Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Audition
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“What?! You're auditioning?”
Park Ji-hye cried out, her eyes wide open.
I wondered if it was really that shocking. Good thing there weren't many people around.
“You had zero interest when I told you to try it. Where? BlueNMI?”
“Ji-hye, lower your voice a bit.”
“Oh… sorry.”
Only then did she realize how loud she'd been and covered her mouth, stepping closer.
“But why the sudden decision to audition?”
“Well…”
I couldn't exactly say it was because of the application fee and the possible acceptance bonus. That would make me sound way too mercenary.
“Just… seeing you like this sparked a bit of interest in me too.”
“Huh? Me?”
“It seems amazing that a pretty girl like you is working so hard to become an idol. It's kind of admirable.”
Ji-hye's eyes trembled faintly.
She took a step back and cleared her throat awkwardly a few times.
“Well then, Sarang.”
After a brief pause, she continued.
“How about joining my agency? It'll be way better than BlueNMI!”
From what I'd dug up online, BlueNMI Entertainment wasn't that big. It was a stretch to call it a major agency—more like mid-tier at best.
Still, it had a reputation for producing a group with a solid fandom. People said it was small but capable.
“Um… Ji-hye, does your company give anything to audition applicants?”
“Huh?”
She looked at me, puzzled.
When I explained, she thought for a moment and tilted her head.
“Not that I know of?”
Figured as much.
I wasn't an expert on the idol industry, but no way were they handing out money just for showing up to an audition.
What a materialistic world this is.
There had to be plenty of people like me, applying just for the cash grab.
“Sarang, apply to my company, okay? Please?”
She leaned in slightly, her eyes sparkling.
“I'll think about it. Right now, I'm just casually looking into it.”
“Really? Promise?”
“Yeah. I want to be with you too.”
“Hehe—”
Ji-hye beamed visibly at my words. Seeing her like that tugged at my heart a little.
Truth was, I had no intention of actually checking it out.
“Anyway, Ji-hye. Can you watch me once? I've practiced a bit for the audition.”
I wasn't planning to just take the free money without any effort.
At least on the surface, I should show some sincerity. Of course, my "practice" was just ten minutes in front of the bathroom mirror at home.
Still, by my standards, that counted as preparation. Not like I went in blind.
“Oh? Really? Show me! I wanna see.”
Luckily, Ji-hye was game. As a trainee idol, she could give basic advice.
After school, in the empty classroom with the sun setting long shadows across the desks.
Just the two of us. I stood in front of her.
What I was about to show was dance.
Nothing fancy, of course. In my past life, I'd performed at a talent show. Got teased plenty for being tone-deaf with my body back then.
I planned to recreate that performance.
You never know. This reincarnated body might be different. A woman's body should be more flexible than my old stiff one, right?
“Here goes.”
No phone, so I borrowed hers to search and play a song.
“...Wait, is this…?”
She recognized it right away. No surprise. Even though time had passed, it was once a nationwide hit.
“Sarang, you listen to old songs too?”
Old song, huh.
Even a chart-topper can't stop time.
Anyway, time to show it. My past life's "dance" captured perfectly.
I stretched my arms into the starting pose. Ji-hye's eyes widened noticeably.
“Wow…”
Positive reaction so far.
But it didn't last.
“...Uh.”
As the music played on, her eyes started shaking.
“Uh, um…”
She began averting her gaze. That said it all. No need for feedback.
Reincarnation doesn't fix a bad sense of rhythm. Damn.
The choreography ended, and silence hung between us.
The music from her phone only made it more awkward.
“S-singing?! Did you prepare singing too?”
She jumped in hastily. Total deflection.
Still, she kept smiling, trying to lighten the mood.
Pretty face, kind heart.
You have to debut. I'll cheer for you.
“It's fine. You don't need to hear the singing.”
Unlike dance, I had some confidence in singing. In my past life, no one ever called me bad at it. I could hold my own without torturing ears.
Should cover the basics for an audition.
At least I learned never to dance again.
“G-good luck! Sarang!”
She clenched her small fists and shook them at me. Her genuine cheer made me fist-pump unconsciously.
“Yeah, fighting.”
It's okay, Ji-hye.
You can tell me straight if you think I'll fail the audition.
I think the same.
Unlike what applicants expect, idol auditions are surprisingly low-key. Especially at mid-tier agencies.
A cleanly painted white room. Large mirrors covered the walls.
This was a practice room in BlueNMI Entertainment's building—the audition venue today.
The "building" was just five floors including the basement. Not shabby, though.
By industry standards for its size, it was doing well. Others scraped by renting split floors.
Not quite mid-major, not purely small either. BlueNMI sat somewhere in between.
“Haa…”
CEO Oh Seo-hee let out a deep sigh.
“So? Why are you here, Su-rin?”
Her gaze fell on a woman with neatly draped brown curly hair.
Smooth skin, balanced figure—clearly well-maintained.
Mimix, one of BlueNMI's few successes. Lee Su-rin, their sub-vocalist.
Not a massive hit, though. Solid fandom at best.
B-grade, maybe.
“Casting Manager Park mentioned someone promising. No schedule today, so I dropped by.”
Of course, Park got permission.
Oh Seo-hee's sharp eyes turned to Park Sung-chul. He shrugged innocently.
No issue, really. An active idol's eyes would help here.
Knowing that, she just sighed without protest.
Originally four judges: CEO Oh Seo-hee, Manager Park Sung-chul, vocal trainer, producer. Now five with Su-rin.
“How many applicants?”
The vocal trainer spoke first. Park answered.
“Sixty total. Fifteen passed online prelims.”
These days, most auditions start online.
Videos for first cut. No potential? Cut there.
Cold, but saves time.
“Still, more than expected. No prior hype either.”
The trainer hinted at the sudden announcement. Park didn't flinch, just smiled leisurely.
“Talent scouting's our top priority now. Keep trying till it works.”
“...Alright, let's see them.”
As talk wrapped, Oh Seo-hee glanced at the door. Eye contact with the waiting staff.
“Send them in.”
“Yes.”
Fifteen prelim passers. First one entered—a ponytail girl.
Cute overall vibe over sharp features. Classroom age, not stage-ready.
She followed the tape to center, took a breath, and bowed deeply.
“H-hello!”
Tension laced her voice.
“No need to be so nervous. Just name and age, please?”
Oh Seo-hee smiled softly to ease her.
“Y-yes! Seventeen, Park Min-ji!”
“Okay, Min-ji. Enjoying school?”
“Y-yes! It's fun.”
“Thought so. You're pretty—must be popular.”
“N-no, not really…”
She waved it off, blushing hard.
“Nah, you should have confidence.”
“R-really? Th-thank you…”
The panel smiled at the cute girl. Warm vibes filled the room.
But beneath it, ruthless judging hid.
“Min-ji, makeup?”
“Y-yes… Guidelines said base okay. Just basics.”
Oh Seo-hee's eyes scanned her face.
Minimal—just even tone. Passable.
So many ignore guidelines with full glam. Instant fail.
“Let's start. Song and dance prepared?”
“Y-yes!”
“Backing track ready?”
“Yes!”
“Say when.”
Speakers boomed soon. Heavy bass filled the air.
Dong—dong—
Like the nervous girl's heartbeat—steady, intense.
The audition began.