Chapter 325: Chapter 326:

I was bewildered, yet I knew exactly what I needed to do better than anyone else.

With a whoosh, I lowered my clapping hands, and the sound of laughter from the other singers around me filled the air.

I walked away with a composed face.

The male and female MCs standing at the center of the stage suppressed their laughter as they watched me approach with calm assurance.

As I walked alone on the stage, the announcer’s voice introduced me.

“Woojoo of New Black has made a name for himself this year with a variety of activities. From K-pop to drama and movie soundtracks, he has left a significant impression on the public, and even more so internationally…”

Feeling slightly embarrassed by the grandiose introduction, I approached the presenters.

They handed me the glass trophy.

Amidst the applause and cheers that made my ears ring, they exclaimed loudly,

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you!”

I glanced at the inscription on the glass trophy, ‘Songwriter of the Year: Woojoo,’ and a smile formed on my lips without my realizing it.

“Hello, I’m Woojoo of New Black.”

The words I spoke into the standing microphone echoed powerfully through the speakers of the gymnasium.

“As you’ve just seen, I had no expectation of receiving this award.”

A bashful smile spread across my face, prompting simultaneous laughter from the singers’ area and the audience.

Holding the trophy carefully, I continued,

“First of all, thank you so much for this award. Normally, such honors go to veteran composers with extensive industry experience… I’m not sure if I should be the one receiving it.”

Laughter erupted at the shout of ‘No way!’ from someone in the crowd.

“So, I believe this award isn’t just for me but represents ‘Team New Black.’ It’s on behalf of everyone who has participated in our music production.”

I turned my gaze to where my younger colleagues were seated.

They clapped like seals, their eyes sparkling, and I smiled back at them.

“Lately, I’ve realized that there’s little I can do entirely on my own, especially when it comes to composing. Every day, I feel more acutely aware of my shortcomings.”

I nearly laughed at the sight of our visual manager, who looked as if his own child had won an award, his hand over his heart and his expression tender.

“I want to take this moment to thank everyone who has worked with me up to now. Thank you to my younger colleagues who have worked through the night, sacrificing sleep.”

I laughed as I saw the youngest member on the big screen, his expression more wistful than anyone else’s.

Then I leaned into the standing microphone.

“Jiho, you’ve had plenty of sleep, haven’t you?”

The crowd burst into laughter.

The image of our youngest member trembling, alongside the laughing face of our leader, Rihyuk, appeared on the screen.

I turned my gaze to the camera.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to our Lemon Entertainment family watching TV at this moment. Thank you, everyone.”

I said with a bright smile,

“Let’s continue to work together for a lifetime. All of us.”

Warm applause filled the auditorium as I concluded my speech.

Meanwhile, in a pub in Gangnam District, Seoul.

The server blinked in surprise at the tables filled with an odd silence.

‘What’s this atmosphere?’

It was as if they had just heard the news of a massive stock market crash in the U.S.

A group of people watched the large TV with moist eyes. The server’s head turned.

‘The Mango Chart Awards?’

The annual music awards ceremony was being broadcast.

Woojoo of New Black was walking off the stage after finishing his acceptance speech, his handsome features on full display.

A man gulped down his beer as if choking back emotions, the liquid spilling down his chin.

“Sir, you’re spilling it on your clothes…”

“Ah!”

He slammed his beer glass down, his eyes glistening.

“Another round, please.”

“Uh, sure.”

As the server backed away to fetch more beer, groans came from the table.

“Oh no…”

“It’s serious. If Woojoo says ‘for a lifetime,’ he means it. He’s the type with no end in sight.”

“Woojoo, what are you doing to us… what are you doing…”

The A&R and producing team members were visibly upset.

The flushed-faced assistant manager, Seo Pil-geun, pounded his chest.

“I wish he’d be a bit more arrogant!”

“Exactly!”

“He should be like, ‘I’m a genius! I’m the best!’ Why be so unnecessarily humble?”

“And he’s genuinely humble about it! It’s infuriating!”

Their complaints filled the air.

It would be better if it were just lip service, but the leader of New Black sincerely believed he was lacking.

The group sighed as they tore into chicken legs.

“Do something on your own for once. On your own…”

“Why does he always say in interviews and everywhere that he’s lacking, that we need to do it together?”

“It feels like a child who earns a trillion won still asking me for pocket money…”

Despite his capabilities, the leader of New Black insisted on involving them, claiming he couldn’t do it alone.

On the screen, New Black was following the choreography of Girls on Top, humming along.

“Still, when you see it, it’s admirable and lovely…”

“Woojoo, my little rascal…”

“Let’s only walk on a path of cheers, our Dooly.”

As they all showed their affection with teary eyes,

“Hello?”

The A&R team manager stepped out to take a call, sobering up instantly. “Yes, boss,” he mouthed.

When he returned,

“The location for the second round is set.”

“Where to?” I asked.

“The beef place. The boss said it’s okay even if we spend hundreds, so enjoy to your heart’s content,” my colleague replied with a grin.

I gasped in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah, Woojoo told the boss that thanks to the A&R and Producing teams, we’ve had great results this year. He made sure the boss couldn’t ignore it.”

Smiles spread among the employees.

This year, with the overseas tours, New Black had recorded the highest sales among all artists at Lemon Entertainment.

Thanks to them, the company achieved its highest revenue since its founding.

At this rate, there were whispers within the company that next year, New Black might surpass the combined sales of all of Lemon Entertainment’s top actors and Scarlet.

Because of this, the words of New Black’s members now carried a different weight.

Once seen as promising newcomers, they were now pillars supporting the company.

Those who knew best were the artists themselves, aware of how their words had influenced CEO Park Gyu-ho’s decisions.

Woojoo had subtly requested that the staff involved in composing be well taken care of.

“I wanted to come and congratulate you personally, but my schedule won’t allow it. Instead, please convey my gratitude for all your hard work this year,” he had said through me.

I could almost hear CEO Park’s kind voice saying, “You’ve all worked hard,” accompanied by his gentle smile.

“And us…”

I looked up, puzzled.

“It looks like we’re in for a huge year-end bonus.”

At that moment, the eyes of the employees widened as big as lanterns as they looked at each other.

Silence fell.

Then, Deputy Manager Seo Pil-geun, who had drunk the most, and Producer Na Sang-yoon from the producing team, staggered to their feet.

They raised a salute to Woojoo on the TV screen.

“Loyalty!”

Laughter erupted from everyone present.

After handing the trophy to the event staff, I returned to my seat and clenched and unclenched my fists, still feeling the afterglow of winning the Composer Award.

“Congratulations, hyung,” Jiho whispered with a smile.

“But if you say that there, people will think you’re always off sleeping,” I teased.

“I was always sleeping,” he retorted with a huff.

I patted the back of our youngest member, who seemed at a loss for words, and thanked him.

Bijoo covered his mouth and said, “You did well, hyung. Let’s come back and win this award again next year.”

“Sure, let’s do that.”

Jung-hyun and Lee-hyuk also wore proud smiles, pleased with my Composer Award.

As I smiled at my excited younger brothers, I caught the eye of Taehyun sitting next to me, who returned the smile as if to congratulate me.

‘Track…’

He tapped himself and sent a ‘you know?’ expression my way.

I bowed in thanks, mindful of the possibility of being filmed, and then enjoyed the following performances.

There were stages by Enoti and High Color, who had won the Rookie of the Year Award, and Serenity, who had received a Special Award.

“Neu-neu-neu~”

“We’re going to end it~”

Each time, I followed the point choreography and hummed along, often catching the attention of the big screen.

Our playful ‘Choo Choo’ dance moves turned solemn when caught on the big screen, eliciting laughter from those around us.

Our youngest, who had been rapping with a water bottle as a mic, pretended nothing had happened as he opened the bottle, making us all laugh.

As we enjoyed the first and second parts of the show.

“Congratulations, New Black!”

After the second part began, we were awarded as one of the Top 10 singers of the year.

“Soufflé!”

The soufflés cheered us on with a loud “Waaaaah!” as we continued with our brief acceptance speech.

In the silent gymnasium, every word we spoke rippled out like waves, supported by our fans.

Although the bright lights prevented us from seeing every face in the audience.

I couldn’t help but feel they were as moved as we were.

“Last year at the awards, we watched the Top 10 seniors and dreamed of being like them. It feels like that dream has come true.”

It was truly a touching moment.

Today felt different, almost dreamlike.

The Composer Award and the Top 10 of the Year.

Our names were also included in the nominee VCRs for the Music Video Award, Dance Group Category, and Popularity Award.

I felt proud and happy.

The thought that we had truly made it kept swirling in my head like a rush of endorphins.

And then, in the midst of it all.

“New Black-!”

“Yes?”

“Please come down and get ready.”

It was time for our stage in the second part.

The stage went dark.

Only the faint sounds of the set being prepared could be heard as the audience looked on with interest.

It was time for New Black’s performance.

Silhouettes, presumably of New Black, moved on the darkened stage.

“Waaaaah!”

Even before the performance had properly started, the cheers erupted, causing everyone present to open their eyes wide.

‘What’s this?’

‘Is their offline mobilization this insane, or are they really this big?’

The sheer size of the cheers made us hesitate for a moment.

Every time New Black appeared on the big screen, the cheers followed.

And despite the dim light, the glow sticks in the darkness were too numerous to count, almost blinding.

‘The disparity in the image…’

The NewBlack I once knew was different, causing a clash with the image in my mind.

Before, NewBlack meant ‘an idol with great mass appeal.’

But having only heard of their rise, actually feeling their power at the awards was a strange sensation.

It was inevitable.

They weren’t from a major agency; a rookie from a smaller agency had climbed this high in just a year.

I found myself admiring their growth when suddenly—

“Wow!”

Once again, a deafening scream tore through the air as the stage lit up.

The set looked expensive at first glance.

Like a museum after an exhibition, statues were draped in cloth. Dancers weaved between them, moving to the rhythm.

The first cloth was pulled away.

NewBlack’s universe filled the screen with a solo shot, revealing their presence.

A calm prelude.

The lead vocalist moved as they sang a familiar verse from ‘Wind Flower,’ known by all the audience.

“Wow…”

The elaborate makeup was captivating.

Glitter sparkled under gray hair, drawing the eye until the universe shifted.

The dance lines stood out even among the dancers.

With precise yet relaxed movements, the universe approached the statues scattered around.

“Wow.”

“That’s tough to pull off…”

A solo dance that could easily become awkward, but the lead vocalist brought it to life.

As if breathing life into each one, the cloth slid off with every touch, revealing the members.

Then, NewBlack, now complete, began their performance of ‘Wind Flower.’

No need to look up,

No need to turn around,

The main vocalist’s clear voice seemed to fill the stadium with a pale blue light.

“Sounds amazing live.”

“They really know how to perform.”

Each costume had strings on the sleeves, fluttering lightly as they danced.

Like flowers swirling around NewBlack in the sky.

Even as the dancers ebbed away like waves, the five of them didn’t feel lacking.

With every move, the stage seemed to pulse with energy.

“So this is why they’re popular.”

It made sense.

The vibrancy and speed unseen on TV cameras were palpable here.

Even to the gentle tune of ‘Wind Flower,’ the stage was in constant motion.

Almost as if flying.

A member in the back approached with such speed, it felt like full throttle, singing as they passed by.

But the real awe was elsewhere.

“I know all the lyrics.”

“This is their song.”

‘Wind Flower,’ known by everyone, had topped the music charts all semester, playing randomly on the top 100 every morning.

Remembering who sang that song—

“Wow!”

As ‘Wind Flower’ ended, a new stage began.

After a brief blackout.

The calm yet trendy prelude of ‘Wind Flower’ transitioned into a new song.

It’s nine nine nine—

The time was 9 o’clock.

Cheers erupted everywhere as the prelude of the hottest song on the charts played.

‘Nine.’

“Wow!”

Instantly, the atmosphere turned club-like, with the audience jumping excitedly.

On stage, NewBlack’s giant lift ascended into the air.

“Now, everyone together!”

Amidst the sea of waving light sticks,

The members pumped up the excitement, along with singers from the seats swaying their shoulders, all displayed on the big screen.

It was a shared moment of joy.

Even those unfamiliar with other idols’ songs knew this one, dancing along enthusiastically.

As the lift slowly descended, the mood turned festive.

With the lead dancer’s cue, the group dance unfolded, and flames shot up from the stage.

Burning hotter,

Shining brighter—

Reaching the highlight, confetti cannons burst, and a loud cheer erupted.

It was as if the Artist of the Year had arrived.

After the performance, I finally relaxed.

“Phew…”

Sitting in the artists’ seats, we silently gulped down water bottles.

Still breathless, but happy.

If before it was applause for ‘good performance,’ this time it meant something more.

The response was overwhelmingly different from last year.

Perhaps because it was a well-known song, even fans of other idols cheered, keeping our spirits high throughout the show.

“To the ends of the sky~”

“We won’t let go of hands~”

Thanks to that, we could energetically support TeenSpirit and TNT during their performances.

And when TNT wrapped up their 20-minute finale like the stars of the year,

The grand award ceremony began.

“Now, it’s time to present the prestigious grand prize to the artists who have achieved the highest honors this year,” announced actor Yoo Baek-Han, the MC.

“The award will be presented by trot singer Baek Sang-Gyo and model Han Sora.”

A dressed-up actress and a middle-aged singer in a suit appeared through the doors.

After the two presenters exchanged greetings, the ceremony began.

“The prestigious grand prize. We’re about to present the first award of the evening—the Song of the Year.”

“It’s been a year with some truly formidable nominees, hasn’t it?”

“Which artist will take home the prize tonight? The anticipation is undeniable.”

Teacher Baek Sang-gyo said with a smile, “Shall we meet the nominees?”

“Let’s play!”

The crowd responded enthusiastically as the nominees appeared on the big screen.

“Cha Woo-hyun’s ‘Gone with the Wind’.”

The familiar ballad echoed through the gymnasium, accompanied by its music video.

A modest cheer followed.

Then, familiar faces from another music video appeared.

“TNT’s ‘

A tremendous roar swept through the stadium.

It was TNT’s hit song from the latter half of the year. Was it number one on the monthly charts?

And then…

“New Black’s ‘Wind Flower.’”

Our song played, accompanied by a scene from the music video where Bijoo blankly stared into space.

We swallowed hard amidst the Suples’ cheers.

The grand prize.

The Song of the Year.

My palms were so sweaty they felt soaked. We looked at each other, took deep breaths, and waited.

I rubbed my hands on my pants nervously.

During those brief ten seconds, I must have swallowed dozens of times.

“…”

My heart pounded in my ears with tension, and I felt an inexplicable chill.

Every breath I took trembled finely.

“The 2015 Mango Chart Awards. The honored recipient of the Song of the Year is?”

Everything seemed to move in slow motion.

Teacher Baek Sang-gyo fumbled with the envelope, pulled out the contents, and smiled.

“Yes. Congratulations.”

I could see his lips moving slowly.

“New Black’s ‘Wind Flower’!”

At that moment.

A sensation of release washed over me, and I rose from my seat with my brothers, all at once.

Our cheers mingled with the delayed roar of the Suples.

We hugged each other and burst into tears.