Black Pandora | iBigHit

십일 |11

'What a beautiful handwriting.' The agent exclaimed while observing how the contract was done by the newly inducted trainee of XY entertainment. As a sixteen year old girl, the signing of contract felt like a dream come true to Mei. At that moment, she had nothing to think about besides the fact that she will be staying in South Korea; her dream land. She started spacing out, imagining things will be great as she goes there where she will encounter many people. The agent seemed like he was very much overwhelmed to see alphabetical letters on a signature which he continues to compliment, telling the innocent girl how she's fitted for a signing event. This made her overwhelmed in delusional foolishness.

Little did the girl knew that his eyes were constantly craving, dried off by the blow of the wind. In fact, she only sees the face of the agent, not his transparent intentions that will never be told by anyone, but him.

"A signature is the start of everything." at least that's what she thought as Chua Mei became a 22 year old woman working for a rebellion. It's about a famous scheme in this industry known as the 'slave contract.'

13-year contract has been a huge controversy back in 2007 which was even brought into a lawsuit. It was not long when the contract was already limited to a period of time such as 7 years. Unfortunately, the brutal labor doesn't end there.

Infact, the slavery starts inside the workplace. As trainees, it's as if the agency is treating you like predators competing for a prey. At first, auditions can be exciting. But when you realize that there's too many to handle, you'll witness how the labels collect, own, eliminate and waste talents, just because you're medicore. They rank, and judge you based on your monthly evaluation, which became a norm for trainees to be better of themselves. Usually, a training period ranges from 2-6 years. Some Idols had theirs lesser and some of the survivors had more, expressing extreme dedication for the label.

And they will definitely make you crave for that debut stage you've been dreaming of. Whatever it takes, even if it means submitting yourself to that insane system.

Visual, star quality, and talent are the three primary things they look for. As long as one have these, the trainee will probably reach places and get it to his/her debut. There's another optional way in order for one to be recognized, and only a few chosen people get to have the grant of becoming the next star; that is through casting, when spectators astoundingly get to see who are the potential stars in the public by simply using their naked eye. In order to preserve the people with distinct likable characteristics, the label let them sign a contract as a promissory of their future dedications for the agency. There's nothing wrong with being discovered in whatever way, since people are made to use their gifts as an individual. As humans, every opportunity is a blessing.

This blessing definitely includes the opportunity of discovering talents and beauties in the case of those prestigious agencies with skyscrapers having the overview of the entire South Korea, and now the world. By realizing this, you will see how the K-pop industry attracts people nowadays. Most people want to be an idol, making the industry seem like a paradise.

But then, people tend to forget that there are also those labels who are very much abusive with human rights.

Because the slave contract is a beautiful trap. Once you're in, they won't let you out. Not even a single word should be heard from your mouth. And when you complain, you're dead for good.

You are drop dead gorgeous,
So you should be kept in my dungeon
The pain will keep you alive
The suffering will make you the best money maker
And thousands of people will scream for your name
But you're just a puppet with no freedom, no soul.
Submit yourself into this blank space
Carve your signature and you're all set
Day and night you'll be my perfect machine
Mine is the profit, yours is the fame
And people will remember I raised someone as your name.

"So what are we doing here again in front of the XY building?" Jigaemae asked looking pissed by the tall female's actions. It's been the third time already visiting the place, and it seems like Mei has no plans of refraining from spying anytime soon.

"Gathering facts."

"Gathering facts?! You mean gathering hatred. Seriously Mei, this is guilty pleasure and it's getting unhealthy for you. I know you have some prejudice with the label that you practically risked your life for this, but please be reminded that you're still under big-hit. And it's your job... and my job to protect our name at all costs. If someone caught us like this we're dead." he scolded while they were hiding in a nearby post.

"I know. But this is no safe show, manager. If it's just all about protecting ourselves from the risks then Bang PD-nim wouldn't have silently debuted me in the first place."

"Ugh, when will you ever understand the struggle of being your manager, Mei?" he rubbed his temples roughly, indicating how he's stressed out about the whole situation they're in.

It was not long after when the brunette female sensed someone exiting the building. A white and skinny female with a velvet curly hair was seen with some spectators outside, taking a picture. The girl was wearing a white feminine and classy outfit designed for elegance. There were several managers in black outfit who are helping the girl get her way out from the little crowd waiting for her for how many hours.

"I feel like I know her."

As soon as Mei recognized who she was, she immediately decided to shift places and get a closer look near the entrance. She ran forgetting about her mask beneath her chin, failing to cover her face which makes her identity quite visible to the crowd. "Hey Mei, 너 바보 야! Wait for me!" Jigaemae yelled as the latter was walking too fast enough to make his legs numb for a period of time.

"Refrain from doing that again please! My short legs can't catch up with you and it's direspectful for my part as your tired manager." He said exhaustingly, but still trying his best to handle Mei's stubborness. "Sorry, Jiga-nim."

While hiding, she took the opportunity to check out the idol. Her walk and her posture tells that she's definitely an XY product. She tried to analyze every movement, including the staff going out of the automatic sliding door. 'The usual, I see.' She mumbled, still trying to search for shortcomings.

A male walked towards them which made Mei startled as she realized that she failed to be in disguise. She immediately grabbed her face mask, but then it was too late. "Hey, are you guys some kind of spy? Because you hiding behind the bush is certainly grabbing people's attention."

"W-who are you?" Manager Jigaemae stuttered while the brunette female was stiffened.

"Isn't it supposed to be me asking that?"

The sarcasm. The voice. It felt familiar to the tall female that she didn't realize her mouth-gapped. On the other hand, the male had his eyes half-closed trying to identify the female infront of him. "And you look so familiar... Oh-"

His eyes widened with those small, chinky eyes that made him shaken.

"M-mei? Mei noona?"

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A/N: thank you so much to the long long long wait! A lot of readers messaged me if I have plans on updating a long long long time ago. Finally, I'm back in track!