Chapter 341

No matter how much we’re a top group in Korea, it’s obviously a stretch to watch another group’s pre-recording.

Unless it’s Ailee or Beatrin’s pre-recording with the Seven Unnis.

If I even so much as linger around a male idol’s pre-recording venue, it’s obvious there will be rumors.

“The NND fans are probably watching this too… Just imagine getting on their bad side. Ugh.”

Of course, even if I did get caught, I wasn’t too worried about it.

After all, I’ve already been targeted by the intense fandom of D-Six.

“Seriously, why do they keep commenting on my Instagram like it’s been almost a year? It’s crazy.”

It was nothing short of amazing.

Impressive.

Anyway, so…

“I can do it, but…”

Rather than inconvenience myself by buying it, I asked the broadcast producer for a favor.

“Oh! Do-hee, you’re going for some inspiration camp thing again, right? Trying to get some vibes!”

Thanks to our famous original content, we get to benefit like this.

“Yes, I thought I’d get some inspiration since we need to prepare for the next album right after this activity…”

“Indeed, an artist is an artist~ Yeah, yeah, just don’t go blabbing everywhere, okay? We’re doing this for you, you know? Let’s have a special stage next time too! Of course, it’s nice that you guys always premiere it on our show~”

I guess they allowed us because we have a good reputation with the staff.

“Ugh, I almost gagged while talking again…”

So, we entered the empty staff waiting room.

A monitor for recording was mounted up front.

Maybe the producer had connected everything beforehand because the real-time pre-recording main cam was just up and running without needing to be turned on.

“I’m seeing a pre-recording from another group for the first time.”

“Right? We’ve only monitored ours.”

Whether the Unnis were chattering or not, I gestured silently.

“Huh? Are you asking me to sit here?”

Na-eun Unni’s lap pillow.

Ugh, I feel nauseous.

“I really can’t comprehend.”

What about you?

“Why are you rejecting my lap pillow?”

Holding back the stomach acid rising up from within, I barely managed to cut in.

“… Bird.”

“Ah, right, right. Chiyo totally smells.”

“What!?”

Technically, I was talking about her perfume.

That person’s perfume is way too citrusy.

“Just smelling it makes my stomach acid kick up…”

Of course, I didn’t have the energy or intention to correct it to “perfume.”

“Woo-ah, you smell much worse.”

“What!? Really~?”

Seeing Chiyo Unni and Woo-ah Unni bickering like that is amusing as well.

“Ugh…”

Oh no, not again, I feel like gagging.

“See, Chiyo, you got too close, and now I want to throw up.”

“Jiwoo, I’d make you throw up too.”

“Are you saying you’re coming toward me?”

“No, I mean, I’d physically make you!”

Ugh, I can’t think straight with this nausea.

“Hey, you guys, just stop sitting like that. The poor kid has been sick for days.”

In the midst of everything, Seo-yoon Unni, being considerate, flopped onto the sofa. She lifted my feet and started massaging the pressure points.

“Do-do, I looked it up, and this is the area for stomach pressure points, okay?”

In response to that heartfelt gesture, I sent a thank you with my toes.

“Oh no, I can’t get Lee Do-hee’s foot odor on my hands… Ah, okay, I take it back, take it back. Ugh, isn’t it a miracle that you’re still alive while all else is dying?”
Staring at the screen with my mind a bit hazy due to my stomach ulcer.

Just as the pre-recording of NND’s comeback stage was about to start.

The first thing I was obviously most curious about was the song.

If the track had already been released, I would’ve listened to it earlier and rested in the waiting room, but just like us, NND was releasing their American-targeted music on Friday at 1 PM. And it was still morning.

I had high expectations.

The producers must have prepared a lot during their hiatus.

Luckily, the monitor was focused on the main camera, so without any flashy camera movements, it seemed better for inspiration.

“I’m the type of genius who prefers a more intuitive feel, hmm.”

-Click.

And just like that, the stage began the moment the close-up stopped.

Utilizing the large number of members, the formation broke apart and spread, with the group choreography moving in sync with the solo movements at the center.

“It’s a pop song.”

“Well, they were already doing that genre before going to the military.”

As my unni’s thoughts indicated, the song felt like a typical pop song.

“Our song is way better… ugh.”

“Even while in pain, those words still come out. Impressive, Do-hee.”

Just as I expected, it was too typical and safe.

Of course, since it’s a regular album, I’m sure they prepared unique title tracks as well.

Moreover, the current stage seemed too refined to dismiss, with detailed pair dances, tempo changes, and variations adding to its neatness.

International interest directed toward NND.

Did they successfully showcase the value of their name?

“Maybe the dancers involved in those choreographies are all famous and there are a lot of them.”

That’s why each point dance was clearly eye-catching.

It was nice that as the vocal range rose, the difficulty of the choreography also increased and became more extravagant.

“Maybe it’s because their bodies are nice…”

“Bodies?”

What? What are you looking at?

“Do-hee-chan, what do you mean…?”

“Just that their bodies look good… ugh.”

“Huh? Good…? Could it be you’re noticing the opposite sex?!”

“No way! How could I let the Do-hee I’ve cherished since elementary school get taken away! Protect our Do-hee!”

Ugh, those people are so noisy.

“Didn’t you promise to live with me forever, Do-hee?”

“Huh? Really? Did you make that promise with Woo-ah too?”

“That was a promise with Do-ah, whatev…”

What I meant was, after returning from the military, they all seem to have gained muscle, making their dance lines look even better.

I almost opened my mouth again, feeling nauseous.

“Guys, Do-hee is sick.”

Amidst the chaos, Na-eun Unni pretending to scold while subtly smiling and glancing down was too much to handle.

If I say someone is good-looking,

then the atmosphere instantly blows up.

“Oh my! Our youngest has opened her eyes to love? At this rate, she’ll get married before her unnis!”

Of course, the one I can’t stand the most is Kim Seo-yoon, who keeps spouting nonsense in that annoying tone while gently tickling my foot.

“Alright, alright, I got it. Enough already. How can someone who’s practically dying still have this much energy?”

Anyway, since the stage is wrapping up, I guess I need to slowly formulate my review in my head.
What’s the conclusion?

“There’s not much excitement…”

“Oh really?”

Honestly, I thought our title being released today would be much better.

Since it’s NND, I’ve already given up on the idea of topping the charts with our music or broadcasts.

If I had written a song that truly satisfied me, it might have been different.

“I wanted to tease Lira just one more time.”

That regret has been gnawing at me recently.

If this continues, I don’t see a clear picture of Debonaire surpassing NND in the long run.

I didn’t feel much excitement about this stage performance of NND either, but anyway, it’s not just about the name; once we achieve Billboard No. 1, people will automatically find and give it meaning.

“I feel like we’re going to end up just being a second-rate idol riding on NND’s coattails. I really hate that.”

I don’t mind being undervalued by some, but I want to avoid it becoming a given.

In the overseas K-pop scene, where girls are the main consumer group, it’s unavoidable that a male idol has a huge fandom.

Yet getting guys actively involved in fandom isn’t so easy.

“There are way too many competitors.”

Especially sports stars.

How can we beat someone like Ronaldo or Messi, ugh.

“Why not try to be a bit more revealing?”

If I wear comfy underwear and just a top, it’ll definitely stir up a commotion.

It would go viral globally, regardless of gender.

“I’m not even joking here.”

Of course, if my mind changes and I get on board, that’s another story.

But fundamentally, that kind of viral marketing wasn’t my style.

“I want to go to the waiting room…”

“Really? Come on, let’s get up, hold my hand.”

Anyway, the stage performance of NND didn’t excite me much, but a thought struck me.

If this qualifies as inspiration, then so be it.

“Why do you look so unwell?”

I swallowed back a wave of nausea and added,

“Uh, the next album…”

“Eh? Our full album?”

I couldn’t tell if Grant, the CEO of Warner Records, had planted those thoughts in my head.

But if the goal is the Grammy Award, simply being a second-rate idol won’t cut it.

“There’s no way there’s an idol like me…”

Anyway, it’s a natural progression of the music trends coming our way.

I thought it might be fun if I nudged it a little.

I do love being called an idol the most, but the title of a pioneer who changes the flow seems quite appealing too.

Let’s maintain our Debonaire concept but…

“I need the older sisters to help a lot… Ugh.”

“Do-hee, the bathroom is over there, the bathroom!”

*

In South Korea, with half of military service obligations lifted.

Jae-hyun, a reserve member of NND, felt all sorts of emotions.

“Hey, walk faster. How many years has it been and you still forgot that?”

“Ah, come on, it’s almost two years for us! I’m a total rookie! Just walking down this hallway feels so new. Look at my face; this is the face of a rookie!”

While walking to the waiting room to grab props, Jae-hyun was all smiles, even pausing from pre-recording with the leader, Young-jun.

“Right, right. Speaking of which, I heard Debonaire is recording today too. Should we do a challenge video? My peers really loved Debonaire.”

“Why don’t you just go ask them directly then?”

“Come on, you know I can’t do that; I’m too shy.”
“Knowing full well what you’re doing.”

Moreover, the members of Debonaire had never met, so even if it was Jae-hyun himself, it felt a bit off to ask out of the blue.

“Hyung, you know Joo-ho, right?”

“The one you’re super close with, right?”

“Yeah, that’s him. He’s a huge fan of Do-hee. He plays Debonaire’s songs every day in our dorm.”

“So?”

“But he’s too nice to ever ask me for a favor. You know I have my pride. So this time, I want to get Do-hee’s autograph to give to him~”

Young-jun chuckled and turned the corner, opening the waiting room door.

“You’re not making excuses, are you? You did that before and got shot down by Lira.”

“Hey, what are you talking about? Do-hee is 19 years old. A high schooler. That’s a crime; she’s ten years younger than me.”

A prop crumpled in the corner of the sofa.

Jae-hyun quickly grabbed it and added, “And when did Lira ever shoot me down?”

“Was it with Cartier? She said you were boring and to just drink quietly.”

“Then how was that shooting down!? She’s got a weird personality!”

“You had a crush on her.”

“No, that was… of course, maybe just a tiny bit? A smidge? I mean, she’s good at music and looks cool. That could be my type… Uh, anyway, obviously, eeek~”

The more he talked, the more he felt stuck.

Jae-hyun was about to stop talking.

“Oh right. I heard Do-hee is close with Lira.”

Before Young-jun could add anything.

“Huh? Really? Close?”

Various thoughts rushed through his mind.

It’d be wrong to make assumptions since they were total strangers.

But…

“Wait, really? She’s friends with Lira?”

“They say they’re pretty close and meet up often.”

If they meet privately…

A four-character idiom popped into Jae-hyun’s head.

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

Of course, that didn’t mean Lira had a bad personality.

‘Isn’t Lira’s reputation among the staff not that bad?’

She was just a bit odd, quirky, and had some unidentifiable traits.

‘Could it be that Do-hee is a bit strange too…?’

Well, there is a saying that geniuses are a little unique, so maybe Do-hee is even more peculiar than Lira.

“Anyway, let’s hurry. Aren’t they in recording mode?”

“Oh right.”

Judging without even meeting is just bias.

Jae-hyun halted his thoughts and dashed forward.

“Huh?”

He almost bumped into a girl who was hunched over, her hand covering her mouth.

“Are you okay… oh, Do-hee? Oh?”

It really was Do-hee.

‘Should I ask if she wants to shoot a challenge? Wow, but her head is really tiny.’

“Hey, come out quickly.”

“Huh?”

When he looked back, she was polite, bowing slightly, but couldn’t lift her head and just subtly pointed to the side.

“Oh… to the side? Here?”

“No, you’re at the entrance.”

“Ah.”

As soon as Young-jun pulled him aside, he saw Do-hee, who had been covering the entrance, slowly walking in while leaning on the wall.

Hmm… regardless of the situation, just looking at the first impression—

‘It really does seem like she’s close with Lira…’

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