Episode 25: The Contract and the Confession
The buzz around AX1's comeback was still climbing when a new storm rolled in.
Not from the public.
But from a sleek, soundproof boardroom on the 27th floor of GAN Entertainment.
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GAN Entertainment HQ — Legal Wing
"Your clause still binds you to Orion," the lawyer said, adjusting her glasses. "Technically, if AX1 profits from any musical release, Orion can demand royalties."
Jun's eyes widened. "Even after the abuse?"
"Legally, yes. Morally… we have a case. But courts move slow. Media moves faster."
Minho muttered, "So if we release our documentary, they could sue us?"
"Yes," she replied. "And if you perform 'Noiseproof' at the Asia Artist Awards next week… they'll likely file an injunction."
The room tensed.
Jaewon leaned forward. "Then we give them a reason not to."
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Later — Dorm Kitchen
Seon stirred ramen he wasn't planning to eat.
Jaewon stood behind him, arms crossed. Watching.
"They'll fight dirty," Seon said. "You saw what happened to that girl group who broke contract."
"Yeah," Jaewon replied. "But they didn't have what we do."
Seon turned. "What's that?"
"Proof. And people who believe us."
"And… us," he added, softer.
Jaewon smiled faintly. "Yeah. Us."
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The Hidden Folder
Jun found it on an old USB drive from their pre-debut dorm days.
Footage.
Dozens of small clips, quietly recorded over the years. Late-night confessions. Director Yoo's cruel voice behind closed doors. Seon crying in the stairwell. Jaewon nursing a sprained wrist from over-rehearsal.
It wasn't sensational.
But it was real.
Minho edited it into a 14-minute exposé.
No narration. Just truth.
They titled it:
> "What You Didn't See — Life Behind the Idol Curtain"
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Upload Day — Again
The boys sat silently in their dorm as Minho clicked "Publish."
No tweets this time.
No press releases.
Just the truth — released quietly, like a whisper after a scream.
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The World Reacts
Comments poured in:
> "This broke me." "I had no idea idols suffered this much." "This explains the pain in Seon's voice." "I'll never complain about a canceled concert again."
Celebrities reposted it. Journalists dissected it.
And Orion?
Went silent.
Legal threats were expected.
None came.
Perhaps… because they knew.
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Flashback: First Time Seon Said 'I Love You'
Not on stage.
Not in a dorm.
But in a cramped stairwell, three floors above rehearsal studio B, in the dead of winter.
Jaewon had been furious, storming out after an argument with their choreographer.
Seon followed.
Words fumbled. Voices rose. Then silence.
And then, without thinking, Seon whispered it.
"I love you."
Jaewon blinked. "What?"
"I don't want to fight you. I love you."
It was the first time they kissed without looking over their shoulders.
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Now — Interview Offers Roll In
The exposé became a cultural reset.
Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of AX1.
Major broadcast stations. International news. Even UN youth councils.
But they said no.
To all of it.
"We speak on our terms," Seon said.
"We're not a trend," Jaewon agreed.
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Backstage — Asia Artist Awards, One Day Before
The crew whispered when AX1 entered.
Other idols stared.
Some bowed. Some looked away.
Jaewon leaned over to Seon. "Feels like everyone knows us now."
Seon replied, "Yeah. But only some know us right."
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The Confession Scene — On Camera
As part of the documentary, GAN hired a team to film candid interviews.
One segment caught Seon alone, post-rehearsal.
"Why did you come back to music?" the producer asked.
Seon looked down. Then up. Then directly into the lens.
"Because music was never the problem. Silence was."
Cut.
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Night Before the Awards
Seon stood on the dorm balcony, staring into the city lights.
Jaewon joined him.
"Can't sleep?"
"No," Seon whispered. "Tomorrow's big."
Jaewon slid an arm around his waist.
"I don't care if we win. I just want to sing with you. For real. One last time, if it comes to that."
Seon nodded. "One last time… but not the last time, okay?"
Jaewon kissed his temple. "Okay."
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The Award Ceremony — Chaos Incoming
Fans screamed. Flashbulbs blinded. Security tripled.
AX1 arrived in matching black suits, hands inked with lyrics from 'Noiseproof.'
They weren't just idols tonight.
They were witnesses.
Testimonies.
Truth in human form.
As the host announced:
> "Please welcome AX1 to the stage!"
The audience rose.
Half cheered. Some wept. A few booed.
But nothing drowned the silence that came next — when the music began.
A remix version of Noiseproof. Slower. Haunting.
Then Seon sang:
> "You edited our lives for your gain — but we took back the pen."
And Jaewon followed:
> "You filmed our pain — now we stream our peace."
They didn't dance.
They stood still.
Letting the lyrics burn.
Letting the truth scream.
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Standing Ovation — And A Twist
As the last note echoed, a silence fell.
Then — one person stood.
Then another.
And another.
An ovation that shook the cameras.
But then — the lights dimmed unexpectedly.
A new announcement appeared onscreen:
> "This is not the end." "Coming Soon: AX1 — The Film."
The crowd gasped.
Seon turned to Jaewon.
"Did you know?"
Jaewon grinned. "Maybe."
"Are we ready for that?"
"I wasn't ready for you either. But I jumped."
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Final Scene: Hotel Room — Hours Later
The group sat around a low table.
Takeout containers. Champagne. Slippers.
Real life.
Minho raised a toast. "To AX1. The noiseproof heartbeats."
Seo-jin smiled. "To truth — even when it trembles."
Jun added, "To the boys we were
. And the men we're becoming."
Seon looked at Jaewon. "To every version of us. Even the ones that hurt."
Jaewon lifted his glass.
"And to the version that finally gets to breathe."
They drank.
And outside, the world waited.
Because AX1 wasn't finished.
They were just beginning.
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To be continued…