With Asian entertainment companies recently seeking to expand their global outreach, the increase in the amount of international talent searches isn’t surprising. It also isn’t surprising that I happened across the idea of investing in fame while doing my business in the bathroom of a Korean restaurant, staring at a wall adorned with random posters announcing open-call auditions for SM Entertainment.

Could I really be big in Japan? (Or any Asian country that would be stupid enough to invest in what little talent I claim to have?) Will this be my ticket out of unemployment? I knew then on the toilet that the answer was a resounding “NO.” However, due to the SUPER close proximity of the auditions (as in, walking distance from my home), me being bored, curious and slightly hopeful — I gave it a try. I also recently gave it a try for a random Taiwanese entertainment company hosting auditions in a local mall I was coincidentally shopping in for a new pair of jeans. New jeans, a shot at a recording contract and a trip to Taiwan? Why not, right?

From my experience, this is what I have to share to anyone interested or serious about attending this year’s talent auditions:

1. Have nothing planned besides the audition, on the day of the audition. These things either take a few minutes or a few hours and it’s best to plan knowing that it will take awhile.
2. Work only with what you’re comfortable doing. Your talent is more apparent when you’re comfortable. Stick with English if you can help it/it’s your native tongue.
3. You’ll be filmed, and always in front of people. If you have issues with this, you may want to rethink auditioning.
4. Make friends, there’s a lot of people around with your same interests!

Lastly, just have fun and don’t consider leaving a day job for it.