JAESUNG
Jaeyon and I woke up early as we received a call from our handler. Our handler said that we need to go to LC Entertainment's headquarters today for an important meeting. Today is the jurisdiction if we still need to be a trainee for more couple of time or we are going home due to not passing the evaluation of the boards in regards to our performance.
We are quite nervous today because what if I fail? I am also afraid of what my parents will tell to me, especially my dad.
I don't want to go home with nothing. I want to go home when I have something I can be proud of.
I am wearing a hoodie, pants and rubber shoes in case I want to prove to them my dancing skills.
"Is that what are you going to wear today?" Jaeyon asked me looking from head to toe. I nodded at him and looked at myself in the mirror. I am quite responsible based on my sight.
"Am I not looking presentable, don't I?" I asked him while combing my hair.
"You look so casual. Keep in mind that we're going to meet the board members including the CEO" he replied.
"I don't care though. This is where I feel comfortable besides this is not that a big and formal event so why would I wear a polo, like you?" I told him while looking at his outfit. He's currently wearing a polo, pants, and a brown leather shoe.
"Ok fine. Wear what you want. It's your choice" He responded and left our dorm. A while later, I heard a horn meaning that our service is already on the outside.
I finalize my outfit and after that, I followed Jaeyon outside. I get inside the service and I saw that the other trainees are there as well. This moment abruptly makes me nervous and confused.
Why there is only seven of us in the van? Does it mean some of the trainees already conduct a jurisdiction? Hell no. I pity those who were kicked out of the company.
The trainees who are with us are Hae In, Min Hyuck, Len Ji, Jin Le, and Jae Hwan. We just became friends last two weeks, I guess?
"Are you guys nervous?" Min Hyuck asks us. I looked at him and he seems not nervous.
"Actually, yes. But whatever happens, I am going to accept it." Len Ji answered. It's hard for me to accept the truth. It feels like I am going to disappoint a lot of people around me.
A while later, we arrived at the building and we quickly get inside as a lot of media are there. We heard that new groups will be going to debut in next following months. How lucky of them…
We entered the elevator and headed to the second top floor of this building where the meeting office is located.
"What the heck" I heard Jaeyon whisper when we finally reached the floor. There are lots of people here including our choreographers, voice coaches, and language teachers.
"All I know is I gave my very best in this journey…" I told myself in a low voice. Little did I know that Jaeyon heard what I have said.
He looked at me and holds my arms. "We're going to manifest that we still continue this journey…" he exclaimed seriously to me which makes me somehow emotional.
Later on, the CEO arrives and we bowed at him. He smiles at us and before getting inside, he said something to us.
"All your hard work will be going to be fruitful. Keep fighting and doing your best." He gets inside the conference room and after that, we have entered.
When we entered the room, I noticed that the setting and ambiance seems like a courtroom. The CEO is sitting in the front where the judge seats while we the trainees, sitting in the middle of the room facing the CEO. The choreographers, vocal coaches, and language teachers are located in front of us on the left while the board members are on the right.
"Jeez. What's this?" asked Jae Hwan.
"Sssh. Keep quiet" Jin Le told him. After a few, a spokesperson started the meeting which makes us more intense.
"To start this important meeting, may I know if Mr. Ahn, Lee Jaeyon, Lee Hae In, Lee Min Hyuck, Hwang Len Ji, Jong Jin Le, and Park Jae Hwan are here?" all of the trainees raise their right hand including me.
"Great. Seems everyone is here, let's begin with the meeting. Mr. Han, the mic is yours" The CEO stands up from his seat and looks at us.
"Thank you so much for everyone who came here to witness our jurisdiction day after several years. Thank you to all the handlers, managers, coaches, choreographers, teachers, the board members of LC Entertainment, and course the media for coming here today. This is such a great day ahead for us." The CEO began his speech which makes me feel he was insensitive with the words he chose. Really? Such a great day for us knowing that there are trainees who are going home without reaching their dreams? This is absurd.
"I am afraid that I'll get embarrassed with the public. He should have told us this in private" Hae whispered.
"Today, we're going to have a final judgment with these boys. According to the people who have thought of them, they are good and hard-working. Is that enough to stay in this company? Let's watch this" The lights inside suddenly get dimmed and a projector pops up. A video played and it's all of us during our training days.
"I'm Park Jae Hwan and I think I am the youngest among all the trainees. Even though I am still young, I can show my best to crush them all" Jae Hwan said in the video that makes us all laugh.
"It's Jong Jin Le here. I'm doing my best so my family in China will be happy for me. I want them to be proud of what I have accomplished at a young age." Yes, Jin Le is a Chinese. I have strong guts that he will stay because he has good vocals and is also good at singing. The only downside is his Korean language subject in our training.
"Jin Le is doing good in his Korean language subject. Thanks to Jae Hwan, he's very first Korean friend who did not hesitate to teach him basic Korean phrases." Our language teacher said in the video.
"Hi! I'm Len Ji. I am also from China. I am here to pursue the career I want. Also, I want to be an inspiration for others to keep their trust in themselves and continue achieving our dreams." Len Ji is such a fast learner. He may have a low temper but he's good at socializing with other people.
"Hi! It's Lee Min Hyuck. You can call me Mark. I was born and raised in Canada and I was cast through the auditions of LC Entertainment in Canada. Gladly, I have passed the audition and I am here to risk being an idol from one of the biggest entertainment companies in Seoul!" Min Hyuck has a lot of advantages because he knows how to dance well, rap, and sing, and he knows how to speak English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese. He deserves to stay.
"What's up, folks! I'm Hae In and I am hoping to be a successful vocalist someday." Hae In's vocals are amazing. Take note that he's in adolescence where he's voice is transitioning. What more if he's already done with this stage and already adjusted? Can't wait to see him on stage.
"Hello! I am Jaeyon! I'm Jaesung! We are childhood friends and we are both trying to reach our dreams together, right?" Jaeyeon nodded at me on the video.
"No one will be left behind between us," Jaeyon said on the video and we do a pinky swear that makes me teary-eyed.
Our clip fades and a text pop in the end. SVII. What does it mean? A roman numeral?
Everyone in the room stands up and claps smilingly towards us which makes us clueless. Why are they smiling? What's wrong with them smiling at us knowing that we might not stay here?
The noise stopped and the CEO went in front of us. "Congratulations to all of you. You are about to roar in the lake chasing your dreams." He said smilingly at us which makes my heart beats aggressively.
"W-what? What's going on?" Mark asked as he don't have an idea what was going on.
"All of you are debuting in a group. A seven-member group. You're about to start your journey. One step forward to your dream of being an idol in this company. In this country." When we heard that, some of the trainees jumps in happiness.
"Is this real?" I asked again the CEO and he nodded at me. My tears burst out and I don't know what to do right now. Is this happening?
"Congrats to all of you. Your group will be going to be named SVII which stands for SYNX 7. You will be going to debut NEXT MONTH. So, we have prepared our contract as an IDOL and EMPLOYEE in this company. Trainee contract no more.
The lawyers of the company went in our direction and gave us folders containing our contracts.
"Your parents already know about that since before we get all of you signed into this company, we need permission from them as all of you are still minors. They have read all the terms and conditions with their lawyers in the contract and they agreed with it. So, it's still depending on you guys if you're still willing to sign it after reading the following terms." The CEO said.
I read the contract and the validity of this will lasts for 10 years. Aside from that, a comeback every year will be given in our group same as the other K-pop groups in LC Entertainment. Our group name is owned by the company. When it comes to the songs that we're going to release, the copyright is on the entertainment label which is the same as the other groups as well.
In terms of royalties, for every comeback album, we have cut 60% from it and 40% will go to the company. They still have a cut of 10% from individual or group endorsements from different brands. Lastly, we have also a monthly compensation that will come from LC Entertainment.
"Seems they are all good," I whispered. The lawyer in front of me smiled.
"That's a good deal though. All of the K-pop groups here in the company do have the same contract as well." After hearing that, I signed the contract.
"Our dreams are going to be true…"