Jenlisa - Stuck with U

Audition

Thailand 2010

It was 2010 and YG Entertainment team was finalizing their selection of this year's batch of new trainees. The company's bold move to hold an audition in Thailand attracted thousands of aspiring talents.

"What are you even doing here?! I know this is huge but do you actually see yourself as a K-Pop star? A part of a girl group? Have you seen their themes? Music Videos? Songs? Or did you forget that you are lesbian as fck? A change of heart? haha, seriously." Lisa's friend Bam was talking to her loudly as they maneuvered the crowd.

"Hey one day at a time! I don't aspire to be a K-Pop star or be in a girl group that...well wear Sailor Moon costumes on a daily basis. I just want to dance and make a career out of it!"

"Whatever you say! Good luck then!"

The hall was crowded with nervous and confident teenagers ready to showcase their talents in front of the 9 judges and hell Lisa was ready.

***

After days of deliberation, Head Judge Danny Im finally presented Lisa to YG Entertainment as his top choice.

"I love her energy and spunk, this kid's moves are just too natural. Obviously she was born with it!"

Looking at the audition video YG replied, "Yeah, Iook at her jumped off the stage. So much confidence! Well, I trust your choice Danny and I agree, she is definitely what we are looking for as a talent...Well then, I'll leave you to arrange our meeting. We expect to meet her and her family the soonest."

Before Danny can answer,

"Danny, can you excuse us for a minute?" Lee Sang, YG's talent manager addressed him.

"Ah...Sure!"

Ushering YG in a corner, Manager Lee turned to him and talked in a hushed voice.

"Ahm, are you sure about this? Aren't you seeing the one very obvious thing that could be a problem with that kid?" she asked.

"Have you seen her? We weren't in Thailand but I felt her energy leaking out of that audition video they sent. Or have you lost your touch?"

"She has talent, yes, but short hair? Boyish clothes? The way she moves? Awesome yeah, but too boyish. How are we gonna fit her in our Girl Group project, you know we did this Thailand audition with the purpose of finding the perfect fit right? We have too many dancers already, we need a star!"

"She is a star! And how do you even know she's gay, if that's what you're implying?"

"How do I know? I've been a manager in the entertainment industry for so long I can actually pass as a police investigator with my skills of reading other people's characters. Oh and in case I'm not too obvious, I also happen to be a lesbian."

"Sang, I know you're gay and I trust your instincts."

"GAYDAR!" she interrupted.

"Or whatever you call it. My point is, even if she is, I don't see any problem. I know a lot of gay talents, soloist and in a group, and they're doing just fine. They handle their private life pretty well. You know, do their thing outside work. They just have to be loyal and committed to their craft." he explained.

"And what if they develop crushes towards their co-trainees, future co-members? You know the set-up, dorms, teenagers, hormones...or worst relationships!" she reasoned.

"Crushes are fine, it's part of growing up. Relationships in a group? impossible! At that stage, we already know better and that is if she actually passes the training and is considered."

"Alright you're the boss! I'm not anti-gay or whatever, hell I am one. I'm just saying based on my experience, dynamics is very important."

"I get what you mean. Okay so she's definitely gay....but what are the odds of having 2 or more lesbians in a girl group? And then them actually falling for each other? That's a bit of a stretch no? Geez!"