↳ varieties & broadcasts

@♤ kim taehyung ⱽ I watched Seasons 1 through 3 last weekend and they all kept the idols from the same groups together, but there was ONE time, on Season 2 episode 18, that they did a challenge where the pairs were split up and mismatched with the others.
Then they had to blind lead each other through a maze of traps. I'm hoping they don't do that to us.
*Jooyeon scouts the crowd anxiously again, noting some familiar faces from other companies in the crowd*
*not long later, an employee flags everyone down to join them on the main stage. Already nervous as is, Jooyeon grabs onto Taehyung's sleeve to make sure they don't get separated*
Oh - I think they are keeping us together *he states when they're led to a spot with two chairs with their names on papers in each*
*they're advised to take their seats while they prepare for the introduction, to which he dares not disobey, removing the paper to settle into the low-set chair* *he pats the other* Hurry hyung, I saw this when I watched the shows. The last ones sitting are going to be the host's first target. Without fail.

@♤ lee jooyeon ʲᵘⁿᵉ *he snickered softly at the display of the invisible notes on his hand, leaning in to peer at it curiously as if he was reading off your notes at the same time*
mhm , hmm.. i see, i see.
well, luckily i also really want a barbecue, and i also happen to be quiiiiiite good at games~
we get to team up though, right?
*his eyes are questioning as he looked around everyone moving, trying to spot any semblance of a hint of what kind of games they might be playing to give him a headstart*

@♤ kim taehyung ⱽ *Jooyeon could finally let out the breath he'd been holding when Taehyung sidled up to him from amidst the crowd. He toys with his sleeves over his knuckles while scoping out the area, having done loads of research the moment they'd announce his participation*
Well, according to my notes...
*he pauses, wanting to organize his words neatly before proceeding*
'Hit or Miss' is a variety show where idols and entertainers pair up into teams of two, for a total of two teams for a head-to-head competition.
*one of his hands lays palm up in the air as if he reads off of it, despite it being blank*
They are presented with a series of 4 challenges, and whoever wins the majority of challenges will avoid being slimed at the end on stage in front of a live audience.
And the winners get barbecue.
*his other hand had also spread out opposite the other, and he finally looks up to Taehyung*
I really want barbecue, hyung.

@♤ lee jooyeon ʲᵘⁿᵉ *staring at th emirror in front of him he repeated his own little mantra, somewhat surprised that he of all people had been chosen for this - but also excited, of course. he hadn't had much of a chance to participate in activities like this before and he was keen to show off his skill*
*his eyes caught Jooyeons once he was finally released from his chair and he didn't waste a moment before crossing the room to meet him, a bright smile on his face despite his eyes reflecting a hint of nerves*
heya, you all done now? any idea what to expect?

@♤ kim taehyung ⱽ Another day, another slay *Jooyeon repeats into the mirror on the small stylist table that he'd been sat at while production set up*
*he and Taehyung had been selected as the two lucky members of Royal Flush to participate in a variety show to help keep their name in the headlines while they prepared new music for their fledgling fans*
*the show in question? Hit or Miss. A variety show where contestants were paired up and into a competition rampant with unique challenges*
*the stylist laughs at Jooyeon's deadpan repetition of the expression Gunil had taught him, closing her kit*
"Okay, kiddo, you're free to go on set."
*at last, he's able to run from the uncomfortable chair, eyes already searching the crowd for his groupmate and the only other familiar face here apart from their manager*

____________________________________________________________________

*Тhat* is gonna be one hot mess of an article.
//murmurs as i detach the mic and wires from myself, ready to go/

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .

you know what? cut!
the cameras stop rolling as the interviewer shoots a glare in the groups direction, clearly not a fan of their hostility
congrats on your big TIME magazine break , i think we have all the questions we need. thank you for your time , the gifts and overall /kindness/. good day.
the interviewer gets up from their seat, hurriedly gathering their sheet papers and exiting off set no longer wishing to be in the same vicinity as the girls and only vengeance on their mind

@✵ npc @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji *the reassuring squeeze on her sigh was the reminder Yuqi needed to breathe. Slowly, she coaxes her body to relax from the tension that had grown up to her ears. The other two were much better at standing their ground, and she reconnected with her confidence while listening to them speak*
*she rights herself up in her seat, holding her chin high and only letting it drop to nod in accord with the statements from her groupmates*
I don't think I could have phrased it better than that, truly
*she comments once for her own last word triumph against the interviewer*

@✵ npc @☾ song yuqi @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji [so FYI, in my head, the seating order goes like - Yeji, Sol, Jen, Yuqi if you look at them from the front]

//leans on the side armrest of my chair, following Yuqi as she speaks up from her chair furthest from mine, nodding in silent agreement and wishing i could reach and squeeze her hand to calm her down as much as possible, before the explosion/
Exactly, yeah. DIA is DIA because of DIA. Nobody else but DIA.
//a little smirk forms on my lips as Jennie speaks, crushing down on the point/
And no, before you ask - no, we are not targeting any particular boy group. There are no names to be named, so don't put words in our mouths for the headline.
DIA only looks at DIA, we will support all other groups, but we don't like to be compared to anyone. We have an amazing company backing us up as well, which is a feat that few can boast, and we feel supported by them, and given creative reign over our artistry - that's the recipe for success, no?

jennie shakes her crossed leg, hands set clasped in her lap staring directly at the interviewer like a hungry lioness about to strike her prey. yongsun and yuqi had answered with some grace trying to keep the vibes up, unfortunately for the interviewer jennie has never been that kind to begin with and has a mean streak when crossed.
she gives yuqis thigh a light squeeze to comfort her and her near slip up in pronunciation

that’s the million dollar question huh? Everyone wants to know if groups are actually as close as they say. I can promise that if we weren’t as close and have a deep respect for each other then this group would not work.

everyone thinks there’s so much pride and jealousy in girl groups but i’ll tell everyone now its most prominent in boy groups. i mean statistically, who stays together even after they disband? exactly. its a sisterhood lucky enough to be cowokers cause that just makes the job easier, more fun and creative.

If we fight we resolve the issue, point blank. we’re not teenagers, we’re grown women and while /some/ may not act like, we sure do. so there’s no tea or drama, just love and respect. mutually.

@✵ npc *As the interview grew tenser and tenser, Yuqi sat there in growing silence. Her smile grew terser and her fingers grew red from how hard she wrangled them in her hands*
Right, I'll have to echo what Solar unnie said
*she chimes in at the end, doing a visibly less good job of maintaining her composure. She'd suffer the consequences later*
*she clears before continuing* I don't think we harbour any jealousy towards each other. We have equal amounts of desire to see each other succeed. DIA would not be here with the efforts of one of us alone. It was a group project that was very much business but friendship as well
*she slips up in her Korean pronunciation the more she speaks, getting a little more amped than she should*
Our work is better because of our comradery.
*and she leaves it there, almost harumphing in her seat with a cross of her arms*

@✵ npc //laughs freely with no fakeness to it/
Of course, we argue! It's normal! It's human! Why do people only ask women that question? Do we look catty?
//turns to the girls on my both sides as if for them to confirm or deny, but still with a grin/
And I think we do feel jealous, but not the "i want this and i want them to NOT have it" kind, but more like "oh, it's so great they have this, i wish i had it alongside them too", you know? We've been together for years now, we like to applaud each other in our different areas so each of us shines with her own light. Of course it affects our work together, but in a great way - i think even in an argument we reach a solution in the end, that we all benefit from as a group, even if we had to argue about it.
It's true we are all very fiery personalities, it's a part of the package.
//laughs again/
Of course we get pitted against each other, and compared constantly. But there is no comparison - we are so different. Where I am strong vocally, i could never move and dance like Yeji does or have that low rich register that Yuqi has. But that's why we are in a group - to complement each other's talents!

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .
Is visibly taken aback but brushes off the underlying hostility with a (fake) smile. the act of surprise takes over their whole expression when the cd is gifted to them by one of the staff
oh my gosh! thank you so much, im sure all the moonshine, like myself, will be pleased with all the cool features that comes with it. we get to see how close you girls are backstage
which leads me to next question
discards the gift to the side table as they charge up their next question
you girls seem really close and one reason for many groups demises is that they aren’t actually friends
are there times where you guys argue or feel jealous or pitted against one other ? does that affect your work together at all?

does nothing to hide how over she was with the absurdity of the question. she does stay silent though, letting their leader speak for them instead of adding on to it. the last thing they needed was another bad headline all because of a interview gone wrongly

@✵ npc //blinks in rapid succession, forcing myself to keep the pleasant idol-smile on my face before beginning to answer, my tone venomously saccharine/
Thank you for being our fan - they are called Moonshine, if you didn't know~ Actually, I do believe everyone has their own style from the get-go, it's a vibe you notice when someone enters the room, but it's not always perceptible to the untrained eye. Our true Moonies know our style, no matter when they joined the fandom, and they know our talent.
You know, we have come to terms with the fact that there will be some ill-speakers in every room we enter, so we try to treat everyone fairly and friendly, but we refuse to take mistreatment, so we will give back the same attitude that we are faced with.
As for stress, pressure, and comments - of course there is stress, we are literally idols to young and impressionable people and we always strive to showcase a good image and to be good role models - we will always support a healthy lifestyle, both for physical and mental health, as well as a polite attitude, with the ultimate goal of living a happy and joyful life. For example, I practice aerial yoga - it helps me with my physical and mental health, helps me relieve stress, and be a better friend, a better leader and DIA member. I personally don't pay attention to the hate comments, for my own sanity.
//a blatant lie, but in the name of "mental health" gotta do what you gotta do. the following question confirms to me that this interview is not going to be one of the friendly ones and that my attitude should switch. i shoot a look to Junhee, standing with the PD crew, before building my answer slowly/
So as I said - we don't really pay attention to the hate comments, they never come from a place of wishing us well, and they are not building criticism in a positive way. You are actually the first to ask us this, and the first we have to respond to. Instead of a response - I would urge you to watch any of our live stages, you can pick a video from our tour, from Waterbomb, or the KBC Christmas concert in Seoul, or come to our shows - I will get you tickets. And when you come, you can see that it is indeed us that come out and give 120% on stage every time - it's Solar, Ruby Jane, Yuqi, Yeji and Hwangbi, not my father's bank account. It's Solar singing, not the airline. It's Ruby Jane performing to the crowd, not a hotel front. It's Yuqi causing a standing ovation with her talent, not her mother's background. So, no, I do not think it's even reasonable to mention our backgrounds, when it's talent that helped us pass auditions, that got us through years of training - you can check DSF records for that - and that is earning us all of those accolades, such as Entertainer of the Year.
Not Bank Account of the Year. :)
Oh, and we have also prepared a gift for you today - our tour CD that is just coming out - with backstage snippets of us preparing, the live recordings of the tracks we sang, and a handful of live videos from the stages we did, so you can check them out. Junhee-oppa will bring it out now~ Thank you~

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ @☾ hwang yeji .

that was so well said from all of you. watching you girls grow, because I am a bit of a DIA fan myself, from a group who didn’t have their own style and swag to a global phenomenon and when a song comes on you can immediately tell who it is- it’s beautiful.

it wasn’t easy, as ruby said, so how do you girls handle the stress and pressure that comes with the success? because there are a lot of hate comments and ill intentioned people.

one thing i’ve seen frequently is that three of you , Ruby, Solar and Yuqi come from extremely wealthy families and because of that you influence DIA’s success. How do you even respond to people undermining all your achievements and talents because of your family background?

smiles , staring at our leader in admiration as she speaks. she gives a nod once she finishes and shifts her gaze back towards the interviewer; none of the other girls take the talking baton so she takes it upon herself to speak up after solar
we have many different sides that we want to show, i feel like my style for the album I went with was one we are accustomed to but also to set a message, I suppose?
she’s a bit hesitant to continue on the slight worry that there will be backlash back at the office for it but she presses on
I think once you get into the industry you have a massive target on your back for hate comments, hateful interactions- it can all be so negative sometimes. we kind of struggled- well i know i did- towards the end of the tour because of influx of hate comments on my posts in my dms so i went to our producers and I said ‘I want this album to be a love letter to our haters.’

I was so proud of what vengeance and the whole album became. It’s really special to me and hopefully for the rest of the girls to have that foundation to be able to uhh i guess stand up for ourselves, yeah.

@✵ npc Well, for me it was all about showcasing the most of our potential, the most of our versatility. DIA is not a one-trick pony, and I wanted to show that.
//crosses a leg over the other, shifting in my chair/
And you know the end product - the title track was powerful vocally and sensual, we paid homage to our own idols with "So Hot", we showed our edgy side with the rock version of gogobebe, and of course my solo song Adrenaline... Which is something i had a lot of help for, by the way! Jessica Jung sunbaenim helped with the lyrics because I wanted to challenge myself and perform in English, even if it's not my biggest strength. And I didn't want to do just your regular love ballad, I wanted something powerful, and Adrenaline is all of that, literally couldn't ask for more.
And speaking of help, the participation of Royal Flush in recording, and then in special stages, was simply irreplaceable, they are so talented and so helpful!

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .
nods their head , eyes slightly squint immersed by each answer given by the DIA
you guys really defined 2023. as solar mentioned, you girls had solo tracks for eqch of your albums this year. could you walk through the process of what that’s like for each of you. because all of them are completely different and each album has a different vibe, so how did you all pick the direction in which to go for your album in particular?

she shakes the foot of her crossed legs, agreeing with the other two members statements, flashing a reminiscent smile thinking back to all of the groups achievements . when solar seemingly gives her the floor , talking about the collaboration with CK she began to speak
i don’t like to stay still, i love having much to do. I really am grateful for a lot that’s happened to me and for all four of us. My favorite moment especially being the Seoul Encore for our fans. Wrapped up the tour in the beginning of the year but it was such a special moment. so was our first time at the waterbomb awards. It was all so special to me. even my first met gala and spending time on my CK projects
there’s just so much , very thankful for 2023

@✵ npc //nods quietly in agreement to Yuqi's words, taking the opportunity when her lines quieted down, to proceed with my own thoughts in a seamless transition/
Definitely a dream, it feels like it flew by so fast, and it was full of so many first things. For me, personally, it would be the year of First Times definitely - we saw so many new places, visited countries and cities for the first time, played stages for the first time - we did the Waterbomb Festival for the first time, which was SO fun, we honestly can't wait to go again.
//grins at the memory of the festival that lets you spray water on people and on yourself/
We had our solo tracks on those comeback albums, and we had the opportunity to curate them ourselves for the first time, which we are so thankful for, it was such an interesting experience.
Honestly, 2023 was so busy, so many activities and emotions, that at the end when we had our little break to rest we were like... wow.
//laughs, looking at the others, tucking the long blonde hair tresses behind my ears/
Like how do you go from full throttle to just... idle, you know? But it's not like we just laid around, you know, like for example, Ruby Jane worked with Calvin Klein on her capsule collection, right?

@✵ npc *Yuqi was vibrating in her seat, absolutely baffled that all her hard work with the group had culminated into this moment. It was incredible! Seeing as how her groupmates weren't jumping to take the mic, she took it upon herself to do so*
*she tucks some hair behind her ear, swallows down her nerves, and plunges in*
I can only speak for myself when I say that I never thought we would ever be here
The very fact that we are here is such a reward in itself and I am so so so so so so so so SOOOO grateful to be here
*she dissolves into nervous giggles, unable to tamper her entire personality down on the fly* But yeah, I mean, it's not without the support of our fans and the great team that works with us either
So all in all, 2023 has been a dream.

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .

() Also would like to inform i will wait up to 1 - 2 days depending for a response from each member for each question . don’t want to take a month to complete a single interview <3

@☾ song yuqi @☾ kim yongsun ˢᵒˡᵃʳ @☾ hwang yeji .
3 2 1!
cameras are rolling


thank you for joining me today , we have the world wide iconic girl group DIA with us here today. Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to come here and sit with me and the producers behind Time tv for this interview
/the camera zooms outwards to reveal the four girls sitting across the interviewer in their own individual chairs
lets just get right into it, 2023. hands down the year for DIA. You guys broke records, shattered glass ceilings, finished a tour and gave not one but FOUR comebacks back to back. now you’re here and having all of your accomplishments acknowledged by TIME magazine as if you needed anymore accolades; you are now the first asian act and girl group EVER to be named Entertainer Of The Year. you guys were booked and indeed busy.
so I wonder, for each of you individually, how do you feel? what was 2023 to you?

_______________________

() https://youtu.be/LyKpjtZZOKw?si=ATs_u-hZkCnOR_0N

Sua knew the company had plans for her, she didn't lose hope, after all, she was enjoying the fact that she was kept busy with the comebacks of her seniors and her friends, and that she was even part of something so important. When she was asked if she wanted to join the new produce series, she didn't back down, it was definitely a new experience for her and it was going to be a life lesson for the girl.

"You ready?" Her companion, Yoon Jia, who was from another entertainment, looked over at her, rubbing the girl's shoulder. "Ready as i'll ever be! I'm pumped! Let's go out there and get ourselves the A we both deserve." Sua grinned, reaching over to pat the younger girl's back as she hugged her then pulled away. Jia had been her partner for the audition performance, and she couldn't be any prouder having such a good friend already. They were thankfully on the same page on what to perform that would bring out the best of them.

"Hello! We are Yoon-" "-Moon! Nice to meet you!" The two greeted with a grin, bowing politely before Sua looked around, bouncing in her place. "I'm Yoon Jia, 18 years old." Jia said first as Sua clasped her hands together, watching her companion with a smile before it was her turn. "And I'm Moon Sua, 21 years old. We used our last names as our team name because it rhymed and it's quite catchy!" At that, the judges nodded their heads with a smile, seeing the contrast between the two with how energetic Sua was while Jia seemed more shy. "So what have you prepared for us today?" One of the judges asked, making Sua turn to Jia as if asking if she wanted to introduce their performance. "Ah! We're going to perform Kick it by NCT sunbaenim."

"Alright, we look forward to your performance."

With that, both girls went to their places, kneeling by each other's sides. Once the music started, it was obvious how their whole aura changed, showing a more professional look to them that screamed "idol." Sua started to knock before pulling herself up in sync to the beat of the song, as if holding a big gun.

"Now let me introduce you to some new thangs, new thangs, new thangs~"

Sua started off, smirking a bit before she moved to her next position. She wasn't the best dancer, in fact, that was probably her weakest talent, but she was not only passionate, but also willing to practice, willing to hone skills even she didn't possess. She didn't want to let the company down, nor did she want to embarrass them, after all, DSF was quite a big name, and she was there as a representative. And in the end, she didn't thankfully.

"Alright, I'll now announce the trainees who got A..." Sua visibly gulped, pursing her lips inwardly as she held Jia's hand, smiling at her new friend. "Swing's Yoon Jia." The short-haired girl congratulated the said girl quickly, hugging her tightly until she heard the next part. "and DSF's Moon Sua, congratulations girls!" Sua gasped and squealed, jumping up and down with Jia in her arms.

_______________________________________________________

I’m sure that can be hard, i cant even imagine what you guys go through daily.
Which brings me to my next question, when you have 0 battery left and need a recharge what do you do? What brings back that spark of life ?

traveling and relentless scheduling, it’s tiresome but it’s not the worst part
she chimes in when solar finishes with her well put answer. she fidgets with her manicured fingers underneath the oval table
Its after all the chaos and there’s quietness, i dont know if it’s just me or if my other members feel it but after having 50 people around you daily and then just being by yourself is hard
For me personally it lets me be alone with my thoughts and I’m really hard on myself, I’ll rewatch a video i recently shot or a cf or a look at photoshoot pictures
I like to be busy. because expectations are hard to meet
she gestures across the table towards solar
as she said , we try our best to live up to our fan’s expectations - not just theirs but everyones and its hard when you know you cant please everyone but you try anyways