The application form was pretty standard. Fill in your name, age, school, year, address, height, weight and any previous experience in the field. I fill out the majority of the form with no problems but stop at the last section. Previous experience. Do they count anything related to music? Ahh, better write it down just in case. Hmm, lots of experience in school choirs, and 10 years of experience in the concert band - learning and playing the Flute. Hopefully they can see my passion for music as clear as I do. Being involved with the school's music program throughout the majority of my schooling years is definitely something that I am proud of. I am not like the others who quit when school gets tough in the final years before graduation.

I hand my form back to the girl at the desk and get a sticker with my audition number on it and with the words "S.M. Entertainment" below it. Another S.M. staff directs the new group of us towards the remaining seats and tells us to wait for our number to be called out. I take a seat and look around the big hall.

MVs from S.M. artists were showing on the projector, earning cheers and squeals from the audience.

Credit: heobeokji

To my right, there was a giant S.M. Youth Star Audition banner featuring teaser photos of Super Junior, DBSK, SNSD, BoA, SHINee, F(x), EXO-K and EXO-M.

Credit: Jane Rabbit

And all around the room, I could see posters stuck onto and on top of the picture frame and hangings of the Town Hall. I hope the Town Hall won't mind some sticky tape or blutack residue!

Credit: Jane Rabbit

I look at my sticker. This is my number. My fate. I take out my camera and snap a picture to freeze this moment in time. "No pictures!" The staff lady scolded right after I took my photo. Argh, sorry sorry. I put my camera back into my bag. Trust S.M. to be this secretive - when there's nothing to hide. And so, with nothing to do but wait, I start humming along to the songs being shown on the big screen.