Chapter 29

Debut Preparation

The studio was easy to find. According to Dad, we got lucky and took over a studio that a professional had been using.

When I checked the photos, it turned out to be a more serious recording studio than I had expected. I suspect we must have paid extra to get it.

In any case, the studio was designed for comfortable music production, and the soundproofing equipment was perfect. It was ready for me to just show up.

The studio itself was spacious, so I decided to move Hyun-oh's things here. I would be spending more time at the studio than at home, after all.

However, I couldn't find time to work on songs. I started practicing early in the morning and didn't finish until late at night, leaving no time for songwriting. Most of the time, we moved as a group, so I couldn't slip away alone.

In the end, I planned to wake up early in the morning, go to the studio, and write songs. Just for an hour or two. Fortunately, it was close enough to walk to.

However, there was a hurdle. I had to sneak out of the dorm without Seohoon, O-ran, and Cho-rok, who shared the room, noticing.

In the end, I had to reveal the truth quickly. I was going to lie and say I had gone for an early morning run...

The three of them followed me closely and only returned after confirming I had entered the studio. Cho-rok even put a phone in my hand, telling me to call if anything happened.

If they gave us a common phone, we wouldn't be able to answer it, right? ...Maybe they meant to contact the manager or our parents. Hmm...

With their tacit approval, I began my routine of leaving the dorm and going to the studio every morning.

* * *

The debut preparation went smoothly. However, as if to teach us not to let our guard down, an unexpected event occurred.

"The company's atmosphere is strange."

"They're being secretive about something."

"Did something happen?"

"Is it because we don't have personal phones? I feel like we're falling behind the world."

We huddled together, put our heads together, and searched on our phones. We first typed in our agency's name. The latest news caught our eye.

All the latest articles were about a former member of SEED, who had left the group without permission, accusing Hanul Entertainment of bullying, which sparked controversy. Fortunately, clear evidence proved the bullying allegations false, and the situation was calming down. However, during the resolution, a bullying scandal involving a current member also broke out, making the situation doubly chaotic.

"Bullying and bullying scandal. The company could be in turmoil."

Cho-rok calmly expressed his thoughts, with an attitude that seemed more than familiar, even tiring.

SEED has always had frequent minor incidents.

Public opinion was likely to shift towards individual activities rather than group activities. SEED, while each member has outstanding abilities, has been a group that generates more noise than synergy when together. Rumors of discord have been persistent, even without clear evidence.

"Cho-rok, if the company is in trouble, aren't we in danger too?"

Parkha was worried about us amidst the controversy. If the company wavers, it could affect our debut.

"Are you worried the debut might fall through?"

"Maybe..."

How could we let go of this opportunity?

Parkha, who had been a trainee for a long time, often heard stories about debuts falling through or companies going bankrupt. It was a realistic concern.

"Hanul Entertainment is more solid than you think. And the CEO won't sit idly this time."

Hanul Entertainment has long been criticized for its weak media response. But that was because they cared for their artists.

If the artists they cared for were no longer their own, or if the artists took a strong stance?

Hanul Entertainment's CEO, Son Jung-gi, rose from a manager to become the CEO. He was not someone to be underestimated. He had a solid network in the entertainment industry and decisive leadership. If the CEO took action, he could turn public opinion around without the PR team.

"I've heard everything. So don't worry. Dan-oh isn't a bad person."

"How far does your network extend, Cho-rok?"

I couldn't hold back my curiosity and asked.

"Because of my father, I've been close to the people in this industry since I was young. I've built a network that now spans the entertainment industry like a spider web."

Is his father an entertainer or part of a broadcasting company? Building a network from a young age... Should I say he's socially adept or shrewd?

Cho-rok read the members' anxiety and reassured them.

"Anyway, it's the company's problem, and we can't get involved. We just need to believe and wait. We need to focus on our roles."

We couldn't explain or make decisions about the company's controversies. Worrying wouldn't make things better.

"If we debut, all kinds of trials will come. What if you're already scared? Huh?"

"This kind of incident is nothing. Isn't it?"

O-ran, who was leaning against the wall, immediately agreed. The two of them taking it lightly made the other members feel more at ease.

"Then we'll just trust Cho-rok! We picked a good leader!"

Parkha, who had been deflated, quickly regained her cheerful energy and praised Cho-rok. Jion, sitting next to her, shrugged, meaning it was cool. O-ran and Seohoon patted Cho-rok's back and shoulders.

I wanted to join in but couldn't find the right moment. Cho-rok roughly patted my head, making it shake.

"Just do what feels right. Why are you so hesitant? You're part of the team too."

Cho-rok smiled and reassured me, who couldn't gauge the distance. We moved on from this small incident.

* * *

The former member's sinister plan to gain sympathy by accusing Hanul Entertainment of bullying and trying to restart activities in Korea was exposed to the public, and the situation involving the SEED seniors took a sudden turn. I heard the company was starting legal proceedings.

The bullying allegations against Dan-oh were revealed to be fabricated when a classmate came forward with evidence.

Hanul Entertainment announced that they would take a strong stance against baseless controversies.

Hanul Entertainment, which had previously let scandals fizzle out or showed leniency to trolls, was now taking action. The public was surprised by this.

Although not publicly known, SEED was gradually reducing group activities. The member who had caused numerous scandals was leaving on his own, and the rest would focus on individual activities under the SEED brand.

Individually, it was more profitable, and it was difficult to restore the group's image, so they made a quick decision. However, announcing the group's dissolution immediately would cause a strong backlash from fans. The company chose to gradually make SEED forgotten.

Regardless of the events, the debut preparations for Theora (tentative name) proceeded smoothly. In fact, the de facto dissolution of the senior group seemed to have a positive impact on us.

The staff who had worked with SEED started to hand over their responsibilities. With only about five months left until our debut, it was time to have dedicated staff.

Following the schedule, we began acting practice. We needed to build a solid foundation before the music video story was released.

It seemed that none of the debut members would do bad acting. They all had natural expressions and didn't freeze or overact in front of the camera. It would be similar to performing on stage, right?

In fact, Seohoon, who had been a child actor, had a stable performance. O-ran acted boldly, and Cho-rok acted with a natural flair. Jion's acting wasn't awkward either.

Personally, I wondered if I would be a weak link since I had never acted before, but I received praise. I must have copied the other members' expressions well without being noticed.

The unexpected member was Parkha. Her large and free emotional expressions were surprising. I had expected more from her, given her experience as a fitting model at a shopping mall.

Clearly, it was a scene where she had to reluctantly break up with her lover, but she couldn't get into it.

"Parkha... I didn't expect this from you."

"Isn't it okay?"

Parkha didn't even realize she was doing bad acting. I hesitated to point it out, but someone else would, like the acting teacher.

"As it is, your scenes in the music video will be edited out. No, we'll only include scenes where you're sleeping or standing still to show your face."

"...That much? For me? Really?"

"Really. How do you act as a model? The photos look great. Just do that."

"Modeling? Can I say this? It's embarrassing!"

We all nodded with question marks on our faces. What could be so embarrassing?

"When I model, I think to myself. I'm struggling with loneliness, but I'm the coolest! If I show my perfect profile, I'll collapse. Can I look this good? My good looks are so overwhelming, is it okay? Like that."

"..."

We were speechless. Everyone just stared at Parkha's face.

Looking at her face, I couldn't call it nonsense. I don't know how she hides it normally, but her confidence in her face and body was sky-high.

"The photographer always says to act cool. To stand like a boyfriend you want to show off to everyone or to look down thinking no one is better looking than me. I got used to it..."

Parkha's excuse didn't work. Even with the photographer's instructions, not everyone praises their own good looks internally.

"That's why you couldn't act. You had to show despair and anger, a scene where you had to break down."

The teacher tried to understand the mechanism behind Parkha's bad acting to find a solution.

"Parkha is bad acting. Parkha is bad. Criticizing. Bad acting. Yo!"

What did he hear? It was a rap that made you doubt your ears. Jion deliberately rapped, breaking each word, like a beginner, clearly mocking.

The members, except Parkha, tried to hold back their laughter but eventually burst out. The acting teacher next to us also chuckled.

"Jioooon!"

"Why? Your tone is right. Just act cool while feeling desperate."

"O-ran! Why is that cool? It's confidence!"

Even while being mocked, Parkha didn't forget her pride in her face.

"No, just a little adjustment. Let's look at handsome actors for reference."

The teacher thought Parkha's bad acting was due to hesitation in showing vulnerability. While he searched for materials on his tablet, we teased Parkha.

"Parkha, what gives you so much confidence?"

Instead of answering Seohoon, Parkha rested her chin on the back of her hand, emphasizing her face. Seohoon was completely defeated. It was a difficult task to deny the truth to Seohoon, who avoided lies and curses.

"She doesn't know. Good acting makes you look even better. You can act good-looking."

It's true that good looks can be acted. The aura of top-tier actors makes even their faces look good. Of course, it requires exceptional acting skills. Cho-rok gently coaxed Parkha, leaving out that part.

"Really?"

"Why would we lie to you? You're the visual of our group. If you keep this up, we might have to give the visual position to I-won. I-won is a better actor than you."

"No way!"

She slowly repeated Cho-rok's words, blinking.

Am I threatening Parkha with my good looks?

I couldn't be as good-looking as Parkha, so I took it as a compliment that I could act good-looking. It was an exaggeration, but it felt good.

Parkha, seduced by the plausible temptation, rekindled her enthusiasm for acting.