Audition

Audition.

It can be described as a recruitment test that determines talent in the music and entertainment industries.

The process where countless boys and girls dreaming of a future in K-pop knock on the doors of agencies to entrust their fate.

As JYC Entertainment is one of the top agencies in Korea, it could be said that obtaining intermediate results or final results was much more difficult.

In the first round, they filter out more than half through an online application process, and in the second round, they leave only a small number through on-site auditions.

Not all who pass the second on-site audition become trainees.

They go through a final third interview process and thoroughly check the applicant’s family background and upbringing to see if there are any potential sparks that could cause “accidents” or major problems for the company later.

Only a very small number who pass all those processes can become trainees of the major agency JYC Entertainment.

Of course, becoming a trainee doesn’t mean immediately becoming a star.

A grueling period of at least 3 to 5 years, or even up to 7 years.

Even within the trainees, they must go through fierce competition and constant internal tests aiming for the debut group.

Then the debut group? Is everything over once you reach that far?

That’s not the case either.

There are numerous cases of people dropping out due to various issues even after making it to the debut group.

Until the official debut, you must constantly be on guard and careful like a senior sergeant.

And finally achieving debut!

The valuable business card named idol.

But even that is not the end.

The majority of idol groups that debut each year disappear without even gaining momentary popularity.

Of course, with the planning ability and push of a major agency like JYC Entertainment, it was clear they could start from an overwhelmingly advantageous position in the idol market.

But that doesn’t guarantee 100% success.

There are clearly failed groups even from JYC Entertainment.

“Alright, that’s enough. Please turn off the music.”

“Ah……”

“Thank you for your effort.”

“Yes.”

Producer Bae Ilman was especially merciless today.

The applicant dropped their head powerlessly at the cold voice.

Only about 30 seconds had passed since the music started.

Shouldn’t they watch for at least a minute?

Using other judges’ complaints as a weapon, Lee Jina, the head of the choreography team, hinted indirectly to Producer Bae Ilman:

“It seems the producer is in a really bad mood today. Did something happen?”

At Lee Jina’s question, Producer Bae Ilman, as if he had been waiting, frowned and launched into a long speech.

Complaints about how today’s applicants are problematic from their preparation attitude, how they show no passion at all – truly old-fashioned grumbles.

In fact, even without asking, the three judges including Lee Jina knew well why Producer Bae Ilman was in a bad mood.

Was it about 10 days ago?

There was a time when Producer Bae Ilman made a fuss in the messenger chat room where team leaders and above gathered.

Saying he had discovered a truly top star potential.

He boasted that just considering visuals alone, they were on par with decent movie actors, and just watching them walk exuded star quality.

Everyone couldn’t take Producer Bae Ilman’s big talk lightly.

How many outstanding star materials had he discovered so far?

He was the person whose eye for talent was among the best even within JYC Entertainment.

That’s why people were also secretly looking forward to the appearance of the protagonist who excited Producer Bae Ilman, but apparently he hadn’t received a single contact for 10 days since giving his business card.

He was planning to persuade again somehow even if he received a contact expressing rejection, but he was completely stood up.

Producer Bae Ilman had fallen into an extremely low pressure state for the past three days.

“Next!”

“Hello, I’m participant number 72, Oh Youngeun. I’ll do my best.”

Bow-!

Starting with a polite greeting, she says she’ll show her specialty, dance, first.

Lee Jina’s eyes sparkled for a moment as the head of the choreography team.

But she frowns at the slightly off-beat start from the first beat.

There’s no way Producer Bae Ilman missed what she saw.

As nothing particularly eye-catching happened after that and it flowed calmly, Producer Bae Ilman quietly raised his right hand.

The music stopped and the participant’s expression darkened.

“Thank you for your effort.”

“Th-Thank you.”

She tried to maintain composure until the end, but tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away.

Lee Jina sighed secretly.

They say there’s nothing easy in this world, and even in a position of power, her heart was not at ease.

“Is it about lunchtime?”

“Hmm, it’s already 11:50. Should we stop after this person?”

“I heard there are a total of 278 audition applicants today, so we should see a few more before lunch.”

“…… Then should we see about 2 more?”

At Producer Bae Ilman’s suggestion, everyone nodded and participant number 73 came in.

This time too, they failed to show any looks or strengths that would catch the judges’ eyes.

Just an average level.

This level certainly cannot survive in the harsh world of survival of the fittest.

Once again, the song is interrupted.

A sense of sadness is felt from the participant’s gloomy, bowed head as they turn away.

“Next, come in.”

Let’s finish quickly and eat lunch.

Such emotions were clearly evident in Producer Bae Ilman’s voice.

The judges’ eyes, which were looking down checking this participant’s application, all widened at once.

And they exchanged glances with each other.

“Ahaha, this participant used too much photoshop.”

“If it’s exposed on site, it’ll be a minus instead.”

The judges’ conversation trying to lighten the moment of surprise with jokes.

And unlike them, Producer Bae Ilman couldn’t take his eyes off the applicant’s photo.

Soon, a clear voice that refreshingly washed the judges’ ears was heard.

“Hello, I’m participant number 74, Lee Hani. I’ll do my best.”

Bow-!

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

“……!”

The inside of the audition room was enveloped in shock.

---

‘What? What’s with this atmosphere now……’

I stated my participant number and greeted politely.

But the reactions of the four judges were strange.

Starting from the man on the far left who couldn’t close his widely opened mouth, to the dazed expression of the woman next to him.

I was hesitating whether to start right away in the awkward atmosphere when suddenly the man occupying the main seat stood up abruptly and pointed at me.

“Lucky charm!”

“Excuse me?”

At the sudden words “lucky charm”, I had to check the nameplate saying “Producer Bae Ilman” on the man’s seat again.

Isn’t a producer a very important position?

Especially in a major agency like JYC Entertainment.

If it weren’t for the nameplate, I might have doubted this man’s mental state.

Because he was looking at me with an expression that seemed like he might burst into tears at any moment…

“Ah, lucky charm. Is this applicant the one you mentioned, Producer?”

“Oh! I see why you gave such a nickname. As expected, Producer’s eye for talent is really amazing.”

“……”

What is this? What on earth is going on that only I don’t know about?

The judges start whispering with their heads together.

Could it be that all the applicants before me went through such a strange process too?

If auditions were this bewildering, I should have gotten more tips from Sea who has experience.

Anyway, I don’t know what opinions they exchanged while I was standing blankly, but Producer Bae Ilman who sat down again said:

“The confidence to come directly to the audition without contacting separately… I really highly evaluate that. I really did see people well.”

“Excuse me?”

“Ahaha, I made a mistake again. I understand. We’re seeing each other for the first time here today, and we’re only accurately evaluating skills. Other people should also make that clear to avoid misunderstandings.”

“Yes.”

“Of course.”

“Understood.”

“……”

Could these people have gone crazy as a group?

What do they mean by contacting separately, and assuming we met for the first time today, when did we ever meet… Ah!

Suddenly, a happening from about 10 days ago came to mind.

On my way home after finishing a gathering with friends, I met someone who said he was a producer and offered casting.

At the time, I was dizzy from drinking and had no interest in becoming a celebrity at all, so I just brushed it off and casually received a business card.

I think I even lost that business card somewhere due to the alcohol.

Anyway, if that person is Producer Bae Ilman in front of me, all the puzzles fit together.

But what on earth does “lucky charm” mean, and how should I interpret the other judges’ reactions?

My head was starting to hurt even before beginning.

“Then will you show dance or singing first?”

“…… I’ll start with singing.”

“Good. Very good.”

Is this person always like this?

He has quite a serious impression, but the corners of his mouth are raised so high they don’t come down.

I wonder if he knows that his grinning appearance is leaving quite a “foolish” impression in my mind.

Anyway, apart from the shocking first impression with the judges, the audition began.

I turn around and take a deep breath to not show nervousness.

Then I signaled to the staff prepared to play the music on one side.

The BGM gradually increasing in volume.

Now, let’s see how you evaluate my “singing”.

Your excellencies, the judges of JYC Entertainment.

The song began.