41 - Tears of Release and the Dispatch Manifesto
Suhyeon didn't back down a single step from Kevin, who was screaming in a fit of rage. They clashed head-on for what felt like ages until Kevin finally broke, overwhelmed by his surging emotions, bursting into tears. Suhyeon wrapped him in a firm embrace with both arms. Holding the sobbing Kevin close, Suhyeon patted his back and murmured softly in a low, humming voice.
"Yeah, that's it. Let it all out, Kevin. None of it's your fault... Not being sent all the way to England for adoption, not being born East Asian with different skin, not adapting to school and bombing your grades... None of that was your choice or your fault. not your fault.."
Suhyeon gently stroked Kevin's back, his voice thick with emotion as he continued murmuring.
"The terrifying face of your dad when he swung at you after drinking... Your mom's trembling back as she wept bitterly on that island... Your father's frozen blue corpse after freezing to death drunk in midwinter London... You have to let it all go now... Don't let it hurt anymore~ Don't suffer~ Don't agonize~ You've got your mom who loves you from faraway England, and friends here in Korea who cherish you. My dear friend Kevin.."
Haiyu, startled by their argument and stepping out of the recording booth, watched the scene with teary, glistening eyes.
Suhyeon flipped the mic switch and spoke to Kevin inside the booth.
"Kevin. You done crying now?"
"Whoa, our shy, crybaby Kevin's learned how to snap back, huh."
"Got it. After recording, I'll treat you to barbecue and booze. Forgive me, yeah? OK?"
"Of course Hanwoo. Top-grade stuff. So forgive me already and nail this recording."
That's when Haiyu chimed in.
"Great if Haiyu-ssi joins, but traditionally, as his friend, I should foot the bill. Alright, everyone get ready... Kevin."
"First verse, narrate it like you're comforting all those countless suffering people out there. Second, pour in love. Third, infuse courage. Technique or volume don't matter. Just your true heart. Please."
Time flew by, and in the calm, warm atmosphere, they wrapped up the narration and Haiyu's vocals without a hitch.
As they headed out to the hallway for dinner, Suhyeon and Kevin walked arm-in-shoulder, playfully shoving each other. Trailing behind, Haiyu watched with envious eyes.
Three busy days passed. Just past lunchtime, Suhyeon drove to Incheon Airport. Marvin was returning after wrapping Rule of the Jungle.
To avoid crowds, Suhyeon waited in the parking lot, lost in thought.
Filming in the wilds is tough enough, but with personal drama piling on... Hope his spirit didn't break.
Soon, the car door opened. Marvin, shouldering a massive backpack, his face tanned dark but beaming with a bright smile, hopped in and called out energetically.
"Hey, buddy. Came to pick me up? Thanks."
"Yeah. Good work. Leader's gotta show up for this. Any injuries?"
"Nah, came back healthy as can be."
On the drive back to the company, Suhyeon eyed Marvin carefully.
Way better than I expected... Did he have some enlightenment in Africa or what?
Marvin smirked at Suhyeon.
"What're you staring at? I'm fine."
"Hm. Something happen out there? You look even better than before you left."
"First couple days were rough. Body and mind... Then I suddenly remembered what you said before I left. Made me feel at ease naturally... After that, I forgot all my worries, focused on filming, and had a blast."
"Because of what I said?"
"Yeah."
"Which one? I've said plenty."
Marvin looked Suhyeon straight in the eye, gratitude shining through.
"Right before takeoff at Incheon, you whispered in my ear: [Don't worry about revenge, friend. If anything happens to you, no matter what, I'll avenge you. This is my promise—and my oath—as your friend.]"
"Yeah, I said that."
"Anyone else, I'd laugh it off as a joke. But yours stuck in my head, wouldn't fade. Kept coming back.."
Marvin suddenly gripped Suhyeon's shoulder hard.
"Future's uncertain, life and death unpredictable, but at least one thing's sure now. If I get screwed over, I've got a friend to avenge me... That thought washed away the anxiety."
Suhyeon patted Marvin's hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Even if the sky falls, I'll handle the revenge... As your friend, least I can do is keep you from wandering the netherworld as a ghost."
Marvin grinned, releasing his grip.
"That mindset? Nothing scares me anymore. That's why I'm at peace. All thanks to you, buddy. Seriously."
"No big deal.."
"Your drama going well? Ratings looking good?"
"Premieres day after tomorrow. Ratings aren't my worry as a supporting actor. Just do my best.."
"It'll crush. Don't sweat it. If ratings tank, me and the other BBG guys'll rotate cameos, strip and dance if we have to.."
Suhyeon burst out laughing at Marvin's encouragement.
"Roles reversed. You're the one worrying about me now. Anyway, thanks."
Back at the YK building, they headed to the practice room where the members waited. The group greeted Marvin warmly as he appeared.
- Hyung! You're back!
- Whoa, that tan looks healthy.
- Marvin hyung, no injuries?
- Made it back safe? Been a while.
With the full BBG lineup together for the first time in ages, Suhyeon pulled out his phone to play the finished new track.
"Others have heard it during production, Marvin's hearing it fresh. Composed by me and Robin, lyrics by Kevin, rap by Gyeongbin. Finished first draft last night. Keep in mind main vocal Marvin re-records later."
Soon, from Suhyeon's phone: thump thump dang~ thump thump dang~ thump thump thuddang~ Drums kicked in, fast beat flowing out. The members listened intently.
When it ended, Marvin spoke first.
"Great. Got a title yet?"
Suhyeon smiled meaningfully.
"Dispatch."
"Huh? Like that entertainment news site? Scoop? Send?"
"Dual meaning. Noun like you said—quick delivery. But verb too."
"Dispatch? Or handle swiftly?"
"Old-school.."
"..Kill."
"Handy having so many Brits—no need to spell it out. Title means [sending our song fast to fans who love us], but also [we'll kill the bad guys messing with us]. Outwardly, just the first one."
"Love it. Perfect title. And... overall vibe's shifted from before? Intro and middle similar, but end's way different."
"Yep. Past tracks were light, sweet dances. This one's heavier. To ease fans in, kept middle like old style, but highlight's epic and intense."
"Lyrics match that?"
"Time to get serious with music... Kinda manifesto showing our future direction."
"OK. No objections. Dig it. Debut's almost three years—can't keep doing cotton candy forever."
"Good. Memorize lyrics now. We'll re-record group vocals soon."
Suddenly, the practice room door opened. A man entered. All eyes on him, he awkwardly rubbed his receding forehead as he approached.
Suhyeon asked, mildly surprised.
"Singer Team 2's Manager Jo? What brings you here?"
"Suhyeon—or Suhyeon-ssi. Save me, please."
"Huh? Save you? What's that mean out of nowhere?"
"Sigh. Haiyu's throwing a fit."
"Haiyu sunbaenim? Over what?"
"Wants to drop the track tonight."
"What...? It's only been three days since recording. Broadcasting reviews? Minimum week's lead time.."
"Exactly... I'm losing it."
"Can't upload without reviews cleared. Song's clean, no issues, but timing.."
"KBC and MBS results pending. Big star like Haiyu needs promo coordination... She's going rogue. No MV, no outfits, but insists on release. Suhyeon-ssi, talk her down.."
"Me? What can I do.."
"You're composer-producer. Please."
"But even if she wants, sites reject without reviews, right?"
"...SBC and Mnet cleared already."
"Ah, right. They're fast—one day sometimes. So possible tonight. One approval lets you register.."
"Never seen this. Other stations can't play it yet... Insane. Suhyeon-ssi, save me."
"I got no pull.."
That night at midnight, without warning or promo, Haiyu's Moon and My Story hit the music sites. And the storm began to brew.