Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 36
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The PBS public hall filled the wide shot as the broadcast began.
In the center of the brightly lit studio.
An MC in a tuxedo and glasses stepped forward.
-Welcome, audience members. Thank you for joining us on Ha Seung-ju's Music Cafe.
The camera panned to the audience.
Young men and women clapping and cheering.
Once the opening remarks ended, the show flowed exactly as recorded.
From the hot indie band Buster in Hongdae to Jo Yu-ri's band. Four teams ahead of us performed in a flash.
"Ugh, we're up next."
The maknae stamped his feet, mumbling that he was super nervous.
-Now, let's welcome the next team. These days, if you don't know them, you're called a spy, right? The collaboration team that's hitting it off with every citizen of Korea.
The intro to Something, which we'd performed at an event that morning, flowed softly from the laptop monitor.
"Whoa."
Our first reaction was awe.
We'd thought the stage was pretty decent live, but after editing, it looked incredibly polished.
From the angles filming the singers to the cuts between audience and stage.
The direction was meticulously crafted, showcasing us as the stars of the day.
"Ew."
Ri-hyuk covered his eyes with sweet potato sticks every time his face got a close-up.
Unlike his pale skin, his ear tips were bright red.
"What's up?"
"My face keeps showing up on TV."
"Hey, if a celebrity gets shy about attention, what then?"
It was absurd, but I could somewhat relate to Ri-hyuk's words.
Our faces on TV felt unfamiliar and surreal.
We'd monitored ourselves daily during music shows for a month, but this felt different.
It really felt like we'd become celebrities.
Even singing at events felt the same.
When college kids sang along to Something's chorus, we were just amazed at the song's popularity—we never thought we'd become celebrities.
Our trainee mindset from years of practice was still ingrained.
But seeing ourselves on TV, on actual broadcast, made it real.
My feet felt like they were floating from the sudden reality.
"...We're really celebrities now."
Everyone nodded.
No need to check a mirror for my expression.
We all wore the same look.
The first stage ended, and the main talk segment began.
We looked cool on screen.
It was our first variety show, and we'd been so nervous, but the PD's editing made us come off fresh and endearing.
Of course, I was satisfied for another reason.
"Hyung, you look so handsome."
Bi-ju smiled warmly.
I didn't know why he looked so pleased, but he seemed to like my face, hammering the capture button on the laptop.
Jung-hyun took a swig of beer in agreement.
"Uju hyung has always been handsome."
"Right? He takes to the camera so well."
Ri-hyuk replied indifferently.
"But what's the point? He never dresses up."
"Hey, I dress up when I need to."
"I've never seen it."
"Who dresses up to go to practice?"
...At that, all the members turned to me.
More precisely, to me in my matching tracksuit top and bottom.
"We dress up every day..."
"He's just relying on his face. Let it go, Bi-ju hyung. Guys like that crash hard."
"Hyung, you just said we're celebrities."
"Yeah. So dress up a bit, hyung. Buy some clothes. Get some skincare. At least put on some BB cream."
What? Why had it turned into a roast-Seon Wooju session?
It was ridiculous, but I had no real comeback.
It was true.
Compared to the kids, I didn't dress up at all. Just shower, wash face, sunscreen—like in the military.
The kids, meanwhile, took at least an hour to get ready.
Ri-hyuk was cat-level clean freak, and even laid-back Jung-hyun pondered his snapback for five minutes daily.
I surrendered to my nagging dongsaengs.
"Got it. I'll start dressing up from now on."
Only then did the nagging about face packs and moisturizer stop.
But afterward, I felt a bit wronged.
"Kids, but I at least change my tracksuit color every day..."
Sensing another barrage starting, I dropped my timid defense.
Meanwhile, the talk segment on Music Cafe was in full swing.
Laughter from the audience echoed through the low-res speakers.
They'd cut out the boring parts, so we looked wittier and more charming than usual.
It was about time for my part.
-But is this musical talent innate? Effort matters, of course, but art relies on talent too, right?
I began talking seriously about my dad.
The footage showed him playing piano at Carnegie Hall, a photo with the U.S. President back then, and him with Mom at the airport for a press conference.
It was a chance to revisit Dad's face, which I barely remembered anymore.
The dongsaengs, rowdy just moments ago, went quiet.
They pretended not to look but kept glancing my way.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
Even so, they watched carefully.
The mood lasted until the mic went to Jang So-won sunbae.
Thankfully, as the talk shifted, their faces relaxed.
From awkward to at ease.
Jung-hyun chugged beer again, Bi-ju peeled apples with a knife, and Ri-hyuk rummaged for sweet potato sticks.
Now the maknae was super tense.
"What's he mumbling?"
"He says 'don't show, don't show'? Hey, Wang Ji-ho. Think skipping yours will make it vanish?"
"Shh. He's praying to So-won sunbae."
We all laughed at the maknae muttering like a primitive rain dancer.
Finally, the moment we'd waited for arrived.
As Jang So-won sunbae's sad life story continued, the maknae on screen started tearing up.
Tears alone would've been fine, but two streams of snot were the kicker.
His baby-faced cheeks flushed, mixed with snot—like a country mutt.
Or a sticky rice cake soaked in tears.
"Don't show nose-blowing. Don't show nose-blowing..."
The maknae prayed desperately, but soon he grabbed a tissue and blew his nose loudly, echoing through PBS hall.
The MC and on-screen audience cracked up.
"Puhahaha!"
As the maknae buried his face in my lap, clawing his hair in agony, the hyungs lost it.
"Ah, what is this!"
Curled in my lap, he writhed.
Whatever. My mood was peak.
After a month of Soufflé teasing post-music shows, this was beyond chugging soda—it was a full shot.
I laughed, hitting capture.
This would feed jokes for the next month.
* * *
Thanks to the genius pianist's son story, our talk time was the longest among guests.
But talk was secondary; Music Cafe's main event was the stage.
So we focused on the upcoming performance.
The title 'Jang So-won X New Black - Between' appeared on screen.
Piano melody in the intro.
Jung-hyun's rap kicked off the song.
Like the first stage, it was well-edited.
Meanwhile, my heart settled calmly.
Seeing 'Between' reminded me of the forgotten 'Untitled.'
How could we show our color?
What was New Black's identity? What music expressed New Black-ness?
I needed that to title 'Untitled.'
I monitored the Between stage seriously, checking our charms.
Bi-ju's lines, Ri-hyuk's voice, Ji-ho's expressions, Jung-hyun's rhythm.
Things we already knew.
Elements considered in performances from year-end eval to now.
If I had to add myself: stability?
The group's balance weight.
Dance after Bi-ju, vocals after Ri-hyuk, expressions after Ji-ho, rhythm after Jung-hyun—all solid.
Wide vocal range fit anywhere naturally; unlike Bi-ju's intricate footwork, my tall frame and textbook moves felt comfortable.
Saying it myself feels embarrassing.
Not my opinion—aggregated from dongsaengs.
Fine, stability it is.
Combining all that, could I define New Black music?
I pondered, but no conclusion.
Maybe poll the kids. Like old minihompipi 200 self-Q&A.
Eyes on Between stage, mind on debut album.
...Huh?
My gaze hit the dongsaengs staring at the laptop, memorizing their stage.
Not their usual pouts or wide eyes when focused.
They smiled, enjoying the music relaxedly.
A thought flashed.
Good music makes you feel good, hum along endlessly.
Taste defines a person.
Didn't our favorite music tie to our artist identity?
My brain spun.
Ideas popped up. Some doable now.
As Between ended and our segment wrapped, I called them.
"Kids."
"...Yeah?"
But I held back.
Their lingering smiles. Didn't want to ruin the vibe with work talk.
I shook my head at their waiting faces.
"Nothing. Let's clear the table and head to the dorm."
They rose stiffly, tidying up.
I draped an arm around the maknae frowning at his phone.
"Whatcha looking at?"
"Checking online reactions."
"Any yet?"
"Not yet. Broadcast's on, so no news or anything."
"...Whatever. My Suneung day got one post and done."
"That's not the issue."
No need to explain.
New KakaoTalks popped nonstop on his smartphone.
Mostly 'lololol', guys' 'Wang Ji-ho idiot', girls' 'Ji-ho lol.'
Right. He goes to school.
Current vibe meant brutal teasing tomorrow.
I grinned, patting his shoulder.
"Now you get how I felt."
Ignoring Ji-ho squinting like Ri-hyuk, I checked Grandma's messages.
King God Kim Deoksoon [Did great]
King God Kim Deoksoon [So good]
I smiled, scrolling.
King God Kim Deoksoon [Kids look so fine]
King God Kim Deoksoon [You take good care]
King God Kim Deoksoon [Sent emoticon]
A cute bear doll shaking cheer sticks. I laughed.
Don't worry, Grandma.
Like you cared for me, I'll care for these kids.
* * *
Next morning in the dorm, I jolted awake in shock.
Missed calls: several. Texts: dozens. KakaoTalks: hundreds.
What?
Did New Black transcripts leak while I slept? Or war break out?
Couldn't even recall uniform spot.
Diving into Messenger, scanning talks, I got it.
Last night's Music Cafe broadcast.
"Eh, what?"
Waking kids grabbed phones, frowning too.
Same situation, by their faces.
Checking the web, portal front page blinked.
[Real-time Search Rankings]
10. New Black Woojoo
Rush hour searches? My name trended.
"Hyung, we're on every entertainment main with articles!"
"What? For real?"
"Exclusive ones too."
Besides rare #1 music show alerts, our name never topped portals.
At best, brief mentions after Jang So-won.
Heart raced at excited yells.
Flickered trembling fingers to entertainment page.
...Whoa? Real?
Our group name dominated mains: three big ones.
Top, Music Cafe clip mid, bottom.
-New Black Woojoo "Dad's pianist Seon Myung-ju"
-[Music Cafe] What's between us? 'Jang So-won X New Black - Between'
-Jang So-won and New Black deliver sweet collab stage
What situation was this?
Like Ji-ho's graduation or Something's success, we traced it.
Started with post-broadcast articles.
On revealing Dad's identity.
Expected that far.
Dad's feats were newsworthy.
But I overlooked pianist 'Seon Myung-ju's' influence.
IMF-era pride, genius jazz pianist, '99 tragic crash.
Of course it'd stick in memories.
Articles resurfaced it, sparking curiosity.
'The new idol's Seon Myung-ju's son?'
Ordinary Friday morning pre-weekend.
Quiet commute, folks browsed entertainment, slid to Music Cafe clip.
Views proved it.
Clip views nearly doubled usual.
Key: our 'Between' quality.
Casual viewers hooked, positive reactions.
-Wow, live harmonies insane.
-Brown hair guy's Seon Myung-ju's son?
-Not idols, vocal trainers?
-Korea full of great singers lol mindblown
-Voices so pretty
Mood-lifting comments, stacked likes—I grinned unwittingly.
Unintended event exploded.
Why celeb kids reveal parents? Fascinating.
But most surprising: someone calling me.
"Hyung."
Turning, Ri-hyuk stared blankly.
Reminded me.
Same face when Something hit #1.
"What's up?"
"Look."
Music site on his phone.
Seeing Between's rank, my eyes widened like his.
1st. Jang So-won X New Black - Between
Morning's new track topped real-time charts.