NOVA ENTERTAINMENT – AUDITION ROOM
Min-ji stood in the middle of the room, looking completely relaxed, like she wasn’t being judged at all. Her hands were loosely clasped in front of her, expression neutral, no trace of nervousness.
The head vocal judge leaned forward, pen ready on his clipboard.
Vocal Judg**e**
Alright, Seol Min-ji. Please begin with any song of your choice.
Min-ji gave a small nod, took a quiet breath, and started singing.
It wasn’t a powerful ballad, wasn’t a trendy pop hit, wasn’t anything that showed off vocal range at first glance. It was “Arirang Baby” — a simple, well-known Korean nursery rhyme, soft and light.
But even as she sang those simple lines, her voice was clear, warm, and steady. When she smoothly lifted into the higher notes, it turned into a flawless, effortless falsetto — no strain, no cracking, just pure, sweet sound that filled the whole room.
Still, the choice of song made the two judges exchange confused glances. A nursery rhyme?
Seo-jin, sitting in the middle, kept his face serious and unreadable, but deep inside, he was already fighting a smile. Of course she would do this, he thought, knowing her personality all too well. Always doing things her own way, never following what everyone else expects.
When she finished, Min-ji just stood there, waiting calmly, as if she’d just performed the most difficult masterpiece.
Dance Judge
(blinks, then speaks politely but confused)
Uh… that was… nice. But maybe you can sing another song? Something more suitable for an idol? Something that shows us more of your ability?
Vocal Judge
Yes, please. We’d like to hear something else to properly evaluate you.
Min-ji tilted her head slightly, her expression shifting to that familiar look — calm, but sharp, and ready to question anything that didn’t make sense to her. She didn’t raise her voice, didn’t sound angry, just… logical and sassy.
Min-ji
(speaks clearly, eyes meeting theirs directly)
May I ask why?
Vocal Judge
(taken aback)
Pardon? Well, because… we need to see your full potential. That song was too simple.
Min-ji
(smiles faintly, then reverses the question smoothly)
Then why did you let the three contestants before me finish and leave after singing only one song? They didn’t sing twice, even if their notes were shaky and their breathing was off. You accepted one performance from them, but you require two from me? Is the rule different just because my song choice wasn’t what you expected?
The room went quiet. The two judges froze, realizing she had a point — and she said it so politely, yet so firmly, that they couldn’t call it disrespect. It was just… the truth.
Min-ji
(continues, unbothered)
You said I can sing any song I choose. I sang it correctly, didn’t I? No mistakes, no flat notes, no running out of breath. If the song itself is the problem, then isn’t that your preference, not my ability? You asked for a performance — I gave you one. Why should I do extra work when others aren’t asked to do the same?
Seo-jin pressed his lips together, his eyes glinting with amusement he couldn’t let show. There she is, he thought proudly. Always turning things around so neatly no one can argue back.
The vocal judge cleared his throat, looking a little flustered, not used to applicants talking back like this.
Vocal Judge
Well… you have a point. But still, we need to be sure.
Min-ji
(shrugs lightly)
If you really need more proof, that’s fine. But let’s be fair. If I sing another one, will you also call back everyone who went before me to sing twice too? Or will you just make an exception for me?
She paused, then added in that same calm, matter-of-fact tone:
Min-ji
Besides… judging a voice by how popular the song is, not by how well it’s sung, doesn’t sound like a very professional way to do it, does it?
The two judges exchanged another look — this time, not confused, but impressed despite themselves. They’d seen hundreds of applicants, but none had ever spoken up like this, with so much confidence and logic.
Seo-jin finally decided to step in, his voice deep and steady, acting as the neutral advisor.
Seo-jin
(speaks formally, eyes glancing briefly at Min-ji with a hidden glint)
She’s right. The requirement was one song. If you want to test her further, change the rule for everyone, not just for her. But for now… her performance was technically perfect. No errors. That’s more than enough to pass this round.
He turned to look at Min-ji properly, his expression still professional, but his eyes held a quiet message only she could understand: You really are impossible.
Min-ji caught it, and just gave him the tiniest, most innocent smile — the kind that said I know what I’m doing.
Vocal Judge
(sighs, then writes on his sheet)
Alright. Fair enough. You pass. Next, show us your dance skills.
Min-ji nodded again, still calm as ever.
Min-ji
Sure. But just one dance, right? Same rule.
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TO BE CONTINUE...
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