Making of an Idol (1): The Auditions

Kang Semin was nervously looking at the old woman in front of her. She looked as if she was in a trance. The apothecary shop was quite comforting. A sweet smell of spices engulfed Semin, calming her nerves. When her friend, Sunyoung, suggested her to visit this shaman, Semin had rebuffed her. How can anybody possibly believe in such nonsense during this era? 

But Sunyoung was suffering from severe depression due to bullying and even tried to take her own life. However, one day the school bully disappeared without a trace. The police were looking for him because he was involved in drugs. Sunyoung privately revealed to her that she had requested this shaman to place a curse on that bully. He was apparently 'burning in agony' somewhere. 

Semin was skeptical but decided to give it a try. After all, she was not going to curse anyone. 

Upon entering the shop, she came face to face with the old shaman draped in a worn out red shawl. 

"Ahjumma…" she coaxed. "Do you see anything?" 

Cherry scrunched her nose in irritation. Her eyes were closed as she tried to see the fate of this girl. 

Her mind's vision was clouded. She caught glimpses of Semin being adored by the crowd. They were cheering for her, hooting at her. She will be successful. 

Yet…yet there was something blocking her from seeing further. Amidst the cheers and praises, there was a sinister presence lurking around. She could not see it. But it was there. 

Cherry opened her eyes. Semin tried to read her expressions but the old woman maintained a poker face. 

"You will be successful," Cherry stated in a hollow tone. She took a yellow paper and picked up a brush. Semin looked on in confusion as the old woman drew strange symbols on the paper. Cherry wrapped some tea leaves in it and handed the paper to her. 

"Always keep this with you," she instructed. "No matter what happens, do not take it off. This will protect you." 

"Is it a good luck charm?" Semin asked. 

"Of sorts," Cherry replied in a cryptic tone. "Do not separate from it. You will need it for the coming days." 

Semin was unsure but did as she was told. She tied it to her school bag. For some reason, there was a strange assurance coming from the old shaman. 

She took out some money and put it in the shaman's hands. 

"Ahjumma, please pray that I pass the audition!" she begged. "I really want to become an idol!" 

Cherry frowned. She never understood the craze among teenagers to become idols. The girl sitting in front of her was barely fifteen. She came into the shop wearing her school uniform. She was a tall and shapely girl with brown curls and a small, oval face. No doubt she will be catching the attention of fans. 

"Is it that important for you to pass the auditions?" Cherry asked curiously. 

"Yes!" Semin said at once. "I want to become a singer badly." 

She looked down at her entangled fingers. "To be honest, I'm not so good at studying," she admitted. "No matter how much I study, I can't seem to get good grades. My grandmother is worried about me. She works really hard to earn money for my education. Yet, I can't do well." 

A tear formed in her eye but she quickly rubbed it off and gave a bright smile. 

"But I love to sing!" she exclaimed. "It's my passion and the only thing I'm good at. I want to be the very best idol and make my grandmother proud!" 

Cherry could feel the girl's earnestness. She truly was determined. 

"Good luck," Cherry said. 

"Thanks!" the girl smiled. "If I make it through, I'll send you lots of delicious sweet rice cakes! My grandmother makes the best rice cakes." 

Now Cherry really wished the girl passed the auditions. For the sake of sweet rice cakes. 

…. 

Jinhyun yawned as he stretched his body. He had been taking auditions for the past two weeks. It was a tiring process to see hundreds of contestants everyday. While there were some truly talented people, some of them were plain tone deaf or had awkward dance moves. There were even instances when the contestants came in only to take selfies with him. 

His normally affable mood was now irritated. He was hungry and tired yet there was no end to this. 

"I really should have taken in some celebrity judges," he lamented in frustration. 

He could have easily convinced some of his friends at the industry to help him at the auditions but his need to do everything on his own was strong. Hence, he was stuck to judge the entire audition process all by himself. 

Thankfully, it was the last day for auditions and there were just two contestants left. 

"Next contestant!" he shouted. 

Semin entered the room carrying a guitar and a bag on her shoulder. She stood there, confidently looking at him with bright eyes. 

"Hello sir!" she said, putting her bag down. "I am Kang Semin. Fifteen years old. I live in Incheon with my grandmother and am currently in ninth standard." 

"Hi Semin," Jinhyun smiled at her. "What will you sing for us today?" 

"My own song," she replied. Jinhyun's interest piqued at those words.

"Show me what you got, Kang," he said. 

She positioned the guitar in her hands and began to sing. 

"In the darkness of the sky

I see an angel dancing 

Bright and shining

As the rains fall

I search for that angel

His retreating back

I reach out to him

But he dances away

The memory of his dance

Carves into my mind

Like a painting on a canvas

In the darkness of the sky

I see an angel dancing 

Bright and shining

The dance that never stops

As the stars appear

I search for that angel

I reach out to him

But he keeps on dancing away

Far away… "

Jinhyun was staring at her in awe. The girl had an unique voice. Her tunes were a little off but no doubt she had hidden talents. By polishing the song a little and touching up her tuning, she could become a big star. 

"You have some hidden potential," he complimented. His words made Semin hopeful. 

"Congrats," he smiled. "You're in!" 

Semin yelped in joy. "Thank you!" she said gratefully. "Thank you so much sir! I'll work hard!" 

She happily exited the room. Jinhyun sighed. With her bright personality and talent, the girl might actually win the competition. 

He checked the list in front of him. One more contestant. 

"Next!" he shouted. He was scribbling notes on Semi's application when a soft voice called out to him. He looked up. 

"Introduce yourself," he said. 

"Hello," the girl bowed. "My name is Sung Yoona. I am twenty two years old."