Chapter 1089: I am New Black, Class of ’18 (13)

"Alright, kids! Let's shout it one more time."

"Yes!"

"Lemon does not lose!"

"Lemon... does not... lose...!"

The little chicks shouted the slogan while practicing choreography.

The guys wandered among them, laughing and cheering.

"Good! That's it!"

"Nice!"

Maybe it was because Biju was wearing a red baseball cap.

"Why does this remind me of military boot camp?"

"What's boot camp, hyung?"

The youngest member munched on snacks while I draped an arm over his shoulder and smiled benevolently.

"Curious, are you?"

"Yeah. I think I've heard of it before."

"When you enlist in six years, the country will teach you all about it. Kyaaaahaha!"

The maknae pouted and immediately pulled the snack bag away when I reached for it.

"No. I'm not giving you any."

"How stingy."

"Noonas, did you hear that? He's making fun of me again."

The Scarlet members standing nearby didn't react much to Jiho's complaint.

Instead, they exchanged glances and silently surrounded me.

Something about the atmosphere felt ominous.

I swallowed.

"Why aren't you helping the trainees? Why are all of you coming toward me...?"

"Sun Wooju..."

Ara gritted her teeth.

Then all of Scarlet raised their hands.

Smack!

Smack!

"Ow!"

Senior idols immediately began smacking my back and poking my sides.

"Why all of a sudden?!"

"You know exactly what you've done, Sun Wooju!"

Ara declared furiously.

"Do you have any idea how much we suffered because of you?"

"Seriously!"

"I thought I was going to die because of you, oppa!"

Under Daisy's merciless assault, I shook back and forth like Ri Hyuk getting battered by a hurricane.

It felt like I had done something wrong.

The glaring girl group members hissed.

"Why?"

"Idolympics."

"Ah."

My sense of injustice instantly vanished.

"So that's what this is about. Strictly speaking, it wasn't actually my fault..."

Glare.

"I'm sorry. Yes. Very sorry. Deeply remorseful."

Honestly, it really wasn't my fault.

The decision to run this year's Idolympics entirely live had been made by TBC's executives.

I had only played a very small role.

"Oh? NewBlack's Ri Hyuk appeared on Mission Singer? Hoho. The ratings must be excellent."

"Kyaaaahaha! National hip-hop king Seo Ri Hyuk appears! Ratings explosion! Top-tier idol live battle!"

"Top-tier... idol... live... battle...?"

...A very small role.

Seeing Scarlet stare at me suspiciously, I asked,

"Was it really that hard?"

"Yep."

The senior idols shook their heads.

"Everyone came ready to risk their lives. The rookies were insane. The veterans couldn't afford to lose either, so everyone prepared like crazy. If you lose even once, the internet will clown you forever."

Yeonbom sighed.

"I got fifth place in vocals."

"Isn't fifth place amazing?"

Fifth place among every girl group sounded incredible to me.

Yeonbom shook her head.

"What are you talking about? You have to get first."

"At least Nayoon and Lina got medals."

Lina, the main dancer, had won first place in dance.

Daisy had taken second in rap.

Lina, who was my age, flashed a triumphant V-sign.

The maknae looked impressed.

"Wow. You noonas really crushed it."

"Right?"

Ara sighed dramatically.

"The problem is, this isn't a good thing."

"Huh?"

"They're going to do it every holiday now."

"It seriously feels like trainee life all over again. I thought monthly evaluations would disappear after debuting, but they came back."

"And now we have to do monthly evaluations against the best people in the industry."

Then Scarlet's eyes sparkled.

"But."

"We're going to avoid this fate."

"How?"

"By becoming as successful as you guys."

Nayoon clenched her fist.

"We're going to get so successful that the broadcasters start saying, 'Uh... maybe we shouldn't invite them...'"

"Aren't you already successful?"

"No. Oppa. We're going to get bigger. Bigger. Bigger."

Scarlet had debuted in 2012.

Now entering their seventh year, with contract renewals approaching next year, the members still burned with ambition.

"We're going higher!"

"Higher!"

While the three sisters of ambition renewed their oath of brotherhood, Yeonbom stood nearby like Zhuge Liang with a miniature handheld fan.

"Thanks to you guys, the overseas market has exploded lately, so competition is brutal. Nobody has completely claimed the girl group market yet."

"Oh?"

"Right now, Scarlet and Serenity are leading the battle."

"Interesting."

"And lately, KNet's new idol group has been getting international attention too."

"Dahlia?"

Yeonbom nodded.

I'd only listened to some of their songs, so hearing about the current girl-group landscape was fascinating.

At present, it was essentially a four-way war.

Serenity from MOP Entertainment, famous for visuals.

Scarlet from Lemon Entertainment, famous for performance.

Blink from KM Entertainment, backed by a loyal hip-hop fanbase.

NYX from TJ Entertainment, known for strong concepts.

Then KNet's survival-show group Dahlia debuted and exploded in popularity, intensifying the competition overseas.

I had seen their recent song sitting near the top of the daily charts.

Nayoon continued.

"Heard this too? TJ and MOP are both launching rookies."

"Really?"

"TJ's debuting a girl group. MOP's debuting a boy group."

"TeenSpirit's junior group, huh..."

Knowing MOP's tendencies, I imagined a terrifying collection of handsome faces.

These days people called the new idols the 3.5 generation.

I smiled, remembering all the articles from when we debuted claiming the third generation had just begun.

At that moment—

"Hm?"

"Hm?"

While trainees lay scattered around the room gasping for air, Ji Hyuk suddenly pushed himself up.

"Oh?"

"He's rolling."

He performed a forward roll.

Then a sideways roll.

A backward roll.

Another forward roll.

Apparently he lacked the strength to stand.

Like a sweet potato tumbling down a hillside—

Roll.

Roll.

Roll...

Everyone burst out laughing as Ji Hyuk slowly rolled across the floor until he reached Biju.

Then he grabbed Biju's ankle.

"Rain— I mean, Senior Biju."

"Hm?"

Ji Hyuk raised a trembling hand.

"There are still areas where I'm lacking. I'd like to learn more."

"You sure? Aren't you exhausted?"

"I hate being bad at something more than I hate being tired."

"...!"

Biju practically squealed with delight.

Despite looking moments away from collapse, Ji Hyuk stared at Biju with fierce determination while trying to absorb every piece of advice.

Watching him, Scarlet nodded in unison.

"Baby Wooju."

"Mini Wooju."

"..."

I suddenly became very curious about what exactly my image inside the company looked like.

After spending some quality time with the trainees, we finished our final university festival planning meeting with the New Universe production staff before departing for Japan.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"Good work. Have a safe trip to Japan."

Gu Jaeyoung PD smiled.

"We'll take care of preparing everything for the October festivals. Just enjoy yourselves."

"Thank you, PD. We're counting on you."

"Oh, and one more favor."

"What souvenir should we bring back?"

"No, not that. I want you to check out what variety-show filming is like over there. In case you ever appear on one."

The words of a man who loved variety television down to his bones made me laugh.

As everyone began returning to their own work—

"Huh?"

Someone walking down the hallway suddenly spotted us and widened his eyes.

An appearance straight out of an aristocratic family.

Gu Jaeyoung PD recognized him immediately.

"Oh, wow. Long time no see, Hanbyul."

"Hello, PD!"

"Come to think of it, you're part of our company now too."

"Yep! It still feels surreal every time I see you. Wow."

The former TBC broadcaster and former TJ Entertainment artist laughed together at the fact they now belonged to the same company.

Gu Jaeyoung asked,

"What brings you here?"

"I have a meeting with the major shareholder about my album."

"Ah..."

The PD smiled and offered a handshake.

"Preparing an album, huh? Good luck."

"If you ever make new content, please call me. I'll grind my bones into dust if that's what it takes to make people laugh."

"Haha. Sure."

"Yes, sir! Take care!"

Hanbyul remained bowed at ninety degrees until Gu Jaeyoung completely disappeared.

I whistled.

"Wow. Look at that greeting angle. You're basically Korean."

"Did he leave?"

"Yeah."

Straightening up, Hanbyul brushed back his bangs.

He still looked amazed.

"Wow..."

"That surprising?"

"Of course. Even when we were at our peak, he was untouchable. My manager and I used to bow ninety degrees whenever we saw him."

"Fair enough."

People like Gu Jaeyoung PD occupied the absolute highest tier of the entertainment industry.

I remembered top stars who threw tantrums everywhere else suddenly becoming gentle lambs in front of him.

Hanbyul draped an arm around my shoulder.

"Moments like this really make me realize how successful you've become. Gu Jaeyoung PD is making original content for you and everything."

I chuckled and changed the subject.

"Are TNT's promotions completely finished now?"

"Yep. We wrapped up with a fan meeting and entered military hiatus mode."

"So Sunwoong hyung enlisted."

"A little while ago. Seriously, he keeps calling me drunk and whining about how lucky I am not to have military service because I'm a foreigner. I never know what to say."

Hanbyul sighed.

"We really picked the wrong leader."

"...He's the treasured son of the family."

Like Jiho, he was the only son after multiple daughters and had always been doted on at home.

When TJ decided to choose leaders based on age order, I remembered everyone immediately thinking that might not be a great idea.

The younger members had apparently wanted to push me into the role instead.

Unfortunately, that was around the time I got kicked out.

Stretching, Hanbyul said,

"Now it's every man for himself. Han Taehyun is preparing a solo concert. Seok Jihoon is working on his next project."

Then he latched onto me again.

"And I am preparing an album together with the greatest producer in the world."

"Don't get too excited. You're making me nervous."

"I believe only in you, hyung. Hehehe."

I pushed him away and entered the conference room.

Staff from Yoon Chanhyuk's TF Team 3 and members of the producing team were already gathered.

"Hello!"

"Hello!"

Taking a seat, Hanbyul winked.

"These are the people I'll be working with from now on?"

"That's correct."

"Please take good care of me."

The staff looked noticeably tense.

Not surprising.

He was one of the biggest stars in Greater China.

And there was another reason.

I remembered something Hanbyul had once told me.

"It's kind of annoying."

"What is?"

"TJ employees keep talking trash about me."

"Why?"

"They say they created my popularity in China and that I betrayed them by leaving."

That rumor probably shaped how many people viewed him.

"I heard his contract renewal with TJ collapsed after a huge fight. Apparently his personality is awful."

As far as I was concerned, those stories were nonsense.

If anything, Hanbyul's problem was being too nice.

He looked carefree and outspoken on the surface, but he'd been raised with strict etiquette and I'd never once seen him raise his voice.

For example—

If another celebrity was unhappy, they might say:

"How long are you going to keep sending me around China?! Send me back to Korea! If you don't, I'll collapse right here and post cryptic messages on social media until contract-failure articles start appearing!"

Hanbyul was different.

"I enjoy activities in China, but I'd also like to promote in Korea occasionally. Is there any way we could make that happen?"

If people responded appropriately, everything would be fine.

Unfortunately, this industry had a tendency to take advantage of people who spoke gently.

"Ah, Mr. Hanbyul. Of course, of course. You must have concerns. We'll look into solutions. Don't worry. We'll discuss it internally and let you know."

Then silence.

Nothing happened.

People like Hanbyul would hesitate.

"I already brought it up once. Would it be rude to mention it again? Maybe I should wait."

The cycle repeated endlessly.

Eventually, after reaching his limit and finally exploding, people would suddenly act offended.

"Oh? We thought he was a pushover. How annoying."

As if remembering those days, Hanbyul pressed his lips together before smiling.

"I'm excited to start a new project with new people. Please take care of me."

"We'll do our absolute best!"

"Then shall we begin?"

The atmosphere relaxed almost immediately.

Hanbyul's easygoing smile quickly helped everyone realize he was easy to work with.

The biggest star in Greater China raised a hand.

"I'm usually the type to accept whatever concept the company decides. As long as it doesn't involve sending me back on another endless China tour."

Everyone laughed.

When asked what plans I had prepared, I answered.

"For starters, I'm thinking of launching you as a ballad singer rather than an idol soloist."

"Why?"

"Because you said you wanted to become a singer loved by the general public."

Sales weren't a concern.

Not even slightly.

Even a conventional idol solo debut could probably sell close to a million albums in the first week.

The final TNT album before military hiatus had exploded partly because Hanbyul's Chinese fandom purchased massive quantities.

The safest option would absolutely be an idol solo debut.

But—

"I want to make what you actually want."

"..."

"And there's another reason."

"What?"

"Can you beat Han Taehyun?"

"...Ah. Right. Nobody beats a monster."

The undisputed king of idol solo performers.

A man whose stage presence and fandom management had reached absurd levels.

If Hanbyul debuted as an idol soloist, their positions would inevitably overlap.

Hanbyul was excellent on stage.

But compared to someone specialized entirely in performance like Taehyun, there was still a gap.

The producing team added,

"The singers we're using as references are people like Hong Saetbyeol and Yoo Jaechan."

Public-friendly singers.

I elaborated.

"You know the type, right? Gentle love songs. Popular with people in their twenties. The kind of artist every university festival wants [N O V E L I G H T] to invite."

"Ah..."

"That's the direction we're aiming for."

"Okay."

He immediately looked at me with complete trust.

If you say so, I'll do it.

I laughed.

"Don't agree immediately. Tell me what you think."

"When I have brilliant producers and amazing staff like this, why would I need an ego?"

The singer casually detached his brain and handed it over to us.

The discussion moved into detailed planning for his solo album.

In many ways, he would be the first outside artist I'd truly produce from start to finish.

It felt very different from simply composing songs.

Then one staff member spoke.

"The only issue we haven't been able to estimate properly is demand."

Hanbyul answered honestly.

"Because most of my fandom is Chinese, but this is a Korean-language album?"

"Yes. Exactly."

"Demand estimation, huh..."

The staff were struggling because they couldn't accurately calculate the size of the purchasing audience.

At that moment—

Hanbyul picked up his phone.

"One second."

"What are you doing?"

"I'm going live for a minute."

He opened a Chinese-language streaming app.

Apparently one commonly used by celebrities.

The screen was connected to the projector.

Everyone watched.

Only moments after the stream began—

A number shot upward.

[3,731,373]

Nearly four million viewers instantly.

Then a notification appeared.

One viewer had donated one million yuan.

...

What did I just witness?

The room fell silent.

Everyone slowly turned toward the TJ Entertainment building visible through the window.

I couldn't help wondering whether those people had any idea what they'd lost.

Hanbyul waved at the phone.

"Starwatchers, I'll be back in ten minutes! See you soon!"

The stream ended.

Then Hanbyul pointed toward TJ Entertainment and grinned.

"Hyung. See that building?"

"Yeah."

"Just wait a little longer."

He smiled.

"I'll buy it for you."

"Thank you, Great Benefactor Jang!"

I grabbed his hands dramatically and pretended to cry.

The entire room burst into laughter.

That same day.

In a peaceful countryside home, a man in his sixties watered a vegetable garden with a watering can.

Wiping sweat beneath a straw hat, he smiled.

"Heh."

He looked like a scholar from the Joseon era enjoying a life of simple contentment.

Former TJ Entertainment chairman Park Taejun.

A man who had once ruled the company.

"Living like this really does make you healthier."

Back when he had been immersed in ambition and power, he had never understood the pleasures of rural life.

Returning indoors, he poured tea from an antique kettle into a ceramic cup.

Then—

"Hm?"

A video recommendation appeared on MyTube.

Among political news videos, one keyword caught his eye.

Jang Hanbyul

He took a sip.

Then searched it.

TNT's Jang Hanbyul Releases First Album After Joining Lemon Entertainment — Produced by Sun Wooju?

The ungrateful brat who had abandoned TJ was releasing a new album through Lemon Entertainment.

"The nerve of that kid. After everything..."

Clicking his tongue, Park Taejun opened the video.

Hanbyul was asking fans to look forward to the upcoming album.

"Why did this even appear in my recommendations?"

Just as he wondered that—

Hanbyul spoke.

"And I'd like to take this opportunity to express special thanks to Park—"

"Heh. The brat."

"—Gyuho, our CEO. Thank you very much."

"..."

Hanbyul smiled warmly at the camera.

Park Taejun's cheek twitched.

Then—

"And there was something else I couldn't say earlier. Park—"

"Heh."

"—Gyuho, our CEO. And Producer Sun Wooju. Thank you once again."

"You little...!"

Former Chairman Park Taejun clutched the back of his neck.

And nearly collapsed.