◸ chapter | no. three ◿
‹ ETHEREAL › shincom's first girl group / revamped 。chapter three
of pretending and fading colors
march 4th, 2016
A person with a heart as pure as the first snow was brought to the ruthless world on the 25th of December, the day most people refer to as Christmas, in 1999. The name of that person is Bi Dajung, and she’s perhaps the most intriguing existence in the entirety of the Universe for she has to pretend she’s something she’s not since the day her passion for music was ignited.
Today, she pretended to be able to fit into the merciless beauty standards of the demanding Korean Industry, or so Eric sought after. Every other day, she pretended to be from South Korea despite such thing straying from her reality and her family’s for to thrive in an industry that tears one’s soul one must be a cookie cutter, the same as everyone else, lack originality and in a sense mass produced.
Born in Sinuiju, North Korea daughter of Bi Haneul and Yoon Taehyun, Bi Dajung is of North Korean descent. In today’s world, such measly fact would be disregarded as the quantity of North Korean defectors voicing their struggles is neverending, but in hers, it isn’t for her father is trained to kill anyone that threatens his cherished country. Taking such fact into account, the consequences of her true nationality being known to the public were disastrous.
However, that wasn’t the sole reason behind her constant façade.
In 2011, when its end was nearing, Dajung had finally been allowed to audition for music companies. She auditioned for a total of 8 companies. JYP Entertainment, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, Pledis Entertainment, Star Empire Entertainment, FNC Entertainment, Jellyfish Entertainment and Starship Entertainment. Woefully and without a clear perception as to why such thing happened, she was only accepted in one agency, YG Entertainment. Conversely, such acceptance came with a condition – besides gradually losing weight once she had been told her debut was near – she was to pretend she was from the South.
Such conditions followed her to Shinhwa Company.
“Don’t you think you should lose weight but actually commit to it this time?” asked Eric as he sternly looked at Dajung who was doing the utmost to avoid his piercing gaze. “This industry will chew you up and spit you out if it ever finds out that you aren’t a standard K-Pop idol, the least you could do is look good in front of the cameras.”
Dajung, apologetic for her continuous failed attempts at shaping her body, bowed her head, “I’m sorry,” she muttered, “I’ll try better.”
“You don’t have to try,” a soft scoff was heard, “You must do better, it’s your obligation to do better.” Eric intertwined his fingers, “You currently weigh 59kg, Shinhwa Company would like you to lose 10kg for Ethereal’s debut.”
Dajung's lips formed a thin line knowing she wouldn’t be able to persuade him for she lacks Jangmi and Himawari's courage of quarreling with their CEO, “Of course. What will my diet consist of?”
“Two meals a day,” Eric firmly said, “I recommend lowering your meat intake or merely eating lean meat. Cutting out carbs and replacing them with vegetables is also something necessary for an effective weight loss.”
Dajung nodded, “I’ll follow such diet then,” she said, a sad smile ghosting over her features, “I’ll work hard to look my best in front of the cameras.”
“Also, before I forget” Eric rubbed his temples, “Your pre-debut video will be postponed.”
Dajung's forehead puckered, “Why? Is there something wrong with the song I picked or how I performed it?” she questioned, worry taking over her, “I can always pick another song, perhaps a Korean song just like the other members picked.”
“The song is adequate, there’s no need to change it, and the way you performed it was beyond marvelous” Eric lowly said, “However, I don’t consider putting out a video with your current body shape on the internet the correct thing to do. Nonetheless, when you look up to par, it will be recorded and immediately revealed to the public.”
Flustered, she stared at the floor, “Consider this motivation, Dajung-ssi.” He said.
“You can go back to practice, Dajung,” Eric said to which, in response, she bowed and quickly left his office.
As she calmly made her way to the practice room her members – Jangmi, Himawari, and Kyulbin – were located in, she tied her hair into a messy ponytail, contemplating how more comfortable her life would have been if she had been thin from the beginning. For if she were, only one thing about her would have to be erased.
“You do realize that they are obligating you to do something you don’t want to, right?” Himawari inquired as soon as Dajung stepped a foot into their practice room.
Kyulbin who was sitting down on the floor tying her shoelaces stole glances at Dajung waiting for a reaction from her upon hearing the girl's words. Behind Himawari, stood Jangmi who was removing her sweatshirt as the practice room’s temperature was rising, shushed her in the attempt of preventing an argument between the two 99 liners.
Dajung merely shook her head, a cautious smile on her face, “No they’re not, Wari,” the girl let out a long breath, trying to control her erratic emotions, “They are looking out for my image and for Ethereal’s
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