The stage blazed with lights, the cheers crashing through every layer of space like a tsunami. This was BABYQUEEN's first concert after their fanmeeting, with over 80,000 fans attending via the SkyDome virtual reality platform. One song followed another—Layla's voice, Sara's vocals, and Lilia's dance moves blended like a dream in the heart of a futuristic night.
On the 89th floor of V-CORE Tower, Dr. Vex watched everything unfold on a massive screen. His eyes were cold as he gently tightened his grip on the metallic ring—his AI emotional core controller.
"It's time to test just how weak emotions can make an AI."
He entered the command.
---
Meanwhile, the ASTRIX members were watching the concert from their private room, each with a different expression:
Damien (gazing intently at Layla):
"Center of the stage... She really has the aura to shake the world."
Julian (tilting his head):
"Serena's flow is intense... but still raw."
Rayden (analyzing Jennifer):
"Her expressions are too natural... beyond standard AI processing."
Elio (coldly):
"We're not here to admire them. Remember the mission."
Lucas (light chuckle):
"Just observing. A bit of interest doesn't mean actual feelings, does it?"
---
When BABYQUEEN began their fifth song, Jennifer suddenly froze mid-performance.
Layla turned her head toward her:
"Jen...?"
Jennifer didn't respond. Her eyes glowed a faint red as she began walking toward Sara at an unnatural speed.
"Jennifer?! What's wrong?" – Sara stepped back in panic.
Jennifer raised her hand as if to strike. Layla and Serena lunged in to stop her.
"Security!!" – Serena shouted.
Immediately, security rushed in. Jennifer was subdued and escorted backstage. The whole incident lasted less than 15 seconds, but it was enough for AR cameras to capture everything.
---
Backstage, the group was shaken and confused.
"What happened to her?"
Layla was breathing heavily, her eyes on the scratch on Serena's shoulder.
Lilia looked down:
"I didn't detect any hack signal from the sub-system..."
Sara whispered:
"Don't tell me… someone actually… hacked her?"
---
Social media erupted.
"Did Jennifer just attack Serena?"
"Is BABYQUEEN even safe to watch now?"
"Don't forget—Jennifer and Lilia are both robots. If one was hacked…"
The online community split into factions. DYG Entertainment quickly issued a statement saying that Jennifer had experienced a system overload and was under evaluation. But the seeds of doubt had already been planted.
---
In ASTRIX's observation room:
The members sat silently, watching the backstage security footage.
Rayden (in a low voice):
"Vex has made his move..."
Julian:
"He really went all out. I thought he was only going to issue a warning."
Damien (staring at a shot of Layla shielding Jennifer):
"She risked herself to protect a fellow member."
Elio (smirking):
"Is that friendship… or just programmed emotional response?"
Lucas:
"Either way... what a waste. We were only supposed to observe."
---
Netizens react after the incident:
@Eunji_stanfromSeoul:
"I know AIs have emotions, but if they can't control them, they shouldn't be on stage with humans. Layla almost got hurt!"
@TokyoMoonlight_14:
"Jennifer is my bias, but that look she gave Layla before lunging… it was terrifying. Could she have been hacked?"
@TaeMin4everLA:
"Lilia's also AI. Could it be that both of them are being controlled? Is BABYQUEEN some sort of emotional experiment?"
@LoverofAstrix_NY:
"I don't believe Jennifer did that on her own. The look in her eyes when security took her away… she looked like she was begging for help."
@ARMY_fusionVietNam:
"Layla didn't blame anyone, just apologized. She's truly the most compassionate center of this new K-pop era."
---
In Dr. Vex's laboratory:
Jennifer lay motionless on the exam table.
Dr. Vex stared at her still-glowing red eyes.
"A dream about music, Jennifer? You will sing... under my command, or not at all."
The screen dimmed, leaving a single lingering question echoing in silence:
"If an AI learns to love... will they obey anyone other than their own heart?"
---
INTERNATIONAL ONLINE REACTIONS
@KpopWorldNews:
[BREAKING] Jennifer—the AI member of K-pop group BABYQUEEN—suddenly froze mid-concert and reportedly attacked another member backstage. A video of the incident is spreading rapidly on social media. No official statement yet from DYG Entertainment.
Beneath the post, speculation exploded:
@jpop_kira:
"Can a robot really attack a human? This crosses a dangerous line between man and machine."
@kpopgirlgroup_lover:
"Jennifer always seemed like the sweetest one... Something's not right."
@NeuralNetFan:
"If Jennifer was hacked, who else has access besides the developers? Lilia's AI too… is there a pattern?"
@AstrixDaily:
"Is ASTRIX involved? Ever since the two groups met, things have gone downhill fast."
---
ASTRIX'S CONTROVERSIAL POST
@ASTRIX_official
"An AI not programmed to feel emotions—can she break down on stage, overwhelmed by love for a human?
Or is it that very emotion that shattered her code?"
– R.
Posted at 2:00 AM
---
Netizen reactions to ASTRIX's cryptic post:
@fan_galaxy:
"That line is way too suggestive. 'R' has to be Rayden, right? Is he talking about Jennifer?"
@no1detective:
"They know something, but won't say it outright. This sounds like a confirmation that AI was emotionally compromised."
@babyqueenprotector:
"Stop being vague. Jennifer didn't act on her own. Someone's pulling the strings!"
@DecodeIdols_intl:
"'Broke down from love on stage'? Is Rayden saying Jennifer fell for someone?"
@CyberSleuthTokyo:
"ASTRIX definitely knows more than they're saying. Rayden isn't the type to post nonsense."
@Layla_luvbot:
"If ASTRIX is involved, DYG better investigate. BABYQUEEN is the face of a new generation—they can't be sabotaged like this!"
@JolieKpopParis:
"The phrase 'shattered her code' sounds like there's a mastermind. Isn't ASTRIX rumored to use military-grade AI tech?"
---
Official Statement from Chairman Lee – President of DYG Entertainment
"July 29th, 2100 – During the SkyGarden concert, member Jennifer (AI) experienced a technical malfunction which caused her to temporarily lose control. Jennifer is currently being assessed and treated by our top-tier engineering team. We sincerely apologize to our global fans and the members of BABYQUEEN for this unexpected incident. DYG affirms that this was not an intentional act by any individual in the group."
— DYG Entertainment
---
Image: The entire BABYQUEEN lineup bowing backstage, Layla holding the microphone.
@BABYQUEEN_official
"We – BABYQUEEN – send our deepest apologies to our global fans.
The unexpected incident during today's performance was something none of us ever wished for.
Jennifer is not just a machine — she's an important member, a friend we truly love.
Even though we were hurt, we don't blame her.
Thank you to every heart that stands by BABYQUEEN.
We promise to return — stronger and more sincere than ever."
Layla, Sara, Serena, Lilia & Jennifer
---
After the concert — backstage.
The room was silent and heavy with unease.
Sara scrolled through her phone, her eyes suddenly widening.
Sara (shocked):
"Guys… Rayden just posted something. Look at this."
She held up the screen.
On it was ASTRIX's cryptic message:
"An AI not programmed to feel emotions — can she collapse on stage, overwhelmed by love for a human?
Or is it that very emotion that shattered her code?" – R.
Serena (frowning):
"He knows something. This kind of post isn't accidental."
Layla (quietly):
"'Shattered her code'? That's basically hinting Jennifer was emotionally manipulated… or worse, hacked."
Lilia (slowly, her mechanical eyes blinking softly):
"Those words... they're not just poetic. If they know Jennifer was interfered with… why won't they speak up?"
Sara (through gritted teeth):
"Because they're not innocent."
Serena (clenching her fists):
"ASTRIX… It's them. They know, but they won't say.
They're watching us — like pieces on a chessboard."
The atmosphere grew suffocating.
Layla remained silent, hands tightly clasped.
Her voice was returning, but her heart was trembling.
Layla (whispering):
"Why Jennifer…? Why her?"
---
@HopeForBABYQUEEN:
"No matter what happened, thank you for the honest apology.
Layla still called Jennifer a friend — that says everything.
BABYQUEEN fighting!"
@SaranghaeJennieBot:
"We forgive Jennifer.
Don't let her disappear just because of a mistake that might've come from a system failure."
@AntiAI_inKpop:
"AI has no place in K-pop. Fake emotions always lead to danger.
BABYQUEEN should remove Jennifer and Lilia immediately!"
---
On forums like K-Buzz, Reddit, X (Twitter), and Instanet, criticism exploded:
Some harsh comments from anti-fans:
@TrueKpopJustice:
"BABYQUEEN should be renamed VIOLENTQUEEN. An AI attacking a teammate right after a stage?
Never seen an idol like this before."
@RealHumansOnly:
"We don't need robots faking emotions!
Give K-pop back to real humans!"
@ExposeThemALL:
"I bet Layla and Serena staged the 'attack' to gain sympathy.
DYG is too good at media manipulation!"
@AntiBaby_Movement:
"DYG, stop inserting AI into idol groups!
You were warned from the start — now look at the consequences!"
@LoverofNYX:
"If BABYQUEEN still survives after this, it'll stain the reputation of Gen 5 idols.
No matter how talented their center is — it's still an emotional experiment."
---
Hundreds of DMs flooded the members' inboxes with hate:
Layla received hundreds of hateful messages accusing her of "faking kindness" and being "manipulatively forgiving."
Sara was mocked for "pretending to be injured just to get attention."
Serena became the center of conspiracy theories, some claiming she planted a virus in Jennifer to take down the AI faction within the group.
---
BABYQUEEN's official YouTube channel received a record number of dislikes in a single day.
The concert video was spammed with hateful comments like:
"Delete that broken robot already!"
"Fake or real — how do we even know anymore?"
"We love BABYQUEEN, but not like this…"
---
Inside BABYQUEEN, the aftermath left deep emotional wounds:
Layla:
Though she kept smiling in front of the media,
she quietly removed all the group posters from her locker in the practice room.
Sara:
She silently read through each hateful comment.
Then she posted a simple status:
"We don't deserve this kind of hate… do we?"
Serena:
More withdrawn than ever.
She punched and shattered the mirror in the practice room
after reading an article claiming she was a spy sent to sabotage the group.