As I finished the stage with ‘Nine’s closing move, a wave of applause erupted from the back of the auditorium.
“Wow!”
The cheers of the fans, the Soufflés, blended with the clapping, a sound I hadn’t heard during the earlier congratulatory performances. It was as if celebrities were clapping with the vigor of participants in a national clapping contest, almost at a rhythm of 128 beats per minute.
Backstage, I was still in a daze.
“Why did Taehyun tell us to brace ourselves for no reaction earlier?” the youngest member asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Yeah, he did say that…”
He mentioned how embarrassing it had been for them a few years ago. Despite being top in Korea and having exploded in popularity in China and other parts of Asia, the response had been lukewarm.
But this reaction was something else entirely.
As I pondered the difference, I re-entered the theater and saw a veteran singer giving us a thumbs-up, his gaze filled with pride as if looking at his grandsons. Next to him, others were nodding along, trying to catch the vibe.
That’s when it clicked.“It was the teacher…”
“The power of experience…”
“It’s like when the CEO claps, and the A&R team follows suit.”
I had felt it during the legendary song festival, but this was another reminder of the stature of Teacher No Jaehyun in the music industry.
Next to him sat Trot’s senior, Teacher Baek Sanggyo, whose flustered expression made me laugh.
After all, even though Teacher No had retired due to health reasons, there were always talks about how crowds would flock like clouds to his concerts.
“Thank you, Teacher.”
I bowed slightly to the teacher, who looked at us as if we were adorable, and exchanged proud smiles with my younger members.
This was the taste of networking.
And then…
I returned to my seat to find the TNT members looking at us with a sense of injustice in their eyes. I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
While the equipment for the other congratulatory stages was being set up, I whispered into Taehyun’s ear.
“You said the congratulatory stage was embarrassing.”
His shoulders trembled slightly as he turned to look at me, covering his quivering smile with his hand.
“The Prime Minister’s commendation doesn’t come with such a stage,” he retorted, his eyes challenging me to remember this moment.
The other congratulatory performances continued.
A performance that trendily reimagined pansori and traditional Korean music began.
Comedian Seo Ji-hyung and his colleagues rolled around the floor in a slapstick skit, and when it ended, the male and female MCs took the microphone.
“Yes, 2015! It was probably the hottest year for South Korea and the Korean Wave.”
“We’ll start by watching a VCR of today’s honorable awardees.”
As we clapped, the VCR played.
It started with the family drama acting of the veteran actor who was to receive the cultural medal today.
Scenes from dramas, concerts, and various activities of people from all walks of life flashed by at a rapid pace.
The theater erupted with cheers as scenes of TNT’s international tour and interviews in China appeared on screen.
The noise was so loud it felt like the theater might explode.
My senior, Seon Noul, jumped in surprise and rubbed his neck, exclaiming, “Oh my!”
As the 8-member group in front of us shrugged their shoulders, Bijoo whispered to me.
“It looks like it’s our turn now.”
“Right.”
The awards proceeded in order of cultural medals, the President, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism commendations, with the videos following in chronological order.
When it was finally our turn, the announcer proclaimed:
“In 2015, New Black contributed to spreading the Korean Wave through hit songs, various entertainment activities, and SNS.”
The Soufflés’ cheers rose from behind us.
Our main activities were showcased.
First up was us in a chase scene dressed as Joseon-era police officers… Why was that there?
Why was that included?
Jung-hyun, dressed as a peddler, was seen dashing away, kicking the ground with his straw shoes.
The cheers started strong but ended with a weak “ahh,” and laughter filled the theater.
Actors started covering their mouths and laughing on the live broadcast screen next to the main display, which was streaming on the Y app.
Seon Noul laughed heartily beside me, his expression one of fatigue being lifted.
And in front of me, the 8-member idol group squirmed in real-time.
The screen showed Han Taehyun laughing heartily, as if thoroughly enjoying the moment.
Thankfully, the historical exploration segment was brief.
It was impactful, though.
While our performances of ‘Nine’ and ‘Wind Flower’ were given more prominence, it seemed like the audience would remember the historical exploration more vividly.
In a place filled with witnesses to the history of Korean popular culture, we had just gone through a rite of passage.
With forlorn expressions, my younger members and I bumped heads together.
The camera tried to catch us, so I immediately smiled as if nothing had happened.
“Phew.”
“Chuckle.”
The eight heads giggling in the front row were nothing but annoying.
After the VCR ended and the applause followed, the atmosphere turned solemn again as the award ceremony proceeded.
New Black. The following content is the same as above.
The winners of the Ministry of Culture Awards ascended the stage together, receiving their commendations and a single flower.
The acceptance speeches were brief, about 30 seconds, just enough to express gratitude.
Then, the TNT and other Prime Minister’s Award winners came out to receive their certificates.
Time flowed swiftly like water.
“It took a long time to get to this point. Being named ‘Rookie of the Year,’ I’ve only ever heard, ‘When will you win the Rookie Award?’…”
Laughter spilled from the audience.
With the witty acceptance speech of a great actor who received the Cultural Medal, the ceremony came to an end.
As people started to leave, we rushed to Mr. Noh Jae-hyun.
“Thank you so much for today, Mr. Noh Jae-hyun.”
“Ahem, what have I done…”
We spoke in a hushed voice to the veteran singer, who leaned on his cane and smiled coyly.
“Thanks to you, we’ve realized the greatness of connections.”
“Hmm…”
“We truly admire you.”
“We love you~”
Our youngest member playfully poked the air with her finger, making Mr. Noh Jae-hyun burst into laughter.
It was time to take photos and catch up.
“Goodness, let me gather my wits. It’s not the time for this; I should be introducing you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary…”
“Come here. These are all my people.”
Mr. Baek Sang-gyo, who was nearby, laughed at the term ‘my people.’
With lively energy, he introduced us to the surrounding singers.
“Hello, Mr. Baek Sang-gyo. I’m a huge fan.”
“Is that so?”
The trot singer laughed heartily.
“My granddaughter is a big fan of yours. Whenever you’re on TV, she sits and munches on snacks.”
“Oh, that’s adorable…”
“She’s twenty-one this year.”
“I see.”
During our light-hearted exchange, Jung-hyun spoke up.
“My parents are fans of yours; could you possibly give an autograph?”
“Of course, I’d be happy to.”
“Then, could you also make it ‘To Lovely Deok-soon’?”
“I’ll even record a video message for you.”
Touched by the fan service of recording a video message saying, “Dear Kim Deoksoon, you’ve raised your grandson well,” we also shared stories about music.
“I’m a real fan. When arranging songs for the ‘Masterpieces Band,’ I’ve taken inspiration from your albums.”
“Really?”
“Yes, even when arranging ‘Dear Deok-soon.’”
As I continued, joy sparkled in his eyes.
“Maybe when we work on our album later, if you have time…”
“Ah, you’re the ones who composed at the Music Café.”
Mr. Noh Jae-hyun coughed and said.
“It’s Music Café now, Sang-gyo.”
“Is that so?”
“You might not know unless you communicate with young people like this…”
The middle-aged trot singer chuckled and then said to us.
“Contact me. I’ll give you my number.”
“Thank you.”
Mr. Noh Jae-hyun smiled warmly at the thought of working with young people.
Then he whispered to us.
“If you need anyone here, just pick them out. I’ll help you catch them.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I whispered back.
“Let’s start with that person…”
He was happy to introduce us to various singers, as long as he wasn’t the one doing the work.
Pleasant conversations followed.
“Collaborate? Oh, that’s good, that’s good.”
“I’ve never worked with idols before. Do you really need me? It sounds good, though…”
“Let’s definitely do it. Definitely.”
Everyone seemed genuinely interested, not just making empty promises. Some even asked.
“You really want to try it, not just saying it?”
“Of course.”
We smiled brightly.
We noted down the names of those we promised to collaborate with someday, smiling happily.
It was a precious time in many ways.
It felt like our network had expanded significantly.
Not only did Mr. Noh Jae-hyun introduce us to famous established singers, but we also met a variety of people.
We became acquainted with movie actors who only appeared on screen and artists who were usually hard to see.
As we exchanged greetings with people from all walks of life and prepared to move to the next schedule location.
“Let me see the commendation. I want to take a commemorative photo.”
“I want to take a picture holding the flowers.”
As we left the theater with the prizes we had received, someone grabbed my shoulder.
“Hm?”
“It’s me.”
I turned around to see Gu Seon-woong smiling sheepishly.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Is it even possible? You said you were busy. Didn’t you go?”
“Most of us have individual schedules these days. Aside from mixing tracks, I’ve got nothing else going on.”
“Ah, I see.”
The leader of TNT extended a small box towards me.
“What’s this?”
“A gift we all chipped in for.”
He nodded as if to say it was okay to open it, so I carefully took the box and looked inside.
“Wow…”
It was a wristwatch.
As I admired the design of the watch, my expression must have seemed dreamy because he smiled contentedly.
“Do you like it?”
“I’ll cherish it, truly.”
“I thought you might.”
While securing the box, I asked, “It’s beautiful. But why are you giving this to me?”
“Hmm.”
Seon Woong scratched the back of his head, searching for words.
“I’m not great with words, but… maybe as a celebration of sorts?”
“…?”
“We used to talk about it when we were trainees, remember? How great it would be to stand together, receiving a major award. Though things have changed a bit since then.”
I understood what he meant.
“And well, we all received some help from you during our trainee days. This and that… Ah, I can’t remember. The guys coached me on what to say, but it slipped my mind. Just take it.”
“Why the sudden rush?”
“I forgot.”
I nodded with a smile to the one offering congratulations.
“Thanks, bro.”
“Seung Jae also said to pass on his congratulations.”
“Oh. I’ll just talk to him in person.”
“He’s always been a bit shy about these things. Still feels sorry whenever your name comes up.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about…”
It wasn’t like he forced his way in.
Ever since I left the debut group, and he joined, he seemed to regard me with a certain wariness.
He was incredibly kind, and it seems he still is.
“Anyway, we weren’t that close, but… it’s still good. Good that things turned out well like this.”
“Yeah. It feels good to be in the same place like this.”
“That’s nice.”
He said with a warm smile.
“Woojoo.”
“Hm?”
“There’s one more thing…”
I narrowed my eyes slightly at his hesitant start.
“Bro.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re the seventh.”
“…”
He asked with a look of disbelief.
“Am I that late?”
“Yeah. The others already came and went, asking for songs on a first-come, first-served basis.”
“Damn, I should’ve spoken up sooner…!”
I burst into laughter at his crestfallen face, then we did a light high-five and waved goodbye.
“Let’s meet at the Mango Awards next month.”
“…Sure.”
As I turned to leave, the younger members peeked out like meerkats from beside the door.
“What’s that? What did you get?”
“A gift from the senior members of TNT.”
“Really?”
Curious, I showed them the box.
“Ta-da.”
“…”
“I plan to wear this from now on.”
And at that moment.
Their faces turned ashen.
[Who gave you this damn thing?]
(At the next event after the awards ceremony, Woojoo is grinning ear to ear, wearing a pink, floral-patterned plastic watch.)
Who did this… This is unforgivable
-A watch that a 7-year-old would wear…
-So that’s why there was a frenzy of close-up shots from the fans today… That explains it
-Look at Jiho being annoyed by it next to him
-Honestly, anyone with a sense of aesthetics would find this bothersome
-Who gifted this??? It’s totally Woojoo’s style
-Well, my eyes feel assaulted
-That design is trashy, but I heard it’s an expensive watch… Not plastic, but some new material
-No joke, it looks like a magical girl transformation watch from a stationery store
-I tried to squint but couldn’t even manage that
“Woojoo.”
“Yes…?”
“You’re seeing this, right? The fans’ reactions?”
He spoke while scrolling through his tablet PC.
“Yes…”
“So, let’s not wear this for official schedules. Only unofficial ones.”
I showed the wristwatch to Stylist Director Kim, who was smiling kindly at me.
“But honestly, isn’t it pretty?”
“…”
“Open your mind. It might look pretty to you.”
I tried my best to look pitiful, but it was to no avail.
Turning to the other staff in the waiting room, I asked for agreement. Unanimously, they all crossed their arms into an X.
Jiho clutched at his chest as if it was suffocating just to look at him.
“I’ll take it off.”
As I removed the watch from my wrist, the youngest member mimicked a commercial with a relieved expression as if finally at ease.
Still, I needed to keep track of time, so I agreed to carry the watch in my pocket and check it occasionally.
“Guys, let’s go for the rehearsal.”
“Yes!”
It was 9 AM.
Today’s event was the K-pop Festival at the Changwon Sports Complex.
It was an event where Korean K-pop singers performed, and cover dance teams from various countries who made it to the finals also participated.
“Oh, the One Hit crew must be here too.”
“I wonder how well they practiced?”
The dance team ‘One Hit,’ whom we taught the Masquerade choreography in Malaysia, was also scheduled to participate today.
As we headed out to the chilly outdoor venue, we ran into a group of handsome young men.
“Ah, it’s so damn cold.”
Teenspirit, who had been joking among themselves, greeted us upon noticing our presence.
“Hello.”
“Hi there.”
“The stage up there is really cold and slippery.”
We thanked the shivering group for the heads-up.
“Right. Take care when you’re the MC later… Huh?”
Yeonhu commented as he noticed the pink watch in my hand.
“What’s with that weird watch? Did you pick it up from the ground?”
“TNT gave it to me.”
“That’s a damn cool watch.”
The other person gave a thumbs-up.
Yeonhu forced a full-toothed smile and said, “Almost got me there…” We all burst into laughter at his expression.
While the Teenspirit members showered him with playful insults and disappeared.
“…”
Wonseok, walking beside me, handed the watch to his older brother with an awkward expression, causing the younger members to giggle.
Ignoring the laughter, I climbed onto the stage.
I was checking out the layout of the stage and the direction of the audience’s gaze when…
“Kyaaaak!”
A cheer like the cry of a pterosaur greeted us.
It was about twenty foreigners watching from right in front of the stage.
“It’s New Black! Wow, it’s really New Black!”
“Wow…!”
“They’re looking here. They’re watching us!”
They seemed to be cover teams participating in today’s competition.
We waved to the K-pop fans gathered from Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, and Africa.
“Hi!”
“Where are you from?”
Jung-hyun waved back solemnly, causing some to burst into tears.
During the dry rehearsal with our name tags on, we could hear the passionate singing of ‘Nine’s lyrics.
After the rehearsal ended and we stepped down, a commotion ensued.
“Kiyaaaak!”
I had come down to promote to the overseas fans, but it turned out they were already fans.
When we chanted ‘Nine nine nine,’ a team from Africa showed off a dance almost akin to breakdancing.
And a documentary team from PBS’s current affairs and culture department was filming the whole process.
I recognized them from a documentary on righteous people I had appeared in before.
“Hello, Director.”
I bowed to the camera directors, and they smiled back with a surprised ‘Oh?’
Meanwhile, our main dancer looked around.
“Has anyone seen the One Hit folks?”
“One Hit?”
“I heard they were participating in today’s competition…”
Someone spoke up hesitantly.
“They must be practicing right now.”
“Practicing?”
Everyone was puzzled, as we were all out watching the rehearsals, yet they were practicing alone.
That’s when Rihyuk whispered.
“But you know what?”
“Hmm?”
I’ve been feeling it for a while now, but aren’t those people strangely keeping their distance from Bijoo?
“Hmm…?”
Upon hearing that, I realized it was indeed the case.
“Is the folk dance fun?”
As Bijoo took a step back, the international fans retreated step by step, as if climbing stairs.
The Malaysian team was nowhere to be seen.
For some reason, these people seemed afraid of Bijoo.
I couldn’t fathom what was happening and was left with nothing but questions.
Evening.
The K-pop festival kicked off with a dazzling laser show.
Welcome to the 2015 Changwon K-pop Festival!
“Wow!”
Announcer Baeksang-jung was the main MC, and I, along with Baek Yujin from Lavi en Rose, were today’s assistant MCs.
Hello, I’m Baek Yujin from Lavi en Rose.
Nice to meet you. I’m Woojoo from New Black.
As my name was announced, the decibels rose to such a level that the stadium reverberated.
After the English announcements and introductions to today’s events.
Yes, the opening stage composed of participants from 20 countries!
Shall we take a look now?
The VCR for the opening stage began to play, and the lights at the MC booth went out.
After turning off our mics and stepping down, Baeksang-jung, who was checking the cue cards, asked.
“Did you hear on the way here that there’s a cover team you met and taught to dance?”
“Yes.”
Cover dance teams from various countries began to take the stage one by one.
“Really? Where are they?”
“The Malaysians. You’ll see them soon, but they’re the ones with the warmest presence over there…”
“There they are.”
As if the protagonist was making an entrance, the last team from Malaysia, ‘One Hit,’ began to appear, lifted onto the stage.
“Is that the ‘warm’ team?”
“…”
Everyone had been different until just recently.
I was at a loss for words at the sight of the four-member group climbing up with a fierce determination in their eyes as if they were set on winning.
It felt like I had created something terribly wrong.