Free Web NovelIn Osaka, Japan.
Passing shoppers stopped in their tracks, eyes widening.
“What’s going on...?”
From the entrance to some side alley clear down to the far end of the street, people stood in a line. You couldn’t even see the end of it. Never before had anyone seen so many people gathered in this neighborhood.
“What is this all about?”
“Are they holding some festival inside?”
Even if a famous Hollywood actor were filming a movie, you might excuse such a crowd—but these bewildered bystanders simply watched the ever-lengthening queue, standing still.
Every so often, someone farther down the alley would scream.
And then—
“Pant! Pant!”
We saw TV staff, drenched in sweat and carrying cameras and gear, retreating, looking like they’d been trampled and battered by the crowd and decided they’d had enough.
Someone in the throng looked familiar.
“Hey, is that someone I’ve seen on TV?”
“Really?”
“Where was it...NTN? That show...”
Regular program correspondents covering events onsite began to emerge in view.
One after another, broadcast vans bearing network logos disappeared, while onlookers’ gazes fixed on the waiting line.
“Excuse me—what are you queuing for?” someone in a coat rubbed his hands and asked.
“We’re lining up to get NewBlack drinks.”
“...NewBlack?”
At this unfamiliar name, citizens initially asked, “NewBlack?” but then murmured “Ah!” as they noticed the fans’ Korean-language placards: “The idol group that’s huge in Korea!”
They’d heard the name so much on TV—on late-night news or lifestyle shows—that it rang a bell. They’d seen reports that this group was enjoying phenomenal love from the Korean public—an unprecedented phenomenon in the past decade. They even recalled news of the soufflé bread branded with the fan club’s name becoming a nationwide sensation.
“So that’s their Osaka stop.”
It made sense. As the citizens marveled, screams continued echoing from deep in the alley. Curious about what was happening inside, they peered in—just as fans began to emerge.
“Waaaah—!”
Holding prizes in one hand and beverages plus wrapped desserts in the other, the fans strode out triumphantly like victorious generals. The coveted prizes aside, what the waiting crowd envied most were the bread bags in the fans’ hands.
“NewBlack bread...!”
Though labeled in Korean as “Soufflé Bread,” everyone simply called it NewBlack bread—the legendary loaf that had sparked sellout chaos. Every time a friend traveled to Korea, they begged them to bring back a loaf; its word-of-mouth fame had spread all over Japan.
Gulp—
Watching, Osaka citizens began edging backward along the line, slipping in behind the fans.
“...Maybe I could become a fan, too.”
“NewBlack’s the best.”
“I’ll join from today.”
Two officers who’d been standing by to control crowds scratched their heads as the line stretched endlessly.
“I want to line up, too...”
“Should I call my daughter to stand here for me?”
The bread’s looks were too tempting to pass by.
Inside the café.
The spacious room was filled with excited chatter and the occasional fan scream.
“Waaaah—!”
We’d rented a large café and cleared out most of the tables, yet—
“Aah! Please enter in an orderly fashion! Uaaah...!”
A barista with a megaphone struggled as waves of people poured in. I gently tapped Ri-hyeok under the chin to close his slack jaw.
“Hey! What are you doing?”
“Shut that open mouth.”
“Don’t touch my face.”
At once, the four of us prodded his cheeks with our fingertips. He trembled. Fans screamed in delight.
“Haha!”
Unable to show irritation in front of the fans, Ri-hyeok shivered, and we giggled. Then we turned our attention to the incoming guests.
“Welcome~!”
Junghyun, arms open in a warm smile, waved with each new arrival—a sight that drew laughter everywhere. It felt like a 30-year veteran sushi chef calling “Irrashaimase~” in perfect unison.
“Welcome, my soufflés!”
“Huh...”
He clapped his hands, beaming.
“If you have no other orders, the NewBlack Set—drink and bread—will be served next.”
“Ah.”
A fan at the counter gasped for breath and choked out a squeak. They’d been rehearsing a speech while waiting, but now looked totally blank. We smiled reassuringly...yet they seemed even more overwhelmed.
“...I love you!” they managed, face turning bright red.
I nodded and said, “Thank you for loving us.”
“Huh...!”
They headed off to collect their drink, whisked away by the line building behind them—if only we’d had more time.
“Next please!”
We continued to serve the steady stream of customers. Though it looked like a café, the menu had no choice items: it was always the NewBlack Set—soufflé bread and coffee. Fans who cleared the game and won prizes received additional gifts.
“Thank you!”
At one side, our staff—helped by the Japanese team—sold merch and stamped mementos.
I called out over my shoulder, “Guys, three more sets please!”
“Waaaah—!”
The maknae feigned crying, “I want to be the cashier too!”
“You should’ve studied Japanese harder.”
While Ri-hyeok and I—both fluent in Japanese—took orders, the others worked tirelessly at the coffee machines and in packaging. The whirr of grinders blended with our brothers’ shouts.
The café owner and baristas manned the espresso machine; representatives from the bakery’s headquarters carefully packed soufflé bread. Even with so many hands, the workload was immense—almost ten times what we’d anticipated.
“Next—”
And it wasn’t only Japanese fans. A fan from Korea stepped up. I smiled.
“Hello.”
“Oh...?”
“You here for soufflé bread and coffee?”
“...?”
When I greeted them in Korean, the fan’s eyes widened—they recognized me from music shows and fan signs. I couldn’t call them by name with all eyes on us, but...
“I remember you,” they said.
“Ah....”
“Did you come for the concert?”
“Yes, I got tickets for Kobe. Oppa.”
We chatted as I took their payment.
“How was the game? Enjoyable?”
“...I couldn’t clear Stage 1. I kept dying to your whip.”
“Oh, right. That damage is pretty severe.”
Ri-hyeok translated to the curious Japanese fans:
“He says he died from your whip.”
“Ehhh—?”
Ri-hyeok laughed and added, “In the game.”
“Aah—”
Relieved, the fans laughed too. I smiled at Ri-hyeok, who looked triumphant for having closed my jaw earlier. freёwebnovel.com
I asked the group, “Who here used Ri-hyeok as a tank in the game?” Hands shot up everywhere.
“His stats weren’t great, so he wasn’t very useful, right?”
“Sadly, no...”
“Not at all.”
Everyone laughed, and Ri-hyeok shot me a mock glare. Meanwhile, our other brothers—getting the hang of it—began chatting with fans.
“Look here! Here!”
Viju, wearing a headband with “YOU ARE ‘CUTE’” in Japanese on a mini-banner, flashed peace signs, prompting laughter. And then there was our maknae, who knew the least Japanese but talked the most: freёweɓnovel.com
“I, Jiho, studied happiness, love, best, handsomeness for Japanese fans!”
“Eh?”
“A great joy to meet Jiho—world’s pride!”
“Eh?”
Fans cocked their heads; Ri-hyeok sighed and interpreted:
“I studied hard, and I’m so happy to speak with Japanese fans! I, Jiho, am so handsome, right?”
Jiho nodded enthusiastically.
I teased him: “Where did all your Japanese studies go? You keep regressing.”
“I’m famous for wasting money. My parents’ tutors said I was hopeless.”
“With honors.”
“But I did memorize a few things!”
Jiho spread his arms proudly:
“Seorihyeok’s Korean nickname is ‘Piraruku’!”
“Waaah—”
“And I love you all more than anything in this world!”
As hundreds of fans cheered and jumped, the ground seemed to tremble. I grinned at Junghyun behind me and said, “Lead him away.”
“Yes, hyung.”
As Junghyun gently guided Jiho away, the soufflé fans laughed in amusement. In the meantime, we continued serving. Ninety percent were Japanese fans, but we saw visitors from other countries too—likely because this concert, added to last year’s tour as a special album inclusion, drew international fans.
“Here from Shanghai?” I asked.
“Hmm?”
“How’s the weather there? Warm in February?”
I chatted with a Chinese fan, then greeted another:
“From LA! Welcome.”
“Ah...”
“I heard that video of the cattle drive made US news—US fans are so proud.”
I smiled at the fan I’d met at the LA fan meeting. Every time I remembered a fan and spoke their name, my brothers blinked in disbelief. Junghyun rubbed his eyes, tried to recall the fan, then failed amusingly.
Then someone asked the barista:
“How many languages do you speak, Woo-ju?”
“Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese...”
“That’s amazing. I can barely do Japanese.”
Fans and staff marveled whenever we switched tongues. It was a bit embarrassing—mere small talk, not even deep conversation—yet our staff whispered to the Japanese team, “He’s always like this.”
Throughout, I felt anxious. The line outside showed no sign of ending, yet supplies were running dangerously low. We were out of straws, and the stacks of soufflé bread boxes were dwindling.
Thankfully, fans were gradually thinned out by guests. As staff went outside to update those still waiting, we offered parting gifts:
“Please take these cup holders.”
“Thank you!”
Though our smiles turned wistful at fans who only took a cup holder. These fans treasured the commemorative “The New Black Japan Concert” holders.
“Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome—truly!”
We laughed at fans dancing with joy, cup holder in hand. We were grateful yet sorry—knowing those outside had waited in the cold under the glare of cameras. Thankfully, once broadcast crews departed, they braved the chill to wait.
“See you at the concert!”
As we waved goodbye, a middle-aged man with a sad look asked:
“...Is there really no bread left?”
We stepped aside so he could clearly see the “SOLD OUT” sign and replied in unison:
“Yes.”
“Oh no, that’s impossible.”
“Is there some reason you must have the bread?”
“I texted my daughter I’d bring it—”
His story moved me. I stepped forward.
“Hey, come closer.”
“Okay.”
“I shouldn’t say this yet, but soon this bread will launch in Japan.”
His eyes lit up at the whisper. Hearing the good news, we all smiled and nodded.
Ri-hyeok lowered his voice:
“This is a secret—don’t tell anyone, okay?”
“Strictly secret.”
“Really, don’t say a word.”
We handed him a cup holder; he nodded solemnly before departing. The bakery representative watching us gave us a thumbs-up.
“Nice.”
We returned the gesture, exchanging looks.
“Is that Secret #79?”
“I think it’s #80.”
We’d wrapped up fan service, ignited word-of-mouth for the soufflé bread, and now only one schedule remained near Osaka: the concert itself.
On idol community forums.
Amid the usual friendly bickering between TNT and TeenSpirit fans, a new thread appeared about NewBlack:
[Photos of Woo-ju like he’s in a secret relationship]
The clickbait title was irresistible; fans clicked madly—and burst out laughing. Two photos taken from a curious angle:
[#1: Woo-ju leaning in, whispering into a middle-aged man’s ear with a knowing expression.]
[#2: The man’s blushing, lovestruck face as Woo-ju pulls away.]
“I didn’t lie, y’know.”
“LOL what is this?”
“No, secret-relationship pics aren’t supposed to be like this!”
“Fails to pretend it’s romance.”
“The uncle’s expression is so cute—like a kid getting a baseball player’s autograph.”
“But what was he whispering?”
“Lottery numbers, right? 1, 10, 23...?”
“That’s it.”
“OP, change the title to ‘Whispering lottery numbers’.”
“Hide his left hand, focus on Woo-ju—instant goosebumps.”
“This is an official from the agency? LOL”
“Quality’s insane, no wonder.”
Soon the thread renamed “Whispering lottery numbers?” hit the top. Meanwhile, news of NewBlack’s Osaka café pop-up spread online:
– “NewBlack’s one-day café draws crowds—police cars deployed”
– “[Visit Report] ‘This reporter couldn’t even get in,’ NewBlack’s Japan popularity”
– “[Photos] ‘Deadly beauty stealing hearts,’ NewBlack Woo-ju: ‘Sir, do you like bread?’”
Entertainment reporters who’d trekked to Osaka filed their stories. On Korean websites, translations of Japanese fans’ posts appeared:
@tvwwwA
(Photo of the endless line)
“I was wondering who was here in Korea, then—wow?? So many Japanese fans of NewBlack.”
@bijoo_kowai
(Photo from a balcony)
“I’m out here breathing in NewBlack air.”
@leehyuk_huk
“I actually saw the members up close—it was such joy. I feel truly fortunate to be born. (;_;) I was so happy.”
At the same time, Korean fans’ reactions also circulated. Photos of the crowd in the Osaka shopping arcade posted to forums:
– “This is insane”
– “What did NewBlack do in Japan?? They’re huge.”
– “I was tired of hearing them brag about arena size, but maybe this will shut the haters.”
– “No Japanese single or adaptation, right?”
– “I live in Japan—agents here talk about NewBlack constantly, it’s so high recognition.”
– “Sure, top among Korean boy bands in public awareness here.”
– “Not really. Local stan here—people don’t care about Korean idols, ask them about TeenSpirit and they know them, but not NewBlack.”
– “So jealous...my fave was here four months but barely sold a hall for a solo tour.”
– “Not all good... :/ On discussion shows they rant about ‘praying toward Dokdo from Ulleungdo every three days’ as some government psy-op bullshit.”
– “LOL normally overseas concerts draw a teacup-sized storm—they’re a teacup in a typhoon.”
Meanwhile, news chatter on Japanese sites swirled around the upcoming launch of NewBlack’s soufflé bread there:
– “They’re doing well, I guess.”
– “I think anti-Japan idol products shouldn’t be boycotted.”
– “No matter the {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} internet fuss, no one cares here in reality.”
– “If they’re so anti-Japan, why hasn’t the government banned them?”
– “Policymakers are idiots www”
– “Are those commenters calling for isolationism?”
– “Tell them to unplug and go back inside—everyone’s curious about NewBlack bread.”
Across comments, a carnival of confusion reigned—but most ordinary people eagerly awaited the bread’s release.
Meanwhile, broadcasters ran online polls: “Do you support launching NewBlack bread in Japan?” Idol sites in Korea were abuzz:
– “Are Kobe and Yokohama really arena-level for a first concert?”
– “They haven’t officially debuted in Japan yet—skipping halls straight to arenas is crazy.”
– “LOL that’s a misstep”
– “Major labels are dumb; they start with arenas?”
– “Japanese like gradual narratives; they won’t like this.”
– “No long-term plan?”
– “These comment threads are infuriating.”
– “Photos will tell—if they fill Kobe four times, then fine, otherwise PR stunt.”
– “High public awareness doesn’t mean that many fans.”
– “What if seats are empty?”
– “They booked huge venues for Japan after small ones in Korea.”
They debated venue size—hall vs. arena vs. dome—and whether it was PR hype. Meanwhile—
[2016 The New Black Japan Concert]
On Kobe’s man-made island, Port Island, the façade of Kobe World Memorial Hall began to display NewBlack concert banners.
