In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

We smiled and stood up toward the Wonder Child members, who flinched as if they had met someone they shouldn’t have crossed.

“Hello.”

“......Uh, th—that.”

The Wonder Child members stood awkwardly by the airplane aisle. It was as if they were humans who had seen a starving bear raising its paw across a narrow bridge.

“Come over here.”

“......!”

“People are coming behind you.”

“Ah!”

Flustered, the Wonder Child members each checked their tickets and began to find their seats. Coincidentally, they sat near us. I smiled with satisfaction as I watched Gihoo and Seonyong take the seats in front of me.

“It’s been a while since the survival show.”

“Yes. How have you been?”

“Good.”

Seeing how hesitant they were, I smiled and gave them a small wave. I decided not to press them further.

As the rookie boy-group members found their places around the cabin, our own juniors also offered gentle smiles and greetings.

Me [Maybe they feel awkward because we’re their mentors]

Me [They seem so embarrassed;]

Biju [They must feel awkward as mentor-menteeㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

Biju [I thought I was being ignored when I said hi]

Junhyun [That’s ignoring]

Biju [ㅗ]

Junhyun [Typo?]

Biju [ㅗㅗ]

Junhyun [We’re done]

Jiho [Fight fight fight]

Watching my siblings bicker in the group chat, I shook my head, but then the cabin grew noisy.

“You can’t do that on the plane!”

Flight attendants tried to intervene, but Wonder Child’s sasaengs were swarming. I thought we’d suffered from sasaengs enough, but this was on another level. They kept talking to the members and snapping photos; even when the staff warned them off, they barely reacted. They were so aggressive that our own sasaengs were being pushed aside.

“.......”

Seeing the Wonder Child members tense up, Ri Hyuk narrowed his eyes. He glanced at Wonder Child’s sasaengs on the same flight, then casually loosened his shoelaces with his foot. Ri Hyuk asked,

“......Throw them?”

“What do you take me for?”

He laughed broadly and bent down to retie his laces.

The Wonder Child members swallowed hard.

‘Damn....’

‘What are we going to do?’

They had received thorough training from KM Entertainment’s veteran managers on how to handle sasaengs: ignore them at all costs. They’d managed until now, but they’d never shared a plane with them before.

“.......”

They leaned back in their seats, but none of them felt comfortable.

“Gihoo, why are you pretending you can’t hear me? You can hear me, right~?”

“Hey, do you ignore people?”

“Answer me. You talk so well on camera.” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

They called out with silly smiles and affectionate tones, leaving the Wonder Child members utterly flustered. Then—

From behind Gihoo and Seonyong’s seats came a small, low voice, barely audible to just them.

“Hey.”

It was the NewBlack leader’s voice. As they flinched and tried to turn their heads, the soft voice cut in again.

“Don’t turn your head. You’re obvious.”

“Uh.......”

“Don’t answer either.”

The calm voice continued.

“If you can’t control your expression, just put in earphones and listen to music loudly. Those people enjoy seeing you get nervous.”

They nodded silently in their hearts. Then—

“And....”

A trace of laughter floated out, soft as cherry petals.

“I’m listening to your song. Fighting.”

The voice faded into the darkness and was gone. Wonder Child’s two members immediately took out their earphones. Although voices continued around them, once they listened to music, all other sounds disappeared.

“.......”

Seonyong, sitting by the window, stared out at the sky, and beside him Gihoo closed his eyes. Peace finally settled in. It felt like an escape, but also like being safely protected in the dark.

Just as I was about to open my eyes and send a message to the other members—

[Messages: +999]

They couldn’t even touch their phones because of the avalanche of texts from sasaengs. Fortunately, KM Entertainment’s managers quickly took action, and the cabin’s chaos subsided.

Gihoo glanced around at the other members, then closed his eyes again.

‘How do the seniors stay so calm?’

The NewBlack members looked peaceful. Maybe after enough years, Gihoo would be the same, but the mentors he’d just met still seemed so composed and senior. The rookie idol felt both envious and awed, when Ri Hyuk’s calm voice settled in his ear.

Winter Trip by NewBlack—the BGM we’d prepared for the trip—started to play.

It’s okay to rest for a moment

That’s what winter is for

Perhaps from staying up late for days, Gihoo fell asleep quickly.

When he woke again, we were arriving at Hong Kong International Airport.

“Coming through! Please clear the way!”

“Coming through!”

After another round of pandemonium, Wonder Child’s members finally steadied «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» themselves—perhaps thanks to the airport’s VIP lane arranged for K-pop artists, worried about the crowds gathering for the KMA Awards.

When they reached the dimly lit corridor, they could finally greet us properly.

“Wonders on the stage! Hello! We are Wonder Child!”

“Hello!”

The NewBlack members smiled and welcomed them.

“How have you been?”

“We’ve been good!”

“It’s really nice to see you. It feels like months since we saw you at On The Stage, right?”

As the NewBlack members spoke, pulling their carry-ons behind them, Wonder Child answered calmly. Though they were a bit steadier than before, they still looked nervous.

‘Those insane seniors....’

They were seniors insane in terms of achievements. There’s a saying, you only see as far as you know. When they were trainees on the survival show, “seniors on TV” made their eyes shine. After debut, they realized how fearsome the seniors’ records really were.

‘Your debut sales were..... insane!’

I remembered the CEO hugging them when their debut album’s initial sales shot them to Street Boys’ level. Thanks to that success, they received top treatment on music shows and variety programs and were hailed as next year’s hottest group.

Then—

“Kyaaak!”

NewBlack fluttered their wings like birds beyond the clouds. As trainees they’d been impressive; now Wonder Child looked upon them in reverent awe.

NewBlack shared various tips with the hesitant rookies.

“When you go on the red carpet, if someone reaches out to grab you, it can be dangerous. They yank hard....”

“Last time Junhyun almost spun someone like a windmill.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

As Junhyun laughed contentedly, Wonder Child blinked in surprise. Then Jiho offered another tip.

“If you really have to let them grab you, fold your thumb in.”

“Is that okay?”

“Their hand only slips off your fingers. That one thumb makes a huge difference...”

Wonder Child’s members brightened at the useful advice. Meanwhile, Gihoo moved closer to Wooju.

“Thank you for earlier, senior.”

“Anyone would say that.”

When Gihoo repeatedly expressed his thanks, Wooju waved it off, looking slightly embarrassed.

The NewBlack leader smiled, then approached another member.

“Hyung, congratulations on your debut.”

“Tha—thank you....”

“Please speak casually. I talked with Taehyun a few days ago, and he asked me to say congrats.”

“Thanks.”

“Really, congrats.”

The leader stopped near the exit. Outside, police formed an escort while a huge throng of fans bounced and cheered. The senior idol smiled at them.

“Congratulations on your debut.”

“Thank you!”

“See you at rehearsal later.”

He even put on his sunflower-shaped glasses with style. As the other NewBlack members donned bear-face and apple-shape sunglasses and smiled, they stepped outside. Instantly, cameras flashed and the airport erupted in cheers.

“Wowwww....”

Though they’d only debuted two years earlier, NewBlack somehow looked like grand seniors.

“Seniors’ cosplay was a smashing success!”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

We clapped inside the car with my juniors, laughing delightedly.

“Did you see earlier? When I said to fold my thumb, everyone went ‘Wow!’”

“This is why it’s fun being seniors.”

“Sometimes it’s so funny, tricking people who don’t know our real selves like this...!”

Biju cheered and gave a round of applause. The managers in the car shook their heads, smiling, as we enjoyed ourselves.

“We were pretty cool for once.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Mingi muttered.

“I wish they could see this...”

“It’s okay. After seeing us a few times, they won’t be so impressed.”

“But the effect doesn’t last, does it?”

At first the idol groups who saw us would go “Wow!” but soon they’d smile wistfully, saying “Oh, it’s NewBlack...” It was just a momentary thrill.

“Are we going to the same place this time?”

“Yes.”

Passing signs in Chinese characters and unfamiliar license plates on motorcycles and cars, we soon saw the Hong Kong World Arena. It was the same venue as last year’s KMA, the surroundings abuzz with equipment and vehicles giving it an awards-show atmosphere.

We stepped out of the car in the parking area and cameras followed.

“Hello, K-Net Behind team.”

“Hello!”

“How are you feeling today?”

“Very good. I’m excited, and it’s the same feeling I always get at award shows.”

After a brief interview with K-Net, we entered the waiting room. We had makeup, rehearsals, and K-Net’s requested content shoot before the 7 p.m. local start—time flew.

“But what’s that glittering waiting room over there?”

“An actors’ green room?”

One room stood out: it looked almost like a mini buffet, as if a very special guest was coming.

“Let’s see who it is.”

One good thing about coming to the Hong Kong-held KMA was that you saw many colleagues who hadn’t appeared on the Mango Chart Awards.

“Oppa aaaaah!”

A pale-faced beauty bounced over. Daisy smiled broadly and play-slapped us.

“It’s been so long!”

“Ouch! Please distinguish between public and private, Nayun.”

“Wooju.”

I bowed respectfully to Daisy, who spoke calmly.

“Yes, hello, senior.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

Everyone burst into laughter on both sides. We greeted Scarlet members including Ara, and Serenity, rookie boy group Trickster, and others briefly as we passed.

Then—

“Eunseong aaaaah!”

As Apl B’s leader Haru chased Biju, Eunseong trotted up to me.

“Sargeeeeent!”

“Eunseong aaaaah!”

I caught Eunseong, who smiled brightly.

“Eunseong.”

“Why?”

“Why didn’t you appear on Mango?”

“What do you mean? I have to be called to go out.”

With a smirk, Eunseong narrowed her eyes. I draped my hand over her shoulder.

“It’s because...”

“Yes?”

“I’m Artist of the Year.”

“......How many times do you have to say that? Always doing selfies with the grand prize winner.”

As I danced triumphantly with Jiho shouting “Artist of the Year~,” Eunseong turned away in disgust.

“If you’re going to brag, I’m leaving.”

“Wait for it.”

“Are you giving me something?”

I pulled a souvenir from my pocket and held it out.

“I brought this back from the U.S. It’s a keyring that looks like you.”

“It looks more like Dogga’s slime.”

“Well, I think it’s similar to Dogga’s slime...but hey, don’t go! I bought you something else too!”

I tried to tease her more, but my junior ran off.

Hong Kong AsiaWorld-Arena.

“Waaaaah!”

The red-carpet heat was intense as we stepped out of the car and waved to the crowd beyond the fence. Once inside the venue, cheers erupted again.

—The atmosphere is sizzling tonight! This is NewBlack, who had a blazing year on the Billboard charts and more!

After a quick Q&A with the MC—

—What’s your outfit concept today?

“Yes, today’s concept is a bling-bling feel!”

Wearing glittering suits, we smiled and answered. I pointed at Junhyun.

“As you can see, Junhyun’s jacket sparkles green.”

—Indeed.

“When he moves, it shifts colors like a chameleon.”

Junhyun stepped forward and demonstrated. The crowd cheered as the sequins rippled from green to red and all colors in between. Though I spoke seriously, the MCs burst into laughter.

—Ah, I see!

They mentioned the U.S. talk-show appearance and asked for an English greeting, so I addressed the camera: KMA is the best, everyone!

—It’s December now. In a month it’ll be 2017, and NewBlack has really worked hard this year.

“Yes.”

—Do you have any plans for next year? Anything special in preparation?

They asked for a sneak preview if we had spoilers. Biju took the mic with a smile.

“We’re preparing a very special song.”

—A song?

“Yes. Our producer and I are in the final stages, and when you hear it, you’ll be surprised.”

When he hinted at the title ‘Dokkaebi’ for the special album to release early next year, the crowd roared with anticipation. It really was a high-quality track, and the other songs, too, were strong. The concept album about the world’s strange beings was being produced with great effort.

‘Wooju. You should change your name to “You Cross the Line”—you hit me right on the nose.’

‘Seon Wooju—does that make her an alien? Ha ha ha! This is our workload, Wooju?’

‘I wish I didn’t have to be friends....’

Shaking off the clamoring voices in his head, he decided to review everything after the awards and lure the staff again with something delicious.

—You’ve been nominated in many categories tonight. Are you hoping to win?

“Yes, we are.”

—We wish you the best of luck, NewBlack!

After a brief farewell to the MCs, we exited the stage area.

“An... award today would be great, too.”

Junhyun murmured.

“Right. That would be nice.”

Since we entered later on the red carpet, the artist seats in the concert hall were already full of performers.

“Hello!”

“Hello! We’re ENOTY!”

After greeting seniors and juniors, we took the front row. The spacious hall was in view. With a capacity of about 15,000, the audience seats were already packed with fans.

Flash! Crackle! The dazzling light of Dalbong’s fans seemed to cover a quarter of the seats.

“They’re strong....”

“We’re so weak. We’re the only weak ones.”

As we chatted, Street Boys walked down the artist aisle with casual expressions and polite steps, maybe reflecting their fierce stage concept today.

“Hi.”

Hwanjo smiled and extended his gloved hand. Then—

“Ouch, static!”

He sheepishly slipped off his glove and offered his hand.

“This glove generates a lot of static.”

“Did you buy it online because static is trending... ouch!”

LB tried to tease, but Hwanjo grabbed his words with his bare hand. My juniors laughed, and Hwanjo and I met each other’s gaze.

“.......”

“.......”

“You bought it on purpose, right?”

“Of course not~”

They shared a warm laugh, shook hands, and nodded. I hoped it was just a joke.

“Is it really a joke?”

The youngest’s question hung in the air as we greeted Teen Spirit last of all. Serenity averted her gaze with a strange angle, and the newcomers walked by awkwardly.

“Hello, seniors.”

“Hello~!”

Their bright, friendly smiles faded as the lights dimmed.

As the artists chattered in their seats, stage lights swept wildly, the VCR flickered up on the screen—it was finally time for the 2016 KMA to begin.

“Hooh... hooh....”

Hwanjo, warming his gloved hands by blowing on them, caught my eye and smiled. I smiled back.

“You got that glove on purpose.”

“Hooh... hooh....”

“Don’t do it.”

“Hooh....”

He was a mischievous friend my age.