Evening 6 P.M.;
After everyone finished their performances, the ones who were selected for the program on that day, gathered on the third floor of the building.
Along with the remaining 21, Jun also took the seat in the mini theatre where actors used to train before. A man in his early forties, wearing a suit, arrived and stood on the stage with a mic.
"Hello, my name is Ro Jong-Su. First of all, let me congratulate all of you for making it into our training program."
*Clap*Clap*
As everyone clapped along with him, Jongsu continued, "Before we go into details, everyone should know what this program is about. Can anyone answer?"
One of the contestants raised his hand and said, "Is it some sort of boot camp?"
"Close but not exactly," replied Jongsu with a smile. "This is only the third day of the final audition and until now, we have selected roughly over 50 contestants so far.
By the end of the 15th day, you can expect 250-300 competitors out of which only 21 will be selected as trainees for the top three companies."
While Jun nods as he already expected that much, the majority of the younger contestants gasped in surprise.
"Coming to the details, this program has four stages of training. The first stage is preliminaries where you will be given basic training. Those who have prior training will be self-training.
After the first week, 100 boys and 100 girls will stay and the remaining will leave the program.
In the second stage, you will be divided into three groups according to the preferred mentor you all have entered in the form earlier.
Your mentors will give you 3-minute choreography and will be judged on it at the end of the month. Let me remind you once again that the trainees will be judged more harshly than newcomers.
At the end of the first month, only 50 boys and 50 girls will stay.
The third stage will start in the second month, and this is where the advantage of newcomers will disappear. Here, everyone will be treated equally and groups will be formed according to your preferred category this time.
At the end of the second month, only 21 boys and 21 girls will stay who will then proceed to the fourth and final stage, where everyone will be spent in isolation at an old training facility.
After the third month, 21 of 42 contestants will be selected for the finals of which the top 11 can choose their own agency and the remaining 10 will be chosen by the judges. The better your final ranking, the better the terms of your contract will be.
The winner gets a chance to appear in one of the MVs jointly produced by the three top companies.
Everyone should keep in mind that once you get into the fourth stage, you will be able to neither attend your schools nor you will be allowed to talk to your parents or friends.
So, discuss it clearly with your parents and school and take your decision before the 28th of this month."
Then, one of the staff handed out forms to each of them. "These are the consent forms. Those who are adults don't need their parents' signatures. You need to submit them at the reception on the ground floor.
Once you submit them, you can choose the rooms at the dorm. You will be provided accommodation, food, gym, language, Vocal, acting, dance, rap classes for free.
Oh, and you will probably hear about this again later but let me give you a friendly reminder in advance. No dating.
Unless you are allotted into the same group for a task, you aren't allowed even to interact with girls."
Then, Jongsu glanced at Jun, Daniel, and others who are mostly above 16, and warned in a serious tone, "Breaking the rules will get you a warning, and three warnings will blacklist you, not only from the program but also from Genesis, Echo, and Signature… So, take it seriously."
As everyone nodded in understanding, Jongsu continued, "Finally, prepare yourself for performance on Day 1. There won't be a judgment about it. It's just a formality of introducing yourself to the judges, audience, fellow participants, and viewers.
It can be anything. Not just limited to dancing or singing. You can show your other talents too. Any questions?"
Daniel quickly raised his hand, attracting the attention of others.
"Yes?"
"If I sign it and submit the form, can I choose my room, right now?"
As Jun stared at him in surprise because of the same doubt he had in mind, a couple of people let out a stifle of laughter, thinking he must be a country boy, Jongsu replied, "sure but you aren't allowed to live there until 1st of November."
Upon hearing him, Jun didn't think much of it and quickly signed his form, keeping it in his pocket to submit it after this is over.
After exchanging the phone numbers, Jun parted ways with the two of them and followed the intern to the male dorm, which is located just a few blocks away while the upper floors of the building are reserved for girls.
Looking at the six-floor building, with each floor housing a 2000 sq. ft apartment, Jun's face is filled with amazement, "wow, renting the whole building for two months? That too, in a neighborhood like Hapjeong-dong in this Mapo district? Looks like these guys aren't holding back with expenses.
But, this won't be enough for everyone. In the end, there will be 100-150 members. I guess they will rent one more, later."
Entering the first floor, Jun saw a massive hall filled with furniture, looking all new. But, then, as soon as he entered one of the bedrooms, Jun understood how they were intending to manage everyone.
Looking at three pairs of bunk beds on either side, Jun asked, "Are all rooms like these?"
The intern replied, "No. This one accommodates twelve people while the other room accommodates eight people."
"What about the third one? Isn't this a three-bedroom apartment?" asked Jun.
The intern shook his head, "the last one accommodates four but they were already filled until the fourth floor."
Since the room arrangement gets changed eventually after a week of staying, Jun went to the next room and pointed to the one that was available.
"A09." After noting down the number, the intern spoke, "you can collect the gate pass at the reception on 1st."
Two hours later;
"Mom, I'm… home…" spoke Jun, taking off his shoes and paused for a second, staring at the familiar sandals, "again? Do these girls have that much free time?
Well, let's just meet them. Last time, I was too rude to not say even hello."