Compared to idols from past generations,
4th generation idols tend to clearly showcase the image, concept, and identity their group pursues through their group name.
The reason for this lies in the A&R process.
With the scope of K-pop now expanded globally,
it’s not just large entertainment companies but also medium and small firms that can collaborate with overseas composers.
This meant opportunities to encounter diverse songs.
In other words, regardless of the size of the agency, as long as the planner and A&R team have the ability, they can acquire songs that match the concepts they’ve envisioned at the planning stage.
Therefore, it’s now important not only to acquire songs but also to define a concept and choose a group name that aligns with it.
And the producer of Topist,
Jung So-hyun had already conceptualized the next-generation girl group for Topist when casting Woo-ah and Do-hee six years ago.
It was a double concept that went beyond just double titles.
If the money-making concept was girl crush,
and the more popular one was girlish,
then why not do both?
From debut onwards, they would showcase contrasting concepts with double titles.
However, this naturally came with risks.
The investment amount would grow with the double titles,
and the images appealing to the public could blur due to the multiple concepts.
Thus, even when presenting contrasting double titles and concepts, members needed individualities and star qualities that could convince the public.
They also needed a catchy phrase and a group name, something like, “That double concept is the group’s signature.”
This should include an image of strong and independent figures that women admire,
while also encompassing beauty, gentleness, and kindness that everyone, regardless of gender or age, would like.
Jung So-hyun had been contemplating such a group name even before the debut team was confirmed.
She was having monthly meetings with the music planning team and content production team.
Then a single idea emerged.
— “How about Team Leader’s Anagram?”
*
As the CEO left the meeting room and before the formal explanation began,
Team Leader So-hyun calmly turned on the projector and opened the floor.
“Guys, what concept do you want?”
And all sorts of opinions burst out.
Pure, girl crush, cute, chic, refreshing.
“Sexy!”
Even Seo-yoon Unni’s sexy.
“Pfft.”
With that flat chest of hers.
“…….”
“Sis, just hold on.”
“I’m holding on…”
“Right, Seo-yoon.”
“Team Leader, I’m really going to roll that one up someday.”
“Sure sure.”
Huh?
“Anyway, cute, pure, girl crush, Seo-yoon’s sexy… got it.”
“Sexy… big.”
“Team Leader.”
“Well, anyway, as you’ve just mentioned, your desired concepts will all be different and varied.”
The Team Leader pointed at the PPT displayed on the screen.
“And those concepts are all derived from girl crush or girlish themes. So, it’s either pretty or cool.”
A chart organizing active 3rd and 4th generation girl groups by concept.
“Then should you also choose one like those groups?”
And with a click, a word popped up.
“No, the concept you need to do is an unrivaled icon that cannot be limited to girlish or girl crush.”
[Debonaire]
A four-letter word that dropped.
“Debonaire…? Debonair?”
We reflexively repeated the word aloud.
A gasp and a mysterious hum came out together.
“Is this our group name?”
The Team Leader nodded.
“That’s right. Does anyone know what this word means?”
Naturally, the members tilted their heads in confusion.
I, who could score 100 on TOEIC or TOEFL, didn’t know this word.
‘I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere…’
Not in a vocabulary book…
Maybe I saw it in a newspaper while studying local English?
What was it again, I think I saw it in an article about a male actor.
Male? Oh, right.
“Ah! That, it’s like… tuxedo? Something along those lines.”
Director So-hyun smiled slightly and nodded.
“How do you know this word when it’s not commonly used even in English-speaking countries?”
“I think I came across it in an English newspaper while studying.”
“That’s right. It’s a similar feel to tuxedo. Just to give you some additional information, this word is an outdated term that might seem strange for Koreans to know. It was nearly obsolete in the Middle Ages.”
When Director Jeong So-hyun clicked, the screen changed.
“That’s even better. In the future, when people see this word, they’ll think of you.”
There were numerous definitions listed on the screen.
“Wow, the meanings are really nice?”
“Right? It feels cool.”
“I totally think it suits me!”
“What are you talking about? I’m more suited for it than Chiyo Unni.”
English – [Good lineage, good looks, good character, sophisticated charm, dignified atmosphere, politeness, friendly, courteous]
French – [Urban, nonchalance, good air]
In English, and of course, in French.
“So-hyun team… Oh, now it’s Director.”
Ah, right.
She’s not the Team Leader anymore.
“It’s okay, Na-eun. Call me however you’re comfortable.”
“Hey, but you’re the Director now, so I should call you that. So, Director, it seems like there are so many meanings to that word?”
Director So-hyun smiled proudly and pointed at the screen.
“There are many good meanings, right?”
“Don’t you think there are a lot of good meanings?”
“Yeah. But while most meanings are good, there are some contradictory ones as well. In French, it has an urban and indifferent connotation. In English, it’s polite and affectionate.”
Director So-hyun nodded and tried to flip to the next slide.
“Well, the reason for that is…”
I raised my hand.
“I think I know.”
Good bloodline, good looks, good character, refined charm, confident aura, politeness, kindness, courteousness, urbanity, indifference.
All adjectives painting the same image.
“These adjectives refer to gentlemen from the medieval era, right?”
I could infer that all meanings derived from aristocratic gentlemen.
And the next slide was indeed filled with images of gentlemen in suits.
“Yeah, as Do-hee said, Debonair originally evokes the image of a noble gentleman.”
“Wow, how did you know I’m so gentlemanly?”
“You?”
“Am I a gentleman?”
“I don’t even know…?”
“Exactly, Do-hee.”
…Who would call someone like me a gentleman?
I doubt I’ve even cursed more than ten times in this lifetime.
“It’s not me who’s wrong; it’s your biased perspective…!”
Sister Na-eun ignored my unjust gaze and raised her hand high.
“But Director, isn’t ‘gentleman’ a term generally not used for women?”
“Right, Na-eun, you hit the nail on the head. To put it briefly, there are very rare instances where ‘Debonair’ is used for women. There are some women who are charming and gentlemanly.”
“Then we also…”
“However, it’s true that ‘debonair’ conveys a masculine image. A woman can’t be a gentleman.”
“You heard that? You’re not a gentleman.”
“Th-th-that’s…”
It’s hopeless.
“No… I mean, I am a gentleman…”
“What are you saying?”
“But since it’s an adjective referring to males, it’s even better. The group’s name itself will illustrate your androgynous, girl-crush qualities.”
“So, are we going for a girl-crush concept?”
“No. Like I said earlier, your concept can’t be limited to girl-crush or girly; it’s your unique image.”
Director So-hyun flipped to the next slide on the PPT.
“Before I tell you the hidden meaning of your group name, let’s listen to your first girl-crush title.”
Then, the demo version of the first title began to play.
*
Sister Woo-ah smiled brightly.
Sister Na-eun and sister Chiyo too.
Tears were welling up in the corners of those sisters’ eyes.
“Is this really our song?”
“Wow, jackpot. Director, who composed this?”
“It’s so good…”
Especially Sister Woo-ah seemed overwhelmed by all the emotions after realizing she was debuting after six years as a trainee.
I felt like I was crying.
“Yeah, it’s our song. The choreography isn’t out yet, but what do you think? Do you like it?”
I was about to burst into tears.
I just kept laughing at Woo-ah Unni, facing each other for a long time.
“The song is so good, I’m really happy right now.”
“If you like Woo-ah, then I’m happy too.”
But then there was a loud clapping sound.
“But hey, guys, don’t cry yet. You still need to listen to the second title.”
The older sisters nodded vigorously in response.
The PPT screen flipped again.
[Debonair Is]
“Before listening to the second title.”
The screen showed a new sentence with the group name and the verb ‘to be’ attached.
“This will be your catchphrase from now on.”
“This?”
“Why?”
Seeing the puzzled members, Jung So-hyun wore a mysterious smile, clearly waiting for our reaction.
“Do you know what an anagram is?”
“An anagram?”
An example popped up on the screen.
[Statue of Liberty]
[Built to stay free]
“Yes, like this example, rearranging the letters of a word or sentence to create another word or sentence with a different meaning is called an anagram. In other words, one sentence can have two meanings.”
And then the phrase reappeared.
Our catchphrase.
[Debonair Is]
“What is Debonair? What does Debonair mean? Good lineage, good looks, good character, sophisticated charm, confident atmosphere, politeness, kindness, courtesy, urbanity, nonchalance. Can we limit you with the word that means gentleman?”
The director trailed off for a moment.
“You mentioned earlier that Debonair has another hidden meaning, right?”
We nodded vigorously in response.
“Then what could the other answer to the question ‘Debonair Is’ be?”
Simultaneously, the letters of the phrase labeled as the catchphrase began to rearrange one by one.
[Debonair Is]
[Born ideaIs]
Debonair is Born ideaIs.
Debonair is the ideal from birth.
“Girl crush Debonair.”
“Girlish Born ideals.”
“This will be your concept.”
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