In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

Soufflés are sometimes too quick-witted.

“People say fans usually become like their idols. I don’t think I’m that quick, so why are fans so sharp?”

“Well, maybe because they take after me.”

“Ri Hyuk hyung, I don’t think you’re the quick type.”

“I’m quick, I just don’t look.”

“Actually, I don’t look either.”

“Don’t follow me.”

“Dooreuheujeu meureu~ bebeebe~”

“Hey!”

Ignoring the maknaes bantering like bored kindergartners, I checked the comment section.

Biju smiled and said, “Looks like they noticed, hyung.”

“Yeah.”

I smiled warmly at the soufflés wondering, “Why does this remind me of a NewBlack world song?”

“It’s okay. We just need to slay on stage and mesmerize our soufflés.”

“Mesmerize? Seduce, you mean?”

Junhyun spun around Jiho, hopping like a little bird doing a courtship dance—though even real parrots would curse at such a dance.

Biju and I exchanged warm smiles.

‘Seeing them go crazy...’

‘Comeback is coming.’

When comeback season approaches, it’s like everyone’s ten screws have come loose.

Ri Hyuk looked at me and said, “Someone who’s almost drunk three liters of water isn’t really in a position to talk.”

“I’m just nervous. That’s all.”

No matter how much water I drank, it felt like it evaporated inside me. My stomach burned with thirst.

With the full album comeback looming, I was a mess inside. The MV feedback was great, but teaser and song reactions don’t always match. Even TNT and Teen Spirit spiked then dipped at album time. Usually a single or mini succeeds and the full album overwhelms listeners.

“What about that?”

Ri Hyuk said as I gulped water. “I read in a book that’s called worry addiction.”

“Addiction?”

“Constantly worrying about everything. You worry here, worry there, and feel comforted—thinking you’ve imagined all the worst, so you’re prepared.”

“Oh...”

I said, “That’s exactly you.”

Everyone glared at Ri Hyuk, whose earlobes reddened with anger, then he chuckled.

“Even when you say something nice, these humans...”

“I know what you mean.”

No need to buy extra worries now. It seemed I was more tense than my maknaes for this album. I should be reassuring them.

“How are you guys doing?”

“Well...”

Junhyun said nonchalantly, “We only trust you, hyung.”

“Oh...”

“I felt a little moved just now, right? Hyung?”

“Yeah. If you hadn’t said that last line, it would’ve been perfect...”

Our touching moments are like waves—surging then receding, wet sand drying in the sun.

“Ah, but it really is comeback time.”

The maknae flopped onto the studio sofa.

It was 8 p.m., two days before comeback. After tomorrow, Sunday, Monday comes and we have a K-net comeback showcase. We wanted to rent a concert hall, but Seokhwan said fan showcases required at least a gymnasium rental—and the gym was under renovation. Gocheok Dome was too big for one showcase.

“They’re doing theirs at Jangchung.”

“Where?”

“On the Stage. The trainees debuting are having a showcase at Jangchung Gym.”

“Impressive. Right off the bat.”

Jangchung seats about four thousand. Considering the trainees’ popularity from On the Stage, it made sense. They’ll announce final rankings tomorrow—cutting to 1.5 × debut group size live, dropping one each episode. The final eliminated person has fans in an uproar.

“Jusehan might lose some ground tomorrow.”

“Could be.”

Entertainment news is all On the Stage. Tomorrow also airs Part 4, the final of our collab on Let’s Do Business with Jusehan. I can’t watch live, but Episode 3’s Hell Pit rest-stop bit got good responses, so Episode 4 should too. We have monitoring agents.

Hanbin: Monitoring’s on me.

Hanbin: Then write me a song.

Hwiyun: Breaking news: NewBlack Wooju features on Teen Spirit album...

Hanjo: ????

Hwiyun: That’s my headline, hyung.

Eunseong: Is this a kimchi soup party?^^

Truly useless monitors. After a brief break, I shook off my seat and stood. I took a deep breath, stretched toward the sparkling lights overhead, and made my wish again.

Please make this album a success.

“...?”

My maknaes murmured, looking at me.

“Why are you making a wish while looking at us...?”

“Just wait. I’m in the middle of wishing.”

“...”

Anyway. When I struck a Buddha statue pose, they burst into laughter.

Sunday evening. Nearly every TV in Korea was tuned to two channels.

— On the Stage is on 😭

— Igihoo must debut

— I finally get election campaigners’ feelings... please vote for my idol

— Dropping one person now is so mean

— If they let one more debut, I’ll die, seriously

One was the finale of the popular On the Stage on HBS. The other was...

— Jusehan is on 😁

— After today, NewBulBaek drops, right?

— We went to the Gensan rice restaurant Grandma’s running but didn’t get to eat—waiting list was like course registration

— That Hell Pit rest-stop manager’s meltdown face is hilarious 😂

Jusehan, riding a comeback to first in Sunday ratings again thanks to NewBlack collaboration.

— How do you check ratings?

— Jusehan might lose tonight

— NewBlack needs levitation to win

— Jusehan level makes numbers like that 😂 a cable final would blow up ratings too

On national HBS, On the Stage’s finale was trending, while Jusehan held similar ratings to Episode 3. Different demographics. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Meanwhile, Jusehan viewers and soufflés laughed at TV.

— lololol

— Gyooho, Gyooho

— My dad saw Gyooho send a truck and gasped

— They wrapped up sales... then that truck showed up 😂

— Park Gyooho: Everyone has plausible plans. Until I send more supplies—

Fans laughed at their agency rep’s absurdity. Just as NewBlack ended sales from stock alone, they appeased public opinion by performing—and then a truck load of supplies arrived.

As fans drafted jokes, a community post popped up:

[Ran it through a facial-expression analyzer]

(Still smiling, but 50 % contempt and 50 % anger in NewBlack’s photo.jpg)

— lololol

— I wonder what that rep was thinking

— His eyes are cursing 😂 even if the sound was real, I wouldn’t blame him

— First time seeing Junhyun angry

— Looks like an angry teddy bear

— I remember that day—my car was delayed because of him

Viewers laughed at his faint fury. Meanwhile:

[Power of a Korean entertainment agency CEO]

(Park Gyooho thumbs up: “I’ll be NewBlack’s ATM” article photo.jpg)

Posts about the Lemon Entertainment boss. On TV, extended sales pained NewBlack and Jusehan cast again. Then NewBlack worked hard, inspiring me to live hard—if only for three seconds. But...

‘Is this okay?’

New fans who joined because of Nakhwa or Fireworks frowned at online reactions and news.

‘...Promotion seems too weak.’

With all eyes on the survival finale, NewBlack’s upcoming comeback got relatively little attention. Not a huge worry, but I wondered if we needed more promotion. New fans watched veteran fans...

‘They’re so calm.’

Like they sensed what was coming. As Jusehan’s broadcast neared its end, new fans understood why old fans watched so serenely.

‘Oh...!’

Across Korea, countless viewers watched Jusehan. In the final scene, NewBlack’s leader appeared with the cast, smiling at the camera:

[Yes, and we NewBlack are coming back on the 17th of next month. Please show us your support!]

October 17th. A subtitle even read “Tomorrow.” Soufflés beamed.

“Is NewBlack dropping a song tomorrow?”

“Yeah, looks like it.”

Millions watching Jusehan got new info—better promotion than any article or teaser.

The day finally arrived.

“NewBlack.”

“Dun dun.”

“Today too—”

“Dun dun.”

“Comes back~”

The weather was clear. To calm nerves, I hummed with my maknaes as we entered K-net studios in Sangam-dong. This studio always hosts first-week music shows, so it felt real. I greeted staff filming from afar and entered the waiting room.

Stylists wheeled in racks of hangers. Seeing the black uniforms crafted like elegant robes made me smile.

“At last...!”

“My wish came true, hyung?”

“Sort of.”

Not the school uniform I’d longed to wear, but I liked the uniform too. I bragged about it to Hanjo, who replied enviously. As I admired the outfit, K-net staff flooded into the waiting room.

“Let’s confirm the order.”

“Yes.”

“For starters...”

It was noon. With eight hours until the showcase and rehearsals ahead, time wasn’t plentiful. After a friendly rundown of today’s schedule and events:

“Food is here...!”

“Food!”

“I already feel tearful.”

We’d finally ended our diets and returned to normal. Stylist Kim said, “Don’t overeat. Last time after a meal, your waists didn’t fit.”

“Don’t worry. We’re pros now.”

When we boasted that we knew our waistlines, Kim laughed. Relaxed and enjoying our meal, I felt ready when...

“I’ll take you NewBlack members for VCR filming.”

“Oh, yes.”

Our managers followed, warning the interview room was small. “We’ll be quick.”

“Don’t let go of Biju’s hand. On tense days like this, you mix up left and right.”

“Don’t worry, hyung.”

Smiling at Minki, we filmed a short interview in the K-net room. “Great work,” the crew said as we left.

“...?”

A friendly middle-aged man stood at the door with a bouquet. As we stepped out, he greeted us warmly.

“Hello!”

“Hello!”

We instinctively replied to “you!” with “Yes! That’s me!” Midhyun sniffed the flowers happily as the man said, “I heard NewBlack has a showcase today, so I came down. Ha ha ha.”

“Really? Thank you.”

We wondered if he was staff. When we smiled, he pulled out his wallet and handed us his business card.

“I surprised you by giving flowers randomly, right? I work here.”

He was Ham Pilsoo, a director in some K-net department. We greeted him warmly.

“Nice to meet you, Director. Didn’t expect you to come down here...”

“You’re our valued guests, of course I’d come. My daughter insisted.”

Director Ham asked if we’d sign autographs. We wrote thank-you messages and signed A4 sheets. He beamed.

Exchanging glances with my maknaes, we wondered what this was.

‘What’s going on?’

It was odd he filmed again on the day of our showcase. No agency director would come down just to cheer us. Maybe he wanted us to publicize something. Then Ham said with a smile:

“NewBlack is the hottest act this year.”

“Oh no, we’re not.”

“Expectations are high. If you perform at this year’s KMA, foreign and overseas fans will go wild.”

“...?”

He laughed, “I’m in charge of K-net Music Awards operations. I oversee practical matters.”

“Oh, I see.”

“We’re looking forward to KMA stage. Ha ha.”

I sensed his point. Excluding Midhyun sniffing flowers, my maknaes exchanged looks.

“KMA is global, right? We plan collabs with overseas artists.”

“So many exciting stages.”

“Yes, but promotion needs a big draw.”

He leaned in as if sharing a secret.

“We plan to invite Hailey Blue.”

“Really?”

“Yes, it’s in progress, and talks are positive.”

“I see.”

I’d never heard. If Hailey got wind, she’d message us. Director Ham continued:

“I heard NewBlack is collabing with Ms. Blue.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why not showcase that at KMA? It’d be huge.”

“Sounds great.”

“It would be incredible.”

Then he got to the point: “I was thinking, why not you guys casually mention KMA to Hailey Blue?”

“To us?”

The maknae asked brightly, and Ham nodded.

“You seem close. If friends mention it, she’d be more positive.”

“Ah...”

“Of course, not asking you to. Just a thought. Ha ha.”

He’d covered his exit. In a casual tone, I barely believed my ears. I exchanged a look of disbelief with my maknaes.

‘This is absurd.’

‘What an epic kimchi-soup delusion.’

Such talks should be between companies. Clearly he lacked means, so he’d use us to nudge Hailey Blue. He said it’d benefit us, but in reality only KMA would gain. Still...

“I’ll discuss it with my company.”

“Oh...”

Director Ham’s face flickered, then he quickly smiled again.

“Naturally. I only mentioned it because it’d give a positive image in a private chat with Hailey Blue about KMA.”

“Of course.”

I smiled. “If the chance arises, I’ll mention it to Hailey.”

“Really? You could do that?”

“Yes, but she’s unique—her reaction might be unpredictable.”

“Ah, just telling me would be appreciated. Ha ha!”

He thought his business was done, thanked us again brightly, and left.

“...”

“...”

In the sudden silence, Ri Hyuk quietly said, “At least we recorded it.”

“Well done, Unit 4.”

Applauding the recorder in our default-human-distrust maknae, he tiptoed over and whispered:

“But... he came on our showcase day to make that pitch? I’m so flustered.”

“Exactly.”

“On such an important day, he asks that and leaves?”

I shrugged.

“It’s K-net, after all.”

“Oh...”

Ri Hyuk’s face lit with realization, ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) and the maknae whispered:

“Hyung, are you really going to tell Hailey?”

“Probably?”

I smiled at my maknaes. “But I haven’t said how I’d bring it up.”

“...!”

Their wide eyes softened into warm smiles. I wondered what Hailey Blue was up to now—whether her Korean curses had improved.