In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

“Hello. I’m Chief Ju Sunu.”

At first, when he showed up with that concept, we just laughed it off.

There he goes again, the captain has gotten a taste for something weird. He tried being a spaceship, and now he wants to try something new.

“But why a Chief?”

“Because I’m going to do work at a chief level.”

Seeing Wooju show up dressed like a true chief-rank manager, they all nodded.

‘So he’s planning to boss his juniors around!’

It read like he meant to sit elegantly like a chief while making the younger ones do the grunt work.

But...

“Variety?”

“Yes.”

“And not just any variety, but that one?”

“Yes.”

Formerly “Variety General Trading Company,” now the hit HBS variety show.

It’s a show where the members, under an office worker concept, decide, “What game should we play next?” and then push it through.

It’s not on the level of national programs like Mister Producer or Ju Sehan, but within HBS it’s top tier.

“I’m not sure I follow.”

Hanjo asked,

“So our Chief went and secured an appearance on that variety?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Maybe frustrated by the Street Boys’ disbelieving looks, Chief Ju Sunu pointed to the crew.

“Ask the camera director and the writer. They were there when I inquired about the schedule.”

“It’s not that we don’t believe you...”

The Street Boys started talking one by one.

“We’re just thrown off.”

“Wooju hyung, honestly, who actually brings back a real schedule on a hands-on experience show like this...?”

“This is basically on par with going on a ‘police experience’ and arresting a real criminal.”

At Rex’s apt comparison, laughter burst out in the waiting room.

Then Ri Hyuk, after checking the clock, hurried them.

“It’s time to go. Let’s move first.”

“Yes!”

As they rumbled down the hallway, the NewBlack leader was flanked by his minions and friends.

“So here’s what happened...”

The whole story flowed out of Wooju’s mouth.

He saw a junior writer he’d met on TBC’s variety “Shin Tokki” walking around here, so he ran over to say hello.

“Did you move to HBS? What are you doing here? And what about you?”—that kind of talk.

“When I said we were appearing for a manager special, they laughed a lot.”

“So what happened after that?”

Even the minions brightened their eyes like kids listening to a grandfather’s old tale.

The leader went hmm and said, 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

“One thing led to another, and it turns out they’re doing a chase special this time... and they’re stuck on who to cast. They need people to play cops and robbers among the cast and were wondering who should do it.”

“And you brought us up there?”

“Yeah. They asked me to recommend a good item if I had one.”

The one-day manager grinned.

“So I pitched it like, there’s this nine-member idol group whose specialty is running...”

From there, it sounds like the conversation surged ahead.

It would also make for good PR to say NewBlack secured an appearance while working as managers on TBC’s Sagan special.

That kind of calculation seemed baked in.

“Got lucky~”

Wooju giggled and played it off, but the Street Boys looked at him with a peculiar gaze.

‘Even with luck, you don’t just bring a schedule like this.’

He approached a variety writer he’d maybe met a couple of times, greeted him like he remembered him, and was genuinely glad to see him.

Then he smoothly did the sales pitch.

While the road managers handled on-site tasks, he properly fulfilled the chief’s role of roaming around and bringing in schedules.

If they’d been in the same situation, they would have just said, “Oh, hello, writer,” and left it at that.

‘As expected, the minion boss is different...’

You’ve got to be at least this level to keep Kim Junghyeon under you, they thought in awe.

LB clapped with a hearty “Khh.”

“Hyung, you would’ve succeeded at anything.”

Wooju, laughing shyly, held up his phone.

“Anyway, I already passed the word along to your agency too. Think it over and decide whether you want to do it.”

“Yes!”

“Then fighting!”

At the entrance to the open hall, Chief Ju Sunu clenched his fist tight, and the Street Boys beamed and returned the cheer.

‘This is so good. Really.’

Shooting variety with his friends was great, and now there was a brand-new variety schedule on top of that.

It felt like a flock of swallows had flown in from a far sky, chirped cutely, and dumped a mountain of gourd seeds.

It couldn’t get any happier than this.

“Fwahahahaha!”

“Hello, everyone!”

“Street Boys came~”

The five managers smiled fondly at the Street Boys greeting fans with happy faces.

“You got screen time, hyung.”

“I did good, right?”

Wooju and Junghyeon tapped palms with a soft chop and laughed.

The minions chirped with laughter too, delighted that their boss had secured proper variety footage.

“Ah.”

Wooju stopped short, as if remembering something.

“I forgot to say that.”

“What is it?”

“They said it’s a cops-and-robbers special. You put on Santa Claus outfits and run from Rudolphs.”

“...”

“It could be a little embarrassing...”

Seeing their friends grinning happily far off on stage, NewBlack nodded.

“It’s okay.”

Biju smiled kindly.

“Street Boys are strong.”

“Agree.”

“They’re so strong their fandom name is literally Concrete. We’re a soft Souffle, and they’re hard Concrete.”

“Santa and elf outfits? The Concretes will love it.”

With the director and writer laughing beyond the camera, NewBlack played innocent and feigned ignorance.

Fueled by the last broadcast and the variety slot, the Street Boys put on an explosive stage.

‘If they’re happy, that’s enough.’

NewBlack smiled warmly and started monitoring.

By the time Street Boys’ pre-recording ended,

idol communities and social media were in an uproar.

“See, I told you, right TTTTT It was true, I said it was true.”

“Were we right??”

“I thought I’d go crazy waiting for the community recording TTTT everyone kept teasing us as liars.”

“So unfair TTTT”

The Concretes were trembling, asking why no one had believed them.

It was because of news spreading across every entertainment community now.

“People Go – NewBlack TV ‘all-time’ collab special... ‘head-to-head as managers’”

“NewBlack becomes Street Boys’ managers”

“Girl group Serenity, ‘selfies with Sagan seniors!’ SNS proof”

The word was out that TBC’s hit variety “People Go” and NewBlack TV would present a manager experience variety for idols.

Fans browsing idol communities widened their eyes.

‘So it really was true.’

There’d been a rumor circulating all morning.

Fans who’d gone to HBS’s community recording for Street Boys had said something weird, like, “It looks like NewBlack is attached as managers.”

And not just one or two— a bunch of them.

But even if there were many, it wasn’t the kind of thing you’d believe.

‘Who would think anyone would do that.’

They could do a joint variety, sure.

But the concept of a first-tier idol doing a manager experience variety for another first-tier idol was an unheard-of idea.

Anyway,

normally the fandoms would get tangled up and go KWAHK! fighting,

“Hello.”

“Hello... it’s been a while for us...”

“Concrete members, hi-hi♡”

“Charcoal people, right? We Concretes came to spread some good words...”

“Why is everyone talking so weird TTTT lol”

“It’s a bit awkward since it’s been a while since we hung out”

Souffles and Concretes waved awkwardly at each other.

They’d had scuffles back in the 2014 debut era, but after three years of friendly ties, the two fandoms weren’t on bad terms.

From the Souffle side, if TNT and Teen Spirit fandoms were like China and Japan in East Asia, then Street Boys felt like Australia—close but far.

No big fights, just “Will you buy beef? Will you buy a car?”—we’re Pacific besties.

The Souffles let out a sigh of relief.

‘At least they’re not rookies...’

It was nice not to worry that TJ or KM had called them just to use them for rookie promo.

‘But...’

The Souffles’ eyes sparkled as they skimmed the press release.

‘What exactly are they going to do?’

The broadcast content was already exciting.

You couldn’t even guess what would come out.

NewBlack acting as Street Boys’ managers...

Other idol fans were the same.

“Lololol I can’t picture it at all”

“I keep imagining Newbies cracking whips and making Street Boys build a pyramid”

“Every time I picture something normal, Kim Junghyeon shows up and wipes it all out”

“Honestly, there’s nothing more entertaining than Junghyeon wiping everything out..”

“He’ll chase them every time they try to drink water during practice”

“??? : If you’re thirsty, try drinking the sweat that’s dripping down instead”

“Lololololol”

“You’re all so mean TTTT our boys aren’t that weird”

Here and there, comments ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) full of anticipation buzzed.

“But maybe it’ll surprisingly be normal?”

“Yeah yeah I think so too”

“Wishing for a serious FourBlack with no smiles”

“Where did OneBlack go”

“With five members, at least one will deliver a big laugh— it’s basically a roulette wheel where one slot is guaranteed to hit”

“I actually want to see them serious just once this time lol we have plenty of funny ones anyway”

These were fans who wanted to see both the humor and the professional side, like when they did producing on Mister Producer.

Of course they weren’t too worried.

‘We have the Great Demon King of Minions.’

Because they had a secret weapon.

[Why the Charcoals are looking forward to the manager variety this time]

(a gif of Wooju rowing like a 70-year-old boatman)

(a gif of Pastry Chef Myung Sejin looking flustered at Wooju smiling like an elderly patissier)

(a gif of Wooju smiling exactly like a famous old-school weathercaster)

Because there is a young man who does anything like a seventy-year veteran.

“Lololololol”

“Dude, the years of service are too much lol”

“No matter what he does, he looks like a master”

“From a ’93-liner emanating the spirit of a ’39-liner”

“Insane lolol”

“Thirty-nine lolol”

“Wooju really does everything like someone who’s lived through the upheavals of modern history since liberation”

(an interview: an archery gold medalist saying Wooju’s expression reminded him of a senior athlete during the Idollympics)

Clips from the MV making video—Wooju with a faint boatman smile shooting Old Man and the Sea—were trending again.

While fans chattered busily about the Sagan collab special coming together like that—

‘Huh...?’

Fans checking Street Boys’ weekly schedule blinked.

‘Did it say they would accompany every event?’

They’d read a piece saying NewBlack would accompany every schedule for three days.

According to that, there was one schedule NewBlack had to tag along with after today’s music show.

It was a schedule where you just couldn’t imagine what they’d look like on site.

‘For real?’

They tilted their heads and blinked.

As the music show started, the Concretes’ train of thought broke off.

“It’s starting”

“Starting~!!”

“Will NewBlack show up? Probably not though”

“The HBS PD is too petty to let them on”

The MCs, Trickster’s Seol Hyeong and NYX’s Sally, popped onstage with mics.

“You have seaweed on your face~”

“Handsome seaweed?”

“No, literal seaweed.”

“Oh, I see!”

Then, “Sally, what’s the best seaweed? It’s this seaweed right here!” and a wink.

Meanwhile, the number one candidates rolled.

“This week! Who will win!”

With their second-week activities, Street Boys and indie singer Hong Saetbyeol’s album art flowed onto the screen as the broadcast kicked into gear.

“Ah... come on.”

In the sub-control room, the main PD scratched his head in irritation.

“Why are the ratings higher?”

“Isn’t it because the NewBlack collab news dropped?”

“...”

“We could’ve just had NewBlack jump in as a surprise behind Street Boys during the interview.”

“...”

The assistant director and writers suggested that, since it had come to this, they might as well catch some ratings crumbs, but the main PD was stubborn.

The other staff quietly averted their gazes.

‘I heard greeting season is coming up soon...’

If nothing else, it seemed clear the captain holding this program’s keys would be replaced before long.

As the sub-control room gave cues and cut the stage live,

by the end of the show, Street Boys—who had made the top-one candidates—and the fans widened their eyes at the score reveal that followed.

‘W-why are the vote scores like that...?’

Numbers appeared in the popularity vote that they usually couldn’t even dream of.

Like some huge entity had stamped an extra leading digit with a pork-cutlet mallet.

Even without it, they would have been first place anyway, but because of it, a gap appeared on the display that no one had ever imagined.

‘Wow.’

As the faces of Serenity and other singers in the hall were shown with mouths agape, the fans marveled.

Souffles who had voted and quietly disappeared.

It felt like watching a massive kraken wave its tendrils with little chops through the fog and slip away into the distance.

‘...We’d better stay on good terms.’

The Concretes melted into soft smiles at a scale that made them think they really shouldn’t make enemies lightly.

After the music show ended,

for the first time in a while, they could leave straight from the open hall without the time-honored PD greeting.

“Today the PD is busy. Please clock out as you’re able!”

It’s slowly fading out, but there’s still this odd system in most music shows.

After the broadcast, everyone stands in the hall to greet the PD as a group.

When the PD strides in like a king and goes “ahem” past them, the singers say, “You were magnificent,” that kind of vibe.

“...I’m a hundred percent sure this is because of you guys.”

At LB’s words, everyone chuckled quietly.

Maybe the PD found it awkward to see our faces; his disappearance let them move the clock-out earlier.

Thanks to that, they could arrive at the next schedule faster, but—

“Whew...”

At the entrance to the event hall, I traded glances with my younger brothers.

“Do we really have to do this too?”

“Ah, this one’s a bit...”

“Can I stand a little behind? I need somewhere shaded and dark.”

“Do that.”

Behind me, Ri Hyuk went ugh-ugh, drowning in secondhand embarrassment.

Meanwhile, the camera-holding director, writer, and assistant director were smiling with great satisfaction.

Faces happy to have bagged good footage.

Even the security company staff standing nearby were smirking at how funny the situation itself was.

“Are you going there afterward? Hehehehehe!”

Eunseong’s laughter rang in my ears.

Even when we’d greeted the Sagan cast who came as Serenity’s managers at the station earlier, everyone cracked up because of this story.

I met eyes with a security staffer whose cheek was twitching.

“It’s funny, right? I figured you’d find it funny...”

“Not at all. I’m just someone who laughs easily.”

“I think it’s funny too.”

He smiled at my words.

“Still, it’s nothing to be that embarrassed about, is it? It’s just fun...”

“It’s because of our profession.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Nodding, he asked tentatively,

“Um, could I get an autograph later...”

“I’ll do it now.”

I took a sheet of paper, sketched a signature with a little spaceship, and handed it over.

Then I rejoined my brothers, who were going hoo-ha hoo-ha.

“Hyung.”

The maknae spoke with a stunned face.

“I feel like I’ve crashed someone else’s family trip.”

“A flawless metaphor, maknae.”

I ruffled his hair.

“But we still need to pick a party line. Are we ruling or opposition?”

“It’s like mixed script—half Chinese characters, half Korean.”

I patted his shoulder at the excellent history joke. He’d grown in all sorts of ways—very good.

So why am I nervous too.

“...”

I felt self-conscious, like maybe we really shouldn’t go in there.

While we looked at the event hall entrance, feeling an inexplicable awkwardness, the Street Boys came walking up.

“Hey! Are you ready!”

They cackled at the sight of us being sheepish.

Hanjo slung an arm over my shoulder.

“Chief. Let’s go.”

“Yessir.”

“It’s an honor that the Chief is attending.”

“Try wetting your lips before you say that, Hanjo.”

“Busted.”

Hanjo grumbled about whether the manager was being too verbally abusive, but thanks to these kids, my nerves loosened a little.

The door opened right away and we entered with Street Boys.

“Waaaah~!”

Contrary to our expectations, the fans seated in the event hall let out huge whoops and cheers.

While the Street Boys sat, arranged their papers, and drank water,

we stood behind them and looked from a distance at the event banner.

“Street Boys Fansign”

That’s right.

This was another idol singer’s fansign.

Given that it’s an event where fans and singers talk up close, it felt like a space where other idols shouldn’t be.

“Still, everyone’s welcoming us?”

“Yeah.”

We’d worried we’d get cold eyes like, “What are they doing here?” but it didn’t seem like that would happen.

Relieved, we chatted with the fan managers.

Because sensitive issues can crop up at fansigns, the fan managers handled control, and we assisted.

While we listened to what we were supposed to do—

“...?”

From a distance, I felt a camera lens point our way.

Well, surely they’re not shooting us.

That day,

photos from the Street Boys fansign started going up one by one on SNS accounts.

And among them was one photo set that was wildly popular.

It was a tweet from the account “You Are My Star Han Hyunjo.”

“[170122] Myeongdong Fansign NewBlack Preview”

(a set of photos of NewBlack standing there with vacant faces like, “Where are we? Who are we?”)

One day, a star came to visit.

Someone else’s stars...

Idol fans on SNS burst into laughter together.