[Woo-ah: Basically, I really like the song and I feel affection for my part. Isn’t the song really fun? It’s good and funky.]
It wasn’t captured in the behind-the-scenes, but before entering the recording studio, Woo-ah, who had thoroughly prepared by taking notes on the lyrics while sitting next to Do-hee, had this to say.
[Woo-ah: More than anything, working with the producer (??) for the first time and recording together, they seemed to know us so well, like we were old friends. They set the parts nicely for us & gave very clear instructions on what they wanted, which really captured our vibe. I’m sure the air will love it a lot, right?]
Once inside the recording studio, they finished the recording neatly, just like the older sisters before them.
─ It’s my first time as a producer, lol
─ Why is Woo-ah so bold? lol
However, the following recording of Chiyo was different. Despite being behind-the-scenes, there were signs of a bit of a slump.
[♪Sweeee… -thud.]
It was because Do-hee, for an unusual reason, was caught on camera multiple times leaning back in her chair, immersed in thought.
[The charismatic producer fidgeting with her lips, looking troubled.]
─ I bet Do-hee put those subtitles herself, totally recommend.
└ Haha, I can imagine that, it’s cute.
In reality, among the four, Do-hee’s concrete directing was mainly evident in Chiyo’s parts.
[Do-hee: Right now, “swee-et” feels too drawn out, can we tighten it up a bit?]
[Older sister, can you make “sweet” just a bit tighter? But don’t say it too clearly. It’s okay if you muffle it a bit. Just feel it, feel it.]
[I’ll play it for you. Okay, let’s do “sweet” one more time, just for the last.]
[Shorter, shorter. That last one was good, let’s go with this.]
[When you say “De-mon,” try touching just the tip of your tongue to your bottom teeth instead of your upper gums. Keep the middle of your tongue touching the roof of your mouth. Uh, mix it up like the D and Z sounds in English. Yup, that’s it.]
From somewhat abstract directions to very detailed and specific ones, even down to the tongue position.
─ What’s up with our Ra-hee being so cool…? They gave such clear and precise directions, I’m drooling…
─ Back in Seven, Do-hee was just sitting next to Chae-rin like a dummy, drooling… for real.
And sometimes the intense impressions Do-hee showed would spread through the community, imprinting themselves as distinctly as her looks.
[Chiyo, with many points to capture.]
That said, she didn’t just make things up either.
Given the characteristics of this song with many choruses, changes in emotions needed to be conveyed as the song progressed across verses one, two, and three.
[NEED, let’s try to make this part a bit shorter as well.]
[Not bad, but the “De-mon” here needs to be faster.]
[But the demons here need to be faster.]
And since the parts had to be evenly distributed, there were quite a few chorus lines aimed at Chiyo added to the intro line.
Anyway, it was Do-hee’s role as the director to point out the key parts for Chiyo, who was the most vocally inexperienced.
Of course, the extreme amount of behind-the-scenes footage was also due to their chatty and playful personalities.
[Do-hee: Yeah, older sister, that was good, but this time let’s roll the syllables a bit more to say it sexily-.]
[Chiyo: (shrugging her shoulders again) If I get any sexier from here… Chiyo will be overly sexy, broadcast prohibited…]
[Do-hee: Hoo… (wipes her face)]
─ Hahaha, why is Chiyo so funny and cute?ㅋㅋㅋ
─ (My honest opinion) Chiyo is totally sexy… Chiyo has an adorable charm… It’s a seriously bouncy sexy… I’m going insane… You’re driving me crazy, Kim Ji-su…
*
At the same time, Do-hee’s Home Mama Bae Ha-young was writing and flying through comments in real-time.
─ (video) thud……
─ Just kill me……
─ Do-hee, you’re really amazing?
─ Make me insane…
─ (photo) When did our fluffball turn into this…?
─ I think I want to die
─ (Add to Do-hee’s banned list++)
No more sweet chocolate lattes that make my eyes widen
No more heart-thumping giggles
No more gentle eye smiles
No more staring with arms crossed
No more cutely teasing older sisters then giving fluttery compliments
No more serious directing while guiding with a deep voice
No more guilty actions while demonstrating
Today’s crazy Home Mama tension.
“Ha-ah…”
But looking at her recording and directing behind-the-scenes, it was inevitable that one would catch ‘doki-doki disease’ like Bae Ha-young.
─ Video down!!! Not suitable for broadcast!!! My nosebleed is bursting…
And before the tissues stuffed in both nostrils dried up, another hot topic rolled into Bae Ha-young.
It was the popular program [Star B-Side].
“This preview finally dropped…!”
A dopamine festival after a long time.
The video under 20 seconds flew by in an instant.
[Two concepts! Colorful charm! Trending idol Debonaire!]
─ Hello, we are Debonaire.
[First reveal of the five true friends living together!]
─ Feed me.
[And an even closer uncle manager…?]
─ I’ve been watching these kids since they were (beep)…
[Sweet and swirly demon music video filming scene!]
Behind the camera on set!
─(Panel cheers)
Each scene excites the viewers’ desires, but of course, the most curious moment was this one.
[Finally revealing the behind-the-scenes of Do-hee Lee’s composition!]
─Ah… wait a second!
Composition behind the scenes!
“This is coming out…? Really!?”
Just as everyone was wondering what the composition behind the scenes would be like after watching the recording and directing behind the scenes.
Since it’s the first variety show to be aired after Debonaire’s Self-Content, the ratings were bound to be enormous.
[Coming out on Friday at 11:10!]
We had to wait a few days, though.
*
Swallowing a yawn due to a dry throat, I opened the door to get some water.
‘Huh?’
I thought the lights should be off outside.
The orange glow of the lamps still gently illuminated the kitchen.
And there sat Chiyo Unni at the dining table.
Checking the ticking clock, it was 11 o’clock.
During activity periods, we usually only sleep for three or four hours, so all the members should normally be out cold.
I approached Chiyo Unni very slowly, trying to make some noise.
“What are you doing, Unni?”
Only then did she seem to notice me, turning her head as she put her phone screen down flat on the table.
“…Nothing.”
I glanced at her phone, which was covered by her hand.
“What’s Do-hee doing at this hour?”
I took two cups from the cupboard and slowly poured water from the purifier.
One was mixed with warm and hot water, the other was cold.
“I’m just going to drink some water.”
Of course, cold water was my preference, and the warm water was slightly tinged with the raspiness of Chiyo Unni’s voice.
“But Unni, your voice seems a bit hoarse. I guess you practiced singing a lot today, huh?”
Chiyo Unni, startled, grabbed the cup of water in her hand.
“Working hard is good, but since we’re sure to get 1st place tomorrow, you should take care of your voice. The condition is important if we’re going to do an encore live.”
She started sipping the water quietly, bit by bit.
“Should I add some honey?”
“I’m fine.”
She rejected the offer pretty coolly.
“Don’t follow Na-eun Unni’s example.”
“……?”
Of course, Chiyo Unni was a person too, so she didn’t have infinite energy and it was natural for her tension to drop at night.
But today, just like the orange light reflecting in her water glass, there was something uncertain and melancholic in her eyes as well.
On that moist surface.
“Got something to say?”
As I shrugged my shoulders, Chiyo Unni met my gaze.
“Why the awe? How can you look like this without makeup? No matter how many times I see it, I can’t help but be amazed!”
Chiyo Unni, lips quivering, chugged some water.
“Ah… the water tastes great!”
Warm water.
‘It must be a bit hot, though…?’
But thank goodness.
I still looked okay.
Honestly, I didn’t need to ask where her discomfort was coming from; I already had a pretty good idea.
She probably searched her name on the internet.
All idols did that.
Especially in the early days after debut, it happened frequently.
Just because people said not to look didn’t mean they could resist.
It naturally decreased over time with experience.
“So, what about Woo-ah Unni?”
“Totally snoozing away.”
“Really?”
I shrugged again, then moved Unni to the window where the night view of the Han River was visible.
“Wow… I really love this night view every time. The company managed to get us a great spot.”
“That’s true.”
These days were just like that.
Unlike the early debut days when Seo-yoon Unni and I hogged all the attention, the group had found its footing and gained popularity.
It was a time when the public was slowly starting to check out several members.
Naturally, interest always mixed kindness with malice.
Chiyo Unni probably encountered a few new bits of attention today.
“This is the perfect time for us to go out and have fun. The weather’s nice.”
Of course, I wished that Chiyo Unni would show me her feelings today, but I already knew that wouldn’t happen.
Considering Woo-ah Unni who fell asleep first, Chiyo Unni came out to the kitchen to fiddle with her phone.
With the kind of attention she received, sharing her gloominess wouldn’t have been comfortable for her.
So, what I could do was rather than pulling out her inner thoughts,
“They say it’s going to be 21 degrees tomorrow.”
Just engage in light conversation, sharing comfort, and mentioning our upcoming joys.
“Let’s set up a feast here and have a party after this activity ends.”
“Let’s do that.”
“What should we eat tomorrow?”
And I too found stability in this situation.
