LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 55
Translator: MarcTempest
Editor: Rxel
Chapter 55
Wonderful Night
It had been ten days since they successfully finished their debut showcase.
During that time, they’d been busy with music shows, photo shoots, small events, and so on.
Today, they had a new schedule to handle.
“Nice to meet you.”
A reporter greeted them at a cafe near the HBS open hall in Deungchon-dong.
She had sharp eyes and a sophisticated vibe.
“I’m Oh Sohee, a reporter from Entertainment IN. We met at the showcase, right?”
“Yes, hello!”
They bowed their waists at 90 degrees, and she smiled at them.
She told them to relax and sit down, but they kept swallowing their saliva.
Their first interview after debut.
They had done a lot of interviews during Something, but this was the first time they did it without Jang Sowon Sunbae or Seokhwan Hyung.
Minki Hyung came with them, but it was hard to expect much help from him.
“I remember that the manager always followed you around. Where did he go today?”
“Yes, he’s currently unavailable because of a meeting.”
The road manager answered, and Oh Sohee nodded.
“Then let’s start with just us… Hm?”
She was about to press the record button on her phone, but she stopped at the sight of their members’ movements.
They all turned off their phones.
She smiled as if she found them cute.
“Did the company tell you to do that?”
“No, Woojoo Hyung nagged us all the way here. He said that when we do interviews with reporters, we should turn off our phones. He said he would follow us around and nag us all day if our phones rang in the middle of it.”
The youngest’s words made them laugh warmly.
The atmosphere lightened up, and Seon Woojoo relaxed his stiff shoulders.
He felt a little less nervous.
It was annoying to see the customers around them staring at them or taking pictures with their phones, but there was nothing they could do about it.
They had officially entered the entertainment industry.
Minki Hyung walked over to the customers who were blatantly taking pictures of them, and the interview began.
“First of all, congratulations. As of the 27th, the music video for Fireworks reached one million views, right? I heard that it’s the shortest record for a rookie idol group that’s not from the Big 4 agencies.”
It was a flattering compliment, but it wasn’t wrong.
Since the 2010s, when idol fandoms started streaming 24 hours a day, the rise of Fireworks was unbelievable.
It wasn’t like Yoon Chanhyuk, who people would listen to whenever he released a song, or TNT, who had a powerful fandom. It was a miracle that a rookie group like them achieved such results.
They were also flustered.
They would check the chart rankings as soon as they opened their eyes every morning, with their eyes wide open.
The conversation about their performance ended, and she changed the topic.
“You were also quite a hot topic in the idol community, right? Especially the acapella live video that got a lot of attention.”
“Yes, we received a lot of compliments that were too generous. Among them, I remember the comment that said we were like a group of main vocalists. We were really happy when we saw that.”
She smiled as if she knew what we meant.
“Then, how do you feel about the name New Black being hot in the idol scene right now? Does that popularity affect your daily life? Do people recognize you on the street?”
“I don’t think so.”
Seon Woojoo answered with a smile.
“Rather, there were more people who recognized us when we were doing Something. I guess people don’t know us much because we’re rookies. And it’s more comfortable to have less attention for now.”
It would be different if they were a national idol group like TNT.
If you asked the average person on the street to name an idol, they would probably name less than three.
It was natural that people didn’t know them.
That was why they had to work harder.
They were having a pleasant conversation, when the question Seon Woojoo expected came out of her mouth.
“How is your relationship with Street Boys these days? There was a rivalry between the two groups before you debuted. Especially you, Woojoo, you were often compared to Hanjo because of your image as a composer-idol.”
Street Boys.
To be honest, Seon Woojoo hadn’t had a real conversation with them since they debuted.
They just exchanged brief greetings when they passed by each other.
It was awkward because of the diss, but also because they had nothing to say.
And considering the atmosphere between the two companies’ presidents, it wasn’t a situation where they could chat casually.
But Seon Woojoo couldn’t tell the reporter, ‘We don’t care about each other, and we don’t talk.’ So Seon Woojoo was about to give the prepared answer.
“We think of them as our fellow debutants in the entertainment industry.”
Led by the calm voice of Kim Bijoo, the members chimed in as if to ease the leader’s burden.
Right. Good job, my kids.
Compared to the times when they froze during the interviews in the Something era, this was a huge improvement.
As Seon Woojoo watched the members say a word or two, Reporter Oh smiled.
“Ah, the reason I asked this question is because I interviewed Street Boys a while ago, and one of their members mentioned New Black as the group they want to be friends with. Especially you, Seo Rihyuk.”
“…Me? Me?”
Not only Seo Rihyuk, but the kids were also surprised.
“This Hyung?”
“Our Rihyuk?”
“Uh, why?”
A perfect raw reaction.
As their main vocal opened his eyes wide, Reporter Oh Sohee burst into a hearty laugh.
Of course, Seon Woojoo was holding his head in pain.
“Reporter, the kids’ comments just now…”
“I got it, I’ll skip this question. The PR team leader already asked me to be careful.”
Reporter Oh smiled and changed the question.
“Then let me ask you something else. I heard that Street Boys are going to start filming their second reality show on K-net soon. What about New Black’s future activities? Do you have any plans for broadcasting?”
“We don’t have any yet, except for music shows. But we are ready to do our best for any opportunity that comes our way.”
“…Oh, so you don’t have any yet.”
She looked a bit disappointed.
“I did some research before the interview, and it seems that there are some controversies going on in the community and elsewhere because New Black has less exposure on TV.”
“Controversies?”
“Fireworks is the most successful self-composed song among idol songs. Even though the song is good, it’s too good, so some people wonder if it’s really a self-composed song.”
“Ah.”
“That’s why I asked. Does the company have any plans to show something about the composition in the future?”
It was something Seon Woojoo hadn’t thought of at all, so he hesitated.
But not for long.
Seon Woojoo smiled and answered calmly.
“About that…”
It was the best answer he could think of.
“I believe we will have a chance to show you in the future.”
***
Wow. That was tough.
Back to the HBS public hall for the music show
Seon Woojoo’s legs were trembling as he climbed the stairs one by one.
The kids were nervous that they might make a mistake during the interview, and when it was over, they seemed to lose all their strength.
As Seon Woojoo walked like a limp squid, Kim Bijoo came up to him, misunderstanding his expression.
“Don’t worry about what the reporter said earlier.”
“Huh?”
“The composition thing.”
Oh. That.
“It’s because the song is so good that it happened. Don’t listen to the jealous people.”
“Really. I don’t understand why they leave such comments,” their team’s best trash talker added, and Kim Junghyun followed.
“Those people will disappear soon.”
“Junghyun Hyung, when you say that, put down your fist. It’s scary.”
“Ah, sorry.”
“Right. Woojoo Hyung, ignore those weird people,” the youngest, who was gulping down his macchiato, said casually.
Taking care of the eldest’s feelings.
‘Our kids are so nice.’
Seon Woojoo smiled at the sight of their main vocal’s surprised eyes.
***
But Seon Woojoo didn’t care as much as the kids worried.
Composing music wasn’t something that could be seen with the eyes, and it was a matter that had to be proven over time.
Well. Seon Woojoo wished he had a chance to show it, but still.
Seon Woojoo thought about telling them that he was just tired, but he decided to keep quiet because he liked their concerned looks.
“By the way, didn’t you say that the manager went to a meeting? Is that related to our schedule? Maybe we’re going to a new show…”
“That’s right. Minki Hyung, did you hear anything?”
The road manager seemed to recall something as he answered Seon Woojoo’s question.
“Well, I heard that he went to Sangam-dong.”
“Sangam? Is it TBC?”
There was also K-net’s headquarters, but they had a bad relationship with them.
It was highly likely to be TBC.
Since it was one of the three terrestrial broadcasters, Seon Woojoo didn’t have any special information to know, so he stopped guessing there.
He would let them know when it was confirmed.
With that thought, Seon Woojoo returned to the waiting room on the fifth floor.
They, who were wandering around the large auditorium with blue partitions roughly divided, quickly found the waiting room.
“Oh, you’re here.”
Yoon Seokhwan, who had already arrived, greeted them.
He had just returned, flapping his shirt hem and cooling off his sweat.
He smiled when he saw their faces.
“You came back with half of your face.”
“Don’t say that. I was so nervous thinking that we had to interview each other…”
Seon Woojoo was appealing that he was having a hard time, but the younger ones next to him waved their hands and said something with their mouths.
Roughly, ‘You’re just saying that, but you did well’ or something like that.
These guys were really.
Seokhwan Hyung chuckled and said, “You worked hard.”
“Let’s stick together, Hyung. I’m having a hard time without you. I don’t even know what to say.”
“Get used to it, man. You guys are debuting now and I’m busy running the business. You have to get used to hanging out with Minki and you guys.”
After the live without accompaniment, Seokhwan Hyung’s eyes were full of trust in Seon Woojoo.
He seemed to think that he could trust and leave the kids to Seon Woojoo.
Seon Woojoo wanted to refuse that misunderstanding.
“So, how did the meeting at TBC go?”
“TBC? How do you know that?”
“I heard from Minki Hyung that you went to Sangam-dong. I thought you went there for some show booking.”
A slightly flustered face.
As soon as he realized that they didn’t know what was going on, Seokhwan Hyung looked relieved.
It smelled very suspicious.
But before Seon Woojoo could ask any more questions, their manager changed the topic.
And with some news that made their ears perk up.
“By the way, your show schedule is set.”
“Schedule? What is it?”
“Radio.”
The manager explained to them, who looked curious.
“It’s called Wonderful Night, a radio program hosted by Jang Sowon.”
***
Jang Sowon’s Wonderful Night.
HBS’s flagship radio program that ran from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The date they were going was July 6th.
Exactly a week later, on Sunday.
“He said he was doing a special feature on rookie boy groups. The writer there told me that Jang Sowon recommended you guys strongly.”
She joked that she would definitely call them when they parted in May.
Seon Woojoo didn’t expect her to actually do it.
What the hell was this? They were moved by the new schedule.
Then Seokhwan Hyung delivered the unfortunate news.
“Only two of you will go.”
“Why?”
“The corner you’re going to is a competitive one. You compete with stories, and show live corners.”
So they decided to send out Seo Rihyuk, who sang the best, and Seon Woojoo, who sang the next best.
They all agreed to that.
But they frowned at the following story.
“Then who’s the other team?”
“Street Boys.”
Was it because they had been through it so much for the last month?
It was a name they didn’t want to hear at all.
***
“Cheer up, guys.”
They had finished the pre-recording and only had the live broadcast left. They were taking a break at the cafeteria.
Kim Bijoo and Kim Junghyun had some errands to run, so they left.
Seon Woojoo was with the two younger members.
The menu was, of course, the famous sandwich of
Seon Woojoo felt uneasy as he watched the youngest one devour the sandwich with enthusiasm.
“Why are you so excited when you’re telling us to cheer up?”
“Well, of course. I’m not the one who’s going on stage.”
“…”
“Aaah… Why are you like that when I’m eating?”
Seon Woojoo grabbed his cheek, which was like a sticky rice cake, and glanced at the side.
Seo Rihyuk, who would have joined him in teasing him at any other time, was quietly looking at his phone.
“What are you looking at?”
“I’m searching for an article. Someone said they wanted to be friends with me in an interview earlier.”
“Oh, that. I was curious about that too.”
Who was the one who said such a strange thing?
He tapped his smartphone with his long and slender finger, and an article popped up.
Street Boys Interview.
The reporter was right.
There was really such a statement written there.
The speaker was the youngest member named Kiwon.
“He said he wanted to be friends with me because he saw my face at the same agency before… What does that mean? We were in the same agency?”
Seo Rihyuk tilted his head, and the youngest one exclaimed as if he remembered something.
“Ah! I think I know him! Isn’t he Yoon Kiwon?”
“It doesn’t say his surname.”
“It must be him.”
Wang Jiho started to chatter.
“He’s in the same school as me. Vocal class B. I heard he was from Oullim before. Didn’t you train at Oullim before you came to our company, Hyung?”
“Oullim? I was there for a while.”
Seo Rihyuk recalled his vague memory, while Seon Woojoo shook his head.
Why did he do such an interview?
He must have known that they dissed us in a rap. Seon Woojoo didn’t understand why he chose one of them as the idol member he wanted to be friends with.
Was it because he didn’t like them because of their history?
Or maybe this was some kind of elaborate scheme.
As Seon Woojoo was thinking that, a shadow loomed over them, who were eating sandwiches and chatting.
“Excuse me…”
A very calm and low voice.
‘Who is it,’ Seon Woojoo thought, and lifted his head. He had to hide his nervous expression.
It was because of the person standing in front of him.
Hanjo.
The leader of Street Boys, and the one who had embarrassed them with his diss rap.
What the hell.
Why was he suddenly talking to him?
Seon Woojoo was startled by the person who spoke to him for the first time in ten days since their debut.
Not only him, but also his siblings were shocked by what Hanjo did next.
“Here, take this.”
He handed him two bills worth 50,000 won each.