Today was the day of days. You had decided to go to this casting of StarProject and try it out. You always wanted to stay on a stage and sing/dance/rap. It was your passion and your biggest dream and you knew this could be your last chance to fulfil that dream. Your feelings were all messed up and so you took a deep breath and then entered the big KBS building. You looked around the entrance hall and then saw a big poster of the “StarProject” standing there. Carefully you read over it and then went up to the second floor to room 299. You opened the big white door in front of you and entered a room and the first thing you saw were hundreds of teens and young adults all with a number somewhere on there clothes. They were all here for the casting, just like you. Quietly you looked around the big room and observed the people here. Some where sitting on the floor or on some stools. Other were standing. Some alone leaned against a wall others in small groups and talking. You hear a boy bragging about his skills in front of a group of girls and saw them giggling. In another corner you could see someone popping . To the left there was a girl doing ballet. Then there were some who had their guitar with them and played on it. Another one had his headphones on and rapped along a song you didn´t know. All in all you saw all kind of teenagers, all wanting the same as you.

Question: How did you feel when you entered that waiting room and saw all the kind of different people? What are your thoughts about the boy that was bragging and the girls surrounding him? What do you think of the boy that was popping? Or maybe did the girl dancing ballet catch your attention? What are your thoughts about it?

It was kind of nervewracking when I first walked into the room and saw the crazy amount of talent these people were practicing. It made me feel threatened. I knew I need to have a mindset of killing it at the auditions, but I was still nervous and timid on how my auditions would go. Even though I tried to focus on myself and practicing for my auditions, I couldn't help but hear and see a few things while practicing. Like the guy who kept bragging about how he is so talented in front of girls. I secretly judged him because in ordered for me to believe him, he needs to prove it instea of being all talk. And the person popping and locking, I felt timid right away. Yes, I knew how to pop and lock, but I always compare myself to people. And wow, they were good at dancing. This was the person that made me want to step up my game. The girl who was practicing ballet, she was amazing. But I thought about how ballet wouldn't catch the judges attention...so I just let her pass through my mind. All in all, these people were here for one thing. But I was the one who wants it more than anyone as I continue to stretch and warm up.

 

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You waited and waited and just like that hours flew by. One by one you saw the other participants being called up by their number and then walk to the small door on the other side of the room. A few of them came out smiling, squealing and laughing, one was even dancing. But most of them came out with a solemn face or crying. One guy was even so mad that he went and punched the wall, swearing loudly. He was so mad that in the end he had to be escorted out by security. Then you saw the guy who was bragging about himself earlier come out with a solemn expression and without a word leaving the room, thought you still cached the sight of the tears running down his face. And then finally your number was called. Everyone who was still waiting turned to look at you, some whispering while others wished you good luck or were making fun of you. You got up and slowly made your way towards the door.

Question:What were you thinking/felling while you had to wait? What did you think when you saw one after another coming out frustrated, sad or even crying? What did you think about the guy who got mad? And what when you saw that bragging guy coming out crying? What were your thoughts/feeling when they called your number and you walked to the door?

I just kept thinking and daydreaming about how I want to be on that stage. The crowd cheering at me while I put my heart and soul on to the stage. But as I saw the people come out of the audition room, I had mixed reactions. I knew the people who had talent would make it through, and I was honesstly proud of them. The guy who was escorted by security...I thought he was crazy. He had no right to be that deeply upset. Yet again, everyone takes a rejection differently. Especially the guy who was all talk came out crying. Surprisingly, I felt bad for him. I actually wanted to give him a hug and tell him there is plenty of more oppotunities waiting for him. But the thought went away when they called my number. I took a deep breath, said a few words under my breath, relaxed, and walked in to the room. I was ready for this. 

 

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You enter the room and hear the door behind you falling close. Curiously you look around. It was a simple looking studio with a few lights, a camera, microphone and a greenscreen. In the middle of the room on the floor you saw the StarProject symbol lying and walked over to it and stood on it. You lifted your face and saw on the opposite of you four judges sitting behind a big table. On the left you saw a old man with grey hair and glasses, wearing a suite and looking all business like and rather intimidating. He starred at you with cold calculating eyes up and down. Next to him sat a woman in her late 20 or early 30. She was nicely and very fashionable dressed and her long light brown hair was perfectly styled. She smiled friendly at you. Then beside her sat another male. Around the same age as the woman you assumed. He was wearing a simple white shirt with a black vest over it. He was clean shaven and his black hair was nicely styled. He seemed to be bored, almost as if he would rather be anywhere but here And then you looked at the last judge surprised. Was that SHINees Taemin? But then you looked closer an realized that no, that wasn´t Taemin but rather a girl that  could pass as his twin. She gave you a warm smile and even waved slightly.

Question:What do you feel when you entered the room and looked at the judges? What were your thoughts about them?

When I entered in that room, I was mentally ready yet my body was still in nervous mode. My heart was beating fast, my body went numb, and I couldn't focus on anything besides the judges. I smiled at them warmly as I walked in front of the judges. My vision wasn't focused until I noticed the lady who looked like Taemin. I honestly had a sudden heart attack because SHINee is my favorite group. But then I realized it was a lady and she waved at me. I waved at her as I saw the rest of the judges. The male judges I was very intimidated by them by how they presented themselves. But yet again, the female judges made me relax a bit as they seem more calm and warm about the whole audition process. But I didn't mind how they act. I just hope they like me enough to move on to the next round. 

 

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Situation 4

You hear a small click and then see that the camera was and focusing on you. Then the female judge in the middle began talking to you.

Woman: Annyong I am Park Mikyung one of the judges here and head of this project. Please tell us a bit about yourself like your name, age, hobbys, likes, dislikes, dreams, fears and anything else that might come to your mind:

You:  Hello, I'm Choi Miyoung and I'm 20 years old (Korean age). I am currently a college student at Seoul University studying in Video Productions. My hobbies include dancing, singing, video editing, blogging, playing video games, and playing card games such as Vanguard. I really like bubble tea, bubble gum, warm weather, music, my phone, and hats. The only thing I really don't like is thunderstorms. I have a fear of getting struck by lightning, so I tend to hide under my blanket during thunderstorms. But I'm also afraid of bees, because I don't like getting stung. And also, I have a fear of dying because...well who isn't? I'm a fluent English and Mandarin speaker as I studied English and Mandarin well in my high school years.

Mrs Park: Thank you and can you tell us why you are here today?

You: I've always loved dancing and singing. And my main goal is to become famous as a singer and dancer. I wasn't allowed to audition until I graduated. A day after graduation, I heard about this audition and I took the liberty to practice for this audition. I wouldn't be here if I wanted to become a famous performer so badly.

Mrs. Park: So what are your talents? Please show them us.

You:  I'll be singing "As Long As You Love Me" by Justin Bieber and "Where Have You Been?"   01 | 02  

Mrs. Park: Thank you and what about dancing how good are you in that? Can you show us something?

You: *nods* *DJ puts on random music as she freestyles* 01 | 02 

Mrs. Park: Since when have you been singing/ rapping/ dancing?

You: I've been singing and dancing since I was young. But I've been a dance crew since middle school and I've been formally trained in singing since the start of high school. 

Mrs. Park: Why do you want to be an idol? Did you ever go to another casting? If yes where and how did it go?

You: Like I said before, it's been my dream to become an idol. And because my parents wanted me to focus on my studies first and live out my teenage years, I never been to a casting audition until now. 

Mrs. Park: Alright we are almost finished. We are just going to take a few pictures of you now. One showing your front, one focusing on your face and one focusing on your profile.Just do what our cameraman tells you to do.

You: picture showing whole body: 01

         Picture showing your face   : 01

         Picture showing your profile: 01

         Name of the ulzzang used: Lee Jung Ha

Mrs.Park: Alright, well congratulations you are in, here is your letter.

You go and take the letter and bow thanking them then you leave the room.

 

Question:How did you feel during the casting? What did you think? What are you feeling now that you are accepted? 

There's like a million things racing in my mind right now. I feel like once I calmed down, I think I would know what exactly happened. But everything that happened in that room is now a blur to me and I am standing here with this acceptance letter. All I know it was a nervewracking experience. I may have seem calm on the outside but my heart was beating really fast on the inside -chuckles- But OH MY GOSH! I MADE IT! -squeals- This is really not happening right? But it is happening!! Words really cannot describe how I feel. This is only the beginning for Choi Miyoung

 

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You got accepted, you are part of StarProject. You made it in. You left the building and are now standing in front of it holding the letter.

Question: What do you think/feel ? what will you do now? Celebrate? Go home? Call your friends? Tell me.

This is really gonna happen. Choi Miyoung is now going to be a part of this show. Auditioning is only one challenge and now I have to work even harder to get pass the others in order to win that grand prize. But for now, I will accept the fact that I made it in and will celebrate. I called my family first because they have to know first obviously. Mom and dad were really proud of me. They told me that they will take the whole family out to Korean BBQ. I then called my friend Tye, who is a foreign exchange student from America. He was really proud as he was a a musician himself. He told the rest of our friends and said that we will be drinking tomorrow night. My acceptance will be celebrated. But right after the party is over, it's time to push myself harder and finally live the dream I've always dreamed of.