2001 – SM Entertainment

“How is it?” Donghae asked Youngrae as soon as she stepped out from the audition room. Youngrae gave him a small but sad smile and shook her head.

“No way! You sing better than me!” Donghae said and pulled her into a hug.

“But you dance better than me.” Youngrae said smiling.

“Hmm, you’re right.” Donghae said playfully and they laughed. They made their way out from SM building without saying anything. “I’ll treat you some sweet rice cakes.” He suddenly said.

“Yah, appa didn’t give you that money to buy sweets.” Youngrae said. Donghae didn’t listen to her and entered the mart. He asked her to wait outside which she complied. He was probably just wanted her to feel better. She sighed. This was the final audition and she had failed. She did feel sad but what else can she do? She might go back to Mokpo and help her father. She sighed again.

Donghae returned with a big grin that made Youngrae smiled as well. “Let’s go!” he said and took her hand and ran to the river. They sat by each other under the shade and ate the rice cakes. After eating, Youngrae got up.

“So, you’re going home?” Donghae asked as they made their way to the train station and Youngrae nodded sadly.

“Send my regards to appa and hyung.” Donghae said and Youngrae nodded. “I’m going to miss you.” He said and hugged her.

“I’m going to miss you too, oppa.” She said and felt tears welling up in her eyes.

“Hwaiting!” she said to Donghae.

“Hwaiting!” Donghae grinned.

“Take care!” Youngrae said and climbed up onto the train. She took a sit and stuck her head out.

“You too, take care!” Donghae said.

“Oppa too, practice hard and don’t skip meals!” she yelled.

“Annyeong!” Donghae yelled and Youngrae waved. Donghae jogged before running to catch up with the train making Youngrae smiled. With one last wave, Youngrae pulled her head back and leaned against her seat. She closed her eyes and let out a big sigh.

“I’m going to try again and I’ll make sure I’ll succeed this time!” she said and smiled. She looked outside the window, enjoying the scenery and tried to forget this bitter feeling of failure.

A year later – Year 2002

“Appa…I don’t know what to say.” Youngrae said and started to sob.

“What are you doing? You’re going to hurt your voice if you cry.” Her father said and pulled her into a hug. “Be a strong girl, will you, my sun.” He said her hair and wiped her tears. Youngrae nodded and hugged her dad once again.

“I won’t disappoint you again, appa.” Youngrae said.

“My child, you’ve never disappointed me.” Her father said making her heart weak. “Hwaiting!” he said.

“Hwaiting!” she said back with a smile as she climbed onto the train. She poked her head out to wave goodbyes and to see her father’s smile. She smiled and waved before pulling her head back.

She finally reached Seoul and made her way to SM. Donghae can’t accompany her to audition as he was busy with training. She sighed. She was alone unlike last time where she got her brother to accompany her. Today will be the day where she will pass the audition and be a trainee in SM. She will realize her father’s and her own dreams.

When she was finally called to enter with nine other girls, it reminded her on the first time she was here. The only thing that made it different was today, she was more confident in herself.

~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Now, I will call upon the names that have passed. Park Shinhee, Kim Ahn Cess and Lee Youngrae.” Youngrae blinked twice when her name was called and pointed at herself. “Me?” she wondered.

“Congratulations and I hope you will not drop out from training.” The woman said and Youngrae realized she was crying in happiness. The girls were ushered out because the auditions needed to be continued. Youngrae clasped her hand to her chest, smiling radiantly.

“Appa, I succeeded!” she said and wiped her tears. She glanced at her watch and realized she needed to catch up her train to Mokpo.

“Ah!” she tripped and fell. She looked up and saw a girl smirking at her.

“Succeeded? You didn’t even debut yet but you have succeeded?” the girl gave scoffed and flipped her hair before walking away.

‘What’s with her? I didn’t even do anything to her…’ she thought.

“Gwenchanayo?” a girl asked, coming to her side and helped her up.

“Ne, gomawoyo,” she said and smiled. The girl returned her smile.

“You passed the audition too, right?” she asked and Youngrae nodded.

“What’s your name?” she asked. “I’m Lee Youngrae.”

“I’m Kim Ahn Cess. Your age?” she asked.

“I’m 14.”

“Ah, you’re 88 liners then? Me too, but I was born in December so, you’re an unnie then.” She said.

“Then call me unnie,”

“Arasso, Youngrae unnie.” She said and they giggled.

“Ah, I have to catch a train.” Youngrae said.

“Jinjjayo? Then will I see you at SM building?” Cess asked and Youngrae nodded.

“Good then, take care unnie!” she said and Youngrae waved back before running to the train station.

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Erk, sorry for the late update. I’m sorry if this is short since I can’t seem to really grasp Youngrae’s character…but I’ll improve! =)

Cess made a cameo here.