In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

After Sun Wooju showed off his dazzling boxing skills,

the pro gamers began learning with an oddly polite attitude.

The law is far away, but fists are close.

Every time Sun Wooju taught something, the gamers opened their eyes wide and clapped.

"......?"

Wooju tilted his head.

"For some reason, the atmosphere feels different from earlier...?"

"It’s your imagination, Wooju."

Star gamer Shin Hyunsoo waved his hand with a smile.

"Just looking at you makes me feel good. I keep smiling. For some reason, I feel happy."

"Re...ally? Hmmm."

"Yes. I’m so happy to learn from you. Hahaha!"

The pro gamers all laughed together.

Soon, they even started singing "The teacher’s grace is~," and Wooju smiled contentedly.

"Then let’s practice again."

Game instruction resumed.

They lined up and took tennis serve stances, and Wooju walked between them, correcting their posture.

"You need to straighten your back a bit more. And move your foot slightly farther back."

"Yes."

"Now try it."

Go Yoonmin, the high school student and youngest there, swung the remote as instructed.

A cheerful clean hit popped up.

[80 points!]

[Impressive! A little more effort and it’ll be perfect!]

Hearing the narration, Go Yoonmin cheered internally.

It worked!

Just by adjusting his posture slightly as Sun Wooju said, his score had jumped from 30 points.

As Wooju’s close, personalized coaching began, the pro gamers were impressed.

He really understands the body well.

It was truly rare.

When you look at people who are good at sports or use their bodies well, they often share something in common.

Because they never get stuck or struggle with movements, they cannot understand why others cannot do them.

"Huh? Why can’t you do this?"

"How to get good at soccer? Just run and score."

But Sun ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Wooju carefully coached them one by one, correcting every posture.

It felt like a personal trainer.

The filming staff and employees watching began whispering.

"They’re really improving."

"Couldn’t we promote it like this? Regain spinal health through proper posture correction......."

"Doesn’t Wooju look like a gym owner right now?"

At someone’s remark, people nodded.

Kind of like the owner of a shabby neighborhood gym.

Wooju was strolling slowly with his hands behind his back, correcting posture like a martial arts master.

Like the owner of a gym where the sign’s first letter is half fallen off, but inside hardcore fitness maniacs are lifting iron.

Even his gaze carried experience.

"And behind Wooju, there’s the assistant trainer."

Someone pointed at Junhyun, who was walking politely behind Wooju with hands clasped, and laughter spread.

Just as jokes about gym owners and trainers were circulating,

Junhyun strode toward Baekwi, the Tekken pro gamer who kept failing to score high.

"Hmm."

Junhyun observed Baekwi’s posture like a bear studying prey.

"Mr. Cockroach."

"It’s Baekwi."

"Ah. Sorry."

"It’s fine. It really is that cockroach."

His nickname meant I won’t die.

Perhaps because he had worked long in corporate life, Baekwi still carried the aura of an office worker.

Junhyun asked,

"Baekwi, does your lower back hurt by any chance?"

"Huh? Yes."

"And your shoulders feel stiff."

"...That’s right."

"You’re thin, but your lower abdomen sticks out slightly. And you probably get frequent headaches."

When he said lower abdomen, he whispered quietly.

Baekwi nodded at the list of chronic modern ailments.

What is this?

Junhyun smiled confidently.

"I’ve been studying rehabilitation lately. One of our friends keeps getting injured during practice."

"I see."

"So when I looked at your posture... if you keep living like that, you could get seriously hurt. Would it be okay if I correct your posture a bit?"

"I’d like that."

Baekwi asked,

"So what’s my condition?"

"You have forward head posture."

"Ah......."

The chronic disease of modern people.

My forward head posture is bad.

Because of his job, it was twice as severe as others. But there was no proper solution.

Focus on the game or focus on posture? Impossible.

So every time he looked in the mirror, he would awkwardly pull his neck back in repentance.

He asked the friendly trainer,

"What should I do?"

"I developed a stretch. Want to try? I made it so Wooju Hyung doesn’t get forward head posture."

Wooju chimed in.

"It really works."

"Really?"

"Yes. After working long hours, if we do Junhyun’s stretch, our posture goes right back."

At that, practicing gamers and staff with forward head posture turned and followed.

Junhyun began demonstrating.

"First, lift your head slightly. Forward head posture isn’t just about the neck. You need to open your back and shoulders first."

With his calm ASMR-like voice, it became even better.

A solemn atmosphere formed.

Following the trainer’s words, staff began loosening tension in necks, shoulders, and backs.

"...Yes, everyone’s doing well. Add five more sets."

As stretching continued, sighs and groans filled the studio.

"Ughhhh......."

"Unngh."

"Ohh... that feels good......."

Each time tight muscles loosened, it felt like toxins and tension drained away.

Even stress seemed to dissipate.

The tension from irritation eased, stiff facial muscles relaxed.

My mind feels peaceful.

Soon, smiles like Kim Junhyun’s began appearing on people’s faces.

So that’s why Junhyun always looks so gentle.

If your body feels peaceful and comfortable, your face naturally follows.

What does it matter if there’s a storm outside? The body is comfortable.

Had they smiled this comfortably recently?

"How is it?"

"Huh?"

Baekwi opened his eyes, and others snapped back from their dreamlike state.

Just moments ago they had been on a blue hill under a clear sky.

Now.

Studio lights.

Game console.

Ad model NewBlack.

Someone muttered blankly,

"The stretching effect is incredible."

Awkward laughter rose.

NewBlack nodded proudly.

"Junhyun Hyung’s stretching is pretty strong. I even considered not teaching my dad."

"Once you taste it, you can’t escape."

"This is why we don’t fight. When we’re angry, we do Junhyun’s stretching once and the anger disappears."

As those comments floated around, Junhyun smiled.

"Would you like to check the mirror?"

"The mirror?"

Baekwi approached the mirror.

And was shocked.

Oh my God.

Not perfect, but his forward head posture had improved significantly.

The production crew, gamers, client, and agency staff all examined their own necks.

Eureka.

Holy Wooju.

Goodness.

Forward head posture that had not improved even with personal training had visibly improved.

Joy surged.

Astonished by the improvement, even in the mushroom-like bulge behind the neck, pro gamers gathered around Junhyun.

"Junhyun, do you know how to improve carpal tunnel syndrome?"

"I exercised at the team gym recently, and my knee hurt. Is it bad posture?"

"My eyes feel blurry lately. Any exercises for vision?"

As gamers mentioned their symptoms, staff leaned in too.

Yes, good question. I was curious too.

Right! My eyes are blurry too.

Behind Junhyun, the neighborhood older brother and underlings smiled proudly.

Even Team Leader Jung Seyeon nodded.

Not bad.

The goal was MyTube content that didn’t feel like an ad, and this scene wasn’t bad at all.

She discreetly resumed the forward head stretch herself.

A fitness console.

It started as game instruction content but ended as health content.

An ad that fit the purpose while almost not fitting.

Thus,

[I Learned Games from Sun Wooju. (feat. Kim Junhyun’s Health Stretching)]

was born.

The ad shoot ended pleasantly.

"Thank you so much today! If you have time, can we take a proof shot?"

"Great work."

They wrapped up warmly with photos.

Jiho secured friend requests from pro gamers including Bubble and Go Yoonmin.

"You’ll really be my friend? Really?"

"It’s my honor. Being game friends with NewBlack... Maybe we can play sometime......."

"Huuuuuh!"

At the suggestion of playing together, the youngest nearly cried with joy.

Tekken gamer Baekwi smiled and shook hands.

"It was really fun today."

"Thank you."

"You’re uploading the fitness content, right? I hope the stretching appears on NewBlack TV."

"Yes. If we have time, we’ll upload it."

Perhaps because the effect was so strong, the pro gamers who had arrived stiff and tired now looked refreshed.

After seeing them off,

Airsoft gifted them a console box.

"This is our gift console. If you plan to play, please enjoy it."

"Thank you!"

Since the usually tedious ad shoot had ended fun and rewarding, smiles lingered.

They shook hands calmly and left the studio.

It was already sunset.

"It’s over."

"Over!"

There are days that make you feel like you lived diligently.

Looking at the clouds dyed by sunset, Wooju smiled in satisfaction.

"As of today, I am someone who taught pro gamers games."

"Then I am the younger brother of someone who taught pro gamers games."

"Then I am the older brother of the younger brother of someone who taught pro gamers games."

They exchanged lines with pleased smiles and walked to the waiting vehicles.

"When does this come out?"

"It’ll probably take three or four days to edit."

"The views will be good, right? I don’t really know how many views MyTube ad videos get."

"It’ll probably be decent."

"Right?"

They laughed brightly.

The week of the ad shoot was relaxed and happy.

First, Billboard number one for two consecutive weeks.

"Congratulations on your 23rd Billboard two-week number one!"

"Waaaaaa!"

They shot birthday party poppers in the practice room whenever they had time and danced wildly.

"It feels good every time we celebrate!"

"It does!"

They had worried it might drop after one week, but that fear was unfounded.

The TF team predicted it would hold number one for about two more weeks.

"And there’s one more thing to celebrate. Wooju."

"What is it?"

"You’re nominated for AMA next month."

"Ooooooh!"

It was news of a nomination for the American Music Awards, one of the big four U.S. award shows.

Started in 1974, it had considerable history.

Compared to the VMA or Billboard Music Awards that began in the 80s and 90s, it was older.

Second only to the Grammy Awards, which began in 1959.

The youngest tilted his head.

"But 1974 isn’t that early? U.S. award shows feel like they’ve existed for 100 years."

"It’s still old."

Ri Hyuk replied.

"1974 was when Nixon’s Watergate broke. In Korea, Subway Line 1 opened."

"That’s super old......."

"How did it survive?"

They imagined AMA removing a mask to reveal a wrinkled face laughing.

Anyway.

AMA valued popularity.

Since winners were determined by public vote, our chances were high.

"We’re estimating a high probability of winning."

"Ooooo."

"And they requested you as a performer. They want you to perform METRO on stage. What do you think?"

"Of course okay."

Seokhwan nodded and checked the schedule.

"Oh, by the way, would you be willing to attend a U.S. department store parade next month?"

"A department store parade?"

"Yeah. They sent an offer."

"What......?"

What parade?

He explained.

"So during Thanksgiving, like the U.S. version of Chuseok, there’s a parade in New York."

"Right. It’s very historic."

Hosted by a famous department store, started in 1924.

From Central Park to the store’s street, giant turkeys and famous characters wave to crowds of three million.

"They’re inviting us as performers?"

"Not performers. Just to join the parade."

He showed a photo of singer Logan Smith in a red Santa outfit waving.

"Like this."

"Ooooo."

I asked,

"Is it very famous?"

"The event is famous, but not only the biggest stars attend. Still, celebrities do participate."

"I see."

"They probably invited you for children’s popularity. What do you think?"

"Hmm......."

I looked at the members.

Sparkling eyes returned.

That was answer enough.

"We’ll do it."

"Okay. I’ll reply that we accept."

"When is it?"

"Let’s see. The 23rd......."

He flipped the calendar.

"Three days after AMA."

"Oh. Then that’s fine."

I nodded and stored the new schedule in my head.

Biju asked,

"Anything else?"

"No. Just that your final concert preparations are going well."

The air turned serious.

The final encore concert at Sangam World Cup Stadium, two days, 60,000 each.

Seokhwan checked contacts on his laptop.

"Your families are all coming, right?"

"Yes."

"Yes, they’re all coming."

Ri Hyuk said his parents and sibling would attend.

Imagining our families seeing us among 60,000 people made my heart race.

"All right. That’s that......."

He clapped his hands.

As we waved goodbye,

"And Wooju."

"Yes."

Seokhwan patted my shoulder with a fresh smile.

"Starting tomorrow, enjoy your reserve training."

"......."

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Why is he so annoying today?

Reserve training ground.

"Huh?"

Men arriving blinked.

What is this?

Outside the main gate, people with cameras had gathered.

Inside too, there was commotion.

"What’s going on? Who’s here?"

"Sun Wooju!"

"That Wooju?"

He mouthed insane and stood on tiptoe.

The fashion terrorist the world mistook for a fashion icon.

Composer of a Billboard number one.

National idol.

Titles flashed in his head.

I need to tell my girlfriend.

He looked around.

There he is.

From afar, Wooju’s shining appearance stood out.

Even aliens would twitch their tentacles at that face.

Wow. He’s insanely handsome.

But the moment he saw Sun Wooju in military uniform and cap, he flinched.

"Huh?"

It was different from the Wooju he knew.

Wooju meant bright laughter and sparkling eyes.

But now.

The most unmotivated gaze in the world.

A slightly pouting mouth.

Standing with hands in pockets, weight shifted lazily.

Just a reservist.

The most unmotivated reservist.

Then.

Wooju sighed and gave a faint smile toward those watching.

The unspoken exhaustion in his eyes.

Those who met that gaze nodded with shared understanding.

A reservist is a reservist.

They felt closeness to the star who had recently felt distant.