In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

“Ugh...”

Everyone burst out laughing at the way he twisted his body like a caterpillar.

Now this felt closer to the Biju they knew.

‘So cute.’

‘How can someone be this adorable?’

While the thirty-something senior dancers smiled fondly, the narration kept playing on the screen. As photos of Biju growing up and stage shots passed by, the maknae proclaimed loudly:

[By NewBlack’s own votes, the member with the best dance line!]

[Our hyung who cooks well and dances well.]

[The dance master even recognized by senior Han Tae-hyun of TNT...!]

Then special guest Han Tae-hyun of TNT appeared in low-res video, saying, “I love you, Kim Biju.” Everyone laughed uncontrollably, while Biju lowered his head and muttered,

“Stop it. Please stop...”

Thankfully, the video promptly returned to normal.

[Two, three!]

[Hello. We’re Biju-less Team Biju, SaBlack!]

The four members waved from the screen. The other dancers nearly waved back like greeting a friend, then stopped and cleared their throats. Uju smiled brightly.

[Right now, Biju’s bowing his head, aren’t you?]

“Yes!”

At the singers’ response, Uju laughed.

[Thank you for the answer. He’s probably so embarrassed seeing us that he’s twisting his body and holding his hands like this.]

Everyone laughed at the perfect reenactment, and Biju glanced sidelong.

[He’d probably roll his eyes like this too.]

“Ha-ha!”

[Sorry, Biju. We’re making you blush, right?]

As Biju mouth-answered “Yes,” the leader smiled and continued.

[When you saw Biju in person, you must’ve been a bit surprised. He seems so different from TV—quieter somehow. That’s because he’s a little shy around strangers. Not as much as our fish friend here... Ack!]

Stepped on by Ri-hyuk, Uju grimaced.

[He’s not usually talkative, but right now he’s probably thrilled to chat with you all.]

[I was so excited to meet people I like~!]

[Later, ask Kim Biju to show you his phone’s photo album. He has a video of each of you.]

The contestants smiled at hearing he’d watched senior dancers’ videos on repeat even as a trainee. Uju went on.

[Please take good care of our second kid. He’s been looking forward to this show a lot.]

He turned toward Biju as if speaking to him directly.

[Biju.]

At the gentle tone aimed at his younger brother, Twinkle’s main dancer Ran’s mouth twitched in delight. Biju looked at his on-screen eldest brother.

[This is your first solo schedule, so you’re probably a little nervous, but I believe you’re going to do great.]

“...”

[There were dances you wanted to try and performances you wanted to do, but you held back for the group. There are so many amazing dancers on this show. I hope you’ll show them a fantastic performance.]

As Biju’s eyes grew moist, the contestants teased with affectionate “Awww!” sounds. Then the maknae grabbed the microphone.

[Hyung Uju took all my lines already, so I have nothing to say. He always steals the touching lines~]

Everyone laughed.

[Stay strong, dance well, hyung~!]

[Since you’re there, do everything you want—don’t tell us to do any hard choreography.]

At Ri-hyuk’s encouragement, Biju nodded. All eyes then turned to Jun-hyun standing in the far corner. The on-screen NewBlack members watched him the same way, as if thinking, “Say something, at least.” Jun-hyun cleared his throat awkwardly.

“...”

Even the on-site Biju averted his gaze.

[What do I say...]

Like friends too shy for a serious talk, Jun-hyun scratched the back of his head, took a deep breath, and said,

[Do well.]

“Aww...”

This time, the on-screen NewBlack members waved both hands, teasing sheepish Jun-hyun with “Aww~.”

“...”

“...”

As both friends—on-screen and in the room—looked up at the ceiling to avoid each other’s eyes, everyone giggled. With the members’ final greetings, the video moved into its second half.

[We didn’t want it to get too sentimental! So we prepared one more special video!]

This time, a woman with black bars over her eyes and a distorted voice appeared.

[Section Chief Hong ○○ / PR Manager]

Don’t know who I am? (Nope!) Haha! You really don’t know! (Nope! That’s right~)

Her distorted laughter introducing Biju followed.

[Our kid gets lost easily! Heehee! (Kyahaha!)]

As everyone laughed, Biju closed his eyes and trembled.

‘Section Chief Hong...’

Short, intentionally embarrassing interviews played: Manager Seo, Manager Do, TF Team Leader Yoon, and others. Their affectionate words made Biju tremble while the other dancers took note.

‘So he’s the company’s idol...?’

Watching him treated like a beloved fairy by company staff, Wild’s main dancer Woo-san felt a twinge of envy.

‘I guess the company really loves him.’

Though he half-understood why, he still felt envious. As brief one-line messages continued, BGM gently began. Then, three seconds later, the karaoke-style lyrics popped up and everyone spewed their drinks.

Ptoo-f!

Hahaha!

On the screen appeared:

『To Our 2nd Brother (Biju-ya)』

Song: 4Black

Lyrics: Ri-hyuk

Music: Uju

Then “Sing along!” followed by “3, 2, 1,” and the song began. Under rotating karaoke lights, the leader took the mic with an emotional expression:

Take care of our boy

Hold him back when he tries to leave

His claim that he never gets lost

Is pure bravado~ (He’ll never find his way~)

Biju bowed his head again as if in silent prayer. Meanwhile, Street Boys’ LB laughed so hard he fell off his chair while everyone banged the table.

A five-minute video: not long, yet by its end the conference room was alight with hearty laughter and excitement.

“Wow, that was hilarious.”

Twinkle’s Ran fanned herself and wiped sweat from her brow as everyone nodded, laughing. As staff lowered the air-con, Woo-san gushed:

“They even sang for him. I’m so jealous.”

“Would you like to see it too...?” Biju asked with sad eyes. Woo-san burst out laughing.

He felt much more at ease than before. The unexpected friendliness swiftly replaced the initial unfamiliarity. Everyone chimed in mischievously:

“I want a video like that.”

“I’m a radio DJ, and singers say their dream is to get a song from Uju’s spaceship. But as a member, you get songs for free... heehee!”

“Aww, jealous, hyung~”

Biju glanced at the wall clock and looked pleadingly at the PD.

“When does recording end, PD-nim...?”

“Trying to run away?”

“Yes.”

His playful response set everyone laughing again. The PD smiled appreciatively.

“Exactly as planned.”

Fifteen main dancers from various groups. To rapidly turn an awkward gathering into a warm, close atmosphere, the PD had arranged these support videos. They created talking points and built rapport. It worked even better than he’d hoped.

“As expected of NewBlack. Truly top performance...”

He’d anticipated the bonding would take an hour or two after the video, but the “Biju song” compressed that time. The PD played more videos with a satisfied smile.

– “Hello~ Eun Kevin, Ha Eun... or is it Ke Eun-seong? Anyway, hello~~!!”

Messages from A-Pb’s Ha-ru, the youngest and leader, followed, prompting laughs at his ad-libs. Then came messages from groups debuting in 2016.

“All right! Let’s move!”

To begin filming properly, everyone relocated to the studio.

“Biju, or rather...”

Twinkle’s Ran approached.

“Can I call you Biju?”

“Yes!”

“Come with us. You might get lost.”

Biju opened his mouth to protest but fell silent at Uju’s “He’ll never find his way~” from the song. The others walking alongside chuckled. As they strolled down the hallway, many naturally gathered around Biju.

“Do you really have our videos on your phone?”

In response to Wild’s Woo-san, Biju pulled out his phone.

“Yes. I love watching great dancers...”

“Oh wow, it’s mine—this is my fancam!”

“Ah, mine’s here too!”

His phone’s folder overflowed with videos of the dancers appearing on the show. At first they thought it a joke or concept, but it was genuine—dance clips everywhere, like someone obsessed.

“What—my fancam’s on his phone...?”

The main dancers from two groups that debuted this year stared wide-eyed, humbled. Woo-san clicked his tongue.

“He even picked good videos. This one’s from a regional event—only famous among our fans.”

“Really?”

Biju handed his phone to the cameraman trailing them.

“Viewers, please watch this. This is Roo-sean’s ‘Postscript Romance’ at the National Umbrella Festival!”

“Please watch~! This is my legendary fancam!”

They high-fived and giggled. In that friendly atmosphere, A-Pb’s Ha-ru, who’d been walking a bit behind, moved closer to Biju.

‘I want to say something...’

But an invisible barrier of quiet surrounded Biju. Ha-ru nodded regretfully.

‘I’ll find a time later.’

He’d always felt kinship with NewBlack’s Biju—quiet amid the chaos of the other members, quietly doing cross-stitching while Ri-hyuk and the maknae horsed around.

‘I want to be on a team with him.’

Just then, they entered the studio and the dancers’ eyes widened.

“Wow...!”

“This place is amazing!”

They imagined a wide shot from a jimi-jib camera with the announcer saying, “Here, a dream competition unfolds!” Bright lights spun, and the stage looked like theater scenery.

‘Epic...!’

As a flagship TBC project, the set was ornate. Their hearts pounded.

“Hello~!”

“Hello!”

When MC announcer Baek Sang-jung appeared in a semi-formal suit, everyone stood to greet him. He’s a top MC on shows like PBS’s Myunggokdan and HBS’s On the Stage. They took their seats by name tag, whispering:

“Incredible.”

“The set’s fantastic. Must’ve taken ages to build.”

While the MC and staff discussed cue cards, Biju surveyed the room.

‘Wow...’

A giant LED displayed the I-MOVE logo spinning. He glanced at the dancers beside him.

‘How will the competition work?’

He knew that each episode formed five teams of three, but details of the themes were withheld to capture genuine reactions—everyone was dance-focused.

“Let’s begin recording!”

An FD clapped the slate, then:

Baek Sang-jung smoothly introduced the show, peppering in sensational keywords like “first,” “strongest,” “all-time,” “glamorous.”

Instead of the usual contestant roll call with burst of air and an entrance dance, they skipped straight to the competition explanation.

“Yes!”

He gestured, and the big screen lit up. Though the vibe had started warm, competition remained competition, and the dancers perked up. A voice-over began with the I-MOVE logo:

[I sincerely welcome you to I-MOVE.]

After a brief greeting, the letter “I” slid from its place, settling between the V and E:

[MOVIE]

Someone exclaimed “Ooh!” as they realized the concept.

[I-MOVE asks you to create a movie (MOVIE).]

The competition was simple: choose a famous film scenario—an opera phantom’s rampage or a tornado-swept girl to another world—and each team would represent one of five key scenes through dance.

‘This is going to be fun...!’

The dancers’ eyes lit up.

[Think of it like a musical, but your voice is not allowed.]

[Only dance is your sole means of expression.]

With that, lights brightened ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) and everyone applauded.

“Woo—!”

“Amazing...”

“So fresh and new!”

Their enthusiastic reactions brought a pleased smile to the PD’s face.

‘Good thing we kept it secret.’

The genuine excitement on their faces was clear. They only knew they’d form teams for scenarios and create choreography together—a unique format. Because

Though split into trios, they’d need to cooperate to maintain the story’s coherence—pull out a prop sword in one scene, you can’t wildly brandish a spear in the next. They’d compete through dance but also share info and rehearse together—a novel approach.

They were already thrilled to see what these fifteen dancers would produce.

‘I love that it’s all together...!’

Biju, wiping his flushed cheeks, turned to the dancer beside him. “I think this is going to be really fun,” he said. Everyone agreed.

The MC continued:

“Ahhh...!”

“...?!”

Curious at being told the production had chosen the teams, the dancers leaned in. Baek Sang-jung laughed and held up lists from the crew.

“Good!”

Everyone laughed as cute apple, strawberry, watermelon, grape, and tangerine emojis popped up on screen, with little caricatures bouncing under them.

With no tension at all, three caricatures shot up under the apple icon:

[Ha-ru (A-Pb), Ran (Twinkle), Biju (NewBlack)]

When the names appeared, Ran and Ha-ru beamed.

‘On a team with youngsters...!’

‘On a team with Biju hyung...!’

They happily turned to find Biju behind them. Sparkling.

‘He’s glowing...?’

‘That gummy-bear smile...?’

Like long-separated family reunited, the three shared the happiest expressions in the world. Biju grinned radiantly.

‘Fruit-lovers unite!’

His joyous laughter infected everyone around him, who laughed along. Biju felt pure happiness.

‘This is so fun! I love it....’

Moments ago, he’d missed his members, but now that feeling was gone.

At the same time, at the NewBlack dorm...

On the sofa, SaBlack sat watching the movie on TV with sad faces.

“I miss Biju...”

“Right? It would be great if he were here.”

“We could watch the movie together.”

They gazed dreamily at the ceiling, then back at the TV. Uju glanced sidelong at Ri-hyuk filming with his phone.

“You done?”

“Yes.”

“Okay—good enough.”

When Ri-hyuk lowered his phone, they all giggled. Jun-hyun tossed ten pieces of popcorn in the air, catching them one by one: Chop-chop-chop-chop. They all munched popcorn and laughed.

“This is so much fun~!”

“Hahaha!”

“Our world has arrived~!”

The four of 4Black lounged on the sofa, scattering popcorn everywhere.