And for the first time in a long time, it didn’t sound like a threat. It sounded like a promise.
The backstage hallway of the 2025 MAMA Awards smelled like hairspray, nervous sweat, and victory. Yujin pressed her palm flat against her chest, feeling her heart drum against her ribs. Beside her, Gaeul adjusted her earpiece for the third time.
Their cue came. The stage plunged into darkness.
Later, when they won for IVE SWITCH , Yujin grabbed the microphone. Her voice was hoarse.
“The world,” she said simply.
As the final chord faded, confetti didn’t fall. Instead, six golden beams shot from the stage floor, meeting high above their heads to form a glowing crown. The camera caught Wonyoung’s face: not the practiced idol smile, but real, stunned tears.
Yujin looked out the window at the Seoul skyline, still glittering with after-show fireworks.
“What’s next?” Leeseo asked.
Back