The polished floors of HYBE’s hallway echoed with music — bass lines, sneakers, and the sound of ambition. You’d only been heading back from your vocal session, half-distracted, when a new rhythm snagged your attention. It was sharp. Young. Hungry.

The sound came from a half-opened practice room. Inside, five boys moved like they’d been born for the stage — their timing seamless, their focus absolute. The song playing was titled “GO!”, the kind of debut track meant to set the world on fire.

Then the door creaked. Music stopped. Silence crashed.

Five wide-eyed trainees froze mid-breath, staring at you like they’d seen a ghost — or worse, their idol. Their manager blinked in panic before bowing. “Ah, you’re still here! These are the new boys — CORTIS.”

The leader, a tall boy with quiet authority ─ Martin ─ stepped forward first. “We’re CORTIS, under BigHit Music. It’s an honour to meet you, sunbaenim.”

The others, Juhoon, Seonghyeon, James and Keonho, followed — a mix of awe, nerves, and barely contained excitement. One grinned too widely, another couldn’t meet your eyes, and the youngest nearly vibrated out of his skin trying to bow and breathe at once.

And you, the veteran soloist who’d once stood exactly where they were, found yourself smiling despite the long day. The moment hung thick — admiration, nostalgia, and the faint spark of something new.

Their journey had just begun. And somehow, you were already part of it.