Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Wonderful Night
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Ten days had passed since we successfully wrapped up our debut showcase.
In the meantime, we'd been busy with music shows, photoshoot, and various small events, and today we were tackling a new schedule.
"Nice to meet you."
We were at a café near HBS's Deachon-dong public hall.
A reporter who had been sitting in the corner of the second floor greeted us warmly.
She had sharp eyes and an urban vibe.
"I'm Oh So-hee from Entertainment IN. We met at the showcase, right?"
"Yes. Hello!"
She smiled at our 90-degree bows.
Even as we settled into our seats at her casual invitation to relax, we kept swallowing nervously.
Our first interview since debuting.
We'd done plenty during Something promotions, but this was our first without seniors like Jang Sowon or Manager Seok-hwan.
Manager Min-gi had come along, but honestly, I couldn't expect much help from him.
"I remember your manager always sticking close. Where is he today?"
"Yes, he's away for a meeting right now."
The road manager's response earned a nod from Oh So-hee.
"Then let's get started just among us... Hmm?"
She paused as she reached to hit the record button on her phone, noticing the commotion among the members.
We all switched off our phones in unison.
She laughed, finding it cute.
"Did the company tell you to do that?"
"No, Uju hyung nagged us the whole way here. He said it's manners to turn off your phones during interviews with reporters. If anyone's phone rings in the middle, he'll follow us around all day lecturing."
The maknae's words brought cheerful laughter.
The mood lightened a bit, and I smiled along, loosening my tense shoulders.
The tension eased slightly.
People at nearby tables whispering or snapping photos with their phones was nerve-wracking, but there was nothing we could do about it.
We'd officially entered the entertainment industry now.
As Manager Min-gi headed off to deal with the guests openly filming us, the interview began.
"First off, congratulations. As of the 27th, the Fireworks music video hit one million cumulative views. I heard it's the fastest for a rookie idol group not from one of the big four agencies."
That was exactly why we were doing this interview.
Breaking one million cumulative views.
There had been several interview requests, but Lemon Entertainment had been reluctant.
They worried a poorly timed article might stall our momentum when things were going well.
Some might call it needless worry, but after what DNS Media pulled, it wasn't unfounded.
Still, dodging interviews after surpassing a million views wasn't a smart move.
So they picked a reporter favorable to us.
I couldn't judge by looks alone, but her gaze and expressions toward us didn't seem malicious.
She even seemed to like us—probably just wishful thinking.
"Fireworks has unbelievable momentum. It started in the 70s on the Mango Chart its first week and entered the 53rd spot today. In this day and age where charting is so tough, that's incredible."
Embarrassing praise, but not wrong.
In the 2010s, with idol fandoms streaming 24/7 like mad, Fireworks maintaining such a high rank was hard to believe.
We weren't a familiar name like Yoon Chan-hyeok, where people check out anything he releases, nor did we have TNT's powerhouse fandom. For a rookie group to achieve this was nothing short of a miracle.
Honestly, we were stunned too.
Every morning, we'd wake up with bulging eyes, grabbing our phones to check the charts first thing.
Once the performance talk wrapped up, she shifted topics.
"It blew up in idol communities too, right? Especially that a cappella live video got a ton of attention."
"Yes, we've received way more praise than we deserve. I remember one comment saying we seemed like a group of main vocalists. That one really stuck with me—we were thrilled."
She smiled as if she got it without me saying more.
"So, New Black is hot in the idol scene right now. Does that popularity carry over to daily life? Like people recognizing you on the street?"
"Not really."
I smiled as I answered.
"More people recognized us during Something activities. Since we're rookies, fewer people know us yet. And honestly, the lower profile is more comfortable for now."
Unless you're a nationwide idol like TNT.
Stop random people on the street and ask them to name idols—most couldn't list three.
It was natural that ordinary folks didn't know us.
That's why we had to work harder.
We were chatting enjoyably when the question I'd expected slipped from her lips.
"How are things with Street Boys these days? There was that rival vibe before both groups debuted. Especially you, Woojoo, getting mentioned alongside Han Jo because of your composer idol image."
Street Boys.
Honestly, we hadn't spoken directly since debuting.
Just brief hellos in passing?
The diss track made things awkward, and we had nothing to say anyway.
Considering the vibe between our companies' managers, it wasn't a situation for friendly chit-chat.
I was about to give our prepared response—not that we had no interest or didn't talk—when someone beat me to it.
"We see them as fellow rookies debuting in the industry around the same time."
Led by the calm-voiced Bijoo, the members chimed in one by one, lightening the load on their leader.
That's right. Good job, my kids.
Compared to freezing up during every Something interview, this was huge progress.
She smiled watching them contribute eagerly.
"Oh, I asked because I interviewed Street Boys recently, and one member named New Black—especially Ri-hyeok—as a group they want to get close to."
"......Pardon? Me?"
Not just Ri-hyeok, but all of us were shocked.
"This hyung?"
"With our Ri-hyeok?"
"Huh, why?"
Raw, unfiltered reactions.
As our main vocal gawked wide-eyed, Oh So-hee burst into clear laughter.
Meanwhile, I clutched my throbbing head.
"Reporter, about what the kids just said......"
"Got it. I'll skip this question. Your PR team leader emphasized it anyway."
She grinned and pivoted.
"Let me rephrase. I heard Street Boys is starting their second K-Net reality shoot soon. What about New Black's future plans? Any broadcast schedules?"
"Nothing besides music shows yet. But we'll give our all no matter the opportunity."
"......So, nothing yet."
She looked disappointed.
"I did some research before the interview, and since New Black has low broadcast exposure, there seems to be debates popping up in communities."
"Debates?"
"Fireworks is the biggest hit among idol self-composed songs. It's so good that some question if it's really self-composed."
"Ah."
"That's why I asked—if the company plans to showcase your composing side going forward."
Caught off guard by the unexpected angle, I paused briefly.
But I didn't dwell.
Smiling calmly, I replied.
"Regarding that......"
It was the best answer I could think of.
"I believe we'll have chances to show it in the future."
* * *
Whoa. That was intense.
Back at HBS public hall for the [Popular Singer] music show schedule.
My legs wobbled with every step up the stairs.
Worried the kids might slip up, I'd been on edge during the interview, and now all the tension drained out.
Walking like limp squid.
Misreading my expression, Bijoo approached.
"Don't mind what the reporter said earlier."
"Hm?"
"About the composing."
Ah, that.
"It's because the song's too good. Ignore the jealous haters."
"Seriously, why do people leave comments like that?"
Our resident loose-cannon added on, and Jung-hyun following behind chimed in.
"Those people will disappear soon."
"Jung-hyun hyung, say that with your fists unclenched. It's scary."
"Ah, sorry."
"Right. Uju hyung, ignore the weirdos."
The maknae slurped his macchiato casually, drawing a smile from me.
Even taking care of the eldest's feelings.
Our kids are so sweet.
I'd be lying if I said the interview comment about composing doubts didn't sting.
But it didn't bother me as much as the kids worried.
Composing isn't something you prove visually— it takes time.
Well. If there's a chance to show it, great.
I considered brushing it off as fatigue but stayed quiet, warmed by their concern.
"By the way, didn't Manager say he'd be back from his meeting? Think it's about our schedule? Maybe a new show......"
"Yeah. Min-gi hyung, hear anything?"
At my question, the road manager recalled something.
"Hmm, I heard he went to Sangam-dong."
"Sangam? TBC?"
K-Net's building was there too, but not with our company's bad blood.
High chance it was TBC.
Beyond being one of the big three broadcasters, I knew little, so speculation ended there.
Whatever it was, they'd tell us once confirmed.
With that thought, we returned to the fifth-floor waiting room.
We navigated the large auditorium divided haphazardly by blue partitions and quickly found ours.
"Oh, you're back."
Yoon Seok-hwan, already there, welcomed us.
Fresh from somewhere, he fanned his shirt hem to cool off sweat.
Spotting my face, he grinned.
"You look half-dead."
"Don't even. Thinking we had to handle the interview alone had me so tense......"
Emphasizing how tough it was, my dongsaengs waved hands beside me, mouthing something.
Roughly, 'He talks big but did fine.'
These punks.
Seok-hwan chuckled.
"Good job."
"Stick with us next time, hyung. It was brutal without you. Didn't even know what to say."
"Get used to it. You're debuted now, so I'm busy with business runs. Gotta adapt to going solo with Min-gi."
Since the a cappella live, trust shone in how he looked at me.
Like he thought he could leave the kids to me now.
An unwanted misunderstanding.
"So, how'd the TBC meeting go?"
"TBC? How'd you know?"
"Min-gi hyung mentioned Sangam-dong. Figured it was a broadcast casting call."
A flicker of surprise on his face.
Relieved we didn't know details, he seemed at ease.
Suspicious as hell.
Before I could press, our manager changed the subject.
With ear-perking news.
"Oh, your broadcast slot is locked in."
"Slot? What?"
"Radio."
He explained to our curious faces.
"Wonderful Night, the radio show DJed by Jang Sowon."
* * *
Jang Sowon's Wonderful Night.
HBS's flagship radio program, airing 8 to 10 p.m.
Our slot was July 6th.
Exactly a week later, Sunday.
"They said it's a rookie boy group special. Apparently, Jang Sowon recommended you guys to the writers."
She'd joked about inviting us when we parted in May.
Didn't think she'd follow through.
Thrilled at the new schedule like manna from heaven, Seok-hwan dropped sobering news.
"Only two of you are going."
"Why?"
"Your corner is competitive. Story consultations battle, plus live performances."
So, they picked Ri-hyeok, best singer, and me, next best.
We all accepted that.
But the follow-up furrowed brows.
"Who's the opposing team?"
"Street Boys."
Maybe from the past month's overload.
Not a welcome name at all.
* * *
"Fight on, hyungs."
Pre-recording done, live broadcast pending, I rested at the vending area.
Bijoo and Jung-hyun were out on errands.
So, chilling with the two dongsaengs.
Menu: naturally, [Popular Singer]'s famous sandwiches.
The maknae inhaled his enthusiastically, cheering us on, but it left me deflated.
"You're so hyped while saying fight on."
"'Cause I'm not going."
"......"
"Aaaah... I'm eating, why pull (why do that while I'm eating)."
Yanking his glutinous rice cake cheeks, I glanced aside.
Ri-hyeok, who'd normally join the teasing, stared intently at his phone.
"Whatcha looking at?"
"Searching articles. Since someone from the interview said they wanna get close to me."
"Oh, that. I was curious too."
Who'd say something so weird.
His pale, slender fingers tapped, pulling up the article.
Street Boys interview.
As the reporter said, it was there.
The speaker: maknae member named Gi-won.
"Reason for wanting to get close: saw your face before at the same agency... What? Same agency?"
As Ri-hyeok tilted his head, the maknae exclaimed like he'd remembered.
"Ah! I think I know him! Yoon Ki-won, right?"
"No last name listed."
"Probably."
Ji-ho chattered on.
"He went to my school. Vocal B class. Heard he was from Eulim before. Hyung, weren't you at Eulim before joining us?"
"Eulim? Yeah, briefly."
As Ri-hyeok dredged fuzzy memories, I cocked my head.
Why do this interview?
They knew about the diss rap—why pick our kid as a desired friend?
Maybe bad blood made them wary.
Or a high-level scheme.
Mid-thought, a shadow fell over us mid-sandwich banter.
"Excuse me......"
Deep, calm baritone.
Who? Looking up, I hid my dismay.
Standing there: Han Jo.
Street Boys leader, the one who'd troubled us with the diss rap.
What.
Why approach now?
Stunned by our first direct talk since debuting ten days ago.
His next move flustered me and the dongsaengs alike.
"Take this."
He held out two 50,000-won bills.