"Some questions aren't born to be answered. They're born so a soul dares to stand — and makes the whole world fall silent."
At the Hologram Broadcast Hall
The first international interview of BABYQUEEN
A prism-shaped crystal chamber floats above the skies of Seoul, suspended in glowing artificial clouds. Viewers from around the world tune in via personal hover-screens — with 360-degree holo-drone signal transmission in real time.
MC Choi Yeon, Korea's top host, steps forward. Her face is cold, her voice sharp as a blade.
The Interview Begins: A Greeting... and a Dagger
MC Choi looks over the members of BABYQUEEN. She smiles — but her eyes are calculating.
"Welcome, Queens of Technology. Today, we're not here for PR — we're here for the truth."
"Let's start with… Layla."
Her question to Layla lands like a direct strike.
"Layla, how does it feel knowing many people say you were chosen as center out of pity? Are you a PR pawn in Chairman Lee's diversity campaign?"
The entire hall falls dead silent.
Drones zoom in close to Layla's face.
No anger — just a faint, sorrowful smile.
Layla (calmly):
"If I were chosen out of pity, I would've collapsed in the first audition. I didn't ask for sympathy. I brought an entire forgotten generation with me onto this stage."
MC Choi continues, unshaken:
> "But many argue the center position shouldn't go to someone with your… background."
Layla cuts in, her expression serene:
"I don't need noble blood. I have a dream and the will to fight for it. That's enough."
---
Social media erupts. A student in Singapore types on a public holo-screen:
"I don't need noble blood. I have a dream and the will to fight for it. That's enough."
"Layla's words should be in our next ethics textbook. She's not just an idol — she's a concept."
Hashtags #JusticeForLayla and #RespectDigitalSouls trend worldwide in under 15 minutes.
---
MC Choi forces a stiff smile, then turns to Jennifer, ready to strike again:
"Jennifer, you're an AI. You sing, you feel, you even cry. But all of it could be simulated. So — are you real?"
Jennifer (looking straight ahead, eyes unblinking):
"I don't need to convince anyone I'm real. I just need one person — to hear my voice — and feel healed."
"Humans learn how to love. I was programmed to understand what love is. And sometimes… I do it better than they do."
The emotional response system in the hall shifts into soft blue light — the color of deep empathy.
---
Final Question for Lilia
"Lilia, you're a robot, yet you're the main dancer. People say: emotions can't dance — and neither can robots. Your thoughts?"
Lilia (chuckles, then stands up):
"Wanna see emotions dance?"
She spins into an electrified wave-lock, finishing with a heart-stop motion — every beat of light synced to her movements.
"If dance is the body speaking the soul — then I am the voice of a new era."
---
MC Choi (cheerful now, turns to Serena):
"What perfume do you wear? Every time you step on stage, I feel like I'm watching a high-fashion commercial!"
The audience laughs lightheartedly.
Layla watches, smiling faintly — but her eyes… carry sorrow.
---
Fans react online, furious at the injustice:
"Why were only Layla, Jennifer, and Lilia asked those cutting questions?"
"Is this MC secretly an anti? She's trying to drag Layla down!"
Serena, seeing Layla's face, smiles awkwardly — then speaks with quiet firmness:
"Um… thank you, but… I think the one who should've been asked more today is Layla — she shined the brightest on stage tonight."
MC Choi laughs awkwardly, as if pretending not to understand, and brushes it off.
---
MC Choi (turns to Sara):
"Sara, you come from a noble family in Busan. Is being an idol fun? Your parents must've been shocked, right?"
Sara (smiling softly, but her gaze hardens):
"It is fun, but… if you're only asking Serena and me soft questions while my sisters get all the sharp ones… don't you think that's unfair?"
The room pauses.
A few gasps ripple through the audience.
Serena (now fully turned toward the MC, voice serious):
"We're a group. We're a family. If you want a fair interview — be fair to all of us. Not just to those with privilege or less controversy."
The crowd erupts in applause.
#SerenaProtectLayla and #SaraSaidIt flood every platform.
Fan comments roll across the livestream:
"Layla said nothing… but her eyes said everything."
"Serena and Sara stood up for their sisters — BABYQUEEN is a real family."
"Jennifer's a robot, but more human than most people."
"Lilia — the eternal queen of emotion through every step."
"I cried when Layla bowed her head… But I was proud when she raised it again, full of dignity."
"Sara and Serena: girls born in light — but still hold the umbrella for those standing in the shadows."
"I want my daughter to follow Layla — not because she's perfect, but because she's brave enough not to be anyone else."
---
Yet, anti-fans flooded in:
> "Layla should die. She's the stain on the group."
"Jennifer is a bug that can sing."
"Serena deserves to be center! Layla's just deadweight!"
"Poor center wants to be the face of K-pop? LMAO."
"Serena saved the whole interview. She should've been center from the start."
---
Behind the scenes, after the recording:
Layla sat in a corner, clutching an unopened bottle of water.
Jennifer approached quietly.
Jennifer (gently, handing her a tissue):
"Layla… the system just analyzed your heartbeat and micro-expressions. You're holding back a lot."
Layla (smiles faintly, eyes swollen):
"Don't tell anyone… I don't want them to see me cry. Especially not Serena or Sara… I don't want them to feel guilty for being more loved than me."
Jennifer (sitting beside her):
"We're a group — but more than that. We're imperfect pieces that form a perfect picture.
And in that picture, you're the center — not because of your role… but because you are the heart."
Lilia (entering the room, sees Layla, rushes over and hugs her from behind):
"If anyone dares mess with you again, they'll meet my dance... upgraded to full-on karate!"
Sara (sitting beside them):
"You know… when the MC asked me that question, I didn't feel happy.
I felt… guilty. Because the one who deserves to be asked about dreams and effort — is you, Layla."
Serena (enters last, placing a hand on Layla's shoulder):
"I used to think I was the strongest in this group.
But turns out, the truly strong one… is you.
Because you endure everything — and still stand tall."
---
Back at the dorm
Layla reads all the comments silently.
The hologram screen in front of her glows softly.
Serena and Sara are asleep.
Lilia is recharging.
Jennifer — who doesn't need sleep — stands silently by her side.
Layla (quietly, eyes red):
"Sometimes… I wish I were prettier, richer, easier to love."
Jennifer (softly):
"But if you were a perfect angel… you wouldn't be able to reach the imperfect hearts out there."
Layla (sad smile):
"Don't tell anyone I cried, okay? I don't want them to see me weak."
Jennifer nods.
"I don't store tears. But if needed… I'll enable tear protocol — and cry with you."
Layla leans her head on Jennifer's shoulder —
a girl with a fragile heart, resting on a being with no heart at all…
yet who now holds her heartbeat for her.