The Foreign Members

When Bambam joined JYPE, he was only thirteen. A young boy, in a foreign country without any knowledge on how to communicate with the people there. He was a brave young boy pursuing his dreams. However, no matter how brave Bambam is, he was still just a young kid that hadn't even gone through puberty.

Standing right in front of the door, Bambam was scared and nervous. He had raised his hand up, wanting to knock on the door but he ended up bringing it down again. He looked up at the staff who brought him here, giving him a look that seemed to be asking for help. The staff sighed and knocked on the door for him.

The door opened.

"Ah hyung." That was what Bambam thought the older boy at the door had say. What does it mean anyway? Not able to understand what's going on, Bambam just stood there. Until the staff turned to him and told him to go in with an English as broken as his own.

He did and stood at the door for a long time, his eyes scanning the whole place. This is the place he will have to call home for who knows how long.

He heard the door closed but he still didn't move an inch. He shifted his gaze around and then to the left and there stood an older boy with a towel around his neck, his hair still wet.

His eyes are small; Bambam can't help but to notice that.

His gaze shifted again, this time he met his eyes with a boy who just walked out of the kitchen. Well, at least he had assumed it's the kitchen since the other one was holding onto a mug.

"So." The boy who opened the door interrupted Bambam's observation. And before he could continue, Bambam suddenly bowed.

"Annyeonghaseyo," he stuttered a little. "I'm Bambam." That was the only Korean line he could manage out.

An awkward silence took over the dormitory for a short moment before the door guy broke it. He introduced himself as Sungjin and slowly one by one the other boys did too, in their Korean accented English, which Bambam is trying hard to get used to it. But he did manage to get their names; the door guy is Sungjin. The towel guy is Jaebum and the kitchen one is called Jinyoung.

The three older boys nodded at his attempt to pronounce their names. And that was the start of Bambam's trainee life. He was quiet during his stay during those first few months since there's no way to communicate with them except for some broken Korean and English.

Until another foreigner joined them. His name is Mark.

After Sungjin, this new guy was the second oldest. By that time, two older boys – Brian and Wonpil, had joined them in the dorm too and Bambam's Korean speech ability has improved a lot. He could now finally have some decent conversations with the others.

However, he still felt a little better that he's not going to be the only one who's different from the others. Since despite Brian having a fluent English speaking ability, he is still a Korean citizen after all.

But, the presence of Mark was a disappointment.

If Bambam was quiet during the start of his stay, Mark would be considered as half mute. He seldom talked; even when Brian tried to start a conversation in English about how he's coping, all he did was nod. And if they're lucky enough, he will give them a two words reply.

Bambam was having the hardest time since he's sharing a room with Mark. It was awkward everytime they're alone in the room. You would think that Mark will talk more with Bambam since Bambam's English is a lot better than the others. However, most of the time, Mark will just be playing on his phone and Bambam will be doing his homework.

But things got a little better once Mark's Korean lesson started since he had no choice but to really start communicating with the others.

Homework, he had said.

Jinyoung had used that chance to really bring Mark around the company and the places around their dormitory. It took Mark a while to get used to the surroundings but he did eventually with the help of Jinyoung.

Also, Mark and Bambam had officially started talking since they are studying Korean language together. They needed each other's help (and a little of Brian's) with the homework that was given to them. Bambam was a little ahead of him but Mark was a fast learner so he caught up pretty fast.

So finally, instead of just "I'm going to sleep." Or "Your turn to bathe" kind of conversation, they are having proper conversation.

Sometimes Bambam will get curious and asked about the life in LA, which Mark shared. Even though it was pretty short, Bambam was happy enough. Or when Mark is in the mood, he will ask Bambam about his first few months here which Bambam was more than happy to share with him.

That's how Bambam's English grade improved tremendously, his mathematics grades too. Ever since Mark started talking, he's been helping the younger boy with his homework. It felt like having an older brother right beside him. And it kind of comforted him.

The others helped the both of them with their Korean too.

Most of the time, the two of them will do their homework in the living room with everyone around them and they are more than glad to explain to them some of the questions they are having trouble with.

There was once when Bambam got totally confused with the Korean honorifics. He didn't understand why they had to add something behind a name since Mark who's so much older than him was okay with him just calling him by his name.

It took quite some time for the others to explain it to him.

"So, in Korea we are pretty particular with their honorifics as a respect for the people older than you." Jinyoung tried to explain but sighed when Bambam still had that clueless look on his face. It was only when Brian and Mark translated what Jinyoung had said then Bambam understood.

When the Korean kids thought Bambam had finally understood that, they continued. This time it was Sungjin who tried to explain.

"And there's quite a number of it. There are some you use when you just met someone and some that's for the older people around you." He paused for a while to check whether Bambam got what he said which he did this time.

"But let's start with the simpler ones. There are some different kind of honorifics between boys and girls. Not a lot, so you will be able to understand."

Bambam nodded again, indicating that he had understood. So the explanation continued; this time it's Wonpil who started explaining.

"Usually, we call the older boys as hyung or if you're a girl, you call them oppa. And to the older girls, we call them noona or unnie. Depends on whether you're a girl or boy."

The others nodded to what Wonpil had say while they wait for Bambam to absorb what was just explained.

"So," Bambam started and pointed at Jaebum, "Jaebum oppa."

Jaebum who just took a sip of water from his mug choked.

The others just laughed and tried explaining all over again.

Now that the two foreign members could finally have decent conversations, their dormitory got a little louder. It seemed like Bambam's true self finally came out and sometimes, the older ones wished he's an even slower learner.

Because once he started talking, he doesn't stop.

As for Mark, he's still pretty much half mute but he started hanging out with the others and sometimes contributed to the conversation and whenever he did, he made the conversation a little more fun. The others realized that despite Mark being that quiet, he does know how to have fun.

These seven boys stuck together for most of their time and they would never expect that someone even louder than Bambam will join them one year later.

Next Chapter: The Three Girls.

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I should have updated this yesterday but I got busy. Here's a chapter mainly on the 2010 foreign members. I've decided to not add Jackson into the main characters list since he joined about one year later. I love Amerithaikong but this story was supposed to focus on the 2010 kids. There will be supporting characters since the timeline of this series isn't only in 2010. 

The first six chapters will be though. Since they are all introductory chapters. I hope you guys had enjoyed this chapter! Especially if like the relationship between Mark and Bambam. I personally like them a lot. Also, I didn't proof check this chapter, I will edit them once the series ended. 

And if you're enjoying, do leave some feedback! You guys may check out my other stories! They are all pretty light and casual. I might start a not so light one soon tho. So, that's all for now!

signing off,
lildragongurl