A recently debuted girl group, Ecrang.
“Hey, everyone, you need to show your best on stage today. You know that, right?”
Soo-jung, a member of the younger sister line, was stiffly nodding to the director’s urging.
“Is Soo-jung nervous?”
Debuting last Monday, they’ve already performed three times on music shows.
And finally, today is their first time on a broadcast stage.
“Ah, no!”
But that wasn’t the only reason Soo-jung’s neck was stiff with tension.
“It’s okay to be nervous. Still, let’s truly do our best today. Got it?”
Today was significant because Ecrang, as a rookie idol from a small agency, was making their debut.
Today was predicted to be a record-breaking day for viewer ratings in music broadcasting.
NND.
It was the day NND made their comeback performance after their military service and hiatus.
The scale of the anticipation was no small matter.
“If we leave a strong impression today, the reactions could skyrocket.”
In any case, rookie idol debut stages from small agencies often go unnoticed, so even if they faded into the background,
It would already be considered successful as long as their name, “Ecrang,” was exposed to the global K-pop fanbase by debuting alongside NND.
Moreover, today wasn’t just about NND.
“Okay, everyone, let’s cheer up! We should share the stage with NND and Debonaire at this year-end performance!”
Debonaire.
As Coral Blue takes a break in their eighth year,
Debonaire has undoubtedly become a representative girl group of K-pop.
Today was also the day Debonaire would start their activities with their second title.
So, Soo-jung’s nervousness was mixed with excitement.
“Sister, can’t I sneak a peek at Debonaire’s performance?”
Soo-jung was a true fan of Do-hee Lee.
She had dreamed of being an idol while watching Do-hee from the early days of Seven.
“What if the PD spots us? I want to sneak a look at NND’s performance too, but I have to hold back.”
The celebrities’ celebrity.
Of course, she had no courage to spy on Debonaire’s pre-recording.
And there was even less courage to barging into Debonaire’s waiting room, which she had no acquaintance with.
So, while preparing for their debut stage, she subtly approached the dancer sisters she had become familiar with and listened to their stories.
“Soo-jung, don’t trust the broadcast image too much. Who cares about who’s nice or not among real celebrities? They’re just talking among themselves. The staff don’t even see us as people, you know? I can’t say who, but that day someone yelled at the coordinator about their socks and made them take them off…”
She was just subtly probing.
One of the dancer sisters, who had been a backing dancer many times during Seven, said,
“Do-hee? She was nice. She was famous for being the greetings manager. Always dragging Ye-eun around, bowing her head, and greeting everyone. Ye-eun got totally stuck with her.”
Another dancer muttered while listening to those past recollections.
“By the way, I heard that Do-hee Lee feels a bit distant in reality.”
“Distant?”
“Just that she seems friendly but is actually colder than you might think. If you aren’t someone she’s worked with for a long time, you probably misread if you think you’re close.”
“Well, I mean, Do-hee really is a top-level celebrity in the best sense of the word. She’s just different in many ways.”
“True… I mean, just seeing her in person was insane. Her face is so small, but her eye level is up here. The proportions!”
As the dancers shared their stories, Soo-jung finally felt like she was stepping into the entertainment world.
“Soo-jung! Soo-jung! We’re filming our challenge now! Come out!”
“Oh, okay! But who am I doing it with?”
As she filmed challenges with other idols, she finally felt part of the industry.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“Thank you~”
Although they were still unknowns and just helping each other out.
“Excuse me, Director, can I go to the bathroom for a moment?”
“Sure, hurry back.”
Soo-jung got the Director’s permission and rushed out.
Her tense body couldn’t help but signal her nervousness.
As soon as she opened the bathroom door and walked in, she gasped.
“…Ugh.”
Do-hee Lee was there, leaning on the sink with her head down.
“Do-hee, are you really okay?”
Soo-jung was worried as she spoke to her struggling manager while Do-hee dried her face with paper towels.
“…I’ll just change my lenses.”
Even though she must have come from the salon, Do-hee’s face was dripping with water.
Her bangs were soaked and completely pushed back.
Her eyes were bloodshot, looking like they might burst from the strain.
“…Uh!”
Do-hee had a strangely decadent vibe that Soo-jung had never seen before.
Caught in a difficult and strange atmosphere, Soo-jung froze, blinking.
Should she say hello?
Or just pass by?
‘Yes, they said manners are important.’
She just opened and closed her mouth like a fish.
For a moment, Do-hee turned slightly to look at Soo-jung and gave a light smile first.
“Hello?”
Soo-jung was taken aback and hastily bowed, stammering her words.
“Ah, hello, Senior! I’m Soo-jung, and I’m debuting this time! I, um, I’m such a huge fan!”
Her mind went blank.
She felt a sudden urge to say something, anything.
“Uh, um, we should give you our CD—ALBUM.”
In fact, it might even be rude to give it.
Her hands and feet were trembling back and forth.
She was worried that Do-hee might be annoyed.
She clearly didn’t seem to be in great condition.
Her voice sounded strained too.
“Thank you. What’s the group name?”
Even with all sorts of thoughts swirling in her head, Soo-jung felt a little relieved by Do-hee’s more gentle smile and answered.
Soo-jung tried to calm herself and replied.
“Oh, uh, yes! That’s our Écrin!”
The senior nodded while drying her hands with a paper towel.
“Écrin… ah, is it écrin? A jewelry box?”
Soo-jung blinked in surprise for a moment.
“Uh, um? That’s right!”
She had never even met anyone curious about their group’s name’s meaning before, so it was the first time someone recognized it.
‘Ah, right, you speak French…!’
The Do-hee the dancers were talking about seemed to intuitively convey a little difference visually.
Despite drying her hands roughly with the paper towel, the senior wore a neat smile.
‘She’s only a year older than me… completely different from me.’
She looked tired, but she didn’t lose her composure.
“You said your name is Soo-jung, right?”
“Ah, yes!”
“Since you’re a member of the jewelry box, you must be Soo-jung.”
Her teasing smile barely contained the fan heart that was trying to escape.
“Are there members like Ruby or Diamond in the team?”
“Uh, how did you know? There’s Ruby among the older members and there’s also Arin, short for Aquamarine!”
Soo-jung spilled out her words in an excited voice and bit her lip.
She was clearly too enthusiastic.
‘That, she’s so elegant even though she’s busy… I’m just…’
Still, she felt cared for by the polite words of Do-hee, who lightly tossed her hair back while exiting.
“I’ll definitely listen to Écrin’s songs when I have time. Congratulations on your debut. Fighting.”
It was impossible not to feel giddy.
Senior Do-hee must surely have a very elegant vibe, even when her condition was bad.
*
“Oh, I’m dying… I’m dying…”
Chiyo Unni brought over a bottle of water.
“Are you okay…?”
Chiyo Unni, realizing that she wasn’t the only one praised during the recording session, was feeling quite sulky.
But she did have a good ability to distinguish between when to joke and when not to.
“A bit. My stomach acid is easing up a bit now.”
While Na-eun Unni rubbed her back beside her.
“Just take a day to rest at the hospital. What if you get a stomach ulcer?”
“I’ve taken my medicine, so it’s fine. It’s just that I’ve been drinking too much caffeine lately. It’s more of a stress-related gastritis.”
Woo-ah Unni, applying the sample from the EQ test to me.
“No way, didn’t Do-hee say your stress endurance is really low? I’m sure it’s that. Stress is your weakness.”
I tried to retort but stopped as I felt like I might throw up again.
I had said too much.
I nearly threw up earlier after running into a rookie but managed to hold it in.
Thank goodness she didn’t come near when I was clutching the sink, pouring stomach acid.
“No, but look at her eyes. Even though they’re bloodshot, she’s smiling. She’s self-induling while standing on stage despite feeling bad. It’s a realm of madness, madness. That’s Dorahee over there.”
Stop slandering me, Kim Seo-yoon.
It’s true, but she’s not feeling well either, really.
“Well, my body really isn’t feeling great, you know?”
As I sat there, thinking quietly, it became uncomfortable, so I rested my head on Na-eun Unni’s lap, took off my shoes, and stretched my legs out on the sofa.
I casually nudged Kim Seo-yoon’s arm, who was sitting at the end.
“Seriously, I believe you’re really sick.”
I pointed my finger to form a vague ‘thank you’ sign.
“Ah.”
I leaned my head completely onto Na-eun Unni’s lap.
I thought maybe I should give up my routine just for today.
Since holding onto my book might lead to a disastrous situation where I throw up on stage.
Schoolwork or anything else was secondary; today was the premiere of the second title, and I had to avoid that.
At least it seemed the meds were kicking in.
In the meantime, Na-eun Unni gently brushed my hair aside and quietly spoke.
“Do-hee, I just saw online that Billboard picked the greatest artists of the 21st century, and NND is ranked 17th.”
“21st century?”
“Yeah.”
Well, that was quite impressive.
That’s probably why the world is so excited about NND’s comeback.
“Is Michael Jackson number one?”
“Of course.”
I found myself wondering if there will ever be an artist to surpass Michael Jackson in the 21st century.
Do-hee Lee, the one who surpassed the heavenly Michael Jackson.
I had that little fantasy for a moment.
“But honestly, if there really is, wouldn’t it be me? I don’t see anyone else worldwide who can match my talent.”
Fantasy is free, after all.
In reality, I wondered if I could ever stand on the same level as Michael Jackson, regardless of how much I dreamt.
But with the cultural industry splitting into its own niches, I questioned if even NND could keep up.
“Do-hee.”
Na-eun Unni, who was stroking my hair, paused and called me gently.
“Unni, can I step out for a moment?”
When I opened my eyes and stared at Na-eun Unni, she was avoiding my gaze.
“NND is doing a pre-recording, and I thought maybe it would be nice to sneak a peek. They’re ranked 17th for the greatest artists of the 21st century; there might be something to learn…”
Oh, sigh.
I nodded my finger at Woo-ah Unni.
“Use my lap as a pillow.”
“I’m going too. I may not have the same fan heart as Na-eun Unni, but I’m curious about how it feels.”
“No, Woo-ah, I’m not saying it’s because of fan heart; I’m just curious!”
Oh, sigh.
Amidst this, I felt Chiyo Unni’s gaze on me, filled with some expectations.
I waved my hand to tell her to go ahead.
“Hey, I can give you a great lap pillow!!”
I would rather lie down without a pillow.
“Why not!!!”
I pointed my finger at Kim Seo-yoon… no.
“Why aren’t you looking at me? Do I look bad or something?”
Sigh.
“Forget it, I guess I’ll go take a look too.”
After all, they say the 17th greatest artist of the 21st century is performing.
Maybe I’ll find some inspiration by watching, and it could help me regain my energy.
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