Star University

I am woken, in the morning by the sound of my sisters getting ready for their first day of school. I squint and rub my eyes and make out that it isn’t even six o clock yet according to my alarm clock. I push myself out of bed and make my way to the shower. Being up too early cannot harm me can it? I have a long shower preparing myself for the first day at school, I get dressed into my new school uniform, but I add a little extra style to it making me look unique. I put my name badge on and do my hair.

By the time I am ready MinJi and EunJi come downstairs looking really cute in their new uniforms. We eat our breakfast and my sisters get in the car with appa I kiss them on the head and tell them I would pick them up from school as they finish an hour after I do.

As it was my first day, I take a ride with JiYong oppa who said he would show me around school and help me settle. We pull into the gates and he opens my door up.

“Nervous?” he asks and I nod. “Don’t be, look for my group, where are they?”

Just as he says that we turn our heads and there they are, all four of them walking in as if they own the school. Seungri and Daesung behind having a laugh like always and YoungBae and Seunghyun oppas in front looking very serious, only is it when they all see us they smile and wave. We wave back. I could feel eyes staring at me. I even heard some people say “who’s that with GD oppa?” “What is she doing?” and even “they make a cute couple don’t they?” JiYong held me back my fist tightened.

“Already dongseng, don’t get into fights haha” he laughed as BigBang approach. Seungri hugged me first as he rushed up to me.

“Ya, noona, promise to stay with us at lunch and other times.” He said poking SeungHyun, who was giving me a hug at that time.

“Araseyo, dongseng, I will.” He was younger than me but only by a few months so it was pretty fun to call him dongseng. Daesung gave me a hug and told me he was excited for this day.

Last but not least YoungBae oppa hugged me, I could feel everyone watching me as he did. He spoke a gentle word into my ear, “I’ll buy you lunch you must come and sit with us, think of us as your guardian angels.” He laughed and I pulled away.

“Do I look like I need guardian angels.” All of them nodded. “Jeongmallo? Aish. I’m not that bad am I?” I asked.

“Don’t get into trouble noona” Seunghyun said “We know what you’re like sometimes.”

I pouted. “Araseyo, I got it.” We walked into the building. I had never been in such a beautiful place, other than my new house before.The pale white marble could have been the exact same one in my bedroom if it had pink in it the windows and doors where the same white glossy and sparkly glass. The hall was big enough to hold a banquet in and there was a lot of space to walk about without bumping into anyone or anything. There were three doors on either side each labelled differently. ‘Studio1’ Studio2’ Studio3’ Studio4 ‘Studio5’ and ‘Studio6’.

YoungBae began to explain. “Studios 1, 2 and 3” are for music, singing, and instruments. And Studios 4, 5 and 6” are for Dance.” I nodded it occurred to me that we had come through the back entrance of the school as the offices where right at the front of the school. YoungBae continued explaining. “Each studio contains 5, for five different classes to be taught they are often split into groups with members, and solo artists, like yourself could be put into any class. There are 3 floors in this building. The last floor is full of showcase theatres and interview rooms.”

SeungHyun oppa cut in as we passed two other rooms, “this is where the modelling takes place, there is a catwalk in one, and a photo shooting studio in the other. As you can see I am professional when it comes to modelling.” I nodded “people also like to do photography and editing, they can do it in there.” As we walked through the school I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. The new girl. Hanging out with megastars BigBang. I felt embarrassed but I just hoped nothing bad would happen to me.

Daesung pointed out the food court. Not a canteen but an actual food court restaurant. For 5₩ you could eat whatever you liked, as people rarely ate a lot here anyway. We walked past the academic classes and a little down the hallway we came to the offices. I told them they didn’t have to wait for me, I knocked and entered.

A tall man, wearing stylish clothes stood up in front of me, he looked no older than 35. I bowed my head and he returned.

“Take a seat Hwang JiEun.” I did as I was told. “I am Director Oh, I received your portfolio and I must say I was impressed.”

“Excuse me, but what portfolio? I don’t remember giving one in.”

“Ah, I was aware of this, JiYong was the one to inform me of this. He created it, because he thought you were talented but you weren’t confident enough to show it.” I grinned a little, partly because I was happy he had done that for me and partly because I was going to kill him for not telling me. "I would like you to enrol in dancing, vocals, music and modelling classes, as well as other classes of your choice. I was very impressed with your language skills so maybe you could do Korean and English together?”

“Will I have time to do all these subjects in just one week?” I asked.

“Our classes last an hour and a half each, you have an hour to eat too, you have 3 classes a day, if you have modelling, vocals and dancing one day, you will have say music, acting and Korean the next day. Each year you get to choose three subjects that you major in. You also get an hour free each day where you can pick up a new subject or even practice your subject more.”

Director Oh handed me a list of subjects:

-Languages (choice of 5)
-Dace
-Vocals
-Music
-Modelling
-Art
-Gym
-Korean Literature
-Photography & Media
-Math
-Science
-Politics & Humanities
-Acting

“Well for me, I’d like to become a well-rounded artist so Acting and Photography & Media would be really useful, but if I fail I want to have a back-up plan so Korean Literature and Languages would be useful for me to have some kind of backup plan."

Director Oh nods. “Okay, then, Oh, I almost forgot this is your home room your teacher is Ms Chang. For the first week everybody just drifts in and out of which ever lesson they prefer, so find your brother and go with him until you find your own group and you will receive your official schedule next Monday.”

I nodded and picked up the book and list he had given me and said goodbye, just as I opened the door he said “I’ll be expecting great things from you Hwang JiEun.”

I nodded and thanked him again and went out. JiYong and BigBang were still waiting for me.

“Ya! I told you lot not to wait for me.”

“I know, but who else have you got to hang out with?” SeungHyun said grabbing my wrist.

“Gaja, who did you get for home room?”

“I’ve forgot, oh here this list, ah, Ms Chang in Studio three, room three.” I say.

“Jinjja? Me too,” Daesung said “Let’s go together.” He pulled my wrist from SeungHyun.

“Annyeong oppa” I waved as I was being slowly pulled away by Daesung oppa.

“So is she nice Ms Chang?” I asked nervously.

“Yeah, she is lovely, and really pretty and young, she teaches dance to the majors who debut with JMEntertainment and to the people who want to become dancers.”

“Ah, that’s a relief” I say, “at least she is young and a woman, I will probably get on with her more. Hopefully.”

We get to studio three and walk in, not realising Daesung still had tight hold of my wrist.

“Ms Chang, this is JiEun, she is new here.” I’m looking around the room and see barely anybody I knew, someone smiles and waves at me. He is very familiar but I am not sure where I have seen him.

“Annyeong Ms Hwang, would you like to introduce yourself to your home room group?” I nod and do she Ms Chang says.

“Annyeong Haeseyo, my name is Hwang JiEun, please take care of me.” I say sheepishly nervous.

“Take a seat JiEun, anywhere, sit by Daesung if you feel uncomfortable. Daesung’s seat was two away from the boy who waved at me and I had to sit in between them. I walk over and take off my bag and sit down. I adjust my fringe and Ms Chang begins to talk.

“Annyeong, JiEun,” the boy whispers, “I don’t suppose you remember me, do you?”

“Ani, Jwehsonghamnida.” I say shaking my head.

“The bookstore, two weeks ago?” He says trying to make me recall the events.

“Ahh, BaekHyun, I remember, where is your hat? Tao said you always wore hats.”

“Haha, I knew he’d mention the hat thing to you, I don’t wear them at school, most of the time, I do carry one around with me just in case”

“Just in case of what?”

“I don’t know.” We laugh

“Do you two know each other?” Daesung asks, and I tell him the story at the bookstore. “Ah, I guess it’s okay then I will let you talk to my noona.”

“Araseyo, hey JiEun, if you want you can come and meet the rest of EXO, Tao will be there too, come and say hi,” BaekHyun said, his black hair had shades of blue and purple in the sun and his eyes really did sparkle.

“Miahnhae, I promised BigBang I’d go with them fir-“

“Ani, noona, go with BaekHyun, I know he will look after you, after all I do know him,” he turned to BaekHyun “and I know where you live.”

“Is that a threat hyung?” they laughed.

“You have your phone don’t you noona? Just text me when you want to meet up with us I’ll come and find you,”

“Araseyo, let JiYong know, okay?”

Home class finished and I walked with BaekHyun to the first lesson. Which was upstairs in studio six room two. I walk in to see another ten or more people gathering round and playing about. As the door slammed behind us. Everyone turned to look at us.

Tao got up first. “Annyeong noona, how are you?”

“I’m good thank you what about you?”

“I’m good, thanks. Let me and BaekHyun introduce everyone.”

“This is ChanYeol, Chen and Suho,” they waved I smiled and gave a small curtsey bow.

“These fools are, Kai, Luhan, Sehun and Lay.” Kai did a cute peace wave and the rest just waved cutely. “This is Xiumin and KyungSoo,” he was about to introduce the last person to me when KyungSoo interrupted.

“Please call me D.O, it’s easier to remember.” D.O said.

“BaekHyun, who is that?” I asked.

“Ah, the last one is Kris Hyung.” I remembered him from the bookstore, he was cold and starring like he was in a constant pain his eyes were tearful all the time and he looked sad or angry. He just gave a slight bow and turned away. I hated rude people, but I felt a little sorry for him so I forgave him.

We were about to start dance practice, or rather, they were, I just was going to sit and enjoy watching them. Then a speaker began over the televisions placed in school. It was Director Oh.

“All you have to do is tomorrow morning think about the subjects you want to do, home room teachers all have a list and collect a list of the subjects and write your name down next to 5-12 subjects you want to participate in and you will all have you schedules next week. That will be all.” The broadcast ended abruptly and the room was quiet for a moment.

“I know, I’ve been scared of not debuting and not getting a qualification or a job” Suho replied.
Kris still hadn’t said a word, but I was warming to the others especially Xiumin, D.O, Luhan and Sehun. After class had finished I text Daesung to let him know where I was and within a minute he had arrived and was taking me to studio one room five.

“Annyeong noona, are you staying with us now?” SeungHyun asked and I nodded.

We stayed in that room most of the day until lunch. I had taught them that routine they asked me to from my first weekend here and I helped them stick with the time by clapping. A crowd of girls formed around the door way and I tried to look like it didn’t bother me. Seriously what is it with girls following stars and celebrities like sesaengs Crazy? We finish practicing at around half 12, just in time for lunch. YoungBae bought my food like he said he would even though I didn’t want him to, he insisted and we all sat around a table together. I got my phone out and it bleeped *1 New Message*

To: Hwang JiEun
From: Eli Kim

Hey, I’ve been looking for you today, its lunch time, are you at school, where are you? Are you okay?

So cute I thought to myself. I decided to invite him over for lunch with us.

To: Eli Kim Oppa
From: Hwang JiEun
Hey oppa, I’m in the food court, far left by the window, I am with BigBang come and say hi, where are you?

I grinned at my phone and YoungBae nudged my leg under the table.

“Who are you texting?” YoungBae said trying to get my phone.

“Just a friend,” I replied holding my phone out of reach so he wouldn’t be able to get it. It bleeped again.

To: Hwang JiEun
From: Eli Kim
I’m the other side, I’m on my way x

I smiled again, he put a kiss. I ate a bit more food and he arrived.

“Annyeong JiEun,” he said smiling.

“Noogoosaeyo?” SeungHyun asked.

“Ah, SeungHyun, this is Eli, Eli, this is Daesung, Seungri, JiYong, SeungHyun and YoungBae. Do you want to join us or have you got members that you are with?” I asked.

“I have members, sorry. Why don’t you meet me for the last hour, we decided to go into a studio and play.”

“Araseyo, where shall I meet you?” I wanted to get closer to Eli, he was older than me, but I could tell he was trustworthy and in general a nice person.

“Text me where you are I’ll meet you.” He said then went “Take care. Annyeong Haseyo,” and then he bowed his head to BigBang who were younger than him so didn’t have to show that much politeness.

“Wow, noona, you know a lot of people, how do you know Eli from U-Kiss?”

“I accidently bumped into him and he dropped his coffee all over us both then he offered to walk me to my car in case I bumped into anyone else.” I laughed noticing how clumsy I actually was.
BaekHyun and Tao saw us and came up to us whilst we were just leaving.

“Hey noona,” he paused and looked at the group of five boys behind me. “Wow, you guys are so cool, I loved your album, so cool. I see you around school but I really am too nervous to talk to you-“ BaekHyun faded off into a mumble.

“Aigoo, he’s so star struck” Tao hugged me a little.

“Aww, it’s cute though,” we laugh at his face.

“Hey what are you doing for the last hour?

“Well I am hanging with a friend, Eli, if you want to come feel free, but there’s going to be another group, U-Kiss-“

“Ya, how come you didn’t invite us to hang out with your new friend.” YoungBae said.

“Araseyo, mianhaeyo. All of you come then babo!”

I spent the next hour with EXO and BigBang I was anxiously waiting to meet the rest of Eli’s group U-Kiss I wondered what they would be like. I left for five minutes to go to use the bathroom, when I got there, there was a girl, washing her hands.

“Annyeong,” I said to her.

“Uh, me?” she said, I nodded. “Annyeong haeseyo.”

“What is everyone being polite to me for?”

“You are Hwang JiEun, your appa is president of the school, he owns JMEntertainment, he is so well known throughout Asia and even the world!”

“Jinjja?” I asked and she nodded. “Whats your name.”

“Lee JiEun, but call me IU, everyone knows me as IU. Plus it would get confusing later on if both our names are JiEun.” We laughed.

“What are you doing now unnie? It’s nearly free class.”

“Nothing I normally sit around and do homework.” She replies politely

“Want to join me and my brothers group and a couple of others, it should be fun I hope, I kind of really need a girl there with me.”

“Jinjja? Neh that would be really nice gamsahamnida,”

“Please treat me like a friend, I don’t want to be this high and mighty chaebol daughter, to you I am a friend.” I tell her.

“You are in my homeroom aren’t you, I remember from this morning. You sat by Daesung and BaekHyun oppas didn’t you? Do you know them?”

“Yes, I’ve known Daesung since we were really little, same with the rest of BigBang, as for BaekHyun, I work with Tao at a book store and me and EXO are getting pretty close,”

“Ah, I envy you, you are so pretty and you get to hang out with the coolest groups.“ IU said and pouted.

“Hey, we are going to be really good friends, I promise I will let you come to all BigBangs concerts with me and we can pretend to be fangirls and we can hang out with them,” I pause “if you want?”

“Unnie really, we can?” she looked really excited.

We got into the room and Eli was there, with his group already.

“Why don’t we stay here and you can all come and we can just have a first day party. “ Eli asked.

“That sounds good.” I say looking in a cupboard. “Hey karaoke machine anyone?”

A couple of guys from EXO cheered and I giggled I handed it over to JiYong oppa to sort out. Whilst Eli came over to me. “This is DongHo, he is the one who lives next to you,”

“Ah, I thought I recognised you” I say.

“This is SooHyun our leader, this is Kevin, Kiseop, AJ and Hoon.”

“Nice to meet you all,” I say bowing my head to each one in turn.

“Ani, nice to meet you, Eli hasn’t shut up about you since you met in the café.” Kevin said with a cute face nudging another member, DongHo. All these names were confusing.

“Aish, stop kidding around Kevin.” He turned to me “Ignore Kevin, he may act cute but he can be super annoying.”

“Who wants to go first?” JiYong asked everyone.

“Hey, why don’t you have a sing off, each group?” I suggested.

“There is only 7 spare microphone we can’t all have one in EXO.”

“Hey, we can split into our subunits. But what about you?” Sehun asked.

“I can just watch” I said.

“Yeah me too,” IU said quietly.

So it began, first up are the pros and first to debut, BigBang.

They score out of 100, 89. They were followed by EXO K. who score 89 also. Next the Chinese sub unit EXO M, who score 91 and last but not least U-Kiss who score 93.

“Hey noona, why don’t you have a go with IU?”

“I’m not much of a singer though.”

“Ani, I’ve seen your application portfolio, everyone has. Sing together.”

Me and IU confer what song to do.

We sing Girl’s Generation Genie.

Tao began to announce “and with a score of 93 U-Kiss are in the lead will the JiEuns beat them. 95! The winner are JiEun and JiEun.”

Notes