章 25: Chapter 25. Ambrosia's Your Lady

Debuts in the entertainment industry are never easy, as the members of the girl group Ambrosia soon discover. Being a trainee was far more straightforward, as they didn't have to face the public's high expectations. But now that they're finally debuting and showcasing their skills, it's a whole new world.

The word 'ambrosia' holds a deeper meaning for the group—it signifies something that is exquisitely lovely, wonderful, and excellent. It is often used as a metaphor for things that are holy, heavenly, or incredibly pleasing. This is precisely why the company chose this name for the eight-member girl group.

Each member of Ambrosia brings a unique dynamic to the group with their heavenly voices and captivating appearances. The company has carefully curated this ensemble, believing that their collective talents and individual charms will captivate audiences and establish Ambrosia as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.

Rachel and the seven other members of the girl group Ambrosia must rise early each morning to rehearse on an empty stage. Despite their hard work and dedication, not many people are truly paying attention to their debut song.

"We know it won't be easy, right?" says Hyejin, the group's leader.

Hyejin is the oldest of the eight members, and the company has placed her in the leadership role, even though she seemed hesitant about it at first. However, Rachel has been a constant source of support and encouragement for Hyejin, both during their trainee days and now as they go on their debut.

"We've just started, so don't worry too much. Let's keep going," Rachel says to the others, and they continue their rigorous routine for months on end.

Slowly, the group's fanbase begins to grow, and people start to recognize them. However, the public sentiment about them is that their debut song isn't quite catchy enough. As a result, the public's attention quickly wanes, and they only remember the members' pretty faces.

Unfazed, the girls of Ambrosia pour their hearts into every performance, determined to prove their worth. Hyejin, strengthened by the girls solid support, steps up as a confident and empowered leader, guiding the group through the challenges they face. Despite the initial lukewarm reception, the members of Ambrosia remain persistent in their pursuit of success.

For a year, Ambrosia's music gains more popularity in South Korea, but not as much as the group had hoped. It remains difficult for them to fully capture the public's attention. At one point, they start to feel stagnant, with no brands offering them collaboration opportunities. The sales of their debut album also begin to slow down and remain low.

Determined to reignite the group's momentum, the company decides to create one more song for Ambrosia's upcoming comeback, and they begin preparing for the group's second music video. The new song is titled 'Your Lady', and the members are brimming with excitement to bring this new project to life, hoping that their hard work will finally pay off.

It takes them three months to film the music video, which opens on a vibrant, colorful setting—a whimsical, cartoon-like city. The color palette is bright and eye-catching, with hues of pink, blue, yellow, and green creating a playful, joyful atmosphere.

The song that accompanies the visuals has primarily a bubblegum pop sound, with an electropop and Europop influence brought by prominent techno and hip-hop-inspired synthesizers and beats. The lyrics are cheerful and celebrate themes of friendship, positivity, and embracing one's unique personality, positioning the members of Ambrosia as the perfect ladies for whoever listens to the music.

By the time the music video is released to the public, the response far exceeds the group's expectations. The popularity of 'Your Lady' spreads not only in South Korea but also internationally. The song climbs to the number-one spot on the Music Bank chart for nine consecutive weeks, causing Ambrosia's popularity to skyrocket.

The members of Ambrosia are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, their hard work and dedication finally being recognized on a larger scale. The vibrant, playful music video, coupled with the infectious, uplifting song, resonates deeply with audiences, who are drawn in by the group's undeniable charm and talent.

With this success, Ambrosia begins to secure more brand collaborations and opportunities, solidifying their position as one of the rising stars in the K-pop industry.

The eight girls of Ambrosia—Lee Hyejin, Rachel Lee, Park Hana, Shin Yoora, Jung Soomin, Han Hyewon, Kim Minseo, and Choi Eunyoung the maknae (the youngest in the group)—start to fill all the music charts in South Korea. Their music plays in almost every establishment; their first mini album all sold out, and the company had to produce for the second edition.

After four months without being able to call Harper, not because Rachel is busy with her schedule but because Harper was still sailing the seas and unreachable by phone, Rachel finally has the chance to connect with her dear friend.

"Rach! I saw! You're great! I'm officially a fan!" Harper exclaims, her excitement palpable through the phone.

Rachel can't hide her laughter at the sound of Harper's voice. "Where are you now?"

"I'm in Phuket, but tomorrow I'll be sailing back to Singapore," Harper replies. "I'll surely take a day off if you have your first concert. I'll come, I promise. As your number one fan," she adds enthusiastically.

"Promise?" Rachel asks, needing the reassurance.

"I promise," Harper says firmly. "I'm so proud of you, Rach. You're amazing! You did it! What did your mom say?" Her voice turned soft, remembering the fight and everything Rachel has to overcome.

"She called me yesterday, told me I'm doing a good job, and that she'll visit me next year," Rachel says softly. "Thank you for believing in me."

"Always, sweetheart, always," Harper laughs. "Anyway, I'll send you some money; buy me your album and send it to me. Sign it for me, please; write it like this for my dear Harper. Pretty please?"

"Of course! You don't need to send me money!" Rachel replies quickly.

"Did the company already give you your fee?" Harper asks, her concern evident.

"Yes, they did. I'm okay now, I promise," Rachel assures her.

"Are you sure?" Harper presses.

"I'm sure!" Rachel reiterates and starts to talk about other things.

From the other room, Hyewon and Minseo are talking to each other, teasing Hyejin. "If we didn't know she was talking to a woman, I'd almost believe she's talking to her lover," Hyewon says.

"Aren't you jealous, Hyejin unnie?" Minseo teases, aware of the close bond between Hyejin and Rachel.

"Shut up, you guys," Hyejin grumbles, pulling a blanket over herself and turning away.

"Oh, she's jealous," Hyewon laughs, her gaze fixed on Rachel. "She's like talking to her lover; I wonder what this Harper looks like."

"Very beautiful." Hyejin answered.