In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

The performance hall went dark.

On the big screen, the CEO’s face shone brightly.

[“I really feel how much times have changed. Haha.”]

We cheered at the sight of him calmly speaking about K-pop’s future.

“Whaaaaaa!”

“Ceo-nim...!”

Even among SuPLe fans holding Dalbong lightsticks, similar cheers broke out.

“Whaaaaaa—!”

Somewhere, voices shouted “Gyuho-yaa—!” and laughter rippled through both the artist seats and the audience.

Jiho covered his mouth and said, “I wonder when they filmed that.”

“Right. It’s really amazing.”

Seeing the CEO’s face in the opening VCR felt both reassuring and incredible, as if he were saying, “Spend freely, my children,” with a hearty laugh.

The video shifted next to another interviewee.

World-renowned choreographer Han A-yun began talking about K-pop choreography.

It felt like they’d asked various figures in Korean popular music about the industry’s future.

The gentle BGM played as interviews alternated.

[“It’s truly exponential growth. In the 21st century, as a kind of cultural...”]

It clearly seemed about to end with the line “The future of K-pop unfolds before you now.”

Just as I thought that, on screen:

[“The future of Korean music? Wahaha.”]

Park Tae-jun, Chairman of TJ Entertainment, appeared with a benevolent smile.

At that moment—

“Bweeeeeee—!”

A raw jeer from the audience erupted; the artists in the singer seats collectively bowed their heads, cheeks twitching.

At the same time,

Idol fans watching the Mango Chart Awards via livestream or TV burst into laughter.

‘Bwe—’ echoed the audience jeers.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Unexpected voice of the peopleㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I thought it was an awards show but it was a public grievance newspaper

-Park Tae-jun’s reaction was totally justifiedㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Fix that old man in TJ...

-Instead of buying antiques, put out albums or merch for your artists

-“You must have an eye for raw gems for K-pop’s future”?

-Sunwooju: ???

Starting with Chairman Park Tae-jun, heads of major idol agencies began appearing one by one.

Park Gyu-ho of Lemon Entertainment and his sworn rival, Lim Hyun-sik of DNS Media.

Perhaps impressed by that initial “bwe~,” Street Boys fans responded with growls in the hall.

-现场工作人员要哭了ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-They’re probably looking for the mute button on the livestream right now

-Huh, the evaluation’s completely different from two years agoㅋㅋ

-Gyuho definitely spends a lot of money

-Hyun-gi doesn’t spend money...

-Please spend moneyㅠㅜㅜ Which idol’s costume beads fall like popcorn whenever they dance hard

-SB is carrying it by the collar

-I wish they’d actually grab him by the collarㅎ

Then, when Huh Kang-min of KM Entertainment and Pyo Young-man of MOP Entertainment appeared, they received fairly positive cheers.

-That’s okay for those two

-Kang-min and Young-man in; Tae-jun stays out

-Tae-jun: frowny

-Don’t do thatㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-MOP really hit it big—how are they the same company as tINSpirit?

-Similar but different vibe: NewBlack and Scarlet are in the same company

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I think I get it

As these comments flew, toward the end of the VCR Park Gyu-ho appeared again to cheers.

-Gyuho: Secret to first place? Everyone else is dead weight..?

-He must come in first there

-From Gyuho’s point of view he just spends money and the other bosses carry him to the coffin

-(meme of him being handed a “pass” necklace.jpg)

-But what were Mango guys thinking making that VCR?

-A grand plan to get laughs from the start

-I hope they play it as the highlight moment

-“bwe~~” was seriously intenseㅋㅋㄱㅋㅋㄱㅋㅋㅋ

After interviews with experts and agency heads concluded, performance clips began.

NewBlack doing the masquerade choreography with fans at overseas concerts; tINSpirit’s dazzling formation dance at Tokyo Dome; Serenity smiling brightly as they performed a refreshing song at a famous festival.

The live audience’s cheers far surpassed earlier.

‘But why can’t I forget it?’

As idol fans smiled, still hearing that first “bwe~” echoing, inspiring BGM and words appeared on the black screen.

[“K-pop with the world”]

[“With you today!”]

Once more, cheers rose and the awards ceremony truly began.

Opening with a monologue by a famous actor in his twenties, the ceremony moved straight to awards.

First up was the Top 10 award for the ten best-performing songs on the charts this year.

Models presenting the awards read from their cards and announced:

-“Congratulations! NewBlack!”

“Whaaaaaaa!”

An explosion of cheers so loud it sent shivers down my skin.

We stood, applauded by other artists, as “Nak-hwa” played over the amps.

“Congratulations!”

As I made my way to the stage, the song switched to “Empire.”

Now it really felt like we were at an awards show.

-Three, two, one!

-Hello! We are NewBlack!

Because we’d won this award last year and were certain to win again, I wasn’t as nervous as I’d expected—just thrilled.

The smooth feel of the trophy in my hand, the roar of fans in a concert hall—it had been too long.

“Thank you so much.”

While Jiho fondled the trophy with a happy smile, I delivered a brief thank-you as the representative.

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations!”

I bowed to those applauding from the singer seats.

Since Top 10 was presented in five pairs of teams, another Top 10 followed ours.

-“Congratulations! Jo Sa-won!”

She’d sung the OST for this year’s hit drama and succeeded with her mini-album. We smiled and greeted her.

“Congratulations, sunbae.”

She winked and went up to accept her award.

I remembered working together in MOP Entertainment’s small studio and felt nostalgic.

After Jo Sa-won’s Top 10, it was time for the Rookie of the Year.

-“Congratulations! Trickster!”

TJ Entertainment’s new boy group took the rookie award.

They teared up during their speech, and we almost did too before the cameras caught us.

“Whaaaaa—!”

Thinking the cheers were for them, Trickster brightened.

My brothers and I exchanged looks.

‘Ah....’

‘So that’s what that was.’

When we won rookie last year, the cheers had suddenly swelled mid-speech. That must’ve been why.

Maybe Taehyun or TNT appeared on camera.

“I see.”

I realized suddenly.

We congratulated Trickster as they awkwardly walked off with their trophy.

“Congrats on Rookie Award.”

“Thank you—!”

Biju grabbed one member’s hand, speaking and laughing—he’d co-appeared with them.

Trickster’s main dancer bowed and returned to the back row.

The maknae said, “They seem friendly.”

“Yeah, we were on the same team three times.”

As Biju beamed, my brothers and I exchanged looks.

‘Poor kid.’

‘I wonder if we were enemies to him.’

‘What a saint....’

Noticing our glance, Biju narrowed his eyes. I pointed to the stage and said, “They’re dancing. They’re dancing...!”

“Huh!”

“People are dancing. Dancing—!”

We succeeded in diverting attention.

ENOTY, the boy group that won rookie last year, from SNH Entertainment, performed on stage in white masks. Each time they removed a mask to electronic music, cheers erupted.

“Wow, they’re good....”

“This icy silence music rings out~”

“E-no E-no no no no~”

As Part 1 continued, we bobbed our shoulders and enjoyed the show with my brothers.

We cheered along with LB or Hanjo during choruses, then quieted when we thought cameras might catch us.

Every time I appeared on screen, the cheers were overwhelming—slightly embarrassing.

“But I like it.”

“Why are you whispering that to me?”

“I just wanted to share this feeling. You crave attention, but when you get it, you feel shy, you know?”

“You’re just a show-off. Don’t blow your nasty breath in my ear.”

Indeed, I was an attention-seeker.

With fewer worries about posture or expression flaws than before, I relaxed and watched the awards.

Each new performance made Biju’s eyes sparkle... soon our bodies would have to work hard too.

-“Next is the Trend of the Year award!”

Intermittent awards continued, with unfamiliar categories appearing as last year.

Street Boys went up to accept “We’re the Trend!” and laughed.

Power Star, Most Wanted, Global Star, and so on.

“What is that award?”

“No idea....”

“Feels like World Choice, 2016.”

tINSpirit received the World Choice award and smiled as they spoke.

-“Hello. We are tINSpirit!”

(translation) I am. Damn.

-“Thanks to our Soul fans, we could receive this award. Thank you~!”

(translation) Everyone else, fuck off.

Having greeted our neighbors so often in the hallway, we’d grown adept at mentally translating their remarks.

We welcomed tINSpirit back with smiles.

“Congratulations, sunbaenim.”

“Yes!”

In subsequent awards, many artists each grabbed a trophy.

It felt as if they were determined to give every performer a prize.

As a result, some expected nominees missed out and surprises won awards.

And—

“Oh....”

Each time an artist went up to receive, I felt the cheering battles more intense than last year.

Street Boys, us, tINSpirit—fans of the three groups screamed wars whenever their artist appeared on screen or was named.

“....”

As always, I reminded myself I had to perform especially well tonight.

Part 1 ended and Part 2 began.

Street Boys opened Part 2.

Ri Hyuk clicked his tongue.

“They’re so good every time.”

“They’re even better than last time.”

LB and Hanjo, in leather jackets and sunglasses, traded powerful raps, then threw off their shades.

Seven more joined them, sparking fireworks in every corner.

“Wow....”

Their signature collapse-society, police-siren hip-hop ended, giving way to a sexy hip-hop track.

I closed my eyes briefly at LB’s performance, lifting his shirt to reveal his abs.

“....”

Though bewitched, I showed no sign.

We were pros.

Ri Hyuk turned his head discreetly, looking elsewhere; Biju feigned a smile with closed eyes; Junhyun and Jiho stared at the lights.

As they were so famously close, onlookers laughed.

“Ahem ahem.”

Meanwhile, as Part 2 truly kicked off, tension mounted.

‘They haven’t called us even once.’

My brothers’ gazes turned to me.

In Part 2, groups won awards one by one, but we’d only been nominees, never announced.

The OST category was dominated by Jo Sa-won sunbae—fine—but in every other expected field, we’d been passed over.

“....”

I looked at my brothers with slightly trembling eyes, smiled, and nodded.

It’ll be okay, I thought.

I was nervous too, but if I showed it, they’d all falter.

While sending reassuring glances, it happened.

-“Next is the Composer of the Year award.”

My brothers’ faces lit up.

Even if we’d missed others, we’d been confident here.

On the screen, an actor presenter opened the envelope—then paused, cheeks twitching—before announcing:

-“Congratulations! Wooju-sun!”

“Wha—?”

My brothers burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.

Fans watching the awards in real time laughed out loud.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Are they insaneㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Why Wooju-sun??

-He used that pseudonym when producing Attention on MIF

-But it makes senseㅋㅋㅋ they had to give it to the year’s top composer

-Oh rightㅋㅋㅋ

They’d to give an award to Attention, the year’s top single, so they struggled over how—and landed on this.

Watching Wooju blink in confusion had everyone in stitches, especially SuPLe.

‘Gotta make a last-year comparison meme...!’

Last year’s mango clip of Woo blinking then smiling brightly when “Composer of the Year” was announced.

As he accepted the trophy and bouquet, we laughed watching him blink on TV and then grin maliciously.

-Debuted alt-persona

-Wooju-sun will not be restrained

-In full enjoyment modeㅋㅋㅋ

-Sunwooju interview: “I enjoy acting like Wooju-sun. As Wooju-sun I can unleash cutting remarks.”

-But he deserves itㅋㅋㅋ he even released Blue Moon under Wooju-sun

-Han Taehyun’s solo album credits also list Wooju-sun

Woo used that pseudonym for side projects.

As he accepted the award and walked to the standing mic, “Attention” and “Blue Moon” played as background.

[“Why Wooju(sun) is Composer of the Year”]

As Wooju-sun, he wrote

Attention (MIF), Survivor (Han Taehyun solo), Blue Moon (Hayley Blue)ㅋㅋㅋ

Under his real name: Winter Slumber, Nak-hwa, Empire, and many album tracks

+

(Additional) Except Blue Moon, most listed are currently topping annual charts

-Yeah, with that lineup not giving him the award would be strange

-Survivor was by Wooju-sun too...? How did I not know

-They’re all familiar songsㅋㅋㅋ I thought Winter Slumber was last year

-Writing even one or two of those guarantees a composer award

-Look at his workload—how is he still alive

-My bias, please come socialize with Wooju-sun

-It took Han Taehyun 10 years

-10 years is worth it..

-(crying grandma meme.jpg) Grannies can wait

On screen, Woo standing firm with trophy and flowers said:

[“Hello everyone. I am NewBlack’s Wooju, here to accept on behalf of composer Wooju-sun.”]

The presenter behind him raised a hand, covering his laughing mouth; laughter rose from the audience.

Woo blinked back tears with a smile.

[“If I’d known in advance, I’d have at least scored some points...”]

Laughter soared even higher.

Woo, easing the mood, smiled at his trophy.

[“...Following last year, I’m honored to receive the Composer Award again this year. Thank you and I’m so happy.”]

His eyes curved gently toward the camera.

[“Just as when I sing, I love that so many people love the songs I write. I usually turn my experiences into music, and when many people listen and empathize, that’s the most rewarding.”]

His sincere words conveyed his love of music to everyone.

Woo gripped the trophy and spoke:

[“Yet I sometimes feel this award is a bit overwhelming... Music, like any other work, cannot be created alone.”]

His gaze met the camera; nearby, the A&R and production teams, enjoying a company dinner, froze.

Woo smiled again.

[“To my beloved A&R team and production family: Let’s keep working together for a long time.”]

Though it was a moving comment, online SuPLe fans couldn’t help laughing.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ can hear producers freaking out

-We did not grant you permission to leave work

-(GIF: PD Na Sang-yun lost, spots Woo, spills coffee)

-Woo (24): Goo goo ga ga composer baby

-“My beloved producers” -> “My servants”

-He was told to compose, but he’s busy threshingㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

While the actual composers might have shed tears, for onlookers the Composer Award became a laughter fest.

“Trophy!”

“At last, we have a trophy...!”

With the Composer Award trophy in hand, our awards tally was complete.

What remained was only the grand prize.

Best Dance and other awards went to Serenity and tINSpirit of MOP Entertainment; the rest were outside our fields.

“Phew....”

We waited backstage in our stage outfits.

As another artist gave their speech, we cracked our necks and rolled our shoulders to loosen up.

Tense glances passed between us.

“Let’s eat something delicious afterward.”

“Aww, that kills the mood.”

Ri Hyuk grumbled, then laughed.

As our performance time neared, we huddled shoulder-to-shoulder.

Our breathing was slightly rough and heated from nerves.

“Junhyun, slow your breathing.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t suppress it.”

In the lukewarm draft, our fans’ cheers from beyond the stage grew ever louder.

“....”

Any anxiety about awards had vanished.

All that remained was thought of our performance.

Maybe that’s why my brothers’ gazes felt even more focused than usual.

“...Same words as always. You all worked hard for over a month. Let’s blow the roof off tonight’s stage.”

We locked eyes one by one and nodded.

Stepping back, we joined hands.

“Three, two, one!”

“Fighting—!”

As the performance hall’s cool air enveloped us, every light in Gocheok Dome went dark.

It was time to present the first awards show stage of the year.