun's lips parted in awe, 
forgetting to breathe. 

1217
01:06:28,040 --> 01:06:31,160
Ray's grin faded into something 
quieter, almost proud. 

1218
01:06:31,760 --> 01:06:34,600
And Kien. 
His smirk froze, then faltered. 

1219
01:06:35,120 --> 01:06:38,320
His eyes locked on Ryan, a storm
flickering underneath. 

1220
01:06:38,640 --> 01:06:41,920
Admiration, resentment. 
Something else he couldn't name.

1221
01:06:53,000 --> 01:06:55,840
The song ended. 
Silence rang, louder than the 

1222
01:06:55,840 --> 01:06:58,320
piano. 
The producer only nodded. 

1223
01:06:58,800 --> 01:07:00,200
Good. 
Tomorrow we'll refine. 

1224
01:07:00,200 --> 01:07:03,880
Dismissed, he left with the 
coach, the door clicking shut. 

1225
01:07:04,400 --> 01:07:07,840
The four boys stayed where they 
were, the quiet heavier than the

1226
01:07:07,840 --> 01:07:11,040
air conditioning. 
Ryan finally lowered his head, 

1227
01:07:11,240 --> 01:07:15,440
wiping his face with the towel. 
Shun whispered first, soft, 

1228
01:07:15,520 --> 01:07:17,720
sincere. 
That was beautiful. 

1229
01:07:18,000 --> 01:07:20,760
Ray clapped him lightly on the 
back, forcing brightness back 

1230
01:07:20,760 --> 01:07:23,880
into the room. 
Kian said nothing, His jaw 

1231
01:07:23,880 --> 01:07:26,480
tightened, fists curling at his 
sides. 

1232
01:07:27,000 --> 01:07:30,040
Ryan didn't meet his eyes. 
The door swung open again. 

1233
01:07:30,560 --> 01:07:33,120
Their manager stepped in 
briskly, clapping his hands. 

1234
01:07:33,520 --> 01:07:36,360
Boys, get ready. 
We've got a performance to do. 

1235
01:07:37,760 --> 01:07:40,440
SNWB. 
The van hummed down the highway,

1236
01:07:40,640 --> 01:07:43,440
blue phone light flickering 
across tired faces. 

1237
01:07:43,960 --> 01:07:47,400
Shun leaned in close to Kian, 
their screen glowing live on 

1238
01:07:47,400 --> 01:07:50,080
fans feeds. 
Look, look, say hi. 

1239
01:07:50,640 --> 01:07:54,640
Shun grinned, waving. 
Kian smirked, draping an arm 

1240
01:07:54,640 --> 01:07:56,480
across Shun's shoulders for the 
camera. 

1241
01:07:56,800 --> 01:07:58,880
The comments exploded with heart
emojis. 

1242
01:07:59,400 --> 01:08:02,440
Shun laughed, cheeks pink 
across. 

1243
01:08:02,640 --> 01:08:07,080
Ray nudged Ryan with his knee. 
So is that why you've been 

1244
01:08:07,080 --> 01:08:09,720
coming to bed late, sneaking off
to sing alone? 

1245
01:08:10,240 --> 01:08:13,680
Ryan blinked, caught, then let 
out the faintest laugh. 

1246
01:08:14,200 --> 01:08:17,200
Something like that. 
Ray grinned, reaching over to 

1247
01:08:17,200 --> 01:08:20,520
tickle his side. 
Ryan twisted, trying to shove 

1248
01:08:20,520 --> 01:08:24,000
him off, laughter breaking 
through the silence for a 

1249
01:08:24,000 --> 01:08:25,200
moment. 
The weight lifted. 

1250
01:08:25,760 --> 01:08:29,640
Backstage, the noise roared. 
Staff shouting cues, makeup 

1251
01:08:29,640 --> 01:08:31,840
artists starting in with brushes
and powder. 

1252
01:08:32,359 --> 01:08:35,600
The boys stood in a huddle, 
breath steading as final touches

1253
01:08:35,600 --> 01:08:38,800
brushed across their cheeks. 
Ray tugged his jacket into 

1254
01:08:38,800 --> 01:08:41,359
place. 
Shun tightened his grip on the 

1255
01:08:41,359 --> 01:08:44,319
mic. 
Kian cracked his knuckles, smirk

1256
01:08:44,319 --> 01:08:47,399
half formed. 
Ryan stood in the center, eyes 

1257
01:08:47,399 --> 01:08:51,160
steady, forehand stacked, sweat 
damp against skin. 

1258
01:08:51,760 --> 01:08:55,120
Ryan's voice cut through the 
chaos, strong, sharp. 

1259
01:08:55,720 --> 01:08:58,120
Who are we? 
SNWP. 

1260
01:08:58,319 --> 01:09:00,720
Who? 
SNWP. 

1261
01:09:01,399 --> 01:09:04,040
The chant hit like Thunder. 
The lights rose. 

1262
01:09:04,600 --> 01:09:08,600
The stage waited. 
Every stage, every chance, every

1263
01:09:08,600 --> 01:09:11,479
cheer only hides what they're 
carrying alone. 

1264
01:09:12,200 --> 01:09:15,240
Ryan sings what no one else 
hears, his voice carrying more 

1265
01:09:15,240 --> 01:09:18,399
than the group knows. 
Ray shines in front of cameras, 

1266
01:09:18,640 --> 01:09:20,160
the world already calling his 
name. 

1267
01:09:21,120 --> 01:09:25,080
Kian burns with fire, fighting 
shadows even in laughter and 

1268
01:09:25,080 --> 01:09:28,600
Shun watching, listening 
quietly, holding every piece 

1269
01:09:28,600 --> 01:09:31,720
together. 
The stage made them a name, but 

1270
01:09:31,720 --> 01:09:34,760
in the quiet, choices are 
waiting songs they never asked 

1271
01:09:34,760 --> 01:09:38,279
for, feelings they never 
planned, and a bond that will be

1272
01:09:38,279 --> 01:09:41,000
tested again when fire meets 
silence. 

1273
01:09:41,600 --> 01:09:45,279
This is we, Rs and WB Episode 3 
in our breath. 

1274
01:09:46,439 --> 01:09:50,680
Last time, Ray stepped into the 
spotlight while Ryan's voice 

1275
01:09:50,680 --> 01:09:54,720
burned quietly, unseen. 
But in every group, there's one 

1276
01:09:54,720 --> 01:09:56,680
who refuses to stay in the 
shadows. 

1277
01:09:57,240 --> 01:09:59,280
For Kian, fire is not just a 
word. 

1278
01:09:59,800 --> 01:10:03,640
It's every beat in his chest, 
every breath he spits into the 

1279
01:10:03,640 --> 01:10:06,320
mic. 
It's hunger sharper than sleep, 

1280
01:10:06,880 --> 01:10:08,920
it's ambition heavier than 
doubt. 

1281
01:10:09,520 --> 01:10:13,000
And when fire meets fame, it can
turn into something the world 

1282
01:10:13,000 --> 01:10:16,800
can ignore. 
This is We Are SNWB episode 4 

1283
01:10:17,240 --> 01:10:20,000
Run the beat. 
SNWB. 

1284
01:10:20,880 --> 01:10:23,560
The conference room smelled 
faintly of coffee and printer 

1285
01:10:23,560 --> 01:10:26,560
ink, the kind of place where big
decisions never matched the 

1286
01:10:26,560 --> 01:10:29,680
bland walls. 
Four boys sat side by side, 

1287
01:10:29,800 --> 01:10:32,320
sneakers tapping lightly under 
the long table. 

1288
01:10:32,800 --> 01:10:35,480
The producer slid a folder 
forward, the company logo 

1289
01:10:35,480 --> 01:10:38,720
stamped sharp on its cover. 
His tongue was brisk, almost 

1290
01:10:38,720 --> 01:10:41,240
casual, but the words dropped 
like fire. 

1291
01:10:41,840 --> 01:10:46,360
Congratulations, SNW BS first 
brand deal sportswear sneakers. 

1292
01:10:46,640 --> 01:10:48,960
They want rookies with energy, 
hype, edge. 

1293
01:10:49,200 --> 01:10:52,440
They want you. 
Shun blinked, his mouth falling 

1294
01:10:52,440 --> 01:10:53,840
open in the silent. 
Oh. 

1295
01:10:54,400 --> 01:10:57,360
Ryan bowed his head politely, 
hiding a faint smile. 

1296
01:10:57,880 --> 01:11:00,920
Ray leaned back in his chair, 
silver hair catching the 

1297
01:11:00,920 --> 01:11:02,560
fluorescent light like it always
did. 

1298
01:11:02,800 --> 01:11:06,800
Grin already forming and the 
request, the producer continued.

1299
01:11:06,840 --> 01:11:09,560
Tapping the folder is simple, A 
special track. 

1300
01:11:09,720 --> 01:11:12,480
High energy Ray and Kian on 
lead. 

1301
01:11:12,720 --> 01:11:15,640
Ryan and Shun, you'll support 
the harmonies and chorus. 

1302
01:11:16,120 --> 01:11:18,480
For a heartbeat, Kian forgot to 
breathe. 

1303
01:11:19,320 --> 01:11:23,240
His name purred with rays not 
hidden behind, not left out. 

1304
01:11:23,680 --> 01:11:25,640
LED. 
The word burned through him, 

1305
01:11:25,640 --> 01:11:29,680
hotter than any caffeine. 
Ray's grin widened, effortless. 

1306
01:11:30,200 --> 01:11:31,720
Guess they know who's got the 
spark. 

1307
01:11:32,120 --> 01:11:34,440
Kian smirked back, but his jaw 
was tight. 

1308
01:11:34,960 --> 01:11:38,120
His fire wasn't just spark, it 
was fuel waiting to explode. 

1309
01:11:38,600 --> 01:11:40,640
The producer closed the folder 
with a snap. 

1310
01:11:40,800 --> 01:11:43,360
Recording starts tomorrow, don't
waste it. 

1311
01:11:43,640 --> 01:11:46,040
The boys rose together, chairs 
scraping back. 

1312
01:11:46,560 --> 01:11:50,000
Shun nearly skipped the door, 
whispering excitedly to Ryan 

1313
01:11:50,000 --> 01:11:52,280
about sneakers. 
Ray stretched like it was 

1314
01:11:52,280 --> 01:11:55,680
another casual win, but Kian 
lingered a second longer, 

1315
01:11:55,680 --> 01:11:57,600
staring at the folder still on 
the table. 

1316
01:11:58,120 --> 01:12:00,600
His reflection glared back from 
its glossy cover. 

1317
01:12:01,040 --> 01:12:04,520
For once, his name was in front.
He wasn't about to let it slip 

1318
01:12:04,520 --> 01:12:06,920
away. 
SNWB. 

1319
01:12:07,840 --> 01:12:11,440
The loop hit steady through the 
monitors, bass sharp, sneakers 

1320
01:12:11,440 --> 01:12:14,480
squeaking in the backbeat. 
The producer leaned forward, 

1321
01:12:14,480 --> 01:12:16,560
voice clipped, wrapped, sections
open. 

1322
01:12:16,760 --> 01:12:19,640
Kian, you write it, make it fit 
the brand. 

1323
01:12:20,000 --> 01:12:21,760
A notebook slid across the 
table. 

1324
01:12:22,280 --> 01:12:25,640
Kian picked it up, pen tapping 
once against the blank page. 

1325
01:12:26,160 --> 01:12:28,680
His jaw flexed. 
Then he began scribbling. 

1326
01:12:29,280 --> 01:12:32,320
No chains on me. 
Speed in my pulse, burning my 

1327
01:12:32,320 --> 01:12:34,160
feet. 
He frowned. 

1328
01:12:34,480 --> 01:12:37,040
Too stiff. 
A hard slash crossed through the

1329
01:12:37,040 --> 01:12:38,320
lines. 
Another try. 

1330
01:12:38,680 --> 01:12:40,840
Speed in my pulse, burning my 
feet. 

1331
01:12:41,400 --> 01:12:43,640
Every move forward, nothing to 
hide. 

1332
01:12:43,920 --> 01:12:47,560
Another line dragged across it, 
ink pressed so deep it nearly 

1333
01:12:47,560 --> 01:12:50,400
tore the page from the sofa. 
Ray chuckled. 

1334
01:12:50,960 --> 01:12:53,120
You're going to rap or kill the 
notebook first. 

1335
01:12:53,640 --> 01:12:57,160
Kian's glare was sharp enough to
cut, but he kept his head down. 

1336
01:12:57,640 --> 01:13:00,040
The beat looped again, pushing 
him forward. 

1337
01:13:00,480 --> 01:13:03,720
Edge in my voice. 
Rise with the heat. 1 fire 

1338
01:13:03,720 --> 01:13:04,840
burning. 
Run the beat. 

1339
01:13:05,120 --> 01:13:09,000
Still wrong, still hollow. 
His chest tightened with every 

1340
01:13:09,000 --> 01:13:12,000
failed attempt. 
Then the pen slowed, almost on 

1341
01:13:12,000 --> 01:13:14,640
its own. 
The next words fell out softer. 

1342
01:13:14,800 --> 01:13:17,680
Fire in my chest. 
Fuego and me peel. 

1343
01:13:18,160 --> 01:13:19,920
He froze. 
Spanish. 

1344
01:13:20,360 --> 01:13:23,000
The word sat heavier on the 
page, alive and away. 

1345
01:13:23,000 --> 01:13:25,680
The others weren't half Korean, 
half Mexican. 

1346
01:13:25,920 --> 01:13:28,560
It was always there, but never 
written in this room, never 

1347
01:13:28,560 --> 01:13:31,880
spoken where others could hear. 
Not for the group, not for the 

1348
01:13:31,880 --> 01:13:34,000
brand. 
His pulse kicked harder. 

1349
01:13:34,440 --> 01:13:36,600
He pushed anyway. 
Edge in my stride, Nunca 

1350
01:13:36,600 --> 01:13:39,400
voyakaya. 
The rhythm snapped into place. 

1351
01:13:39,920 --> 01:13:42,560
English and Spanish wound 
together like they belonged. 

1352
01:13:43,080 --> 01:13:46,080
For the first time, the rap 
sounded like him, but doubt rose

1353
01:13:46,080 --> 01:13:48,080
just as fast. 
Would they allow it? 

1354
01:13:48,640 --> 01:13:50,040
Would they tell him to cut it 
out? 

1355
01:13:50,600 --> 01:13:53,680
He lifted the notebook toward 
the console, voice low. 

1356
01:13:53,960 --> 01:13:56,640
Is this OK? 
The producer's eyes flicked 

1357
01:13:56,640 --> 01:13:59,520
across the lines. 
The only sound was the beat in 

1358
01:13:59,520 --> 01:14:01,680
the speakers, steady and 
relentless. 

1359
01:14:02,240 --> 01:14:04,320
Then a single nod. 
Try it. 

1360
01:14:04,800 --> 01:14:07,840
Kian slipped into the booth, 
headphones sliding over his 

1361
01:14:07,840 --> 01:14:09,800
ears. 
His throat went dry. 

1362
01:14:10,360 --> 01:14:13,040
The beat dropped, red light 
glowing on his skin. 

1363
01:14:13,600 --> 01:14:15,440
He leaned into the mic and let 
it out. 

1364
01:14:16,160 --> 01:14:25,800
Fire in my chest the. 
Spanish stayed on the couch. 

1365
01:14:25,880 --> 01:14:29,120
Shun whispered without meaning 
to, awe soft in his voice. 

1366
01:14:29,320 --> 01:14:31,640
Cool. 
Ray's grin faltered into 

1367
01:14:31,640 --> 01:14:34,600
something smaller, sharper. 
Not a joke this time, but 

1368
01:14:34,600 --> 01:14:36,840
interest. 
Ryan's expression stayed 

1369
01:14:36,840 --> 01:14:39,240
unreadable, but his faint nod 
carried weight. 

1370
01:14:39,760 --> 01:14:43,360
Kian tugged the headphones off, 
breath ragged, fire running 

1371
01:14:43,360 --> 01:14:46,200
hotter in his chest. 
For the first time, it wasn't 

1372
01:14:46,200 --> 01:14:48,200
just heat. 
It was his. 

1373
01:14:49,480 --> 01:14:53,440
SNWB. 
The set glowed with neon strips 

1374
01:14:53,440 --> 01:14:56,640
running across the floor, 
sneaker posters plastered wall 

1375
01:14:56,640 --> 01:14:59,800
to wall. 
For the first time, SNWB weren't

1376
01:14:59,800 --> 01:15:03,440
just rookies chasing stages, 
they were faces of a brand. 

1377
01:15:03,960 --> 01:15:07,640
Stylists knelt at their feet, 
tightening laces, smoothing 

1378
01:15:07,640 --> 01:15:11,240
shirts, patting down hair. 
Under the lights, each boy's 

1379
01:15:11,240 --> 01:15:14,560
roll card was clear. 
Ray bounced a basketball against

1380
01:15:14,560 --> 01:15:17,280
the floor, already smiling like 
the camera loved him. 

1381
01:15:17,840 --> 01:15:21,320
Shun tested his sneakers with a 
spin, laughter echoing when they

1382
01:15:21,320 --> 01:15:24,760
squeaked back in rhythm. 
Ryan checked the rope coiled 

1383
01:15:24,760 --> 01:15:27,800
around his hand, calm and steady
as always. 

1384
01:15:28,360 --> 01:15:31,280
Kian stared at the painted 
Sprint line, heart beating 

1385
01:15:31,280 --> 01:15:34,160
faster than the loop track 
pulsing through the speakers. 

1386
01:15:34,720 --> 01:15:37,480
Rolling from the top 32. 
The beat dropped. 

1387
01:15:37,480 --> 01:15:39,840
Run. 
The beat light on the. 

1388
01:15:40,720 --> 01:15:57,440
Beat. 
Run the beat. 

1389
01:15:57,680 --> 01:15:59,960
Ray slammed the ball into a 
clean dunk. 

1390
01:16:00,520 --> 01:16:03,840
Shun spun through freestyle 
footwork, sneakers flashing with

1391
01:16:03,840 --> 01:16:06,760
every turn. 
Ryan's rope cracked against the 

1392
01:16:06,760 --> 01:16:08,840
floor. 
Sync perfect with the rhythm. 

1393
01:16:09,400 --> 01:16:13,000
Then Kean tore down the track, 
sneakers pounding, rap cutting 

1394
01:16:13,000 --> 01:16:23,240
sharp into the beat. 
The Spanish snapped, sharper 

1395
01:16:23,240 --> 01:16:25,960
than the lights. 
Staff at the monitors leaned 

1396
01:16:25,960 --> 01:16:28,760
closer. 
A brand Rep turned, voice quick.

1397
01:16:29,240 --> 01:16:30,640
That, that's the pulse we 
wanted. 

1398
01:16:30,800 --> 01:16:34,880
Young, alive, new. 
Kean slowed to a stop, chest 

1399
01:16:34,880 --> 01:16:37,000
heaving, sweat clinging under 
the lights. 

1400
01:16:37,520 --> 01:16:40,320
He caught the words. 
Not about Ray, not about Ryan. 

1401
01:16:40,640 --> 01:16:44,240
Him, his verse. 
Ray jogged past, shoulder 

1402
01:16:44,240 --> 01:16:46,760
bumping his lightly. 
Not bad, partner. 

1403
01:16:47,040 --> 01:16:49,200
Shun's gaze lingered longer than
a glance. 

1404
01:16:49,760 --> 01:16:53,320
Ryan offered a subtle nod. 
The Director reset them, four 

1405
01:16:53,320 --> 01:16:56,600
shadows moving as one. 
Sneakers hit the floor in 

1406
01:16:56,600 --> 01:16:58,640
unison, logo snapping into 
frame. 

1407
01:17:13,720 --> 01:17:17,160
The camera pulled back, neon 
flooding the floor, sneakers 

1408
01:17:17,160 --> 01:17:19,960
glowing with every step. 
When the director finally 

1409
01:17:19,960 --> 01:17:23,760
called, cut staff clapped. 
The brand team huddled with the 

1410
01:17:23,760 --> 01:17:28,000
producer, words spilling quick, 
fresh, young right vibe for 

1411
01:17:28,000 --> 01:17:30,600
SNWB. 
It wasn't just another shoot. 

1412
01:17:31,120 --> 01:17:33,600
It was proof. 
Proof they could be chosen. 

1413
01:17:34,080 --> 01:17:36,760
Proof they could stand ahead of 
Obsidian, if only for this 

1414
01:17:36,760 --> 01:17:39,600
moment. 
Kian tugged at his laces, a 

1415
01:17:39,600 --> 01:17:43,640
smirk ghosting at his lips. 
For once, the fire in him didn't

1416
01:17:43,640 --> 01:17:47,640
just burn, it illuminated S. 
NWB. 

1417
01:17:48,800 --> 01:17:52,360
A few days later, the dorm fell 
quiet around noon until the 

1418
01:17:52,360 --> 01:17:55,120
sound of sneakers pounding 
against asphalt filled the 

1419
01:17:55,120 --> 01:17:57,720
television. 
The commercial hit screens all 

1420
01:17:57,720 --> 01:18:01,400
at once. 
Neon lights, a backboard slam, 

1421
01:18:02,120 --> 01:18:05,200
Ray spinning the ball with a 
smirk that belongs only on 

1422
01:18:05,200 --> 01:18:07,920
camera. 
Then, Kian's rap cutting sharp 

1423
01:18:07,920 --> 01:18:10,720
over the beat, his sneakers 
flashing with every step. 

1424
01:18:11,280 --> 01:18:15,560
Shun smiled, Ryan's steady gaze 
all four moving together in a 

1425
01:18:15,560 --> 01:18:18,080
choreography designed to 
highlight only one thing. 

1426
01:18:18,080 --> 01:18:21,080
The shoes run the beat. 
SNWB. 

1427
01:18:21,360 --> 01:18:23,000
The logo slammed across the 
screen. 

1428
01:18:23,640 --> 01:18:27,240
For a moment, the boys just 
stared, their own faces bigger, 

1429
01:18:27,240 --> 01:18:29,960
brighter, cleaner than any 
practice mirror had ever shown. 

1430
01:18:30,560 --> 01:18:32,360
Then the sound of their phones 
broke in. 

1431
01:18:32,920 --> 01:18:35,480
Notifications stacked faster 
than they could swipe. 

1432
01:18:35,960 --> 01:18:39,320
Social feeds lit up with clips 
of the commercial edits looping 

1433
01:18:39,320 --> 01:18:42,680
Kean's rap in Spanish hashtags, 
pushing them into trending. 

1434
01:18:42,680 --> 01:18:46,480
Overnight, fans screamed about 
Ray's dunk, about Shun's shy 

1435
01:18:46,480 --> 01:18:49,600
grin, about Ryan's gaze that 
felt like it had been aimed 

1436
01:18:49,600 --> 01:18:53,240
directly through the screen. 
By evening, the chart lines 

1437
01:18:53,240 --> 01:18:56,840
moved. 
See New World breath climbed one

1438
01:18:56,840 --> 01:19:00,680
rank, then another. 
By midnight, the graph showed a 

1439
01:19:00,680 --> 01:19:03,000
truth none of them expected so 
soon. 

1440
01:19:03,360 --> 01:19:06,160
Their debut single was almost 
neck and neck with Obsidian. 

1441
01:19:06,520 --> 01:19:09,840
Shun watched the commercial 
again from his bunk, volume low,

1442
01:19:09,840 --> 01:19:12,320
lips curving into a smile he 
tried to hide. 

1443
01:19:13,280 --> 01:19:16,520
Ryan scrolled through the 
charts, jaw set but eyes soft 

1444
01:19:16,520 --> 01:19:19,920
with something close to relief. 
Ray leaned against the counter, 

1445
01:19:20,040 --> 01:19:23,360
smirking at a comment he didn't 
bother to read out loud, and 

1446
01:19:23,360 --> 01:19:26,320
Keon replayed his rap cut over 
and over, pretending it was 

1447
01:19:26,320 --> 01:19:29,560
nothing but watching the way 
fans had clipped his moment into

1448
01:19:29,560 --> 01:19:33,200
1000 different edits. 
Ray pushed off the counter, 

1449
01:19:33,200 --> 01:19:36,600
walked past Kian, and without a 
word, ruffled his hair with a 

1450
01:19:36,600 --> 01:19:39,840
reluctant shake. 
Kian looked up, startled, half 

1451
01:19:39,840 --> 01:19:42,120
laughing, half annoyed. 
Stop it. 

1452
01:19:42,360 --> 01:19:44,200
He muttered, but he didn't mean 
it. 

1453
01:19:44,680 --> 01:19:48,600
Ray's hand dropped back to his 
side, his grin returning easy, 

1454
01:19:48,800 --> 01:19:52,600
distant, but not cold. 
The silence that followed wasn't

1455
01:19:52,600 --> 01:19:56,200
awkward, it was earned, and with
it came the call from the 

1456
01:19:56,200 --> 01:19:59,200
manager. 
Turn off the lights, go to 

1457
01:19:59,200 --> 01:20:01,120
sleep. 
Big stage tomorrow. 

1458
01:20:01,400 --> 01:20:04,800
Lights flicking off. 
PM could still hear the echo of 

1459
01:20:04,800 --> 01:20:07,880
his verse for the first time. 
It didn't just sound like a line

1460
01:20:07,880 --> 01:20:10,240
in a song, it sounded like a 
rival. 

1461
01:20:11,400 --> 01:20:14,680
SNWB. 
The Music Hall was empty but 

1462
01:20:14,680 --> 01:20:18,480
humming with energy, stage crew 
adjusting lights, cameras 

1463
01:20:18,480 --> 01:20:21,720
locking angles, producers 
muttering notes into headsets. 

1464
01:20:21,920 --> 01:20:24,680
It wasn't the real show yet. 
It was rundown. 

1465
01:20:25,240 --> 01:20:27,240
SNWB stood center stage, 
waiting. 

1466
01:20:27,800 --> 01:20:30,840
The sneaker shoot still burned 
in their heads, Brandstaff 

1467
01:20:30,840 --> 01:20:33,800
clapping, calling them fresh 
young right vibe. 

1468
01:20:34,160 --> 01:20:37,640
But here there were no neon 
sets, just stage marks taped on 

1469
01:20:37,640 --> 01:20:39,600
the floor and cameras judging 
every move. 

1470
01:20:40,200 --> 01:20:44,080
Race spun his mic once, playful.
Shun bounced on his heels, 

1471
01:20:44,080 --> 01:20:47,040
sneakers squeaking. 
Ryan scanned the rundown sheet 

1472
01:20:47,040 --> 01:20:49,320
again. 
Kian tapped his foot to the 

1473
01:20:49,320 --> 01:20:51,800
loop. 
Track fire smoldering just below

1474
01:20:52,200 --> 01:20:54,960
Send WB camera blocking from 
top. 

1475
01:20:55,080 --> 01:20:58,200
The stage manager called. 
The beat blasted through the 

1476
01:20:58,200 --> 01:21:01,480
empty hall. 
They moved sharp at first, then 

1477
01:21:01,480 --> 01:21:03,920
staggered. 
Shun landed half a step late. 

1478
01:21:04,560 --> 01:21:07,440
Ray's mark was off center. 
Kian turned too early. 

1479
01:21:08,000 --> 01:21:11,080
Guys, look at the camera. 
A staff voice barked from the 

1480
01:21:11,080 --> 01:21:14,200
monitors. 
Hit your marks, not each other. 

1481
01:21:14,760 --> 01:21:17,480
The music cut. 
SNWB froze mid formation. 

1482
01:21:18,000 --> 01:21:21,120
Ryan exhaled through his nose, 
adjusting position without a 

1483
01:21:21,120 --> 01:21:22,720
word. 
Ray muttered. 

1484
01:21:22,840 --> 01:21:25,000
Got it. 
Shun bit his lip, cheeks 

1485
01:21:25,000 --> 01:21:27,760
flushing. 
Kian's fist curled against his 

1486
01:21:27,760 --> 01:21:30,280
side. 
The tension hung heavy until the

1487
01:21:30,280 --> 01:21:34,240
stage manager waved them off. 
Reset, Obsidian, your turn. 

1488
01:21:34,760 --> 01:21:38,800
Obsidian walked in from stage 
left, sleek in black rehearsal 

1489
01:21:38,800 --> 01:21:41,080
gear. 
Their leader smirked across the 

1490
01:21:41,080 --> 01:21:43,680
empty hall as they passed. 
Not bad. 

1491
01:21:43,920 --> 01:21:47,160
Guess the brand one acute. 
Let's show them sharp send, will

1492
01:21:47,160 --> 01:21:49,400
you be Held their ground, but 
the jab stung. 

1493
01:21:50,000 --> 01:21:54,720
The track switched. 
Obsidian moved clean, polished, 

1494
01:21:55,080 --> 01:21:58,280
every angle hitting like it had 
been rehearsed 100 times. 

1495
01:21:58,840 --> 01:22:01,680
Staff nodded, some even clapped.
That's tight. 

1496
01:22:02,000 --> 01:22:06,320
Perfect angles from the wings. 
SNWB watched, frustration 

1497
01:22:06,320 --> 01:22:09,000
tightening their shoulders 
behind his leader. 

1498
01:22:09,000 --> 01:22:12,920
Jin glanced back once, his lips 
shaped a quick, silent word 

1499
01:22:12,920 --> 01:22:14,480
toward Ray. 
Sorry. 

1500
01:22:14,680 --> 01:22:17,360
Ray caught it. 
His grin softened just for a 

1501
01:22:17,360 --> 01:22:19,160
heartbeat, before sliding back 
on. 

1502
01:22:20,560 --> 01:22:23,840
SNWB. 
The hallway hummed with the tail

1503
01:22:23,840 --> 01:22:27,160
end of rehearsal chatter. 
Obsidian's laughter still echoed

1504
01:22:27,160 --> 01:22:30,320
faintly from down the corridor, 
the kind that stung more because

1505
01:22:30,320 --> 01:22:34,240
it wasn't cruel, just confident.
Key and sat on a low flight 

1506
01:22:34,240 --> 01:22:36,760
case, sneakers planted on the 
cold floor. 

1507
01:22:36,880 --> 01:22:38,720
The same pair they'd mocked on 
stage. 

1508
01:22:39,240 --> 01:22:42,360
He retired one, lace fingers 
tugging harder than they needed 

1509
01:22:42,360 --> 01:22:45,000
to. 
The logo flashed briefly under 

1510
01:22:45,000 --> 01:22:47,800
the fluorescent light, a quiet, 
defiant glow. 

1511
01:22:48,360 --> 01:22:51,480
He unlocked his phone. 
The commercial clip filled the 

1512
01:22:51,480 --> 01:22:55,280
screen, neon lights rhythm 
pulsing, his verse catching 

1513
01:22:55,280 --> 01:22:58,080
flame again. 
Comments flew past in a blur. 

1514
01:22:58,480 --> 01:23:02,000
Kian's verse in Spanish, half 
Korean, half Mexican. 

1515
01:23:02,000 --> 01:23:04,120
King. 
Finally, someone different. 

1516
01:23:04,640 --> 01:23:07,440
He exhaled through a grin that 
almost looked proud. 

1517
01:23:07,600 --> 01:23:10,160
Almost. 
Shun leaned over his shoulder. 

1518
01:23:10,600 --> 01:23:12,760
Hyung, you really like that 
shoe, huh? 

1519
01:23:13,160 --> 01:23:14,960
Kian smirked. 
It fits. 

1520
01:23:15,480 --> 01:23:17,680
Ryan's voice drifted from across
the room. 

1521
01:23:18,000 --> 01:23:20,440
Let's focus, we're up again in a
few. 

1522
01:23:20,760 --> 01:23:23,480
Ray's reflection appeared 
briefly in the dressing room 

1523
01:23:23,480 --> 01:23:26,720
mirror, voice cutting through 
with a sharp ease. 

1524
01:23:27,240 --> 01:23:29,560
You should save that confidence 
for the stage. 

1525
01:23:30,080 --> 01:23:32,920
He half smiled. 
If it shows up there, maybe 

1526
01:23:32,920 --> 01:23:35,800
we'll finally win one. 
The words hit harder than he 

1527
01:23:35,800 --> 01:23:39,080
expected, not cruel, but edged 
with something familiar. 

1528
01:23:39,240 --> 01:23:41,800
Frustration. 
Pien's head lifted. 

1529
01:23:42,320 --> 01:23:44,800
The silence after the line was 
thick enough to hum. 

1530
01:23:45,280 --> 01:23:48,320
He stood slowly, sneakers 
squeaking against the floor. 

1531
01:23:48,800 --> 01:23:53,040
Then stop hiding behind mine. 
Ray froze, his jaw locked, ham 

1532
01:23:53,040 --> 01:23:55,120
curling around the water bottle 
until it creaked. 

1533
01:23:55,680 --> 01:23:59,000
Peon's fists tightened at his 
sides, shoulder squared. 

1534
01:23:59,520 --> 01:24:02,880
Ryan moved first, calm but firm 
enough. 

1535
01:24:03,520 --> 01:24:06,800
Shun stepped between them, hands
up, nervous smile gone. 

1536
01:24:07,280 --> 01:24:10,120
Hyun, don't. 
The air stayed electric for a 

1537
01:24:10,120 --> 01:24:14,080
beat longer, sharp, unspoken. 
Then Ray broke first, turning 

1538
01:24:14,080 --> 01:24:16,960
toward the door. 
He muttered under his breath. 

1539
01:24:17,440 --> 01:24:20,320
Right, focus. 
The door swung shut behind him. 

1540
01:24:20,840 --> 01:24:24,080
Kean exhaled, breath catching. 
His gaze dropped to the 

1541
01:24:24,080 --> 01:24:27,920
sneakers, the light hitting the 
logo again, his voice quiet this

1542
01:24:27,920 --> 01:24:30,920
time. 
The hall still buzzed with 

1543
01:24:30,920 --> 01:24:33,080
movement, but Ray barely heard 
it. 

1544
01:24:33,600 --> 01:24:36,040
Every step from the waiting room
felt too loud. 

1545
01:24:36,520 --> 01:24:39,680
His jaw ached from clenching. 
His pulse hadn't slowed since 

1546
01:24:39,680 --> 01:24:42,680
Kean's last line. 
He twisted the cap on his water 

1547
01:24:42,680 --> 01:24:46,040
bottle until it squeaked, the 
plastic biting into his palm. 

1548
01:24:46,600 --> 01:24:49,720
Anything to bleed. 
The leftover heat gear shifted. 

1549
01:24:49,960 --> 01:24:52,240
Obsidian was prepping for their 
second pass. 

1550
01:24:52,800 --> 01:24:56,360
Ray slipped through the side 
wings, looking for air, a place 

1551
01:24:56,360 --> 01:24:58,800
where his heartbeat didn't have 
to match the same rhythm as 

1552
01:24:58,800 --> 01:25:01,760
theirs. 
Gin was there, half in shadow, 

1553
01:25:01,760 --> 01:25:05,240
leaning against a stack of 
flight cases, phone loose in his

1554
01:25:05,240 --> 01:25:07,600
grip, calm and away. 
Ray wasn't. 

1555
01:25:08,320 --> 01:25:11,120
Congrats. 
Gin said quietly, eyes flicking 

1556
01:25:11,120 --> 01:25:13,320
toward him. 
First brand deal. 

1557
01:25:13,360 --> 01:25:16,280
That's huge. 
Ray tilted the bottle in 1/2 

1558
01:25:16,280 --> 01:25:17,640
salute. 
Exhale rough. 

1559
01:25:18,040 --> 01:25:20,040
Thanks. 
Feels good being chosen. 

1560
01:25:20,520 --> 01:25:23,480
Heavy, though. 
Jin's smile curved faintly. 

1561
01:25:23,920 --> 01:25:26,360
It always feels heavy at first. 
You'll carry it. 

1562
01:25:26,800 --> 01:25:28,960
The words landed softer than 
expected. 

1563
01:25:29,480 --> 01:25:32,360
Something in Ray's shoulders 
eased, the tension bleeding out 

1564
01:25:32,360 --> 01:25:34,640
slow. 
For a breath, there were no 

1565
01:25:34,640 --> 01:25:38,240
cameras, no rivals, just two 
boys caught between noise and 

1566
01:25:38,240 --> 01:25:40,840
silence. 
Ray's voice dropped low. 

1567
01:25:41,080 --> 01:25:43,440
When our first promos wrap, 
let's meet up. 

1568
01:25:43,760 --> 01:25:47,840
Just us, No teams, no cameras. 
Jin's gaze didn't flinch. 

1569
01:25:48,160 --> 01:25:51,120
Yeah, just us. 
The stage manager's voice 

1570
01:25:51,120 --> 01:25:53,600
cracked the air. 
Obsidian stand by. 

1571
01:25:53,840 --> 01:25:55,760
Jin straightened, slipping his 
phone away. 

1572
01:25:56,280 --> 01:25:59,960
See you around, He murmured. 
Ray didn't answer. 

1573
01:26:00,360 --> 01:26:03,560
He just nodded, watching Jin 
walk toward the lights spilling 

1574
01:26:03,560 --> 01:26:06,560
from stage left. 
The hallway fell quiet again, 

1575
01:26:06,800 --> 01:26:09,640
only the faint hum of bass 
bleeding through the wall. 

1576
01:26:10,120 --> 01:26:13,200
Ray turned back toward the 
direction he'd come, toward the 

1577
01:26:13,200 --> 01:26:16,000
waiting room. 
The voices inside were low, 

1578
01:26:16,000 --> 01:26:18,400
familiar. 
Kian, Ryan, Shun. 

1579
01:26:18,680 --> 01:26:21,360
He lingered there a moment 
longer, hand tightening once 

1580
01:26:21,360 --> 01:26:24,480
more around the bottle. 
Then he exhaled, jaw set. 

1581
01:26:24,960 --> 01:26:27,760
The anger had dulled, but not 
disappeared. 

1582
01:26:28,280 --> 01:26:32,440
It burned quieter now, something
steadier, smaller, and entirely 

1583
01:26:32,440 --> 01:26:35,600
his. 
On stage, Obsidian reset into 

1584
01:26:35,600 --> 01:26:40,080
formation, sharp and ready. 
SNWB stood off stage, waiting 

1585
01:26:40,080 --> 01:26:43,200
their turn, the earlier bark 
still ringing in their ears. 

1586
01:26:43,600 --> 01:26:46,880
Guys, look at the camera. 
For all their wins, they still 

1587
01:26:46,880 --> 01:26:50,560
had ground to prove. 
The arena thundered alive, light

1588
01:26:50,560 --> 01:26:54,840
sticks swaying like tides, 
voices chanting names backstage.

1589
01:26:54,880 --> 01:26:58,720
SNWB stood in formation, Mike's 
clipped outfits crisp. 

1590
01:26:59,000 --> 01:27:02,280
It wasn't rehearsal anymore. 
This was live broadcast. 

1591
01:27:02,800 --> 01:27:06,800
This was their debut song, their
first chance at #1 The lights 

1592
01:27:06,800 --> 01:27:09,480
dropped, then cracked open in 
silver beans. 

1593
01:27:10,120 --> 01:27:12,080
Obsidian hit the floor like they
owned it. 

1594
01:27:12,280 --> 01:27:14,680
Sharp formation, no wasted 
motion. 

1595
01:27:15,280 --> 01:27:19,040
Their debut song tore through 
the arena, dark bass heavy, a 

1596
01:27:19,040 --> 01:27:22,320
ruthless anthem. 
Their leaders rap snapped hard, 

1597
01:27:22,520 --> 01:27:24,440
Jin's vocal soaring clean above 
it. 

1598
01:27:25,080 --> 01:27:28,760
The crowd roared their name in 
tight chants, fans shaking black

1599
01:27:28,760 --> 01:27:32,000
silver light sticks like weapons
at the wings. 

1600
01:27:32,040 --> 01:27:35,600
SNWB watched. 
Ray's smile tightened but didn't

1601
01:27:35,600 --> 01:27:38,680
break. 
Shun leaned forward, eyes wide 

1602
01:27:38,680 --> 01:27:42,000
with pressure. 
Kian's fists curled, jawed 

1603
01:27:42,000 --> 01:27:44,520
tight. 
Ryan's gaze stayed steady, 

1604
01:27:44,800 --> 01:27:47,640
unreadable. 
Obsidian closed on a perfect 

1605
01:27:47,640 --> 01:27:49,600
slam, lights flaring behind 
them. 

1606
01:27:50,200 --> 01:27:52,920
The crowd erupted, staff nodding
at the monitors. 

1607
01:27:53,440 --> 01:27:56,400
Flawless. 
SNWB. 

1608
01:27:57,480 --> 01:28:00,440
Send WB Standby. 
The boys jogged out under the 

1609
01:28:00,440 --> 01:28:03,320
glare, sneakers squeaking 
against the stage floor. 

1610
01:28:03,760 --> 01:28:08,840
The track hit bright, explosive,
their sound raise, voice cut 

1611
01:28:08,840 --> 01:28:13,280
bold at center, grin electric. 
Ryan steady the verse with warm 

1612
01:28:13,280 --> 01:28:16,680
grounding tone. 
Kian's rap snapped fire through 

1613
01:28:16,680 --> 01:28:20,760
the beat, eyes lit with hunger, 
shunts clear, vocal sword high, 

1614
01:28:20,960 --> 01:28:24,240
young and unshaken. 
The arena shifted, fresher, 

1615
01:28:24,280 --> 01:28:27,840
brighter, less sharp than 
Obsidian, but alive in counter 

1616
01:28:27,840 --> 01:28:30,200
chance, light sticks glowing in 
waves. 

1617
01:28:30,800 --> 01:28:33,760
The final chorus swelled, all 
four snapping into formation, 

1618
01:28:33,880 --> 01:28:37,040
arms lifted high. 
The stage burst in gold light as

1619
01:28:37,040 --> 01:28:41,680
they froze in their debut pose. 
The hall erupted, both groups 

1620
01:28:41,680 --> 01:28:44,760
lined up side by side, sweat 
shining under the lights. 

1621
01:28:45,280 --> 01:28:48,640
The host lifted the card, smile 
wide, stretching the silence. 

1622
01:28:48,880 --> 01:28:52,040
Tonight's #1 rookie song is. 
The camera zoomed. 

1623
01:28:52,360 --> 01:28:54,200
Ray's grin pulled tight with 
fire. 

1624
01:28:54,760 --> 01:28:58,280
Kian's eyes burned steady. 
Shun's fists clenched at his 

1625
01:28:58,280 --> 01:29:02,360
sides, Ryan's expression calm, 
chest rising slow. 

1626
01:29:02,920 --> 01:29:06,040
Obsidian's leader smirked like 
victory was already his. 

1627
01:29:06,640 --> 01:29:08,920
Jin's gaze flickered once more 
toward Ray. 

1628
01:29:09,480 --> 01:29:13,040
The host drew a breath. 
Tonight's #1 Rookie song is 

1629
01:29:13,600 --> 01:29:15,440
Obsidian's name is the one 
called. 

1630
01:29:15,760 --> 01:29:19,160
Confetti burst in silver and 
gold, their champ Thunder 

1631
01:29:19,160 --> 01:29:20,920
through the hall, shaking the 
floor. 

1632
01:29:21,400 --> 01:29:24,400
The scoreboard confirmed it in 
bold, glowing numbers. 

1633
01:29:24,920 --> 01:29:28,440
SMWB stood only steps away, 
close enough to feel the heat of

1634
01:29:28,440 --> 01:29:30,760
the spotlight but not its 
warmth. 

1635
01:29:31,280 --> 01:29:34,520
Pian's hands clapped on 
instinct, each hit sharp and 

1636
01:29:34,520 --> 01:29:37,040
stinging. 
Ryan's smile stayed steady, 

1637
01:29:37,040 --> 01:29:41,080
practiced, too soft to be real. 
Ray's grin faltered for a half 

1638
01:29:41,080 --> 01:29:43,040
second before snapping back in 
place. 

1639
01:29:43,480 --> 01:29:46,400
Come already Again. 
And Shun's applause lagged the 

1640
01:29:46,400 --> 01:29:50,040
beat, eyes lowered, caught 
between admiration and ache. 

1641
01:29:50,720 --> 01:29:52,600
Across the stage, Obsidian 
bowed. 

1642
01:29:53,040 --> 01:29:56,160
Their leaders smirk cut like 
glass behind him. 

1643
01:29:56,360 --> 01:29:59,800
Jin's glance flickered toward 
Ray, brief, unreadable, before 

1644
01:29:59,800 --> 01:30:03,360
joining the shout of victory. 
The roar swelled louder for 

1645
01:30:03,360 --> 01:30:06,480
Obsidian tonight. 
Yet scattered through the waves 

1646
01:30:06,480 --> 01:30:10,320
of silver light sticks, pockets 
of red still burned, small, 

1647
01:30:10,320 --> 01:30:12,680
stubborn embers refusing to go 
dark. 

1648
01:30:13,320 --> 01:30:16,160
Ray inhaled through his nose, 
slow and steady. 

1649
01:30:16,680 --> 01:30:18,880
Then he glanced sideways toward 
Kean. 

1650
01:30:19,280 --> 01:30:21,800
Kean met his eyes, surprised at 
first. 

1651
01:30:22,360 --> 01:30:26,120
Ray gave the smallest nod. 
Not pride, not surrender. 

1652
01:30:26,640 --> 01:30:30,400
Something closer to apology. 
Kian exhaled and reached out, 

1653
01:30:30,400 --> 01:30:32,160
resting a hand on Ray's 
shoulder. 

1654
01:30:32,640 --> 01:30:35,800
No words, just a quiet, mutual 
understanding. 

1655
01:30:36,400 --> 01:30:39,440
I'm sorry, too. 
They turned together, bowing as 

1656
01:30:39,440 --> 01:30:42,160
one. 
The cameras flashed, the stage 

1657
01:30:42,160 --> 01:30:45,760
lights dimmed, and in the shadow
of someone else's triumph, their

1658
01:30:45,760 --> 01:30:48,720
story pressed forward. 
But in the echo of fading 

1659
01:30:48,720 --> 01:30:52,200
cheers, the beat didn't stop. 
Somewhere beneath the applause, 

1660
01:30:52,400 --> 01:30:53,960
a new rhythm was already 
forming. 

1661
01:30:53,960 --> 01:30:56,880
Their loss wasn't the end. 
It was the sound of something 

1662
01:30:56,880 --> 01:30:59,720
beginning to burn. 
SNWB. 

1663
01:31:00,720 --> 01:31:02,960
Fire. 
It can burn, or it can light the

1664
01:31:02,960 --> 01:31:05,520
way. 
For Kian, it burned first 

1665
01:31:05,680 --> 01:31:09,080
against the page, against the 
pressure, against his own doubt.

1666
01:31:09,400 --> 01:31:13,680
But tonight, it lit the stage. 
His voice broke through, raw and

1667
01:31:13,680 --> 01:31:16,200
alive, half hidden and half 
revealed. 

1668
01:31:16,840 --> 01:31:20,160
For S and WB, the glow of their 
first brand deal wasn't enough 

1669
01:31:20,160 --> 01:31:23,320
to steady their footing. 
Rivalry pressed sharper, 

1670
01:31:23,480 --> 01:31:25,360
Obsidian flawless in their 
stride. 

1671
01:31:25,920 --> 01:31:28,680
Yet still, when the lights hit, 
they rose. 

1672
01:31:28,880 --> 01:31:33,400
Not perfect, not polished, but 
there's the fire had only just 

1673
01:31:33,400 --> 01:31:36,720
begun to spread, and the crown 
still hung in the balance. 

1674
01:31:37,080 --> 01:31:40,280
This is We are S and WB Episode 
4. 

1675
01:31:40,280 --> 01:31:43,400
Run the beat. 
The lights returned to where it 

1676
01:31:43,400 --> 01:31:46,080
all began. 
Not the stage, but the sound. 

1677
01:31:46,440 --> 01:31:49,920
A single mic, a voice learning 
how to carry more than itself. 

1678
01:31:50,440 --> 01:31:52,560
Time had passed, but the rhythm 
never stopped. 

1679
01:31:53,200 --> 01:31:57,280
Each breath they took was a 
promise to keep singing even 

1680
01:31:57,280 --> 01:32:00,760
when no one was listening. 
For Ray, the silence had grown 

1681
01:32:00,760 --> 01:32:04,280
heavier than applause. 
For Ryan, every song still began

1682
01:32:04,280 --> 01:32:07,840
with someone else's voice. 
For Kian, fire kept burning for 

1683
01:32:07,840 --> 01:32:10,880
something he couldn't yet name. 
And for Shun, this time 

1684
01:32:11,040 --> 01:32:14,520
Spotlight found him first. 
A call came from across the sea,

1685
01:32:14,800 --> 01:32:17,800
a stage waiting in another 
language, a chance for the 

1686
01:32:17,800 --> 01:32:22,680
quietest member to lead. 
This is We Are SNWB Episode 5 in

1687
01:32:22,680 --> 01:32:25,040
our breath. 
SNWB. 

1688
01:32:26,080 --> 01:32:28,520
Backstage was smaller than it 
looked on broadcast. 

1689
01:32:29,040 --> 01:32:32,480
The roar of the crowd still bled
through the walls, but here it 

1690
01:32:32,480 --> 01:32:34,080
felt like silence had taken 
over. 

1691
01:32:34,560 --> 01:32:38,240
The boys sat in a row, water 
bottles untouched, makeup half 

1692
01:32:38,240 --> 01:32:40,200
smudged under the harsh 
fluorescence. 

1693
01:32:40,720 --> 01:32:42,520
No one said much. 
No one had to. 

1694
01:32:43,040 --> 01:32:45,760
The weight of 2nd place spoke 
louder than words. 

1695
01:32:46,360 --> 01:32:50,280
The door burst open, their 
manager breathless, phone still 

1696
01:32:50,280 --> 01:32:52,360
in hand. 
Japan called. 

1697
01:32:52,520 --> 01:32:54,800
He said, voice cutting straight 
through the room. 

1698
01:32:55,560 --> 01:33:00,360
ATV show wants SNWB to perform 
your first overseas schedule. 

1699
01:33:00,600 --> 01:33:04,800
For a beat, they just stared. 
Ray blinked first, his polished 

1700
01:33:04,800 --> 01:33:09,000
grin slipping back into place. 
Kian leaned forward, fire in his

1701
01:33:09,000 --> 01:33:12,680
eyes that refused to dim. 
Ryan exhaled, the quiet leader 

1702
01:33:12,680 --> 01:33:15,840
pulling his shoulders 
straighter, and Shun froze. 

1703
01:33:16,440 --> 01:33:19,960
Japan, his home, his language, 
his stage. 

1704
01:33:20,480 --> 01:33:22,720
The others would call it their 
debut abroad. 

1705
01:33:22,920 --> 01:33:27,000
For him, it was something else. 
Ryan's voice broke the silence, 

1706
01:33:27,120 --> 01:33:30,240
low but firm. 
Our Mac Nay will be our guide. 

1707
01:33:30,680 --> 01:33:34,040
He looked straight at Shun, no 
teasing in his tone only. 

1708
01:33:34,040 --> 01:33:36,400
Wait, you'll show us how it's 
done. 

1709
01:33:36,720 --> 01:33:40,480
Shun's throat tightened. 
He managed a nod, small at 

1710
01:33:40,480 --> 01:33:43,640
first, then firmer when Ray 
clapped his shoulder in support.

1711
01:33:44,160 --> 01:33:47,120
Kian leaned back with a half 
smile, half fire, half 

1712
01:33:47,120 --> 01:33:50,360
challenge, while Ryan's steady 
gaze held just long enough to 

1713
01:33:50,360 --> 01:33:53,360
make Sean believe it. 
The ride out was chaos. 

1714
01:33:53,920 --> 01:33:56,720
Security pushed them through the
narrow hallways, then the side 

1715
01:33:56,720 --> 01:33:59,560
doors where the air split open 
with screams. 

1716
01:34:00,040 --> 01:34:03,800
Fans surged against barriers, 
voices shouting their names, red

1717
01:34:03,800 --> 01:34:05,920
light sticks glowing like flares
in the dark. 

1718
01:34:06,440 --> 01:34:09,560
The van door slid open and they 
climbed inside, but the sound 

1719
01:34:09,560 --> 01:34:10,480
didn't fade. 
It grew. 

1720
01:34:10,960 --> 01:34:14,840
Phones flashed lenses, greedy 
for every glimpse, proof of 

1721
01:34:14,840 --> 01:34:18,480
their survival after a loss key,
and sat closest to the window. 

1722
01:34:18,960 --> 01:34:21,560
The chant outside pounded 
against the glass until it felt 

1723
01:34:21,560 --> 01:34:24,040
like it was shaking. 
He rolled the window down 

1724
01:34:24,040 --> 01:34:26,200
halfway, arm lifting in a quick 
wave. 

1725
01:34:26,680 --> 01:34:29,800
The reaction was instant. 
Screams doubled. 

1726
01:34:29,920 --> 01:34:33,560
Fans pressed forward, the guards
struggling to hold the line. 

1727
01:34:33,840 --> 01:34:36,280
Close it. 
The manager snapped from the 

1728
01:34:36,280 --> 01:34:38,520
front seat. 
Do you want someone to get hurt?

1729
01:34:39,120 --> 01:34:43,280
Kian's hand froze mid wave. 
The glass slid back up, his grin

1730
01:34:43,280 --> 01:34:46,280
faltering into something softer,
caught between apology and 

1731
01:34:46,280 --> 01:34:48,720
defiance. 
But they waited for us. 

1732
01:34:49,240 --> 01:34:52,320
He muttered, voice low but sharp
enough to cut through the 

1733
01:34:52,320 --> 01:34:54,120
silence. 
I know. 

1734
01:34:54,400 --> 01:34:56,360
The manager shot back, tone 
firm. 

1735
01:34:56,840 --> 01:34:59,200
But it could be dangerous for 
them, not just us. 

1736
01:34:59,760 --> 01:35:02,480
It's a rule. 
The words lingered, heavier than

1737
01:35:02,480 --> 01:35:05,840
the shouts outside. 
Inside, Ray scrolled his phone, 

1738
01:35:06,000 --> 01:35:09,120
Jaw said. 
Ryan leaned back, eyes closed. 

1739
01:35:09,280 --> 01:35:12,720
Shun pressed his palms together 
in his lap, gaze slipping 

1740
01:35:12,720 --> 01:35:16,040
sideways toward the phone 
clutched in his pocket, toward 

1741
01:35:16,040 --> 01:35:18,080
the words still echoing in his 
chest. 

1742
01:35:21,280 --> 01:35:23,560
The dorm never felt the same 
after a stage. 

1743
01:35:24,120 --> 01:35:27,280
Even when the lights were off 
and the cameras far behind, the 

1744
01:35:27,280 --> 01:35:29,400
echo of noise lingered in the 
walls. 

1745
01:35:29,760 --> 01:35:33,360
Tonight was no different. 
They had bowed, they had lost, 

1746
01:35:33,520 --> 01:35:35,200
they had smiled for everyone 
else. 

1747
01:35:35,320 --> 01:35:39,040
But here, inside their own four 
Corners, the silence pressed 

1748
01:35:39,040 --> 01:35:40,680
heavier than applause ever 
could. 

1749
01:35:41,280 --> 01:35:44,000
In the shared room, Kim was 
already halfway through the 

1750
01:35:44,000 --> 01:35:46,400
closet. 
Jackets flew onto the bed, 

1751
01:35:46,560 --> 01:35:50,040
shirts tangled on the chair, 
sneakers lined up with obsessive

1752
01:35:50,040 --> 01:35:52,480
care. 
His energy hadn't dimmed from 

1753
01:35:52,480 --> 01:35:55,400
the van ride. 
It only shifted, spilling into 

1754
01:35:55,400 --> 01:35:57,360
the mess like sparks without 
direction. 

1755
01:35:57,920 --> 01:36:00,960
Airport look is survival. 
He muttered, slipping into a 

1756
01:36:00,960 --> 01:36:04,080
bomber jacket, checking the 
mirror, then tossing it off with

1757
01:36:04,080 --> 01:36:07,000
a shake of his head. 
They'll photograph every angle, 

1758
01:36:07,200 --> 01:36:10,080
every mistake. 
One bad shot and it follows you.

1759
01:36:10,080 --> 01:36:13,840
For months, Shun sat cross 
legged on the bed, a cap tugged 

1760
01:36:13,840 --> 01:36:16,480
low over his eyes, watching the 
storm unfold. 

1761
01:36:17,000 --> 01:36:18,960
He hadn't touched a single 
hanger. 

1762
01:36:19,520 --> 01:36:22,880
Instead, his hands twisted the 
brim of the cap until the fabric

1763
01:36:22,880 --> 01:36:25,840
bent, as if the pressure could 
be folded into something 

1764
01:36:25,840 --> 01:36:28,000
smaller. 
He lifted it slightly. 

1765
01:36:28,480 --> 01:36:32,440
Do I wear this? 
The question was soft, almost 

1766
01:36:32,440 --> 01:36:35,240
swallowed by the sound of Kian's
jacket hitting the floor. 

1767
01:36:35,800 --> 01:36:39,040
Kian turned, grinning wide. 
Mcnay, you're the one they'll 

1768
01:36:39,040 --> 01:36:41,240
stare at first. 
You don't just wear it, you own 

1769
01:36:41,240 --> 01:36:43,480
it. 
The words hit harder than Shun 

1770
01:36:43,480 --> 01:36:46,640
expected. 
His laugh slipped out, quiet and

1771
01:36:46,640 --> 01:36:49,160
nervous, but it loosened 
something in his chest. 

1772
01:36:49,640 --> 01:36:53,000
The cap came back down, hiding 
the color that rose to his face,

1773
01:36:53,240 --> 01:36:55,640
but the smile stayed even when 
he tried to smother it. 

1774
01:36:56,240 --> 01:36:59,240
Kian watched him for a second 
longer than needed, then turned 

1775
01:36:59,240 --> 01:37:02,000
back to the mirror. 
His reflection stared back, 

1776
01:37:02,000 --> 01:37:05,240
restless, unsatisfied, already 
searching for another answer. 

1777
01:37:05,240 --> 01:37:08,800
In the closet across the hall, 
the mood was different, dimmer, 

1778
01:37:09,040 --> 01:37:11,200
quieter. 
Ryan sat at the edge of his bed,

1779
01:37:11,480 --> 01:37:14,320
phone balanced in his hand, 
scrolling through the endless 

1780
01:37:14,320 --> 01:37:17,760
stream of fan comments. 
Ray leaned back against the 

1781
01:37:17,760 --> 01:37:21,160
headboard, towel draped around 
his neck, hair damp from the 

1782
01:37:21,160 --> 01:37:23,360
shower. 
His own phone buzzed now and 

1783
01:37:23,360 --> 01:37:24,800
then, but he wasn't looking at 
it. 

1784
01:37:25,320 --> 01:37:27,280
His gaze lingered on Ryan 
instead. 

1785
01:37:27,920 --> 01:37:29,760
They're still voting for the fan
club name. 

1786
01:37:29,960 --> 01:37:32,520
Ryan said finally, voice steady 
but low. 

1787
01:37:33,000 --> 01:37:36,760
His thumb paused, then flicked 
again, drawing more comments 

1788
01:37:36,760 --> 01:37:39,520
into view. 
Ray leaned closer, eyes 

1789
01:37:39,520 --> 01:37:42,120
narrowing at the screen. 
What's on top? 

1790
01:37:42,680 --> 01:37:45,760
Ryan scrolled slowly, the 
silence heavy between each 

1791
01:37:45,760 --> 01:37:48,440
flick. 
Names appeared in waves, Aurora,

1792
01:37:48,440 --> 01:37:52,840
nebula, echoes, wings, beautiful
words, but none of them seemed 

1793
01:37:52,840 --> 01:37:55,920
to stick. 
Then his thumb stilled, holding 

1794
01:37:55,920 --> 01:37:59,080
the glow of one name that 
refused to disappear, repeated 

1795
01:37:59,080 --> 01:38:02,640
again and again until it drowned
the others. 5th pulse. 

1796
01:38:02,760 --> 01:38:04,480
Ryan said, almost under his 
breath. 

1797
01:38:04,960 --> 01:38:08,080
Ray frowned, tilting his head. 
5th pulse. 

1798
01:38:08,920 --> 01:38:12,520
Ryan nodded, reading the 
comments aloud. 4 pulses on 

1799
01:38:12,520 --> 01:38:15,640
stage. 
We're the 5th, always with you. 

1800
01:38:16,200 --> 01:38:19,640
His voice grew softer with each 
word, but steadier too, as if 

1801
01:38:19,640 --> 01:38:21,680
the fans themselves were 
speaking through him. 

1802
01:38:22,320 --> 01:38:25,240
Ray let out a quiet laugh, low 
and surprised. 

1803
01:38:25,720 --> 01:38:28,840
They really name themselves. 
Ryan's smile curved small. 

1804
01:38:28,840 --> 01:38:31,240
But sure, maybe that's how it 
should be. 

1805
01:38:31,520 --> 01:38:34,840
The glow of the phone screen lit
both their faces, the name 5th 

1806
01:38:34,840 --> 01:38:36,640
pulse burning brighter than the 
rest. 

1807
01:38:37,160 --> 01:38:39,280
For a long moment, neither 
moved. 

1808
01:38:39,800 --> 01:38:43,240
The word hung there, heavier 
than any Company Announcement, 

1809
01:38:43,280 --> 01:38:47,120
louder than any official title. 
It wasn't theirs to invent. 

1810
01:38:47,640 --> 01:38:51,000
It was already alive, chosen by 
the ones who filled the seats, 

1811
01:38:51,080 --> 01:38:54,040
who shouted their names, who 
waited outside in the dark even 

1812
01:38:54,040 --> 01:38:56,760
when they lost. 
The dorm carried both sounds 

1813
01:38:56,760 --> 01:39:00,000
that night, the muffled laughter
of Kian and Sean wrestling with 

1814
01:39:00,000 --> 01:39:03,280
jackets and caps, and the quiet 
certainty of Ray and Ryan 

1815
01:39:03,280 --> 01:39:07,440
staring at a single name glowing
through thousands of voices. 5th

1816
01:39:07,440 --> 01:39:09,880
Pulse. 
The boys hadn't spoken it aloud 

1817
01:39:09,880 --> 01:39:13,000
together yet, but the fans 
already had, and in that 

1818
01:39:13,000 --> 01:39:15,880
silence, it felt like the truest
thing they'd been given all 

1819
01:39:15,880 --> 01:39:18,120
night. 
SNWB. 

1820
01:39:19,080 --> 01:39:22,440
The dorm sounded different in 
the morning, less like a home, 

1821
01:39:22,600 --> 01:39:25,840
more like a hallway of closed 
doors, each member waking at his

1822
01:39:25,840 --> 01:39:28,880
own pace, each carrying the 
night before in silence. 

1823
01:39:29,440 --> 01:39:33,280
Shun was the first to rise. 
The others were still shut away,

1824
01:39:33,560 --> 01:39:37,200
Ray's room quiet except for the 
faint buzz of his phone, Ryan's 

1825
01:39:37,200 --> 01:39:40,720
desk lamp still burning from 
notes left unfinished, Kian's 

1826
01:39:40,720 --> 01:39:43,440
shoes abandoned by the door as 
if he'd collapsed straight into 

1827
01:39:43,440 --> 01:39:46,080
bed. 
Shun padded barefoot into the 

1828
01:39:46,080 --> 01:39:49,240
living room, phone in hand. 
The file from the manager 

1829
01:39:49,240 --> 01:39:53,160
blinked to him, still unopened. 
He hesitated, thumb hovering, 

1830
01:39:53,200 --> 01:39:56,240
then pressed play. 
Music spilled out, soft at 

1831
01:39:56,240 --> 01:39:59,040
first, a steady pulse that felt 
almost like a heartbeat. 

1832
01:39:59,680 --> 01:40:03,160
He closed his eyes, and for a 
moment he was already there, on 

1833
01:40:03,360 --> 01:40:07,320
a stage across the sea, under 
lights, not yet his singing, 

1834
01:40:07,320 --> 01:40:09,560
words that felt both foreign and
inevitable. 

1835
01:40:10,200 --> 01:40:14,280
The tracks swelled, his breath 
shook, and then, almost without 

1836
01:40:14,280 --> 01:40:17,440
thinking, he sent along. 
The last line slipped out of 

1837
01:40:17,440 --> 01:40:28,600
him, soft but steady. 
The word barely left his lips 

1838
01:40:28,600 --> 01:40:30,480
before the sound of clapping 
broke through. 

1839
01:40:31,040 --> 01:40:34,800
Shun's eyes flew open. 
All three boys were out. 

1840
01:40:35,280 --> 01:40:38,440
Ray leaned against the frame, 
grin sharp but real. 

1841
01:40:38,960 --> 01:40:42,520
Ryan stood with his arms 
crossed, nodding slow, a quiet 

1842
01:40:42,520 --> 01:40:46,120
pride written in his eyes. 
Kian was the loudest, clapping 

1843
01:40:46,120 --> 01:40:49,200
hard enough to sting his palms, 
a grin stretching wide across 

1844
01:40:49,200 --> 01:40:51,680
his face. 
They crossed the room together, 

1845
01:40:51,680 --> 01:40:54,320
pulling Shun into a hug that 
knocked the phone right out of 

1846
01:40:54,320 --> 01:40:56,720
his hand. 
The laughter that followed was 

1847
01:40:56,720 --> 01:41:00,040
messy, sudden, alive, the kind 
of sound that didn't care about 

1848
01:41:00,040 --> 01:41:02,640
charts or crowns. 
It does feel real, doesn't it? 

1849
01:41:03,160 --> 01:41:06,840
Ryan said, voice rough but warm,
hands still steady on Shun's 

1850
01:41:06,840 --> 01:41:09,280
back. 
Shun's throat tightened. 

1851
01:41:09,760 --> 01:41:12,400
He pulled away just enough to 
shout, voice breaking but 

1852
01:41:12,400 --> 01:41:14,160
fearless. 
Who are we? 

1853
01:41:14,640 --> 01:41:17,680
And without hesitation, all 
three answered in one voice, 

1854
01:41:17,840 --> 01:41:20,680
louder than any loss, stronger 
than any silence. 

1855
01:41:22,280 --> 01:41:25,680
SNWB. 
The conference room buzzed with 

1856
01:41:25,680 --> 01:41:29,480
screens and numbers, every chart
and feed pulled up at once. 

1857
01:41:30,000 --> 01:41:32,560
The producer sat at the head of 
the table, the others spread 

1858
01:41:32,560 --> 01:41:35,240
around. 
Engineer, choreographer, a pair 

1859
01:41:35,240 --> 01:41:39,240
of executives with brows 
furrowed on the monitor, a clip 

1860
01:41:39,240 --> 01:41:42,840
looped again and again. 
Shun on stage during seeing New 

1861
01:41:42,840 --> 01:41:46,920
World Breath, eyes lit beneath 
the harsh lights, voice breaking

1862
01:41:46,920 --> 01:41:50,440
clear through the chorus. 
Another clip, him laughing shyly

1863
01:41:50,440 --> 01:41:53,720
during a fan interview segment, 
bowing a little too deep, the 

1864
01:41:53,720 --> 01:41:55,680
crowd screaming louder than 
expected. 

1865
01:41:56,160 --> 01:41:59,360
Then a fancom, shaky but 
electric, already past half a 

1866
01:41:59,360 --> 01:42:02,520
million views overseas. 
The engineer pointed at the 

1867
01:42:02,520 --> 01:42:06,160
numbers, scrolling alongside. 
Japan picked this up faster than

1868
01:42:06,160 --> 01:42:08,920
we thought. 
His clips are trending in Tokyo.

1869
01:42:09,160 --> 01:42:11,480
Osaka's trending buzz is 
climbing every day. 

1870
01:42:11,840 --> 01:42:13,400
The choreographer leaned 
forward. 

1871
01:42:13,880 --> 01:42:15,480
They're calling him the pure 
Pulse. 

1872
01:42:15,600 --> 01:42:17,600
Innocent, honest. 
It's sticking. 

1873
01:42:17,600 --> 01:42:21,840
If we wait, the wave moves on. 
If we move now, we anchor him 

1874
01:42:21,840 --> 01:42:23,920
there. 
One of the executives frowned. 

1875
01:42:24,280 --> 01:42:27,720
But he's the youngest. 
First overseas promotion. 

1876
01:42:27,920 --> 01:42:30,080
Different press, different 
scale. 

1877
01:42:30,560 --> 01:42:32,840
Can he handle the pressure of 
being centered in a market this 

1878
01:42:32,840 --> 01:42:34,600
big? 
The room stilled. 

1879
01:42:34,880 --> 01:42:36,440
The producer glanced at the 
door. 

1880
01:42:36,920 --> 01:42:39,360
Bring him in. 
A moment later, Shun stepped 

1881
01:42:39,360 --> 01:42:43,560
inside, cap low, posture 
hesitant, eyes flicking to the 

1882
01:42:43,560 --> 01:42:45,120
clip still playing on the 
monitor. 

1883
01:42:45,600 --> 01:42:48,440
His face flushed at the sound of
his own laugh echoing through 

1884
01:42:48,440 --> 01:42:51,800
the room. 
Shun, the producer said evenly. 

1885
01:42:52,000 --> 01:42:54,400
Japan is responding to you, not 
just the group. 

1886
01:42:54,400 --> 01:42:56,360
You. 
But there are concerns. 

1887
01:42:56,880 --> 01:42:58,920
You're young. 
This is more pressure than 

1888
01:42:58,920 --> 01:43:01,440
you've carried before. 
Tell us, do you think you're 

1889
01:43:01,440 --> 01:43:03,600
ready? 
Shun's hands tightened at his 

1890
01:43:03,600 --> 01:43:06,160
sides. 
For a second, he seemed to fold 

1891
01:43:06,160 --> 01:43:08,200
inward. 
Then he lifted his head. 

1892
01:43:08,800 --> 01:43:10,840
I know I'm young, he said 
softly. 

1893
01:43:11,320 --> 01:43:12,760
But that doesn't mean I'll 
break. 

1894
01:43:12,960 --> 01:43:17,000
If fans in Japan are cheering 
for us, for me, then I want to 

1895
01:43:17,000 --> 01:43:19,000
give them more. 
I don't want to waste what 

1896
01:43:19,000 --> 01:43:21,480
they're giving. 
The words weren't loud, but they

1897
01:43:21,480 --> 01:43:24,040
landed sharp. 
The executive who had spoken 

1898
01:43:24,040 --> 01:43:26,640
against him leaned back, lips 
pressed but silent now. 

1899
01:43:27,120 --> 01:43:29,840
The choreographer nodded once, 
half smile tugging. 

1900
01:43:30,120 --> 01:43:33,720
The engineer scribbled a note. 
Already convinced, The producer 

1901
01:43:33,720 --> 01:43:36,160
studied Shun a moment longer 
before speaking. 

1902
01:43:36,720 --> 01:43:38,840
Ryan's ballad stays as planned 
in Korea. 

1903
01:43:38,840 --> 01:43:41,640
But Japan, we double down. 
We drop a special track with you

1904
01:43:41,640 --> 01:43:43,520
in focus. 
Not later. 

1905
01:43:43,560 --> 01:43:46,080
Soon. 
We move while the markets open. 

1906
01:43:46,560 --> 01:43:51,360
Sean's eyes widened, breath 
catching, but he nodded, steady.

1907
01:43:51,840 --> 01:43:55,440
No one argued, and for once, 
everyone in the room agreed the 

1908
01:43:55,440 --> 01:43:58,360
center had a name. 
SNWP. 

1909
01:43:59,360 --> 01:44:02,000
The hallway outside the meeting 
room was quiet when Sean stepped

1910
01:44:02,000 --> 01:44:04,160
out. 
The echo of voices, the 

1911
01:44:04,160 --> 01:44:07,480
producer, the executives, The 
faint hum of charts on a screen 

1912
01:44:07,480 --> 01:44:10,480
still rang in his ears. 
They wanted him to lead. 

1913
01:44:11,000 --> 01:44:15,160
They wanted his voice, his 
language, and suddenly what had 

1914
01:44:15,160 --> 01:44:18,320
always felt like a small part of
himself now carried the weight 

1915
01:44:18,320 --> 01:44:21,000
of a stage. 
He walked back to the dorm with 

1916
01:44:21,000 --> 01:44:24,360
his earbuds in, replaying the 
demo file sent to his phone. 

1917
01:44:24,840 --> 01:44:27,600
His voice filled his ears 
clearer than he remembered, 

1918
01:44:27,720 --> 01:44:29,360
almost foreign in its 
confidence. 

1919
01:44:29,920 --> 01:44:32,720
By the time he stepped inside, 
the afternoon light had turned 

1920
01:44:32,720 --> 01:44:35,520
warm, softening the edges of 
everything it touched. 

1921
01:44:35,920 --> 01:44:39,160
The dorm was empty, or quiet 
enough to feel that way. 

1922
01:44:39,760 --> 01:44:43,000
Suitcases leaned open near the 
couch, and someone had left an 

1923
01:44:43,000 --> 01:44:46,160
empty cup by the sink. 
Shun dropped his bag by the 

1924
01:44:46,160 --> 01:44:49,800
door, then sat on the edge of 
the rug, the phone still playing

1925
01:44:49,800 --> 01:44:52,760
in his hand. 
The chorus swelled again, the 

1926
01:44:52,760 --> 01:44:56,000
part he had recorded yesterday. 
He hummed along under his 

1927
01:44:56,000 --> 01:45:00,240
breath, then sang the line once,
just to hear how it felt in the 

1928
01:45:00,240 --> 01:45:09,480
air. 
The sound hung there, fragile 

1929
01:45:09,480 --> 01:45:11,760
but steady. 
It felt smaller without the 

1930
01:45:11,760 --> 01:45:14,720
studio walls, but more real 
somehow, like he was finally 

1931
01:45:14,720 --> 01:45:17,480
hearing himself. 
He didn't notice the door open 

1932
01:45:17,480 --> 01:45:20,960
until laughter carried in. 
Kian's voice was first, bright 

1933
01:45:20,960 --> 01:45:24,080
and easy. 
Sensei, you're back. 

1934
01:45:24,600 --> 01:45:27,760
Ray and Ryan followed close 
behind, still in their company 

1935
01:45:27,760 --> 01:45:30,560
hoodies, the air of training and
sunlight clinging to them. 

1936
01:45:31,080 --> 01:45:33,480
Ray grinned as he dropped his 
bag on the couch. 

1937
01:45:34,000 --> 01:45:37,000
We just had a crash course in 
Japanese at the company lounge. 

1938
01:45:37,520 --> 01:45:41,080
Ryan smiled beside him, setting 
his phone down on the table. 

1939
01:45:41,560 --> 01:45:44,440
Basic greetings, performance 
cues, interview phrases. 

1940
01:45:45,000 --> 01:45:46,640
We thought we should at least 
try. 

1941
01:45:46,960 --> 01:45:50,240
Kian leaned against the doorway,
folding his arms with a smirk. 

1942
01:45:50,560 --> 01:45:52,280
But we need a pronunciation 
check. 

1943
01:45:52,560 --> 01:45:55,880
You're the expert now. 
Shun blinked, caught between 

1944
01:45:55,880 --> 01:45:58,920
surprise and disbelief. 
You really took a lesson. 

1945
01:45:59,600 --> 01:46:01,560
Ryan nodded. 
You're leading us there. 

1946
01:46:02,040 --> 01:46:03,640
We should meet the audience 
halfway. 

1947
01:46:03,960 --> 01:46:07,680
The warmth of his words reached 
deeper than applause ever could.

1948
01:46:08,040 --> 01:46:11,880
Shun smiled, the kind that came 
slowly, like dawn breaking. 

1949
01:46:12,400 --> 01:46:15,240
He put his phone down and 
motioned for them to sit. 

1950
01:46:15,800 --> 01:46:18,680
OK, he said softly. 
Show me what you learned. 

1951
01:46:18,960 --> 01:46:20,480
They gathered around the low 
table. 

1952
01:46:21,000 --> 01:46:24,040
The sunlight fell across the 
floor in long golden stripes. 

1953
01:46:24,560 --> 01:46:27,640
Ryan opened a small notebook 
filled with neat writing. 

1954
01:46:28,200 --> 01:46:30,960
Ray leaned in close, reading 
from the page. 

1955
01:46:31,520 --> 01:46:34,720
Kian looked impatient but 
focused, repeating each phrase 

1956
01:46:34,720 --> 01:46:37,640
quietly. 
Ryan spoke first, his tone 

1957
01:46:37,640 --> 01:46:41,800
careful and deliberate. 
Otsukarsama Desu Shun smiled, 

1958
01:46:41,800 --> 01:46:42,960
nodding. 
Perfect. 

1959
01:46:43,520 --> 01:46:45,960
It means thank you for your hard
work. 

1960
01:46:46,520 --> 01:46:49,640
Next came Ray, voice steady and 
low as he read from the 

1961
01:46:49,640 --> 01:46:51,520
notebook. 
Gem Barimasu. 

1962
01:46:51,800 --> 01:46:54,000
We'll do our best. 
That's right. 

1963
01:46:54,360 --> 01:46:57,600
Shun said softly, the warmth in 
his voice unguarded now. 

1964
01:46:58,160 --> 01:47:00,200
Then. 
Kian looked up from his notes, 

1965
01:47:00,400 --> 01:47:03,320
hesitating for a breath before 
repeating the next phrase. 

1966
01:47:03,880 --> 01:47:06,560
Yoroshiku 1 negation, Miss, 
please take care of us. 

1967
01:47:07,080 --> 01:47:09,920
He said it slowly, each syllable
pronounced with care. 

1968
01:47:10,400 --> 01:47:13,360
The room went still for a moment
after that, as if the meaning 

1969
01:47:13,360 --> 01:47:16,840
itself had settled over them. 
Not just a line to memorize, but

1970
01:47:16,840 --> 01:47:19,880
a promise shared. 
Just four boys speaking the same

1971
01:47:19,880 --> 01:47:22,920
words with the same intention. 
The phrases weren't just 

1972
01:47:22,920 --> 01:47:25,000
language anymore. 
They were a bridge. 

1973
01:47:25,560 --> 01:47:27,840
Shun felt something tighten in 
his throat. 

1974
01:47:28,320 --> 01:47:31,400
He looked at them. 
Ray's patient grin, Ryan's 

1975
01:47:31,400 --> 01:47:34,800
steady focus. 
Kian's quiet pride, and the 

1976
01:47:34,800 --> 01:47:37,240
meaning hit deeper than 
translation could hold. 

1977
01:47:37,800 --> 01:47:41,280
Shun lowered his gaze, hiding 
the small smile that escaped 

1978
01:47:41,280 --> 01:47:43,720
anyway. 
He took a breath, and his voice 

1979
01:47:43,720 --> 01:47:46,120
steadied again. 
Then one more. 

1980
01:47:46,320 --> 01:47:49,760
He said, lifting his eyes. 
Ishoni Ikol. 

1981
01:47:50,240 --> 01:47:53,360
They repeated it after him, 
their tones uneven but sincere. 

1982
01:47:53,560 --> 01:47:57,720
Ishoni Aiku, let's go together. 
The words hung between them, 

1983
01:47:57,960 --> 01:48:01,080
warm and alive. 
Outside, the city was still 

1984
01:48:01,080 --> 01:48:05,440
loud, the world still spinning. 
But here, in this small, sunlit 

1985
01:48:05,440 --> 01:48:08,200
room, 4 voices found the same 
rhythm again. 

1986
01:48:08,720 --> 01:48:11,480
And when they finally fell 
silent, the quiet didn't feel 

1987
01:48:11,480 --> 01:48:14,560
empty. 
It felt full of meaning, of 

1988
01:48:14,560 --> 01:48:16,360
promise, of something just 
beginning. 

1989
01:48:19,160 --> 01:48:22,560
The dorm had finally gone still.
From the room at the end of the 

1990
01:48:22,560 --> 01:48:26,720
hall came a faint mix of sounds.
Shun's playlist whispering 

1991
01:48:26,720 --> 01:48:30,120
through a phone speaker, PN's 
laptop humming softly on the 

1992
01:48:30,120 --> 01:48:32,800
desk beside it. 
One was already asleep, the 

1993
01:48:32,800 --> 01:48:35,560
other halfway there, screen 
dimming as the last video froze 

1994
01:48:35,560 --> 01:48:38,360
on pause. 
Their shared space glowed in 

1995
01:48:38,360 --> 01:48:42,040
short pulses of light, then went
quiet, two different rhythms 

1996
01:48:42,040 --> 01:48:45,960
slowly finding the same rest. 
Only one room stayed awake. 

1997
01:48:46,480 --> 01:48:49,880
Ray sat on the edge of the bed, 
one knee pulled up, the blue 

1998
01:48:49,880 --> 01:48:51,960
glow of his phone painting his 
face. 

1999
01:48:52,520 --> 01:48:56,240
Across from him, Ryan's bed was 
empty, sheets still neat, 

2000
01:48:56,400 --> 01:48:57,840
headphones looped around the 
mic. 

2001
01:48:57,840 --> 01:49:00,840
Stand by the window. 
From somewhere down the corridor

2002
01:49:00,840 --> 01:49:05,480
came the faint sound of a voice,
Ryan still rehearsing, chasing a

2003
01:49:05,480 --> 01:49:09,080
note only he could hear. 
Ray scrolled without direction, 

2004
01:49:09,120 --> 01:49:12,680
eyes tired but restless. 
Then his thumb stopped on one 

2005
01:49:12,680 --> 01:49:13,800
name. 
Jin. 

2006
01:49:14,280 --> 01:49:18,320
He hadn't opened that thread in 
weeks, but tonight, after 

2007
01:49:18,320 --> 01:49:21,840
everything, Shuns quiet triumph.
The laughter around the table, 

2008
01:49:22,080 --> 01:49:25,320
the way Ryan had looked at him 
across the light, The silence 

2009
01:49:25,320 --> 01:49:29,240
suddenly felt too sharp. 
He stared at the empty chat, the

2010
01:49:29,240 --> 01:49:31,680
cursor blinking like it was 
waiting for him to breathe. 

2011
01:49:31,680 --> 01:49:35,440
First he typed, erased, typed 
again. 

2012
01:49:35,960 --> 01:49:39,040
And then, without thinking too 
hard, he let the truth come out.

2013
01:49:39,480 --> 01:49:42,920
He told Jin he'd been thinking 
about him, that the days were 

2014
01:49:42,920 --> 01:49:47,520
long, the stages brighter but 
somehow lonelier, and finally, 

2015
01:49:47,640 --> 01:49:51,040
almost to himself, he admitted 
it, that he missed their time 

2016
01:49:51,040 --> 01:49:53,480
together. 
He hit send before he could 

2017
01:49:53,480 --> 01:49:56,040
change his mind. 
The screen stayed still for a 

2018
01:49:56,040 --> 01:49:58,360
moment, then lit again. 
Incoming call. 

2019
01:49:58,560 --> 01:50:02,600
Jim Ray froze, the sound was too
loud in the small room. 

2020
01:50:03,040 --> 01:50:05,840
His hand hovered over the 
screen, the glow trembling 

2021
01:50:05,840 --> 01:50:08,480
across his face. 
Then the door opened. 

2022
01:50:09,080 --> 01:50:11,480
Ryan stepped in. 
You're still up. 

2023
01:50:12,000 --> 01:50:15,160
Ray looked up, startled. 
The phone buzzed again in his 

2024
01:50:15,160 --> 01:50:17,520
hand. 
He slipped it under the blanket 

2025
01:50:17,520 --> 01:50:19,200
before the sound could give him 
away. 

2026
01:50:19,720 --> 01:50:22,360
Yeah, he said quietly. 
Couldn't sleep. 

2027
01:50:22,600 --> 01:50:26,000
Ryan smiled, tired but kind. 
Big day tomorrow. 

2028
01:50:26,280 --> 01:50:29,040
Try to rest. 
He hung his towel by the chair 

2029
01:50:29,040 --> 01:50:32,800
and turned off the main light. 
The room sank in the blue shadow

2030
01:50:33,360 --> 01:50:35,800
under the covers. 
The phone still glowed faintly, 

2031
01:50:36,240 --> 01:50:39,360
Jin's name flashing once, twice,
then fading. 

2032
01:50:39,880 --> 01:50:42,600
The last vibration lingered 
against Ray's palm, like a 

2033
01:50:42,600 --> 01:50:44,200
heartbeat that didn't want to 
stop. 

2034
01:50:45,600 --> 01:50:49,480
SNWB. 
Morning came faster than anyone 

2035
01:50:49,480 --> 01:50:51,960
wanted. 
The dorm was a storm of zippers 

2036
01:50:51,960 --> 01:50:55,800
and jackets, hair still damp 
from rushed showers, sneakers 

2037
01:50:55,800 --> 01:50:59,320
squeaking against the floor as 
each boy made his own final 

2038
01:50:59,320 --> 01:51:02,160
choice. 
Kean checked the mirror twice 

2039
01:51:02,160 --> 01:51:04,840
before stepping out. 
Survival look. 

2040
01:51:05,080 --> 01:51:08,080
He muttered, half to himself, 
half to Shun, trailing behind 

2041
01:51:08,080 --> 01:51:10,080
with a jacket he hadn't even 
unfolded yet. 

2042
01:51:10,640 --> 01:51:14,200
Shun tugged it on awkwardly, 
fingers fumbling at the sleeves.

2043
01:51:14,720 --> 01:51:17,600
Kian reached over without a 
word, straightening the collar, 

2044
01:51:17,600 --> 01:51:20,800
then smirked. 
Mac, nay, center, don't forget 

2045
01:51:20,800 --> 01:51:23,720
it. 
Ray emerged last, sunglasses in 

2046
01:51:23,720 --> 01:51:26,840
place, stride easy, as if he had
rehearsed this walk. 

2047
01:51:27,360 --> 01:51:31,120
Ryan was already waiting by the 
door, steady as ever, his quiet 

2048
01:51:31,120 --> 01:51:33,320
presence grounding the whirlwind
around them. 

2049
01:51:34,480 --> 01:51:37,760
The van pulled up the moment the
doors slid open. 

2050
01:51:37,920 --> 01:51:41,440
The sound hit them, Deafening 
screams, fans pressed against 

2051
01:51:41,440 --> 01:51:44,440
barriers, chance that carried 
their names and waves. 

2052
01:51:45,040 --> 01:51:48,760
Phones lifted like 1000 stars, 
every flash burning their faces 

2053
01:51:48,760 --> 01:51:51,360
into memory. 
Security pushed them forward. 

2054
01:51:51,880 --> 01:51:54,960
They bowed, smiled, raised 
careful hands and greeting. 

2055
01:51:55,560 --> 01:51:59,720
Sean clutched his bag tighter, 
his step small at 1st until Kia 

2056
01:51:59,720 --> 01:52:04,160
nudged him with an elbow. 
Own it, he whispered, and Sean 

2057
01:52:04,160 --> 01:52:07,320
did, lifting his head, waving 
with a shy grin that only made 

2058
01:52:07,320 --> 01:52:10,120
the crowd louder. 
Inside the terminal, the noise 

2059
01:52:10,120 --> 01:52:11,720
didn't fade. 
It echoed. 

2060
01:52:12,360 --> 01:52:15,160
Signs were raised, hand painted 
banners declaring love in 

2061
01:52:15,160 --> 01:52:19,200
Korean, English, Japanese. 
The energy was chaos, but not 

2062
01:52:19,200 --> 01:52:21,360
hostile. 
It was heartbeat, collective and

2063
01:52:21,360 --> 01:52:23,200
alive. 
Then, at the top of the 

2064
01:52:23,200 --> 01:52:26,960
escalator, they froze. 
A billboard stretched across the

2065
01:52:26,960 --> 01:52:30,920
concourse wall, their faces 
larger than life, being down, 

2066
01:52:30,920 --> 01:52:33,840
wearing the sneakers from the 
shoot, old letter stamped 

2067
01:52:33,840 --> 01:52:35,280
beneath. 
Run the beat. 

2068
01:52:35,520 --> 01:52:38,720
Send WB. 
The crowd screamed even louder, 

2069
01:52:38,920 --> 01:52:41,360
fans pointing, crying, chanting 
their name. 

2070
01:52:41,960 --> 01:52:45,480
The boys stood together, heads 
tilted back, the site holding 

2071
01:52:45,480 --> 01:52:49,160
them for longer than it should. 
For a moment, loss and rivalry 

2072
01:52:49,160 --> 01:52:52,120
didn't matter. 
For a moment, they looked like 

2073
01:52:52,120 --> 01:52:55,600
they belonged here. 
Ryan moved first, pulling them 

2074
01:52:55,600 --> 01:52:58,800
forward. 
Check in security boarding 

2075
01:52:58,800 --> 01:53:01,680
gates. 
The rituals blurred, each step 

2076
01:53:01,680 --> 01:53:05,360
louder inside their heads than 
outside, and the doors closed 

2077
01:53:05,360 --> 01:53:10,320
behind them. 
On the night Obsidian claimed 

2078
01:53:10,320 --> 01:53:14,560
the stage, SNWB walked into 
silence, 2nd place heavy in 

2079
01:53:14,560 --> 01:53:17,440
their hands. 
But silence was never the end. 

2080
01:53:18,080 --> 01:53:21,280
Ray carried his burden with a 
smile that never cracked, even 

2081
01:53:21,280 --> 01:53:24,480
when the weight pulled deeper. 
Ryan gave more than anyone 

2082
01:53:24,480 --> 01:53:27,440
asked, his sacrifice hidden 
beneath steadiness. 

2083
01:53:28,000 --> 01:53:31,360
Peon burned restless, fire 
spilling out faster than he 

2084
01:53:31,360 --> 01:53:35,000
could contain and Shun. 
Innocent, uncertain, stepped 

2085
01:53:35,000 --> 01:53:37,640
forward into a spotlight that 
had already chosen him. 

2086
01:53:38,280 --> 01:53:41,160
The world outside shouted louder
than their loss. 

2087
01:53:41,720 --> 01:53:44,800
Fans filled the night with 
light, banners and belief. 

2088
01:53:45,400 --> 01:53:48,520
Even when the scoreboard slipped
away, their pulse remained. 

2089
01:53:48,840 --> 01:53:50,960
And then came the call. 
Japan. 

2090
01:53:50,960 --> 01:53:54,080
A stage across the sea. 
A chance none of them expected, 

2091
01:53:54,320 --> 01:53:56,120
and one that would begin to 
change everything. 

2092
01:53:56,840 --> 01:53:59,520
Together, they walked through 
gates they had never crossed 

2093
01:53:59,520 --> 01:54:02,280
before. 
Success was theirs, but so were 

2094
01:54:02,280 --> 01:54:05,440
the secrets they carried, the 
sparks they tried to hide, the 

2095
01:54:05,440 --> 01:54:09,840
fractures no one had yet seen. 
Season 1 had ended, but for 

2096
01:54:09,840 --> 01:54:12,080
SNWB, the story was only 
beginning. 

2097
01:54:12,720 --> 01:54:15,960
Thanks for listening to season 1
of We Are SNWB. 

2098
01:54:16,520 --> 01:54:19,440
It's been incredible bringing 
their world to life, from the 

2099
01:54:19,440 --> 01:54:23,040
practice rooms to the stage and 
every heartbeat in between. 

2100
01:54:23,680 --> 01:54:26,160
Their stories will continue next
year as I work on their next 

2101
01:54:26,160 --> 01:54:30,160
story arc, so stay tuned. 
In the meantime, if you have any

2102
01:54:30,160 --> 01:54:33,680
ideas or want the story to go in
a certain direction, let me know

2103
01:54:33,680 --> 01:54:36,840
in the comments below. 
Your thoughts always shape how 

2104
01:54:36,840 --> 01:54:40,240
their world grows. 
Don't forget to subscribe, like,

2105
01:54:40,280 --> 01:54:42,680
and follow so you don't miss the
next chapter. 

2106
01:54:43,200 --> 01:54:47,560
And while you wait, SNWB's new 
song, Reaching Your Heart is out

2107
01:54:47,560 --> 01:54:49,720
now. 
Find the link in the description

2108
01:54:50,160 --> 01:54:51,480
and I hope you enjoy the music.