My name is Eliott. I’m a French trainee under Hybe entertainment. I was born female, but deep down, I know I’m a boy. I haven’t had the chance to transition though, and the general public doesn’t really accept my identity, as surprising as can be… I’m blond, through not a natural. I bleach my hair every so often. I also cut my hair myself, whether my manager likes it or not. Currently, I have a mullet – Mohawk kind of thing going on up there. My eyes are brown, with very long lashes, I’m particularly proud of my lashes, and my nose, too. Everyone compliment me on my nose, apparently it’s a pretty one. I also have a lot of piercings which, again, people don’t really like. An angel fangs, a septum, an anti eyebrow and an eyebrow decorate my pretty face. I also have several of them on my ears, as well as plugs. I go to SOPA high-school in Seoul, and, although I really hate uniforms, I like to decorate mine with pins, bracelets, Docs, etc…
Today, in the beginning of class, the teacher calls for our attention. Next to him, a new face. The new student’s skin is black, which, not being the Korean norm, sustains a lot of whispers and chatter. They have short red dreads, beautiful, big, red eyes, and small shaved brows. Their plump, orangey lips open to shyly say their name “Aiyden”. They’re wearing their uniform beautifully, and accessorized it with a spiked collar, several necklaces, leg warmers, various bracelets, and oxford style Docs. They then go to sit in the back of the class, not without attracting all the looks. The class then goes back to normal.
During the break, everyone hastens to see the new student. They touch his hair, ask him questions… classic Korean behavior in front of a black person. I make my way to them, and greet them:
“-Hey, how is it going? Want to hang out? I know a spot; I say as I lend my hand.”
They take it, not without hesitation, and I take them in a more private space without listening to the other students bitching. Once we’re alone, they thank me before sitting down. I imitate them.
“-So, you’re French huh?
-Yes. How’d you know? They ask, surprised.
-You have an accent. I had it too at first. I love your style by the way. Also, your pronouns?
-oh thanks… and it’s he/him. You listen to metal too?”
I look down, my headphones are still on and we can hear the music.
“-Yeah! What’s your favorite group? Mine’s Bring Me The Horizon.
-oh! Me too! He starts to relax a bit. “
We continue our discussion, until it’s time to go to class again. At the end of the day, we exchange our socials, and go our separate ways.
The next day, Aiyden comes directly to me as soon as he sees me. He looks way happier than yesterday, although he seems to lack confidence. I propose we go out for Boba after class. Today’s my day off, I want to learn more about him.
After class, I wait for him, and we set off downtown.
“-I arrived here like a month ago, he says. I read things about black people in Korea, but I didn’t expect it to be that bad!”
It’s true, everyone looks at him with curiosity on our way, some even whisper as we pass next to them. We finally arrive to my favorite Boba shop. I order a fruit tea with popping pearls, as he takes a classic caramel black bubble tea with tapioca pearls. I also order us some hot hotteok at a street food vendor, and proceeds to lead us to a park nearby.
“-So, why did you come here? My new friend asks.
-well, I came here about a year ago, to become a kpop idol. I say hesitantly. People tend to be reluctant about foreign people becoming idols, but he just looks at me with a smile.
-that’s so cool! I wish I had the confidence to do that. I came here because my mom is dating a Korean guy. I personally think he’s a jerk but whatever.
-yeah, most guys here are jerks. Trust me, as a foreign trans punk gay guy, I can testify… I laugh.
-oh, so you’re trans too? I assumed it but I figured it wasn’t correct to ask you. It’s true that it’s difficult to integrate society here. Good thing I started transitioning a while ago.
-yeah, I plan on starting testosterone in a month or two, too. It took me ages to find someone to prescribe me those! “
We talk, we talk, but time passes by, and soon, it’s time to go back home. Aiyden asks me to accompany him home, and I obviously say yes. When he knocks, it’s his mother who opens the door. She greets me with a big smile.
“-Hello! She says in French. You must be Eliott! I’m his mom, you can call me Gabriela. Aiyden has told me a lot about you!”
Really? We just met. I turn to Aiyden, he’s all embarrassed.
-mom!
I smile.
-thank you for being so kind to him, do you want to come in? Coffee? Tea?
-ah, I sigh. Thank you, but I have a curfew. I shouldn’t be late. Maybe next time?”
I wave a last goodbye at my friend, and leave. Luckily I arrive just on time to my dorm. I quickly eat, the go back to my room to change. I must go to the gym. I grab my phone and my headphones, and I see a message from Aiyden:
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
A few weeks pass by, and me and Aiyden have become really good friends. We often go downtown together, and I come to see him during his dance class. Apparently, he has always dreamed of being a dancer, and moving to Korea was the occasion to go for it. At first, he was so shy, but now he seems like he’s in another world when he dances. I catch myself blushing as he throws a glance at me. Nonetheless, he continues dancing as if nothing happened, before ending in a pose, completely out of breath. Everyone applaud him, and I do the same.
“-so, how was it? He has taken his shy expression back
-wow, you really have a gift for this. I say as I try to keep it cool.
-haha, thanks… by the way, it’s your debut soon, right?
-yes, I still need to record the MV, and I have a surprise for you. You can be a back dancer if you want! I’m sure people will love you!
-um, I don’t know… I’m kinda nervous about this.
-come on Aiyden! This is an opportunity! His other classmates enter the conversation. “
They all seem pretty nice. I guess as soon as the hype is gone, Aiyden is just a normal classmate to them, good. On the way back, the boy sends me a message: “I’m in! 💪”. I’m so exited! I rush to my manager in hopes she hasn’t reserved the spot. She didn’t! I confirm everything to him, and after a few papers to sign, some general rehearsal and a lot of sweat, we find ourselves on the set, in our costumes.
