A/N: Again here's how it goes:

Narration: normal font 

When they're speaking in english: bold font

When speaking in korean[because you as the reader speaks korean]: Italic font

So I hope this is all cleared and if you have questions feel free to ask...

Enjoy reading :)

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“Mi-Mika-Mikey-Mikaela? Mikaela Ben-Benne-Bennett?”

You had to bite your lower lip so you won’t burst out laughing. Kudos to that staff for getting it right actually. Pronunciation wise. He just sounded like reading your name is harder than his job. He’d been going back and forth for the umpteenth time, calling out names of participants like yourself. 
You stood from your seat and noticed several heads turning to look at you. Although back in Singapore you gather these kinds of reactions too, it’s still nothing compared to how unsubtle Koreans are with theirs. Well, technically; you are a Korean too, only half and you slightly favored your father’s side of the genes. But you got your mother’s hair and the shape of her small face, even her eyes! 
Today you’re here for the talent audition for a very popular South Korean talent show called K-pop Star. Three months ago, you passed the preliminary auditions they had in Singapore and today you are finally going to face the shows’ three judges. These three judges represents the top three biggest talent agencies in South Korea and you are really looking forward to impress YG Entertainment’s president Yang Hyunsuk. 
You followed the staff who made your name longer than its actual five syllables. You started to feel your heart beating really fast. So you exhaled the tension inside of you. This isn’t the first time you’re auditioning for something. Back when you were still in elementary up to middle school, you’ve been auditioning for roles in your school’s musical theatre plays. But of course, this one’s a different level. This one involves camera's and being broadcasted in the entire country.
The staff led you to a set of stairs with a camera following you, another staff handed you a microphone just right before you coursed the stairs. You immediately caught sight of the three judges across the stage on top of another set of smaller stage for them to do their judging with a good view of every participants. Behind that stage are the guest panels, that’s what the staff earlier said who did the orientation. The guest panels are previous contestants and winners of the competition.
The stage is very bright and colorful with big and wide led screens behind you and on your sides as soon as you stood on the white circle in the middle; as instructed, just a few steps from the keyboard placed in front of you. You bowed and the moment you looked up you saw how the three judges eyed you on the big screen on their right that focuses your face. You heard oohs from the audience. This is to be expected. What are you going to do if even though you whine that you’re part Korean, you still look like a foreigner? You just use it to your advantage, right? You no longer need to get their attention because your foreign looks already did that, what you need to do is to impress them and show them that you’re not just a pretty face. 
“Oh... I didn’t bring a lot of English today.” Says Mr. Yang Hyunsuk; YG Entertainment's president, that made the other judges and the guest panels laugh. You smiled. 
“Whoa, yeppuda.” Whispers Mr. Park Jinyoung, JYP Entertainment’s president. 
“Her dimples are so deep.” Based on the voice, that was YGs president again. 
“She’s half Korean.” Says BoA, laughing. She’s a Korean pop icon and she represents SM Entertainment. You did your research ahead of time. Though you’re not a hundred percent familiar with K-pop, you know enough for now. She’s very beautiful though and you found out that she just resumed her position in the judging panel for this season. 
“O chincha?” Mr. Yang checked on the paper in front of him which is probably your profile. “But it doesn’t say anything about her language.” 
You laughed. “No worries, I brought a lot of Korean today.” The moment you said that, everyone in the studio burst out laughing. It’s your cue to introduce yourself. “Annyeonghaseyo. Chonun Mikaela Bennett imnida. I’m 21 years old from Singapore.” You bowed. Bowing is the kind of practice that you have to get used to from now on. There was noise coming from the guest panel area, probably reacting to your Hangul skills. Of course you speak your mother’s language, it’s just that you have a little accent.
“Whoa!”
“Her Hangul is perfect!”
“Giyowo.” That was Mr. Park. “But it says you’re half British.” 
You nodded. “Ne. I was born and raised in Hertfordshire, England. But because of my mother’s job, she was transferred to Singapore five years ago and she brought me there along with her.” You said. 
“How many times have you been here in Korea so far?” Mr. Yang asked.
“This is my fourth time. My mother’s sister lives here so we visit them and stay for vacation sometimes.” 
“Whoa... Wait-” Mr. Park said. “Mianhe, I still can’t get over your Hangul.” Everyone laughed again, including you.
“You have to get over it now or else we won’t be able to hear her sing.” BoA said playfully and looked at you now. “You have a background in musical theatre and your vocal type is mezzo soprano.” She was reading your profile and you just kept nodding. “And you also write songs and make the arrangement yourself?”
“That’s impressive.” Yang Hyunsuk commented and you were like, bingo!
“What are you going to sing for us today?” BoA continued asking.
“I’m going to sing Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper.” You said. 
“I’m sure there’s a reason behind this song choice, would you mind telling us?” You were surprised JYPs president spoke to you in English but you’ve already heard he does speak the language. You've seen the previous season of the show so you already have an idea somehow of what you're getting yourself into. 
“I chose this song because it’s special to me. I like singing songs I can relate to because I am able to give the right emotion to it plus Demi Lovato and I have the same vocal range so I’m comfortable with this song as my audition song.” You explained and immediately a voice translated what you said. 
“That’s a very smart choice.” Mr. Park said and you felt happy about that comment. It’s a compliment. “Show us what you got.” 
You bowed, walked forward and sat on the stool. You've already started pressing the keys when you felt something funny on your nose. It’s ticklish and you must not let it out. It would be very embarrassing. You closed your eyes but you could no longer concentrate on playing the keyboard. You were just about to turn when it suddenly betrayed you. 
You sneezed and not only once, but twice! How shameful is that? In front of the whole South Korea? You sure do hope they'd cut that part, it's not really important.
But for some reason, the reaction you got from the people watching you was that of fondness and amusement. 
“Oh, giyowo!”
“She sounds like pikachu!” 
It’s because of the weather here. It’s too cold. You haven’t been feeling this much cold since you left England five years ago. 
“Mianhamnida, please let me try again.” You said and started over even before you heard the judges’ reply. “Skies are crying, I am watching, catching teardrops in my hands.” You were serious when you told JYP earlier that you like singing songs that you can relate to because you can so easily get yourself into the song and the melody. “Only silence as it’s ending, like we never had a chance.” You looked at the camera with the red light, knowing that that’s the one that’s focusing on you right now. You wanted to communicate to every people watching you through the lens. “Do you have to make me feel like, there’s nothing left of me?” And if he is actually watching this, you know he’ll know that you meant about him but you are not speaking for yourself but for your mother. But you doubt it. He’s not watching because he wouldn’t understand the language of the show. He never even tried to learn it. “Like a skyscraper... Like a skyscraper...” You were so into the song that you even surprised yourself that you already finished the entire song. “Gomapsumnida.” You said.
You bit your lower lip and raised your head to look at the three judges before you and looking at the three of them looking at you with smiles on their faces and mouth agape, plus the fact that they let you finish the song and didn’t interrupt you says a lot. 
“Did you make that arrangement?” BoA asked, looking so impressed. 
“Ne.” You answered. This arrangement is actually slower than the original. You made it so because you already plan to play an instrument and if you follow the original arrangement which is quite faster, it would be difficult singing while playing especially on the high notes. You originally wanted to play the guitar but then again, you want to be comfortable singing your audition song and it’s more difficult playing this piece in a guitar while singing at the same time. 
“That was really nice to hear. It’s like you’re telling a story, emotions made me feel that the song is really about standing tall in the face of all odds. I like the angst. You sang with so much emotion and I can see you almost cried and there was so much going on and those high notes blew me away.” BoA commented, she sounded really touched. “And I haven’t been blown away in a really long time.” 
Nodding, Mr. Yang agreed. “Your voice is not clean..” He said and you bit your lower lip, expecting a criticism coming. “I’m not saying it doesn’t sound good. It’s actually a matter of taste. There are people who prefer the clean voices like IU and Suhyun of Akdong Musician. But your voice is thick, rich and raspy that conveys emotions incredibly well. I know voices like yours can transcend different genres like Pop, Rock, Ballads, Jazz... And you even have a background in Musical Theatre.” You finally smiled because he wasn’t actually saying something negative. Just facts. “Which genre do you prefer?”
“I prefer rock, pop rock or country, actually.” You answered and Mr. Yang smiled meaningfully at Mr. Park and BoA which you somehow get and maybe even the other two judges. It means that you really belong to YG and you believe so too.
It was Mr. Park’s turn to share his thoughts. “You got me the moment you sneezed.” He said and you joined the entire studio from laughing. He's such a funny man. “Okay, haha here are my sentiments. You already got me with the first line of that song. Your raspy voice really matches the low notes and made it very emotional and touching. But just like BoA-sshi here, you blew me away with your high notes. I heard a G#5...” He turned to the other judges to see if they agree and after he saw them nod, he continued. G#5 is in the fifth octave and you reached it earlier with your head voice. It was because you were sitting that you had to use your head voice. “Your thick vibrato and that rich head voice has really good resonance. It showed a really great control which I think you learned from your experience in musical theatre.” Spot on. He’s very knowledgeable. He knows what he’s talking about and you appreciate that he could hear beyond what other normal listeners can. “Can we make one request?” He suddenly asked and you blinked.
“S-sure.” You said and they laughed once again because you sounded unsure but just had to agree out of politeness. 
“Can you sing an opera song? Any song you want to sing... I just really want to hear you because I haven’t seen a musical play in a long time because it’s very expensive.” Mr. Park really has good sense of humor as he made the entire studio laugh yet again. 
“Algesumnida.” You said and decided to sing a song that you used to sing before. You played Eponine’s character the longest in your school. You didn’t make it to West End but that used to be your goal before; before things changed. “I’m going to sing a song from Les Miserables. It’s called On my own.” You said and realized that your throat is dry now. You touched your neck and Mr. Park immediately understood what you need.  
“Yah, give her water! Please! This is already a free performance. At least give her complimentary water.” Mr. Park asked one of the staff who hurried to your side with a water bottle and you immediately drank it. You took a deep breath and let yourself be possessed by the character again. 
“And now I’m all alone again nowhere to turn, no one to go to...” You started and you heard silence as everyone focused on you. “Without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to...” They say that this song is the national anthem of people with unrequited love and it’s true. Though you can’t relate to it as you’ve never been in love; and you don’t have any plans to ever be, because love is gross, love is not forever and men are incapable of it. You'll only get hurt, just like what happened to your mother and basically to most women you know who have and had been betrayed before. “On my own, pretending he’s beside me. All alone, I walk with him ‘til morning.” You closed your eyes and wrapped your one arm around yourself because you're holding the mic with the other. “Without him, I feel his arms around me, and when I lose my way I close my eyes and he has found me...” You couldn’t help but think about your mother. “I love him... But everyday I’m learning. All my life, I’ve only been pretending. Without me, his world would go on turning. A world that’s full of happiness that I have never known...” This part made your anger return. Your mother’s life had stopped when he left. That was the most heartbreaking moment of your life. That’s why you’ll do your best to protect your mother and protect yourself and others from men like him through your songs.
When you finished singing, the three judges stood and gave you a standing ovation which is followed by the rest of the audience. You bowed to everyone. 
“Waaah! It’s like I’m watching on Broadway or the West End.” Mr. Park said. 
“I think I’m going to like opera from now on.” Mr. Yang commented. 
BoA didnt’ say anything. She didn’t have to. She gave you a thumbs up and you’re more than happy. 
Afterwards, the three pressed the button in front of them at the same time and the screen in front of you showed three check marks and that means you made it through the first round of auditions. Next stop is the ranking audition.

$$$

Today you’re going back to the SBS Studio in Yangcheon. You’re going with your cousin, Rina. But since it’s still early and you both haven’t had breakfast yet, you decided to stop by a fastfood restaurant. 
You’re the one driving your aunt’s car because Rina doesn’t know how to. You had your driver’s license the moment you turned legal. You like driving and feeling in control. It’s very very satisfying.
“What do you want?” Rina asked you the moment you two got out of the car and are now entering the establishment. 
“Burger and fries...” You answered longingly and Rina laughed. “Please let me, I haven’t had one since I came here.”
Rina rolled her eyes. “Shut up. You’ve only been here for two weeks.” 
“Yah, Rina that’s a decade in my dictionary.” You said and she laughed some more, shaking her head. Rina is older than you by a year but you don’t call her unnie. Both of you calls each other by first name only. 
She pushed the glass door and you followed her. You entered a McDonalds branch. Suddenly, all eyes were on you and well; you’ve learned to shrug it off and just do your own thing. You don’t want to be a foreigner in Korea because you technically are Korean but they are treating you like you are one which you hope would stop. 
Then you heard the indistinct sound of people whispering. Which is normal so you continued following Rina who is oblivious to everything. Until...
“Mikaela..” You heard someone whisper.
What? That’s your name. They know you? 
“Kpop star! That’s her!” You heard another voice.
Oh yeah, silly you. The second episode of the show was already aired two nights ago where you appeared. You, Rina and your Aunt even watched it together; laughing at your epic sneezing which wasn't cut despite your prayers. You live with them now because your Aunt doesn’t want you to stay in a hotel. 
“Mikaela!” Someone called you and you immediately turned, smiling because first of all the person said it incorrectly. It’s Mi-key-la not Mi-ka-e-la. 
You heard Rina ordering already, still unaware of the attention you’re gathering from the people inside the restaurant. 
Someone tapped your back and when you turned, a girl around your height but definitely younger than you smiled at you. “Can I have a picture with you?” She asked and since this is the first time someone did that, you agreed. Which was probably a wrong move because it only encouraged the other people in the restaurant to do the same thing, now they've surrounded you and some of them already even had their phones on you probably taking more pictures and even videos. There were a lot of kids. Yes, children. They were calling your name and their parents would ask you to carry them so they can take a picture. You’re just a little overwhelmed that people remembered you out of all the other contestants. 

$$$

“Oh my god.” Rina said breathlessly. People followed you even outside the restaurant. You both originally planned to dine-in but when Rina finally realized the graveness of the situation, she ordered for take out instead. “You haven’t even debuted yet!” 
You also thought the same thing. Maybe they’re just interested in you because of your looks? Or your talent. Maybe you were able to please them because of what you’ve shown in the episode.
You parked in an open parking space in the SBS parking area. You’re just so hungry so you snatched the paper bag from Rina’s lap and opened it. The sight of the coke made you really thirsty but before you even touched it, Rina already took it away from you.
“No cold drink.” She said. 
You rolled your eyes. “Yes, manager-nim.” 
Then the two of you started eating your take-out. You were listening to your playlist using your earphone when you felt Rina shaking you. You pulled out your earphones and Rina’s excited voice filled your ears. 
“Oh my gosh! You’re on Kim Taeyeon’s instagram!” She showed you her phone and you saw yourself in there, singing your high notes for On my own. It as a short video though. “She said...” Then Rina read the caption. “So good. I hope she joins SM.” 
You laughed. This is probably the reason why a lot of people started to recognize you because you appeared on Taeyeon’s instagram account. You know her because her group is really popular and they are called Korea’s National Girlgroup. 
“You should choose SM. You’ll meet EXO and Super Junior too.” Rina said dreamily.
“Quit your day dreaming, I haven’t even won yet. Besides, you know I really like YG.” You said. "I don't want to be an idol, I want to be a singer. I don't wan't to be remembered as someone who does aegyo and perform cutesy dances." Rina just sneered at you.

$$$

Ranking audition is when contestants are organized into different groups based on their strongest talent. In this case you were placed on the group with really strong vocals. Heck, there was even a soprano in your group right now. Her name is Kuk Yoojin. She is really good. She belted out a Whitney Houston and the judges are all praises to her. Why not when she just threw an A5 on the judges faces? 
Sadly you had to perform next to her and the pressure was just so intense. This time, you chose the song Because of you by Kelly Clarkson. She has a full-lyric soprano voice with 3 octaves and 4 notes so it’s a very big and explosive song choice even for a mezzo soprano like you. That’s why this time, you chose to sing without an instrument. The song also meant so much for you. Kelly Clarkson is your all-time favorite singer. She and her songs are your inspiration. 
After your turn, the judges expressed praises and also pointed out some things that you need to improve that is including your head voice and as you transition from your chest voice. You do agree that it needs perfecting because you almost almost cracked that Eb5 earlier when you were able to get the G#5 the other time. You need to practice more at home and maybe do more breathing exercises for stability.  
When everyone was done, it was time for the ranking. As expected, Kuk Yoojin was called out first. 
“Next is you... Mikaela.” Says BoA. You smiled and walked forward next to Yoojin who hugged you really tight. 
You are in a group of five and surprisingly two were eliminated even when they really have great and powerful voices too. 
“We’re not just looking for a powerful voice. We are looking for a complete package. Someone who sings with color and style...” Mr. Yang explained and the two girls eliminated cried so hard, realizing that it’s the end of the journey for now. 

$$$

Team Mission is when contestants teams amongst themselves to perform and show collaboration skills. The entire team will proceed to the next round while a member or members of the losing team will be eliminated. 
The number one in the ranking from the previous level will be the first to choose who they want to be a part of their group. Surprisingly Kuk Yoojin chose you. 
Everyone clapped and you stood to join her on the stage while it’s your turn to choose your third member. 
“We need to choose a boy so that we can sing a ballad duet. We'll end up singing a girlgroup song if we're all girls.” You told her and she immediately agreed telling you that that's exactly what she's thinking too. Earlier they made you all watch clips of your audition videos so you’d have an idea who to pick and you already know the perfect one to choose. “I choose, Ryong Jaeyong.” 
The boy stood from the crowd and then he chose the last member that completes your group. He chose another boy with a similar raspy voice as you and you think that it’s a really good idea. 
They gave you free time; enough time to decide the song to sing. You browsed into a list of song duets. Unfortunately, boy-girl duets aren’t that popular in Kpop so you ended up choosing from English songs. 
Chon Sungjin who came from the United States suggested a Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks song called No Air. 
You are familiar with the song of course and it was definitely a good song choice. Yoojin and Jaeyong agreed immediately after hearing it. 
Turns out, your collaboration was heavenly.
“This is a smart group. You know your voices and you know which songs would suit them.” Mr. Yang said.
“You make people want to fall in love whenever they hear you.” BoA commented.
“Your voices blended so well, I have nothing else to say. It was beautiful.” Mr. Park said.
Your group eventually got the ticket to the next round.

$$$

Casting audition round is the one you’ve been waiting for. 
“Which company do you want to join?” Asked the staff while the camera was on your face. 
You smiled. “I want to join YG Entertainment.” 
“Waeyo?” 
You thought of the right words to say. “Uhm, because I’m a singer and a song-writer too and I think YG would allow me the freedom to write and sing my own songs and choose my preferred genre. I think YGs style is my style.” You laughed because you realized that you said too much. 
“What if YG doesn’t cast you today?” 
You’ve already thought about that. “I will make him regret it.” You said. It’s true but you realized maybe it would come out too strong so you laughed and said you’re just kidding.
For the casting audition round, you chose to play. You chose a country song by Taylor Swift called Picture to burn, first of all because you want to show your guitar skills and the song is really angsty and rock and so different from the ballads you’ve sang in the previous rounds. 
When you stepped on the stage, you imagined yourself being in your own concert. Everyone dreams, and this is yours. The moment you started strumming your guitar, you immediately forgot who you are and you let yourself get lost to the song and the meaning. You whipped your hair into a frenzy on the stage like a rock star as you strum the guitar that you already considered a part of your body that even when you’re eyes are closed, you can still play it with ease. 
When you were done, the audience and the judges once again gave you a standing ovation.
“It’s like I am watching your very own concert.” Says Mr. Park.
“You made us breathless.” Was what Mr. Yang said.
“You’re amazing. It’s like you’re a professional with lots of experience. I love your confidence. You look so comfortable when performing. You transform on stage and it's captivating.” That’s what BoA said and then you went back to the backstage afterwards. 
Later on, ten contestants were called to the stage. It’s time for the casting. This season, according to the orientation again; the judges will call out the names of the contestants they want to cast. In this case, they will each pick the contestants they want and the remaining ones that are not called out by the three judges are eliminated. 
The first to choose is Mr. Yang. You braced yourself. He said he's calling out three in your batch. You exhaled. Three. Surely you're part of it? He called out Ryong Jaeyong first and you tried to calm yourself. Of course, why would he call you first. He can call you last, it would still be the same. Then he called out Yoojin. Well, at least Yoojin who became really close to you is already in the right hands. She really wanted to join YG too. You want to be in the same company with her. So you took a deep breath and hoped and prayed to hear your name next.

“My final choice is... Chon Sungjin.” 

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A/N: Sorry, no Kai for this chapter yet. I just want to finish Kaela's journey in Kpop Star first. But soon... I hope to hear from you...