Jan-Anneyeongaseo, we are D3!

Why can't I forget you,

When did we drift apart?

Is there hope for us?

Can we go back to the way we were...'

The audience shouted fanchants and lit up the entire room with the pearly blue lightsticks of D3's fandom. They cheered at our dance breaks and marveled at our angelic voices. We were their idols, their ultimate fantasies.

As soon as the performance ended, the audience erupted in joy. Even after a two year absence, they kept on showering us with love. We bowed down to them, overwhelmed by their unending support.

The host, Tae-Mong sunbae walked to the stage.

'Bravo,' he applauded loudly. 'Ladies and gentlemen, here are the D3!'

'Anneyeonaseo, we are D3!' All three of us greeted in unison.

'Marvelous,' Tae-mong sunbae praised. 'Come on, let's take a seat.'

We took our seats next to the host's chair.

'So boys,' Tae-mong sunbae said. 'How was your experience at the military?'

'It was one of our best experiences,' Taewon hyung gushed. 'I never thought I would be able to complete my military services this well. I was scared at first when I thought of the hard life soldiers led at the barracks. But when I got there and started to train with them,

I realized that they are risking their lives every day to protect our country. I am proud to have served alongside my unit.I shared amazing rapport with them.'

'And you Jan sshi,' Tae-mong turned to me. 'How was your experience?'

'I loved it,' I said happily. 'I was promoted to a trainer for new recruits! It felt great to train the young soldiers. My unit was also very lively. All of them were proud of being soldiers in the Korean army. It amazed me to see their determination in protecting the country.'

'And Joonjae sshi,' Tae-mong sunbae directed at Joonjae. 'Don't you regret not going to the army?'

Joonjae's face was expressionless. He was probably expecting this.

Taewon hyung clenched his fist; I can feel his boiling anger. Korean men who do not go to the army were considered to be shameless and cowards. Deserters get severe punishment for it. But Joonjae's case was different. It was not like he did not want to attend the army, but rather he could not. He was born in America. Korean men born abroad cannot attend mandatory military service. But Korean netizens do not care about that. They fuss over everything without any reason. The host knew this well. He asked this question to create controversy.

'It is unfortunate of course,' Joonjae said. 'I cannot change the fact that I was not born here. But I still am a Korean by heart. So what if I couldn't join the military? That shouldn't stop me from being a patriot.'

Joonjae turned to the audience. 'Which is why, I have donated 100 million KRW to the government for funding the education of the slain soldiers' children.'

The crowd cheered loudly. I clapped with them. Classic Joonjae. He always had the perfect response to such condescending people. Even Taewon hyung was surprised by this revelation.

Tae-Mong sunbae gave a stiff smile. Clearly, he wanted to humiliate Joonjae. He turned back to me.

'Jan sshi,' he continued with that cold smile. 'Your break up with your girlfriend has been making the news. What happened?'

Ugh, I thought in disgust. He just had to bring that up. Why can't people stay away from our private lives?

'I loved her a lot,' I said with genuine sadness. 'But it just wasn't meant to be. Both of us simply needed different things. She needed a quiet life without public attention but I knew I can never give her that. I wanted to though. But fate was cruel to us.'

The audience sympathized. The netizens might not be forgiving. But that did not faze me.

Tae-mong sunbae gave us that cold look. He wanted controversy and attention. Three biggest idols are on his measly show after all. He stared at us carefully for a while, debating his next move. Finally, he decided to drop the bomb.

'Taewon sshi,' he said. His smile sneered at us. I got a feeling of foreboding. His next words confirmed my fears.

'Taewon sshi,' he began. 'How do you feel now that your ex-members have been released from the military?'