The rehearsal studio for Section D was unusually quiet.
The hardwood floor, usually alive with pounding footsteps, now just held seven boys sprawled out in a loose circle, their backs against the mirrored wall, staring at the ceiling as if inspiration might drip down from it.
"Guys," Hyun finally broke the silence, his tone heavy with urgency, "we only have three weeks until the competition… and we haven't even started yet."
Eunjae let out a low hum of agreement, nodding without lifting his gaze.
Daehyun sighed and dragged a hand through his hair. "You're right. But the other groups have already snagged all the good concepts. Section B is going for that seductive, dark theme, and it fits them…ugh, so annoying. Section C is doing a cute concept—honestly, it suits them perfectly."
Chan groaned. "And the worst part? They already have their music, choreography, and costumes ready. Meanwhile, we're still sitting here doing nothing."
Jiho leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "If I am correct, the whole point of this competition is to test whether we trainees can handle everything ourselves without help from the agency. It's not just about picking a concept—it's about making something so impactful that it outshines the other idol groups, no matter the theme."
"This is hard. Unlike other agencies where they are picked out on their skills, we have to face other sections and make our own song." Groaned Seojun
Hanuel rubbed his chin like a philosopher deep in thought. "In that case, we need something unique. Completely original. Something that makes the judges sit up straight and remember us." He paused, staring at the floor. "But… what?"
Seojun raised his hand slightly, his voice casual yet confident. "I've written a bunch of songs we could use."
Jiho's eyes lit up instantly. "Great. Let's hear them."
Seojun slid his phone out of his pocket, scrolling through his files until a list of song titles appeared on the screen. The others leaned in, curious.
"I've got ballads, hype tracks, even a few experimental mixes," Seojun said, swiping through. "But I feel like none of these… fit exactly what we're looking for right now."
Hyun tilted his head. "Then maybe that's the problem. We're trying to think of something that'll work in here—" he gestured to the four studio walls— "but we're not seeing anything new."
Daehyun crossed his arms. "What are you suggesting? We just… go for a walk?"
"Actually, yeah," Jiho said, standing up and brushing dust from his sweatpants. "If we're stuck, maybe we should step outside. Get some air, people-watch, find something that sparks a concept. Just like Park Chung-Hee said: Success doesn't come to those who wait; it comes to those who act."
Eunjae grinned. "Those who act? Who's Park Chung-Hee?"
Seojun shot him a glare. "Were you even paying attention in history class?"
"Nope!" Eunjae replied cheerfully, which only made Seojun's jaw tighten.
They pushed through the doors and into the late afternoon glow of the city. The air was thick with the scent of roasted chestnuts from a street vendor. Somewhere nearby, a busker strummed a guitar, his melody weaving into the laughter of children chasing bubbles down the sidewalk.
"See?" Jiho said, walking backward to face the group. "Inspiration everywhere."
They passed a fruit stand where the vendor sliced open a watermelon, its red flesh glistening under the sun.
"Whoa, that's refreshing," Daehyun murmured, pausing to watch.
Further down, a group of teenagers in neon streetwear filmed a dance video against a graffiti wall. Their movements were bold, energetic, alive.
The boys bought slices of watermelon and sat together on a cement stair, chewing quietly as the city unfolded around them. Maybe it was the sweetness of the fruit, maybe the exhaustion from practice, but suddenly everything felt vivid — colors became sharper, sounds brighter, the world was alive in a way they hadn't noticed before.
Hyun's gaze caught on a group of hip-hop dancers practicing nearby. He leaned forward, eyes following their rhythm. "This," he said slowly pointing at the dancers. "This feeling. Colorful. Youthful. Alive."
"Like something fresh? New? Full of energy?" Haneul asked, nibbling his watermelon like a rabbit.
Hyun nodded. "Mhm."
"esh... Fresh… Fresh…" Seojun repeated, his eyes widening. "That's it. That could be the concept."
Jiho's grin spread. "Not dark. Not cute. Just vibrant. Fun. Something that makes people feel alive."
"Fresh," Eunjae echoed, tasting the word like it was already a hook in a song. "Yeah… I like it."
They exchanged glances, and for the first time that day, the spark of an idea lit between them.
Bursting back into the studio, they nearly tripped over each other in their rush to hold onto the thought before it slipped away.
"Okay, okay — let's not lose the momentum!" Jiho called, kicking the door shut behind him.
Seojun was already at his laptop, opening his music software. "If 'Fresh' is our concept, the track has to feel like a burst of color. Upbeat, not too heavy, but strong enough to leave an impact."
Hyun grabbed a marker and scrawled FRESHacross the whiteboard. "Brainstorm time. Words that come to mind?"
"Vibrant," Eunjae said instantly.
"Sunlight," Daehyun added.
"Breeze," Haneul offered. "Like standing on a rooftop in summer."
"Energy," Chanho chimed in, bouncing on his toes.
Seojun tapped the desk. "High BPM — around 128 to 132. Funky bassline, retro synths, crisp claps and snaps."
"I'm hearing brass," Jiho said, mimicking a trumpet. "Something that hits on the chorus, makes you feel like you're marching in your own parade."
Hyun scribbled parade beat in chorus. "Got it."
Seojun looped a quick beat — punchy kicks, playful hi-hats. The room lit up instantly.
"Yes! That's it!" Eunjae shouted, already moving to the rhythm. "Choreo has to be bouncy but clean. Street dance plus idol precision."
Daehyun joined him, testing a groove step. "And we need a signature 'Fresh Move' — something simple the audience can copy."
"Like a brand," Haneul said. "When people hear the song, they have to do that move."
Chanho pulled up his phone gallery, showing neon jackets, patterned shirts, sneakers with mismatched laces. "Street-style, but coordinated. Each member gets a main color, but the outfits belong in the same world."
Hyun nodded. "Stage set — bright LED panels, abstract paint animations, city lights… maybe bursts of confetti at the end."
"Perfect," Jiho said, already picturing it. "This will stand out. It's just… us."
Seojun hit save on the project file: Fresh v1.
Haneul leaned back, satisfied. "Alright. We've got our vibe, our song, our style. Three weeks… and we're going to make it unforgettable. If I can nail the dance by then."