2009. Busan.
Kim Seo-jun closed his apartment door and was on his way to school. He was born in Busan and lived in Busan till now. But to be honest, he didn't want to stay in Busan. After his parent's death, he doesn't want to live here. The neighbors gaze, pitiful or mocking, always on him. He doesn't like it. He wants to pursue his dream for music and wants to make music his career.
He wanted to try out his luck for entertainment companies, hoping to become a trainee. But fear engulfed him. He was after all, just 14 year old. To move from Busan to Seoul, without any backing- made him afraid. He laughed at himself in frustration. He hated himself for being afraid. Whereas 14-15 year old trainees were debuting as idols, facing countless gazes from people. He, a 14 year old, was afraid to even take the step. He tried his luck on an open talent interview of DSP Media and got rejected. It wasn't that he lacked talent or he wasn't good-looking enough. It was because of lacking in connection. The trainees selected from these open interview session's was largely selected because of Bribe. Seo-jun, for the second time, saw the darkness of the world. A boy who couldn't even move his limbs and danced like a robot was selected. He thought maybe he was selected because of vocal or creative talent. But, the boy had nothing yet got selected by DSP whereas he was rejected because he didn't pay any money.
He kicked a pebble, lying on the road as if, to pour all his rage on it.
"Annyeonghaseyo. I'm Park Seung-min from JYP. Are you interested in becoming a trainee?"- Seo-jun annoyedly looked towards the voice coming from the side of the road. The man wore a silver colored suit. He had short hair and glasses on his eyes.
"Ah-jussi. Do you really think I'm dumb? As if, talent scouts will roam here and there. If you want me to believe you, at least show a visiting card. Jinjia!" Seo-jun snapped at the talent scout. He was already annoyed because of the rejected talent interview. Now, a talent scout tries to scam him.
"No. I'm sorry. I didn't think properly. Here is my visiting card. As you can, I'm from JYP. I think you will be a valuable addition in our company." Park Seung-min calmly showed his visiting card to Seo-jun.
"Woah! I'm sorry, ah-jussi. I didn't mean to snap at you. I just have lot of things going on my mind. I'm really really sorry. As for being a trainee, actually I would love to be a trainee. However, you see, I am an orphan. I have been living alone for 3 years now. So, I don't have a guardian." Kim Seo-jun calmly told Park Seung-min his lifestory. From the reason of his parent's death to his love for music and his failed talent interview, he shared everything.
Park Seung-min was saddened to hear his story. He knew that even if Seo-jun became a trainee, he didn't get a debut guarantee. He had to prove his talents, undergo a trainee life. Learn etiquette, hone his skills and everything a trainee goes through.
"Let me talk to my boss Park Jin- young. I'll let him know about you. But, Seo-jun-ssi, you might need to come to JYP to showcase your talent to him. If everything goes alright, you will sign a trainee contract. As for costs of training, you will receive generous allowances if you can impress my boss. Other trainees incur this cost of training and later on, when they debut, it is deducted from their salary. A simple advice, if you can impress my boss, he will take good care of you. Here is my phone number. If you want to sign up with JYP, please let me know tonight."
Seo-jun nodded slowly. He knew if he passed the interview, the entertainment company will arrange his school documents and take care of everything. To be honest, he wanted to sell this house but he couldn't bring himself to it. Maybe if he gets selected, he will rent it out.
Park Seung-min calmly watched Kim Seo-jun walking back to his school.
"Sigh. Children who are left alone, matures early."- he muttered slowly and pulled out his phone to contact Park Jin- young.
"Beep Beep"
The call was answered. Without waiting for the other side, Seung-min started talking, "Annyeonghaseyo, Jin-young-hyung. I'm in Busan. I think I have found e gold. I want to bring him to JYP. Is it okay?"
That is how much friendly Park Jin-young is to his employees or artists. He is like a family member unlike other bosses of other entertainment companies. Yes, he gets angry when it comes to failed production of songs or other times of wrong choreography. But, deep down, he is truly kind.
"Sigh. Okay, tell me all about him. If he is truly good as you say, we will sign him."
Voice of Park Jin- young came from the phone. He was busy with Wonder Girls in this time. He wanted to expand Wonder Girls into USA. He was wracking his head off, thinking of ways to expand. Now, he has to think about a trainee?
Park Seung-min, oblivious to the tiring voice, stated all he knew about Seo-jun from his conversation with him.
*Silence*
Park Jin-young felt pity for Seo-jun. He didn't know if he truly possessed good musical talents. But, he knew that Seo-jun had amazing vocal quality from Seung-min. Most importantly, he looked handsome. He knew that to counter SM entertainment, they need something otherworldly. 2pm debuted in 2008. Yet, they couldn't counter TVXQ, Super Junior or SHINee. Yes, 2pm was popular in south korea and may even be more popular than SHINee. But, in comparison to TVXQ, Super Juniors or BIG BANG, 2pm won't even hold a candle. He needed a change. He needed a new RAIN (Jung Ji-hoon). His dream of going international will never stop.
He truly felt pity for Seo-jun's life story. But, that was it. Debt and committing suicide is common in South Korea.
"If he gives you a call tonight, bring him tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I will be in South Korea for now. If possible, roam around his school or neighborhood. Try to see if you can find anything. If he is a prodigy, I may even grant him a solo debut." Park Jin-young's voice came from the phone.
Park Seung-min knew his boss was interested. After all, in JYP, there are no other artists except rain.
"Okay. I'm off then hyung."- with that, Park Seung-min went to Seo-jun's school. The music teacher was his childhood friend. So, getting information about Seo-jun regarding music wasn't that much difficult. The music teacher knew how much Seo-jun loved music and he wanted Seo-jun to shine on stage. So, he didn't hold back in his data. He even offered him to visit his music room albeit in disguise. Seung-min readily agreed. That was the time, seung-min knew how good Seo-jun was with musical instruments. He knew he caught a true gold.
Later, at night, Seo-jun made up his mind of being a trainee. If he was accepted, he would move to Seoul. Maybe he will rent this house with the help of JYP or sell it. He needed money to survive after all. His parent's savings were not enough. With that in mind, he gave a call to Park Seung-min, "Ah-jussi. I have decided to participate in the interview of JYP."
Seung-min was delighted. He readily responded, "We can go tomorrow if you want. You can come with me or to be safe, you can even ask your music teacher to come with you. She is a friend of mine. Haha, I will ask him to come with you tomorrow."
Seo-jun smiled subconsciously and agreed.
Seoul.
Park Seung-min calmly parked the car in JYP parking lot. Seung-min and Seo-jun got out of the car. The music teacher couldn't come to JYP because of his school work. Even though Seung-min grumbled a bit regarding this, Seo-jun calmly accepted the situation. It was simple. Seo-jun never truly cared about anything. Losing his parents, what's the worst thing can happen to him? Getting sold? Killed? Maybe, that would be better. The only thing that kept him going on was music. He was well versed in language. He could speak Japanese and English very well. When his parents died, he wrote a Japanese song "Lemon". Although he wrote this song, he couldn't compose or arrange it. Because he never learned how to do those. Today, he would sing this Japanese song. With his strong vocal, it should be no problem. He also brought his guitar. There were two reasons behind singing his own song. Firstly, he wanted to showcase his creative talent and secondly, he wanted to debut early. Maybe, Park Jin-young could compose and produce this song. As for why he sang a Japanese song? Seo-jun truly believed sad Japanese songs could bring a heart-clenching pain. He loved to sing songs in Japanese. It gave him peace in turbulent times.
Seo-jun walked with Seung-min for a while and reached interview room where Park Jin-hyung calmly sat. Alongside him, there were members of 2PM and Wonder Girls. He was guiding them. Instantly, Seo-jun knew, Park Jin-young was testing him. Normal trainees would get flustered and deliver a subpar performance.
Yes, Seo-jun couldn't handle pitiful gazes. But in Seoul, no one knew him. He felt free. He was confident because of his music skills and so, the 14 year old boy, gradually entered.
"Annyeonghaseyo. I am Kim Seo-jun." He introducted himself.