Dreams Unveiled

As the day unfolded, Hee Kyung's mind buzzed with a secret he was eager to share with his friends. Finally, during a break between classes, he beckoned Minho and Sung to a more secluded corner of the school courtyard. 

"Guys, I've got something big to tell you," Hee Kyung said, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. Minho and Sung exchanged curious glances, their interest piqued. 

"What's up?" Minho asked, eager to know the revelation. 

Hee Kyung took a deep breath before dropping the bombshell. "I've decided to become a trainee and pursue a career as an idol."

Minho and Sung's eyes widened in surprise. The unexpected announcement hung in the air for a moment before Minho burst into laughter. "Wait, are you serious? Idol as in K-pop idol?" 

Hee Kyung nodded, smiling. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it for a while now. I want to give it a shot." 

Sung, the more reserved of the two, spoke up, "But, Hee Kyung, weren't you planning on becoming a classical musician? You're really talented with the piano, and everyone loved your performance in the school contest."

Hee Kyung chuckled, appreciating their concern. "Yeah, I still love classical music, and I'll always cherish those moments. But lately, I've been drawn to the world of K-pop. I want to try something different, you know?" 

Minho, still trying to wrap his head around the unexpected turn of events, added, "And what about that viral video of you playing the piano? That made you quite famous, especially abroad." 

Hee Kyung nodded, acknowledging the past achievements. "I'm grateful for that, but I want to explore new horizons. K-pop is not just about music; it's a whole experience, and I think I can bring something unique to the table." 

Sung, though surprised, smiled, showing his support. "Well, if anyone can pull it off, it's you, Hee Kyung." 

The remainder of the school day passed in a blur for Hee Kyung, with thoughts of his newfound dream lingering in the back of his mind. As the final bell rang, signaling the end of classes, he gathered his belongings, ready to head home. 

In the midst of the bustling school corridors, Ji-Hoo, Hee Kyung's younger brother, approached him with an excited grin. Ji-Hoo, being two and a half younger, often looked up to Hee Kyung, and their close bond was evident. 

"Big Brother!" Ji-Hoo called out, bouncing on the balls of his feet. 

Hee Kyung turned to his younger brother, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Hey, Hoonie. How was your day?" 

Ji-Hoo beamed. "Good! I did well in my math quiz, and I played soccer during break with some friends!" 

"That's great to hear," Hee Kyung praised, ruffling Ji-Hoo's hair affectionately.

As they made their way out of the school, Ji-Hoo sidled closer to his brother, a habit he had developed over the years. He often clung to Hee Kyung during breaks, seeking comfort in his older brother's presence. 

They made their way home, and upon reaching the familiar doorstep, excitement painted their faces. The sight of their father's shoes neatly arranged by the entrance hinted at his return. Even though their father's job often kept him away for extended periods, the brothers deeply cherished the moments when he was back home. 

Opening the door with quickened steps, they rushed inside, their eagerness unmistakable. The dining room welcomed them, and there, sitting with warm smiles, were their parents, waiting for their return. Ji-Hoo couldn't contain his enthusiasm and sprinted towards their father, wrapping him in a tight hug. 

"Dad, you are finally back!" Ji-Hoo exclaimed; his voice filled with joy. 

Their father, embracing Ji-Hoo with affection, replied, "Yeah, I'm back, little Hoonie." He then shifted his gaze to Hee Kyung, who stood there with a bright smile. 

"Come over here, let me see you up close," their father invited. Hee Kyung approached, and the two shared a warm hug before separating. As their father looked at Hee Kyung, a twinkle of amusement crossed his eyes. 

"You've grown again; you're probably several inches taller than the last time I saw you," he remarked, his tone a mix of pride and exaggeration. 

Suppressing a grin at the slight exaggeration, Hee Kyung simply nodded. "Maybe a little. How was your trip, Dad?" 

Their father chuckled at Hee Kyung's subtle humor. "It was good, busy as always, but I managed. And I brought something for both of you."

With the mention of gifts, Ji-Hoo's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Their father reached into his bag, taking out two neatly wrapped packages, one for each son. 

"Open them up; I hope you like them," he said, his eyes filled with the joy of reunion. 

With excitement bubbling in the air, their father handed over the carefully wrapped presents to Hee Kyung and Ji-Hoo. The anticipation was palpable as they unwrapped their gifts. 

For Hee Kyung, the box revealed a pair of high-quality studio headphones. He couldn't help but marvel at the sleek design and the superior sound quality that they probably have. "Wow, these are amazing!" Hee Kyung exclaimed, running his fingers over the smooth surface. "Thank you, Dad!" 

"And there's more," their father grinned, passing another box to Hee Kyung. As he opened it, the sight of a professional music composition software box greeted him. Hee Kyung's eyes widened in delight. "This is exactly what I needed! Thank you so much, Dad!" Although Hee Kyung had decided to pursue the path of becoming an idol, his passion for creating music remained unwavering. He understood the significance of being involved in the production process, and self-produced songs often resonated strongly with fans, so he thought that it would be a good addition to his skills. 

Their father smiled warmly, pleased to see Hee Kyung's enthusiasm. "I know you've been putting a lot of effort into your music, and I thought these would help you take it to the next level." 

Meanwhile, Ji-Hoo eagerly unwrapped his gift to find a sleek camera designed for photography enthusiasts. His eyes lit up with excitement as he held the camera in his hands. "This is incredible! Thank you, Dad!" 

Their father chuckled, "I thought it might be a great way for you to capture all the moments that inspire you. Who knows, maybe you'll discover a new passion through the lens." 

The brothers exchanged grateful glances, appreciating their father's thoughtful gifts. The room buzzed with the joy of family and the anticipation of exploring new creative avenues together. 

As the evening unfolded, Hee Kyung couldn't resist trying out his new headphones, immersing himself in the world of music composition. Ji-Hoo, armed with his camera, began to explore the world through a different lens, snapping photos that captured the essence of the everyday. 

The sound of music and the click of the camera shutter filled their home, creating a symphony of creativity that resonated with the deep bonds of family and the shared pursuit of artistic passions. 

After some time immersed in his music, Hee Kyung decided to share his thoughts with his parents. They were comfortably seated in the living room, engaged in a conversation. Hee Kyung took a deep breath, indicating his intention to speak. 

As he settled onto a chair, his parents, recognizing the seriousness in his demeanor, fell silent, waiting for their son to express himself. 

"I know that you always want the best for me and would like to shield me from all the hardships that the world has to offer," Hee Kyung began, choosing his words carefully. "But I also know that won't always be the case. So, I want you to listen to what I have to say first and think about it before denying it outright." 

His parents exchanged glances, acknowledging the sincerity in Hee Kyung's tone. They nodded, signaling their readiness to hear his words. 

"I actually wanted to tell you that I want to go a different route in my career," Hee Kyung continued, his gaze steady. "After contemplation and much thinking, I decided that I want to become an idol, instead of a classical musician." 

His parents absorbed his words, a momentary silence hanging in the air as they contemplated the unexpected shift in Hee Kyung's aspirations. Their expressions reflected a mixture of surprise and contemplation. 

After a thoughtful pause, his father sighed, breaking the silence. "Hee Kyung, this is quite unexpected. Becoming an idol is a different path, a challenging one. Have you thought this through?" 

Hee Kyung met his father's gaze with determination. "Yes, Dad. I've thought about it a lot. It's a decision I've made after careful consideration. I believe it's the right path for me." 

His mother, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. "We appreciate your honesty, Hee Kyung. It's a significant decision, and we want what's best for you. Let us take some time to process this, and we'll talk more about it." 

Hee Kyung nodded, understanding the weight of his decision and the impact it had on his family. The room fell into a contemplative quiet. 

Ji-Hoo, having overheard the conversation, entered the living room with a determined expression and declared, "I also want to become an idol." 

Hee Kyung, who had already known of his brother's aspirations, looked at Ji-Hoo with a complicated expression. While he felt a sense of happiness that Ji-Hoo wanted to follow in his footsteps and stay by his side, a shadow of concern crossed Hee Kyung's face. He wondered if Ji-Hoo's decision was still influenced by a desire to remain close to him, rather than being a genuine pursuit of his own dreams. 

Their parents, who had been deep in thought, were now even more surprised. Not just one, but both of their children expressed a desire to become idols. The unexpected turn of events left the room filled with a mix of emotions — surprise, contemplation, and a sense of dread from their parents. 

Hee Kyung, looking at Ji-Hoo, decided to address the complexity of the situation. "Ji-Hoo, are you sure about this? Becoming an idol is a big decision. I want to make sure it's what you truly want." 

Ji-Hoo met Hee Kyung's gaze with unwavering determination. "I've thought about it a lot, and I'm sure. I want to do this with you, Hee Kyung." 

Their parents, now focusing on Ji-Hoo, recognized the sincerity in his words. The room once again fell into a thoughtful silence. As their parents thought about what they just heard and what this meant for their family, a subtle tension lingered in the air. 

Hee Kyung's father, breaking the silence, sighed deeply. "This is quite a surprise. Both of you wanting to become idols... It's not an easy path, and there are many challenges in the entertainment industry." 

Their mother nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting concern. "It's true. We want you both to follow your dreams, but we also worry about the hardships you might face." 

Hee Kyung, sensing his parents' reservations, spoke with a reassuring tone, "I know it's not the conventional choice, but we're determined, and we want to give it our best shot. We're ready for the challenges." 

His father, a higher executive in the industry, furrowed his brows. "It's a tough and unpredictable field. We've seen many hopefuls face difficulties." 

Hee Kyung's mother added, "We just want to make sure you're prepared for what's ahead. It's not just about being on stage; there's a lot happening behind the scenes." 

Ji-Hoo, looking at his parents earnestly, chimed in, "I know it's not easy, but I want to try. I want to do this with Hee Kyung." 

The room fell into another thoughtful silence as Hee Kyung's parents exchanged glances, silently communicating their concerns and considerations. 

After a moment, Hee Kyung's father spoke, "Alright, here's what we'll do. If you're serious about this, I can arrange for both of you to be trainees at the branch company I work at. It won't be easy, but at least we can ensure you're not taken advantage of. I'll keep an eye on things." 

Hee Kyung and Ji-Hoo exchanged glances, grateful for their parents' compromise. Hee Kyung's mother, though still concerned, nodded in agreement. 

Hee Kyung reassured his mother with a warm smile, "Don't worry Mom. It's not like we're leaving right away. We'll stay close, and you'll see us working hard for our dreams." 

Ji-Hoo nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, we're still here, and we'll keep you updated on everything. You won't even notice the difference for now." 

Their mother, comforted by their words, managed a small smile. "Just promise me you'll take care of each other, and don't lose sight of who you are. We believe in both of you." 

Hee Kyung and Ji-Hoo exchanged a determined glance, nodding in unison. "We promise, Mom. We'll look out for each other, and we won't forget where we come from."