March 01 - March 31
March was an absolute whirlwind. My schedule was packed with back-to-back drama shoots, countless variety show appearances, and interviews that kept me on my toes at the same time as the collab with BTS. Meanwhile, my unnies were working hard, preparing for the upcoming debut. Though I was kept informed about everything, my demanding schedule made it impossible to attend any of the meetings or rehearsals.
Adding to the chaos, I had recently accepted a role in another Chinese drama, bringing my total to three dramas in production. Between that, variety shows, interviews, and the frequent COVID-19 tests, I barely had time to breathe. On top of my professional commitments, I also had to manage my company obligations and fit in online school lessons, making each day feel like a race against time.
Life was moving at lightning speed, and I could barely keep up!
April 01 - July 31
I didn't get a chance to update my journal for months, but trust me, it wasn't due to a lack of events. April marked the end of my Korean drama shoot, but that relief was short-lived. Immediately, our group plunged into intense practice sessions for our long-anticipated debut.
We had three major evaluations before the debut could be finalized-one focused on vocals, another on dance, and the last combined both. For the dance evaluation, we performed "7 Rings" by Ariana Grande, with choreography meticulously crafted by Hani. For the vocal test, we covered "One Last Time" by Ariana Grande. And for our final, combined evaluation, we showcased "Pretty Girl (Cheat Codes x CADE Remix)" by Maggie Lindemann.
Here's how the vocal distribution for "One Last Time" played out:
- Yeim: "I was a liar, I gave in to the fire. I know I should've fought it, at least I'm being honest."
- Haeven: "Feel like a failure, 'cause I know that I failed you. I should've done you better, 'cause you don't want a liar."
- Hani: "And I know, and I know, and I know, she gives you everything, but boy, I couldn't give it to you."
- Somi: "And I know, and I know, and I know, that you got everything, but I got nothing here without you."
- Yuji, Lily, Chaeyeon, and others also had their shining moments in the chorus and various verses, each bringing their flair to the performance.
Even though I couldn't be present at all practices due to my shooting schedule, my dedicated members recorded choreography sessions and sent them to me. This helped me stay in sync with the group. During this time, we also completed our pre-debut photoshoot. We had a sporty theme, followed by a Barbie-themed and fancy uniform-inspired shoot, and finally, a black-and-white photoshoot with a sleek, edgy concept.
Our debut was shaping up to be something extraordinary. The company we're under was named SF (Star Fusion), and it was revealed that 40% of the company is owned by YG Entertainment, 40% by BigHit Entertainment, and the remaining 20% is shrouded in mystery. The unknown owner sparked a lot of curiosity in the industry.
The best part? Our debut album would feature seven songs, each with a distinct concept. We worked tirelessly on perfecting the choreography, vocals, and stage presence. And even when I couldn't be physically there, the group's efforts kept us all aligned.
In June, our members were revealed to the public, and the two companies deliberately hyped the group's debut through various teasers and promotions. July ended with the release of the final trailer for our album, titled "The Girls." the album is also called "Rise from the Ashes." The group's official accounts had a 30-day countdown, and the two companies had 3-day countdowns.
August 01 - August 31:
August kicked off with a bang! On the 1st of the month, the final teaser for our debut dropped. Then, on the 3rd, something completely unexpected happened-my members surprised me with a birthday celebration! I had been so consumed with preparations and schedules that I forgot my birthday, but they remembered, and it was a heartwarming moment.
On the 4th, the company officially unveiled our group's identity with a video introducing everything from our fandom to our colors. Our group's name was confirmed as OST (온통 소녀 태난), a seven-member South Korean girl group under SF Entertainment.
Here's a breakdown of our official group details:
- Group Name Meaning: "All Rounder Girls Born"
- Official Greeting: "Hello!, we are... OST!!" It was on the video with just our voice
- Official Fandom Name: "EERIE"
- Fandom Name Meaning: Enchanted Echoes Resonating in Eternity (The meaning captures the idea of a mystical and haunting atmosphere within our fandom, where echoes of magic and enchantment reverberate throughout eternity).
- Official Colors: Luminous Silver and Midnight Blue
- Unofficial Colors: Midnight Black and Maroon
- Dorm Arrangements: Yuji in her own room, Somi and Lily sharing a room, Hani and Chaeyeon sharing another, and Yeim and Haeven sharing a room.
Official SNS Channels:
- Website: ost.sf.com
- Facebook: OSTgirls
- Instagram: @ost_girls
- X (Twitter): @OST
- TikTok: @OST_official
- YouTube: OST_Girls
- Spotify & Apple Music: OST
Our lightstick? It's shaped like a ball and has a treble clef and a microphone inside, with a luminous silver handle and a black safety band, representing both our music and the lasting connection with our fans.
Then came the moment we had been waiting for. On the 5th of August, our debut album's lead song, "New Game," was officially released. Anticipation for the music video had reached a fever pitch, with over 7 million people waiting for its premiere.
The next day, on the 6th, we made our debut stage on Mnet, and incredibly, we won our first trophy right then and there! It was a surreal experience. Just 20 minutes before the 24-hour mark of our music video release, we reacted to the jaw-dropping news-127 million views in a single day! We had broken the records for the 'most-viewed rookie debut song' and the 'most-viewed MV in 24 hours', setting a new bar for K-pop debuts.
Our debut album, "The Girls" also named "Rise from the Ashes," featured seven unique songs, each with own its vibe and concept:
1. New Game - Girl Crush and Futuristic, with a gaming concept.
2. Anthem - A blend of Girl Crush, School, and Woman Power.
3. Bloody Moon - A dark Vampire concept aimed at addressing haters and sasaengs.
4. Crazy in Luv - A cute, fun concept.
5. Dancing Petals - Soft and Classy.
6. Enchanted Echoes - Chill and Soft, with gentle rap elements.
7. Freak - A high-energy, Rock-infused, hype track.
Our promotions took us to all corners of the media. We appeared on Weekly Idol and countless other variety shows. We even filmed a documentary titled "The Girls' Diary," giving our fans a behind-the-scenes look at our journey.
The weeks flew by in a whirlwind of performances, fan meets, and appearances, but every moment was worth it.
On the 9th in Inkigayo, we support Treassure with their debut, waiting behind the stage, hyping to the song. Because of the company relations, we were called twin groups, and we have a close relationship with them.
On the 13th, after 8 days of debut, our group signed with the US label Universal Music.
YOU ARE READING
Diary of a Kpop idol
General Fiction*A Diary of a Kpop Idol* is about Yeim, a young lady from one of the wealthiest families on earth. Her father owns an international chain of hotels, and her mother is a major shareholder in LVMH as well as a world-renowned fashion designer. Yeim als...
