Chapter 1133: The Warmest Season, Winter (5)

The public is less interested in singers than people might think.

Even for singers who are famous enough to be considered public favorites, most people only become aware of them after their songs are released and enter the charts. It is actually rare for the public to already know that a singer is making a comeback ahead of time.

"Hey. Yoon Chanhyuk's new song is out."

"He released a new song?"

Usually, people find out through conversations like that or when randomly playing through the daily top 100 chart.

That was why even famous singers had to run around every variety show imaginable around their album release date, shouting, "My new song is coming out!" until their throats were raw from promotion.

Before releasing an album, it was standard for the singer and company staff to put their heads together and brainstorm how to promote the album effectively.

From that perspective, Junghyun's solo album was already a massive success from the promotional stage alone.

"Hello. I'm Potato Friend."

The teaser video had successfully spread everywhere, drawing attention from all directions.

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Potato Friendㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I swear Kim Junghyun is driving me insaneㅋㅋㅋ

-Boyfriends are out. The trend is harmless Potato Friends now.

-Lawyer? Isn't it the era of rice farming now?

For some reason, the absurdly ridiculous short film was becoming extremely popular among the public.

Posts were spreading through online communities.

[???: "That person is your boyfriend?"]

[Boyfriend, girlfriend, and ㅇㅇ friend]

[Breaking news) Junghyun and rapper Silly revealed to have a ㅁㅁ friend relationship]

On top of that, Souffle were getting excited and putting all their effort into promotion.

"We can't lose to Kim Junghyun when it comes to attention grabbing."

"We can't let our favorite lose at baiting people. We'll create even stronger bait in the idol industry."

"Hehehe. Seventeen years of title bait experience. I'll show them the skills I developed tricking Mom and Dad since I was six."

Souffle hammered away at their keyboards like excited cats!

Tap tap tap tap!

And so, a massive attention grabbing topic was thrown into the idol world as well.

[The male solo artist with the strongest core fandom in Korea.JPG]

It was like throwing a meat-covered bone into a pack of starving hyenas.

Or like putting up a sign that read, [This is the Colosseum. Welcome.]

Idol fans became restless as if an enemy who had broken every rule of the community had appeared.

"Who is it? Who just said someone is the top solo artist?"

"So they want to fight, huh?"

"If we're talking about the strongest core fandom, isn't it Han Taehyun? I'd accept it if it's Han Taehyun."

At most, they thought Han Taehyun was a reasonable choice.

If any other name appeared, they were ready to fight for the candidate they supported.

The moment they clicked the post, however, they were left staring blankly.

[The incomparable male solo artist with the strongest core fandom in Korea.JPG]

(Junghyun doing sit-ups while hanging upside down from a pull-up bar.jpg)

Kim Junghyun

No objections accepted.

Seeing Kim Junghyun smiling warmly while showing off his core muscles, the fans lowered the weapons they had been holding.

Then they burst out laughing.

-Oh, this one I acceptㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The male idol with the strongest core (muscles) fandom ranking number one

-So that was a different kind of core... awkward...

-No, that's not that kind of coreㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Wow, Junghyun can actually do that?

-He really is the idol with the strongest coreㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

By naturally creating this kind of buzz, they were able to draw attention back to Junghyun's solo album.

A chaotic collaboration between the singer, the company, and the fans.

After that, more videos related to Potato Friend were uploaded, and news of the album spread through word of mouth among the public as well.

"Hey, have you seen this?"

"HAHAHAHA!"

Junghyun's poster wearing a potato mascot costume.

A video where Junghyun confessed, "Would you like to become my Potato Friend?"

A promotional video for Potato Friend after an official partnership with Gangwon Province, and more.

Promotional content that even ordinary people could enjoy flooded the internet.

And then, a real-time search ranking appeared.

[Real-Time Search Ranking]

1st Place. Potato Friend

The reason was simple: public curiosity.

People laughed out loud when the funny videos were uploaded, but after watching them, they were left wondering.

"...What exactly is Potato Friend?"

Since this was an album being released with

/N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/

serious intent, it felt like there had to be some deeper meaning behind it. But because they could not figure out what it meant, they felt oddly frustrated.

What is it?

Potato Friend... what even is that?

The core of promotion was drawing out public interest and curiosity.

Even before the album release, Junghyun's album was already a huge marketing success.

"Junghyun."

"Yes."

"Sometimes I really find you fascinating. How do you have such a normal-looking face while constantly thinking up things like this?"

"I think the same thing sometimes."

"Right? Even you think that..."

"No. I'm talking about you, hyung."

"..."

I scoffed.

"Me?"

"Honestly, don't you admit it too?"

Junghyun chuckled softly.

"If we ranked the abnormal members of NewBlack, I'd probably be second place."

"No way. I'm second place."

While Junghyun and I argued over who deserved second place, Jiho, who had been yawning lazily, spoke up.

"Why are you guys debating over something like that? From what I see, you're both about the same. Evenly matched. Equals."

He seemed eager to use the four-character idioms he had learned.

Pointing at the two of us, Jiho declared,

"You two can share first place."

"!"

"!!"

Junghyun and I looked at each other with offended expressions.

"No matter how I think about it, I can't be as weird as him."

"Honestly, you're one step above me."

I could acknowledge many things about Junghyun.

But I could not accept being weirder than him.

I looked at my younger members and pointed at Junghyun.

"Look at this guy. He runs alongside a village bus at the same speed and scares the driver, whenever he says he has a good feeling something always happens, and he goes around wrestling black goats."

Junghyun pointed at me.

"Sun Wooju."

"!"

"!!"

The younger members clapped in admiration and concluded that I seemed more likely to take first place.

"Wait... why did just saying my name convince them..."

"There's something persuasive about it. I can't explain it logically, though."

"Tsk."

Anyway, I had absolutely no allies.

While the members continued debating who was the number one normal person, I was checking the cue cards.

The words visible behind the studio where I was sitting read:

[Sweet Potato 3rd Album]

[Potato Friend]

Today was the day of Junghyun's comeback showcase.

Naturally, I was the MC.

While I reviewed the cue cards and went over the schedule, Junghyun, who was waiting for his hair styling and makeup, suddenly started doing handstand push-ups.

"Are you nervous?"

"Yes."

Reading the cue cards, I glanced at his silhouette from the corner of my eye.

"What are you doing?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"I'm lifting the Earth right now."

"Hmm."

I picked up some nearby objects and placed them on the floor.

"I'll add some weight."

"Uuuugh!"

"How is it? Feeling it?"

"No. Please add a little more."

"This much?"

"Uuuuuugh! This is fine."

While Junghyun and I snickered, Ri Hyuk, who was sitting nearby, looked at us with utter disdain.

"Humanity has entered the age of space exploration, and there are still people having conversations like this..."

"We need people like us too."

With that, we began preparing for the broadcast.

We went through rehearsals, I reassured Junghyun, who was a little more nervous than usual, and welcomed rapper Silly, who had featured on Junghyun's new song.

Finally, one hour before the release.

"All right, we'll begin the live broadcast now. Three, two, one..."

As the cameras turned on, I clapped my hands.

"Hello! Souffle and everyone watching, welcome to rapper Sweet Potato's showcase, broadcast live through MyTube and the Y app! Welcome!"

"Wooooo!"

I and my underlings applauded as Junghyun bowed.

"Hello. I'm rookie rapper Sweet Potato, and my third album is about to be released. It's nice to meet you."

"You're one of the hottest rappers these days. I heard that VIBE, which you released last year, is expected to enter the annual chart this year. Congratulations."

"Thank you. It's all thanks to everyone's love."

While Junghyun showed a sincere hand heart, we continued the Q&A and moved on to introducing the album.

"There are so many questions. First of all, there's one asking: Is Sweet Potato a sweet potato or a potato?"

"It's a sweet potato."

Junghyun explained.

"Of course, in English, sweet potato means a sweet potato. But I think sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes are completely different things. Just like 'handsome Kim Junghyun = Sun Wooju' isn't true."

"I see."

"Personally, I like potatoes more."

"Now that you mention it, your grandfather grows sweet potatoes, right? But the grandson likes potatoes more."

"Uh. That..."

"Let's move on to the next question."

While the members giggled, I continued the questions and helped ease Junghyun's tension.

"There's a lot of interest in this album. Potato Friend. What exactly is Potato Friend? With that in mind, could you introduce the album and title track?"

"Yes."

"Since Junghyun personally produced this album, we'd love to hear honestly about how you worked on it."

I slipped in a little promotion about how our kid had made everything himself and waited for Junghyun's answer.

"Hmm..."

Rubbing his cheek with his finger, Junghyun spoke.

"This album contains the emotion of loneliness. We often talk about solitude and loneliness together, but they're actually a little different, aren't they? Because loneliness is something you can feel even when you're surrounded by other people."

"That's right."

"I think loneliness is an emotion that can find anyone, no matter the circumstances. Of course, I don't really feel lonely these days."

I nodded and smiled at Junghyun's words.

Good.

If he had not added that sentence, it was obvious that someone online would have cut it into something like, "Junghyun was very lonely while promoting with NewBlack.jpg," and twisted the meaning.

"But there were times in the past when I did feel lonely. There were times when I felt that way even though there were people around me. Times when I wondered if I would ever meet people who truly understood me."

"I see."

"Fortunately, I was able to get through that period thanks to the good people around me."

He was probably talking about the time after he left his elementary school baseball team.

Hadn't he said he quit because they treated him so badly?

People like Junghyun looked insensitive on the outside, but they were actually extremely sensitive emotionally.

"But while working on this song, I had this thought. I was able to get through that time because I had good people around me. But what if someone doesn't have anyone like that?"

"Ah..."

"I wanted this song to become something that could give strength to people who feel lonely."

Junghyun explained.

"In movies, there's a story where a character stranded on a deserted island names a volleyball Wilson and treats it like a person. During his time on the island, Wilson helps him endure emotionally."

"Right."

"Actually, Wilson isn't a person. But it became something that helped him endure a difficult time. Because the character gave meaning to that volleyball."

"It reminds me of Kim Chun Soo's poem 'Flower.'"

"Yes."

I smiled as I listened to the explanation that followed.

"So I wanted to write a song that could become something meaningful to people who feel lonely. Even if we've never met and don't know each other, I wanted it to be something that could give them strength."

"That's wonderful."

While we were smiling warmly, Ri Hyuk suddenly interrupted.

"Historically speaking, this also has a lot of significance. Potatoes have traditionally functioned as a famine crop in many countries. They were one of the precious vegetables that helped humanity survive periods of food shortage."

"......"

"......"

Pretending not to hear him, I changed the subject.

"All right."

I clapped my hands.

"After such a detailed explanation, it would be a shame to leave without hearing the song. We're about to begin the countdown."

"Yes."

"Then, shall we take a look at Junghyun's performance?"

"Wooooo!"

While everyone was applauding in the video, Junghyun stepped forward with a microphone in hand.

This is so exciting...

Souffle placed their hands over their hearts and breathed in and out nervously.

Then Junghyun stepped forward with the microphone.

Wearing an ordinary sweater and simple clothes.

Dressed like someone you might pass by on the street, Junghyun gave a gentle smile.

[♩♪♬-]

I had felt it during VIBE as well, but this was the sweet, emotional intro that only Junghyun could create.

Looking directly into the camera, Junghyun began rapping.

A night with nowhere to lean

No place to go again tonight

A day like any other

Where I have nowhere to belong

From the very beginning, it was a heavenly voice.

Fans were amazed that someone could rap in such a sweet way with such a low tone, while gently rubbing their arms.

Spring is warm

But my heart is November

I thought I had gotten used to it

I thought I was fine

While the members closed their eyes and swayed gently to the music, Junghyun's voice grew stronger.

On days when the wind blows

It still hurts

You and I

Everyone has times like that

The melody changed once, flowing into a slightly brighter and more hopeful atmosphere.

If it's all right for a moment

Won't you lean on me?

At first, the fans had been amazed by his visuals and rapping ability.

But gradually, they became absorbed in the song itself.

They felt like they understood what Junghyun wanted to convey.

Everyone has a period when loneliness weighs heavily on them.

To those people, he was offering his side and telling them to rest against his shoulder for a while.

Like a tree offering shelter to a traveler.

So that's why it was Potato Friend.

Souffle realized.

It was because of the warmth they felt in Junghyun's lyrics asking whether they would lean on him.

It was different from the usual love song lyrics that said, "Rely on me."

And that was why they liked it.

Lyrics like "Won't you lean on me? I'll give you my love" somehow felt burdensome.

Unlike songs that made people feel like they had to return the love they received, this felt like a friend.

Like a tree standing beside a passing traveler without asking for anything in return.

Close your eyes

It will all pass

As Junghyun lowered his voice calmly before the chorus,

the rapper featuring on the song, Silly, appeared and began singing her part.

Their voices blend well.

She was a famous rapper known for her skills, but Junghyun did not feel overshadowed beside her.

No.

Their combination was excellent.

It really is good.

Junghyun's voice could have felt slightly monotonous because of its low tone and narrow range, but adding a female rapper with a higher vocal range gave the song much more color.

Their two voices harmonized during the chorus.

O Darling

Just close your eyes-

Souffle closed their eyes and smiled at the vocal-focused chorus.

The song is really good.

Not just because it was their favorite's song.

It was the kind of song they could keep on their playlist and enjoy for years.

Rather than a song that suddenly became addictive and was played obsessively for several days, it felt like music that would quietly remain somewhere in their playlist for years.

That was why they felt proud.

An album Junghyun created himself without Wooju's help.

Just like with VIBE, this song showed how much Junghyun had grown musically.

Above all, Souffle could not even imagine how much effort he must have poured into the unseen places to reach this level.

But if even we can feel this much...

They thought the general public would respond well too.

And sure enough, various indicators showing not only fan interest but also public attention began rising.

However, unfortunately, Junghyun's intention behind releasing an album that could become a source of comfort for everyone did not reach everyone.

"Ha..."

"Haha..."

Entertainment companies with singers under their labels stared blankly into space and closed their eyes.

[Real-Time Chart]

1st Place. Sweet Potato - Potato Friend (feat. Silly)

Their eyes filled with tears.

Why is NewBlack appearing again during the off-season...?

I was relieved because it wasn't Sun Wooju.

Kim Junghyun was 0.3 Sun Wooju all along.

With a new powerhouse emerging in the music industry, everyone wore gloomy expressions.

And among those people, there was a group looking particularly miserable.

"Ah..."

"Senior Junghyun's song is out."

"Ah..."

They were none other than Floris, the rookie boy group preparing to debut under MOP Entertainment, one of the Big Four agencies known for emphasizing visuals.

Seeing them look dejected after ending up debuting alongside such a powerful competitor, the handsome trainees around them tried to comfort them.

"Pretty shocking, huh?"

"Yes."

"When you register for an exam, there are regular registrations and rolling registrations."

"Yes..."

"NewBlack's comebacks are basically the kind where you're screwed whenever they happen. They're just a passive effect now. You have to accept it and live with it."

"Yes."

"Stay strong. Damn it."

They were the veterans of the music industry, now patting their juniors on the shoulder with surprisingly senior-like expressions.

And it was not only them.

Sad tears were flowing everywhere.

[Rapper Sweet Potato's third album sweeps seven major music charts... "The arrival of the legendary music potato"]

Articles began pouring out one after another.

After the massive success of his third album, Junghyun earned a new nickname from the public:

"The Music Potato."