The next day,
Seo-jun had his mission for today. He had to visit his trainee director who will guide him until he debuts. He has decided to not tell a single soul about the so called "Idol System". I mean, it can't even be seen by others. So, if he tries to tell somebody, they might rebuke him and say he has gone mental.
The front entrance of the company was swarming with girl fans. They were obviously the fans of 2pm. In South Korea, female k-pop fans are more crazy than male fans. Yet, each side spend similar amount of money.
He jostled his way into the company after a lol of effort. Thankfully, he wore a mask otherwise, who knows if a crazy female fan might remember him and tarnish his reputation later on. He greeted the security guard and made his way to the trainee director's office.
Meanwhile, some female fans obviously noticed him. "Hey hey hey, did you notice that guy who just brushed past us? He was wearing a mask. Is he a trainee?" One of them started talking. "It looks like it. He seems good looking though only his eyes are visible. I only looked at his hairstyle though."
Another one chimed in. "So, did you like it?" "No. Only Taecyeon oppa is in my heart." Although the girl peacefully added the sentence, her mind was still considering Seo-jun. She was mesmerized by how his hair fell so naturally, soft layers framed his face, slightly messy in a way that made him look cute. A few strands slipped over his forehead, brushing just close enough to his eyes to make her want to reach out and move them aside… but also not, because it suited him perfectly. The way it parted somewhere between the middle that made everything feel softer. Even the sides were neat. And his eyebrows, they were clean, slightly defined, sitting under that tousled fringe like they were part of the same quiet charm. His eyes looked even deeper because of his hair.
'Well, I will recognize you if you debut.' The crazy female fan though to herself.
'Achoo!' Seo-jun sneezed twice. 'Did I catch a cold? It must have been the weather.' He didn't know he already had a potential admirer.
He knocked on the door of the trainee director and before he could even introduce himself, the trainee director started measuring him from side to side.
"Hmm, no wonder Jin-young oppa likes you so much. I am Shin Yun-hee, trainee director of JYP."
She introduced herself and extended her hand for a handshake.
Seo-jun shaked her hand and let go immediately. "Annyeonghaseyo. I am Kim Seo-jun, the new trainee. I was told to you meet you today."
She watched him with a smile, "Yeah. Jin-young oppa told me about you. He said you are a prodigy and a debut candidate. Apparently, the only thing you possible suck at is dancing. Don't worry, mi-hee unnie will teach you just fine. As for etiquette and public behavior, seok-woo-ssi will teach you."
Seo-jun nodded calmly and asked her a question, "I was told I will learn composing and arranging by someone. So, who will I learn from?"
Hearing that, Yun-hee flashed a smile. "You and Bae Suzy are the darling child of JYP now. Both of you are strong debut candidate. Jin-young oppa said that he will teach you composing and arranging personally although it might take a while to get started. After all, Wonder Girls are trying to expand into America you know. You might still have some time for your lessons before he gets busy."
"Arasso... looks like I have to disturb Jin-young hyung a lot then. Is there anything left that I should know about?" Seo-jun stated casually. He didn't think much of it after all due to the system, he already had beginner composing and arranging skills. Even if he starts later, it won't be that much difficult. He was curious what he might get as reward for his future debut.
Seeing him being so casual, Yun-hee took his hand and led him to the acting room. She smirked when he got flustered. She knew he had never learned how to act.
"Jin-young oppa wants you to learn acting as well. Suzy and you will be taught together. Once you debut, the company will find proper scripts for you. Hopefully, you will learn something. One advice don't fall in love. Even if you do, make sure you leave no loose ends once you debut. Always, remember you are a debut candidate."
Seo-jun slowly nodded and entered into the acting room. The air in the mid size acting room is thick with the scent of floor wax. Mirrors line the walls, reflecting the harsh fluorescent glare. He looked forward and found out a cute yet goofy girl was already sitting there waiting for the instructor maybe.
"Annyeonghaseyo, I'm Kim Seo-jun, the new trainee. Nice to meet you." Seo-jun introduced himself while looking at her closely.
She looked like a 15 or 16 year old girl, still carrying a little bit of "baby fat" in her cheeks, her long, straight black hair pinned back haphazardly with a butterfly plastic clip. She's wearing an oversized grey hoodie and black leggings, like a high schooler who stayed up too late studying.
She bowed a bit and introduced herself, "Annyeonghaseyo. I am Bae suzy. I'm also a new trainee." When she finished her introduction, she showed a idiotic smile. It was idiotic but at the same time. It made her cute and charming, it felt like butterfly surrounded her.
"Jin-young hyung told me I'm supposed to be the youngest now. So, I guess you are older than me." Seo-jun added while looking at her large and slightly rounded dark brown eyes.
She smiled and her eyes crinkled into those familiar crescent moons, "I was born in 1994. What about you?"
Seo-jun smiled, "I was born in 1995. So, should I call you Noona?"
Suzy gave a bright smile and sat down on the chair again while pointing another one to him. "You should. I don't mind."
Seo-jun nodded and just as he sat down, the acting instructor walked in. Both Suzy and Seo-jun stood up again and bowed towards him.
"Annyeonghaseyo. I am Kim Bok-su. I will be your acting teacher for quite some time. No need to introduce yourselves. Park Jin-young-ssi have already notified me about you two. I hope we will have lessons from now on."
Both Suzy and Seo-jun confidently said yes.
"There are somethings that you should know about. Emotion isn't something you show rather it's something you let happen. Practice will get you far, that's true. But, finding the correct emotions at the right time, improvising the scenario in your own point of view are important among many other things." They nodded firmly.
"Exercise one. Relax your shoulders and maintain eye contact with each other."
Seo-jun froze.
"Just look at each other?"
"Yes."
That was it.
No lines. No character.
Just- look.
He looked towards her and she did the same. He saw how her eyes didn't flicker away, didn't show awkwardness. In place of that cute smile earlier, there was a confident and polite smile.
Suzy also stared at him. Her brown eyes was scanning his face. From hair to eyes, nose and lips, she found him pretty. They were both teenagers, just in their own world.
"Good," the instructor said. "Now speak."
Seo-jun blinked. "Say what?"
"Anything." He added.
Seo-jun nodded and asked her, "Do you feel nervous?"
"No." Suzy smilingly said. "And you? Are you nervous?"
"No."
"Why?" she asked.
Seo-jun hesitated… then answered honestly, "Because you're not."
Her smile faltered a little. Seo-jun looked at her eyes. Maybe, acting was interesting after all.
The instructor then created several other scenarios to showcase and find out their emotions. They obliged.
They practiced for an hour or two. Once it was time, Suzy asked for Seo-jun's contract information. Seo-jun took her phone and added his number. She was a ball of joy. Seo-jun watched him hopping over in a cute way to the vocal room while he went towards the dance room for another training session.
His eyes were roaming around the system panel. He noticed the numbers for fame and acting had changed.
[Idol System]
[Name: Kim Seo-jun]
Charm: 55 (Appearance 7, Figure 6, Voice 8, Temperament 6, Experience 5, Communication 8, Confidence 7, Knowledge 6, Wealth 1, Fame 1)]
[Professional skills:
(Singing: 75, Dancing: 30, Acting: 42 , Songwriting: 47)
He was satisfied and slowly pushed open the dance practice room door.