_ Ana, move a little more to the left. Said my father, clearly delighted that I needed his help.
_ Like this? Is this better? I replied.
_ Perfect. 1, 2, 3... Action! He said, starting the recording for my audition. He had truly stepped into the role of a producer.
I took a deep breath to steady myself before introducing myself to the camera in a clear voice.
_ Hello, my name is Anael. I am 19 years old, I'm from Toronto, Canada, and I am passionate about music. My dream is to become the brightest star possible, so that my face is recognized and known everywhere. I said in my most enthusiastic voice, a smile pinned to my face.
_ My special talent is that my voice can work miracles. I have a very wide vocal range, I can sing in several registers, and I am skilled at imitating both humans and animals. For this audition, I will be singing Mirror Mirror by F.Hero x Milli Ft. Changbin. Sit back and enjoy the show. I added with a smirk.
Once my introduction was complete, my father, without missing a beat, started the karaoke version of the song. I took a deep breath, stabilized my breathing, and relaxed my body. My fingers tapped against my thigh to the tempo of the music, and I dove in at the right moment. The words rolled and flowed from my mouth with incredible ease. I barely realized it was almost time for the different rap sections. This song is truly difficult because you have to sing in three different languages and rap in three different voices to match the original artists. You have to control your voice and stay focused to avoid tripping up during the intense raps—especially Changbin's part, which is incredibly fast.
Despite the difficulty, I sang with immense pleasure. I immersed myself in my memories. I remembered how much my sister loved this song because of the self-confidence the artists radiated and the reference to Snow White. For my part, I really loved the different raps, especially Milli's "baddie yet adorable" style. Océane and I used to sing this song in the car on the way to our various activities; it was like an energy boost before a big day. Without losing a second, I transitioned from Milli's rap to the chorus as if enchanted, a reassured smile spreading across my face. The hardest part was over. My hands moved away from my body as I began to truly enjoy the rap. I felt as though I could hear my sister's voice singing the catchy chorus along with me.
_ Mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall (mmm, uh-huh)
Who the freakin' savage? Listen, baby, yes, we are (yes, we are)
Mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall
Who the freakin' savage? Listen, baby, yes, we are
The final musical notes of the song faded out slowly, leaving a gentle silence in their wake. I bowed slightly to end my performance, and my father stopped the video after receiving my signal. I collapsed onto the dance floor to catch my breath. I hadn't realized I had expended so much energy for this performance. I had practiced for weeks to master it on my own, but the stress must have exhausted me more than I thought. I was glad I had pre-recorded the dance video with my parents earlier in the week. For the dance portion, I had created a routine to the song「アイドル」 by Yoasobi, which is the opening of an anime I love, Oshi no Ko.
_Anael, you were incredible! I'm sure you'll be picked. You're the best! My father said, applauding.
He approached me to hand me a bottle of water. He and my mother have always been our biggest supporters. Especially my father, who works from home and was truly a stay-at-home dad during our childhood. He has always been our number one fan. He, my sister, and I were my sister's cheerleaders during her competitions, but also during my math competitions. We have always been a family of fanatical supporters, all except my mother, perhaps because she is a surgeon under constant pressure. My mother has always been pragmatic; she is enthusiastic but keeps a cool head to make difficult decisions. My father follows his feelings wherever they lead, and my mother puts a brake on any overly emotional decisions. I always thought I took after her, until Océane's death hit me and I discovered that I, too, could become uncontrollable due to my emotions.
Perhaps that's why, when I told my parents I wanted to enter the entertainment industry to pursue Océane's dream, my father clapped loudly, agreeing it was an amazing idea, while my mother was in complete opposition. She didn't want this world to take the only daughter she had left. After weeks of pleading, she finally agreed to let me debut, but only if it was in a group. I could try a solo career if I wanted, but only after at least two years of group activities. To reassure her, I said yes, and that is how I found myself applying for JYP Entertainment's survival show to produce a global mixed-gender group.
I stumbled upon the announcement by chance while browsing YouTube for music to expand my musical repertoire. The ad was simple, the company reliable. I saw in the comments that it was the first time the company had decided to create a true co-ed group rather than a simple collaboration between their male and female artists. Furthermore, instead of sharing responsibility with another agency, they would handle it alone. It's a colossal project that will cost the company a lot of money, but they are hoping for great returns. All in all, it was reliable enough for my mother to agree, so I applied. After filming my singing video, my father and I headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner. This was one of my favorite activities to do with my sister, and it still is. While we cooked, my father took the opportunity to ask me about the show.
_So... once you send your application, how long will it take to know if you've been selected? He asked curiously.
_I'd say about two months, maybe more. It depends on when they want to start filming the rest of the show.
_How many people are they going to select, exactly?
_Um, it said 200 people, if I remember correctly. I said, cutting the meat for the stew.
_200 people?! That's huge, isn't it? And all those people will travel to South Korea for the competition? Will the company house you, or do I need to find you an apartment?
_Actually, 200 people isn't that many. Applications were sent from all over the world, so I thought they would take more. It seems they're going to be really strict. I said with a sigh.
_Well, then.
_To answer your other questions: yes, we all have to travel to Korea for the show at their own expense. No, the company won't provide housing for Phase 1 and 2. So, we'll need to find me a place to live. They will provide housing after Phase 2, once the results are in.
_ I see. Do you want me to help you find a place, or do you want to do it yourself?
_ Of course I want you to take care of it, Dad! I said, bursting into laughter. I'll be leaving the nest soon; I think I can afford to let myself be pampered a little. I smiled, giving him a wink.
_ Absolutely, sweetheart. I'll take care of everything, my lady. He laughed, playing along.
I laughed at his exaggerated tone.
_ The pleasure is all mine, my dear. I said, imitating an old-fashioned way of speaking.
We burst into laughter and continued cooking. My mother arrived just as we were nearly finished. She walked into the kitchen, kissed my cheek, and started cuddling her sweetheart. I slipped away into the dining room to give them some space. I took out my phone to continue watching choreography videos on YouTube. Dancing is my weak point, so I take every free moment I have to practice. The troupe on the screen was composed of girls and boys; they were incredibly agile. The choreography was vibrant, and everyone was perfectly synchronized. I wondered if, if I win the contest, the group I debut with will be as synchronized as the one on the screen. I hope I'll get along well with my teammates. After all, we could be together for a long time.
___
References:
_ Song "Mirror Mirror" by F.Hero x Milli ft. Changbin of Stray Kids.
_ Song "Idol" by Yoasobi.
_ JYP Entertainment: A multinational entertainment company founded by Park Jin Young in 1997.
_ YouTube: A social network and video-sharing platform owned by Google.
_ The inspiration for this chapter is drawn in part from the song ReawakeR by LiSA ft. Felix of Stray Kids, which you can listen to while reading if you wish.
Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day.