In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

A dark concert hall.

A thin veil of fog lay low as the audience’s cheers grew louder and louder.

“They’re coming out!”

NewBlack—the true stars of this awards show—were about to take the stage.

The soufflés staring at the darkened stage felt as if their hearts would burst.

Anticipation, excitement, thrill—words couldn’t capture the tumult of emotions stirring in # Nоvеlight # their chests.

And then.

A single beam of light cut through the darkness.

“Waaaaaaa—!”

Under purple lights illuminating the stage, petals drifted across the rear screen.

A tree shining brightly.

Petals, glowing violet in the wind’s howl, scattered against the deep midnight sky.

And then.

“Insane...!”

Five figures rose on the lift, as though they glowed from within.

Their black, Korean-inspired stage costumes gleamed.

Intricate patterns embroidered lavishly, colorful tassels dangling at their waists drew every fan’s gaze.

Earrings and jade rings shimmered with the lift’s vibration as the members closed their eyes.

“Gwaaaaah—!”

Soufflés already screaming as if their hearts would explode, other idol fans gasped in awe.

With a chilling breeze for an intro, subtitles appeared on the broadcast.

“[NewBlack – Nak-hwa (落花)]”

The song that had dominated the spring charts this year—and symbolized leader Wooju.

While Wooju stood center with eyes closed,

the other members leaned or reached out as if surrendering to the music.

Like branches unfolding around a leader. Each time their fingers flicked, flowers seemed to bloom.

Petals bloom

They sway in the wind

The lead vocalist, eyes open, sang the lyrics softly as the song proper began.

A gentle build that exploded in the chorus.

Nak-hwa’s stage, filled with stirring emotion, was a joy to witness even after so long.

“...Stylist, whoever you are, I love you!”

Tonight’s visuals surpassed expectations.

All-black hair from Empire promotions made each costume’s individuality shine.

Their red lips and accessories evoked legendary beauties leaping from an ancient painting.

“Return and proclaim

That here there is spring”

The lead vocalist raised the chorus slightly higher than usual, their voice echoing throughout the hall.

And then.

“...?”

Soufflés noticed something different.

The skill was the same.

True to NewBlack’s reputation, they owned the stage.

But tonight, something felt edgier.

“They’re....”

A bit more intense, perhaps.

Not a wholesale change, but an impression that pierced every fan.

Even viewers at home echoed the sentiment.

– Wow NewBl today’s perf is savage lol

– Seriously crushing it

– They came out sharper than rookies—love that killer instinct

– ???: Still no award after this?

– NewBlack always slays but they’re extra tonight

– (Mid-hyun’s “I perform as if my bones will shatter” interview gif.jpg)

– Why is Sub-V’s face so hilarious mid-dance

LB, watching the main dancer’s fluid moves, gaped then flashed double thumbs up at the camera.

Trickster, winner of Best New Artist, blinked slowly, mouth agape.

The stage somehow delivered fresh exhilaration to the soufflés.

“Can you see this, Mango....”

Even on TV, the heat radiating from the stage was tangible.

While other idols collected awards one by one, NewBlack remained awardless—aside from Composer of the Year.

Whether they planned to give them the grand prize later or truly snubbed them was unclear.

TNT fans once pinned hopes like this, only to see awards showered on Sixty Seconds.

But none of that mattered when NewBlack’s live roar flooded the venue.

“After Nak-hwa, it’s Empire, right?”

The leaked cue sheet read “Nak-hwa–Intro–Empire.”

Fans buzzed with anticipation for the Intro segment.

“...?”

Live spectators tilted their heads.

“They haven’t changed costumes?”

Naturally. Limited stage space and no time to switch outfits.

But Empire, unlike the Korean-styled Nak-hwa, was Western-inspired—even the music video was chess-themed.

Some speculated the Intro might show a quick change.

“This can’t be....”

As hopes rose, the stage curtain lifted again and lights poured down.

“Jihooo—!”

“Waaaaah!”

Under red lights, sub-vocalist Jiho’s eyes gleamed beneath tousled hair.

Dry ice veiled the area in crimson mist.

Jiho began a solo dance as a unique melody drifted out.

“Masquerade!”

Jiho’s signature track reimagined in traditional style played.

Drums swapped for buk.

Strings replaced by gayageum.

Haegum and daegeum blended ruggedly, yet beautifully—Masquerade’s theme in Korean folk tones.

Relaxed eyes half-closed, Jiho dipped then sprung up, the robe’s hem fluttering.

And then.

“Biju...!”

The next song, Baramkkot, arranged folk-style.

The light on Jiho dimmed; yellow light illuminated the main dancer’s elegant visage.

Though such staging wasn’t new, the lively folk melody energized the crowd.

Biju, arms outstretched left and right, paused, a sash drifting down toward his forearm.

Then, to the tunes of Nine and Winter’s Sleep, rapper and lead vocalist made their entrances.

Finally, the leader moved center as dozens of dancers streamed out.

“Waaaaaa—!”

Like a pungmul troupe, the members and dancers moved in folk style to mapped-out Fireworks.

At its climax—

As if atop a peak about to descend, the Fireworks melody faded into the next track.

“[NewBlack – Empire (帝國 ver.)]”

Subtitles appeared as Empire’s new intro began.

Dun—

Dun—

Drums echoed, and the venue shook with cheers.

Dancers, lined up like soldiers, flanked the ornate members as they launched into song.

“Beat the drum

So it echoes far”

While performers in circle danced behind, sub-vocalist stepped forward.

Soufflés screamed.

“Insane....”

Empire was excellent already, but this folk-twist felt entirely new.

If original Empire was poised, the “Imperial” version with gongs and jingles felt dynamic.

The tempo quickened.

The distinct drum beat thrilled listeners, while Wooju and Biju darted across the stage.

“Now again

Claim the crown

Given to me”

The lead vocalist’s high note soared endlessly.

– Ri Hyuk really can sing through his gills

– Wow lol doing this live?

– That’s how you burst buttons lol

– Marry me Seo Ri Hyuk, you earn money, you work, you clean,,

– What would I do then

– Sometimes I get nervous watching but Ri Hyuk is always chill

– Live breath sounds are the best..

By the finale, sweat dripping from every face seemed to dissipate into the air.

A break-neck dance break.

Fans held their breath before erupting in thunderous cheers.

Finally, dancers snapped into formation like troops; the singers stepped forward, arms outstretched in the ending pose.

Costume hems fluttered like a falling curtain, ending the show.

“Aaaaaah—!”

Lights cut to black; silhouettes of members collapsing behind emerged as cheers swelled.

Truly a stage worthy of the year’s stars.

“Next is us.”

“That’s right.”

“Damn....”

For some, it had been a nerve-wracking performance.

“I burned out....”

“Hoo, hoohooo.”

Stomach churning, temples throbbing—awards season indeed.

By the end it felt like holding one’s breath.

“Ugh!”

Jiho clutched a plastic bag, retched, leaned back; tears glimmered—he was nauseous.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”

“How’s your leg?”

“No big issue...?”

“Good to hear.”

We’d worried he’d twisted his ankle, but he was fine.

Mid-hyun dabbed his face with a wipe and said,

“Hyung.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re wiping your face with a plastic bag.”

I looked at my hand in blank surprise.

A plastic bag.

I was completely out of it.

“Oh, sorry... shouldn’t I use a wipe?”

“Breathe. Hyung.”

Backstage among steel trusses, we sat or sprawled, catching our breath.

The cool steel against my skull felt refreshing.

A breeze dried our sweat; a chill crept in, bodies damp and limp.

Still, spirits soared.

“....”

We sat shoulder to shoulder, heads together.

“I... I feel... repulsed by your breath.”

“Me too.”

“Same here. Your breath on me... ugh.”

Calling us dirty but grinning.

It felt like joy amplified five hundred times over finishing a military admin duty.

Too drained to stand, we rested heads until managers helped us up.

“Great work, everyone!”

“Good job!”

We high-fived staff and choreographers, then hurried to dry hair and fix makeup.

Time to return to the artists’ seats.

We stretched stiff muscles, then walked on up.

“Well done.”

“Thanks.”

We high-fived Street Boys members.

Other awards continued; senior artists were giving speeches onstage.

Freed from performing, I felt at ease—like finishing my turn on a PE exam.

Lighthearted.

My mind calmer than before.

“Empty the mind. Empty it...”

“Stop whispering that in my ear...”

“You don’t look mellow, hyung.”

Mid-hyun’s comment made me laugh.

Meanwhile, TeenSpirit’s stage began, capturing every eye.

“They’re good.”

“Seriously killing it.”

Every jump had the spring of a rubber ball.

Even Biju-level acrobatics appeared, reserved for our main dancer.

“Youth is wonderful....”

“So jealous.”

We watched in awe at cartilage unused by age.

TeenSpirit started with their signature fresh vibe, then shifted to a dark concept, fierce and charismatic.

Everyone there was talented, but they truly ranked among the best performers.

“Krrraaaararra—!”

A sea of glowsticks and fan chants shook Gocheok Dome like a lion’s roar.

Still, our fans’ roar was cuter.

“Phew....”

Damp-faced, TeenSpirit returned to their seats.

“Thank you, seniors, great job~”

They winked when I gave thumbs-up.

With TeenSpirit’s final performance done, only three grand prizes remained:

Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist of the Year.

“Hello, I’m actor Kang Jin Lee.”

The presenter delivered a long monologue on pop music, then smiled at the nervous artists.

“Let’s cut to the chase. Here are the nominees for 2016 Mango Chart Awards Song of the Year—!”

The awards logo appeared as nominees rolled by.

“Nak-hwa.”

Soufflés erupted at Nak-hwa’s name.

Then Serenity’s REALITY played, Cho Jang-won’s OST, and TeenSpirit’s Demonic amid cheers.

Lastly, indie singer Hong Saet-byeol’s Dream You closed the VCR.

“They’re all heavy hitters.”

“The lineup...”

Hits of the year.

Last year we won this award; this year, we were long shots.

Our biggest hit was Fireworks—but that was a 2014 track.

I’d heard from Seok-hwan it’d go to Serenity’s REALITY.

“Now, the winner is...”

Kang Jin Lee opened the envelope.

“The 2016 Mango Chart Awards Song of the Year goes to... TeenSpirit’s Demonic. Congratulations.”

“Waaaaaa—!”

Huh?

Demonic thundered through the venue as TeenSpirit rose, seniors stood and applauded.

Viewers at home blinked.

“Huh?”

Fans waving ‘Hyui-yeon’ placards and glowsticks flashed on screen.

Social media and idol forums, briefly quiet, erupted.

– ????????????????

– Wh-what the

– What is this???

– No way???

– Damn, what are these guys doing

– Seriously

– Why Song of the Year to TeenSpirit..?

– Song award congrats lol

The Song of the Year had clear frontrunners.

“Serenity or Hong Saet-byeol.”

Annual #1 Attention had broadcast boosts; #2 Cho’s OST likewise.

Serenity’s REALITY hit hard in the first half of the year.

Hong Saet-byeol was possible too—her agency was MOP.

Nak-hwa had high streaming, but few expected it to win.

“They won’t stack awards.”

No major label would shower prizes on Lemon’s idols.

People predicted Album or Artist of the Year.

Now this upset unfolded.

– Did TeenSpirit score enough???

– It’s possible

– Perfect jury score could flip it

– With votes, not impossible..? But how??

– Demonic Song of the Year??? No way

– If Demonic wins, what about Nak-hwa..? It beats Demonic easily

– After this they’ll claim internal data was hacked

– Damn girlgroup fandoms think they can bully like this

Chaos reigned everywhere.

Serenity fans stunned online; TeenSpirit fans rushed to defend.

Soufflés sat blinking.

Thump thump.

“Could it be....”

Why NewBlack got no awards while others did.

Why Song award went to TeenSpirit.

Pieces of a grim puzzle clicked; cold sweat formed on fans’ palms.

Gulp.

“Don’t relax. Mango is the enemy.”

They defied all logic.

So we clenched our fists.

After TeenSpirit’s acceptance speech on TV.

“....”

They announced Album of the Year next.

The Album award presenter was someone we knew.

Actor Noeul Seo, in a suit.

After a calm speech on albums,

“My category is Album of the Year. Here are the nominees—”

As with the song, Nak-hwa played, and text appeared:

“[NewBlack]

[Byeol (別): Into the Black]”

Our spring mini-album, followed by other artists’ records.

Ballads, indie, a variety.

Finally TeenSpirit’s full album scrolled by.

“....”

I swallowed and reached out.

My fingertips trembled.

For my brothers’ hands...

“It’s me.”

I let go of one hand and grasped the others’.

I had to do this or my heart would explode.

We all swallowed, staring at the screen.

The category we’d thought we’d surely win.

As “Album of the Year” filled the screen, Noeul Seo opened the envelope.

“And the 2016 Mango Chart Awards Album of the Year is... NewBlack!”

Relief escaped in a breath.

Thousands of soufflés’ cheers struck us like arrows.

Our first grand prize of the year.