december

But then they went on an EXTENDED BREAK!

Again.

W.T.F.

Well that made sense. It immediately followed their very first in-person concerts since Year 1, called Permission to Dance on Stage. The boys, in spite of missing music shows and now the year end shows and award ceremonies these days, and of course the pandemic, have worked so hard over the past two years, so they had to rest. Even just for the moment. I’m happy for them in a way, because now they will be spending the holiday season with their families instead of literally working.

And because the boys were probably bored, they went on to open Instagram accounts!

Shoutout by the way to everyone who are yet to follow user @thv! Aliza I am looking at you.

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The deferral they made late last month, and later the memo of a show in March to further validate their activity next year, meant so much to all of us. This means that they will all STAY for at least the next 11 months! Caratime for sure will continue on in 2022, hence Year 4. The three year run, going transannual for the third time, and doing both.. they seem less now compared to what I am truly happy about Cara these days. I’m glad he is staying in Year 4!

That actually led him to re-debut as the leader and main vocalist in a new boy group called Stars To an Amazing YEAR 4 or STAY. It’s kinda like the Super M of Year 4. Joining him are four other male idols from different groups who are yet to enlist in the military and are not expected to go in Year 4 - main dancer Juyeon from The Boyz, lead vocalist and dancer Yunho from Ateez, main rapper Sungchan from NCT and maknae Sunghoon from Enhypen.

As of writing, I would presume that their debut was a success, and I was looking forward to better things from them in the next 18 months - the duration of their contract.

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With the dual stanning era now ending at this point, I can see so many signs pointing to a familiar time. From the debut of STAY, which is reminiscient of the trio with Harry and Aliza; their extended break, which they last had back in his first year as a leader, the return to pre-pandemic life including, among others, groups and artists doing in-person shows again, and getting back the freedom we once had before, and so many others.... have we really gone full circle now?

Is this déjà vu?

Are we going back to Year 1?

Yet at the same time I do not really understand what is happening. Cara indeed has gone so far now as a leader, but what has been happening to him lately is still surreal. I remember when he was once a rookie leader who had always been the baby. Because now here he is, the senior, the oldest, the leader.... the one who is now seen as the ‘sunbae’ even though he is yet to have his successor, only because he is running for nearly three years. The one who almost reached his enlistment deadline. The one now at risk of leaving, even if it still really isn’t his time to go.

He's changed a lot now.

And so is this leadership.

He's a lot different from who he was when he started leading.

And so is Caratime.

We started this leadership differently, and now we end up like this.

So how did we get here?

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While I am still finding out the answer, for now I’m gonna enjoy the moment. There had been so many emotional things happening this time around, but at the same time there had been happy moments. I choose to enjoy the ride.

Before I go I just want to leave a message to the boys from ONF. Serve well, my boys. You have done so much during the last four years, including 1.5 years with me. Thank you so much for being by my side everytime, especially whenever I am at my lowest. I am so glad to have known you all six. It’s a bummer though that you would miss the entire Year 4 and half of 2023 - but that’s ok. We’ll take care of Yuto while we wait for all of you (but he won’t join STAY huhu).

THANK YOU SO MUCH for everything! I am going to miss you!

To BTS, first of all I want to send my thoughts to Namjoon, Yoongi and Jin, who all contracted COVID-19. Get well soon and we wish for your speedy recovery! Hobi, Jimin and Jungkook, please stay safe! And of course Cara, please stay safe!

Congratulations also to Cara for re-debuting in STAY! Best of luck to you in leading your new group! Please take care of Juyeon, Yunho, Sungchan and Sunghoon. Good luck to all of you! STAY, fighting!

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At this point I am now more than ready for a new start.

Year 4 is not only about to begin, but a fresh new slate for the leadership. A brand new chapter in Caratime will soon begin to unfold.

It’s precisely why I call Year 4 ‘Da Capo’. It means to start again.

Now this is what I call a new beginning.

Or is this the beginning of the end?