Minjae (Endzone)

**Minjae** is a member of SM Entertainment's Endzone. His position within the group is Main Vocalist.

## Facts

* Minjae is a part of **Endzone M,** **Endzone Vocal Unit** and **Endzone 016**
* Minjae's hobbies are singing, sleeping, reenacting drama scenes
* Minjae's favorite artist is Céline Dion
* Minjae was introduced as the second male member of SM Rookies on December 9th, 2013
* Minjae joined SM Entertainment in 2010
* Minjae is vocal type is Tenor
* Minjae is considered the strongest vocalist in Endzone
* Minjae has sung a lot os OSTs for dramas
* Minjae and Snap get mocked by members for their height
* Minjae is considered by members the humblest
* Minjae named Max (TVXQ), Baekhyun (EXO), Kyuhyun (Super Junior), Yesung (Super Junior) and Jonghyun (Shinee) as his favorite singers in Korea.
* Minjae revealed that he had no intention of becoming an idol before an SM scout met him after a singing competition he performed at in 2009
* Minjae shares a room with the other members of Endzone M
* Minjae's ideal type: "Someone who will love me for who I am"
* Minjae's vocal range: B2-G5(D6)

## Becoming Endzone: Minjae

*2009*

My name is Cha Minjae, I am just a boy that loves to sing from Daegu. I am 10 years old and my dream is to become a professional singer. I've been part of a choir since age 7, I have been taking Bel Canto since age 5 and I've been singing in competitions since last year both individually and as part of acapella groups. My mom is my teacher and she has encouraged me to do this since day 1 and I really like it.

My family is great and they really support me a lot which makes me very happy but I don't really have friends. At school, I just do what I have to and I don't really fit in. In my choir I don't really talk to anyone, I only talk to them if it's related to a song we are practicing or anything related to the classes, nothing outside it.

Today, mom told me about a singing competition happening in a few weeks. She thinks it could be fun but I'm a little uninterested. I like singing but competing at it is weird, I don't know why it's so popular around here.

I started practicing the songs for the competition. I'm supposed to sing two: one popular and one lyrical song. I like singing both types so it's a win for me. The competition though, I don't really care much about. What is really cool about them is that at least I perform to a crowd and that's nice.

*Regional Singing Competition*

Well, I didn't know this was going to be such a big event. Apparently, it was a regional competition so there were a lot of participants and a huge crowd. I'm a little flattered that I got accepted into participating in it but I'd rather forget that this is such a big deal otherwise I might get too nervous and that affects my performance.

I perform my two songs and it goes fantastic. Mom said I'm taking my first steps towards success, I hope she's right. I'm very happy when singing, I really want to keep doing it. Imagine being on TV someday or selling out a stadium, I want to do it.

It's funny now that I think about it. Could I really be this popular? Alone? Can I fill the space in a stage by myself? It's annoying thinking like this, like I'm not enough to make it. I think what made me feel like this was watching other performances. It wasn't all solo performances in this competition. There were a few groups and duos and seeing them on stage felt more impactful than seeing the other solo performers like myself. I'm overthinking.

The results come in but my mind is wandering. I don't even hear it but apparently I took first place. That was shocking but a good surprise in the end. Although, I won and got up there to get my award, it did feel like something was missing.

As me and my parents were ready to leave, a man came up to us and started talking to my parents. I wasn't paying much attention. That man was a scout from SM Entertainment, a music label. I never really cared about the title of idol because I always wanted to be a singer, just a singer and idols do a lot of stuff other than just sing. I don't do anything other than sing so why would I ever want to be an idol, right?

My mom decided to enlighten me in the car. That man said they wanted me to join the company right away and that I'd be receiving extensive training in a bunch of areas. Mom was very excited but I was a little scared. I'd be on a path to become an idol and that isn't really what I had on my mind.  Could I actually enjoy that? Also, I'd be training for a really long time and as mom said, my life would become doing just that. I told my mom something that really I never expected would come out of my mouth and neither did she.

"I'm not idol material, I'm ugly."

I said that and even I was surprised. Is that what I felt like? I guess there was a reason as to why I didn't care about being an idol. I never felt like I could because I thought I wasn't nice to look at. It's also what I felt when performing on stage. I felt like people were listening to someone beautiful but as the looked at who was actually singing they'd disconnect because it didn't match.

"Minjae, you are beautiful. Anytime you are on a stage, you glow like never before. I'm your mom and obviously I'll be supportive but other people always tell me how much you are amazing. How when you sing, everyone feels something. Your beauty transcends physical apperance, Minjae."

What would I do without my mom? She is the best person I know and she always says things with her whole heart. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have decided to join SM Entertainment.

*2010*

I finally join SM. Little did I know how intense things were going to be. Dance lessons are the reason I can't sleep nowadays. I suck so much. I'm with the juniors so the oldest in my class at the moment are 12 year olds. No one really outshines the others but I am definitely the worst, by a lot. Prior to entering the company I probably never danced in my life, even as a playful thing. I can't even do basics, I'm going to have nightmares with dancing for the rest of my life.

On the other hand, singing lessons are divine. I have a lot of a fun and above all, it allowed me to make friends. People were amazed by me when I first joined. I never felt so appraised before even though I have like trophies and things like that. What really touched me was seeing people actually come to me for advice and just to hear me sing something or help them out with fundamentals. Being good at singing and helping others actually made me become more dedicated to the dance lessons as I started asking for advice and help from others.

It's stressful but I don't regret for even a second joining this company. I'm going to become a pro singer, that's for sure. Actually, I want to become an idol.

*2013*

I am shocked at how much I evolved from my first day. Lately, I've been decent at dancing, my idol skills have improved drastically, my singing just keeps getting refined and what makes the happiest, I finally have a bunch of friends I like very much.

Kyungsoo is the best. Ever since I started getting dance lessons with him, he kind of took me under his wing and has helped me improve more than I could ever by myself. He also buys me food a lot, I promise I will pay him back for everything he's done for me. I hope we can debut together.

Yeonsik is the funniest. He is probably my favorite singer among all trainees. He probably doesn't even know but I envy him, he has such a deep and warm voice. Not only it is amazing to hear, all the girls are crazy about it. I'm not saying I don't like my voice but it has a different effect on people.

I'd say I met my best friend here. His name is Kim Sunsoo. He is my age. He joined a little after me and I thought he was going to kill whoever tried to contact him. Turns out he is a big dork who has an enormous heart. We have been taking lessons together ever since he joined and we have spent the most time together. We promised each other to debut together.

SM told us they were going to start announcing the members that will debut next starting December. I think I can make it but I hope some of my friends do too.

I am wordless. I was the second name announced to join SM Rookies. Only me and Kyungsoo for now but I'm sure some of the guys will be joining us soon.

It's the end of the year and so far me, Kyungsoo, Haeseong, Sunsoo, Sunwoo and Yeonsik are on our way to debut. Excited to see what's to come for us.