Audition

"You sang like a diva, but you didn't have to take your bodyguard with you all the time," said Lee Dae Won, winking at the singer as the cameraman disassembled the camera in the small studio.The audition was over.

Kim, who was now exactly behind Ye Rim, didn't care about the sarcastic comment, obviously aimed at him, just winked back to the other man. He was allowed as audience in the studio, and wasn't his intention to draw attention, but Dae Won would know him better other than trying to provoke him.

The other MP woman next to Dae Won, however, did not seem content to be so restrained as the songwriter:

"Wow! Girl! You have to be in the next edition of our singer's reality show! Your vocal range is amazing! So smooth!"

Kim watched his high school friend's reactions carefully, and Dae Won just nodded, keeping silent as the woman spoke for them. The doctor then turned his attention to Ye Rim, realizing that she didn't seem the least bit intimidated or anxious after her audition. But he remembered that she was a veteran in this regard, and this wasn't even a hearing with any concrete promise behind it.

The singer looked pleased, sporting a smug smile, and quite used to the reaction of the producer. 'You're really funny as you are, girl. What an infinite self-confidence!' The doctor was still amazed at Nam Ye Rim's exciting personality, and having heard her sing the way she sang and moved in front of the camera made him be transported elsewhere in his mind by the duration of her performance. Ye Rim had sung an American oldie jazzy song, with such style and personality that he could practically see her on stage, in a noir movie setting, so glamorous and sensual as her warm voice would sound smokey and exciting at times, and crystalline and ascending in another parts.

Jun Hyeon had an intermediate musical background, but was unable to pay attention to the technical details. He felt completely enraptured by her performance and how Singer Nam was able to bewitch the people in front of her when she was singing. Even in a shabby and sterile environment as a TV studio room, as she did. Heard her performing in front of camera and four people made him goosebumps from start to finish, like the first time he saw her singing, at the Pearl's stage. 'The first time that counts, that's it.'

He simply couldn't understand the mystery surrounding her, how a person with this star aura could be an anonymous singer who lives on a poor neighborhood and sings in a declining nightclub to make a living. At those times he wondered if karma was something real. 'If so, did she, was they say, sold her country in a past life?'

"I like how rich and sultry your voice is. Did you say you sing trot?" The other Musical Producer asked to the singer, though she suddenly turned to Lee, and asked, without waiting a proper reply: "MP Lee, aren't you going to give Miss Nam your professional opinion?"

Then Dae Won said, looking directly at Ye Rim:

"You have excellent control and a great drive, and you are very smart with your deficiencies in the low notes. You... maneuver around it, and do well in your medium and highs. For a soprano without extensive training, you do very well. Your voice is not common, too. I wonder how they let you go so easily."

Kim gave a sly smile. 'That was so Dae Won! So subdued, so cool!'

He turned his attention back to the conversation as the station's musical producer said goodbye to them, and Ye Rim turned to Dae Won:

"So, your verdict is that I need more study to become a better singer, MP Lee?"

"You did a lot with very little formal vocal training. I mean, from what I understand, all your training was at the agencies, and for little time. So that's what they call natural talent."

"Looks like our singer here is looking for more compliments." Kim Jun Hyeon encouraged.

"She also has an excellent stage presence, considering the space, and is very educated and aware about the camera."

She bowed in sincere thanks.

"Thank you, MP Lee!"

"He means there's plenty of room for further improvement, but he's definitely impressed," he felt he needed to say, interrupting yet another moment where Dae Won was going to start being super technical. "He'll talk about your Ds and Bs now."

"I meant what I meant. And you said yourself our Ye Rim-ssi becomes a sort of gremlin when she's praised."

The girl seemed taken aback by the memory of such a joke, and laughed softly and cutely shy. "That's not true! Don't be mean!"

"She was getting compliments from your producer friend like she was an international diva. She's our greedy little monster." Kim taunted her a bit more.

"Ye Rim ssi could be an international singer. But…"

"But…" Kim was interested in an answer, and Dae Won completed

"Maybe our friend here doesn't really want to."

"Don't you?" He turned to the girl at his side, puzzled.

"MP Lee must not have liked what he heard, I can only think that. Do you think I didn't do my best, oppa?"

"While here, and singing, maybe you did. But even my secretary told me you unprofessionally didn't send in the required resume and portfolio."

"Uh, I figured oppa would ask about that. But we had a deal and I couldn't risk it, could I?"

Lee frowned, looking at her, and waiting for the singer to explain herself better. Kim, who already knew what happened to Ye Rim at the radio, just put his hands in his pockets in anticipation of Dae Won's reaction.

"Did you…had doubts about not passing in this audition?"

"Actually, I had no doubt you would love it, oppa."

That drew a muffled laugh from the musician, and from Jun Hyeon as well. But Ye Rim continued: "I think I was even a little happier that you're being so technical on my performance. I wish I had more singing lessons, yes. I still want to perfect myself, actually. But the fact is…"

The two men looked at her in anticipation, unsure what it might be:

"If I sent my resume, it wouldn't be of any help. I've said it before, I've been on some agencies, but I've never been lucky. And in fact, actually… There's even a chance that I'm a persona non grata in the entertainment industry. What to say, it's just my luck! I am sorry to waste your time. I don't think oppa can do much for me, at my age and with my background of failed attempts."

It wasn't a twist on the story they knew, as she had spoiled it herself at their night out, but in fact it was a twist on the usual positive attitude of the girl they knew.

"Oh, Ye Rim ssi…" Lee Dae Won gathered his folders on the table to leave the studio. "This was not our deal. You're cheating."

Ye Rim looked at the doctor with a guilty look, seeming to ask for support, and then at the musician: "I came as we agreed. I did the audition, as we agreed. I kind of felt like I had to prove something to you, and I didn't want to get that feeling lingering on me. But, oppa, if you recommend me around, or get me gigs or whatever, that's endorsing me. And if people…"

"If I endorse you from now on, it's because I believe in your potential. Can't you just trust that I can take care of myself?"

"Ye Rim-ssi also knows how to take care of herself, that's what she meant. At least you should have told her that you would like to nominate her for the job at the radio. None of it would have happened, then." Kim couldn't help but say it to Dae Won, and did it directly. Dae Won, however, didn't seem to be shaken, and just said, in his usual suave tone,

"'Why? If you're the bodyguard, I can be her manager!" Naturally it was a humorous tease, and Kim couldn't wait less from Dae Won. But now he was sure his friend had some interest, far more than artistic camaraderie, on Nam Ye Rim. 'You don't fool me, Dae Won. Even you, you're all drooling over and charmed by the singer, and being all good-goodie and getting unsolicited things for her. Are you even aware of it already? Really, what a fool ... Is it some kind of protective feeling about the 'Cinderella' girl up here? Or do you read so much drama scripts for your work that it's going up to your head?'

"You guys are so funny together. I wonder what were you guys up at high school."

"We weren't the good boys back then," said the doctor.

"I don't know whether I believe it or not." She turned to Kim, indistinctly nodding with her head and shoulders, which he thought was a hint for action, but the doctor ignore it as he didn't want to.

"So, what's the next step from here, MP Lee?" Kim asked, stressing his friend's professional authority, curious to know and also believing that Ye Rim was curious as well.

"Well, Ye Rim is already a pro. Regarding vocal technique, I can get her an excellent singing teacher who will correct some imperfections, and…"

"Sorry," she interrupted, clasping her hands assertively, as Kim noted, "but I can't afford it now."

"Dae Won got silent for a moment, then he said in his lilting voice: "So would you like someone investing in your talent?"

"Is that so easy to get? Where was I all this time from agency to agency paying my own bills, and not debuting?" She sneered, looking regretful shortly thereafter.

"Forgive me, oppa. I was very reactive. I just got a little skeptical over time."

"I don't blame you," Dae Won said. Kim then decided to interrupt to cut the awkward mood.

"Ye Rim has a very loyal fan base. They will follow her til their deaths. Perhaps it's all the support she needs, isn't it, Ye Rim ssi?" he put his hand lightly on her shoulder, in a friendly way. But that was deliberate, and Dae Won seemed to question him with his eyes immediately.

The girl laughed at his double entendre provocation, understanding what he meant, and as he imagined it might happen, gracefully broke free of his hand. "Excuse me, I'll be right back."

They nodded, and as she walked through the door, Dae Won asked,

"You're not together, are you?"