Chapter 299

13th, 1 PM.

14th, 2 PM.

[1st PLACE SAME / Debonaire] ▲1

[2nd PLACE COIN / Beat-Lyn] ▼1

[3rd PLACE Euphoria / Debonaire] ▲2

As the two title tracks have been released.

─ Is it trending today!?

The fans were eagerly waiting for a new title to be announced at 3 PM on the 15th as well.

─ Ah, I guess it’s not today.

Unfortunately, it didn’t come out on Sunday.

─ Then how about 4 PM on the 16th!?

─ Every day is thrilling, hahaha.

The fans were joyfully repeating this until Thursday, which they happily called the album release day.

However, there were always fans who would analyze things instead of just waiting in excitement.

==================

[The next title will be released at 5 PM on the 17th EU]

It’s not just a suspicion, it’s certain. You can tell from Do-hee’s performance of “I DO(到喜)” at the end of the year.

/ Don’t torment me sometimes, please don’t let me forget, my dead spirit

I can’t even tell if I’m two, or if one took the place of the other./

Moreover, it’s already been revealed that any lyrics definitely talk about another self.

What’s more, a cross is made at the end, hinting at another dead version of the self.

In other words, it’s Jekyll and Hyde!

This is blatantly implying ‘SAME’ and ‘Euphoria’ during the year-end stage that Do-hee directed.

Of course, since ‘I DO’ is likely the first track of this album, it’s only natural that the themes of the album overlap, right? You’re right.

But it’s clear that this year-end stage was a spoiler for this comeback.

Then why Tuesday, the 17th? Everyone already knows that two days later is Lunar New Year, Korea’s biggest holiday.

What concept did the members arrange for the stage on Warmelmu?

(Photo) Exactly, using a traditional Korean gown and fan—it was blatantly Korean-style.

It was a stage arranged in an Oriental version.

In other words, it blatantly spoiled the cool Korean vibe for 5 PM on the 17th, matching Lunar New Year.

You guys are really slow to catch on to this, hahaha.

─ Wow, you’re right!

─ This is legit.

─ I totally missed this, hahaha.

─ Seriously, no excuses, this new song is so good I forgot…

└ For real… guys, just listening to the song drives me crazy, what do I do?

─ I’ve watched Do-hee’s year-end stage over 200 times… I really need to reflect.
It’s a pretty common post you might see in fan communities, but the content was quite reasonable.

─So it’s coming up at 5 PM on New Year’s Day, right?
└I guess that’s what we can assume!

This speculation became the accepted theory among the fans.

As predicted, it was Monday.

On the 16th at 4 PM, no one was expecting it.

─Today was supposed to be a no-show, lol.
─Yeah, I’m sure it’ll come out tomorrow, lol.

And finally, on bright New Year’s Day.

Fans repeatedly refreshed their pages with excitement.

─One minute left!
─Let’s go!
─Debonaire is serving up something Korean-style on New Year’s? Can’t resist, lol.

At exactly 5 PM.

─What is this?
─Is it not today?

Nope.

─I told you, ‘I DO (Do-hee)’ is a spoiler, but it’s the intro track of this album after all.
└That guy’s the one who wrote that post.
└Lol, my bad.

And as scheduled, the track was released the next day, Wednesday, the 18th at 6 PM.

[DEBONAIR Debonaire ‘Do it anyway’ MV]

However, fans couldn’t help but be a bit taken aback by the music video that missed the mark this time again.

Unlike the flamboyant previous music videos, it had a very simple setup.

It didn’t suit the vibe of an idol’s title track.

Woo-ah and Na-eun holding guitars.

And the members sitting around a campfire at the beach with their backs to the winter sea.

*

“Should we boil some ramen here after we’re done?”

While warming her hands with a hot pack, Woo-ah unni smiled softly, still shivering as she held her hands to the campfire.

“Exactly. Since we’re here, let’s shoot some content and maybe cook some rice.”

“Anything’s fine~”

Even though they were definitely there for the music video shoot, sitting in a circle around the campfire with the sound of gentle waves made the heart flutter.

Of course…

“What’s this about content? It’s freezing to death.”

Is it all just about her feelings?

Of course, I’m not talking about myself.

The staff is cold too, you know.

“Ha, that Do-hee has no sensitivity at all.”

“They say there’s a really good restaurant up ahead, so I made a reservation, shhh.”

“At least she has some brains.”

I always say that I just don’t ramble on about unnecessary emotions.
There’s just no need for all this emotional spiel.

I’m practical yet kind, rational yet warm-hearted.

Clears throat.

Naturally, since I’m overflowing with sensitivity, I must have written all these lyrics myself.

“Members, you can start anytime!”

Just as the sound check for the wind and such wrapped up, the director gave the OK sign.

Everything was going just as planned.

The atmosphere was peaceful, with waves gently rolling.

The audience had finally made it here to hear the staff’s song for the first time.

“Let’s keep the vibe just like how we sang it at home, okay?”

I truly hoped this melody and lyrics would fit perfectly with the atmosphere, and that’s how I began.

Of course, I still worry and ponder if it’s okay for an idol to sing something with such feelings…

Woo-ah Unni and Na-eun Unni locked eyes with me.

Though I claimed it myself, now I’ve really become a producer.

“But where’s the producer who’s not also a leader?”

As I calmly closed my eyes, the Unnis quietly set their strings.

The peaceful melody began to flow.

The song’s intro was, as expected, just a short phrase from the guitar.

And the first voice I chose was…

[Everything will pass by

In the place where I ached]

It was incredibly clear, contrasting beautifully with Na-eun Unni’s voice and the powerful tone of Kim Seo-yoon.

[Even if left alone

There are things I want to say]

The two distinct identities of Debonaire’s tones always provided me with a worry-free choice when it came to developing the song.

And the chorus of this song comes up quickly.

The first duet, right on top of Na-eun Unni’s voice, is Chiyo.

[Oh dear, don’t be afraid of longing

Even if it’s hard amidst the thorns]

It wasn’t just harmony; it was a duet.

Chiyo Unni, despite having a distinctive rap tone that I love, harmonized beautifully as she continued on the same note, serving as the backdrop for the painting.

[Even if the wounds you’ve received sound out

You will ultimately…]

As we crafted warm laughter while facing each other around the campfire in sync with the calmness of the guitar, we reached the second verse.

The voice for the second verse was captivatingly strong, so I chose Kim Seo-yoon’s tone.

[Though everything has passed by

There’s still an obscure path]

This song would be beautiful no matter who sang it, but when it’s adorned by the five of us in Debonaire, that configuration is the most beautiful.

[Regrets are just the process of dispelling resentment]

And in the chorus of the second verse, it’s Woo-ah Unni.
And in the chorus of the second verse, it’s Woo-ah Unni.

[Don’t be afraid to love tenderly

Even if it’s hard among the thorns]

To those who don’t know, Woo-ah Unni’s voice might seem plain, but that’s why she always knows when to ease up and when to give it her all. Her pitch is on point.

And that’s why Kim Seo-yoon’s strong voice blends in smoothly like sea foam.

[Even if your delicate heart is in tears,

In the end, you…]

The beauty of the progression I wanted was like this.

‘…It’s really so good.’

By the second verse, the voices just harmonize and layer on top of each other.

The guitar strums the same chords.

The theme of comforting pain is repeated.

As the second verse comes to an end, I again followed the classic structure of build-up and resolution.

[You must love]

Classical, yet leading to a higher chord progression in the bridge.

It gives a hopeful vibe of ascension.

Yet, the lingering half-step harmony is still comforting.

[Even if it’s unfamiliar,

In your own way]

Now it’s not just a simple duet, but the basic three-part harmony.

I tried arranging it into five parts but ended up keeping it at three.

It’s not beautiful because there’s a lot, but because it matches well.

[Delicate and gentle]

Singing with clear tones, Na-eun Unni and Chiyo Unni handle the lower parts.

[Even if you groan until the end]

While Seo-yoon Unni and Woo-ah Unni harmonize with their strong tones for the higher parts.

[Let’s make a promise, despite everything]

I am left alone in the middle harmony.

As we align our harmonies…

A gentle yet delightful smile crept across my face, even if it was faint.

In the end, we returned to the beginning and sang softly together again, without distinguishing parts, just one final chorus.

[Don’t stop loving dearly,

Even if it’s hard among the thorns]

It may be said that the emotion and lyrics don’t quite fit an idol’s image. Some might think it’s a forced song written to fit the concept.

[When your youthful heart’s promise resonates,

In the end, you’ll find love]

Still, as the sorrowful sound of waves echoed in the stillness, I asked the staff, who had various expressions.

“Is it okay?”

A smile would be enough.

The mission of an idol is to bring laughter.

[Debonair, Ash Wednesday]

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