My arms swung, my legs flailed, and my head twisted, I looked like a baby having a tantrum. They made it look so easy on the screen.
I sat down already out of breath and sweating a river. I let out a deep sigh.
“Status”
[Side Mission]
Mission: Get up and dance!
Goal: Watch a dance routine and copy it
Failure: nil
Time: 30 minutes
Rewards: +1 to Dance
Notes: Get up
It looks like about 30 minutes had already passed by, and I was only able to “emulate” half of their dance routine.
Only halfway.
I got up again and went to the bathroom to get a towel. Dragging my feet that were already tired.
Opening the door, I went through and went to the rack reaching for the small towel on it.
I grabbed on to it, feeling the cheap material, it was made of, rough like carpet. As I made my way back, I took one last look at the broken mirror. Looking at the reflection of myself
“Sorry”
Turning around I went through the door and closed it behind me, rubbing the towel on my face and neck I placed it down on the table near the couch.
I looked at the video. It was paused halfway. The video itself was only about 2 minutes, but I must've rewinded the first half tens of times.
Rewatching the same synchronized movements over and over again, even when I was able to copy them, it still couldn't compare to what the video showed.
I picked up the controller and unpaused it.
“Alright let's resume”
Focusing on the ensuing routine I followed their moves. A step to the right, both arms going up, left foot back and pivoting with it.
It still wasn't right.
I rewound the video and did it again, step to the right, both arms going up, left foot back and pivoting with it.
Still not the same.
Rewinding it again multiple times then continuing to the next part. I copied the routine step by step, the moves leading into the next repeating and rewinding, each time less chaotic than before.
Before long, it looked… pretty decent.
I kept moving as the routine reached its end, paying attention to nothing else but the video and my steps.
As the music faded and the video ended, all that I could hear was my heavy breathing and a hum in my head. Sweat dripped down the side of my face.
It actually felt good to dance.
[Side mission Complete]
Rewards: +1 to Dance
Bonus: First time completing a routine +1 to Dance
Notes: Not the best, but not hopeless
The screen flashed in my face, surprised at first but I looked over the reward and bonus.
+2 to dance. I looked over my stats.
Name: Rae Minwoo (Formerly Joon Seok)
Level: 2
Title: None
Vocal: C
Dance: F→ D-
Visual: C+
Talent(s): None
Characteristics: Social Manipulator, Self Loathing
Tsk
Even with plus two to dance it still was so low. From trash to garbage.
Still, it was two points, there must've been a difference.
I redid the first seconds of the routine to check what the difference was. As I started to dance, I could already tell the small changes.
It was easier to move around, my steps felt lighter, and the moves connected more. It was still bad generally speaking but way better than before.
I flopped backwards onto the couch. I felt tired but also accomplished. I don't think I've ever worked this hard at something.
At this rate I might be able to make it.
I grabbed the towel on the table and dried myself with it, slinging it around my neck. Grabbing the controller that was on the couch I looked at the TV screen looking up “MGM Entertainment”
As I scrolled through the videos, I spotted one that was uploaded a couple days ago. The name of the video was “MGM Idol Trainee Announcement”
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
I clicked on the video.
There was a man behind a desk sitting down, he looked mature. Just from seeing his face you could tell he was experienced in his field, his hair graying on the sides, his face slightly wrinkled, he sat with great posture and spoke with poise.
“It's already that time of the year for us, we’re excited to announce our annual open trainee recruitment, as of the date that this video is uploaded, MGM will be accepting all applications of those aspiring to be Idols.”
This must be what the screen was talking about getting accepted here. I sat up making sure I paid close attention to what the video showed.
“Although the application is open to all, we are only looking for those most motivated to work for it. Those who exhibit talent, motivation, and passion.”
The man behind the desk stood up and walked closer to the camera showing a large smile.
“All those ready to take the next step will have two weeks to submit a self-introduction and a performance. After that we at MGM will choose those, we see fit to participate in the auditions.”
He stepped back a bit and sat on his desk and clapping once.
“Now then the application window is open for the next two weeks after that we will take two weeks to review all applications. I hope that you all try your best, goodbye.”
As the video ended, I grabbed the controller and turned off the TV. I sighed and looked at my reflection in the dark TV screen.
Two weeks to submit an application.
It wasn't a short amount of time but neither long, although I leveled up my stats a bit, I could tell that it still wasn't enough.
Nothing about me stood out yet, at most my looks were slightly good.
If I wanted to submit something good, I would need to level up my stats in those two weeks and send in my application in the final few days of the application deadline.
“Self-Introduction and performance.”
I muttered to myself while playing with my hands. So, I needed to talk about myself in the self-introduction and I needed to do a performance.
I had to make the choice of either following the routine that I've already practiced or doing a different one. I was already familiar with the dancing part of it but not yet the vocal part.
…
In the end I chose to master the routine I had already started, working on both the Vocals and choreography
In the 9 days that followed me watching the video I practiced everyday spending hours watching the same video. Analyzing their movements and vocal range.
I couldn't sing everyone's parts or dance everyone's routines so I chose the one that I thought wouldn’t be impossible to do but would stand out.
I spent those days from the morning to night dancing until I formed scrapes on my feet and until my throat went dry.
Although there weren't any other side missions appearing, my stats did go up, slowly but they crawled their way forward helping me see that practice itself was changing me.
I had recorded and submitted my self-introductory and performance with Sooah helping to record and edit the video.
Since submitting the video, it had been two weeks, and after receiving the notice that I had passed the preliminary round of auditions I was now standing in front of the MGM Entertainment building.
Looking up at the tall building I couldn't help but feel a bit accomplished. Those 4 weeks I spent practicing and working on my skills were not for nothing, and right here and now I would need to show them off and pass the auditions.
“Status”
I looked over my stats seeing the difference those four weeks of hard work made.
Name: Rae Minwoo (Formerly Joon Seok)
Level: 1 → 2
Title: None
Vocal: C → C+
Dance: D- → C
Visual: C+ → B-
Talent(s): None
Characteristics: Social Manipulator, Self Loathing
They were still not super high, but they would have to be enough. I needed to trust that right now this would be enough for me to pass.
I had spent the past few weeks following Sooah’s skin care routine, practicing the choreography the most and singing.
I switched to the mission tab looking at the mission that was about to end.
[Side Mission]
Mission: Pass the MGM Entertainment auditions
Goal: Hone your skills and pass the MGM auditions to become a trainee
Failure: Minus 50 days to main mission
Time: 3 hours
Rewards: +2 stat points, 1 surprise reward
Notes: Cmon it's 30 days you can't complain about that! Don't fail.
Three hours left. If I don't pass this mission not only, will I have my time cut down but also my chances at debuting.
I closed the status window and looked forward at the door in front of me. Something like this wouldn't have made me nervous before but standing here right now did make me feel scared.
Not at the possibility of failing the mission but that my efforts would have been for naught.
I let out a deep breath and opened the door, walking through it and heading to the front desk.
I met the eyes of the person attending it.
He looked me over and asked.
“Are you here for the auditions?”
I nodded.
“Yea, here's the email if you need it.”
He hunched forward and looked at my phone.
“Alright, come follow me through here.”
He took me behind the desk through a hallway. Everything looked so clean and new. They must've been able to make money from these trainees.
Finally after walking a bit, we reached a door the man who led me opened it and ushered me in.
The room was brightly lit, almost like a hospital. There were mirrors on the walls and the floor was wood. It was fairly big. In the far end of the room were three chairs with a desk in front of them.
On the sides of the room were speakers. Probably for the performances.
On the desks were laptops and notepads. Behind the table was a camera pointed towards the rest of the room.
Close to the door where chairs were arranged in rows, about 20 or more chairs, most were filled with people around my age.
As I came in many stared me down, some with curious looks on their faces and others who looked as if they saw someone they hated.
I paid no attention to them. I've been stared at worse, unless they did something there wasn't much to worry about.
I kept my feet on the floor and made my way through them sitting near the middle.
Some there looked at me, but I maintained my eyesight at the front desk.
As more time passed the room filled up leaving no chairs empty. Still, no one spoke to each other. The room completely silent, tension in it.
There would be no point in talking when only a few would be chosen.
Then suddenly the door opened, three people stepping through. They all looked professional.
Although I didn't know who they were based on their looks and demeanor I could tell they were the people who would determine if we passed the auditions or not.
They made their way to the front desk and sat down. The woman sitting in the middle seat turned on a microphone and tapped it causing a loud noise.
“Alright, let's start the auditions”
I guess this is where it begins, I touched my chest and let out a deep sigh.
Might as well enjoy it.
