Chapter 1: News of the Return

led with the eye bags below his eyes, he seemed like he was appreciating a comic strip.Lee Soo-man likes sharp, impactful faces at first glance. However, he also favors faces that aren't as strong in...After the party, it was already one or two in the morning, but everyone was still pretty excited. After leaving the MBC television station, they didn't go back to the dormitory directly. The six of them followed their manager and found a barbecue restaurant for a good meal together, celebrating the New Year's Eve.

2012 was EXO's debut year. They went from being full of anticipation before their debut to facing a screen full of mockery and being temporarily shelved after their debut. During that time, even receiving a single commercial performance would make the members happy.

The success of Park Ji-hyun's television drama brought a surge in popularity, which propelled the entire team and led EXO to gain a significant number of dedicated fans.

The form of combination has been slowly getting better after a long period of downturn, it all depends on the next comeback.

After a long period of low tide, with some contradictions and disagreements between members who previously didn't get along well, things have become much more harmonious. While smaller cliques still exist, members now interact more broadly than before, not solely confined to their own groups. The overall relationship and dynamic within the group are significantly better than when they first debuted.

This can also be considered a kind of getting to know each other. Even if they are just work colleagues, unless there is a strong competitive relationship between them, their relationships will become closer over time.

Now you're all in the same boat. Any bumps along the way are minor, and besides, most of the members are young people in their late teens or early twenties. Even if they get heated in the heat of the moment, they'll cool down quickly and make up after a while.

Including Xia Guo's Le, the three individuals are now active together and participate in group discussions, making jokes with each other.

Especially with Ji Jingyuan, at first they didn't know. After K team went to Xia Guo for an activity, they found out that Ji Jingyuan's Mandarin was actually so good. After chatting, they learned that he had lived in Xia Guo for a long time when he was a child. This made the several Xia Guo Le people feel more familiar with Ji Jingyuan, and there was a sense of identity. During practice breaks, they often chatted and joked around.

Due to his childhood experiences, Ji Jingyuan also has a natural fondness for Korea. He feels a deep sense of kinship towards Korean actors who are making their way in the entertainment industry on the peninsula.

The atmosphere was lively at the gathering as everyone reflected on the hardships of the past year and looked forward to the new one with anticipation.

On the second day of 2013, January 1st, Girls' Generation made their official return with their fourth studio album “I Got A Boy.” That night, they performed their debut stage on MBC’s New Year’s Special. They also performed a special stage "Marry You" with EXO, which was originally planned for Ji Chang Wook to participate in.

Pool Kyung-won watched their performance throughout on his phone in the company practice room. Not to mention the main song, this special stage looked quite comical. The three from back in the day were YoonA, Sunny, and Sooyoung. From EXO there were Park Chanyeol, Kim Minseok, and Oh Sehun.

This stage was supposed to depict a wedding between three couples, but no matter how you looked at it, they just didn't belong together. The whole performance was quite comical and the usually stoic pool scene director, who is known for his charm, couldn't help but laugh.

I wonder how long they practiced to be able to hold back their laughter during the performance.

After this stage, there were no TV station activities for a while. M team also returned to the peninsula the day after and ran several more itineraries. On the day before Spring Festival, the manager gathered all the members in the practice room and announced the holiday.

"Alright, everyone, you've all been busy for over eight months since your debut. You kids have worked hard. After this, we'll disband and go back to the dorm to pack up, and then the vacation officially begins,"

Lee Seung-hwan looked at the twelve EXO members seated in a row, feeling a bit sentimental. He smiled and added, “Vacation starts today and lasts until the day after Lunar New Year. Gather at the practice room at 2 pm on the 14th. The company has already booked our flight for the morning of the 14th, so don’t be late.”

The Lunar New Year is also one of the most important holidays on the peninsula. It is commonly known as 'Old New Year', but everyone has their own different name for it.

"May peace and prosperity be with you."

Hearing that it was a holiday, all the members were beaming with joy and happily clapped in response.

To be honest, they haven't had a vacation in ages. After that grueling schedule at the end of the year, everyone was completely exhausted.

"Also, I have a message for you..."

Li Chenghuan's expression suddenly became somewhat mysterious, with undisguised joy in his eyes.

He didn't say it directly, but instead dangled a teaser. When all the members were curiously looking at him, he excitedly announced, “I’ve received notice, the plan for your next comeback is already done! I estimate that after this holiday ends, there will be a meeting to inform everyone, and then we'll officially start preparing.”

"Is that so"

"Oh!"

"Ah, finally I've waited for it..."

All the members couldn't help but gasp in surprise upon hearing it, followed by cheers and ecstatic joy. Their faces were filled with elation. Park Chan-lyeok and Kim Jong-un even embraced each other tightly, shaking each other vigorously. Woo Shi-hoon excitedly slapped pool Kyung-won's thighs a few times.

From their first mini album to now, their hiatus has been too long. One song, "MAMA," has been sung for almost eight months, and many fans are worried about their situation.

Especially in July and August, that was the most difficult period. The "Pool Jingyuan" TV series hadn't become popular yet, and EXO had been put on hold. Fans left the fan club every day. Many fans who had followed them since before their debut kept leaving messages asking when they would be able to make a comeback and when they would be able to see them.

Even some senior fans who had connections with the members have quit being fans, and many fan clubs have also closed down.

The members seeing these comments are also really heartbroken and anxious. It's hard for anyone to see their unconditional supporters keep leaving because of disappointment.

Most members are in contact with a few of their biggest fans or "station sisters" (online fan groups) and occasionally use them to relay information about the group's schedule and activities to fans.

Including Ji Jingyuan, he also has the contact information of his biggest fan, Park Soo-na, and they even had a meal together a few months ago.

So, the gap between idols and many veteran fans isn't actually that far.

But they're also unable to control the company's plans, so they can only personally leave messages in the fan club every once in a while, hoping fans will give them some time, and they will definitely be back.

After waiting for so long, I finally got the news of your return.

Even the usually smooth-sailing Ji Jingyuan was very happy. He generously forgave Wu Shixun's attack, and then gave him a few hard whacks on his legs.

First released on the Chinese Novel Networkfor those veiled remarks...Chi Jingyuan also took the opportunity to look at the reactions of netizens and fans on both sides.Even though the news has only been out for twenty minutes, the internet is...