Chapter 5 — "The Golden Noise"
KOREA ENTERTAINMENT DAILY
Headline: "AUREUS to Appear on New Truth-Based Variety Show — Are They Ready?"
By: Kim Yuna | April 12, 2025
"Exploding onto the scene with near-supernatural precision, AUREUS is about to face something far more unpredictable than a stage: live, unscripted television. Set to appear in a 10-episode truth-and-dare style variety show titled Under The Spotlight, the mysterious members—particularly the ice-cold Jaeheon—may have to reveal more than they're used to. Industry insiders say, 'We've never seen a rookie group this elite. But no one stays a mystery forever.'"
AUREUS Dorm, Living Room – 8:03 PM
The group sat in a loose circle on the couch, the air electric. Jaeheon sat at the end, arms crossed, expression unreadable as usual.
The manager clapped his hands. "Alright boys, listen up. This show is huge. Under The Spotlight isn't scripted, and they're going to ask personal stuff—some fun, some intense. You've got to show your personalities."
Raon raised a hand like a student. "Do we get a warning before they ask embarrassing stuff?"
"Nope."
"Ah."
Junseo, the leader, looked over. "Jaeheon, you okay with this?"
Jaeheon nodded once.
That was all he ever gave.
But his silence wasn't cold to his members anymore. It was just… Jaeheon. The core. The one who never cracked.
Day of Filming – Under The Spotlight, Episode 1
Set: A sleek circular studio with shifting LED lights that glowed in AUREUS' signature deep gold.
The host, MC Joona, famous for her sharp tongue and playful digs, greeted them with a grin. "Welcome to the show, AUREUS! South Korea can't stop talking about you—and neither can I."
Polite laughter echoed. Jaeheon bowed with the others, not speaking unless directly addressed.
MC Joona pulled out a stack of golden cue cards. "Today's format: Ten questions. No skips. No filters. Let's see what the world's most talked-about rookies are really like."
Round 1: Rapid Questions
MC Joona: "First up, what's your biggest fear?"
Raon: "Getting kicked out of the group!"
Hwan: "Snakes."
Junseo: "Disappointing our fans."
Jaeheon: "Nothing."
The silence that followed was thick. The staff chuckled nervously. Joona tilted her head.
"You mean that? Nothing at all?"
Jaeheon nodded. "I don't fear anything."
MC Joona: "Wow… okay, icy cold from the start."
Round 2: First Impressions
MC Joona: "Who was the hardest to approach when you debuted?"
Hwan: (laughing) "Definitely Jaeheon-hyung. He looked like he wanted to kill us during trainee days."
Everyone laughed, including Junseo.
Jaeheon tilted his head. "I didn't."
"You glared at everyone for three months!" Hwan insisted.
"I was studying them."
Round 5: Love Lives
The audience leaned in. This was the part they were waiting for.
MC Joona: "Alright… be honest. Is anyone here currently in love?"
Hwan gasped dramatically. "This early in our career?!"
Raon blushed. "No comment."
Junseo smiled. "We're focusing on our career."
Then, the spotlight shifted.
MC Joona: "Jaeheon. Do you have someone you love?"
A beat of silence.
Then, the faintest trace of a pause—so brief it could have been imagined.
Jaeheon looked her in the eye. His voice, calm and quiet, carried across the room.
"Yes."
The room erupted.
MC Joona: "What?! Really? Wait—are you serious? You have someone you love?"
"Yes."
"Do they know?"
"No."
The tension snapped tight. Even the members stared.
"Are you going to tell them?"
"No."
Joona leaned forward, practically vibrating. "Okay, okay, wait. This is huge. Why not?"
Jaeheon's eyes darkened. "Some things aren't meant to be shared."
Online Fan Reactions:
@aureuslvr_7: WHO IS SHE. WHO. IS. SHE.
@coldkingjaeheon: bro smiled for 0.002 seconds i swear on my cat
@gildedmystery: we are literally living through a k-drama no one touch me
@underthespotlight_ep1: THIS is why Jaeheon is the final boss.
Later That Night – AUREUS Dorm Balcony
Jaeheon sat alone again, sketchbook open on his lap. This time, he wasn't drawing her.
He was writing.
A song.
The lyrics didn't rhyme. They didn't have to.
They just had to remember her.