Heart Over Fame

The days leading to Ji-eun's debut were a whirlwind of activity. Rehearsals stretched late into the night, photoshoots dominated her mornings, and her bandmates—Soo-min, Hye-jin, Min-ji, Eun-byul, Ara, and Na-young—were equally swamped with preparations.

Despite the chaos, Ji-eun found herself cherishing the moments when Ji-hoon, now officially her manager, would pull her aside for a quiet chat or slip her a comforting cup of tea. His unwavering presence was a lifeline, especially when her nerves threatened to take over.

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It was during one of these late-night rehearsals that Ji-eun began to feel the weight of her decision to pursue fame. Her group had been practicing the choreography for their debut single, a high-energy track that demanded precision and synchronization.

"Again!" shouted the choreographer, clapping his hands.

Ji-eun wiped sweat from her brow, her legs trembling as she repositioned herself. She could see the exhaustion mirrored in her bandmates' faces, but none of them dared to voice their frustration.

After yet another run-through, the choreographer finally called it a night. Ji-eun collapsed onto the floor, leaning against the mirrored wall of the studio. Hye-jin flopped down beside her, letting out a dramatic sigh.

"If we don't debut as perfectionists, I don't know what all this sweat and agony is for," Hye-jin quipped, earning a tired chuckle from the others.

Ji-hoon appeared at the studio door, carrying bottles of water. "You all did great today," he said, handing one to Ji-eun. His words were simple, but the sincerity behind them gave Ji-eun a flicker of comfort.

"Thanks," she murmured, taking a sip and leaning her head against his shoulder. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Ji-hoon gently squeezed her hand. "You're stronger than you think, Ji-eun. And you're not alone. We'll get through this together."

---

The next morning brought an unexpected challenge. Ji-eun's band had a meeting with the agency's marketing team to finalize their debut concept. As Ji-eun listened to the team discuss branding strategies, she felt a pang of unease.

"We want to position you as a fierce, glamorous group," one executive explained, showing mockups of their photoshoot concepts. "Think edgy outfits, bold makeup, and intense expressions. This is what the audience wants."

Ji-eun exchanged glances with her bandmates. While some of them seemed excited by the idea, others, like Na-young and Min-ji, looked just as uncertain as Ji-eun felt.

"Do we have to follow this image exactly?" Ji-eun asked hesitantly.

The executive frowned. "This is what sells, Ji-eun. Trust us. You'll thank us later."

After the meeting, Ji-eun couldn't hide her frustration. "I don't want to lose who we are just to fit a mold," she said to Ji-hoon as they walked back to the dorm.

Ji-hoon nodded thoughtfully. "You don't have to. Speak to the agency. You can find a balance between what they want and what feels authentic to you and the group."

His advice sparked an idea. That evening, Ji-eun gathered her bandmates in the dorm's common room. "We need to show the agency who we are," she said, determination blazing in her eyes. "Let's create our own version of the concept and present it to them."

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The following week, Ji-eun and her bandmates unveiled their alternative concept to the agency. It was still bold and glamorous but infused with personal touches that reflected their individuality. The executives were skeptical at first, but Ji-eun's passion and confidence won them over.

As the group walked out of the meeting, Soo-min clapped Ji-eun on the back. "You're a natural-born leader, Ji-eun. If anyone can steer this ship, it's you."

Ji-eun smiled, her confidence restored. For the first time in weeks, she felt like she was in control of her destiny.

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Later that night, Ji-eun sat in her dorm room with her journal, penning her thoughts:

"Today, I learned that fame doesn't have to come at the cost of authenticity. With Ji-hoon and my bandmates by my side, I know we can navigate this world without losing ourselves. Heart over fame—always."

Closing the journal, Ji-eun glanced out the window, the city lights twinkling like stars. She wasn't just chasing a dream; she was shaping it into something meaningful.