"Taking A Break ?"

Miyoung sighed looking at the article open on her laptop. "Break ? Stray Kids are on hiatus ?", she said only to herself. She looked around her room. Stray Kids paraphernalia literally covered the room from posters to a cardboard cut out of Bang Chan. She was a Stay after all.

Miyoung lived alone in Gwangju. She often visited her mother in Daegu when she could.

Her phone rang. "Hello ?" Her best friend, Ryu Soomin had called. "You've seen it right ? Stray Kids are going on hiatus." Miyoung pouted as she pulled her Hyunjin pillow into her lap. "I am looking at the article now."

Soomin knew Miyoung was stressed, "It can't be bad. They deserve a good  break. Don't you think ?" Miyoung was well aware the struggles idols faced everyday. "It is good. I am just worried it is too sudden."

Soomin decided to change the subject of conversation. "Why don't you stay off the internet, hmm ? Watch some Netflix or something ?" Miyoung closed her laptop & switched to her tv. "Call you later ?"  Soon enough their call ended.

Meanwhile...

Stray Kids were being driven by their management team to Gwangju. "Stays are worried. How do we handle this ?", Jisung asked looking through mostly Twitter (X).

They all were aware Stays were concerned. Their management sighed, "I know you want to address the fans, but we can't allow that. This break is much needed." Minho rolled his eyes. This was a much needed break, but it was at the expense of worrying Stays. "How are we to reassure Stays ?"

The management nodded. It was always about Stays, "You can regularly post online as you wish. Just refrain from doing any VLIVES. Take your break peacefully. We can't afford fans hunting you down right now."

The ride would take about three hours to get to Gwangju. The boys sighed in unison.  There was no way around it. Stays were just going to have to be a little disappointed for a while. No matter how much they didn't wish to disappoint them.

Back in Gwangju...

Miyoung couldn't help herself. She paused her Netflix opening her laptop. She was in a frenzy of anxiety. She stumbled upon a post on Tumblr from an unclarified Kpop fan. It was probably like that to avoid fan wars. Maybe an alter account.

The eight members have announced a hiatus. It isn't indefinite, but can be expected to be extended at anytime.

This was quite expected on my end. The constant scandals & stress can weigh down on anyone. If you are unaware, let me fill you in.

Members Han Jisung & Hwang Hyunjin seem to be entangled in a scandal of inside fighting within the kpop group. Changbin & Minho have been accused of having atrocious attitudes with management, staff, & even other members.

There is a borderline creepy speculation that the highly shipped romance between Bang Chan & Felix is real & a result of the sudden hiatus.

There even is an apparent rumor circling that Bang Chan will withdraw from his position of leader or leave Stray Kids all together.

Maknaes Seungmin & Jeongin are free of any scandals. In fact, they are the only members we seem to be non targets of any prejudice or slander.

With that, my update is finished.

Miyoung reread the post a few times. "Could this really be why they called hiatus ? Who would believe any of this ?", she said to herself growing more frustrated.

Miyoung answered her phone on the way to her kitchen. "Yes, Mom ?" Her mother was glad to hear her voice. Last they talked was a week ago. "Mr. Hwang called me. People are renting out his house across the street."

Miyoung was shocked, "Really ? Why would he tell you that ?" Her mother let out a sigh. "We talk, Miyoung. Besides I offered your services to be a good neighbor."

Miyoung opened her fridge. "Services ? Like what ?" Mrs. Moon chuckled, "Like go clean up occasionally, be a friendly face, & keep your mouth shut. Those kind of services." Miyoung rolled her eyes. "Keep my mouth shut ? Who is moving into Mr. Hwang' house then ?"

Of course, her mother told her nothing. The call abruptly ended. There was no use wondering. So she gathered ingredients for cookies & turned on some music.