Chapter 33
Chapter 33
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: 8.Untitled
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A week after the Music Cafe recording.
We had officially wrapped up our broadcast promotions, but that didn't mean all activities were over.
There were still events lined up.
Something was undeniably the biggest hit of the first half of the year, so naturally, invitations were pouring in from all over.
The company was thrilled, eagerly booking schedules left and right.
We'd wake up at dawn to hit the southern provinces, swing by Gangwon-do, then head back to Seoul—the cycle repeating endlessly.
Close your eyes, open them: Gyeonggi-do. Close them again, open them: Seoul.
It was messing with my sense of space.
"Man, Gangwon-do really has the best air."
"This is Seoul, ajusshi. Get it together."
Stretching in the car, I peered out the window.
Huh. What do you know.
It really was Seoul.
The moment I took in the city packed with skyscrapers, the fresh air I'd just been breathing through the cracked window felt thick and stale.
"Yeah. That's the placebo effect for you, kids."
Ji-ho, grinning beside me, beamed even wider.
"Since it's you, hyung, we should call it the Soufflé effect instead."
"You think you're hot stuff just 'cause Music Cafe hasn't aired yet."
One more week until broadcast. Just seven days left.
I shot him a warm smile.
"Wait and see. The second your crying clip drops, I'll spread it everywhere."
"I'll help."
Ri-hyeok jumped in quick. But the maknae just puffed up with confidence, unfazed.
"That won't happen, hyungs."
"Why not?"
"'Cause I sent a ton of chicken gift icons to the Music Cafe writers noonas."
In other words, he'd lobbied hard to cut his crying scene, so it wouldn't make air.
"......"
Ri-hyeok and I stared blankly at each other before I spoke up.
"Five hundred won says it airs."
"I'll take that bet. Add another five hundred on a close-up."
"Close-up might be pushing it."
As we bantered, the maknae started preaching his unwavering faith in the broadcasting station again.
His shaky eyes betrayed him—he didn't believe it either.
Of course not.
What kind of place do you think a broadcast station is? They wouldn't skip airing just 'cause some high schooler showered them with gift icons.
"Just occurred to me."
Junghyun, who'd been listening quietly, finally chimed in.
"We might actually have some fans by now, right?"
"Huh?"
"We did music shows for almost a month. Music Cafe's airing soon too. Figure some fans might've latched on."
Everyone fell silent, lost in thought.
It was the question on all our minds, but no one had dared voice.
How to put it.
The word "fan" felt amazing—like an expensive outfit you admire from afar in a shop window, but when it comes time to try it on, you wonder if it's really for someone like you.
New Black had hustled hard for a whole month.
Up at dawn for music shows, interviews with reporters, a photoshoot here and there, events nonstop.
But if we're being honest, we hadn't shown enough to expect real results.
Broadcast exposure? Music shows were it.
At least Music Cafe gave us a shot—otherwise, people might think Ri-hyeok's the only one who sings.
The problem? It hasn't even aired yet.
"What should've we done to get fans?"
Ri-hyeok pointed out the harsh reality.
"Most people think Something's Jang Sowon sunbae's song anyway. Grab someone on the street, ask if they know New Black—no one would. And we haven't hit any variety shows."
"Guess so."
Junghyun shrugged, casual as ever.
"I'll stay positive. Someone out there likes us, I'm sure."
"Yeah! They're probably hiding somewhere. We just haven't found 'em yet."
"Ji-ho, if we get fans, what's the first thing we do?"
While the rapper and maknae chugged their fan kimchi soup, Ri-hyeok tsked from the back.
"You need fans first before worrying about fan service, guys. Shouldn't we figure out how to get fans?"
Junghyun, staring blankly at Ri-hyeok, whispered to Ji-ho.
"He's sprinkling disses again."
"Ooh, nice rhyme. Put it on a mixtape, hyung."
Humming 'he's sprinkling disses~' and turning it into a rap, the two cracked up as Ri-hyeok shook his head.
Honestly, I sided with Ri-hyeok.
Ways to get fans.
They'd trickle in post-debut, sure, but what could we do right now?
I asked the manager up front.
"Seok-hwan hyung."
"Yeah?"
"No places we can show up?"
"You know Music Cafe was a miracle for rookies like you? Manager and exec director pulled every string."
"...Yeah."
"Plus, your status is kinda iffy."
Lemon Entertainment's top-tier for actors—top five fingers easy—but mid-tier in music.
Not some hole-in-the-wall that can't snag variety, though.
Problem is, stations would demand our actors in trade for airtime.
With things the way they are, trading actors for us felt tricky.
They treat us as the rookie idols behind Something's debut.
But calling us fully debuted singers? Eh...
I got the company's hesitation.
If we had a proper album, they'd go big: "Let's promo New Black!" swapping with company celebs.
But Something's already famous—no promo needed.
And it's another label's singer as the face.
Even if we nailed variety, no real gain.
Only song we've got is Something.
What a dilemma.
No songs, no promo. Promo, but no songs to sing.
Guess it boils down to songs?
But that's not something we can fix overnight. A&R Team handles debut album tracks.
So what could I do myself?
"Variety's out anyway. What else, Ri-hyeok?"
"Dunno. SNS? We have official accounts. Post stuff, chat with fans?"
Seo Min-gi at the wheel nodded approval.
"Good idea. What do you think, section chief?"
Our section chief's face lit up with a benevolent smile.
"Min-gi, you'd have to manage it."
"SNS ain't great, kids."
Everyone burst laughing at the road manager's flip.
Cowardly, but fair.
Usually two road managers for this size, but Min-gi hyung handled solo.
SNS on hold.
X'd it off my mental list.
Junghyun suggested self-filmed daily reality, but Yoon Seok-hwan shut it down.
Company actors' movie promo had PR swamped lately.
Video editor's swamped too, backlog city.
"Bi-ju, what about y—oh, listening to music."
Tried asking Bi-ju, but our main dancer stared blankly out the window, earphones in.
Not the vibe to chat.
But...
Turning back, something felt off.
Earphone jack in his pocket—disconnected from phone.
No music playing. Just wearing them?
Eyes unfocused, not like him.
Tired from events?
Gonna keep an eye—
Yoon Seok-hwan piped up like he'd remembered something.
"Oh yeah, Woojoo, got a variety offer for you."
"For real? Me?"
"Someone's got eyes on you. Trainee status fine by them."
"Ooh!"
"But figured you'd hate it..."
I cut in as he trailed off.
"What're you talking about, hyung? Gets our name out. Survival show or extreme challenge, I'm game."
"Really?"
"Duh. I can handle anything."
Seok-hwan hyung smirked at my resolve. Then dropped the name.
"Military experience variety, Real Men."
"No way in hell."
Everyone but Bi-ju cracked up.
* * *
Back from Chuncheon schedule, we skipped dorms for company—like always.
Lessons and practice.
Broadcasts done, debut prep full throttle.
"...Woojoo? Seon Wooju?"
A sharply dressed guy stared at me.
Snapped to: recording studio.
Specifically, composition lesson with Executive Director Jo Kyu-hwan.
"Why you spacing out?"
"Wondering if I gotta enlist again."
He made a weird face as I explained. He burst out laughing when I finished.
"I'm serious, exec director."
He tried serious, but kept cracking up.
This ajusshi.
I glared; he waved it off.
"'Cause you're cute. So cute."
"Exec director, want me blindfolded for one episode? If it gets New Black's name out, it's a win."
"Hmm..."
Jo Kyu-hwan stroked his chin.
"Misses the point, though."
"The point?"
"You're right—fans pre-debut would rock. Idol power's fandom. Why companies push debut realities."
Like Street Boys, our year-end eval rivals.
"Your fan-gathering ideas are solid. Direction's off, though."
"Figured military variety wouldn't sell. Better pass..."
"No, no."
Our producer waved, chuckling.
"Not that. Overall strategy. Company's actor-focused, so actor example: You're an actor wanting more popularity. What do you do?"
No-brainer.
"Go for great projects. Movies, dramas. Solid scripts, directors... Ah!"
"See why it misses the point?"
"Yeah, getting it."
His point was simple.
Actors win with works; singers with songs.
Not variety or side gigs.
"Not saying singers must only battle with songs—like 90s. Easiest path, that's why."
"Easiest?"
"Music Cafe tough, right? Variety's worse. Did one once—pros crushed me, speechless."
Felt embarrassing.
Like busted chugging kimchi soup solo.
No guarantee I'd shine on military show, but I'd assumed it'd rock.
Why?
Year-end eval, Something smash, Music Cafe—success streak got cocky?
"Nothing's easy, but I thought it was. Weird."
"Happens when things go smooth. You're fine."
His warm words made me really look at him.
Exec director.
Our group producer, but personal rock-solid advisor.
Always great fixes for my worries.
Like when Something tanked.
Gratitude welled up.
"Thanks. Good I asked you."
"Nah. Smart asking."
He grinned.
"Proud you guys even mulled this. Can't force that thinking."
I pondered, nodded.
Then voiced his solution.
"Gotta win with a great song, huh."
"Yep. Why we do these lessons."
Class resumed.
Notebook screen: comp program, tech tips.
End of lesson, he tidied files.
"Management pass anything? Debut album: single, 4 tracks max."
"Nope. News to me."
"Not relayed yet. Anyway, decided. One thing needs your OK..."
He asked.
"One B-side your self-composed?"
"Self-composed?"
"Not title. B-side, no pressure."
Yeah, time to try.
Studied comp in army, formal lessons since Dec last year.
B-side challenge? Doable.
"Sure, I'll do it."
Mind eased.
Answer to worries found.
Yeah.
Better than plotting variety for fans—make a great song first.
Not military variety. Nope.
"Details with A&R later."
Jo Kyu-hwan checked watch.
"Kids should be here soon."
"Kids?"
Knock. Members filed in, Bi-ju leading smiles, greeting exec director.
Yoon Seok-hwan and Seo Min-gi behind.
Min-gi hyung held a mini cam.
What's this?
No filming planned.
As I tilted head, Jo Kyu-hwan shot a meaningful smile.
"We prepped a gift for you."