ltered Ri

s emerged as K-pop's most unabashedly candid star. The 27-year-old trendsett

girl group Hayze, she mounted a brazen comeback with a scathing solo single that rocketed

ful record label that she co-founded with producer friend Kim Seungmin. The label has debuted several f

s and beats. She is a cultural phenomenon reno

ng, sex, feminism, and politics in interviews. She challenges traditional cultural norms a

seul remarked in a recent interview. "I refuse to be confined to antiqua

e to broach taboo topics. As her former group fades into obscurity and her old label flounders, this uncompromising r

p over my cheekbones, dusting shimmering pigments that catch the light. A makeup artist darts in, w

hwa, my head stylist, says with an approvi

ed carpet and have every camera fixated on me. The whispers, the scandal

n. The sheer, mesh fabric hugs every curve, leaving little to the imagi

remarks with a proud smile. "

days when I was cast out of the very industry I gave my blood, sweat, and tears to. My own dance studio has explode

ictates the rules of the game now. I set the trends, push bou

nue. Flashes from photographer's cameras pierce the night like lig

od of flashing lights. The crowd's murmur crescendos to a roar. I r

ces whisper, eyes widening a

My dress does, though. It's sleek and risqué, with golden tassels swishing around m

little performance. Photographers s

e us that signature sm

that's more feral than fri

hear snippets

d. I could ne

controversy

ost weight? She

wink at someone in the crowd, whic

s to sidle up beside me. Her microphone i

look?" she asks, her eyes shinin

," I reply simply, letting the w

ou most excited

m in my eye, because humble

aining her composure. She's probably expecting the us

an older couple staring at me as if I've ju

r something outrageou

ing them. The pearl-clutching is alway

ack straight, exuding confidence from every por

l effect of the dress, my hair a cascade of midnight against the nude fabric. The tas

onalities whispering to each other, eyes lock

to when we were all backstage back in my Hayze days. We debuted around

my scandal might be contagious. I flash her a confident sm

offering more smiles and winks to the crowd. The air is electric, an

ulation brewing: what's Iseul up to now? Little do they know, every move, every choice, i

enough, they're still using images from our debut days. I doubt they've made new on

it. My future deserv

ic from inside. I slow my pace, savoring these last few moments of the red carpet. This feeling, this rush, is addictive. B

p breath. There's still so much to conquer t

rowd, I step inside, the n

*

colorful lights, draws the room's attention. Despite the grandeur, it's almost kind of cozy, the space between attendee

lly, the screens change and Album Of The Year is flashing. I sit up, my spine tensing while I wait as the hosts talk and run through the list of nominees, smili

to..." The host, Go Jaewook, stands on sta

why I'm nervous. It's like a reflex, an old

n Is

my face and making my way to the stage. Heads turn, eyes tracking my every move. I've walked countless re

tter through my chest. I shake it off, mentally storing it away

he mouths, though

gined, or maybe it's the weight of everything leading up to this moment pressing down

my lips. "Wow, thank you. Thank you

ce. Lights reflect off the award, scattering little

in, my voice steady but laced with the edges of raw emotion. "A dream to d

rs, supporters, even some skeptics. They're all here,

Telling me I was too much, or not enough." My voice falters for a moment, the memories vi

ntimate. It's not the wild cheers of the masses

like nobody else did. Thank you, Seungmin, for being there through those end

oss my face. "You've been my rock, my inspiration. Every message, every tweet, every ounc

he back, where I know my dedicated fans

I want to embrace those labels. I never wanted to fit into anyone's box. I wanted t

ward high for everyone to see. "This isn't just for me. It's for everyone who believes in the power of

feeling. I take one more moment, soaking in the warm

le flicker of admiration maybe, something genuine. We exchange a small nod as I exit the stage,

st for me, but for everyone d

*

fade behind me as I move through the curtains, my heart still beating in sync with the roaring crowd.

There, leaning casually against the wall, looking every bit the movie star, is Go Jaewook. His striking an

es me an acknowledg

l deserved," he says, a genu

es a little flip. Up close, he's even more captivating-sharp cheekbones, the cutest

ave to admit, I'm a

I'm not really into pop music these da

my guard down. "Now you rea

m not. I just think there's someth

him. "Don't know if I should trust a w

him. "I think that was m

ike three best actor a

, a playful look in his eyes. "Oh, ple

aught me. I've only been cyberstalk

I give you full permission to openly adore me. Mention it

.. serious? There's a little crackle of something in the air

mean it in all seriousness. "Every time a man gets his name wrapped up with mine, they end up regret

trying. And I'm not afrai

e, not entirely sur

"You are who you are. I like that you're honest and open about your life t

t wasn't my choice to be so unfiltered. That was

re amazing for that too. For not

ng, like armor being drawn on. "Look, Jaewook, you're sweet, and I appreciate

n his eyes. "I'm not asking for anything, Iseul. I just

I find myself asking,

wanted to tell you that when I got

acceptance. "Well, thank you. And I really did

to the side. "Come on, I've got a few mi

rming the half-show event, and I know he's got at least a ten-minute

other performers. Jaewook leans back against the wall, completely at

I start, "Being the hea

interesting. I'd be lying, and I'd definitely be in the wrong i

e to admit. "Yeah, I'm sure it is. But

hile, but only recently started to get the spotlight as a lea

really nothing in my life that would cause a controversy. I'm not sure if I'

en everyone expects controversy from you, too,

y. "Maybe. But at l

same. The risks of opening up-even a little-f

o," I say wit

ackstage a distant hum. For a moment, it feels li

. I briefly consider extending an invitation for drinks or to ask for his number. But caution keeps me silent. Jaewook's kind w

up. "Both for the congratulation

ose disarming smiles. "There's nothing to tha

ss image, showing interest in someone like me? It's a recipe for trouble. Am I just a

e got a lot to go over for tomorrow

hen nods, offering

een burned before, by someone more familiar and more trusted than a p

a world apart, filled with the quiet hum of triumph. I place my award on the counter, i

etrayal, the fights, the late nights filled with music and resolute determination. I've emerged stronger, sure, but wit

ble next to the award, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glance at the screen-a flood of congratulatory messages

yed nerves tingle. One of my team members peeks in,

g for a winner's speech," s

e exhaustion begins to seep in.

y thoughts still half-lingering on my brief exchange with Jae

2... 1..." she says,

genuine smile breaking across my lips. F

y little trophy sits on the dresser, glinting under the soft light. My mind's still buzzin

ost midnight. Who the hell is calling me? The screen lights up with

el

hi! It's

ount of excitement flooding through me

tle," he replies, sounding the slight

" I smile slightly, even though he

lt something when I saw you in person.

bullshit a mile away, but this feels different.

," I admit, feeling uncha

g me how your night went

n in my shoulders start to fade. "It was good.

ought you'd pr

th spreading through me. "Y

and honest. I assumed what you see is what

ke I'm being judged. "What about you? If I were to assume you are the way y

'm a bit of a workaholic, it leaves the media very little dirt to d

ild heartthrob?" I question, injecting a bit of

re. I worked hard on

any fun." I feel myself smile,

tunity for it recently, b

cing everyone you're mild-mannered and polished, I

nge of convincing you,"

ou plan t

rt by letting me t

on. We don't run in the same circles, musicians and actors only have the barest bit of overlap in the industry if you're not both. I'

I hes

avy burden to bear. My well-publicized dating life has created a hard-to-shed reputation. Every new man I meet is a coin toss. It's equally likely that they a

o previous knowledge of him. At least other men in the industry have their own reputations. Jaewook is a

e discreet," Jaewook says, as

, and the media stick to me like fleas. I'm like a gold m

, biting my lip. I'm highly tempted, and it's b

f you want this to stay private, I'll take care

can I re

erest," I admit, throwing caut