Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 28
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It was supposed to be time for my meeting, but thanks to someone who couldn't be satisfied unless we all did everything together, we ended up sitting down for a bit.
The atmosphere was cheerful.
“Ri-hyeok hyung, here's a special ssam I made just for you.”
“Yeah, sure. You eat some of this too.”
What was this about?
The maknae and Ri-hyeok were exchanging pork belly and pig's feet ssam amiably.
And the result of that.
“Pfft—! Hey! Wang Ji-ho, what did you put in this?”
“Cough! Hyung, what's this—cough—in it?”
Of course.
They'd each stuffed it full of chili peppers or garlic, and now their faces were red as they chugged water.
It was something I occasionally realized.
Maybe these guys were programmed at the DNA level to assassinate each other.
“Hyung, have some of this.”
Like a mother bird, Bijoo placed the most appetizing pieces of pork feet or belly onto my plate.
Maybe because I was hungry.
I'd had no appetite, but once it hit my mouth, it melted away deliciously.
Unlike the bickering dongsaeng line, the hyung line sitting across from me was enjoying a peaceful meal.
Jung-hyun, who had been sucking the meat off the bone, suddenly looked serious as if something had occurred to him.
“Woojoo hyung.”
“Yeah?”
“The technique you used to take down the CEO.”
Bijoo and I burst out laughing. Bijoo, laughing so hard he nearly choked, scolded his same-age friend.
“Kim Jung-hyun, why would you take down the CEO who's just sitting there? He's not a villain.”
“Oh, right. Then... ambushing the CEO...?”
Ri-hyeok clicked his tongue at the rapper struggling to find the right word.
“Hyung's job is making rap lyrics, but your vocabulary sucks?”
“I'm focusing on eating right now. Anyway, the technique you used when you slammed the CEO to the floor. Where'd you learn that?”
“Just from watching random stuff on Mityube.”
“That works?”
“Hyung, you learn dances just by watching them once too.”
Everyone nodded with an “Ah...” at the maknae's point.
Then they started chattering among themselves.
“It's actually ridiculous, but we've seen so many ridiculous things from him that we just accept it now.”
“Even when he arranged a song in one day at first, it was insane. I thought he was an alien.”
“Yeah, I was shocked too.”
“When this hyung who'd just joined less than a week ago said, ‘You're all wrong,’ and arranged it in a day, I thought he was weird.”
“Was that weird?”
Oh, Seo Ri-hyeok. Defending me?
“It was super weird.”
“……”
“At first, I couldn't adjust and was dazed, but now I'm just used to it. Like, ‘Oh, that's just Seon Wooju being Seon Wooju.’”
“Was I that weird?”
The dongsaengs answered my mutter in unison.
“You were really weird.”
“I thought you were an alien sent to help us.”
“You whined about not being able to dance, then got praised for dancing well. Suddenly you arranged a week's worth in one day, got an offer to work with Jang Sowon sunbae at year-end evaluations, and when we went to work on it, you whipped up an arrangement on guitar, and that song hit number one.”
“Hearing it now, you really are weird.”
With Bijoo's agreement—chopsticks still in his mouth—I laughed.
Was it praise or an insult?
Even I thought the events since I joined this company were all bizarre. They were connected causally, but it still didn't make complete sense.
“Maybe the divine power of Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan explains it all.”
When the maknae brought up his bizarre theory, I suddenly remembered the appointment I'd forgotten.
Oh, right.
I had a meeting scheduled with Executive Director Jo.
“Look at me. I'm late.”
“Where are you going?”
“I have a meeting with Executive Director Jo.”
“A meeting...?”
I glanced around at the members' puzzled faces, my lips twitching, but I stopped myself.
The timing was awkward anyway.
These worries were probably mine to bear alone.
“I'll be right back. See you soon.”
* * *
CEO room.
I'd come up for a meeting with Executive Director Jo, but when I came to, I was in the CEO's office.
“Cheers~”
Ajusshis with flushed faces clinked their beer cans.
Who was I, and why was I here?
The CEO offered me a can with a kind smile.
“Want one, Woojoo?”
“CEO, don't say dangerous things. He has music shows tomorrow.”
Executive Director Jo waved him off.
As I sipped my zero cola, CEO Park Gyuho fed me some ssam.
“You've worked hard, Woojoo. Really.”
“Thank you.”
“I felt it from the year-end evaluations, but things have been going smoothly since you arrived. Haha, after Gyu-hwan, you're our company's luck charm number two.”
“Exactly.”
Executive Director Jo chimed in.
“The management support team leader was so excited he was singing. This quarter's digital revenue might break records. Haven't seen that guy smile since his movie hit ten million viewers.”
“Woojoo did something huge. Yoon Manager must be proud.”
“Oh, it's all thanks to you and the director.”
“What credit do I have? Woojoo did well, the kids did well. Everyone did well. Haha.”
“If you hadn't sealed the deal with Hwayi Entertainment, none of this would've been possible.”
Every time Yoon Seok-hwan's tongue moved, the CEO's face bloomed with smiles.
As expected.
This hyung didn't get that position for free.
As Yoon Seok-hwan navigated social life, the CEO, who had been lavishing praise, turned his attention elsewhere.
“By the way, with all the royalties coming in, have you thought about what to do with the money?”
“Not yet.”
I smiled and replied.
“I'm planning to save it for now. Never managed this much money before.”
That was trainee life.
Money just piled up.
No idea how to spend it, nowhere to spend it.
“If anything, maybe for Grandma.”
“Good idea. Jo, what'd you do with your first hit? Buy your parents a house?”
“House later, CEO. I bought them a car.”
“Right.”
While the adults chatted about real estate, I quietly ate my ssam.
No topic to join in on adult talk.
Someone poked my side. It was Yoon Seok-hwan giving me a look.
I nodded.
“Um... sorry about earlier, CEO. Is your back okay?”
“A bit sore, but it'll heal. Just need some patches.”
“Really sorry.”
“Nah. I grabbed your shoulder to surprise you—that's on me. Like they say, it's all good experience. Haha!”
Fortunately, the CEO brushed it off with his warm laugh.
I glanced quietly at victim number two, chopsticking away.
“Hyung?”
“I've got herniated discs, kid.”
“...Sorry for real. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility.”
“Forget it. Just stay healthy yourself.”
Yoon Seok-hwan waved gruffly, and the CEO naturally interjected with a gentle smile.
“I heard this was supposed to be your meeting time.”
“Oh, yes.”
“Since we're all here, mind if we listen in?”
I didn't agonize long.
What I told the director would reach the CEO anyway.
No matter what I said.
I cautiously brought up the worries I'd been harboring.
The slightly tipsy trio of ajusshis listened quietly.
Silence followed my story.
Executive Director Jo spoke first.
“You want to show off the members' singing?”
“Yes.”
“Is that necessary?”
“Huh?”
He said to my blinking eyes,
“Digital charts are at record highs, music show rankings speak for themselves. Media's calling it long-term domination. It's not your debut track—it's a project single, right? Unsolicited popularity anyway. Isn't this enough?”
Jo Kyu-hwan finished with a somewhat indifferent expression.
The mood felt like I needed a good answer, but I replied honestly.
“Um... I'm pretty greedy. And I think now's the time to be greedy. Even if it's unexpected popularity, it's not something that comes back. I want to make the most of it.”
Executive Director Jo stared at me.
Did I say something wrong?
He eyed me as if reading me, then grinned and chugged his beer.
“Good answer.”
I looked around.
Only then did I notice the CEO and Yoon Seok-hwan looking at me fondly.
Realizing the situation, Executive Director Jo said,
“I was curious what you'd say. Sorry for testing you.”
“Oh......”
“Truth is, it was a bit surprising.”
He laughed.
“Yoon Manager and I were pondering the exact same thing.”
“Really?”
“Chance to build New Black's image, but without Ri-hyeok, no spotlight—disappointing for us. As you said, our kids' skills hold up against most singers.”
Of course.
Why wouldn't the adults worry about what I was?
“We agree. In entertainment, you grab opportunities and maximize them.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“Manager, tell Woojoo too.”
“Yes.”
Yoon Seok-hwan stood, rummaging in his briefcase.
The document titled “New Black Activity Plan” was neatly packed with strategies.
“Was gonna tell you once schedules were fixed, but telling you first.”
“What is it?”
“We pondered your issue too. And found a solution.”
Already?
To my curious gaze, Yoon Seok-hwan answered.
“To meet your conditions, we need to introduce New Black as a group to people.”
“Right.”
“No variety shows. Terrestrial impossible. No solo invites without Jang Sowon, and you lack story material anyway.”
Obvious.
Variety was a battlefield for airtime; we'd be noobs in a shark tank.
“But there's a place for musical spotlight without pressure. Show off singing too.”
“Radio?”
“No, music show.”
What?
The one we did daily?
As I blinked, he pointed to the program on the paper.
“Ha Seung-ju's Music Cafe...? Ah!”
Ha Seung-ju's Music Cafe.
Airs after midnight on PBS, yet boasts high ratings despite the slot.
Famous for pianist/composer MC Ha Seung-ju's smooth hosting and top-tier live stages.
Appearing meant proven skill.
Perfect for us.
Unlike plain music shows, it featured MC talk highlighting guests' charms.
Best shot for rookie New Black to end activities on a high note.
But.
“...Can we even get on?”
Music Cafe was notoriously selective.
Even popular singers got cut for weak lives.
“Seung-ju hyung and I go way back, and Yoon Manager knows the PD. Should be fine.”
“We oiled the wheels for days.”
“Now just show well on air. Worries eased?”
“Yes.”
“But Woojoo.”
Executive Director Jo smiled softly.
“Did you discuss with members first? Sounded like they knew nothing.”
It hit like a punch.
Oops.
I messed up.
“You're the leader. We assume you're speaking for them.”
“Sorry.”
“No need. It's for the team. But next time, talk to members first.”
He smiled.
“New Black isn't just you.”
* * *
Soon, Yoon Seok-hwan brought good news.
“Music Cafe appearance confirmed.”
Time flew.
Our 10-minute segment needed tons of prep.
Pre-interviews with writers for talk topics, unique live stage setup.
Nights grinding repertoire, repeating until perfect.
Tough, but what could we do?
Opportunities go to those who seize them.
Music shows took 12 hours for 3-minute stages—this was nothing.
Music show waiting room for popular singers.
“Music Cafe?”
Naturally, New Black appeared with Jang Sowon.
No songs besides Something yet.
She'd been receptive, groundwork laid via consultation.
“Oh, great.”
Jang Sowon brightened over soufflé and coffee.
“I've been floored by comments on you guys, replying more than once. Use this to shut down ‘flower backdrop’ nonsense for good.”
“Thanks for joining us.”
“Joining? Activities ending soon, faces scarce. See them while we can.”
She laughed.
“More excited for our stage. What'd you prepare?”
* * *
PBS broadcast hall.
Early April, cherry blossoms blooming—Ha Seung-ju's Music Cafe recording day.
We'd wrapped music shows.
Still held monthly #1 on Mango charts, but 4th week comebacks from solo and idol pushed us from #1 contention.
Agencies called activities done.
Now at our final stop.
“Wow... it's huge.”
Moving from waiting room to back stage for rehearsal, we gawked at the stage size.
Different scale entirely.
Worlds apart from music studios.
Tension doubled.
Bijoo bit and released his lip repeatedly; Ri-hyeok dabbed sweaty palms with tissue.
Even our maknae, who'd tease Ri-hyeok normally, stood slack-jawed.
Only Jung-hyun serene like a monk.
No surprise—he'd thought “Cool move” when I suplexed the CEO, unlike others' shock.
An FD pushed through busy staff.
“New Black team.”
“Yes!”
Intercom-clad FD got instructions, eyed us.
“Who's Woojoo?”
“Me.”
“Rehearse first. Piano sound check. About 2 minutes, then full team. Mind positions as briefed.”
He rapid-fired more notes for a minute, then vanished.
“What'd he just say?”
“Uh... I blanked from nerves.”
“Jung-hyun, you heard?”
“Nah, spaced out.”
Confused dongsaengs naturally looked to me—why natural?
I sighed, pulled out my phone.
“Here.”
“......?”
“Recorded it. Listen.”
“......!”
Waving at their savior gazes, I headed onstage.
Center grand piano.
Below, writers with notepads hunting fixes; crew monitoring screens.
Checked camera spots.
Felt cold piano bench, closed eyes.
Began playing.