In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

Se-ri and Buk-buk looked at the handsome man before them

They pondered deeply

Her eyes already deep seemed even deeper as her delicate fingertips tapped the table with rhythm

What are they thinking

It had been years since they’d returned to broadcasting

As the highly anticipated first-episode guests, they’d researched NewBlack beyond the writers’ materials

They’d first asked managers and staff in the word-of-mouth network

Do you know NewBlack

Immediately rumors poured in

They say they’re extremely kind Unnie Everyone says they’re all really kind

They’re famous for their good personalities The rumor spread and when we recruited staff this time so many applied

I actually saw them in person They’re kind but not pushovers During stage rehearsals they caught every tiny mistake and reported it to their staff

The overall praise was that they were nice and professional and even the MCs admitted it

Whether in front of the camera or behind it the members seemed really good people

And they always did their best to generate content

Maybe the junior singer who said she respected them had been blinded by admiration but the word-of-mouth network was accurate

But among the rumors was something strange

They say there’s a composition genius among them

A member who could churn out songs at the speed of pulling noodles in a Chinese restaurant

At first it sounded absurd but a quick search revealed evidence everywhere

There was the company’s Night Sea composition tool the piano skills shown at Music Café the unique composing method on reality TV and even loop station compositions

It was unbelievable

All those songs really came out that way

Of course if you purely focused on output speed there’d be countless people faster

But it was rare for all those songs to come out with such high quality

Could it really be true

As the two MCs watched with curious eyes Woo-joo, as if having organized his thoughts, parted his lips

When you think of a jingle it’s usually to promote a company or product So I’d like to make the two MCs of this idol show the theme

Us

Yes Precisely based on the impressions I’ve received from your voices Of course I’ll use familiar chord progressions but

All eyes on him Woo-joo placed his fingers on the keys

First, Se-ri sunbae-nim’s voice is low and elegant

Mm-hmhm

She hid her rising smile behind the cue card

Meanwhile Woo-joo’s fingers moved

A melody that clung to the ear

On the mini keyboard the simple combination of notes somehow sounded soft and subtle

But he tilted his head

Wait This isn’t it

Then he moved his fingers several times and began creating several similar melodies

At last finding one he liked he smiled with satisfaction

Everyone looked puzzled

What’s the difference

They seemed the same but to his sensitive ear they weren’t

Now, Buk-buk sunbae-nim’s voice is crisp and springy So like this

Again he repeated it a couple of times until his fingers found the desired melody

Oh

Buk-buk watched in amazement

He may not have known music theory but the melody he just produced clearly fit her like a tailored outfit

Yes, if we mix the two like this it works

Unlike before, he moved both hands

Immediately the two melodies blended into one performance

Here and there a drum-like sound of Woo-joo’s foot tapped out

It was a refreshing jingle

A short 30-second song welcoming newcomers as if to say Welcome

But what amazed the MCs was the harmony of the melodies

They wondered why he hesitated over something fine when in his head he’d already combined them

Ah

The two MCs stared at each other in astonishment

It works?

It really works?

They were speechless

They’d spent over twenty years in the entertainment industry and could size up talent at a glance

He really could produce a good song on the spot

The freshly made jingle was so well formed it only needed a little polish to be complete

How is it Do you like it

Did you really make this now This

Yes If you’d like I can show you other themes...but only if you’re not satisfied

They both shook their heads at once

We love it, really

Producer-nim Quickly negotiate with NewBlack’s manager This jingle is perfect Let’s use it

It wasn’t just liked—it was perfect

Se-ri joked

Woo-joo-ssi Let’s open a composition studio together

Shall we I was just planning to break free from these ungrateful friends

As Woo-joo playfully reached for her hand someone grabbed his arm and lifted it high

No You can’t Our private property

Private property ...Bi-ju-ya

In front of the bewildered one the members who always teased their leader wrapped themselves around him

Ji-ho grabbed his shoulder

Don’t go Hyung is our golden-egg-laying serf

Hey

That’s right He’s the composer dobi

...Jung-hyeon

Amid the chaos their leader, in pain, tried to stand when Ri-hyeok hurriedly removed his crown

Where are you going I’ll put the crown back on you

...Then put it on

Seeing their leader happy in the gem crown the MCs burst out laughing

It was funny but also gratifying to have captured good footage

Suddenly the younger members were being nice

Ri-hyeok

...Yes Hyung

You just said Hyung

The red face protested

It was just slurred, Hyung

I see How nice would it be if you always called me Hyung Instead of Ajusshi

Ri-hyeok’s cheeks flamed

Don’t get too happy—it’s temporary As I said earlier Gwanghae-gun’s realpolitik...

Ri-hyeok-ssi Gwanghae-gun fell in the Injo Restoration The current king wearing the crown is me

Wasn’t the Second Manchu Invasion under Injo

...Shall we move to the next segment

I smoothly moved on and smiled

We’d planned to start Bi-ju’s corner but Ji-ho’s comment changed things

Wow For the seniors you compose theme songs and so on but you’ve never made a theme song for us

As agreements buzzed around my head throbbed

You guys

At my incredulous face the MCs asked

Why so serious Woo-joo

Because it’s absurd to say you’ve never made something themed on yourselves

Absurd

Yes I already did

...?

My fingers flew over the keys

Listen This is for Ji-ho

As I presented melodies ascending from the maknae through the second youngest their eyes blinked

Then they began to show surprised “Ah” expressions

I clicked my tongue

It’s Fireworks

If Fireworks is NewBlack’s title track...right

Yes I already made melodies themed on you all and you’re complaining to me without knowing

Oh

And Masquerade

Like pressing the angry Enter key I highlighted and repeated the specific part several times

This is Ji-ho This is Ji-ho

Uh-uh

...

After a moment of silence came countless apologies

The MCs asked in wonder

All your songs were like this

Yes

Wow...that’s amazing If this airs will Fireworks climb the charts

Just imagining it is wonderful

I clasped my hands toward the camera and smiled

Viewers If you have time please listen to Fireworks We’re getting great attention for Masquerade but Fireworks is really a good song too

Yes Our songs are really pretty

Since we’re on the topic shall we sing one Now everyone—

I signaled for them to harmonize and the members immediately sang the chorus a cappella

Behind me they even formed a giant heart with their arms which made me laugh

Wow, truly a dream team

Se-ri, impressed that we were promoting our first album so quickly, gave me a warm look

Then Buk-buk asked

Since it turned out like this can we hear more of Woo-joo’s impromptu compositions For example an on-the-spot song themed on a member

Shall I give it a try

Of course I could

Wondering who to choose my gaze landed on the maknae

A good idea came to me

Can I do two

Yes You can

Bi-ju and Ji-ho, our kids, come here

They tilted their heads and approached

After a moment’s thought I quickly pulled out a short melody and everyone clapped and laughed

It’s Ji-ho It’s Ji-ho

That melody felt like a mischievous puppy bouncing around Ji-ho said I’m supposed to be cool but no one believed him

Then I laid down a gentle melody

Ooh This is Bi-ju-ssi

As the two alternated Ji-ho realized something was wrong

Like a puppy gleefully knocking over flowerpots followed by the owner with a dustpan melody

I grinned and said

Just you sing the song Bi-ju

Me

Yes You have so much you want to say Normally Take this chance to speak to the maknae

Bi-ju nodded eagerly

I’ll give it a try

Now begin

Bi-ju’s lips parted and a clear voice flowed out

Ji-ho-ya Ji-ho-ya

I have something I want to say

Just one line yet everyone burst into laughter

When you go to school be sure to close your bag

Carry it on both shoulders

The news says it’s bad for your waist when you’re growing

When I repeated the line like a round everyone joined in singing the chorus “When you’re growing” together

Everyone laughed watching the dazed maknae

The crumbly snack you sit and eat

Brush your teeth right after eating

Let’s promise

“Let’s promise” we all sang together

And before long the song ended

Even I and Bi-ju were laughing so much we couldn’t continue

My school life is over

Our performer collapsed to the floor in enlightenment when Ri-hyeok grinned and spoke

If you keep doing that it’s bad for your waist

Immediately everyone shouted “It’s for growing” and the maknae shrieked

After the compositions the younger members’ talent show began

As someone who can dance to any song Bi-ju survived children’s songs and even pansori

Buk-buk, amazed, asked

You danced so well to pansori Did you practice

Yes Woo-joo sunbae-nim learns various dances in his free time watching MyTube I’ve followed his example and whenever I have time I learn different dances

Really Woo-joo-ssi

Yes Ha-ha

He laughed awkwardly though sweat ran down his back

What the What

As if catching up wasn’t hard enough now he’d learned various dances too upgrading to Bi-ju 2.0

Not a Windows update

I tapped the cheek of my little brother who looked at me as if misunderstanding saying I’m working hard too

Other talents followed

I’m good at high notes

Our main vocalist’s high notes rivaling female singers drew admiration

I’m bad at everything else but I memorize anything I like especially scripts

When he glanced at a script shown by staff and immediately recited it everyone looked astonished

Se-ri laughed and asked

You should be on a masters show instead of being an idol

If you did just a talent show people would flock like clouds

Tempting thought

Maybe we should’ve formed a new black ritual group instead of NewBlack

But even among these talents one stood proudly in first place

I’m really confident in speed talking

Yes

We all testified eagerly 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Our kid just forgets sometimes but in speed talking he’s world-class

He’s an announcer rapper

To test it tongue twisters were given

His mid-low voice read phrases like soy sauce factory manager clearly at high speed

As difficulty rose we all went Ooh and at the final stage our eyes widened

In a forest where mountain birds whisper brought from Switzerland search every stag and have a meal in the forest...

He completed a ten-sentence passage on a phone screen at speed drawing applause

His support was so solid no vote was needed

Meanwhile, after the talent show we all happily devoured the sponsored tteokbokki

Originally we’d planned to ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) vote for last place but recording ran long and we were exhausted from giving our all

The maknae offered the tteokbokki with a bright face

Hyung, feed me

Oh my cute maknae Considering you’re growing you’re thinking of me

I’ll never give you any

Amid laughs the tteokbokki I’d just offered went back into my own mouth

Then the maknae poked the tteokbokki with a toothpick in playful spite and I swallowed a laugh

It was a fun recording after a long time

Did you all eat well

Yes

Our rejuvenated smiles brought Se-ri and Buk-buk to laughter

Then they read the cue cards

The end of the show is drawing near It’d be a shame to leave now Right You need to promote your new song

Yes That’s right

In that spirit the production team prepared a small game

As we narrowed our eyes they immediately produced a strange machine

A basket held various snacks most of them hard ones

Those that break with a snap

We guessed the next game

This measures decibels

Ugh

Regardless of type if every member eats a snack they succeed Three attempts Only if you exceed 70 decibels you fail

Better to see than a hundred explanations Let’s do a rehearsal

We sat on the floor around the snacks holding our breath

I whispered with all my might

Shall we choose a snack

The younger ones nodded Se-ri smiled

They say we haven’t started yet

...

We began the rehearsal in earnest

With the decibel meter before us we cautiously reached into the basket

Rustle

Even pulling out a snack bag spiked it above 40 and my heart pounded

Crinkle

I carefully peeled back the plastic seal of the bag with all my strength

Sixty decibels

The MCs watched us opening the bags with utmost caution and barely contained their laughter

Just as we all held snacks ready to eat we exchanged determined looks

Jung-hyeon whispered like a magic incantation

A S M R

We all exhaled the held breath

Pfft

Hey Don’t laugh here We have to win

Sorry I wanted to try whispering like on MyTube

Cough Cough

Laughing until choking Ri-hyeok patted my back for a long time with a red face

It didn’t seem like a hard game but a sense of foreboding crept in

Can we actually succeed at this game