In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

HBS MTV Idol Show episode two boasted even higher ratings than episode one, along with widespread buzz.

There was the scene where Woo-joo, who composed the logo song, created individual melodies for each member, revealing the behind-the-scenes stories of Fireworks and Masquerade.

Next came the growth-story song that starts “Ji-ho-ya, Ji-ho-ya.”

Then the talent showcase where each member demonstrated their unique skill.

On every idol fan site, posts about those highlights were appearing here and there.

“Every time I see that guy Woo-joo, he’s a total genius”

“His musical talent really seems innate”

“But it’s so amazing lol they play each member’s melody and even if you don’t know who they are, it just hits you”

“Yeah I kinda get the vibe lol”

“Logo song is so good”

From talk about member Woo-joo’s composing skills to:

“ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ are these guys a gallery of eccentrics or what”

“Feels more like Master Show than Idol Show”

“Growth-story song lololol”

“‘Ji-ho-ya, Ji-ho-ya’ lol I’ll definitely remember his name now”

“That was exactly what my mom says, super surprised”

“Da-gil’s friend must be an actual soy sauce factory manager... pronunciation is spot-on”

Even the members’ mysterious abilities drew comment.

But the scene that got the biggest reaction was the legendary “rhinoceros beetle” from the decibel game.

Jung-hyun with an oni horn on his head, rising with his butt caught in a basket—that unforgettable moment.

With a golden halo and solemn subtitles “Rhin. O. Ce. Ros. E. Beetle.”

A strangely fitting combination of a real rhinoceros beetle’s image and his serene, Tibetan-fox-like face.

“ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ this is insane lol”

“Ah... it’s the first time I’ve ever laughed that hard watching someone else’s blooper”

“When I have time I might just rewatch Da-gil’s friend... it’s so calming”

“Totally agree, he’s like the Giving Tree”

“That beetle meme’s already spreading everywhere lol”

The legendary beetle meme was exported far beyond idol communities. The reaction was even bigger than the Math Textbook incident.

And everyone who saw the beetle meme had the same response:

“...?”

They blinked, then doubted their own eyes.

Then they burst into laughter.

“???? what on earth is that??”

“ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ what is that lol”

“That’s the guy from Who’s the Trainee, the goat wrestler”

“Majestic..”

“I saved the pic but I have no idea when to use it”

“Too soon for the world to understand this beetle”

Korea University Peace Hall

“Pfft...”

“Pha-hat, hello!”

People around us burst into laughter as they saw us. At greetings from senior singers, we bowed with sad faces.

“Hel-loooo...”

Four sad faces and one serene face.

Each time that serene face passed, people around would “pfft” or whisper among themselves.

Jung-hyun said to me,

“Hyung, people keep staring at you.”

“...They’re looking at you. You.”

“Oh, me?”

He wondered why they stared at him, then realized it was good, and smiled contentedly.

We whispered among ourselves,

“I really envy Jung-hyun hyung. He doesn’t feel any shame. I feel like I’m going to die.”

“Right? It’s crazy. How is he so calm?”

While we murmured, Jung-hyun sat with a peaceful smile.

Today was January 14th.

The Gold Disc Awards, one of the public music award shows that collect last year’s achievements and present awards in January, was being held.

We were attending as rookie nominees again.

Perhaps because many artists who worked last year were there, we recognized many faces. And since episode two of Idol Show had aired recently, many people laughed when they saw us. We wished they’d pretend not to know us, but everyone who recognized us came over laughing.

Especially TNT—they approached like cats passing fish, striking poses all together. We guessed what they’d do and desperately stopped them.

“Don’t do that. Seriously, hyung is embarrassed.”

I bit my molars, but our top boy group ignored me, reached out, and said,

“Remember, Deok-soon is mine.”

“Puhaha!”

“Oh dear! My stomach!”

They clutched their bellies laughing “Oh dear!” and it was really annoying.

I held it in. If I snapped back I’d get blacklisted.

I covered my mouth so my lip movements wouldn’t be seen on camera.

“...Honestly, if you weren’t my seniors, none of you would survive my hands.”

“Fair point, brother.”

Taehyun looked around at the others and they all nodded. He covered his mouth and said,

“But we’re seniors.”

“Hey.”

Watching them giggle, I swallowed my anger.

TNT was only the prologue. Street Boys regretted befriending us and came to tease us nonstop. Scarlet came over singing an impromptu song “Beetles and Cats”—they hated the lyrics but the harmonies were inexplicably good. Senior Sowaon greeted me and Jung-hyun with bizarre laughter, “Our little ones... heheh.” Teen Spirit approached grandly, asked “Who’s in growth spurt?” and we all pointed at Ji-ho in solidarity. He gave a thumbs-up “That was so funny” and vanished.

...Come to think of it, there are no normal people around here.

It’s all because of Jung-hyun. Except for those I hoped would ignore me like TNT, the reason busy celebrities here knew about us was the legendary beetle meme.

You couldn’t browse the web without seeing it.

Everyone who approached us requested,

“We want to see it, the beetle.”

“We’ll show you.”

Then Jung-hyun would reenact the scene perfectly, and everyone would applaud and laugh.

It felt like becoming a celebrity among idols. Not bad, but somehow tears blurred my vision.

At some point, contrary to my wish, fellow entertainers began to treat us with fond familiarity. I wanted to look cool too...

But yes. Manager Seok-hwan said we should become public-friendly artists. I decided to be grateful that people liked seeing us—no matter how.

“Yes, Rookie of the Year in Digital Music, NewBlack! Congratulations!”

At that ceremony we won the main digital music award for Something, and Rookie of the Year for digital music with Masquerade.

“Thank you so much.”

When I delivered my acceptance speech with moist eyes, people thought “He’s so happy to receive the award.” Of course I was thrilled—but my moist eyes were for another reason...

It was a great day.

Just winning the rookie award was amazing, and now “Rookie Award Triple Crown” was our title.

–[Comprehensive] NewBlack achieves rookie award triple crown

–‘Rookie Award’ NewBlack wins Gold Disc 2015

–NewBlack crowned ‘2014 Best Rookie,’ overseas activities begin

Congratulations poured in from everywhere. Sadly, we had no time to celebrate with staff as usual, because we flew out tomorrow.

After placing our new trophies in the display case, we hurried to pack.

“...Why so much stuff?”

The A4 page titled “Things to Pack Ver 2.0” was Ri-hyuk’s checklist. Honestly it listed items I’d never thought to bring, but I had to—he was the experienced traveler.

“Funny, isn’t it?”

I paused packing a recorder and remarked,

“How is Ri-hyuk the only one who’s been overseas or on a plane? Haven’t you guys even been to Jeju?”

“Yes.”

Bi-ju, cramming in a small pot, said,

“I almost went to Jeju on a school trip in high school, but Jung-hyun and I both got sick and couldn’t go.”

“You were sick?”

“Yeah.”

Jung-hyun answered for him,

“We had food poisoning.”

“From what? School lunch?”

“Chicken skewers.”

I laughed at Bi-ju’s nostalgic smile and Jung-hyun’s sad face.

“Funny—Jung-hyun can get sick too.”

“I’m somewhat fragile, hyung.”

“But you’re packing a 10-kg dumbbell into the suitcase right now.”

“I want to get stronger. My week-long workout ban from Manager is over.”

“Okay, do whatever you want, rhinoceros beetle.”

I gave a thumbs-up to the lad cheerfully packing the dumbbell.

Just then Bi-ju, stirring a ladle in the pot, said,

“I’m surprised by Ji-ho.”

“Yeah.”

Other guys having never flown was expected, but our maknae was unexpected. You’d think he’d traveled overseas dozens of times.

I looked toward the living room suitcase full of random items—but he wasn’t there.

“Ji-ho...”

As I called his name, he crept out of his room holding a camera.

“Tada.”

We frowned at the lad with the handycam.

“What’s that?”

“It’s the behind-the-scenes cam.”

“Oh, our behind-the-scenes~”

Immediately the three of us wearing long faces beamed. Our gloomy, tired expressions bloomed like flowers.

“Our maknae is filming behind the scenes!”

“Good job, good job.”

“Such fake humans.”

The maknae pouted at the camera and whispered,

“Did you see our facial changes? These hyungs are only nice when the camera’s on, otherwise they treat me like a rock on the street.”

“Oh dear, a rock? Where have you ever seen such a pretty rock?”

“Ahem ahem, I’ll forgive you.”

“Though I’ll still be a rock.”

Bi-ju and Jung-hyun started giggling, and Ji-ho’s cheeks trembled.

“You’re such mean old men.”

“Just kidding. Ji-ho, you’re not a rock. You’re like a jewel of NewBlack.”

“...Really?”

“Yes, though still in growth spurt.”

“I really won’t talk casually with you, hyung.”

He huffed as I teased him, then I cheered him up with snacks. He soon recovered and began filming us with the handycam.

We sang cheerfully or bobbed our shoulders as we packed, speaking to the camera. We were shooting our own reality show, “NewBlack Explorations.” After “It’s the NewBlack,” this was our daily life for fans. As our popularity rose, the company created a separate account “Channel NewBlack,” and this reality content would go there.

“What are you packing?”

“We’re going to our first showcase in Taiwan, so we’re packing for that.”

“And there’s also a variety show, right?”

“Yes, a variety show too.”

This Taipei visit included a major-network variety slot. It was scheduled while coordinating the showcase dates: we’d film after departure then part ways.

As ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) I explained that, the maknae took interest in my suitcase.

“What’s that? A recorder?”

“I play instruments to relieve stress. I considered a mini keyboard, but it wouldn’t fit, so I brought a recorder.”

“Oh, please play for the fans.”

“Wait.”

He immediately played background music on his phone, then performed trot on the recorder, making everyone burst into laughter.

While filming the reality show like that, I suddenly remembered something I’d overlooked.

“Right, Ji-ho, you’ve never flown before, right?”

“Yes. So everyone’s teasing me about it—saying take off your shoes, stuff like that.”

“You’ve never flown at all?”

“No. When I was little, I was always getting lost from Mom and Dad, so they were scared to take me. Dad said if I wanted to go, earn the money myself.”

Ji-ho said,

“So I’m really looking forward to this. It’s my first flight. Hyung?”

“...Mm.”

I hesitated, then smiled.

“Of course I’m excited.”

“We should eat lots of good food this time. Mango shaved ice, beef noodle soup, according to our sisters...”

While the maknae chattered excitedly, Bi-ju, glancing at me, was about to speak when...

“Have you packed everything?”

Re-hyuk appeared, transformed fluffy and fresh after a shower.

He shook water from his hair with a towel, then confidently opened our suitcase.

“Pot, recorder, dumbbell...”

“....”

“You guys packed everything except the essentials and are enjoying your hobbies?”

A long sigh escaped him, and we all tensed. His sharp gaze fell on our messy suitcase.

“Hey, Wang Ji-ho. Why do you have almost nothing?”

“I left space so I can buy souvenirs.”

“...Haha, I see.”

He brushed back his hair and laughed, and we all forced out “Haha!” in awkward unison.

But only for a moment.

“Are we laughing now?”

With a roar, he breathed virtual fire down our necks for nearly thirty minutes.

The night before had been full of uneasy dreams.

Lady Kim Deok-soon came to the diner early and immediately called someone on video chat. A handsome face popped up.

“-Yes, Suni-suni Deoksuni.”

Still crazy as ever, so she seemed fine. The background was a moving vehicle.

“Are you on your way to the airport?”

“-Of course. I’ll get off soon, join the variety show crew for the opening, then depart. (Grandma! Hello!)”

“Alright. Hello to everyone there.”

Other members greeted happily, but today all her attention was on her grandson. She studied him for any differences but saw none—his usual relaxed smile, even a hint of excitement.

‘Did I worry for nothing?’

As she watched him, her grandson beamed.

“-Good posture. Keep looking at me like that.”

“...She sure is talking nonsense.”

“-Ah, how lovely grandma’s cursing voice is. You’re my favorite.”

Her doting grandson asked,

“-But what’s happening so early in the morning?”

“Just checking if everything’s okay.”

“-Of course it is. What could go wrong? Ah, I am a bit excited—this is my first time going abroad.”

Then he said,

“-By the way, grandma’s never been to Incheon Airport, right?”

“Yes.”

“-When you gave me the airline voucher from Who’s the Trainee I was happy, so why didn’t you use it? Other parents all did.”

“I’ll use it soon. Soon. Just no time—try running a business yourself.”

“-You have to use it, grandma.”

Her grandson smiled and said,

“-Better when you’re younger, even one year younger.”

“Hang up!”

“-Ah, I still have more to say...”

She ended the call with a mischievous face.

But her heart was uneasy.

‘Is he really okay?’

Though she accepted the voucher happily, Lady Kim couldn’t use it—she was terrified of flying. Since losing her son-in-law and daughter in an accident, the sound of an airplane would wake her in a cold sweat.

‘She won’t be okay...’

Her fear of planes was shared by her grandson. They couldn’t be fine.

Her eyes turned to the blue sky outside the window.

‘I hope nothing happens.’

Worried, she thought of her grandson heading to the airport.