**Chapter 1: The Quiet Dream**
Meui had always been a dreamer. Growing up in a small town, she would look out the window of her modest room, watching the clouds drift by, her headphones blaring the sounds of her favorite K-pop artists. The music was her escape. When life got too mundane, it was their voices, their dances, and their dreams that kept her going. But becoming an idol? That dream felt as distant as the stars she saw every night.
"My parents always told me to stay realistic," Meui would later say in an interview, her eyes softening at the memory. "But... I couldn't help it. I wanted more. I wanted to be part of something bigger."
It started as a secret—dancing alone in her room, mimicking moves she saw on YouTube. There were no dance studios in her town, and her parents couldn't afford private lessons. But Meui was determined. Every night, after her homework was done, she'd push the bed against the wall and dance until her feet hurt.
**Chapter 2: The Hidden Talent**
Middle school came, and with it, the first chance to showcase what she had been hiding. A talent show was being held, and students were encouraged to sign up. Meui hesitated, the old fears bubbling up inside her. What if people laughed at her? What if her parents were disappointed? But then she heard the whispers around her school. A few older girls were also practicing to perform a K-pop dance. Suddenly, her fear turned into determination.
She approached the stage that day, her hands trembling at her sides. Her classmates stared, some whispering among themselves. The moment the music started, though, everything else disappeared. It was just her and the beat, the thrill of every sharp move she had perfected over months of practice. As the last note played, the audience erupted in cheers—her classmates on their feet, clapping and cheering her name.
"I remember that moment like it was yesterday," Meui later shared, smiling. "I felt alive. For the first time, I thought... maybe I could actually do this."
**Chapter 3: The Leap of Faith**
Encouraged by her friends and a teacher who saw something special in her, Meui decided to take the plunge. She convinced her parents to let her travel to Seoul for an audition. It was the hardest conversation she'd ever had—her parents were skeptical, worried about their daughter chasing such a fragile dream.
"Mom, I know it sounds impossible, but if I don't try now, I'll regret it forever," Meui had pleaded, her voice trembling with emotion.
Her father sighed but saw the fire in his daughter's eyes. "Alright, Meui. One chance. We'll support you... just one audition. But promise us that you'll be careful."
The day she set foot in Seoul, Meui knew she was in for the toughest battle of her life. She attended an open audition for a renowned entertainment company, surrounded by hundreds of other hopefuls. She watched girls with perfect makeup, expensive training, and undeniable talent perform, and for a moment, her confidence wavered. She was just an ordinary girl with no formal training, her sneakers scuffed, her clothes simple.
But as she stepped into the audition room, she took a deep breath, remembering why she was there.
**Chapter 4: The Struggle**
The judges were stoic, their faces betraying nothing as she introduced herself. Meui's heart pounded as she started dancing, putting every ounce of energy she had into each step. The room was silent, her moves echoing in the small space. As she finished and bowed, she looked up to see one of the judges smiling, nodding slightly.
"You're rough around the edges," one of them said, his expression serious. "But... you have potential."
It was all she needed to hear.
Training was grueling. Accepted into the company as a trainee, Meui moved to Seoul alone, leaving behind everything she knew. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months of intense vocal lessons, dance practice, and assessments. There were times she thought she'd break—the early mornings, the late nights, the moments she was scolded for not being good enough. Tears became a part of her routine, but she refused to quit.
"There were days I wanted to give up, to go back home and live a normal life," Meui admitted during a live broadcast years later, her eyes glistening. "But every time I thought about it, I remembered that first applause, that feeling of belonging on stage. I couldn't let go of that."
**Chapter 5: A Light in the Darkness**
One winter evening, after a particularly harsh critique from her dance instructor, Meui found herself alone in the practice room, her body aching, tears rolling down her cheeks. She sat against the wall, staring at her reflection, wondering if she would ever be good enough.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and another trainee—Rina—walked in. She had seen Meui struggle and decided to stay behind that night.
"Hey," Rina said gently, sitting down beside her. "I know it's hard, but... you're not alone. We're all in this together. Let's make a promise: we'll debut together, okay?"
Meui looked at Rina, the warmth of her words melting some of the ice that had settled in her chest. She nodded, a small smile forming through her tears. "Together," she whispered.
**Chapter 6: Debut and the Dream Realized**
The day finally came when Meui's dream turned into reality. After years of blood, sweat, and tears, she was chosen as part of a five-member group called ICED. Standing on the stage for their debut showcase, Meui looked out at the audience—at the bright lights, the cheers, the fans who had already fallen in love with them.
"This is what I worked for," she thought to herself, her heart swelling with pride and disbelief. During the group's introduction, she stepped forward, her voice steady as she said, "Hello, I'm Meui, and I'm here because I refused to give up. Thank you for being with us today."
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**Epilogue: Looking Back**
Meui's journey to becoming an idol was far from easy, but it was hers. From a small-town girl dancing alone in her bedroom to standing under the brightest stage lights, she never let go of her dream, no matter how impossible it seemed.
"People ask me if it was worth it," Meui reflected in a VLive, her eyes meeting the camera. "All the pain, the late nights, the uncertainty... and my answer is always yes. Because now I get to share my passion with all of you. And there's nothing more beautiful than that."
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**Author's Note:**
Meui's story is a reminder that even the biggest dreams start from the smallest moments of courage. No matter where you come from, as long as you have the strength to keep going, you can make your dream a reality. Keep chasing your stars, just like Meui did. 💙
