The cheers have quieted down, but…
‘This is seriously fun.’
Home Mama is still unable to contain the surge of excitement.
The performance direction has decorated the cramped square hall stage to the max.
Five members perfectly draw the attention.
As if to prove it, the members are also breathing heavily on stage.
Of course, Home Mama’s gaze is almost completely fixed on Do-hee.
‘Ah man, I’m going to watch this 100 times in replay.’
Above all, the mature suit that fits the concept and the bold makeup…
Home Mama nodded with a friend.
“She’s a girl…”
“She’s a girl…?”
“She’s a girl…”
Of course, the evidence of her adorable charm, which can’t even be hidden by makeup, is still sitting on her face.
‘Chubby cheeks… soft and chewy like rice cake…’
In the meantime, staff members quickly set up the chairs on stage.
The announcer taking on the role of MC stepped onto the stage and, in a voice filled with emotion, stirred the atmosphere on behalf of the fans.
“Wow, really! I was completely mesmerized! Is she really a rookie? I mean, it’s hard to believe she’s a rookie, right, everyone?”
— Yeeeees!
The audience erupted with enthusiastic reactions.
As the members smiled and grabbed the mics placed on the chairs, the MC began smoothly.
“First of all, our members! They should each greet the audience, right?”
The first to grab the mic was Do-hee, sitting closest to the MC.
“Hello! I’m the youngest of Debonaire and…”
Do-hee flashed a confident smile.
“The leader!”
Immediately, cheers erupted from all around.
‘Am I dreaming? Is this real?’
“I’m still Do-hee, the youngest who wants to be a leader. Yes.”
‘Aww, Dorahee.’
Even though I knew it wasn’t possible, I couldn’t help but feel a bit tricked.
Could it even be possible?
‘No way, who plays pranks at a debut showcase, anyway?’
But for some reason…
Names of some girls popped up.
Do-hee… Seo-yoon… Ha-rang…
‘Why is everyone from Seven…?’
More than that, the problem is that there are only two on this stage.
“At that moment, I thought Do-hee was the youngest but was the leader!”
“Ugh, really… if only I were older!!”
Yet, that exaggerated gesture from Do-hee was so cute that Home Mama couldn’t help but grin widely.
‘I hate this side of me… but it’s insane… cute… pretty… so charming… like a long-lasting idol…’
At that moment, Seo-yoon, another strong contender, couldn’t hold back and grabbed the mic.
“Our Do-hee thinks she can’t do things because she’s younger. She just can’t do them.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s a fool.”
“No, I’m actually really smart.”
“Yeah, sure, if you say so.”
Thanks to the playful banter between the two “veteran rookies,” the MC doesn’t even need to lighten the mood.
The playful teasing between the two rookies created an atmosphere that the MC didn’t even need to diffuse.
“Oh, you two! This isn’t the time to bicker! There’s so much to introduce! The fans are curious too. Hurry up and introduce the next member!”
Of course, their antics were intentional.
To lighten the intense vibe of the stage.
Thanks to that, the rookie members were able to continue in a relaxed atmosphere.
“Yes, hello! I’m a rapper from Debonaire and…”
But that didn’t mean they stopped interrupting.
“Foreign guy.”
“Distraction.”
“That’s not it! I’m Chiyo, the one with the totally unique and epic charm!!”
Laughter echoed joyfully from the audience.
“You two! Are you really going to keep doing this? When the other members are talking, just react, okay? Got it? Just react!”
The MC gently reprimanded them in the typical announcer tone.
“Yes.” “Yes.”
“Promise me you’ll stick to it! Now, let’s hurry to the next member!”
As a result, Woo-ah, who was smiling, suddenly said, “Phew… oh, hello… wait a moment! Ahem.”
Pushed by the announcer, she began her introduction.
“Yes, I’m Woo-ah, an all-rounder with elegance and chicness that can express the very word ‘Debonaire’~”
Seo-yoon and Do-hee, being good kids, diligently followed the announcer’s instructions and only responded with gasps of admiration.
“Wow~” “Wow~”
“Excuse me, you two! Are you really going to keep this up?”
“Don’t make that innocent face!”
That expression said, ‘We just followed the promise to react, so why…?’
“Yes…” “Yes…”
“Oh, these kids are really something. Ah, my cheeks hurt from smiling.”
Fortunately, when it was leader Na-eun’s turn, the fun and games stopped.
“Hello~ I’m Na-eun, the leader and lead vocalist of Debonaire! Please take good care of me~”
They seemed to be more respectful, keeping quiet instead.
It looked like the younger members knew to listen to their leader.
“Maybe Na-eun really has a tight grip on them?”
It seemed like being weak against the leader was a trait that ran in the family.
But why did Na-eun look a bit sad?
And finally, last up was Seo-yoon.
“I’m Seo-yoon, the tone fairy and main vocalist of Debonaire~”
Now the MC could finally start the actual proceedings.
“Ah, now I can finally speak. Congratulations on your debut with Debonaire!! Yay!! Now, everyone, share your thoughts…”
“The name Debonaire is really unique. It’s fresh and keeps popping into my head. What does it mean?”
“You all must have listened to the album that was released an hour ago. Now we can clear up the fans’ curiosities…”
“Ah~ The meaning of the album ID! It’s literally the identity, as well as an abbreviation of ‘I Debonair,’ right? It seems like there are many hidden meanings. Fans will enjoy discovering each one.”
Naturally, since it was a showcase, the focus of the conversation continued to revolve around the album.
The story revolves around the album.
“Now, let’s listen to the songs included in the ID album and discuss each one with the members.”
The announcer turned a cue card, smiling contentedly and nodding.
“The first track. If you are here, including myself, and if you are fans watching in real-time, you undoubtedly know what it is.
The lights on the large screen lit up, and the grand first notes of the piano played along with the debut of the Debonaire logo.
“This song that was at the center of attention! It was used in the trailer, right? Let’s designate the questions. Do-hee, what song is it?”
─Waaaah!
Cheering from the excited fans.
At the same time, Do-hee’s expression became eager to speak, her lips moving despite her instinctive embarrassment visible in her flushed cheeks and ears.
In that gap, Do-hee’s Home Mama is chatting with a friend today as well.
“She’s a baby…”
“But she’s a baby…?”
“She’s a baby…”
Unaware of this little exchange, Do-hee responded with a red face.
“Yes, ‘As Fickle As Fortune’ is the intro track of the first album, and it embodies Debonaire’s identity. The song intensely captures Debonaire’s indescribable charm, which fluctuates like fortune, solely using the piano.”
“Exactly. Of course, I’ve listened to it, and the intro is very powerful, giving an impression that pulls you into the song with just one line, right? It’s rare for an idol to write a pure piano piece, which is surprising, and what’s more shocking is that you, Do-hee, worked on this alone last year… You’re really just in your first year of high school!”
Do-hee’s ears turned even redder, and the corners of her mouth began to lift.
“Do you have any episodes or intentions behind writing this song?”
The other members exchanged glances and sighed as if forming a shared understanding, but Do-hee began to speak without catching on.
“Um… I didn’t suddenly get inspired or wrote it in one go… I mean, when I had no ideas, I would just watch my older sisters do nothing and try to picture their personalities. I’d end up envy old genius composers and ponder how they did it… and just draw one note at a time…”
The rambling revealed a lot of worries about how the song came about and a hint of how she tried various things when it didn’t flow easily, making her both impressive and somewhat pitiful.
“I see~ But still, many pianists have positively reviewed the song, stating there are plenty of intentions and technical elements in it.”
Despite clasping her hands with bashfulness amidst the praise and cheers from the audience, it might have seemed a little foolish that she couldn’t hide her grin at being showered with compliments.
‘So cute, it’s insane.’
“Well then, we can’t miss out on hearing the composer play it, can we? Let’s enjoy a brief performance!”
Moreover, as she sat down at the piano prepared at the stage end, her serious performance resembled that of a genius sweeping away the audience.
‘I can’t handle this mood swing.’
It was impossible not to swoon.
*
Before introducing the final title, a sudden thought crossed Home Mama’s mind.
She pulled out her phone.
“Exactly 8 o’clock.”
It was time for the second refresh of the song that was released at 6 PM.
Real-time charting HOT100.
A draw of the daily chart’s situation.
Essentially, the daily chart, TOP100.
It was time for both rankings to be updated.
She dove into Watermelon.
First… Top Back.
—TOP100
23) ▲34【Debonaire – Debonaire】
Rising from 34 to 23 at the moment.
The important part is the Hot Back.
All charts eventually catch up to real-time quickly.
If we were to compare it to stocks, it’s like a 1-minute candle.
—HOT100
1) ▲12【Debonaire – Debonaire】
“Nice…!”
It was in first place.
If this keeps up for a few days…
Then topping the TOP100 chart would be a given.
If it maintains its status, it could even be number one on the daily chart.
“Ailee does have a strong cumulative score, but two months in, she’s probably losing steam.”
Then Home Mama scrolled through the chart to find Top Back and Hot Back.
—TOP100
89) -New【Debonaire – As Fickle As Fortune】
—HOT100
6) ▲10【Debonaire – As Fickle As Fortune】
This was actually more shocking.
Debonaire’s debut was the center of attention, so as long as the song’s quality held up, taking first place was a sure thing.
But…
“Isn’t it the first time a piano piece is sixth?”
Of course, since the idol fandom listens to classical music, one could say it’s a warm-up hit.
“But it’s still the first time.”
At that moment, the MC must have heard the news, as they scanned the audience and spoke.
“We’ve just received some great news!”
Even as the members tilted their heads, the MC maintained their pace.
“Fans, you all know this, right~?”
Of course, Do-hee and Kim Seo-yoon were already beaming with familiarity.
And the news was quickly delivered.
“All the other charts are in the upper rankings, but most importantly, on the largest platform, the Watermelon Hot Back chart, it’s number one!”
Overjoyed, the members hugged each other.
Though Do-hee was being forcibly embraced, she still wore an expression that begged for the next announcement…
“Moreover, both included songs made the charts! They’re ranked 6th and 8th on the Hot Back chart!”
Do-hee snuggled into her older sisters’ arms.
She sometimes pretended to be composed, but could not hide her true feelings.
“It looks like she was quite worried people wouldn’t like it.”
“I know, right… really…”
Indeed, even with all this, Do-hee was still…
“A baby…”
“But she’s a baby…?”
“She’s a baby…”
“She is a baby…”
Home Mama and the friend nodded.
*
“Wow, I mean, I wrote this song all by myself without any outsourcing or co-writers, so isn’t the copyright basically all mine?”
She was all grown up.
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