MAGIX: Melodic Whirlwinds: MAGIX, #2

By K. McCoy

The world now knows their name, but will the girls remain the same?

As the ladies from the international and multicultural kpop group MAGIX continue to gain popularity, more than just the neitzens are curious to see what their next moves will be - on and off the stage.
While clashing creatively with key members of The Rising Moon Agency, moves may be happening sooner than what anyone was ready for on both sides.

Add in a visit from a mysterious former k-pop singer looking to build their own empire, along with a chaotic member from STARZ, and it all could spell doom for the budding girl group.
MAGIX finds themselves trying to do all they can to avoid getting caught up in the latest whirlwind within the Hallyu industry.

Though for one member of MAGIX, a secret that they have been keeping is finally exposed.

Will it be the undoing of the group?

Or will it help in bringing the girls together to rise to the top once more?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. McCoy
• Release date: Jul 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201081263

K. McCoy

Professor K. McCoy specialises in the analysis of hypnotic states and somnambulism. She lives on the Coast and spends one hour every day, except Mondays, moving rocks to build a sea wall.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Past and Future Collides

September 12th, 2006

Telsa put Isabelle to bed and returned to the living room where her husband, John, waited for her. John could feel the remorse rolling off of Telsa in waves as the two sat next to each other on the couch. You said the child is doing well, right? he asked.

Well, yes. As well as can be expected.

Then, for both of their sakes, we should leave it be, sweetie.

How can I? She is my only niece!

Does she know that? How do you think she will feel finding out that she has family after all this time? And that no one came looking for her? Telsa looked at her trembling hands before answering. I-I don’t know, John! Mama only told me of the girl just before she left this world. What could I have done?!

Exactly. I know that. You know that. But how will this child know and believe in that? he asked gently. What if she comes to resent us? Resent and hate Isabelle? I know you want to do what is right by the child, but doing nothing may be what is best, sweetie. For everyone.

If you had seen her, John. Sitting there with our baby girl Isabelle... I felt as if I had gone back in time and was looking at Tima and myself. My heart almost gave out from the sight.

John took his wife into a comforting embrace as her muffled cries spilled out onto his shoulder.

* * *

Two Days Before Signing MAGIX

Kim Hasoo was not one to take unnecessary risks. But if something was not done about The Rising Moon’s finances, he would lose everything in a matter of a year. He had groups, but none of them were bringing in the revenue needed to make up the costs that it took to groom them for the business. A few were able to land some commercials here and there, and his latest boy band group had finally made some big endorsements. Though the label would not see a dime of those endorsement deals until several weeks from now.

Now his scouts had presented him with a sure-fire way to get the label in front of the press. An ‘international’ girl group. Hasoo made certain to send out private investigators and had both foreigners’ backgrounds checked out first before meeting them.

That Im Geegi... I did not know she had it within her to put such a quick fix into my sights. I will be sure to keep her around once we let go of the other two.

After seeing the clip that Geegi’s manager had shown him of the duo singing at some local karaoke bar, Hasoo knew he could make use of them to get exposure for the label. He then heard tapping on his office door, interrupting his thoughts.

Come in, he commanded.

The private investigator that he sought out to check out the foreigners’ backgrounds walked into his office and bowed once he had reached the desk.

Hello, sir. I have the files that you requested.

He reached out with two manila envelopes and Hasoo took them quickly. Tearing the first one open, he spoke to the investigator.

You produced these rather quickly, Seung Woo.

The man’s face remained stoic as he spoke to Hasoo.

"Given the age of the first one, I was not surprised that there was no police report or other incidents in any system. She did purchase a one-way ticket to South Korea, which I am looking further into. The second one, Mika Collins, was an orphan in America. She has lived in South Korea for five years now and never had any trouble with the law. Ms. Collins had been working as a teacher up until last month when the school closed. Besides a few registered visits to an army base in Busan, there were no other reports on her.

I am waiting for her records from the orphanage that she grew up in to return to me by the end of the day and will give them to you first thing in the morning."

Hasoo smiled broadly as he read the reports.

You have done well. Once you bring me the rest of the paperwork tomorrow, I will have the billing department deposit the funds into your account.

Thank you, the investigator said as he exited Hasoo’s office.

This is coming along even better than I could have expected.

Seung Woo called his private line an hour before they were scheduled to meet again. Curious, Hasoo agreed to the impromptu meeting and called his driver to take him to the private investigator’s office straight away.

What have you found?

Seung Woo did not speak, he simply picked up the envelopes that were on the top of his desk and handed them to Hasoo. He read the contents and glared at the quiet man.

You called me away from work for this? It could not have waited until our scheduled meeting? There is nothing here but news of a kid that grew out of the foster system.

Seung Woo began to explain.

"Mika Collins was not an infant when she was placed into foster care. She was 4 years old. Her last name is from her father, Richard Collins.

Her mother’s married name was Tima Collins, but her last name before marrying was Jones. Please read the maiden name of Isabelle McGrant’s mother, sir."

Hasoo did as he was told and brought the document closer to his sight to make sure that he was reading it correctly.

Jones. Telsa Jones...

He squared his eyes at Seung Woo.

Do you mean to tell me that these two are indeed related?

The investigator nodded. Though I believe that they are not aware of this fact. I have confirmed in my notes that the two first met when attending the same elementary school, but then the foster home that Ms. Collins lived in relocated and the two did not meet again until just before she came to Korea.

Hasoo stared at the paperwork again and began to laugh. After catching his breath, Hasoo then spoke to Seung Woo.

You did exceptionally well gathering the information that I needed. Thank you.

The investigator bowed again from behind his desk as Hasoo turned to leave the room with the documents.

I will be sure to use this intel to The Rising Moon’s advantage.

As he placed the paperwork back into the envelope, Hasoo looked over the two accompanying photos in the file.

And at the same time, I will be sharing the news that our dear Mika does indeed have family, with none other than her childhood friend... The press will love it!

His bellowing laughter could be heard in the hallway as he left the private investigator’s office.

* * *

Present-day, Seoul

The STARZ were physically exhausted, but couldn’t complain otherwise.

This is what they wanted and what other groups strived for: to be recognized worldwide! In just four years, they were well on their way to being known everywhere. Though everything wasn’t as perfect as it seemed. Daejong was due to begin his military service sooner than the others, and Yong struggled with his vocals more and more each day, and as their lead vocalist, that was not good. Chase, as usual, was still causing chaos in the tabloids. But since the group was doing well, the boys had not yet been called into the execs’ chamber for scolding.

They all went without complaint straight to the Music Box taping after their twelve-hour flight from the States so that they could see the newest group from their label. Even with half a dozen camera crews and twice as many staff members walking around in the backroom, the guys managed to relax and were free to be as silly as they usually were after their own concerts.

They all chatted about their upcoming projects and admired the few girls that floated by. Two minutes until they go live! a voice crackled over one of the camera crew member’s walkie-talkies.

I hope they do well, LJ remarked cheerfully.

Yeah! Remember our first time on this stage? Wei asked the group.

Everyone laughed as Chase jumped out of his chair and began performing the dance from their first single ‘Geeky Girlz’.

They laughed even harder when he mimicked LJ’s solo during their first performance.

He pretended to run and froze instantly while looking down at an imaginary crowd, before spinning around in a circle and belting out Yooooooooooooooo- LJ playfully kicked him, cutting him off.

Hey! I was excited and missed the marker. It happens to the best performers, he said in his defense.

It’s never happened to me! And everyone knows that I’m the best, Chase replied smugly.

As the music started, the guys took their seats and looked towards the large flat screen.

These girls are something!

Daejong whistled. I wonder how long have they been together.

Why is the audience silent?

The taller foreigner begins her bridge and the boys all stand and speak at once.

WHOAAAAA!

Who is she?!

How is that possible?!

As MAGIX continued with their performance, Chase was left sitting alone as the rest of his bandmates crowded around the flatscreen TV.

She sounds amazing. As amazing as she looks...

Quickly shaking his head of lesser thoughts, Chase stood and joined the others in cheering and clapping at the TV screen as they waited for MAGIX to come to the backroom.

The lights from their camera crew were all that the STARZ group members saw before the girls entered the room.

Then one of the foreigner girls squealed, causing the other one to grab her by the hand and whisper in her ear. The girl’s jaw dropped open slightly before she brought a hand out to cover