Chapter 1086: I am New Black, Class of ’18 (10)

The NewBlack members, who had been teasing the audience, grinned and asked,

"Then is everyone ready?"

As a roaring chorus of "Yeeees!" swept across the venue, the drones continued rippling through the night sky.

Words appeared in midair.

『 Fireworks 』

The members strode enthusiastically onto the extended stage while shouting the fan chant the university students had prepared.

"Sun Wooju! Kim Biju! Kim Junghyun! Seo Ri Hyuk! Wang Jiho!"

"NewBlack! NewBlack!"

"Waaaaaaah!"

The screen captured Wooju smiling brightly at the sight.

Where are we right now?

A strange sea, unfamiliar air

The members swayed lightly to the rhythm as they waved to the audience.

The university students' eyes filled with fireworks.

They're seriously amazing.

They couldn't quite put it into words, but the people standing on that stage seemed incredibly cool.

The spark was always there

You just have to let it shine

Show your true colors

Singing the refreshing melody, Ri Hyuk held out his microphone toward the audience.

Everyone answered with the chorus.

Look over there, that's our firework

(Firework)

The sight of us painting the night sky

The singers smiled happily at the sight of the crowd singing along.

Then they raised their microphones and sang the chorus.

Like a firework

Show them who you are

The singers sang.

Like a firework

The colors of you and me

And the audience sang with them.

As the drones rippled in countless colors, a silent fireworks display began unfolding overhead.

No.

There was no need for any special sound effects.

The performance taking place on stage right now was itself the sound of fireworks.

The main vocalist and lead vocalist harmonized before launching into the climactic high notes.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The overwhelming volume and soaring vocals sent chills racing down everyone's spine.

While the audience was still rubbing their goosebumps, the five members running across the stage waved goodbye, and the crowd waved back.

"Wow..."

As the concert approached its finale, the university students' eyes remained filled with fireworks.

At the same time, their image of NewBlack was changing completely.

From a nationally beloved idol group famous for variety shows and MyTube appearances...

To true national idols in every sense of the word.

They're freaking incredible.

So this is why people become fans?

Even after "Fireworks" ended, everyone remained too excited to speak properly, shouting incoherent thoughts at one another.

Then the darkened stage lit up with a message on the giant screen.

[Did everyone have fun today?]

While the members were briefly offstage, a VCR played to encourage audience participation.

The students screamed themselves hoarse several times.

Then another message appeared.

[For the final stage... are you really ready to have fun??]

"NEW! BLACK!"

"NEW! BLACK!"

Just when everyone thought they had shouted enough...

A lively drumbeat rang out and the spotlight crashed down onto the stage.

"!"

"!!"

As the intro of Overcooked began, NewBlack rose from beneath the stage on lifts.

They were dressed in modified black chef uniforms.

Dancers wearing white chef outfits surged onto the stage alongside them, and the audience immediately began jumping up and down.

It's Overcooked!

Just hearing the song was enough to make people excited.

Even the chorus singers stood before their microphones, providing harmonies.

Whether walking onto the extended stage or moving along the sides, NewBlack made eye contact with audience members one by one.

Every time they held out their microphones, everyone shouted back.

Overcooked~ Overcooked~

Like a call-and-response, the NewBlack members sang into their microphones.

I only cooked it a little too long~

Maybe my love for you got carried away~♬

Everyone sang together.

Overcooked~ Overcooked~

Vegetables sparkled in the sky above.

And beneath them stood singers shining even brighter than the stars themselves.

"Wow..."

The university students watching today's performance could say one thing with certainty.

They would never forget this stage for the rest of their lives.

Around the same time, most people were following the news online.

[Holy crap there are vegetables floating in the sky]

(Photo.jpg of giant LED vegetables glowing overhead)

What is this;;

NewBlack came to Korea University lmaoooooo

Looks like they're doing Overcooked lol

Why are the vegetables so cute

Holy shit a drone show at a university festivalㅋㅋㅋㅋ They must be swimming in money

Wait, did the university actually pay for that too?

Because of the drone show, even people nearby were uploading videos.

In the clips, confused voices could be heard saying,

"What is that? There are vegetables floating in the sky!"

What happened at that festival?

Netizens waited for updates, posting reaction memes that essentially begged:

Show me what you saw.

Then, as soon as the clock struck ten, reviews began flooding the internet.

It started with university community forums.

[I LOVE NEWBLACK SO MUCH]

That performance was absolutely insane.

Honestly, before it started I was just like, "Haha, some super famous celebrities are coming."

Then I watched the show and got completely blown away.

World-class artists are world-class for a reason.

They opened with White Night and immediately established dominance. I literally couldn't stop getting chills.

(...omitted...)

Anyway, I love you all, damn it.

Calm down lol

└ Anyone calling this an overreaction definitely wasn't there today

└ Facts

└ Cool-guy wannabes couldn't watch the concert, huh?ㅋㅋㅋ

I felt it too. There's a reason they're so popular overseas.

The drone-show hype was unrealㅋㅋㅋㅋ I'm at the after-party right now and everyone keeps talking about it.

Greatest overseas concert in Korean historyㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Similar reviews began appearing across countless communities.

Went with my wife and it was genuinely legendary. Their presence was overwhelming even from far away. Absolutely unrealㅋㅋㅋ

There were a ridiculous number of people there... but honestly, it made sense.

If NewBlack holds a concert next year, I'm definitely goingㅋㅋㅋ Seriously, that one hour was insane.

As post after post described it as "legendary" and "absolutely unbelievable," curiosity spread rapidly.

What happened?

Then people started watching the fan-recorded videos.

And they immediately understood.

Everyone already knew NewBlack's songs.

They were all chart-topping hits.

Even if people didn't know every lyric, they were songs they could unconsciously hum along to.

When the audience already knows the songs, a performance is halfway to success.

But that wasn't all.

Their vocals are insane too.

The main vocalist and lead vocalist were in extraordinary form.

The King of Singers are absolutely cracked

King of Korean Hip-Hop Seo Ri Hyuk and King of Singers Sun Wooju on the same stageㅋㅋㅋㅋ

It's honestly a blessing that these two are in the same group. Two main-vocal-level singers with completely different styles?? Fans are spoiled.

They turned a university festival into a full-blown concert.

I almost thought it wasn't live, but every time they paused for breath the vocals got slightly quieterㅋㅋㅋㅋ They're insane.

Even through low-quality recordings, their powerful voices came through crystal clear.

Is that really live?

Their skill was that unbelievable.

This is incredible. Seriously.

People could finally understand why the audience had gone completely wild.

Overwhelming live vocals.

Global superstar status.

Hit songs everyone knows.

Any one of those factors would have been enough to drive a crowd crazy.

NewBlack had all three.

At the same time, Souffle members were crying.

Not because they were happy.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHㅠㅠㅠㅠ WHY COULDN'T I GO

Because they hadn't been there.

I need to reflect on the fact that I've been a Seoul resident my entire life... Even taking the KTX, getting to Daejeon isn't as easy as it sounds.

I went to see the concert but got turned away because the line was too longㅋㅋㅋㅋ I ended up just buying fried soboro bread and going home.

Another person who only visited Sung Sim Dang checking in.

As someone from Daejeon, try something besides the fried soboroㅋㅋㅋㅋ It's not quite as amazing as people expect.

I'd be happy even with a third-floor stadium seat. I just want to see them.

Ugh, I'm so jealous of those college kidsㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Even through fancams, the atmosphere was palpable.

And above all else...

The members look genuinely happy.

NewBlack always enjoyed performing, even at concerts.

But today felt different.

Instead of the tightly controlled atmosphere of a major concert, it looked like they were freely running around and having fun onstage.

And the university students had even prepared full crowd singalongs as if they were attending an overseas concert.

No wonder they looked so thrilled.

"Everything's great. Everything's perfect, but..."

As Souffle members read the online reactions, they felt a terrible premonition.

Maybe it was because Wooju's joke—

"You'll get to see it if you come to the concert!"

—had spread everywhere.

Honestly thinking about joiningㅋㅋㅋㅋ I can't forget today's concert high.

If you're Korean, joining Souffle is basically mandatory.

If I join Souffle and pay membership fees every year, doesn't that make me Souffle too?

You're looking at it wrongㅋㅋㅋㅋ You're not joining Souffle. You're paying taxes as a citizen of the nation ruled by NewBlack.

Casual fans began declaring that they would join the fandom just to get access to concert presales.

No! My seats!

Don't come! Stay away!

No...! AAAAAAAAH!

While Souffle members collectively lost their minds...

There was one group suffering even more than anyone else.

"Agh. I'm screwed."

The singers scheduled to perform on Day Two of the Korea University festival.

NewBlack had delivered an explosive closing performance on Day One, sending expectations soaring among the students.

I'm doomed. What am I supposed to do now?

I guess I'll have to risk my life out there.

How are we supposed to beat that...?

They were now being forced to deliver legendary performances themselves.

Yesterday's festival had been unbelievably fun.

If it weren't for the strict 10 p.m. noise restrictions, they probably could have performed several more songs.

"This is seriously so much fun. How can performing be this exciting and fun and happy all at once?"

Jiho fluttered his hands excitedly as he spoke.

Their main vocalist replied,

"There are a lot of reasons. For one thing, you don't have to focus on perfect choreography because audience interaction matters more. And they even prepared singalongs for our songs. That's not something you see every day."

The youngest member groaned dramatically.

"I wasn't asking a question. I was speaking rhetorically."

"It's called a rhetorical question."

"I'm amazed I'm in the same group as someone who understands me this little. How are we even in the same group...?"

The two glared at each other while the older members laughed.

Biju said,

"But I think Ri Hyuk's right."

"Yeah. What singer wouldn't enjoy something like that?"

Any singer would love a festival like this.

If concerts were stressful because of the pressure to prepare the best possible show for fans, festivals were difficult for a completely different reason.

Most singers faced the same challenge:

Make an audience that doesn't particularly care about you have fun.

University festivals were relatively easy because people came ready to enjoy themselves.

But events like ginseng festivals could be genuinely awkward.

Elderly men in fedoras standing with their arms crossed.

Children whining, "Mom, when is this over?"

Situations like that were common.

But this New Universe university-festival special had created conditions any singer would dream of.

WAAAH!! NEWBLACK IS HERE!!!!! WELCOME!!

We even prepared singalongs for you!

It was, quite simply, the perfect environment for performers.

The youngest member asked excitedly,

"Should we do university festivals every year from now on?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"The booking fee."

Right now it was fine because this was a one-time special project.

But if they started appearing regularly, problems would inevitably arise.

If NewBlack costs this much, shouldn't everyone else adjust their rates too?

And every festival they attended would likely create chaos.

As fun as it was, this was definitely the kind of special event that should remain a one-time experience.

Junghyun said to Jiho,

"Let's just enjoy the moment."

"Okay..."

With that, they continued eating in the waiting room.

Yesterday had been Korea University.

Today was Seoul National University.

The dressing room door opened and Mingi entered.

"Did you see the stage, hyung?"

"Yeah."

"How is it? Is it far from the audience?"

"Pretty far."

At that, everyone immediately started wrapping garlic and grilled meat in lettuce.

The staff burst out laughing.

Junghyun explained,

"I didn't know this either, but apparently if the stage is too close, people can smell what you've been eating."

Since there was some distance, they comfortably enjoyed their meat and garlic wraps.

After finishing the same safety-inspection meeting as yesterday, they headed backstage.

Music boomed from the tent as they stretched and changed clothes.

"Whoa. It's an SNU jacket."

Jiho snapped a selfie and sent it to someone.

"Gotta send this to Dad. A Seoul National University jacket Dad never got to wear~"

"Such a good son. Truly a good son."

After praising their fire-element filial son and ruffling his hair, I sent a selfie to Kim Deoksun as well.

Me: Grandma

Me: Your grandson has finally made it into Seoul National University!!!

Me: ...But I'm here to performㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

It felt strangely emotional.

Back when I was studying for the college entrance exam, Seoul National University had been my dream school.

I probably wouldn't have passed the composition department's admissions anyway, but I still remembered thinking:

If my scores are good enough, I'll go even if it's not composition!

Life really did take strange turns.

Just as I was marveling at how I'd ended up here after all...

KingGodKimDeoksun: Good for you then.

I clenched my fist at the 100% indifferent reply.

...How frustrating!

But there was nothing I could do.

I loved her more.

And in love, the one who loves more always loses.

As I quietly swallowed my wounded pride, cheers erupted outside the tent.

"NewBlack, i-it's time to go on!"

"Okay."

I nodded to the visibly nervous festival staff member and left the tent with the others.

The closer we got to the stage, the louder the noise became.

[IS EVERYONE READY?!]

The MC introduced us.

[LET'S WELCOME THEM WITH A HUGE ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!]

The moment we stepped onto the stage, a tidal wave of cheers crashed over us.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"WAAAAAAAH!"

The special stage had been set up inside Seoul National University's main stadium.

Campus buildings were visible in the distance, and even people standing over there were watching us.

We waved to the already-excited students before moving into formation.

Just like a concert became easier on its second day, festivals became easier too.

We were using the same setlist.

[Everyone, together now~!]

After opening with White Night, we chatted with the cheering students and introduced the next song while teaching them the choreography.

[Yesterday at Korea University, people seemed a little confused by Rabbit Uncle's dance moves. So let's practice together first.]

The students followed along as we demonstrated.

Looking all the way toward the back of the crowd, we added,

[There are some people back there who aren't doing it. We can see all of you.]

[How can we see you, you ask?]

The members and I pointed at Junghyun.

[Because we have someone here with hawk eyes. He can see every single one of you.]

[That's right.]

Junghyun pointed into the distance.

[The person in the yellow shirt. I saw you not doing it.]

[All right! Let's try it again!]

The students became even more enthusiastic.

Then...

"Hm?"

I heard Junghyun mutter under his breath.

While Jiho and Biju continued leading the practice, I lowered my microphone.

"Junghyun. What's wrong?"

"I see someone I know in the audience."

"Who?"

The name he spoke made my eyes widen.

"...!"

She was here.

"Aaaah~"

A happy little tune escaped her lips.

"Aaaah~"

Her classmates laughed and nudged her.

"Hey, Souffle. Happy?"

"I'm about to pass out. I'm so happy."

Because the singers she loved were standing right there on stage.

The group she had been fangirling over.

She'd stepped away from fandom life during college entrance exams, but now the singers she loved most in the world had come to the university she had just entered.

This is fate!

She watched NewBlack's performance with a blissful smile.

Then—

[Junghyun really does see everything.]

She giggled and nodded.

Following the choreography with her friends, she suddenly blinked.

"Huh...?"

Someone onstage had locked eyes with her.

Kim Junghyun was staring directly at her.

"!"

She jumped excitedly and waved.

Oppa! It's so good to see you!

Her friends laughed at how cute she looked.

Then Wooju noticed Junghyun staring and asked something.

A moment later, he began looking at her too.

Then the message spread.

One by one, the members started looking in her direction.

"Huh? What's going on?"

"They're looking over here, right...?"

As her friends murmured and nearby audience members looked around in confusion...

Wooju suddenly raised his microphone with the solemn expression of a man about to make an important announcement.

[Everyone, we're sorry, but we've just spotted a face in the audience we're incredibly happy to see.]

[Would it be okay if we said hello for a moment?]

The crowd shouted yes.

She blinked, then nodded too.

Thinking they were simply going to wave and greet her, she happily prepared to wave back.

Then the NewBlack members raised their microphones with completely serious expressions.

[Among us today is a longtime fan of ours... and a princess from a beautiful island.]

Wooju continued in a grave voice.

[Princess Squid.]

"...?"

[That's right. The Squid Princess.]

AAAAAAAAAAAH!

As laughter exploded across the venue, Class of 2018 student Oh Heewon let out a scream.

Her online nickname had just been exposed.