Grueling Debut Team Dance Practice
9:00 AM sharp, debut team dance class.
Hwang Seongman, the instructor leading the session, strode into the practice room. He took immense pride in his dancing skills. A former professional dancer himself, he'd been entrusted with training Honey Enter's debut team. Before starting the morning class, his eyes landed on the new trainee he'd never seen before.
Handsome kid.
His first impression was pure admiration for the face. Having seen countless trainees, he occasionally got a gut feeling about one who had potential—and today, that instinct hit hard with this newcomer.
"You the new guy?"
"Yes, sir! Jin Haesol, 20 years old!"
"Got some spirit."
Putting a kid like this in the debut team right now? It was hugely significant.
"Come to the office after class and lunch. We gotta do your contract."
"Contract?"
"You haven't signed your trainee contract yet, right? Once that's done, we'll start managing you properly. Everyone done stretching?"
"Yes!"
"Yep."
Listening to Ki Uyeon and Kang Kyungtae's responses, Hwang Seongman scrutinized the new trainee Jin Haesol's physique. If a woman gave that look, it'd be sexual harassment central—but as a man, he had every right to inspect a male trainee's body.
"You work out? Nice build."
"Not really?"
"Why the question mark? Either you did or you didn't."
"Probably didn't."
At the trainee's odd speech pattern, Hwang reached out and prodded his body himself.
"Eek."
"It's just guys messing around a bit, right? You'll be fine for dancing. Muscles are decently toned too."
"You can tell just from touching?"
"Roughly, yeah. What'd they teach you in C-Class?"
"Haha, who knows. Just the basics, barely?"
"Your face says it was a disaster. Makes sense—C-Class trash can't teach worth a damn. Lucky if you don't get groped."
That instructor would've been booted from Honey Enter ages ago without her connections. Unfortunately, she was the CEO's niece, so they couldn't touch her. She'd started in A-Class but got demoted to C after her incompetence became glaring and multiple harassment scandals erupted. No way someone like that could teach properly.
"Don't bring that C-Class attitude here. You know what the debut team means, right? They let you run wild in C, but now you're debut material—everything's monitored. You probably heard it all when they explained the trainee contract."
"Yessir."
Lackluster response.
No confidence in his skills?
Not the first pretty face to coast on looks alone. Most cracked under the brutal trainee life, jealousy from peers, and quit.
No matter how handsome, this industry demands grit and effort. Wonder if he's got it.
Guys these days lacked resolve. Males were so scarce, everyone babied them, so they hated anything tough. Plenty didn't get why they should bother when easy paths existed. That's why Honey Enter got tons of male trainee apps—and lost the most too.
Hwang decided to test the new guy's attitude.
"Class starts now."
Exhausting.
"Huff! Huff!"
"Who said break?! You think practice is a joke?! Run!!"
His booming voice made my ears ring. But my heart hurt worse. It felt like it might explode, yet I had to keep running.
Was learning dance always this brutal? Was it just me?
I snuck a glance at Kang Kyungtae and Ki Uyeon. They were sweating too, but dancing way better and holding up fine.
Fuck fuck fuck.
Swears bubbled up. Uyeon had endured this since age 12. Me? No prep, no dream—just dazzled by idol glamour, stumbling in here.
I wanna run!!
But Poni threatened disposal if I flopped debut. Probably bullshit, but I couldn't risk it. If it wasn't, I'd die. No testing fate.
What now?
Dumbass. Sex, obviously. Abilities rise from sex alone—I'm no eunuch; dodging it makes me the idiot.
"Can't believe they let trash like you in here. Honey Enter must be desperate. How'd they even think debut material? What made you waltz in so cocky? Why not quit now and save everyone the hassle?"
Kyungtae, who'd eyed me warily at first, now pitied me. Teacher Hwang's tirade after seeing my skills had been savage.
This won't shake me.
At least it was fair—I sucked at dancing. Way better than getting chewed out for bullshit by a boss.
I straightened up militarily. "I'll work hard, sir!"
"Think effort fixes body dysmorphia? Idols can't be that bad. You know a male debut's coming soon—street buzz everywhere. Your level? Zero chance. You're 20, right? Forget next round. Think the company debuts a mid-20s guy?"
Trainees over 20 had slim debut odds. Idols averaged so young.
No, why are you guys stressing? I'm fine!
I was chill despite the roast, but Uyeon and Kyungtae looked wrecked hearing it. Especially Kyungtae, the target—tears imminent.
Guy's mental game's shot.
I rolled my eyes at the teacher, signaling Kyungtae.
"Eyes on me while I'm talking... Kyungtae?!"
Kyungtae finally sobbed. Teacher realized his multi-kill and looked guilty.
"Wh-why are you crying?"
"Sniff... Teacher, can I really debut? I'm 21 already. Miss this, I'm out. No confidence for debut team. Sniff... I worked so hard to be an idol—what's wrong with me?!"
Wailing. I sidled to Uyeon, glaring judgmentally at Hwang.
Hwang sweated, soothing the bawling Kyungtae.
"Hyung okay?"
"Huh? What."
"Teacher roasted you hard."
"Psh, that? Facts. I know I suck at dance. Guessed it—you're here for my face, not skill. Expected the hate."
"Whoa... Tough mental. I'd bawl like Kyungtae-hyung."
"Gotta maintain for idol life. Crumble now? Useless."
Male idols raked cash, but paid with tolerated harassment. Quick note: Don't Earth-interpret it.
Grabbing hands without permission? Harassment. Staring? Harassment.
Male idols endured fan grabs and stares. Guys here weren't masochists—stressful as hell. Words downplay it; reality hits different.
Never knew stares could burn like that.
Male idols bore it as duty.
"Hyung, you're amazing. Debut together? I'd feel secure."
"Think I'm debut-worthy after that?"
"I'm skilled but ugly. You? Looks and mental. Good vibes heal mine too. Hehe, too early? But imagining it excites me. Hoho!"
17-year-old's pure grin. Uyeon hid nothing about wanting debut.
Feels kinda guilty.
5 years grinding since 12. My debut? Locked in.
To not screw him over...
Sex again.
"Ahem. Kyungtae's bathroom break—short rest."
Double-sized eyes from tears, Kyungtae vanished. Our eyes met Hwang's in the room.
"...Haesol, you good?"
Push here, I'd shatter Hwang's mental too.
"Fine, sir. I do suck at dance. Keep yelling like now—cool. Just don't say quit. I'll take harsh advice to heart. Mental's ironclad. Build skill, I'll do anything."
Hit his taste. Hwang's face softened.
"...Misjudged you."
"Huh? Misjudged?"
Only danced and got yelled at—what misunderstanding?
"That resolve? Good. I'll teach my best. But brace hard, like I said."
"Yes, sir!"
First goodwill from him. Awkward for my sex-powerup plan, but couldn't reject full effort.
Did I say something wrong?
Bad vibes. But hyped Uyeon cut in.
"Whoaaa! Don't leave me out!! Me too! I'll work hard, teacher!! Teach more!!"
"You dance best among trainees—what more you want?"
"Debut needs beyond best. Teach more~ Teacher!!"
Uyeon clung to Hwang. That shamelessness? Impossible for me.