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— He was born in 1984, at 09:14 a.m.
At the same time, 2BASCO disbanded.
For me, though, it was just a coincidence.
All I care about is that he was born at that exact moment.
His name:
HAN ( Han Jisung ).
Genius.
Or rather, genesis.
Ether personified.
FROM : yji01
— He is a beacon of light in the dark, the visiting friend called happiness.
Yes, yes. He liberates us from our violent thoughts, soothes us with his lyrics. The Ether–esque feelings he releases, that reaches us across the soundwaves of every instrument and vocals of each song.
Where there is darkness, there is a light called by the name he goes by.
FROM: starwave
— The Ether heals my pain.
FROM: adeadbird
— The people you hold dear, your family, friends, lovers… they will hurt you the most.
That is why we have the Ether.
A place of eternal peace.
That’s the Ether.
FROM: sky22
— HAN has something no one else can see.
If that’s the Ether, we must listen to him.
FROM: carnivorous
— Does anyone else make their music from the Ether?
The Beatles, for me.
From: clementine
— Björk. For sure.
From: openmouth
— 2BASCO’s second album TANGERINE VOMIT gives me the feeling of the Ether.
From: zipcut
— Definitely NO–ra.
From: headlineghost
— You think NO–ra has the Ether?
No way.
Only HAN has the Ether.
FROM: yji01
— I must protect Han from the uncouth and ghoulish reality pains.
For I am the knight in the shining armour for him!
FROM: houseboat
— Are you joking?
This sounds like a cult.
Can’t you live without this Ether?
FROM: blurrified
— I may be wrong, but I don’t feel this Ether from HAN.
Am I crazy?
FROM: amoebe
— I mean, he’s just some musician kid.
I mean, like, who the hell is he?!
FROM: JULIAN
— Exactly!
He doesn’t do anything for me.
You’re all brainwashed!
FROM: amoebe
— Hey. What is this Ether you all speak of?
FROM: hhynjnnn
·······
March — 2001, Busan.
( A few distance away from a dingy record shop, a group of four boys slow down their hasty runnings with heavy bags flailing around. )
JEONGIN: [ heaves in a deep breath ] Hey. Man. Stop it. I don’t think we can sell these.
WOOSEOK: [ also panting, frowns regardless ] Why? They were not damaged when we stole them.
JEONGIN: That’s exactly why, dumbass. We stole them. The record shop owner already knows what we sell to him are stolen goods.
HEESEUNG: Shit. [ sighs ] Junseo this is your fault.
JUNSEO: [ alarmed ] Me?!
HEESEUNG: You just had to open your big mouth, didn’t you?
JUNSEO: I already apologised—
HEESEUNG: [ rolls eyes ] Yeah, like that’ll bring us any profit anymore.
JEONGIN: [ exasperated ] For shit’s sake— shut up. Let’s go to the record shop near the beach then. We can just sell these to them.
WOOSEOK: [ scoffs ] We’ll just get caught again.
JEONGIN: [ waving a hand around lazily ] We’ll just not allow Junseo to speak anymore.
JUNSEO: [ alarmed again, stressing the word ] Hey!
( NIGHT TIME. )
( In the YANG household. )
NEIGHBOUR: Is your middle son in high school now? What was his name, Jungwon?
MRS. YANG: [ softly chuckles ] Jeongin. Yes he is. Sixteen years old now. His older brother, my Inseok, is planning to go to the military early on.
NEIGHBOUR: Ah, what about college then? Don’t you suppose you should worry about it?
MRS. YANG: I suppose so. [ a sigh ] My youngest is still very sickly, so the hospital fees are high. Hence why Inseok is planning as he is. Once he comes back and Doyun is all better, I’ll send Inseok to college.
NEIGHBOUR: Ah… [ pensive ] And Jeongin? What about his college endeavours?
MRS. YANG: [ nervous laugh ] His Appa and I will discuss it when the time comes.
( JEONGIN shuffles out quietly from his hiding spot on the staircase and leaves to his room. He steps over Doyun’s sleeping figure and settles on his own sleeping mattress on the floor.
JEONGIN pulls out out a SONY CD player with earphones attached to it under the blankets and clicks ‘PLAY’. )
HAN, through the CD player: You were my story, your words come to mind endlessly… ( fades out )
·······
– Hello.
I am hhynjnn.
I am not familiar with sites like this.
I’ve come to like HAN’s music and am curious about the Ether it radiates.
You probably don’t think I’m a true fan.
But I hope I am welcome.
FROM: hhynjnn
— Hello, hhynjnn.
Welcome to HANderland.
This is a free zone in the Ether for those who love HAN and what he creates.
I am yji01, the site manager.
The rule here is that you have to love HAN.
That’s all.
So feel free to write your thoughts on HAN on here anytime.
FROM: yji01
·······
( A record store within the cityside rather than the rural area where JEONGIN resides. )
JEONGIN : [ entering the store ] Hi.
STORE CLERK: [ distractedly ] Welcome.
( JEONGIN heads towards the inner shelves of the store, where less known musician CDs are stocked.
JEONGIN stands face to face with the new HAN CD released yesterday.
HAN’s youthful face is hidden with his long bangs but he smiles radiantly on the cover of the CD. Behind him is a misty sea crashing onto the shore with its waves, stilled by the picture. HAN holds a hand towards the camera which showcases the rainbow pebbled bracelet on his hand.
Unbeknownst to himself, JEONGIN smiles. )
JEONGIN: [ inhales ] Like always, Yang. Except the other assholes aren’t with you today.
( JEONGIN stares at HAN’s wide smile again. He grabs at one of the CDs and flips it over, staring at the tracklist behind it. )
JEONGIN: [ scoffs ] What do they even know about you anyway?
( 60 MINUTES LATER. )
( LEE MINHO stands in front of the record shop entrance, contemplating on heading in. He stays as so for a good five minutes.
MINHO enters the shop.
He passes by the distracted clerk who haphazardly points at the direction of the staff backroom of the store.
MINHO heads there. )
MINHO: [ catching sight of a guilty JEONGIN sitting on a chair. to the worker who stands parallel to JEONGIN, he speaks ] Ah, hello. Good afternoon.
HOSEOK: [ smiling brightly ] Afternoon, Lee—ssi. You’re Jeongin’s teacher, right? [ pointing at JEONGIN who has his head down ] He refused to let us tell his parents’ number. Had to coax out yours after a good fifteen minutes later.
MINHO: [ flushed ] Oh. I see. What happened? Is Jeongin–ah in trouble?
HOSEOK: [ smile faltering slightly ] Yes, sadly. He tried stealing— [ points at the CD on the table ] —this CD. And almost got away with it. Thankfully, we added detectors in our products to prevent stealing and that’s what caught him.
MINHO: [ blinking slowly ] Stealing? [ flustered ] Ah, I apologise on his behalf. Truly. He’s a good kid, I’m sure he had a good reason why he acted as such.
HOSEOK: [ bright smiled as ever ] Oh, I’m sure of it. He seems like a good kid. I can see it on his face. He feels sorry, doesn’t he? He’s free to go now, with you.
MINHO: [ bowing ] Thank you— [ reads HOSEOK’s name tag ] Hoseok–ssi. Truly. [ contemplating as he looks at the CD and then JEONGIN ] Can I— May I purchase this CD before we head off?
( 20 MINUTES LATER. )
( MINHO and JEONGIN sits in the empty seats of a train. )
MINHO: [ after much contemplation ] You’re a big fan of HAN? I’ve never heard of him before today. He must be new to the music scene.
JEONGIN: [ silent ]
MINHO: [ sighing ] Jeongin–ah… I can forgive your late or no homework submissions. But shoplifting? How am I supposed to forgive a crime?
JEONGIN: [ silent ]
MINHO: [ sweetly, akin to a mother ] Jeongin–ah. Talk to me. It’s morally not good to keep this from your parents but given your living situation, I’ll have this one pass. As long as you speak to me.
JEONGIN: [ mumbling ] I don’t regret it. Stealing. I’d do it again. For HAN.
MINHO: [ momentarily stunned, collects himself ] Ah, this HAN… I must listen to his music now that I bought it. Thankfully, I have my CD player with me. Wanna listen with me?
JEONGIN: [ hesitantly nods ]
( MINHO slots the CD in the player and the right side of the earbud in his ear and the left in JEONGIN’s ear.
MINHO hits play.
HAN’s new title track, “COLLISION” starts playing. )
HAN, through the CD player: Did you hate me that much? You were always within my reach. Where are you? I can’t find you now… ( cont. )
MINHO: [ bopping his head lightly ] Oh, jazz! I like this a lot. You like jazz too, Jeongin–ah?
JEONGIN: [ hums ] This… this is not his usual genre but, yeah. Yeah, I like it.
MINHO: [ nodding ] Okay, I see. I’ll look more into his music. So that we can go buy his new releases together, next time.
JEONGIN: [ hesitant ] You don’t have to–
MINHO: It’s better than you being dubbed as a criminal and smudging your clean record.
JEONGIN: [ mutters ] Nothing clean about my record.
MINHO: Jeongin–ah. I know I’m too young to be parenting you around, especially as your teacher and not your actual parent but, I worry. A lot. You are a good kid, I know that. You just need to be on the right path.
JEONGIN: [ exhales ] The right path…
HAN, through the CD player: We’re in a hurry, yeah. Yeah, we crash, where’s the debris? Yeah, it’s a collision. Yeah, we’re already far away… ( cont. )
·······
— HAN’s new release, SHINING STAR’s first song “COLLISION”, is a homage to 2BASCO.
The song is about 2BASCO’s two members and their personal relationship that ended in a less than happy way.
South Korea does not perceive love quite like HAN does. Especially not love between two men.
Hence why, COLLISION is about hatred formed via love.
HAN says the first to make ethereal music was 2BASCO’s Bang Chan and Seo Changbin.
But make no mistake…
HAN is influenced by no one.
HAN was already high on the Ether before he ever heard 2BASCO.
FROM: yji00
— Oh, I did not know this about 2BASCO!
Must have been scary for Bang Chan and Seo Changbin… but the song is very good, yes!
FROM: hhynjnn
— HAN supports THOSE kind of people?
Makes sense how a trash minded person would make trash music for his trash–like fans.
FROM: amoebe
[ USER ‘ amoebe’ BANNED FROM HANDERLAND BLOG. ]
·······
( At school, a new kid is introduced. He cannot speak Korean properly, was held a grade back and goes by a foreign name.
He becomes JEONGIN’s seatmate. )
FELIX: [ in broken Korean ] H-hello? My name is Lee Felix Yongbok. I am 17 years old.
JEONGIN: [ contemplates before speaking in accented English ] Hi. Should I call you Felix or Yongbok?
( FELIX’s smile rivals the sun. )
( AFTER SCHOOL. )
( Walking past a random river in their school uniforms, JEONGIN holding both their bags as FELIX tries balancing himself on the elevated part of the pavement. )
FELIX: It feels nice to have someone who finally understands me. My grandpa can hardly speak English.
JEONGIN: [ thinking over his words ] I am happy you are happy.
FELIX: [ giggles ] Your accent is very cute.
JEONGIN: [ confused ] Acc–cent? What is that?
FELIX: Hmm, ah… [ thinks over for words ] Like, your tone. How you say things. Get it?
JEONGIN: [ nods ] Ah! Thank you, thank you.
( A FEW MINUTES PASS IN SILENCE. )
FELIX: Jeonginnie…
JEONGIN: Hm?
FELIX: Do you… [ hesitantly ] Do you listen to Pneumosa?
JEONGIN: [ confused ] Eh? Who’s that?
FELIX: [ takes in a sharp, deep breath ] Okay. Okay, I’ll go slow but listen carefully. [ continues when JEONGIN nods ] She is an artist. She’s like us, Jeonginnie, she’s from here. But she’s also not like us. Maybe not like others, I should say, since I don’t know much about you but she’s like me in that aspect also.
JEONGIN: [ after a moment of contemplation ] I don’t think I’m getting it… She’s Korean but also…?
FELIX: [ sharp inhale. then, exhale ] Gay. She likes… she likes girls. She’s very open about it. Maybe you haven’t heard of her since she’s in America and people here don’t…
JEONGIN: Oh.
FELIX: [ stumbling on his words. ] Jeongin… Do you ever think of…?
JEONGIN: Of?
FELIX: Kiss… kissing boys? Like, would you kiss me?
JEONGIN: [ in sudden panic, speaks Korean ] Dude! No! What the fuck?
FELIX: [ widening his eyes, frenzy ] Oh, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have— I really shouldn’t have! I’m sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry—
JEONGIN: [ growing even more panicked but speaks English ] Felix, what?
FELIX: [ voice screeching ] I’m really sorry, fuck— Shouldn’t have said anything, I should not have—
( FELIX jumps off from the pavement, to the grassy area between the road and the river and jumps into the river.
JEONGIN, realising what the other had done, widens his eyes and goes after FELIX, throwing both their bags aside. )
JEONGIN: [ in rushed Korean ] Ah, fuck!
( FELIX has his head in the river, bubbles forming around his neck by the time JEONGIN gets his uniform pants wet as he splashes his way towards the other. )
JEONGIN: Felix!
( JEONGIN uses all his strength to pull FELIX’s head out of the water.
Water splashes everywhere as FELIX heaves in a deep breath. JEONGIN chokes and coughs on his spit. )
JEONGIN: [ gaping ] What were you doing?!
FELIX: [ clenching his eyes as he breathes heavily ] I thought you’d— the thought that— fuck! I can’t breathe, wait.
JEONGIN: Jesus…
( FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER. )
( FELIX and JEONGIN sit side by side on the grassy area, hoping the summer sun will dry up their uniforms. )
JEONGIN: I listen to HAN.
FELIX: [ dazedly ] I’ve never heard of that.
JEONGIN: [ sucking his teeth in ] He’s… He understands love in any form. He has this thing called the Ether.
FELIX: Will he understand me the way Pneumosa does?
JEONGIN: [ silent momentarily ] Maybe…
·······
— I keep listening to COLLISION after buying the single CD version of it.
It is not that I don’t like the other songs.
COLLISION just has me thinking about life… and love… and hate as a byproduct of love.
Why must there be hatred within people against love? Even if…
Even if it is between two men?
I am questioning a lot of things now.
HAN is my Ether but right now, his music is just making me confused.
Should I be worried?
FROM: yji01
— Is the admin of the site doing okay…?
This was posted three days ago and there has been no news from him ( I am assuming ) since then.
FROM: sky22
— yji01 if you read this…
I share the same sentiments as you. Why must there be hatred in the midst of love?
I always wish that my first love will be my last because I want it to be forever.
But there are obstacles… so many problems.
I guess that’s why HAN’s music gives off the Ether. To comfort people like us during times when our thoughts get the best of us.
But hey.
Even if the rest of the world does not get us, at least HAN does.
FROM: hhynjnn
— The last sentence… wow.
HAN is truly there for us. I’m a true HANholic!
FROM: adeadbird
— Well said!
I hope the site’s admin sees this message.
FROM: sky22
·······
PRIVATE MESSAGE
hhynjnn —
yji01: Hello. I read your comment on the site regarding my own post.
yji01: I guess, I want to thank you for that. Your words made me believe in HAN again. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my belief in Han.
yji01: Thank you, dude.
yji01: If you are a dude.
yj01: If not that is chill too. HAN’s music is for everybody who believes in the Ether.
hhynjnn: Hello!
hhynjnn: I apologise for the late response! My mom is sort of strict with my screentime.
hhynjnn: Yes, I’m glad!
hhynjnn: I am a dude LOL XD
hhynjnn: I am glad my words prevented you from deterring your belief in HAN.
hhynjnn: Since you were the one who helped me believe in the Ether that HAN’s music creates.
yji01: Oh, I’m a dude too then LOL
yji01: Did I? I just created this site so all of HAN’s fans have a space to talk about him happily.
yji01: Hey. Are you Korean, by the way?
hhynjnn: Yes! I live in the States though.
hhynjnn: My name is Hyunjin BTW :)
yji01: Cool.
yji01: Mine is Jeongin.
yji01: Hyunjin… when you wrote what you said on the post…
yji01: Would you ever kiss a guy?
hhynjnn: I have kissed a guy.
hhynjnn: A lot of guys actually.
yji01: Oh.
yji01: Sorry, wait. What should I say? I’m happy for you?
hhynjnn: LOL XD I guess?
hhynjnn: My parents don’t know though.
hhynjnn: So there is guilt. Because they don’t know.
hhynjnn: But I’m scared they might not love me the same if I tell them I like boys.
hhynjnn: So… I don’t know. I feel alone.
yji01: Oh… must be tough.
yji01: But you like kissing boys regardless of your fears?
hhynjnn: Yes. I do.
hhynjnn: My screentime is almost up for the day.
hhynjnn: But you know, Jeongin?
hhynjnn: We can create our own Ether too.
hhynjnn: Goodbye! TTYL.
·······
( AT THE NURSE’S OFFICE. )
MINA: [ clasping the First Aid Kit shut ] He should be fine after the bleeding stops.
MINHO: [ grimly ] Thank you.
JEONGIN: [ with a badly bruised nose ] …
( MINA leaves the nurse’s room for lunch break. )
MINHO: [ sighing ] Jeongin—
JEONGIN: It really wasn’t my fault this time!
MINHO: [ frowning ] You punched Jeonwook square in the face, Jeongin–ah.
JEONGIN: He—… [ hesitantly ] He called Felix a slur… A really bad one. And it made Felix cry.
MINHO: Oh. [ frowning again, tone gentle ] In that case, Jeongin–ah, you should have filed a complaint to somebody.
JEONGIN: [ scoffs ] To who? Everyone I know in this whole country is homophobic.
MINHO: [ stifling a laugh ] That would be kind of wrong considering I’m gay.
JEONGIN: [ taken aback ] W—what? Seriously…?
MINHO: [ a proper laugh ] Yeah. I am.
JEONGIN: You kiss boys ?
MINHO: One would hope so.
JEONGIN: [ bursting into a fit of happy laugh, eyes crinkled ] This is amazing . You have the Ether too, Lee—ssaem!
MINHO: [ visibly confused ] What’s the Ether…?
( AFTER SCHOOL. )
( JEONGIN walking FELIX home. They do not take the river route this time. )
FELIX: [ kicking a rock ] I listened to HAN, by the way. I really like Volcano.
JEONGIN: [ grinning ] Oh? Good song but, why?
FELIX: [ thinks over it, recites ] “To me you’re already a sin” …The lyricism. He’s amazing, truly. I felt— understood. Better than I had with Pneumosa.
JEONGIN: Ah… Well, that’s because HAN has the Ether in his music. Ether is eternal peace.
FELIX: [ looks up at Jeongin ] The Ether… [ hums ] Sounds nice.
·······
— ‘The Ether is within all of us’
HAN had said this in an interview, a long time back, during his promotions with his debut song, “CLOSE”.
At first, I found his words ridiculous.
I thought only HAN had the access to the Ether.
But after recent circumstances, I realise what he means.
The Ether is achievable for those who truly seeks it.
FROM: yji00
— It’s amazing how once you figure out HAN’s words, it opens new windows for one to explore through.
FROM: sky22
— I have been watching HAN’s interviews.
He also said that, “We are the owners of our own lives. Let’s live with our heads held high.”
I think it’s finally the time for me to tell the truth.
If I am not able to come back here… thank you HAN and everyone here in HANderland. You truly showed me what the Ether means.
FROM: hhynjnn
PRIVATE MESSAGES
hhynjnn —
yji01: Good luck, dude.
yji01: And stay safe as well.
·······
( AT THE YANG’S HOUSEHOLD. )
( MRS. YANG stirs the pot in one hand with a flip phone sandwiched between her shoulder and left ear. )
MRS. YANG: [ muttering insistingly ] Yes, yeobo. Jeongin–ah is fine. No, yeobo, he’s not in trouble. Yes, I’ll punish him accordingly. Yes, yes , yeobo. Okay. I’ll let him know. Love you—
( There is a loud ring indicating the call being cut. )
MRS. YANG: [ sighs ]
JEONGIN: [ seated at the dining table ] What’s my punishment?
MRS. YANG: [ continuing the stirring ] There’s no punishment.
JEONGIN: [ taken aback but does not show it ] Oh. Why?
MRS. YANG: Sweetie. [ sighs again. drops the spoon in the pot. turns to JEONGIN ] I think we are both tired of listening to your father.
JEONGIN: I got in trouble at school though. For punching a kid.
MRS. YANG: My Yang Jeongin would not do such thing without a proper reasoning. You’re a good kid.
JEONGIN: [ mutters ] Why does everyone… [ trails off. clears his throat ] Do you hate dad?
MRS. YANG: I love you, Doyun and Inseok. Anyone else does not matter.
JEONGIN: Why keep staying?
MRS. YANG: It’s not easy for eomma, Jeongin–ah. [ turns back to the stove to turn it off. turns back to JEONGIN again ] If by some miracle, I get a lot of money… I’ll take my three sons with me and leave for Seoul.
JEONGIN: [ silent for a moment. then, determined ] I made up my mind. I’ll become an idol and— and I’ll take you away from him.
MRS. YANG: [ shocked momentarily, bursts into laughter ] Oh my sweet boy! An idol? Oh, that’d make eomma so proud. Eomma always wanted to see how it's like to be in the spotlight. You sing trot songs so well too, any company would be lucky to have you.
JEONGIN: [ gaping, stammers ] You’re— you’re not mad?
MRS. YANG: [ face flushed from laughing ] Why would I be mad, dear?
JEONGIN: [ shrugs ] I don’t know. I thought you always viewed me as the useless middle child. With Doyun sick and hyung going to college after military and all…
MRS. YANG: [ saddened expression ] Jeongin—ah… Eomma never thought of you as useless. Eomma always wanted the best for you that’s why I never pushed you with the college talk. You’re still sixteen, my aegi.
JEONGIN: [ blinking furiously ] Oh. But. Eomma will hate me if you knew.
MRS. YANG: Knew what, dear?
JEONGIN: I don’t… [ at loss for words ] I don’t think I like girls, eomma…
MRS. YANG: [ surprised ] Oh!
JEONGIN: I’m sorry— I’m a bad son. But please, still allow me to become an idol and let you get away from appa.
MRS. YANG: Jeongin–ah, no. [ sighs and rubs her face with the washcloth on her shoulder ] Eomma is taken aback, that’s all… I think I just need time to take this in.
JEONGIN: [ makes some sort of sad noise ]
MRS. YANG: [ alerted ] Don’t get sad, my aegi! Eomma accepts you… just need time to take it in, that’s all… You will let eomma take some time, right?
JEONGIN: [ sniffling ] Yes. Thank you. Thank you so much, eomma. Thank you. Thank you. I was so scared— thank you . Thank you.
MRS. YANG: [ cooing, opening her arms ] Oh, my sweet child. Come here, Jeongin—ah.
( A mother and her son hug underneath the dimly lit kitchen light. )
·······
( AFTER SCHOOL. )
( At the school gates, MINHO waits for JEONGIN, who comes over jogging to him once MINHO waves at him. )
JEONGIN: [ bows ] Lee—ssaem.
MINHO: [ laughing ] Where did the manners come from?
JEONGIN: [ meekly ] Sorry…
MINHO: No, don’t apologise. How did things regarding your school complaint to your parents go?
JEONGIN: [ scratching the back of his head ] Appa is away on a business trip and… eomma decided not to punish me even though he asked her to over phone.
MINHO: [ pleasantly surprised ] That’s great! That’s amazing, I’m so glad you are okay. Anything else?
JEONGIN: Yeah… [ sudden shyness ] I’m going to transfer to a school in Seoul…
MINHO: Oh? [ furrows eyebrows ] Why?
JEONGIN: I’m— [ clears throat ] I’m going to be an idol.
MINHO: [ pleasantly surprised again ] That’s— Jeongin–ah, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you— [ clasps JEONGIN’s nimble hands in his ] Truly!
JEONGIN: [ laughs happily ]
MINHO: Oh, once you debut you’d be promoting on the same shows as RYUNA… I love Ryujin and Yuna… Oh, and HAN too… Speaking of which— [ unclasps his hands with JEONGIN’s to pull out two tickets. ] I’ll be chaperoning your first ever concert.
JEONGIN: Ssaem! [ wide eyed ] Are you serious— is this allowed?
MINHO: [ giggles, making a ‘ssh’ gesture ] You thought you’d be the only rule breaker here?
JEONGIN: [ staring right at the tickets in MINHO’s hands ] Ssaem— truly— this is the best thing anyone could do for me.
MINHO: You’re a good kid, Jeongin–ah. [ smiles fondly ] You deserve it.
·······
— I am going to see HAN’s musicality and performance with my own two eyes soon.
FROM: yji01.
— That’s amazing! I’ve only been to two HAN concerts. Is this your first time?
FROM: sky22
— Yes. It is. I am so happy to bear witness of the Ether in motion in reality.
FROM: yji01
— I’m very happy for you.
Hope you enjoy your concert.
FROM: sky22
PRIVATE MESSAGES
sky22 —
sky22: Hi, yji01
sky22: Being anonymous friends ( if you could refer to us as that ) for so long with HAN as our shared interest, I feel strangely comfortable with you.
sky22: So I’ll tell you this.
sky22: My name is Kim Seungmin and I’m going to be the best singer South Korea will ever bear witness to.
sky22: LOL.
sky22: I’m going to become a trainee soon so I’ll have no time to be on this site as much. Maybe that’s why I’m telling you this.
yji01: That’s amazing, Seungmin.
yji01: Me too.
yji01: I’m going to become a trainee soon too.
yji01: Hopefully we will see each other soon?
yji01: And I’ll have to be inactive too, if things go well…
yji01: My name is Yang Jeongin, BTW. And I’m going to become an idol to find my own Ether.
sky22: LOL that’s so funny!
sky22: I hope our paths cross too… you seem like a good person, yji01.
sky22: Sorry. I meant Jeongin.
yji01: I can share my email with you, if you want to keep contact?
yji01: It’s chill, don’t worry.
sky22: Oh, great!
sky22: My email is [email protected]
sky22: Enjoy your concert, Jeongin!
·······
( AT THE CONCERT. )
( MINHO’s grip is strong on JEONGIN’s wrist as they stand amongst the considerable crowd waiting for the musician in hand.
The crowd cheers and HAN enters the stage with his usual opening song, “ALIEN”.
The crowd sings along, so does JEONGIN but MINHO seems content just bopping his head along. )
JEONGIN: [ screaming along with the crowd ] I’M AN ALIEN ON THIS EARTH!
HAN, on stage: [ laughs at the crowd’s energy and continues singing ]
( The concert ends with the song “COLLISION” as the ending song. HAN bows to the stage before disappearing off to the backstage.
At the exit of the venue, JEONGIN shows off his shaky hands. )
JEONGIN: [ adrenaline filled ] Holy shit. I don’t think I can sleep after this, ssaem.
MINHO: [ laughs ] I told you, it’s hyung outside of school. [ grabs at JEONGIN’s wrist again and starts walking ] And the fun’s not over.
JEONGIN: [ excited ] Are we getting grilled pork belly?
MINHO: Even better.
( MINHO leads a jittery JEONGIN towards backstage.
There, a sweaty HAN stands talking to two other men that JEONGIN recognizes as 2BASCO’s former members. )
JEONGIN: [ gasping ] Are we allowed here?
MINHO: [ chuckles ] Oh, trust me. 2BASCO and I go way back. [ pushes JEONGIN towards HAN, who smiles sweetly ] Go.
JEONGIN: [ exhales ] Hi.
HAN: [ chuckling ] Hello, Jeongin. I heard a lot about you through Minho hyung.
JEONGIN: [ blurts out ] He’s my English teacher. I love English. [ in English ] Hello, how are you?
HAN: [ bursts into laughter. in English ] Oh, hi! I’m fine, how are you?
JEONGIN: [ in Korean ] So much better…
HAN: [ grins ] Want to leave these old hags to catch up with each other and talk in a room with AC?
JEONGIN: [ kind of dazed ] Yeah. Yeah, okay. The heat is killing me.
HAN: [ offering a hand ] C’mon. I’d love to see what your Ether’s like.
JEONGIN: [ takes HAN’s hand and follows him ]
·······
PRIVATE MESSAGES
hhynjnn —
hhynjnn: I told my parents.
hhynjnn: They took it surprisingly well.
hhynjnn: I cried a little.
hhynjnn: Okay, maybe a lot.
hhynjnn: I have more screen time freedom now and I want to get to know you better.
hhynjnn: Here’s my email [email protected]
— Hello, everyone.
My one year with HAN and the Ether he created has been a fun journey.
The concert was amazing, as expected.
I felt the Ether in my own skin.
However, as HAN had said, we are in charge of our own lives. And to take charge of my own life, I must let go of some things.
This includes letting go of this site. For good.
Thank you all for joining me and experiencing HAN’s Ether in here, the HANderland.
Thank you, truly.
FROM: yji01
[ THIS SITE HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. ]