Nine: Sungrin - Alice in Wonderland
 

Wednesday July 3rd 2013 -- Jellyfish Entertainment Dance Studio
Seoul, South Korea
 

"Never thought I would ever hear of a cover of Only One with that much virbato," said the girls' vocal coach Lee Kyungjae.

Sungrin swallowed hard, not sure if his comment was meant to be taken as criticism or a compliment. She thought she had performed the song well, all things considered. However, she knew what the problem was. She was a classically trained singer attempting to make it in the pop world. She studied opera and musical theatre, but that would necessarily translate well into the idol world and she had been told this many times by Kyungjae. She had to tone her vocals down to better match the music, but old habits are always incredibly hard to kick.

"Why do you want to be a k-pop idol versus let's say ... a musical theatre actress? Or an opera singer?" Hwang Saejun asked. He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand,  his expression stern as he awaited her answer.

"Because I really want to be an idol." Sungrin's answer was simple. Too simple. And she could tell by the way the CEO continued to look at her as if he were expecting something more that he wanted to hear her say something else but she couldn't bring herself to do it.

After all, he knew what was on her heart. He had been there when she and her parents signed her contract to become a trainee. While most trainees signed indefinite contracts, training until they debuted or transferrd elsewhere, Sungrin's parents were adament about making her contract last a mere 4 years. If 4 years passes and she hadn't debuted, she would have to give up her pursuit of music for good and pursue a more "lucrative" field of study. 

She didn't want to be a lawyer or an accountant like her incredibly pretty, intelligent, and successful older sisters. She wanted to sing. She wanted to be an idol.

The trainee dorm was surprisingly quiet that night after their last evaluations. Eight of the girls has been announced as memmbers of Blue, Jellyfish Entertainment's first ever girl group.  Jiwon had tood everyone that Saejun was going to pick nine, but he simply stopped at eight. One girl who  didn't make it stormed out after calling the poor, newly selected leader a filthy liar.

Sungrin simply left, her best friend and fellow trainee Hwang Sunmin on her heels. She was relieved that both she and Sunmin hadn't been selected. It would have been difficult to be separated from the person she had become closest to throuhout their trainee days so far. They were almost a package deal. Not many other trainees knew them individuall. They knew them as a pair nicknamed 2Sun. They always practiced togethet, hunt out together, and even roomed together at the trainee dorm.

And that's where they were at the moment, cooped up on Sunmin's bed, huddled close together over a laptop and watching old episodes of "Star Golden Bell" together and only dresming of the day when they would both be in a group making numerous variety show appearances.

"Lee Joon is so gorgeous," Sunmin mumbled, breaking their silence.

Sungrin chuckled. "You like anyone that can make you laugh."

"Basically... It doesn't take much to win my heart." The other girl shrugged shamelessly.

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on their bedroom door. They looked up just a the door was opened by Taeksoo. She smiled shyly to the two older girls.

"Sungrin-unnie, Saejun-appa is out in the living room," the younger girl said. "He wants to speak to you."

Sungrin glanced at Sunmin nervously.

"Better go see what he wants," said Sunmin quietly.

With a nod, Sungrin got up and followed Taeksoo to the living room. Her footsteps were slow and deliberate as she stalled, suddenly feeling rather anxious about speaking to the CEO. When she finally entered the living room, he fesrs were eliminated almost completely when she saw the enormous grin that was plastered on the man's usually serious face.

"Welcome to Blue, Cha Sungrin," said Saejun.

Here we are finally! All 9 members revealed and now the party can really get started! ^^ Congratulations to Sungrin and her awesome creator Aki (akijune). Please forgive any typos because the majority of this was typed on my phone since I'm out of town for the Thanksgiving holiday.