At studio 5 of the movie and television complex, many young people were lined up waiting for their turn to audition. Under the guidance of the staff, the audition proceeded in an orderly manner.
One after another smug young people stepped onto the stage, and one after another walked down in frustration. Even some people with poor mental capacity, after hearing severe criticism, ran out of the theater with red eyes.
Cindy was cursing her teammates but memorizing the script was her priority. She debuted from a girl group survival show last year, after a year of group activities the members were now given the opportunity to shine. Everyone.. but her.
Fee was in the same company as Cindy, she was the center and leader of their temporary group - stardust. She got the best resources out of nine members and excelled in singing and dancing.
Debuted in ninth place, Cindy always placed in the back row, getting the least singing parts and showtimes. So far to the point, she only had one private session in every stardust concert.
Of course, she didn't care, she wasn't aiming to be a singer or idol in the first place - the circumstances just forced her to make a quick debut.
What she couldn't stomach from the company's treatment was the fact that in the group's second year of the contract, they didn't let her act on anything. Let alone choosing scripts for Cindy to read, several producers and directors who contacted Cindy were stopped by the company. They did not let Cindy audition or prepare an internal production. Her 5 years of acting training just evaporated under a temporary contract as a girl group member.
It was too much so Fee personally sent Cindy's portfolio and signed her up for an audition in Director Cai's next project.
Director Cai was one of the only major directors in the entertainment industry who chose newcomers every time he made a project. He was well respected in the industry and had a serious connection overseas. His project this time was a youth drama called Re-Youth.
Youth theme required that the starring role be "youth."
This youth did not refer to age but referred to youthfulness. It was necessary for the audience to see the youth sprout and the beautiful feeling of youth at a glance. For this requirement alone, those artists who have made their debut for a long time and have rich experience are not among the candidates.
The scriptwriter for this project was last year Best Script Writer for Televisions - Lin Yu. This project could be a stepping stone for young artists to gain popularity.
Cindy readjusted her mask and hat, she was here not as Stardust's Cindy but as Cindy Li the new actress. With her eyes glued to the script, she chanted her lines with a determination to see through the script.
Because this was a television drama about youth, the storyline revolved around school life including friendship and young love, the process of growing up, and the obstacles of living under expectations from the people around them.
Cindy auditioned for the third female role, a former conglomerate family who fell into poverty and worked part-time as stuntmen in action films while preparing for university entrance exams.
"Number 32!"
Cindy closed her tattered script and followed the staff to the audition room.
As expected from big names in the industry, the director and scriptwriter both present.
Director Cai didn't look much, immediately started reading her profile.
Lin Yu took over, the woman smiled warmly. "Participant, please introduce yourself."
Manner was important, so Cindy took off her mask and hat before going on stage. "Hello judges, hello everyone. My name is Cindy Li and I'm auditioning for the third female role."
Another judge took his microphone, "This name sounds familiar. Are you sure you are from B Label? Please note that your application must be true, any fraud will be subjected to a ban from our future works."
Cindy gulped, she knew using their original company won't work easily. Unless their win or more like Fee's winning the center position from last year, their company had zero publicity ever since.
"My company is a small one, Sir but it is a proper and legal company. I trained there for 5 years and this is my first time auditioning."
Director Cai: "Fine. Leave the formalities to the legal department, you can start your audition Participant Li."
"Yes, thank you."
Cindy likes to eat and doesn't like dieting, the most effective exercise for her is practicing a martial art. Steadily, Cindy borrowed the sword belonging to the production crew's property team.
The scene she chose was the scene where Lin Jingyi met the third male lead after her action shoot.
She took the imaginary towel and slowly wiped her forehead. Her movements were very slow as if the slow-motion button was pressed. It was Lin Jingyi's first work after the proud daughter of heaven fell from grace. She expressed the complexities of emotion and determination while maintaining her dignity in the sword dance.
It's not much of a conversation in this scene, Cindy was channeling her inner emotion to express how Lin Jingyi felt.
.
.
.
Unknowingly the audition came to an end and the roles to be recruited were almost determined.
A vibration from her phone made her panic, Cindy hurriedly put on her mask and hat to the back alley after talking to the assistant director to leave early.
Cindy was too ignorant to realize that not far from her place waiting for Fee's van, there was an Audi R8 shadowed by a large property truck... And from a certain angle, she looked like she was from that Audi.
The popularity of a music group can be seen from how often their music was played by the public and how high consumers were interested in buying the products they advertise. Recently, the music group that has become a national favorite icon was Stardust.
Since its debut last year, Stardust has been gaining popularity both domestically and internationally thanks to its character, talent, and beauty. Their album sales were very high and their songs always top the charts, nationwide and globally.
Preferential treatment was given to those who make a lot of profit for the company and Cindy was s not the main breadwinner in the group, which was why they give Cindy less leeway than the rest of the team.
Fee just finished her last day of filming a project and immediately flew to Singapore to shoot a commercial as a local cosmetic brand ambassador. Because of her role as a brand ambassador, Fee has stayed in Singapore for some time to attend various promotional events and fan meetings.
Under the guise of accompanying Fee to the spa, Cindy had made it to the audition earlier and now Fee's personal manager had called her into the office. Cindy quickly got into Fee's van to pick up her friend and headed to the Starlight Entertainment office to perfect their cover.
"How was it?"
"I don't know, I did my best so the rest is up to the judges."
"You'll doing great, you help me a lot during our training."
"I'm supposed to be the actress, of course, I help you with your acting. Just like you helo me with all the idol things."
"Fine, we help each other."
They stopped their banter the moment the car was in the valet of Starlight Entertainment's building.
"Fee!" the woman's high-pitched voice was familiar for them.
"Sister Minglin."
"Miss Minglin."
The two greeted her and her entourage.
"Oh, isn't it Lindy. You look… unique."
Cindy fought back the urge to roll her eyes and smile, "I'm going to the practice room. Excuse me."
"I don't even want to know."
Minglin's snort made her group giggle in amusement.
Cindy only considers the wind and their treatment, after all, her contract with Starlight was only half left. Why should she bother with such trivial provocations?
Fee respected manners, she didn't like Minglin's treatment of Cindy but she wasn't in a position to reprimand Minglin either. Not only was the contract with Starlight binding, but Minglin was also a big name in the industry. Making a fuss about this would only bring them disaster, after all their original agency wasn't Starlight.
If she and Cindy were seen acting up, Minglin's connection alone was enough to get their names crossed out by the public and the entertainment industry.
Thankfully Cindy was as tough as steel. Her friend was indeed not an idol material but her love for the world of acting was undeniable. That's why she dared to register Cindy for today's audition and allow herself as the shield although she didn't like to lie.
"Sister Minglin, what makes you anxious on the phone? Is there something wrong?"
"Geez, I forgot. Here," Minglin handed him a blue envelope with gold accents, "You were invited to the Zaphyr Gala. I also managed to negotiate you as one of the red carpet MCs. You are in charge of interviewing the invitees before they enter the venue. It's big publicity!"
"Is that so? Then thank you, Sister Lin."
"Of course, anything for my favorite artist."