As much as I want to go to a parlor for a hairstylist, I chopped my hair by myself for my disguise. I can't waste my money anymore.
That night, I called Geum Hyeji, an old friend from Korea to help me with my legal-slash-illegal documents. She also helped me in shopping new clothes for my disguise. It was a good thing that I have savings from my credit card.
"Hey, are you sure about this?" Hyeji asked.
"Don't worry, I'll... I won't mention your names when they find out," I smiled to Hyeji.
"I'm not afraid of them finding out, Jaekyung. I'm afraid of what will happen to you. You're going to live and train with boys," Hyeji said.
"Well, let's say tomorrow, I'll prove them what women can do at times like this," I smiled at Hyeji.
***
"Applicant 5455," One of the staff called.
Finally, I'm already here. I've practiced really hard last night. I had to adjust my voice pitch to a lower one. It turns out I can do Chen's high notes. Thanks to being a girl.
I could see SME's CEO in front of me, together with the judges, and I could totally feel the heat in my head. No, calm down Jaekyung. You have to please his eyes so that he'll like you as a person.
"Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Kang Jaehyo," Yes, the name was right. I will be known as Kang Jaehyo for now.
I tried not to greet as bright like girls often do. But I tried to make it charming, like flower boys do.
"My Chinese name's Qiang Zai Xiao, but I never used it even in America," I continued.
"You look like a baby, Jaehyo," One of the judges said.
Oops. Probably because of my feminine characteristics...
I chuckled and scratched my head, keeping my disguise as a shy teenage boy. "I often hear that too, but I'm already 18 years old,"
The judges chuckled and I could hear them say: "kyeopta."
"Can you perform Gwiyomi player for me?" One of the judges asked. She was a woman in her 30s. The nameplate in front of her says "Nam Kyungri".
But I hate aegyos.
I tried to let out a soft chuckle. "I would love to, but I hate aegyos and I think it would look awkward to me,"
"Ahh, I guess he's really used to America's hiphop culture then since she was raised in America," another judge said.
"I'm so sorry. But I'll try to work on it so I can show you some other time," I smiled.
"Oh, you don't have to Jaehyo. You're cute naturally," Kyungri complimented while the others gave an "awww" to me.
Wow. I can't believe I'd have the charm on noonas. Just like Lee Taemin sunbae!
"So you were raised in America... And you are Chinese-Korean... But are you fluent in English and Mandarin?"
"Yes," I said. "I can also speak in Cantonese and Fookien,"
The judges' mouths turned into an "o" when I revealed my bilingual capacity. Thanks to my mom I learned Chinese. She was so strict about me being a half-Chinese citizen. But me being raised in America was a lie. I only stayed there for six years because we were so desperate for my sister to be treated. And I learned English because my hiphop and R&B idols are all from the States - Eminem, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, and many more. They're just amaaazing.
"And your Korean influence is only SHINee?" The CEO suddenly asked.
Yes. My sister and I were very different. But I loved EXO when she loved it too, because she started to look healthier when they debuted.
