Chapter 1096: I am New Black, Class of ’18 (20)

A little later...

"Ooooooh."

"Hoooooo."

The five of us pressed our faces together like steamed buns as we stared at the screen.

I've been replaying this for an hour now.

Why did nobody tell me these guys were this funny? 😂

I wondered why Wikipedia listed "comedian" as one of their occupations. Now I get it.

Did you know? NewBlack even won a comedy award in Korea.

"Have we ever actually won a comedy award?"

"I think they're talking about the Variety Award at the Korean Arts Awards. That's the only one I can think of."

"Oh. That one."

At this rate, I honestly think NewBlack might become one of SNL's new favorites.

The algorithm has blessed me... NewBlack videos keep showing up. Can someone explain why Sunny is riding a unicycle while playing the Titanic theme on a recorder?

└ His teammates were chasing him.

└ OH. That explains everything. Naturally, when your teammates are chasing you, you ride a unicycle while playing the recorder. Crystal clear.

"Every time I see comments like these, I realize what a great decision it was to learn the unicycle. I've been living off one video from 2015 for years now. Hahaha!"

"Look at the related videos. There's one of Junghyun hyung giving a reading of the Communist Manifesto to a bunch of cows."

"That's horrifying."

"The Bunny Man clip has a crazy number of views too."

"Really?"

Masked Sunny is ridiculously sexy.

Am I the only one who thinks Bunny Man is hot???? Just me??? I'm not imagining this, right??

At last, I have found my soulmate. Souffle, prepare to hand your singer over to me.

The members all sighed at the flood of worshipful comments.

"I shouldn't have looked."

"Sigh."

"Come on..."

"Hey!"

The reactions were so absurd they left us speechless.

"You should be happy people overseas are complimenting hyung's looks. You usually are."

"I like it when hyung gets praised for being handsome."

Junghyun answered firmly.

"But when people call him handsome in a situation where he isn't supposed to look handsome..."

His face twisted.

"It just feels wrong."

"I completely agree."

"That definitely happens sometimes..."

"It's seriously annoying. Remember when I was doing a livestream in full makeup, and hyung wandered in barefaced? I was the one hosting, but Souffle started making promotional posts like, 'Wooju's bare face appears during today's livestream.jpg.'"

I wasn't entirely sure I understood the feeling...

But somehow, I also did.

Chatting noisily, we spent breakfast scrolling through comments on the SNL videos.

"The overall response is incredibly positive."

Ri Hyuk continued scrolling.

"Twitter and Facebook are pretty much the same. Everyone's sharing clips saying we're hilarious. SNL definitely has a different level of reach compared to a talk show."

"And it was the season premiere."

"That certainly helped."

SNL was especially popular among younger audiences, so its online influence was enormous.

If this had been Korea...

It probably would've been the No. 1 real-time search trend.

Jiho, completely absorbed in his phone, beamed.

"Wow. People are really interested."

He looked up.

"This is kind of like the old Gag Concert in Korea, right?"

"Not exactly, but in terms of public recognition, it's pretty similar."

"That's amazing."

He happily continued scrolling.

The rest of us weren't much different.

The older members politely covered our mouths as we laughed.

"Hehe."

"Oh my."

Every time we saw another American praising our sketch, another smile appeared.

The reason was simple.

One of the fastest ways to become truly mainstream...

Was making ordinary people laugh.

Ninety percent of the reason we'd become known as Korea's "national idols" had been variety shows.

Which meant...

If SNL had been this successful...

"We'll feel much more approachable to American audiences now."

I looked around.

"American TV shows that watched SNL will have no hesitation pitching us comedy projects from now on."

The members nodded.

"And if people can applaud and laugh after seeing our true personalities..."

I grinned.

"What does that mean?"

"...We don't have to keep pretending to be cool celebrities anymore?"

"Correct."

I held out my hand for a high-five.

"You've all worked hard."

I laughed.

"Starting today, let's show America who we really are."

"WOOOOOO!"

"We're free...!"

As we clapped together to celebrate the official liberation of NewBlack's true selves...

Ri Hyuk tilted his head.

"But... we've never actually hidden our real personalities."

"Junghyun."

I pointed dramatically.

"Strike down that loyal minister who speaks only uncomfortable truths."

"Yes."

Junghyun obediently emptied an excessive amount of pepper into Ri Hyuk's cream of mushroom soup.

While Ri Hyuk repeatedly smacked Junghyun on the back...

I returned to MyTube.

"Our performance videos are doing well too."

Not quite on the level of The Curse of Uncle Bunnies...

But they'd already reached several million views.

I scrolled through the comments on the Overcooked performance.

"Hm?"

Another video autoplayed.

Recommended by the algorithm.

I am Bunny-man.

It was the clip of me introducing myself while wearing the Bunny Man mask.

I assumed it was just another upload from SNL...

Then the Auto-Tune kicked in.

"I am~ Bunny—maaaaaan~"

The same short clip looped endlessly.

I rhythmically bobbed my shoulders in time with the beat.

Then the screen split into dozens of windows.

Every copy of me danced alongside Junghyun.

"Bunny— Bunny—"

"With Uncle Bunnies, you'll become a good grown-up—"

"Bunny-man."

The ridiculous edit sent the members into hysterics.

Ri Hyuk and Jiho were laughing so hard they grabbed my shoulders.

Junghyun and I simply stared blankly.

"Hyung..."

"What is this?"

"...I have no idea."

I blinked.

"No, seriously... what is this cursed thing?"

The Uncle Bunny remix was built entirely from Auto-Tune and EDM.

As I reached to close it, the others stopped me.

"Keep watching."

"Hyung, it already has two million views."

"This?"

Completely dumbfounded, I kept watching.

It shamelessly milked every possible Bunny Man clip for remix material.

The truly ridiculous part...

Was that it actually sounded good.

"Who made this?"

The account belonged to a DJ.

I didn't recognize the name, but whoever they were...

They were undeniably talented.

DJ_SUB_marine

Just as I was about to open the profile...

"Hyung."

Jiho blinked.

"We're already subscribed."

"...?"

I tapped the account.

Several familiar uploads appeared.

Pyeongchang Remix.

The moment I saw the titles...

I remembered.

The "SUB" in the username.

The explanation that "marine" came from his military service in the Marines.

The DJ who'd worked the Pyeongchang Olympics.

The culprit had been identified.

"Kim Hyungseop...!"

The mastermind behind the remix...

Was none other than the youngest member of our producing team—the arranging genius himself.

Lemon Entertainment.

Producing Team Office.

"Brr..."

A young man with curly hair and faint freckles shivered as he clicked his mouse.

Kim Jihyuk tilted his head.

"What's wrong, sir?"

"I suddenly got chills..."

Kim Hyungseop rubbed his nose.

"I've got this terrible feeling that something bad is heading my way."

He narrowed his eyes.

"Could it be Sun Wooju?"

"If it's Senior Wooju, wouldn't that be a good omen instead of a bad one?"

He's completely blinded by admiration.

Kim Hyungseop didn't bother answering the trainee's utterly worthless question.

Instead, he clicked his mouse again and beckoned him over.

"Come look at this."

"Yes, sir."

"...By the way."

He looked awkward.

"Wouldn't 'hyung' be better than 'sir'? I was born in '93. I'm not old enough to be called 'sir.'"

"I believe teachers and students should maintain appropriate boundaries."

Kim Hyungseop nodded slowly.

Still... I don't like being called 'sir.'

Watching the polite high-school student...

He recalled something Wooju had recently told the producing team.

"That kid has real talent for composition. If you teach him properly, he'll become a tremendous asset someday."

The moment Wooju said that...

Every member of the producing team immediately took interest in the rookie.

Because ever since NewBlack debuted...

Director Jo had drilled one philosophy into everyone at Lemon Entertainment.

"In the future, idols who can write songs will define the industry."

Every idol group should have at least one member capable of composing and writing lyrics.

Of course...

That didn't mean every idol needed to compose at Wooju's level.

"Every singer has something they want to express on stage. If someone in the group has talent for songwriting, they'll be able to express that identity much more clearly."

Composition and lyric writing were like learning a foreign language.

Just as knowing another language allowed you to communicate with foreigners...

Understanding songwriting gave idols the vocabulary to communicate their artistic ideas.

The producing team wholeheartedly agreed.

And...

Wooju personally recognized this kid's talent.

Kim Hyungseop glanced sideways at Kim Jihyuk, who sat attentively with both hands folded.

Good-looking.

Well-built.

Wearing glasses.

Focused with an intelligent expression.

He genuinely had talent.

The entire producing team had tested him over several days before reaching the same conclusion.

"The kid's got potential."

"Not on Wooju's level... but if we develop him properly, he'll become an unusually strong idol-songwriter."

"Even that's already incredible."

If Wooju's composing talent ranked somewhere around SSS+...

Kim Jihyuk's ceiling felt closer to A-.

At present...

He was probably around a C.

But if they could raise him another level or two before debut...

He'd become one of the core creative members of his future group.

"All right."

Kim Hyungseop smiled.

"Let's call it a day."

"Huh?"

Kim Jihyuk looked up from his notebook.

"What did you say?"

"That's enough for today's lesson."

He waved.

"Good work."

"Thank you, sir."

Watching the trainee bow politely...

Kim Hyungseop smiled.

Thank goodness he isn't another Sun Wooju.

Perhaps it was fortunate that his talent wasn't quite that monstrous.

At least...

He probably wouldn't grow up cackling,

"Kahahahaha!"

while mercilessly working every company employee to death.

"Then I'll get going."

"See you tomorrow. Message me if you have any questions."

"Yes, sir!"

The trainee smiled warmly before closing the door.

Click.

The instant the door shut...

Kim Jihyuk's expression completely changed.

His eyes ignited with determination.

I have to learn more.

Before Senior Wooju personally teaches me...

I need to study like crazy.

His favorite idol was sacrificing precious time to teach him.

The least he could do...

Was prepare obsessively.

Kim Jihyuk unfolded another sheet of paper.

"Next schedule..."

Without missing a beat, he headed toward another composer for his next lesson.

"Team Leader Na! Good morning!"

"Oh, Jihyuk."

Na Sangyoon smiled.

"Come on, have a seat."

The producing team watched the enthusiastic trainee with warm eyes.

He was diligent.

Polite.

Respectful.

At first, most of them had taught him out of obligation.

Now...

Each of them competed to teach him just a little more.

But there was an even bigger reason.

Never create a second Sun Wooju!

That was why they devoted themselves not only to his musical education...

But also to his character.

They refused to let him grow into another gleeful little lunatic who laughed,

"Hehehehe!"

"Jihyuk."

"Yes!"

"You've poured your heart into composing a song."

Na Sangyoon held up three fingers.

"But someone doesn't like it."

"How should they respond?"

"Option one."

"'Is this really the finished version?'"

"Option two."

"'I think it'll be good once you finish it.'"

"Option three."

"'This song is amazing!'"

"I think..."

Kim Jihyuk answered honestly.

"Probably number three. They worked hard on it."

"Exactly!"

Na Sangyoon enthusiastically grabbed both of his hands.

"That's the spirit! Keep living your life with that mindset!"

"...?"

The little trainee merely blinked in confusion.

What is going on?

The composers kept slipping character education into every lesson.

Na Sangyoon, meanwhile...

Secretly wiped away tears of joy.

We must raise this child properly!

So...

While the entire producing team united to guide one high-school student down the righteous path...

Director Jo watched through the office window.

"What do you think of Jihyuk?"

"He's doing well."

One employee nodded.

"He learns incredibly fast. Teach him one thing, and he picks up three or four more."

"Hmm."

"Wooju was the one who recommended we train him."

"So we've been paying close attention."

Director Jo asked,

"Have you been updating Wooju on his progress?"

"Of course."

"He keeps asking."

"We've been telling him what we're teaching and how Jihyuk's developing."

"And what does Wooju say?"

The staff continued their serious discussion about Lemon Entertainment's future.

Meanwhile...

Assistant Manager Seo Pilgeun from A&R scratched the back of his head.

What is this...?

For some reason...

The conversation sounded like this in his ears.

"His Majesty has taken a keen interest in the Crown Prince's education."

"The ministers are devoting themselves wholeheartedly...!"

Seo Pilgeun scratched his head again.

...Must be my imagination.

Somewhere in the distance...

He thought he heard someone giggling.

"I've got a feeling."

"I can feel it."

Ri Hyuk looked at me.

"What feeling this time?"

"Someone's talking behind my back."

"...?"

He snorted.

"Isn't that just a universal constant?"

"We're always getting criticized by somebody."

"No."

I shook my head seriously.

"This feels different."

"Someone close to me."

"Someone I know well."

"Is talking behind my back."

I whipped my head around dramatically.

"Gasp."

"It was you, Junghyun?"

"I'm sorry, hyung."

"Careful, Junghyun."

I narrowed my eyes.

"I can read people's hearts."

Jiho immediately interrupted.

"Then what number am I thinking of?"

"One."

"...!!"

Because our youngest was far too lazy to bother thinking of a more complicated number.

Eyes wide, Jiho gasped.

"Wow! You're just like King Gwanjong!"

Whether that was a compliment or an insult remained unclear.

Ignoring him, I waved toward the airport windows.

"Bye, New York!"

"See you again!"

We waved to the paparazzi undoubtedly photographing us through giant telephoto lenses...

Then boarded our charter flight.

After wrapping up our SNL interviews in New York...

We were heading back to Japan to resume the tour.

Fukuoka Dome.

Tokyo Dome.

And in between...

University festivals back home.

As I looked over our packed October schedule...

Jiho suddenly remembered something.

"Hyung."

"Hm?"

"When are you going to tell us about that superhero movie?"

"...Oh."

I'd completely forgotten amidst everything that happened after SNL.

Director John Edwards' offer at the after-party.

Would you be interested in appearing in a superhero movie?

Biju looked at me expectantly.

"So..."

"What role did he offer you?"

"A superhero?"

"He said it's the villain."

"...The villain?"

Biju looked genuinely confused.

"But, hyung..."

"You don't look like a villain at all."

"Right?"

Jiho whispered,

"Want to try acting like one?"

"Sure."

I put on my most pitiful evil expression.

"Muahahaha!"

"My loyal servants!"

"Burn down that apple orchard!"

"..."

Biju looked heartbroken.

"Now that I think about it..."

"I can kind of see it."

"The poor orchard owners..."

While Biju mourned my terrible crimes against innocent apple farmers...

I explained everything to the curious members and staff.

"It's a superhero movie called Guardians."

"Anybody heard of it?"

"..."

Silence.

"I heard it didn't do very well in Korea."

"They asked me to appear in the sequel."

"There was a movie like that?"

"It sold around 930,000 tickets."

"Even weak superhero movies usually reach at least one and a half million."

I tried explaining the plot...

But since I hadn't actually seen the movie myself...

It wasn't easy.

Our resident movie fanatic came up with the obvious solution.

"Hyung."

"Once we take off..."

"Why don't we just watch it?"

"Good idea."

The flight was long enough.

Might as well watch it together.

As everyone prepared popcorn and got comfortable...

Our youngest returned carrying an enormous steaming container.

Steam curled into the air.

I blinked.

"What's that?"

"Oh."

Jiho smiled proudly.

"I brought it just in case I suddenly got jealous while watching the movie."

"...?"

"Back when I was a trainee, I'd sit in the stairwell crying while eating cheap tteokbokki."

He puffed out his chest.

"But today's Jiho is different."

"That trainee has become a world star."

With great ceremony...

He lifted the lid.

"I now eat twenty-thousand-won brisket tteokbokki!"

"...!"

The sheer pride on his face made everyone burst into laughter.