My Idol Dream

Chapter 1

The journey from the plane to passport control, baggage claim and finally customs had the same surreal atmosphere that comes with traveling to a completely unfamiliar place. Even in a foreign place, there are always small but real differences that make you feel at home, but Yn didn't feel at home.

After weeks of planning and frantic packing and saying goodbye, she had flown hours and was now preparing to spend the next year in Seoul, South Korea.  This time last year, Yn didn't even know she would ever be in this country.

As she rounded the international arrivals greeting line, she saw a sea of faces, mostly Korean, and many holding up signs suggesting they were drivers looking for their passengers. The brunette was relieved.

She caught sight of a vague but elegantly dressed man holding a discreet laminated sign with her name on it. Yn waved hopefully over, and the cheerful driver immediately took her bags with a little bow.

„Good morning Miss Lee I'm Jae I hope your flight was pleasant." He smiled and motioned for her to go in front of him and which way to go. „Very pleasant, thanks." She replied nervously, holding onto the straps of her backpack and letting her inquiring eyes study the unfamiliar cafes, street signs and faces as they were led to the exit. „I'll just get something to drink before we go" Yn didn't know how long the drive would take, just the time of her next appointment. „There are refreshments in the car, Miss Lee," Jae said with a small movement of her head, and she continued steadily down the path he was directing her to. As Yn walked to the car, she felt for the first time how her life would change.

The car turned out to be a kind of converted minibus with complete separation between the passenger compartment and the driver. There was soft leather seating in the style of an armchair, a screen in front of her and a minibar set into the floor. The brunette found two USB ports in her chair and a cashmere blanket folded neatly under her. Trying to control her excitement and nerves, she made herself comfortable for the ride.

After an hour's drive, which seemed to take them from the outskirts to the center, the car pulled up in front of a tall glossy building, but the car drove through an imposing gate with a guard into an underground car park, „Miss Lee, leave your large bag with me and take the smaller one with you." Jae appeared to be giving her directions and shook her hand as she got out of the car. Yn nodded, then turned her head when she heard the sound of an elevator door opening. A good-looking woman stood and gave her a cheerful wave. The brunette took one last hopeful look back at her suitcase and then walked towards the woman.

„Welcome Miss Lee, I'm Mie. Please follow me and I will take you to Donghae-ssi." „Oh yes, thank you." Said Yn, hoping that the name she thought she heard would be the same Donghae she had been talking to for sometime. They headed for the elevator and went up what seemed like a very tall building and they stepped out into a wide and bright lobby.

Mie led Yn into another large room with three people. The brunette happily recognized Donghae, who was the same man she had spoken to through a translator on video call for the past fortnight.

He was flanked by another Korean in a suit and a young woman. Everyone involved smiled and Donghae rushed forward to shake her hand and introduced Yn to „Nice to meet you both." Yn said nervously. From then on, the young woman on his right seemed to assume her interpretive function and speak for him. „We know you've come a long way, but let's get started. If it's okay, we'll bring in more people. You don't have to know them all. We have a small presentation and Nina will translate." Donghae stood again and Yn reflexively did the same while Nina positioned herself next to speaker.