Chapter 830: Is This the Land of the New Black? (6)

The nationwide HBS broadcast that the entire country was watching.

After the Olympic opening declaration ended, large subtitles rose on the screen.

[ Korea, and the World ]

As a woman appeared in the center of the stage singing Arirang, the announcers’ commentary continued.

[ Korea and the World. A stage that sings of Korea’s history so far! And of the future of the Republic of Korea advancing into the world. ]

[ Arirang has come out. ]

[ It really seems like a wide variety of Korean culture is being presented. ]

As the stage filled with traditional culture came to an end, history began in earnest to enter the modern era.

Teenagers dressed in black school uniforms and jeogori ran across the stage as if participating in the independence movement.

It almost felt as though the chant of “Long live Korean independence” could be heard as an auditory hallucination.

[ It seems to be covering the period of Japanese colonial rule and the history of liberation. ]

[ The flag is a flag of peace. It looks like, due to objections from the IOC side, they changed it to avoid direct depictions. ]

[ According to General Director Kim Ikhwan’s interview, they had a very difficult time persuading the committee. ]

As indirect criticism surfaced toward the international sports association that was busy watching the reactions of powerful nations, curses burst out among Koreans.

Bastards

Ah, the Japanese money must taste sweet haha

If China or Japan gets offended they go on about violating political neutrality lol seriously they’re so consistent

For real they’re all in it together

Right then, the HBS broadcast camera switched scenes.

Bzzzz.

The expressions of the Japanese dignitaries were shown in close up. Watching them press their lips together and carefully manage their expressions made viewers burst into laughter.

LOLLLLLLLLL

Hey that was well done LOL

Praise HBS

Not HBS, it’s Hansung Broadcasting filled with national spirit, everyone

[HBS front row fan cam] The archipelago – trembling (feat. IOC)

LMAOOOOOO

Foreigners on Twitter are asking what this is and it’s so satisfying lol

As keywords about Korean history began rising in search bars around the world in order to answer the question, “Why do the Japanese look displeased?”—

Korea’s modern history began in earnest.

The scars of war.

The shadows of industrialization.

And the story of Korean citizens who struggled through such hardships and ultimately stood tall.

As popular songs that comfort those returning home after exhausting days blended with the stage, Koreans nodded along.

It was as if the Olympic opening ceremony stage were telling them:

You made this Olympics.

“They built the stage well.”

“There’s something... kind of overwhelming about it.”

While people watching the opening ceremony from their living rooms felt a strange lump in their throats—

[ Ah. Another device has been installed on the stage. ]

[ What will appear? ]

Passing through the pop songs of the 1990s, gentle jazz began to flow.

And amid the roar of “Waaaaaah!” from the venue, Sun Myung Joo appeared as a hologram.

[ A floating hologram! It’s a device used to recreate the living appearance of famous figures. ]

[ The atmosphere on site is truly heated! ]

As Sun Myung Joo’s greeting continued, the announcer’s voice flowed over it.

[ A legendary artist returning after 20 years. The unparalleled star born of Korea, Sun Myung Joo! ]

[ I had a feeling he would appear at this timing! ]

[ The concert held this January truly caused a global sensation, didn’t it? It was literally an unprecedented focus of attention in the global music world. Even now, in Korea as well as Japan and the United States... ]

As Koreans welcomed Sun Myung Joo’s appearance—

Foreigners also began recognizing the figure playing piano within the hologram.

Murmurs rose at the venue.

“Sun Myung Joo.”

“Sun Myung Joo was Korean?”

“Huh? That person....”

Europeans in particular, those highly interested in the arts, began murmuring, and Koreans felt strangely surprised in return.

‘He really must have been famous overseas.’

They had learned through documentaries that he was globally renowned, but they had not known his recognition was to that extent.

Rather, it was the foreigners who seemed more astonished.

While Korean shoulders subtly lifted with pride, Sun Myung Joo’s performance continued on stage.

At the same time, subtitles flowed at the bottom of the TV screen.

『Sun Myung Joo』

A jazz pianist recognized worldwide. A rare late 20th century figure ranked among the “100 Most Important Figures in Jazz History.”

Koreans watching the caption nodded.

‘He’s a real genius.’

Before Sun Myung Joo’s performance—when only the teaser had been uploaded—there had been arguments here and there.

Is he really that famous? I don’t know him.

What’s so genius about him? I don’t get it.

Comments asking what made him a genius.

But the moment Sun Myung Joo’s performance began, those words quietly disappeared.

There was no need to explain why he was a genius.

[ The song playing now is that famous Question, right? ]

[ Yes, that’s right! It’s so modern you can’t believe it was composed 20 years ago. ]

Question, composed in 1997, blended perfectly even now, twenty years later, without feeling dated at all.

Lively, exciting, sophisticated.

Music that felt like a gentleman in a suit waltzing joyfully in a ballroom and beckoning toward them.

[ It fits so well it almost feels like a song prepared specifically for the Olympic opening. Haha. ]

Sun Myung Joo played within the hologram.

As various stage devices moved to ensure he did not appear alone, his music gradually softened.

And then.

As if to show the entire world what the song Question meant, the stage darkened and the hologram changed.

[ They say the new millennium is just around the corner. ]

The question Sun Myung Joo left behind before the millennium continued.

Koreans had already seen the scene, but for viewers around the world, the question carried a distinct weight.

Overseas announcers began their commentary.

[ My goodness. A figure who passed away 20 years ago has written a letter to us in 2018! It’s an unbelievable sight. ]

[ The questions really weigh heavily. ]

Has war disappeared and peace arrived?

Is the environment being protected?

Has discrimination between races and classes vanished?

As hundreds of millions of viewers around the world calmly waited for his words—

[ But. ]

Sun Myung Joo smiled softly.

[ I believe you will find the answer. ]

A smile that made one gaze at it as if spellbound.

As “Sun Myung Joo” was searched in the search bars of various nations, the stage darkened once more.

And then.

As if to answer those questions, someone rose on a lift.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

A roar that seemed ready to burst the venue.

As the son appeared wearing the same suit as his father, exclamations erupted throughout the audience and commentary booth.

[ The son has appeared following the father! ]

[ It’s Woojoo of the national idol New Black! ]

Affection showed in the eyes of Koreans watching TV.

Perhaps because they had just seen Sun Myung Joo’s performance, it felt somewhat like watching a nephew they had raised themselves.

‘He grew up well.’

While admiration flowed for his tall figure and refined features, subtitles appeared on screen just as they had for his father.

『Sun Woojoo』

Leader of the popular boy group New Black. Active in various fields including composition and acting, and recently nominated for a Grammy Award.

Warm, astonished laughter flowed even from North American broadcasting stations.

[ A superstar boasting international popularity. Woojoo of New Black. ]

[ That’s New Black’s leader, Sunny. My daughter Lucy absolutely loves him. She asked me to buy her a New Black bag recently. ]

[ Haha. They’re really popular among teenagers. ]

As Woojoo placed his fingers on the piano, gentle music began to flow.

The Korean broadcast team nodded.

[ It’s Answer. ]

[ If there is a question, there is also an answer. A song composed by Mr. Woojoo, correct? ]

The song Answer was explained through subtitles on the TV screen.

Viewers in countries around the world naturally learned about the story behind Question and Answer—

“Waaaaaah....”

At the venue, admiration rose regardless of nationality.

‘That face....’

It was because of his appearance, like a sculpture come to life.

As wind blew across the stage and his hair fluttered lightly, it looked as though it were rippling underwater.

He was so mysterious he seemed like a nonhuman being playing piano beneath the sea.

As always when beautiful men and women appear, those unfamiliar with New Black began searching frantically.

“What’s happening to the server right now...?”

“What’s going on? There’s an abnormal surge in search volume.”

“It’s because of the Olympics.”

Interest so immense that it momentarily shook the servers of a site boasting billions of searches worldwide.

Meanwhile.

As the song continued, people clicked their tongues in amazement.

‘He... composed this?’

It blended astonishingly well with Question, the piece composed by the unparalleled genius just moments before.

At the surprised reactions of foreigners, Koreans rubbed their noses proudly.

‘Yes. That’s our kid.’

Wasn’t the Olympic opening ceremony originally a stage to go “Ta-da! This is what our country has!” and show it off?

Just as the London Olympics had displayed its nation’s influence in literature, film, and pop music, the father and son, Sun Myung Joo and Sun Woojoo, emerged as Korea’s pride at the Olympic opening ceremony.

As the spotlight focused on Woojoo playing piano alone—

[ Oh! The stage is gradually changing. ]

The performers who had been on stage began joining in fully.

As traditional Korean instruments such as the taepyeongso and drums joined, the piece instantly grew rich.

Violins, janggu, and other instruments blended together, and as Sun Woojoo continued his piano solo, he exchanged smiles with them.

An enterprising, dynamic atmosphere!

[ Wow... this is so good. ]

The announcer in charge of the broadcast let out an exclamation in his natural voice without realizing it.

Viewers agreed.

‘It’s really good.’

It was a song filled with the will for prosperity and peace in the future.

This version, with traditional instruments intertwining like an orchestra, was something even Koreans were hearing for the first time.

Until now, the Answer they had known was only a piano melody.

With Eastern and Western instruments mixed together to create a lively mood, the piece held a charm difficult to describe.

“The song is so good.”

“How did he write something like that?”

It was a piece that made Korean hearts and throats tingle pleasantly, filling them with an inexplicable swelling emotion.

The close ups of the violinist and taepyeongso player in between looked so joyful.

The composer playing piano was the same.

Making eye contact with the performers, smiling brightly.

As the sounds of the other instruments gradually faded and for a moment only the piano solo remained—

Woojoo, who had been playing calmly and softly, stopped his fingers and looked at the camera.

A smile.

A smile drawn at the corner of the handsome man’s lips that made one stare absentmindedly.

His eyes turned toward them... as if filled with something he wished to say about the piece.

And in that moment—

All the instruments burst back in energetically.

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

Children of various appearances began appearing on stage.

Children wearing traditional clothing from around the world joined hands and formed a circle.

As the performance approached its climax, the children holding hands danced in rhythm.

Truly an atmosphere like a festival for all the world.

[ This is the Olympics. ]

[ A message of peace and prosperity! It may not be a complete answer to the question Mr. Sun Myung Joo posed, but for us, it was more than enough of an answer! ]

At last, as Woojoo lowered his fingers, the piano performance ended and fireworks shot into the sky.

Amid tremendous applause and cheers, Sun Woojoo stood and bowed gently.

The sight of him bowing simultaneously with the hologram of his father behind him drew a heated roar.

[ It was truly a magnificent performance! ]

[ It feels like the best highlight of the day. Haha. It will likely be an unforgettable performance for everyone. ]

With that, the stage darkened once more.

Soon, lights shaped like doves glittered, and more than a thousand drones flew into the air to form the Olympic rings.

Until that moment, the impact left by the performance remained in the hearts of viewers around the world.

“Waaah....”

“What was that just now? Seriously....”

Truly wonderful music.

And the young man who composed and performed it looked like a scene from a film.

Like stars who rose to stardom overnight through visual shock in their debut films.

‘Woojoo, was it?’

Servers of search sites across nations began to freeze under the same keyword.

Even for those not particularly interested in celebrities or pop culture, the Olympic opening ceremony was something everyone watched at least once.

It was the moment when the names New Black and Woojoo were imprinted on the 300 million people watching live around the world.

The strict and solemn expression lasted only briefly.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

The moment we descended back underground on the lift, screams and cheers erupted everywhere.

“You worked hard!”

“You really did great!”

People who had been frozen stiff embraced each other warmly.

Some let out long sighs.

Some even crouched down and cried.

And.

“....”

Amid all that, I swayed slightly.

“Whoa! Hyung!”

“Hyung, be careful.”

Junghyun hurried over and supported me.

My teeth chattered and my legs trembled.

Wonseok hyung extended a bottle of water with a worried face.

“Want some water?”

“Huh? Yes....”

“I prepared warm water so you can warm up.”

After drinking the warm barley tea, I sat down for a moment.

Shiver.

No matter how thick the lining was, going out into subzero weather wearing only a suit was definitely too much.

Bijoo and Jiho rubbed my arms and legs, and Rihyuk poked my cheek.

“How do you feel? Can you feel it?”

“I can. So stop poking....”

People watching the younger members’ overprotectiveness began laughing.

Embarrassed, I let out a laugh too and stood up.

“Everyone really worked hard. Thank you.”

“You worked hard too, Woojoo!”

I shook hands and exchanged hugs with the musicians, dancers, and the children who had shared the stage.

“All right! Let’s take a photo! One, two, three!”

We took commemorative photos.

In the heated atmosphere of camaraderie unique to those who had just finished a performance, we said our goodbyes.

“You did great, hyung.”

Bijoo said with a smile.

“I watched from under the stage and you were amazing. I think I took like a hundred photos.”

“Was it okay?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a relief. I didn’t feel anything at all.”

I played with the mindset of just entrusting myself to the piece.

But maybe because I was so nervous and cold, I barely remembered what I had done.

Bijoo’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh right! When you stared at the camera in the middle. What message were you delivering then, hyung?”

“Ah. That.”

I scratched my cheek.

“It was just the timing for impact so I paused for a moment. I didn’t really have any deep thoughts, just wondering if I hadn’t messed anything up....”

“.......”

Was that the expression of a fan who had learned the truth about their favorite?

While Bijoo stared into the distance, the younger members and I burst into laughter.

“I’m telling you, once you go up there, there’s no time to think. You just do it. I just stared at the camera and acted like I had some kind of expression like Jiho taught me.”

“As expected, my training paid off.”

I had simply pretended to have something profound while facing the entire world, just as our acting genius maknae had taught me.

Interpretation was up to the viewer, wasn’t it?

As I said that, I opened both arms toward the younger members. Behind the scenes or not, that wasn’t what mattered right now.

“Give me a hug.”

“You worked hard.”

“I was so nervous I thought I was going to die. Huuuh....”

I’m not usually like this.

But I was so, so nervous that I found myself whining to the younger members.

As I closed my eyes, feeling warmth about 0.8 Kim Deoksoon units, they patted my shoulders as if to say I had done well.

After shaking off the heavy burden from my shoulders—

“Phew.”

We moved toward the performers’ waiting room and I picked up my phone.

Until earlier, I had had no interest in what the Olympic opening ceremony was doing.

Now that my performance was over, my attention finally drifted toward it.

“How was the opening ceremony today?”

“It was really great overall.”

The maknae said.

“And you know that bird with the face we saw before?”

“Ah. That?”

“That came out earlier too and danced before going back in.”

“...?”

What had happened while I wasn’t watching?

Thinking that I would have to binge the opening ceremony when we returned to the hotel room later, I saw that the broadcast was entering its final segment.

“Wow. There’s really a lot to see.”

“There was even more earlier.”

“Really?”

The younger members explained one by one, and it sounded so impressive that I regretted missing it live.

Maybe because we were performers ourselves, we paid even closer attention.

When I laughed at Bijoo saying he had already written down a mountain of things he wanted to try on our stage someday—

“Wooooow!”

Something appeared that made our eyes widen.

“Is that a drone?”

“Th, they can do that with drones...!”

As our science 담당 let out a shriek, an astonishing sight unfolded.

More than a thousand drones that had flown into the sky formed the Olympic rings above.

“This is insane....”

“Waaah....”

“If we used that at a concert it would be a total hit....”

When someone said that—

The staff member guiding us spoke up.

“Amazing, right?”

“Yes.”

“That’s the latest technology this time.”

“If it’s the latest, it must be expensive.”

“Yes. It cost a lot. They’re 1.3 million won per unit, and there are over a thousand flying.”

“Ahh~”

We nodded and repeated the staff member’s words.

“1.3 million won per unit. A thousand units.”

At the same time.

“That’s right! Hahaha!”

“Dad. Be quiet.”

A bald man watching TV at home was jumping around in excitement.

“That person is the major shareholder of our company, daughter. Your dad’s business partner.”

“More like someone who unilaterally benefits, isn’t it? I heard your company hit the New Black jackpot.”

“What are you talking about. I contributed to all of that, daughter.”

As CEO Park Gyuho obediently sat on the sofa at his wife’s command—

Twinkle.

His phone lit up beneath his shiny head.

“Oh!”

CEO Park Gyuho grinned proudly.

“Look at this! The kids messaged me the moment the performance ended! Hahaha!”

“Stop being so noisy and eat some fruit.”

“Yes, dear.”

As he checked the message, smiling happily at the thought that they had contacted him right away—

Jiho [CEO♥]

Jiho [And wouldn’t it be pretty if we used this at our concert!!!! It would be so pretty!!]

Jiho [(Photo)]

Jiho [They say we just need to fly 1000 units at 1.3 million won each~☆]

“.......”

A shadow began to fall over CEO Park Gyuho’s face.