The Starting

The Start.

Backstory: Your name is Lydia Finch and you are 20 years old. You decided that living in the States was not bringing you happiness and you needed a change. You decide to move to South Korea to follow your dreams of becoming a professional dancer and choreographer.  You drop out of university and get a one-way ticket to SK. You have been living there for about two weeks in a small apartment and have nothing but a small bag of clothes and a few toiletries. BUT YOU ARE HAPPY. In your mind, all you need is dance.

Monday, September 4. 7:30am.

I woke up this morning and felt funny. Not a sick funny, but funny like a weird gut feeling. I just knew today was going to be different. I decided I wasn't going to let my emotions get in the way of anything though and ignored the feeling.  I got up and took a shower and got ready as usual. I didn't have many options for my days as I was still looking for a job. It was Monday though which meant I got to go take a few dance classes. Dance is my passion and the reason I am here. I have been working super hard since I got here to keep up with the dancers in my classes. They're all so talented and have been training for years, but I knew that with a little more time I'd be able to be on their level. 

6:45pm.

It was time. I decided today that I was going to dress a little cooler for class. Just some baggy gray sweatpants and a big baggy white graphic tee. Brown and white sneakers of course. I really wasn't good at fashion, but if there was one thing I'd be good at, it would be dressing like a dude. I loved comfortable street fashion and that was all I had in my possession at the moment. My hair was down and straight and I had no makeup on. It was just going to be me and the music tonight. Class started at 7pm and we started learning a super vibey hip hop number. We were dancing to Bleach by Brockhamption and the lights were dimmed down for effect. When I tell you I was in the ZONE, I mean I don't remember anything happening around me. All of a sudden it was toward the end of class and we started going in groups. I was in the first group and honestly performed better than I had before. It was my best night. After the last group was finished and we were all clapping, a tall man walked in with two people behind him and they were all dressed up in business casual. The choreogher ran to stop the music and the men walked and stood in front of the mirror to talk to us. 

"annyeong haseyo, You all did an amazing job tonight!" He said as he clapped while the class took a seat in front of him all trying to catch our breath and listen.

"I am very impressed with your dancing. I am a scouting agent for SM Entertainment. I am looking for backup dancers and or choreographers for a few of our groups. 'This is it'  I thought to myself. I knew today was going to be different, but I didn't think it'd be this big. 

" However, we are only going to be picking two of you as it seems we have almost found everyone we need." The agent continued. " I do know who I am picking. Stage presence is a huge deal breaker and some people just have that charm naturally. I would like to talk to you, ( he pointed at a male dancer across the room), anddd," He paused for a second almost like he was second guessing himself. I could feel the nerves rising inside of me, but I didn't think I would get picked. I don't like to get my hopes up incase i accidentally hurt my own feelings. I looked around the room to see who he was going to pick and was not actually paying attention to the man himself. He suddenly spoke, "And you." He said with a stern voice and i looked up to see him pointing at me. I was in complete shock. There were so many reasons why it shouldn't be me. One, I was american and didn't know any korean at all besides how to say hi and yes. I stared at the man with my jaw now wide open and him putting his arm down. 

"The two individuals I have picked, please meet me at SM's main building tomorrow at 9am sharp to start training. To the rest of you, thank you for your time. Keep fighting! you are all amazing" He smiled and walked out of the room. I was still in shock. My classmates congratulated me as i gathered my things and walked back to my apartment. What a night.