An individual’s stardom and buzz were closely tied to their group’s performance, but it was never absolute.
The prime example of that was Lira of Coral Blue.
An idol among idols.
Even though she was of the same generation as NND, the unrivaled number-one group that had recorded a Billboard number one and numerous grand prizes to boot in their discography.
With her uniquely cold atmosphere and extraordinary talent, she was hailed as the premier idol of the 3rd generation.
More than anything, she was also the leader who had guided Coral Blue to become a global trendsetter driving teen and young-adult female culture, so such evaluations followed her all the more.
And then there was Dohee, who despite Debonair only now gradually beginning to take shape, was already being mentioned more and more as an idol representing a generation.
Although opinions were divided, thanks to countless antis clinging to baseless rumors, skillfully photoshopped pictures, and her immature age of eighteen.
A two-shot of those two sitting side by side watching a fashion show was inevitably the talk of the town.
[OMG OMG it’s the top of the 3rd gen meeting the top of the 4th gen]
[It’s cringy but… it really feels like a princess and a queen meetingㅠㅠㅠ]
[Seeing this two-shot here is insane insane insane]
The community boards broadcasting in real-time were already saturated.
This was especially because Lira, who was past her seventh year, had never had a single conspicuous friendship.
[What’s really amazing is Lira]
She’s famous for not giving a damn about anyone outside of her Coral Blue members and not socializing at all, but she looks like she’s getting along with Dohee, so maybe their interests align
─Maybe it’s because they’re both buzzworthy top idols who love their main job and are producing members that they got close so quickly
─Agreed, they have a lot in common, their personalities seem similar too
└Huh??? You’re saying Lira and Lee Dohee are similar? Lira is cold no matter who looks at her, and Dohee is cute and kind of a clown type, though
└They may look like that, but there’s something fundamentally similar. A unique feeling among real idols that they themselves seem to know…
└Same here, I think I get it, like an idol of idols feeling?
└Same
└Same
└Same
└And slapping the “idol of idols” label on Lee Dohee tooㅋㅋㅋ Her fans sure do love making a huge fuss about everything, seriously
Moreover, the two didn’t simply exchange words; throughout the fashion show they leaned their heads close together, whispered affectionately, and burst into laughter several times.
[Lira really rarely smiles like that]
Looks like they’re closer than I thought, sticking right up against each other and whisperingㅋㅋㅋ
─I know rightㅋㅋㅋㅋ Did you see Lira patting Dohee?
─Seriously, why does my heart flutter so much seeing them whispering to each other and smiling so innocently…
─I’m so curious what they find so funnyㅠㅠㅠㅠ
Even though Lira’s default setting was an expressionless face thanks to her cold appearance and aloof image.
Thanks to this, posts guessing at Dohee’s personality began trending, walking the line without quite turning into a full-on “good personality” marketing angle.
[I guess Lee Dohee really does have a good personality]
Seeing how much Lira likes her
─Debuting at a young age and getting that much attention, yet not a single slip of the tongue or controversy until now, that alone says something
└Even when haters provoke her, she swallows it and keeps her boundaries well
─Just watching variety shows or content, the kid’s hilariousㅋㅋㅋ
└Rightㅋㅋㅋ Nutjobs just overreact, she’s straight-up likeable
└Those are the same people who claim Dohee is calling Seoyoon out and targeting her when they’re just laughing and joking around
Anecdotes about Dohee with other groups were brought up as examples too.
[The reason I think Dohee has a good personality]
Just watching challenges or behind-the-scenes footage, other idols show obvious signs of liking Dohee first
─Yeah, I was watching the Pure Girls music show behind-the-scenes, and Lucy was so shy and kept calling her Dohee-nim, Dohee-nim after filming a challenge with her, she liked her so muchㅠㅠ
─Yeeun was just running away though? Dohee was hunting her down
└Yeeun is a special case
└It feels like their unni-dongsaeng roles are swapped there
└But when one comes, Dohee runs away too
└ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Ah, hilarious
Naturally, there were countless people who found this situation itself unpleasant. Superstars inevitably attracted hate befitting their fame even without a single controversy.
[Ah, Lee Dohee really has zero tact]
It looks like Lira is openly uncomfortable, but Lee Dohee keeps forcing herself to talk to her, shameless… I hate her
─The nutjob’s here againㅋㅋㅋ
─They look close, you’re the nutjob with cognitive dissonance, hihi
Of course, that was nothing more than blatant bait that wouldn’t play out as intended.
[So it’s true Lira put in a word for her at Chanel]
I was wondering how Lee Dohee became a Chanel ambassadorㅋㅋ
Ugh… I thought Lira gave off bisexual vibes too
It’s confirmed, she’s a total psychoㅋㅋㅋㅋ
─Does that even make sense?
─What an amazing deduction?
─Why don’t you try being a drama writer?
The genuine antis could only grit their teeth watching Dohee, who broke new records every single day without fail.
Hoping even a small controversy would arise.
[ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Did Lee Dohee follow her to the Chanel afterparty without even being invited?]
[Real-time image of Lee Dohee being left out at the afterparty.jpg]
[Following Lira around like a puppy even here]
But the more that happened, the more the genuine antis couldn’t help but feel stressed.
[Wow, crazy, Chanel’s chief designer mentioned Lira and Dohee together]
Because a video of Dohee taken at the afterparty held shortly after the fashion show became a hot topic.
* * *
Afterparty.
“Unni, should I tell you something fun?”
“It’s fine. You look tired, you should hurry back to the dorms and rest.”
Upon entering the party venue, Lira spotted Dohee, who had made eye contact and run over delightedly to cling to her side, and was contemplating what to do.
“No, I want to too, but my contract says I have to stay a bit.”
“Come to think of it, that’s right. It’s your first time here, isn’t it?”
Should she shake this girl off or not.
“Ah, exactly, and they didn’t even let my manager tag along.”
She reminded Lira of herself in some ways, which made her seem a little cocky, but seeing her fidget nervously in a strange foreign land was rather cute.
‘I think I can see why people keep calling her cute.’
“So, you know, good company makes it nice when people who know each other stick together like this…”
Just then, a famous model approached Lira.
“Hey Lira! Long time no see-!”
It was the top model who had closed today’s fashion show. A vain woman with an excessive need to show off—annoying, but.
The timing was good, though.
For shaking off Lee Dohee.
“Yeah, it’s been a while.”
Lee Dohee looked awkward seeing her chatting affectionately with the model.
“Ah!”
Dohee promptly took finger food from a passing waiter and began eating.
“…Nom nom.”
Nibbling away with her front teeth like a rabbit.
“Pfft.”
Dohee’s behavior was both funny and cute, so after briefly entertaining the model, Lira used Dohee as an excuse to send her away.
“Huh? Oh! Unni?”
Of course, she hadn’t meant to help her.
“I’m busy now, so you go try talking to people too. It’s basically the same with foreigners anyway.”
“Ah.”
Even now, had she not been by Lira’s side, there would have been swarms of people trying to strike up a conversation with Dohee.
No one could dislike a young girl with the looks of a peerless beauty.
Naturally, the fact that she had stuck to Lira at the fashion show was a big factor too.
‘I wonder who that girl next to me is. They must be dying of curiosity.’
Even so, Dohee urgently added:
“Ah, Unnii, I don’t even ask for much! Just thirty minutes? Okay?”
“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.”
Lira nonchalantly took a cocktail from a passing waiter.
But Dohee, as if sensing the refusal, began clinging to her arm and acting cute.
“Noo, I can’t even drink, what kind of afterparty is this? Hmm?”
In particular, Dohee’s hidden, curvy chest pressed against her arm through the clothes. It was supple.
“That’s right, you’re just a baby who can’t drink.”
“Right?!”
“Big ones.”
“Huh? What?”
Then Lira decided to be cheeky and leave.
“No, but I helped you out so much!”
“Helped with what? You leave my messages on read sometimes.”
“Haha! Sowwy!”
Lira, who had turned to leave, stopped for a moment.
Seeing that Dohee would cling annoyingly anyway.
“…W-well, didn’t I give your boring life some excitement? Ah, Unni!”
It was true that Dohee had been a stimulus to her dull life.
More than anything, today Dohee was less cocky while following her around calling her unni.
‘I guess she’s cute enough to let it slide today.’
So she grabbed Dohee’s wrist and slowly began to move.
“Then, I’ll introduce you to a few people. You have to greet them anyway.”
“Oh.”
From then on, they approached others and introduced incoming people a few times.
“This time… see the table on the left? The woman.”
“Ah, I know her. Was it Killing Game? The female lead from that movie.”
“Yes. She’s not that bad of a person, so it’s good to get your face known to her. But the man next to her is a druggie, so it’s best to avoid him.”
“Gasp.”
It was quite satisfying to see her following obediently behind her.
“By the way, your English pronunciation is good. Did you study abroad?”
“No, I’m just good at studying. Of course, the company also gave me separate local speaking lessons. And I was also top of my whole school…”
She got cocky again right away, but.
“Ah! The English rap lyrics and slang that came out on New Vibes this time, I actually—”
“I should get going since I’ve finished my business.”
“But surely I’m still lacking compared to someone who studied abroad, right?”
“Are you really going to settle for being the one-of-a-kind top-of-the-school idol?”
“But still, studying abroad is just different! Kyah, I’m most jealous of your pronunciation, unni! There’s something classy about it! Something that matches your vibe!”
“Your pronunciation is cute too. Just like your face.”
“I’m taller, though.”
“Since I’ve finished my business…”
“I guess I am a bit less mature, right?”
In the moment the girl admitted it readily and pressed her lips shut, Lira took a sip of her cocktail and surveyed the party venue.
“Prepare to greet them.”
Because a big shot of this field—who could be called the host of this party—was approaching with several reporters.
And moments later, a French-accented voice was heard along with the French greeting called a “bisou kiss.”
[Bonsoir, M. Lira. Comment allez-vous?]
[Good evening, Ms. Lira. How have you been?]
The Grand Couturier responsible for the brand.
The chief designer, Aveline Cassel.
Lira answered familiarly in formal French.
[Je vais bien, Merci. Et vous?]
[I’ve been well, thank you. And you?]
Just as many Koreans know basic Japanese greetings, in English-speaking countries French was the second foreign language.
But it was only up to basic greetings.
Naturally, the subsequent conversation took place in English through the interpreter accompanying Cassel.
Cassel exchanged a welcome greeting with Lira that was rather long to be called brief.
And only later did she shift her gaze to Lira’s side.
[Et… voici la nouvelle Ambre de Chanel.]
[And this is our new ambassador.]
Of course, she knew who Dohee was.
As the person in overall charge.
However, what was unexpected came after.
Because Dohee met Cassel’s eyes and answered with a nod before the interpreter could even turn back.
[Oui, Je suis heureux de vous rencontrer. Je m’appelle Do-hee Lee.]
[─Yes, I’m glad to meet you. I’m Do-hee Lee.]
It was clearly the timing and gesture of someone who had understood Cassel’s words and was answering.
[Oh, Parlez-vous français?]
[─Oh, do you speak French?]
Of course, it wasn’t to the point of fluent pronunciation.
[Un tout petit peu. J’ai fait une école d’art.]
[─A tiny little bit. I went to an arts high school.]
With cute hand gestures as if recalling each word one by one, a very slow and deliberate tone.
[Ah, bon? école d’art?]
[─Really? An arts high school?]
But rather, it gave the feeling of an earnest answer.
[Oui, Et savez-vous que je suis un groupe de filles?]
[─Yes, and did you know I’m a girl group?]
[Bien sûr K-pop!]
[─Of course, K-pop!]
You could tell from the sight of Aveline Cassel smiling brightly and making a typically French gesture.
[Oui, Le nom de notre groupe est français.]
[─Yes, our group name is French.]
[Oh là là!]
[─Oh là là!]
Dohee was also laughing while following that gesture, reciting her group name.
[De, bon, air! wow!]
[─De, bon, air! Wow!]
Of course, Cassel, who seemed pressed for time, finished a greeting that was brief yet somewhat long and left with the reporters.
Instead, her final behavior and attitude had changed somewhat.
Unlike at first when she had greeted only Lira warmly, she had given a delighted handshake to both of them.
With a hint of reluctance to part.
Lira downed the last remaining sip of her cocktail.
‘…She piques my interest. I keep paying attention to her. I suppose you’d call it star quality.’
There hadn’t been anyone she had watched with such care even in NND.
“It’s a bit, a bit of a stimulus.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t know you could speak French too.”
“Ah~ come on, it’s just basic conversational French I learned in school, that’s all.”
However, the Dohee who had been calling her unni, unni until just now…
“But still, top of the whole school? Ha, heh.”
Was a little cocky and cute once again.