chaekyung was only six when the song was released, so naturally, she wasn't aware of girls day's debut or success. all she could recall was the song playing in convenience stores, supermarkets, and along the streets. "to be honest, i didn't like minah sunbae when i was younger. her role in the mv was getting on my nerves," her voice trailed off, adding quickly to quell the situation before it worsened, "but that was just the thinking of a child. i respect her for being a great vocalist now."

"the chorus, of course," as she spoke, chaekyung did a little dance with her arms. "i'm curious, why did you say that you don't want to know how it feels to not do well at debut and then have a hit song? wasn't it great that more people recognized their talent?"

this was a mission sarang found herself very much looking forward to. she was unsure about a lot of things but turning down a chance to perform? that would never happen. as they took their break, sarang moved a little closer to her bags and flopped down on the floor, going for a bottle of water. she hadn't noticed chaekyung until the other girl spoke to her and she offered a smile. "it is an ear-worm, i remember learning the dance quickly." that had stuck out to her a little more than the lyrics. "and the music video was fun!" it was the perfect storm, for a perfect hit.

"and the reversal." they hadn't done too well on their debut but this had turned things around. "i don't ever want to know what it feels like but if you don't do well at debut and have a hit song later.....ah, i wouldn't know how to react." or doing very well on debut and then failing to keep the hype up after that. "what's your favorite part of the song?"

✩⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀ 𝐨𝐲𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐢 𝐡𝐨𝐢⠀ ˎˊ˗ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ft. @lgclili

"can i skip the part where we have to scream? no? okay..." chaekyung sighed as the coach denied her request. of all the songs she was assigned, "catallena" was her least favorite and for good reason. the song was loud (literally) and the dance moves were bizarre. she couldn't even fathom what kind of strange outfit she'd have to wear on filming day. perhaps she'd spend most of the time with her head lowered, consumed by embarrassment.

glancing around at the other trainees, who were busy perfecting their screams, chaekyung poked two fingers into her ears. it felt like being trapped in a haunted house, but in broad daylight with the practice room lights on. "hah," she muttered under her breath, realizing only the ants could hear her. "hah. hah." this time, slightly louder, her eyes fixed on the ground as her fingers remained in her ears, drowning out the noises to focus on her voice.

chaekyung was holding up fine until someone leaned against her. it was lili. "unnie, are you alright?" lili asked, using her body to support the older female's weight.

✩⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀ 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐦⠀ ˎˊ˗ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ft. @lgcxsarang

chaekyung reminisced about girls' day's "twinkle twinkle" as one of her favorite childhood songs, thanks to its catchy chorus. performing this song again flooded her with memories, like the times she'd stand on tables, belting out "hajima, hajima mamamamamamamama" much to her family's annoyance. she'd go on for days, murmuring the lyrics wherever she went.

during their break for self-practice, chaekyung seemed unusually energetic as she hummed to the chorus again while scrolling through her phone, occasionally bobbing her head to the beat. "i had a hard time sleeping last night," she confessed, looking up from her phone to meet sarang's gaze. "this song is the worst! it played on repeat in my head all night."

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ ah-choo ! bless you .ᐟ word count: 266

over the past three weeks, the performances had been vibrant and lively, a style that chaekyung found enjoyable. however, when she learned that the senior female trainees were to perform lovelyz's "ah-choo," she felt a twinge of uncertainty. while she adored the song as a child, she now questioned its suitability for her image, especially since she had recently graduated and was eager to move beyond overly cute concepts. nevertheless, song selection wasn't within her control.

on the day of filming, chaekyung stood in her designated spot as the rest of the staff hustled to prepare. clad in a uniform with her hair half-tied and adorned with a large bow, she couldn't shake the feeling of being back in school. despite performing for the fourth consecutive time, her nerves had dulled slightly since the first day. quietly reciting the lyrics to herself, she moved her body in a brief warm-up, seeking reassurance that everything would go smoothly. "standby, we'll start filming momentarily," the director's voice echoed, prompting the girls to assume their positions.

'ah-choo!' bless you. chaekyung decided to inject a bit of amusement into the prolonged filming session. each time the word was mentioned, she crafted her own unique response in her head, a little game to keep herself entertained during the repetitions necessitated by other trainees' mistakes. "나의 마음이 내 사랑이 더 이상은 삼키기 힘들어" the music fades into the background as it comes to an end. "thank you. you've worked hard," she expressed, walking around to personally thank the staff team with a respectful bow. with another week completed, only three more remained.

@LGCENT just posted a photo!

apologies to my roommates for being the kuromi collector i've become.

#lgctrainees #lgcent #parkchaekyung

༊*·˚ another trimester, another plot call for my dearest chae. if you're interested in claiming any one of the available slots, give this a like and i'll hop to your dms!

TRAINEE MISSION preparation: (0/2) ㅡ senior female trainees! bonus: (0/1) ㅡ anyone that chae hasn't interacted with! GIG OPPORTUNITY 023 icsu photoshoot: (0/1)

her eyes widened as she took in the full display of makeup equipment laid out before them. the last time she had seen such an array was during a performance showcase. even her sister, known for her extensive makeup collection, didn't possess this much. "i know you're skilled, but this amount of tools? geez, haneul. how many secret talents are you hiding?" she asked, her tone laced with amusement.

"i've got the basics down, you know? like using a spatula-like tool for your foundation to achieve that smooth finish. and when contouring your nose, skipping the center and focusing on the tip can create the illusion of a sharper, more defined nose," she explained, her finger tracing the areas on her face as she recited what she could recall. "but honestly? i've watched countless videos. some tricks worked wonders, while others fell short due to differences in our facial features. that's why i'm eager to find techniques that best suit me."

Giving hair and makeup lessons to fellow trainees is nothing new, and Haneul supposes it tests his skills in a way he doesn't get to try them in school. He's all too happy to assist Chaekyung in her endeavors to improve her makeup skills. After their little jegichagi match, he likes to think they're friends. Nothing like a bit of competition to bring two people closer.

With a well-lit room set up, Haneul has his equipment on full display, as well as his makeup chair and mirror that he takes with him everywhere he goes. He waves to Chaekyung, gesturing for her to take a seat on his makeup chair. "Of course," he says with a smile. "It's the least I could do for the first person to instill fear in me when playing jegichagi in a long time. But let's get the show on the road. How much do you know about doing makeup?"

✩⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀ 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞⠀ ˎˊ˗ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ft. @lgchxneul

chaekyung skipped through the hallways, hugging her kuromi pouch tightly. as her exposure increased, she realized the need to improve her makeup skills to present herself beautifully to the public. with this in mind, she sought out haneul's assistance. despite their past rivalry in jegichagi, there was no lingering animosity between them.

upon reaching their agreed meeting spot — a quiet corner on the third floor, her face lit up upon spotting haneul. "haneul!" a smile spread across her lips as she waved, one hand still clutching her pouch close to her chest. "i really appreciate you taking the time to help me. you're a lifesaver!" she exclaimed, settling down across from him, her pouch unzipped and placed in front of her.

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ vocal session disaster .ᐟ word count: 350

expectations ran high during chaekyung's first month as a trainee. with jaekyung acclaimed for her vocals, many anticipated chaekyung to possess at least half her sister's talent. yet, reality proved otherwise; her strengths leaned more towards dance.

with her hair hastily gathered into a messy bun and glasses perched on her nose, chaekyung leaned back in her chair, gazing up at the stark white ceiling of the vocal room. despite its mundane appearance, it felt confining, almost like a mental institution. the company has multiple rooms like this around that are small enough to fit two adults and a piano. these cramped rooms had become her frequent haunt during her initial weeks as a trainee.

her reverie was abruptly shattered as the door creaked open, heralding the arrival of her vocal coach. apparently, her vocal performance had fallen short of expectations, warranting daily one-on-one sessions until month's end. "do you think this is a good time to slack?" the coach's stern voice made chaekyung uneasy. though she'd spent hours practicing, exhaustion from late-night studying had taken its toll. "n-no, ma'am," she stammered, scrambling for the lyric sheet amidst her files.

the coach's next words cut like a knife. "i hope you've been practicing. otherwise, we can easily replace you with someone more deserving. your sister's status here won't save you." it was a harsh reality check. singing was no longer just a bonus skill; it was a necessity in the competitive idol industry. chaekyung clenched her jaw, steeling herself for what lay ahead.

after singing several verses, the room fell silent once more. it was difficult to gauge her coach's reaction, her expression unreadable as she jotted notes on her laptop. "is this your idea of practice? you've been off-key and missing beats," she remarked bluntly. chaekyung's gaze fell, a wave of disappointment washing over her. "i'm sorry. i'll do better," she murmured, the weight of her words heavy with self-doubt. it was the ninth time that week she'd made that promise, she couldn't shake the sinking feeling that perhaps she wasn't cut out for the trainee life after all.

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ discussing the variety workshop with soyi .ᐟ word count: 330

chaekyung bowed as she settled into the seat opposite kwon soyi. personal conversations with coaches were starting to become a familiar territory for her so she had a sense of what will be happening.

 “what did you consider the hardest part of the workshop?”

"the most challenging aspect was adapting quickly to a foreign setting," chaekyung reflected. "i'm someone who typically takes time to warm up to others, but there was no luxury of time in a real variety show setting. i realized that being quiet is acceptable; there are times when quieter celebrities are invited. the key is to either be humorous or proactive. since i don't consider myself particularly funny, i chose to be authentic and strive to be more proactive by reaching out to others."

 “how would you rate your overall satisfaction with the workshop?”

"i found the workshop quite enjoyable, especially given its nature as a variety workshop where all the fun stuff happens," chaekyung responded with a smile. "thanks to eunhye sunbae, i was able to pinpoint which variety show suits my personality best. i'm deducting one point simply because the workshop was rather short."

“were there any critical topics left uncovered? if there was, what topics do you hope to learn in the future?”

chaekyung paused briefly, pondering the question. "i don't believe any critical topics were overlooked. even if there were, i might not have noticed. eunhye sunbae is exceptionally knowledgeable and i've learned a great deal under her guidance. however, if any gaps exist, i trust i'll be able to address them in the future. after all, i'm still a trainee, and there's much more for me to learn."

“would you be interested in a follow-up or advanced workshop on the same topic?”

"absolutely! my goal for this workshop was to become more outspoken and honestly, i believe i've made some progress in that regard," chaekyung affirmed. "but i still have a ways to go, which is why i'm eager for more."

@LGCENT just posted a photo!

ready to pop more bubbles in spring 🫧

#lgctrainees #lgcent #parkcchaekyung

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ chaekyung's modeling portfolio .ᐟ

3 words to describe your image?  chic, youthful, bright

3 words to describe your personality? hardworking, introvert, shy

3 interests of yours? dancing, photography, crocheting

3 special skills/talents? freestyle dancing, imitation, flexibility

Which color would you give to your aura?  peach

3 products that fit your image?  casual fashion, snacks, cosmetics

3 products that don’t fit your image?  video games, luxury clothing, cars

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚ interview for invincible youth .ᐟ word count: 330 among the memories she holds from her time at lgc, this particular moment stands out as one of her favorites.

since becoming a trainee, chaekyung seldom visited the countryside due to the high cost of a bus ticket and her limited finances as both a student and a trainee. while occasional video calls with her parents helped, she missed the slower pace of countryside life dearly. thus, when it was announced that the female trainees would spend weekends in a village, she was thrilled to reconnect with the rural lifestyle she cherished.

as saturday drew to a close, chaekyung found herself ushered into the interview room, her body aching from the day's manual labor. despite her fatigue, she endeavored to remain attentive throughout the interview.

"what was your favorite moment for today?"

"i suppose others might disagree, but my favorite part was the punishment for losing the dance battle. despite the physical exertion, it reminded me of the times where i would help my grandmother chop wood for her fireplace."

"how did you feel about the challenge/activity given to your team?"

"the dance battle was enjoyable. both teams put forth their best efforts to impress the grandmother. reflecting on it now, there was a clear contrast in dance styles between the two groups which may be why the old team was selected as the winner."

"who did you feel you got closer to?"

"perhaps it's a bit cliché, but i'd say my sister. we haven't had a proper hangout in a long time since she joined lgc girls japan. this brief getaway allowed us to catch up and reminisce about our childhood."

"what is one lesson or takeaway you’ve learned from this experience?"

"Don't take moments for granted. We were often engrossed in practice or glued to our phones during free time which, in turn, missed out on life's offerings. This experience refocused my attention on reality and the beauty of the outdoors rather than aimlessly scrolling through social media."

observing yumi's struggle, chaekyung couldn't help but wonder if wood chopping was truly as challenging as the older woman made it out to be. "i can't claim to be an expert at this... well, perhaps a few occasions when my grandma needed help chopping logs for the fireplace, but that's about it," she admitted while sidling up to yumi to inspect the axe. bringing the tool near her face, she scrutinized the blade before attempting to slice through the partially chopped log.

another thud resonated but this time, chaekyung found herself unable to lift the axe, which had become lodged near the end of the log. after a few tugs, she finally managed to dislodge it. "i think the blades are fine, albeit a bit blunt. it might require a bit more strength," she explained before handing yumi her axe. "perhaps you could try mine. when swinging your axe down, focus all your strength from your upper arm down to the axe. just be mindful of your feet!"

yumi had to admit, she admired the younger female as she watched while chaekyung chopped through the log as if it were nothing. even her own expression is a dead giveaway, her jaw dropping at the sight and eyes widening briefly before she returns to her senses and smiles gently at the other. "well, i guess i'm lucky that i have someone as experienced as you here to show me what to do then." she half-jokes as she makes an attempt to do the same as the other had just done in front of her.

her efforts only end up showing just own useless she is when the axe does manage to hit the log, though it gets stuck and she's left trying to tug on it and free it. "okay, this axe is definitely a defect. that or it just hates me.... what am i doing wrong?" yumi asks this while looking at chaekyung with a pleading expression, one that's practically begging the younger to help her. "i did exactly as you just did...." okay so maybe she didn't do it all exactly as chaekyung had, though she felt it was at least somewhat similar to the technique the younger female had used.

returning to the countryside brought immense relief to chaekyung, who was born and raised there. the air felt crisp and refreshing, sky was clear and adorned by twinkling stars during the night — a stark contrast to the bustling city life she was accustomed to. it was considered a fun vacation, allowing her to reconnect with her roots. even if it meant enduring challenges like wood chopping, a task she was more familiar with than most of her teammates.

a sharp thud echoed as the blade of her axe struck the ground and cleanly slicing through a log. "huh? what was that, unnie?" chaekyung turned towards the older girl while wiping sweat from her brow with a tired arm. "i suppose this task is manageable for girls. after all, we're serving punishment, so it's expected to be more challenging than the tree task," chaekyung explained, setting aside the chopped logs. "that's true. i'm sure they have a medic on-site somewhere. it would be foolish not to, considering the demanding chores we're expected to perform."

@lgcchaekyung  ✧  ⎨𝑇𝑅𝐴𝐼𝑁𝐸𝐸 𝑀𝐼𝑆𝑆𝐼𝑂𝑁 016 : 𝘚𝘈𝘛𝘜𝘙𝘋𝘈𝘠⎬ ⠀ ⠀ ☆ ⠀ ⠀ 𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙝𝙤, 𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙝𝙤, 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝙬𝙚 𝙜𝙤

so far everything about filming for this show had been fun, for the most part, though it seems as if aria can't really continue lying to herself about this being a 'vacation'. not when her team just lost and were now having to sit here and chop wood. she lets out a heavy sigh, her head falling forward on her shoulders in defeat before speaking to chaekyung who was beside her. "there's no way we'll be able to chop up wood...."

aria wasn't used to doing things such as these, so there's absolutely no way that she has the physical strength to even lift an axe ( okay, she wasn't that weak, but still ). "who's idea was it to allow girls to do such a difficult task like this?" she pouts as she lifts her head and looks at the other female, bottom lip still jutted out as she shows just how defeated she really is over the whole 'losing' thing. "what if one of us gets hurt?"

@LGCENT just posted a photo!

my grandma fed me so well during seollal, i think i became a chipmunk 🐿️

#lgctrainees #lgcent #parkchaekyung

her face lit up as eunhye agreed with her choice. running man held a special place in her heart ever since she encountered the cast while they were filming an episode near her school. as a little girl, she would pester her sister to turn on the television so she wouldn't miss a single episode. the opportunity to appear as a guest on one of their episodes would be a dream come true for her, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. if this workshop could help her build up her self-confidence to the point where she could appear on more variety shows like running man, she was all in.

"i think i'd enjoy something more physically demanding, actually," chaekyung commented, raising her hand slightly in a habitual gesture before speaking up. in her defense, she wasn't afraid of such activities; they intrigued her more. "you mean like the infamous macau bungee jump? that's on my bucket list!" her eyes sparkled with excitement as she sat up. "is it the one where you have to guess what's in the box? no, but i've seen a lot of that online."

seeing each of the trainees’ initial thoughts and reactions to attending a variety workshop like this was fascinating on the idol as she thought a lot about the same workshops she had attended as a trainee. while it was easy for her to get the upbeat and sociable personality part down, eunhye had learned over time that with multiple shows and platforms, there was always a perfect variety show for someone.

after crossing off some of the shows that would work with some of the trainees, eunhye looked at chaekyung the moment she had suggested a show that coincidentally she had been a fan of. “i think your suggestion doesn’t sound too bad.” she admitted while thinking of some of the show’s most notable games and activities. “from a glance people may think that running man requires a lot of stamina, which is sometimes true too, but you could end up appearing on an episode where it’s not so much on the name tag game or something physically demanding…” she trailed off, humming softly to herself as she thought about her favorite episode on the show. “… sometimes they had episodes where they tested the individual’s courage by doing activities that many people would find scary.” eunhye revealed before an idea popped into her mind. “have you played the mystery box game before, chaekyung?”