In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

I have always liked taking the initiative wherever I go.

Even during my trainee days, I was the one who gathered opinions when we prepared a stage, and after being selected for TNT, it was the same, so I was often brought up as a candidate for leader.

Anyway, I was the type who could not feel satisfied unless I was the one moving things forward.

But.

“Number 3 in each squad is the squad leader!”

I did not want this kind of initiative.

“......”

I smiled as I looked at the squad leader armband in my hand.

Ah.

How is it possible that I do not even like this font?

I stared at the white letters that read “Squad Leader” and let out a sigh.

“Ugh......”

When you come to reserve forces training, you first form squads.

There are drills that have to be done by squad. And usually, these squad leaders are chosen from the people standing in the first row.

I had deliberately lined up cleverly in the third row, but at the words that number 3 was the squad leader, I gave a faint smile.

“Fighting.”

The middle aged men on my team clenched their fists and laughed loudly. They looked pleased that it was not them.

I smiled too.

“Fighting......”

A man from my squad patted my shoulder in encouragement.

“They said it will be random from tomorrow. Hang in there.”

“Thanks, hyung.”

Another person laughed loudly and said,

“Wooju, hang in there!”

“Yes!”

Judging by the conversation, it sounded like we were close, but in fact, these were people I had met for the first time today.

The reason the way we addressed each other became like this was simple.

“Wooju... Wooju 씨.”

“Hyung, no, Wooju... 님?”

People would try to call me casually, then flinch and belatedly try to add formality.

So I just said we should all speak comfortably to each other.

I held out my hand to the youngest reserve soldier in our squad.

“Jaehun.”

“Yes, hyung.”

“You absolutely have to post a review online. A story about becoming hyung and dongsaeng with Sun Wooju at reserve forces training... You have to post it like that. Say that seeing me in person, Wooju is insanely handsome. That you were amazed by his character.”

“I will definitely write it.”

The other guy nodded with shining eyes.

Whenever the media hypes me up as a national idol, it is embarrassing and awkward, but in moments like this, it feels good.

Being able to become instant close brothers with someone you just met in ten seconds really is the best advantage.

“...Numbers 1 through 100, move to the next training ground......”

While the instructor on the auditorium stage explained the order of today’s training, I glanced at my watch.

They said it would end around 3:40 p.m. if we finished quickly.

It already feels like time is not moving.

So I have to do this for several days.... Maybe full mobilization would have been better.

“Then we will move!”

With the sound of chairs scraping, the unmotivated reserve soldiers stood up.

When we went outside, the sunlight was blazing.

“Right.”

I nodded and thought of our second member.

Even if he saw a single flower blooming in a trash heap, he would beam brightly and say, “Oh my, a flower has bloomed!”

I decided to learn from that positive mindset.

“Shall we go?”

If the Military Manpower Administration gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

Is not one of the downsides of being an entertainer that you are trapped in the Bermuda Triangle of dorm practice room stage and have difficulty communicating with people outside?

On the other hand, one advantage of reserve forces training is that you can meet various people!

I made up my mind to use today as an opportunity to listen to the public’s opinions and smiled brightly.

“......?”

I said let us go with a smile, but the people in my squad were staring at me blankly.

“What is it?”

“Ah. At times like this, you really do seem insanely handsome.”

At the meaning implied in those words, I narrowed my eyes.

“Then normally...?”

“Ah. It is just... um... well, you are handsome normally too.”

“......”

“Oh. There it is, the spaceship expression.”

They burst out laughing, saying my spaceship expression had appeared, and I grumbled as we moved.

From then on, whenever there was a chance to talk, I exchanged opinions with squad members or various people sitting around.

“When you said you were releasing an English song, was there any resentment or anything?”

“Huh? Why would that make us upset?”

“I saw on the internet that some people were saying you caught the America disease......”

“Oh, come on!”

The people in my squad waved their hands as if asking what nonsense that was.

“That is all pointless talk, so do not listen to it. The people who leave malicious comments there are not regular people to begin with. They are just trolls.”

I first gathered opinions about the English song, and the reaction seemed calmer than I expected.

The majority opinion was, ‘If you are promoting in the U.S., what is wrong with releasing an English song?’

Well. Rather than that, it would be more accurate to say they were not that deeply interested in our singer activities.

If a NewBlack song comes out, they listen to it at least.

As I listened to opinions like that, suggestions poured in.

“Now that you released an English single, how about putting out an international album, hyung?”

A college student on our team who was a pop music fan said.

“That is how non American artists break in, right? You test the waters with an English single and then boom! International album, become a world star. Whew.”

It was actually a project our company was considering as well.

However, preparing our full album for next spring came first, so it had been pushed back in priority, but it was something that needed to be pursued at least once.

I nodded at people sharing their opinions here and there and diligently took notes.

Of course, it was not free, so I had to answer questions too.

“What does it feel like walking a runway at fashion week?”

“I am completely out of it. I just walk while trembling.”

“You were insanely good for someone saying that......”

“I am strong in real situations. Haha.”

I resolved people’s curiosity by answering questions I could reasonably respond to.

What does it feel like to hit number one on Billboard, how does it feel to receive a reserve forces notice after hitting number one, and so on.

The last question is that person Satan?

“Oh right. I heard you became a LeBlanc ambassador.”

“Ah. A global ambassador?”

They had heard the news that was reported recently about my ambassador role.

“When you do that, do you get discounts when you buy LeBlanc products? I am curious about that.”

The eyes of the office worker uncles gathered on me.

“No. There are no discounts.”

“Ehh....... They should at least do that. Those Europeans.”

I burst out laughing at how they seemed more disappointed than I was.

As we talked in that pleasant atmosphere, the training went by quickly, and then the long awaited live drill approached.

“Hahaha.”

“Hahahaha!”

As we arrived at the grenade training ground, the helmeted men burst into laughter as if something had just come to mind.

“......”

For a moment my face grew hot, but I cleared my throat.

The caption from a game floated up in my head.

[Kim Deoksun’s Man → Kim Deoksun’s Man (Grenade)]

I remembered the video of me self detonating while trying to throw a grenade in a game.

Even the noncommissioned officers and soldiers controlling the training were twitching at the corners of their mouths, so it seemed there was truly no one who had not seen it.

“Hoo......”

The reserve soldiers called before me threw the blue practice grenades, and bang! bang! sounds went off.

The grenades exploded weakly and emitted yellow smoke.

If you throw the grenade into the pit visible at a distance, you pass, but it seemed harder than expected, and quite a few people failed.

“Next!”

I gripped the blue grenade I had been issued.

Then I moved my body, recalling a scene from an American military drama I had seen on MyTube recently.

Pull my arm back and throw with force.

“Ooooh!”

The grenade flew in an arc and landed inside the pit, and exclamations flowed out.

Bang!

With the yellow smoke rising behind me, I gave a greasy smile to those watching me.

“That is right. Real life is different from games.”

Seeing everyone clutch their stomachs and burst into laughter made me pleased.

Am I becoming a proper variety entertainer too?

I returned to my seat and approached the people who were laughing at me. Since games had come up, there was more I wanted to say.

“Tomorrow at 6 p.m.”

“......?”

“An advertisement content where I teach professional gamers how to play games will be uploaded on another MyTube account.”

“That sounds insanely fun......!”

At the sight of the uncles staring with sparkling pure romance comic eyes, I smiled in satisfaction.

At this level, was it not a successful first day of reserve forces training?

Today was truly rewarding.

I stretched pleasantly and asked someone nearby for the time.

“By the way, what time is it now?”

“It is 11 a.m. Halfway done.”

“......”

While Sun Wooju cheerfully ran around on day 1 and day 2 of reserve forces training.

Posts began flooding internet communities.

[2017 Dongmi 1st Day Review: I Saw Sun Wooju!!!]

[Dongmi 1st Day: I Saw a Celebrity(?)]

[Someone asked to shake hands so I looked and it was Sun Wooju]

Starting with blog reviews, hundreds of people uploaded verification photos they took with Sun Wooju on social media.

Anonymous communities were also flooded with posts.

[I Sang in Front of Wooju Hyung]

I told him I dreamed of being the second Kevin and asked him to listen to my song

I sang my heart out

– You crazy bastard LOLLLLL

– So what did he say?

– [OP] He told me to study hard

– LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL

– So decisive LOLLLLL

– [OP] I sang my heart out and with that signature smile? that expression he asked if I had finished warming up my voice. From today I am his anti fck

– You suck and now you are talking about being an anti LOL

– If it is Sun Wooju, he is top tier among idols in singing, what guts do you have LOL

– Hey at least Kevin is insanely handsome LOL His military photos are crazy handsome

– No proof no truth? Fake

– Fake

All sorts of trivial true stories were being posted across various communities.

[I Told Wooju I Wanted to Be a Celebrity]

I did not even say which field but he told me to look ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) into becoming a variety entertainer so I was hurt ㅠㅠ

As expected, spaceship character;

– No. That has nothing to do with Mr. Spaceship’s character. It is because you are ugly.

– LOL what the hell from the first comment

– LOLLLLLLLLL

– [Breaking] OP discovered boneless... OP “I am happy to become an invertebrate”

– That one downvote on the first comment LOL

– Is this the rumored real name downvote system

As dubious stories popped up, all sorts of humorous variations began to appear.

[Do You Know Sun Wooju Has Spiritual Powers]

Yesterday at reserve forces training he looked at my shoulder during dual pistol training and said he could see a ghost

He told me to stream to ward it off so I am streaming

Metro... Metro... Metro... I have been listening to Metro for three years now

– LOL it is so absurd I am laughing

– Even the point of view changes within three lines LOL

– If not for the dual pistol joke I might have half believed it LOL

– NewBlack true story test “What nonsense is that” → rumor, “What insane nonsense is that” → true story

– So what is the difference?

– Actually I do not know either sorry

– Even if it is NewBlack this is a bit much → (false), but Wooju or Junhyun → (true)

– Wooju or Junhyun LOL it is not even and

– LOLLLLLLLLL

Seeing those humorous posts, Souffle laughed loudly.

Ah. This is fun.

Usually when a celebrity goes to reserve forces training, it is just a few meme photos posted.

But the way all sorts of joke posts go up over the smallest things, it was a fandom life where laughter never ran dry.

The community where the fluffy Souffle gathered was full of energy.

And among them, there was one topic drawing the most attention....

– But what is the content that is supposed to go up today..?

– Wooju teaching professional gamers how to play a game << I rubbed my eyes twice

– I am so excited LOL ha

– Where is it being uploaded at 6?

Content where Sun Wooju teaches professional gamers how to play games.

Not only Souffle, but everyone who went online today had the same question.

Where? What game?

And so while everyone waited for 6 o’clock.

Jung Seyon, the head of public relations at Airsoft, who was monitoring the noisy reactions of netizens online, placed a hand over her pounding heart.

It was a heartbeat born of genuine admiration.

...Sun Wooju is a god of publicity.

The way he naturally slipped in promotion within something that would become a hot topic like reserve forces training was truly exemplary for marketing staff.

Seeing the keyword “Sun Wooju_Why_On_Earth_Professional_Gamers” trending in real time on social media, Team Leader Jung Seyon nodded.

“It is scheduled for upload... right?”

“Yes. One minute left.”

“Hoo... I am nervous.”

“Hoo......”

NewBlack’s first MyTube advertisement content.

What kind of reaction would it get? The hearts of Airsoft’s employees began to pound.

6 p.m.

Koreans idly browsing MyTube entered the home screen.

It will show up in recommended videos.

The reason NewBlack TV’s subscriber count had stagnated.

It was partly because everyone who was going to subscribe had already subscribed, but also because there was no need to subscribe.

Without even searching, it appeared immediately through the algorithm’s recommendations.

Sure enough.

“Oh!”

It appeared right away.

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

It was a video uploaded by the famous game company Airsoft.

Looking at the slightly unique subtitle, Koreans smiled.

I am looking forward to it.

Sun Wooju teaching professional gamers how to play games, it is hard to imagi—

The moment they thought that.

Looking at the fitness game console shown in the highlight cuts during the first 20 seconds, they burst out, “Ah!”

Well, that makes sense.

People nodded and praised the advertisement planner.

Computer games are not the only games, after all.

With that fixed idea broken, it felt fresh.

Soon, footage played in the video.

[Ah! Player Bae Younghun! He is on fire today! His rush sense is truly outstanding!]

[Bubble! It is Bubble again! That is a kill angle right there!]

[Player Bug is incredibly tenacious, like a cockroach. If you are on the opposing side, there is really no answer!]

Legendary plays from former and current professional gamers appearing today, with commentators shouting at the top of their lungs.

Along with that, their profiles and career highlights scrolled by.

And then.

[Player Sun Wooju! That is the worst play!]

With the caption “Footage: TBC,” an embarrassing clip played, and viewers burst into laughter.

Champion professional gamer, runner up... and Sun Wooju.

The lineup suddenly looked pitiful.

Our kid is a bit......

At the faint laughter that seemed to echo from somewhere, Souffle rubbed their noses and smiled awkwardly.

Then the opening began.

Against a bright sky, NewBlack arriving at the studio looked like a scene from an observational variety show.

NewBlack members attaching microphones to their clothes and trying to play the game beforehand.

Wooju: Can we try the game right away?

Staff: Yes, yes.

Wooju: Oh ho. With this.

The underlings went “Waaah” as they watched their leader.

Wooju: What should we start with? I will take recommendations.

Biju: Table tennis!

Wooju: Table tennis. Okay.

The screen immediately split in two.

The game screen showing table tennis and Sun Wooju holding the controller.

[Now! Let us try following the serve!]

With friendly narration, Sun Wooju began taking the serve pose.

He lowered his body slightly.

His expression turned serious as if a breeze were blowing around him. A face as if the god of table tennis had possessed him.

Biju put both hands over his mouth, saying, “Oh my!”

– 01:47 Is he the ghost table tennis king LOL

– It feels like I can see a spirit behind him

– 01:48 But his expression is insanely handsome here.. ugh

– I was embarrassed thinking I was the only one grinning, but Biju in the screen is smiling just like me LOLLLLL

– I seriously want to exhibit Sun Wooju in the Louvre

– France: Thanks for the cultural asset hehe

– That comment suddenly makes me mad fck

Maintaining that serious expression, Wooju bent forward and swung the controller.

Huh?

It felt like I was seeing an illusion.

It was as if I could see an invisible table tennis ball, even see it flying.

And then.

Fwoooosh!

The character in the game launched a flashy spin serve.

[Oh my.]

The tutorial narration spoke in a shy voice.

[Have you perhaps played this game before?]

[Yes/No]

Wooju pressed No.

And at that moment.

Kwagagagagang!

With a loud crash, the roof of the tutorial table tennis court collapsed, and a gigantic table tennis fiend began to appear.

“...Huh?”

A table tennis fiend emitting a black aura.

[I am the Table Tennis Demon King!]

[I have heard there is a player with potential! Is that you?]

A flustered Sun Wooju widened his eyes, and the underlings, sensing popcorn timing, began eating snacks from somewhere.

What is this. Why is a fitness game this exciting?

At first people thought, ‘Oh, it is just tennis and table tennis~’ but their eyes began to widen.

Meanwhile.

As viewers watched the content and the rising view count, they nodded.

It is fun. The angle is already set.

This is not the time to just watch.

People paused the video and began their journey to find the lowest price for the game console.

“Ugh......”

I was stretching in the practice room, loosening my stiff body.

“Hyung!”

“Hm?”

The youngest, looking at his phone, widened his eyes and held it out to me.

“L, look at this.”

“What is it?”

“You know the game content we filmed last week? They say the game consoles are all sold out right now!”

“...?”

Something felt strange.

I wondered if my sense of time was off, so I asked Ri Hyuk.

“Clock.”

“Yes?”

“What time is it?”

“6:17.”

If it is 6:17, has it not only been about 17 minutes since the advertisement went up?

While I blinked, Jiho pointed at the screen filled with red letters that read [Sold Out].

“They had plenty of stock, but ten minutes after our advertisement came out, it all sold out.”

“......”

“They say it was gone in an instant?”

“...?”

We all made blank expressions.