In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

Looking at the Maltese doll in my hand, I turned my gaze to Teacher Song Hun.

"Teacher."

"I'm not going."

"No, teacher. You did the voice acting."

"Aigoo, my back..."

Pretending not to hear, the veteran actor waved me out.

No.

I definitely saw Teacher Song Hun hula hooping on set. Now, at this talk about his back hurting, I blinked.

"I won’t forget today."

Leaving that one line behind, I headed to the podium, and the Our Family Is an Alien folks burst out and snickered among themselves.

"Best Cou— hmpf, congratulations, Wooju."

"Thank you."

A Maltese doll in one hand, a Best Couple trophy in the other.

Beyond the bright lights, I could see the MCs and the variety entertainers seated at the tables breaking into laughter.

I tilted my head slightly; on the screen they kept showing the scene of me running while holding Youngsik in my arms.

"—Yes..."

Without meaning to, my voice trembled.

"—Really, to give me such a big award..."

When I gave a wistful smile, the audience broke into laughter.

It’s not even an animal show, and yet giving a Best Couple award because my chemistry with a puppy is good—this is a first.

No.

I guess not the first.

"—Come to think of it, I remember our member Junghyeon was nominated for Best Couple the year before last."

I remembered "Daegil–Junghyeon" being nominated for the 2014 TBC Entertainment Awards’ Best Couple.

"—Junghyeon, are you watching? Your hyung won an award."

I gave a bright smile toward the camera and then delivered the rest of my remarks seriously.

"—This year, while working on the drama Our Family Is an Alien, I think I formed so many precious ties. Teacher Song Hun, Teacher Yang Okbun, Senior Seo Noeul... and even our Youngsik."

I lifted the Maltese doll in my hand.

"—My sincere thanks, and I’ll dedicate the honor of this award to Youngsik."

It felt natural.

Smiling at the people clapping and laughing, I followed the staff’s guidance down to backstage.

As the next award proceeded right away—

"Hahahahahaha!"

Familiar laughter rang out from backstage.

Please no.

I closed my eyes as I came down, and a whoaaah cheer rose up. Two pairs of leeches surrounded me.

"Be quiet."

"Wooooo~~"

"Be quiet. I’m armed."

Ignoring the lackeys clutching their bellies with laughter, I went back to my seat.

At the Ugaoe family’s glinting eyes, each corner of the mouth twitching to say a line, I smiled and said,

"I want to be alone."

Everyone burst into silent laughter.

After that, the awards show went smoothly.

"—Two, three!"

"—Hello! We are NewBlack!"

Together with my younger members, we also received the Popularity Award given at the Entertainment Awards.

Following part one, I enjoyed the Empire cover stage that opened part two. It was a stage prepared by the People Go team.

When Eunsung, who had center, threw a wink, the camera immediately caught me smiling.

"..."

When I narrowed my eyes with a deadpan spaceship face, everyone laughed.

After Empire’s stage ended, the variety MC wandered among the tables, keeping up the talk of who would take this year’s Grand Prize.

The mic came to me.

"—We just had Empire’s cover stage, right?"

"—Yes, I really enjoyed it."

I sent applause to a stage they had prepared with their best effort.

The MC teased as he asked,

"—When Kevin was on the screen just now, you couldn’t manage your face, could you?"

"—Ah. That was..."

Maybe because how things are between my army junior and me is well known, everyone laughed as if in sympathy at my awkward look.

"—How was Kevin’s stage?"

Seeing Eunsung in the distance sparkling his eyes and waving, I said,

"—Wasn’t he showing off the charm a bit too hard? Empire isn’t a song where you wink like that. It’s a serious song."

"—Then what kind of feeling should it have had?"

"—Like this."

I copied exactly the expression Eunsung had done on stage and gave a bright smile.

True to the soufflés who clap even if I just throw a flying kick, loud cheers erupted from the audience.

After watching me for a moment with an "oh," the MC said,

"—The expression is the same, but somehow Wooju wins."

The camera caught Eunsung making a side-eyed variety look, and I laughed as I answered into the mic,

"—I’m joking. It was excellent, Kevin."

Seeing the kid instantly grinning foolishly, I laughed too.

But he really did do well.

They must have all practiced with about a week of cramming, and even so the quality wasn’t bad.

Especially ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) since Eunsung held center steady, no one’s gaze went to the surroundings. That’s why center is important on stage.

"—It was a really great stage. You probably prepared within a tight window of about a week."

Then the Sagan team murmured and shouted something.

The MC heard and asked,

"—They say they practiced all month?"

Laughter burst out from our table and the nearby tables.

I stood and bowed politely toward the Sagan table to apologize, and PD Do Joonki smiled that it was fine.

I turned my gaze elsewhere.

While the MC promptly moved on and talked elsewhere, I wet my throat with a bottle of water.

"One week?"

At Ara’s giggling question beside me, I covered my mouth and said,

"I think today is my day to get shut down, noona."

"That happens."

"I didn’t say anything weird, right?"

"Mm, you did well. You don’t seem to make mistakes with this kind of thing."

Since a live awards show can spark a controversy from one wrong word, I was careful with my tone and expression.

When it’s for variety, I make sure everyone knows it’s a joke.

Meanwhile, the part two talk ended and the awards continued right away.

In the sitcom category that was practically revived to give Our Family Is an Alien an award, Director Hwang Jeonggu and Writer Hwang Jeongyeon went up with us to receive. In the variety part, Jusehan, Sagan, and Shintokki took turns receiving; I applauded.

"—I think filming was truly enjoyable. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed this much while shooting a sitcom."

The Sitcom Best Actor went to Senior Seo Noeul, and the Merit Award was received together by Teachers Song Hun and Yang Okbun.

Eunsung also took an individual award.

It was the PD Award chosen by the PDs.

"—It’s an award the PDs are giving me because they adore me. I know it too. That I’m lovable."

Everyone burst into laughter at my army junior’s self-love-filled remarks.

He’s such a peculiar kid that even in the army the operations sergeant would go, "What’s with that one," flustered.

Judging by people’s reactions, it seems his variety image has been set along those lines.

"—To our CEO who always tells me not to cross the line on broadcasts. To our members who saved my name as ‘Useless Hyung.’ I cherish you all nonetheless. It’s because my bowl is big."

Smiling demurely, Eunsung went on with a laugh.

"—Kidding. Thank you very much. I’ll work hard to become a very hardworking variety entertainer. And."

His gaze turned toward me.

"—As I always say, my thanks as well to Senior Wooju, who raised me into a singer in the army."

Eunsung gave a hazy smile.

"—May you live long and prosper."

Everyone broke into laughter.

While Senior Seo Noeul wiped tears saying "I’m dying," I clapped and cheered for Eunsung, who had won a Special Award.

It was nice to see things opening up for him on the variety side.

We sat in our seats to offer congratulations until around midnight when the awards ended, sometimes going up to receive together.

"Thank you truly for all your hard work."

Writer Hwang Jeongyeon and Director Hwang Jeonggu, both with swollen eyes, spoke on behalf of the entire cast.

"Our actors really worked hard. When we first started filming a sitcom, we never imagined such big names would gather."

"TBC even scheduled it—so many things happened."

Only recently have the networks started trying to put spoons on the revived sitcoms; until not long ago, sitcom was a genre being buried.

From the emotion in the director’s wavering eyes, I could read how many hardships there must have been just to get a sitcom project scheduled.

The director said,

"Since this isn’t the Acting Awards, I’m sure there were parts the actors found a bit disappointing..."

"Director Hwang."

Teacher Song Hun shook his head.

"Don’t say that. Are awards what matter?"

"They matter, teacher."

"Awards are important too."

When the other actors each added a word, Teacher Song Hun blinked and agreed.

"That’s true, but... as an actor, doing a project like this is a rare chance. Woo Jaeyong, I mean."

"Jusehan’s Woo Jaeyong, teacher?"

"Right. That kid bragged so much about how popular he used to be in sitcoms that I really wanted to shoot one too. Without Director Hwang, how would I have filmed a sitcom?"

Joking as he soothed the director, that was Teacher Song Hun.

Director Hwang Jeonggu also gave a sheepish smile.

It seems he had been concerned about that. In our country, even if you deliver great acting in a sitcom, you can’t go to the Acting Awards. For actors who mind their careers, you might wonder if it feels a bit off.

Senior Seo Noeul laughed.

"Director."

"Yes?"

"I’m filming four commercials off this."

At the capitalism-filled smile, only then did the director relax, and everyone burst into laughter.

In the cheerful mood, we all took a commemorative photo together, waved, and exchanged well-wishes and year-end greetings.

"Everyone, Happy New Year."

Director Hwang Jeonggu smiled.

"Let’s meet next year at the Korea Arts Awards."

"Jiho, what’s the Korea Arts Awards?"

"Ah, that."

The youngest said,

"Don’t you know that too, hyung?"

"I only knew it as a film award."

"They have a TV division too, I think? So that’s probably why Director Hwang said that."

Aha.

I had thought of it as one of the three big film awards, but apparently they also give TV awards.

"I see."

Stretching long, I loosened up.

Since our rehearsal slot is pretty far back in the order, warming up like this ahead of time reduces injury risk.

Click. Click.

I saw Biju striking various poses against the waiting room wall like a photo shoot, and Junghyeon taking the shots with a put-upon look.

I asked with a laugh,

"You like it that much?"

"Yes. Don’t you like it too, hyung?"

"I like it a lot."

Behind Biju, the cue sheet was posted.

Under the title "2016 PBS Song Festival (Kintex)," with the singers’ stage order and times listed,

at the very end the name "NewBlack" was attached.

"Whew..."

We all gathered in front of the cue sheet and blew out hot breaths.

It feels good even looking again.

Coming on site and seeing the cue sheet with us in the final slot—this feeling.

"Maybe thanks to Aiten."

Winning Artist of the Year is a reason too, but realistically that’s probably it.

As payback for helping the Mister Producer project group, it seems we got the last slot.

From the variety department, it felt like a wink—"Next year, how about we go thick in variety together...?"

Junghyeon said,

"For now, this feels really good."

"Right. It came much faster than I expected."

I thought we’d only get to do a year-end ending stage next year or the year after, but the ending stage came earlier than planned.

After us, there would be an all-performers-together stage like "Holding Hands."

"But isn’t that a really old song?"

"The PD is from the generation that watched the ’88 Olympics, that’s probably why."

"Aha."

For me, from the younger generation that really starts at the 2002 World Cup, that was ages ago.

"Wow, 1988 is around when you were born, right?"

"Ninety three. Ninety three."

"Nine-three is twenty-seven."

"Junghyeon, you go out holding hands with Jiho."

While Biju and Ri Hyuk snickered, Junghyeon and Jiho immediately stood and headed for the waiting room door.

Junghyeon flicked his index and middle fingers at his temple.

"Then we’ll go."

"...Where are you going?"

"Our practice."

"Ah."

Only then did I remember the joint performance by the maknae and Junghyeon.

A joint stage by the 98-liners and a rap stage where the rappers go yo-yo-yap-yap. I sent them words of support to practice well.

"Jiho."

"Yes?"

"When you practice, make sure to stretch. From what I saw today, your shoulders aren’t loosening well—make sure to loosen them before you dance."

"Yup!"

"Here’s a quiz. What did I just say?"

"...You love me?"

So you weren’t listening at all.

I signaled to Junghyeon, and he immediately put his hands on Jiho’s shoulders.

Letting out a ki-yo-ooot shriek as his shoulders fully loosened, Jiho said he hated us and stormed out.

Junghyeon started to follow him out, then paused.

"Hyung."

"Yeah."

"What about me?"

To the question from the robot who looks excessively sturdy, I smiled and tossed the topic.

"Biju, Ri Hyuk. You two instead."

"Hey."

The moment Biju said "Hey," as if he didn’t want to hear it, Junghyeon bolted.

Watching the younger ones burst out of the waiting room, I stood as well and gathered stage props one by one.

Ri Hyuk asked,

"Leaving already?"

"I’ve got a stage with Taehyeon too. I’ll go say hello to our TNT seniors in advance."

Biju and Ri Hyuk nodded.

Then, watching me head off to practice for the joint stage, they made worried faces and started to add a word each.

"Hyung."

"Listen to me."

Like people worrying over a child turned loose near the water, the younger ones told me this and that, and I said,

"Don’t worry. I won’t do anything weird today."

"..."

"I mean it."

"..."

The look in the members’ eyes said they didn’t believe me at all.

In my heart, rain poured down.

Ilsan Kintex conference hall.

Temporary walls set up here and there filled the place with waiting rooms. From inside, you could often hear the sounds of fighting.

"—Hey, can I eat the egg in your naengmyeon."

"—Huh?"

"—Why."

"—Do you hear that?"

"—Hear what."

"—The sound of your conscience dying. Aaaaargh!"

Hearing the familiar sounds of thudding and rolling around, I put some distance from that waiting room.

If I got caught, I’d be summoned by Bao Zheng to the bench with, "Brother, which bastard deserves to die?"

"Hm?"

I saw the Wonder Child members hovering at the source of the noise.

"Ah! Hello!"

"Hello."

Hands clasped, they were watching for an opening in front of a waiting room labeled "Teen Spirit."

They were tense, like before a monster’s nest.

"Going to say hello?"

"Yes. We’re waiting for the right timing. It seems the seniors are in a very bad mood..."

"?

"The atmosphere is..."

They do mind their image, so the volume only drops when they swear, but right now you could plainly hear them affectionately calling each other dogs and cows.

I cocked my head.

"Really? They look in top spirits today."

A flinch.

"No, really."

I wasn’t about to look at seniors with eyes full of distrust, but I could sense the Wonder Child members hesitating.

"I think those seniors are in peak mood today."

"R-really?"

"If it’s scary, should I go say hello with you?"

"No! We’re pros now."

They puffed out their chests, with the expressions of dignified chicks.

Well, I was super nervous too when I went to greet Teen Spirit at the year-end stage.

Saying "Fighting" quietly, I smiled and waved. Another point as a cool senior.

"But senior, why the cane...?"

"Ah. It’s a stage prop."

I spun the magic cane I’d been twirling in my hand like a fan, showing off a bit of skill, and the rookie idols oohed.

"Then."

Sending a pleased smile to the ones going wow, I left.

Stopping the cane I’d been twirling, I stood in front of a waiting room labeled "TNT."

I could hear murmuring voices inside.

"Seniors."

The voices cut off.

Feeling them immediately get awkward, I stepped into the waiting room, and an "Uwah" went up.

"Hey!"

The hyung line of TNT, seated in the chairs, greeted me warmly. The leader, Gu Seonung, tapped me.

"You been well? You should call sometimes."

"I did."

"Ha, Seonung hyung has to answer that one well."

His pupils wobbled.

"I heard you got Artist of the Year—congrats!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

After thanking them, I exchanged greetings with the dongsaeng line who were whooping. It’d been a while since I saw Hanbyeol especially.

"Been well?"

"Yeah."

"I still haven’t bought you a meal."

"Why worry about that between us—just wire it, hyung."

With an arm over his shoulder, I whispered for him to hush.

Smiling at the TNT member slitting his eyes lazily, I also said hello to Taehyeon, Hanbin, and Jihoon.

I exchanged a light nod with Baek Seungje.

Main vocal Shin Juyeong asked,

"Right, I heard you went to America? I saw you on that talk show."

"You saw that? Embarrassing."

Since they’re trainee peers about to re-sign, I avoided topics that might be sensitive. We chatted only about feel-good topics with easy smiles.

While we were exchanging congrats and I’m-glad-it’s-going-well in a generally smooth mood—

"But that’s been bugging me since earlier."

Jihoon pointed at the cane I was holding.

"What’s that?"

"Ah, it’s a prop for my stage with Taehyeon."

"A stage where you dance with a cane?"

"Yeah."

I asked,

"Want me to show you for a second?"

"Ooh."

With a proud look, Taehyeon gestured for the others to watch, and they all cleared a space.

Even the dancers and TJ staff looked on with curious faces.

I lifted my hand smoothly.

And—

"...!"

As the cane floated up into the air and started dancing on its own, everyone’s eyes went wide.

"The cane— the cane is dancing...!"

"What the. It’s not you dancing, it’s the cane dancing?"

"Not easy, Artist of the Year."

It was a move using a magic prop, the dancing cane.

"That’s right."

"This is magic."

At the wide-eyed reactions of the muggles, my original lackey and I shared a pleased high five.