My Ex is in my Idol Group
Episode 23: Lights Beyond the Border
Seon stared at the phone screen for several minutes after the call ended. The city lights blinked like Morse code beyond the rooftop, as if the skyline itself was trying to whisper: Are you ready?
He wasn't.
But that never stopped him before.
---
AX1 Dorm — Morning Briefing
The next morning, the dorm felt unusually quiet.
The kind of quiet that comes before an earthquake.
Seon gathered the group around the kitchen island. Coffee. Bread. Sleepless eyes.
"Last night I got a call from Global Artists Network," he said.
Minho raised a brow. "GAN? As in, the GAN? International tour agency?"
Seon nodded. "They want to debut us abroad. Full rebranding. No Orion."
Seo-jin dropped his toast. "Wait, like… AX1, global?"
"They said we have momentum," Seon continued. "And the industry's watching. If we strike now, we rewrite the script entirely."
Jaewon leaned back in his chair. "What's the catch?"
Seon hesitated. "They want us to train again. Not as rookies, but as… ambassadors. Culture, language, media handling. Full immersion. Starting in Tokyo. Then Seoul. Then LA."
Jun finally spoke. "So, we disappear. Again."
"No," Seon said softly. "This time, we choose to."
---
Flashback — Seon's First Day at Orion
He'd stood in a hallway lined with mirrors.
A stranger stared back.
He was told to lose five kilos. To dye his hair. To never speak unless spoken to.
They asked if he could fake cry.
He didn't know if he could real-cry anymore.
---
Training, Take Two — Tokyo
Their apartment in Tokyo was minimalist. A far cry from the chaotic AX1 dorm back home.
Wake up. Run. Vocal warm-ups. Japanese diction classes. Dance routines with new trainers.
They weren't idols anymore.
They were students of fame — from the inside out.
Seon struggled at first. His accent was stubborn. His knees ached after old injuries flared up.
But every time he faltered, Jaewon was there.
With water. With a look. With quiet patience.
They didn't speak of their relationship. Not out loud.
But their pinkies often touched during breaks. And sometimes, Seon would fall asleep with his head on Jaewon's shoulder.
The others noticed.
But no one questioned it.
Because love was the only honest thing they had left.
---
Media Prep Class — Mock Interview
"Welcome, AX1," the trainer said, posing as a reporter. "You've shaken the industry. What makes you different from other groups?"
Seo-jin hesitated.
Minho glanced around.
Seon stepped forward.
"We remember who we were before the spotlight," he said. "That's our difference. We're not trying to be perfect anymore."
"And what about the controversies?" the trainer pressed.
Jaewon answered this time. "We told the truth. If that's controversial, then maybe the truth needs better PR."
Everyone laughed. Even the trainer.
"Good," she said. "But remember — the world doesn't just listen. It edits. Be ready."
---
Late Night — Tokyo Tower Viewpoint
Seon and Jaewon stood side by side, arms brushing.
Below them, the city pulsed.
"I used to dream of seeing this," Jaewon said. "Tokyo. Lights. Skyline. With someone I…" He paused.
Seon glanced at him. "You can say it."
Jaewon smiled. "With someone I love."
Seon leaned his head on Jaewon's shoulder. "You got your dream."
Jaewon turned his face, pressing a soft kiss to Seon's hair. "Yeah. I did."
---
Seoul — Return Without Announcement
One month later, they touched down in Seoul.
No promotions. No posters.
Just a tweet from their new account:
> "Hello again. AX1 — reborn."
The fan response was immediate. They trended in five countries overnight.
Even with no press.
Because the world had been waiting.
---
The Performance — Music Show Surprise Slot
They were scheduled last-minute.
Not on the poster. Not even on the official set list.
But halfway through the live broadcast, the screen glitched.
Then a single word appeared:
> "Noiseproof — AX1"
Fans screamed.
The camera panned. Lights dimmed.
And they walked on stage, dressed in icy white suits. The same design from their scrapped debut 2.0 plans.
Seon opened the song. Jaewon led the chorus.
They moved like shadows and steel. Fluid but sharp. Untouchable.
And this time, the mics didn't cut.
When it ended, no one spoke for several seconds.
Then the audience rose. Loud. Unified.
A standing ovation on live TV.
Even the hosts looked stunned.
Backstage, other idols clapped. Some bowed.
One girl group member whispered, "That wasn't a comeback. That was a rebirth."
---
Post-Performance — Confession Room
The staff had set up a confession booth for backstage interviews.
Seon was asked to speak.
He sat under the single light. Looked directly into the lens.
"If someone had told me two years ago that I'd be here, I would've laughed. Or cried. Maybe both."
He took a breath.
"This isn't revenge. This is resurrection. This is us taking back our story."
"And me?" he smiled faintly. "I'm not hiding who I love anymore. Jaewon, if you're watching this — come kiss me already."
---
Final Scene: Rooftop, Again
Later that night, they found themselves once more on a rooftop.
Different city. Same sky.
Jaewon handed Seon a cup of warm tea.
"You said it on camera," Jaewon murmured.
Seon looked at him. "No more hiding. Not from the fans. Not from you. Not from myself."
Jaewon leaned in, lips brushing his.
"And no regrets?"
Seon smiled. "Just beginnings."
They kissed.
Fireworks from a nearby festival burst in the distance.
And this time, the world was watching.
But for once, Seon didn't care.
---
To be continued…