In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

The smiles full of laughter lasted only for a moment.

“.......”

Fortunately, it didn’t take long before the tone of the video changed. As if laughing, it said to our stunned faces, “Surprised, huh?”

It began to show, in chronological order, the journey we’d traveled.

Something, which had claimed first place on the music show.

The Bulkkotnori stage at our debut showcase, performed live without any playback due to sound issues.

[Yes, the song we’ll be performing for you is “Bambada.”]

The Bambada stage we showed on the radio program appeared next.

[Ah, ah... Hello! We are NewBlack!]

The footage of our first fan signing event played.

Our hesitant, awkward selves in front of the fans felt embarrassing and shameful.

[You don’t have to cheer us on up close. It’s fine from afar—just cheer with ease, and we’ll focus without distraction and show you good results.]

That was how our fandom name, Suple, was decided.

Footage of us as nominees for first place on a cable music show followed.

[Yes! First place goes to Joanna’s “Starlight”! Congratulations!]

After congratulating the senior artist, we leaped around in excitement at being nominees.

“Hu ha ha ha hat!”

Soon the five penguin-costumed members danced through Myeongdong, and we burst into laughter together with Suple.

I had truly forgotten about this.

I laughed awkwardly at the emperor penguin’s dance, as if it had broken through the documentary screen.

[Roll, roll! Dice!]

[Waaah!]

The Chuseok special Jeusehan segment, which first cemented our name in the public’s mind, played.

The legendary Daegil appeared again, briefly turning everything into a sea of laughter.

Scenes from our Masquerade promotions and winning the Rookie of the Year award at the Mango Chart Awards followed.

[Hyung! We’re number one!]

[...Oh, it really is.]

My stunned face, blanking out and then snapping to surprise at first place on the music show, appeared.

“You look so silly.”

“Euh?! What—are you reading my mind right now?”

“.......”

Amid the laughter, I simply poked the maknae’s side.

Watching the video unfold in time, I was lost in strange emotions.

Even counting from our year-end evaluations, only about two and a half years had passed, yet so much had happened.

The Pâtissier Korea shoot in Taiwan.

PBS’s competition program, Myōkoku Ballad Expedition.

The Olympics.

[Congratulations! NewBlack’s Baramkkot!]

Baramkkot, which had topped the annual chart around this time last year.

Footage of Junghyun and me making a big impact on variety shows in “Sanai-ga Ganda” played.

Our very first concert appeared.

[It feels like it took a really long time to get to our first concert.]

[Altogether, it took twenty years to get here. It feels like we’ve walked this long for this moment.]

Last summer, I quietly watched the crowd filling the handball arena.

Sometimes words aren’t needed.

Next came Nine and the year-end stages.

As if to cap the story, the moment we received Song of the Year at the Mango Chart Awards appeared.

[2015 Mango Chart Awards. Who is the honored recipient of Song of the Year?]

[Congratulations. NewBlack’s Baramkkot!]

We jumped up at the grand prize announcement and embraced.

At that moment, Suple’s cheers merged with those fans watching here.

A hand slid onto my shoulder, and when I turned, Biju was smiling.

I smiled back, placing my arm around his shoulder.

Together, we watched the grand prize win and then saw ourselves dancing Nine’s choreography on the year-end stage.

My emotional moment was broken when my hometown footage appeared.

[Ummoeoe—]

“Ah, really......”

The maknae, on the verge of tears, protested as if tears had welled up.

Ri-hyuk, next to him, stood grinning through tears.

Scenes from the special album promotions and our nationwide small-theater tour played.

After our most recent activities concluded.

“Ah......”

I knew this was coming.

The Jeju Island reality show segment where I described my younger brothers—“This one is like this, that one is like that”—capped things off.

Snot-nosed boys all in tears, and I, swept up in the mood, clutching them, “You guys!”

Then our voices from interviews flowed in.

“We want to climb even higher.”

“...So that later someone can tell the story that they liked us as a beautiful memory.”

“I hope listening to our music... brings you happiness?”

“I love you.”

“We’ll always do our best.”

At the end of the four-minute video, gentle words streamed across the screen:

To you who shine the brightest

under the darkest name

We looked at each other, hearts thumping.

“.......”

By the way, everyone looked a mess.

Jiho was already rubbing his nose, Ri-hyuk was leaning back like a wilted tomato.

Biju was rubbing his eyes, and Junghyun, too......

“.......”

I’ve never seen someone who laughs even while chopping onions wipe away tears like that.

I didn’t know about myself, but my vision seemed slightly blurred......

As we took comfort in seeing each other’s disheveled faces and realized we weren’t alone in this, a song rose from the audience.

As the words go, may it come true

That every season in this world

Becomes our moment

It was the starlight we’d made as a fan song.

Listening to twelve thousand voices singing along, I took a step forward.

To see the slogans fans were holding.

At the end of a brilliant spring

Promising the next spring

It felt as though they were answering us about Nakhwa, which we’d released days ago.

My brothers, eyes bright with excitement, turned to me.

“Did you see it? Did you?”

I nodded with a smile and gazed at the sea of slogans filling the venue.

Then, with my lips, I conveyed thanks.

“Thank you.”

It truly was the best gift of the year.

After Suple’s mass sing-along of Starlight ended:

– Supleeee!

– What is this? How did you prepare something like this?!

The beaming maknae laughed excitedly and broke into a celebratory dance.

We joined in briefly, then spoke toward the audience.

“I was really surprised at first.”

– Me too.

Biju said.

– I had memorized the order so we could make this makcon perfect today. But suddenly......

– A video we didn’t know popped up, and we were so startled.

– Did you make this, everyone?

At Junghyun’s question, Suple answered that yes, they had.

We exchanged glances, then I spoke.

“The video you made moved us so much. I personally want to invite you all to our office......”

At our sparkling eyes, Suple burst into laughter.

– Our video-making Suple! If you’re watching now, please come to our company!

– Lemon Ent.’s highest-paying department, the video production team, awaits you.

Merry laughter echoed.

In the warm, boisterous atmosphere, I took the mic with a smile.

“Of course, I’m joking. Thank you so much for making such an amazing video. Director, after we finish, could we......?”

– They say they’ll bring it to us.

“Really, I’ll cherish it forever.”

Looking at the slogan handed to me by a staff member, I asked,

“But the phrase is so beautiful. How did you come up with something like this?”

– It’s so pretty. Really.

Do they vote on these things or something?

Imagining them wearing headbands that read “Let’s make a phrase to move the kids!”, I turned my gaze to my brothers.

“All right, now finally, who wants to say goodbye first?”

– Me!

“Yes, our maknae.”

The maknae rubbed under his nose and took the mic.

– Thank you so much for letting me be here. I never imagined I’d hold a concert in a place like this. Back in ’14 at the Mango Chart Awards, I was like, “Wow, this gym is huge...”

He swept his gaze from the ceiling to the audience, smiled, and waved.

– And now I’ve done a concert here. Really.

Jiho bowed his head to the cheering Suple. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

– Thank you so much. I’m so grateful to Suple, to the staff, to the dancers... and above all, to my hyungs.

“Hyungs...?”

At our expectant looks, Jiho turned to ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) the audience.

– Seeing the fans and my hyungs makes me feel like I need to become a better person...?

“Waaaah!”

– I will work hard to be a better Jiho from now on. Thank you!

We cheered, chanting “The maknae’s grown up!” with Suple.

Then, as if remembering something, Jiho looked up at the second floor.

– And today my family’s here too... My dad said, “Jiho, I don’t know much about concerts, but is twelve thousand really a lot?”

Jiho pointed to the audience with a mischievous grin.

Suple waved light sticks in cheers.

– Did you see that? These are all our fans. So from now on, treat me even better~

Our maknae really can’t be tamed.

After Jiho, it was Biju, who had handled the Yellow Stage.

– Everybody......

Biju’s eyes welled up as he tried to speak.

– Thank you so much. Really.

– Waaaah!

– Like Jiho said, this arena means so much to us. It was everyone’s wish.

Biju, voice trembling, continued.

– I... I’ll really work hard. From now on, we’ll break bones if we have to. No, pulverize them to dust... That’s how grateful I am.

Our main dancer vowed to grind his bones like sesame seeds for tonkatsu sauce.

Junghyun then took the stage.

– Junghyun will never forget today.

His thoughtful line made us laugh.

– Did you enjoy today’s concert?

– Yeesss!

– I’m happy that you all enjoyed it.

Junghyun said with a smile.

– When preparing a big show, it takes months, but on stage it’s three minutes.

We nodded in agreement.

After nearly three months of prep and rehearsals, the song and its ten-minute music show run, including rehearsal, felt so short.

– But when you love it like you do, those three minutes become three of the happiest hours of the year. Thank you so much.

– Waaaah!

After a long round of greetings, our main vocalist took the mic with trembling hands.

– Uh... certainly the more concerts I do, the less nervous I get.

“......?”

– Ah, don’t mock me. My hands are shaking from the effort, okay?

Ri-hyuk cleared his throat and pulled out a long sheet of paper.

He froze.

– Uh... I prepared this...?

We all laughed at the soaked, ink-smudged letter.

Ri-hyuk, stunned, was captured in a one-shot by the concert DVD camera—like a raccoon trying to eat cotton candy and failing.

– Then I’ll just say whatever comes to mind. Starting with Article 1, Clause 1......

For nearly five minutes, he delivered an epic, marathon acceptance speech.

Finally, drawing a shy heart, Ri-hyuk said,

– ...I love you all. I really cherish and adore you.

Suple, who’d let out a droning “Huuuh argh!” for five minutes, erupted into massive cheers.

Only Ri-hyuk didn’t understand why they cheered louder for the heart than for the speech.

With our brothers done, it was my turn.

“Ah, I had prepared a long speech about how I feel about this arena... but my brothers already said everything so beautifully, right?”

To the beaming Suple, I said,

“Once again, as leader and representative of NewBlack, thank you so much.”

– Thank you!

“For me personally, this concert means a lot, and... I already explained this when talking about Nakhwa, so maybe we can skip it?”

– Waaaah!

The crowd clamored as if they wanted to hear it again, and I laughed.

“All right, let’s not say goodbye.”

– Waaaah!

“We’ve made this promise here, so no parting now.”

At the sight of fans chanting “Promise! Promise!” and waving dongbong sticks like soldiers, I couldn’t help but flinch.

“In just over two years, so many magical things have happened.”

I glanced at my brothers.

“At debut, no one knew us five, yet you’ve made us special. Thank you so much. You’ve made us who we are. And......”

I looked out into the crowd with a smile.

“Thank you for always being by our side.”

– Thank you!

I went on at length, but their understanding cheers told me words weren’t needed.

With each line, they greeted me enthusiastically, and I said my final farewell.

“Now, this album completes our Five Colors quintet series. As a finale, we’ll sing one last song.”

– Waaaah!

“Just as parting leads to new meetings, for our final song we’ll sing about beginnings.”

I moved toward Suple, waving their light sticks.

A gentle, sing-along arrangement of music began to play.

Our last song, of course, was Bulkkotnori.

“It’s over—ah!”

“It’s done!”

“Wow. It’s really done......”

Backstage, we immediately hugged one another.

“You all really worked hard.”

“You did too, hyung. Really.”

“You did great.......”

We patted each other’s backs and shoulders, standing like that for a long time.

The smell of sweat was strong and our clothes were drenched, but somehow we didn’t want to let go.

Exhausted, we smiled at one another.

“Guys, you did amazing!”

“You did amazing!”

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Great job!”

We greeted the staff who clapped for us and praised our efforts.

We met with the live band and dancers for commemorative photos, each of us thanking the other for the hard work.

In the waiting room, the people who’d been eagerly awaiting us were waiting.

“Grandmaaaaa!”

“Oh my! Oh my! You smell like sweat!”

I feigned hurt as Grandma tried to wipe my face.

“Why must you make me sad? My grandchild finished a concert with a ta-da! moment.”

“Oh dear......”

Grandma clicked her tongue and smiled.

“You did well.”

“Wasn’t it good?”

“......Why is your face so gaunt? Your face is your only asset—if even that’s ruined.”

“Ah, Grandma.”

I rummaged in my pocket and pulled out a finger-heart.

“I love you. Hehe!”

“Oh, you kid......”

Yet she patted my back and praised my effort, and I rested in her arms for a moment.

I’d missed her so much.

When performing Nakhwa, she was the first person I thought of.

“Those faces look gaunt too.”

Watching my brothers being doted on by their families, whining or smiling in turn, I laughed.

“My Junghyun! Look how haggard you are.”

“You know it was that Mr. Producer arm-wrestling contest you lost in one second.”

“How did this delicate thing become like this......”

I still can’t get used to seeing people like wrestlers treating Junghyun like a baby bird.

Talking with my mother, I caught Ri-hyuk’s eye and smiled—then a sharp smack on my back.

“Ouch! Why’d you hit me?”

“I realized I was embarrassed. I can’t live because of you.”

“When have I ever led a good life?”

“You went out with a period at the end, then at every diner some guy called Ujuseon this and that. It was so embarrassing......”

Oh. MiP was yesterday, right?

Now that I think of it, the family’s gazes seemed strange.

Sideways glances.

I’m sure they were faces I’d seen at the last concert, but their looks were like they were seeing a strange creature.

“.......”

I didn’t know what had happened, but I decided I’d find out as soon as we got back to the dorm.

At that moment, more visitors arrived.

“Seniors!”

“You’re here?”

“We watched your concert!”

Trainees, more excited than we were, came running in.

“How was it? Did you have fun?”

“Yes!”

The trainees fluttered like baby chicks, chirping.

“Wow! It was amazing! When I saw Nakhwa, I......”

“I cried when senior spoke.”

“It was my first concert and the light sticks waved right next to me, and I was waving mine pop-pop-pop.”

I laughed at their excited rambling—it was clear the show had made a deep impression.

When they held out tickets and said, “Please sign this!” I signed and took photos with them.

“We’ll treasure this as a family heirloom!” Jinhui exclaimed excitedly, and I asked him:

Someone who should be here was missing.

“But wasn’t the CEO coming to watch with you?”

“Ah......”

“He left early?”

“No, that’s not it.”

The trainees’ faces grew suddenly dark.

“He was dragged away and we haven’t heard what happened after that.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

As the trainees explained, we burst into laughter.

When NewBlack commented on Nakhwa:

“Khrkhrheup!”

The trainees covered their mouths in horror, tears streaming, looking at the middle-aged man.

‘The CEO is crying.’

‘What do we do?’

‘Tissue? Should we give him tissue?’

Kim Bok-soo, rummaging in her bag, carefully handed over a wet wipe.

“T-thank you.”

CEO Park Gyu-ho dabbed at his eyes as he listened to the members’ remarks.

‘Yes, you all worked so hard...’

It was truly a beautiful moment.

I knew I had to capture it.

CEO Park Gyu-ho pulled out his phone to film NewBlack’s comments.

Of course, this caught the attention of venue security.

“Sir.”

“......Yes?”

“Sir, please put down your phone.”

“I... but I—”

At that moment, a security guard approached, expression hardening as he spotted CEO Park’s face.

The middle-aged man filming NewBlack looked highly suspicious.

“Please step outside.”

“Yes?”

“Step outside.”

“Me?”

Other guards nearby received the signal and moved in.

As CEO Park Gyu-ho, bewildered, was led away, he said to the trainees,

“Kids, watch my share!”

“Yes......”

Suple, noticing the commotion, turned in confusion.

‘Gyu-ho? Why is Gyu-ho being taken away?’

Something shiny was being escorted out by security.

Though they didn’t know why, Suple coolly resumed watching the concert.

‘Maybe someone complained it was obstructing their view?’