POV RAEWON
The SM Entertainment building in Seongsu-dong stood before me like a giant of glass and metal guarding the keys to my future. For years, I had looked at this place on my cell phone screen, hidden under the sheets in my room at the Kwon mansion, praying that one day my reality would cease to be a prison and become this dream.
Today, the air in Seoul felt different. It no longer stung my lungs like the smoke of my father's contempt; it tasted like freedom.
"Are you ready, little wolf?" Nabi asked, squeezing my hand tightly.
I looked at my sister. She looked radiant. The white tailored suit made her look powerful, like the famous writer she had always been in secret. Next to her, Jaehyun Moon stood with his hands in the pockets of his long coat, observing the building with the analytical gaze of someone who knows he could buy the place if he wanted to.
"I'm ready," I replied, even though my knees were shaking a little. "But I still think it's a dream. Are you sure I'm not going to wake up and be back in that basement rehearsing in the dark?"
Jaehyun stepped forward and placed a heavy, firm hand on my shoulder.
"Raewon, listen carefully," he said in that deep voice that commanded instant respect. "That basement is over. Today you walk in here not as the rebellious son of a criminal, but as a talent that we Moons are backing. If anyone tries to belittle you because of your last name, remember that your sister has the pen that can sink them and I have the capital that can buy them. Walk with your head held high."
Nabi smiled at me and adjusted the collar of my jacket. She knew better than anyone what it was like to live in fear of being yourself.
We went inside. The lobby was a hive of activity. Idols I had seen on television passed by us casually, talking about choreography and recordings. My heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest when the receptionist told us that the recruitment director was waiting for us in the boardroom on the fifth floor.
As we rode up in the elevator, Yuseo, who had stayed with us, kept checking his tablet.
"Raewon, you already have fan sites!" my sister-in-law exclaimed with contagious excitement. "Ever since it became known that you're Hayami's brother and that you auditioned for SM, social media has been on fire. They call you 'The Heir to Rhythm.' You have to be careful with your image from the very first second."
"Yuseo, give him a break!" Nabi scolded her, even though she was also looking at the screen with curiosity.
The conference room door opened and we were greeted by a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze and modern attire. It was Mr. Park, one of the most respected creative directors in the industry.
"Mr. Moon, it's a pleasure," Park said, shaking Jaehyun's hand with a deference that reminded me of my brother-in-law's power. "And you must be the famous Hayami... sorry, Ms. Nabi. It's an honor."
"The honor is ours, Mr. Park," Nabi replied with an elegance that filled me with pride. "We are here to formalize my brother's future."
They sat me down in front of a multi-page contract. It was the "Trainee Contract." My eyes scanned the clauses: rehearsal hours, singing lessons, etiquette, languages, no dating... It was military discipline disguised as glitter, but to me, it was paradise.
"Raewon has something that can't be taught," said Mr. Park, looking at a tablet playing my audition video. "He's hungry. And he has a dance technique that is far above other boys his age. But I want to be honest: his family situation is... controversial."
Jaehyun leaned forward, resting his elbows on the oak table. The mood in the room changed immediately; "Tycoon Moon" had entered the conversation.
"Raewon's family situation is under control," Jaehyun declared. "His father has no legal authority over him now that Daejung has joint custody with us. As for the press, my PR team will work closely with SM's. We won't allow them to use Raewon to clear the Kwon family's name, nor to tarnish his own. He is an independent artist."
"That's what we wanted to hear," Park agreed. "Raewon, if you sign this, your life as you know it is over. Tomorrow at six in the morning, you start training. You'll sleep in the company dorms with the other boys. Are you sure?"
I looked at Nabi. She nodded, her eyes misty. I looked at Jaehyun, who gave me a brief but firm nod of confidence.
I took the pen and signed. Kwon Raewon.
As I put down the pen, I felt an iron chain that had been tied to my ankle since birth finally break.
"Welcome to SM, Raewon," Park said, shaking my hand. "Go to rehearsal room 3-B. The other trainees are finishing their urban dance class. I want you to introduce yourself."
We left the meeting room. Nabi hugged me so tightly that she almost took my breath away.
"Go get 'em, champ," she whispered in my ear. "Write your own story now."
I walked toward room 3-B. Through the glass door, I saw a group of about ten boys, all my age or a little older, resting on the floor, drinking water, and laughing. They were the ones who would be my family from now on.
When I entered, the music stopped. Everyone stared at me. I knew what they were thinking. It was the whispers I had heard at Nabi's university: "He's the son of the corrupt man," "He's the brother of the crazy girl."
"Hello," I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking. I stood in the center of the room, in front of the huge mirror. "I'm Kwon Raewon. I'm here to work hard."
A silver-haired boy, who seemed to be the leader of the group, stood up and approached me. He looked me up and down with an unreadable expression.
"The son of Kwon Tech?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No," I replied, remembering Jaehyun's words. I locked eyes with him, finding a strength I didn't know I had. "I'm Nabi's brother. And I'm the guy who's going to take your place as lead dancer in less than a month."
The silence lasted three seconds, and then the guy burst out laughing and slapped me on the shoulder.
"I like your attitude, new guy. I'm Han. If you can keep up with me in the Sticker choreography, then I'll let you keep the locker near the window. Music!"
A heavy, aggressive beat began to play. I took off my jacket and threw it into a corner. My feet began to move on their own. For the first time in my life, I wasn't dancing to escape my father's screams or to comfort my sad sister. I was dancing for myself.
Through the small glass window in the door, I saw Nabi and Jaehyun watching me for a moment before leaving. Jaehyun put his arm around Nabi's shoulders and she rested her head on him. They looked happy. They looked safe.
And I, in the middle of that rehearsal room, under the fluorescent lights and the smell of sweat and effort, understood that the Kwon empire could burn in hell. We had built our own kingdom, and this time, no one was going to take our crown away from us.
I jumped, spun in the air, and landed perfectly in time with the beat.
"Not bad, rich kid," Han shouted from the back. "Again from the beginning!"
I smiled. Life had finally begun.