Falling for the Omega Idol-Chapter 131: INTRODUCTORY VIDEO FILMING

HANEUL reached for the acoustic guitar beside him. He’d grabbed it earlier when he first entered the practice room, choosing it from the assortment of instruments the staff had provided. This way, when it came time to sing, he could stay seated and play comfortably.

He carefully tuned the guitar, adjusting each string until it sounded correct. When he was satisfied, he looked directly into the camera. "I’ll be singing [Melody of Us] by Eunha sunbae-nim."

The first chord rang out, filling the small practice room. A gentle, flowing melody followed—soft and nostalgic, like sunlight filtering through leaves. The notes lingered sweetly in the air, simple yet carrying an undercurrent of quiet longing. His fingers moved effortlessly between chords. The melody unfolding like a story told in hushed tones.

Then Haneul opened his mouth and sang. His voice, clear and tender, wove through the melody like a second instrument.

When the night feels far too endless,

And your heart is lost in the rain,

Every shadow whispers sorrow,

But I’ll chase them all away.

The opening line floated out gently, like the first hint of dawn after a long night. The second line steadied, warm and reassuring as a hand reaching through the storm. On "whispers sorrow," his tone softened to something intimate, almost fragile, before lifting with quiet resolve on the final promise.

Even when the world feels heavy,

Even when the light seems dim,

Close your eyes and hear this melody,

It’s a song just meant for you.

Haneul’s tone was warm and soothing, wrapping around the lyrics like sunlight. The guitar’s rhythm held steady beneath his words, each strum precise yet unassuming—never competing with his voice, only cradling it.

Like a gentle breeze in winter,

Like the waves that kiss the shore,

Let this melody remind you,

You’re not alone anymore.

Through the echoes of our laughter,

Through the silence, through the dust,

Every note will keep us standing—

This is the melody of us.

When he reached the chorus, his voice bloomed with a clarity that cut straight through the room. Every note landed with perfect pitch, effortless in its transitions from tender lows to soaring highs. There was a honeyed warmth to his tone, smooth without being saccharine, and a depth that gave weight to each phrase.

Haneul’s voice carried the bridge with quiet emotion before easing into the outro’s gentle resolution. As the last chord faded, he rose smoothly and flashed the camera a warm, genuine smile.

"I hope you liked the song. This is Kang Haneul - please remember me and cheer for me on Boys Odyssey!"

Haneul bowed deeply at a perfect 90-degree angle before straightening up with a warm smile for the camera.

The staff members in the practice room broke into spontaneous applause. Most hadn’t heard Haneul sing before, and the clarity and richness of his voice left them genuinely surprised. His tone carried a purity reminiscent of Eunha—no small compliment, considering she was widely regarded as the nation’s current top female vocalist.

"That was excellent, Haneul-ssi," the staff member behind the camera said. "We still have time remaining. Would you like to do another take?"

Each contestant had been allotted ten minutes to film their two-minute introductory video—a tight window when accounting for mistakes and retakes. Hearing that, Haneul didn’t hesitate to agree. The more takes they had, the more options the editing team would have to work with—and the better his first impression would be.

"Could you try this take without your glasses?" one of the staff suggested. "And when you take them off, do it in a way that shows your charm—cute or cool, whatever suits you."

Haneul felt complicated hearing the staff’s suggestion. He wasn’t good at that kind of stuff—either acting cute or acting cool. He seriously didn’t know how to do it. Okay, he had an idea how, but just thinking about it was already making him cringe.

It was the same feeling when they filmed the theme song. He knew the PD would most likely choose ending shots from a couple of contestants, so he’d tried to act cutely, hoping his shot would be chosen. But it still made him cringe inside.

But as someone aiming to become an idol, he needed to get comfortable with this. Being able to act cool, charming, or adapt to any concept should become second nature—otherwise, how could he possibly handle the variety of concepts required in being an idol?

"Okay," he said to the staff. "I will do my best."

***

After finishing his introductory video, Haneul headed to the performance hall where other contestants were waiting for their individual interviews. The interview order followed their rankings from the first elimination—higher-ranked contestants would go first.

Haneul spotted Haru and made his way over, settling into the seat beside him. But even after he sat down, Haru didn’t glance up—his usual energy absent as he kept his eyes fixed on the floor. The uncharacteristic gloom clinging to him was impossible to miss.

"Haru, are you okay?" Haneul asked.

Haru jolted slightly at the sound of his voice—clearly, he hadn’t noticed Haneul’s approach. He turned his head, blinking. "Haneul hyung?"

"Are you sure you’re okay?" Haneul pressed gently.

Haru let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "Y-yeah, I’m fine, really."

Haneul studied him for a moment, his expression softening with concern rather than doubt. "If you say so."

Haru scratched his cheek, the forced smile slipping away as quickly as it had appeared. His expression darkened again, shoulders slumping slightly. "I’m... I’m worried," he admitted, voice dropping. "My singing isn’t great. I don’t know if I’ll do well in this next mission."

Haneul immediately understood. In his original world’s version of Boys Odyssey, Haru had never been known for his vocals—his reputation was built entirely on his sharp, precise dancing, earning him a nickname like ’dancing machine’. But wait—dancing?

He gave Haru a warm smile. "I’ve got an idea. What if we help each other out? I can give you some vocal tips, and you can teach me some dance techniques."