Free Web NovelAs we took our seats the staff came by to attach microphones
I sat on the single sofa at the far left and Bi-ju Jung-hyeon and Ri-hyeok sat in the middle
Ji-ho sat on the single sofa opposite me
“Ji-ho don’t cross your legs”
“Okay”
Before the assistant director could say anything I jumped in
The maknae uncrossed his legs
He usually never crossed them so I wondered why but seeing him tapping his feet I guessed he was nervous
The other members were the same
Bi-ju kept checking her makeup by reflecting her face in her phone and Ri-hyeok well Ri-hyeok was Ri-hyeok
If you gave him a title like in Greek or Roman myth it would probably be the god of nervousness and fragile mental state
Jung-hyeon alone calmly eyed the fancy snacks on the table
“Jung-hyeon”
“Yes hyung”
“It’s a sponsorship a sponsored snack”
“But if it’s sponsored shouldn’t we eat it Isn’t that why we’re sitting on this sponsored sofa”
“Why do you only get smart when talking to me”
The staff attaching our microphones pursed her lips to suppress a laugh
She must have enjoyed our pathetic banter
The atmosphere seemed fine so I asked about the snacks but she flatly refused
Jung-hyeon and I shrugged at each other
Meanwhile I observed my brothers
“Ah I’m so nervous”
“What are you nervous about You don’t look nervous at all”
“Your leg is shaking”
“......”
Bi-ju laughed softly and Ri-hyeok’s ears reddened I lightened the mood with a joke and reassured them
“It’s our first reality show so it means a lot but don’t be nervous let’s do it like always like at home Oh they said home again I mean dorm Let’s do it like we do at the dorm When did you start being so prim and proper”
“I’m prim and proper hyung”
“Yes Bi-ju is prim and proper But the rest of you When did you get this nervous”
These days with more broadcast activities they hardly noticed cameras but since this was our first reality shoot they seemed a bit tense
For a moment I saw the expressions from trainee days on their faces
It made sense
All idols dream of debuting and immediately shooting a reality show like this
Unlike other variety shows this one was especially meaningful for us
As I cracked a few more jokes to ease their nerves their faces quickly returned to normal
“Puhaha can I eat this”
...They returned to themselves a little too much
After the chaotic set was prepared the PD holding a rolled script approached
“We’ll shoot in a few segments As you’ve heard your reality concept will proceed somewhat like a beauty show”
HBS MTV reality It’s the New Black
As we heard in the pre-meeting our reality show differed slightly from others
Most idol reality shows simply air footage of trips or daily life but in our case studio recording is added
The head writer said
“You guys have personalities and an atmosphere different from other boys your age so I thought if you just have fun chatting among yourselves it’d be interesting”
Since the PD’s previous program was a beauty show they decided on a similar format
We’d shoot VCR segments for the reality show and then in the studio watch the footage adding commentary
The PD continued
“Of course we’ll hold separate studio events beyond the commentary You’ll find out about those later”
He finished with a peculiar smile that made me uneasy
I’d heard he planned to implement ideas from the proposals we had submitted
After the PD turned back to the cameras I asked
“You guys didn’t submit anything weird did you...?”
“We didn’t submit anything weird I only said I wanted a debate”
“I only said I wanted to work out together...”
“Hyung did you ask to do physical activities”
“It’d be fun if we did it together”
At Jung-hyeon’s casual remark the brothers including me groaned in disgust
“Jung-hyeon please do those things by yourself”
“Right You do it Kim Jung-hyeon”
“Hyung we agreed to only do breathing exercises aside from practice”
“...Huh What Are we already rolling”
When had they started filming fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
The red light was on on camera number three at the side
The camera director peering through the viewfinder was smiling
Could it be they’d been filming us this whole time
Surely not
The PD with the script under his arm signaled and laughed
“Okay Let’s begin High cue”
We greeted as written on the cue cards
“Hello viewers this is New Black’s first reality show since debut”
“It’s the New Black”
“...welcome”
“Waaah”
We cheerfully clapped seal-style then cheered Since we’d memorized the cue cards as soon as we got them we gestured naturally
“Well then shall we start by introducing ourselves to the viewers?”
“Show us a demo demo”
“Please be careful with your pronunciation Yes I’ll go first Hello I’m New Black’s carisma leader and lead vocalist Woo-joo nice to meet you”
“Waaah”
As my brothers applauded they immediately changed the subject
“When you said charisma your cheek trembled”
“That’s your imagination I don’t tremble”
“Your hands are clenched like chicken feet hyung”
“I naturally like to clench them”
“Oh then do you like omurice”
“No I don’t”
“That’s a shame I do”
Nonsense flew around but this part was actually recommended by the PD and writers
They said diverge into any topic as long as you enjoy chatting
At first I was puzzled wondering if this was really okay but glancing sideways I saw the writers give the okay sign
After each of us finished our self-introductions we started watching the VCR
“Yes today’s prepared footage is The making of kimchi dumplings by Ri-hyeok & Bi-ju after trying everything to eat them”
“Trending is the veteran idol and leader Woo-joo’s reservist experience”
“Destroying rest areas destroy destroy Cute popular maknae Ji-ho and rapper Jung-hyeon’s rest area food tour is here”
“That introduction was very biased”
“Agreed”
“...then let’s watch”
We laughed watching the shameless maknae dodge the question I almost reached out to ruffle his hair but we were too far apart
While the VCR loaded I made a gesture and Ji-ho leaned in to mimic being petted on the head
Ri-hyeok snapped his hand as if cutting a line and Ji-ho pretended to fall behind the sofa eliciting genuine laughter from the crew
“Here it comes here it comes”
The first segment was individual member VCRs
Each produced a self-introduction video and our maknae went first
He sat up in bed looking bleary-eyed and sleepy
Ji-ho Hello here is our dorm I heard this is a self-intro video yes I’m Ji-ho Hyaaaah
At his wide-mouthed yawn the hyungs in the studio gave seal-style applause and cheered
Ji-ho sighed “Please mosaic me”
“It’s fine natural moments are nice to see”
Immediately the video showed Ji-ho bringing the camera to me asleep in the upper bunk
Ji-ho This is Woo-joo hyung He’s beautiful even when sleeping But his personality is really bad
Woo-joo (sleep-talk) Grandma I have lots of money
Ji-ho (covering mouth laughing) Puhuh
I looked at the crew and said “Please edit that yawn in right after”
“Didn’t we say we liked natural moments”
“Real moments change from moment to moment”
Jung-hyeon pretended to know “Ah there’s an idiom for that It’s double standards”
“Well...”
Ri-hyeok started to explain then just brushed back his hair
They’d handle the editing appropriately I’m sure
I saw the writers taking notes so the edit was definitely noted
That term was a bit unsuitable for idol reality
Meanwhile on screen the maknae approached our second brother in the kitchen soaking rice
Ji-ho My daily routine is helping make breakfast as soon as I wake up
“We didn’t know that”
“The hyungs are all still asleep”
“Ji-ho even I didn’t know”
At Bi-ju’s remark the maknae made a finger heart
“Hey why that”
The live reaction wasn’t great
Only after a fierce diss did the VCR continue
Bi-ju What is this reality
Ji-ho Yes please say hello
Bi-ju Hello Ji-ho hyung it’s Bi-ju
Ji-ho Could you tell us about the kimchi fried rice you’re making
He rattled off the recipe and the awkward maknae helped set the breakfast table
Ji-ho Huu!
Crash!
Ji-ho Eek!
Clatter!
Bi-ju ....
Ji-ho Hyung
Bi-ju (trying to stay calm)
Ji-ho I guess you’re not feeling well today
Bi-ju Ji-ho
Ji-ho Yes
Bi-ju Go back to sleep...
We in the studio clapped and laughed
“Bi-ju usually never says unpleasant things but Ji-ho is really something”
“He’s practically achieved a milestone”
“See what happens when you do things you’re not used to”
“No I’m fine”
Ji-ho said to Bi-ju “Hyung please say something Was I helpful”
“Ah yes”
“Be honest hyung in percent”
“About three percent...?”
“Wow three percent That’s like the correct answer rate for a difficult question”
Ignoring the glaring maknae we continued talking
As the member daily life VCRs continued we added commentary at will
These opening videos would shape our initial characters
Then came the much-anticipated main VCR
“Puhahaha”
The scene of the exploding kimchi jar played and we truly fell off the set sofa rolling around
It was completely unexpected
Even the staff watching the video burst into laughter
“Yes laugh laugh”
“We did our best Ri-hyeok”
Only those two stared at the studio ceiling fighting back tears
No wonder
When we returned to the dorm I wondered why there was a kimchi smell lingering Now I know
And grandma Kim Deok-soon’s voice is bound to air
I’ll call her after recording
In the end the VCR ended showing the two giving up on kimchi dumplings and cleaning up
Next was my reservist training video
“Hyung”
Bi-ju’s eyebrows trembled as she asked I’d never seen her look so apologetic
“Was that mascot not popular”
“No...”
“Strange I saw on a blog that people like that mascot when they go to the army”
“That was clickbait”
“Hyung why are you so gullible You should care for yourself not us”
I play-slapped the empty air at the maknae’s nonsense and Ji-ho pretended to shield himself then retaliated with an air slap
“Reflection”
At my brief reply the others gave seal-style applause and laughed while the maknae trembled in frustration
“Do it again I’ll reflect that rainbow”
“I’m not doing it again”
At my teasing he pouted for the camera
He wasn’t really sulking He knew his real sulky face looked ugly
That ended the enlistment and discharge videos then finally Jung-hyeon and Ji-ho’s content played
It was footage from after Animal Friends filming as they toured villages in Yeoncheon-gun
Though it was only a one-night two-day shoot they had grown fond of the locals and I smiled seeing the grandparents on screen
They’re all doing well
Im Soon-hyun That Woo-joo guy...? Oh it’s so heartwarming I felt so good after the massage And Ri-hyeok cleaned the house so my Dosik puppy is acting up and happy You must come again anyway
Hearing that greeting we smiled warmly
The editors intentionally preserved those parts
They were likely riding on Joo Se-han’s buzz
With the village tour over footage of Jung-hyeon and Ji-ho happily roaming the rest area played
They bought snacks at a convenience store tteokbokki and odeng at stalls and tornado potatoes too
They ate so heartily
Just as the footage ended arriving back at the dorm it cut to Ri-hyeok and Bi-ju’s failed kimchi dumpling attempt
Ri-hyeok blinked
“What Why is that camera still on”
“It was off Ji-ho turned it off”
“Hyung didn’t turn it off”
“Not me You were holding the camera”
“This is going to be trouble”
Ri-hyeok looked at me anxiously
Why did he react that way
The carelessly left camera showed our brothers happily eating at the table
All Together Ah we miss Woo-joo hyung
Three seconds passed as the subtitle showed and then as if nothing happened they continued eating deliciously
Bi-ju It’s good
Ri-hyeok As expected food in front of you beats the leader every time Hey Wang Ji-ho stop smacking
Ji-ho But Woo-joo hyung must be eating well right Smack smack in Ri-hyeok’s ear
Jung-hyeon Holding back their cat punches What he must be eating well But can we eat jokbal
I narrowed my eyes at that and my brothers’ flustered reactions were caught on camera
Thus the VCR viewing ended
“Cut Let’s take a short break”
We had a moment of candid conversation with the brothers
After finishing the shoot at the HBS building we headed out for afternoon filming with the crew
In the moving vehicle
“Woo-joo hyung how do you feel now”
“I’m okay”
“He’s sulking I tell you He’s sulking quickly feed him ginseng”
I fished out red ginseng and handed it to him and he sucked it down
Though he only narrowed his eyes for the camera he was secretly enjoying the reaction
After pretending the ginseng worked the brothers seriously debated its effects among themselves
I quietly laughed
We got off with the reality crew and continued filming from Hongdae-ipgu Station
“We are now at the street of youth Hongdae”
“Correction Youth Street is at Jonggak”
“Jung-hyeon take him away”
We shooed away the loyal truth-teller and continued filming
The broadcast camera and five pretty idols together quickly drew a crowd
Of course it was early weekday lunch so not too many
“Wow I know them”
“Right New Black”
I could hear the whispers
Hearing younger friends call us “them” made me happy Yes keep calling us “them”
Passersby paused briefly with “Huh?” then moved on and some stopped with curious eyes studying our faces
Some even clapped and made a fuss together
Broadcast cameras have a strange power
When it’s just us everyone gives “hmm?” then moves on but with cameras people gather with relaxed expressions
“One two three”
“Hello we’re New Black”
In episode one the content was promotion
A kind of broadcast promotion
Effect wasn’t huge but it filled footage and word-of-mouth marketing via SNS was possible
So we walked around near Hongdae greeting passersby with bows and {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} handed out promotional items
The response was quite good
Those who didn’t know us gave “hmm” at the cameras and those who did reacted either warmly or shyly covering their faces as they accepted items
After three hours touring Sinchon and Hongdae when filming ended my brothers’ stomachs grumbled
“Hyung”
Jung-hyeon whispered loudly
“Food”
“Okay”
Seeing him stamping like an angry bear I thought we should eat something soon
As I looked for a place to eat
“Oh”
I thought of a suitable spot
A gopchang restaurant in Hongdae
Soon we’d start dieting for the fan meeting so I wanted to let them eat something delicious first
The crew said they’d buy us a meal after all the hard work and they all smiled happily
“But there aren’t many customers”
“Maybe that cow illness or something made people avoid it”
I’d heard the place was popular but it was empty
Probably just after break time ended
Then a serving staff saw the cameras and opened her eyes wide
“Are you celebrities”
“Yes we are...”
“Just a moment”
She disappeared into the kitchen and soon said
“The owner heard about the filming and said he’d grill it himself He said it’s on the house”
“Really”
At the word free the director started setting up the camera
Then my brothers asked me
“Hyung maybe Is this...”
“That’s right”
As I said that smiling the door flew open and a sturdy-looking man ran in
“Hahaha”
He greeted us with a hearty laugh
“Oh I heard you were filming... huh?”
Mr Seo Ji-hyung’s smiling face froze when he saw us
