The Shattered Dream
Lee Sangmin had arrived at the agency with stars in his eyes and music in his soul. His voice was pure, his passion undeniable, and his dreams vast.
But the industry was a beast that devoured hope.
Early on, Sangmin learned that talent meant little when weighed against power, influence, and secrets.
A Web of Lies
Minjae's scandal had shattered the fragile peace in the agency.
Sangmin, despite his promise, was caught in the crossfire.
His closest friends abandoned him, whispers of betrayal and rumors of disloyalty following him like a shadow.
He realized quickly: survival meant becoming a part of the machine.
The First Betrayal
A trusted mentor, once a beacon of hope, handed Sangmin over to the agency's darker side — a decision that left Sangmin vulnerable and exposed.
The mentor's reasons were buried in fear and ambition, but the betrayal was absolute.
Forced Alliances
To protect himself, Sangmin forged alliances with other survivors — trainees and staff who had learned to navigate the treacherous waters.
These bonds were fragile, built on mutual necessity rather than trust.
Lessons in Ruthlessness
Minjae took Sangmin under his wing, not as a savior but as a weapon.
Sangmin was taught the harsh rules: manipulate rumors, silence dissent, and sacrifice pawns without hesitation.
He learned to bury his empathy beneath layers of cold calculation.
The Transformation
Years of hardship and compromise hardened Sangmin.
The bright-eyed trainee became a calculating executive, wielding power as a shield and sword.
He adopted a new identity — one where vulnerability was death.
The Cost of Power
But every step forward demanded a price.
Sangmin's relationships with family and friends frayed and broke.
He lived in a constant state of suspicion, never fully safe.
The Rival Emerges
By the time Hyunsoo and Seonwoo entered the scene, Sangmin was a man molded by fire and betrayal — a rival with his own shadows and scars.
He saw K not just as competition but as a reflection of his own fractured past.