Q (Endzone)

**Q** is a member of SM Entertainment's Endzone. His position within the group is Lead Rapper and Sub-Vocalist.

## Facts

* Q is a part of **Endzone G,** **Endzone Rap Unit, Endzone C** and **Endzone 016**
* Q's hobbies are writing song lyrics, writing novels, reading and playing basketball
* Q's favorite artist is Arashi
* Q was introduced as the tenth male member of SM Rookies on January 16th, 2015
* Q joined SM Entertainment in 2014
* Q is vocal type is Baritone
* Q writes lyrics for Endzone occasionaly
* Q said he is not really a fan of dancing
* Ichiro said that Q was his only friend when he came to Korea
* Q is shortsighted
* Q is good friends with Twice's Mina, Momo and Sana
* Q wanted to be a writer before finding his love for music
* Sunwoo said Q looks cold but is one of the members that take most care of the younger ones
* Q said he will only dye his hair dark colors
* Q shares a room with the other Endzone G members
* Q's ideal type: "Someone who tells me about their day and is very passionate about their dreams"
* Q's vocal range: E2-G4(E5)

## Becoming Endzone: Q

*2012*

Hello, my name is Hirai Maresuke. I am a high school student right now and in my spare time I like to make music. I love writing lyrics and composing on my guitar. I have been able to get a few gigs here and there and I sometimes play on the streets.

I used to just love writing and said one day I'd make a Hollywood blockbuster but now that is not really a dream I have. Music took my all my attention.

My dad taught me the guitar when I was young and I fell in love with music. He showed me different types of music and it just fascinated me how music is a way of expressing your inner feelings. I have been creating my own songs since age 12 and I plan on doing it forever.

Look, school is a pain. I do get good grades and work hard but I do not like it at all. I don't have plans to make a career out of what most my classmates want. In everyone's eyes music is just a hobby. I won't deny that it is a hobby but I want to make a career out of it. Having something you want to do for the rest of your life is a gift and I don't want my music to just be a thing I do in my free time, I want it to be what I do full time.

*2013*

I'm still doing music but my world seems to be closing in on me. It feels like I have less and less paths to choose as time goes by. For the past years I have been trying to audition to join a label but there's always a reason as to why they won't take me. I've heard I don't have the star look, I don't have a nice voice, if I had a higher tone they'd consider me, I even heard that I should stop making music and work on my face. I don't wanna sell my soul, I just want to make music that is true to me.

I even auditioned for foreign companies but none would take me in. I hope someday I can make money with music without having to play in the middle of the street.

*2014*

I've been losing motivation to keep going. It seems like nothing works out for me. I refused to go to college to pursue music and my parents supported me but I feel guilty. My parents never say I'm a burden or a failure but that's how I feel. I don't want to hurt my family by being selfish and stubborn, I'm giving myself 6 months to get an actual way of supporting myself or I'll give up and settle for something that is just enough for me to survive.

There's this global auditions for SM. They are a big company in Korea, they produced some really big artists. Most of their artists come to Japan from time to time. A few years back TVXQ used to be more popular than japanese groups among students, it was pretty crazy. I'm gonna try but I don't have any expectations, they are a big company that look not only at talented musicians but they take into account dancing abilities and looks. With all that said, I guess it can't hurt trying out. I've been rejected way too many times, I'm used to it already.

*Audition Day*

I make my way to Tokyo for the auditions. As I expected there's a lot of dancers here, they seem to be really eager to audition. I don't see anyone else who brought a guitar. Maybe auditioning to SM is a waste of time. I don't dance, that's going to hurt.

My time has come. I go up to perform with my guitar and the judges seemed to surprised. I performed my original song "Whispers Of The Moon". They seemed confused and asked me whose song was it and I told them it was my own.

A few days pass and I receive a call. Apparently, SM wanted me to become a trainee under them. They wanted me to go to Korea. I couldn't believe it. After so long, someone finally said yes to me. They told me I'd have to learn to dance and dance really well but I don't mind. That's my golden opportunity, I'm taking it.

*Trainee Days*

I just joined SM. I don't speak korean. I don't dance. I don't even know where to begin but I'm in a completely different environment. This has been bad.

I didn't have any other choice. This is it. It's all I have. I suck at every class but I'm not giving up. Someday I'll be good at dancing, at korean, at singing in korean. I'll become an SM idol.

I can say one thing for certain. Coming here allowed me to realize that rapping is awesome. I usually just sang in my own range, usually soft and soulful songs but rap is amazing. People have been impressed by my rapping since my first days. I did not know I had it in me but I'm going to make the most of it.

Another japanese guy arrived. His name is Ichiro. He is a very handsome guy, very popular among the trainees but he seems troubled. I think we might hit it off.

Ichiro and me became friends. We have been helping each other out all the time. I guess it's better having someone from Japan here. Ichiro is like the only person I can talk to freely in japanese. Well, him and some friend trainees from another company. They are also japanese. We hang out a lot.

*SMROOKIES*

When I arrived here, I was told the next boygroup members were already being picked out. It seems like only a few more will be added. I'm not sure I'd be chosen. For starters, my korean is not good. I think there are way more skilled trainees but still I'm going to keep at it. Who knows what the future holds?

It's official, I'm joining SMROOKIES. I did not think it'd really happen. Apparently, they are only going to choose one more member after me. I'll finally meet the people I've heard so much of. I know Hanying, Maxy and Jihoon and I've only heard of the other members. I hope we get along well.

The members are really amazing. They are all such good dancers and singers. I really am getting along well with them, way more than I expected, honestly. Kyungsoo, or Kyte, as he will be called soon, is also a big lyricist, he really liked my lyrics. We've become good friends. I really hope the last member is Ichiro. I think he's my best friend, I can't think of debuting in a group without him, it just doesn't seem right. If he's not the last member, I might ask to be replaced.

I can't believe it. I'm debuting with 10 friends. Oh, and by the way, I'm also debuting with my best bud, Ichiro. I always wanted to make music, little did I know that making music along with your friends is even better.