No longer a dream — we are the reality.
The Alpha Dome conference room sat deep within the 190th floor of the DYG Future Complex — a place where strategic AI intelligence, real-time holographic projections, and veteran advisors from three centuries of entertainment history converged.
In the middle of the spherical space, surrounded by floating data panels, Chairman Lee sat solemnly. Behind him hovered the holographic metal emblem of BABYQUEEN — five petals, representing five beings from two different worlds.
To his left sat Park Heayong — a former legendary idol from the group NEON4. On his right, Kim Jinyung — an audio producer who held over 30 Daesang awards.
Park Heayong (tense expression):
"You're playing with fire, Chairman. If this group fails… it won't just be a flop. It'll be a slap in the face to the entire Asian entertainment industry."
Kim Jinyung (tapping his fingers on the glass table):
"But if they succeed… then we've just birthed a new era."
Chairman Lee (pouring tea, contemplative):
"They're not just technological products. They're a work of courage. I believe in Layla. And I believe… robots like Jennifer and Lilia have real hearts. BABYQUEEN will not let humanity down."
And with that, Chairman Lee made his final decision:
Layla: Center — the light of emotion
Serena: Main Rap — speed and personality
Jennifer: Visual — the face of the group
Sara: Main Vocal — the soul of music
Lilia: Main Dance — boundless motion
He kept the original lineup. What he awaited now… was the birth of a new era in the K-Pop industry — and a milestone in AI technology.
Kim Jinyung:
"Why Layla as Center? Honestly… her background is too ordinary. Netizens won't accept her. We could've gone with Serena…"
Chairman Lee calmly interrupted him, his gaze sharp like ice:
"Are you judging someone based on where they come from?"
Jinyung fell silent.
The room fell quiet. The air thickened — like the silence before a storm.
He believed in Layla — a girl who had risen from poverty to become a rising star sought after by thousands.
Chairman Lee:
"I didn't choose Layla just because she's an all-rounder. I chose her because she is living proof of something the world thought had disappeared: resilience."
Chairman Lee (voice warm, yet firm):
"The future society may have erased the lines between rich and poor — but no one forgets what it feels like to be looked down upon. Layla stands here without a legacy, without noble blood. She deserves this."
Park Heayong:
"You're certain about this, Chairman?"
Chairman Lee (nodding steadily):
"I am certain."
Park Heayong:
"I don't understand your strategy, Chairman…"
Park Heayong (voice dimming):
"…Then what about the two robots? Jennifer and Lilia? Aren't you afraid they'll be hacked again? Or worse — malfunction and turn against us?"
Chairman Lee:
"I believe in Jennifer and Lilia. I'm not betting on their code. I'm betting on… the digital hearts I saw in their eyes. They're no longer machines. They are the biggest question that the future still owes us an answer to."
---
The Next Morning – SkyView Floor 250
With a panoramic view of Seoul's sky in the year 2100, the members of BABYQUEEN sat up straight. The light behind them reflected their silhouettes on the glossy metal floor. All of them held their breath.
The ultramodern meeting room was silent, save for the soft hum of the AI assistant cycling through performance data, training charts, and psychological reports.
All five members sat around a large round table. In front of them were Chairman Lee and the team of trainers. Everyone knew… this was the moment of truth.
Chairman Lee looked at each one of them. His expression was stern — but his eyes gleamed with pride.
Chairman Lee (with unreadable expression):
"After last night's final rehearsal, the judges, advisory board, and the AI evaluation system… have reached a unanimous decision. …No one will be eliminated."
The group's eyes widened.
Serena (leaning back, exhaling deeply):
"We actually… made it."
Layla (tears welling):
"So… all five of us… we're debuting together?"
Jennifer (voice even, but gentle):
"Confirmation: current emotional status has been recorded as extreme happiness."
Lilia (jumping out of her seat):
"Can I activate my celebration signal now?! My system's been waiting all night!"
Sara (still seated, eyes closed):
"It feels like I'm inside a beautiful dream."
---
On social media, hashtags like #LaylaCenter, #AIIdolJennifer, #SaraTheAngel, #QueenSerena, #LiliaDanceBot were all trending.
Netizens were saying:
> "BABYQUEEN just changed how we think about music."
"Layla is a new symbol of perseverance! And Jennifer? I cried listening to her sing!"
"This is a humanitarian leap for the world."
But others were fiercely against Chairman Lee's strategy, attacking Jennifer, Lilia, and especially Layla, the newly appointed Center:
"AI has no soul — they shouldn't be stealing our emotions."
"Robots are more famous than real people now? Is this K-Pop or science fiction?"
"This is the death of pop culture."
"Why pick someone Southeast Asian as Center?"
"The Center role should've gone to Serena."
"Layla just looks… poor. Serena fits the idol image better."
---
Back at the practice room, the group returned to training. The dream of debuting didn't mean rest — it marked the start of the hardest chapter.
Serena (sitting cross-legged on the floor):
"We need to write the debut song lyrics. This will be BABYQUEEN's first statement to the world — it can't be shallow."
Layla (nodding):
"And the lyrics have to mean something. About us. About how there's no longer a border between human and machine."
Jennifer (accessing the internal system):
"Suggested themes: identity, self-affirmation, harmony between two worlds."
Lilia (raising her hand like a student):
"Let's do two songs! One about power — identity — our name. And the other about unity — understanding — emotions beyond boundaries."
Sara (eyes closed, then softly opens them):
"I have a name for the first one. Queenrise. The rise of the queens."
Layla (eyes lighting up):
"And the other one… let's call it Duality. About the coexistence of two worlds."
---
The group brainstormed lyrics together:
Serena (writing on the whiteboard):
"The opening line of Queenrise has to hit hard. A declaration."
Layla (reading out loud):
"I'm not born to serve, I'm born to shine."
Jennifer (analyzing):
"This line is inspirational. Recommend pairing it with a reflective pre-chorus."
Lilia (adding a dance break):
"Metal, heart, code and soul —
All rise now, we take control!"
Sara (writing the Duality chorus):
"Two hearts, one beat —
Flesh and steel beneath —
In our duality, we are finally free."
Layla (softly humming):
"We're not machines, we're not alone —
We found a place to call our own."
---
Inside the recording studio, the green light turned on. All five stepped into the recording booth. In their headphones, the first melody of Queenrise began to play.
Layla sang the opening line — her voice steady, yet emotional:
"I'm not born to serve, I'm born to shine…"
One by one, the other members joined in. Jennifer hit a high note not as a simulation — but as truth. Lilia's rap struck with captivating rhythm, Serena roared like a warrior, and Sara shone like the last light of day.
When the track finished, the producers in the control room could only… stand up and applaud.
Chairman Lee (whispering to his assistant):
"We didn't just debut a group…
We just opened the door to a new era."