Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 51
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The reporters were astonished by the opening sequence that seemed to have cost a pretty penny.
'Whoa. Lemon Entertainment is really going all out.'
Judging from the CG quality, this wasn't some low-budget music video thrown together with pocket change.
It was on par with what you'd expect from a major agency.
'This should get a good reaction once it hits the internet.'
They paused their frantic typing for articles as the refreshing intro drew their eyes one by one to the screen.
Five boys lying on an exotic sandy beach somewhere.
They wore confused expressions.
As if they had no idea where they were, why they were there, or who the people in front of them were.
Soon, Seon Wooju's face filled the screen in a close-up.
The video's polish and his subtle expression drew silent admiration from a few.
Where am I right now?
An unfamiliar sea, unfamiliar air
Where are you?
I opened my eyes in a remote place
Next came the maknae, Wang Ji-ho, with his youthful looks.
Once the intro featuring the two skilled actors wrapped up, the reporters' vibe shifted.
From bored glances to serious evaluations.
The music video's quality was solid, but above all, the song itself was good.
Even accounting for their low expectations, New Black's debut track exceeded them.
As industry pros dipping into entertainment news, the reporters were experts too.
Listening to new idol tracks daily and attending showcases honed their instincts.
Whether a song was a hit, whether it'd do well.
In that regard, Firework passed with flying colors.
'If the highlight delivers, this could be huge.'
As they pondered that, the video rolled on.
The plot was simple.
Five young men crash-land on Earth due to a mysterious girl.
At first flustered by the strange environment and people, they soon get captivated by the beautiful scenery and weather, their wariness fading.
Before long, the boys are laughing and playing together.
The song felt refreshing yet somehow warm.
It was like the melody was beckoning listeners.
Come here, play with us.
The track built toward the highlight.
Against a blue backdrop, a cool-toned member unleashed crisp high notes.
The spark was already there
You just need to let it shine
Show your true colors
The highlight part hit the reporters' ears like a rush.
Look over there, our firework (Firework)
Our figures embroidering the night sky
Fireworks shot into the night sky blended the members' individual colors.
Along with the chorus, "Like a Firework."
As the first verse ended, the reporters' fingers flew.
Uploading reviews of the music video they'd just heard.
Mostly positive.
Especially those prepping Street Boys comparisons gave New Black higher marks.
Sure, pitting a hip-hop concept against a summer seasonal track was apples to oranges.
Totally different genres.
But the new songs from both groups had a fundamental difference.
New Black's carried their unique color vividly.
Warm and fun.
The vibe, lyrics—everything fit the members like tailor-made clothes.
The kind where you hear it and think, 'Yeah, that's their song.'
That stood out against the competition.
The reporters' curiosity grew.
'What's the deal with their leader?'
When Jang Sowon dropped Something, everyone chalked it up to beginner's luck.
A once-in-a-lifetime stroke from a composer.
But this track suggested otherwise.
Unlike Street Boys, whose hype lacked substance, this group felt genuinely talented.
Maybe that's why.
Some eyed them with gleaming anticipation.
'Idol self-composed tracks have never really blown up before...'
They quietly awaited Firework's live stage, wondering if this time would be different.
With a barrage of questions in tow.
* * *
The debut showcase went off without a hitch.
Standard rookie fare—nothing great, nothing awful, just predictable.
How they came up with the name New Black and what it meant, members' specialties, fun album-making anecdotes, role models, concept, etc.
Like any other group, the album talk dominated.
The difference? Our chill vibe.
Something promotions had toughened us up, so showcase MC banter was manageable now.
Though performing still gave us butterflies.
"A little nervous, but excited. Right?"
Backstage before Firework's main stage.
Ri-hyeok responded to my grin.
"Well, less shaky than Music Cafe. I got this."
"Hyung, your legs are trembling like crazy right now."
"What? I'm not tense at all."
...But his crossed leg was jittering away.
It was so cute I laughed, earning a glare from the annoyed Ri-hyeok.
While Bi-ju eased Ri-hyeok's nerves, Jung-hyun asked mid-stretch.
"Ri-hyeok, want a calming pill?"
"Huh? You have some?"
"Nah, just asking."
The rapper's casual tease drew fire from the main vocal.
Bi-ju, checking mic packs and in-ears, chimed in.
"Feels more nerve-wracking than Something. Back then it was exciting nerves, but now... kinda scary."
"Something had already topped charts by then."
I chuckled.
"We knew reactions roughly since it hit number one. Here, only the MV's out. No clue on responses, so yeah, scary."
"Not nervous, hyung?"
"Dreamt something good last night."
Truth is, I was shaking too.
Company folks praised the song, easing some worry, but reporters' takes? Unknown.
Pressure to nail the first button.
No way not to quake.
But if I shook, how rattled would they get?
First time seeing them this tense—lips parched—since year-end evals, so I borrowed Grandma Kim Deok-soon's dream.
"I was floating in the sky. Sun and moon both out, sparkling. Mountains below, dragons circling an apple orchard nearby. Total good omen."
The others oohed approvingly, but Jung-hyun tilted his head.
"Sounds like a baby dream, hyung."
"......"
The maknae line burst laughing as Bi-ju facepalmed in exasperation.
"Quit the weird talk, Kim Jung-hyun."
"My grandpa said apples and dragons mean a boy."
As the main dancer scolded his same-age pal, Ji-ho squinted.
"Hyung, you don't believe in superstitions."
"Gotta when it suits, Ji-ho. Life's smoother swallowing sweet, spitting bitter."
"Whoa, my dad says that too."
Savoring the odd vibe, a staffer called.
"New Black, prep to go up."
"Yes!"
Jokes aside, tension thickened.
Members eyed me.
I met each gaze amid faint breaths, grinning as I extended a hand.
"You all suffered under your clingy leader."
"Tons. Always worrying us."
I laughed at Ri-hyeok's hand-stack.
"Yeah. This stage'll kill it, so trust me and let's go."
"Right. Song's great, it'll do well."
As maknaes twitched at Jung-hyun's 'do well,' I cut in.
"Yeah. Nail this stage, break Jung-hyun's jinx. It's ridiculous anyway."
Jung-hyun nodded as staff signaled up.
"One last fight cheer."
Hands piled, soft chant.
Then we hit the stage.
* * *
All lights blacked out.
Notebook glows made reporters' faces float like egg ghosts from the seats.
We took positions center-stage.
Me in the middle.
Bi-ju and Ri-hyeok flanking.
Jung-hyun and Ji-ho on the wings.
I gently placed hands on my panting brothers' shoulders.
Three, two, one.
Lights blazed on!
Dazzling beams poured as a Firework highlight remix MR kicked in.
Intense, fast beat.
A 30-second dance break pre-main.
We synced into formation, dancing as one.
Cluster and scatter military precision a few times.
We regrouped amid stage spots.
Panting.
Packed tight like start, awaiting intro.
Now the refreshing deep house prelude...
'Huh?'
Something off.
-Static.
Felt Ri-hyeok and Bi-ju flinch skin-to-skin.
'Sound source glitching?'
Started as static mix, then audio warped weirdly.
Intro slowed.
To like 0.4 speed.
Slomo track, half-missed choreo cue.
Glanced down—chaos.
Sound staff panicked, scrambling.
What now?
Heart pumping, head spinning.
What.
How handle this?
Leader or not, my music show exp was barely a month.
Something gigs, sure, but never sound fails like this.
Always had pro Jang Sowon sunbae nearby.
What do?
Two seconds in, four pairs of eyes locked on me.
Like always in crises, seeking the most reliable.
Problem: I panicked too.
Uh...
Cold sweat trickled neck-back.
Simple fix if calm, but no calm brain now.
Obsessed stage paths, faces—not this.
Mind blank.
Like task manager on my CPU, Seon Wooju brain unresponsive.
Then, amid fluster.
Odd sensation, familiar phenomenon.
Like university hospital.
Scene shifted before my eyes.
* * *
No time to grasp what happened, scenery changed.
Distant thumping music.
Past me in a dingy waiting room.
Where?
Then it hit: Gangwon-do festival post-Between Music Cafe.
"Ooh, weird thinking back."
Jang Sowon crossed legs, munching Soufflé ahead.
"What, sunbaenim?"
"During Something promo, zero sound issues. Odd."
"Isn't zero good?"
"Nope. Better one minor glitch. Jinx thing— no small ones, big one hits."
Past me scoffed at superstition; she pouted.
"You don't believe me?"
"Nah, I do."
Unlike Prof. Choi Yong-jae recall, why this memory? Questioning.
Past me pivoted.
"Sunbaenim, question. Sound glitch—what do? Need prep for emergencies."
She spoke; past and present me hung on her advice.
Simple answer.
"Sound fail? Easy. Unless stage-collapsing disaster, never stop."
"Why?"
Past Ri-hyeok puzzled.
"Wait for fix, right? Best?"
"Best for you."
Sunbae explained.
"Stage flow matters. Crowd hyped, kill it? Takes ages reheat. Solo concert maybe, but events? Time won't cover."
"A cappella then?"
"If skilled, yes—even acapella."
"Awkward, embarrassing."
She laughed, eyeing us fondly.
"You'll see once it happens."
Scene shifted.
One second passed.
No time question weirdness.
Pre-audience murmurs.
Members watched; I swallowed, stepped forward.
Didn't know before.
Now I did.