Free Web Novel“Sounds great. Haha.”
President Park Gyuho smiled as he looked at his phone. A message had come in confirming the food delivery had arrived successfully.
‘It got here just right.’
This had been arranged with production for today’s shoot. When he’d suggested sending a surprise delivery of ingredients to the members, production loved the idea.
‘Their reaction will be amazing, right?’
He could already picture the expressions on the NewBlack members’ faces. At the moment when a massive crowd had descended, ingredients were running out, and customers were about to erupt in anger, the truck he’d sent would pull up with a flourish.
“Hahaha.”
His daughter spoke up to the pleased Mr. Park.
“Dad.”
“Yes, honey?”
“Come make dumplings with me.”
“All right...”
President Park Gyuho rolled out dumpling wrappers into perfect rounds. His brothers—home for the holidays—watched him and asked,
“Hey, what’s this about? I heard NewBlack’s selling food at a rest area.”
“Yeah, there’s an article and it’s causing a commotion. Is it really that good?”
His nephews were equally excited at the mention of NewBlack.
“Have you tried it, uncle? That NewBulBaek?”
“It’s amazing. As the president, you probably got them to come and give you NewBulBaek, right?”
“Lucky you.”
They assumed happily that, as company head, he’d naturally sampled it. He merely smiled in response, unable to admit that the real boss of the company was someone else.
As they laughed, his brothers wrapping dumplings added,
“You really owe them big time.”
“I already treat my members so well.”
He felt proud of himself.
“Oh, I just thought they might run short of ingredients today, so I sent more. Haha.”
“Nice move! Hahaha!”
The living room sparkled with laughter—until Mr. Park’s daughter paused.
“Dad...?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“When did you send the ingredients? Just now?”
“Well, I asked them to send them around now. Haha.”
His daughter glanced at her watch.
“Then the service must be over—but it can’t be over, right?”
“Uh... oh...”
“It’s not ‘oh,’ Dad. You’ve completely messed up.”
Silence fell among the men of the Park household.
Brrrring—
As if in a horror movie, the phone began to ring. One nephew snatched it up and confirmed,
“It’s the god of wealth calling? This is Wooju, right?”
“...”
President Park raised the phone. The family making dumplings all moved to stand on the opposite side, unwilling to face the fiery NewBlack. He sighed deeply and pressed the answer button. He was startled.
“Guys...?”
– Pffooooo... –
Was that our kids? On the video call screen appeared NewBlack, looking like idols just returned from the depths of hell. Every exhalation seemed to produce sparks.
– Mr. President. –
“Uh, yes...?”
– Thank you so much. –
Though Wooju’s mouth curved in a bright smile, his eyes blazed like fire. The other members’ eyes also glowed with infernal intensity.
– President! Thank you soooo much! –
– Neaaaah... I have no energy to thank you. Junghyeon-hyung, please thank him on my behalf. –
– Have a wonderful day, sir. –
– We just finished service and even did a mini concert for customers who couldn’t eat... we even did an encore, but...
Biju smiled gently.
– President, you sent us meat. –
– Hahahahaha! –
– Ahahahahaha! –
President Park swallowed hard at the sound of NewBlack’s manic laughter.
‘What an enormous mistake I made.’
He felt tears prick his eyes at having earned the ire of those he most needed to impress.
“I really had no sense, I guess.”
– Not at all! –
Wooju grinned.
– We wanted to thank you personally. We were really worried—the mood was so bad we had to do a mini concert... –
– Thanks to you, we got plenty of footage! –
“Hahaha!”
The boisterous President Park glanced at his daughter making an X with her arms and composed himself.
“All right, you must be working hard. Are you still busy with customers?”
– Uh, the customers? –
NewBlack smiled and replied, freewēbnoveℓ.com
– It’s not so many that you need to worry. –
“Well, enjoy the rest of your holiday~!”
After NewBlack signed off from the video call, the Park family murmured in relief.
“They’re so nice.”
“It seems to have all worked out.”
“Are there really that many people?”
President Park said,
“From what they said, it doesn’t sound like that many...”
At that moment, everyone turned at the TV anchor’s voice.
[Here’s the regional traffic update.]
As nationwide traffic news rolled by, a stretch of highway in Chungbuk was highlighted.
[Currently, the section is experiencing severe congestion, as the popular TBC program Dice Around the World and NewBlack are running a business roadside.]
“My goodness...”
Cars were at a standstill. Aerial footage showed Jungpyeong Rest Area looking like the last building in a zombie apocalypse.
“Are those crawling ants people...?”
The anchor continued,
[What was meant as a lunch-only service has unexpectedly been extended, so congestion is expected to worsen. Travelers are advised to avoid this section...]
Everyone stared at the TV in stunned silence. President Park—blamed for a nationwide traffic crisis—simply went back to shaping dumplings that mirrored himself.
Business boomed to an astonishing degree. So well, in fact, that the rest area manager came with tears in his eyes to shake hands with us and the Jusehan cast, one by one.
“Thank you. Oh my, thank you so much...!”
The day’s food court revenue equaled months’ worth for Jungpyeong Rest Area, and he was overjoyed.
“This is delicious...!”
“So good. It’s a total hit.”
“I thought I wouldn’t get to eat, but—”
Even customers who’d assumed they’d never reach the front reacted with delight at their unexpected fortune. Production was thrilled with the abundant footage. It was a happy day for everyone.
The problem was,
“Phew...”
Junghyeon crouched and sighed.
“Junghyeon, are you okay?”
“I’m tired, hyung.”
“Really exhausted?”
“Not completely, but my muscles are so sore... maybe from using muscles I never use.”
Even our third member—whose stamina could endure endless rehearsals—looked drained after the day’s service. The others were no less worn.
“Neeaaaaah....”
That wasn’t Ri Hyuk’s voice, but the chorus of exhaustion from everyone sprawled around the rest area tables. Biju lay face-down on the table, cheeks puffed out like steamed buns, and laughed.
“It’s so hard that I can’t think of anything.”
“I’m completely burned out.”
“I don’t have the energy to speak.”
They mumbled to each other, lying across the tables. Seated beside me, Yeohyeon turned and said,
“Wooju.”
“Yes, sunbaenim?”
“If you have our president’s home address, give it to me.”
I laughed and shifted in my ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) seat, when Jusehan’s MC, Hyungseok Oh, said,
“Yeohyeon.”
“Yes?”
“Count me in. I thought service was done and I could go home, but then ingredients kept arriving.”
“It was horrifying. Who knew we’d serve until seven?”
“Now I feel sick at the smell of pork.”
At that, Ri Hyuk sniffed and made himself gag. I felt the same: after a full day inhaling bulgogi and cutlet aromas, I never wanted pork again—at least for a year.
As we all lolled about, dilly-dallying, PD O Taejun clapped his hands.
“All right, everyone. It’s time for the ending.”
In unison, we turned toward the cameras. Production peered out from behind them, stifling laughter at our weary faces.
“Are you all going to stay like that?”
“No idea. I’m going to embrace my inner delinquent NewBlack.”
Jiho sprang up cheerfully. We wiped cold sweat from our brows and rose. PD O Taejun said with a smile,
“You’ve worked so hard today and for the past weeks preparing for this service. Thank you.”
“Woooah!”
We cheered, still laughing. Staff brought out display boards covered in Post-it notes.
“What’s that?”
“These are Post-it reviews from today’s customers.”
On colorful notes, fans had written:
[“This was life-changing bulgogi... insanely delicious. Please release it!”]
[“Day 1 of NewBulBaek release prayers”]
[“Jusehan♡NewBlack, please keep this going forever!!!”]
Seeing so many rave reviews made us proud—it felt like our efforts had paid off. I grinned and said,
“I’m so happy customers loved it.”
“Right? But it’s all praise for NewBulBaek. Lots of people are asking if it will be released.”
Jusehan cast members looked curious about our hit item. Song Jinwoo approached and asked,
“Since we’re among ourselves... do you think it will really be released?”
“I’m not sure yet.”
We’d decide based on broadcast response. With our recent rise to national idols, we’d also attracted more haters. But I believed viewers would shout, “Release it!”
“I need to talk to Grandma, too.”
“Oh, the recipe’s Grandma’s, right?”
“Yes.”
I planned to ask Mrs. Kim Deoksun tomorrow. As we prepared to take our places for the restaurant ending shot, PD Koo Jaeyoung motioned us.
“Let’s go shoot outside.”
“Outside?”
“Customers are waiting.”
The time was 8 PM. Having finished service an hour ago, we assumed everyone had gone home. But stepping outside, we were stunned.
‘What is this?’
‘Feels like I’m at the Gymnastics Arena.’
It looked like festival crowds: people everywhere, in every direction—packed shoulder to shoulder.
“Woooah!”
As Jusehan and NewBlack emerged from the restaurant, the crowd in the parking lot cheered. It felt oddly wonderful. Under floodlights, we waved to what must have been over a thousand people.
“Whoo...”
Behind us, the Jusehan cast slipped away.
“Why are there so many people?”
“I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Even the national-variety stars were unaccustomed to such crowds. We laughed and hauled them forward, and the festival-like cheers erupted.
Each of us was handed a microphone. Hyungseok Oh grinned and said,
“You stayed to wait, huh?”
“I guess you all stayed to see NewBlack and us. If I’d known, I’d’ve come out sooner.”
“So, did you enjoy your meal?”
Ri Hyuk asked, and a thunderous “Yes!” answered. Someone in the front row shouted, “Sing!”
“Want us to sing?”
Jiho laughed and gestured.
“If you want us to, come on up and sing!”
“Woooah!”
Encouraged, the first-row guest timidly came forward and performed a short ballad by senior singer Cha Woo-hyun.
– “Heading to you....”
– “Heading...”
We harmonized, and the energy soared.
“More singing! More singing!”
Just as we were about to sing, Junghyeon laughed and said,
“We’re not falling for it again.”
“We already sang once!”
Hearing our refusal, the crowd pouted, then turned expectantly to Biju. His gentle heart prompted him to say,
“Then how about one more encore?”
“Woooah!”
“Look at this crowd—they know Biju can’t resist... wait, how do they know Biju’s soft spot?”
They chuckled but no one answered.
Amid that sea of people, we filmed the ending for the Jusehan special. After restating our rewards, PD O Taejun said,
“Congratulations on mission success! As promised, Jusehan members earned extra dice rolls!”
“Woooah!”
We and the Jusehan cast hugged and pumped fists. Each member held a giant foam die, faces alight with joy.
“So... are we going to Europe? Europe?”
“But how many times do we roll?”
The reward upgraded with each sales tier. Embarrassed, PD O checked the chart and said,
“By our standard... 102 times.”
“Excuse me?”
The cast looked stupefied—then laughter roared from the parking lot. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
“102 times?”
“Yes, by our criteria.”
“Hey Taejun, instead of rolling 102 times, let’s just go to the top-tier destination—roll six, six, six.”
“Hmm...”
As he hesitated, we urged the crowd,
“Tell him to do it!”
“Just do it!”
Buoyed by the crowd’s chanting, PD O agreed to set the dice to the highest level. Teacher Yang Okbun said to me,
“You roll as the representative, Wooju.”
“Right, teacher.”
I handed the microphone to Junghyeon, then rolled the dice one by one:
– “Ooh, six.”
– “Another six.”
– “Last one’s six too.”
The watching crowd burst into laughter. I smirked and winked at the camera.
– “Fair and square.”
– “...Fair and square?”
– “Our fourth member forbids honesty.”
As Ri Hyuk and I exchanged playful glares, Biju asked,
“PD, what about us?”
“Oh, yes. NewBlack will receive unlimited pork according to sales tiers, right?”
“Yes!”
“For that reward, the association president is here.”
A kindly-looking association president greeted us,
“Thanks to you, pork sales are skyrocketing. Thank you.”
“We should be thanking you.”
“Really, feel free to share with everyone around you. Whenever you need more, just let me know and I’ll send plenty. Haha.”
He seemed genuinely happy, likely thinking of today’s invaluable promotional effect. He turned to production and asked,
“So, how long should we provide for?”
“One moment... uh...”
PD O hesitated, then said,
“Two years and three months...”
“Excuse me?”
– “Yes?”
Silence fell—then a great wave of laughter swept through Jungpyeong Rest Area. People slapped each other and howled, some recording on their phones.
Regaining composure, the president asked,
“How long did you say?”
“Two years and three months.”
“Oh....”
Jiho counted on his fingers:
– “2016, 2017, 2018... until the end of 2018!”
We laughed, then waved toward the frozen truck bearing the president’s photo.
– “Thank you, sir!”
– “Thanks to you, we’re set for two years and three months!”
What seemed misfortune turned out a blessing: unlimited pork through our fifth anniversary. We embraced in joy. The association president chuckled,
“It’s priceless promotion—of course we must do this. Haha!”
– “Thank you!”
“Even if you eat a lot—”
From the crowd came, “NewBlack, eat up~!”
For a moment, I thought TeenSpirit had arrived. The president shushed the crowd as he handed over an envelope.
– “Thank you!”
“I meant eat lots—”
– “Really, thank you!”
He tipped his head in bemusement, and we gave a deep bow as he departed. Biju grabbed the mic with a bright smile.
– “I guess I’ll only eat pork until the end of ’18.”
Amid warm laughter, we—having earned our coveted Europe trip—stood together. After sharing how much we’d enjoyed the day, we spoke of our upcoming comeback.
– “Oh, and NewBlack will be making our comeback on the 17th of next month. Please look forward to it!”
– “Then, until now, this has been Jusehan—”
– “And NewBlack! Thank you!”
Together with the Jusehan members, we raised our mics and sang joyfully to close the broadcast. Whether from relief that the special was over or from singing before such a huge crowd, we were exhilarated.
– “All right! Shout it out! Whoever beats Ri Hyuk-hyung gets a NewBulBaek gift set!”
“Wooooah!”
– “Nobody?”
“Waaaah!”
– “Still nobody!”
Bouncing with the Jusehan cast and our team to heat up the stage, I suddenly felt a tingle on the back of my head. I spun around, saw nothing odd, and laughed it off to the audience.
Maybe I was imagining it.
Outside the restaurant, Mrs. Kim Deoksun closed her eyes tightly as she gazed at the throng packed in front of the cafeteria.
