Seunghyun hiked up the straps on his backpack as he looked at the building. He wasn’t feeling super confident. Jiyong seemed to think he looked good enough for this but what did he know. He had hardly seen him since his last audition. He knew it was mostly his own fault for disappearing but he really felt like Jiyong could never understand why this was so difficult for him. Jiyong had things so easy in his life even though he didn’t realize it. This didn’t mean he was mad at him. He just wanted to go through this alone.

Seunghyun closed his eyes and remembered flashes of the past few months. Messages from Jiyong he never answered because he was sleeping or at the gym, the ones he did in moments of weakness, his teacher worrying about his graduating even though it wasn’t in his plans. Then there were the times at the gym. The times in which he felt he wanted to die. The numerous times he fell off the treadmill because he was going too fast, too soon. Chugging down water, wiping sweat from his brow, he would take a deep breath and get back on. With each step he took, one word, or rather, one name played on repeat in his mind. Jiyong. Jiyong. Jiyong. Jiyong. Faster, faster, faster. Harder, harder, harder. Jiyong, Jiyong, Jiyong.

Seunghyun opened his eyes and walked through the glass doors.

“Annyohaseyo.” The front secretary greeted. “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m here to see President Yang.” Seunghyun said nervously.

“Oh, yes. Straight down the hall, take the elevator to the second floor, the office at the end of the left hallway.” She informed him.

Seunghyun then started the long, nerve wrecking journey to his office. Things had been partially renovated. There was more glass than wood and light wall colors to make up for the lack of windows. He felt like everything was going too slow, like swimming down to the bottom of a lake, the pressure increased he more he moved. Right when he felt he was going to collapse from his anxiety, he arrived at the door. He gulped down as much air as he could before lightly rapping on the door.

“Come in.” A voice called from within.

Seunghyun walked in to see Yang Hyun Suk and someone that must be a relative since they looked so similar.

He curtly bowed to both of them before coming fully into the room. It had a large window on the far wall and the wall parallel to the door housed a giant desk with a few chairs, where Hyun Suk and his visitor sat. Towards the far end there was a small sofa and a few club chairs with a coffee table they surrounded. It was really spacious.

“Choi Seunghyun?” He asked, sounding mildly shocked.

“Neh.” He answered.

“I’ll take it that your rapping hasn’t changed in this time period?” Hyun Suk asked after he cleared his throat.

“I think it has improved actually. I hope for a chance to show you how I’ve grown.” Seunghyun explained.

“Or shrank.” Hyun Suk’s relative replied.

“That’s a good one!” Hyun Suk exclaimed before he knuckle bumped him.

“Oh! I apologize. I forget my professionalism on occasion. This is my brother, Yang Min Suk, he is in charge of the actual business part of YG Entertainment.” Hyun Suk explained.

Seunghyun bowed deeply.

“It’s nice to see such manners in such a casual industry.” Min Suk praised.

“You are so old fashioned. So, tell us, why are you worth me keeping?” Hyun Suk chided, before directing his focus to Seunghyun.

“I think my rapping skills are good but have room for improving over time. I can write my own lyrics. I lost 20 kg over the past 6 weeks when you commented on my size at the last audition. I have much more to prove if given the opportunity.” Seunghyun explained.

“20 kg?” He asked shocked.

“Neh.” Seunghyun answered.

“Wow. You are determined.” He answered.

“Neh.” Seunghyun answered again.

“Seunghyun, we have been prepared to let you into the final audition if you could prove yourself and you have today.” Hyun Suk said.

“Excuse me sir, but, final audition?” He asked, confused.

“Yes, it is very tight lipped right now but we are planning an intense final audition for the final group of people to make a final group. You are the 6^th person to join. Since you are the last you will have to use that determination to succeed.” He said.

“Now, if you want to take part in the final audition, we have some paperwork and legal matters to take care of.” Min Suk interjected.

As Seunghyun slid into the chair next to Min Suk, across from Hyun Suk’s cluttered and large desk, he knew his fate was sealed. He slid his backpack to the floor, retrieved his signature stamp and listened as they explained, right to film, right to press releases, right to photograph and interview, a rent agreement for a dorm, secrecy agreement, copyright and credit rights. His mind was in a blur as they explained all the details. He tried to read the documents but as he did he could feel their eyes boring into him and he couldn’t understand the wording so he just gave into them. He wanted this. He needed this.

After what seemed like hours, they flipped through all the forms, looking across the desk for ones that may have slipped and gave him the okay to leave if he wanted or that Jiyong was waiting the next hall over to give him a tour if he wanted.

Seunghyun thanked them and bowed, then just as he was about to walk out the door.

“Oh! And Seunghyun…” Hyun Suk said.

‘”Neh?” He asked wearily.

“Congratulations.” He answered with a wide smile.

“Thank you, sir.” Seunghyun said with a small smile of his own before going to find Jiyong.