Kpop Club

Kpop Club

By Y.R. Choi

Copyright 2013 Daegom Limited

Smashwords Edition

Y.R. Choi has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Characters and names are the product of the author’s imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the author.

Cover design by Y.R. Choi, Daegom Limited.

First published in 2013 by Daegom Limited.

www.daegom.com

ISBN 978-0-9575914-1-7

Find out more about the book at

www.kpopclub.com

www.facebook.com/kpopclubbook

With all my love to Mum, Dad, Tim and Bob the dog X

Connect with Y.R. Choi online…

www.yrchoiauthor.com

www.twitter.com/yrchoi_author

Kpop Club

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - OMG

Chapter 2 - Rebecca

Chapter 3 - Hyerim onnie

Chapter 4 - The meeting

Chapter 5 - The aftermath

Chapter 6 - The KYM audition

Chapter 7 - The KYM meeting

Chapter 8 - The KYM tour

Chapter 9 - Celebrations

Chapter 10 - Meeting the girls

Chapter 11 - Got style?

Chapter 12 - Fitness and diet

Chapter 13 - Studio session

Chapter 14 - The press conference

Chapter 15 - The date

Chapter 16 - Blood, sweat and tears

Chapter 17 - The big day

Chapter 18 - Next steps

1

OMG

Krystal paid the taxi driver, stepped out onto the street and took a big gulp of warm evening air. She arched her neck up and scanned the skyline before eventually fixing her gaze on a 30 storey skyscraper. This was the building that housed OMG Entertainment, the company that could make her dreams come true.

Krystal gulped again and this time her stomach let out a deep growl, as if it was preparing itself for a nasty fight. She placed the palm of her right hand on her stomach, adjusted her dress and walked towards the revolving doors at the base of the building.

Once inside, she immediately noticed the bald head of a burly security guard. He marched towards her with a scowl on his face.

Can I help you madam?

I’m looking for OMG Entertainment, please, she squeaked, her throat now completely dry.

You’ll need the 3rd floor, said the guard, pointing towards a set of gold-rimmed elevator doors.

Krystal thanked the guard and walked over to a waiting elevator. She jumped in and punched the 3 button. The doors closed behind her with a loud clunk.

She had hoped for more time to compose herself but alas, there was none - this was it - this was the moment of truth. The lift shot upwards and within no time the doors opened to reveal a stone faced old lady sat at a grand reception desk. On the wall behind her, written in big golden letters, were the words, Oh Music Group (OMG) Entertainment.

Krystal gingerly stepped out of the elevator into the reception room.

How can I help you? barked the receptionist.

I’m looking for Manager Oh - I have an audition with him today at three.

Take a seat over there and I’ll let him know you’ve arrived, said the receptionist, pointing to a cracked leather sofa in the corner of the room.

Krystal shuffled over and sat down.

The room was musty, dimly lit and filled with a handful of withering plants. The walls of the room were lined with a number of tatty display cabinets, full to the brim with various industry awards. Krystal couldn’t help but think that the whole place could have been decorated with a bit more taste. Still, this wasn’t the time to think about interior design; she had worked so hard to get this audition - now was the time to focus on singing.

Manager Oh’s raspy voice interrupted her mid-thought. Hello Krystal – thank you for coming to see me.

Krystal leapt up out of her seat and performed a quick bow.

Having watched Manager Oh on TV as part of the legendary 90s kpop group, Bear and the Band, Krystal expected him to be well over 6 foot tall. She was therefore, very surprised to find that he couldn’t have been taller than 5 foot 5.

This way - let’s start off with a brief chat, said Manager Oh.

Manager Oh led Krystal down a corridor that glistened with light reflecting off the platinum and gold records that plastered its walls. After what seemed like a very long walk, they stopped abruptly and turned into a small meeting room. Manager Oh sat down behind an old oak table and fixed his beady eyes on Krystal.

Krystal stood still, waiting for instructions. After an uncomfortable delay, Manager Oh finally asked her to take a seat opposite him. The hairs on the back of her neck stood to attention.

Explain to me why you want to be a singer.

Hundreds of thoughts went through her head but she made a conscious effort to provide a concise answer - an answer that would paint the picture Manager Oh wanted to see.

I want to be in this industry because I believe I have a talent and I want to use it to make other people happy.

Whilst this was only part of the reason, it would do as an explanation for Manager Oh.

Good answer, said Manager Oh. If I’m being honest with you, a lot of girls say things like that to me but their real motivations often become clearer with time.

Krystal nodded.

To many people Krystal, the kpop industry seems like a happy world full of cute boy bands and girl groups singing bubble gum pop, hanging out and having fun. But, as with many things in life, what goes on behind the scenes isn’t quite as picturesque. Do you understand what I’m saying?

Krystal was a little taken aback. She racked her brain to come up with a smart answer.

I understand that people in this industry make a lot of sacrifices and that what we see in their music videos isn’t the same as their day-to-day lives. But, this is all I want and I’m ready to work very, very hard for it, said Krystal, her cheeks now rosy red.

Well that’s a good start, said Manager Oh. Before we go any further, we must examine one of the most important component parts of being a pop star - your voice. Have you prepared anything to sing for me?

Yes, I’ve prepared Nol Saranghae by 3G (Great Girls Group).

Is this something you’ve rehearsed a lot? asked Manager Oh.

Yes sir, this is something I’ve rehearsed especially for you and this audition.

Well, completely forget it then. I want to test your ability to sing anything I give you. I’m sure you must know Arirang – the traditional Korean folk song?

This was a strange song choice but luckily for Krystal, her mum used to sing Arirang with her when she was a little girl.

Of course, Arirang is like the unofficial Korean national anthem, said Krystal confidently.

Good, let’s start with that shall we? I want to hear it a cappella, said Manager Oh, sliding down in his chair.

Shall I start now? asked Krystal.

Yes, I haven’t got all day.

Krystal shut her eyes, cleared her throat and began to sing.

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo...

Arirang gogaero neommeoganda.

She was quivering but the words came out crisp and perfectly in-tune.

Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun

Simrido motgaseo balbbyeongnanda.

Her voice sounded so much like her mother’s that Krystal couldn’t help but think of her as she sung. She had flashbacks of them together, sitting on the living room floor, laughing and joking.

Manager Oh remained silent after Krystal finished singing and he stared at her for a good couple of minutes before eventually speaking.

Well - I must say vocally, that was impressive; as far as I’m concerned, you have enough raw talent for me to work with.

Krystal let out a deep sigh of relief.

Your voice and image needs to be moulded, but this is exactly why I pay my team thousands of dollars - they help me help people like you, he said, laughing to himself.

Krystal gritted her teeth and forced a smile.

I see you as part of a girl group I’m forming at the moment. Here at OMG Entertainment I have a certain formula I use when picking my girl groups; if we do decide to go into business together you will learn a lot more about this but for now I’ll sum it up in simple terms.

Manager Oh paused as if he was about to share something profound.

"As a starting point, every group must have at least one strong vocalist; this person provides the vocal quality we need to get people to like our songs. It’s not necessary for the remaining group members to be great singers but it’s paramount that they are attractive – and the more attractive the better. As a bare minimum, at least two members of the group should be exceedingly attractive. Every