Chapter 617
Chapter 617
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[Why is TeSTAR suddenly recording music shows privately?]
Is someone sick?
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At that moment, the atmosphere in the comments shifted.
└ Wow, this feels off.
- They really canceled without a word.
- Even among the fans, there’s a lot of talk going around.
- Did TeSTAR cancel any other schedules?
- Is it really a discord rumor? People say whenever TSTR fights, it’s super obvious. Like that time Se-jin and Moon-dae had that huge thing at the Japan concert... ㅠㅠ
└ Where do these rumors even come from, seriously...
└ The TeSTAR antis are having a field day.
- TeSTAR is going through so much. What is all this chaos because of VTIC...
└ ?? Why are you suddenly dragging VTIC into this? lol
Similar posts followed one after another.
Various speculations. Circumstantial evidence.
[Discord rumors, my ass. Ugh, so predictable.]
[Isn't it just because the current situation is too much pressure for TeSTAR?]
[Looking at VTIC’s view counts, I wouldn't want to show up either, lol.]
["This feels off" <- People who want things to feel off more than anyone else.]
The page scrolled mechanically.
The hand flicking through the timeline from dawn—which had already been smoothed over by fans—looked somewhat dry.
Then, it stopped for a moment.
“…….”
Slowly, a single name was typed into the search bar.
—Ryu Cheong-woo.
Dozens of sentences lined up again.
Passing through posts of praise, mentions, and questions…
[If the group leader everyone’s talking about showed symptoms of panic, I think I’d know what that feels like.]
The hand stopped again.
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There are accounts floating around saying he suddenly stopped recording because of a panic attack... It seems like he’s holding on because the timing is impossible for him to rest right now.
He probably feels a sense of responsibility as a leader, and if he pulls out now, it’ll look like they’re waving the white flag and losing to VTIC, so he’s overexerting himself.
I’m worried that’s why they’re blocking the audience as a temporary measure and just pushing through.
+ Adding this because so many people are asking: I’m talking about Ryu Cheong-woo.
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Dozens of comments chattered away.
Was it because there was no conclusion that more stories kept coming out?
The rumors were longer than the truth.
And finally, an opinion appeared at the end.
“…….”
Is that how it is?
“Alright. Then he should go to the hospital first.”
After the conversation with Ryu Cheong-woo.
As soon as I shared the details of our talk with the members—with his tacit consent—Keun Se-jin gave an immediate answer.
Of course, Bae Se-jin countered with a troubled expression.
“You… don’t say it so easily.”
“Huh? No, hyung. If we make this a difficult topic, it’ll just make everyone uncomfortable. How can we not even suggest going to the hospital?”
“You heard what Park Moon-dae said earlier. The cause is so unrealistic that even if Cheong-woo goes to the hospital, it’ll be hard for him to get proper counseling…!”
“Then he should at least try by giving a similar reason. There’s no other way, so are we just supposed to keep beating around the bush and wait indefinitely?”
“That’s not what I mean! I’m saying we can talk to him more. So he can go to the hospital with a lighter heart….”
“I’ll say it. A light heart is impossible for Cheong-woo hyung.”
“…!”
The one who suddenly cut in was Cha Yu-jin.
“We all want to work hard. But having to rest like this? It can’t feel good.”
“……I suppose so.”
Keun Se-jin pressed his brow.
“Or there’s the option of not resting at all….”
“Wait.”
Bae Se-jin asked through gritted teeth.
“Are you… seriously suggesting we tell Ryu Cheong-woo to balance activities and treatment?”
“I’m not saying I’ll force him to, but… no.”
Keun Se-jin seemed to hold back a sigh before continuing calmly. He seemed to be doing his best not to sound like he was thinking, 'This person is really exhausting.'
“If that’s what Cheong-woo hyung wants, wouldn't that be the right way? At least we could try to balance them.”
“No. He’s probably doing this because he’s anxious. We should reassure him that it’s okay to focus entirely on treatment.”
“…….”
It was a stalemate.
‘Damn it.’
But it wasn't a topic we could avoid discussing with the members.
The leader was suddenly going on an indefinite hiatus right at the start of album promotions.
‘We need to decide on the group’s stance.’
I thought that would be the only way the guy going off to rest could do so with at least some peace of mind.
Still, there really seemed to be no right answer.
“No, if it were me, I’d rather hear something like, ‘It’s a shame you’re not here, the void will be huge until you recover and come back’...”
Ultimately, it was a question of what wouldn't crush Ryu Cheong-woo’s spirit.
He might feel like he can't quit because of the pressure, or he might feel dejected if we let him go too readily, thinking his role wasn't that big after all….
Every point seemed valid in its own way, which made deciding a total pain in the ass.
Though it seemed everyone was thinking the same thing regarding one premise.
“…Since treatment won’t be easy.”
“…….”
The fact that recovery would take a long time.
And because of that, we had to be careful with him.
Why else would guys like Cha Yu-jin or Kim Rae-bin, who had already talked to him, be burying their heads in the sofa with such gloomy faces?
It was a sudden crisis we hadn't even imagined when planning the comeback.
For now, we were focusing on soothing Ryu Cheong-woo and getting him to receive treatment as mildly and effectively as possible, but what happens after that?
‘My head’s going to ache trying to come up with a plan for that, too…’
One mountain after another.
‘…He prepared so much.’
How shitty must he feel himself?
The situation left a bitter taste in my mouth in many ways.
However, it seemed not every member agreed with that premise.
While the members were still going back and forth, someone beside me lightly tapped my shoulder.
“Um… Moon-dae.”
“…….”
When I turned my head at the call, Seon A-hyun asked cautiously.
“So, for Cheong-woo hyung… is it really the yips?”
I nodded.
Yeah, the guy had admitted as much himself.
Tension and anxiety symptoms created by the psychological factor of fearing injury.
“I see. Right….”
Seon A-hyun nodded hurriedly.
But soon, he added in a small voice.
“Actually, then, I have a slightly different thought….”
“…?”
Don't tell me.
“That treatment will be easy?”
Seon A-hyun shook his head quickly. Hmm. If not that….
“That it won’t take long?”
This time, surprisingly, Seon A-hyun didn't shake his head immediately.
“A-hyun?”
“What do you mean?”
“Ah…!”
As the other members looked over, he hesitated before speaking with a serious expression.
“Um… I think that feeling of being at a loss is similar to a slump. That feeling where you don't know how to recover or if there’s a definite way.”
“Hmm.”
“But, I think… the type is a bit different.”
Seon A-hyun spoke calmly, as if recalling a memory.
“To escape from this kind of problem—being anxious or suddenly unable to trust yourself—I think… a catalyst is important.”
“Huh?”
“I mean… it’s not about recovering slowly, bit by bit.”
Seon A-hyun clenched both fists tight.
“It’s like… like a dam breaking. Suddenly, you feel, ‘Ah, I’m okay,’ and you’re able to do it again. I wonder if it’s that kind of feeling.”
“…Like untying a knot?”
“Yeah!”
So, it was like this.
It wasn't something that healed sequentially like a wound, but something that flipped like a switch.
A shock that hits you in the back of the head, a realization, a decisive moment provided by a keyword.
The perception shifts completely.
“Actually, I… had a similar experience….”
“…!”
“When I was young… it became harder than before to move my body or show what I wanted… it was tough.”
As he said that, Seon A-hyun glanced toward me.
“But, I heard a certain phrase, and suddenly it was like, ‘This is it,’ and I could just do it…!”
“…….”
No way.
—Just think about ‘I’m going to get this done.’
Back during Idol Inc.
At my words, Seon A-hyun had out of nowhere activated his trait, ‘Perseverance,’ and resolved his status effect, ‘Lack of Self-Esteem.’ He nodded firmly now.
“I think that kind of catalyst is important…!”
“…….”
Hey, that was….
‘Because of the trait.’
It was because my trait, ‘That sounds right,’ had triggered and successfully persuaded him.
‘Your argument makes sense, but I can’t really take credit for it.’
However, I couldn't bring myself to say that in this atmosphere.
Seon A-hyun nodded with a resolute face.
“Of course, it took a long time to find it, and it’s difficult……. So in that sense, it might be similar to taking a long time.”
“No, I get what A-hyun means. It’s not about slow recovery, but a matter of something either clicking or not, right?”
“Yeah!”
“Okay.”
Beside the nodding Keun Se-jin, Bae Se-jin spoke cautiously.
“…Thanks for telling us. My thoughts are a bit more organized now.”
“Ah, no…!”
Perhaps thanks to hearing a vivid testimony from a member who had successfully recovered, the atmosphere brightened slightly.
The conversation gained a bit of breathing room.
Keun Se-jin shrugged and said.
“Then shall we do this, hyungs? We’ll see how Cheong-woo hyung reacts and then decide how to approach it.”
It was a moderate plan. Bae Se-jin also nodded cautiously this time.
“Alright, then…….”
It was the moment the conversation reached that point.
Click.
“…!”
The door opened, and a stoic Ryu Cheong-woo walked out holding his smartphone.
“It’s time. We have to go to the schedule, guys.”
“Ah…….”
“Yes!”
The conversation died down instantly.
When Keun Se-jin caught my eye, he gave a slight nod and then whispered quietly to his namesake standing next to him.
“Don’t make it obvious, just follow along. I’ll look for a timing to bring it up quietly.”
“…….”
Now, even Bae Se-jin didn't refuse and slowly nodded.
After that, we didn't mention Ryu Cheong-woo’s mental issues at all and carried out the schedule, acting appropriately as usual.
Ryu Cheong-woo also seemed fine on the surface.
“Cheong-woo-ssi… your shoulders look even broader?!”
“Haha, I don’t think that’s possible… but thank you.”
Seeing him finish an interview for a WeTube channel without a hitch, the members felt a bit relieved.
In this atmosphere, it seemed like bringing up the topic would go smoothly.
Thus, that evening.
Inside the moving van, Keun Se-jin intentionally hummed along to a song before gently striking up a conversation.
“Hyung-nim~ If you’re okay with it, maybe we could sit down and rest for a bit while we….”
“Think about how to announce Ryu Cheong-woo’s hiatus?”
“…….”
Even the great Keun Se-jin flinched.
And Ryu Cheong-woo….
“I’m not angry.”
He was peaceful.
“…?”
With almost a faint smile, he leaned back in his seat and spoke quietly.
“If it’s necessary, it’s right to stop and rest.”
“I… suppose so?”
“Yeah.”
No other words were needed.
As if he had suddenly regained his composure, he led the conversation without any agitation.
Without giving anyone a chance to offer comfort or continue the talk, he spoke slowly after his short answer.
“Let’s make the announcement as soon as I get the medical opinion after going to the hospital.”
“…….”
“It’ll be a lot of work for you guys to revise the formations once I’m gone. I’m sorry.”
“That’s obviously fine.”
Ryu Cheong-woo shook his head slightly.
“And I’m sorry we couldn't stick to the plan for this promotion because of me.”
“Ah, no…!”
“Ayy, don’t say that, hyung~! We’ll work hard to keep your spot so you can jump right back into a cool performance when you return!”
“Right. Thanks.”
Ryu Cheong-woo’s face was impossibly calm. Naturally, he didn't torture anyone’s mental state by saying things like, 'What if we lose to VTIC because of me?' or 'I feel like I'm going crazy because I'm so sorry.'
He was just his usual, concise self.
The members also seemed somewhat relieved by that attitude, which appeared to have returned to normal.
However, I made sure to note Kim Rae-bin scanning Ryu Cheong-woo with a somewhat anxious face.
“…….”
And that day, the notice was posted.
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[Notice Regarding TeSTAR Ryu Cheong-woo’s Health and Activities]
Hello. This is Orbit Star Entertainment.
TeSTAR member Ryu Cheong-woo has been advised by a professional medical institution to take a temporary rest due to symptoms of dizziness caused by mental fatigue…….
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Amidst a flood of supportive reactions like 'How sad,' 'Poor thing,' and 'Stay strong,' Ryu Cheong-woo received the ambiguous prescription of a 'temporary hiatus.'
The tone of the notice wasn't that serious, and while fans were heartbroken or felt it was a waste, they didn't fall into extreme worry.
The weekend passed, and the following week approached.
Thanks to the schedules filmed beforehand, Ryu Cheong-woo occasionally appeared on screen, and naturally, people began to slowly get used to his absence without being too conscious of it.
And so, Ryu Cheong-woo was excluded from the schedule.
Looking back, this was our mistake.