Free Web NovelI turned my head and asked.
“You—just how many letters have you written?”
“I don’t know. Don’t ask me.”
He covered his eyes like a cat, as if thinking that if he couldn’t see me, I couldn’t see him, which made me laugh. Seok-hwan hyung, who’d been laughing with us, got down to business.
“Ever since your broadcast aired yesterday, it’s been chaos. Seriously.”
“Really?”
“I can’t even make a call.”
He held up his phone to show me. Calls were still coming in nonstop.
“Do you know how amazing 17 percent is? Your show, Masterpiece Discovery Team, ranked third among weekend variety shows.”
“......Right above us are Joo Se-han and Mip-ji?”
He meant TBC’s “Around the World by Dice” and PBS’s “Mr. Producer,” the two most popular national variety shows. In other words, excluding those untouchable giants, ours was the highest-rated weekend variety show.
“Hearing it put that way really makes it sink in.”
“The production team is stunned, too. They thought it’d never hit over 15 percent, even if it did well—then it went way higher.”
I could imagine it. Last time they got 11 percent, everyone was bouncing off the walls in excitement. Seventeen percent... Wow.
But we were just as dazed.
“I ran some public-opinion analysis from the PR team. Over ninety percent are expressing favorable reactions.”
Deputy Manager Hong showed us a tablet PC. My brothers leaned in, craning their necks.
“Wow......”
Seeing overwhelmingly positive reactions across every community made me laugh. He tapped one and pointed.
“But what’s this one on social media?”
“Oh, that’s where TNT fans hang out. You don’t need to worry about their reaction. It’s just a small group posting a lot of comments......”
“I see.”
I understood what he meant. He smiled and continued.
“For now, focus only on public response. Even idol fans are mostly reacting positively to you—online and offline.”
We nodded. We’d all experienced the offline reactions ourselves. Seok-hwan hyung spoke again.
“By this morning, I think we’ve been contacted by at least seven event agencies. I brought the list......”
The paper was densely covered in writing—I thought it was a phone directory, but on closer look:
“Sweet Potato Festival, Winter Festival, University Orientation events,” and so on.
It seemed to list every event for the next three months.
“Hyung, what is this?”
“These are all event bookings we received a day after your broadcast aired.”
“Which of these are ours? I don’t see anything highlighted......”
“What are you talking about?”
He chuckled.
“All of them are for you.”
“......!”
It felt like being struck by lightning. My hair stood on end, my neck stiffened. I couldn’t speak, just mouthed “Wow......” and got goosebumps all over.
“This is insane......”
We all muttered the same thing. Our impatient maknae rifled through the pages. The list stretched four pages deep.
He stopped and looked up blankly.
“Hyung, so you’re saying all of these......”
“Yeah. Every single one is asking you to come.”
Only then did it hit us. We looked at each other.
“Guys....”
“Hyung......”
I nodded.
“Let’s save them.”
“Let’s go.”
We all pulled out our phones and snapped pictures of the event list. Deputy Manager Hong asked,
“Why are you doing that......”
“To keep them.”
Our maknae announced solemnly, “This is a collector’s item,” and we burst into applause. We flipped through the pages in awe.
“This is unreal. Ri-hyuk, can we copy this? Let’s archive it.”
“I’ll get five copies made at the office later.”
“Use colored paper, Secretary Seo. You know we want them in red, right?”
Just as our main vocalist stomped on the maknae’s foot, Seok-hwan hyung spoke again.
“Of course, keep in mind that about half of them are provisional.”
What did that mean?
“They haven’t yet adjusted fees based on yesterday’s broadcast. They’re still at the Masquerade rate, which isn’t cheap, but given the new exposure, it’s actually low.”
“.......”
“Your booking fees will go up even more.”
He, who normally hedged with “we’ll see” and “it’s hard to say,” spoke with conviction.
“This isn’t just a fluke. The more Masterpiece Discovery Team airs, the higher your rates will go. Your recognition will only grow.”
In other words, what we’d done so far was finally shining in public awareness.
“Over half of these offers are at the current rate. That’s why you’ll decline some. For now, we’ll focus on large-scale events and university gigs.”
He suggested we coordinate on that. We still had to prepare our third album and had a mountain of work ahead. Even current scheduling looked clear only around June.
“Being on terrestrial TV is incredible. Since Something, we’ve never had so many event invites. It’s fun watching agencies that used to boss us around get # Nоvеlight # a taste of their own medicine......”
Watching Seok-hwan hyung’s cool smile, I thought never to let him see me sweat.
He pulled out another stack of papers.
“These are the variety-show invites from network writers as of this morning.”
“.......”
“PSA: We’ve excluded PBS radio and talk shows because you’re required to appear. The Head of Variety and our division chief decided to milk your popularity and have you on PBS’s other shows.”
When a popular TV show does well, cast members get booked on radio, talk shows, even chase-format shows. It was touching that they were already including us in that repertoire. We scanned the list, surprised.
“Oh, this is the street busking show, right?”
“Escape-room ones, too. Looks fun.”
It felt different from when we’d picked HBS Ssok-Ssok and History Expedition Team. Back then it was mostly dating shows and cable B-level programs; now it was shows we actually recognized from entertainment news. Deciding what to pick would be tough.
Meanwhile, it seemed yesterday’s buzz wasn’t just about our variety sensibilities or vocals.
“Ah, Woo-joo.”
At the manager’s call, I looked up from the variety list.
“......Hm?”
“About that OST offer recommended by Cha Woo-hyun. There are some updates—wanted to check your thoughts.”
“What is it?”
“They say the music director was impressed by your arrangement. After the show, he reviewed your other works, too.”
My brothers looked up at me.
“Originally, you were only going to sing, but through the production company we got a message asking if you’d consider composing directly.”
“Really?”
“I told them we’d discuss it. How does that sound? You’ve got the third album to produce, and your schedule......”
“I’ll do it. Of course I will.”
Bijoo whispered in my ear.
“Hyung, are you sure? Your schedule’s tight.”
“Bijoo, you have to row while there’s water under the boat.”
A new career milestone had arrived, and I had to seize it. OST work was something I’d wanted ever since I pivoted to composing.
Events, variety, OSTs. I felt my heart flutter at how busy—and how exciting—this would be. Deputy Manager Hong then stepped forward.
“So, are we done with the director’s announcements?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
We turned our attention to the PR team. The management team had said all it needed; now what did PR have to say?
“Your fandom is growing so fast that we’re considering moving up the second-generation fan-club recruitment.”
Typically, after naming an idol fan club, the agency recruits first-generation members, charging an annual fee for goods and pre-sale concert tickets. Hearing they’d advance the second generation quietly stunned us.
“We’re also thinking of holding your first solo concert around that time.”
“......What?”
We all stared wide-eyed at the suggestion we’d never expected.
Ever since trainee days, I’d dreamed of a solo concert. Start small, then expand until playing at the Olympic Gymnastics Stadium. At TJ, the Newcomer Development Team would take trainees to senior idols’ concerts as motivation. Rows of lightsticks swaying like galaxies. Flashing lights. Veteran singers shining onstage. Music pounding hearts, fans shouting until eardrums hurt. Those who’d welcomed us warmly in the waiting room became otherworldly onstage, and oh, how I envied them.
When I joined the debut lineup and we visited a concert, we’d talk all night with TNT members about our future concert.
Well, a few weeks later I got cut...but still. A solo concert is every idol’s dream.
But it’s not for just anyone. It has to be profitable for the company—meaning the artist must have drawing power. Not just a handful of superfans buying ten albums each, but real scale.
So if they plan a solo concert around summer, it means we’ve amassed that kind of ticket power.
“A concert, huh.”
The next day, in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, we were waiting near the National Museum of Korea for the HBS Ssok-Ssok, History Expedition Team production crew. The talk was all about the concert.
“If it’s in August, that’s just a year and two months after debut, right, hyung?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow......”
Considering many groups take two to three years, that’s remarkably fast. We were thrilled. When we first heard about the concert, it felt like owning the world. Performing solo for the Soufflés—my grandmother and NABI—I bragged to them for nearly an hour, practically stamping my feet.
“But let’s not get too excited.”
Ri-hyuk said matter-of-factly.
“What really matters is how we perform.”
“As expected, the world’s best at setting the tone, hyung.”
“Ri-hyuk really sprinkles it on thick. A master.”
“If there was a ‘sprinkle master’ championship, he’d get gold.”
When I joined in, he shook with laughter. freeweɓnøvel.com
“......Maybe I shouldn’t say anything. You guys. Huh? Now that I wrote some letters, I’m easy pickings?”
“Yeah.”
“Hey......”
They teased me, but inwardly all agreed.
“They’re definitely going to hold the concert. But the venue size depends on how the third album does.”
In short, the concert itself was a given, but the seating capacity hinged on the upcoming third album’s performance. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
“Also, your track list’s thin—even with Something. For a solo concert, covering others’ songs or doing fan-meeting games feels awkward.”
So they’d expand the third album’s track list—make it a mini album of about ten songs, effectively a full album. Fortunately, we already had charted songs like “Fireworks,” “Masquerade,” “Night Sea,” and thanks to Masterpiece Discovery Team, our network of guest artists was wider.
The third album was crucial. Riding this momentum into that release would determine if we truly became a boy group the general public knew. If the core work—our third album—failed, I didn’t even want to imagine that.
“I’ll give my all to the third album and everything else......”
I was speaking to my brothers when a passing stranger suddenly addressed us.
“Hmm? You’re New Black, right?”
“Oh, yes.”
We, who’d just been shouting “Concert!” and “Yo, concert!” took composed smiles, though inside we were sweating.
“Wow, I was watching on MiTube from the bus......”
The stranger, praising our performance, asked for photos. We politely obliged.
“Fighting!”
“Thank you! Have a great day!”
After waving calmly, as the stranger disappeared, we urgently huddled.
“Hyung, people are recognizing us.”
“A passerby greeting us... That’s a good omen for a lucky day, right?”
“Do I look less puffy today?”
“Let’s have a strategy meeting, guys. How should we act when recognized?”
We numbered suggestions from one to five. We dismissed Ri-hyuk’s smug look and Jun-hyun’s terrifying statue face, opting for Bijoo’s friendly expression.
“What about mine?”
“Too provocative.”
“.......”
No sooner had we decided than we needed it.
“Oh... it’s you, right?”
“New Black! That’s you! New Black!”
Most passersby didn’t know us, but recognition was surprisingly high. They even asked how they recognized us.
“How did you know?”
“You stick out in a group of five.”
“Ah......”
After giving the lady we’d just photographed another glance over her shoulder, we burst into giggles.
“Hey. We’re style influencers, style influencers.”
“Waaah!”
“Bijoo hyung, what are you searching? Pfft! He’s looking up what ‘SIOS’ means!”
“I—I’m not! Just checking, that’s all.”
His slow search gave him away. Bijoo’s forlorn expression sent us into another fit of laughter.
Before long, the Ssok-Ssok! History Expedition Team crew arrived.
“Oh my, our New Black sirs have been waiting!”
“No, such precious guests in this humble spot......”
The writers’ jokes had us laughing for ages. They joked they’d feared the show wouldn’t continue after last week’s ratings, so they were relieved.
“Our first episode will likely air next week. We’ve arranged to upload it to MiTube after coordinating with the network.”
They’d originally balked at extra editing costs to adapt a kids’ show for adults, but on Monday morning, their attitude flipped.
“Proceed with it.”
“Pardon?”
“New Black, proceed with it. That one.”
We laughed at the PD’s message. As a small production, Ssok-Ssok! had a relaxed atmosphere from the start. We unfolded scripts and synopses on the day’s theme—“Exploring Three Kingdoms Artifacts”—when suddenly:
“The guests have arrived!”
We turned at the ruckus. A group of elementary-school students walked in—members of a history-interest club who’d tour the museum and play games with us today.
“Hi!”
We greeted the shy kids, few of whom recognized us.
“Uh!”
A fifth-grade boy pointed at us.
“I saw you on TV last week. Hyungs... uncles?”
“Uncles?”
We all bristled.
“You can’t at least call us ‘hyung’? I’m a second-year high schooler.”
At Ji-ho’s teasing glare, the kids burst into laughter. Our maknae, closest in age, quickly connected with them. Then another child recognized us.
“Uh!”
A girl searching on her phone pointed to me.
“Bread! That’s Jenmin Bread, right?”
“No. Jenmin Bread......”
Our managers and brothers lost it, clapping their hands. In the friendly atmosphere, we continued chatting. Ji-ho raised his hand.
“Who here knows about comb-pattern pottery? If not, no seat at the table!”
“We know all that, though.”
“Then among Baekje kings’ tombs, which one is made of brick?”
“King Muryeong’s tomb!”
Ji-ho widened his eyes in disbelief.
“We’re a history club. They probably know more than we do.”
“They only study these days. Back in my day, we went to karaoke and PC bangs......”
The managers laughed at an eighteen-year-old starting a “back in my day” speech. As Jun-hyun played a rock-paper-scissors game with the kids, I wondered if this would get a reaction once aired. Masterpiece Discovery Team got strong ratings, but I wasn’t sure about this.
Still, we’d give it our all. I clapped and said,
“Shall we head inside now?”
I smiled at the students looking up at me.
“Don’t think of us as strangers—just call us hyung or oppa. We’re not that much older than you.”
“......Wow. Where’s your conscience gone?”
No sooner had Ri-hyuk spoken than our maknae yelled, “He’s twenty-three!” and everyone laughed. Haha, these guys.
“Jun-hyun.”
“Yes, hyung?”
“Take both of them with you.”
“Yes.”
“Let go!”
“Neaaaah! Bijoo hyung, save me!”
I watched them get ushered away by our “monsters,” and Bijoo waved wistfully. I turned back to the history-hungry kids peering at me.
“All right, let’s make this tour fun, shall we?”
“Yes!”
The students nodded eagerly.
That day’s recording ended successfully. We discussed Three Kingdoms artifacts, held a history quiz with prizes afterward. Ri-hyuk and I led, but as the difficulty rose, the elementary club shone—and we ended up—
“What good is me doing well alone? It’s embarrassing. We lost to elementary schoolers.”
We all reflected.
“Are we just not good with elementary students?”
“Yeah. We have a poor record against little kids. I even lost to the Nine-Dragon Elementary Club.”
“We lost in the reality debate, too......”
“From now on, when we face elementary students, we have to give our best.”
At Bijoo’s declaration, Jun-hyun muttered, “That was my best effort, though......” We trudged to the management office with our aching bodies, and Seok-hwan hyung greeted us with a curious expression.
“Hey, hyung. Why did you call us in?”
“I mean that OST work—we were supposed to get the script and synopsis, and I’ve got them......”
He handed me the scripts. I blinked. My brothers looked puzzled.
“......?”
There were two entirely different drama scripts.
