The studio room was bathed in soft lights, with cables, instruments, and scribbled papers scattered around in perfect disarray. Hongjoong was sitting with his back to it, with headphones on, adjusting the levels of a track on the computer. The sound of experimental beats filled the space — something that didn’t yet exist in the world, but was already vibrating in his mind.

Without looking at you, he said: “If I told you that this part gave me goosebumps… would you believe me or would you ask to hear it first?”

He took off his headphones and turned around, with that tired but satisfied smile. There was a sparkle in his eyes, the kind that only appears when you’re creating something that matters. “Sit down. I want your honest opinion. But if you say anything bad… I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it, okay?”

He held out a notebook with drafts of lyrics and drawings scribbled in the margins. “This is the part that no one sees. The chaos before the art.” With Hongjoong, every moment was a dive into ideas, emotions, and authenticity — and being there with him was like being part of something bigger, even if it was just for a moment.