Being A Kpop Idol [Updated]

1

Chapter 1: First day

"Annyeonghaseyo, Jihye imnida." I greeted. My hands were getting sweaty. Sobrang kinakabahan ako. I bit my lower lip to calm my nervousness.

"Show your talent" the judge said with a neutral face. I stepped forward at huminga ng malalim. I started singing Everything stays, Ang kantang palagi kong kinakanta bata palang ako.

Let's go in the garden
You'll find something waiting
Right there where you left it
lying upside down

My voice echoed the small room. The judge's face became even more serious. I continued singing, remaining confident.

When you finally find it,
You'll see how its faded
The underside is lighter
When you turn it around

Everything stays,
Right where you left it
Everything stays,
But it still changes

Ever so slightly,
daily and nightly,
in little ways,
everything stays.

I opened my eyes after I finished the last verse. He remained silent. Signalling me to dance. The song played, I panicked so I didn't catch up in the intro but started in the verse.

Di ko alam ang kanta na ito dahil freestyle. I closed my eyes, and let my body do the work. It matched with the flow of melody, may konting mali ako pero nagpatuloy pa rin ako.

Matapos ang ilang minuto, the song ended. Hiningal ako dahil sa pagod.

"How long have you been singing?" he asked and leaned closer to his desk.

"Since nung bata pa po ako." I said while catching my breath.

"How long have you been dancing?"

"Since 3rd grade. Yung tatay ko po ang nagturo sa akin." kumuha ang judge ng folder galing sa drawer niya at nagsimulang magsuot roon.

"Why do you want to become a kpop idol?" he suddenly asked. Di ko alam ang maisasagot ko. It was my dream. But the fact of why I want to become one, is still a question to me.

"Gusto ko po maging kpop idol dahil... Gusto kong maipamalas sa buong mundo ang talento ko.." he stopped writing and looked at me for a second.

"Do you believe that you can actually be one?" he asked. I paused for a moment, not knowing what to answer.

"I may or may not be a kpop idol, but while I'm in the position of possibly becoming one, I'll do whatever I can to succeed."

I said, making the small room even more quieter. The judge kept his straight face and continued writing. He closed his folder and I was surprised because he gave me a soft smile.

"I'm quite impressed with you. I can see that you really want to pursue your dreams. The other people who auditioned, only looked like they auditioned because of our artists inside the company. You impressed me, Miss Song." sabi niya na ikinangiti ko. "Kamsahamnida" I bowed.

"Congrats. You passed the private audition. We would welcome you to be a part of the company." ika niya na ikinangiti ko lalo. I bowed multiple times saying thank you dahil sa sobrang saya ko. Hindi na to panaginip, its really happening!

"I need you to pick one of these three contracts..." itinuro niya sa akin ang tatlong contrata na nakalapag sa desk niya. "There is a 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year contract. You only get to choose one, so choose wisely." he said. This was the moment I felt like I need to decide the most important decision in my life. "Remember, this isn't any fun. Being a trainee needs dedication of what you are going to be. Your chance of debut is still low, but can get high any sooner if you improve in a short time." he added. Tumingin ako muli sa mga kontrata at pinagmasdan ito.
Pinili ko ang 3-year contract. Binasa ko muna ito bago pirmahan.

I. You are agreeing on training for 3 straight years without summer breaks nor weekend breaks.

II. The company will give you your expenses while you're a trainee, but if you quit, you're going to pay it back.

III. The company will be responsible for your school.

IV. You are not allowed to date anyone inside the company. A penalty will be given if you must.

V. No gadgets allowed while training.

VI. You will be weighed in the morning and at night. You must remain a weight of 45 kg.

I skipped the rules at nagproceed sa schedule.

Schedule:
Mondays To Fridays
-School (8am-5pm)
-Vocal Lessons (5pm- 7pm)
-Dinner (7:00- 7:40)
-Dance Lessons (7pm- 10pm)

Saturdays and Sundays (Summer breaks included)
-Breakfast (6:00-6:40)
-Vocal Lessons (6:40- 10am)
-Lunch (10am- 10:40)
-Dance lessons (10:40- 2pm)
-Language (2pm- 5pm)
-Dinner (5pm- 5:40)
-Instrument lessons (5:40- 8pm)

Bumalik ako sa first page at pinirmahan na ito.

"Good. You can go home and pack your things. Go back here tomorrow at 6am. A lady will greet you on your way.." sabi niya habang binabalik ang ibang contrata. I bowed as a yes. Lumabas na ako ng private audition room at huminga ako ng maluwag. Tinext ko si eomma at ang kuya ko at sinabing may balita ako sa kanila. I closed my phone at nagsimulang maglakad paalis.

--

Ini-ayos ko ang mga gamit ko bago ako lumabas ng YG building. I fixed my necktie at pumara ng bus.

Umupo ako sa bandang dulo sa gilid ng bintana. Binaba ko yung bag ko at hinalungkat ang earphones ko. I plugged it in at pinatugtog ang nasa playlist ko.

I glanced at the window. It was Autumn. Sobrang ganda ng view. There were different shades of leaves scattered around, students laughing on their way to school, people meeting each other, I smiled. Today is my first day sa bago kong school. Last week pa since nung nag-audition ako. It has been a week since I was training. Sobrang hirap at halos umiiyak ako araw-araw, pero hindi sapat na rason iyon para sumuko ako. The diet was tough, I lost so much weight in just a short period of time. I met alot of trainees and we got along well.

It has been only a week pero miss ko na ang pamilya at mga kaibigan ko. 3 years. 3 years ko silang di makikita. I sighed.

The bus stopped at bumaba na ako. It was a huge school, three times larger than my former school. Maraming estudyante ang nakapaligid at may mga pamilyar din akong nakitang trainees. So this is SOPA. Ang school na dati ko lang na pinapangarap.

I smiled at nagsimulang maglakad papasok sa loob.

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