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Biju quickly averted his eyes from the members energetically waving lightboards.
‘Ugh, so embarrassing....’
Why were they all acting so awkwardly?
With his head turned, he peeked sideways using the corner of his eye at messages like “Our Biju is the best.”
“Heehee, ahem.”
He couldn’t help feeling pleased.
As Biju darted his gaze away, giggled, then looked away again, Apple Team and the dancers burst into laughter.
‘So cute.’
‘How can he be so cute? In practice he’s like a venomous apple villain.’
Just as the dancers were smiling at his adorable expression, the hectic backstage settled and the formal critiques began. First up was choreographer Han A-yun, who took the microphone.
Apple Team’s eyes widened.
‘Does that mean it wasn’t good?’
Seeing their worried faces, Han A-yun smiled.
“Ahh....”
Fortunately, it wasn’t a negative “not good,” but the “not good” in my head.
The internationally acclaimed choreographer pointed out each moment on stage that impressed her.
The idol members in the panel nodded in agreement.
At that, Ran and Ha ru looked to Biju. He took the microphone and spoke kindly.
Biju answered with a bright smile, and Han A-yun blinked and picked up the mic again.
His tone and voice were pure kindness, but the content sounded like special-forces orders: if it ain’t working, make it work.
Seeing Ha ru and Ran standing beside him stare off into space with enlightened expressions, everyone laughed.
Before Han A-yun could speak again, male choreographer Kim Seung-cheol, wearing horn-rim glasses, took the mic.
As the choreographer raved, Ran smiled awkwardly, and Biju and Ha ru flapped their hands in delight, “Woo-woo~.”
Then Kim Seung-cheol turned to Ha ru.
Ha ru looked down shyly, and Ran and Biju giggled and patted him.
As this heartwarming scene continued, the choreographer’s attention returned to Biju, who was beaming at his praised teammates. Then he said:
Everyone focused as he took a deep breath, then, as if to explain:
Laughter rippled through the audience.
Kim Seung-cheol raised the mic again.
MC Baek Sang-joong interjected wittily.
Everyone laughed as he stood then sat again.
With that, he concluded.
Biju bowed politely, smiling, and Ran and Ha ru flapped their hands, “Yay~.”
Smiles lingered on their faces.
‘Biju really worked hard.’
‘You did great, senpai.’
Though every competitor poured their all into preparing, Biju had prepared beyond that—as if his life depended on it.
The reason was simple.
Though those views faded once the show aired, many idols initially reacted that way hearing NewBlack would appear.
‘NewBlack will win first place anyway.’
Competition only works among peers of similar level—and NewBlack’s level in the music industry was far above the rest.
Except perhaps Street Boys, every fandom combined wouldn’t match one Soufflé.
As in typical survival shows, if first place were decided by audience or judge votes, NewBlack would inevitably win.
Any format would favor a top star.
But that burden weighed on the performer too.
If they didn’t deliver performance matching expectations, recognition would be difficult.
That determination, voiced from the first meeting, stayed in everyone’s ears.
He ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) vowed to deliver a flawless stage that no one could criticize—and that intention succeeded.
Now everyone was truly impressed, with no need to act.
Each time they complimented him, Biju smiled bashfully.
“Woo-woo~”
At that, Ran and Ha ru flapped their hands.
“Eheehee!”
Whenever someone praised Biju, the four NewBlack members in the panel flapped about like lively insects.
Everyone laughed as MC gently restrained NewBlack.
The main dancer looked so happy to be praised, his smile stretched ear to ear.
MC asked them:
Wooju took the microphone, and the other three gathered beside him as if to say, this is our answer.
The composed leader of NewBlack then turned to his member.
Meeting his gaze, Biju smiled quietly.
Though brief, it felt like ample reward for nearly two weeks of practice.
A reward more precious than first place.
Wooju handed the mic to the youngest.
From the audience came a chorus of “Ooooh~.”
Biju wiped a moisture at his eye corner, and when panel comments ended, MC Baek Sang-joong shifted focus.
Ran took the mic.
Below, dancers in court-attire jumped and cheered, “Waaaah!”
Their joyful energy made everyone smile.
As the team leader praised them, they cheered, and Biju took the mic.
The dance crew cheered.
Startled, Biju, and the dance crew shouted, “Stop practicing!”, everyone burst out laughing.
After our second member’s stage ended, the final Watermelon Team performance and then the ensemble finale followed.
We saw how Eratreia unfolded after the prince’s death.
[You are...]
The king, mingling among dancers, discovered the princess hidden among them was his daughter.
Truths emerged.
The king realized the guard was his son, the princess learned the one she loved was kin.
In that revelation, the king gathered himself again.
But....
[It’s already too late.]
He realized the kingdom had been ruined by the corrupt minister in his absence.
Believing himself unworthy, he abdicated the throne to the princess.
Then, he departed westward.
[They say there’s a mysterious herb in the west, said to revive the dead...]
To find a way to revive his son, he abandoned the throne as a wanderer.
Thus, in the new era of Eratreia, golden dawn arrived.
And it was no longer the king’s era.
“Ooo...?”
At the finale’s end, the cast lined up.
From nobles on the far left to commoners on the right.
It hinted at what the distant future might hold under the new monarch’s rule.
A noble placed a crown on the king’s head; like dominoes, even the final commoners donned crowns.
‘Is this rebellion?’
‘Democracy.’
Eratreia ended suggesting an era where everyone becomes king.
I remembered Biju’s elegant gesture placing the crown on his head and felt awe—he truly was our second.
After today’s performances concluded—
Our expressions turned serious.
“But how do they decide first place?”
“Probably by the cast vote.”
Since many idols appeared, the production seemed to have thought it through.
To avoid criticism, they devised every possible measure.
With judge or audience votes, the fandom size would dominate, so they delegated to the cast.
Not ideal but fair enough.
In these formats, first place stirs debate no matter what.
Fans often use tactical votes—denying the favorite team first place to block them.
But that happens in viewer voting; in a show where names and faces are shown, no one would make such foolish choices.
So everyone would pick the performance they genuinely thought best.
‘Biju’s team will get first place.’
‘Yeah, they will.’
Ri Hyuk and I exchanged glances and nodded as all performers returned to the stage. MC Baek held cue cards and announced with a smile:
A near-unanimous decision.
“Waaaaah!”
Golden confetti fell as the MC handed over the “Hanwoo set.” We all rose and applauded.
With Apple Team’s reaction and collective cheers, the recording ended, and in the hallway we reunited.
“Bijuyaaaaa!”
“Wooju hyuuung!”
As we dashed over and Biju spread his arms, someone said:
“Look at that in his hand. Is it really a Hanwoo set?”
“Seeing that marbling makes my mouth water.”
“We need to take this home quickly—since it’s midsummer, it might spoil.”
“....”
At Biju’s pouting face we laughed.
Then we four surrounded him.
“Did you enjoy the competition?”
“Do you think you did well?”
Biju smiled, cheeks still flushed, and replied brightly, “It was so much fun. Really. I never expected to win first place, but they all voted for us....”
“They definitely deserved it.”
“You did great, hyung.”
“Congrats on winning Hanwoo.”
At Ri Hyuk and Junghyun’s words Biju laughed.
Perhaps from performance excitement, his cheeks were slightly rosy. As we prepared to say more—
“Biju!”
“Bijuyaaa!”
Voices calling him came from all directions.
Apple Team and the dance crew beckoned, and other teammates called out too.
Startled, Biju looked embarrassed and we said:
“You said you’re going to the after-party?”
“Yes.”
“Have fun.”
The Apple Team and dance crew seemed to be gathering for a meal. We nudged Biju’s back and urged him to go.
Soon he mingled in.
Watching him smile brightly among them, we felt proud.
‘Yeah. Go shake up those people.’
‘Not us—go shake them up, hyung!’
Thinking if he released that tension there, maybe in the practice room he’d be a bit less driven.
Then—
“Aaah!”
Biju came running, handing me a trophy.
Each Apple Team member received one for first place.
“Can you put this in the dorm display case?”
“Sure.”
“How does it feel to be first place, hyung? Feels good, right?”
At the youngest’s words, Biju shook his head with a smile.
“No.”
“...”
“I still have five more to get....”
He laughed softly, eyes full of determination, then waved, “I’m off!” and left.
“....”
I thought one trophy would be enough, but hearing he intended to sweep the rest almost made me clap.
As we saw him off—
“Damn it! Get out! All of you get out!”
“Burn it up~!”
“Go away!” ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Joining Street Boys in their usual mock outrage, we herded him out.
Though late, our schedules hardly aligned, so we had dinner together.
As Hanjo pulled out his wallet, everyone cheered. Watching the sidekicks dash out, Hanjo asked me:
“Something good happen? You look so happy.”
“Of course. My brother took first place.”
“No, not that.”
Hanjo narrowed his eyes at my expression.
“That look. Remember when we did that joint stage and you said you had a great idea?”
“You remember that?”
“It felt ominous. Some wicked energy.”
What did he take me for?
I smiled and said, “It’s nothing. I just thought of a good idea.”
“First, tell me when you’re coming back... seeing your face, I better avoid that time.”
I laughed and looked back at the dancers leaving chattering enthusiastically.
Today’s competition was a triumph for Biju personally and for our team—but I’d gained something else too.
A few days later.
Lemon Entertainment’s NewBlack TF meeting room.
With the sidekicks, Wooju, and staff seated, the A&R director looked intrigued.
Wooju spun his laptop around to show them.
Wooju smiled.
At that, the members spoke up.
As staff nodded and offered opinions on the members’ idea—
Members’ eyes lit up. On the laptop screen was a fashion model wearing a glittering golden crown.
Sparkling.
As Biju smiled shyly, the other four glowed at the idea of wearing a crown too.
Staff smiled warmly at their enthusiasm.
‘They really want it.’
‘That look when your daughter asks for a princess dress.’
‘They wanted to try a crown, huh.’
Bright eyes.
4Black, enviously admiring Biju’s crown.
