Before we dive into the year-end stage preparations.
Our Team Leader from the Music Performance Directing Team asked us for our opinions.
“Hey guys, how do you want to direct this performance?”
Usually, all year-end stages are overseen and directed by the agency’s music performance directing team or an external directing team.
The Members normally just give their best according to the set performance without voicing their ideas.
But this time, there was an unusual movement to reflect our opinions.
The agency said this:
“If WMA and MWMA have produced splendid stages, this time we want a stage that can highlight the unique personalities and atmosphere of you all who debuted from a survival program.”
The Members quickly shared their thoughts based on the experiences they had gained in [Jodul3], responding positively and cooperating.
Of course, I also expressed my opinions without resistance.
But as I gradually began to understand the workings of the entertainment industry, I could grasp the underlying intentions of the agency.
“WMA and MWMA invested many resources for a glamorous stage, but this time the investment for the three major broadcasting networks will be reduced.”
In other words, the agency poured resources into WMA and MWMA, where their pride was on the line, but this time they intended to cut back on investments.
That said, I didn’t think the agency was wrong.
Because after all, “Seven disbands in a year and a half.”
The limitations of a limited-time project girl group.
Since the agency was ultimately a business entity that needed to turn a profit, any investment had to yield returns proportional to the investment.
This is why they spared no expense on tracks and music videos that could directly translate into operating profit.
In reality, our song was a collaboration with overseas songwriters.
The music video was filled with CG that screamed money.
But the year-end stage was different.
Investing doesn’t directly generate tangible returns.
The only thing that can be gained from year-end stage investment is additional recognition.
But Seven already had enough recognition.
Even if we boost our recognition, we are ultimately a girl group that will disband, so there’s no guarantee that the investment made today will pay off within a year and a half.
In the end, the year-end stage on the three major broadcasting networks had to be decorated with the essence of the Members’ abilities and atmosphere.
This meant that attention had to be focused on the Members, demanding stronger performances, choreography, and outfits from them.
After dedicating myself to more challenging choreography and performance practice, the day had finally come for our first public year-end stage.
The first to be held among the year-end stages of the three major broadcasters was the KBC Music Festival featuring ‘Mak Makz,’ the group I’m part of.
One day before the stage.
Rehearsals were in full swing at Gocheok Sky Dome.
“Seven, we will start rehearsal now.”
“Let’s start the rehearsal.”
A handful of dancers from our choreo team and our members took the stage.
Compared to other teams hiring dozens of backup dancers to create grand stages, we looked pretty shabby.
But on the bright side, it definitely drew more attention to us.
Especially during the high notes in Sara Unni’s rearranged part and the acrobatic moves from main dancer Chae-rin Unni, gasps of admiration could be heard from the staff everywhere.
This was even noticeable while monitoring.
“I’m Jeon Ha-rang, and I approve of the official Seven’s style ranking! Gong Chae-rin? You’re so cool!”
“I guess I am a little cool.”
“But since when are you the official style number one? What about me, Kim Seo-yoon?”
“Kim Seo-yoon, you’re the number one cool beauty.”
“Okay.”
Maybe I should learn some acrobatics too.
I want to do something cool too…
“Do-hee, how was Unni’s high note…?”
“Good. The best. Solid.”
“Hehe.”
That’s nice.
“Do-hee, what about me!?”
“Unni, um…”
Kim Ye-eun pouted her lips.
Then she muttered softly to herself.
“…Just how good do you think you are…?”
…?
“Hey, Lee Do-hee! Why are you doing that to our Ye-eun? Our Ye-eun did so well!”
“Hana Unni~”
Moved, Ye-eun Unni hugged Hana Unni tightly.
Of course, Hana Unni isn’t always so sweet.
“But you should’ve done better. Why didn’t you look at the camera here? Were you not focused?”
“Hmph…”
Anyway, while monitoring, I felt confident that we could show a fantastic performance.
And once again, time for a second rehearsal for precise camera direction.
“Are you okay!?”
“Do-hee, are you alright? Can you move?”
“I’m stopping the rehearsal!”
With the commotion around and my throbbing ankle.
“I’m fine.”
It seems all that stretching I’ve been doing since I was a kid helped a bit.
Considering how badly it twisted in that moment.
It hurts a lot, but…
I might recover in a few days.
The problem is, tomorrow’s stage.
“Do-hee’s shoe broke, so stylist team, please come up.”
Due to the production, for the rock version of the rearranged song.
Except for acrobatic Chae-rin Unni, everyone was wearing high-heeled shoes to match the strong image.
And during the rearranging process, an intense group dance seldom seen in girl groups was added in the dance break.
That was a house dance style.
Among them was a choreography where you jump in place while raising your knees.
At the moment of landing, the heel of the shoe snapped and broke.
And of course, my ankle twisted too.
“Looks like we’ll continue the rehearsal today without Do-hee. Do-hee, you should go to the hospital for treatment.”
The KBC Music Festival lineup has been revealed.
– Can’t wait for the collabs!
– What kind of concept will it be? LOL, the youngest girl group members are gonna be so cute!
– If Do-hee dominates the visuals, I’m all in! LOL
└ No fighting, fighting fans respect all groups!
– Pure girl Lucy + Seven Do-hee face combo, hee hee!
– I don’t get how the pure girl won the Rookie Award, but collabs are a different story!
Seven’s fans were looking forward to not only Seven’s stage but also Do-hee’s joint performance.
Surprisingly, the chemistry with other girl groups was something that fans loved.
Above all, breaking away from the existing concept for unique cover stages was a visual treat.
With just one day left until the year-end stage, fans’ anticipation reached its peak.
However, out of nowhere, a post went up on SNS.
[It’s a staff member related to the festival, but it seems Seven Do-hee won’t be performing.]
During a rehearsal, her shoe heel broke, severely twisting her ankle. So the rehearsal is canceled and she’s headed to the hospital.
(photo)
+ This is a picture from the rehearsal stage.
Even though the post had no verification beyond the staff’s picture, it became a hot topic among Seven’s fans in the community.
– Did she really get hurt? T_T
└ If she was hurt, there would be an announcement, right?
└ Yeah, if injured, the agency would post something.
└ Still, just in case! T_T
– Of all times, right at year-end T_T Do-hee, don’t be sick! T_T
– If she’s hurt, she should just rest. No need to perform if she’s in pain.
Skepticism kicked off the first part of the KBC Music Festival.
Famous trot singers and idols took turns on stage, grabbing the attention of various age groups.
As the famous male actor and top-tier female idol took the stage for the MC role…
[Song Hyun: Genie, that was truly an amazing performance, right?]
And continued the proceedings as per the cue sheet.
[Song Hyun: Yes! This is the first project group prepared for the KBC Music Festival!]
[Genie: It’s a dream combination that’s only possible at the KBC Music Festival, right?]
The camera panned to the other members.
[Two Three: Hello! We are the youngest of the youngest girl group, the Makmags!]
– Is Do-hee okay?
– What, Do-hee seems fine! Didn’t trust that random post after all!
– Wow, what a visual Do-hee has today! Updating her peak looks every day!
– Honestly, if Do-hee dominated the visuals, I’m all in! LOL
└ Oh ho
└ LOL can’t deny it now, can you?
└ LOL Pure girl Lucy nailed it, no argument!
– Is Do-hee in Y2K fashion today? So cute! LOL
└ Right? Why do leg warmers suit her so well? LOL
[Song Hyun: Haha, adorably cute! Shall we have each member say hello?]
[Hello, I’m Navy’s youngest Minju~]
[Hello, I’m the youngest Minju from Nebia~]
[Hello, I’m the youngest Natsuyo from Catch One!]
[And the youngest Lucy from Pure Girl~]
[I’m Do-hee, the youngest of Seven!]
[Ji-ni: You four look like you belong to the same group, did your chemistry match during practice?]
.
.
.
[Ji-ni: And Lucy, you were the super cute youngest in Pure Girl, right? But here, you’re an older sister!?]
[Lucy: Yes, I’m actually 2 years older than Do-hee~ I was so happy to have such a cute younger sibling!]
– Hahaha, she really seems to adore her!
└ I would cuddle a maknae with that adorable face all day too, lol.
– Hahaha, Do-hee is the youngest everywhere she goes~
– Isn’t she the youngest among all current girl groups?
└ Yep, that’s right.
└ Do-hee probably holds the record for the youngest debut ever, lol.
*
After finishing the stage, we were back in the waiting room.
As I took off my leg warmers, my bare ankles were exposed.
My hot ankles were quite red and swollen.
Kim Seo-yoon wore a worried expression.
“Ah, look at this. I told you to take a break!”
These kinds of worried looks always feel unfamiliar and cringy, and I want to avoid them.
“I’m fine! No need to worry.”
“Hana Unni! Her ankle is swollen!”
I tried to avoid using my left foot by propping my right foot up, but it seems I couldn’t help but strain my left foot a bit, so it swelled a little.
Hana Unni came over and began to fuss over my ankle in a stern tone.
“I told you to rest.”
“Unni, don’t you think my ankle is really pretty?!”
Having a pretty ankle could easily earn me the title of “Ankle Goddess.”
“Ugh… Chae-rin, go tell the Team Leader that Do-hee is skipping the next stage because of her ankle.”
Are they doctors or what?
“I’m fine; it’s just one stage. I mean, there was a senior who finished a performance despite a torn ligament.”
Compared to that, I’m just sprained.
I think I can manage with some spray and wrapping it up.
They even swapped my shoes from heels to comfy sneakers because of me; I don’t want to be a bother any more than this.
“And also, if I perform on stage like this, later there will be an article titled ‘Idol Member of Enduring Injury’ with a heroic story.”
“Ugh…”
I feel bad to show a lackluster performance after practicing for weeks just because of me.
More than that, I’m thinking of the members even when I’m in pain.
That’s kind of cool.
I guess I really do have leader qualities.
Even I think it’s perfect to the point of losing my humanity.
Sigh…
“Ah, she has that weird expression again.”
