baejl

[baejl]

hi babies, how you doing? 😚

so, for some reason, tumblr’s been censoring all of Minah’s posts, and I have no idea why. like, I don’t even post smut, wtf? because of that, I had to stop Minah’s week before it even started - LOL.

but I’ve been wanting to get back into things, and I remembered something... when I first created Jade, I came up with this whole arc (TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️): I wanted to show the darker side of the industry by making Jade struggle with alcohol and d**g addiction. I’ve got most of it planned out, I just need to know if it’d be something you guys would wanna read...

I know it doesn’t really fit TWICE’s usual vibe, but honestly, that’s what makes it so interesting, and it’d explain a lot about Jade and her personality.

lemme know what you think! ✨❤ (please

[baejl]

don't know why but all Minah's posts are being restricted (????

[baejl]

minah's cut

blackpink 5th member au

minah's interview in Light Up The Sky

masterlist 🩰 requests are opened

feedback is always important to me!

The screen fades in from the black background with ‘Minah’ written in pink to the ballet studio where the girl was sitting in on the ground, stretching to a new ballet routine. Differently from what BLINKs were used to, there were no fancy props, just Minah, in her practice clothes, still flushed from her dance session.

Her hair has started falling out of her bun, soft tendrils framing the girl’s red and sweaty face. Fans have never seen her in a more casual vest, but she also didn’t seem to care about it. 

“I was nine years old when I started training in YG.” she answered the director's later question while she tugs at the loose ribbon of her ballet slipper absently, looking a little shy and yet calm. “I remember I didn’t even really understand what I was saying yes to.” she gave him a gummy smile. 

She laughs a little, having some flashbacks. The kind of laugh that’s half fond, half exhausted. 

A picture of a tiny Minah standing at the front of YG’s building, her backpack too big for her shoulders, flashing a peace sign at the camera, with her favourite Jonas Brothers’ shirt was shown, while she kept talking with the director. 

“When you’re that young, you think like, ‘oh, I’m going to sing and dance, and make people smile’, and that’s it. You don’t think about contracts, competition, survival rounds. You just want this to work.” 

The screen cut to a grainy footage of an early trainee practice tape the company had storage. A room packed with teenage girls, all dancing hip-hop music in sync, while little Minah was slightly off, trying to catch up with a fiercely focused expression on her face. 

“It wasn’t easy for me.” she confessed. “Can you imagine? I came from ballet and rhythmic gymnastics. Hip hop, rap, everything was… strange.” 

The same video shows her clumsily trying to learn popping and locking with red cheeks, sweating, laughing awkwardly when she messed up. Pretty much the same Minah from these days, over a decade ago. 

“The girls back then were so, so competitive.” her interview was back on screen. “Me, being the youngest of four sisters at that time, was so confused. I remember being like, ‘why do we fight so much if half of us will end up debuting together?’” she laughed at her own phrase. “Little did I know that none of them would be able to make it.” 

The camera zooms out, transitioning to a montage of Minah in different moments. A video of her practicing alone in a mirrored room late at night, by the age of 12. When she slept against the studio wall during a break, at the age of 14 and, lastly, Minah adjusting Lisa’s wrist during a practice, smiling quietly, now, at the age of 17. 

“It definitely took me a time to believe I belonged, and even longer to believe I deserved it.” she smiled at the camera. 

Now, Jennie was shown, sitting at a minimalist background. She smiles immediately when asked about Minah. A soft Jennie smile that only showed up for people she loves. 

“Minah?” she repeated, chuckling. “Minah was… always the glue, honestly.” she leans back thoughtfully. “She was the first trainee I met and she was already someone people told me to be careful about.” 

The footage flickered to a young Jennie and an even younger Minah, awkwardly standing next to Jennie during a practice break. Jennie offers her a water bottle without saying anything and Minah shyly accepts. 

“She wasn’t the loudest.” Jennie kept saying while some pictures of the two girls faded. “But she was the one who noticed when someone needed a minute or when we needed to eat, for example. She carried so much and sometimes I worry people don’t realize how much of BLAKCPINK’s heart she is.” 

Back to Minah’s interview, she was now sitting curled up in a chair, less formal, like she’s forgotten about the cameras at that point. Her fingers tucked under the sleeves of her Gucci sweatshirt as she smiled thoughtfully. 

“Funny thing is I wasn’t supposed to audition for YG.” she told the cameras. “I went because a scout gave my mom a business card.” she nodded, a small laugh escaping her lips. “It’s funny, right? Failing your first dreams… and still ending up exactly where you needed to be.”. 

The camera lingers on her face, clear and open, vulnerable, before fading into black.

[baejl]

minahs week starts tonight 🩰✨️

[baejl]

what would you guys like to read in Minah's Week? 🩰💖

In case you're new here, every time one of our girls has a solo, we make "X Week" which means a whole week full of that OC content. It's an amazing opportunity for we can solve dramas, introduce new facts, and such.

So, on behalf of Minah's solo, apart from the actual agenda, we have extra stuff.

[baejl]

[BREAKING NEWS!!!!!] BLACKPINK's Minah announces her first ever album under Republic Records, "Houdini".

After almost one year of silence, BLACKPINK’s Lee Minah has finally stepped into the spotlight — and she’s not tiptoeing.

This morning, Minah’s official channels under Republic Records (U.S.) released the album cover and full tracklist for her solo debut titled "HOUDINI," set to drop this spring, on February 20th. The announcement broke the internet within minutes, sending hashtags like #MinahIsComing, #HoudiniByMinah, and #GreedyMaknae soaring to the top of worldwide trends.

But while fans celebrated, others raised eyebrows. Why? Take one look at the tracklist:

"Greedy," "Exes," "Because I Liked a Boy," "The Boy Is Mine," and "Sports Car", are all names that sparked immediate speculation about Minah’s personal life, including the accident that nearly took her life in 2021.

Netizens are questioning whether the album is a personal diary turned into music, a long-awaited comeback, or a calculated revenge statement.

Let's take a look on fans reaction.

Sources close to Republic Records claim the album explores “themes of freedom, betrayal, power, and rebirth”, given Minah’s infamous fallout with YG Entertainment, which many fans believe mishandled her solo career for years before she ultimately signed abroad.

Some fans have praised Minah’s bold creative direction, calling it “the unfiltered version of her we were never allowed to hear,” while others question if the sudden shift in tone feels out of character for the once softly spoken maknae. But if there’s one thing both sides agree on, it’s this: Minah isn’t just stepping into the spotlight — she’s walking straight through the fire to get there.

[baejl]

minah saying the girls helped her choose a label was the BIGGEST flex ever!!!!! I loved it

I KNOW RIGHT!!!! had to rub on their faces she was indeed valuable

[baejl]

closure

blackpink 5th member au

minah tells teddy she's leaving YG

WARNINGS: emotional - for me at least :')

masterlist 🩰 requests are opened feedback is always important to me!

The studio was dimly lit, just the soft blue glow of mixing boards and the persistent blink of recording equipment in standby mode. Minah had done that same path over a thousand times in the past years. She could go there eyes closed.

Teddy sat back in his chair, black hoodie pulled up, fingers drumming absently on the console as a beat looped in the background. It was something he'd been playing with - probably for Jennie, maybe Rosé - but, definitely, not Minah.

She hovered by the doorway, hesitant. He didn’t look up when he spoke.

"You’re late."

Minah stepped inside, the door whispering shut behind her. For a couple of minutes, the only thing making any sound was the heels she was wearing that night.

"Didn’t know I was expected."

She answered, firmly.

"You’re always expected." he finally turned, eyeing her like he always did. Sharp, unreadable. "Especially when you’ve been dodging my texts for like, three weeks."

Minah inhaled through her nose, then slowly exhaled.

That was their relationship in the present days: cold and professional. Actually, everyone in the company made sure to treat her exactly like that.

Placing her coat over the chair and sitting, Minah sighed, giving her best answer.

"Yeah. I needed time."

Teddy leaned back, arms crossed.

"You’ve had time. Since Born Pink wrapped, all you’ve done is disappear."

She didn’t rise to it. Not this time. Her voice was quieter than she expected.

"I’m not here to argue, oppa."

"Oh, that’s new." Teddy tilted his head, not kindly. "What are you here for then? To listen to this beat? It’s fire. Could be yours."

Minah shook her head, knowing that was time to set boundaries.

"No, Teddy. I’m not here for a track."

There was this unknowing silence between them. The kind that spreads like a crack in the floor. It was a matter of one of them saying the wrong word to start a war.

The man sat up straight, Minah sat up straighter

"What are you saying?" he asked.

Minah met his eyes. Calm, steady and surprisingly cold.

"I’m not staying with YG for my solo work."

His expression didn’t change, not right away, but his hands stilled.

The loop behind them ended, and silence filled the room again.

Teddy and Minah's relationship was pretty different before the accident. He was more than a producer to her. A sort of oracle, a compass.

She could ask him about the structure of a verse or what kind of side dish would go best with her bento. There were days she’d barge in, talking a mile a minute. He’d roll his eyes, of course, but always listened.

Sometimes they were siblings. Sometimes, it felt like father and daughter. But above all, it was always about respect.

And now, as he stared at her in this deafening stillness, she wondered if that had just been another thing the company made her believe.

"You’re joking." he said, at last. His voice was low, flat. Not angry, not amused, just suspended in disbelief.

"I’m not."

"You’re BLACKPINK."

“I still will be,” she said. “with the girls, always. That doesn’t change.”

"You trained here for ten years, Minah." Teddy insisted.

"Oh, I know!" her throat tightened. "I gave everything I had to this company. You know I did. And for a while, I thought that meant they’d give me something back."

His jaw clenched.

"They did," he muttered. "You debuted. You became a household name. You walked for Gucci, you…"

"One campaign, Teddy. One. And it wasn’t even music." Minah’s voice finally cracked, heat rising in her chest. "You all used to call me the top trainee. The ace. But you never let me show it. You gave Lisa a solo, Jennie a solo, Rosé and Jisoo, and I? I almost died waiting for mine."

Teddy exhaled through his nose.

He leaned back in his chair, arms folding across his chest. Not defensive, but almost like he was hugging something invisible to himself.

Maybe guilt.

Maybe disappointment.

Maybe acceptance.

"You couldn’t wait a little longer?" he muttered, eyes not meeting hers.

"I've been waiting for seventeen years, oppa. How much longer was I supposed to wait?" she snapped back at him.

That made him flinch.

Not dramatically, just a quick twitch of the jaw. A memory, maybe. Her walking into the studio the day after she left the hospital, her leg still braced, asking if the demos were still hers.

Him telling her, "we'll talk later."

They never did.

"I’m not leaving out of spite, Teddy. I love BLACKPINK. I love you. But I want to be heard, not delayed or shelved. Heard." Minah continued.

Her voice cracked a little at the end enough to make him glance at her again. Saying those things was like getting the world off of her shoulders.

It was like giving that little girl that gave up her dancing dreams a chance once again.

And that time, he nodded. Just once. A quiet surrender.

"Did they offer you creative freedom?" he asked, quieter.

She smiled, bittersweet.

"They asked what I wanted, oppa. No one’s ever done that before."

He didn’t say anything. The silence hurt more than yelling would have. Finally, he sat down again, rubbing his hands together like he was cold.

"You already signed with them, didn’t you?"

She nodded.

"I did."

He let out a long breath, slow and bitter.

"What label?"

"Republic Records. Under Universal Music group."

He looked up. There was something almost... proud in his eyes. But buried so deep, even Minah wasn’t sure.

"I believe the girls already know…" he suggested.

Minah nodded. She'd never do anything behind them.

"They helped me choose."

Neither of them spoke for a long time.

Teddy broke the silence, with a sigh.

"You’ll kill it out there," he said quietly. "but don’t forget who taught you how to swing."

"I won’t," she replied, softer now. "And I’m not running away."

Teddy gave her a look that said he wasn’t sure he believed that. But then he gave her a nod.

"Go do what you gotta do, Lee Minah."

She smiled sadly.

"I will."

And, before she walked out, she gave him a hug.

A hug that said what words couldn't express, what songs couldn't translate. A hug that meant gratitude for all he has done to her all these years.

"I'll still keep you guys’ picture on my wall, though." he mumbled against her hair, making Minah chuckle as the uninvited tears insisted on falling.

Once she left and he was alone with his demos and beats, he wished he had told her earlier: she didn’t need a label to be heard.

[baejl]

republicrecords HOUDINI. FEBRUARY 20TH. @leeminah 🎲🃏

[baejl]

not me being warned by Tumblr (AGAIN) bc I made Minah's album cover with a picture of a cigarette 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[baejl]

Hey how are you, since your requests are open can maybe do a solo album for Minah, or dating rumors since on Tiktok ppl saying Jennie and Mingyu might be dating theorie, but it could be Minah and Mingyu?

yesssss!!!! thank you!!! brb with your request 😶‍🌫️

[baejl]

to the world

exo 10th member

somi makes a special appereance in jungkook's documentary as more than just a friend

masterlist 🌻 requests are open feedback is always important to me!  

"All set to go?" the director asked. 

Somi fixed her posture on the chair, the makeup artist giving her final touches before the actual recording began. When Jungkook invited her to be part of his special documentary before enlisting, they had long meetings and talks. Just the two of them, with their managers, their members.

They were together for more than a year now and things were fine that way. All the necessary people knew of them and Somi wasn’t ready to invite the whole world to have a closer look at their relationship. Other than that, she knew how crazy both their fans can be and that was the last thing she wanted her boyfriend to get worried about, at least, not for now. 

But both Jungkook and Somi knew that was necessary. They couldn’t stay acting like they were rookies and hiding from cameras everywhere. There was already a commotion as she was part of his ‘Standing Next To You’ MV, Dispatch already had enough material of them. So, there she was. Seated in a chair in front of three cameras and, at least, ten people behind them - Jungkook being one of them. 

"Yeah," Somi said. "I’m ready." 

To whoever was watching the documentary, Somi’s presence was revealed following the timeline. She had some parts while they were showing the whole backstage, when she was helping Jungkook in the studio as he insisted her to, but now, it was just Somi. 

Dressed casually — an oversized shirt (probably JK’s), jeans, and sneakers — Somi flashed a knowing smile at the camera, as if saying, ‘Yeah, now it’s time for the tea. The lights dimmed slightly as the camera tightened its focus on Somi. The director gave her a reassuring nod before signaling for the first question.

"So, let’s talk about how you got involved in this project. We saw glimpses of you throughout, helping Jungkook in the studio, even in the Standing Next to You MV. But how did it really start?" the director asked her. 

Somi let out a small chuckle, feeling shy, tilting her head as she thought back. Jungkook, watching from the monitor, arms crossed, with a subtle smile on his lips. 

"It started… a long time ago?" she mused. "We have the same group of friends, and we went to school together. Before anything, we are best friends. I believe that, even if I debuted first, it was so nice to have someone in the same position as I was back then."

"Which was…?" the man asked, trying to deepen the question. 

"We are the youngests in our groups, we fill in pretty much the same positions…" she listed. "And most of all, we debuted at a really young age. Being in the industry we are, having someone like that is crucial."

"I see." the man wrote down something and Somi enjoyed those seconds to wipe the sweat off her hands on her jeans. "So, how did it go from friendship to romance?" 

Somi let out a laugh.

"I mean... I guess it was organic. For me, at least." she answered, wasting no time. "We were always there for each other, we saw each other growing and evolving. I believe the admiration and love we felt for each other was also evolving. For him? He might have a diffrent answer." Somi joked, making some crew members laugh. 

The scene changed and it was now Jungkook’s interview. 

"I was in love with her for, at least, five years before asking her out for the first time." he answered, his cheeks going red. "It was organically, for her.” he laughed.

A few crew members chuckled. Off-camera, Somi’s voice piped in, "Oh, you were suffering."

Jungkook covered his face with his hands, laughing.

A montage sequence plays with a lot of moments the crew was able to get from Jungkook and Somi together. One of them was Somi and Jungkook in the studio, headphones on, lost in their craft. She was harmonizing with him as he laid down a raw vocal take. The instrumental for Standing Next To You blasting on the sound system as they were trying to finish the final details. 

"I don’t think the last part is good though." Jungkook said, rubbing his hair, anxious. 

"Says who?" Somi asked, leaning against the mix board, arms crossed. "Come on, JK. You can’t be serious." 

Jungkook doesn’t answer at first. Instead, he sighs—the kind of sigh Somi knows all too well. The ‘I’m so fucking tired’ sigh. She gets closer to him, hugging him and rubbing his arms as he cuddles her embrace. 

"I’m so tired." he admits. 

Now, a raw, handheld camera clip shows Jungkook and Somi sitting on a rooftop in Seoul, wrapped in oversized hoodies, eating convenience store ramen. The city lights sparkle behind them. 

Somi nudges him with her shoulder. "You overthink too much."

Jungkook sighs, leaning back. "It’s just… people expect so much. I don’t want to disappoint them."

She twirls her chopsticks thoughtfully. “I get it. But, Kook, when was the last time you made music just for you? Not for the charts, not for the fans. Just for yourself?”

Jungkook took another slow bite of ramen, staring out at the skyline. He didn’t answer right away. The neon lights flickered, the sound of distant traffic filling the silence.

Somi grins, changing the subject playfully. "Whatever. If you’re too busy being the Jungkook™, Golden Maknae™, Global Superstar™, at least let me steal one of your songs."

Jungkook bursts out laughing. 

"Absolutely not. I should be doing that. You're a grammy winner."

Back to Somi’s interview, the director looked at his notebook before asking her again. 

"There was a part of the whole production that really stuck with me, where Jungkook says he didn’t know how to slow down, how to breathe until someone told him. I believe that someone was you."

Somi’s expression softened. 

"It wasn’t anything revolutionary," she admitted. "I just reminded him that he’s allowed to be human. To take a break. To enjoy what he’s built instead of always chasing the next thing." 

"Did you ever think you’d be sitting here, in his documentary, as his girlfriend?"

"No," Somi admitted, a small, knowing smile on her lips. "not like this."

The director glanced at his notes before looking back up at her.

"There’s a moment in the footage where Jungkook looks at you while recording, and it’s… different. Like, you’re not just a collaborator, not just a friend. I believe that, if we had let that scene, people would notice that. But have you ever?"

Somi blinked, caught off guard. She let out a soft chuckle, shifting in her seat.

"I—uh, I guess?" she admitted, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I mean, I always knew how intensely he works, how much he puts into his craft. But… I didn’t realize he looked at me like that."

A beat. Off-camera, someone murmured, “Oh, he definitely does.” Laughter rippled through the crew.

Somi covered her face with her hands for a second before peeking through her fingers, laughing. "Okay, next question, please."

The director smirked before flipping to another page.

"Okay. Last one. If you had to describe Jungkook in one word. Not as an artist, not as ‘Jungkook of BTS’—but just him… what would it be?"

Somi’s teasing expression softened. She took a moment, inhaling, exhaling.

"Home." she finally said.

A pause. Even Jungkook, watching from the monitor, stopped fiddling with his sleeve.

"Why?" the director prompted.

Somi smiled, small but certain. "Because no matter where we are, no matter how crazy things get… with him, I always feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be."

A quiet murmur swept through the set.

Cut.

[baejl]

what are all the girls up to now in life?

hiiii, babeeee! thank you so much for the question ✨️💖 so, in order:

MOON - I have the hardest time imagining what our girl Moonie would be up to 🥶 but probably the basics: producing some legendary bops, absolute stunning visuals for the latest comebacks and maybe even a date polemic or something 🥸

JAEIN - Jaein is just glowing and showing all the conservatives out there how amazing can a mother be! I like to think that Jaein was able to showcase a whole different side of her with Cosmic, yk? and we probably had a lot of Jaein + JB content with their comeback and LITTLE JOHN!!!!!!! still strong being our Versace ambassador ☝🏼

JADE - the girl is living her life being TWICE's official producer. what can I say about her duo rap with Meghan in Strategy? pure art! she's more focused on the producing part of the group, also getting ready for her official solo debut 🤐

MINAH - oh my god, my Minah 😭 I'm having some ideas for her solo album, btw! If you guys are still interested in my girls, I can put it out! but, with a few words: she's too busy being a record-breaking artist. all I can say is that she kept Blinks well fed during all this time! she's not a Gucci princess anymore. she's Hermès' now!

SOMI - my sweet Somi is just chilling for now - as well deserved. Can we set a scenario that she was part of Jungkook's documentary and was the girl on the Standing Next to You MV? pretty pleaseeee? 😞 but, other than that, our girl is just chilling, buying some houses around the world and being the lady she is 🤌🏽

[baejl]

having the hardest time writing for Moon 🤦‍♀️😿 does anyone have a request for our girl? I’m opened to anything

[baejl]

#1 fan

twice 10th member au

jade surprises MiSaMo during their promotion

masterlist 👽 requests are open feedback is awalys important to me!

“Do I look good?” Jade asked the staff, laughing only by seeing herself in the mirror. 

Fully dressed in the MiSaMo merch, Jade looked like a truly MiSaMo maniac. The managers even managed to get her a headband with the unit’s name written in a rose gold style. 

It was MiSaMo’s concert at the Japan Dome and, being one of their producers - a request that came from the girls themselves - she was able to watch, closely, her members working their best to make it possible while also preparing for TWICE’s comebacks. 

Mina asked Jade a few weeks ago if she could go and watch the concert, but she wanted to surprise them, so she told Sana that ‘maybe, I don’t know’, and she had never seen Mina so sad like that day. Jade didn’t even tell the other members about this surprise, so nothing could go wrong.  

The plan was simple: she’d dress as a fan and ‘invade’ the stage, trying to take pictures with the girls and even make them sign a board the staff had prepared. Luckily, they hadn’t seen her with her new hair color yet, so that should work perfectly with the mask on her face. 

Ironically enough, she had booked a room in the same hotel as the girls, just to make it even funnier. 

“I think they’d freak out.” Jade’s manager said, also laughing.

“Poor Sana…” another staff member chuckled . “She’s going to be so scared.” 

From backstage, Jade could listen to the whole concert and, to prevent the girls from catching her during the outfit changes, she’d hide in the equipaments room. Luckily, it was almost time to put her plane to action. 

After taking some pictures to roast the girls later, ‘Baby I’m Good’ was coming to the end and she headed to the wings of the stage, her heart racing with anticipation. Holding the board written ‘MiSaMo Marry Me’, she waited for their manager's signal. 

As the girls composed themselves to start the encore, the manager gave her a quick nod, signaling it was time. Jade held up the board and slipped onto the stage, running and screaming, like many fans she had seen doing. 

The crowd erupted into confused murmurs and scattered cheers as people began to notice the figure moving toward the trio.

“MINA! SANA! MOMO!” Jade screamed, running down the stage.

Momo was the first to spot the ‘fan’. Her jaw dropped, and she froze mid-step, her mic lowering slightly, as she looked around confused. Sana turned next, her eyes widening in disbelief. Mina, ever the composed one, blinked in surprise. 

“Please, sign this to me!” Jade said in japanese, even handing them a pen. 

Momo froze, trying to understand what was happening while Jade hugged her multiple time, doing the same to Sana and Mina. 

“Wait!” Mina said, getting closer to Jade, looking her straight in the eyes. “Jade-ssi?” 

“No way!” Sana groaned, her nervous smile turning into a surprise one. 

Jade took her mask off, revealing her face to the entire dome. The crowd’s confusion turned into deafening cheers as they realized who it was. The three girls shouted in union, hugging Jade as she laughed out loud. 

“I can’t believe it!” Momo said in korean. “You fooled us!” 

In the meantime, a staff member headed Jade a mic. 

“Security was so bad, I couldn’t resist.” Jade joked. 

Sana, unable to contain her excitement, hugged Jade once again. “What are you doing here? You didn’t tell us! And this hair?!” 

“I didn’t tell anyone, actually.” Jade explained. 

The trio laughed. Of course, she didn’t. 

As the cheering subsided, Momo grabbed a mic, her voice still tinged with laughter.

“Guys, you probably know this already, but Jade isn’t just our fellow TWICE member, she’s also one of the producers of this unit.” she told the fans that went insane once again. “She worked so hard on the songs you’re hearing tonight, and we couldn’t have done it without her.” 

“Ya,” Jade said, taking the headband off. “this isn’t for me, though. I came to surprise you.” 

The fans laughed. Sana chimed in, her eyes sparkling. 

“That’s right, ONCE! She poured her heart into every note, beat, and made sure everything was perfect. Jade-yah,” she looked at Jade, who shook her head, as a sign for Sana to stop. “thank you for believing in us and helping us create something so special.” 

Mina got closer as well, rubbing Jade’s back. 

“Producing for your own members isn’t easy, but Jade has been making it with so much care and love. We’re so lucky to have her, not just as a producer but as a friend. Let’s all give her a huge round of applause!” 

The audience didn’t hesitate, their cheers reaching deafening levels as Jade stood awkwardly, scratching the back of her head but clearly moved by the gesture.

As the atmosphere shifted from emotional to celebratory, Sana grabbed Jade’s hand. “You’re not getting off that easy,” she said with a grin. “You’re performing the next song with us!”

Jade’s eyes widened in mock horror. “I didn’t sign up for this!”

But there was no escaping it. Before she knew it, Momo and Mina had dragged her into position as the opening notes of New Look played. The choreography was second nature to Jade, who had been involved in its creation, and despite her initial protests, she quickly fell into step with the girls.

The sight of Jade dancing alongside MiSaMo sent the crowd into a frenzy. Fans chanted her name, waving their lightsticks even harder as the four women shared the stage in a joyous, impromptu performance.

But, the second the song was over, Jade hugged the girls, quickly running off the stage before they made her do anything else, making the fans cheer and laugh at the same time. 

The moment she got backstage, she high-fived the managers. 

“Mission accomplished.” 

[baejl]

playing soldier

red velvet 6th member au / superm 8th member au

jaebeom spends his first weekend back home after enlisting and jaein has a sudden reaction

WARNINGS: angst - this is my first angst afte a while, hope you guys like it.

masterlist 🦋 requests are open feedback is always important to me!

When Jaein's pregnancy came out to the public, everyone would ask her the same thing: how'd she balance the idol-mom-wife routine? 

And, as expected, Jaein avoided that question as much as she could. Mainly because she didn't have to worry about it.

Everything was already settled with SM and, as for the 'wife' part, well, it wasn't like she wasn't already spending most of her days at Jaebeom's house, living a married life during the weekends. 

But, the girl forgot about one small detail: Jaebeom's enlistment. 

Jaein knew his compromise to the nation. After all, he was a citizen just like any other Korean man. But, gosh, that was hard! - especially when you have a six-month-old baby and is starting the preparations for a comeback.

Luckily, she had a huge network: her family, members, and some nannies she'd eventually hire when things were too intense - the latter being dismissed after some photos and data of John were leaked 'suddenly'. 

However, Jaein missed her husband. More than his father figure, she missed not being in charge all the time and having some time to just be his girl, turning her brain off of the world, not caring about a single thing but when they were going to cuddle again. 

The loud crying in the living room brought Jaein back to reality. Her days were a chaotic blur of toddler tantrums, sleepless nights, grueling rehearsals, outfits fitting, late-night studio sessions... Jaebeom had now enlisted a few months ago, leaving her to handle everything on her own. 

While she prided herself on being independent, the pressure was beginning to crack her. She could feel it. 

When Jaebeom finally called her after a whole week, telling her he'd be having the weekend off, she felt like she had just won the lottery. He came home to John already starting to babble something like "dad" and toddling into his arms. 

With that, for the first time in weeks, Jaein allowed herself to exhale. The love of her life was home, even if just for a weekend. 

But, as the day went on, instead of feeling relieved, Jaein found herself growing more and more irritable. Watching Jaebeom lounge on the couch, playing with John while she scrambled to prepare lunch, clean up toys, and mentally rehearse the choreography she was supposed to practice the next day, a storm began brewing inside her.

By the time John went down for his nap, the apartment was eerily quiet, but inside Jaein’s head, the noise was deafening. Her chest felt tight, her mind racing with everything she had to do—dinner to prepare, choreography to rehearse, emails from SM to answer, and the persistent guilt of wondering if John felt neglected. 

She glanced over at Jaebeom, who was lying on the couch scrolling through his phone, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched a funny video.

And something inside her snapped.

She slammed the kitchen cabinet shut, the sound cutting through the silence like a whip. 

Jaebeom glanced up, startled.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, his tone casual, almost dismissive.

Jaein turned, glaring at him. 

"What’s wrong? Seriously, Jaebeom? Look at me!” she raised her voice. “I’m running myself into the ground trying to keep this family afloat, and you’re just sitting there, scrolling through your phone like you don’t have a care in the world."

Jaebeom blinked, sitting up. 

"Whoa, where is this coming from?” he chuckled, nervously. “I just got back, Jaein. Can I not have a moment to relax?"

"A moment to relax?" Jaein repeated, already screaming at this point.. "Do you know what I would give for a moment to relax? I can’t even sit down without thinking about the million things I still need to do! I’ve been doing this alone for months, Jaebeom. Months! And the second you come home, you act like you’re some guest here instead of John’s father or my partner." 

Jaebeom’s jaw tightened. 

"That’s not fair. You know I’d be here if I could." 

"Would you?" Jaein shot back, her voice trembling with anger. "Because it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like you’ve checked out like you’ve accepted that this is my problem to deal with while you’re out there, playing soldier for the next two years." 

"Playing soldier?" Jaebeom’s voice dropped, low and hurtful.. He stood, his height towering over her, but she didn’t back down. She trusted him enough to know he wouldn’t do anything else. "Do you have any idea what it’s like for me over there? To wake up at 5 a.m. every day, march for hours, follow orders, and not even have the freedom to come home when I want? Do you think I’m on some vacation?" 

"Well, I think you’re lucky!” Jaein yelled, her voice cracking. "You get to focus on one thing. Just one thing! You don’t have to juggle a screaming toddler, a demanding career, and a house that always feels like it’s falling apart. You don’t have to wonder if your son feels abandoned because you’re too busy performing for the world to read him a bedtime story!" 

"Don’t you dare!” he debated. “Don’t you dare act like I don’t care about John. I love him as much as you do."

"Then show it!" Jaein cried, tears streaming down her face now. "Because all I see is you coming home, taking the easy moments, and leaving me to deal with everything else. Do you think loving him is enough? It’s not. He needs you here. I need you here."

Jaebeom’s jaw tightened, his voice low but firm. 

"Don’t say I don’t see it, Jaein. I see how hard you’re working, and I admire you for it. But you’re acting like I don’t care, like I’m not sacrificing anything. I miss John too. I miss you. Do you know how much it kills me to not be here for you, to not be here for our son?" 

"Then why does it feel like I’m doing this alone?" she shot back, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. "Why does it feel like I’m trying and trying and trying, and you’re just... watching?" 

Jaebeom’s eyes flared. 

"Because I don’t know how to help you when you won’t even let me in! You keep everything bottled up, and then you explode like this. I can’t fix it if you won’t tell me what you need."

"I need you!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the apartment. "I need you to be here! I need you to take some of this weight off my shoulders because I can’t carry it all by myself anymore!" 

Her words hung in the air, the silence that followed deafening. Jaein’s chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath, tears streaming down her face. Jaebeom looked at her, his expression softening as he saw just how much pain she was in.

Jaein followed her way to John's room, not really caring about Jaebeom calling her name. She had to calm herself, otherwise, she'd say even more things she'd absolutely regret later.

She didn't even know why she went to John's room. That was like her safe place. A place where she could just forget about all the problems in the world and focus on the most precious person in the world: her son. John had become her anchor in the chaos, a tiny person who didn’t care about schedules, criticisms, or the burdens she carried. He only cared that she was there. 

Stroking his soft hair, Jaein felt an overwhelming mix of love and guilt.  A perfect mix of two people that were truly, madly, deeply in love with each other. Although people would say John was the spitting image of her, Jaein couldn't spot the similarities. All she could see was a mini Jaebeom lying on his crib and that made her heart shrink even more. She had promised herself she’d hold everything together for him, but tonight had proved how fragile her resolve had become.

After checking if everything was fine with her little one, she followed her way to her bedroom. 

Jaebeom’s silhouette against the bedroom window was the first thing she noticed as she entered. His shoulders, usually so broad and assured, were slumped in defeat. The tension between them still lingered, but seeing him like that chipped away at her defenses. She hadn’t meant to lash out the way she did. It wasn’t entirely his fault - he was doing what was required of him, fulfilling his duties. But that didn’t make her feelings any less valid.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. 

Jaein wiped at the tears she didn't even notice was falling, her hands shaking. Jaebeom stepped closer, his eyes full of regret.

"I didn’t want to upset you," he said quietly, his voice raw. "I hate seeing you like this, Jaein. I hate feeling like I’m failing you. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you the way you need me to be. I thought... I thought you were handling it. You’re so strong, Jaein. Sometimes, I forget that even you have limits.”

She looked up at him, her face crumpling.

“I don’t feel strong. I feel like I’m failing. Everything and everyone." 

Jaebeom pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as she sobbed against his chest. 

“You’re not failing,” he murmured. “You’re doing everything you can, and it’s more than enough. I should have seen how much you were struggling. I should have been there for you, even from a distance. I’m so sorry."

Jaein clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. 

"I don't know how much I can keep doing this." she confessed. 

"You don't have to do it alone anymore," he said firmly. “I'll call more. I'll make sure you know that I’m here, even when I’m not. We’ll get through this, Jaein.”

[baejl]

im so happy to see you active again. i hope the holidays treated you well and happy new year 🩷

hi baaaae! how've you been?

happy new years for us all ❤️ may 2025 be THE year for us ✨️