In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

The members of NewBlack were reveling in their freedom back at the dorm, screaming with joy, while at the Ilsan TBC studio the cheers were just as loud.

“Oh...!”

“Huh? We’re on the same team!”

After team Apple was announced, teams Strawberry, Watermelon, and so on were revealed in turn—five teams of three. As members exchanged happy glances with those who shared their fruit preference, eyes drifted to the giant screen.

“Wow, this is intense.”

No team looked easy to beat; every contestant was top-class when it came to dance. Naturally, everyone wondered which team would be strongest, and most gazes settled on Team A.

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

Beyond individual skill, their balance looked perfect. Ran, once unrivaled among second-generation girl groups; Biju, among the top five dancers of third-generation male idols; and Ha-ru, whose group may be less famous to the public but whose dancing is legendary among artists. Ran’s power, Biju’s flair, and Ha-ru’s grounded strength formed a triangle of talent. Moreover, Ran and Biju continued to ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) grow with each album, their potential seemingly limitless.

“And... that guy’s incredible too.”

Even though APb’s Ha-ru wasn’t household name, among idols he was famed for his dance. Their synergy seemed unbeatable—yet the dancers wore confident smiles.

“Well, we won’t know until the result.”

They believed that while teams could be compared, on stage the differences might not be so clear. With a smile that said, “First place in this contest is mine,” the dancers glanced again at Team A.

“Guess they got their dream team.”

Biju’s eyes overflowed—not just fondness, but pure joy—so much that others couldn’t understand why.

Biju beamed.

“Talk about luck...!”

He was happy to meet fellow apple-lovers, but secretly he’d hoped for a team including certain people—and here they were.

“These are the ones who suit my style best.”

Ha-ru’s dance was powerful and grounded; Biju’s was flamboyant and light; Ran’s was both strong and dazzling. It was like puzzle pieces fitting perfectly. Ran would lead ideas; Ha-ru wouldn’t simply follow; Biju would mediate and blend opinions—just as he often did in their own group’s creative debates.

– “For the year-end stage, how about a slightly different concept? Something cute...”

– “I disagree. It clashes with the vibe of our previous track.”

Their leader and main vocalist argued rationally, but emotions could flare. Biju’s role was always to moderate.

– “Let’s each take a slice of apple.”

– “Okay...”

– “Both ideas are valid. Cute doesn’t have to be over the top. Maybe a subtle playful pose?”

He preferred mediating to leading. Yet at that moment, he missed Uju.

“I wonder how they’re doing.”

He pictured them at the dorm, giggling as Junghyun gave Jiho piggyback rides, hoping they hadn’t trashed the place too badly.

“Junghyun, if you break anything, I won’t let it slide....”

A momentary chill passed through his eyes, then he smiled brightly at those around him as seats were rearranged for teams. MC Baek Sangjung announced the next segment:

All eyes turned to the monitor.

Black-and-white footage began: puppet knights and dragons moving like a medieval toy show.

[Long ago, there was an evil dragon.]

Subtitles explained the fictional kingdom of Eratria. As its people lived in peace, an evil dragon attacked from the west. The king fought and, after days of battle, slew the dragon.

[But the dragon’s death cursed the peaceful kingdom.]

Fights broke out over the dragon’s lair. The capital was attacked; the king’s infant twins scattered. The grieving prime minister fell into corruption.

[The key roles: king, prime minister, prince, princess.]

As the old-style film continued, its stark set—just painted backdrops and plywood—blended with serious performances to create a dark-fairy-tale feel. The male lead, working in a forge, appeared; he was the prince. The female lead, training with dancers, was the princess. Soon, a royal decree appeared in the square:

[“The taxes are raised again? What is this?”]

The corrupt prime minister, citing chaos, plotted to depose the childless king. Meanwhile, the prince and princess, driven by tragedy, joined a secret society to assassinate their own father during his birthday celebration.

“Ah!”

“No, you can’t do that!”

They fell into near-love but pressed on. Outside the story, the film mirrored Cold War tensions between the US and USSR and 1950s American society—a point the dancers acknowledged with nods. The summary ended mid-plot.

“Wait—what about the ending?”

They fretted, but Baek Sangjung smiled.

As he spoke, five key scenes popped onto the screen.

On Team Apple, Ha-ru and Ran looked at Biju.

“Biju.”

“Hyung.”

“Shall I draw?”

They nodded. For idols, a four-leaf clover; for NewBlack, a five-leaf wonder. Biju smiled and said, “I’ll go.”

“Great. Try to get scene four.”

“Will do~”

Scene four: the twins’ assassination attempt at the king’s birthday—most dramatic, most coveted.

Biju walked forward, staring at the drum of identical slips. Five slips. He hummed, then...

“Hey.”

Junghyun’s voice echoed in his mind: “Remember, the unlucky number is four.”

“Lucky number, hyung~”

Thinking perhaps fate had smiled on four again, Biju picked the fourth slip. Then Strawberry, Watermelon, and the others drew theirs. When they opened his slip and saw “4,” Biju’s eyes widened.

“Wooaa!”

“Wow... as expected of NewBlack!”

While Ha-ru and Ran cheered, Biju said, “I can’t believe that worked.”

“Nice, that was natural.”

He noticed envious stares from others and thought of the friend who’d suggested four.

“Even if you mess up the place, I’ll forgive you a bit.”

He felt generous.

“All right, let’s clean up!”

After playtime, under the main vocalist’s lead, they began dorm cleaning.

“Let’s divide tasks. Biju hyung’s list—did you do it?”

“Yes.”

“To finish all that, we’d need more time. When does he get back?”

“About ten p.m., I think.”

They’d soon meet to plan the stage after the draw, then head off for individual schedules—time was tight.

Jiho groaned at the length of the list. They stared at the chores.

“So much to do?”

“At this rate, we’d spend an entire free day on chores.”

They sank into reflection. I suggested:

“...Shall we prepare a late-night snack to welcome him back?”

“Good idea.”

They began immediately. With the vacuum from Ri-hyuk, I glided through the living room, yellow light streaking as it whirred. From the bathroom came Jun-hyun’s thumping steps, green sparks popping in my mind. I watched flashes of light to maintain focus.

When I lost concentration, the room blurred. In frustration, I pressed the vacuum nozzle on the maknae’s stomach as he rolled on the floor.

Chuuup!

His shirt yanked in; he writhed.

“Aaah!”

“Work, you grub.”

“I’m just resting!”

“I’ll make you rest forever.”

Churururup!

“Eek!”

As I shooed him away, I mused on melodies swirling in my head. It’s time to work on the next album—our first full-length. The company suggested a mid-October comeback, and we agreed. The title track posed the challenge.

“Should we hold a public contest this time...?”

Assuming video shooting in late September, we’d need a month to practice—meaning the title track must be done by month’s end. Two to three weeks remained. Though time was enough, the concept eluded me. Even after brainstorming with A&R and production teams, nothing clicked.

In my absence, I considered reconvening when I returned. Then,

“Hey, Wang Jiho, going to clean properly?”

“I did!”

“Looks half-hearted.”

“I worked so hard!”

Watching the youngest two bicker, I realized with Biju gone, I’d have forced them to eat apples—if only to break up their fight.

Hmm...?

As they squabbled, Jun-hyun stepped in.

“What’s up?”

“I cleaned so hard, but Ri-hyuk says I half-assed it.”

“Must be frustrating.”

“You can tell the difference between effort and slacking.”

“He’s right.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“I like the winning side.”

I smiled at the real-time escalation. I thought: Biju, come back soon.

Just then, a message popped into our group chat.

“Guess what—Biju sent photos!”

We gathered around the phone. Photos from the dorm showed Biju smiling like a happy apple with his new teammates.

“Oh, he’s with Ran hyung!”

“Great team balance—unexpected.”

“Hey, that one... Uju hyung, Eunseong’s group leader—what was his name again?”

“Ha-ru.”

We felt proud of the lineup until Ri-hyuk noted:

“He still looks perfectly fine.”

“Right.”

“I’ve never seen people smile so brightly with Biju.”

Those two dancers’ happy faces were a mystery—because...

In Ran’s private practice room at Twinkle:

“Shall we wrap up the meeting here?”

“Yes!”

Her two juniors nodded. Their team meeting had been a huge success. After selecting the scene, the show’s cast held a full meeting to discuss the story’s direction. They debated how to adapt needed scenes, when Biju, who had been quietly listening, offered a timely suggestion:

“How about a Korean twist?”

Everyone agreed to adapt the medieval film to a Korean setting. They wrapped the overall meeting, then each team held separate discussions. Team A’s meeting was warm and pleasant. Ha-ru smiled contentedly.

“This is so great...”

It was their first meeting without any ridiculous ideas—just professional planning for dance crew bookings and set design. Then:

“Hyung, can I... get your number?”

“Want to hold my phone?”

Ha-ru, who had always wanted to get closer to Biju, grinned as he saved his number. Ran spoke next:

“Let’s end concept talk here. Now we need to set rehearsal times. Thoughts?”

“When are you both free?”

Biju asked; Ha-ru and Ran answered together:

“Time’s the only thing we have.”

“We’re on a break—no schedules.”

Biju clapped:

“Perfect. Then let’s meet every time from 6 p.m. to midnight.”

“Hmm... is six hours enough?”

Ran shook her head: they needed at least ten.

“Then... how about 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.?”

“...?”

Biju smiled innocently, “We still need sleep,” prompting both to turn pale.

First-episode cut of I-MOVE:

Biju laughing with his stunned teammates. Ran’s interview sounded:

[“Why does NewBlack improve with every album? I think I know now.”]

Ha-ru’s voice followed as black-and-white footage showed him gratefully receiving an apple from Biju:

[“That apple... turned out to be poison.”]

CG transformed Biju into the wicked queen of Snow White; as the “apple team” sign slid away, their new nickname appeared: Team Poison Apple.