TGSWRFTS🏖️

Episode 18. Korea University of the Arts, Department of Practical Music

Ginkgo leaves are starting to fall on the streets,

It was a time when I could feel that fall was approaching.

The entrance exam season has begun.

High school seniors at the academy were busy preparing for the college entrance exam. Some students went back and forth between the library and the practice room while taking the college entrance exam, and some students who focused on the practical exam did not come out of the practice room.

Since Seunghyun and I were students who graduated from the qualification exam, we received a little special treatment.

The teacher told us not to apply to many universities like other high school seniors, but to only apply to our first, second, and at most third choice.

“Actually, there is no need to go to third choice. You guys aren't in a hurry every day. “I think just adding the Korea Institute of Arts is enough.”

Actually, neither Seunghyun nor I had the intention of going to college right away this year. So we decided to apply to only one place.

“Hey, let’s meet at Korea University of the Arts.”

Seunghyun said while taking a pose as if imitating a Japanese animation character. I decided to hang out in moderation.

“...I’ll be waiting at the top!”

We prepared for the entrance exam without much pressure.

There was no change in the pressure, and we just thought that it would be enough if we could show our music to the best of our ability.

Unlike other applied music universities, Korea University of Arts took the practical exam last. So, with one day left until the practical exam at Korea Institute of Arts, high school seniors like Eugene and Yeon-kyung had already taken the practical exam at other universities.

The day before the practical exam, Eugene, Yeon-kyung, Seung-hyeon, and I spent time talking at a cafe near the academy.

“Can you guys not practice anymore?”

Seunghyeon asked Eugene and Yeonkyung. Then Yeon-kyung answered.

“I’ve been sore all week, so the best way to rest now is to rest.”

Yeon-kyung was sipping peppermint tea, and Eugene, sitting next to her, was drinking ginger tea, which is said to be good for the throat.

“I like the cafe here because they serve delicious ginger tea. “Be sure to come here and have tea the day before your actual exam.”

That's how Seunghyeon and I were able to hear stories about practical skills from Eugene and Yeonkyung.

“Don’t say anything, I was in the waiting room and the kid who just took the practical exam came out of the exam room crying.”

“I’m told to stop singing 10 seconds after starting, but I don’t know if it’s because I’m good at it or because I’m not good at it.”

“There’s a lot of talk about having most of the successful students there finish early. “Wouldn’t you probably pass too?”

“I hope so. But the most important thing is Korea Institute of the Arts.”

Even though Eugene and Yeon-kyung had attended practical exams at over four universities so far, they still seemed to have some sense of tension. No, should I say that the tension has actually increased?

“In the end, if I fail at Korea University of the Arts, it’s over. “There are opportunities until the end of the hour, but...”

“Did you say that Seunghyun and Yul only entered the Korean Institute of Arts?”