Free Web NovelPBS’s “Challenge: Classic Discovery!” episode 11 recorded its highest-ever viewership of 16.6%.
News outlets in the entertainment section churned out articles day after day at the news that the existing cast would perform farewell stages and a new singer would join, and over the weekend every household TV tuned to the public broadcaster.
The internet was abuzz ahead of the live broadcast.
“Today’s the final episode of season one, right???”
“The silhouette of the new member looked like a girl group... if it’s a five-member girl group, who could it be?”
“I’ve heard the rumor it’s NYX.”
“And who are they?”
“But no matter who joins, matching NewBlack’s impact will be tough lol the debut stage was insane.”
“Facts.”
“You never know lol NewBlack got roasted when they first appeared too, but now look...”
“They must’ve refused boy groups this time so they switched to a girl group lol they don’t want comparisons.”
“Vocal-wise, NewBlack are untouchable in their generation.”
“Top tier for sure.”
“Why do so many people hinge their identity on NewBlack? Why are middle-aged guys so proud of them lol.”
“Probably because they shot to fame on Classic Discovery. Feels like ‘I raised them.’”
The message boards that had filled with complaints about idols on a competition show were now brimming with favorable comments about NewBlack: regrets over their departure, claims that no replacement could fill their spot, and righteous backlash mixed together.
The real-time comment feed heated up.
“Oh, looks like NewBlack’s about to start.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“Yoo Myeong-deok’s ‘Deok-soon-ah’? Did he even have a song like that?”
“I just sampled it on Mango and it’s just so-so;; they’ll need a killer arrangement.”
“Sorry original artist, but I don’t think it’s a classic. Feels between diamond and gold tier.”
After Woo-joo’s quiet narration, “This song is dedicated to every Deok-soon in the world,” then:
[“Deok-soon-ahhh...!”]
With a live band’s upbeat playing, the NewBlack members stormed the stage. Normally they’d cut to audience reactions and hype “Wow, look at that response!” but for “Deok-soon-ah” they let the performance run uninterrupted, as if such cuts would be a waste.
And they were right.
“Wow...”
“lol they’re so good.”
“How far can they cover a song?”
“This arrangement is fire.”
“?? I just listened and what is this... it’s a totally different song.”
“They said ‘arrange it’ and he brought this.”
“I get why the original artist’s tearing up.”
“Respect. This is like tearing down the building and rebuilding from scratch. Even my untuned ear can tell the care put in.”
“Woo-joo-god... who is he...”
Praise for Woo-joo’s near-recreation of the original lyrics and melody line began pouring in. Among NewBlack’s competition pieces so far, this track showed the biggest pre- and post-arrangement contrast. And nobody criticized it—“Deok-soon-ah” had been transformed into a trendy trot hit so well that even the original artist teared up on TV.
“I really like them more every time I see them. They enjoy every stage.”
“I liked them on No Jae-hyun’s documentary too. They were so friendly with the singers.”
“They even turned on the TV lol is that the twinkling one Yoo-joo?”
“Yep, today’s vibe is incredible.”
All five members sang joyfully, but Yoo-joo shone brightest. The repeated “Deok-soon! Deok-soon! Deok-soon!” literally glowed from his face. His smile sparkled with happiness, and to strangers it looked like “He’s truly enjoying his final stage.” When it ended, his wistful expression made viewers’ hearts ache.
“He’s tearing up...”
“I’d cry too. They shot to fame on Classic Discovery... must be bittersweet.”
“I feel so touched.”
“The other members look relieved, but Yoo-joo looks pensive, like he still has regrets.”
“As leader, he must’ve shouldered so much.”
Real-world viewers shared similar reactions:
“Oh, the kid must’ve been through so much.”
“Right. He’s still young but had to support the others. Must’ve been tough. It being the last show brought tears.”
“Tsk tsk.”
“They’re just such kind kids. They were so respectful to seniors in the doc.”
Meanwhile, bewildered Soufflés on fan forums tried to clarify:
“Everyone’s got it all wrong lol.”
“No way lol he wouldn’t cry over that...”
“Viewers nationwide filming a mass misunderstanding.”
“This isn’t it, but I like the misunderstanding.”
“At first I wondered if I should explain, but let them enjoy it—so I stay silent.”
“Don’t tear up, Mom and Dad... he’s sad the song’s over.”
“You can’t lie with that kind of immersion lol.”
“It was like one with the music.”
“Did you catch that 0.1-second look of disdain from Ri-hyuk? ‘You? You?’”
“I saw Jung-hyun turn and sigh.”
Soufflés enjoyed the show while keeping the truth under wraps.
On screen, after NewBlack finished promoting their third album, the preview stages of the new singers rolled in, but the impact of “Deok-soon-ah” lingered: freewebnøvel.com
“Deok-soon-ah’s stuck in my head.”
“Dum-tschak dum-tschak Deok-soon-ahhh...”
“Dum-jja-chaj-jjak-jjak”
“Deok-soon-ahhh...”
“lol everyone’s gone mad?”
Like a stamp imprinted on the brain, the refrain echoed. People already searched “Deok-soon-ah” on MiTube and streaming sites. When it finally hit number one on the real-time charts, even the singers themselves hadn’t expected it, and while they ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) practiced privately, the internet buzzed about “Deok-soon-ah.”
“Deok-soon-ah is so good lol.”
“But do they get royalties for that arrangement too? I’m curious how much Woo-joo’s earned.”
“The hook is insanely addictive lol.”
“The outro is next-level. No one could match that crazy force.”
Amid all the praise, some skeptics emerged:
“Why do they have so many shields? They’re just a trot song.”
A lone man bitterly commented, “NewBlack’s not that good. The song’s just meh.” He fought back in the thread alone. “It’s just trot. How great can it be?”
But even he couldn’t stop “Deok-soon-ah” from looping in his mind: at night, in the morning commute, on the drive’s radio:
“Deok-soon-ah...”
Morning radio proclaims, “Have an exciting Monday,” then plays “Deok-soon-ah” as the ending song.
“Hmm...”
His shoulders bobbed to the unexpected rhythm. That addictive melody begged for repeat. Though he tried to resist, eventually he gave in:
“Deok-soon-ah~”
Everywhere on the commute, “Deok-soon-ah” rang out.
In the end, “Deok-soon-ah” could not hold the number one spot. It soon dipped to around 13th on the daily chart. But it didn’t fall further and even inched back up. On a historic chart showing NewBlack’s “Windflower” at number one, “Deok-soon-ah” at number seven, and “Something” at number seventeen, entertainment reporters raced to send headlines:
“NewBlack: Not just streaming ‘powerhouses’ but ‘gangsters.’”
“‘I rule the streaming charts,’ NewBlack’s chart domination.”
“Yoo Myeong-deok: ‘NewBlack’s arrangement of “Deok-soon-ah” hit number one. I teared up. Sent 1,500-character thank-you text...’”
Lemon Entertainment’s PR phones rang off the hook.
“Member reactions to ‘Deok-soon-ah’? We’re preparing a press release...”
“Which trot singer? Collaborating with NewBlack? What’s your source?”
“It’s not confirmed yet.”
A hot atmosphere rivaling “Windflower”’s first number one. With the show nearing 17% ratings, everyone scrambled to spin fiction into headlines.
Meanwhile, management was equally busy.
“....”
Director Yoon Seok-hwan stared at his phone in disbelief as calls kept pouring in, mostly from event agencies.
“Y-yes, please add ‘Deok-soon-ah’ to the repertoire?”
“Y-yes. ‘Deok-soon-ah’?”
“You’re calling to add ‘Deok-soon-ah’? We’re actually—”
Whether confirmed or new, every event request asked—“Please include ‘Deok-soon-ah’ alongside ‘Windflower.’”
“What is happening.”
It had been a labor of love by Woo-joo, but nobody saw this mega-hit coming. MiTube even hosted a “Deok-soon-ah 4-hour version (work song)” remix.
“....”
Glancing at the calendar, Yoon Seok-hwan couldn’t help laughing. Not a single event failed to request “Deok-soon-ah.”
“Oh, there is one exception...”
Brrring—
“Hello? Yes, Team Leader Kim.”
“—the host is requesting ‘Deok-soon-ah’ in the repertoire—”
“Oh, yes.”
That one exception vanished, too. Yoon Seok-hwan laughed hollowly. If NewBlack were a trot group, this song alone could carry them on a national tour. “Deok-soon-ah” charted across all ages, topping the 50+ demographic.
“Unbelievable.”
If “Windflower” was NewBlack’s first mainstream hit, “Deok-soon-ah” was the ultimate surprise event anthem.
“Goddammit.”
“Grandma... I’m sorry.”
I bowed to Madam Kim Deok-soon’s sulky face on screen. Pain shot through me. Avoiding her piercing gaze, I said,
“It’s not your fault. I didn’t expect it to be this big. I just sang my heart out...”
“I can’t live with this anymore! Everywhere I go it’s ‘Deok-soon-ah’! I’m not somebody’s mutt!”
“Grandma, mutt? The kids can hear you.”
“So what if they hear? Humph. They only think of themselves, never an old lady. You all have guilt! Who told you to sing so damn well!”
I showed my brothers cowering like guilty sinners in the photo.
“I’m sorry for singing so well...”
As soon as I slipped off screen, the scolding resumed:
“Hey! Trying to sneak away from the screen? Get back here!!”
“Yes. I’m sorry...”
“I’m going crazy. You said you’d only sing ‘filial piety, filial piety,’ but you’re a fraud. At the supermarket it’s ‘Deok-soon-ah’! At the phone shop it’s ‘Deok-soon-ah’! Even at the diner the ringtone is ‘Deok-soon-ah’ and I can’t stand it.”
“Well, um...”
“I’ll make a song out of your names too, just you wait!”
“You know how to make it?”
“Hey!!!”
I thought my eardrums would explode. As Ji-ho covered his ears, Ri-hyuk muttered,
“He’s made a five-minute scolding into ten minutes...”
We spent ages soothing the furious Madam Kim Deok-soon.
“Want me to buy you a fur coat?”
“I don’t need it—don’t come here! I’m going to start environmental activism so I don’t want fur!”
“Want me to buy you a car?”
“....”
“My rival grandma in my temple just got a car from her son. You should ride something better.”
“....”
“Don’t you want to try that? You know those restaurant owners who wear sunglasses after closing time?”
Madam Kim’s anger melted away. It felt like glaciers thawing to emerald meadows. Then someone interjected:
“That’s not good. It’s global warming.”
“....”
I set down the phone, gestured to Jung-hyun to slash my throat: “Make him drive it.” “Yes, hyung.” Then we coaxed her back to cheerfulness.
“All the money from ‘Deok-soon-ah’ goes to you, Grandma.”
“Is that so?” she sniffed. I quietly captured the moment. She was so cute and lovely, I couldn’t resist.
“Phew...”
After a while, we finally hung up.
“I’m glad we got through that.”
I exhaled, and Bi-ju smiled.
“I’m relieved Grandma cheered up so quickly.”
“It’s best to heal hurt feelings with money.”
Ji-ho agreed: “True.”
When “Deok-soon-ah” first topped the real-time charts and aired on TV, Grandma’s reaction had been a routine “Not again,” but after days of nonstop play her rage had exploded. I’d be the same if my granddaughter’s song “Jen-min-ahhh! Why Jen-min?!” blared all day.
“Oh, I’ve got an idea! When we have kids, let’s make them an idol group!”
As someone’s eyes lit up, I choked on my water. Sensing we might never leave the dorm again, I leapt out of the car.
“Waaah!”
Today was Wednesday. After wrapping up music shows early, we were heading to a university event in Chungcheong Province—our first college gig. Bright lights shone at a distance and cheers for Girls On Top echoed like thunder.
Backstage, we exchanged calm greetings with the glittering girl group as they left the stage.
“In April and May’s music scene, the hottest act—everyone knows their songs! The originators of the spring vibe, plus ‘Windflower’ and ‘Deok-soon-ah’!”
The host’s booming voice crackled through speakers. Then—
“NewBlack!”
The roar that burst forth stopped us mid-step. It was at least three to four times louder than before. Even the Girls On Top members paused, surprised, shoulders twitching as they watched us. We were stunned.
“....”
After a brief daze, an event staffer motioned us on.
“Waaah!”
The crowd’s breath felt like a hot wave crashing over us. The heat from real people overwhelmed us. Hundreds of pairs of eyes fixed on us, eager faces and phones held high. Gripping the mic, we greeted them:
“One, two, three—”
“Hello, we’re NewBlack!”
Another massive cheer made us flinch. Of course, we’d felt such cheers before—during Something’s meteoric rise, any event with Jang Won looked like this. But then the cheers were for him. We were the sideshow. Now everyone knew us, and the roar was even louder. Goosebumps rose.
“....”
We smiled confidently and bantered briefly with the members. When we sang “Windflower,” many hummed along and we couldn’t hide our surprise. But we poured our souls into a performance worthy of the fee, and the organizers beamed. Then—
“Now, everyone, here’s ‘Deok-soon-ah’!”
“Kyaaa!”
The response to “Deok-soon-ah” from Classic Discovery was near-choir level.
“Everyone, sing!”
“Deok-soon-ahhh...!”
“One more time!”
“Deok-soon-ahhh...!”
Hundreds chanting “Deok-soon-ah” in unison was a spectacle rarely seen. As we leapt alongside our brothers on stage, it hit me:
“Deok-soon-ahhh...!”
This was the ultimate event anthem.
Song Bo-hyung of SongBae Co. [“Can I sing ‘Deok-soon-ah’ at my event too?”]
Song Bo-hyung [“They say ‘Deok-soon-ah’ is the event trend!”]
Song Bo-hyung [“Before our agency inquires, I wanted to ask you first.”]
He asked if he could include “Deok-soon-ah” in his repertoire. For a top trot singer to choose our song over their own made its popularity tangible. In truth, we felt it most keenly: by day we topped music shows with “Windflower,” by night we ruled events with “Deok-soon-ah.” We were like sun and moon gods in legend: by day “Windflower,” by night “Deok-soon-ah.”
If I went for an interview at a café, “Windflower” played. Late at a highway rest stop buying snacks, the store blasted “Deok-soon-ah.”
“Did we burn our luck here forever...?”
“Could be.”
It felt like our career peak.
On Thursday and Friday’s music shows we took first place two weeks straight, and now we admired the trophies filling our dorm.
Today was a holiday. The company, worried we’d burn out from our packed schedule, told us to rest—though frankly, Seok-hwan-hyung had locked the studio and practice room, so rest was mandatory.
So on this Friday night we lounged in the dorm with a late-night feast ordered in.
“Finally it’s on tonight.”
On the dorm TV was GTV. In the top right, “Sleep” gleamed in silver letters. Episode 7 of the ten-episode Friday drama “Sleep”—the episode featuring our long-awaited OST.
“Do you even know what’s happened so far?”
“Nope.”
“We’ve been too busy to watch.”
A busy schedule left us clueless on the plot. All we’d glimpsed were spoiler-filled headlines on portal sites. Now, in the comfort of home, we watched peacefully. If “Windflower” had come first, we’d have prayed “Please, let it work.” But now we felt at ease—I felt we’d spent our lifetime’s luck on “Windflower” and “Deok-soon-ah,” so hoping for more felt greedy.
“Hey, it’s starting!”
While devouring jokbal and bossam together, the ads ended. On the black screen rolled a disclaimer: “This drama is fiction; please don’t dispute it.” At last the drama began.
