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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#201: K-popular

South Korean girl group Blackpink recently made history by becoming the first Asian act to headline Coachella, performing in front of over 125,000 people (and millions more tuning in via live stream). This isn’t the first “Korean Wave” (or Hallyu) to reach foreign shores; before Blackpink and BTS there was PSY with “Gangnam Style” and groups like BIGBANG and SHINee, to name just a few. Now we’re on to a 4th generation of idols taking over social media with dance challenges and catchy tunes.

K-pop is a fascinating universe with some of the most dedicated (and at times overbearing) fans in the world. Like all things, it comes with the good and the bad. Behind the uplifting messages, the discipline, and the talent also lies a high-pressure industry, one which has sparked debates about artist exploitation and the price people are willing to pay for fame. This week's prompts are inspired by K-pop, its fans, and the dizzying highs and lows of megastardom.

This week's prompts

Set your story at a large entertainment venue, after the show has ended, amongst the discarded plastic cups and confetti.

Adults – 53 stories

Write a story from the point of view of a “sasaeng” (an obsessive fan).

Character – 34 stories

Write a story about someone who has put “Blood Sweat & Tears” into getting where they are — only to question whether it was worth it.

Angst – 47 stories

Write a story inspired by SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong”, where someone can’t get a song out of their head no matter how hard they try.

Funny – 16 stories

Write about someone who has always done something as part of a group, and is now starting to set out solo, or vice versa.

Character – 20 stories

Stories

“The Fallen” by KG Green

Submitted to Contest #201

I stare at the cracked mirror in the dimly lit backstage room, trying to recognise the person staring back at me. The once vibrant eyes now carry a weariness that no amount of success can erase. My name is Jake, and I've poured every ounce of my being into becoming a rock star, but lately, I've begun to question if it was worth it. Our band, "The Fallen," was born in the dingy basement of a rundown apartment building. We were just a group of misfits with a shared dream and an insatiable hunger for music. Countless hours were spent rehearsi...

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“Falling Like Rain, Burning Like Fire” by Delbert Griffith

Submitted to Contest #201

Malcolm looked around. Everything was in place. The interview could begin as soon as Jackson Keller finished wiping the residue of white powder from his nose. Malcolm Hall was excited, nervous, and a little star struck. Getting the reclusive author to agree to an interview was a major coup, one that could propel him to a bigger office and a better salary. “The son of a bitch offered me some coke – and a ride on the Keller rocket,” Jill whispered to Malcolm. Malcolm looked at her, surprised and alarmed. Jill smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry....

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“Graduation, Dreams, and Ospreys” by Lee Disco

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #201

TW: LanguageThe living room smells of smoke, cloying ash lodging into my sinuses. The misty heat from outside wafts down the chimney and creates a palpable shift in the temperature around the fireplace—I sit in front of it and press my hands against the wooden floors, noting how the humidity seems to make them dip under my fingertips, makes them soft and waxy.The heat eases the shiver under my skin, cold from the drenched suit, the source of the dripping that rings into the quiet, empty home. I tap a pattern out on the floor, but with my wan...

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“Idol” by Nicholas Thomas

Submitted to Contest #201

I could not believe my luck. Out of the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, I was the one who won the sweepstakes. I had won the opportunity to meet and spend an evening with my hero, my most favorite celebrity in the world. I got off the plane and saw the atmosphere was absolutely sublime for this meeting, as I am meeting the king of horror himself! The night was dark and cloudy, with not a single star in sight. I left the airport, got in the taxi to the public meeting area, and soon I was walking down the street, my heart pounding wit...

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“The Chevelle” by C. Charles

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #201

The white lines flashed by in the headlights of the Chevelle as it rolled along the highway. The clock on the dash read a little after three; the road was empty. The morning commuters wouldn’t hit the road for another hour or so and the late shifters were already gone. The car was a ‘70, fully factory restored. Cole had done all the work he could himself and sent away for the work he couldn’t. Rewelded, repainted, rewired, and rebuilt. It even had the original radio. After the ranch, it was the first thing he had bought himself once the...

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“THOSE CRAZY K-KIDS” by Susan Catucci

Submitted to Contest #201

The stadium lights had all been extinguished, save a handful left on for the benefit of the cleanup crew. They were expected to arrive soon to begin the painstaking work of restoring the open field to its original condition prior to the evening’s concert.Just hours ago, the arena had held tens of thousands of K-Pop crazed fans, thrashing and moving as if one giant being, pulsating to the heavy electronic beat, screaming and clamoring to get as near their idols as possible.The only remnants of the frenzy that had been alive and kic...

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“Garbage at Communication” by Mortimer Ridgewood

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #201

Looking out across the sea of plastic chairs, I can already feel an impending ache in my arms. The Innovation Concert Hall is absolutely covered in confetti. Small, star-shaped pieces of shiny, colorful plastic gleam underneath the harsh venue lights, clinging to every surface. Of everything it could be, I think to myself, Why did it have to be confetti? It's not even paper. If it was paper, we could just dissolve it with water, but nope. That would be too convenient. My gaze shifts to the corner of the room, all the way on the other side ...

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“The Price of Devotion” by Olivia Lake

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #201

Warning: mentions of self harm, physical violence, and abuse. So, you’re my lawyer? Hmm. Considering how much my father is paying you, you’d better be good. I’ll be level with you: everyone has their price. From the taxi drivers who will chase idols across Seoul, to the airline agents who will leak the flight details for different groups, to the apartment building residents who will sell the addresses of their famous neighbors - any information and any favor is just a matter of money. Of course, I don’t expect you to be surprised. You’...

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“THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC” by Viga Boland

Submitted to Contest #201

The sweet, little grey-haired lady reminds me of my Grandma as she smiles up at me while I sign her program. “I remember you when you were first starting out,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “Ginny said I just had to come to see you perform at the Springbrook Bandshell because you were releasing your first CD and all your classmates were coming out to support you. You remember Ginny, don’t you?” I’m trying to conjure up a picture of Ginny, but after all, that was over 20 years, scores of shows, and hundreds of people ago if you incl...

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“The "O" in OSLA” by Jelena Chiu

Submitted to Contest #201

I want to be Ophelia. But apparently, I can’t. “Oh we’re too famous, we’re a big group, we can’t just split up!” Ally would say that. Ally isn’t even her real name. She’s just pretending We’re all pretending. That’s what stars do. No, not idols. I don’t like that word. Idol, an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship. I don’t like that. But that’s what I am. And OSLA is an idol group. Ophi, Syl, Lia, Ally. Or if you would prefer our real names, Ophelia, Sylvia, Livera, Alyssa. O. S. L....

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“Broken Clocks” by Daniel Fore

Submitted to Contest #201

“…so, tonight we have the rising young, or should I say rising OLDER star, author of bestselling novel Broken Clocks, Ronnie FORDman.” said Marion Maestro, host of nightly entertainment broadcast, This is It.*Speaker generated crowd noise*Ronnie gazed into the crowd with a vacuous stare, the studio lights blurred out the people in attendance, he barely noticed Marion pronounced his name incorrectly, a common occurrence due to the phonetic similarities of the two, but this IS showbiz. You’d think he would get my name correct, Ronnie thought.“...

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“ Dear Dohyun ” by Summer Hayes

Submitted to Contest #201

Dear Dohyun, &...

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“A Night Spent with the Living” by Evelyn Griffith

Submitted to Contest #201

**This story contains one non-graphic depiction of sexual assault, and some themes of depression, please read at your own discretion**My father used to tell me stories about kind people, about how he'd lost his wallet in a major city and some wandering soul had brought it back, about accidentally walking into one of the worst neighborhoods in town, only to have a nice man escort him home. He told me about people ahead of him in line who bought his customary morning coffee, people who held doors open, people who grabbed the back of his coat a...

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“The Taking Tree” by Nicholas Thomas

Submitted to Contest #201

The sun had just set, and the sky was a deep, twilight purple as Sally stepped away from her friends. She was used to going on adventures with her group of friends, but today she was determined to go out alone. She couldn’t explain it exactly, but she had been feeling restless and wanted to break free from the same old routine, so she decided to explore a place she had never been to before. The path ahead of her was dark, and the trees seemed to whisper secrets of bliss and sweet release and accomplishment as Sally walked. She could feel he...

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“What Families Do” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #201

“Where’ve you been?” Hudson heard a familiar voice from across the foyer. He looked from his mailbox to see his brother, Christopher, sitting on the floor. Hudson said, “Hey Bro! Long time nose-y! You know… Concert with friends. You lost? Whaddya want?” Christopher ignored his brother’s question. “How many concerts you been to?” “Fifteen. I think. So far. ‘Bout one per week.” Puzzled, Hudson asked, “Why are you here?” He started up the stairs. His brother followed. Christopher asked, “Local bands?” “We follow the tour.” ‘What’s he want?’ “H...

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$250

Prize money

170

Contest entries

94

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jun 09, 2023 EST

Won by Chris Miller 🏆

Title: The Bequest

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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