Glass Wings: A Study of Ambition, Secrets, and Resilience

Genre: Romance | Mystery | Coming-of-age | K-pop industry drama

Episode 1: The Audition That Changed Everything

In the opening episode, we meet Yoon Ha-eun, a 16-year-old girl hailing from the coastal city of Busan. Ha-eun's aspiration to shine on stage is tempered by the realities of her life: her hardworking mother juggles two jobs, and her older brother has been missing for the past three years. Despite the somber atmosphere, every note she sings feels like a communication with her lost brother. A turning point occurs when a mysterious casting agent presents her with an enigmatic card that bears a silver feather.

Defying her mother's concerns, Ha-eun travels to Seoul, following the symbol of the feather, which leads her to LUX Entertainment, an elusive agency with a decade-long track record of producing a single idol group. During her initial steps into this competitive world, she encounters Jae-woo, a 17-year-old trainee characterized by his cold demeanor and notable talent. Although he appears standoffish, there seems to be an underlying complexity to his feelings towards Ha-eun.

Episode 2: Training and Tension

As Ha-eun immerses herself in LUX’s rigorous training regimen—rising at dawn for dance practice and rehearsing vocals until midnight—she grapples with her abilities. However, the agency’s CEO recognizes something unique in Ha-eun; her songwriting style resembles that of a past trainee, Yoon Ha-jin, who mysteriously vanished prior to his debut.

Unbeknownst to her peers, Ha-jin is actually her brother, adding a layer of personal stakes to her journey within LUX. The narrative tension escalates when Ha-eun is paired with Jae-woo for a duet during evaluations. Their contrasting styles—her emotional expressiveness versus his measured composure—creates friction, yet surprisingly, their voices harmonize as though they have a deep-rooted connection.

Episode 3: Lies Beneath the Spotlight

Curiosity leads Ha-eun to breach the agency's restrictions, where she stumbles upon a locker adorned with her brother's name. Inside, she discovers a USB drive containing footage of her brother singing alongside Jae-woo. Confronted with this revelation, Ha-eun feels a profound sense of betrayal, as Jae-woo admits to having known her brother all along. He divulges that Ha-jin’s departure stems from a threat he perceived within LUX, complicating their already fraught relationship.

Episode 4: Closer

As the trainees progress towards their group debut, Ha-eun and Jae-woo are selected as the leaders, forcing them to collaborate closely. Through shared late-night practices and personal exchanges, the frostiness between them begins to dissipate. Ha-eun rekindles her songwriting talents, channeling her emotions into poignant lyrics centered on themes such as trust, loss, and hope.

In a particularly gripping moment, she reveals her original composition titled "Glass Wings" in an empty studio. Jae-woo accompanies her on the piano, leading to a profound emotional exchange that culminates in him shedding tears—potentially signaling a deepening bond.

Episode 5: The Truth About LUX

With the adventurous support of the cunning trainee Minji, Ha-eun embarks on a quest to unveil the truth surrounding her brother's fate. Their investigation uncovers LUX's sinister exploitation of trainees; many have served as hidden creators for more prominent idol groups. Ha-jin had aimed to expose these corrupt practices, leading to his untimely exit.

The unfolding drama intensifies as Ha-eun faces threats and sabotage aimed at deterring her from speaking out. Undaunted, she retaliates by producing and sharing her and her brother's music online, sparking a viral movement.

Episode 6: Debut and Goodbye

As the highly anticipated debut approaches, Ha-eun finds herself at a moral crossroads—whether to remain silent and step into the spotlight or to vocalize the uncomfortable truths that lurk within LUX. Ultimately, she opts for a path of integrity, choosing to unveil the reality during the live broadcast of their debut performance.

In a powerful moment, she dedicates her entire performance to her brother’s music, revealing the agency's secrets to the world. The silence is palpable before the audience erupts in support, leading to investigations into LUX and the consequent arrest of its CEO. Despite the newfound fame, Ha-eun opts to step away from the idol group, determined to carve out her own narrative beyond the shadows of her brother and the agency's past.

Final Scene: One Year Later

In a poignant conclusion, a year later, Ha-eun performs her first self-composed song on a modest rooftop stage under an indie label. Watching from the crowd is Jae-woo, who has also chosen to pursue a more authentic path in the industry. As the performance culminates, Ha-eun gazes into the camera and smiles, declaring with hope, "Even with glass wings… I can fly." This signifies her resilience and newfound freedom, embodying the narrative’s overarching themes of ambition, loss, and the quest for personal identity in the face of adversity.

Overview of Glass Wings Episodes 1-6

Overview of Glass Wings Episodes 1-6