Chapter 5: 5

 

The producer of Lemon Entertainment said, "I think I found the last member."

As soon as he heard that, Yoon Seokhwan said he got goosebumps all over his body.

Because the one that director Cho Kyuhwan chose was the one who he had contact information of.

"I was really surprised.  Isn't it amazing?"

"Yeah, that's cool."

"Why do you not look happy?"

I explained to Yoon Seokhwan, who wondered why my expression wasn't so bright.

"I don't know if it's because you know director Cho Kyuhwan, but it's a little weird to hear that from you."

"Where are you going?"

"Honestly, it's true.  I thought it'll be like a fortune teller, but isn't it weird to suddenly get attracted to a face on TV and just pick?"

"The case isn't like that. You know how famous actors get casted, right? The casting staff are in charge of going to high schools even if the person appeared on the new for a brief moment." (Once staff sees a good looking face, they'll go to places that the person go too, for example here, a high school)

"...Is that so?"

While we were talking, the meat ran out.  When the restaurant lady served our soybean paste stew and rice, I was immersed in my own thoughts for a while.

As I opened the lid of the bowl, the other opened his mouth.

"I'll leave the background information here.  So, what do you want to do?"

"Huh?"

"The audition.  Are you coming or not?"

Seokhwan reassured me when he saw me hesitating for a while.

"Oh, that's not what I'm hesitating after."

The reason I hesitated was because of something else.  Isn't the ability effective for today only because of the concussion?

Suddenly if a few days later, 'Ta-da, the test trial is over.'  It was a situation which had to be carefully approached.

So I answered with a smile.

"I'll go see you."

"Really?  I'll tell the company that it's like that for now."

"But there's a condition."

"Condition?"

I told the other person who was excited to send a text message.

"I need some time."

"What's wrong?"

"It's because I have some things to watch for a few days. I'll go as soon as it's sorted out."

There was curiosity behind Seokhwan's eyes, but he seemed to have decided not to ask any more questions.




 

* * *




 

After the test was over, I watched the progressed for two weeks.

Fortunately, nothing happened.

The ability that was created that day was now interconnected to me like a familiar guests and it didn't seem to disappear easily.  So, I settled the date for the audition when I was somewhat confident.

Nevertheless, there was not enough time to practice since a lot has happened in two weeks.

     -     A test taker who saved an elderly man in his 70s will receive commendation from the police

     -     KG GROUP sponsored 30 million won to 'Galhyeon-dong Righteous Hero' (Roughly 25k USD)

     -     HYPER STUDY, sponsoring a free one-year course for the test taker

 

Looking at the articles that appeared on the smartphone screen, I stuck out my tongue out.

The broadcast was amazing.

It was only on the news once, but sponsorships continued pouring here and there.  The nation's largest entrance examination company provided free online courses while KG GROUP sent a donation of 30 million won.

30 million won.

Seeing that the annual salary of an office worker was given in my bank account, my mouth opened wide.

A strange abilities and donations.  In a way, it was more beneficial not to take the exam.

I remembered the proud feeling when I gave all of the 30 million won I received as a donation to my grandma.  She said it was enough, but she pretended as if she couldn't accept it.

In any case, Mrs. Kim Deoksoon wasn't being honest. (I think Wooju is referring to his grandma as Kim Deoksoon, or that's her name)

Ding dong.

I switched my screen to messenger notification.

Godly King Kim Deoksoon:  [Good luck on your test]

Godly King Kim Deoksoon: [Stay humble, you can't be arrogant]

Godly King Kim Deoksoon: [EMOTICON]




 

I giggled and laughed at the appearance of the 'FIGHTING' emoticon which had a headband and was clenching its fist. (Fighting in this case means, 'Good luck' or 'You can do it'.  Similar to 'Break a leg')

I sent a cute reply with my smartphone.

This was the Sinsa-dong alley. 

It was where LEMON ENTERTAINMENT's office building was located.

While walking along with the phone's map, I looked at my clothes using the window of the building in the middle as a mirror.

Jeans, gray coats, and mufflers.

I smiled as I slightly smoothen my coat.  First impressions was not going to be a problem.  All that was left was practice.

As I followed the road, LEMON ENTERTAINMENT's office building soon appeared.

A five-story building that looks normal. LEMON ENTERTAINMENT was written in yellow on a black sign with a lemon on it.

It was time to call Seokhwan before going in.

"Mr. Seon Wooju?"

I heard a pleasant mid to low-pitched voice. 

A man with take-out coffee in his hand.  He was tall and was wearing a white coat.  He looked good enough to be modeled.

"Yes, that's right. But who are you. . .?"

"Nice to meet you.  I'm Cho Kyuhwan. Did you hear about me from chief manager Yoon yet?"

 

"Ahh, yes yes, hello."

Manners were the basic.  I bowed my head and greeted politely.

"I'm Seon Wooju. I look forward to your kind cooperation."

"Me too or rather I think I should be saying that."

Director Cho Kyuhwan smiled softly.

Because of the image (reputation) of being a genius composer, I thought he'll have an impression of an emotional artist working in a small room, but it was completely different.  Rather, it was more of a popular office worker.

It doesn't go well with the image of a fortune teller.

He was handsome, but his facial features strangely reminded me of Tibetan foxes.

He said, "You were a little flustered, weren't you?  I suddenly asked you to come to the audition."

"Yes, a little bit."

"Actually, it's been a while since I've done this. It's rare to see someone and say, 'This person is it.'"

"It's an honor." I added with a smile, "My skills will have to meet those expectations."

"You don't have to feel pressured at all. This is not a place looking for skills, but for potential."

Director Cho Kyuhwan, who smiled softly, said as if he had remembered something.

"Oh, I forgot about the present."

"A present?"

"I thought I'd run into you, so I prepared something for you too."

He held out the coffee in a paper cup, "I look forward to your kind cooperation."

"Me too."

"Then I'll go in first, so take your time.  Wait in the practice room of the first basement floor and we'll come down."

As if boasting about his long legs, director Cho strode ahead.

I smiled vaguely when I received the coffee.  Coffee was a drink I couldn't drink along with alcohol.  My heart beats like crazy when caffeine enters. 

However, when I opened the lid of the paper cup, I was shock to see what was inside.

". . .Huh? "

The smoke rising up was the scent of cocoa.

Hot cocoa.

It was a drink that I drink often.

I thought I was lucky, but it felt strange when I remember the fortune teller nickname Seokhwan had mention.  I felt like I was possessed by a nine tailed fox.

'Well, it's just a coincidence.'

While drinking the cocoa, I visited the basement practice room.  It was easy to find because there was only one door open.

While waiting for the staff to come down to the practice room, I looked around and exclaimed.

I roughly looked around and found an estimate time that Seodang's river will have a good harvest in three years.

Practice room.

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It is important to look at what facilities provided here.

As you can tell by looking at the equipment, the company's spending is bound to be revealed in the practice room.  Everything in here was the latest equipment.

It was the 1% kind of environment you'll want to be in.

The support for the trainees seemed quite good, so I think it was good to come to the audition.  It would be perfect if the people who work here were good too.

 

By the time my expectations were raised, the company executives and employees began to come in one after another.

One of them walked straight to me.

"Nice to meet you.", it was a middle-aged man with a bald head and glasses.  He was the most impressive person I've ever seen.

I can feel the faint Busan dialect from the way he spoke.

"I'm Park Gyuho, the CEO of LEMON ENTERTAINMENT.  You must have had a hard time coming all the way here.  I heard you're from Gunsan."

"Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation."

"Okay. Let's have a good time today."

CEO Park suggested me to take a seat with a nice smile.

As soon as he sat down, he introduced the judges one by one.

Director Cho Kyuhwan.

Chief manager Yoon Seokhwan.

Team leader of the rookie development team.

Vocal trainer.

Dance trainer.

I was nervous for a while at the gaze that seemed to evaluate me, but soon I took a deep breath and relaxed my expression.

"Then, shall we get started?"

The first test was the camera testing.

It's a procedure to check whether the camera will receive your face well.  No matter how handsome and beautiful you are, they're bound to be different from what they look like on TV.

The camera test was a procedure to confirm that.

As I did various expressions and postures, I suddenly remembered the old days.

Was it when I was in 6th grade?  I had my 3rd TJ audition camera test. What was the result?

At that time, it was probably the same as now. . .

"Wow, that's excellent.", CEO Park said as if he was impressed.

"It looks good in person, but it looks better on camera.  Of course, it looks good naturally since you were in TJ, which is famous for their harsh auditions."

The judges nodded as if they sympathized with the words.

As I expected, the camera test was, needless to say, a pass.

The judges' satisfied expressions proved it.  In particular, the rookie development team leader smacked his lips as if I were a first-class Korean beef.

In addition to the visual, it seemed to be due to the unique features I had.

"Is there any special thing about being discharged from the army."

"Yes, I enlisted in the army as soon as I became an adult.  I was discharged not too long before taking the exam."

"Then the military service won't be a problem."

All judges were satisfied to hear that there would be no interruptions in my activities because of the military.

I smiled and responded moderately.

Perhaps because it was the casting of director Cho Kyuhwan, who was trusted enough to be called a fortune teller at the company, that I was picked.

But it was too early to be relieved.  The atmosphere was always good up to here.

The same was true for other companies.

Those who were interested in my face or singing in the beginning would change their complexion when they saw me dance.  When such trauma came to mind, my mouth dried up.

 

It's going to work out this time. 

I clenched my fist with that thought in mind.




 

* * *




 

It was then break time. (We're now on CEO Park's POV hehe)

The camera was installed again and the judges looked at him with high expectations.

Seon Wooju.

21 years old this year.

The unique thing was that he was a six year trainee at TJ ENTERTAINMENT and was discharge from the military as a sergeant.

And. . . he was handsome.

I actually wrote that note.  It was a few word.

Anyone who walked on the street would take a look at least once, and if he stood outside the door on a rainy day, it looked like the clerk would buy food or an umbrella with their card for him.

Rather than having a trendy handsomeness, it was an appearance that can be enjoyed regardless of the times.  It was also a strangely sad face.

It was understandable that TJ would abandon him after six years since he couldn't dance, but they didn't understand why he insisted on being idols.

"Shall we listen to the song you prepared?"

"Yes."

"What song are you going to sing?"

"I'll sing Jang Sowon's RED MOON."

The judges nodded.  The same thought passed through their heads.

'You chose a good song.'

It was a song that showed the dignity of a six year long trainee.

Choosing a song with a lot of high notes in the chorus during an audition doesn't increase the probability of passing.  The entertainment officials are the ones who'll see the responsibility of the singers every day.

I didn't know if he'll fail the audition.

Those who watch Korea's best singers everyday won't be shock or amazed by the people who audition.

'It's RED MOON, the range of the notes are diverse.'

RED MOON is a solo song released by Jang Sowon, a member of the now disbanded girl group SUGARFISH.

It didn't have an intense chorus, but the range was colorful and has a lot of changes.  It was a good song to check the overall vocal level which was perfect for an audition.

The only flaw was that it was in the key for females, but. . .

When thinking about it, Wooju connected the smartphone to the speaker and aranged it into the key for males.

He was deliberately prepared it for the audition.

"He has some good sense.'

Wooju then calmly opened his lips.




 

어서 사라져 주길 바래 (I let you go without any hesitation immediately)

왜 그러냐곤 묻지 마 (Don't ask me why)

상처받은 마음은 이미 (My wounded heart is already)

Six feet under (Six feet under)




 

Listening to the first verse, CEO Park instinctively caught on.

'He has talent.'

It was a skill that was objectively good.  He took a break for two years, but he was better than a decent trainee.

Did he do karaoke in the military?

'If he trained hard for about three months, his skills will come out.'

First, the breathing and vocalization were perfect.  It was such a solid singing method that the basic skills were perfect.

The downside is the lack of technique, but it wasn't important for idols since they'll have less than 30 seconds for their individual parts.

'His gaze and expression are stable, too. That's something that'll catch people's attention. Seriously, even if he couldn't dance, a big agency still wouldn't have let him go.'

I was proud of the fact that I discovered a gemstone thrown away by others and became anxious.

How bad was he at dancing if he was eliminated from the debut group with his actor-level appearance and outstanding singing skills?

Suddenly, I remembered a warning that chief manager Yoon had told before the audition.




 

'Don't expect to much from the dancing for your mental health.'

Now it was time to show the freestyle dance after the song was over.

I looked toward Yoon Seokhwan.

I could see his eyes closed as if he had predicted the upcoming disaster.

'Just how bad are you. . .'

It made the viewers nervous.

CEO Park drank a bottled water and waited for the upcoming dance performance.

Soon after, Director Cho chose the song.  The song was played on the speaker.

Electronic music without lyrics.

'. . . Huh?'

When Wooju started dancing, CEO Park had no choice but to put on a bewildered expression.

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