In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

The manager who went to get coffee returns with a dazed expression.

“Hyung. What’s wrong? Did something happen inside?”

“Uju.”

“Yes?”

“Your nickname is ‘Kim Deok-soon’s Man’...?”

Only then do I realize what’s happened. While my brothers and Mingi hyung roar with laughter, I, like a forlorn polar bear, hand out the drinks.

“Sorry, hyung.”

I laugh and apologize.

“I made it last year and completely forgot. I set it up as a couple nickname with Grandma.”

“A couple?”

“Grandma’s is ‘I’m Grandma Uju.’”

Wonseok hyung laughs. He tells everyone what happened, and we burst out laughing: people staring, hesitantly accepting, and the part-timer whispering, “Are you by any chance Kim Deok-soon’s Man?” I allegedly ran out half-crying. We laugh for a long time.

As we drain our drinks and chat, Mingi hyung checks his watch.

“The meeting time’s almost up. Shall we head out?”

“...Yes.”

The ice in my empty drink whooshes like wind through a straw. My brothers give me bright smiles as I stand with a sad face.

“Hyung.”

Jiho beams.

“Have fun with the Men on the Go PD, and come back with sweet stories~!”

“Lots of fun.”

“Ah, I want to watch your meeting, too.”

I ask Viju, whose eyes are shining.

“Viju, want to come?”

“No. Then I might have to serve in the military too.”

“....”

There’s not a single reliable soul among them. I shake off the teasing faces and look at Rihyeok, who’s the only one sitting quietly.

“You’re the only one, Rihyeok. I’ll take you... What’re you looking at?”

“The weather forecast. I’m checking when’s a good time to enlist.”

“....”

“You said I was the only one? Pfft.”

My brothers giggle and sing, “Only Rihyeok~.”

“Just wait. I’ll drag one of you along, mark my words.”

“Oh....”

“Mingi hyung, let’s go.”

My brothers cling to me shouting, “Hyung!” but I leave coolly. Mingi hyung hops out of the passenger seat after me.

Viju calls urgently,

“Hyung!”

“What?”

“You left your phone!”

“....”

I glare at Mingi hyung, who’s pressing his lips together, then dash back to retrieve my phone. Laughter breaks out behind me.

At the TBC broadcast center in Sangam, the tall PD Do Joon-gi greets us with his staff badge swinging.

“Welcome!”

“Uju-ssi, your face still glows, as always.”

“Haha.”

“You must be excited to film our show! Haha!”

“....”

Control your expression. This is professional life. In the conference room, the writers welcome us.

“Hi!”

“Heh... oh my, you’re handsome. I’ve been watching footage for research, and cameras still don’t capture everything.”

“I thought Taehyun-sunbae was kidding.”

I frown at the sudden name.

“Taehyun sunbae?”

“He’s been saying since the pre-meeting that he knows a military veteran who absolutely must be on the show. He said they’ll lure viewers with visuals—his face lights up like club lights.”

“Right. He kept recommending you. We’ve had our eye on you since then.”

“...I’m honored.”

It sounds like a top industry insider pushing an unknown idol, but really he just wanted to see me in uniform. I quietly ask a writer,

“How about having Han Taehyun sunbae return? He’s like an onion—peel back layer after layer of charm. I heard he joined the army last time. He’s also a great swimmer.”

“Navy?”

“Yes, navy.”

“Air Force?”

“Oh, he’s good at planes too.”

The writers laugh. In under five minutes we’ve bonded. While Mingi hyung and I sit drinking water, cameras are set up on tripods.

“We’re going to film some B-roll.”

“Okay.”

I check my smile in my phone’s reflection.

“Heh... your smile is so pretty.”

“Um, thanks...”

He was checking for chocolate chips. After a hair sweep and angle check, the pre-meeting officially begins. PD Do asks,

“Have you watched our show?”

“Yes. Once we were confirmed, I binge-watched.”

I summarize which episodes stood out and what I could contribute. The staff beam ear-to-ear.

“As expected—prepared as ever. Makes things so much easier.”

He continues, “You know we split guests into regulars and one-timers?”

“Yes.”

Men on the Go features six regulars plus one to three guests. “Usually guests do basic military training in the army, right?”

“Yes....”

Comedy guests often are discharged or civilians; thrown into drills they’d struggle. So they do short training beforehand. Having been discharged under two years, I’d face the same harsh drill again. Dismal future.

“But we’re going to skip that for you.”

“Huh?”

“You were discharged recently and you have reservist duty coming up, right?”

“Yes, exactly!”

“No need to make you do it again. We’ll just film your reservist enlistment and discharge briefly.”

“Wow....”

I open my eyes wide as they laugh.

“If you really want, we can send you. But—”

“No! I’m fine! I remember everything! The military is part of me!”

I resolve to devour every military-themed video on MyTube starting today. The room laughs and his eyes crinkle.

“Alright, Uju-ssi it is. Now, what about the other guests?”

The next expected topic arises.

“How about the members? Anyone you’d recommend?”

“Hmm....”

Outwardly I feign thought, but I’ve already decided: “I don’t think there’s anyone I’d recommend.” 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

“Really?”

“Yes, PD-nim.”

Though I’d teased my brothers I’d drag them along, I truly plan to go alone. Even if it means I’m the only one. The military is the military—an upside-down world of norms, a harsh place I won’t push them into.

“But two are minors.”

“Ah, right.”

“Viju has knee issues—doctor said his cartilage is wearing down, so he should cut back on practice. A march would risk injury.”

“Avoiding injury makes sense.”

I’m grateful they understand. “Junghyun is perfect, but he’s a my-way type who’d need someone observant to watch out for him.”

“The military’s not great for that.”

“Yes, viewers like quick-thinking people.”

“Right—my-way types overlap. Then we’ll find someone else....”

As they deliberate, I ask the question plaguing me:

“So where are we going this time?”

“They usually tailor the special to the guest. We considered you, and decided—this time, not the military.”

“Oh... okay?”

I blink.

“You’re not going to the military?”

“We want a new challenge.”

PD Do leans back.

“Variety has a lifespan. Today’s hottest show can tire viewers tomorrow. Men on the Go faces the same truth. Ratings fell from last year’s peak.”

“So we’re thinking of expanding to police or fire departments, to extend the show’s life. They’re also protectors of the people.”

At the hint of viewer fatigue with military variety, now is the time to test the waters.

“Oh... that’s... such profound meaning!”

My face lights up—I can feel joy bursting outward.

“So I don’t go to the military?”

At my eager question, the writers burst into laughter. I’m serious.

“Well... technically, yes and no.”

“I’ll work even harder!”

Not going to the military! I haven’t been this happy since Windflower succeeded.

“So where to? Police station? Firehouse?”

“That’s a secret.”

“But...?”

“I’ll just say it requires some basic training.”

“Yes! Yes!”

As I grin, PD Do glances away and smiles. The writers do too. Though I sense some ulterior motive, it’s good news, so I let it slide.

While they discuss other guests, my mind races. It’ll be different outside the military. How to rope my brothers in to soak together—my plan forms in a second.

“PD-nim.”

“Yes?”

“How about this?”

I pitch my idea, and the production team’s eyes sparkle as they applaud.

“Heh heh heh.”

“Heh heh heh.”

They nod with satisfied smiles. Only Mingi hyung nearby looks at me like I’m the devil. Thus ends our cheerful pre-meeting with the Men on the Go staff.

“Alright. Let’s meet then.”

“Yes, thank you.”

In warm good spirits we part. Ping—my phone flashes as I save the writers’ contacts.

Lee Hyun-jo [Uju-ssi ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و]

Lee Hyun-jo [It’s me, Hanjo!]

Lee Hyun-jo [Finally got your number!]

I stare at the screen, then look up and meet PD Do’s eyes.

“....”

This shouldn’t happen. But my cheeks and lips curve up before I can stop them.

At the company studio, my phone beside the laptop keeps flashing.

Hanjo [No way]

Hanjo [How could you???]

I ignore the long message blaming me.

Me [I had no choice]

Me [I couldn’t pretend I didn’t know when the PD was watching]

Me [But congrats on getting my number]

Me [Waaa! I’m so excited!]

Hanjo [╯°□°]╯︵ ┻━┻

Hanjo [I slipped]

Me [One more slip and we’re done]

Me [Deal?]

Hanjo [Deal...]

Hanjo [Then I guess I have to go too..]

I chuckle at his sad emoticon. It couldn’t be helped—of all times, the message had to arrive while the Men on the Go PD was watching. What ironic timing.

“Heh heh heh.”

I smile contentedly as my brothers chatter on speakerphone.

—“Who was that laughter? Sounds like a mountain spirit.”

—“Must be our leader! Who else would laugh so agedly?”

“Uju hyung!”

—“Haha! Kyaa!”

—“Heehee! Haha!”

I scowl, but they’re in high spirits. Today is Street Boys’ historic first-place win on a music show.

“Congrats on #1!”

I greet, and they reply “Yay!”

—“Without the tiger, the fox rules the den!”

—“Without NewBlack, we’re kings!”

—“We’re Number One Boy Group Street Boys—hot hot!”

—“Can’t you read the atmosphere, Namu? Didn’t say for you to go that far.”

As always, Namu becomes the log for their fire. I smile watching both sides. Amid their chatter I tease Hanjo, who’ll appear on Men on the Go with me.

“Wow! A group chat!”

After the call ends, they even create a group chat called “Mint Julep Gathering.” I greet them with a NewBlack sticker, and they’re amazed such a thing exists. They buy fanlight merch saying, “Our money flows into NewBlack’s account!” ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) which makes me smile.

In the midst of chatter, I ask about my junior in arms.

Me [How’s Eunseong?]

Unlike top-ranked Street Boys, rookie APLB quiets down. If he’s disappointed...

Rex [Eunseong hyung? We’ve become besties!]

LB [Eunseong hyung is hilarious lol]

LB [Pic]

Gi-won [Hyung, you’re not that close to him]

Rex [Giwon, take it easy, Namu’s bones will break]

He couldn’t be upset. He’s laughing dynamically in the photo. Hearing they’re already close with a senior group, I smile.

All is well. Meanwhile my work on the laptop nears completion.

“Hyung, ready soon?”

“Yes.”

“A&R said they’ll be here shortly.”

At Viju’s words I look at the cursor blinking on my document:

[4th Album Plan]

With everyone around flourishing, it’s time for us to sprint forward again.

Deputy Seo Pil-geun of A&R inhales deeply as he enters the conference room. Uju and the other members greet him from the head table.

“Deputy! Welcome!”

“Hello.”

“When you came in, don’t forget to take the printouts and the gifts.”

He stifles a laugh as he collects the PPT handouts and gift bags—apparently souvenirs from Japan. Today is the preliminary meeting between A&R and the members for album production. With sad faces, the staff take their seats.

“Shall we begin?”

The members stand in turn to present the direction for the 4th album: overall concept, choreography, design. The theme is hip-hop. The A&R staff, twirling pens or folding arms, listen quietly but click their tongues in admiration.

“They’ve really broadened their horizons.”

Their growth is astonishing. At the first meeting they floundered; now they’re incisive to the point we can’t ignore them. I smirk at Rihyeok’s neatly outlined draft budget. And Uju, already skilled, looks every bit a producer.

“Our goal is to release the album mid- to late-August.”

“Pre-release at the concert, then promote on music shows?”

“Yes.”

“How’s your stamina? Think you can handle it?”

“If we say we can, we will.”

Uju turns to the staff.

“Are you all right with that?”

“We’ll make it happen—our producer’s orders.”

“Always grateful.”

Uju laughs at the A&R chief’s tease; the staff smile wistfully. ‘Time to be ground again,’ they think. As their resigned chuckles rise, Uju delivers good news.

“I’m thinking of bringing in some outside talent this time.”

“Outside talent?”

“Yes. So far, we’ve worked only with in-house people. Analysis shows if we proceed like this, the 4th album will lack a distinct identity.”

“I see....”

“Since our theme is hip-hop, let’s contact outside producers....”

Their faces light up, exchanging looks: ‘We won’t be ground to dust?’ ‘Are we free?’ ‘Thank God.’

A&R’s usually grim staff now buzz with energy.

“That’s a great idea. We need a fresh sound.”

“Exactly.”

“Oh, we’ll have our hands full! Before open calls, we need to recruit team members first.”

“Right. Let’s shortlist candidates.”

“I’ve already thought of many people.”

“Me too! I really want to bring this person in....”

“Let’s blast the composer community with the news.”

They fire off suggestions like a machine gun. The members blink at their enthusiasm. Uju awkwardly begins,

“Um, maybe not so fast—”

“Launch it today! Today!”

“We’ll get on it immediately!”

Despite Uju’s plea for patience, the A&R staff chorus,

“Patience? What’s that? Uju? Your task is our task.”

“Can’t put work off!”

“Exactly.”

“How tight is the schedule? We need to start now!”

As the team hammers away at laptops, Uju sips banana milk quietly at the head table. A gentle smile plays on his lips.

“Heard the news? NewBlack’s recruiting talent for their new album.”

“What? Really?”

“Amazing.”

“Is there an open call? If that’s true, I’m applying.”

“If we pass, will I actually get to work with Uju from NewBlack? I’ve wanted to for so long.”

“Wow... you could make a fortune in royalties.”

In a Seoul bar, composers buzz about NewBlack’s upcoming album. They talk about guaranteed success just by joining. Their eyes turn to one person quietly sipping his drink.

“Pil-geun, is this for real? Working with Uju from NewBlack?”

“All I told you is true. They don’t care about experience.”

“Then.”

Seo Pil-geun smiles with satisfaction.

“Please apply. Our company is fair regardless of career.”

Even the manager gets ground up—haha. Unaware, the composers chat excitedly about their dreams. Pil-geun smiles at these colleagues envisioning paradise.

“Come on in, dear servants.”

He raises his glass like a cheer.