Dadaikseon 다다익선

A recording studio in New York City’s Lower East Side. 3:30 A.M.

Downtown Manhattan outside the windows was still buzzing. Somewhere in the alleys, hip-hop beats spilled into the night, mingling with the laughter of drunk pedestrians passing by. In the distance, the faint wail of a police siren echoed through the streets. By contrast, the studio behind its thick soundproof door felt like an entirely different world.

Beneath the softly diffused lights, the music equipment blinked steadily. The air was filled with the blended scents of leftover coffee and musty old instruments.

In the center of the studio, two men in their twenties sat side by side on a black leather sofa. They were Basil and Hopper, members of the boy band Quantum Wonders. The two members were staring intently at a thirty-second video they had posted during their Korean tour the previous month. Within a week of being uploaded, the video had gone viral, surpassing one million views and racking up more than two thousand comments.

“Can you believe this? One million views. I can't.”

Basil, who had been muttering as he watched the video on his phone, looked up. His dark brown hair was slicked back in a wet style, revealing striking gray eyes beneath, subtly shifting to hazel.

Basil. Twenty-four years old. Of mixed Asian and Middle Eastern heritage, he had the kind of breathtakingly handsome looks that immediately drew attention wherever he went. He was the leader of Quantum Wonders and the band’s main vocalist. Reserved and intelligent, he possessed a quiet charisma and a mental strength that rarely wavered. Though he had grown up in a privileged environment, he had never let himself become complacent, always pushing himself to improve. His restrained movements carried a cool composure and precision, while onstage, he commanded an overwhelming presence. Formally trained in classical music and skilled on the cello, he had an exceptional ear for sound and was also an accomplished composer.

“We’ve released ten songs. Our marketing team’s been posting nonstop for two years. We’ve never been able to pull this off.”

When Basil finished speaking, Hopper laughed and draped an arm around Basil’s shoulders.

Hopper. Twenty-two years old, he was a contemporary dancer of Latino descent with short, bleached hair and curious grayish-brown eyes. As the band’s main dancer and choreographer, he made full use of his height and long limbs, moving with a freedom and intensity that set him apart onstage. Offstage, he was warm and inviting, the kind of person who easily connected with others and wasn’t afraid to make the first move. Still, he often let his emotions get the better of him, sometimes acting on impulse and making reckless decisions.

“I've been telling you. This is a sign. We should leave America.”

Hopper spoke, his eyes bright with anticipation.

“Not so fast. It was just one video. And KC from BEATMASTERZ was in it.”

At Basil’s response, Hopper let out a disappointed sigh.

Just then, the studio door swung open, and a man strode in.

Wearing a cream-colored crochet-knit top that revealed his bare chest, with silver necklaces draped around his neck, he dropped into the seat beside Hopper.

Ethan. At twenty-four, he had slightly wavy brown hair and a well-built physique maintained through regular exercise. After winning first place on a famous American music show as a teenager, he went on to receive formal jazz training on scholarships, mastering both the double bass and saxophone. As Quantum Wonders’ sub-vocalist, he was meticulous about taking care of himself and fiercely proud. He appeared relaxed and flamboyant on the surface, yet there was always an undercurrent of instability about him.

Ethan, who had leaned over Hopper’s shoulder for a quick look at Basil’s phone, spoke up.

“Are you guys watching the video? We seriously needed this. Murphs said we’re not getting another album unless our next single tops the charts.”

His words left the room tense. 

Before anyone could respond, the studio door opened with a heavy thud. A man stepped inside.

He wore a sheer shirt that revealed glimpses of bare skin, paired with washed denim, giving him an effortless look. His pristine white shirt featured delicate floral embroidery. He made his way toward the members at an unhurried pace.

He was the last member of Quantum Wonders, Avery.

Avery. Twenty-three years old, he had golden-blonde hair and soft brown eyes. His gentle gaze and natural smile gave him an easy, approachable charm. His broad shoulders and long legs accentuated his well-proportioned frame. Onstage, his distinct presence became even more pronounced. Gifted in both songwriting and composition, he had been hailed as a prodigy since childhood. Like Basil, he had formal training in classical music and was proficient on both the piano and flute. Though lively and playful by nature, he became more serious than anyone when the conversation turned to music.

As Avery sat down beside Basil, a subtle fragrance drifted past.

“Vetiver?”

Basil, who was sensitive to scents, asked. Avery smiled and nodded. As he glanced around the studio, Avery noticed the members’ eyes fixed on Basil’s phone. He looked over at it as well and asked,

“What’s going on?”

All three members turned to Avery at once. Weary from the late hour, they looked drained, yet there was a strange brightness in their eyes. Watching them, the corners of Avery’s lips slowly curved into a smile.

***

10:00 P.M. A trendy diner in SoHo.

Neon lights from the streets spilled into the room. The diner was bustling, with the latest R&B playing softly in the background. As servers hurried back and forth, the members of Quantum Wonders lounged on the burgundy leather seats of a booth tucked away in the back. Avery and Hopper were holding onto oversized milkshake glasses, sipping through their straws. Meanwhile, Ethan casually dipped a French fry into Hopper’s milkshake.

“Hey!”

Hopper let out an incredulous laugh and gave Ethan’s wrist a light smack.

“That’s mine.”

“That’s why it tastes better.”

Ethan answered unabashedly, then popped a fry into his mouth. Each time he reached for another, the silver ring on his finger caught the light and flashed. He glanced at Avery across from him and asked,

“Bro, that sample track you produced with the flute intro. Can I add my vocals to it?”

Avery tilted his head as he set down his milkshake. Strands of golden hair fell loosely across his forehead. He looked at Ethan and replied.

“The one with the arpeggio opening? I don’t know, man. It doesn’t really feel like us.”

“What is 'us' anymore?”

Ethan shot back, almost as if he’d been waiting for it. The playful mood fell silent. Sensing the shift, Hopper draped an arm around Ethan’s shoulders and chimed in, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Good question, E-dawg! The sound hasn’t felt like us lately. Neither have the lyrics.”

Avery let the straw fall from his lips and gave a faint smile. As the tension eased, Hopper continued.

“We trained together for years. Murphs said we need to feel like one unit again.”

Basil silently reached over and took a fry from Ethan’s plate. Ethan laughed in disbelief but didn’t stop him. Basil shook his head and commented,

“Somewhere along the way, after all that commercial success last year, we lost our identity as a band.”

The low, calm timbre of Basil’s voice naturally drew everyone’s attention at the table.

“I miss jamming with you guys. Not to make tracks...just to feel the rhythm.”

He continued with a satisfied grin.

“Getting lost in it until something raw and interesting comes out the other side. Saturn’s Rings came from one of those sessions.”

Before Basil could finish, Hopper suddenly stood up and exclaimed,

"Our only song to make it onto the Billboard Hot 100!"

A few people at nearby tables turned to look, but Hopper paid them no attention.

“The beats sounded like shattered notes drifting through space. And the lyrics? That was us.”

Unable to contain his excitement, Hopper waved his arms as he continued speaking.

“Telling fellow young souls that it’s okay to feel lonely and anxious in this vast universe.”

Avery suddenly burst out laughing. He looked steadily at Basil and began to speak.

“Remember when we first met? At Washington Square Park. I was pissed because my little brother accused me of taking his place at Juilliard. I went to the park to blow off steam and play the keyboard for a bit.”

Basil smiled as the memory of that day came rushing back. Avery beamed and nodded.

“Basil showed up out of nowhere, singing with his insane vocal range. Then, he started rapping in a Brooklyn hip-hop style.”

Basil listened to Avery’s story before answering.

“I had a huge fight with my mom that day.”

He slowly rolled his water glass beneath his fingertips as he continued.

“I got my first B in English Lit and she threw a fit. Music’s always been my escape.”

A thought seemed to cross Basil’s mind, and he chuckled as he spoke.

“That sheepish choir kid? He would’ve never pictured this pop star life.”

As Avery and Basil slipped into shared memories, Hopper attempted to change the subject.

“You two geniuses made our first tracks. A scherzo-inspired track with wild, unexpected contrasts. Then a showy capriccio with sonnet-style verses."

His tone grew more serious as he went on.

“Yeah, they weren’t exactly mainstream, but watching you guys create without boundaries taught me so much.”

Avery listened, then nodded and replied in a firm voice.

“The magic's still within us. We just need to reactivate it.”

Basil nodded in agreement before speaking.

“I can’t shake off the dismal response to our last single. It was a high-energy track with dubstep vibes. Sure, it didn’t follow conventional pop composition, but it felt fresh. We’ve always experimented. Reimagining pop melodies within classical structures.”

Under the diner’s dim lights, Basil’s striking gray eyes shifted to a subtle hazel as the light moved. He slowly looked over the members reflected in his eyes.

“Wasn’t that our identity? But lately...people aren’t responding anymore. We can’t keep doing the same thing. We need something revolutionary.”

Hopper sprang to his feet and shouted,

“Not a reinvention. But a rebirth!”

The members burst out laughing at his shameless act. Just then, a sharp buzz from Ethan’s phone cut through the laughter. The screen lit up, displaying the caller’s name.

‘DAD.’

Ethan furrowed his brow.

“I gotta take this.”

He gave a brief reply before standing up. As he hurried out of the diner, the bell above the door jingled.

After Ethan disappeared, Basil spoke in a low voice over the now-quiet table.

"The past couple of months have been pretty shitty. Every track we dropped in front of the producers got shut down. Management’s been forcing their words and beats on us. I’m just as frustrated as you guys. I know we haven’t really shown it. It’s been rough! It’s totally okay to acknowledge that."

Avery snickered at Basil’s suddenly serious tone and teased him in response.

“To move forward, you gotta release. Not hold everything inside. Wise words.”

"Trust me, I learned that the hard way. Once I hit rock bottom, I had no choice but to prioritize my mental health. Feel all the feels. Get angry if you’re provoked, but release it in healthy ways. For us, that’s music."

Hopper settled at Basil’s words. He murmured quietly.

“And a good cry sometimes.”

As everyone fell deep in thought, Avery ventured to speak.

“It might sound corny, but I gotta say."

With tears slowly welling in his eyes, Avery looked at each of the members in turn and continued.

“I'm glad you bros are in my life. I know we're capable of making amazing music. That's power. That's impact.”

He paused, then added.

“It’s the industry that’s trying to swallow us whole. I wouldn’t have survived this mess without you guys.”

Hopper replied with his usual nonchalance. 

“The feeling’s mutual, A-dawg. Jam session tomorrow?”

His words immediately put everyone at ease. Avery and Hopper exchanged their signature handshake, while Basil watched them with a smile.

Right then, the bell above the diner door jingled again. It was Ethan. He stepped inside, bringing a rush of cold night air with him. He walked toward the table as though nothing had happened and gave the members a wink. His mischievous smile was no different from usual. Basil let out a quiet laugh, flashing his white teeth.

The moment Ethan set his phone down on the table, the screen lit up. When a name appeared on the screen, everyone at the table froze.