There I was, standing in line at the S.M Entertainment building with my demo CD in hand along with my acoustic guitar strapped across my chest in case it was needed. But I take my guitar with me just about everywhere I go, just because. It’s kind of a habit I can’t quite get rid of. Today was the day that I was hoping to get my shot at becoming a soon to be, well-known singer-songwriter & to hopefully get my music out there into the world. Worldwide. Surrounding me, were other undiscovered artists who I assume were also here to hopefully make it big in the music industry & go after their dreams. I think I’m a pretty good singer. I’ve sung & performed covers of some of my favorite songs at random streetlights, in front of bakeries, libraries, neighborhood talent shows, on the subway, & just about any other random place you can think of where there’s usually a decent amount of people around.

 

Sometimes, the random pedestrians that pass me by while I’m performing or they’re just standing where they are, give me money while I’m playing my guitar & singing. It’s odd but funny in a weird way I guess. I never even have a hat out in front of me or my guitar case open while I’m playing. I just find a random spot to sing & play guitar when I’m out & about. When I post my covers on YouTube or when I’m out, I get compliments on my voice a lot & people always tell me who I remind them of when I sing. It’s nice to know who I remind people of. Checking the time & seeing that it was already 4:45 PM, a guy who looked like he could’ve been an assistant for a famous singer inside, finally came outside & made an announcement to everyone in line. He was a bit on the tall side & he had long hair that was pushed back by his black headband. He was wearing a white collar shirt that had the words “S.M Entertainment” on it in pink, blue jeans, black sneakers, & he had a megaphone in hand.

 

“Thank you all for coming here today! As you all may know, SM Entertainment is looking for new talent & hopefully we will get some of that today from you all. Now, if you’re a solo artist with a demo CD in hand, please come inside with me right now. If you are here for an acting audition, please follow these two assistants standing next to me. Last but not least, if you’re here for a dancing audition, please follow Ms. Kim Hyoyeon who is standing beside me & these two assistants next to me. Good luck with your audition everyone! Have a nice day, & thank you for coming here today!” After the announcement was made, I followed the assistant & the other singers that were in front of me, into a beautiful, large waiting room. In the room, there were awards, photos, & lots of other celebrity memorabilia from S.M’s artists like SNSD, F(x), Exo, TVXQ, & Super Junior. The sight I was seeing itself was a really beautiful thing. The walls were painted white & the sturdy wooden floor was really, really shiny.

 

The furniture was beautiful too, but what surprised me the most was that some of the artists’ favorite things were in here & was covered by a glass box. While me & the other singers were lounging around in the waiting room, the assistant that we had to follow a while ago got everyone to take a seat so that he could make another announcement or two. “So before I get to anything else, I’m going to introduce myself to you all ok?” everyone in the room gave the assistant a nod & a couple of “yeah’s” & “okay’s” were thrown out there. “My name is Minho, & I am one of the assistants who helps out on MV sets, & I also help put together concerts for some of our artists here like Super Junior & Exo. Now, the three judges that are here today will be a lovely group of artists that you may know. Your judges today are Lee Hyori, & our two S.M artists Boa, & Jonghyun.” Adjusting my guitar, I continued listening to assistant Minho. “Now that that’s out of the way… if you hear your name getting called, please bring your demo CD & anything else that you’ve brought with you. Also, help yourself to some refreshments & good luck to everyone!”

 

Once assistant Minho left, I was still trying to take in my surroundings & convince myself that today my dreams would definitely become a reality. Soon, I hope. I watched other aspiring singers mingle with each other while I debated on whether I should go socialize with someone or not. Well, I did. I stood up with my guitar still hanging across my chest & placed my demo CD into the front Velcro pocket on my guitar bag. After snacking on some yummy pizza rolls & muffins from one of the snack tables, before I made my way back to my seat, I felt something tap me on my shoulder. “Excuse me miss, but do I now you?” the stranger asked me. I turned around to see their face & when I did, I had no idea who this guy was at all. “Maybe.” I smiled genuinely. The random guy in front of me a guitar across his chest too, pointed a finger at me & looked me up & down as if he was trying to figure out who I was or where he’s seen me before. “Do you have a YouTube channel by the name of “Luna P. Covers”?” he asked happily. “Ah, he knows me.” I thought to myself. I nodded twice. “Yeah, that’s me.” I giggled. “Oh man! I know you!” he said excitedly. “I watch your covers all the time! I’ve been a fan of you & your videos since 2009. You’re a really great singer.” I blushed at his compliment.

 

“Thanks for watching my videos. I appreciate that. Um…?” I raised a brow at him, hoping that he’d tell me his name. “Oh, I’m sorry!” Narrowing his eyes, he held his hand out in front of me to shake. “I’m Onew.” He smirked as he adjusted his glasses. I shook his hand firmly. “Nice to meet you Onew. So… I guess you’re also one of my subscribers too, right?” Onew nodded twice & blushed a bit more. “Yeah. I’ve been subscribed to you for about seven years now. You have a really amazing & rich singing voice, & I-I love your covers.” Onew’s face slowly began getting red. “Thanks again.” I laughed while nodding twice. “So do you do covers too?” I asked. “Sometimes when I’m able to. Usually on my days off from work or when I’m not working on college stuff, is when it’s just me & my guitar.” I noticed assistant Minho standing in the doorway of the waiting room with a brown clipboard in hand & an ink pen placed behind his ear as he was searching for someone in the crowd. “Luna Park! You’re up next!” When our eyes met, Minho waved me over.

 

After my name was called, I turned to Onew & noticed him smiling at me. “Good luck Luna.” After Onew & I hugged, I told him “Thank you.” & glanced back at Minho nervously. “Go On…” Onew spoke softly. I waved goodbye to Onew & headed over by where Minho was standing. I don’t know how I went from being calm this evening to feeling extremely nervous with butterflies in my stomach right now, but I’ve never been this nervous to sing in front of a group of people before. Never, ever. Maybe it finally hit me that I’m here & that this audition is legitimately about to happen. Man, I’m so nervous. When I was at the doorway with Minho, he had me follow him & I did just that. When he stopped walking, he faced me & held his clipboard close to his chest as I took in a deep breath & exhaled the nervousness. “Ms. Park, you’re up on in five minutes ok? Good luck, & I wish you nothing but the best.” He smiled. “Thank you.” After Minho & I hugged, he walked away & left me to my thoughts.

 

The feelings that I were feeling in my stomach went from butterflies to knots in an instant. I guess it’s because I know that I’m next soon & I’ll be singing in front of three people that I actually like a lot. “Luna Park, please come onto the stage please!” a female voice yelled out. “Oh boy, here I go.” I thought to myself. As I walked across the beautiful stage with my guitar, I stood on the “X” that was placed a few feet away from the judges table. While I was standing before the judges, I saw Boa wave me over. “Good evening Ms. Park.” Boa & I shook each other’s hand. She’s so beautiful up close! “H-Hi…” I said in almost a whisper. As I was attempting to contain myself, Boa looked up at me. “Do you have a demo CD for us today?” She seriously looks so beautiful up close. “Yes, I do.” I took out my demo CD & handed it to her. “Thank you ma’am. Could you step back onto the “X” again?” I gave her a friendly nod & stood on the “X”.

 

When I stood back onto the “X”, Jonghyun waved at me in a friendly way & sat down in his chair which was next to Lee Hyori & Boa. “So Luna, please tell us a little something about yourself please.” When I was given a black stool to sit down on, I sat down & adjusted myself on it while a microphone stand with a microphone on it was placed in front me. “Hi…” I spoke nervously. I really wish I wasn’t so nervous right now because I felt my hands starting to get moist & shake a tad bit. “Hello.” I cleared my throat so that I could speak clearly. “I’m 22 & I’m a college student. I’ve been singing since I was seven, & I sing & perform covers of some of my favorite songs at places like the bakery & on the subway. I play anywhere where there’s usually a decent amount of people around.” The judges were smiling & smirking at me. I don’t know why, so I just assumed that I had said something they liked about me. “Nice…” Lee Hyori said as she nodded slowly. “So what three songs are you going to sing for us today?” Boa marked something on a piece of white paper that was in front of her & looked back up at me. “The first song I’ll be singing is called “Heaven Can Wait” by Michael Jackson.” Looking at all of the judges, Lee Hyori gave me two thumbs up. “Begin when you’re ready Ms. Park.” After I took my guitar out of its bag & tuned the strings to how I needed them to sound, I adjusted the microphone & myself on the stool. “Here we go Luna...” I said to myself. I started to play my guitar & sing.

 

“…You’re beautiful, you’re wonderful, incredible, I love you so, you’re beautiful…

Each moment spent with you is simply wonderful. This love I have for you girl it’s incredible. I don’t know what I’d do,

if I can’t be with you, the world can not go on so every night I pray. If the lord shall come for me before I wake. I

wouldn’t wanna go if I can’t see your face, can’t hold you close. What good what heaven be? If the angels came for

me I’d tell them no…”

 

Before I sung the next lyric, Jonghyun held his hand up to stop me, & I stopped. Boa marked something off on her paper. “Thank you. Next song please.” She smiled at me & straightened up her papers. “O-ok…” I was starting to sweat & I immediately sensed that I didn’t hit a certain note or sing on key or add enough vibrato in certain words in the song. The second song I’ll be singing is “My Heart Beats For Love” by Miley Cyrus. The judges nodded at me. “Start when you’re ready Ms. Park.” Lee Hyori scratched her head & laid back in her seat. I heard Jonghyun & Boa whisper to each other simultaneously. “This should be good.” The judges watched me tune my strings & play the guitar notes after I adjusted the shiny microphone.

 

“…I’ve been stranded on a lonely street. Got lost in the shadows, fell hard in the battle. Heard cries & the suffering.

Walked through the darkness, left broken & heartless. I’m callin’ out, “Can you hear my voice?”. I’m gonna find you

Through all the noise. You know there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do. Shine your light, as I reach for you.

My heart beats for love, my heart beats for love. It’s the sound that I hear, it tells me not to give up. It breathes in my

chest & it runs through my blood. My heart beats for love, my heart beats for love…”

 

When I finished singing that last word, I looked at all of the judges & they all looked back at me like I was two headed alien from another planet. Mentally, I was happy dancing because I felt in my heart that they liked how I was singing the song. “Um… d-do you want me to start on the next…song?” I spoke to no one in particular & stopped playing my guitar. Jonghyun ran his hands ocer his face & placed them on his knees as he turned to Boa & Lee Hyori. “Should we have her sing one more song?” he asked in almost a whisper. No one spoke for a moment & soon after that, they were all looking back at me. “Can you just sing maybe… one more song please?” Boa asked nicely. I gave her a nod & Jonghyun & Lee Hyori grinned. “The final song I’ll be singing for you all is called “Abracadabra” by Jessie J. I tuned my guitar strings, adjusted the microphone, & began singing.

 

“… I don’t wanna be the reason, we don’t get down.

So I’mma let you do the leading, & follow you now.

See, I just don’t usually do this, but you’re bringin’ me out.

All the doubts I had have gone away, when you’re touchin’ me, I’m not afraid.

Knowin’ the same, goin’ away, were to stay. I just wanna be your girl.

I can be all you want, what do you say? I just wanna be your girl.

‘Cause you got my heart unlocked, it’s so unreal you know.

Don’t want this to stop, you’re so damn keep able.

Feel your magic touch, it’s unbelievable.

I gotta have you, like abracadabra…”

 

When I saw Lee Hyori’s hand go up, I stopped singing & waited to hear what she had to say along with Boa & Jonghyun. Boa stood up, looked at me, & then back at the papers in her hand. “Ms. Park, my colleagues & I are gonna have a little discussion & go over some things from the three songs you sung for us today ok? So just sit tight.” Boa turned to Jonghyun & was saying something to him in his hear while her hand covered the side of . “Actually, she can go into the waiting room on the other side of the stage. We’ll call you back in a few minutes ok Luna?” I nodded at Lee Hyori. As I was walking off stage, I saw Onew standing with Minho the assistant. He waved to me & gave me two thumbs up. I cringed at Onew & he shook his head no. He continued holding up his two thumbs & mouthed to me, “I heard you. You were incredible!” while he applauded me. I gave him a look of concern & mouthed to him “Thank you!” When Onew walked away with Minho, I was left alone with my thoughts for a moment.

 

About an hour later, I was called back out onto the stage. “Welcome back Ms. Park. Stand on that “X” please.” Boa said to me. Lee Hyori was eyeing me up & down as if she was trying to figure me out or something, “Is there anything you’d like to say before I tell you what we’ve discussed? Jonghyun looked up at me then Ms. Hyori as she was waiting for me to respond to her question. Did I have anything to say? Not really. I just thought of something short & simple to say. I placed my hands behind my back & spoke into the microphone. “Well Ms. Hyori, I’d like to thank you, Boa, & Jonghyun for giving me the opportunity to audition here in front of you all & give you my demo CD. Thank you.” I took one step back away from the microphone & waited to hear what the judges were going to say. When I saw that Jonghyun & Boa were straightening up their paperwork, they got up from their seat along with Ms. Hyori.

 

“Ms. Park…” Jonghyun said to me. “Yes?” I asked nicely. “Boa, Hyori, & I believe that you’re what S.M needs. Your voice is simply beautiful & has such a rich tone to it, you know? & your range is really big & comes out naturally which is amazing, because these days, either you can’t really find solo singers with a really good range because they try hard to imitate what certain notes sound like because their singing overall is average, or they’re in a really great singing group & their company doesn’t give that one member of the group an opportunity to showcase how big their range is on a song since it’s really hard to put a big voice into a group song anyway, & the company doesn’t allow that person to show how much of a good singer that person is on their own, you know?” I nodded twice. “Yes.” I chuckled at the truth he was telling.

 

“With that being said Ms. Park, since Ms. Hyori is not signed to S.M. & Boa & I are, we would like to have you become a solo singer for S.M entertainment, & Ms. Hyori thinks you should Join S.M too.” I can’t believe this at all. This really isn’t happening right now. Oh my god, I gotta pull myself together immediately before I do or say something stupid. Gathering my thoughts, I agreed to sign with S.M Entertainment. “Yes. Yes, I will sign with S.M.” I smiled as I placed my hands over my cheeks. Boa, Ms. Hyori, & Jonghyun made their way up onto the stage & began congratulating me on my performances from today. This deal was all I ever dreamed of having one day, & to finally have it happen to me was a really lovely thing. I was very, very proud of myself. Like, I’m a legit artist now, haha. Today has just been amazing & now, I can’t wait to see where my singing will take me.