"Do you have bad eyesight?"
"Eh? No. it's 20/20 vision," replied Elena.
"Then, why are you wearing contact lenses? According to your previous profile, shouldn't you have emerald green eyes? Or am I wrong?"
As soon as the question that she was most worried about appeared, Elena stayed silent, thinking about various excuses. But, before she gets to give an answer, JJPro spoke, "Noona, does it really matter whether she wears contact lenses or not? I know you are curious, as you have taken a liking to her. But look at the time. It's almost lunchtime. Can we just get over it?"
"Next contestant, please."
Elena was quickly dismissed from there, and Yeonseo stepped onto the platform to perform next.
Ten minutes later;
"Congratulations, you have passed. Welcome to the Treasure Campus," JJPro announced with a smile, ending the first part of the day.
The three judges stood up and left the building to have lunch outside.
Meanwhile, Elena, Da-in, and Yeonseo led to the first floor, where Elena saw other selected contestants filling out the forms after taking a basic physical test.
Following the instructions from the staff, Elena entered the room.
"Hello," Elena greeted the nurse with a bow and proceeded to stand straight before the stadiometer after removing her shoes.
*Ding*
Looking at the digital results, displayed on the side, Elena thought, '163.6? 0.1cm difference from the system. But the system's measure is quite accurate. +0.1 error, huh?'
"Okay, please proceed to the weighing scale," said the nurse after recording the height.
"49.2 Kg"
"Next, lie down here and be calm as much as possible."
"BP: 117/75. Normal." "Next"
"Heart rate: 77. Normal." "Next"
"Respiratory rate: 11. Low." "Next"
"Please make a tight fist. I'll need a blood sample for further tests."
As the blood was being drawn from her, Elena started hearing notifications inside her head.
*Ding. Foreign material is extracting the blood from the body. Activate the counter to reverse the blood flow?
Since it would cause a huge commotion if the extracted blood suddenly got absorbed back, Elena quickly screamed inside, "No. Let it be."
As the blood was being extracted in a tube, she received another notification.
*Ding. The system has recognized that there's no major blood loss in the body. Life-saving skill is not enabled.
Then, she was taken to a cabin inside the clinic, where the female doctor started checking her head, chest, abdomen, hands, wrists, nails, and finally her vision, where she was forced to remove the contact lenses.
Suspecting she might have a psychological issue, the doctor added a remark in the report that Elena might need extra counseling later.
After the tests were finished, Elena stepped out before Yeonseo entered the clinic, while she proceeded to fill out the form that she was given by the staff.
Name: Jang Elena
Age: 20
"Hmm? Stage name? I don't have one. Why bother? My name is good enough."
Stage name: Elena
Hometown: Seoul
Education details: Major in music, School of Performing Arts, Seoul.
Known languages: Korean, English, Japanese
Music Talents: songwriting, Piano.
Additional Talents: Cooking, Taekwondo.
Favorite music genre: Rhythm and Blues (R&B)
Favorite Dance style: Freestyle
Preferred Category: Vocals/Songwriting
Preferred role: Main Vocalist
Preferred mentor:
Elena paused at the next question and went into a dilemma. 'Who to choose… This choice is the same as choosing the company at the end.
If I want to get into Genesis, then Hye-rin is the way. But the only issue is that Hye-rin will push me further to improve my skill level, and she cares very much about the result. If the song I bought from the system store isn't good, then I don't think she will allow it. Genesis has a lot of producers working with them.
Meanwhile, JJPro will strengthen my basics and will encourage self-compositions, but debuting will be tough under her if I join the Echo, as the company favors debuting boy groups over girls.
As for Gang Brothers, the hip-hop vibe isn't my style. No need to think about Signature Entertainment.'
Just then, someone tapped her shoulder, making her regain her senses back to the earth, and turn her head to see Da-in, standing behind her.
"Elena-ssi, who do you think is the best mentor out of those three?" asked Da-in slowly.
A sigh escaped from Elena's lips, "I'm also wondering the same thing. By the way, what category did you choose? Dance or Performance?"
"Performance, of course," Da-in nodded with a smile.
Upon hearing it, Elena commented, "Performance, huh! That's a tough one."
"What about you? Let me guess, is it Vocals?"
"Not exactly," Elena shook her head, "Songwriting/vocals. By the way, I'm thinking of choosing Hye-rin-nim, judging by how she has a favorable impression of me."
"Hmm?" Da-in then thought for a while and said, "I guess I'll also choose Hye-rin-nim. She's the one who gave me the most criticism."
Elena didn't comment while thinking that Da-in's thoughts were entirely opposite of hers and just smiled in return.
As little Yeonseo also stood beside them, filling up her form, deciding to stick with familiar people, Elena continued to fill up the rest.
Preferred mentor: Hye-rin
Preferred company: Genesis Entertainment
Do you think you can lead the group: Not sure
Do you think you can be the center: Yes
What is your end goal in this program: Top 11
Will you prefer being a singer/dancer over an idol: Not sure
Will you prefer solo over the group: Not sure
If you are selected to debut as a soloist, will you wait or accept: Accept
If you are selected to debut in a co-ed idol group, will you wait or accept: Wait
If you are selected to debut as a member of a girl band (not an idol group), will you wait or accept: Wait
Which one do you prefer, an idol group with three members or eleven members: Eleven
Which one do you prefer, debuting right away at a mediocre agency or debuting five years later at the best agency: Mediocre agency
Which one do you prefer, being famous in Korea but not popular outside, or being popular outside but not popular in Korea: being popular in Korea
Which one do you prefer, doing concerts in Japan/Asia or doing concerts in America/Europe:
Once again, Elena went into a dilemma. 'Well, even though they said Asia, Countries like China, India, or the Middle East are an entirely dead end for us. Not everyone can do concerts there. All that is left are Japan, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, etc.
On the other hand, America and Europe do have a lot of opportunities, but the only issue is that, whatever Kpop is holding its position in Europe, it was all dominated by just a few groups that have been here in the industry for years. It's tough to grab a piece of cake from them…
Wait a second. What am I thinking so hard about such a question… Since my English isn't that great anyway, let's just go with Asia… There is Japan anyway…'
After filling out everything and submitting the form at the reception, Elena then proceeded to help out Yeonseo before the three of them went to the cafeteria together to have lunch.
"Elena-Unnie, can I ask something?" asked the 12-year-old with hesitation as they were filling up their plate with the food at the counter.
"What is it?"