4 Kim Namjoon - A New Start

< May 2010 >

The Jungle Radio underground hip hop cafe is hundreds of conversations told in loud voices, all of them competing with the loud music dominating the atmosphere. Neon lights were flashing all around me like colorful police sirens, the air was hot like it was fresh out of a bread oven, rising to blast our open eyes and kiss our faces with it's fiery breath. I could feel the moisture of sweat clinging to my clothes. I was exhausted and breathing heavily after the performance as I walked around hugging the members of our crew, Daenumhyup on the small stage. We often performed together in this cafe as Supreme Boi, one of our members, was friends with the owner of the shop.

"Good job today!"

"You're on fire, kid!"

"Thanks hyungs! See you later!" Though I could feel my body getting heavier due to exhaustion, I felt satisfied and fulfilled as I left the tiny cafe that was huddled despondent among the huge city buildings. I recalled the happy smiles and raucous shouts of the audience who watched us perform, a smile of pure joy spread across my face. *drr drr* Feeling a sudden buzz in the pocket of my shorts, I searched my pockets with my hands to fish out my phone. I glanced at the blinking icon on the screen, focusing on the name that had appeared, my thumb pressing the green button to answer the call. I played with the strap of my bag—it was Sleepy.

"Hey, Sleepy-hyung!"

"Namjoon-ah, you should meet up with the CEO of Big Hit Entertainment, Bang Si Hyuk-nim and audition for his agency. Last year when I offered to help you, I had actually contacted a friend of mine, Pdogg, a producer from BigHit and told him about you. Bang Si Hyuk-nim then heard about you from Pdogg and not too long ago, he contacted me and asked to meet up with you. If you agree, tell me which date you are free and we'll arrange for the meetup. I'll accompany you to meet him." I listened to Sleepy's words intently, my mind giddy with excitement as I listened on to his news. The then 15 year old me trembled with joy and gratitude to Sleepy. It was rather difficult to find audition opportunities with any reliable agencies that would want a hip hop artist and after that last incident, I became more cautious in choosing agencies to audition to.

"I don't have school tomorrow and I just finished performing with DNH. I'm free in the afternoon!" I tried to hide the eagerness in my voice when I replied to Sleepy.

...

Once I reached home, I went up the stairs to my room and immediately shut myself inside. I walked towards my bedside drawer and dug out a piece of scrap paper. Placing it on my study desk, I sat on my chair and started to take down brief notes to prepare what tI wanted to say during the meeting.

*bzz bzz bzz* In the midst of writing, I suddenly felt an insistent buzzing on my hard study desk. I picked up my phone and switched it on. 'Are you alright with Saturday, 2pm at BigHit Entertainment? We're going to Bang pd-nim's office.' A slight grin played on my cheek, my little dimples deepening as I typed a message back in reply: Sure. See you, hyung.

After replying to his message, I briefly scanned through the notes I had written down before placing it in my drawer. I then went to wash up and prepare for bed, where I spent quite a while sorting out my thoughts.

...

<Next Day>

After I spent the morning thinking up new lyrics for a song I had composed, I started to get ready to leave the house for the meeting with BigHit's CEO.

I went to my closet and chose my clothes for the day: A plain short sleeved black shirt which was slightly over-sized matched with my usual black shorts. I then waved goodbye to my parents and little sister, opening the door and setting out. "Hey Sleepy-hyung! We're meeting at Seoul Gangnam-gu, Nonhyeon-dong, in front of the BigHit building, right? I'm now on my way there."

"Good. I'll be waiting at the bottom of the staircase beside the building."

Switching off my phone, I waited for the bus at the bus station near my house. There is a kind of waiting that feels like gentle onshore breezes kissing salty stones. It isn't warm but there is a sense of calm, of nature, of things expected. This was what I was feeling after organizing the thoughts in my head, instead of the excitement I could barely contain last night. Sleepy's help did not guarantee that I would certainly earn a spot as a BigHit trainee. It still had to depend on the effort I put in that could successfully convince the CEO.

As I was tapping my feet to the rhythm of the song that was playing in my headphones, I ambled towards the bus I was waiting for and stepped inside. After I found an empty spot at the back of the bus next to the window, I comfortably leaned back in the seat and let my gaze wander aimlessly at the passing scenery outside the bus, gradually getting lulled to sleep by the dull hum of the engine.

...

"Nonhyeon-dong. Nonhyeon-dong." The brakes squeaked and the passengers involuntarily lurched forward as the bus came to a stop. I roused from my light slumber and dazedly stood up, getting off the bus with heavy footsteps. Walking along the grey pavement that had a steep slope, I raised my head and scanned my surroundings, trying to follow the directions Sleepy sent to my phone. The street I was walking in was packed with buildings and houses with no greenery in sight. Now.. walk straight...and turn...right! As I turned the corner, I saw a familiar figure.

"Sleepy-hyung!"

"Namjoonie, you're here!" I jogged up to Sleepy when I spotted him standing beside a short flight of stairs. Patting my back in greeting, Sleepy cocked his head up and I followed his line of sight. He continued, "That's the building Bighit Entertainment is in."

The BigHit Entertainment building had tinted, blue glass windows that stacked atop one another like large rectangular lego bricks and its walls were a smooth, cool grey color. The double doors were also made of glass and blue in color like the windows. On top of the doors was a sign that read "Cheong-gu building". After taking a swift look at the building, Sleepy lead me inside.

...

"This is Bang Si Hyuk's office. Let's go in." Seeing me nod my head in response, Sleepy lightly knocked on the door and I twisted my fingers behind my back, wishing for the best.

"Come in!" A deep man's voice resounded through the door. Upon hearing the man, Sleepy slowly pushed open the door while I quickly followed behind him with my head slightly bowed, my heartbeat slightly quickening, eyes pensive as I curiously looked around me.

"Sleepy, its good to see you! So...is this the kid you were talking about?" the man had a warm, welcoming voice as he invited us to sit down on the sofa situated at the side of his office. I looked up to study the man he was taking a seat across from Sleep and I who were seated next to each other. He had a round face and stout body, his droopy monolid eyes were magnified by the black round glasses that sat on his nose. He seemed like a warm-hearted person.

"Nice to meet you. I'm the CEO of BigHit Entertainment. Bang Si Hyuk. You can call me Hitman Bang.

So you're Kim Namjoon, 'Runch Randa'?" Hitman Bang smiled kindly at me.