บท 6: Hwang Nari

The Next day, GK Entertainment, dance studio 2

The final lineup for Starlight was announced a few minutes earlier by the Vocal couch. As predicted by a majority of the trainees, the members were Six of the most notable trainees, which started a heated discussion among the other trainees.

The six trainees moved to the dance studios on the sixth floor, they were now part of Project group S and as such will receive special training.

Rumours about the new group's concept were thrown around with the various trainees giving their opinion on the capability of each of the trainees in the Lineup.

Hwang Nari sat silently by the side, listening to the discussion around her. She had a lot on her mind and even if she didn't, she preferred not to contribute to this discussion since she wasn't that close to most of these trainees apart from the three trainees in her group.

The conversation stopped as their manager an average heighted man in maroon-coloured polo and brown khaki trouser walked into the room. He responded passively to the greetings given by the girls as he searched the faces standing around the room. He frowned slightly as his eyes fell on a tall trainee with a perfect blend of Italian and Korean features.

"Nari, follow me", he said, turning around quickly and walked out of the door.

"Yes, Sir", she replied, standing and rushing forward. She followed him back to his office, a small office opposite the dance studio. The manager didn't bother wasting time on pleasantries, he saw no need for that and quickly cut straight to the chase. "Nari, we have known each other for a decade so I won't bother mincing any word. I thought you would make it to the lineup this time but sadly you didn't. Your contract is expiring in a few weeks and sadly the company has no intention of renewing the contract. it is time to say farewell, I suggest you look for another agency you can join. Smaller agencies always take in former GK Entertainment trainees. Ask around, you will find an agency that will sign you. I wanted to inform your early, that way you will have a few weeks to plan your next step".

Hwang Nari bit the inside off of her cheeks, this was more painful than she had expected. She looked to keep the tears away and counted to ten in her mind. Taking a deep steadying breath, she smiled sweetly and replied, "Thanks for letting me know Sunbaenim".

"mm, you may leave" he looked down at his computer, dismissing her completely.

"Yes", She murmured as she stood and left the room. She walked silently back to the dance studio, each step felt heavier than the other. She felt exhausted like she ran a marathon without eating anything.

The other trainees watched her silently as she walked in, they whispered among themselves for a few seconds after she had walked before a few bold ones came forward to pry out the reason she had been called in by their manager but failed. They gave up on hitting a wall and continued their ongoing discussion concerning the new lineup.

**********

An hour and a half later, just outside GK entertainment.

Hwang Nari walked out of the glass sensor doors at the entrance of GK entertainment with three other female trainees. All of whom were in her team and were a little close to her. They were on their way to the star moon cafe close to the company to grab a cup of coffee. When she felt her phone vibrate, she put her hand into the pocket of her lime green hoodie and took her phone out. She looked down at the caller ID and it was an unknown number, She bit her lips silently contemplating if she should answer the call or not.

After her conversation with her cousin last night, she had reached out to a few of the casting agents from the other companies that had approached her with offers to join their company. it wasn't much just three casting agents, she had spoken to two of the agents but had gotten no good news. After she had introduced herself, one of the Agents informed her that he had left the company and was no longer working in the industry but offered to send her contacts to a former colleague.

Hwang Nari was smart enough not to take that seriously, that might just be an attempt to dismiss her. The second Agent she contacted was a casting agent under Mango Entertainment, the agent was less enthusiastic than she was when she had approached her six months earlier. She politely informed Hwang Nari that if she was interested in joining their company, she should wait for the next annual audition that would take next year. Hwang Nari immediately got the hint and ended the phone call.

The last casting agent didn't answer her call, she left him a short voice message. The agent was yet to respond but Nari hoped that he would give her a response.

The early morning meeting with her manager proved her earlier suspicion right, the company had no intention of extending her trainee contract.

Not that it surprised her, she did not forget the Director of team 4's words during the audition. GK entertainment was a business, after all, it wasn't profitable for them to keep a trainee like her. Not when there were much younger trainees, by the time the company was ready to produce a new group she might be too old to debut with them

A sudden call from an unknown number increased her heartbeat. She couldn't dismiss the possibility that it could be an agent calling her. She looked away from her phone and called out to the other trainee, "You all should get going. I will join you there, after taking this call".

The trainees who were discussing their orders among themselves paused as she called them and turned around. The cafe was very popular and it was difficult to get a table. They were more than happy to leave her out here, they nodded and made an okay sign before continuing on their way. Hwang Nari looked around for a good spot to answer the call, she walked to the chair beside a statue and answered the call.

Hwang Nari: "Hello".

The lady on the other end: "Hello, is this Hwang Nari?".

Hwang Nari: "Yes, this is She. Who am I speaking to"

Kim Ae-RI: "Hello, I am Kim Ae-Ri, the CEO of Memphis Entertainment.

"Huh?" she took the phone away from her ear and looked down at the number again before returning the phone to her ear.

"Did you say Memphis Entertainment?"

"Yes, You must be shocked. I would like to speak with you about joining my company. I understand that your contract with GK Entertainment is expiring in a month. I would like you to join our newly formed girl group, VIXEN. Can you come in today for an audition?"