And that was the start of a new beginning.

A new chapter for the seven members of BTS, now Cara’s first group.

Since the release of their new album, the members announced in a dinner video that they will cease group activities for the time being and shift to doing individual activities. I was not surprised. After all, the inevitable was already coming for the group.

But at the same time, I did not expect this to happen since we know them for having one of the strongest group dynamics in all of K-pop.

I’m quite disheartened, actually, that I would not be able to see them together as a group. But on the back of my mind, I was thinking about how this would benefit the BTS members greatly, since it was about time for them to explore opportunities outside of their group, because I was interested in how they will do as solo artists.

Most importantly, though, I was also thinking about how this would benefit Cara, who just made his debut as a member of STAY months prior. This became an opportunity for him to promote with his new group full time. It’s almost like he transferred to another group. I was excited for his new chapter, while continuing to promote with his second group, this time fully - his new chapter as a solo artist.

To put things in perspective, 6 months had passed since STAY’s debut at this point. They had already achieved so much as a project group, with 15 music show wins to date by two members, and of course BTS ending the drought of any proper music release from the members. They can already be taken as ’monster rookies’; I thought that title fit them.

Since that new BTS release, new music from the other members were already underway. But as for Cara.. with BTS suspending their group activities, was that it for Cara as well?

I mean..

He was doing individual activities of his own since. But none so far can be said about his music career. Vlogs, reality shows, fashion show attendances - was he giving up on his idol career? I know. I know he was not originally intending to pursue it, but.. I thought he was only getting started, even though he had already come this far. In both areas.

Quite frankly, this even caused a dip in his quality as a leader. He had since become inconsistent again as a leader. And my work was also to blame. I have gotten so focused in work to the point that I did not even greet him on his monthsary! Monthsary greetings are usually a thing that I religiously do for each time Cara makes it to another month. It was my first time to lose track of it.

But there was a bright side to this: I realized that I can be that dedicated with work, despite not really being 100% what I truly wanted. I was also surprised about myself, as I was able to make new friends who would then motivate me further to do my best there. July was, after all, the month when we started to apply what we have learned in training. Sales and customer service was the nature of my job, so we were taking calls for the very first time. I was doing my very best there, but.. it was not easy getting what we call a ‘promoter’ call. If others were able to impress the customers in their calls, why can’t I?

That became my goal since. For the first time ever, Cara was sent to an hiatus with an indefinite end to it.

And he won’t be back until I get my first promoter.