Star Bound

Lena watched the clock; there were still two more minutes until the bell rang, so she started to pack up.

Mr. Gray glanced at his watch. “Looks like that is all for today; don’t forget to finish the presentation.” He continued to talk about the homework, then the bell rang, drowning out his voice.

Students rushed out of class, excited to get to lunch. Bree, Lena’s best friend, was waiting for her outside the classroom. “I swear that the longest times of the day are right before lunch and right before the end of the day. I’m really hungry.”

“Let’s get going then,” said Lena with a smile. They walked down the stairs and sat at their table.

Logan, a tall boy with blond hair came running toward them. “Hey, did you notice? A new song was released by your favorite group.”

“I can’t believe it! I need to listen to it as soon as I get the chance,” replied Lena with palpable excitement.

As they settled into their seats, they pulled out their lunch, eager to chat about the latest news in music. Lena poked at her salad. Across the table, Sophie and Bree were talking eagerly.

“Lena, you have to go!” Bree insisted, her eyes sparkling with joy and enthusiasm. “It’s the StarBloom Entertainment audition! They’re searching for the next big K-pop girl group, and you’d be perfect for that!”

“Yeah! You’re, like, the best dancer in our class,” Sophie added, waving a french fry. “You’d totally pass it! Imagine Lena, on stage, lights, fans cheering your name, the whole package!”

Sophie and Bree had been her best friends since middle school, and she became friends with Logan in eighth grade.

Lena’s cheeks flushed. “Me? A K-pop idol? You guys are crazy. That’s like… a whole other world. I don’t know if I can do it.”

“No, we’re serious!” Bree said, leaning forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Think about it! You dance three times a week! You’re practically a professional! You move with such grace and power. Besides, if you pass and become a trainee, it wouldn’t be too difficult for you to fit in. You’ve been learning Korean since sixth grade, so like five years; you’re practically a native speaker.”

Lena hesitated, her gaze drifting to the ground. She loved dancing, the way the rhythm pulsed through her, the way her body moved in perfect harmony and rhythm with the music. It was a way to express herself without words. But a K-pop audition? It seemed impossibly distant, a dream too grand to grasp, and would her parents even let her dance or music? They want her to be something cliche, like a lawyer or a doctor. Her dad might relent, but would her mom accept? Her friends all knew how her parents were, but yet they still tried to convince her.

Logan glanced at his phone and read out loud, “Their site says that the name of the group will be StarBound; it will be their first girl group. Their concept will be a group that blends urban, hip-hop, and R&B influences with a touch of cosmic energy. They are stylish, confident, and their music reflects the vibrant energy of city life while still reaching for something greater. Their music will also be a mix of powerful rap verses, smooth vocals, and catchy hooks, with production that incorporates futuristic synths and spacey sound effects.” Logan set his phone down and glanced at Lena. “If you end up passing the audition, debuting, and becoming famous, you better remember me and give me front-row tickets,” Logan added.

“Us too!” Sophie and Bree chimed in.

Lena sighed, shaking her head, “You guys still don’t know if I am going to try it.”

“Please!” Bree begged.

Lena gave in. “If I try out, you are going to have to listen to …”

“No,” Bree said, reading her mind, “They have way too many members; I can’t.”

“They don’t have too many members,” Sophie and Lena replied indignantly.

“Thirteen is a lot, and you know I like to learn the names of every member,” Bree complained.

Logan rolled his eyes and proposed, “How about this? If Lena auditions, then you will listen to Seventeen.” They both shook on it.

They all started plotting on how to convince Lena’s parents. “Since they used to be teachers, don’t you think they will appreciate something like a presentation or a persuasive letter?” Logan suggested.

“That is a fantastic idea,” Lena nodded.

The final bell rang, and Lena gathered her things. She had spent the last period putting together all the information Logan had found about StarBound and StarBloom Entertainment and how they treated their artists, along with her own notes on the audition process and her skills. While walking home, Lena practiced. “It’s not just a dream,” she muttered, “it’s an opportunity.”

When she arrived home, her parents were in the kitchen. “Mom, Dad, can I talk to you for a moment?” she asked, nervously setting her backpack on the couch.

Startled, they looked up. “Of course. What’s the matter? Has something happened?” her mother inquired. After putting the sponge down, she washed her hands and patted them dry with her apron. Her father put the pot lid on and put down the ladle.

“Nothing is wrong,” Lena said. “But there’s something I want to do, so please hear me out.” She pulled out her computer and connected it to the TV. “I know you both have high expectations and hopes for my future, and I appreciate that, but I have my own dreams.”

Lena started her presentation. She showed them the group’s concept, the StarBloom Entertainment website, and the specifics of the StarBound audition. She emphasized her love of music, her fluency in Korean, and her training in dance. A brief video compilation of her dance moves was also included. At the end of her presentation, she bowed and showed them a demonstration of her skills.

“I understand this is different from what you envisioned for me,” she continued, “but this is a real chance to pursue my dream. And I promise, I won’t neglect my studies. Trainees are allowed to continue their schooling while training. I’ll work hard to balance both.” She mentioned the skills she would gain, the discipline, the ability to work in a team, and the cultural exchange. She even brought up the chance to gain a larger audience for Korean culture, something her parents had always valued.

Her parents watched closely, their expressions changing from surprise to thoughtful. Her father, who always admired her dedication, seemed intrigued. Her mother, skeptical at first, was impressed by the thoroughness of Lena’s presentation and the time she put into it.

“You have put a lot of thought into this,” her father said, smiling proudly. “And you’ve presented it very well. If I were your teacher, I would have given you an A+.”

“He is right,” her mother added, her voice softening. “You’ve shown us that you are serious. And your Korean skills are impressive. I am pleasantly surprised.”

“We’re still concerned about how hard it will be to balance everything,” her father said, “and the uncertainty of the entertainment industry can be difficult.”

“I understand,” Lena replied, “but I’m willing to work hard. I believe I have the talent and dedication to succeed. I will keep in contact with you and visit when they can allow me,” Lena said, grinning, “or if I get rich, I can fly you there.”

Her mother laughed, “You better keep in contact, or I will fly to Korea and drag you home by your ear.”

After a moment of silence, her father nodded. “Alright, Lena. We will allow you. But we want regular updates, and we expect you to keep your grades up.”

Lena’s face lit up with a bright smile. “You don’t even know if I will pass, but you still allow me to go?”

Her mother raised an eyebrow and teasingly replied, “We have faith in you, but don’t think we won’t check your grades!”

Lena chuckled.

The next few days were a blur of activities. Lena, encouraged by her friends’ and parents’ support, started meticulously planning her online audition. She filmed her dance routines, practicing until her muscles ached. She tried many angles and lighting, trying to capture the energy and passion she felt when she moved. She watched many K-pop dance videos, studying the stage presence of the performers and the detailed choreography.

“Okay, now find a song and try at least singing it decently,” she sighed, a sense of dread creeping into her heart as she stared at her laptop. “I guess I can’t put it off any longer,” Lena muttered. She’d always loved music, but her voice was… well, not as great as her dance. It was often flat and lacked the power and range required for a K-pop ballad.

“My mom can help!” Sophie exclaimed from where she was on Lena’s bed, snapping her fingers as if she’d just solved a complex equation. “She’s a vocal coach! You should totally go to her! She would be amazing at identifying your strengths and weaknesses!”

Lena agreed, desperate to at least try the singing portion. Mrs. Park’s studio was a small, soundproofed room filled with a variety of microphones, keyboards, and music sheets. Lena, trying to calm her nerves, took a deep breath and began to sing, her voice off-key and wavering.

Mrs. Park, with her eyes focused on Lena’s posture and breathing, listened patiently with a neutral expression. When Lena finished, she smiled gently, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Lena, you have an amazing and very beautiful speaking voice,” she said, “but singing… Well, it’s going to take a lot of work. Seriously, a lot of work because it is not your strong point.”

Lena’s shoulders slumped, crestfallen, her face flushing with embarrassment. “I know,” she muttered, her voice barely a whisper. “I’m hopeless.”

“But,” Mrs. Park continued excitedly, “I’ve noticed something else. You have a strong sense of rhythm. And a clear, powerful delivery. Your pronunciation and enunciation are excellent. Have you ever thought about rapping?”

Lena looked up, surprised. “Rapping? I have never tried rapping.”

“Let’s try it then,” Mrs. Park said, pulling up an instrumental track on her computer, a hip-hop beat pulsing through the speakers. “Right now is a good time to experiment.” She handed Lena a sheet of paper with some simple lyrics, a mix of both English and Korean phrases.

Lena hesitantly started rapping, following the beat. The words flowed, creating a captivating flow accented by the sharp, rhythmic beats. As she spoke, her voice grew stronger and more confident. She started nodding her head to the beat as she felt the music coursing through her. As soon as she finished, Mrs. Park grinned, “Wow, I knew rapping was for you. You’re a natural at rapping!”

Lena’s smile widened, then she thanked Mrs. Park. Lena went back to her preparations, this time, with a new focus: dance and rap.

The day of the audition arrived; the lights cast a warm glow around her transformed room, and her laptop was placed on a stack of textbooks. Bree, Sophie, and Logan were on a video call, offering her encouragement and last-minute advice.

“Remember, Lena, confidence is key!” Logan said, his grin filling the screen. “I might as well be buying tickets already!”

“Yeah, show them what you’ve got!” Bree added, giving a thumbs-up. “Don’t forget what you practiced!”

Lena took a deep breath, trying to calm down. She had practiced her dance routine until she could perform it in her sleep, and she had memorized her verses. She clicked the “join audition” button, and the screen flickered, connecting her to the virtual audition room.

The room was filled with other aspiring idols, their faces a mix of excitement and anxiety. A panel of judges appeared on the screen, their expressions serious and professional. Lena’s heart pounded in her chest, but she reminded herself of all the hard work she had put in, the hours of practice, and the support of her friends and parents.

“Next up, Lena!” a voice announced, and Lena stepped into the frame, her movements fluid and graceful as the music began. The dance routine flowed seamlessly, her body moving in perfect harmony with the rhythm, each step precise and powerful. She felt the music coursing through her veins, a surge of energy that propelled her forward.

When the music stopped, Lena took a deep breath and started singing. The judges watched intently; their expressions unreadable. When she finished, there was a moment of silence, and Lena’s heart sank. Did her singing ruin her audition?

Then, one of the judges spoke up. “Your dancing was exceptional, but the singing wasn’t … very good. You were off-key the whole time, almost like you were tone-deaf.”

Lena slumped.

“But I was impressed by your dancing. Do you have anything else prepared?

Lena remembered Mrs. Park’s words. “Yes,” she said, her voice steady despite how nervous she felt. “I do.” She took a deep breath, and the beat began to pulse through her speakers. She closed her eyes and began to rap. The words flowed effortlessly, her voice confident and powerful. She poured all her passion and determination into the performance. The judges, initially unimpressed, were now leaning forward, their eyes widening with surprise.

Then, after she was finished, one of the judges, a woman with a sharp, professional demeanor, spoke. “Lena, your dancing is exceptional, your technique is clean, and your rap… it was a pleasant surprise. Your overall performance was engaging.”

Another judge, a man with a warm smile, added, “We see a lot of potential in you, Lena. You have a talent that we’re interested in exploring.”

Lena’s eyes widened, a wave of disbelief washing over her. She had actually impressed them! They liked her performance! “Thank you,” she managed to say, her voice trembling. The audition continued, but Lena couldn’t concentrate on the other performances. Her mind was filled with emotions—excitement, disbelief, and hope.

The audition ended, and Lena collapsed, a wide smile spreading across her face. Her friends were still on the video call, and they were shaking with excitement.

“You did it, Lena!” Sophie squealed, filled with joy.

“They loved you!” Logan added, clapping his hands.

Lena laughed, a wave of relief washing over her. “I can’t believe it,” she said, her voice filled with disbelief. “They actually liked me.”

“Of course they did!” Bree said, “You’re a star, Lena. And this is only the beginning.”

Lena and her parents flew to Korea a couple of weeks later. They needed to sign the trainee contract. Before she left, her friends threw her a farewell party. Lena stared out the plane window. She smiled, remembering what Bree said. This is just the beginning; she still had far to go in her journey, but she was determined to achieve her dream even though she knew the challenges K-pop trainees went through, like strict diets, rigorous practices, weekly or monthly evaluations, unrealistic expectations, and limited sleep.