NOVEL NEXT Chapter 338
“Whoa…”
Back in school days, Bae Ha-young, the first Home Mama who fell head over heels for Do-hee at first sight, had fully transformed into a proper office worker and was today browsing articles about Debonaire on her way home.
1-【Debonair – Take What’s Mine Back】
It was just a few days ago that their pre-released song shot straight to number one on the charts.
“F-finally, it’s here.”
Topist, who always loves to keep the album title under wraps, has finally revealed the album name after going through a round of music shows.
[Debonaire, single album ‘Deb ill (Little Demon)’ pre-orders start now]
A flutter of excitement.
Bae Ha-young calmly scrolled through the article.
[Deb ill. Debonaire is suffering from a disease. A sophisticated image combined with a fun and carefree energy. Debonaire is raising fans’ excitement as they start the pre-orders for their second single album ‘Deb ill (Little Demon).’]
This time, Do-hee personally produced the album ‘Deb ill,’ showcasing the mischievous and naughty charms of the Debonaire members.
The pre-release title ‘Take What’s Mine Back’ also features a music video that highlights the members’ playful antics.
.
.
.
A representative from the agency stated, “The album honestly captures the mischievousness and energy that the members couldn’t show on stage,” and added, “Fans will be able to enjoy their diverse appearances on stage and discover new charms.”
Meanwhile, pre-orders for ‘Deb ill’ start today on online album sales sites…
The exhaustion of work life was quickly fading.
“Deb ill, Little Demon…”
Just reading the SNS feeds made Bae Ha-young’s heart race.
─Ugh, what are they hiding now, Deb ill… As soon as I saw it, I got an otaku appendicitis and I’m rolling around crying!
└Seriously, there are tons of kids here suffering from Debonaire fever, sisters ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
└Wait, did you guys know Deb ill = devil? I’m just realizing it and rolling around on my bed ㅠㅠ I think I’ve reached the terminal stage of Debonaire fever, save me!
└Whoa, crazy! So that means they’re little demons, wow wow!
Bae Ha-young always thought that being an idol meant the stage was everything.
─I finally understand why the pre-release music video had that B-level feeling… knowing it makes it even better, I love it to death, dammit, you all are amazing, dammit!!
└So, are the abilities of the members that appeared in the music video based on a little demon worldview? For real?
└Ahh, seriously, the fans are fired up! I’m suffering from Debonaire fever, ahhh!
└Do-hee was involved in writing this music video script too, insane!
Debonaire had some special element that made being a fan rewarding just from the album name and concept alone.
“The album title was probably directed entirely by Do-hee again, right?”
It wasn’t just about the insane planning that made her heart flutter; it was something beyond the simple emotion of just being a fan.
“And seriously, Deb illness. If it’s a Deb illness… ”
Bae Ha-young recalled the trending phrases of the first half of 2026.
It’s currently ongoing.
“Totally.”
It’s even been widely observed among aunties in their 40s and 50s.
“It’s the Do-hee illness!”
A syndrome.
Bae Ha-young internally screamed countless times as she contemplated the album name likely created by the owner of that syndrome.
“Deb illness, devil, troublemaker…”
It was unbearable not being able to scream loudly in public.
Her eyes felt like they were going to burst.
So, Bae Ha-young, pouring out her fiery heart, sought someone to watch Debonaire’s variety show with and headed to another home mama of Do-hee’s.
“No, seriously, they write their own songs and lyrics, create their own music videos, and produce albums, and it’s all just incredibly good…!”
“Exactly, exactly! What kind of sense is that? Ugh, how can my idol be such an idol?”
“That’s why they’re the real queen of the fourth generation after Lira!”
The two of them sat down with chicken and beer, connecting YouTube to the TV, excited as if watching an important sports event.
And when the initial countdown ended.
“Oh!”
With the logo, they cheered.
“Start, start.”
[Drinking]
That was because it was a drinking show.
[Subin: Today’s guest is really, really super-duper special… Seriously, I can introduce them briefly.]
Even though drinking shows had become commonplace, making the content itself not particularly unique or amusing…
[Subin: The hottest girl group in Korea right now! Right now~]
It was the first time Debonaire appeared on a drinking show.
[Waaahhh!]
[Naeun: Hello~]
[Seoyoon: Hello!]
Unfortunately, their favorite Do-hee wasn’t there, but it was still the honest spilling of stories by the drinking Debonaire older sisters, whom they equally liked!
It was highly anticipated.
[Naeun: Actually, I once looked up at Subin sunbaenim from below the stage. Wow~ I was like, she’s a star!]
[Subin: Oh, really? When was that? (surprised)]
[Naeun: Probably when I was in middle school? Almost before I became a trainee. Oh, that was 8 years ago!]
[Subin: Wow, if it was 8 years ago, how old was I? 20? I was a total rookie, right? Jackpot, jackpot. But actually, I’m a bit friendly with Seoyoon.]
[Seoyoon: That’s right. She used to go to the same salon as me, so we got close coming and going.]
There was also a chance for the topic to lead to Do-hee.
“If it’s the same salon, doesn’t it sound like during Seven’s time?”
“Maybe? But then, would she know Do-hee too?”
“You get it. But as for how close they are… Seoyoon has been famous for broadening her connections since Seven.”
“Because Ha-rang and I are famous for our wide footwear, right?”
Bae Ha-young nodded.
Do-hee’s long-time fans already knew that she only mingled with her close circle.
Her personality didn’t leave her with enough time even for her own daily routine.
[Soo-bin: So, Na-eun, what’s your drinking capacity? For starters, Seo-yoon can easily handle five shots of soju.]
[Seo-yoon: No.]
[Na-eun: Actually, I’ve never really gotten that drunk…]
[Soo-bin: Really? Just like I thought, you’re definitely an unni!]
[Seo-yoon: But honestly, Na-eun unni drinks a ton! She keeps sipping quietly by herself, and it goes on endlessly.]
[Soo-bin: I know, I know. Those types can really hold their liquor!]
[Seo-yoon: Exactly! That’s right!]
[Na-eun: No, it’s not that I’m good at drinking.]
[Seo-yoon: ]
[Soo-bin: Okay, okay, cheers!]
Between the lulls in conversation, the drinks were passed around, and the buzz gradually relaxed the atmosphere.
[Na-eun: We actually hang out a lot whenever we get personal time as members. So when we have small parties at night, we drink. Everyone’s always fully present.]
[Soo-bin: Really? Don’t you go out to meet other friends? You’re always together anyway. You guys must get along so well.]
[Na-eun: Yes, it seems like hanging out with the members is the most fun. It’s become a yearly event to party with this same lineup since our debut.]
[Soo-bin: But that’s true. Groups that really stick together on personal breaks last a long time. Oh, by the way, do the other members drink well?]
[Seo-yoon: Not only that. Wow, when Woo-ah and Chiyo drink, their energy is truly overwhelming.]
[Soo-bin: Wait? I had no image of Woo-ah being like that.]
[Seo-yoon: It’s just that people don’t know. When Woo-ah drinks, wow! Her playful side rivals Chiyo’s—if not even exceeds it!]
The members’ stories come out naturally.
[Seo-yoon: They start repeating the same phrases.]
[Soo-bin: But isn’t that just because they’re really drunk? Isn’t that like a drinking habit?]
[Seo-yoon: No, it’s just a declaration. Okay, I’ve had some drinks? Now it’s legal to be playful. Got it? Not even her face is red yet.]
[Hahaha!]
[Soo-bin: Ah, Woo-ah is so funny. Is it really true?]
[Na-eun: (Nods)… Everyone is quite playful.]
Do-hee’s stories had both Bae Ha-young and a friend perked up their ears.
[Soo-bin: So, what’s Do-hee doing there? She’s still underage, right?]
[Seo-yoon: Of course, she doesn’t drink now, so she’s on the side… Oh? Wait a sec, when is this airing? (Answer) Ah~ So it’s before the public reveal. Is this like a spoooon?]
[Na-eun: Oh, oh!]
[Soo-bin: What do you mean?]
─Spo??
─Give us a spoiler, haha!
─What kind of spoiler?
─What’s the spoiler?
As the real-time chat showed, the broadcast was totally focused on Seo-yoon.
“What’s going on? Why is it a spoiler?”
The two munching on chicken said the same.
“Spoiler!?”
But Seo-yoon was just joking around with a laugh.
[Seo-yoon: Well~ Anyway, since Do-hee is too young to drink, she’ll just sip on some soft drinks next to us.]
[Soo-bin: Seriously~ If you’re going to spill, please make it clear.]
[Seo-yoon: Ah~ (joking) But really, we tease Do-hee while we drink, you know? When we’re sipping on Kahlúa, we hand her coffee milk and tell her to suck on her milk.]
[Soo-bin: (laughs) Oh wow, you sisters are such bullies!]
[Seo-yoon: Anyway, she also looks at us and goes, ‘Wow~ It’s great to have older sisters at this age~’ so it’s fair game.]
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]
Seo-yoon perfectly mimicked Do-hee while continuing coolly.
[Seo-yoon: But then, it’s natural to be curious about how our drinks taste, right?]
[Soo-bin: Right, right. So, back in high school, I snatched the drink my dad was having and it was so bad that I spat it right in his face. It was high-proof liquor.]
[Seo-yoon: But Do-hee doesn’t care about such things at all. It’s like, whatever.]
[Soo-bin: Wait, no way… Do-hee knows what alcohol tastes like…?]
[Soo-bin’s personal opinion.]
[This is not the production team's intention...]
─ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
─Do-hee’s wild side ㄷㄷㄷ
But still, our leader Na-eun steps in.
[Na-eun: Do-hee really is a bit of a model student, so there’s that.]
[Seo-yoon: Hmm, yeah, she’s totally a Confucian girl.]
[Soo-bin: Wait, Do-hee is a Confucian girl?]
[Seo-yoon: Absolutely. Right?]
[Na-eun: That’s true. Fans might know. A clear example is that Do-hee refers to herself with kind of those terms. She emphasizes etiquette so much.]
[Soo-bin: What kind of terms!?]
The two home moms knew exactly what that referred to.
“A gentleman.”
“Oh!”
The famous Do-hee’s obsession with gentlemen.
“Do-gentleman.”
And there they went.
[Na-eun: For instance, she always says ‘gentleman’. Sometimes she says nobleman, virtuous person, cultured person…]
[Seo-yoon: What did she say last time?]
[Na-eun: Do-scholar?]
[Seo-yoon: Oh, right, right. Do-scholar, what even is that.]
─Do-scholar ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
─ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Do-cultured person is hilarious too.
─Patriot (Do) scholar?! What even ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
The two home moms watching the broadcast couldn’t help but burst into laughter.