I Decided to Become a Perfect Girl

Mid-July, when summer vacation began.

I was reading posts on the internet on my way to work on the bus again today.

[By the way, who’s that girl in the ‘Think of You’ music video?]

I think I’m losing it… Who is she? Please, she’s so pretty! T_T

[OMG, the song ‘Think of You’ is so good! T_T T_T T_T]

I’m single, but after listening to the song, I feel like I just had a breakup a few days ago… ^^ I think it’ll stay high on the charts for a while…

[Who’s the female lead in ‘Think of You’?]

Is she an actress? She can’t be a trainee, right? She’s so beautiful… Really beautiful…

[Has the female lead in ‘Think of You’ been revealed?]

Ah, she’s totally my style! I wonder who she is…

[Who is the female lead in ‘Think of You’? Is she a trainee?]

I saw a comment saying she’s a Topist trainee, but is that true…? I’m enchanted by her beauty while watching the music video…

It’s been three weeks since the ‘Think of You’ music video was released.

The songs from X1 gradually climbed the rankings and eventually hit number one on the charts.

Of course, it wasn’t just due to public appeal that they achieved that rank.

The increase in streaming points from X1 fans.

And the buzz among young women interested in male idols.

These two factors were more than enough to push a male idol’s song to the top spot in an instant.

And naturally, the interest in me, the female lead of the music video, also grew.

Searching for ‘Think of You female lead’ on the internet revealed several posts confirming this.

Though most of these posts were primarily in female-dominated communities.

sigh … I really want to comment, “I’m Do-hee Lee, a trainee from Topist Entertainment.”

Since I was still an undisclosed trainee that the company hadn’t made public, the public couldn’t know who I was.

They only speculated that I was a trainee under Topist Entertainment since I appeared in the X1 music video.

“Isn’t it fine to just comment since it’s all about self-PR these days…?”

Feeling the urge to comment as I read through the posts, I realized the bus had arrived at the company stop.

I got off the bus, forcing a smile and starting to manage my expression.

There was no need to create any awkwardness among the trainees by showing off inside the company.

Everyone was working hard to debut, and I felt an uneasy pressure.

However, despite my feelings, the Team Leader called out to me as I entered.

“Do-hee.”

“Yes?”

“You have an advertisement audition next week.”

“An advertisement audition all of a sudden?”

As I was puzzled by the Team Leader’s sudden words, he continued.

“Yeah. The advertisement company said they liked the music video you were in. They’ve contacted us for you to participate in this audition.”

“Oh… Okay. Do you happen to know what the advertisement is for?”
“Can we find out what kind of ad this is?”

“Yeah. Do you know Ion Sweat?”

“What? Ion Sweat?”

“Yeah. Ion Sweat.”

Ion Sweat CF.

It’s considered one of the most famous ads and a stepping stone for rookie actresses, often referred to as a representative advertisement showcasing the image of pure innocence.

In a nutshell, it was an ad everyone coveted.

But I feel like it’s not the right fit for me…

I’m only 14 years old, and the established actresses are all in their 20s with pure and innocent images.

“Team Leader, didn’t they mainly hire well-known 20-something actresses for the Ion Sweat ad?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“So why me…”

“Since last year, Ion Sweat has changed its advertising strategy from purity to youth. So they started using teenage actors.”

“Oh…”

“Regardless, the important thing is that they reached out to you. Of course, it’s tough to pass the audition, but this is a rare opportunity, so do your best.”

“Yep.”

From that day on until the audition day, I took extra acting lessons tailored for the audition every single day.

Finally, audition day.

This time, I headed to the audition venue in Seo-yoon’s car.

When I arrived at the audition venue, I could see more than ten young actors sitting in the waiting area.

Even though I came an hour early, seeing the queue made it clear how much interest there was in the Ion Sweat ad.

‘So where should I sit…’

With the occasional empty seats, it seemed like there was a separate order for the auditions.

A staff member approached me and said,

“What’s your name?”

“Ah, I’m Do-hee Lee.”

The staff handed me the script and pointed to a seat.

“You can sit over there. This audition is based on a designated script, so please memorize it before the audition.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I took the script and sat down in the spot specified by the staff, unfolding the script.

//

Spring.

It would be nice if it were always warm, but sometimes there’s a chill.

It would be nice if it were always clear, but sometimes there’s dust.

But so what?

Finding that green in such spring is what youth is all about, right?

Find your green.

The blue within you, Ion Sweat.

//

Hmm…

It feels more like narration than a script.

How should I act?

Should I pay attention to my voice tone first?

As I was stressing about how to act while memorizing the script, an hour passed, and it was already time for the audition.

The staff shouted.
Taep shouted.

“Alright, we’ll start with the front row for auditions.”

The actor sitting in the front row entered the audition room.

Then the next one.

And the next.

One by one, actors finished their auditions, and finally it was my turn.

“Next person, please come in.”

I stood up and walked into the audition room.

Upon entering, it felt like I was in a monthly review meeting at the office; sitting straight ahead were the judges, with a camera set up.

The judge in the middle of the three spoke.

“So, let’s start with a self-introduction?”

“Yes, hello. I’m Do-hee Lee, 14 years old. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, you’re the trainee from that music video, right?”

“Yes, that’s me!”

“I see. Have you ever done any commercials?”

“Uh…”

I did shoot one when I was five, but…

That embarrassing history doesn’t count for me.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Alright. Do you have a prepared free performance?”

I thought they were going to have us do specified acting, but suddenly the judge was asking for a free performance.

I sighed and looked at the judges with a blank expression.

“Honestly, I’m not going to make it anyway, so I’ll be straightforward.”

The judges looked a bit taken aback.

“I got my certification thinking I should fill my resume since I’m more ordinary than the other trainees, rather than having an interest in makeup.”

“So, you can’t actually do it?”

“Does it really have to be a dream…? I don’t have dreams in my life. I’m scared and terrified of failing. But if you give me a chance, I will work hard. I’m confident I can persevere.”

As I finished my acting, thankfully, the judges didn’t look disappointed.

Phew…

Just in case they suddenly asked for a free performance, I had practiced the script with Teacher Hye-young beforehand.

The judge on the left said, “That was the most entertaining free performance I’ve seen so far.”

“Thank you!”

“Alright, now let’s check your expressions. Can you give us a big smile?”

“Sure!”

I looked at the judges and smiled broadly.

Their lips started to curl up in response to my smile.

One of them even let out a chuckle.

Even though this was my first audition, the atmosphere felt pretty good.

“Okay. Now let’s see your specified acting. Do you have the script memorized?”

Ah…

I got so into the free performance I suddenly forgot the specified acting script.

After a moment of internal debate, I decided to just be honest.

I flashed a cute, awkward smile and said to the judges.
She spoke to the judges.

“Excuse me, but would it be possible for me to take a look at the script just once?”

Fortunately, the judges didn’t seem disappointed.

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Thank you~”

I figured it was better than making a mistake without glancing at it.

After a brief look at the script again, I started my performance as if I were narrating.

“Bomi.”

Being aware that typical commercials last about 30 seconds, I slowly continued my monologue.

“I wish it would always be warm, but sometimes there’s a late spring chill.”

“I wish it would always be clear, but sometimes there’s yellow dust.”

“But so what?”

“Finding greenery in such spring is what youth is about, right?”

Then, pretending to sip a drink, I imagined a refreshing image, smiled, and said,

“Find your greenery.”

“The blue inside you, Ion Sweat!”

One of the judges smiled and said,

“Well done.”

“Thank you!”

“The mask is definitely good. We’ll contact you about whether you passed soon.”

“Yes! Thank you.”

After finishing my greetings, I left the audition room.

When I came out, Seo-yoon was standing there waiting.

As we walked down to the parking lot to get into the car, she asked,

“So, how did the audition go?”

“Well… it wasn’t bad, but I got a bit nervous and forgot the designated script for a moment.”

“Really? So you didn’t see it at all??”

“No, I just asked for understanding, took another look at the script, and then acted.”

“Thank goodness.”

“But I’m still a bit disappointed.”

“It’s okay, you did well. It’s better than messing up without looking. Just take it easy—if you pass, great; if not, it can’t be helped.”

“Yeah.”

Three days later.

I went up to the third floor at the Team Leader’s call.

The Team Leader smiled brightly at me and said,

“Do-hee, you passed!”

“Really?!”

“Yep, you’ll be doing the commercial shoot in five days.”

I thought I’d obviously fail since I couldn’t memorize the script.

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you.”

But this was the first time I saw the Team Leader smile so widely.

They usually had a serious face or smiled faintly.

Anyway, it definitely feels like I’m getting one step closer to my debut.

---