Chapter 342

“Wow, the music video turned out great, huh?”

“Okay, everyone, applause!”

After finishing the pre-recording, the members of NND gathered together in their waiting room to watch their newly released music video.

“Alright, everyone.”

“Wow, look at the eldest trying to set the mood again.”

“Hey! Where do you get off saying that? Just because you bulked up in the military doesn’t mean you’re impressive.”

In the waiting room, voices of celebration and encouragement echoed among the staff and members alike.

“Look at that guy’s red eyes; is he really going through a mid-life crisis?”

“…Okay, now the activities are starting. Thank you for all your hard work, everyone.”

“Seriously, did you eat something weird while you were in the military?”

“Let’s work hard again from today, NND team! Fighting!”

“Yeah, let’s clap, everyone, let’s clap!”

It’s an obligation that generally all Korean men can’t avoid: military service.

Once it’s over, everyone deserves congratulations.

“Hey you! The eldest is speaking while crying, and you’re not clapping? What are you doing, man!”

“Yes yes, you all worked hard! Yes yes, good!”

However, member Jae-hyun just half-heartedly clapped a few times before moving to a corner of the waiting room.

“Wow, what sensitivity.”

Returning to everyday life was a new experience for him as well, but this was just over the top.

“I feel like I’ve clapped at least six times since dawn.”

It was their first time all heading to the shop together since returning from military service.

Entering the waiting room meant officially returning to music broadcasts.

Before the pre-recording, they said they’d do well on stage.

They finished the pre-recording excellently and were praised for it.

“What else was there?”

Anyway, now he was watching the music video and suddenly getting teary-eyed, standing up to give a speech—this sensitivity was just too much.

“Did you apologize to Park Jae-hyun earlier?”

Meanwhile, leader Young-jun had chased after him to the corner.

“No, it wasn’t like we bumped into each other, so was it really necessary? It could just make him uncomfortable, you know. He looked pretty unwell as well.”

“So just ask the manager to convey it lightly. Anyway, you want to get closer and film a challenge together, right?”

“Umm… right.”

To be fair, he couldn’t help but be curious about Do-hee Lee.

He was acutely aware of how Debonaire’s popularity in the military was unlike that of other groups.

“Debonaire, they’re also from a small agency… what’s so great about them?”

Not everyone in the military was considerate enough to hesitate like his fellow soldiers did for Jae-hyun’s situation.

Most were openly curious and would straight up ask.

Especially the questions about Do-hee, he felt like he’d heard them hundreds of times.
“I feel like I’ve heard this hundreds of times.”

“If you asked me about Coral Blue or a third-generation group, I could give you a decent answer, even if it’s superficial.”

“But the fourth-generation members, including Do-hee Lee…”

“You’d have to ask how Do-hee looks in person; it’s not like I’ve seen her before.”

“By the time of Seven, NND was already active in America.”

“In the end, after countless questions with no answers, it’s only natural for curiosity to blossom within Jae-hyun.”

“Just when I was getting more curious.”

“What should I say? There’s this feeling that Do-hee and Lira have some kind of resemblance?”

“Though on the flip side, it does spark some bad imaginations.”

“I hope she isn’t the type to tell me to go away because I’m boring… that would be pretty rough. I mean, she gestured for me to move earlier! Of course, the gesture was quite polite?”

“Either way, it’s clear that the three of us would have fun together.”

“I’m certain an opportunity will come.”

“Since she’s a Cartier ambassador, I’ll probably see her at the event anyway, right?”

“I’m looking forward to hanging out with them at the after-party.”

“Of course, Lira might play it cool and ignore me, but if she gets close to Do-hee, won’t she eventually join in on the fun?”

“Anyway, I got it. I’ll ask the manager in a bit.”

“Yeah, when he’s giving his speech, give him a bit of applause. He might get emotional, you know.”

“Sure thing.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Young-jun casually shoved an earbud into one of Jae-hyun’s ears.

“Alright, now let’s listen to this.”

Maybe it was because he felt responsible as the leader of the group, but Young-jun made it a point to listen to songs and music videos from other groups he was concerned about right from their debut.

Most of those were likely competitors he viewed as rivals.

After they hit it big in America, K-pop idols seemed to be less of a concern, focusing only on American artists.

[DEBONAIR ‘Double Extra Bold’ Official M/V]

On the tablet was the thumbnail of a five-member girl group dressed in hip outfits, striking cool poses while looking down.

“If you don’t want to listen, then don’t.”

“No, I was about to check it out anyway. I told you I was a fan of theirs back in the day. I like their songs.”

And among them, the one who caught his eye, Do-hee, wore a snapback with a New York logo and a baggy windbreaker, squatting in the middle, resting her upper body forward.

“Wow~ She really has a stunning visual.”

As she slightly lowered her head, some tousled hair obscured her view, but the eyes peeking through were even more striking.
Bowing my head, my disheveled hair slightly blocked my view, but the sharpness of my eyes peeking through was more impressive.

Having been in the entertainment industry for over nine years, I’ve seen countless beauties, and my fascination has pretty much worn off, yet this appearance still made me think.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed that I didn’t see them properly earlier.

“But are they hip-hop?”

“Yeah, judging by the teaser, it’s boom bap.”

“Boom bap?”

Jae-hyun showed a slight surprise.

“Really?”

He couldn’t help it.

So far, Coral Blue was the only girl group to have a boom bap track.

In fact, I vaguely remember that Coral Blue’s song and performance were not as impressive as their name suggested back then.

“I thought they were going for a refreshing dance hip-hop vibe like last year’s ‘New vibes’.”

“That song was good. Not a self-written track though.”

“But they did the lyrics.”

So, if it’s boom bap, it would definitely be different from the hip-hop style Debonaire showcased before.

“But the title is pure boom bap. ‘Double Extra Bold’. You know? The characteristic heavy beat of boom bap. It’s totally bold. Thick and deep. Plus it gives a daring feel, which really screams traditional hip-hop boom bap…”

“I get it without you saying anything.”

Just as the conversation broke off, the music video started playing. What a bummer.

The joy of doing reviews like this lies in sharing the feelings we both experience simultaneously and finding our common ground.

“If that’s the case…”

Just as I was about to pout and suggest watching with another member, loud voices jumped out from the earphones.

[Since we’re in New York, how about pizza?] [Waist pizza] [What?] [Huhahaha!!] [Do you think that’s funny? Is it funny?] [Kim Na-eun Unni, do you want to go shopping?] [No, that pose is just funny, haha] [Should we?]

There wasn’t even a moment to think, just a chaotic blend of overlapping voices from the members.

[So, what should we eat first?] [Chest pizza~] [Haha, hehe] [Oh come on, laugh less, just decide quickly, Unni] [Then let’s just eat pizza] [Just just pizza, hahaha] [Oh that Dorahee-like…]

The camera guy seemed busy, matching the frantic pace of the audio with his movements.

[Is anyone else going shopping?] [Should I go too?] [There’s a highly-rated pizza place nearby] [Let’s go shopping together~]

In that moment, the short glimpses of the members showcased their chic hip-hop looks.

Trapper hats, snapbacks, beanies, hoodies with vibrant colors against a white base…

[Are we going to drink too?] [I’m curious about American alcohol] [What’s our schedule like for tomorrow?] [Manager!] [What alcohol?] [Do-hee will sulk again if we drink without her.]
Are we going to drink? I’m curious about American alcohol, though. What’s our schedule for tomorrow, Manager! Ah, what drink is this? Do-hee will sulk again for not drinking with us.

Among them, the member wearing a beanie holds the camera with both hands and leans in.

“This one is Kim Seo-yoon. She’s pretty too and has a nice voice.”

[I’m an artist]

“Huh?”

The camera spins wildly 180 degrees with Seo-yoon’s hand.

[Do-hee can’t drink]

‘…?’

Gone is the smiling face from earlier, with Do-hee now staring at Seo-yoon, looking serious as she finds her older sister’s dad jokes boring.

─Bang!

A startling color change fills the screen.

The members’ pupils shine white against the now-clear lines, and a few members’ bright smiles sparkle like diamonds.

Then, another color and screen reversal.

In a deserted alley, clothing tails flap away from their places.

A huge graffiti is drawn in the middle of a wall.

[D-E-B!]

A cute little devil-like phrase accompanies the sight of a large cassette record player being held and pulled away.

Also dribbling is a basketball from someone’s fingertips.

─Thud, thud, thud

It hits a foot and rolls out weakly, crushed by a car on the street.

─! Click!

Followed by an explosion sound and the button sound of the cassette record player.

The atmosphere flips in an instant.

[one, two, three, four, five]

Five members enter, turning at the alley’s entrance in order.

Dressed in even more casual 90s da-hong colored outfits.

[The ultimate game-changer has arrived (shit)]

Members point to themselves with overflowing confidence.

[Scene-stealer of this ground]

This wasn’t today’s boom-bap.

[Shall we swallow this scene now?]

The most hip-hop of hip-hop.

A clear recreation of 90s old school!

And the rapping, feeling like it has no pitch, improves the characteristically slow beat of around 90bpm into a thrilling idol tune.

[I’m just livin’ for that D-E-B, just that D-E-B]

It breaks into a relatively fast pace.

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