Chapter 210

Afternoon, lunchtime.

With many waiting in line, the owner of the house appeared at Melody Bank, where pre-recording was in full swing.

“Hello, I’m Kim Ye-eun, the director of Melody Bank.”

Dressed in a modestly tailored hanbok for the new year, Ye-eun addressed everyone.

“Happy New Year 2025! I hope this year brings all our viewers happiness, and may you receive lots of blessings~”

Ye-eun was set to deliver her New Year’s greeting with a gentle smile in the content being revealed today.

Four years into her debut, Ye-eun was now 19 and on the brink of adulthood.

She was a part of the representative visuals of the 4th generation, alongside Do-hee from Debonaire, Sara from Ailee, and Min-seo from 3M.

Often pointed out as “Do-se-min” and sometimes even the 4th representative trio, her vibrant charm was in full bloom these days.

Of course, from Do-hee’s perspective, whose self-esteem soared through the roof…

“Hmm…”

Anyway, it was an objectively valid point.

It was just that Do-hee and Sara were simply overwhelming.

In the visual line of Seven, where no one lacked beauty, it naturally indicated their innate visuals.

Moreover, as of now, with various treatments like acupuncture massage, makeup, diet, fitness, and skincare, they were all well taken care of.

Right.

That was the truth, and compliments from fans who boost her confidence were increasing day by day.

But it didn’t mean she was running around like a headless chicken.

“I’m… a veteran!”

More than that, years of training disguised as torment had given her a certain level of self-groundedness.

Thanks to that, Ye-eun was a master of social life.

She now knew just the right way to punch in and out.

[Ye-eun: What should I do ㅇㅇㅇㅇㅇㅇ]

[Do-hee: ?]

This thrill, teetering on the edge of danger, was Ye-eun’s drug.

And this much would probably make Do-hee smile cutely and let it slide.

“That should be the case…!”

But why, oh why?

In the hall visible from behind the camera, Do-hee passed by with a sharp gaze watching intently.

“My insides have shrunk even more…?”

Ye-eun forced herself to suppress the slightest tremble of her eyes and focused on the camera.

She didn’t even make eye contact.

“Just because my chest got bigger…”

Yet, there was a realization.

In the past, there was some justification for teaching each other choreography, movements, or stage performances as teammates, but they weren’t teammates anymore…! There was no reason for her to teach her!

As long as she didn’t record that challenge…!

“I absolutely will not record.”

Ye-eun planned to return to the waiting room and pretend to be busy reading the rehearsal script at once.

*

“The person you greeted earlier is the assistant director, Park Joo-ho, and the one walking over now is… the head writer, Yang Seung-hye.”

The first pre-recording was completed without any delays as scheduled.

“Hello!”
“Hello there!”

“Oh my, hello? Do-hee and Seo-yoon! It’s been ages since we last met~ So these are the Debonaire members we debuted with? I’ve listened to all the songs. They’re amazing! Do-hee’s song is great too! I just know it’s going to be a hit. Well, it already is!”

After that, I wandered around the waiting room, greeting the production staff and filming challenges with the cast.

Honestly, today there weren’t many famous cast members.

January is usually a rest period for top-tier groups worn out from year-end stages or on world tours.

This is just about the time of the empty house season.

So, the music show was mostly filled with rookies.

In terms of experience, Seo-yoon Unni and I might even be considered seniors.

“Back in the day, when Seven rose to fame, everyone wanted to be friends everywhere!”

“Wow~ Grandma, that’s amazing!”

“I’m not curious.”

Thanks to that, the members were enjoying themselves in the waiting room without feeling pressured.

“Right, as I strolled down the hallway, people were begging me to do challenges… Do it, Do-hee, you explain it!”

Seo-yoon Unni suddenly dragged me into the situation.

Guess she’s really bored.

“Go play a phone game or something. I’m busy.”

I was still trying to brainstorm what challenge to do.

“Eh… Grandma doesn’t know games. But I’ll directly…”

“But unni, what are you going to have for lunch? The Director said we can have carbs too.”

“Seriously?”

Woo-ah Unni, who was casually playing around with Seo-yoon Unni, suddenly chimed in and turned her head.

“Right, Na-eun Unni?”

Na-eun Unni, who was mumbling and jotting down the production staff’s names in her notebook, nodded without answering.

Unni is really putting in the effort.

Meanwhile, after getting permission from the higher-ups, Seo-yoon Unni’s eyes widened.

“Awesome! Then I’m going for soft tofu stew… Whoa…! Almost fell for my own trick…! Woo-ah, you sly thing! Sit back down! If I were Seven…”

With a look of awe at Seo-yoon Unni’s keen perception, Woo-ah Unni stood up and shamelessly grabbed her phone.

Truly, on her own path.

“Eh… Chiyo Chiyo! You come over here too.”

“Ugh, oldie… I don’t want to hear that.”

“What?”

I guess the excitement of being on music shows after a long time really felt good. Sigh…

Amidst all that, Woo-ah Unni opened the delivery app and approached me with her phone.

“What are you going to eat?”

I gestured for her to hand me the phone.

After receiving the phone, I effortlessly navigated to the categories.

Korean food, barbecue, soft tofu stew.

“This place is a gem. It’s my and Seo-yoon Unni’s favorite.”

Woo-ah Unni grinned as she checked the menu.

“I knew it~ You two seem like you’d eat the same thing! You guys have such similar tastes~?”

“…? Is there a specific taste for Korean food? Aren’t all Koreans supposed to like it?”
“Isn’t it that all Koreans just love everything?”

Woo-ah Unni, who pokes my nose.

“They’re totally identical.”

This is ridiculous.

I’m a true Korean who hates malatang.

That person is an omnivore who even likes malatang, so how are we the same?

Sigh, this is annoying.

I got up from my seat.

Woo-ah Unni, for no reason, grabbed my arm once.

“Are you sulking~?”

Her sparkling eyes had a teasing tone.

If I don’t respond, she’d probably poke my side saying I’m sulking again.

“I’m not sulking. I’m just going to the bathroom.”

“Right? Do-hee isn’t sulking, right?”

Ugh…

Woo-ah Unni was originally cute.

When did she become this cheeky?

I turned my head.

“That’s the fourth time you’re saying the same thing…”

“Oh come on, they’re all lessons to be learned.”

Chiyo Unni, caught by Kim Seo-yoon, is being lectured.

Ah, it’s all because of that person.

I’ve been glued to that person for four years.

To endure that energy, a person would inevitably get stronger.

From 13 to 20 years old, I’ve been together with her.

I can tell.

Our Woo-ah Unni just adapted to survive.

Woo-ah Unni is innocent.

So I passed by and lightly poked Chiyo Unni.

“It’s your fault.”

As I poked her while she was being lectured,

Chiyo Unni made a very unfair expression.

“Eh…? I-I didn’t do anything…!”

“What…! Turn your head? Back in my day, if a senior was around, you couldn’t even turn your head!”

“Why are you both doing this to me today…! You idiots! You fools! You dummies!”

Seo-yoon Unni grabbed Chiyo Unni’s shoulders and shook her.

“There’s no one else to take it out on! You’re all we have!”

“Ugh, get away, you beggars!”

The impact feels so good, it lightens my heart a bit.

And just like that, I left the waiting room.

Then, I spotted a crowd gathered in one place.

In the corridor square, filming was in full swing.

Not a challenge but the Melody Bank’s own content.

And there was another one of my beloved stuffed toys.

I wonder why it feels so good to see her.

I discreetly roamed the corridor, keeping a close eye on them.

As soon as the filming ended, I returned to the waiting room.

What I witnessed upon returning was.

“Shushushush!”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Suddenly, the tables have turned for the two.

Regardless of that.

I grabbed an album with one hand and helped Seo-yoon Unni up.

“Ah, no. Na-eun Unni. Let’s go together. We have a schedule.”

*

“R-Really…?”

“Why? Weren’t you close with the Seven members?”

The manager stared at me with a doubtful glance.

“Is it possible that things are not good between you…?”
“No! No…! That’s not what I meant… We’re super close… I mean, really close…”

“Yeah, you guys seemed really tight. I saw you playing with Do-hee the other day.”

“That’s true…”

But sometimes she can be scary…

If it doesn’t fit her standards, she says there’s no professional attitude and constantly nags…

Yeo-eun’s eyes began to well up with tears.

The Debonaire members would be coming soon to film the challenge.

There was no escaping this situation.

If it came from the Manager, it meant it was an officially scheduled event by the company…

‘W-Well, Do-hee worked really hard on the last challenge…’

It was odd to say you wouldn’t do something when it was supposed to be a mutual exchange.

I want to call Sara Unni right now and ask her to come here.

After all, it was Sara Unni who strongly suggested going directly to Do-hee’s company to film the challenge.

But Sara Unni was currently busy shooting a photoshoot as a luxury brand ambassador.

So there was nothing to be done now.

All I could do was hope that another member would come.

‘I hope Seo-yoon Unni comes… Ah! Or Na-eun Unni…? Na-eun Unni was really nice… She took care of me a lot…’

If Do-hee comes, she’ll definitely scrutinize every little detail of the dance moves, poking and prodding with all sorts of facts.

—Knock, knock

A knock sounded from outside the door.

Yeo-eun instinctively flinched.

Since Melody Bank had male and female MCs using separate waiting rooms,

This was definitely someone looking for her.

“Who is it?”

After being harshly scolded by Do-hee in the last trending song, the Manager had developed the habit of asking who it was first as she had asked.

Yeo-eun held her breath, waiting for the response.

“Ah~ This is Seo-yoon Unni! Is Yeo-eun there~?”

It was definitely Seo-yoon Unni’s voice.

But the rational Yeo-eun remained on guard.

That cunning Do-hee might have intentionally told Seo-yoon Unni to say something first.

Usually, two members come for a challenge.

‘I’m not falling for that easily anymore!’

Fortunately, after a brief moment of silence, another member’s voice came through.

“Ah… Hello.”

It had been a while since she heard that very calm and soothing tone.

“I’m Na-eun from Debonaire. I came to say hello today.”

She was the sweet and caring Na-eun Unni that the trainees liked a lot on the [Bold Season 3] filming set.

‘It’s really her…!’

Yeo-eun’s tension melted away, and she finally smiled brightly, nodding at the Manager.

And walking in with a cheerful smile were not two but three members.

---

Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.