Chapter 1
Several groups were waiting for their turn at the backstage. The tension was palpable, almost as if it was a life or death situation. Some trainees were watching others perform on a small screen that was put up in the room, others were focusing on warming up and preparing for their show.
„Do you think we will debut this year? The other teams are really killing it.” Chaeryeong asked, doubt visible on her face.
„Come on Chaeryeong, have a little faith. We have been training for this day very hard.” A shorter girl brushed Chaeryeong’s forearm softly, reassuringly, while the tallest of them nodded in approval.
„Ryujin is right, we have each other and I trust every one of us will do their best. We will win.” A third girl joined the conversation of trying to calm themselves.
Hwang Yeji has been a performer since she was a child, as a solo dancer she didn’t have to worry about others making a mistake, she would only count on herself. But this was different, she was in a team, a group of ambitious and talented girls. They were only humans though and humans make mistakes but if they wanted to be idols they needed to be perfect in every aspect. The competition was tight, Chaeryeong was not kidding when she said the others were good. In fact, they were fantastic. The team waited in the backstage and watched the others perform on the screen.
Yeji was rubbing her hands on the fabric of her shorts, her palms were sweating. She did some last minute stretches and vocal training but she couldn’t cover her anxiety about the evaluation. Suddenly she felt arms wrapping around her from behind and the small girl looked at her. Her smile swept away Yeji’s worries in a second.
„We got this. You just have to trust us.” Ryujin said in a soft voice and Yeji put her arms on top of hers, squeezing them gently. She smiled back sweetly. Suddenly it was way too quiet on the stage and Yeji knew what that meant. A man shouted into a loudspeaker.
„Girl group 2! You are up!”
Ryujin quickly separated, but her hand lingered on Yeji’s waist as they went onto the stage to perform.
The judges took their time to analyse each group. They waited hours until the announcement came and their phones blew up. The team screamed hearing the news that they were selected.
„I can’t believe we won! We actually won!” Choi Jisu said and jumped in her place with excitement, Chaeryeong joining her with a happy jumping contest.
„I knew we would win.” Chaeryeong sounded confident now that it was over and it was a great opportunity for others to tease her.
„No you did not! You were like a scared little bunny before we got on stage!” Ryujin was always the first to jump on opportunities like that.
Yeji laughed at how her teammates joked around and held out her arms to gather them around for a big hug.
„We should celebrate! All of you come to our room. Oh and bring snacks!” She was beyond happy, it seemed like a dream. A dream she never wanted to wake up from.
„Bring lots of snacks! There will be booze!” Of course her roommate would be in charge of alcohol. She was good at everything, even drinking. Yeji could never compete her in that.
The table was set, full of glasses and bottles, bowls of snacks. That day called for proper celebration and that they did. Blowing the steam off is almost as important as working hard. Yeji stuck to beer and occasionally drank a few shots with the others, but not too much. She noticed that Ryujin’s always found a way to be close to her. She didn’t mind the younger girl’s attention. In fact, she pretty much enjoyed it.
„No, that’s enough for you Ryujin! Don’t forget that we have a meeting tomorrow. JYP will announce our name and announce positions. We have to be presentable.” She said, trying to take Ryujin’s glass away, but the girl protested.
„Come on, don’t be a party pooper! We deserve this!” Ryujin pulled her glass quickly away from Yeji and a battle began between them. Yeji tried hard to take it, but Ryujin ran away, hiding behind the others.
„I think Yeji is right. Who do you think will be the leader?” Jisu finally spoke up to stop the battle and start a new one.
„I think I will be. I’m old enough and I have the experience.” Chaeryeong said, examining her glass of wine.
„Pft, no. I will be the leader. I mean, have you seen me?” Drunk Ryujin stroke again, speaking with confidence.
„But you are so young!” Yeji countered, their never ending bantering starting again.
„So what? Age doesn’t mean anything...”
„What about you, Yeji? Don’t you want to be the leader?” Jisu stepped in again.
„Me? Oh no, that’s too much responsibility and you guys are so much to deal with. Especially Ryujin!” Yeji said, nudging Ryujin on her side.
„Hey! I’m right here!” Ryujin leaned her head on Yeji’s shoulder, pouting. She looked so cute like that and Yeji’s heart melted. She leaned her head on top of Ryujin’s and wrapped an arm around her waist.
„Okay, okay. I think it’s time to call it a night.”
„Already?” Ryujin’s lips curled downward and held onto her glass even more.
„Yes, already. We will have another time to celebrate.” Yeji was firm but sweet at the same time, her hand was stroking the younger woman gently under her shirt. She thought nobody noticed and Ryujin was not complaining either so she enjoyed it while it lasted.
The others shared a look and got the clue that it was probably time to leave.
„Okay, we will leave you two lovebugs to whatever you are doing...” Jisu stood first, helping Chaeryeong up next.
Ryujin smiled at the comment drunkenly while Yeji blushed and pulled her hand away to cover her red face with her palms.
„Well done girls! We did it!” Chaeryeong raised her glass, gulping the last of the wine she had in it.
They gathered their belongings and left the room. Yeji saw them out then took care of Ryujin as if she was her older sister.
„Come on, time for bed.” Ryujin wasn’t making it easy for her. She completely leaned on Yeji for support when Yeji helped her up from the floor. Thankfully she was super strong. She put Ryujin to the bunk bed’s lower part and covered her. Yeji climbed up to the higher part after cleaning up the glasses and bowls.
„Unnie?” Ryujin spoke in a husky and sleepy voice.
„Hm? Yes?”
„I think you should be the leader.”
Yeji smiled fondly at the young protégé’s suggestion.
„Thank you, Ryujinnie.” That night Yeji went to sleep with her heart full of love for her teammates and a hope for a bright future.
The morning came too quickly. She was used to getting up early but having to deal with a grumpy Ryujin was making everything extra hard.
„Come on, we are going to be late!” She said, pulling away Ryujin’s duvet. Yeji threw it aside, towering beside Ryujin with folded arms.
„Relax, we already won. What can they do? Fire us?”
„Actually, yes, they can. So come on!”
Finally, the shorter girl crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom to get ready. Yeji slapped Ryujin on the ass with her towel playfully and she made a yelping sound. The two of them arrived on time, but no thanks to Ryujin. They bantered quietly even in the hallway as they approached the office.
„You always do this. I can’t with you.”
„I already said sorry!”
They entered the room. Chaeryeong and Jisu was already sitting there in front of the bosses, but Yeji noticed another girl. She seemed very young but she also familiar. Yeji couldn’t recall seeing her among the other trainees.
„Good morning ladies!” The men in the room greeted them and they all returned it politely.
„Good morning!” They said in unison.
„First of all, congrats on winning the evaluation. You deserve this more than anyone.” The head of JYP paused for a moment, looking at his papers in front of him. “You are going to debut in a few months and hopefully everyone will remember ITZY as one of the best 4th generation group.”
„ITZY?” Chaeryeong asked first, but Yeji wanted to do the same.
„Yes, ITZY. From now on it is your band’s name.”
The members glanced at each other and the new girl. They haven’t really thought of a name before but Yeji found herself liking it. It’s short, cute and easy to remember.
„As you noticed we have someone new with us today. Girls, this is Shin Yuna, one of our golden discoveries. She showed exceptional talent and we decided to put her in your band. We are sure she will fit right in.”
The girls smiled and bowed slightly to Yuna.
„Okay, let’s see the roles. Lee Chaeryeong, you are the main dancer. You have experience, talent and your moves are mesmerizing. Also, you are a vocalist.”
Chaeryeong sat up straighter and proudly lifted her chin up.
„Choi Jisu, also known as Lia. You will be the main vocalist. Your parents must be proud of how far you’ve come.”
Lia smiled through the pressure. Yeji became more and more interested in the role they would give her. She envied Chaeryeong for the main dancer role, but she also knew the other girl deserved it. Her moves were smooth, feminine and pulled of any concept.
„Shin Yuna, rapper line but you are also our main visual. Your beauty is enchanting. Everybody will love you.”
Rapper? Visual? Yeji glanced at the girl. Sure she was pretty. As she examined her featured Yeji realized Yuna must have fit the Korean beauty standards perfectly. And she can rap?
„Shin Ryujin, you can dance and you can rap. Although your vocals need a little bit of training.”
Yeji immediately snapped her eyes at Ryujin as soon as she heard her name. She felt her tense at the last part. They have spent most of their time together and she could read each and every micro-expression of her roommate. She wanted to reach out to hold her hand, but not in front of the bosses. It was too risky.
„Your expressions and presence on stage are undeniably amazing. You will be our center and main rapper.”
Yeji noticed how Ryujin’s shoulders dropped, her breathing relaxed. She didn’t have much time to dwell on it though because suddenly her name was called and she winced a little bit.
„And now for Hwang Yeji.” All the girls looked at her, their unnie waiting for the role she would get. Yeji felt the blood leaving her body and she became as pale as Snow White. She gulped and her hands formed into fists on her knees.
„The Ace of JYP. You can dance, you can sing and you can rap. You are our all-rounder with overflowing charisma. Your roles are: lead dancer, lead vocalist, sub-rapper.”
Hearing this life blood to her and her face turned red. She could see the others smile at her contently. Her fingers relaxed and she chuckled.
„And as you know, every group needs a leader.” The boss scanned them slowly until his eyes fixed on Yeji. A smug smirk appeared on his face.
Yeji kept the eye contact until she heard her name again.
„Yeji, you are the leader of ITZY.”
Suddenly she felt the weight of responsibilities dropping on her shoulders as a leader and meanwhile heard the claps of the members. She looked around and her eyes met proud smiles.
„Oh my, thank you so much! It’s an honour! I will not disappoint!” She placed her hands on her chest and bowed slightly, tears gathering in her eyes.
„You better not.” A little warning from the boss but he couldn’t scare Yeji, not when she had all these girls around her hugging her. She knew she could count on them whenever she needed, especially on Ryujin. She held a special place in her heart.