In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

After the music show ended and we steeled our resolve, we climbed into the van with grim faces.

“Biju.”

I glanced at my juniors and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Next schedule is TBC Radio ‘Tamsleopgo Tammireoun Time.’”

“Tam-tam-tam, huh.”

“Yeah. Let’s do it with bones-breaking determination.”

At our solemn expressions staring out the windows, Mr. Wonseok blinked from the driver’s seat and Mingi hyung stifled a laugh.

Then our manager said,

“By the way, you were curious about the text vote earlier. It’s not that that many Chinese people voted, they allow duplicate votes, so that’s how it got so high.”

“Hm? But doesn’t that cost a lot of money?”

“A Chinese fan spent one hundred million on text votes today.”

“....”

For a moment all our faces looked like idiots.

‘Did I hear that wrong?’ almost slipped from our lips—words we hadn’t spoken since discharge from the military.

“One hundred million?”

“Yeah.”

“One hundred million? In Korean won?”

“Well, they’d have done it in yuan, but yeah.”

“....”

We who had vowed bones-crushing determination stared at one another blankly.

Biju asked with a worried look,

“What do we do, hyung? They spent one hundred million.”

“It’s okay. Even if we have no money....”

“What even do we have?”

“.... ”

While we pondered briefly, Rihyeok looked out the window and said casually,

“They probably have no money either.”

“Hey, are you going to keep being negative? We need positive energy.”

“Positive, positive.”

“...What are you doing, Junghyeon.”

“I’m trying to breathe in positive energy.”

We all laughed at our rapper’s solemnity, and I said,

“Let’s just do our best. If we give our all to each schedule that comes in, that’s enough.”

“Right.”

“All right. Forget about the hundred million and get back to solemn mood.”

As we adopted grave expressions with our juniors, Junghyeon cued up a song at just the right moment.

Rihyeok showed interest.

“It’s Strauss’s symphonic poem ‘Also sprach Zarathustra.’”

“Really? I heard that in wrestling.”

“.... ”

Meanwhile the rest of us, including me, were looking at the schedule.

“By the way, what’s this?”

“What do you mean?”

The maknae pointed at the middle of the paper with his finger.

Among Thursday morning’s entries was “The Little Witch’s Grand Adventure – One-Day Movie Theater Part-Time Job.”

It was a Hollywood animated release for which we were the promotional ambassadors.

“I guess a one-day movie theater part-timer sells tickets and serves popcorn?”

“Wow, that’s really nice. I love that theater. I love watching movies....”

“Huh? We get to watch the movie?”

“The day after tomorrow we do a one-day theater part-time job.”

“Really? Well, that’s not bad. It’ll be nice to go out and meet people for a change.”

At our excited faces, the managers in the front seat gave awkward smiles.

“I would’ve refused if I’d known it was something like this.”

“Rihyeok, I told you we’d do our best at every schedule. Whatever it is, we give our best.”

“No, I get everything else, but why do I have to be the demon grandma?”

“It’s not demon grandma. The setting is a thousand-year-old vampire queen who learned magic. Stop complaining and act your age.”

“Ugh....”

With dark makeup under his eyes, Rihyeok glared and swished his cloak.

On Thursday, when music shows were off for KMA Hong Kong awards prep, our morning schedule was promoting The Little Witch’s Grand Adventure.

To prepare properly, we’d studied the story summary and video sent by the studio whenever we had time.

The plot was simple.

A princess youngest among ten brothers is always ignored, but she’s actually a super-powerful witch in hiding. When the villain’s plot forces the royal family into exile, a thousand-year-old vampire and her monster army seize the kingdom. As the royal family struggles to reclaim their realm, the missing princess returns to save them.

It was genuinely fun.

A film adults could also enjoy, with only one question: why translate the original title Coming Home as The Little Witch’s Grand Adventure?

The local distributor asked us to dress up in costume at the theater entrance and take photos with the child audience.

“Hello, did you come with your mom?”

“Yes!”

“Good. You must listen to your mom. If you don’t, you’ll turn into a grumpy face like these big brothers.”

“Ah!”

Squatting before a five-year-old child and her mother, we took photos together.

At the Yeongdeungpo shopping mall theater,

we stood before a photo wall featuring the huge title The Little Witch’s Grand Adventure and a wrecked kingdom backdrop.

In full costume, we welcomed little kids holding their mothers’ hands.

Of course, beyond the frame our fans and passersby crowded around with cameras.

“Hey, what’s this?”

“They must be promoting the movie.”

“Wow, look. They’re really pretty. That black cloak is so gorgeous.”

Beside me, the demon grandma shrugged proudly.

Perhaps prompted, a red-haired princess in hero’s garb knelt for her turn and asked a boy,

“Who’s the most handsome here, little one?”

“Um....”

The finger-sucking child scanned our faces and instinctively pointed at me.

“...You!”

“My kid still can’t use honorifics. Haha.”

As the mother and we laughed, I asked her,

“May I hold her hand?”

“Yes, please.”

At that moment Rihyeok held out his hand.

“Wait. This germ-infested hand.”

“Ah, the witch’s sprayer!”

He drew a sprayer from beneath his cloak and solemnly disinfected my hand, prompting peals of laughter.

Holding the child’s hand, I said,

“Come on, little one. Our fairy godmother is the most handsome, right?”

“Woo-joo hyung, let me touch the wings as a keepsake.”

“Oh, right. Come here. Want to feel the wings too?”

I brushed my shoulder, and the child, touching the costume wings, gasped in wonder.

Then Jiho asked again,

“Then who’s the prettiest here?”

“Hmmm....”

The child’s gaze swept over us.

Junghyeon, Biju, and Rihyeok struck elegant poses as a red-haired princess, a black-cloaked witch, and a blonde prince respectively. Only Junghyeon, with bear ears headband, blinked adorably.

But the winner was obvious.

The chubby finger pointed at one person.

“...Unni!”

“Hahaha!”

We applauded and laughed, as the suddenly “unnie”-crowned demon grandma blinked.

Adopting character, she said,

“Our little friend has good taste. Come here. I’ll grant you the honor of taking a photo with me.”

Then she lifted the child into her cloak so only the face showed and posed for a commemorative shot.

Her ears were hidden by her crown, otherwise her red ears would have shown.

And so we gave the event our all.

Determined to do our best regardless of the task, we delighted the little audience at the theater.

We sang a few lines, playfully bantered as characters.

Though heavy foot traffic tempted us to promote Masquerade, we refrained for the children’s sake.

We wanted to give them a memorable experience.

During a moment without children, we posed for the fans beyond the frame.

“Feels like we’re wrapping up soon?”

After photographing a kindergarten group, it was almost time to finish.

In winter, the theater heating was on, and the costumes were warm, so we sweated a lot.

Our flushed maknae pointed to the snack counter, thirsty.

“Hyung, let’s buy popcorn and cola before we leave.”

“Sure, let’s get some.”

As we cooled off, the managers nearby handed us needed items and headed toward the staff exit.

Suddenly a wail—

“What’s that?”

“I don’t know. Sounds like a child crying over there.”

From the ticket booth area, a little girl held her mother’s hand and cried loudly.

Watching the distressed staff and the mother speaking to them, we heard what had happened: the mother had booked the wrong showtime.

Meanwhile the child wailed.

“Mingi hyung, how much time do we have before the next schedule?”

“Let’s see... about fifteen minutes cushion.”

I desperately wanted to ditch my costume and chug cola, but...

Well.

We could postpone that matter briefly. After a quick discussion, we approached them.

Her name was Yeseo, six years old this year.

Earlier her mom showed her the movie trailer on her smartphone.

Title: The Little Witch’s Grand Adventure.

She’d been so eager to see it that they came on opening day, only to learn her mom had made a mistake.

And now they had to wait three hours for the next screening.

She was upset, hurt, wondering why her mom would treat her this way—and started to cry.

“Waaah...”

“Yeseo, I’m sorry, honey. I’m sorry. Sniff.”

“Waaah...”

Her mom told her to stop, but that wasn’t something Yeseo could control.

Her mom just didn’t understand six-year-olds.

While she sobbed inconsolably, other giants appeared.

At first the lights made them unclear.

But wait?

They didn’t look exactly like in the movie, but they were dressed similarly and stunningly beautiful.

When Yeseo recognized their faces, her crying stopped.

“.... ”

She’d never seen people like this.

Even aloof Siwoo from the playroom looked ordinary by comparison.

Particularly the one with fairy wings looked like a real fairy.

As Yeseo stared, the mother and the uncles spoke quietly.

Then her mother looked at Yeseo and laughed, the same way she did at TV celebs.

At that moment, the black-cloaked witch squatted down.

Pale face, red lips, sharp eyes—she smiled gently and greeted,

“Hello.”

“.... ”

She was handsome but also a little scary.

At the sight of these strangers, Yeseo hid behind her mom and clutched her hand.

Then a gentle voice called,

“Yeseo, right?”

A curly-haired blonde prince knelt forward.

Smiling kindly, he said,

“Do you want to greet the uncles?”

“Let’s come play together soon.”

It was the red-haired princess.

She was the second most handsome uncle Yeseo had seen earlier.

But what truly won her over was the bear—initially scary because he was so big, but soon warm and comforting like an old tree.

As she tentatively stepped forward, the fairy godmother said,

“I heard you’re upset you can’t see the movie, so we came.”

“...Really?”

“Of course.”

“Really?”

Yeseo asked her mother, and her mother nodded, smiling. Then the fairy godmother said,

“Hmm... it’s a while until the movie starts, so let us show you a fun little play first.”

They seated her comfortably and handed her a sweet penguin drink, then performed a short play summarizing the movie’s plot.

But it felt real.

Especially the fairy godmother and the princess, just like the characters.

Scenes of the neglected princess secretly flying at night, anger at the princes ignoring her,

the vampire seizing the kingdom, the royal family’s exile,

and finally the princess revealing her hidden power to save her family—then the play ended.

Yeseo asked excitedly,

“So then? What happens next?”

“You have to watch the movie for that.”

“Ugh...”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you everything, right?”

The gentle fairy godmother crouched and met her eyes.

Her eyes were a curious golden color matching her attire.

Entranced, Yeseo watched as the godmother’s eyes softened.

“Just wait a bit. See? Fifteen minutes have already passed.”

It was true.

Though she’d cried endlessly, time had flown.

“You’ll listen to your mom until then, right?”

“Yes.”

“All right, see you later.”

Waving, the uncles hurried away.

The image burned into Yeseo’s mind.

She’d turn seven next year, but somehow this felt as unforgettable as her first amusement park visit with family.

A memory she knew she’d keep forever.

Sitting in a chair, watching them vanish through the exit, her mom ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) stroked her hair and said,

“Our Yeseo, your crying stopped. Should I call Siwoo on video?”

“No.”

“Oh? What’s this, our princess?”

“Siwoo’s ugly now.”

Her mother laughed at that.

□ NewBlack Mini 1st Album ‘Five Colors: The Red’ Product Review Corner

Thank you... NewBlack...

[★★★★★]

Do you remember... the mom from Yeongdeungpo theater that day?

It was my daughter’s birthday... My husband was away on business, and I messed up the booking so badly I was panicking...

Thanks to you, not only my princess but I had a wonderful time.

(By the way, she obeyed me all day)

I wanted to repay you somehow but the company said no gifts allowed...

I bought the album to thank you

My daughter ignored the movie and watched your photos and videos all day since then

I ended up joining her

Ah... at this age, mother and daughter are fans together

The songs are wonderful too

Lately I’ve been exhausted by parenting, but that day and every time I watch your videos, I feel healed

I’ve promoted you on all sorts of fan cafés...!

Wishing you great success ^^*

That day’s goodwill at the theater began to circulate warmly on mothers’ forums, as word spread of a rookie group people wanted to support.

On the idol community ‘Green Room’ best posts:

[New rookie idols performed an impromptu play for a crying child after the event]

Video apparently posted by the mother

– I saw “new rookie” and came in shouting NewBlack... how many points for my prediction?

– Unique good deed + rookie = NewBlack. It’s science now

– LOL look at the kid’s wide eyes

– I thought it might be staged but saw her nose red from crying early on and burst out laughing

– They’re so kind

– They must love those costumes—they wore them at the fan sign that evening and everyone cracked up lol

– The studio must be pleased

– It’s nice to see normal comment reactions... I hated how TNT fans kept dragging them as fake

Meanwhile the butterfly effect of that impromptu video was spreading elsewhere.

– Their acting was so real lol

– Oh... but I really want to see that movie now

– But isn’t that a spoiler? Kinda...

– What spoiler? You didn’t plan to watch anyway

– I watched because of my sister, and that was just the first ten minutes

– First ten minutes...?

– But I saw it and it’s fun... surprisingly awesome

– Yeah, honestly don’t know why they translated the title that way to target kids

Thanks to NewBlack’s stellar performance, word-of-mouth for the film began spreading.

Though originally aimed at children, the buzz grew and adult audiences started coming.

The promotional effect by a rookie idol group.

Had NewBlack just worn the costumes and waved without understanding the story, none of this would’ve happened.

Perhaps noticing their earnest approach to even a minor schedule, Lemon Entertainment began receiving related inquiries.

“Us? Movie promotion? I’ll get back to you after internal discussion.”

“Where did you say?”

While Director Yoon Seok-hwan and the PR team were baffled by various ambassador requests,

the PR head of the domestic distributor who first cast NewBlack was amazed at the unexpectedly rising ticket sales.

“What is this.”

At that moment, the voice of the acquaintance who first recommended NewBlack came to mind.

“If you’re doing idols, go with NewBlack.”

“Why?”

“I worked with them... they really work hard.”

That was Woo Hee-seon, team lead for the school uniform brand ‘Everdream.’

“Trust me. They deliver more than the investment.”