Translator: MarcTempest
Editor: Rxel
Chapter 242
“Wow…”
They stared at the white A4 paper on the waiting room door until the managers dragged them in half-forcibly.
“It’s a room!”
“It’s a room!”
It wasn’t a very spacious room, but the fact that it was a room was important.
They got a room on their first week of comeback!
They were so excited that they ran around the room like dogs who had moved to a new house.“Room!”
“Room!”
“It’s a room!”
Minki Hyung laughed incredulously and called them.
“Come and have some bread.”
They looked at each other.
“Bread!”
“Bread!”
They munched on the toast that the manager Hyungs had bought for them and looked around the room.
The staff were unpacking. The stylists were hanging clothes on the hangers, and the hair stylists were plugging in their devices.
“A room…”
Woojoo couldn’t believe it and kept looking around.
Bijoo said with a determined face, “Hyung. Let’s take the paper on the door later.”
“Yeah, let’s keep it as a souvenir.”
Anyone who saw them would think they were people who had a grudge against rooms, but it meant a lot to them.
Usually, there are 13 to 17 teams on a music show.
But they couldn’t accommodate them all. There was a limit to the number of waiting rooms at the broadcasting station.
To begin with, there was no program that had a dozen teams of performers except for music shows. Even if there were a lot of people, it was usually about six teams like Legendary Song Discovery.
So no matter how many rooms were left, it was hard to accommodate the overflowing singers on the day of the music show.
In this situation, the performers who had low seniority or low recognition were put in one space.
They gave them a partition, but it wasn’t very comfortable.
It was like an open level of privacy. You could hear everything everyone said. They had to sleep together while they waited.
Minki Hyung, who was eating toast, said, “It’s amazing that we got a room on the first day of comeback.”
“Hyung, you’re not used to it either, right?”
“Well, I guess you guys did well. It’s nice to say goodbye to sleeping in the corner.”
He smiled happily.
Not only the managers, but also the other staff had expressions that they wanted to live on the sofa.
It meant a lot to both the staff and them.
Getting the right to rest comfortably on a music show means either having high seniority or achieving success. It was one of the two.
Of course, this wasn’t the first time they stayed in a room like this.
They got a room at a broadcasting station that had a lot of spare waiting rooms, and sometimes they shared it with other senior groups.
But this was the first time they had a proper room.
Especially, if K-net, which didn’t get along well with Lemon, gave them a room on the first day, the reactions of other broadcasting stations were obvious.
Woojoo looked at the waiting room again, looking at ‘Windflower’, which had been at the top of the chart from the time they came to work until now.
“…”
Woojoo thought quietly and laughed.
The words of a poet who said he woke up and became famous.
Woojoo felt like he understood what it meant a little bit.
They felt their changed position as they appeared on Legendary Song Discovery and History Discovery Team.
But there was no day that suited the word ‘sense of the times’ more than today.
“…?”
They all blinked their eyes as they faced the pre-recording stage for their comeback.
“…Am I seeing something wrong?”
“Right? I’m not the only one who’s surprised, right?”
“Check the recording location. You might have seen it wrong.”
They peeked through the open door, and the number of Soufflés gathered was not normal.
At first, they thought it was their fans, but when they saw the placards like ‘Jenmin, James, Daegil…’, they knew they were their fans.
“Wow-!”
As soon as they entered, they greeted them warmly with cheers. New Black was thrilled, but they kept a casual expression as they went up to the stage.
A bit of silence.
It was when they got on the stage and made a relaxed expression.
“…Sigh.”
Woojoo almost drooled without realizing it and swallowed it, but the sound spread softly and faintly in the silence.
His brothers clapped and laughed, and the Soufflés also burst into laughter.
Woojoo muttered to himself, “Ah, I was trying to act like ‘I’m not surprised by this, it’s no big deal’ but I failed.”
“You were shaking your pupils since you came up, Hyung. Right?”
The Soufflés agreed with laughter.
While the shooting staff were preparing for the recording, they had a pleasant conversation with the fans, but Woojoo felt a strange feeling.
Woojoo felt uneasy and relaxed talking to so many fans in front of him, and so did his brothers.
He wasn’t used to this crowd either.
And most of all, the situation where they could casually talk about the nearby restaurants in the pre-recording space where they used to be busy watching the eyes of the broadcasting station staff.
“Wow!”
Every time Woojoo heard the fans’ tremendous cheers during the pre-recording, he felt a chill down his neck.
Was this real?
He should be jumping with joy, but it felt so unreal that he kept staring blankly.
“Guys. Is this real?”
“Do you want me to pinch you?”
“Do it yourself and tell me the result.”
Jiho and Bijoo pinched each other’s arms carefully and nodded seriously.
“It’s real.”
“It’s real.”
Rihyuk put down his Japanese textbook and looked at them with a pitiful expression.
That was when Junghyun argued that it would be nice if it was a dream.
“Why?”
“Food in dreams is zero calories, you know.”
“Oh.”
That wasn’t bad at all.
But he still couldn’t get used to it until the end.
A careful knock and the door of the waiting room opened.
“Fly, fly, fly to the dream! Hello! We are Dream Ticket!”
A boy group that debuted earlier this month came to greet them and New Black was flustered.
They gave them CDs and said, “New Black Sunbae-nims, Sunbae-nims” and Woojoo felt his limbs shrivel.
They casually said, “Oh, hello” but as soon as they left, they screamed.
“I’m not a senior…!”
“I don’t want to be!”
“Ugh, ugh, ugh… My stomach is churning.”
Woojoo could imagine the TNT kids mocking them with their fingers and saying, “Look at that.”
Oof. The toast he had for breakfast was all queasy.
Woojoo didn’t know why they couldn’t get used to the senior title.
Woojoo heard from Hanjo that there was an unofficial agreement among idols to count New Black’s debut date as March to avoid messing up the hierarchy.
So the title itself was not a problem, but.
“Ugh…”
His limbs. His limbs…!
When he became a private in the army, he liked the private title so much that he giggled in his sleep, but why couldn’t he get used to this?
Maybe they haven’t accepted it themselves yet.
There was another girl group that debuted this month and came to greet them.
“Yes, hello… Yo.”
The youngest said “Hello. I’m Wang Jiho.” in a tone and they held back their laughter. After they left, they teased him for a while, saying “Youngest, yo?”
On the other hand, what Woojoo couldn’t get used to more than the senior title was the reaction of the senior singers.
They were looking for other waiting rooms to distribute their CDs.
“Oh, New Black. You have a new album. Your song has a good vibe~”
The solo singer who used to say “CD? Why did you bring that? Hey. You take it instead.” and gave it to the manager with a sour face greeted them with a friendly expression.
“Congratulations on being number one on the chart this time.”
“Oh, there’s the cameo from that drama.”
The boy group that used to look at them like ‘Get out of here’ even when they talked to them first spoke to them warmly.
“I really thought you would do well every time I saw you.”
How did they know what they didn’t expect?
“Can I get your phone number? I think I lost your contact before.”
They never exchanged contacts.
“Oh, can I get yours too while you’re at it?”
“Me too.”
“We see each other often, so it’s okay to contact you sometimes, right?”
Especially, more people started to approach Woojoo.
Woojoo thought it was what Daisy said before. They wanted to be friends with him because they thought he would do well as a composer.
In the music industry, nothing mattered more than the song.
“…You’re amazing.”
When they were alone, Rihyuk spoke as if he was impressed.
“I thought you were someone else.”
It wasn’t like this when their second album did well.
Woojoo knew this industry was influenced by popularity, but he didn’t expect people’s attitudes to change so drastically.
He felt more embarrassed than ever.
He wondered how they could change their attitudes so easily.
Not only the celebrities around them, but also the music show staff treated them differently.
“Hey, can you guys sign this for me? My niece is a fan.”
“Sure, of course!”
When they were rookies, they were pushed around with luggage and someone grumbled, ‘Hey, you’re in the way in the hallway.’ Woojoo was shocked when he asked them to sign for his niece.
Every time Woojoo rested while waiting, he saw people’s faces in his head.
On the left, there were people who frowned and cursed at them, and on the right, there were people who smiled and greeted them today.
Woojoo thought about it for a while and then let it go.
All he could think of was that he missed Kim Deoksoon and the Soufflés.
-Yes, the number one on the K-net chart is!
-Congratulations, Serenity!
The group that won the first place on today’s music show was MOP Entertainment’s girl group Serenity, which debuted last year.
They won the first place for two consecutive weeks. Woojoo heard this week was their last broadcast.
They were the group that had the best results among the groups that debuted last year after them.
It was clear that Serenity was the first place…
“Hyung, people keep looking at us.”
“Really…?”
When the music show was over and all the performers were lined up in the hallway waiting for the PD to greet them, there were many glances at them.
Somehow, there were more eyes on New Black than on Serenity or other famous senior idols who won the first place.
What was going on? The song hadn’t been released for 24 hours yet.
They were a little surprised by the reaction.
“It makes sense.”
Seokhwan Hyung calmly explained to New Black who were sitting in the Management Team Office.
“There’s usually a trend of how the song will do. Your Windflower response is not normal.”
“Really?”
“Did you see the music video views?”
“No…?”
Woojoo stopped looking at the internet during the comeback preparation period and it became a habit.
He only peeked at the chart or the fan cafe.
“3 million.”
“Huh…?”
“It got that view in 48 hours. 3 million.”
They were startled to see the number 3,034,612 on YouTube.
He laughed.
“The promotion team analyzed that it will definitely be the first place on the weekly chart. It’s too early to judge, but it might be as good as Something. Of course, this time it’s only with your song.”
“Oh…”
“So the insiders smelled it too. Why do you think they did that?”
When Woojoo opened his eyes blankly, the manager scolded him for being slow in this area.
He said Woojoo would be shocked if he heard the album sales that were selling now, and Woojoo asked him to tell him later.
“It’s definitely doing well. It’s the first time it’s been so easy to schedule you guys.” Their Director said with a happy face, “The college events in May are pouring in like a flood. If this trend continues, we’ll be able to choose the variety shows for a while.”
He smiled as he looked at the papers piled up on his desk.
Those were all related to them.
He was happy that the luck had exploded, but it had been a long time since Woojoo saw him so excited and happy.
“By the way, I’ll give you the schedule, so check this month’s schedule. …There are some things I need to explain separately. Important schedules.”
When they straightened their posture and listened, he pulled out a script and handed it to Rihyuk.
“PBS Music On…?”
“Is there a script for the music show? Oh? It’s for MC?”
He looked confused with a pale face as he took the script.
“Director, why are you giving this to me?”
“Next week, you’re going to be a special MC on Music On.”
“Me?”
“The PD liked you in Legendary Song Discovery. You can do it, right?”
Rihyuk nodded his head earnestly.
Then he started to flip through the script seriously, but his ears began to burn during the break.
“Rihyuk, what’s wrong?”
“This… this. What, what is this. What is this.”
He stuttered as he spoke, and they glanced at the script and laughed.
It was a line that said, ‘Who are you, I’m the ice prince!’
He was excited when he heard that he would be a special MC, but he also gave them a jealous look.
“Wow, this is awesome. I have to keep this when it airs, guys!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
They nodded their heads and someone gave them a resentful look.
“Wow, I’m so jealous of our youngest. I really wanted to try those lines too.”
“Me too, Hyung. I wanted to try them too.”
“Me too.”
They all agreed and teased them, and he gave them a look that said he hated them.
They were having fun teasing them when.
“Oh, by the way, it says Jiho here?”
“…?”
Jiho, who was laughing, quickly turned serious and looked at the script. He soon became serious.
Rihyuk’s face started to turn pale.
The youngest backed away.
“No, no way. This is not it. Manager, this is not Jiho, right? Kim Jiho or Shin Jiho.”
“You have to work hard too, Jiho.”
Seokhwan Hyung took out another script and handed it to Jiho. He looked like he was enjoying it.
Of course, they were enjoying it too.
“Pfft.”
They clapped for the two guys who were making sad faces while looking at the script full of lines that transcended time and space.
“Wow, our youngest. I’m so jealous of you. I wanted to try those lines too.”
“Right? Hyung. Me too.”
“Me too.”
They all agreed and teased them, and they gave them a look that said they hated them.
They was having fun teasing them when.
“By the way, Woojoo, you have two personal offers from terrestrial variety shows. They are both from TBC.”
“Wow. What are they?”
Did you see? Woojoo smiled at the two younger ones.
“One is Men Go…”
“No.”
Woojoo’s rectus abdominis muscle tensed up. He sat up straight and asked seriously, “What do you mean, Manager, Men Go?”
“They have a PD who is famous for being persistent. His name is Do, but they call him PD Axe because he doesn’t let go once he sets his eyes on someone.”
“…”
“You’re on his radar.”
Woojoo felt like he was being stared at by a mysterious old man.
It was chilly. Chilly.
“Well, your opinion is the most important, but… I think the recording will start after the album promotion is over. It’s a risky show.”
“What do you mean, I’m going? Why is it a foregone conclusion?”
“The fans want it?”
“What are you talking about? Our fans wouldn’t…”
Woojoo was about to say no, but something flashed through his mind.
–ㅋㅋ! I love it!
-Woojoo! Woojoo! Do you want to go to the army again~~?
-Kyaa!
-I’m worried about the risk of injury…
-Let go of your hand over your mouth. You’re smiling.
-Busted ㅋ
Why did he think of the same comments?
Seokhwan Hyung tapped his tablet PC and showed Woojoo an SNS post from one of their fans. It was a picture of a wreath with a sticky message from the Men Go team at their fan showcase.
-Oh. Is New Black going to Men Go?
-Men Go appearance??
-Men Go is going
-Hul… Why are they going…
-I don’t think they have to go, but hmm…
-When are they going?
Woojoo wanted to shout as he read the comments.
He wasn’t not going! He wasn’t going!
He swiped the SNS screen to the side, and articles popped up.
-New Black Woojoo, ‘Men Go’ appearance? Production team “We can’t tell you yet”
The younger ones covered their mouths and held back their laughter.
Woojoo took a deep breath and said calmly, “What’s going on, Director? Explain it to me.”
“Calm down, Woojoo.”
“Do I look calm? I mean, the army… the army…”
He tried to suppress his laughter as he saw Woojoo getting agitated.
“Well… it’s not my doing. You know, you have fans, right? They saw the SNS post that the Soufflés uploaded and it spread like wildfire. Should I go? It turned into I’m going!”
“That sounds like a nursery rhyme.”
“Exactly.”
He glanced at Rihyuk, who made a joke about the nursery rhyme, and he quickly looked away. While the others were having fun, Seokhwan Hyung spoke.
“The PD said he felt it was your destiny to appear on the show after seeing you messing around in Around the World With Dice. He asked me to tell you that.”
“…Ugh.”
“Do you want to think about it more?”
Woojoo nodded earnestly.
“I’ll think about the army variety show.”
“Hyung.”
The youngest poked Woojoo in the ribs.
“Just go. Show them your dignity as a veteran. You viewers! The army of Korea, like that.”
“Close your eyes and go. It sounds fun.”
Woojoo looked at Seokhwan Hyung as the two of them cheered him on.
“Can I go on the condition that all the members of New Black join me?”
“Oh, that’s a good idea.”
“…Director?”
“Director. What are you talking about?”
But it was too late to stop him. He was already writing down a memo. Woojoo smiled warmly at the pale-faced siblings.
“I won’t die alone.”
“…”
“I’ll drag you all down with me if I drown. I will.”
“…”
The siblings looked at each other.
That was when the chorus of ‘Director, please don’t send our Hyung to the army.’ began.
Woojoo watched them plead desperately and moved on to the main point.
“By the way, what about the other TBC variety show? I’ll definitely go on that one.”
“Do I need to ask what it is?”
“Just go. We have to promote the third album, and it doesn’t matter what the format is. I just have to do my best.”
It was a terrestrial variety show, so it wouldn’t be as weird as cable.
“I see.”
He smiled and agreed.
But why did that smile feel ominous?
He pulled out a separate proposal from his drawer, as if he had prepared it beforehand.
“…”
The title read <New Concept Talk Show: Find Your Memory>.
Woojoo knew the show.
The siblings gasped when they saw it.
“Oh, this.”
“This is the one. The show that exposes your weaknesses.”
“Huh, right. Why didn’t we think of sending Woojoo Hyung on this before?”
The so-called ‘Shintoki’ was a TBC talk show that invited guests and talked about their past.
What they were like, their school days, testimonies from people from the past…
Woojoo asked, “This is the show where you reveal your dark history, right?”
“That’s right.”
As Woojoo looked uncomfortable, the siblings chattered like nutcracker dolls.
You can’t refuse to go on it, because it has very high ratings.
It’s a popular show, so they don’t invite just anyone.
Woojoo looked at the proposal that said ‘Boy Group Leader Special’ and Seokhwan Hyung gave him a warm smile.
“At first, we were wondering who to send, but it took less than a second to reach a conclusion.”
“…”
“There’s no one better suited than you.”
The siblings sang ‘Congratulations~ Congratulations~ We celebrate your dark history~’ with bright smiles.
Seokhwan Hyung also clapped and smiled happily.
“…”
Woojoo never felt more annoyed by the people around him than at this moment.