Chapter 353: Chapter 354

The sudden video from Producer Sagan sent ripples through our dorm.

“It’s a big deal.”

“What do we do now? Guys? This person really chases you to the ends of the earth.”

“At first, it was just Woojoo hyung, but now it’s us too…”

The guys who were laughing when I said I’d go were now full of worries when it became their problem.

Junghyun squatted on the floor, examining a USB drive.

“Junghyun, what are you doing?”

“I’m checking if there’s anything inside, like a device that sends a signal when the video plays.”

“This isn’t some 007 movie. That kind of…”

Just then, my phone screen lit up brightly.

It was a messenger notification.

「User not registered as a friend.」

Do Jun-ki [Mr. Woojoo]

Do Jun-ki [You saw the video, right?]

…Was it real?

I froze and stammered, and my younger brothers gathered their gaze on my phone screen.

And they were terrified.

“He, he really knows!”

“Ugh! I really hate this producer!”

“What? Was Junghyun hyung right? Is this even possible in reality?”

Amidst the chaos, Junghyun, squatting with the USB, paused.

Then he opened his eyes wide, alternating his gaze between the USB and my phone.

“Wow!”

Junghyun held the USB as if it were some high-tech gadget while the others hid behind me.

“Oh, you fools.”

The younger ones protested at my words.

“I’m not a fool, hyung.”

“If I’m a fool, then you’re the fool, hyung.”

“Don’t lump me together with Wang Jiho. He’s the real fool, not me.”

I silenced their complaints and showed them my phone.

“Logically, Producer Do wouldn’t have hidden spyware in there.”

“Really?”

“Of course. He must have calculated the end time of the Korean Music Awards, the traffic, and the time it would take to reach our dorm, and sent it thinking we’d have seen it by now.”

“No, that’s even scarier, isn’t it?!”

While Rihyuk was dumbfounded, sure enough.

Producer Do sent another message saying, ‘I thought you would have arrived by now.’

“Did you see it?”

“…Wow. Just looking at it makes me not want to get involved.”

As Jiho shuddered, Bijoo looked up at me and asked.

“Hyung, what do we do now?”

“Well.”

I stroked my chin and said.

“Speaking from experience… we’re not going out for a while.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Probably the bait will start to tempt us, and we’ll jump up and refuse outright.”

“Huh? Where have I heard this plot before?”

Of course, it’s my own story.

Since the spring of ’14, the producer of ‘A Man Goes’ has been beckoning me with hand gestures.

I said with a bright smile.

“Then we’ll end up sending congratulatory wreaths at showcases. The fans will go ‘Wow!’ and people around us will start saying we fit in—‘Go for it!’ Eventually, he’ll come to unrelated filming sites to woo us…”

“Calm down. You’re going to spit blood.”

“Do I look calm to you? No, really.”

Rihyuk patted my shoulder as if to comfort me, but anger surged within me.

“Just thinking about that time makes me so angry… I become a rage machine!”

“Hyung, the neighbors are sleeping.”

Bijoo’s gentle words brought me back to my senses.

In the end, the broadcast last year skyrocketed my popularity, so it was a win-win, but the casting process was still a painful memory.

I ran my hand through my hair and concluded.

“Anyway, if we can’t avoid it, let’s enjoy it. That’s it.”

“That’s an unexpected conclusion.”

“It’s fate. I know because I’ve been through it. We’ll have to go out eventually, so we better prepare ourselves mentally.”

“Eeesh, I guess I’ll have to start watching shrimp fishing on YouTube from today…”

Honestly, it’s tough for us, but he’s a director famous for consistently pulling in great ratings.

At that time, Sagan was also a show that other celebrities were desperate to be on to gain recognition.

I’m sure the program we’re revamping this time will be a hit.

It was bound to be a significant boost to our current strategy of increasing mainstream appeal. Of course, it would be incredibly challenging…

Bijou looked at me with moist eyes.

“Bro, does this mean we have to sign the appearance contract now?”

“No.”

I shook my head.

“For now, let’s avoid it as long as we can.”

“How so?”

“Reply as late as possible.”

“Late?”

“Yes. It’s not polite to ignore the message completely. We’ll respond tomorrow.”

Rihyuk tilted his head, puzzled.

“Isn’t that just delaying the reply?”

“Not at all. For today, we’ve won.”

“That’s just a mental victory.”

“…Then you try replying. Imagine you’re our leader and send the response.”

Rihyuk smirked and took my phone.

He pretended to be bold, but I could feel it. The tremor in his hand as he passed it over.

When we swallowed hard and watched.

“What’s so hard about this?”

Rihyuk’s hands trembled as he typed.

He sent a polite, roundabout refusal: ‘I’ve read your message and appreciate it, and I’ll come out when I have time.’

The reply came back immediately.

Do Joon-gi: [Then, shall we go straight into the meeting when you have time?]

Do Joon-gi: [I’ll prepare a lot of content for you.]

Do Joon-gi: [Tell me when you’re available until December.]

As Rihyuk’s face turned pale, Jiho marveled.

“Wow. This guy is a human green light. It seems like there’s no red light in his head.”

“He’s a real go-getter. Doesn’t seem to know how to turn left or right.”

“But maybe it’s because Rihyuk rejected him so coolly?”

“Right. Who leaves such a lingering emoticon after being rejected?”

The members thoroughly analyzed the situation while Rihyuk paced anxiously.

“Stop joking around and help me! What do I do with this…?”

“Give it here.”

I took the phone and tapped the keyboard.

After a few graceful exchanges, Producer Do retreated like a villain conceding defeat for the day.

“Amazing…”

Amidst the admiring atmosphere, Rihyuk still grimaced and I asked him.

“Want to try replying next time?”

“No! I’ll never do it again!”

Then we all burst into laughter at Rihyuk’s declaration that I should be the leader forever.

Finally, Friday arrived.

It was the day we started our small theater tour ‘Encounter.’

“Hello! We are New Black!”

“Come on in.”

The producer welcomed us warmly.

Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.

We had driven since dawn to reach the PBS Gyeongin branch, responsible for the Gyeonggi-Incheon area.

“Wow-”

We marveled at the sight of the news studio.

With plenty of time before we were on standby, the studio’s atmosphere was still relaxed.

Our faces were full of curiosity.

“So this is where the local news is broadcast.”

“Yes.”

“Wow…”

The producer smiled and briefly showed us around the studio.

Sensing our slight nervousness, he reassured us.

“You don’t need to be too nervous.”

“But it’s still the news…”

“You’ll only be interviewed briefly for about five minutes, so as long as you don’t make any major slip-ups, there won’t be any problems.”

At the mention of slip-ups, we all looked at Junghyun.

‘Your mouth.’

‘Okay.’

He signaled ‘OK’ and mimed zipping his lips, prompting the producer’s curiosity.

“Why is Jung-hyun…?”

“This friend here is a rapper but not so good with words.”

The news producer, sipping coffee, burst into laughter and then led us to an empty room, saying, “It’s the first time we’ve had guests since I took over the local news. It still amazes me.”

“To be honest, we were also surprised that our appearance was confirmed.”

It was a company event, a project prepared with the thought, ‘How about trying out local news?’ I never really expected it to get the green light.

Of course, it wasn’t the grand news time at 9 PM.

It was PBS’s ‘Morning Today,’ a lifestyle news program meeting viewers from 6 to 8 AM.

After broadcasting the national news from the PBS headquarters in Yeouido, it was time for the local news segment where we would appear.

“We don’t have much time, so we’ll just ask a couple of simple questions and wrap it up.”

“Yes, we’re prepared.”

“And… Ah, here comes someone.”

While we were glancing over the simple interview script, another person entered the room.

“Hello!”

“Yes, hello!”

The person who greeted us energetically was the weathercaster in charge of the Gyeongin region’s weather information.

I immediately said to the person who also waved at the behind-the-scenes camera, “Thank you for making time for us despite your busy schedule.”

“No problem. I enjoy watching MeTube as well.”

“Wow. Are you a fan of ours?”

“No, just a subscriber.”

We all laughed at the distinction between being a fan and a subscriber.

Then, turning to the handycam filming the behind-the-scenes for the soufflés, I exclaimed, “Yes, we, New Black, are here today for an interview on PBS Morning Today’s local news for the Gyeongin region.”

“I’m going to try being a one-day weathercaster today.”

After asking the person to introduce themselves, the weathercaster smiled and said to the camera, “Hello, I’m weathercaster Jeong Won-young.”

“First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to be here today, caster.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Now, shall we talk about roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes?”

“New Black.”

“Wowww!”

After the welcoming greetings.

We went to the office for a brief job experience.

“This is the forecast text that comes from the Meteorological Agency. It’s released at 5 AM.”

“Ooh.”

“I take this and write the script, add graphics…”

“Wow!”

Our reactions were so enthusiastic that the person couldn’t help but laugh, seemingly embarrassed.

After learning about the process of creating a rough weather forecast.

“This is called chroma key.”

“We know this!”

Our youngest member said, ‘We’ve used it in music videos!’ and we all nodded.

Chroma key.

It’s usually a blue panel used for synthesizing CG, something we had often used during music video shoots.

The caster demonstrated, saying, “As you all know, you just stand here, point with your hands, and carry on with the broadcast.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Who among the five said they would do it?”

Before I could raise my hand, my younger brothers pointed at me.

“You always look like a 30-year veteran, no matter what you’re doing for the first time. Even when rowing, you row like a retired boatman.”

“You’re really good at it.”

“When you were making bread on the variety show, the patissier said you looked like a 70-year-old maestro from Europe.”

The people around us, who were watching, burst into laughter at my brothers’ words, which were a mix of praise and teasing.

The producer, standing at a distance, glanced at me and then asked something to the manager.

The camera director, waiting for the rehearsal, looked at me with full curiosity.

Caster Jeong Won-young called me over.

“Then, Woojoo, come over here.”

“Yes.”

“Just estimate the distance… Yes, right there. Oh, you’ve got it just right.”

“It’s become a habit from being on stage.”

I had become accustomed to spacing things perfectly for the camera every day.

Then I looked at the camera.

“Shall we get into position first?”

“Yes.”

As I had practiced the day before, I straightened my back smoothly and flashed a trustworthy smile at the audience.

“…?”

The caster who was supposed to coach me blinked in surprise. I turned to her and asked.

“How is it?”

“That’s… absolutely perfect. Don’t move from there. Let’s start with the script.”

“Okay.”

I looked at the camera and smiled gently.

“This weekend, as the weather gradually warms up, I regret to inform you of the fine dust levels. Tomorrow, the dust levels in the central region will be…”

After I finished my assigned part, I naturally gestured, and the caster smoothly took over the next part.

I could hear the staff exchanging compliments, “Well done.”

“That’s all for now.”

“The weather report.”

As I concluded, the director gave the OK sign, and my siblings erupted into applause.

Bijoo, who had been recording with his phone camera, smiled contentedly.

The caster, with wide eyes, said,

“Is this really your first time? You’re doing incredibly well.”

“Thank you.”

I laughed after receiving the immediate notification of my success, following a couple of practice rounds.

But strangely, the more I practiced, the more my siblings and even the staff wore mysterious smiles.

The caster too seemed to twitch the corners of her mouth.

“Why are you doing that?”

“Oh, it’s nothing…”

“…?”

“Really, it’s nothing.”

They all wore enigmatic smiles.

What’s going on?

Curious, I asked the staff around me, but they all hesitated before shaking their heads.

“…What is it?”

Still puzzled.

The news studio began to bustle as it prepared for the local news segment.

7:30 AM.

PBS’s morning news ‘Morning Today’ was transitioning to local news time.

“Oh dear.”

In Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province.

An old man who had risen at dawn to feed the chickens in the coop sat down, rubbing his back.

‘What’s on today?’

As usual, he was watching the news when a different segment started to play on the TV.

The presenter said with a smile,

“Sometimes, an unexpected guest brings great joy.”

The old man blinked at the out-of-place comment.

“Today on PBS Morning Today in Gyeonggi, we have a special guest. The popular group that’s the talk of the town, New Black!”

The camera panned out to show the neatly dressed idol members clapping their hands.

They seemed somewhat subdued, perhaps aware of the public broadcaster’s typically calm atmosphere.

‘Who are they…?’

I felt like I had heard the name before.

Their faces seemed familiar.

The voice sounded familiar too, but since I don’t usually watch TV, I didn’t know who they were.

I just thought the kids looked cute.

“Hello. I’m Uju, the leader of New Black.”

As the introductions continued, she nodded her head.

‘He looks like the old man when he was young.’

Her attention was briefly captured by the praise-worthy appearance.

‘Who exactly are they?’ she wondered, when a familiar tune reached her ears.

“It’s truly a song that spans generations. From the latest hits to classic songs. If it’s alright, Deoksun, could you give us a verse?”

“Of course~!”

Soon, the melody of ‘Deoksun’ was joyfully sung by the five members, and she realized,

‘That’s them.’

She knew the song, often heard at the community center.

It was her first time seeing their faces.

As she looked at them with newfound curiosity, the interview, which had lasted nearly five minutes, was drawing to a close.

“Do you have one more thing to say?”

“Yes, along with the story of our winter album that you’ve been listening to, there’s one more special announcement to share.”

“Our very own NewBlack will be appearing on PBS1’s ‘My Hometown Now’ starting next week.”

The interview, which lasted about five minutes, concluded with a cheerful plea, “Please give us lots of love!”

“Famous, aren’t they?” I mused, realizing they must be well-known singers to appear on the news and ‘My Hometown Now.’

“Next up is the weather. Mr. Woojoo from NewBlack has joined us today as a special guest caster.”

Immediately, a refreshing jingle played, and the ‘Today’s Weather’ logo flashed across the screen.

In front of the display showing the week’s weather stood a man and a woman.

One was a weather caster, and the other was the man in the brown coat who had just been interviewed.

He broadcasted with the ease of a seasoned weather caster, causing me to do a double-take.

“…Same clothes, but something’s different.”

There was a different vibe about him, even his smile.

As I pondered this change, the news segment featuring NewBlack came to an end.

And then, a few hours later…

“Grandma, I’m up.”

“You’re awake?”

My granddaughter descended the stairs, a towel wrapped around her neck.

“Why did you shower so early?”

“There’s a place I want to visit today. Oh, did I mention I’m going to see a performance this evening?”

“You did.”

As their conversation continued, my grandmother, who had just seen the young men on TV, broached the subject.

“Do you know those NewBlack kids?”

“…What?”

“They were on the TV news, seemed famous. They said they’d be on ‘My Hometown’ too, singing all over the country.”

“…?”

“They were quite handsome. But the one doing the weather forecast was a bit…”

The granddaughter across from her, who had been hiding her identity as Soufflé, looked flustered.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

‘News? Weather forecast?’

Confused by the unfamiliar terms, she turned to the internet.

‘The kids were on the news?’

On the fan community, there was already a link to an edited clip titled ‘NewBlack_PBS Morning Today Cut.’

Though unclear on the details, there was a buzz about Woojoo.

The term ‘NewBlack News’ was trending in real-time searches.

“…?”

My heart raced.

Usually, when your favorite singer appears on terrestrial news, it’s a shock, but this was different.

‘What did I miss?’

The thought of missing out on something exciting had me tapping my fingers restlessly.

It seemed NewBlack had made a brief appearance on PBS’s morning news in the Gyeonggi and Incheon regions.

They sang a song, wished everyone a Happy New Year.

And the video that had fans most excited was uploaded on MyTube.

The weather forecast.

Curiosity piqued, I clicked on the video, and there were Woojoo and the weather caster.

“Pfft!”

At first, I watched seriously, but soon I couldn’t help but laugh because of NewBlack’s leader.

‘What’s this? Why does he look so much older all of a sudden?’

Unknown to anyone, the leader had mimicked famous male weather casters while researching for his role.

Mostly middle-aged casters who had been active in the news during the ’90s.

Every time the weather caster spoke, Woojoo beside him would smile like a kind middle-aged man.

“That’s all for the weather.”

Woojoo’s smile, reminiscent of a warm middle-aged gentleman, made me burst into laughter.

The granddaughter showed her phone to her grandmother and asked,

“Grandma, is this the guy you were talking about?”

“Yes.”

“What did you think of him?”

“I was just watching, and suddenly, I saw your grandfather’s face over his.”

Her grandmother’s response, implying a special fondness, made the granddaughter laugh out loud.