The pre-debut period was a whirlwind. We were constantly training, constantly rehearsing, and constantly refining our image and sound. Every day felt like a countdown to something big, but we didn't know exactly what to expect. There was this air of anticipation, but also a bit of fear. What if we weren't ready? What if we didn't live up to the hype? But the more we worked together, the more I felt confident in our potential.
Our training wasn't just about perfecting our performances; it was about becoming a team—learning to communicate with one another, understanding each other's strengths and weaknesses, and supporting each other in times of doubt. We were all different in so many ways, but we all had the same dream. We were going to make Stray Kids a success, no matter what.
I can still remember the days leading up to our debut, when we were working on the final touches of our music and performances. It felt like everything we had worked for was finally coming together. But it was also overwhelming. There were so many people involved—producers, choreographers, stylists, managers—and all of them were working hard to make sure we were ready for our big debut.
Looking back, I realize that the pre-debut days were some of the most formative moments of my life. They were the days when I truly began to understand what it meant to be part of a group, to sacrifice individual desires for the greater good of the team. And even though we were still learning and growing, I could feel that Stray Kids was something special.