A middle school classroom in the scorching summer of August.
On the blackboard, it reads ‘Congratulations! Do-hee Lee Fan Signing Event.’
A middle school girl handed a piece of paper to a pretty-looking idol and said.
“Do-hee! Please sign for me too!”
The girl receiving the paper took it and signed with a smile like a bank clerk, saying to the student.
“Here~ I’m Do-hee Lee, the pride of Suan Middle School. Please give me lots of support~”
Ha-ah… Right.
Honestly, I was worried that after shooting the Ion Sweat commercial, I would instantly become a star.
So, while walking, I stayed up all night, thinking hard and preparing my autograph for those who might recognize me.
But in reality, walking down the street felt no different than usual.
I thought it was because I was on a low-traffic path, so I moved to a nearby hot spot.
“Excuse me!”
As expected, a male student stopped me.
I turned my head, wearing a friendly smile, and said.
“Ah~ You recognized me~”
“Really? Ah, yes, that’s right. You’re so my ideal type…”
Ah…
Crap.
Well, if I had that much popularity, why would I even debut?
I would just shoot music videos and commercials.
Realizing the reality, I searched the internet and found that idols from the current popular four major entertainment agencies often participated in music videos or commercials during their trainee days.
So, how could I possibly become a star overnight?
Sigh, how disappointing.
But still, it’s the Ion Sweat commercial; shouldn’t it be a bit different?
It’s technically a sensational ad that stirred the times.
Maybe it’s due to the aging TV audience or another reason, but it seems there was a lack of exposure for the younger crowd who might actually be interested in idols.
Even the mentions of me were barely a few dozen.
In the end, the purpose of the signature I put so much thought into was only at school.
Well, at least I can use it at school…
The kids like it, so that makes me happy…
Guys… keep this precious debut-edition signature safe, okay…?
*
After finishing school, I headed to the company, where senior Vita from Pastel Love was present.
It felt like a long time since she came to the company, as she had been busy with overseas performances recently.
“Hello, senior!”
“Oh, Do-hee! You should call me older sister~ Have you been well all this time?”
“Yes, senior. I’ve been well.”
Senior Vita hugged me and said.
“Sister.”
“Yes, sister.”
“Wow~ Our Do-hee has grown so much since I last saw you! You used to fit right in my arms…”
I smiled and said.
“Of course~ It’s growth season.”
“Haha, Do-hee will become really big one day.”
“Thank you~”
“Well, I have to get going since I’m busy now. Let’s meet again next time?”
“Yes!”
After saying goodbye to senior Vita, I headed to the practice room.
When I entered the practice room, surprisingly, everyone was sitting together and chatting.
“Here I am~”
“Did Do-hee come?”
“Did you come?”
“Yep~ But what’s everyone chatting about so amusingly?”
Na-eun Unni asked.
“Do-hee, did you see that the Pastel Love seniors came today?”
“Oh, yeah. Just saw Vita Unni.”
“It seems they came to discuss the contract renewal this time, right?”
Oh… right.
The contract period for the Pastel Love seniors is about to expire.
So, everyone must have been excited.
It means that the publishing of the new girl group is just around the corner.
Of course, if they renew their contracts, it might get delayed a bit.
But still, it’s always more motivating to have a visible goal than to wait aimlessly.
I talked while stretching.
“Then let’s practice quickly. If we keep goofing off, we’re going to get scolded by Ye-rim teacher.”
“Ugh, Do-hee, you’re the latest one here, yet you’re acting all high and mighty.”
“What does high and mighty mean?”
“Hey, Do-hee, you tell Azusa.”
Anyway, everyone practiced hard.
*
End of October evaluations.
The expression on the Director’s face after watching our stage was not good.
The Director sitting in the judges’ seat said.
“Do-hee.”
“Yes.”
“If you follow numerous choreographies from girl groups, do you think you’ll get a good review?”
“…”
“Do you think you did as well as the original artists?”
“I think I did similarly.”
I followed along countless times.
“The one thing for sure is your dancing has improved a lot.”
“Before, I only danced one genre, but now it feels like I’ve danced every type of dance a girl can perform.”
“But there’s nothing uniquely yours. Your expressions looked like you practiced them a lot.”
“I know you put in your best effort for everything, but as you know, dancing and singing are not just studies.”
“Yes.”
“Think of yourself sitting in the audience, considering what gestures and expressions would look attractive from their perspective. You’re not a dancer.”
“I understand…”
*
A little later, the rankings for the end of October evaluations were announced.
1st place: Kim Na-eun
2nd place: Kim Seo-yoon
3rd place: Chiyo
4th place: Jiwoo
5th place: Ahn Chae-eun
6th place: Kim Ji-yeon
7th place: Do-hee
8th place: Azusa
9th place: Han Si-a
10th place: Yeon Da-som
Ha… 7th place.
Woo-ah Unni said to me, looking at the ranking sheet.
“It’s okay. You just need to do well next time.”
“Yeah. I have to.”
It was the first time I ranked low.
Usually, when I’ve had low rankings, it was for a sexy song that emphasized femininity.
Before I grew taller, my body lacked a bit of that sensuality, leading to lower evaluations.
But now that I’ve grown enough…
In the end, I received harsh criticism.
Honestly, I lacked sensuality objectively.
I still don’t know how I should practice.
It seems you can’t resolve this through practice alone.
It seems like practice won’t solve this.
Seo-yoon Unni, teasing me from the side, said,
“Hey, how about I teach you some sexiness?”
Ugh, that face is really annoying.
I decided to retort.
“What are you saying? Go hang out with your flat chest.”
“Do you want to die?”
*
Not long after the end-of-month evaluation rankings were announced, the Team Leader gathered all the female trainees.
Seo-yoon Unni said to me,
“Looks like it’s about that, right?”
“Yeah.”
The debut team selection.
Even though the Pastel Love seniors have re-signed, it seems they’re finally going to select the debut team as planned.
Of all times, the latest end-of-month evaluation results were the worst in history.
They should have picked me when I was first in September!
Honestly, I had been a bit arrogant.
If I can’t debut, who can?
I’m pretty, study well, play the piano well, and I’m diligent; I also have some recognition.
And I have a good personality, maybe?
Anyway, I had a self-assured mindset, but after hearing the harsh criticisms, I’m not so sure about the selection.
I’ve heard there are trainees who failed to debut even after shooting ads and music videos.
Sigh, all sorts of worries come to mind.
When all the trainees gathered, the Team Leader came into the practice room with the CEO.
The CEO stood in front and said,
“Everyone working hard, right?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll get straight to the point. You’ve probably heard it indirectly, but we’re going to create a girl group soon.”
“Our publishing goal is the second half of next year.”
“You’ll be training as a debut team for about a year, doing profile shoots, album recordings, and music video shoots, and we plan to debut next winter.”
“Aren’t you curious about who will be in the debut team?”
“First, the biggest factor for selection is the end-of-month evaluation scores.”
Trainees who often ranked low sighed softly.
“Of course, if we selected based solely on scores, a few specific names would come to mind, but since the debut team will debut as a girl group later, I also considered individual star power and how they fit into the concept of the girl group we’re planning.”
“There will be 5 members in the debut team. Now I’ll call the first member. The person called out should come forward.”
The CEO paused dramatically before saying,
“Kim Seo-yoon.”
Everyone applauded.
Everyone probably expected Seo-yoon Unni to be in the debut team.
If I were to pick one person based on skill, it would definitely be Seo-yoon Unni.
“Do you know why Seo-yoon got picked?”
Seo-yoon Unni nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Yeah. You probably realize it too, but if I had to choose one trainee who excels in singing and dancing without missing anything, it would be Seo-yoon. She’s always received the most positive feedback in the end-of-month evaluations.”
The CEO shook her hand and said,
“Congratulations.”
“Now for the second member, Na-eun.”
Na-eun Unni has also consistently ranked high up until now.
“Na-eun.”
“Yes.”
“Na-eun has shown her skills every time so far. More than anything, she’s now 19, but as the oldest trainee, she has led the others well. Congratulations.”
“Thank you…”
“Now, third up is Chiyo.”
Chiyo Unni had a bewildered expression as if she didn’t expect that.
“Huh?”
“You’ve been struggling to learn Korean and practice while being in a foreign country, right?”
“No…”
“I think Chiyo has the most potential for growth among the members. Congratulations.”
“Next is Do-hee.”
Ah.
Well, damn.
If not me, then who else?
“Do-hee, if I ask why you were chosen, you’d probably give a cocky answer. Do you know?”
I want to say “Of course,” but my throat tightens and no voice comes out.
The representative smiled as he said.
“Why are you crying, Do-hee? Don’t cry.”
I looked up, swallowed my tears, and answered.
“Yes…”
“I think Do-hee has the most star quality. However, you must show that you can fit the group’s image.”
“Yes… understood…”
“Alright, congratulations.”
The representative exhaled a sigh and said.
“Alright. Now there’s one left.”
There are still six trainees who haven’t heard their names.
Everyone was watching eagerly.
Among them, there was already a kid who had given up and was crying.
“Everyone has worked hard. The last member is…”
“Woo-ah.”
“Our company’s longest-serving trainee, right?”
Woo-ah Unni tried to hold back tears as she looked at the uncalled kids.
“Woo-ah has consistently improved her skills every time. But I still have questions about her star quality. I hope she can gradually show that as a debut group member.”
The representative looked at the ones called forward and said.
“Congratulations, everyone.”
“But you understand that being chosen as debut group members doesn’t guarantee a debut, right?”
“Yes…”
“If you show a performance below expectations, the members can be replaced at any time. Work hard.”
And then the representative, looking at the kids who weren’t called, said.
“Hey, guys.”
“Yes…”
“You’re still young enough.”
“Just wait for the next debut group. There might be member changes.”
“But if you want to quit training to study or want to join another company, the company will help, so take your time to think about it and talk to Team Leader Jung.”
“Yes…”
“You’ve all worked hard.”
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