Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: This Life is Space Star 58
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An awkwardly suffocating atmosphere hung in the air.
As we stepped into the elevator, the people on the other side hesitantly made room for us.
“Hello.”
Han Jo, who was in the corner, whispered a greeting.
The leaders exchanged a quick glance, while the two main vocalists nodded curtly at each other before putting some distance between them.
Was that a greeting or not?
One burrowed into the corner like he’d dig a cave if he could, and the other stared rigidly at the rising numbers like an ostrich.
I could only let out an empty laugh.
Then a hearty voice called out.
“Hey, hello there.”
It was Park Manager from Street Boys, hidden behind their road manager who was carrying a large box.
He flashed a warm, kindly smile.
“Fancy running into you here again. Is it just you, the road manager, with New Black today?”
“Yes, our manager’s swamped.”
“Makes sense, you’re all super busy right now. New Black’s killing it these days. The song’s a hit, and you’re popping up on broadcasts everywhere.”
You know damn well we only appear on music shows.
His words scratched just enough to irritate, but his friendly, gentle tone made it impossible to call him out.
If I got offended, I’d just look like the weird one.
“I’ve been run off my feet lately too. Our boys are jumping into K-Net’s reality show again. So much to do. Meals with the production team, meetings with the writers. Feels like I need two bodies. Whew.”
“You must be working hard.”
Park Manager scratched the bridge of his nose with a hmm as Min-gi hyung responded politely.
He looked disappointed that he didn’t get the reaction he wanted.
Jealousy overload?
Anyone could see New Black was outperforming them by miles, yet Street Boys’ manager seemed desperate to prove something like, “But we’re better at this!”
Ding—
Floor 12.
The doors opened at the radio center, naturally cutting off the conversation.
As we followed the sub-writer who’d come to greet us toward the studio, I heard grunting from behind.
Their road manager was breaking a sweat with the heavy load.
Han Jo approached like he’d offer help, but the road manager glanced at Park Manager’s back and shook his head with a look.
You could tell their company vibe was different from ours.
Lemon started as an actor agency, so they’re pretty lax with singers and managers, but DNS, being an idol company from the get-go, seemed to squeeze their underlings tight.
Glad I joined our company, I thought.
Misreading my glance, Park Manager volunteered unasked info.
“That’s support from Street Boys fans.”
“Huh?”
“The box.”
“Oh… yeah.”
“Our boys are doing radio, and the fans went nuts. Company said no need, but they’re so passionate, they sent a ton of snacks and drinks for the staff again. You can see how many fans we’ve got already…”
Like a big uncle cornering his job-hunting nephew on Chuseok to brag about his own kid landing a job.
Complete with the two embarrassed sons trailing behind.
“…Hm?”
The usually silent sub-writer paused and turned around.
“You brought that for us?”
“Yeah, the fans sent it for the writers and PDs.”
“Oh, uh… there’s quite a lot.”
Park Manager tilted his head at the sub-writer’s awkward smile.
We felt the same.
We’d heard free food was incoming, but she didn’t look thrilled.
What’s up?
When we finally entered the studio, we understood her expression.
A studio with a radio booth attached.
One wall was stacked with boxes that screamed luxury at a glance.
Dessert boxes from a hotel.
Each labeled in cute font: [To the Wonderful Night staff, from New Black’s maknae Ji-ho! Eat up!]
I could’ve sworn I heard an echo.
-I left gifts, so look forward to it!
It finally clicked, and I burst out laughing.
“PD, the guests are here.”
The PD at the console table stood up, beaming at us.
“Oh, come on in. I was just prepping to thank you for the cake you sent…”
Park Manager, staring at the fancy dessert containers that looked worth tens of thousands each, went slack-jawed.
“……”
Like he’d bragged about his kids nonstop, only to learn the nephew was waiting for civil service appointment after passing the exam.
The PD, mid-greeting, turned to Street Boys.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this is…”
I held back a laugh as he fumbled for words.
* * *
While the managers left with crossed fortunes written on their faces, we headed into the radio booth.
“Hello, sunbaenim!”
“Oh, so nice to see you all.”
Jang Sowon waved us in warmly.
With the DJ at the center, the U-shaped table had me and Ri-hyeok on the left, Han Jo and Gi-won opposite.
She smiled at our tense faces and struck up a chat.
“First radio for both groups, right?”
“Yes.”
“You must be nervous, but give it your all. I’ll cover any gaps, so don’t be shy—throw out those ments confidently! Got it?”
“Yes, sunbaenim.”
That wrapped the talk.
Jang Sowon gave us a quick smile then turned to her script.
Message clear.
She couldn’t pad airtime just because we knew each other—handle it ourselves.
I nodded.
We fill our own bowls.
Thinking of the dongsaengs cheering from the dorm, I scanned the room.
Beyond the soundproof glass, staff sipped coffee and chatted; a camera filmed us in the corner; a long mic and monitor sat before me.
I adjusted the mic height and eyed the monitor.
-This week’s guests idols too???
-All so handsome~
-Street Boys fighting!!!!
The visible radio screen and chat were buzzing. Next to it, a notepad app—purpose unknown.
I’d find out soon.
Meanwhile, I glanced at our kid beside me.
Tense again.
Seeing him deep breathing made me chuckle.
His long, pitch-black lashes fluttered twice a second; under the table, one leg jiggled.
Luckily, his usual cool blank face hid it unless you stared.
“Nervous?”
“Who, me?”
“Yeah. You.”
“Not at all. Don’t worry. I was shaky at Music Cafe, but I got live broadcasts today.”
“Hey. I’m nervous—how are you not?”
I smiled at him.
“Relax.”
“Huh?”
“No one nails it every time. You can mess up. Don’t stress perfection. Let’s just have fun chatting with listeners—you, me, and them.”
“…Okay.”
I stuck out my fist for a fight-the-power bump.
Ri-hyeok stared at it, then grabbed and shook it like a handshake.
No.
Bump it, Ri-hyeok.
No wonder he’d watched me and Jung-hyun earlier.
Wish there was a crash course on skinship. I’d send him.
Over there, total chaos.
If we’re clear skies, they’re gloomy clouds.
Gi-won gulped nervously, obvious to anyone.
Every five seconds, his small hand unscrewed the water bottle and chugged; half gone before broadcast even started.
Han Jo adjusting the maknae’s headphones looked tense too.
At first, I thought first live broadcast jitters, but soon spotted why.
Jang Sowon sunbaenim.
Street Boys’ debut track Hunger had a diss rap at our song Something.
And Jang Sowon was its original creator.
No clue if she knew or cared, but rookies like them had to be sweating bullets regardless.
I chuckled at them sneaking peeks at the script-reading DJ.
Might as well own it shamelessly.
Like the showcase Q&A: “Not a diss. Your misunderstanding.”
That’d be better.
If they’re this paranoid, why do it?
Whatever.
Overthinking leads to too many whys, so I tuned out.
Not my circus anyway.
Plenty on my plate with our kids; no bandwidth for rivals.
My focus: two things.
Impress listeners this broadcast, and nail “Night Sea” in part 4 live.
Rest? Not crucial.
-Ad ads almost done. Get ready.
PD’s voice via talkback speaker had us don headphones like the DJ.
Soft and comfy.
As I savored the worn coziness, Girls on Top’s signal jingle played.
-Tonight lasts forever too, Jang Sowon’s Wonderful Night.
Live broadcast began.
* * *
Seok-hwan hyung once said:
Variety’s a war without gunfire.
Every second of airtime means tossing ments, cutting in, grabbing eyes—whatever it takes.
But now.
The radio studio scene was far from that.
“Both groups are so wholesome. Must’ve been a shame no chat time on music shows, when you vibe this well.”
The leaders smiled back.
“Didn’t expect to click like this.”
“Same. Always wanted to get along with New Black.”
Simple reason for this intriguing play.
-To snag airtime on broadcast, yeah, you pull every trick.
Seok-hwan hyung’s lesson.
-But that’s pre-record. Edgy bits get cut. Your radio’s live, got it? Chase footage wrong and get hated—that’s worse.
So, keep it harmonious, per manager advice.
Rookies like us lack smile-and-steal skills or the savvy anyway.
They got similar coaching; vibe stayed cheery.
Gotta admit, chemistry wasn’t bad.
“Positions overlap too. Woojoo and Han Jo as leaders, Gi-won and Ri-hyeok as main vocals?”
“Yes, right.”
“Fun combo. Oddly, leaders feel similar? But main vocals contrast big.”
Note entered monitor notepad.
PD picking fun listener reacts.
“Jeong Da-eun says ‘Temp difference like spring and winter lol.’ Spot on. Gi-won’s chick-like, cute and warm? Ri-hyeok’s ice princess vibe.”
“Can’t I be prince?”
“Nope. Princess suits Ri-hyeok better.”
Ri-hyeok chuckled softly at the tease.
“Gi-won? Listeners call your vibe warm spring.”
“…Oh, yeah. I like spring too.”
DJ smiled at his off-topic nervous reply.
“See the temp gap here. Han Jo babies Gi-won tons; Ri-hyeok’s super independent vibe.”
“No. I baby him loads.”
I timed my cut-in perfectly.
“Ri-hyeok looks independent outside. But he’s high-maintenance deep down. As eldest, I’m always on it.”
“Total lie. I handle myself fine.”
“Now lying too.”
Our banter naturally pulled focus to New Black.
DJ figured we were easier than their drop-everything side.
But.
What made New Black the star today wasn’t me, Ri-hyeok, or Jang Sowon.
It was a third party.
“Oh? Fun comment just popped. ‘Piraruku’ for Ri-hyeok—New Black fan ID?”
Yep. Our maknae.
Wonder what he’d say—nerves jangling—then Jang Sowon burst laughing.
“‘Dim the lights!! Ri-hyeok’s face is vanishing!!’”
“Huh? My face?”
Check monitor—everyone cracked up.
PD upped brightness; Ri-hyeok’s face vanished egg-ghost style.
Too pale skin.
Like a pretty boy sketch minus face.
-Face gone lololol
-Thought he had solo reflector lmao
-Egg ghost emergency lololol
Chat flooded ‘lolol’ cutely; Ri-hyeok hid his face shyly.
PD dimmed it back.
-Holy tomato.
Like the comment, a ripe persimmon filled the screen.