Chapter 13 - Debut
The day before their debut. The practice room was buzzing with energy, the mirrored walls reflecting the synchronized dance moves of the six members of Le Sserafim. With their debut being tomorrow, every second counted.
"Again, from the top!" Their choreographer’s voice echoed, her eyes scanning each member for perfection.
Sweat glistened on Yunjin's forehead as she replied, "We need to get this right, guys. One more time!"
Eunchae, the youngest, nodded enthusiastically, "Hwaiting!" She clapped her hands, trying to motivate everyone.
As the hours dragged on, the exhaustion was evident. But amidst the rigorous practice, there were still precious moments just weeks before their debut.
“Girls? We’ll have a meeting here at 6 pm. There will be cameras as well,” a male staff manager came in and told them. What kinda meeting?
The practice room door swung open, and the members of Le Sserafim stepped inside, their eyes widening in surprise. The usually bare room was transformed into a glamorous setting with golden and black décor adorning every corner. Cameras flashed, capturing the momentous occasion. They were looking at all of their staff, smiling widely at them.
"Whoa!" Eunchae gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in disbelief. "Is this for us?"
Kazuha's eyes sparkled with excitement as she took in the scene.
Sakura's heart swelled with pride as she read the banner hanging on the wall. "Congrats on your Debut May 2nd, 2022," it proclaimed in bold letters.
A staff member handed each of the members a black, sparkling party hat, erupting the room with laughter. Amidst the excitement, Chaewon stepped forward. As the leader, it was her duty to address the room.
"Everyone, thank you so much for this incredible surprise," Chaewon began, her voice trembling with emotion. "We couldn't have made it here without each and every one of you. Your hard work and dedication have brought us to this moment."
Tears welled up in Yunjin's eyes as she listened to Chaewon's heartfelt speech. She was overwhelmed with gratitude for the staff who had tirelessly supported them on their journey. But more so, she was unbelievably happy to have reached her goal.
As Chaewon continued, promising to repay their efforts by working tirelessly and succeeding in the K-pop industry, the other members nodded in agreement. This was their moment, and they were determined to make the most of it.
After the speech, the room erupted into cheers and applause. Staff members congratulated the girls, offering hugs and words of encouragement. The air was filled with joy and anticipation for what the future held.
Eunchae couldn't contain her excitement, bouncing around the room with infectious energy. "Le Sserafim’s the best!" she exclaimed, her laughter echoing off the walls. Her gummy smile, like always, captivated everyone around her.
Meanwhile, Kazuha stood in awe, taking in the sight of their actual debut party. It was a surreal moment, and she felt a surge of pride knowing their hard work had finally paid off.
Sakura, usually reserved, found herself overcome with emotion. She wiped away a stray tear, grateful for the support of her fellow members and the staff who had believed in them from the beginning.
Hours later, Yunjin and Y/N were sitting on Yunjin's bed, chatting. It was the night before their debut. Insane. Yunjin twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her eyes focused on Y/N. "Can you believe it? Tomorrow, we're finally going to debut! I’ve waited four years for this!" she exclaimed.
Y/N nodded, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her blanket. "I'm so excited, but I'm also really nervous. What if I mess up on stage?"
Yunjin placed a reassuring hand on Y/N's shoulder. "Don't worry, you're going to do great. And besides, we're all in this together."
Y/N smiled, feeling comforted by Yunjin's words. "I just hope I can make our fans proud."
"I know you will," Yunjin replied, giving Y/N a warm smile. "But hey, let's talk about something else. You and Kazuha are pretty close, right?"
Y/N's face turned bright red, and she quickly shook her head. "Yeah, why? I’m glad she’s on our team."
Yunjin raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her face. "Same, she’s a gem. And she’s the sweetest.” She decided to drop it.
"What do you wanna eat after the showcase?"
They chatted a bit longer, talking about their expectations and fears for their upcoming debut. As they talked, Y/N felt her friendship with Yunjin growing even stronger. She was grateful to have someone like Yunjin to confide in and share her hopes and fears with. Not wanting to spend the night alone, Y/N slept in Yunjin's room.
Finally, as they started to drift off to sleep, Yunjin turned to Y/N and said, "Good luck tomorrow, my friend. Let's show the world what we're made of."
Y/N smiled, feeling ready to take on the world with her fellow members by her side. "Let's do this."
The atmosphere backstage was electric with tension and excitement. The members of Le Sserafim were at the venue, preparing for their debut showcase. Everywhere, staff members hurriedly set up equipment, adjusted lighting, and finalized last-minute details.
Chaewon was in a state of panic. She had been in the makeup chair for what felt like hours, and now, complications were causing further delays. "Where are Chaewon’s contact lenses?" a female staff exclaimed, her voice rising in panic.
A staff member rushed over, holding a small case. "Here they are!"
But there was no time to put them in. Chaewon grabbed the case and began running towards the stage entrance, her heart pounding in her chest.
Meanwhile, in a corner behind the stage, Kazuha was trembling slightly, her nerves getting the best of her. Y/N noticed her distress and reached for her hand, offering silent support.
"Hey," Y/N whispered, squeezing Kazuha's hand reassuringly. "You've got this. We're in this together."
Kazuha's eyes met Y/N's, and in that moment, she felt a wave of calm wash over her. The simple act of Y/N holding her hand was enough to steady her nerves. While Y/N was a nervous wreck on the inside, she tried to maintain a facade to help her members. She wanted to be someone they could lean on at times as well.
As they reached the stage entrance, Chaewon finally managed to put in her contact lenses. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Is everyone ready?" she asked, briefly looking at each member of Le Sserafim.
Sakura nodded, her hands trembling slightly. "As ready as I'll ever be," she whispered, her nerves getting the best of her.
Eunchae took a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling hands. "I can do this," she told herself, trying to muster up the courage to step onto the stage.
Yunjin and Chaewon exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination.
"Let's do this," Chaewon said, her voice steady and confident.
The members of Le Sserafim took their positions. The countdown began, each second ticking away faster than the last.
Backstage, the tension was palpable. Staff members held their breath, waiting for the moment the girls would make their debut.
And then, finally, the curtains rose, revealing Le Sserafim to the world. The crowd erupted into cheers, the excitement in the air almost tangible.
The stage was set, the lights blazed, and the crowd erupted into deafening cheers as Le Sserafim stepped onto the stage. The energy in the venue was electric, and the members could feel the adrenaline pumping through their veins.
They began their performance with their debut song, "Fearless," pouring all their passion and energy into every movement, every note. The powerful choreography and captivating vocals captivated the audience, drawing them into the world of Le Sserafim.
As the song reached its climax, Chaewon felt a sense of exhilaration wash over her. It felt like she was finally back to where she belonged, on stage, doing what she loved most.
After the introductions and interviews were finished, with the shy but confident members embracing the spotlight, they moved on to "Blue Flame," showcasing their versatility with its sultry and dynamic choreography. Yunjin's powerful vocals and Sakura's mesmerizing presence left the audience in awe. It was during Blue Flame that Y/N faced her challenge. She had always been apprehensive about this particular choreography, fearing she might falter. Yet, as she nailed each move flawlessly, a newfound confidence surged within her.
As the final notes of their performance faded away, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. The members of Le Sserafim stood on stage, breathless and exhilarated, their debut performance a resounding success.
After their performance, the members gathered in their waiting room, their hearts still pounding with excitement and nerves. Tears of joy and relief streamed down their faces as they hugged each other tightly.
"We did it!" Sakura exclaimed, wiping away tears of joy from her eyes. "I can't believe we're finally here!"
Yunjin nodded in agreement, a huge smile on her face. "We did it together," she said, squeezing Chaewon's hand. "We're a family, and we'll always have each other's backs."
Y/N just cried.
Eunchae, wrapped her arms around Y/N's waist, her eyes sparkling with joy. "We did it, unnie!" she exclaimed. "I'm so proud of us!" hugging her closer. Y/N was as happy as she’s ever been.
Kazuha, who had been quiet for most of the night, suddenly spoke up. "I can't believe this is really happening," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I never thought I'd get to debut… and let alone with such amazing members. I'm so grateful,” and then she shrieked out of excitement. All the girls chimed in and they jumped into another grouphug.
As they hugged each other tightly, they knew that this was a moment they would never forget. They had worked so hard to get here, and now they were living their dream together.
Later that night, as they headed back to their dorms in separate cars, they couldn't stop talking about their debut showcase. They were all on an emotional high, and the air was charged with excitement and anticipation. Yunjin and Y/N were in the second car alone.
"I can't believe how amazing it was," Y/N said, her voice filled with wonder. "I never imagined it would be so...perfect."
Yunjin grinned at her. "Well, you were perfect," she said teasingly, nudging Y/N's arm. "Especially when you were dancing with Kazuha."
Y/N felt her face go red, and she quickly looked to the front driver. "S-shut up, unnie," she muttered, feeling embarrassed. Everything that happened today and THIS was her takeaway?
Yunjin just smiled knowingly. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," she said. "But seriously, you were great tonight,” she said with a smile. In return, Y/N grabbed her hand and put her chin on the taller girl’s shoulder. “We all did great, unnie.”
They were officially Le Sserafim now.