“But only until just before the voice change. Once a girl hits the voice change, it’s really hard to produce a boy’s voice. You can barely manage it. Their vocal cords are thin and short, so they tend to have a high-pitched voice.”
“So what if I’ve been using a boy’s vocalization until now?”
“But that’s strange. If you think about it, the only reason you might be deep-voiced and suddenly rough after the voice change is exactly this, right? But you’re not a boy, so why would you consistently use that vocalization? The teacher first saw you when you were 11, so you’ve been doing that vocalization since then, not just the tone.”
“That’s because I was a boy in my past life…”
“Actually, I mimicked my dad’s voice a lot when I was young…”
Kwon’s face became serious.
“When did that start?”
Um…
“When I was born…?”
Kwon stood up and grabbed my arm to lift me.
“Let’s at least get your vocal cords checked at the hospital first.”
“Huh…?”
Am I screwed…?
*
Following Kwon, we arrived at a vocal cord specialist hospital known for treating famous singers.
After explaining my situation to the doctor, I underwent several tests as recommended.
Once the tests were complete and I re-entered the examination room, the doctor was carefully looking at the photo of my vocal cords.
I’m really worried there’s a problem.
Kwon asked the doctor.
“Is there a problem…?”
“You mentioned that the guardian is a vocal trainer?”
“Yes.”
“As a vocal trainer, you know it’s not easy for a girl to produce low notes. Ideally, even if you practice low notes, doing so only for 30 minutes a day is best…”
The doctor looked at me and asked.
“You said the patient has been consistently producing low notes since childhood, right?”
“Yes…”
“Practicing low vocalization excessively for over 30 minutes can usually cause vocal cord damage due to incorrect vocalization techniques, leading to thicker vocal cords and a loss of the original timbre, you know? It’s normal for that cycle to happen…”
The doctor spoke positively, as if in disbelief.
“It’s normal to lose the original timbre due to that vicious cycle…”
“But looking at the current photo of your vocal cords, there doesn’t seem to be any issues. It looks like you’ve been practicing those low notes with correct techniques from the start… I’ve never seen a case like this.”
“Oh, so does that mean there’s no problem at all?”
“Yes, it seems the issues you’re experiencing with your vocalization are due to the changes in your vocal cords before and after the voice change, so as long as you correct your vocalization techniques, you should be fine.”
Oh, what a relief.
Ah, that’s a relief.
I was surprised because the doctor looked serious at first…
“Thank you!”
“There’s no need to thank me. I hear you’re a singer too? Make sure to take care of yourself so this won’t happen again.”
“Yes! Thank you!”
*
After the prologue aired, there’s still exactly two weeks until the second shoot.
During this time, I need to fix the vocal technique I’ve been using for 14 years.
Of course, since it’s something that’s persisted for so long, it’s not going to change easily.
“Do-hee, exhale while relaxing and try to use falsetto.”
“Okay.”
As I tightened my throat to produce falsetto, Teacher Kwon said,
“Now, use your inhalation to feel like you’re stretching out your vocal cords thin.”
“Like this?”
“No… um… just try speaking comfortably in falsetto.”
“Okay.”
“Now, pull your jaw a bit and speak comfortably.”
“Ah, ah.”
“Oh. It’s coming out a bit.”
“Really?”
“Ah, it slipped again. Focus and do it again. Feel like you’re lifting your throat.”
“Ah, ah, aaaaaah.”
Repeating this for about a week.
Now my speaking tone has even risen.
“Oh… how does it sound?”
I used to have a low tone for a girl.
Now, I was speaking at a somewhat normal tone.
If I had to quantify it, I’d say it’s about three keys higher than before puberty?
To think it’s actually close to six keys means I’m nearly an octave higher.
“It’s not bad, but it’s still a bit unnatural.”
“Ah, ah. I think it sounds okay.”
“Yeah, it’s improving. It’s strange for your vocal cords to be normal and not improve. If you just fix your vocalization and get used to it, it will be fine.”
“Yes.”
Of course, the problem wasn’t with my everyday vocalization.
What I really needed right now was to correct my singing voice.
Fixing the harsh tone that pops out when I sing wasn’t an easy task.
However, if I focused too much on the tone, it would shake my basics.
For now, I’m adjusting my regular vocalization and slowly getting used to it, but it feels like changing my singing voice is still tough.
It might take some time.
However, the good thing about fixing my everyday vocalization is that my throat feels more comfortable.
I don’t tire easily anymore?
Just that feels like a big improvement.
Also, an additional benefit is that now I can manage low notes while still hitting high notes?
The fact that we can even hit those notes?
Of course, if our vocal skills have improved, it surely means our range has widened, which is definitely a good thing.
*
June 2nd.
The day the stage for Mpulse’s “Aggressive” Season 3 Ep.0 ‘Fallen’ is broadcast.
It’s our screen debut day.
Seo-yoon, Na-eun Unni, and I.
The three of us gathered at the existing debut group’s dorm.
Chiyo Unni and Woo-ah Unni were stuck at the company because of practice.
We ordered chicken and sat in front of the TV, but I was the only one eating.
Seo-yoon Unni was pacing back and forth with jittery feet, and Na-eun Unni sat quietly on the sofa, staring at the TV.
” Aren’t you eating chicken? ”
” Can you even get chicken into your mouth? Ah, I’m so nervous. ”
” While I’m not shaking at all. This is what being the center feels like. ”
” Seo-yoon, sit still, you’re so fidgety. ”
Fidgety?
” Maybe it’s because Seo-yoon Unni is from Busan? ”
” Do-hee, stop being weird. ”
” Okay~ ”
[ The live broadcast with Mpulse is soon to close the real-time voting, so please hurry up and vote~ ]
After the previous idol’s stage ended, the screen shifted back to the three idol hosts standing by.
[ How did you find the refreshing stage of Fostix? ]
[ It’s still early summer, but with this song, I feel like we can enjoy a refreshing summer this year~ ]
[ Wow~ But there’s a fantastic program waiting that will make our summer even cooler? ]
I set down my chicken and climbed onto the sofa.
Seo-yoon Unni, her feet still jittering, quickly planted herself on the sofa.
Na-eun and Seo-yoon Unni were staring at the screen without making a sound.
Sigh~ Newbies.
” Hah~ If you get nervous over something like this, how will idols handle it? ”
” Can you be a bit quieter? ”
” Right, Do-hee. ”
Hmph…
[ Just Choose Your Idol! We’ve all missed it! Wow! ]
[ Huh? Aggressive? Really!? ]
[ Yes, that’s right! After ending in Season 2, Aggressive is back in Season 3, new and even more glamorous! ]
[ Huh! Even more glamorous!? ]
[ Yes, you’re really curious, right!? The even more glamorous Aggressive Season 3! The stage of 99 beautiful girls is starting now! ]
[ Music start! ][ Music start! ][ Music start! ]
As the idol MCs finished speaking, the screen revealed a stage with white stars silhouetted against the sky.
The camera zoomed from the top down and revealed MC Jin Tae-seop shining under the white light in the center of a white star.
In the spotlight, MC Jin Tae-seop appeared, bathed in white light.
“Hello, Chusers! I’m Jin Tae-seop, the MC for the Enthusiast Season 3.”
For some reason, the solemn atmosphere and tone of the MC made me feel a tingle all over.
Seo-yoon and Unni Na-eun clasped each other’s hands tightly, probably from nerves.
I reached out and grabbed Unni Na-eun’s hand too.
Honestly, I was nervous too…
“On behalf of the production staff, I’d like to say a few words to the Chusers.”
“I’m aware that there were many concerns and worries during Seasons 1 and 2. But our production team wants to earn your trust, and to do that, we’ve teamed up with the world’s number one OTT company, Netflix.”
“We will be broadcasting simultaneously on Mwave and Netflix!”
Before filming, they explained how this would significantly impact viewer ratings, so they wanted to advertise right from the prologue stage.
“And voting! Through Netflix’s live streaming technology, voting will be conducted in real-time on Netflix!”
“This means a fair and transparent voting process like never before. We ask for your active participation through Netflix!”
Then, Jin Tae-seop bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.
The camera zoomed out from him.
“Right now, 99 girls are waiting for your choice.”
“Just choose your idol! The Enthusiast starts now!”
As the stage zoomed out, the lights turned off, plunging everything into darkness.
The heart-thumping intro of the title track ‘Fell for You’ began to play.
In the darkened stage, purplish lights began to gather one by one.
The purplish lights converged at the center and swiftly transformed into bright white.
Amidst the white lights, the silhouettes of 15 girls appeared like mist.
On the central triangular stage stood the tier-one trainees, including me.
“I’m so nervous.”
Even though I was sitting still, sweat was trickling down my body, and laughter escaped me.
Unni Na-eun, whose hand I was holding, seemed to share the same feeling, as her hand was already damp.
As the intro reached its climax, the silhouettes began to reach for the sky, starting from the back row.
Fourth row.
Third row.
Second row.
And finally, I stood alone in the front row.
As I reached out, the entire stage lit up, and the camera zoomed in on me.
My face, glowing with a bright smile.
I just couldn’t hold back.
In this moment, the overwhelming thrill coursing through me couldn’t be described with any other words.
“Damn, so beautiful.”
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