Waking up to vibration on the drawer next to her bed, Minha reaches for her phone with her long hand. Eyes still close, she wondered who called her at 6AM and answered it without checking the contact's name on the screen.

 

"Yeoboseyo...." with her husky morning voice, she made someone laugh on the line. "Wake up, unnie..." the familiar voice made her eyes wide open in shock.

 

"ShinAe? Is that you?" a trainee from Source Music, called her. "Yes, unnie. I'm back from my vacation~" the older girl frowned.

 

"Vacation my foot. You took a break without telling me. 3 months of break, ShinAe. Your fellow trainees have been asking me a lot about you. They couldn't reach you during your so-called vacation!" the young girl laughed.

 

Their friendship is so close like siblings because ShinAe is a few years younger than her. And the young girl always trained in her dance studio.

 

"I miss you too? Hahahah I'll see you later, unnie. I'll visit your place after lunch."

 

After the phone call, with a sigh Minha rubs her temple. It's almost 7AM and she needs to leave before her father wakes up for breakfast. She dragged her exhausted body and took a shower. A morning walk won't hurt her almost-heal leg.

 

Wearing her favorite Stussy black hoodie with a Calvin Klein's cap to cover herself from the public, Minha starts her morning walk at the nearest park.

 

Airpods are a must, and she's listening to Fine by Taeyeon while scrolling on her phone. And suddenly, "What the....."

 

8AM, Hybe Labels, lobby.

Bang PD smirked at the girl in front of him. She came as soon as she saw the screenshot from the founder of BigHit, by running. She was panting in front of him, still shocked. Bang PD smiles and asks her to sit and calm down.

 

"I bought you coffee anyway." Minha bowed her head in thanks and drank her Ice Vanilla Latte.

 

"So...what makes you come here so early in the morning?" he pretended to have no clue why Minha is here while the girl is finally calming down, showing him the screenshot.

 

"I just- I can't believe this is happening to me. How is this even possible?" she asked in disbelief.

 

As Minha stared at the screen, her heart pounded in her chest. The number seemed to blur and swim before her eyes - three million followers. It was a number she could hardly comprehend. She felt a rush of disbelief, her mind struggling to process the reality of her sudden popularity.

 

A wave of shock washed over her, leaving her feeling dazed and disoriented. She had expected some interest, of course, but nothing on this scale. It was as if she had been into the spotlight overnight, and the intensity of it was overwhelming.

 

But beneath the shock, there was also a flicker of excitement. She could hardly believe that so many people were interested in her, in her dancing. It was a validation of her talent, her passion, her hard work. It made her feel seen, appreciated, valued.

 

Yet, there was also a twinge of anxiety. This was uncharted territory for her, and she wasn't sure how to navigate it. She was suddenly under the gaze of millions of people, and the thought was daunting.

 

But as she sat there, staring at the screen, she also felt a sense of determination. This was a challenge, yes, but it was also an opportunity. An opportunity to share her passion with the world, to inspire others with her dancing. And she was ready to seize it.

 

A screenshot from Bang PD of her Instagram account that he took this morning, showing 3 millions new followers in less than 24 hours.

 

"I told you. Don't underestimate your fans." Minha is looking at the likes that are still rising and she received a lot of notifications beyond her imagination.

 

"But- Why? I'm just....no one-"

 

"You're becoming someone after you sign the contract. With no pressure, I think you already have the answer now. One more chance, yes or no Minha-ssi?" the young girl gulped hard, still looking at her own Instagram that got the attention from a lot of people.

 

3 millions of followers with only 1 post, but 1 millions likes? Insane. Where did these 3 million followers come from? She just can't believe this.

 

Minha is likely feeling a whirlwind of emotions in response to the overwhelming support and validation from her new followers.

 

On one hand, she's probably incredibly touched and grateful. Seeing such a massive outpouring of support is a powerful affirmation of her talent and hard work.

 

It's a clear sign that people appreciate her dancing and are excited to see more from her. This validation could boost her confidence and reassure her that she's on the right path.

 

On the other hand, the sudden surge in popularity might also be a bit overwhelming. Going from relative obscurity to having millions of followers in less than 24 hours is a lot to process. She might be feeling a mix of disbelief, shock, and awe as she tries to comprehend the scale of her newfound fame.

 

There might also be a sense of pressure or anxiety. With so many people following her, the expectations are high. She might be worried about living up to the hype and meeting her followers' expectations.

 

But overall, Minha would be feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. This support from her followers is a clear indication that she's ready for the next step in her career. It's a sign that she's ready to take on the challenge of becoming a K-pop idol and sharing her passion for dance with an even larger audience.

 


 

Later that afternoon.

Minha is meeting ShinAe at the dance studio before the lesson starts. After hugging and all the I-miss-you-so-much moments, they finally sat on the empty chairs.

 

"How was your 3 month vacation anyway?" ShinAe shrugged, seems uninterested in the topic.

 

"Typical vacation without tentative. I just did whatever I wanted, unnie. The only thing changed, was the locations. My parents are still working during vacations, so yeah..."

 

Minha knows about ShinAe's parents. Exactly like her own parents, too busy with work. The only good thing was, at least they still went for a vacation together.

 

"So you will join today's lesson? You seem excited when you arrive." the younger smiles again and circles her hand on Minha's arm.

 

"I am more excited to see you, unnie. I have never been away for this long from you." she's always clingy to Minha and everyone knows that. They're always together, side by side. Other trainees are sometimes envious of the relationship they have.

 

"Now you mentioned it, I just realized that we're always together." Minha laughed, caressing the younger's back gently.

 

"But unnie..." a few seconds of pause made Minha curious. The girl lets go of her hand and look straightly into the older's eyes.

 

"That 3 months is nothing compared to the news. We might not see each other longer than that."

 

Referring to the news Minha told her earlier, about joining Hybe and a little detail about it actually made ShinAe sad. She just came back from vacation, and Minha is leaving the dance studio in a few days.

 

As ShinAe expressed her sadness, Minha felt a pang of guilt. She had been so caught up in her own worries and fears that she hadn't fully considered how her decision would affect the people around her.

 

ShinAe had always been by her side, a constant presence in her life, and the thought of not seeing her as often was painful.

 

But along with the guilt, there was also a sense of determination. She wanted to reassure ShinAe, to let her know that their friendship was stronger than any contract or distance. She felt a warmth spread through her chest as she spoke, her words sincere and heartfelt.

 

Yet, there was also a twinge of sadness. She knew that things were going to change, that their lives were heading in different directions. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it was also a part of growing up, of pursuing their dreams.

 

"Hey...don't say that. I'm just a trainee like you now. We still can hangout during our free time. Even after I debuted, we still can see each other because we're friends. Nothing can change that, okay?"

 

Minha affirms the strength and importance of their friendship. She makes it clear that their bond is not defined by their circumstances or their professional paths, but by their mutual respect, care, and understanding.

 

She promises that they will continue to see each other during their free time. Even after her potential debut, she assures ShinAe that they will find ways to spend time together.

 

Minha offers emotional support, understanding ShinAe's feelings of sadness and uncertainty. She acknowledges these feelings, validating them rather than dismissing them.

 

As she hugged ShinAe, Minha felt a mix of emotions. There was sadness and guilt, yes, but there was also hope and determination. Through their hug, Minha provides physical comfort to ShinAe, reinforcing her words of reassurance with a tangible expression of her care and support.

 

Minha was stepping into a new chapter of her life, and she was determined to navigate it without losing the people who mattered most to her. This friendship is precious for ShinAe because she doesn't have a sister, and Minha always took care of her.

 

Minha is showing ShinAe that despite the upcoming changes, their friendship remains a priority for her. She's demonstrating that she's committed to maintaining their bond, no matter where their individual paths might lead them.

 

A few days later in Hybe Labels.

Minha entered the practice room. It's bigger than her own place, even bigger than any practice room she has ever been to. Wide, all white, big mirror, with extra coffee machine?

 

"Wow, what did I do to receive this kind of treatment?" Minha spoke to herself while looking around. It's unbelievable that she will start practicing here, not as a dancer but an idol.

 

Soyeon PD appeared from behind, with a big smile on her face. Minha turned around and bowed her head in respect to the blonde haired woman. It is written on her contract that Soyeon PD is assigned as Hybe Labels's new performance director and she will be the choreographer as well.

 

"How do you feel? Luck is on your side, you know." the woman asked the still-confused girl. Minha took the empty seat in front of the pc followed by Soyeon PD.

 

"I just don't know that I have a lot of people supporting me all this time..."

 

"Now you know. This is a fresh start for you after your injuries. New path, new future, new dream. Your typa thing~ You love talking about dreams since high school right? This contract will change you and motivate all those trainees at your place. Trust me, they looked up to you since the first day. You have good trainees behind your back, rank A. Even I was surprised when I saw them the last time I visited your place."

 

Minha let out a small laugh, thinking about the trainees. Including ShinAe, all the trainees are good at performing in all categories. She helped those girls practice for the company evaluation as well and that's why she has a strong bond with them.

 

When Soyeon PD tells Minha about the trainees looking up to her, Minha might feel a mix of emotions.

 

She might feel a sense of surprise and humility. Despite her own talents and hard work, she might not have realized the extent of her influence on the other trainees. This revelation could make her feel humbled and grateful for the respect and admiration of her peers.

 

At the same time, she might also feel a sense of responsibility. Knowing that others are looking up to her could make her more determined to succeed, not just for herself, but for them as well. She might feel a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to work hard and set a good example.

 

Additionally, she might feel a touch of sadness, especially considering her close relationship with ShinAe and the other trainees. The thought of leaving them behind as she embarks on this new journey could be bittersweet.

 

Overall, this revelation could be a powerful moment for Minha, filled with a range of complex emotions.

 

"Anyway, I'm here to tell you that Bang PD is preparing everything for you. You can move into the dorm anytime you want, but your first lesson will start tomorrow. Is your leg okay now? I heard you ran here after the 3 millions." both of them started laughing at the 3 million things. It may seem funny to Minha, but the 3 million changed her life.

 

*******


 

August, 2021.

3 months being a trainee under Hybe Labels, Minha is doing okay with all the lessons by professionals. Vocal, rap, dance and even language class are prepared by Hybe for the upcoming new girl group.

 

Yes, she was told that the new members for her team will be announced anytime soon. She heard rumors but nothing is confirmed yet.

 

Minha was a whirlwind of emotions. Excitement bubbled within her at the thought of the upcoming announcement. The idea of finally being part of a team, of standing on stage with others who shared her passion, was thrilling.

 

She could already imagine the camaraderie, the shared dreams, the collective effort to put on the best performances they could.

 

But alongside the excitement, there was a thread of nervousness. The unknown was always daunting, and she couldn't help but wonder about the dynamics of the new group.

 

Would they get along? Would they be able to work together harmoniously? These questions kept her awake at night, her mind spinning with possibilities.

 

And then, there was the stress about her age. Despite her achievements, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was too old to debut. The industry was filled with fresh faces, young talents who were just starting their journeys. She couldn't help but feel like an outsider, a latecomer in a race that had already begun.

 

Yet, despite these worries, Minha was determined. She knew that she had worked hard to get to where she was, that she had earned her place. Age was just a number, after all.

 

What mattered was her passion, her talent, her dedication. And she was ready to prove that to the world.

 

Being in the practice room all by herself is always boring, she felt empty too sometimes. But dance lessons with Soyeon PD is her favorite part of the day. Both of them love dancing and they always try to make new choreography together. Minha knows what the woman wants, so it's easy to follow her requests whatever categories that was.

 

People said, Soyeon PD is a very serious person in class. But maybe as her close friend with a few years gap, Minha finds Soyeon PD as a funny person?

 

Because that blonde haired woman always made her laugh. They teased each other a lot on break. So she doesn't understand why people are scared of her dance teacher.

 

A few days after the rumors on the internet, it finally confirmed that Hybe Labels welcomed the ex-member of IZ*ONE to the agency, Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chaewon.

 

Both of them are joining to debut again for the first girl group under Source Music and Hybe. Minha heard the news the next day after they signed the contract and she was excited to welcome them.

 

Bang PD prepared a good place to stay but Minha only moved in last week and she asked her sister, Minhee to take care of her apartment.

 

She's gonna meet the new members of her team today at the practice room. A few cameras are focused on her right now, staff will start recording for the documentary video that will be released probably after debut.

 

She is also aware of the new member's popularity. IZ*ONE had their disbandment in April. People are devastated until today. IZ*ONE is loved by knetz and no group can replace them.

 

"Minha-ssi? They're here. Are you ready?" Minha takes a deep breath and smiles at the staff. "I'm always ready!" thumbs up from the staff, and they start recording to greet the new members.

 

Minha is standing in the middle of the practice room, facing the white door. Her smile gets wider as the familiar faces enter the practice room together hand by hand.

 

As the door to the practice room opened, Minha felt a flutter of nerves in her stomach. Standing before her were Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chaewon, two artists she had admired from afar.

 

They were not just popular, they were legends in the industry, and the reality of being in the same team with them was overwhelming.

 

She felt a rush of awe, a sense of starstruck wonder that left her momentarily speechless. She had seen them on screen, had followed their careers, and now they were here, in the same room, about to be part of the same team. It was a surreal moment, one that made her heart pound in her chest.

 

But along with the awe, there was also a thread of nervousness. She was about to work with two of the industry's biggest names, and the thought was daunting. She wondered if she could keep up, if she could meet the high standards they were sure to set.

 

"Annyeonghaseyo~" Miyawaki Sakura and Kim Chaewon bowed their heads and they greeted each other. Yet, despite her nerves, Minha was good at keeping her emotions under control. She put on a brave face, her smile wide and welcoming as she greeted them. She was determined to make a good impression, to show them that she was ready for this new challenge.

 

The recording continued with a little chat and it went smoothly for the rest of the day. The girls are getting to know each other privately after the filming ended.

 

As the day went on, Minha found herself gradually relaxing. The initial shock wore off, replaced by a sense of excitement and anticipation. She was stepping into a new chapter of her life, and she was ready to embrace it with open arms. They also stay in the same dorm now.

 

First night with new housemates.

The older girl is preparing dinner for the young members. She's happy to have company after so long. During trainee days for the past 3 months, she's always alone because Hybe doesn't have trainees under the agency, except for the trainees for each label. But all of them are trained in their own company so Minha was always alone.

 

To have Chaewon and Sakura as her members, it's actually amazing. "Kkura, Chaewon~ Let's eat!" Minha put the hot pot carefully on the table. Kimchi jjigae is always her favorite food, and she's great at cooking so she wanted the new member to have a feast tonight.

 

The younger girls appear with happy faces. "Omo unnie~ You prepared this all by yourself? Why didn't you tell us?" Chaewon talks shyly to the older member, while Sakura is mesmerized by the visual of the kimchi jjigae.

 

"It's okay~ It's your first day here. I just wanna cook something for you guys. Come seat. Let's have a feast tonight! Kkura is hungry, look at her eyes."

 

Minha is amazed at how big Sakura's eyes are. Chaewon let out a chuckle at the Japanese while taking a seat next to her.

 

"I love kimchi jjigae so much, unnie. It's been awhile since the last time I ate this." Sakura pouted while looking at the precious kimchi jjigae.

 

"Oh, really? It's all yours then. I can make it again next time whenever you want." Sakura's eyes widened again at Minha, making them laugh together.

 

"Please don't embarrass me like this, Kkura unnie." Minha laughed, picked up the chopsticks and started eating while Chaewon is still embarrassed with the Japanese girl.

 

As Sakura continued to praise her kimchi jjigae, Minha felt a warm sense of satisfaction. Cooking had always been a way for her to express her care for others, and seeing Sakura enjoy the meal so much was incredibly rewarding.

 

 

Each compliment from Sakura made her heart swell with pride, and she couldn't help but beam at the Japanese girl's enthusiasm.

 

When Chaewon shyly asked for more rice, Minha felt a rush of affection for the younger girl. Chaewon's shyness was endearing, and Minha was touched by her polite request. It was a small moment, but it made Minha feel closer to her new team members. She was glad that she could make them feel comfortable and well-fed in their new home.

 

Throughout the dinner, Minha felt a mix of emotions. There was pride in her cooking skills, satisfaction at seeing her new members enjoy the meal, and a growing sense of camaraderie.

 

She was beginning to feel like a part of a team, a part of a family. And it filled her with a sense of contentment and anticipation for the days to come.

 

"Eat a lot, girls. We have a tight schedule coming up soon. Enjoy while you can." they start eating happily while getting to know each other.

 

"When Hybe contacted me, I agreed right away. Do you know why, unnie?" Minha shook her head, confused as she put down the empty glass.

 

"Of course they told me about Kkura unnie joining the team, but another reason that makes me so excited to come, is because of you, unnie." says Chaewon, pouring the apple juice on Minha's empty glass.

 

"Really? I don't know about it?" Sakura asked, curious.

 

"But why? You know me?" scratching the back of her head, Minha is also curious.

 

"Omo, of course we know you, unnie. Kkura unnie and the rest of IZ*ONE's members know who you are. There was a time, we wanted you to be our backup dancer so badly. But since we have 12 members, we don't really need backup dancers on stage. Right, Kkura unnie?" the Japanese nodded, agreeing with the young girl.

 

Chaewon and Sakura likely discovered Minha's performances through various channels. Given that they are all part of the same industry, it's not uncommon for artists to keep an eye on each other's work.

 

Minha's performances as a backup dancer might have been recorded and shared online. This could include official music videos, live performances, or even fan-recorded videos. Chaewon and Sakura might have come across these videos while browsing online.

 

If Minha performed as a backup dancer at live events or music shows, Chaewon and Sakura might have seen her perform in person. They could have been impressed by her stage presence and dancing skills.

 

The entertainment industry can be a close-knit community, and news of a particularly talented individual can spread quickly. Chaewon and Sakura might have heard about Minha from other artists, staff members, or industry insiders.

 

Minha might have shared clips or photos of her performances on her social media platforms. Chaewon and Sakura could have come across these posts while browsing social media.

 

Regardless of how they discovered Minha, it's clear that they were impressed by her talent and stage presence. Their admiration for her is a testament to her skills as a performer.

 

"Eunbi unnie wants to be close with you. She watched your viral fancam with Kai sunbae-nim. She also knows that unnie and her were born in the same year." getting immersed with the story, Minha can't even finish her food.

 

"That's right! Chaeyeon loves you too, unnie. She wants to dance with you. But we didn't know how to approach you because we couldn't meet on stage during promotion. So we watched you on fancam most of the time." Sakura added.

 

As Chaewon and Sakura revealed their past admiration for her, Minha felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. She had been a backup dancer, a supporting role in the grand scheme of the industry.

 

To hear that the members of IZ*ONE, a group she had admired, knew about her was surreal. It was like a dream, a beautiful, unexpected dream that left her speechless.

 

A sense of curiosity began to stir within her. Why had they noticed her? What had drawn their attention? She had always been passionate about her performances, but she had never imagined that her efforts would be recognized by such popular artists. It was a humbling realization, one that made her heart flutter with a mix of surprise and delight.

 

At the same time, she felt a rush of excitement. The thought of being admired by the IZ*ONE members was thrilling. It was a validation of her hard work, a sign that she was on the right path. It gave her a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to continue pursuing her dreams.

 

Throughout the conversation, Minha found herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. There was disbelief, curiosity, excitement, and a growing sense of anticipation for what the future held.

 

"Look at us now, we're in the same team. This must be fate. I can't wait to see their reaction when they find out about you, unnie." Chaewon grinned, making the older girls laugh.

 

The existence of their team is still unknown to people and they can't expose anything about it, until the date of debuting is confirmed.

 

"Girls. I don't know what to say. I'm speechless. I don't know that IZ*ONE members liked me that much all this time? But I feel so grateful for everything, thank you~" the final bite of the last piece of meat, Minha is finally finished with her meal.

 

"Your stage presence is well known, unnie. They called you the next Noze and you're shining on stage. I think that's why Hybe wanted you to be in this team?" the nonstop praised by the young girl makes Minha's cheeks turn red.

 

"Unnie is getting shy, hahahah." Sakura teases the older member and laughs with Chaewon.

 

"Wanna know something?" Minha smirks at the girls. Both of them looked at each other and looked back to her.

 

"Noze is one of WayB's members right? How many members do you know in the group?" both of them tried to remember the SWF show that they watched previously.

 

"Hm because of Noze's strong stage presence, I barely remember the rest of them. Why, unnie?" the Japanese asked, trying to remember.

 

"OMO!" both Minha and Sakura are startled by Chaewon's loud voice.

 

"You were there! I saw, unnie! I remembered watching the show with Minju." Sakura is looking back at Minha, covering in shock.

 

"You're the one who created the 'Hey Mama' performance!!!" Sakura's eyes widened when she heard that from Chaewon.

 

Minha just laughs at the funny and cute reactions from the members. "Ah, you saw me." Chaewon grabbed Minha's arm with both hands.

 

"Unnie~~" her eyes sparks looking at the older girl. Seeing Chaewon's admiration and hearing her praises made Minha feel appreciated and valued.

 

It was a validation of her hard work, a sign that she was on the right path. It gave her a renewed sense of purpose and motivation to continue pursuing her dreams.

 

"I used a different name in that show. So basically, I was part of WayB, but I left the group in the middle of the show because of my injuries. So, 'Hey Mama' performance is my last gift for them." she's proud and happy to know that the performance has received a lot of love from people, all the SWF's team are well known until today.

 

As Minha revealed her past to Sakura and Chaewon, she felt a mix of emotions. There was a sense of relief in finally sharing her story, in letting them see a part of her that she had kept hidden. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, a secret she no longer had to carry alone.

 

The mention of her injuries brought back a wave of memories, some painful, some bittersweet. Leaving the competition had been a difficult decision, one that had left her with a sense of loss and regret. But it had also been a necessary step, a choice she had made for her own well-being.

 

When she spoke about the 'Hey Mama' performance, her heart swelled with pride. Despite her injuries, she had managed to leave a lasting impression, to create something that people loved and remembered. It was a testament to her talent and her dedication, a reminder of why she had chosen this path.

 

"This means, unnie and Noze are friends?" Chaewon asked for confirmation.

 

"We're like siblings." the girls went crazy when they found out who Minha was. The girls' surprise at her close relationship with Noze brought a smile to her face. It was a reminder of the friendships she had made along the way, of the bonds she had formed in the industry. It made her feel connected, a part of something bigger than herself.

 

Throughout the conversation, Minha found herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. There was relief, nostalgia, pride, and a growing sense of camaraderie.