I got the amazing opportunity to attend one of the most pristine music and arts school in Seoul: School of Performing Arts. Many K-Pop legends attended this school before me, and I'm hoping to learn a lot from my classmates. Coming in as a foriegner...
*5 Days Before Debut* Today, Hajoon and I were called into JY Park's office. This made us super nervous for what he was going to say. There was also two other people in here, a girl, and a boy. "Raeshel, Hajoon, meet your future bandmates: Beom Mi-Sun and Bu Kwang-Su. They are around your age. Actually, all of your are born in the same year, 2003. You are debuting in 5 days." JY Park said. "What really?" I asked. "Yes, I checked. Your group name will be 4EVER. Your group will incorporate dance, singing, rapping, and occasionally guitar." JY Park said. "It's nice to meet you Mi-Sun and Kwang-Su." I said. "Yes, I'm looking forward to working with you." Kwang-Su said. "I'm very excited." Mi-Sun said. "So am I." Hajoon said.
Here is what Mi-Sun and Kwang-Su look like:
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(Photo Credit: Boy: yun.n_gh. Girl: 96.2.13. Both can be found on Instagram). After being introduced to our new bandmates, they got us straight to work for our debut song. Our concept is dark and cool. This concept reminds me of the Dark & Wild Era of BTS. I think that's the basis of their idea. This is really cool. We were put into our concept outfits and we got those iconic leather straps. Oh, I can already tell our debut song is going tobe so good.
Straight out of our dance classes, we are then directed to go to the recording studio. This is where we'll be writing and recording our debut song. Combining all our genius minds together; Hajoon, Kwang-Su, Mi-Sun and I begin writing lyrics. I notice Mi-Sun writing down some lyrics and her handwriting is very cute. I read it the best I can with the little Korean I learned. Woah, it's all about the struggles she went through as a trainee. I can see how those lyrics can be in a cool song. Like: the trainee life wasn't the best, but hey, look at me now. Nobody believed in me, but look where I am now. Those are some legit lyrics. I truly believe we can make a dope song that goes along with our concept.
After finishing writing our lyrics for our debut song, it went to our producer. When the producer looks at the lyrics, he works with us to begin making the song. This is really exciting, the true beginning of our debut. It all starts with recording in the studio, then it moves to the stage, finally we go all around the world. We begin recording our song in the studio. The producer wants Mi-Sun and I to harmonize on the key parts of the song. Since this is a rougher song, our voices are a little raspier and slightly deeper than usual. No matter what, the producer says what he wants out of us. We're just following his lead. I know this song will be amazing, a show stopper. I'm over the moon excited on finally getting to debut. On my debut day, I'm definitely going to cry either on stage or backstage because of such a big moment it will be. When I get back to SOPA, I am going to tell all my friends so they get to come to my debut stage. We don't have all the details yet, and we're already working really hard, but I know it will be an awesome day.
That same night, around midnight, after going through all the practices for our debut stage, I go to my dorm with Hajoon. I need to call my parents and my friends back home about my soon debut. I check the time back home and it's only around 7am, so it would be a good time to call my parents. My mom should be up, it's Saturday here in Korea and Friday back in the States. She should be off from work today. Usually, my dad also wakes up early because he gets ready for church and goes at around 11am. I give them a call and wait anxiously for my dad to answer.
"Hello. . ." Dad answers, voice raspy.
"Hey, dad. Did I wake you up?" I asked.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Dad asked, shuffling around, probably getting out of bed now. "I just got the news today that I will be debuting. Meaning, I get to become a singer and dancer soon." I said. "Oh, that's my girl. Who is in your group?" Dad asked. "My friend Hajoon. Then two new members were added today. Their names are Beom Mi-Sun and Bu Kwang-Su." I said. "Oh nice. What is your position?" Dad asked. "I'm a vocalist and dancer." I said. "You should send a video to me when you perform." Dad said. "I will! Well, dad it's later here. I've got to get to bed. Love you so much." I said. "Love you too. Good luck to your debut. Make lots of fans and make sure to visit." Dad said. "Will do. Good night or good morning to you." I said, laughing. "Good night, love you." Dad said. "Love you." I said, then hung up.
I hung up my phone and put it on my bedside table. I cover myself in my warm blanket and fall asleep. I dream of what our debut will be like, what fans will think of us. I wonder who will be attending our debut. I really do hope that people believe in 4EVER. We've worked really hard even on the first day, and we'll continue to work hard up until the debut day. My hopes are high, and I know my members are excited and nervous too. We just have to keep working hard and know that we've trained for this. We know that fans love when new groups debut. The crowd will be wild, I can see it now.
