In another lifetime, he could've had a better family.
In another lifetime, he could've had more support toward his dreams.
In another lifetime, he could've had time to be a child.
The storyline he is following right now gave him the worst startin...
Chasing people's affections for an illusion of reciprocity of feelings had the entertainment industry filling its coffers. Somehow the business-minded found an adaptable formula in courting the audience and they profited off its success by a great margin. Most of the front figures in this campaigns are actors, models, artists, dancers, and the like. Figures accessible to the public but are mainly paid robots whose mortality was often a question to the great decision makers.
June was lucky to fall into a company that had great profit but also more compassion to its workers. Labyrinth Hub thrived under the guidance of a Kpop idol as its founder and shareholder. But the weight of engraving his name under the company was the expectations. Similar to the personality posed by his seniors, the public wished for American artist June to replicate the same aura. And he tried hard to comply, please the viewers even if it wasn't exclusively written in his contract that he had to enact that public image. Yet, he held standards — even as a banished son.
Stray Kids' Leon had the title of International Big Brother.
NCT's Ash once was Nation's Earthly Angel, now in his peace he is Idol's Guardian Angel.
The survival show he entered gave him an opportunity to take a title without debuting in its stands yet. Yes, he has his own fandom as a solo artist. But the Western music industry operated in another scale in comparison. So his identity can shift, and soon enough they did deem him Mr. Boyfriend Material. A truly modern take on leading men, and one he planned to nurse in reputation.
Somehow, one of the best shields fell into his lap.
When Ji Woong and Jong Woo told him that they'd ride to the company together for an arrangement, he thought that a brainstorming session would take place. He is not blind to the current rise of fans who identify him and Ji Woong as a package deal. Both of their appearances and interactions that made it into the final cut had pique the interest of many, especially with the field of work they had prior to the show. And it provided a great hesitant sight towards both from the conservative. But to the young generation, it appealed to them greatly. And that was what mattered if they were to enter the new Kpop generation.
The clouded spaces of this interaction became clearer today as they sat in a conference room with managers, staff, and executives from Ji Woong's and June's companies. "An advertisement from both of you vaguely having romantic affiliations to promote a product will keep your popularity stay for at least the whole duration of the show." Most big companies will turn down such an offer, they didn't like depending on other threats. But seeing as it will benefit both parties, then having them debut together can lead the chemistry risk to a better direction. "It will grant you both a great chance to debut. Then if you debut together, we can even shoot a BL drama after your time with the group. It'll give us more fans who will ship you both and be loyal in the aftermath."
The doubt in him manifesting in the locked jaw. The intensity of knowing that he isn't at the level of Ji Woong if he appeared alongside in this commercial had hit him. It was a flip coin match in comments. But hearing Ji Woong's words, hearing the confidence he had in the results of this joint project, inspired him to gain trust in himself, even in a miniscule amount. After all, his company trains people to be equipped at excelling in fields of performance (both on stage and behind.) "I'm interested. I already worked with June in this short amount of time and when we perform, we present a good stage. It can translate well in commercials too if we try."
If June debuted in Mnet's group, he'll have no choice but to be the mold they wanted him to be. There will be so many compromises for success. But right now, he can decide. And as he glanced at his fellow trainee's eyes, seeing the genuine interest at working together — the curiosity of baiting the fans farther at their friendship, he had to play the game of chance.
"What's the product first, if I may ask?"
The staff smiled at the coy agreement from both trainees, knowing that they were already in the project. And before they broke into further details, they were all kind enough to answer June's question. "Well Mr. Boyfriend Material and Mr. Sexy Vampire, you'll be advertising household furniture." The nicknames had many snicker or smirk at the recall. But the boisterous laughter hidden behind hands sparked when both boys coughed at the further specification of the product. "You'll be a couple whose just moved in. And the first piece you decide to buy is a good bed and its mattress." The innuendo didn't bother to hide beneath the sheets. Literally.
A/N: Among my three Boys Planet books, it's quite obvious that two of my OCs made it into the fictional timeline. June and Corbin, starkly contrasting personalities, will make it to ZEROBASEONE. Initially, I planned to finish writing about all the episodes then writing their idol life but that will make things hard for me. The timeline won't be authentic to my feelings as the writer if I push it too back. So, I hope that you find it in kindness to be satisfied with me writing Boys Planet episodes but also releasing their ZB1 arc already.
As for the the other book, one I'm currently editing the graphics of due to the controversy surrounding the faceclaim, their character originally was never going to debut in ZB1. And they won't so that's a whole other narration you'll all just have to wait and see.
Take care, readers!
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