Chapter Text
“Even when the sky is clear, you can feel a storm coming. But sometimes, the light is too warm to notice.”
They returned to Seoul like spring sunlight—soft but brimming with life.
Rested. Recharged. Reunited.
After the whirlwind of Eclipse, award shows, and year-end performances, the dorm no longer felt like a storm shelter. It felt like home again. With the new year came new air. For the first time, X1 could look ahead without fearing what would be taken away.
Instead, they could dream of what they might build.
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The conference room was brighter than usual, sunlight filtering through the windows, and the whiteboard at the front filled with bullet points that buzzed with possibility.
No one slept through this one.
“We’re planning two albums this year. One mid-year, one winter.”
“We’re in talks for a tour—Asia-first, possibly global.”
“We’re working on a variety-style reality series. Think relaxation and chaos.”
“And we’re locking down a few brand endorsements.”
By the time the staff clicked through the last slide, the room was vibrating.
“Do we get solo shots for the next MV?” asked Eunsang
“A tour?” Wooseok blinked. “You mean we might actually see the fans this time?”
“Let’s go everywhere,” Yohan said immediately, eyes wide. “Like, now.”
“I want a firework entrance,” Dongpyo said immediately.
“You’d trip before the chorus,” Minhee muttered.
“I want a laser cage this time,” Seungyoun mumbled.
“You always want a laser cage,” Seungwoo shot back, grinning. “
New albums means more choreography,” Hangyul added, eyes already glinting.
Seungwoo turned toward the whiteboard, arms crossed. “Let’s make this count. Let’s make this ours.”
They all nodded—young, eager, exhausted, and ready to do it all over again.
They weren’t being reckless.
They just believed they could handle it now.
They knew how to work.
They knew how to trust each other.
They knew what they were capable of. They were no longer “the boys from Produce.” They were X1, and the world was watching.
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To make their plans public in a meaningful way, the agency suggested a special content project: a “2020 Time Capsule”—short solo videos filmed in a cozy, personal style, posted one per day in age order, leading up to a group message.
Each member was asked to share their goals, dreams, and a message to ONE IT and to their future selves.
It became more personal than anyone expected.
| Seungwoo |
He sat on the floor in a hoodie, soft lighting casting shadows on his cheeks. He spoke simply, calmly, eyes soft but grounded.
“This year, I want to give more than I take. I want to carry my team without losing myself. And I want to sing with a full crowd in front of me again. I miss that. We all do. We’re growing. I want us to reach new stages, new countries, and make new memories. I want us to stay whole”
He ended by bowing deeply, hands folded in his lap.
“Let’s walk this year together.”
#LeaderWoo trended again.
| Seungyoun |
He recorded in the studio, legs curled on the couch, strumming a soft melody, a new instrumental, dreamy, layered, nostalgic.
“This is how I want 2020 to feel. Honest. Like us. This year, I want to create more honestly. I want our music to feel like who we are off-stage. Messy. Alive. Real.”
Fans immediately demanded the full version.
| Wooseok |
Recorded on his bed, blanket half-draped over his shoulder, he smirked into the camera.
“I want to try a short drama. And eat really good food in five countries. And win at least one award without crying.”
He paused. “But mostly... I want us to stay eleven. I want us to stay.”
The fandom sobbed collectively.
| Yohan |
Bright-eyed and relaxed, he recorded next to a large plush toy.
“This year let’s meet properly. Fans in front of us. Singing together. You and us, not separated by screen.”
He waved with both hands. “I miss you.”
Fans posted thousands of replies with virtual hugs, promises of waiting, and videos of past fan chants that made the comment section sound like a memory.
| Hangyul |
Surprisingly introspective, he sat near a window.
“I didn’t expect to find family like this. This year, I want to protect that.”
His voice caught, and the camera cut right before he started crying. Fans never let him live it down—but they loved him more for it.
| Junho |
Quiet but sincere, he took a few tries to get through his message.
“I’m going to speak more this year. Sing more. Share more. I won’t stay in the background. Not anymore.”
That one line made his name trend for 48 hours.
| Dongpyo |
Of course, he cried halfway through.
“This is still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been part of,” he whispered, wiping his cheeks with his sleeves.
“So ... let’s make this year a love letter. Let’s keep dancing even when we’re tired. Even when it’s hard. I don’t even care if we get first place again. I just want us to be happy. All of us. I want to stay with them. I want to stay yours.”
His words echoed long after the video ended. Fans responded with edits, handwritten replies, and a flood of pink hearts.
| Minhee |
He spoke more seriously than fans expected.
“I always feel like I’m behind. But I think this year... I want to believe I’m enough. For the group. For myself. feel braver. I want to become someone who can make others feel that, too.”
It was simple. And incredibly vulnerable.
The comments section was flooded with people telling him: you already do.
| Eunsang |
He framed his message around a letter to his past self.
“You thought you wouldn’t make it. You did. You thought you’d disappear. You didn’t. Now dream bigger.”
It was poetic, soft, and full of quiet strength.
| Hyeongjun |
He recorded with a pile of fan letters beside him.
“2020 is the year I want to dance better. Sing stronger. Make my family proud. And see our fans again—up close. I want to work harder than ever this year. For myself. For the people I miss. For the ones who stayed.”
He looked away at the end and whispered, “Please wait for us. We’re coming.”
| Dohyon |
The youngest. The one who wrapped it all up.
He rapped his message—slow and thoughtful, then added:
“Even if we can’t see you, we’re always performing like you’re watching. Because that’s what keeps us here.”
| Final Group Video |
“See You Soon” All eleven sat on the floor in a circle, pyjama pants and socks, surrounded by candles and soft lights.
They took turns saying one goal each, passing a small stuffed animal like a microphone.
“I want us to last.”
“I want to visit Europe.”
“I want to film something embarrassing together.”
“I want us to stay close—even off camera.”
By the end, they were teasing each other, yelling over each other, and laughing too loudly.
They answered bickering the staff questions
“Who’s going to cry first this year?”
“Who’s going to win a solo award?”
“Who’s going to snore during tour flights?”
But just before the camera cut, Seungwoo said:
“Whatever happens—we’ll remember this year.”
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Behind the scenes, things were already moving.
“Red Echo” was chosen as the working title for their next mini album. The concept was darker, grittier—a stark contrast to the cosmic beauty of Eclipse. The early themes were survival, fighting for family, and seeking light in the darkness.
Practice began slowly: vocal lessons, dance demos, wardrobe meetings.
Seungyoun led demo writing with Dohyon, Yohan, and even Junho stepping into the studio more often.
Hangyul reprise his role on choreography with Hyeongjun and now Dongpyo by his side.
The inspiration was flowing, and Red Echo was coming into itself beautifully.
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The production meeting for their new variety show, titled X1 Getaway, turned into an all-out negotiation war.
The premise was simple: members would vote on episodes, challenges, and trip ideas in advance. But nothing with X1 was ever that simple. It immediately became war.
“Spa day!” Dongpyo declared, already filling out the form.
“Water park,” Hyeongjun countered.
“You sink in shallow water,” Minhee muttered.
“You’re just mad because I caught you snoring on camera last time!” retorted Hyeongjun.
“Escape room,” said Wooseok.
“I will escape your attitude,” Seungyoun replied without missing a beat.
Then came the bartering. Yohan offered to give up his pick in exchange for full MC privileges.
Junho tried to trade dishwashing duties for choosing snacks.
Hangyul attempted to bribe Seungwoo with foot massages if he’d vote for hiking.
Seungwoo pretended to write down “hiking” just to mess with him.
Seungyoun got halfway through organizing a “Team Chaos vs Team Logic” framework before giving up and writing “sleeping contest” in all caps on his ballot.
Eunsang, calm and smiling, slowly swapped everyone’s papers behind their backs while no one noticed.
By the end, nothing was settled.
But everyone was laughing.
And that was the point.
They would film next month.
They would begin album recording the month after.
The year stretched out in front of them, rich with promise.
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And yet...
In the far corners of rehearsal rooms, the headlines kept playing.
The news was starting to hum louder in the background.
“Unknown virus spreading.”
“Flights delayed in several countries.”
“Events cancelled in parts of Asia.”
It wasn’t real yet.
Not here.
But it was coming.
And just beyond the warmth of their laughter, the shadow had begun to move.
And though their calendars were full, a question began to form in the corners of their minds.
What happens if the world doesn’t wait for us?