Chapter Twenty-Three: The Moment of Truth

The sun peeked through the curtains, bathing Jiwon's dorm room in warm light. Today was the day he had been waiting for—an announcement that could change everything. As he got dressed, his heart raced with anticipation and nerves. The other trainees were all abuzz with speculation, but Jiwon had a feeling deep in his gut that today would be monumental.

After breakfast, the trainees gathered in front of the CEO's office for what felt like a small eternity. The tension in the air was palpable, and whispers of excitement and anxiety bounced around the group. Jiwon stood at the front, his mind racing with possibilities. What if they weren't chosen? What if they were? The prospect of debuting was thrilling yet terrifying.

The large double doors finally swung open, and the CEO, Mr. Han, beckoned them inside. Jiwon took a deep breath, pushing aside his nerves. He stepped in, followed closely by the other trainees.

"Good morning, everyone," Mr. Han said, his voice steady and commanding. "I have an important announcement regarding your future as trainees."

The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on him.

"After careful consideration, we are excited to announce the formation of our new idol group—Atelier! Congratulations! You all have been selected to debut as the main lineup!"

The room erupted into cheers and shouts of joy. Jiwon felt his heart swell with happiness and disbelief. They had done it!

As the cheers subsided, Mr. Han continued, "Jiwon, I'd like to speak to you for a moment."

Jiwon's heart raced again as he stepped forward, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes on him. Mr. Han looked at him seriously. "You will be the leader of Atelier, as well as the main visual and lead vocalist. You've shown exceptional growth and determination, and I believe you can guide the group."

Jiwon's breath caught in his throat. Leader? He could hardly wrap his mind around the idea. The other boys clapped him on the back, their encouragement overwhelming.

As they left the CEO's office, Jiwon felt a mix of emotions—excitement, anxiety, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. He turned to the other boys, who were buzzing with enthusiasm. "We can do this," he said, trying to keep his own nerves in check. "Let's show everyone what Atelier can do!"

The group's energy lifted him as they headed to the studio for their first group meeting. They had a lot of work ahead, but the promise of debuting filled the air with excitement.

The first task was to prepare for a photoshoot and promotional activities. Jiwon's heart raced as they walked into a studio filled with lights and equipment. It was surreal; just weeks ago, he had been the bullied boy, and now he was leading a group about to debut.

"Alright, Atelier! We're going to start with some facials and styling before the photoshoot," the stylist announced. "You'll all be getting new looks!"

Jiwon was led to a chair where a stylist began working on his hair. "We're going to dye it a light brown," she said with a smile. "It'll really complement your features and help you stand out as the visual."

He nodded, excitement bubbling within him. The transformation was real, and he was ready for it. As the stylist worked, Jiwon caught glimpses of the other boys getting their own transformations. The atmosphere was electric, with laughter and chatter filling the space.

Once the hair dye set, Jiwon sat down for a facial treatment, enjoying the pampering. He hadn't realized how much he had missed this kind of attention—having someone take care of him instead of the relentless training. He glanced at the other boys, all looking equally transformed and eager for their moment in the spotlight.

When it was finally time for the photoshoot, Jiwon felt a thrill rush through him. He stood with the other boys, striking poses under the bright lights. The camera flashed continuously, capturing every angle of their new looks. Jiwon felt alive, the energy of the group flowing through him.

"Give me more emotion! Show me that you're ready to debut!" the photographer urged.

Jiwon thought back to Ms. Lee's words about connecting with the audience. He poured his heart into every pose, channeling all the hard work and pain he had endured into this moment.

After the photoshoot, they gathered around a monitor to review the shots. Jiwon's heart raced as he saw himself and the other boys on the screen, radiant and full of potential. This was it. They were not just trainees anymore—they were Atelier.

"Those shots are amazing!" one of the boys exclaimed. "I can't believe we're finally debuting!"

Jiwon felt a surge of pride. "We've worked hard for this. Let's keep pushing each other to be better!"

As the day wrapped up, Jiwon headed back to the dorm, exhausted yet exhilarated. He couldn't wait to see how the world would react to Atelier. With the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, he knew he had to lead by example. This was just the beginning, and he was ready to embrace every challenge that lay ahead.

Lying in bed that night, he reflected on how far he had come. He was no longer just a bullied boy with dreams; he was now the leader of a group, a main visual, and a lead vocalist. And he would fight every day to make sure Atelier shone brightly in the world of K-pop.