Chapter 15: First Encounter with the Myth

That night, at the Park family home in Anyang.

"Mom, Yunjae isn't going to disappear, why are you packing so much stuff for him! It's summer, a few changes of clothes would be enough!" Seeing Choi Ji-ya stuff winter down jackets into the suitcase, Park So-yeon couldn't help but start complaining.

"Yeah, dear! We can send him the winter clothes when the weather gets cooler. For now, just take some shorts and T-shirts!" Park Sang-hae, seeing the already bulging suitcase, couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for it, thinking it might burst if more was added.

"Auntie, I'm going to be a trainee and attend school, not go into hiding. I'll come back every week, so don't make it seem like I'm going to a disaster zone. Just a few outfits and a couple of pairs of shoes will do!" Li Yunjae's lips twitched a few times before he spoke.

In the end, after being persuaded by the three of them, Choi Ji-ya took out the winter clothes and put in some short-sleeved shirts and long pants instead.

"Yunjae... when you're out there on your own, you have to take care of yourself, okay!" After tonight, Li Yunjae would leave the Park family, and they would see each other less often. The emotional Choi Ji-ya couldn't help but feel sad.

Li Yunjae chuckled and said, "Auntie, I'll take care of myself... I'll come back every week... don't look so sad, okay!"

"Yeah, dear, it's not like it's a life or death situation. Look at your face, as if you won't see Yunjae tomorrow! Our Yunjae is going to be a big star, and we'll have something to be proud of in front of the neighbors. If you miss Yunjae, you can go see him. It's only a two-hour train ride to Seoul, and you can make several round trips in a day!" Park Sang-hae also comforted her.

Choi Ji-ya sighed slightly and said, "Sigh... it's going to feel strange with one less child in the house... well, Yunjae, So-yeon, go to bed, it's getting late! We'll send Yunjae to Seoul tomorrow!"

Hearing this, Li Yunjae immediately shook his head and said, "No need, Auntie! I can do it on my own!"

"But..."

Choi Ji-ya wanted to say more, but Park Sang-hae stopped her, "Forget it, the kid has his own ideas. It's good for him to get some exercise. He'll have to come back on his own anyway. Are you going to run to Seoul every week to pick him up? Alright, Yunjae, So-yeon, go to bed!" Saying this, Park Sang-hae picked up Li Yunjae's luggage and went down the attic stairs, placing it by the wooden ladder. Choi Ji-ya also came down, and the two turned and walked into the bedroom.

"Big Sister So-yeon... why aren't you going to bed yet?!" Seeing Park So-yeon still lingering, Li Yunjae pushed her a bit.

"Hey, don't push me, I still have something to say to you!" Saying this, Park So-yeon plopped down on the bed.

"Alright, what do you want to say? I'm all ears!" Li Yunjae sat down next to her.

"Yunjae, I'm good to you, right?"

Park So-yeon's voice suddenly became very gentle, making Li Yunjae feel very uncomfortable. He shivered and stammered, "Yeah... of course, you're good to me!"

"Then will you agree to my request?"

Li Yunjae nodded and said, "As long as it's within my capabilities, I'll agree, but don't be too unreasonable!"

Hearing this, Park So-yeon shook her head like a rattle and said, "No... no! It's a simple request. I want the front row for HOT's concert and the autographs of the future stars from S.M. Entertainment, preferably with photos. Yunjae, I'm entrusting this important task to you! I was going to ask BoA, but since you're also in S.M. now, it's a different story!"

Seeing Park So-yeon's serious and solemn expression, Li Yunjae couldn't help but laugh and said, "Oh, I thought it was something big. I'll take care of it!"

Actually, even if Park So-yeon hadn't asked, Li Yunjae would have gotten the autographs for her, knowing how much his big sister adored HOT.

Yay!! Park So-yeon jumped up and down on the bed, then grabbed Li Yunjae's head and kissed his left cheek, her happiness radiating.

Li Yunjae felt a bit helpless, but despite being kissed, it felt... not bad!

......

The next day, the weather was clear, and the sun rose high early in the morning. Li Yunjae opened his eyes slightly, not waking up naturally but from the heat. The attic had only one electric fan blowing warm air.

"Yunjae, wake up, it's already eight o'clock, and you have to report to S.M. Entertainment today!" Park So-yeon called out loudly from the wooden ladder.

"Okay... I'm coming!" Li Yunjae stretched and slowly got out of bed. If it were during the school term, his biological clock would be very accurate, waking him up at 6:40 AM, but during the holidays, his only hobby was sleeping in, often until nine or ten.

After washing up in the second-floor bathroom, Li Yunjae went downstairs. Today's breakfast was dumplings, one of his favorites.

"Yunjae... I didn't have time to make them by hand, but these frozen dumplings are pretty good. Try them!" Choi Ji-ya served Li Yunjae a bowl, with a few drops of sesame oil floating on the soup, filling the house with a delicious aroma. Park So-yeon and Park Sang-hae were already enjoying their meal.

After breakfast, it was time to leave. On the way, many neighbors saw Li Yunjae carrying a guitar, with Park Sang-hae helping him with the suitcase, and asked where he was going. Choi Ji-ya proudly said, "Our Yunjae is going to be a big star!"

At the train station, the train's rumbling sound grew louder, and it was time to board. The reluctance and parting finally made Li Yunjae's eyes moist.

"Kid, when you're out there on your own, take care of yourself. Don't let anyone bully you, and know how to protect yourself, okay! The train is here, get on!" Park Sang-hae patted Li Yunjae's head and said.

Choi Ji-ya also looked sad and hugged Li Yunjae. Park So-yeon, on the other hand, looked excited, as if the concept of parting didn't exist in her mind. She hugged Li Yunjae and whispered in his ear, "Don't forget what you promised me!"

Li Yunjae felt a bit depressed, as the moment was so emotional, and she was still being a downer...

With a final look back, Li Yunjae boarded the train to Seoul. From now on, Li Yunjae's life would become colorful, filled with happiness, disappointment, and sorrow, all kinds of challenges waiting for him.

......

At 11:00 AM, Li Yunjae appeared at Seoul Station, drawing the attention of many passersby. A child of about ten years old carrying a guitar almost as tall as himself and a suitcase, with long bangs and rosy lips, looked like a little boy, making it hard for people not to notice him. Some older women passing by couldn't help but look at him a few more times, their maternal instincts overflowing.

After leaving the station, Li Yunjae hailed a taxi and, with the driver's help, put his luggage in the trunk, heading straight to S.M. Entertainment.

When Li Yunjae arrived at S.M. Entertainment, it was lunchtime. Many trainees who didn't like the company cafeteria's food were coming out of the back door, walking around to the front, and heading to restaurants. Seeing Li Yunjae standing at the entrance, they couldn't help but look at him.

"I heard that a little boy was chosen by Teacher Yu in yesterday's audition. Is it him?"

"It must be... a little boy around ten years old, just like the rumors!"

"This kid is really lucky to be chosen by Teacher Yu!"

"Alright... look at your sour face! Are you jealous of a child? Go eat, and then go back to training..."

The news of yesterday's audition had already spread throughout the company. In fact, the company was a place where news spread quickly, and any small event could easily become known to everyone.

According to the rumors, the company's president and music producer had chosen two very promising individuals: a thirteen-year-old girl and a ten-year-old boy.

Li Yunjae looked up at the four-story building, with a large logo and a big poster of HOT. Many cars were parked in front of S.M. Entertainment, and not far away, young fans were hiding under the trees, holding posters of their idols, waiting for HOT to appear. It was summer, and every day, many fans could be seen waiting for their idols.

"Little boy, who are you looking for?" Seeing Li Yunjae walk into the company, the receptionist immediately walked up and asked.

"I'm here to report, looking for Teacher Yu Yong-jun!"

"Oh... you must be Li Yunjae. Teacher Yu has already informed me. Follow me!" The receptionist helped Li Yunjae with his suitcase and led him upstairs.

"The second floor is for the company's already-debuted artists and those about to debut. The general trainees' practice rooms are in the basement!" The receptionist explained as they walked to the second floor. "The third floor is the recording studio, and the fourth floor is the office area. Teacher Yu usually works in the recording studio on the third floor!"

The receptionist led Li Yunjae to the third floor, down a long corridor with four doors marked as Studio 1, Studio 2, Yu Yong-jun's dedicated studio, and Kim Sung-soo's dedicated studio.

"These two studios are for the artists. The company also trains them to make their own songs and record them, but the equipment in these two studios can't compare to the dedicated ones!"

Li Yunjae followed the receptionist, listening attentively.

Soon, the receptionist led Li Yunjae to Yu Yong-jun's dedicated studio, knocked on the door, and heard a "Come in" from inside.

"Producer Yu, Li Yunjae is here!"

At that moment, Yu Yong-jun wasn't alone in the studio. Li Yunjae looked inside and saw Yu Yong-jun sitting at the recording console, holding a microphone to his ear with his left hand and fiddling with the red and black buttons on the console with his right hand. Inside the vacuum glass, six young men were recording a song.

Yu Yong-jun turned his chair and, seeing Li Yunjae standing at the door with his guitar, smiled faintly and said, "Hmm, you're finally here... BoA has already arrived!"

Li Yunjae shrugged and said helplessly, "I left at 8:00 AM, so I'm not late, Teacher!"

Hearing Li Yunjae call him "Teacher," Yu Yong-jun's face lit up with joy. He put down his work, helped Li Yunjae bring his suitcase into the studio, closed the door, and said, "Sit for a moment. I'll finish recording this song and then arrange your schedule!"

Li Yunjae obediently sat on the sofa, nodded, and took out a piece of chocolate. He seemed a bit embarrassed to eat it alone and offered it to Yu Yong-jun, who laughed and shook his head, "You eat it yourself!" Then, he turned back to the recording console.

The originally quiet studio suddenly filled with music. Li Yunjae was stunned for a moment, looking at the six young men singing inside the glass, thinking, "So this is how songs are made, it's amazing."

Soon, Li Yunjae realized that his singing skills were worlds apart from these six young men, like the difference between the stars and the moon.

After about three and a half minutes, the singing in the studio stopped. Yu Yong-jun waved to the six young men inside the vacuum glass, signaling them to come out.

"Come, let me introduce you!"

The six young men came out from behind the vacuum glass, looking at Li Yunjae curiously. Li Yunjae stood up and bowed slightly. Even in school, he would greet his seniors, and to get along well in the company, building good relationships was important.

"Bro, this kid... isn't he your son?" One of the young men, who had a bright smile, guessed. Although Yu Yong-jun was older and the company's chief music producer, he was from the early 1970s, while the six of them were mostly from the late 1970s, with two from the early 1980s, so they called him "Bro."

"Brat, what are you saying! Do I look like I have a kid that old! Come, let me introduce you. This is the new trainee we just recruited—Li Yunjae!

Yunjae, these six are your seniors: Lee Min-woo, Kim Jong-wan, Park Jung-tae, Lee Sun-ho, Moon Hee-joon, and Shin Hye-sung."

Li Yunjae immediately bowed and greeted them, "Seniors, I'm Li Yunjae. Please take care of me in the future!"

Moon Hee-joon and the others didn't look down on Li Yunjae because of his age. Anyone who could enter S.M. Entertainment at this stage was either talented or skilled. Li Yunjae, though young, must have his strengths, so they greeted him as well.

"This kid is quite cute, with his chubby cheeks. Brother Hee-joon will definitely like him!" Shin Hye-sung pinched Li Yunjae's cheeks and said with a smile.

The "Brother Hee-joon" he mentioned was probably HOT's Moon Hee-joon. Li Yunjae thought to himself, influenced by Park So-yeon, he was very familiar with HOT. He knew who was the best singer, who was the best dancer, who was the most handsome, who was the tallest, and who was the fattest.

"Alright, you've met. Yunjae is still young, so take good care of him in the future, okay!" Yu Yong-jun said seriously. These six were S.M.'s biggest hope after HOT. They would become famous overnight after debuting, and their care would greatly benefit Li Yunjae.

"Bro, you're making it sound like we're strangers. We take good care of our juniors, and since Yunjae is so young, we'll definitely look after him!" Lee Min-woo nodded and said.

"That's great. Your dorm is a four-bedroom apartment, so there should be an extra room. Yunjae will live with you. It will also help him get used to the environment."

"What...?" Moon Hee-joon and the others exclaimed in surprise.

"How... is that not possible? The trainee dorms are tight, and Liu Zhen's dorm has an extra room, but you can't have Yunjae live with them!" Yu Yong-jun said firmly.

"Well..." Moon Hee-joon and the others exchanged glances and said, "It's not impossible... but we're six grown men, and we don't know how to take care of a child. Is it appropriate for Yunjae to live with us?"

Before Yu Yong-jun could speak, Li Yunjae said, "It's fine, Hee-joon-ssi. I've been boarding since elementary school and have been living independently. I can take care of myself."

"Listen... this kid has been boarding since he was young and can take care of himself. Look at you..." Yu Yong-jun couldn't help but scold them.

"Ha... alright, we have no objections. But, Bro, do you have any insider information... will the company give us a better dorm after we debut?" Moon Hee-joon asked.

Yu Yong-jun glared at him and then said with a smile, "If you perform well after debuting and make money for the company, the company won't treat you badly!"

"We'll work hard!" The six of them looked excited. Although becoming a big star was their dream, it was also about making money. Doing what they loved and earning a living, supporting their families, and making their lives better was the most meaningful thing.

"Alright... that's it for this morning. Take Yunjae to settle in, and come back here at 3:00 PM. We'll record this song again. The 'Terminator' still doesn't feel quite right, and it needs improvement!" Talking about the song, Yu Yong-jun's face became serious again.

"Got it, Bro... we'll sing until you're satisfied!" Moon Hee-joon said to Kim Jong-wan, "Jong-wan, help Yunjae with his suitcase. Let's take him to the dorm!"

Watching the six of them leave, Yu Yong-jun's face showed a relieved smile. Especially Moon Hee-joon, who already had the presence of a leader. Although he was about the same age as Shin Hye-sung and the others, they all respected him. He was the core of the team, the leader, and the big brother!