On Monday, November 30, you are called by one of the staff members to a meeting with Kim Hyuncheol, head manager of the trainees; Park Jeongan, current CEO; Lee Iseul, head creative director; and Roe Kangdae, head manager of LGC Creatives. “Please take a seat.” The staff member spoke before giving a brief explanation of the interview process and how you will be asked two questions related to yourself and Future Dreams. Not a lot was revealed as to why the interview was conducted except for the fact that it was to help them understand their trainees on a more personal level.
The first question that was asked was, “You mentioned having no rival in your form, with no further explanation. We find it a bit odd that a junior trainee with no solid experience would make such a bold statement. Was it your way to avoid giving an honest answer, or do you believe that you’re better than all of the other participants to a point where none of them can be a match to you? Maybe it’s the opposite, too, and you think you’re not good enough to have rivals. Which is it?”.
After hearing your response, another person from the panel followed up with a question. Their question was, “The whole time, you seem to have avoided going in-depth in your answers. It makes us feel as if you’re hiding your true self from us. We wonder if it’s due to a lack of motivation, of confidence, or if you’re still hesitant about your choice to participate. Do you really want to debut, Alex? And what do you truly think you could bring to a group aside from futile things like your abs and cooking skills?”. Once you finish answering the question, the staff ends the interview by thanking you and telling you to have a nice day.
OOC: The content of this submission is fully ic and doesn’t reflect our opinions ooc, while the tone of the content may sound negative, this interview by the staff is to put the trainees on the spot. The questions also do not reflect if somebody is or isn’t likely to debut.
Once you have responded to this prompt, please tag this as #lgc:pdinterview and send the form below to the points blog before January 10 2021, 11:59PM EST so you can claim your points. Your reply must have a minimum of 300 words.
Alex didn’t know what to expect. He knew that he had winged his application and figured that at some point he would be called out on every single bit of it. So when he makes his way into the room he really doesn’t know if he’s prepared for this or not, though he gives a polite bow while greeting those in the room with him. His usual confident self was now being questioned as he takes a seat when instructed to. Alex nods a bit when he’s given an explanation of what would be happening, feeling as if the palms of his hands were beginning to sweat from the nervousness he was beginning to feel, heart racing as if it could jump out of his chest at any moment. Shit, was this what it was like to be nervous? He hated it. He was so used to being so full of confidence, however after he even signed up for Future Dreams he felt as if maybe that confidence were slowly slipping away from him, or maybe it all started before this and he hadn’t noticed it until now.
He slowly licks his lips as the first question is being asked, listening closely and furrowing his eyebrows together as he looks down a bit to think for a moment. Even when he had been answering the questions on his application he honestly couldn’t think of a rival to really put down, now was the same thing really. He swallows down the lump in his throat before speaking. “Honestly, I was telling the truth about not having a rival. It isn’t because I think I’m better than anyone, including the other participants. I just don’t see anyone as a rival because honestly I feel like we all have our own talents that make us who we are and I’d rather focus on improving what I’m lacking in.” He pauses for a moment. “I know that some people have rivals as a way to help them boost their motivation to work harder but I’m not like that. I want to improve myself in my own way rather than focusing on trying to make someone my rival and overcome them. Though, I also don’t really know many of the participants besides a few so I can’t just say someone is my rival when I don’t know what their skill level is, as for those that I do know.....they’re definitely talented but they’ve worked hard to get where they are and that alone is enough to make me want to work just as hard to catch up with them hopefully...”
When the next question is asked he freezes in place. Yep, this was bound to happen and he should have expected this one, though he wasn’t really prepared like he thought he was. Why hadn’t he just realized that he actually wanted this before answering those questions? Would he have been able to answer more confidently? Would he have managed to avoid feeling like he was in the hotseat like this? It takes him a moment to fully, or rather attempt to, gather his thoughts once again. He had to be honest now, if not then there was no way he would get far with this. Yes, in the beginning when he had auditioned for Legacy he had done it all because he had lost a bet with some friends, though now he knew that he actually wanted to debut. He had to try as hard as he could to make sure this happened so he had to be honest before it was too late.
Taking a deep breath, Alex slowly exhales to calm his nerves before sitting up a little more straight. “I know that my answers weren’t really in-depth, they weren’t even something I should have answered with, but I’ll be honest here when I admit that I really didn’t have the confidence I should have at the time. Honestly I....don’t think there’s really anything special about myself. I usually go around acting all tough, like I have all of this confidence but after I answered everything that was asked I realized that the confidence I thought I had wasn’t actually there.” He was breaking slowly and he hated the feeling, he didn’t like not being in control of his own feelings but at the same time he didn’t want to lie to those who were in the room with him. His gaze shifts as he thinks of this, fists clenching as he thinks for a moment and tries to pick himself back up. “Though, after I did answer everything I realized that I really do want this. I want to make my debut. That’s why I decided for my star quality to create some choreography. I almost gave up half-way through it all but I told myself that I had to do this, that I couldn’t just give up so easily.” He pauses again, his gaze returning to the one who had asked the questions. “I may not have the confidence now, but I plan on working hard to gain that. To show everyone that I really do want this no matter how hard it gets or how long it takes to achieve this.”
He bites on his bottom lip for a moment. “So, to answer your question, I think that if I were given the chance to debut through Future Dreams I could bring my vocals or dancing to the group. I may not be the best singer or dancer right now, though I’m determined to really improve on these two skills of mine. Determined to show that I’m serious. Forget that I mentioned anything about cooking or abs. I’ll prove myself by showing that I could be a great vocalist and dancer for the group.” He pauses once more. “I’ll work harder than I’ve ever worked before. If I get the chance to really debut I’ll make sure that you don’t regret choosing me.”
Once he’s finished, Alex bows politely once more while thanking them before he finally leaves, feeling as if his whole soul left his body and he were just some zombie walking out at this point. There were definitely a mix of emotions going on inside of him right now and he didn’t know what to do, didn’t know who to turn to. Why? Because he hadn’t felt this way before, never once actually being called out like he had just been for his bullshit. Yeah there were people before who would get annoyed and make comments here and there for the dumb stuff he said or did, though it was never anything like this. He was, for once in his life, lost on what he should do. One thing he was certain on was that he would take this whole thing more seriously starting from today, though right now he just wanted to go into hiding at this point.
On Monday, November 30, you are called by one of the staff members to a meeting with Kim Hyuncheol, head manager of the trainees; Park Jeongan, current CEO; Lee Iseul, head creative director; and Roe Kangdae, head manager of LGC Creatives. “Please take a seat.” The staff member spoke before giving a brief explanation of the interview process and how you will be asked a question related to yourself and Future Dreams. Not a lot was revealed as to why the interview was conducted except for the fact that it was to help them understand their trainees on a more personal level.
The question that was asked was, “Let’s be honest, you don’t have the best track record since you’ve joined the company. Even your form to join the show failed to convince any of us to give you a chance. So, I’ll be blunt; why should we even consider debuting you?”
Once you finish answering the question, the staff ends the interview by thanking you and telling you to have a nice day.
jang taesung and kim hyuncheol have a... special relationship. hyuncheol holds taesung in low regard, and taesung holds the other in an even lower one.
so with politeness and pleasantries aside, he finds himself falling from upright and amiable position at their question—broadcast-ready expression instantly fading at the rightfully tired question.
why should we even bother with you, taesung?
why, for the same exact reasons you’ve been bothering with me for the past four years, after all.
so any sort of respect for the four men aside, the brunette can’t help but rolls his eyes—for surely, this telltale old question has grown considerably boring, hasn’t it?
a frustrated sigh followed by an exasperated slouch in his chair, taesung finds himself crossing his arms, narrowing his eyes at the four executives with just as much judgement and scorn as them (if not more). “since you’ve asked me to be honest, let me be blunt next.
“since we’re certainly not beating around the bush here, let me try to put it... plainly for you all. this, at the end of the day, is a job—just like any other career in any other industry. you all, undoubtedly, are my bosses, and the other trainees are, in a way, my coworkers. so why is that, just because we’re in the business of entertainment, the dynamics of those relationships have to be so... different? i mean, isn’t the basis for everything we do rooted in the business of selling a lie?
“that we’re their best friends, their brothers, their boyfriends—phoenixes risen from the ashes to be reborn in the glory and honor of a shared dream,” he preaches, air contracting in gentle hisses as he speaks—tone determined, words ever so valiant. “our whole existences are supposed to revolve around the fans, for it’s not talent that makes a celebrity. it’s profitability.”
he shifts his weight now, body leaning forward as elbows rest leisurely on knees. hands firmly clasp in front of him as he shrugs his shoulders, and presses on.
“i haven’t been promoted nearly as much as the ‘project origin’ guys, and yet, my fancams still go viral. i still book modeling gigs. i still get casted for dramas. so in terms of assets, i think you have a pretty solid one right here.
“besides, you said it yourself: you’ve known of my... nefarious reputation since the very beginning, and yet, i’m still here. because you know that i can step up to the plate, that i always deliver. and yet, you’re telling me that personality’s the only thing that has you doubting me?”
excuse the scoff that readily escapes him, as if perfectly on cue.
“you’re asking me why you should even consider debuting me, and i’m telling you that, for the past four years, i’ve been under the assumption that you all already have been. i mean, i wouldn’t still be a trainee—i wouldn’t have been chosen for this show—if that wasn’t true, correct?
“but if that’s really not the case, and you’ve been keeping me under contract for nearly half a decade—a contract that seemingly doesn’t benefit me at all—after i’ve been entirely upfront about who i am as a person since day one—my attitude, my work ethic—and after pledging absolute allegiance to this company... well then, whose character should we really call into question here?”
a sigh parts his lips as he straightens up now, one leg crossing over the other as gaze squarely meets each and every single one of the other’s glaring back at him.
“but don’t hold any of my words too harshly against me. i’m just a trainee after all, and... well, we’re just being honest here, aren’t we?”
OOC: The content of this submission is fully ic and doesn’t reflect our opinions ooc, while the tone of the content may sound negative, this interview by the staff is to put the trainees on the spot. The questions also do not reflect if somebody is or isn’t likely to debut.
On Monday, November 30, you are called by one of the staff members to a meeting with Kim Hyuncheol, head manager of the trainees; Park Jeongan, current CEO; Lee Iseul, head creative director; and Roe Kangdae, head manager of LGC Creatives. “Please take a seat.” The staff member spoke before giving a brief explanation of the interview process and how you will be asked two questions related to yourself and Future Dreams. Not a lot was revealed as to why the interview was conducted except for the fact that it was to help them understand their trainees on a more personal level.
The first question that was asked was, “Honestly, I dare say I’m surprised to see you here, Jude, now that the option of being in a band is possible for the trainees. We worry that you’re still hesitant and might change your mind last minute. Can you tell us in more detail why you chose to remain on the idol path and how you will handle aspects of the job you might not like as much as performing on stage?”
After hearing your response, another person from the panel followed up with a question. Their question was, “We wanted to talk to you about your star quality video. You’re certainly very skilled at guitar and singing and it was a lovely performance overall. We were curious as to why you decided to showcase this specifically. There’s no right or wrong answer, really. But we wonder if you’re still hiding parts of yourself from us. Are there things you’re afraid of when you think of a potential debut?” Once you finish answering the question, the staff ends the interview by thanking you and telling you to have a nice day.
—
He hadn’t known what to expect from the meeting.
He had been straightforwardly honest when filling out the questionnaire. While his memory was a bit hazy now, none of his answers were worthy of further questioning, but he suspects that the meeting was an additional part of the vetting process that the staff had purposefully neglected of informing them about from the beginning. He wonders if the trainees would be allowed to ask questions during the second interview, or whether he would receive feedback. He had no hopes for the former, but he expects that he will be called out for playing it safe while others had been more daring about their star quality video. Instead of singing an acoustic version of a pop song, he should have danced to show some growth or gone with his original idea of speed-painting, but there was no point in lamenting what could have been.
For him, interviews weren’t as nerve-wracking. He knew that the key to interviews was to view them as a conversation where the focus would be on him, which would allow him to come off more naturally, rather than an interrogation. His worst-case scenario for the interview would be to be informed that he wasn’t ready to be in a permanent group, and would have to be benched for longer. Or worse, not debut at all and cease being a trainee at the company immediately. However, that would be too drastic to even wrap his mind around and didn’t help him at all.
Upon entering the room, he had been warned that the company’s key executives would be in attendance. If Kim Hyuncheol’s presence was intimidating, he didn’t know how to describe the other people seated to the right of him. He remains respectful by bowing to everyone individually and awaits to be instructed to sit down. An eyebrow raises in surprise when the band path is mentioned, fingers gripping the fabric of his dark-washed jeans.
Had he mentioned his dilemma of not knowing if he should choose the band path over debuting in an idol group in his questionnaire? He doesn’t remember particularly highlighting the fact that he had set his eyes on debuting in a band when he joined Legacy Entertainment as a trainee. however, he does remember claiming that he would be happy anywhere. He could agree that the statement caused him to come across wishy-washy, and unsure of whether he wanted to be an idol at the moment, which couldn’t be said about the other male trainees.
After the shock settles from the first question, he appreciates the straightforwardness of the executives. “I was born outside of South Korea, and I think because of that I had clung to wanting to be an artist rather than an ‘idol.’ For me, I believed that idols were mere performers, but after joining Legacy Entertainment as a trainee, I’ve come to realize that we can aspire to be more than just performers with curated concepts and songs. I believe that was the reason why I had clung to wanting to be in a band rather than idol group, but throughout the many years of being in the company, and two seasons of Future Dreams… I learned a lot about myself. I actually enjoy being a performer, and the challenges that you’ve thrown at us made the journey more thrilling for me. I said in the questionnaire that I would be happy either in a band or in an idol group, and I still stand by that, but as you may know, I’m quite stubborn, and I want the more challenging path for myself. I could be quite comfortable and happy in a band, but I don’t ever want to be comfortable.”
“I’m confident that I can still explore and develop an artistry that I will feel proud of…” He pauses, corner of his lips tugging upwards into a quick, faint smile. “…even if that means you require me to do aegyo. I trust and respect your creative vision, and I wouldn’t ever disrespect or refuse to do anything unless I can’t subscribe to it, but I don’t see that ever happening. If it does ever come to that, I hope that we can respectfully agree to disagree.” He finishes off the statement with a slight nod, pressing his lips together while he straighten his posture in his seat.
Jude is rendered speechless by the compliment, eyes rounding in surprise at the compliment. That was not what he expected at all. Sure, the word lovely could be interpreted in various ways by him but skilled and lovely being paired was a win for him. “I was really in my head during the first two seasons. I kept second-guessing myself, and I didn’t know if I could measure up to the other trainees. I told myself that if I was going to sign up for a third season, I wanted to enjoy myself. I chose the song because the lyrics were light-hearted, but vocally I would shine… However, you are correct that I hid behind my guitar since it’s a security blanket for me. I’m a private person by nature, but I do want to project who I am on the inside and show not only you but the fans who I am. I will be more willing to experiment and be more open about who I am if I’m given the chance. Thank you.”
