₊˚✧ ›› CRYSTALLIS MISSION 016 // luminous mirage
of all the shoots they had done this year, luminous mirage felt quieter in a way hyejoo didn’t expect. not quieter in effort — the schedule was still long, the fittings meticulous, the camera lights unforgiving — but quieter in atmosphere. everything about it felt reflective, like the concept was asking her to slow down and notice where she was standing.
hyejoo felt like the daytime concept suited her, and leaned into it almost instinctively. her outfit was layered with translucent fabrics, pale and light-catching. between takes, she kept drifting toward the windows, watching how the light shifted across the glass. a stylist teased her gently for constantly adjusting the sleeves herself, and she had to remind herself not to fidget too much. it turns out, there are still things she's working on, even after all these years as an idol. she asked questions about how the photos would be edited, curious about how much of the natural light they’d preserve, and nodded thoughtfully when the photographer explained how they wanted the softness to stay intact.
during breaks, she hovered near the space heaters with a warm drink, sitting cross legged on the floor with the other members whenever there was a moment of downtime. sometimes she watched quietly from behind the monitors as the next member stepped into the set, and other times she leaned her shoulder against whoever was closest, sharing snacks and murmured comments about poses or outfits. she liked these in between moments best, when they could exist together without cameras pointed directly at them.
the second day shifted everything. nighttime chic and dramatic meant the boutique hotel, dark tones, reflective mirrors, and sharper silhouettes. hyejoo’s look was deeper, with jewel-toned fabric, structured lines, and dramatic lighting that bounced off glass walls and polished floors. she thought she would be more nervous, but in reality, hyejoo felt like this was the concept that she had always wanted. being soft and elegant was the image fans associated with her the most, but deep down, she always felt like this side — composed, intense, quietly confident — was closer to how she saw herself. or maybe it was just a reflection of who she wanted to be.
before stepping onto set, she paced once down the hallway, humming under her breath to steady herself. once the camera started rolling, though, she held her gaze longer, movements slower and more deliberate. when she checked the monitor, she hesitated, then smiled faintly. it felt unfamiliar, but in a good way.
by the end of the second day, wrapped in a coat and sitting on the hotel steps while staff packed up, hyejoo felt tired in a good way. luminous mirage felt different from past shoots, and staring at the glass doors catching the last of the light, she thought it suited where crystallis was now.
