In September of 2020, I was looking for something that had only recently begun in the Korean pop music industry: auditions via Zoom. I came across ACOPIA a couple years back, and found them again this past year offering the elusive form of audition I needed. For three months I took online classes with their instructors in dancing and singing via Zoom after having been accepted into their trainee program.
Then in March of 2021, I was able to make my way to Korea in person to receive lessons and participate in auditions. Being able to work with the instructors in person has been an invaluable experience. While it can be hard to help someone correct their dancing or singing online, in person my instructors were able to help me clearly and concisely. The location of the ACOPIA training room is incredibly close to the living quarters which has helped take off some added stress of transit.
The first month of being here in Korea was actually very hard for me as someone who had never lived away from family for more than a week at a time. I’ve learned a lot about myself and my reactions to new stressors during this time. One of the things that helped me out of my difficult adjustment period was the understanding of my instructors. I can tell that they really want to help me succeed with my aspirations. Exploring Hongdae with my fellow students has also helped immensely. There’s lots to see, lots to buy and lots of beautiful landscapes to explore if you look for them. But the most important thing that’s helped me has been gratitude. During times like a pandemic, traveling across the world to pursue being in a girl group seems even more like a pipe dream than it already does. But thanks to my family and the opportunity ACOPIA has given me, I’ve been able to really get a taste of my future for the first time.
（2020年12月～2021年5月 練習生養成コース K.C)
