In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe

After returning to Korea.

Starting with interviews with the production team making my father’s documentary, we returned to our usual schedule.

Which meant we had also returned to the infinite hell of practice.

“Whew......”

Peeling my sweat soaked T shirt off my chest where it kept sticking, I looked up at the ceiling of the practice room.

Today was Tuesday, 2 a.m.

Only three days remained until the Knet Music Awards held at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

On top of that, because our schedule in the United States had taken quite a bit of time, we had to practice almost through the night to finish the final preparations. There was simply too much to prepare, including each of our individual stages and the ending stage.

But.

Right now we had set that practice aside and were taking a short break.

[60th Grammy Awards Nominations]

Announcement of the nominees for the 60th Grammy Awards.

On the TV sitting in the corner of the practice room, a caption appeared saying that the MyTube livestream would begin shortly.

The youngest rolled over on the floor and rested his head on my knee.

“Hyung.”

“Hm?”

“When does that start?”

“I heard it starts a little after 2:30.”

Right now we were waiting for the announcement of the 60th Grammy nominations, which would be revealed on MyTube starting this year.

To be honest, we weren’t expecting much.

Of course, the Grammy Awards were the most prestigious ceremony in American popular music.

Even American singers burst into tears saying “I’m at the Grammys!” just for being nominated, not even winning.

Like the Academy Awards, the title alone of “Grammy nominee” could become a career defining achievement.

But......

“Let’s not expect too much.”

Ri Hyuk said.

“I looked it up. Boy bands have barely been nominated since the 2000s.”

“I know. It’s tough.”

Right now we were classified in the United States as what they called a “boy band.”

And boy bands were one of the fields the Grammys didn’t really rate highly.

“Let’s not get our hopes up too much. Our song only came out in August anyway.”

“That’s right. It came out late.”

Our first English single METRO had been released in August this year, and award ceremonies like the Grammys usually favored songs released earlier in the eligibility period.

Because of that, there was more than a ninety percent chance that METRO would not be nominated.

That was why the song we were actually hoping for was different.

“Blue Moon might have a chance to get nominated if things go well, right?”

“It won’t be easy though.”

A collaboration song released on Halloween 2016 that hadn’t been included in the 2017 Grammy eligibility period. It was also a song I had co composed.

Blue Moon had performed well enough to even enter the Billboard year end charts this year, so it was at least worth hoping.

The problem was.

—A Grammy nomination might be difficult.

A superstar with blue hair and a fairy like face had said that.

—Why is it difficult, Hailey?

—I’ve matured a lot now, but back when I was living recklessly before I got married, I piled up a little karma.

—Hailey. Be honest. What did you do again?

—I have a friend named Regina.

A Hispanic solo singer who had been considered one of the greatest divas in the world since the 2010s.

—She got snubbed at the Grammys once. And honestly it looked like racial discrimination, so... I voiced my opinion.

—What did you say?

—I called the judges a bunch of fucking old men... But it was true, wasn’t it? Well. I did retract the statement afterward, but they don’t really invite me anymore. Such narrow minded old fossils.

Remembering the conversation we had heard at a fundraising party, my younger members and I smiled warmly.

“Let’s not expect too much.”

“Right.”

Ri Hyuk spoke seriously.

“I looked it up. There are tons of controversies about the winners too. Racial discrimination controversies, results that make no sense to anyone.”

“Yeah, exactly.”

“What’s so special about the Grammys anyway. It’s just an American award show.”

While we said things like that and pretended not to look at the TV.

Knock knock.

At the sound of someone knocking on the practice room door, we turned our heads.

A round faced girl with short hair peeked her head in.

“Hi oppas!”

“Oh. Nayun.”

She held out a plastic bag.

“We ordered chicken and late night food. Want to eat together?”

“Hoooo!”

“Then we’re coming in.”

Soon four girls walked in carrying chicken and jokbal.

We immediately dropped to our knees with touched expressions.

“O goddesses!”

“Hey, don’t bow. Just set up the table.”

“Yes!”

We took the bags the noble and beautiful beings handed us, spread newspaper across the practice room floor, and started setting things up.

As always, Ara was smiling brightly.

“Thanks. We’ll eat well.”

“Eat well. Don’t eat too fast or you’ll get indigestion—”

Before the youngest members of each team could even take out chopsticks, they grabbed pieces with their hands.

We inhaled sharply.

“Kim Nayun. Didn’t your sister tell you not to eat with your hands...”

“Jiho. Let’s eat with dignity.”

“Ueeee!”

“Uuuung!”

While scolding the youngest members with their mouths stuffed full of food, we shook our heads.

“Were you practicing for the KMA?”

“Yeah. It’s so exhausting... You guys too?”

“Yes. But we didn’t expect you to still be here at this hour.”

Lina, with one piece of seasoned chicken and one piece of fried boneless chicken stuffed into each cheek, spoke while chewing.

“We were waiting to watch your nomination too. We ordered late night food while taking a break.”

“Wait, you’re watching it too?”

At the youngest member’s question, Lina replied.

“Right now the whole country is probably watching.”

Ri Hyuk started coughing.

Junhyun shoved the mouth of a cola bottle straight into Ri Hyuk’s mouth.

“Pfffft!”

A fountain of cola sprayed out.

While complaints of “Hey!” echoed around the room, the rest of us continued chatting calmly.

I asked Lina, who was the same age as me.

“People are watching this?”

“Yeah. They said they’re going to check if you guys get nominated and then go to sleep.”

“...?”

“Look. The live comment section.”

Posts like [NewBlack Grammy Nomination Discussion Thread] with hundreds of comments were visible on online communities.

When I searched, there were posts like that everywhere.

—When does it start?ㅠ

—I ordered chicken in advance because if I wait until the nomination it’ll be too late lol

—One person who ordered jokbal here

—I’m at a pub right now and they turned on the MyTube stream on the big screenㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

—When does it start~~~~

—Let’s set our stance beforehand. If they get nominated → Grammys, the most prestigious award in the world!! // If they don’t → Empty headed old white men award show

—Perfectly understood. If they give the award they’re great bastards, if they don’t they’re just bastards

—Very clear stance

Looking at the lively comments, a smile slowly appeared on my face.

It felt like the whole family had gathered around the TV together.

And then.

The word family made something occur to me.

“Ah.”

My eyes met Biju’s.

He seemed to have thought the same thing.

“Hyung, the trainees.”

“Should we bring our trainees too?”

We decided to call the trainees who were probably in the practice room right now.

“But who’s going to go?”

“Good question.”

“I feel awkward around them because the age gap is too big.”

At that moment everyone’s gaze turned.

“This kind of thing should be done by the person closest in age to the trainees~”

“The one closest to them in age~!”

Jiho, with his mouth stuffed full of food, glared at the older members before returning with the trainees.

“H... hello!”

“Senior artists, how have you been!”

The trainees entered stiffly like bouncing wooden logs.

We smiled and gestured for them to sit.

“Eat slowly. Slowly.”

“Thank you for the meal!”

Our little chicks flapped their wings and carefully tasted the chicken.

While Scarlet and we watched the cute juniors with smiles, I noticed the phone Boksoo was holding.

The word Grammy was on the screen.

All the seniors burst into laughter.

“You were watching too?”

“Yes! We wanted to see if you would be nominated. But... oh! You’re watching on TV!”

“Wow! A big screen!”

They stared at the TV with admiration.

I laughed along and picked up a chicken wing.

Chew chew.

It felt like three generations of the Lemon family sitting together waiting for an important announcement on TV.

“Oh? It looks like it’s starting.”

The MyTube waiting screen changed to the Grammy Museum.

The CEO of the Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammys, delivered a greeting and began announcing nominees one by one.

Starting with Cold Brown for Best Rap Album, the nominations continued.

Ten minutes.

Twenty minutes.

Thirty minutes.

Before we knew it the chicken boxes were empty, and everyone leaned against the wall or the members beside them, yawning widely.

Even in the category where METRO might appear, there was no mention at all.

“To be honest we’re not expecting much.”

“Right.”

“The Grammys are just an American award show anyway.”

Scarlet’s main vocalist Yeonbom grinned.

“You don’t care?”

“Nope.”

But when they turned their heads and laughed among themselves, they realized what we looked like.

Jiho and Ri Hyuk curled up with their knees tucked inside their hoodies like No Face.

Biju had peeled ten apples while wearing his hood.

Junhyun was muttering while hugging a bag of jelly.

We looked at each other and burst out laughing awkwardly.

“Hyung, why are you doing a yoga pose?”

“I’m just stretching.”

“The scorpion pose...?”

“Hey, quiet. It’s coming!”

Right then.

[This is the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category.]

The presenter began reading the nominees one by one.

Five nominees in total.

Songs from last year and this year that everyone recognized were announced.

Everyone held their breath.

[Mandy Spice and Regina, Hold Your Breath.]

The third nominee was a collaboration between singer songwriter Mandy Spice and diva Regina.

[The Sailors, Strong Enough.]

A popular song released earlier this year by a band known for pop and rock.

The background music often used in the flashy game videos Jiho watched.

Now it was time to announce the fifth and final nominee.

My heart pounded loudly in my ears.

The presenter calmly read the final name.

[Hailey Blue and.......]

At the word and, the members, Scarlet, and the trainees all clenched their hands.

[NewBlack, Blue Moon.]

Scarlet and the trainees jumped to their feet.

“We did it!”

“O our Lemon family produced a Grammy nominee!”

“Senior artists!”

The nominations moved immediately on to Best Pop Solo Performance.

But the practice room had already turned into a full festival.

“......”

Amid the chaos, Scarlet laughed while shaking us.

My younger members and I exchanged glances.

A Grammy nomination.

“Uh......”

At first we were stunned.

Then an indescribable joy began welling up inside my chest.

“Guys!”

“Hyung!”

“We... we’re going to the Grammys!”

Bright faces congratulated us.

“Congratulations!”

“Senior artists, congratulations!”

We jumped up and down with laughter.

It wasn’t even a win.

Just a nomination.

But it seemed like none of us would be able to sleep tonight.

When the name NewBlack was called on TV.

“Woooooo!”

People gathered in a pub clinked beer glasses and cheered.

In famous clubs, DJs shouted, “NewBlack just got nominated for a Grammy!” while the crowd screamed and danced.

Online, fireworks exploded as well.

[Breaking News] NewBlack nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 60th Grammy Awards

The comment sections exploded.

—Congrats congrats congrats

—I stayed awake just to see this for real

—NewBlack looks amazing. I’m cheering for you♡

—Holy crapㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

—As expected of the Grammys, the greatest award show in the world^^

—Going to eat chicken now

—Hostess, fry us a chicken

—Hostess: I fried it for myself

While people online shouted “The greatest award show in the world, the Grammys!”

Souffle felt like they might die of happiness.

They really got nominated.

Like collecting Infinity Stones, NewBlack had now managed to attend all four of America’s major award shows.

The Grammys had been the one fans thought was impossible.

METRO had been released in August, and Blue Moon’s chances had seemed slim.

‘We thought it wouldn’t happen because Hailey Blue doesn’t get along with the organizers.’

Of course the chance of winning wasn’t high.

But a nomination alone was huge.

Souffle carefully treasured this new piece of news like blowing dirt off a sweet potato.

Meanwhile they watched the strange scenes unfolding among ordinary people.

[Current scene from an Itaewon club]

People danced to NewBlack songs in clubs shouting “Grammy!”

In pubs and 24 hour shops people applauded while watching the news.

Even in apartment complexes cheers erupted like when a Korean player scored in the Premier League at dawn.

Chicken restaurants and late night food shops across the country began seeing their sales rise.

Souffle felt a complicated emotion.

‘It kind of feels like we’re being used.......’

It felt like ordinary people were using the news for their own fun.

But NewBlack was a national idol group now.

Would the entire nation watch like this for other idols?

Seeing people celebrate together everywhere made Souffle smile as they opened delivery apps.

‘Alright. I’ll order some late night food too.......’

But the message on the app read:

[Orders are currently unavailable.]

Every chicken place and late night shop showed as closed.

But just five minutes ago they had been open.

Seeing that someone had swept away all the food like a swarm of locusts, Souffle cried out in frustration.

‘Damn those muggles!’

While fans cried dramatically.

Companies began launching events they had prepared the moment NewBlack’s Grammy nomination was announced.

“Hurry, pump in the air!”

“Yes!”

“Place them over here!”

Whoooooosh—

As air filled them, balloons weighted with anchors began floating on the surface of Seokchon Lake.

“But it really looks kind of scary.”

“It’s cute but scary. The eyes look empty.”

“Now that it’s in the water it looks like a kraken. Like something from Pirates at Caribbean Bay.”

Along with tiny NewBlack balloons, the final boss floated on the water.

Behind it, a huge tower displayed a message in lights.

[Congratulations NewBlack]

Under the glowing sign the creature looked even more terrifying.

Employees wearing safety helmets wiped sweat from their brows.

“Assistant manager... do you think people will like this?”

“I don’t know. Kids might cry when they see it.”

“......”

“......”

Float—

Bob bob—

ƪʃ [ ✪‿✪ ] ƪʃ

Three years after the rubber duck of 2014.

A new landmark had appeared floating on Seokchon Lake.

When morning came, congratulatory messages poured in endlessly.

“Congratulations, guys!”

“Congrats!”

“Thank you! Let’s stay together forever, producing team!”

“......”

“Hm? We’re going to the Grammys with the song we made together. Aren’t you coming with us for life?”

We toasted with the company staff, including the producing team who were cheering with tears in their eyes.

Our American agency sent congratulatory messages too.

[Huh? Why did I get nominated?]

We shared the joy with our confused collaboration partner as well.

NewBlack and Mandy Spice among nominees announced for the 2018 Grammys.

“National idol” NewBlack heads to the 2018 Grammy Awards.

It was even reported on the main news broadcasts.

Messages flooded my phone almost as much as when we had won three grand prizes at the MCA.

So it was great.

Everything was great.

But when I saw the messages from my closest friends, I could only sigh.

Lee Hyeonjo

[Congrats]

Lee Hyeonjo

[How about a styler as a congratulatory gift?]

The Styler villain.

Han Taehyun

[Congrats hyung]

Han Taehyun

[Isn’t my cat cute]

[Photo]

The Cat villain.

Ha Eunseong

[grats]

Ha Eunseong

[Sergeant, I’m thinking of getting eyelid surgery. What do you think??]

Ha Eunseong

[Just reply to this and then block me]

The Eyelid surgery villain.

“What’s eyelid surgery?”

“Eyes that look sleepy.”

I advised Eunseong not to throw away his charm point.

Then I blocked him.

All my friends had their own business even when sending congratulations.

I really had terrible luck with friends.

“Tsk. Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue.

Ri Hyuk asked Jiho.

“What’s wrong with him now?”

“He bragged about the Grammy nomination to his grandmother but it didn’t work.”

“Ah.”

I pouted.

The moment morning came I had shouted, “Grandma! I’m going to the Grammys!”

But the only response I got was confusion.

“What the heck is a Grammy?”

Other family members had gone “Wow! The Grammys!”

But I had to explain to my grandmother what the Grammys even were.

“No. I should think positively. Thanks to Madam Kim Deoksun, my ego won’t grow too big.”

The entertainment portal main page.

Trending searches.

The Seokchon Lake event.

Everyone was praising us everywhere.

My ego might have inflated.

But thanks to my grandmother I cooled down and kept my self awareness.

This was all thanks to Madam Kim Deoksun’s great—

“It’s frustrating. Still frustrating.”

As I trembled in frustration, the younger members giggled.

I asked them.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes!”

Today was the day we were departing for Japan for the KMA.

Sunlight poured into the living room as we stood with our suitcases.

Ding dong.

“The managers are here.”

But when the door opened.

“Huh?”

“...Huh?”

Light flooded the entrance.

With a sparkle like Tinker Bell.

And the face of Buddha smiling warmly.

“CEO?”

“Did you sleep well? Congratulations on the Grammy nomination yesterday, hahaha!”

“Yes, thank you!”

Looking at him with a gaze that asked Why is the CEO here?

Park Gyuho cleared his throat.

“I came because there’s something I want to show you today.”

His eyes looked like he had prepared something enormous.