××× chaeri

           2 years ago, early January 2010

I was training at SM Entertainment for about three months, together with some other trainees.
After school I always had to go straight to the SM building to train, especially my dancing skills
were called 'not sufficient'. Even though JYP Entertainment was quite impressed by it, my trainer,
Mrs Hwang, was still not satisfied.

We were divided into two dance groups and we had to learn a complete new choreography to a song,
so our trainers could see if we were all in sync.

„Chaeri, you were too slow,“ Mrs Hwang looked at me. „Just practice more.“

All the others left about nine o'clock, but I stayed. I stayed and practiced this dance, until my clothes
were sweaty and my lungs burned.

When I arrived at the dorm, Xiaohong, whose parents lived in China, was still awake. She was sitting
on the sofa and cried. She was fifteen years old and lived here with five strangers. Of course you miss home.

I did too.

I went into my room, where my roommate Siyan was already sleeping. My eyes almost closed automatically,
but I forced myself to stay awake. Homework. So much homework.

„Bang Chaeri, what are you doing?“

I opened my eyes, which immediately wanted to close again. „Sorry, teacher Jang.“

My head was almost exploding and hurt. I just wanted to sleep now.

„Are you okay? You look ill,“ Nara next to me said. „You should sleep more.“

I just tried to smile and shook my head.

The rain hit my face as I ran into the SM building.

A woman at the entrance stopped me. „Bang Chaeri, right?“

I nodded and gasped.

„You have to go to Lee Sooman's office. He wants to see you.“

I panicked. Maybe I was too bad? Maybe I didn't give my best?

Am I going to be kicked out of the company?

„Hello, Mr Lee.“

I never saw him before. He looked very cool in his leather armchair.
Mr Lee tightened his tie and pointed to one of the three chairs in front of him.

I carefully sat down and could feel how I sank into the chair.

He just looked at me and then he turned to his computer again.

I just felt a bit lost.

Why did he call me and then just to leave me here sitting in front of him?

Soon, someone knocked at the door.

A girl with long black hair entered the office. She looked very tired, but I think I didn't look better.

She sat down next to me, but she didn't look at me. She looked at Mr Lee and then on a pen on his desk.

After some time five other girls were in Lee Sooman's office.

„So, since you all arrived, you ask yourself 'why am I here?', right?“ Mr Lee looked at each of us.

We all nodded simultaneously.

„So, you all trained for some years or months. You all have the dream to be chosen as singer.
Some of you improved a lot, but some of you are getting less powerful.“

I peeked to the others. They just looked as nervous as me.

„The trainers told me, that you were the best among the trainees. All seven of you.“

My heart began to race.

Dreams come true.

„You are going to debut as SME's new girl group.“