Chapter 809: Sundance, and the Sun (5)

In the past, during the Silla dynasty, there was the bone-rank system, which divided social classes based on bloodline.

In the same way, Souffle had their own “bone ranks.”

It wasn’t officially recognized, of course, but it was famous enough that charts summarizing it circulated online.

Became a fan during Something: Royalty

Became a fan during 14 Fireworks: Sacred Bone

Became a fan during Masquerade: True Bone

And so on, down to the fake Souffle tier.

Just as Korean Souffle jokingly divided themselves into ranks, American Souffle did the same.

If you became a fan before NewBlack entered the U.S. market: Tier 1.

If you joined right after their U.S. expansion, through awards shows and such: Tier 2.

If you joined after the English tracks: Tier 3.

Naturally—

The majority of the current fandom consisted of those who joined after the English songs.

“Hi! I’m new!”

Fans who fell in after discovering various videos through the English tracks.

With English subtitles on all content, they dove into fandom without noticing time passing.

An overwhelming amount of content welcomed the newcomers.

But it was a double-edged sword.

[Souffle, I’m new and I have a question.]

Is there a list of must-watch NewBlack TV episodes? Or what I should watch first?

The same question surfaced every time new fans arrived.

With manga or novels, you just start from volume one.

But NewBlack content was vast beyond measure.

One fan calculated that watching every live, broadcast, and content video NewBlack had ever filmed would take at least several months—and that was assuming 24 hours a day without eating or sleeping.

Because of that, the Souffle community had guides for newbies.

– Essential NewBlack TV episodes for newcomers.

– How to watch Korean broadcast content with English subtitles!!

– [Must Read] If you don’t know where to start, read this first!

In any case—

‘Why is there so much to consume...?’

Normally, when a junior fan enters a fandom, seniors advise, “Take it slow... that’s all there is...”

But Souffle were different.

– You should binge it quickly... new content drops every day.

Taking that advice, newcomers devoured everything.

Every day was exciting.

‘There was an episode like this?!’

They discovered Wooju’s work logs from rookie days and facts they’d never known.

Every video brought new revelations.

That was why—

“Huh?”

It wasn’t strange at all that Souffle in the theater were surprised during the documentary’s opening.

Unknown “content” appearing was nothing new to them.

‘What is that?’

At Eccles Theater, over 1,200 audience members murmured.

“What is that?”

“...What footage is that?”

“Do you know what that is?”

The reason they were buzzing was because it was an interview about “the beginning.”

‘Footage about NewBlack’s beginning?’

How had they not known something so important?

They knew the debut story well—but not truly how it all began.

Souffle’s eyes sparkled.

『SEOUL, 2013』

As the caption faded, CCTV footage played.

A young man in a yellow padded jacket.

‘That’s Wooju!’

Even from silhouette alone, the leader’s gait was unmistakable as he walked uphill.

A heartwarming scene of him helping an elderly man pulling a cart.

“Wooo~”

The crowd cooed at his good deed, while present-day Wooju smiled awkwardly in the theater.

‘Huh?’

In the distance, a sedan began acting strangely.

Souffle’s hearts dropped.

The vehicle lunged toward the elderly man.

“Whoa! Whoa...!”

“No! No!”

“Ahh—... what?”

And then—

The young man in the yellow jacket sprinted with all his might and saved the elderly man.

“Waaaaaaa!”

Relieved applause erupted—

Only to freeze.

Wooju slipped on the icy slope and tumbled down, losing consciousness.

“......”

A cold silence filled the theater.

The screen went dark.

Subtitles appeared as Wooju’s voice played.

[Everything went black for a moment.]

In the darkness, their favorite’s Korean voice echoed.

[That day was my college entrance exam day. The moment my dream of university completely disappeared.]

[*Translator’s note: Korea’s SAT takes place only once a year.]

Souffle groaned sincerely.

“But...”

Wooju’s playful tone returned.

[Who knew it would lead to this?]

The screen brightened sharply.

Archival footage flooded in.

TV news labeled “Galhyeon-dong Hero.”

Online articles.

Photos and videos of 2013 Wooju receiving police commendations and corporate awards.

Moments in the documentary where he was called “Hero.”

With swelling background music—

The scene shifted.

[Hello, audience.]

Wooju sat cross-legged in a studio.

Unlike 2013, he was now unmistakably a top star, radiating relaxed confidence.

[I’m Wooju of NewBlack, and from now on, you’ll be joining our journey.]

“Guaaaaaah!”

[Are you ready to participate?]

Wink.

The handsome man clapped like a slate.

The screen went dark.

[Chapter One : Sun Comes]

The next scene revisited the Galhyeon-dong alley.

But Souffle’s minds remained stuck on what they’d just seen.

The image of someone risking his life to save a stranger.

‘That’s insane.......’

Starting with a theme Americans loved—heroism.

From the opening, immersion peaked.

Team Leader Yoon Seokhwan smiled.

“Waaaaaa!”

“Ahhh!”

“Whoa—!”

Throughout the film, Souffle reacted loudly.

American audiences were known for expressive reactions—but watching alongside their favorite amplified everything.

“Waaaaaa!”

Cheers erupted at Jiho’s most handsome shots.

Jiho bounced his shoulders, whispering, “Did you see that?”

It felt like being on a theme park ride.

‘The atmosphere’s good.’

But it wasn’t only Souffle’s enthusiasm.

He glanced between Director Yoo Geon and the screen.

‘The film is really well made.’

A high-quality documentary.

Different from typical singer documentaries.

Most star documentaries focused on the dark inner struggles of fame.

Successful on the outside, but secretly suffering.

Of course, NewBlack’s documentary didn’t ignore introspection.

But the tone was different.

Rather than a solemn human-interest film, it felt closer to an explanatory documentary—like witty breakdowns of economic crises.

‘A good choice.’

It matched the objective.

[Guide for Late Fans]

That was the agreed goal between the TF team and the production team.

Uploading it to NetPlus for global access.

Preparing narration in multiple languages.

‘The members need narrative.’

For fans overwhelmed by vast content and confused about timelines—

The documentary would present NewBlack’s story clearly.

And convert light fans into core fans.

‘There’s a reason audition shows succeed.’

Why do audition-show singers debut more successfully?

Because of narrative.

Viewers emotionally invest in their stories.

That emotional investment fuels support.

‘Wonder Child’ was rising rapidly in Korea for that reason.

The issue was—

‘NewBlack lacks narrative overseas.’

Korean Souffle knew the struggles from TenTinNew days.

But overseas, NewBlack seemed like a group that suddenly exploded.

So the TF team planned:

– Foreign fans can’t easily access what happened in Korea. So let’s make it: “Watch this one film and master the NewBlack story!”

Management experts aiming for emotional immersion.

There was also a practical reason.

– They’re not at a stage to seriously discuss showbiz yet. Their narrative differs from American singers.

Hollywood comeback stories about scandals or drugs were culturally distant.

So—

– Let’s make the documentary fun. NewBlack’s identity is “fun.”

Director Yoo Geon executed it like magic.

‘He’s remarkable.’

Scenes shifted vibrantly between joyful and difficult moments.

Making viewers think—

‘I want to be the sixth member.’

Especially the childhood segments told through puppetry and metaphor.

“Waaaaaa!”

Cheers during performance scenes.

Boos at footage of the Australian host who made racist remarks.

‘Emotional immersion isn’t a concern.’

Yoon Seokhwan thought—

“Ahhhhh!”

When the story transitioned back to [Present].

[I’d never collapsed like that before.]

Footage of Wooju hospitalized with gastritis.

A pale Wooju waving at the self-cam.

[Hi, Souffle. I filmed this in advance in case you’re worried while watching the documentary. Don’t worry. I’m really okay now.......]

Despite being ill, he comforted fans.

Cold sweat on his temples.

Dark circles.

At first, Souffle stared wide-eyed—

Then—

“Sob.......”

They began crying.

Hundreds wailing like ghosts at an offline meet.

“Waaaaah!”

“Ughh!”

Full-blown sobbing.

Yoon Seokhwan scratched his cheek.

‘Maybe we immersed them too much.’

The screening ended safely.

“Waaaaaaa!”

As the credits rolled, applause continued.

It could have been written as—

“NewBlack documentary receives 10-minute standing ovation at Sundance...”

“Thank you! Truly, thank you!”

We waved at applauding Souffle.

Handed tissues to crying fans.

Offered brief hugs.

“It’s time to go up.”

We stood for the Q&A.

Onstage, seated beside Director Yoo Geon.

“First, I sincerely thank you for enjoying the film.”

Souffle roared.

“Being with NewBlack makes me feel like a star.”

He spoke fluent English.

We conversed without an interpreter.

“How did NewBlack feel watching it?”

“It was amazing.”

The maknae answered excitedly.

“I watch tons of movies. This is the first documentary I finished all the way through!”

“You have to finish it. It’s our story.”

Laughter.

We all agreed—it was genuinely good.

“Shall we take questions?”

“Sure!”

A thousand hands shot up.

A college student stood.

“I love you!”

“We love you too.”

After 40 minutes of Q&A—

The premiere concluded.

“Great job!”

We hugged Director Yoo Geon.

“Thank you for all your hard work since last year.”

“You’re the one who worked hard.”

He smiled softly.

“The atmosphere suggests your fans will love it.”

“Seems like it.”

“Awards are unlikely in this genre, but if your fans are satisfied, that’s enough.”

We were about to discuss dinner—

“By the way.”

The director looked at me.

“You’re leaving the day after tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.”

Busy schedules awaited in Korea.

“So you have time?”

“Yes.”

“Then...”

He hesitated.

“Remember earlier? About your father’s film.”

“Yes.”

“Meetings fell through, right?”

“...Close enough.”

He thought for a moment.

“Why?”

“There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”