Until the End | SB19 Sejun [SB19 Series Prequel]

7

December 2017

Sejun's POV

ShowBT was having its annual Christmas party and Stell, Ken, Josh, Justin and I are performing. Our bosses had allowed us to invite guests so I brought Gab and my mom. It was also the first time that I get to perform in front of Gab. I did sing in front of her so many times but I haven't shown her an all-out performance yet. She has not heard me rap and I was excited to show off.

Gab was sitting in the front row with my mom - my two favorite women in the world.

The boys and I did vocalizations backstage. It was important to do warm-ups before performing. We did not want to do a half-assed performance.

Being the leader, I had always taught my members that no matter how small a crowd was, we always have to do our best. We always have to perform as if we have a huge audience. We always have to show our best.

The others had agreed with me on this. Teacher Hong, who happened to be eavesdropping when I told my members this, had become teary-eyed. She pulled me aside when the training session was over and said, "I never doubted your position as the leader, Sejun. You were born for this. The group is in good hands especially that you are at the forefront of it all."

I was shocked to hear that, coming from Teacher Hong. She had faith in me. I wanted to prove to her that she was right in believing in me, that the company was right in appointing me as the leader.

The boys and I stepped onstage and we positioned ourselves. The stage lights dimmed, the music started and our demeanor changed. We transformed.

I get so immersed whenever I am onstage. It's like I have a different personality and I feel euphoric whenever I perform. It's just so addictive, so mesmerizing that I could never let it go. I could never let this dream go.

This right here was what I wanted to do- in the present and in the future. Music was what I wanted to do. I may have graduated as an English major but Music will always be the career that I could see myself flourishing.

I used my peripheral vision to see what the other members were doing. They were so immersed in the performance. I was proud of them. They have come a long way too.

I could still remember when Stell and Josh first came as trainees. I was already training then, having been accepted in the company five months earlier than them. Stell and Josh had already been intimidating to the old trainees- what with being members of Se-eon, coupled with their knowledge of Korean culture and KPOP, plus having years of experience competing outside the Philippines. Stell and Josh could hold their ground when it comes to dancing and they had aced every dance challenge issued by Teacher Hong. It was a bonus that Stell was a gifted singer who could sing notes as high as Mariah Carey. Josh's rapping skills could not be overlooked too.

Justin and Ken became trainees a year after. Justin was already good at dancing, having been a member of Zero to Hero. He had his fair share of competing in KPOP cover dances. Justin had trouble singing at first but I was proud to say that he has improved a lot. He was more confident in singing now. Ken, on the other hand, grew up in church just like me. He grew up loving music too. Ken was a triple threat- singer, dancer, rapper. It's not a surprise that ShowBT would pick him to be part of the upcoming boy group.

A group of people who had raw talents was molded and honed to become the group that I am part of and I am glad. I am proud that I was with them. We may not be blood-related but these four boys were my brothers now. We had given up so much to be where we are. We were in this together.

I could see Sir Robin and Teacher Hong applauding us after our performance. Sir Robin gave us a thumbs-up sign. I just hoped that they'd launch us soon. It has been hard earning nothing from training, not being able to help my mom with the bills.