Tac, tac, tac
The sound of my shoes hitting the pavement echoed as I moved through the city of Seoul, on my way to the audition. I focused on the music in my ears. The temperature was pleasant, the cherry blossoms were in bloom, and I truly felt like I was in a dream. I wish I could have visited this city with my sister.
I arrived two days ago. It took a day for my body to adjust to the jet lag. Yesterday, I finally had the strength to go out, buy groceries, and see a bit of the city. I didn't forget to contact my family and friends to let them know I had reached my destination safely. The moment I stepped into the apartment I'm renting, I called my parents. This isn't the first time I've traveled abroad, but it's the first time I've done it completely alone. It's both terrifying and exhilarating to do something like this by myself.
Suddenly, as I was walking peacefully, someone bumped into me, and I nearly hit the ground. Luckily, the person quickly caught me and helped steady me. Am I in a K-drama? I wondered for a split second before getting back on my feet.
_ S-sorry.
The young man who bumped into me said in a trembling voice, speaking English.
_ It's okay. I replied. I'm not hurt.
I think he tried to say more, but he cut himself off, as if searching for the words. After a few seconds, nothing came out. He grew frustrated and started swearing in Thai.
_Damn it, I'm such an idiot, I forgot everything P'Darwin taught me. What am I going to do? I shouldn't have come here. He began to panic.
_ Excuse me, do you need help? I asked him in Thai.
_ Yes, I'm lost, I don't know where I am and the stupid GPS isn't helping at all. He replied automatically. Wait, you speak Thai?!! I'm so happy! I didn't think I'd meet anyone who spoke my language here! He smiled, looking me straight in the eyes for the first time since our interaction began.
I have never been struck by someone's beauty like that, except for my sister's of course. Standing before me was a tall, handsome young man with black hair and the most vivid blue eyes I had ever seen in my life. Are those contacts? I wondered, before being snapped out of my daydream by the person in front of me.
_ Hey, can you hear me? Do you really speak Thai?
_ Yes, I hear you. What are you looking for?
_ I need to get to this address to participate in an audition, but I don't know how. Do you know where it is? He asked, showing me the address on his phone.
_ What a coincidence! That's exactly where I'm going.
_ Really?! You're participating in Stardom too? Nice to meet you, I'm Cat, 17 years old. And you?
_ My name is Anael, 19. Nice to meet you. You can speak to me comfortably.
_ You're older than me, so can I call you P'Anael?
_ Yes, you can do that. So, you came from Thailand specifically for The Clash?
_ Yes, I begged my parents to come here. But I'm starting to regret my choice.
He pouted and furrowed his brows; he looked like a sad puppy abandoned by its owner.
_ I should have asked my older brother to come with me to the audition, instead of letting him sleep.
_ It'll be fine, just watch where you're going next time and you should be okay. But how are you going to handle the audition? You don't seem to be doing well with English. Do you speak Korean?
_ I speak neither English nor Korean. He said despondently. But I practiced hard with my brother. How to introduce myself and how to answer certain questions.
He regained a bit of life while saying that last sentence. He's really cute. He looks like a puppy. All his emotions are written on his face. I want to ruffle his hair. His name might be Cat, but his first impression is that of a pup.
_ If it can help, I can practice with you.
_ Really?! You're the best, P'Anael! He said, hopping with joy.
For the rest of the trip, we began practicing his English, since the competition will mostly be in English. We also took the opportunity to talk about our lives. I learned that he is the youngest of a family of three boys. He's been a fan of music and anime since he was little. He doesn't speak English, but he speaks Japanese. All in all, he is a very vibrant person, a bit cheeky at times. I don't know him well enough yet, but I sense he has some wit. And he knows how to be cute, he's truly adorable with those blue eyes. By the way, he told me they were real and that it was due to a genetic mutation.
When you walk with someone pleasant, time truly flies. We soon arrived at the filming location for Phase 1. It was a baseball stadium set up somewhat like a concert venue. There was a crowd of people outside. I didn't know if they were candidates or members of the public. It reminded me of when we used to go to my sister's competitions. I exhaled softly to push those thoughts away. This is not the time to think about that. I need to keep my head in the game.
Cat and I headed to the information desk. The staff member showed us where the candidates should go to register and wait for Phase 1. Once inside the building, we immediately felt the change in atmosphere. Cameras everywhere, tense candidates all around us. Staff from JYPE and Mnet running everywhere to prepare the set before the show begins. For this project, JYPE collaborated with Mnet to ensure good broadcasting of the episodes in South Korea. However, the international broadcasting rights have been sold to various TV channels around the world. They are truly determined to spread this show to every corner of the globe.
I approached the reception with Cat following closely behind me like a duckling.
_Hello, we're here for Phase 1 of the show. I said in English.
_ Names?
_ Anael Khumalo and...?I said, turning to Cat. Your full name?
_ Cat Boonmee Sakchai Kamdee. He replied.
_ Okay. Here are your numbers. Fill out this form. Someone will collect it at the end when it's your turn. You can wait in the holding room.
_ Alright, thank you. I said, bowing slightly.
I took the two forms and pulled Cat toward the waiting room. When we entered the massive room, more than fifty people of all ethnicities were present, waiting. There was a large buffet on the side, filled with food. However, none of the candidates made a move to serve themselves. Some participants were sitting on chairs, some were standing doing nothing, and others were pacing the room. The only striking peculiarity was that the room had divided in two. I don't know if it was done intentionally by the show or if the participants had done it unconsciously, but the girls were all positioned on one side of the room and the boys on the other.
_ Are we supposed to separate? Cat asked, grabbing my bag.
_ I don't know. Wait here, I'll go ask the staff.
Without giving him time to respond, I headed toward an employee on the side of the room. I asked what I wanted to know in English.
_ Excuse me. Do you know if we can sit anywhere we want or if there's a predefined order?
_ I don't s-speak English .The employee replied with difficulty.
_ Do you know if we can sit wherever we want? I asked again in Korean.
_ Oh, yes. You can sit anywhere as long as you stay in the room. It's really just a coincidence that the girls and boys are separated.
_ Perfect, thank you. I acknowledged, bowing slightly.
I quickly returned to Cat to tell him the good news.
_ We can sit together. There's no order to follow.
_ Cool! I want to sit in the middle. He said decisively.
I don't know if it's because he's just too cute with his excited look, but at that moment, I wanted to pinch his cheeks.
_ That's perfect for me.
We finally sat on seats in the middle of the room and began filling out the forms provided by the staff. Just basic questions about us in general: our names, ages, nationalities, ethnicity, allergies, dreams, fears, goals, etc. Time passed, and the room gradually filled up until everyone was present. It was finally the long-awaited moment. Phase 1 of the show Stardom: The Clash begins now.
___
References:
_ JYPE: JYP Entertainment, a multinational entertainment company founded by Park Jin Young in 1997.
_ Mnet: (Music Network) is a South Korean music television channel launched on January 24, 1994. It is owned by CJ Group.
_The inspiration for this chapter is drawn in part from the song Secret by Louane, which you can listen to while reading if you wish.
Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day.