Peninsula: Starting with the nation's first love, the white moonlight

Friday morning, KBS building.

Lee Lu-ran and Lee Ji-eun arrived at the KBS TV station backstage early.

He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and cargo pants today, and was holding a handheld DV camera.

In front of the camera, Lee Ji-eun, dressed in an exquisite stage outfit, is making a peace sign with a bright smile.

"Hello everyone! This is the brand new program IU TV!"

"applaud!"

Lee Ji-eun started clapping, and Lee Lu-ran clapped twice with one hand, causing the DV camera to shake slightly.

"Today is my title track's first comeback stage on 'Music Bank'! Please look forward to my performance!"

She walked backwards while playfully winking at the camera.

Li Luran followed Li Zhi'en closely with a DV camera.

That's right, this is his other role on set today: IU TV's exclusive videographer.

For someone who doesn't like to step into the limelight, this job is a perfect fit.

With the footage almost recorded, Li Luran packed up the DV camera. Li Zhi'en then walked ahead and acted as the director.

"Lu Ran, you've never been to a music show performance before, have you?"

"Let me tell you, there are a lot of rules for these kinds of music shows. For example, although it's broadcast live, the stage is actually pre-recorded."

Lee Ji-eun lowered her voice: "In order to present the best effect to the audience, some stages have to be recorded several times."

Especially for newcomers, it's common to get a good scolding from a director with a bad temper.

"And what about you? You haven't been scolded either, have you?" Li Luran joked casually.

"How is that possible!" Lee Ji-eun stopped and glared at him. "My performances are basically all done in one take, you know. Heh heh, impressive, right?" Lee Ji-eun tilted her head back and said with a smug look on her face.

"Oh dear, it's all your fault for interrupting me. Where was I?"

"Stage recording," Li Luran kindly reminded him.

"That's right! After the stage recording is over, it's time for the number one spot to be decided."

"Let me tell you, the scoring rules here are very strict. Digital music sales account for the highest percentage, followed by physical sales. Then there are broadcast frequency and audience preference. If we want to get first place, we can't afford to mess up in any of these areas."

Li Luran followed Li Zhi'en, listening to her explanations of science while observing the backstage area.

On both sides of the corridor, there are spacious private waiting rooms as well as makeshift, simple partitioned rooms.

Many newcomers are crammed into a small cubicle, and when they see a senior passing by, they all have to bow at a 90-degree angle.

It has to be said that this is the cruelty of the entertainment industry, especially in the strict seniority system of the Korean Peninsula.

"It's cruel, isn't it?"

Lee Ji-eun turned around and smiled at Lee Lu-ran, "Actually, it was the same when I first debuted. A large group of people were crammed into one cubicle, and there wasn't even a place to sit."

Soon, the two returned to Lee Ji-eun's waiting room, where a stack of autographed new albums had already been prepared on the table.

"Let's go." Lee Ji-eun picked up the stack of albums. "It's the rule for music show promotions that junior artists should go to the senior artists' waiting room to greet them and give them a new album. There happens to be a really great senior group here today, so we need to hurry over and pay them a visit."

Li Luran nodded, put down the DV camera in his hand, and followed her out of the waiting room.

After walking through the corridor, they stopped in front of a large waiting room with a nameplate on the door that read: Girls' Generation TTS.

Lee Ji-eun straightened her clothes, turned around to look at Lee Lu-ran standing behind her, but found that he didn't seem to be following.

"Aren't you coming in with me?" she asked, puzzled.

Li Luran glanced at the doorplate and shook his head calmly.

"It's full of female idols, and it's also the waiting room for senior idols. It's not very convenient for a grown man like me to go in."

He pointed to a bench beside the corridor, "I'll wait for you outside. Anyway, it's not convenient to film you in this kind of situation, so let's just forget about it."

Upon hearing this explanation, Lee Ji-eun gave an awkward smile.

This is indeed very much in line with Li Luran's style. This guy is usually sharp-tongued, but he is indeed a very tactful person.

"Okay, then don't wander off. I'll be right out."

Lee Ji-eun took a deep breath, raised her hand, and gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in." Soon, a polite response came from inside the door.

Lee Ji-eun pushed open the door to the waiting room and went inside.

In the standby room.

Kim Tae-yeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun were touching up their makeup. Hearing the noise, all three turned around at the same time.

Under the watchful eyes of the three senior figures, Lee Ji-eun smiled slightly and bowed deeply.

"Hello everyone, I'm IU (Lee Ji-eun). Congratulations on the debut of the subunit."

She handed over her autographed new album with both hands, saying, "This is my new album. Please give me your guidance."

"Oh, it's Ji-eun! Come here quickly!"

Tiffany enthusiastically accepted the album, smiling and praising, "We've all listened to the new songs, and this title track is really amazing! Your current momentum is putting pressure on even us."

"You flatter me, senior." Lee Ji-eun smiled modestly.

At this moment, Kim Tae-yeon, who had been sitting, also stood up.

She was wearing a bright yellow dress today, and her golden curly hair cascaded over her shoulders, making her look radiant.

"Ji-eun, your new album is selling like hotcakes, you've worked hard on your comeback."

Taeyeon smiled and extended her hand, gently shaking hands with IU.

"Thank you, Taeyeon sunbaenim."

The two exchanged a brief glance, and just as she looked away, Kim Tae-yeon unconsciously glanced towards the door.

The door was ajar, and through the crack, a dark figure could be vaguely seen sitting on a bench outside.

It's him!

He's right outside! Just a door away from me.

Kim Tae-yeon's heart began to race involuntarily, her right hand clenched into a fist, but she eventually looked away.

"Ji-eun-ssi," Taeyeon tried to keep her voice steady, "Did you come alone? Didn't your manager come with you?"

Lee Ji-eun, completely unaware of Taeyeon's intentions, answered truthfully:

"My manager went to see the PD, and a colleague came with me. He's responsible for filming some behind-the-scenes footage for me today. He felt it wasn't convenient to go into the girl group's waiting room, so he sat outside and waited for me."

My colleague, the male lead in the music video, and my rumored boyfriend—it turns out their relationship is already this good.

Taeyeon forced a smile, suppressing the bitterness in her heart.

"I see. He really is a gentlemanly colleague."

"Then I wish you a successful debut performance today, Ji-eun-ssi."

"Thank you, Taeyeon sunbaenim!"

The conversation ended with a simple greeting.

Lee Ji-eun bowed again, turned around and pushed open the door to the waiting room, while Taeyeon's gaze once again involuntarily drifted out.

He took the album from Lee Ji-eun's hand, lowered his head and said something to her.

Lee Ji-eun chuckled softly, and then the two walked side by side toward the other end of the corridor.

The door slowly closed again, completely blocking Taeyeon's view and shutting down the door that once belonged to them.

"Taeyeon, what are you looking at?" Tiffany patted her on the shoulder. "Let's go, it's time for rehearsal."

"...Okay, let's go."