Chapter 1080: I am New Black, Class of ’18 (4)

"Ri Hyuk."

"Why?"

I looked at his sulky face and said,

"Honestly, this isn't my fault."

"..."

Ri Hyuk narrowed his eyes while the younger members began opening popcorn with great interest.

Crunch!

Jiho and Junghyun chewed away noisily.

"Well..."

Crunch!

"What I'm saying is..."

Crunch!

"Hey!"

I flicked both of them on the forehead while they happily shared their popcorn.

"Aagh!"

"Mmgh!"

Meanwhile, Biju puffed out his cheeks and protested that he was melting his popcorn in his mouth instead of crunching it.

I turned back to Ri Hyuk.

"Objectively speaking, this isn't my fault, right?"

"..."

"I came up with a strategy to target Cha Woohyun's weakness because I wanted you to win. If a hero gets struck down by the Dark Lord's evil sword, nobody blames the blacksmith who forged it."

Logically speaking, it was a flawless argument.

Convinced by the logic, Ri Hyuk muttered, "Hmm... it was for my sake..." before glancing at Cha Woohyun's elimination on the TV screen.

Then he grabbed his head.

"Ughhh..."

Everyone burst out laughing as Ri Hyuk shook me by the collar with a deeply aggrieved expression.

Jiho said,

"You seem really disappointed, hyung."

"Senior Baek Siyeon really did sing amazingly well... but disappointing is still disappointing..."

Ri Hyuk sighed.

"Senior Cha Woohyun was seriously unlucky. Of all times, Senior Baek Siyeon had to explode like that."

Baek Siyeon, whose performances fluctuated anywhere between 90% and 120%.

Cha Woohyun, the owner of a near-perfect 99% vocal.

The strategy mattered, sure, but in the end Cha Woohyun had lost because a rock vocalist suddenly erupted at 120%.

It wasn't anything unprecedented.

Things like that happened fairly often in competition programs.

"Ah..."

Ri Hyuk stared at the television and groaned.

Ironically, Cha Woohyun himself had removed his mask and calmly smiled.

"Hmm. So I got eliminated."

He seemed perfectly fine with it.

The other ballad singers looked more disappointed than he did.

Biju tilted his head.

"Everyone seems more upset than Senior Cha Woohyun."

"They can't help it."

Ri Hyuk explained.

"The image that senior has among vocalists like us..."

He pointed at me.

"It's kind of like him."

"Me?"

"If someone told idol singers to send their representative, they'd send you. If someone told vocalists to send theirs, it was always him."

"Oh."

Junghyun spoke up.

"It's kind of like losing to Japan in a Korea-Japan match."

Then he added,

"Using a strategy taught to them by another Korean coach."

"Junghyun."

I sighed.

"When you put it that way, it makes me sound like garbage."

Anyway, among singers who pursued traditional vocal excellence, Cha Woohyun had become something of a beacon and symbol.

That was probably why everyone felt so disappointed.

While Ri Hyuk pulled a can of ginger ale from the refrigerator and sipped it like alcohol, Jiho spoke in amazement.

"But the Mission Singer PD seriously hit the jackpot twice. The ratings for Dolympics are probably going to explode too. Mission Singer's ratings are going to rise even more now, right?"

"Definitely."

I could practically picture the production staff celebrating on the other side of the television.

-Ratings!

Originally, Mission Singer's ratings would probably have dipped slightly.

Everyone thought Cha Woohyun would dominate the competition anyway, so the tension would have disappeared.

But now that Cha Woohyun had been eliminated, a fierce battle for the King of Singers throne was about to begin.

It felt a bit like the Three Kingdoms era truly beginning after Dong Zhuo disappeared.

With so many powerhouse singers set to fight over the crown, ratings could only go up.

"Starting next week, it's going to be really fun."

While we chatted, Mission Singer ended and commercials began airing.

Just as we switched the channel back to NBS—

"Hm?"

Ri Hyuk looked down at his phone.

"What?"

"Senior Cha Woohyun posted something on social media."

I assumed it was a message about today's Mission Singer episode.

Then I looked.

@cha_cow

(Photo of him wearing the King of Singers cape and grinning like a conquering overlord.jpg)

Sadly, I got eliminated >ㅇ<

Thank you for all your support, Woopeons ♡

"...His manager definitely wrote that."

No matter how many times I saw it, I could never get used to the adorable social media account of the Ballad God.

At long last—

The final episode of Goblin Restaurant.

Although ratings had fallen slightly after reaching their peak, New Universe was still posting astonishing numbers.

"I've got to watch that today. Goblin Restaurant~"

"Is it fun?"

"The chefs are running the restaurant today."

Chefs so famous that everyone knew their names.

News had already spread that they would appear in the grand finale of Goblin Restaurant.

-'Annual income 60 billion won' American celebrity chef Dante Cellini to appear on New Universe today

-New Universe Goblin Restaurant finale: Which chefs will close out the series?

-[TV Preview] Elite chefs arrive for the final chapter of Goblin Restaurant... anticipation rises

Even the teaser alone looked exciting.

Famous chefs who had first connected with NewBlack during the Gourmet Special would appear and operate restaurants in Goblin Street.

The preview featured mouthwatering dishes, further fueling audience excitement.

"Ah... but New Universe is almost over too."

Variety show fans checking their calendars looked disappointed.

New Universe was nearing its conclusion.

The upcoming University Festival Special would only run for four episodes.

It felt more like a bonus stage than a full season.

What am I supposed to watch when this ends??

Like many variety shows these days, New Universe had always been planned as a seasonal program.

Once it ended, there wouldn't be another season until next spring or summer.

-Guys, did you know?? After Goblin Restaurant there's only 4 episodes left

-NOOOOOO air foreverㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Seriously there aren't many variety shows like this anymore

-Wonder when Season 2 will come out...

-Considering their schedules, maybe next summer?

-But Gu Jaeyoung said in an interview that if there's a Season 2, the members will have less screen time

Unlike most modern variety shows that ended after ten to twelve episodes, New Universe had stretched to nearly twenty.

Neither the production staff nor NewBlack had expected it to become this successful, so they'd deliberately planned a longer run to maximize exposure.

I don't care about anything else. Just bring it back quickly.

A show where nothing felt uncomfortable and everyone could laugh together.

It captured the charm of old-school variety shows through games while faithfully following modern trends.

As people chatted about New Universe online—

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

Families who had turned on NBS ahead of time exchanged puzzled looks.

"Cha Woohyun got eliminated."

"???"

"...Apparently he lost to Baek Siyeon."

A shocking upset was unfolding in a competition where everyone had assumed Cha Woohyun would eventually win.

Viewers who had turned on their TVs for New Universe briefly switched over to TBC.

-Holy crap

-Wow nobody can predict this anymore LOL

-Next week is going to be absolute carnage

-Baek Siyeon: Wooju thank you thank you LOL

-He didn't even appear but his presence is impossible to hide LOL

Mission Singer, where the overwhelmingly dominant favorite had fallen.

Just as variety show fans were celebrating the fact that they'd have months of exciting television ahead—

"Oh, it's starting."

Friday night's guaranteed entertainment check.

New Universe.

『Goblin Restaurant! The Grand Finale!』

A flashback montage began.

The entire journey of the Goblin Restaurant project flowed across the screen.

[We're going to introduce delicious food to everyone!]

[Bobby! Hello!]

NewBlack wandering around Los Angeles, learning cooking from famous chefs like Dante Cellini and Bobby Ross.

[This menu's name is... Bulgogi Steak!]

[Then where exactly did this hair come from?]

They practiced by serving authentic hamburger steaks to Lemon Entertainment employees.

Even the incident with the troublesome bald customer appeared.

After showing scenes from their operations in Goblin Street, filled with traditional Korean houses, a caption appeared.

『The journey is finally approaching its end.』

The screen immediately switched to NewBlack preparing for their final lunch service.

[Slice slice slice slice! Ratatatata!]

[Rustle. Rustle.]

The five members moved with practiced efficiency, filling ice machines and preparing ingredients.

『A suffocating silence』

The exhausted five-man group preparing for business with hollow eyes sent viewers into hysterics.

-They're adorable LOL

-Running a restaurant really isn't for just anybody

-Honestly this workload is insane for five people LOL

-That's exactly why it's fun

-You keep thinking, "There's no way they can do this"

-And then somehow they do???

-The obstacles are ridiculous, but they just keep overcoming them

Even so, NewBlack never showed signs of exhaustion to customers.

They simply worked hard.

But the more surprising thing was something else.

"How do they never fight?"

"Seriously."

Normally, when people were tired, conflicts were inevitable.

People got irritated and snapped at one another.

Yet the most common source of conflict in restaurant variety shows never appeared.

Instead, they sang work songs together and danced while working.

Our kids really are amazing.

Souffle nodded proudly at the sight.

Then some fans frowned after looking online.

There it is again. Knew those comments were coming.

Whenever scenes like this aired, antis always showed up pretending to be concerned.

-Actually that's not healthy eitherㅠ

-Come on, how can five people live together and never fight?

-They're just suppressing everything until they explode

-That's not a good thing LOL

-One day they're going to have a massive blowup and destroy their relationship

-Even siblings fight constantly and still get along

-You can tell some of the members are bottling things up LOL

-Not my place to judge but it doesn't look healthyㅠ

It was the old theory that people who fought were actually closer.

To Souffle, though, it sounded ridiculous.

Maybe they just have different personalities...?

It felt similar to people acting suspicious whenever they saw siblings who genuinely got along.

Wasn't it possible for people like that to exist?

The fans shook their heads at the antis pretending to worry while calling NewBlack strange and unnatural.

Don't even engage with them.

Just as they ignored the armchair psychologists projecting their own assumptions onto NewBlack—

The real business finally began.

The chefs appeared.

Dante Cellini, dressed in his chef's uniform, clapped his hands.

[Pietro. Let's get ready.]

[Yes, Chef!]

The sous-chef and the cooks working under one of the world's top chefs immediately sprang into action.

-OMG Pietro is so handsome

-Wow LOL professionals really are different

-This is insane

-It's like watching a semiconductor factory

The overseas chefs demonstrated exactly what professionalism looked like.

As they checked the day's special menu items, viewers swallowed hard.

Freshly baked authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Immediately, the top search term on delivery apps changed.

[No. 1 Search Term: Neapolitan Pizza]

Unfortunately, most of the pizza results weren't the kind viewers actually wanted.

Then Bobby Ross made fried chicken.

[Crunch!]

Crumbs scattered from the crispy coating.

Bobby Ross brushed them away from his lips.

Steam billowed from the juicy meat inside the chicken.

[No. 1 Search Term: Chicken]

Chicken orders exploded across delivery platforms.

The celebrity chefs began helping NewBlack with service.

Then viewers gasped.

Because of Goblin Street's night scenery.

"Wooow..."

"It's so beautiful."

It was the same feeling people experienced while watching travel programs set in picturesque Eastern European towns.

-Wowㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-I'm so jealous...

-I went there then

-Aside from the heat it was paradise

-The evenings were unbelievably beautiful

-Man, now I want to visit Gurye

The street was filled with traditional Korean architecture.

Yet restaurants from various countries lined the roads, decorated with signs reflecting each nation's architectural style.

Combined with colorful lighting, the entire area truly looked like a goblin town.

[Hyungs! Have you looked outside? It's gorgeous!]

As NewBlack admired the scenery—

Unexpected news arrived.

The members had already finished service and were preparing for their performance.

[...,Customers?]

A newlywed couple had arrived late due to a minor traffic accident.

Unfortunately, NewBlack no longer had enough ingredients left for regular menu items.

[Um... would it be okay if we prepared something special instead?]

The newlyweds nodded enthusiastically.

Sitting alone at a large restaurant table, awkwardly chatting in front of the cameras—

"It's nice here..."

"Yeah..."

Junghyun, who was handling service, dimmed the lights.

Then he set candles on their table.

Romantic music began flowing through the restaurant speakers.

Meanwhile, Wooju and Biju were in the kitchen, desperately brainstorming.

[Should we try this...?]

Everyone wondered what kind of improvised dish they would create.

Then—

"!"

"!!"

The visuals alone made everyone salivate.

A steaming bowl of black bean ramen.

Premium Pyeongchang beef decorated the top.

Pickled green onions sat beside it.

-HOLY CRAP

-This is insane LOL

-I want that

-Amazing

The strongest reactions of the entire series erupted.

Even viewers who had been resisting late-night snacks started pulling packets of black bean ramen from their cupboards.

It was inevitable.

-I know exactly what that tastes like...!

Dishes like Milanesa or authentic hamburger steak looked delicious, but viewers had no personal reference point.

They could only imagine based on customer reactions.

But black bean ramen?

Every Korean knew exactly what that tasted like.

"Wow..."

Sure enough, the newlyweds' eyes widened.

[Wow...]

[Is it good?]

[Yes! Wow... wowww...]

The husband asked,

"W-What exactly is this? Is it... black bean ramen?"

"Well, it's my own special recipe."

Wooju chuckled smugly.

"This little guy's name is..."

He proudly announced:

"Newni Jjajang."

Everyone burst out laughing.

-Sun Wooju's secret technique LOL

-They're like dads who each have their own signature dish LOL

-Evil spaceship! Release the recipe immediately! Release it! (fist) (fist)

-You're not actually going to keep it secret, right?

-Give us the recipeㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

After the mouthwatering ramen sequence—

NewBlack completed service and performed on a stage set up in Goblin Street.

Under the night sky, surrounded by glowing traditional houses.

The beautiful harmony of Fireworks brought Goblin Restaurant to its conclusion.

"Wow..."

A montage of the special's greatest moments flowed past like memories.

The production staff practically screamed,

"All right! Time to cry! Cry now!"

And the audience obediently complied.

"Ahem."

"Mhm."

Some discreetly wiped at reddened eyes while eating late-night snacks and watching the ending.

Then—

"Guess it's over."

"Should we turn it off?"

Just as people reached for the remote—

A caption suddenly popped up.

『Thought it was over?』

Then Goblin began playing over shots of Goblin Street.

Upbeat music accompanied a series of headlines.

-HOLY CRAP

-Restaurants are actually moving in????

-This is insane

-The scale is ridiculous

-Mr. Kim Gu, are you watching? Korea has become a culinary superpowerㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Kim Gu: Please stop summoning me...

The famous chefs who had appeared on the show would be opening permanent snack and food shops in Goblin Street.

A cheerful caption appeared.

『When the sansuyu flowers bloom』

『See you in Spring 2019』

As viewers learned that a massive new tourist attraction would open next spring—

Another video began.

『Learning the History of University Festivals with NewBlack』

The members stood wearing Lemon University jackets, centered around Ri Hyuk.

The main vocalist, wearing glasses and looking like a celebrity lecturer, cleared his throat.

[Hello, viewers. I am Seo Ri Hyuk, Class of '18, Department of History, Lemon University.]

Everyone laughed.

[Shall we learn about the history of university festivals together~?]

Archival footage began playing.

[University festivals in the 1960s and 1970s had a strong academic focus.]

The history of university festivals unfolded.

Academic origins.

Transformation through student activism during the 1980s.

Decline in the early 1990s.

Revival throughout the 2000s.

But why are they showing this?

Then NewBlack made their announcement.

[Our next special!]

[NewBlack at University Festivals begins next week!]

[Please look forward to it~!]

The youngest member formed finger hearts while everyone smiled sweetly at the camera.

It felt like they were grabbing viewers by the ankles and shouting:

"Not yet! Don't leave yet!"

New Universe finally ended.

The music video for Overcooked began playing.

Wow. That's a lot of teasers.

The new Goblin Street development in Gurye.

The University Festival Special.

NewBlack had thrown out a mountain of bait.

And viewers immediately took it.

The next day.

We arrived at the band rehearsal room to prepare for the university festival project.

The first thing we did was pull out our phones.

"Let's see what kind of reactions we got."

"Hehehe."

Curious about all the memorable moments and teaser bombs from last night's New Universe—

We opened the portal site.

Then froze.

A giant search ranking stared back at us.

"Right, of course. Number one must be NewBl—"

"...Huh?"

[Real Time Search Rankings]

Newni Jjajang

"?"

Newni Jjajang

Newni Jjajang Recipe

NewBlack Black Bean Ramen

Goblin Jjajang

"...???"