Chapter 8

The first start, without a doubt, was the debut stage [Rainbow].

Fitting the agency's name, 'Colors,' the debut song was also titled 'Rainbow.'

The composition was by Danha of the Colors idol group 'Burnish,' and the lyrics were written by Doi of the Colors idol group 'White Noise.'

Their slogan was, "A stage by Colors, for Colors, and through Colors."

"Director Kang."

"Yes."

"What do you think of the song?"

PD Oh watched the twelve trainees ascending the stage, biting his nails.

"The song has to be good for them to succeed. I don't have an ear for music, so I can't tell if it's good or bad. I also don't like that it was composed and written by Colors idols."

PD Oh was quite dissatisfied with the stage, which was entirely produced using Colors idols, as per President Hong's instructions.

"President Hong's favoritism towards Colors should be acknowledged. He's overly protective of his own. I mean, it's not like he's obsessed with the domestic economy or something, but why is everything in-house?"

"Well, it's unfortunate... but if I had raised them to this level, I would want to use them too."

That was a valid point. PD Oh swept his finger across his lips.

"Given how much money he's poured into them, they should be used."

"Right."

"Isn't he rarely seen outside the studio these days? Obsessed with producing and composing?"

"He's famous for that. He has no interest in the company's management, which is why Director Kim can act so tyrannically."

"President Hong is good in many ways, but that's a real problem. If only Director Kim had been removed, Colors would be the top in the country right now."

"That's true. But he's so passionate about music..."

"That's why he's successful, but it's also a shame."

Director Kang nodded calmly.

From the planning of 'Menucal,' the production team and Director Kim often clashed.

Director Kim, focusing on debuting his niece, Kim Ryeo-yu, chose a path that would ruin the entire group.

If PD Oh hadn't restrained her, Kim Ryeo-yu would have already taken over, and her close trainees would have been included in the debut.

"How can a major agency like this even do that?"

"It's a major agency, not a large corporation. And even large corporations don't always run smoothly."

"Indeed, just look at our broadcasting station..."

PD Oh clicked his tongue, thinking of the director who was swayed by Director Kim.

How much money had he taken?

"But, the song is good."

At Director Kang's words, PD Oh's eyes lit up.

"Really? Are you sure?"

"Yes. As you know, the director isn't great, but—"

Director Kang scanned the trainees on the monitor and continued.

"Those kids are definitely good."

The stage lights were off, and the twelve trainees stood in a V formation.

At the center was Kim Ryeo-yu.

On either side were Seo Baek-yeong and Ryu Bo-ra.

Behind them were the other nine trainees in a line.

Each trainee wore a white shirt and a black school skirt, aiming for a preppy look.

The only difference in their otherwise uniform outfits was their accessories.

Yoon Cheong wore a necklace, Seo Baek-yeong a bracelet, Ryu Bo-ra a hairpin, Kim Ryeo-yu earrings, Yeon Joo-hong a brooch, and Kim Geum a ring.

The other trainees also wore different accessories.

Though different, they all shared a common feature: a golden wing pendant.

Just as someone with a keen eye might notice this, the instrumental began.

The center, Kim Ryeo-yu, started with a lively pop sound.

I am your New color

Paint me, draw me

Dye you, paint you

The chorus began immediately.

All twelve trainees performed a moderately difficult group dance without changing their formation much.

However,

But the rainbow fades away

The only eternal thing is the blue sky

The song's atmosphere changed completely with Yoon Cheong's vocals.

Unlike the catchy hook in the first half, which anyone could enjoy—

Over the rainbow

We’re waiting for you

I'll steal all your colors

I'll paint my colors on you

The overall mood became grand and somber.

The light-hearted choreography also became more intense.

As the song reached its climax,

The twelve trainees formed a circle, pointing to the center.

Over the rainbow

We’re still here

We’re still blue

With Ryu Bo-ra's final vocals, all the trainees turned and sat down.

Hugging their knees, the song ended.

***

"..."

Sure enough, the atmosphere was tense.

I looked around.

Despite the meeting being announced an hour earlier, everyone had already gathered.

But no one spoke.

It was understandable.

Just yesterday, our first joint performance and debut song, 'Rainbow,' had been released.

It's out, it's out

▶ [First Release! 'Menucal's first stage, [Rainbow]. The girls are here to paint a rainbow in your heart]

In less than 24 hours, the video's views were a huge hit.

However, the attention wasn't all positive.

?Is this a major agency? The kids are so bad, I thought they were amateurs

└Amateurs are better than this lol

Colors is outdated

The center is a bit awkward

└I'd rather have Ryu Bo-ra as the center

└Next, a Ryu Bo-ra stan

└Seo Baek-yeong has the best dance lines

But surprisingly, the unknown trainee is better. Who's singing the chorus? So refreshing

└She'll be a star

└Her name is Yoon Cheong 😭 Please make my Cheong look pretty

Ryu Bo-ra is amazing, she's an actor and still does well;

Who's the pink-haired girl? She's so cute 😭

└Yeon Joo-hong

└Wow, her name is Yeon Joo-hong

The teaser had already sparked interest, and the self-introduction videos had solidified it.

When the stage was released, it was chaos.

Some trainees received good reviews, while others did not.

The more well-known trainees received harsher criticism.

'...This was expected.'

Generally, there are high expectations for already known trainees.

Unknown trainees, starting from zero, can make a better first impression.

'Famous trainees... a double-edged sword.'

Success can be huge, but even a slight failure can be devastating.

That's the fate of trainees.

Everyone looked unhappy, but Kim Ryeo-yu seemed the most nervous.

Why?

Because the production team had just—

'Just now, it seemed there was tension between trainee Kim Ryeo-yu and other trainees over the center position?'

'Was there any dissatisfaction with the center selection?'

conducted such interviews.

Being the center doesn't mean everything.

The show is just beginning.

***

Production Team: We noticed some tension between trainee Kim Ryeo-yu and other trainees over the center position.

Subtitle: Kyung-a points upwards... what does it mean?

Subtitle: Kim Ryeo-yu, the newly appointed center

Subtitle: (Bitterly)

Production Team: Actually, Ryeo-yu being the center isn't new.

Production Team: Are you disappointed that you couldn't be the center?

Production Team: Do you not have a desire for the center?

Production Team: Then why?

Production Team: How did you feel when you became the center?

Production Team: There's a lot of talk about the center controversy.

Subtitle: Ryeo-yu, unable to continue speaking...

Production Team: What do you think the reason is for you being chosen as the center?

Subtitle: Ryeo-yu wipes away her tears

Subtitle: Though she couldn't speak, she was hurt...

Stay tuned for next week!

Watch, watch, watch the live broadcast!]

With cheesy subtitles, 'Make a New Color' Episode 1 ended.

"...It's more interesting than I thought?"

Viewers who had no expectations were scratching their heads after the first episode.

This is more interesting than I thought...!