Chapter 831: Is This the Land of the New Black? (7)

Opening Ceremony Announcing the Start of the Pyeongchang Olympics

The Opening Ceremony, which marked its highlight with the beautiful lighting of the cauldron, came to a truly triumphant close.

"Thank you for your hard work. Everyone, you really worked so hard!"

"Great job!"

"Alright! Volunteers, there’s an after-party later, so please gather on stage after the audience has exited!"

People wearing white padded jackets with the Pyeongchang logo hugged one another and took commemorative photos.

We received plenty of requests as well.

"Hey, guys!"

"Yes."

"Can we get a quick photo?"

"Of course!"

When we stepped into the crowd of people taking pictures, someone said:

"No. Take it for us."

"......."

The volunteers who had been laughing burst out and then reached out their hands, asking to take one together with us.

We ran into all kinds of people in the corridor, including middle-aged men suddenly asking for handshakes, exchanging greetings as we passed.

Perhaps because the Opening Ceremony—arguably the most important event of the Olympics—had ended successfully, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive.

"Wooju."

Director Kim Ikhwan, who usually strode around with tiger-like sharp eyes, now looked completely relaxed.

"You really worked hard today. The media’s been praising it as one of today’s wow points."

"Thank you."

"It was truly impressive. We can look forward to the Closing Ceremony too, right?"

"Of course."

As we all nodded together, the director patted each of our backs and let out a booming laugh.

Watching the back of the blockbuster film director as he walked away, Jiho muttered:

"We really have to give it our all."

"That’s right."

"Give it our all until Director Kim Ikhwan casts me in his movie...."

"Hmm."

I nodded.

"It’s a flawed objective, but as long as you reach Seoul, it doesn’t matter how you get there. I’ll support your dream, Jiho."

"Dream☆s come true."

We burst out laughing at Junhyun’s comment and moved along.

It was a wonderful atmosphere—but not one we could linger in.

The people who had lived and worked on site for nearly two months, practicing dance and instruments and checking equipment, had their own stories and emotions.

I had simply slid one main dish onto an already fully prepared banquet table.

"Alright then, let’s head back to the hotel—"

We were about to return to the hotel in Pyeongchang as originally planned.

But my plan to shower and eat ramen was derailed by someone who suddenly appeared.

"Good evening."

It was a civil servant in his forties, speaking in an elegant tone.

When our managers asked for identification, he explained his affiliation.

Deputy Director from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

Why would the Ministry of Foreign Affairs be looking for us?

"There are individuals who wish to meet NewBlack. If it’s not an inconvenience, could we coordinate some time?"

"Who is it that wants to meet us...?"

"It’s not just one or two people. Quite a few individuals, after seeing Wooju, expressed that they would like to meet NewBlack."

Was the performance really that impactful?

At the mention that foreign dignitaries wanted to meet us briefly, we nodded.

"This way."

Guided by Ministry staff, we arrived at a reception room on the fourth floor of the stadium.

In the luxuriously decorated room, protocol officials gave us a crash course.

"Among the distinguished guests are members of royal families. A simple ‘Your Highness’ will suffice as a form of address."

"I have a question."

Junhyun raised his hand.

"What if we make a mistake with the title?"

"Excellent question."

The official’s eyes sparkled.

"If you make a mistake—"

"If we do...?"

"Pretend it didn’t happen. The key is to act naturally, as if nothing occurred."

"Wow. So this is diplomacy...."

When we joked that we were learning something valuable for the country, the Ministry officials turned away, trying to suppress their laughter.

During the brief preparation, we memorized the identities of the visitors.

Just as athletes accompany the President to international organizations to deliver speeches or promote the country, we decided to serve as Pyeongchang ambassadors in our own way.

"By the way," Ri Hyuk said.

"I knew it, but there really are a lot of royal families in Europe."

"Seriously."

I only knew about the UK or some Nordic countries, but there were quite a few minor royal houses as well.

Soon, an elderly man entered, escorted by Ministry staff.

He looked like the kind grandfather who would feed pigeons in a park. We were told he was a Grand Duke from a small European nation.

After an introduction describing him as Richard the Third, blessed with this and that—

His elegant German words were translated.

"He says he was deeply moved by today’s performance. If it’s not an inconvenience, he would like to shake your hand."

"Thank you."

"He says he once attended your father’s performance in Austria. It was truly a dazzling concert—one of the greatest performances of his life."

His eyes shone sincerely as he praised my father’s concert.

But such remarks were partly polite courtesy. It seemed he had another purpose in wanting to see me.

"Hmm."

The European noble cleared his throat and said something.

The interpreter nodded.

"He says there is another reason he wished to meet you."

"Yes."

"He would like to ask if you could meet his granddaughter. She is waiting outside."

Upon our consent, someone entered immediately.

A girl of about six, with adorable brown hair, walked in clutching a doll.

Seeing us, she gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.

So cute.

Seriously adorable.

A Ministry official whispered:

"She is a princess."

"I see."

We straightened instantly, adopting a solemn posture.

"Opa!"

If she hadn’t been a princess, we might have replied, “Yes, we’re your opa.”

The official whispered again.

"Opa means grandfather."

"I see...."

The girl ran over and leapt into the old man’s arms. He beamed with delight.

Different nationality, different race—but grandfathers doting on their granddaughters look the same everywhere.

Their conversation was translated.

"Grandfather says he brought NewBlack for you. She says, ‘Grandfather is the best. I like Grandfather more than Mom and Dad.’ He replies, ‘Well, of course you do.’"

"You don’t have to translate all of that."

"My apologies. Occupational habit."

After watching the heartwarming scene between them, we crouched down to meet the shy girl at eye level and gave her fan service.

In hesitant English, she spoke to us.

"I’m a fan. I love you so, so much. Not as much as Mom and Dad, but really, really a lot."

"Thank you, Princess."

Biju asked gently:

"How did you become our fan?"

"I saw you on MyTube."

Since we regularly interacted with many young fans, conversing with a little princess was easy.

While naturally providing fan service, the princess, fiddling with her fingers, said:

"But [N O V E L I G H T] sometimes the songs are hard."

"Hard?"

"Zophie only listened to children’s songs before. I listen to NewBlack secretly from Mom and Dad."

We could only laugh at the thought that our songs were too stimulating for a child who only listened to nursery rhymes.

I nodded with a smile.

"Someday we’ll make a children’s song too. What do you like, Princess?"

"B...."

"?"

"Br...."

Seeing her twist shyly while saying she liked bread, we couldn’t help but smile.

"We’ll make a children’s song about bread someday."

As adults watched with fond expressions, Princess Zophie held her grandfather’s hand and waved at us.

Her big eyes sparkled as she declared solemnly:

"Bye."

After she left, both we and the Ministry staff burst out laughing.

"Ah, so cute."

"Child Souffle are adorable everywhere."

"If adult Souffle are dragon types, baby fans feel like little hatchlings. Cute either way...."

We laughed, recalling the adult Souffle screaming at concerts.

Then Ri Hyuk said:

"But the reason that gentleman wanted to meet us was because his granddaughter is a Souffle, right?"

"Right."

"Then aren’t the other people here for similar reasons?"

"Come on. Probably not."

...And just as we thought that, a line of visitors began entering one after another.

At first, they praised how gorgeous and great my father’s and my performance was—then each began stating their requests.

"Could you tell my son to eat more vegetables? Especially broccoli...."

"My daughter is a fan...."

"My children stay up late watching NewBlack broadcasts. Do they have to air so late?"

We burst out laughing.

No matter where you go in the world, parents raising children are all the same.

That night after the Opening Ceremony ended—

Iconic moments like the Inmyeonjo and the lighting of the cauldron swept across Korean online communities.

“It’s a festival!”

Until the ceremony, many Koreans had been lukewarm.

But afterward, a full festival atmosphere took over.

That familiar thrill when the Olympics or World Cup begins.

Everyone welcomed an event that would add a small spark to daily life.

"Hmm?"

Idol fans scrolling online widened their eyes.

[The woman who just entered NewBlack’s waiting room using connections]

People clicked in outrage—

Only to see NewBlack taking photos beside a six-year-old girl like affectionate older brothers.

[The woman who just entered NewBlack’s waiting room using connections]

Child (5 years old)

Her grandfather is a Grand Duke

Everyone burst out laughing.

—If she’s a princess she can enter

—Why is she so cute lol those cheeks

—A real romance-fantasy young lady exists

—Northern Grand Duke Kim Junhyun and tiny noble lady

—So cute I want to pinch her cheeks

—She’s adorable

—So she’s a real princess lol I thought they meant squid princess

Then more reception photos of dignitaries began circulating.

Foreign politicians and royalty verifying that their children were Souffle fascinated everyone.

Regular citizens felt the same.

Were they really that popular overseas?

They had felt like neighbors to the entire nation—this Opening Ceremony made their overseas popularity tangible.

—Went to the ceremony today, foreigners recognized NewBlack instantly

—The cheers were insane when Wooju appeared

—My foreign exchange friends asked if NewBlack was really that popular in Korea lol

—Mutual shock

Foreigners were equally surprised.

NewBlack were that much of a national star in Korea?

It was rare for a boy band to achieve nationwide affection.

Typically, handsome boys sparkle and teenage girls shoot hearts from their eyes.

Adults stand at a distance muttering, “Wow... that’s something.”

But—

That level of popularity among ordinary people?

Foreigners were astonished at how warmly Koreans looked at NewBlack.

Is K-pop really that big?

Just then, a few shady-looking netizens appeared.

—Surprised? NewBlack’s nationwide popularity is no accident.

—Oh?

—In Korea, K-pop is cultivated as a state-sponsored project...

But their narrative didn’t last long.

—The Korean government distributes K-pop nationwide through the National Brand Committee and—cough!

—That barking ends here.

People who seemed to be wielding blood-stained clubs appeared, and those comments quietly disappeared.

When foreigners blinked in confusion, Souffle smiled brightly and began pitching to new audiences.

—Hello, valued customers. When it comes to our NewBlack...

Long comments explained how NewBlack rose to popularity and why Koreans loved them.

Readers nodded.

They get why people would like them.

When NewBlack’s story trended overseas, Souffle’s eyes shone.

New fans are increasing!

An estimated 350 million viewers worldwide had directly or indirectly watched the Opening Ceremony.

Since Wooju appeared in one of its highlights, attention toward him skyrocketed.

Foreign press responses poured in.

—Two Sun Rise in Pyeongchang: Key Moments of the Opening Ceremony

—A Son Answers His Father’s Question: How Is the World Changing?

—[Special Report] The Olympic Spirit and the World

Western media in particular reacted strongly.

Seon Myeongju’s message resonated deeply with them.

Is humanity in 2018 doing well?

Human rights groups issued statements referencing his message. Environmental groups and international organizations urged attention to related issues.

Photos of Seon Myeongju and Sun Wooju flooded media outlets.

Each time, new influxes of fans surged.

“Wow.”

Korean Souffle were speechless.

What idol causes people to join the fandom through an Olympic fancam? That’s our boy.

Wooju’s fancam on MyTube was racking up astronomical views.

An inhumanly beautiful man playing piano—truly a legendary visual.

The kind of legendary beauty you’d expect only in a regional festival fancam.

Souffle clicked “See Translation” on comments in various languages.

—What is his name?

—At this Olympics I finally found my man. Then realized two million others are ahead of me.

—He’s handsome. But I lived in Korea and never saw someone like that.

—Is there an initiation ceremony for NewBlack fans?

Like searching for iconic Hollywood scenes, people around the world shocked by the Olympic visuals were searching for Sun Wooju.

As expected, visuals are king.

Souffle smiled proudly.

Not everyone reacted positively, however.

—IOC to Review Pyeongchang Opening Ceremony for ‘Political Neutrality Violation’... Possible Sanctions

An international association representing wealthy nations took issue with the independence movement segment.

“Are they insane?”

“Why are they like this?”

“It’s not new.”

Koreans cooled their anger.

They always pull this on us.

Complaints from Korea rarely changed anything.

But this time was different.

Foreigners stepped forward.

—We condemn the IOC’s remarks!

Western Souffle began campaigning with hashtags.

Had it been only Koreans, nothing would’ve happened.

But when fellow Westerners asked, “Are you crazy?” the IOC quietly backed off.

“Oh.”

Koreans were impressed.

Overseas popularity really is something.

When NewBlack increased foreign activities, people had wondered why bother.

Now they realized.

So this is why overseas promotions help.

They gave a thumbs-up.

Well done.

Meanwhile, there were unreasonable comments domestically too.

[Korea is honestly too obsessed with heroism]

Japan boasts cumulative soft power—games, manga, national brands. But this ceremony? Just individual achievement.

Seon Myeongju’s foreign concerts? That’s just his own talent.

NewBlack’s Billboard and Grammy? They went themselves. What did the country support?

I said this to friends and some old guy cursed at me. Can I sue?

Netizens bombarded such posts.

—Minimum traitor energy

—Friends probably cutting you off lol

—Didn’t you call K-pop state policy earlier? Now it’s individual achievement?

—Classic nationalist delusion

—Username suggests you lost money in crypto. Recommend NewBlack coin lol

As screenshots spread and posts vanished, Souffle watched with content smiles.

It’s praise.

Thank you very much.

Like gamers hearing “this game sucks” as highest praise, antis losing composure was a bullish sign.

Then—

“Wow.”

Souffle’s eyes widened at incoming news.

[Real-Time Seon Myeongju U.S. Concert Ticket Prices]

Surpassed $20,000

In the U.S., where ticket reselling premiums were legal, his concert prices were soaring.

Interest in the father-son duo was undeniable.

350 million.

About five percent of the world’s population had watched.

The ripple effect was enormous.

And there was one unexpected beneficiary.

“What is this?”

“I’ve never seen a graph like this since the station launched...”

“Is the equipment malfunctioning?”

Inside the IBC broadcast control room, staff stared at the monitor.

Is this real?

The real-time ratings for episode 2 of Wife Fishing, featuring NewBlack, were setting an unprecedented record.