I Became An Idol To Pay Off My Debt

After Ha Ye-rin’s intro ended, the other members’ parts followed in turn.

– The moment our eyes met.

– A five seconds of fate with starlight falling.

And the first feeling fans experienced was…

‘Wow, everyone is so good…’

Of course, Rookies wasn’t originally a group known for weak performances.

In fact, they were a collection of trainees who survived in a survival show, so they felt well above the average idol level.

But right now…

– We are meteor falling star

– And in your heart, shooting star

It felt like watching a veteran group’s performance.

‘Are these guys really not even a year into their debut?’

What stood out most was that the overall vocal ability had noticeably improved.

Especially Na Han-na, who had outstanding dance skills but lacked in singing, felt more like a backup dancer before…

– An unforgettable scenery in your heart

This time, she was confidently assigned an appropriate part, and her tone and pitch were incredibly soothing.

But the one who stood out the most was still Ha Ye-rin.

– We will forever remain in your heart

– I will be your star.

While her vocals couldn’t be said to surpass lead vocals like Yoo Seol or Lee Hye-jeong…

Her unique tone and singing-rap blended together to create a highly addictive synergy.

On top of that, Ha Ye-rin’s original strength in dance combined…

– I am your star.

– Even if it disappears before your eyes, I will remain as a star.

She was dominating the stage without her usual overwhelming performance.

It didn’t mean that only Ha Ye-rin was in the spotlight.

If the old Ha Ye-rin was a tyrant on stage, now she was…

‘Leader.’

Rookies had always had harmonious chemistry, but this time, with Ha Ye-rin at the center, they truly orchestrated the stage as one body.

“……”

Fans watched the Rookies’ stage with dazed expressions.

At the same time…

Womp.

They felt a lump in their throats for some inexplicable reason.

Though the stage had a cheerful synth-pop vibe that contradicted fans’ expectations…

– We will forever remain in your heart

– We are eternal star!

The lyrics hinted at a future separation.

Coupled with the underlying sadness that in six months, they wouldn’t see such a Rookies again, it left the audience speechless.

But Rookies’ performance didn’t make the fans shed tears.

♩♪♬♬-!

With the bright atmosphere of the synthesizer keyboard and easy-to-chant lyrics, instead of crying, fans quickly channeled that energy into support and cheers.

“Waaaah-!!”

“Kyahhhh-!”

Was it because Rookies’ stage was so amazing?

Or was it due to the appropriate use of stage lighting?

Swish.

Yoo Chang-seon, who was fervently cheering along with the fans, felt as if starlight enveloped the Rookies’ stage in a fantastical manner.

And it seemed he wasn’t the only one feeling this…

“Waaaah-!”

As the performance flowed on, the fans cheered louder for Rookies.

‘This song is a hit.’

All of Rookies’ songs, such as [Secret Girl] and [Breakin Bad!], were hits, but that wasn’t their limit.

Rookies, who appeared to have experienced ups and downs, were indeed rookie idols capable of further growth…

During this stage, Rookies wholeheartedly showcased their greatly enhanced skills.

“Kyahhh-!”

“I love Rookies-!!”

Thus, the showcase stage successfully concluded along with the fans’ huge cheers.

After the stage ended and they spent some time with fans…

The most nerve-wracking Q&A session with reporters arrived.

Fortunately, this time the reporters were less provocative than during Park Yoo-jung’s school violence incident.

However…

“I would like to ask Ha Ye-rin. If NAS offers a contract extension for Rookies, would you be willing to accept it?”

“……!”

Among them was a sharply surprising question.

Would NAS offer a contract extension…?

At that moment, the other members flinched as well…

“Could that really happen?”

“Is there such a possibility?”

“If that could happen, we wouldn’t have to disband Rookies, right?”

Fans in the audience began murmuring at the possibility that Rookies might not disband.

“……”

I found it incredibly difficult to answer the question.

If I indicated a positive answer, I could raise fans’ false hopes; if I indicated a negative one, it could make me seem insincere about Rookies.

So I replied…

“Well… I’d prefer to focus on our music and the fans who love us right now rather than on possibilities after a disbandment.”

I answered casually with a small smile.

“…Yes, thank you for your response.”

The reporter showed a slightly disappointed expression at my vague answer but didn’t press further.

Then came the next question.

“Currently, as Rookies’ showcase is underway, Python’s 2nd album showcase is also happening elsewhere. It’s expected that the two groups will compete in music charts again. As Rookies’ leader, what are your thoughts on Python?”

“……”

This question was directed at me again, and it was just as difficult to answer.

By chance or design, Rookies and Python’s activities perfectly overlapped.

Teaser releases, music video releases, even showcase dates and streaming dates were the same.

It was something you couldn’t help but care about.

As for what I thought about Python…

The journalist’s face was filled with anticipation.

He seemed eager to glean sensational news from me.

Of course, I had no intention of satisfying his expectations but planned to answer with a smile just like before.

However….

[Unique Quest]

[Content: Become the best idol.]

[Penalty for failure: Void]

[Reward for success: One thing you desire desperately]

Whether it was the quest to become the best idol weighing on my mind now…

Or perhaps…

‘Rookies are destined to be a failing group anyway.’

Maybe it was because of O Ah-ra’s words that Rookies would inevitably fail, igniting a competitive spirit within me.

“Python is a great group. But I believe our Rookies are an even greater group.”

“……!”

I blurted out a provocative answer that journalists were likely hoping for instead of the prepared response from my heart.

“This time, Python’s schedule overlaps with ours… We’ll show a better side of Rookies while having a fair competition.”

“Waaaah-!”

Even with what could be perceived as a brash declaration of victory, fans cheered excitedly.

“Um, um, I would like to ask an additional question!”

“Do you have any friendships with Python members…?”

The reporters started tapping their laptops vigorously, bombarding me with questions.

And…

“……”

“……”

Director Jeong below and the members next to me looked at me as if they wondered what I had eaten wrong.

A few days after the showcase ended.

[Leader Ha Ye-rin of Rookies says “We will defeat Python.”]

[Rookies and Python’s music is being released today. Who will be the winner?]

[YW Planning vs NAS Entertainment: Python vs Rookies – Who will take the new girl group throne?]

Until the release of Rookies and Python’s music, online articles heatedly illuminated the competition between the two groups.

And I was…

“…Unnie, my arm hurts.”

“Hold it higher.”

“Unnieii…”

“More.”

“……”

Days later, I was still being harshly scolded by Yoo Seol, who was ice-cold.

“Ye-rin, are you even thinking? Why did you act impulsively without consulting anyone?”

“Unnie, I’m sorry… So please let me off the hook a bit… My arm is so numb…”

“…Even aegyo won’t save you. You’re staying like this until the music is released.”

After holding my hand up for hours, my arm hurt a lot.

…But I had to admit, I deserved to be scolded.

Because my impulsive action on the day of the showcase had put Rookies in unnecessary trouble.

‘No, Ye-rin! What did you do during the Q&A earlier!!’

…Even Director Jeong, who was usually calm, was so agitated it spoke volumes.

The only relief was that I didn’t look completely rude that day.

Reporters framed my competitive spirit as the headline, and the public found the heated competition between Rookies and Python utterly fascinating.

It’s said that a cow takes a step back to catch a mouse.

Thanks to that, both Rookies and Python gained unexpected benefits from all the attention.

Of course, I had to keep begging Director Jeong and the members that there wouldn’t be another situation like this.

“Unnie, can you let Ye-rin off the hook now? The music is about to drop…”

“…Okay, Ha Ye-rin, put your hand down.”

“Yes…! Thank you.”

“…If anything like this happens again, it’ll be really boring.”

“…Yes.”

Trembling, I nodded at Yoo Seol’s chilling warning.

Then I joined the members gathered in front of the screen, waiting for the music’s release.

“It’s almost exactly the right time. Is our song up?”

“Just a sec, refreshing… Oh! It’s up!”

As soon as it hit the exact time, [Meteor] was released on the music streaming site.

And our song being released meant…

[Love like dark – Python(파이톤)]

That Python’s song was also released.

Due to the little ball I tossed with my words, media attention concentrated on the competition between Rookies and Python…

The other Rookies members couldn’t help but pay attention to Python.

“Wow, their song is super good…”

“Yes, it’s a total banger….”

Thanks to that, we anxiously watched the rankings on the Top 100 chart, which would be released at 1 AM.

And when 1 AM came…

“It’s one o’clock…!”

“Did we chart?!”

“We, we charted!”

“Huh? Python charted too!”

“Who’s higher?!”

“Um…!”

Both Rookies and Python successfully made it onto the charts.

Seeing our rankings against Python, we couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed.

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