Chapter 836: Is This the Land of the New Black? (12)

Director Jang Sohee.

An actress who once held nationwide popularity as the lead of a hit drama in the 1990s, and now the CEO of SNH Entertainment.

I had heard a lot about her back when I was a trainee.

“They say the CEO at SNH is a total angel. Even during monthly evaluations, the executives never swear.”

“If I bomb this month’s eval and get cut, I’m transferring somewhere else. To SNH, the land of dreams and hope!”

“They’re being disgustingly petty about dance. Hyung. Should we just bail to SNH together? I heard as long as your character’s good, you can survive there....”

Honestly, what did trainees really know?

It was like students whispering, “Hey, I heard the homeroom teacher of Class 8 is super nice,” and envying them. That kind of nuance.

Anyway, the unusual thing was that I never heard a single bad story.

Normally, friends who transferred to other agencies would send messages like, “Holy shit, Park Taejoon was on a whole other level,” but whenever someone moved to SNH, their tone would soften, and before long, they would cut contact altogether.

It meant they were so well-fed and happy that old connections no longer even came to mind.

Every time, Taehyun and the others and I would wonder what kind of place SNH really was.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

I think I’m finally about to get that answer.

“We sincerely welcome New Black!”

“Jjara jjara jjan jjan jjan~!”

Employees of SNH Entertainment and their families were cheering and greeting us.

Director Jang Sohee walked over with steady steps and placed flower garlands around our necks.

Her voice was elegant and refined, befitting an actress.

“Welcome to our company. Truly.”

“Uh... yes. Hello.”

At our dazed expressions, SNH staff burst into giggles.

Rihyuk asked blankly, “Didn’t you say today was a company day off?”

“Ah. That’s right. It is.”

Director Jang explained with a calm laugh.

“I left it up to the employees. If they wanted to come out with their families to see New Black, they could. If not, they could just relax comfortably at home for the day.”

“Ahh....”

“But ninety-five percent of them showed up.”

As soon as she finished speaking, voices rose from among the staff.

“A holiday comes again, but New Black is once in a lifetime!”

“That’s right!”

“Please call my name! I’m Kim Sanghyuk, third year at Gyeongil High School! My older sister works here!”

Laughter erupted at the shout of a teenage boy.

When we called out Sanghyuk’s name, and he shouted “Woohoo!” the laughter burst out again.

While New Black TV cameras were being set up, we chatted with employees and their families.

“The atmosphere is amazing!”

Now fully adjusted, we extended our hands as if holding microphones.

“Let’s do a quick opening rehearsal! Nationwide~”

“Song Contest~!”

Pam pam pam pam bam~!

We danced together, building excitement.

“New Black!”

“So handsome!”

The mood was great.

“Sun Woojoo!”

“Composition!”

“Kim Bijoo!”

“Amazing dancer!”

“Kim Junghyun, Seo Rihyuk!”

“Strong and frail!”

“Wang Jiho!”

“Healthy...?”

While our youngest pouted, insisting, “I’m good at acting! Acting!” playful laughter echoed around us.

And when the excitement reached its peak—

“Alright, then! Starting now, New Black TV content! The final installment of our Four Major Agencies Visit series! SNH Entertainment edition filming begins!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

It was the best condition we’d ever had for New Black TV content.

『 Four Major Agencies Visit: SNH Entertainment Edition 』

Woojoo: Nationwide~!

Staff: Waaaaaaaah!

Ding dong deng dong.

As upbeat BGM played—bam pababam bam bam~—shots of cheering employees filled the screen.

[National Song Contest]

[SNH Entertainment Edition]

That familiar font subtitle flashed briefly.

Then the font cracked and changed.

[...Not that, but Four Major Agencies Visit!]

[You are now watching New Black TV’s Four Major Agencies Visit.]

Scenes of over a hundred people chanting New Black’s name played, followed by fan service from the members.

Bijoo taking photos with staff families.

Junghyun lifting a little boy onto his shoulders.

Rihyuk running away while signing autographs for girls holding out his photocards.

Jiho chasing after him.

Woojoo: Wow.

Woojoo, admiring the company atmosphere, stepped beside someone.

She looked like she was in her early forties, though she was in her fifties—the CEO with ageless beauty.

Acting like an MC, Woojoo asked playfully.

Woojoo: Whenever we visit an agency, we ask the CEO or executives one question.

Jang Sohee: Yes.

Woojoo: Why is SNH Entertainment the best company?

Usually, they would joke about welfare benefits, salaries, or the cafeteria.

But before Director Jang could answer, employees and their families started bustling around.

Staff: Director! We’ll head out now!

Jang Sohee: Go on~

Staff: Thank you for your hard work!

As soon as the fan meeting with New Black ended, they poured out like an outgoing tide.

The New Black members were stunned.

Jiho: Where are they going?

Jang Sohee: Ah.

She smiled as she replied.

Jang Sohee: The fan meeting’s over, so they’re heading home. It’s a day off.

New Black: .......

Jang Sohee: Everyone already knows our company is good. There’s no need to promote it. Ha ha.

From the very opening, Director Jang had proven why SNH was the best company.

New Black stared at the camera in shock.

Woojoo: Please put this in subtitles. Lemon Entertainment employees are prohibited from watching.

Bijoo: In red font, please.

Jiho: Write it in Pirarucu Danger style.

Doo doong!

[VIP Notice]

[Lemon Entertainment Employees Prohibited from Viewing!]

And thus, the SNH episode became the most viewed content among the Four Major Agencies Visit series.

“Are there really no employees here?”

“No.”

Beep.

Director Jang tapped her key card and opened the door.

“Essential staff are still inside handling work. Some are staying because of drama promotion schedules... but those employees will take separate leave later. So no need to worry.”

Following Director Jang’s elegant stride, we toured the facilities.

Compared to other large agencies, the building was smaller, but it felt solid and well-run.

You could understand why online comments said, “Not number one, but the one among the four most likely to survive to the end.”

“Wow....”

Jiho said, “Maybe I should’ve auditioned for SNH.”

“If you had come, Jiho, our SNH Entertainment would’ve doubled in size.”

“Right?”

As the youngest laughed foolishly, I asked with a grin, “Then what if I had come?”

“Wouldn’t it have grown twenty times?”

“Oh. Ten Jiho.”

At Junghyun’s pun, the New Black TV staff and we burst into laughter.

While the youngest pouted at being teased, Director Jang continued guiding us.

“I have a bit of a connection with Lemon Entertainment too.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I saw online that people say I’m similar to Director Park Gyuho? There was some nickname... Kim Riceball or something.”

“Ah... is that... so?”

We pretended not to know about the nickname “Long Hair Park.”

But the more we looked around the building, the more fitting it seemed.

Among the four major agencies we’d visited, this one felt the most similar to us.

Maybe that’s why—

“Ha ha ha.”

Every time Director Jang laughed, I saw our own director.

“There’s not much else to show. I think that’s it for introductions... Hmm. Nothing special to guide. A staff member will show you where to do joint practice. That’s all from me.”

“Thank you so much today, Director.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

As filming wrapped, Director Jang rummaged through her wallet.

She handed us a business card with her personal phone number.

“If anything happens at your company or you need anything, contact me anytime.”

“Ooh, is this a recruitment offer?”

Junghyun quipped boldly.

She smiled and shook her head.

“What use would it be to recruit Lemon Entertainment’s major shareholder? But there’s no harm in building ties with stars like New Black. If you need anything, just reach out.”

“Thank you, Director.”

“Then—”

She turned elegantly, then paused.

“Oh, and the cafeteria’s open. Since staff and guests are here today.”

“Ah.”

“Our company food is really good. Have a meal before you go.”

With a gentle eye-smile, she disappeared.

We looked between her retreating figure and the business card in our hands.

“Wow....”

I nodded along with the younger members’ admiration.

Of all the CEOs I’d met recently, she seemed to have the highest level of political savvy.

“This is it.”

An SNH staff member opened the door with a key card.

“This is our large practice room.”

“Waaaaah.”

Even with around thirty people moving around, it felt spacious.

Great view. Great lighting.

Rihyuk inhaled sharply while looking at the automatically controlled temperature and humidity system.

“Oh? The settings are perfect. The humidity’s ideal for singing and warming up.”

“Really?”

We tested it with “Ahhh~ five hundred won,” and he was right.

The staff member smiled and handed over a security card.

“Use this when entering.”

“Thank you!”

“If you need anything, just call the number on the card.”

We bowed politely and were left alone in the practice room.

After briefly looking around, we started stretching.

Since filming at SNH ended earlier than expected, we still had an hour before the scheduled time.

“TNT sunbaes or Daylight sunbaes might take longer, right?”

“Some of them have schedules.”

While Bijoo calculated practice time in his head, I said with a grin, “But one of them will definitely show up fast.”

I knew someone as much of a practice addict as Bijoo.

Bijoo immediately understood.

“Taehyun sunbae?”

“Yeah.”

Speak of the tiger—

The door opened.

“Hi!”

“Hello, sunbae!”

“Long time no see. Ah~ why are you greeting me so formally? I thought we’d gotten closer.”

Taehyun waved off the bowing younger members with a laugh.

His accessories jingled as he unwound his scarf over a luxurious coat.

He walked over to me.

“Hyung~”

I clasped his hand and patted his back lightly.

“Man, it’s been forever.”

“Two months? Since year-end at TBC.”

“Right.”

As we exchanged congratulations—new song in January, Grammy nomination—I found myself smiling.

There are people who instantly put you at ease.

For me, it was him.

Apparently the same for him.

Usually he would dive straight into practice, but today he chatted at length.

“What did you drive? Company car?”

“No. I drove myself.”

“When did you get your license?”

“Not long ago. I’m still a beginner.”

I immediately started scolding him about accidents, and he grimaced.

“You and your nagging.”

“It’s not nagging. It’s because I care about you—”

“You still nag a lot these days, right?”

The younger members nodded, and Taehyun burst out laughing.

We stretched while talking.

He chatted mostly with Bijoo.

“Hyung, I loved your new choreography.”

“Not bad, right?”

“The isolation head snap part was amazing.”

Main dancers had something that connected them.

One sly. One softer.

Different personalities, but the same diligent core.

About thirty minutes later, as we practiced separately, TNT members began arriving one by one.

“Yo!”

Leader Koo Sunwoong, main vocalist Shin Jooyoung, down to the youngest Seok Jihoon.

They seemed awkward yet happy to see each other.

How could you tell they were awkward?

They talked with me in the middle.

“Ah, say something to Sunwoong hyung. He keeps talking about the army these days. Woojoo hyung.”

“It’s about time.”

Koo Sunwoong, born in 1990 and set to enlist this year, scratched his head.

“Man... the army....”

“National defense is sacred, hyung.”

“You... you can say that. You’ve already been.”

I stepped back.

That gloomy mood only gets resolved once you enlist.

In the meantime, we chatted about updates.

Nearby, Seok Jihoon complained about unpaid drama fees.

“The production company hasn’t paid me. They’re basically saying screw you.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. We’re filing a lawsuit, but the company’s dragging their feet.”

“Huh....”

“How’s Lemon? My contract’s short anyway.”

I also saw Rihyuk talking OST industry with Shin Jooyoung.

Amid that, someone winked at me.

“What.”

“Aing~”

A handsome man with a nose straight out of a martial arts drama winked.

“You know, right?”

“Know what?”

“Our relationship? About to be tightly intertwined?”

I nodded quietly when he asked if our contract agreement was still valid.

“Is it a secret from the others?”

“Yeah. Especially from Sunwoong hyung. He’s got a loose mouth.”

“Th... that’s true.”

“Then when are you coming?”

“Like we said last year—around autumn.”

After agreeing to coordinate through the companies, the awkwardness among TNT began melting away.

When old stories resurfaced—

“Ah. Right.”

Sunwoong asked, “Woojoo, do you remember Kim Jooan?”

“Ah. Jooan hyung?”

The yellow-haired, mischievous trainee from back then came to mind.

“He’s getting married.”

“Oh, that’s good.”

“He asked if you might come.”

“When’s the date?”

“March 30.”

“That’s comeback prep season. Tell him congratulations.”

“Okay.”

Taehyun and the others clicked their tongues at Sunwoong’s lack of tact.

Still, the mood softened.

Then—

“Daylight noona—”

TNT described them.

“New Black’s female version.”

“Agreed.”

Just as we were about to ask more—

Knock knock.

“Who is it?”

“Daylight’s Lee Anne.”

“Oh! Hello, sunbae!”

“Sorry, but... can you open the door? I can’t get in.”

“...?”

“They changed the practice room password... I think the ban telling me to rest hasn’t been lifted yet....”

“....”

“Do you not have a security card?”

“Oh that?”

Now audible in person—

“I lost it. Ha ha ha!”

“....”

“....”

TNT members looked at us with an expression that said, “Doesn’t that feel familiar?”

We pretended not to notice.