Chapter 846: Is This the Land of the New Black? (22)

Dream team.

A word commonly used in sports when the very best players are brought together on one team.

It was also a term the media used whenever top experts from any field gathered to showcase peak skill.

In that sense, the people standing before them now could only be called a K-pop dream team.

holy sh—

what the hell

what is this right now????

wow this is insane, I’m so hyped lol

was there a joint stage??? no wonder it ended early

Every time idol fans refreshed their SNS feeds or forums, the pages lagged from the traffic.

Who could have imagined it.

‘An actual joint stage?’

They had heard the news that the groups would practice together at SNH Entertainment, but no one expected something this full-scale.

Or rather—

Given that much rehearsal time, maybe a stage like this was inevitable.

‘Still... I thought it wouldn’t happen.’

No one believed it would.

Because joint stages between top-tier K-pop groups were incredibly rare.

Ever since the late 2000s and into the third generation, it had become almost nonexistent.

There were two reasons.

First, there was usually only one group considered the absolute top in any given era. With different peak periods, they rarely overlapped.

Like how Taejo Wang Geon and Yi Seonggye couldn’t collaborate to found a nation together.

And the second reason—

‘It could spark skill controversies.’

One of the reasons established idol groups avoided survival shows or joint stages.

There was no need to create opportunities for comparison and ranking.

I don’t get it. They’re worse than rookies, so why are they popular? Their live is trash......

How are they even popular with that level of skill? Saying skill matters in idols is honestly bullshit.

I’m curious what those executives were thinking sending them to a survival show lol. Where did that confidence come from?

Feels like they’ve lost their edge. I miss when they had that intensity in their eyes

Expectations were so high that even doing well only meant breaking even.

That was why singers usually avoided giving others a chance to compare them directly through joint stages.

But if this stage had actually been made—

‘They’re insanely confident...’

It meant all three groups believed they wouldn’t lose in performance.

Then again, despite any controversies, none of the three had ever received harsh criticism for performance.

they gathered only stage masters

this is probably the most expensive collab stage in Korean history lol

I can’t even imagine what’s coming, I’m so excited hahahahaha

wow

but the balance is good: NewBlack Daylight TNT

At first, people were stunned by the joint stage.

But soon their trembling fingers began typing rapidly on their phones.

The reactions to the lineup were overwhelmingly positive.

The reason was simple.

‘They’re not competitors.’

In the current idol landscape, NewBlack overwhelmingly held the top position.

To the point people joked that even if you divided fandom into “NewBlack vs everyone else,” NewBlack might still win.

TNT and Daylight were from the previous generation, now only promoting occasionally.

So there was no reason for a fight.

‘If it were Teen Spirit or Sbo... or Wonder Child... it would’ve been chaos.’

If one of the boy groups considered NewBlack’s direct rivals had joined?

The forums would’ve been filled with metaphorical bombs and Molotov cocktails.

Something like—

NewBlack seems off today... Wonder Child or Sbo are way better

Wonder Child is definitely rising~ the others don’t have that fresh edge anymore

Is it just me? Feels like they’ve lost their original mindset

Sbo kinda looks ugly next to them lol. Why are you mad? As long as you think they’re cute~

male idols suck these days. Let’s stan girl groups instead everyone

Comparing visuals and tearing them down.

Mocking singing and dancing skills.

Arguing about popularity.

Judging whether they had “lost their初心” just by their eyes.

Capturing any small difference and spreading it on communities or SNS pretending it wasn’t intentional.

And if groups of similar seniority—and worse, opposite gender—were mixed in?

It would’ve been exhausting chaos.

‘It’s peaceful.’

Fans of all three groups smiled as they watched idol fans giggling like they were enjoying a collaboration between groups they liked.

‘No song-choice drama either.’

If it were groups of similar seniority to NewBlack, there would’ve been complaints like “Why are they performing NewBlack’s song?” or “Are they just backup?”

But there was barely any of that.

The only noise earlier had been arguments about who would get the ending, but now even that had quieted down.

Daylight and TNT fans made a guess.

‘The ones complaining earlier were probably NewBlack antis...’

If you were a fan of these two groups, there was no reason to be dissatisfied with NewBlack.

Director Kim Ikhwan: “Closing ceremony sponsors surged thanks to NewBlack... with TNT and Daylight, this will be a record-budget stage”

‘Closing Ceremony D-20’ NewBlack: “We wanted to share the stage with seniors we respect”

TNT performing as a full group after over a year... “This will be an incredibly precious time”

If anything, they were grateful.

Unlike NewBlack, which was globally popular, the other two groups were practically on hiatus.

Sure, it would be nice to get the ending.

But it wasn’t a big deal if they didn’t.

Even if they fought, they had no chance of winning anyway.

‘Even if all boy group fans teamed up, they couldn’t beat them...’

Fans of the two groups smiled like generous grandmothers.

As they watched those who had been stirring things up moments ago—

‘But seriously... what kind of stage is this going to be?’

Their eyes sparkled with curiosity as they turned toward the TV.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

NewBlack’s global hit song.

Not just Koreans, but even foreigners who casually enjoyed K-pop opened their mouths in recognition.

‘I know this one!’

‘Finally, a song I know!’

Those who had been enjoying Korean-language songs now stood up in excitement.

In a world where English held linguistic hegemony—

An English track everyone could sing along to filled the venue, and the cheers grew louder.

Daylight’s Harang lifted the mic, singing the opening lines.

“I’m used to the dark

Especially this dark tunnel”

As if to flip the low tone, TNT’s Jihanbin immediately followed with a high note.

“This trembling

Is just everyday life to me”

The idols raised one hand and swayed their shoulders, echoing METRO’s signature choreography.

Like holding onto subway straps and rocking back and forth.

The synchronization drew loud cheers from the crowd.

‘Oh?’

Something new flashed in the fans’ eyes.

Twenty performers in total.

Too many for standard camera framing, so they seemed split into three teams.

‘They divided it perfectly.’

By vocal range, by performance chemistry—

Whatever the criteria, it was clearly well thought out.

“Should I hide or not

If I hide in this darkness”

While NewBlack’s main vocalist sang into the mic, his members layered harmonies.

Behind them, another group performed backup choreography.

The formation rotated endlessly, like a revolver cylinder spinning.

‘They’re good.’

Fans who had initially watched in curiosity now stared, mouths open.

Jiho walked forward lazily, linking arms with Seok Jihoon as they faced the camera.

Their harmonies blended beautifully.

“You won’t see the scars and wounds

But I don’t want that”

As Jiho and Seok Jihoon made a gesture of revealing something—

Daylight and TNT behind them reached out and covered their eyes.

And then—

NewBlack’s rapper burst through the gap.

With a gesture like tapping stars in the air, he began his verse.

“Faint lights

Darkness wrapping all around

Glass turns to mirrors reflecting me

What fills these shining eyes

Is a maze of the heart

Countless versions of me”

Junhyun grinned as he stepped back.

As Daylight’s Dabom and TNT’s Gu Seonung traded rap lines, the audience grew more excited.

Then the chorus hit.

“It’s time to go back for a moment

Beyond that mirror

To find the starlight of the dark metropolis

I’ll return to you”

As the lyrics ended, the melody section began.

Each group’s main dancers gathered at center stage.

A futuristic future bass sound.

Led by Biju, the main dancers began to move, smiling brightly.

Colorful ornaments on their outfits swung wildly.

Hairpins loosened from Daylight’s members as the choreography intensified.

Every movement of their flowing hanbok sleeves drew cheers.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Even someone unfamiliar with performance could see how incredible the synchronization was.

This was what “tight choreography” meant.

Even viewers watching on TV couldn’t help but gasp.

[K-pop’s level is on full display! You can’t take your eyes off the stage!]

Those watching live jumped up and down in excitement.

‘You have to see this in person.’

Fans swallowed hard.

It wasn’t just because it was live.

The constant position changes, the shifting formations—

Professionals executing transitions so fast the camera struggled to keep up.

Goosebumps spread across their skin.

Not a single breath out of place.

And beyond that—

There was a strange sense of teamwork.

Something rarely seen in joint stages.

As if everyone on stage truly belonged to one team.

Exactly as someone had intended.

It has to be different from typical joint stages. When people hear “joint stage,” they think of year-end shows.

Year-end collaborations.

Usually rushed, with minimal rehearsal unless it involved rookies.

That’s not enough. I want to show what it really looks like when people perform as one team. And I want to show international media what a real idol group is, instead of just focusing on competition.

That was why they rehearsed through sleepless nights.

Dialing down their individual colors, blending into each other, creating new combinations.

And now, that effort was shining.

‘They’re incredible. Seriously...’

It was hard to believe.

Daylight, TNT, NewBlack—each had such strong identities.

And yet they blended seamlessly, like they had always been one group.

TNT’s Han Taehyeon and Sun Wooju stood back-to-back like twins, moving their hands in sync.

“You and I

Are like a decalcomania

Closer than anyone

Yet farther than anyone”

They spun and faced each other like mirrors.

Between them, Daylight’s Rian stepped forward.

Her hairpin loosened from the intense choreography—

She pulled it out and threw it to the ground.

Cheers erupted.

With a confident smile, she winked.

“Should I hide or not

But just hiding

Isn’t fun”

As her alluring voice filled the stage, Han Taehyeon and Wooju backed her up.

Rian smiled.

‘Yes. This is it.’

Her gestures carried a thrill.

For the first time in a while, it felt like her soul was alive.

On a stage watched by hundreds of millions worldwide—

She poured out everything she had built and refined.

Led by her, Daylight members also pulled out their hairpins and tossed them aside.

TNT members smiled as they backed them up.

‘The noona line is really fired up... well, so are we.’

Just like during their own stage earlier.

TNT members met eyes with their new partners, matching breaths.

Main vocalist Shin Juyoung locked eyes with Ri Hyuk, aligning tempo.

Baek Seungje and Sujeong closed their distance, feeling each other’s rhythm.

No words needed.

Everything clicked.

As the stage neared its climax—

‘Time to gather.’

At the silent signal from the leader who planned this stage, everyone nodded internally.

The sound swelled.

20 seconds to the highlight.

“Beyond that mirror...”

15 seconds.

Ri Hyuk and Cha Hyeonjeong took the high notes on the wings.

“We don’t know what lies there...”

10 seconds.

Junhyun, Jiho, Jihanbin, and Jang Hanbyeol formed the inner line.

“But we will return...”

5 seconds.

The main dancers, led by Biju, gathered beside the leader.

NewBlack’s leader looked straight into the camera.

“We will return

For sure”

In an instant—

They exploded outward from a single point.

Like a fan spreading open.

They stomped and moved in perfect sync, hanbok sleeves flaring.

Purple lights flooded the stage.

The cheers surged endlessly.

‘This is insane.’

Centered on Wooju, the performers rippled like waves.

Fireworks exploded overhead, lighting up their faces in shifting colors.

They looked like they were having the time of their lives.

Boom!

As fireworks filled the Pyeongchang night sky—

The performers, dancing in formation, reached out and clasped each other’s hands.

Like vines intertwining.

They held hands and struck their ending pose.

Thank you!

At last, the stage came to an end.

Smiling performers.

Ecstatic fans.

Fireworks still bursting above.

A performance no one would forget.

“Huff...!”

“Haah...”

“Ugh... water...”

After nearly five minutes of intense performance—

The singers collapsed around the stage, catching their breath and searching for staff.

“Whew.”

I wiped sweat with the others and gulped down water.

Unlike us, still actively promoting, the others looked like they were dying.

“Ugh...”

I hugged the younger ones as they gasped for air.

Biju’s soaked hair brushed against me.

“Good job. Seriously.”

“Hyung... you too. Whew...”

“What about Ri Hyuk? Is he okay?”

“Don’t worry about me—check on the others.”

Leaving Ri Hyuk, who was bent over gagging, I moved on, hugging others and exchanging high-fives.

Rian grinned in relief.

“That was the hard part.”

“Great work.”

“The hard part? Now the fun begins.”

I nodded and patted Hanbyeol’s shoulder as he panted nearby.

As singers tried to steady themselves—

“They’re extinguishing the cauldron now!”

“Everyone, please prepare for the finale!”

We changed into more comfortable shoes and thicker outerwear.

As we did—

Senior singer No Jaehyeon and other veterans approached.

“You worked hard. That was incredible.”

“You were flying out there. Youth really is something~”

“Good job.”

After thanking them, I looked for someone else.

Hyeongseop from our producing team—shivering.

“Ready?”

“...Yeah.”

“Let’s just do it like we practiced.”

Soon, the call for standby came.

We adjusted our outfits and gathered.

It was time for the true final stage of the closing ceremony.

As the Olympic flame was extinguished—

The Olympics truly came to an end.

[Four years from now, this flame will be lit again... and we’ll meet another Olympics.]

[And now—the final performance of the closing ceremony!]

[Starry Night begins!]

Lights twinkled in the darkness.

Athletes from around the world stepped onto the stage for the final celebration.

Singers holding LED light sticks.

Among them, Suzy Clark—with red, tearful eyes—stood with other Souffle athletes, each holding light sticks.

[Ah—it’s finally starting!]

On stage appeared veteran singer No Jaehyeon.

And not just him—

[As mentioned, all singers have come on stage.]

Veteran singers in padded jackets.

Idols gathered together.

Holding yellow LED light sticks like candles—

No Jaehyeon stepped up to the mic.

“Sailor, oh sailor

Cast aside your worries and move forward”

Without accompaniment, his famous song filled the stadium.

After a few quiet lines—

The melody slowly built.

[Oh?]

[The DJ is coming up.]

At the console stood someone with a headset on one ear.

Kim Hyeongseop.

A producer from Lemon Entertainment, selected for his experience creating EDM remixes.

As athletes reacted with excitement—

Idols smiled, recalling someone’s words.

Don’t feel too pressured. The real ending isn’t us.

It’s not?

No. Since it’s a national event, ending with idols might cause backlash. So I suggested to Director Kim Ikhwan that we try something fresh at the end.

Boom, boom.

The song transformed into EDM.

Trumpets blared, lights flashed.

Blinding brightness.

Then—

A human-faced bird appeared wearing sunglasses.

Singers followed, putting on their own sunglasses.

Veteran singer No Jaehyeon.

Cha Woohyeon and trot queen Gyeon Seonghwa providing chorus.

Twenty idol singers performing backup choreography.

A lineup impossible outside the Olympics.

Wearing sunglasses, No Jaehyeon started dancing.

Idols smiled, standing behind their seniors.

‘No ending controversy.’

‘Festivals end with EDM—that’s the rule.’

Foreign athletes and Koreans alike moved to the beat.

“Waaaaaaaah!”

The final night of the Olympics—

A frenzy of dance unfolded.