Haeun prepares for debut

The following weeks passed by in a chaotic whirlwind of schedules, training, and preparation. For St6light, every waking moment was consumed by the intense grind of debuting as idols under the polished yet grueling system of Dream Entertainment.

Their day typically began before dawn, with 5 a.m. physical trainings before breakfast, followed by vocal training sessions. Each member would practice harmonizing with one another while perfecting their individual lines. Mr. Kang and the vocal coaches were relentless, stopping every missed note or misplaced breath. Afterward, they moved into hours of grueling dance practice, rehearsing the choreography for their title track, "Eclipse", which they will perform on music shows to promote their album.

Their initial stage outfits reflected the concept: dark, shimmering fabrics that glistened under stage lights. Haeun’s ensemble was a delicate mix of sensual and regal—a fitted corset top adorned with subtle sparkles and a layered black skirt that in truth barely covered anything were it not for the safety shorts she wore underneath.

Between practices, they spent hours in the recording studio, re-recording lines until they hit the exact tone the producers wanted. The company’s marketing team orchestrated countless photoshoots and concept video shoots, where they posed for hours under blinding lights in different outfits. Haeun often felt like a mannequin being dressed up and styled according to someone else's whims.

The other members seemed to be adjusting more smoothly than she was. Mina and Eunseo threw themselves into the preparations with enthusiasm, Eunseo's training as a model coming through as she struck poses and followed instructions like a professional, while Mina was always ready with a bright smile and cheerful compliance to anything asked of them.

Haeun however was stiff in comparison, self conscious of the skimpy outfits that were chosen to emphasize her figure, revealing more than they hid. A top that was barely a piece of fabric with a string to tie it around her chest, or pants so short her cheeks hung out of them, all while having to portray an innocent persona. It felt impossible. The camera flashes seemed like spotlights exposing her, the barks of the photographer demanding her to present herself in ways she never thought she would show anyone other than her boyfriend. But it was the first step to becoming an idol, and she had gone too far to give up now, so she played along, slowly learning to smile through the discomfort.

To her surprise, after seeing the raw images, Mr. Kang was pleased.

“That's perfect Haeun! The innocent idol **** to dress scandalously against her wishes, the fans' are going to lap this up!” he said, patting her shoulder with approval. “You're a natural. Keep it up, and you’ll be famous in no time.”

Jihoon, on the other hand, remained distant and cold. He would linger in the background during her photoshoots, scowling as she posed sensually for the camera. When they had group photos, he stayed away from her, often placing himself at the opposite end of the formation or positioning himself so one of the other members was between them. The others would exchange glances, though they are too exhausted to involve themselves in the drama.

For Haeun, the most exhausting part was the relentless rehearsals for their music show stages. Every movement needed to synchronize perfectly, every expression carefully timed. The pressure mounted as the company brought in professional stylists and makeup artists to perfect their looks for each performance. Her "innocent yet alluring" persona required soft, glowing makeup. She grew accustomed to hours spent under curling irons and brushes, to the point where she could no longer recognize her bare face in the mirror.

And so, as the days blurred together, Haeun was too drained to think about the unresolved tension with Jihoon. Her mind could barely focus on anything beyond the immediate demands of the day. The only thing anchoring her to normalcy was her nightly calls with her boyfriend.

At the end of each grueling day, Haeun would collapse onto her bed, phone in hand, and dial his number. The sound of his voice on the other end of the line felt like a balm for her soul.

“How’s my superstar doing?” he asked one night, his tone teasing but warm.

“Exhausted,” Haeun sighed, rolling onto her side. “I didn’t think it was possible to dance until your legs feel like they’re going to fall off, but apparently, it is.”

He chuckled softly. “Well, if anyone can handle it, it’s you. Besides, it’s only a matter of time before you blow everyone away on that stage.”

Despite her fatigue, she smiled. “I hope so. The company’s putting so much pressure on this debut... Sometimes it feels like I can’t keep up.”

“You can,” he said firmly. “You’ve worked so hard for this, Haeun. And it’s not just about the company. Think about all the people who are going to hear your voice, see you perform, and feel something real. That’s what this is about.”

His words carried a conviction that reignited her determination. She shared snippets of her day with him—sharing gossip with Mina and Eunseo, how Jihoon tripped over his own feet during choreography (though she carefully avoided talking about their strained relationship). In turn, he told her about his studies and the small joys of his life.