Chapter 8

"Yunho, your expression, this isn't a dance competition, you need to smile, do you understand? Can't you be cute at all?"

An Minhuan had already choreographed the dance for the song "Balloon," which posed no difficulty for him. After all, although he had exceptional talent in music, his contemporaries during training included Zhang Yohel, Junjin, and Lee Minwoo, all of whom were now undisputed dance kings. With An Minhuan's competitive nature, he naturally couldn't neglect this aspect; otherwise, how could he have so confidently looked down on these people back then?

"Jaejoong, your body is too stiff, and your expression is too cold. How old are you? You're even younger than me, and I can act cute. Can't you do it?"

An Minhuan continued to criticize, his tone gradually turning cold due to the immense pressure, even using himself as an example to motivate the members of TVXQ.

"Changmin, after practicing for so long, you still can't remember the moves? What were you doing?"

"Yoochun, I just said Jaejoong's expression is too cold, and you're doing the same? Do your family members know how cool you are?"

"Junsu, don't use your magnetic voice on purpose, okay? There are no girls here, so it won't have any effect. Just follow the arrangement honestly."

With only one month left, An Minhuan was really anxious. The five members of TVXQ were scolded by An Minhuan every day, but they had no complaints. They were intimidated by An Minhuan's abilities. When the song "Balloon" was released, An Minhuan's top-notch singing skills gave them a strong sense of reassurance, confirming that the company hadn't abandoned them. The choreography was also personally recorded by An Minhuan and a few others from S.M. Watching An Minhuan dance to "Balloon," they couldn't help but laugh. Despite his usually cold demeanor, the An Minhuan in the sample was so cute that even the five of them found it endearing. Moreover, they discovered that An Minhuan was far from the rumors. Although he constantly scolded them, he would still chat and joke with them during breaks, and even play around. He would patiently answer their questions and guide them, such as Junsu's vocal techniques and Yunho's dancing. To them, he was a mentor and a friend.

Although the deadline was one month, An Minhuan knew he had only 20 days, as he needed to reserve time for the MV shooting. The tight schedule put immense pressure on him, but the results were outstanding. An Minhuan gradually entered his state, and Yu Yongjin noticed that, except for the initial period when An Minhuan still sought his advice, he was basically just a bystander. An Minhuan was so excellent that he could solve any problem on his own, making Yu Yongjin feel both relieved and bored.

In the recording studio, An Minhuan was recording the song for TVXQ. Yu Yongjin didn't participate but sat on the side, sipping coffee, feeling bored.

"How is it?" Lee Sooman walked in and asked softly, not wanting to disturb An Minhuan.

"Sooman, you finally came." Yu Yongjin was so excited that he almost cried, putting down his coffee cup.

"What's wrong with you?" Lee Sooman looked at Yu Yongjin, puzzled.

"I'm so bored." Yu Yongjin said, "I shouldn't have agreed to assist Minhuan. This kid doesn't need my help at all. Today is probably the last day of production, and I've been bored for 20 days, just sitting there watching."

"Is that so?" Lee Sooman ignored Yu Yongjin's antics, knowing him well. If Yu Yongjin was acting this way, it meant An Minhuan was truly outstanding.

"Yes, I've been a mere bystander." Yu Yongjin stopped his antics and smiled, "Minhuan is too excellent, especially when he's in his state. What should I, as a teacher, do with such an excellent student?"

Lee Sooman looked at Yu Yongjin, who, despite his frustration, had a proud look in his eyes, and said, "This is my disciple, and you can only be considered half a teacher. I am Minhuan's teacher."

"Pfft." Yu Yongjin waved his hand, "Minhuan has learned more from me than from you."

"Alright, stop arguing." Lee Sooman didn't continue, "Since there's nothing to do, I'll wait for the song to be completed. I'm eager to see the final product."

"Absolutely, it will succeed." Yu Yongjin understood, as they were in the middle of recording, and further arguments might affect An Minhuan.

An Minhuan didn't notice Lee Sooman's arrival or the argument between Lee Sooman and Yu Yongjin. He was fully focused on the recording, and his standards were very high. Perhaps due to the immense pressure or the importance of the group to the company and Lee Sooman, An Minhuan aimed for perfection, re-recording any part that didn't meet his satisfaction.

"Harmony, Junsu, your voice is too unique, control it a bit."

"Changmin, your pitch is too high in this part. How will Yunho follow? Lower it."

"Jaejoong, even though this isn't an MV, and your expression can't be seen, your tone lacks cuteness. This song expresses the cuteness of the 10s generation. Your tone is out of place, and it ruins the song. You need to put emotion into it."

As the recording progressed, Lee Sooman's eyes grew brighter. An Minhuan was being too strict, perhaps due to the immense pressure. Even though the sound was already perfect, An Minhuan still rejected it, giving reasons that were very satisfying. Although he wanted to tell An Minhuan not to be too stressed, Lee Sooman resisted the urge, knowing that the better the recording, the higher the chances of success.

After 6 hours, the song was finally completed. When An Minhuan said "perfect," the five members of TVXQ in the recording booth collapsed, having not rested for 6 hours, their voices almost hoarse. But they didn't dare to ask for a break, as they had come to understand An Minhuan's character over the 20 days. When An Minhuan was in his state, he was not easy to reason with.

"Teacher." An Minhuan relaxed and noticed Lee Sooman, quickly standing up to greet him.

"Um." Lee Sooman nodded, having just listened to the completed song, which was perfect, making him feel as if he were there.

"Teacher Lee Sooman, hello." The five members of TVXQ, who had just come out of the recording booth, greeted Lee Sooman respectfully, despite being exhausted.

"Good job." Lee Sooman looked at the five members of TVXQ with satisfaction, "I can guarantee that you will succeed."

"Thank you, teacher." The five members quickly thanked him, feeling excited to gain Lee Sooman's recognition, which seemed to give them renewed energy.

"Minhuan, entrusting them to you was a wise decision." Lee Sooman turned to An Minhuan, acknowledging his role in their success.

"Teacher, you're joking. It's actually thanks to Teacher Yongjin. Without his guidance, I would have been helpless." An Minhuan shook his head.

"Minhuan, stop mocking me." Yu Yongjin said, "I didn't do anything."

"Having a teacher here is the greatest help to me." An Minhuan quickly responded.

"So I have this effect, huh?" Yu Yongjin chuckled, feeling pleased. This kid had really changed; in the past, he would have mocked him.

"Teacher, I'll step back now." An Minhuan smiled, as the next step was the MV shooting, which wasn't his responsibility.

"Um." Lee Sooman nodded, acknowledging An Minhuan's hard work over the past days. With someone to take over, it was time for An Minhuan to rest.

"Thank you, Senior An Minhuan." The five members of TVXQ, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up, genuinely expressing their gratitude.

"Work hard and become a sensation." An Minhuan said to the five, "Don't embarrass the company. Remember, artists from S.M. always make a big splash when they debut."

This was true. Whether it was神话, HOT, SES, or Fly to the Sky, they all achieved great success upon debut, let alone him, the strongest rookie in history.

"We will work hard." The five members of TVXQ said solemnly, a fact known by everyone in S.M.

"Good, you have the right spirit." An Minhuan nodded, not realizing that his words were inappropriate for his age, as he was only 1-2 years older than them, but it sounded like an elder's advice.

Not only did he not find it inappropriate, but neither did Lee Sooman, Yu Yongjin, nor the five members of TVXQ, as An Minhuan had earned the right to speak this way.

"Teacher, I'll take my leave." An Minhuan said to Lee Sooman and Yu Yongjin.

"Um, go rest." Lee Sooman nodded, "By the way, if you have time, guide some trainees. It's not the right time for your return."

"I understand." An Minhuan nodded, not optimistic about his return. Although the past events had been forgotten, he knew that once he returned, the issue would resurface. Despite the good reputation Seoul University had given him, the news would still make it difficult for him to move forward.

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