DESTINESIA

Chapter 1

~ I.L  point of view ~

7:30 pm. Only one hour before the start. The beginning of an incredible and wonderful adventure. Everything is messed up in my head. About everything that happened lately.
Sitting in front of the mirror, in the makeup room, I remember the history, our story. 8 teenagers who don't know each other at the beginning. We had to create this solid and steadfast friendship that goes beyond the limits. We're like a family, a second family. We share everything, especially with our fans, the "IKIGAI". This Japanese word means"a reason for being, a thing that gets you up in the morning" and it's exactly how our fans makes us feel. They're the reason of our existence, since were born, even when we were babies until when we'll die. They're the reason of everything.

Thanks to a brand new "reality show" of us, called "DESTINESIA daily", they've been able to follow every member during more than 16 weeks. Each member had 2 week about him/her. The first week, they've been filming in Korea and the second week, each member was in his/her hometown, with their family and friends. The episode were broadcast on JTBC and on Vapp, for the internationals. 2 episode each week. This show gave the opportunity to our fans to know us very well before our debut and being more "close" to us, like if we were their friends. We developed a huge and amazing fan base. I'm already so proud of them.

I'm also so proud of my members. They've been working so hard lately. Not inept lately but since the first day they're trainees. I'm the oldest and most experimented in the band, so I've been able to see them growing up and they have my deepest respect. Since day one, they worked hard so matter what, even when they were sick, they came to JYP's and worked until really late. They always want to give the best of them and even beyond to our fans. Because I'm their leader, I've to do my job and sometimes it's hard, honestly. But I can't let them down. I have to keep being the model, example. No matter what. They count on me.

Tonight, it's the our official first performance, everybody is ready and impatient. We've been working on it for so long. When we were at the dorm, the members and I were, almost all the time, in the studio or in the dance room, practicing or producing/writing/composing our songs. Our stage is so brand new, nobody will see it coming. The outfits are amaz...

- Ilona-shi ! You're here ?! I was looking for you. Hello Jona.

This voice, that I know so well, gets me out of my thoughts and brings me back to reality.

- Jackson Wang !! What are you doin' here ?, I say surprised, he told me he wasn't able to came.
- Just wanted to see my Kangaji, he answer with an aegyo.
He stop, look around and then look back at me.
- Honestly, I wanted to prank you but it doesn't work..., he laugh.
- Next time, I say with a huge smile.
Of course, as always, he overreact.
- How dare you ? Challenging me ? The king of prank, he respond while doing I don't know what with his arms.
- You're not ready for my next prank Ilona, he add with a Machiavellian smile.

This guy is hilarious. He always make me laugh no matter what. When I'm down, he cheers me up. When I'm fine, he makes me happier. He's always there for me. I don't know what I could do without him in my life.

He calms down and take a sit beside me. Then he asks me if I'm ready for our debut stage, I answer than we prepared this for so long and everyone works so hard for it that I'm sure we gonna set the stage on fire, literally, in less than one hour.

- Honestly Ilona-shi, your stage is incredible and breathtaking. Every little details are amazing, « BURN » is so good and should I talk about the choreography ?
- Stop that, you exaggerates , I tell him embarrassed.
- No I won't. Each member of DESTINESIA is really talented. And you're doing an amazing job as their leader.
- I'm totally agree with him, someone says while entering in the room.
- Channie ! Exclaim Jona, our maknae,  who gets makeup too.
- Hi ! , he says with a smile. How are you guys ?
- I'm good thanks, Jackson answer laughing even if he knows that Chan was asking us not him.
- I'm good too, but maybe a little stressed, Jona admit embarrassed.
- It's okay, we've all been through this. Of course it's not easy but when you're on stage all of this stress disappear. And the love and energy of the fans will invades you. Just appreciate the moment and enjoy.
- The love and energy of the fans is something that can't be described. You have to feel it to understand how powerful it is, add Jackson.