UNO DIVIDE : Male Youth : BOOK 1

CHAPTER 1 : KNOTS TIED

NOTE : Slow Beginning, PLEASE BARE WITH ME!!! 🥰
Location: Shinelight Entertainment Office
Day: Wednesday
Date: July 4th, 2018
Time: 10:32 A.M.
"These boys.." Aileen Park says slowly as her eyes scan over all thirty five applications for the upcoming group Uno. "How has all of their training been recently? Have any of them caught your eye?..." The thirty year old looks up from her desk where the assistant manager stood.
Youngsoo nods and begins pulling out specific applications. "We have some very diverse trainees this year. For example, Dylan Fei Dang from Virginia is a very interesting young man." She taps her chin with the lid of a pen. "OOO! Also, we have this new kid from Costa Rica." Aileen raises a brow. "Yes Yes, I know it's weird." Youngsoo sighs, "but he has potential, and is currently working on his Korean."

Aileen flips through a stack of papers. "Are there any English speaking trainees? You should know that's very important for a K-Pop group."
Youngsoo points out some boys to Aileen, "Theo Ze Ren and Haru Chan Le from Korea; along with a few Americans and an Aussie. Many of them are currently trying to learn."
"Hmm.." the Manager hums. "Theo Ze Ren?..Isn't he German?.." she looks back down at his profile. "Fluent in 4 languages?..Anything else you can tell me about him?"
Youngsoo thinks "Many of the trainees look up to him during the practices since he has been with the company for seven years now. His dancing and vocals have grown magnificently."
"Goodness! 7 years? Is there anyone else that stands out? Our time is limited you know." Aileen raises her chin.
"Well there is something," Youngsoo nervously bites the inside of her cheek, "it's kind of a huge controversy in the music industry but I hope it's okay with you.." The younger goes through the possibilities in her head, but nothing came up. "Is it bad?..."
Youngsoo clicks her tongue, "um, in my opinion, I don't think it is. I think that," she pauses, "this could start a wave of backlash for us as well as the rest of our groups. Despite that, I believe the boys can thrive together in the group and be proud of who they are as individuals." Aileen stares at her questionably. "If it isn't wrong to you, it probably isn't wrong to me.."

Aileen bites her lip. "What's the deal?" Youngsoo smiles softly, "There are quite a few boys, about 11 exactly, who are a part of the LGBTQ community." The manager stares hoping she would continue.
"Out of the 12 boys that I've taken a liking to, a few of them are out of the closet about liking the same gender." She looks over at Aileen, "I'm noticing that look on your face. You're worried about the trainees safety, but I can assure you that no harm will be put upon them. Yes there may be foul phrases thrown at them, whether in public or online, but I have this feeling that they are better than that. The boys won't let some pity hate get to them, they'll continue working hard no matter what. We may not be able to get them as many promotions because of it, but these guys have so much talent that they could make it in a rucksack."

"Thank you.." Aileen responds softly. "If I may ask, could you please get a meeting arranged for me to meet with this Theo?.."
Youngsoo nods and begins tapping on an Ipad, "Of course, ma'am, there is much to go over with him if he is to be the leader. Would you like me to show you who I recommend for the rest of the group?"

Aileen nods. "Yes, I'd like that. You have a good eye for talented artists so I would like to know your preferences."
As Youngsoo places down an application she says who they are and what position she recommends.
"Theo Ze Ren, leader and main dancer; Haru Chan Lee, main dancer; Noah Choi Park, main vocalist; Sang Chul Bak, main vocalist; Ethan Wooyoung, lead vocalist; Deshi Quing, lead vocalist and dancer; Li Wei Zheng, main rapper; Valentino Valdez, main dancer; Jinsung Park, lead vocalist; Dylan Fei Dang, main rapper; Edward Shi Kim, lead dancer; and finally the maknae Kimino Uzumaki as main vocalist. The ages range from 1994 to 2001."
Aileen stares shocked. "Wow. You've done your research..so is Theo coming?"
"Secretary Nam should be buzzing in any minute now," The older folds her hands over the table.
They stared at each other, communicating with their eyes that maybe this new group could bring light into their company.
But then....
The door buzzes, and a handsome young man with soft features comes in.
"Welcome! Theo, is it? I am Choi Youngsoo, the assistant manager here." Youngsoo then motions to the younger lady on her left, "and this is the manager, Aileen Park. Please take a seat." The male bows taking a seat. "Thank you for inviting me, it's an honor to be in the manager's office." Aileen looks down at his profile "Theo is your name?"
"Yes."
"Do you think you're capable of being a leader of eleven boys? You're the only one with the experience."
Theo's eyes widen and his jaw drops. He points to himself, "mee? A leader? A-are you sure it's not some other Theo?" Aileen smiles. "I'm positive that it's you. Congratulations. Your debut with the other members will be in a few days. Get prepared for your schedule to change."
Youngsoo cuts in, "Don't worry though, you'll have some time to get to know each of the members and figure out stage names and all the other necessary information. However, there is a minor problem that you have to resolve."
Theo frowns, "Uh..what is it? If it's dressing like a female, I can't do that I'm sorry."
Aileen mutters under her breath. "One of the boys is Latino, and doesn't exactly speak fluent Korean. We need you to help teach him."
"Or find someone else in the group that can. He can understand Korean better than he can speak it, but not enough to have full conversations with people," Youngsoo adds trying to hide her laugh.
Theo sighs. "I'll do my best, but I can't promise that it'll be perfect." Aileen smiles. "Even the tiniest bit of progress means a lot to us. Right?" She nods at Youngsoo.
"Right! All we ask is that you try your best, and don't get frustrated at him. It's hard not being able to speak to those around you, you feel trapped inside your mind. He's shy, so it would really help if you could be his friend even though there is a gap of 4 years." Youngsoo smiles brightly.
Aileen claps her hands. "In honor of all you guys hard work, all thirty five that have been training for the group get to watch fireworks on the beach tonight. The final lineup for the group will be decided soon. Happy 4th of July." Everything was going by so fast suddenly for Theo, so all he could do was nod and smile.
"Yes." Theo nods again.
"We ask that you please do not go around spreading the news that you have been chosen as leader. No one will know who was chosen for the group until tomorrow morning when we send out the official email. The twelve of you will then meet in Practice Room B at 10:30 am to start introductions, getting to know each other better, and choosing who dorms with who." Youngsoo hands him the papers with the groups information.
Theo bows as he received the papers and walks off.
"Quite a cutie isn't he?" Aileen smiles warmly and chuckles.
Youngsoo shakes her head with a laugh, "You're like 10 years older Aileen." The younger laughs. "Yeah and your like 15 years older."
But in the end, the agreement was that Theo is cute.