Idol Bang Chan x backup dancer female reader
Warnings: None just fluff 🥰
The sterile, brightly lit practice room at JYP Entertainment buzzed with nervous energy. Dancers stretched, perfected their pirouettes, and ran through snippets of choreography, each hoping to catch the eye of the panel. This wasn’t just any audition; it was for the new Stray Kids album, rumored to feature a more mature concept than any of their past albums. And the biggest whisper of all? The title track included a duet dance break for each member with a female backup dancer.
My heart hammered against my ribs, a rhythm mirroring the bass-heavy track currently blasting through the speakers. While I’d done plenty of professional work, nothing felt as high-stakes as this. My hands were sweaty from all the nerves and I was constantly wiping them on my shirt and pants. Stray Kids' reputation for intense, powerful performances meant their dancers had to be next-level. I knew my level of skill as a dancer was more than exceptional but none of that would matter if they didn't think I would have good chemistry with any of the boys.
After what felt like an eternity, my name was called. I walked onto the polished floor, the silence of the room amplifying the squeak of my sneakers. Sitting at the long table were several choreographers, a few JYP executives, and then, nestled in the middle, were Bang Chan, Lee Know, and Hyunjin. Seeing them there, especially Chan, made my breath hitch. Their eyes, though focused and professional, held an intensity that was both intimidating and exciting.
One of the choreographers called my name, signaling that it was my turn to show what I had to offer. “We’ve seen your reel. Impressive versatility. Today, we’d like to see you freestyle to the track, then perform the first 30 seconds of the provided choreography.”
I nodded, taking my position. The music for the new title track, Obsidian pulsed through the speakers – a dark, intricate beat with a sensual undertone. I let the music consume me, my body responding instinctively, translating the complex emotions of the song into fluid, powerful movements. I poured everything into it – the sharp isolations, the dramatic extensions, the subtle nuances that conveyed both strength and vulnerability. When the track ended, I was breathless, but a surge of exhilaration coursed through me.
Next was the choreography. It was intricate, demanding, and required a level of connection and chemistry that usually took weeks to build. As I moved, I could feel their eyes on me. I focused on hitting every beat, every transition, every precise angle. As I finished, a small, almost imperceptible nod came from Bang Chan. It was enough to send a jolt of hope through me.
I was dismissed after my audition and was told they would reach out to me in a couple of days to share the results. I exited the JYP building and took a breath of fresh spring air. Waiting was always the hardest part of any audition. Over the next few days I tried to distract myself from constantly checking my phone if I got any missed calls from the company or any unread emails. I was also trying to distract myself from thinking about a particular somebody. The nod was just him being nice and professional. I had to keep telling myself that whenever I catched myself thinking about that particular moment.
A few days later, the call came. I had practically dived into my bed when I heard my phone ring and had also screamed at the top of my lungs when I received the news. I’d been chosen! Not just chosen, but specifically requested by Bang Chan to be his partner for the duet! My hands trembled as I read the email that they had sent containing extra detail, a mixture of elation and disbelief washing over me. There were 6 other female backup dancers selected for the other members: Emily, Sora, Minji, Hana, Tinna and Mia.
The main studio was massive, with mirrored walls reflecting the organized chaos. All the Straykids members were present including all the other dancers that were chosen. Even though this wasn’t my first time dancing with K-pop idols, the first day nerves were hitting hard. I set my black duffel bag down on one of the couches that lined the walls and went over to the group of girls that were all stretching in the corner of the studio room already chatting comfortably with each other.
“Hello,” I introduced myself a bit awkwardly. The girls stopped their chatter to see who the new commer was.
A girl with dyed platinum hair was the first to introduce herself. “Hey! I'm Sora, come sit!” she scootched over from her place on the floor so that I could sit in the small circle that had formed. She had a bit of an accent and I wondered if she was also Australian like the two members in Straykids. All the girls introduced themselves in turn while we stretched.
"Alright everyone!" Chan's voice, in heavily accented but perfectly clear English, cut through the chatter. He clapped his hands together, his bright smile instantly putting everyone at ease. "We're going to start with the full group choreography, then we'll break off for the duets."
The head choreographer started to position everyone in their places. We started with the intro of the title track. By the time everyone had learned the steps of the intro, sweat was already dripping down my forehead. But it was nice to see how the Straykids members interacted with each other. Leeknow was the quickest one to learn the choreography as expected but it was cool to see his talent in person. The vibes were fun and there wasn't ever a moment of silence.
I had wanted to find a moment to thank Chan for picking me as his partner for the duet, but my introverted nature stopped me from seeking him out.
When it was time for the duet practices, Chan walked over to me, a small, genuine smile playing on his lips. "Hey" he said, his voice a low rumble. "Thanks for doing this. I really liked your audition." His English had a charming Australian accent to it.
"Thank you, Chan," I replied, feeling a blush creep up my neck. "I'm really excited to work with you."
Our initial practices were a mix of intense focus and tentative exploration. The choreography for Obsidian was incredibly intimate, requiring close proximity and synchronized breathing. We started with the basic steps, feeling out each other's rhythm. Chan was a powerhouse, his movements sharp and precise, yet surprisingly fluid. I tried to keep myself from lingering on the thought of his touches trying to keep a professional mindset. He was also incredibly patient, always willing to go over a section again if I needed it.
One evening, after a particularly grueling six-hour session, the studio was quiet save for the distant hum of the ventilation system. The other dancers had already left, but Chan and I were still trying to nail a particularly complex lift. Sweat plastered strands of hair to my forehead, and my muscles ached.
"Again?" I asked, panting slightly.
Chan grinned, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. "Just one more time. We're so close." He held out his hand to help me up from the floor. His touch was warm, firm.
We went through the lift again, and this time, it was seamless. My body felt weightless as he guided me, our movements becoming one. When he gently set me down, we were standing closer than before, our chests rising and falling in unison. His gaze, usually so intense, softened as he looked at me.
"Perfect," he murmured, his voice a little hoarse. "See? I told you we'd get it."
"We did," I breathed, a genuine smile spreading across my face.
"You must be starving," he said, running a hand through his damp hair. He stepped away and broke the bubble of intimacy that we shared. "There's a great little place around the corner that does amazing gukbap. My treat. You up for it?"
My stomach rumbled in agreement. "Definitely. Gukbap sounds incredible right now."
We walked out into the cool Seoul night, the city lights twinkling around us. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of street food. The restaurant was small and cozy, filled with the comforting aroma of rich broth. As we waited for our food, the conversation flowed easily. We talked about everything – our shared love for music, the challenges of being away from family, and even our most embarrassing dance moments.
"So, what made you want to be a dancer?" he asked, stirring his gukbap with his spoon.
I chuckled. "My mom and dad were professional dancers so I just kinda grew up into having this love and passion for dance. It felt like the most authentic way to express myself. What about you? Was it always music?"
He leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Always. Since I was a kid, I just knew. Music is my life, you know? It's everything." His eyes sparkled as he spoke, a passion burning brightly within them. "It's been a long road, but no regrets." He took a sip of his soup. "You're a really good partner. You pick up things so fast, and you're always so positive, even when we're pulling all-nighters."
"You're not so bad yourself, Chan," I teased, taking a bite of kimchi. "Though sometimes I think you forget to breathe, you're so focused."
He laughed, a warm, genuine sound that filled the small restaurant. "Guilty as charged, sweetheart. But hey, that's how we get things done, right?"
"Right," I agreed, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the hot soup.
Note: This is my first time posting any of my work here on Tumblr, so excuse me if the formatting is a little weird 😅. This is the first chapter of a series that I thought of and since I completed it I thought why not share. Please let me know if you liked it or want a part 2!
