Chapter 924: We are, well... uh... henchmen. (14)

National idol.

Almost everyone agreed that NewBlack were national idols.

“NewBlack? Even my grandfather knows all the kids’ names. He always calls Junghyun ‘Junheon,’ though....”

“My son’s in elementary school, and whenever NewBlack does something, all the kids at school copy it and play it out.”

“Of course I know Sun Wooju! The pride of our Sun clan! ...Wait, his surname is Sun?”

An idol group whose names and faces were known even to the middle aged and elderly.

And because of that...

“They won an award!”

“Oh my! They won!”

“Hurry up! NewBlack won an award!”

What would have been covered as a simple news report for any other singer—the Billboard Awards—was being broadcast live on public television.

[Three-time winners at the Billboard Awards! They brought home no less than three trophies...]

A music critic shouted excitedly like a sports announcer yelling, “They’re medals! Medals!”

And Koreans cheered with delight.

Because of that, news of NewBlack’s Billboard Awards became the hottest topic in everyday conversation.

“Did you watch the awards broadcast? NewBlack won.”

“They’re insanely popular in America. The cheers were unbelievable.”

“But didn’t some weird guys called Moonlight or something latch onto them this time?”

As the American music awards show with the highest recognition among the general public, the reactions were blazing hot.

-Proud of themㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-I don’t even know why but I’m in such a good moodㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-It’s like the snot-nosed kid next door who used to call me noona all the time just got into Harvard

-And he’s still a snot-nosed kid

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Our household dummies won a Billboard awardㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Koreans reacted as if it were their own achievement.

When choosing fabric softener at the supermarket, they picked the one labeled [Ri Hyuk’s Recommended Scent!].

They grabbed the bag of chips with Junghyun giving a thumbs-up, or the meal kit with Biju smiling on the package.

They went into luxury boutiques to try outfits similar to what Wooju had worn.

And users of the game Jiho often played were flooding the world chat window.

-Pride of the Henia server [Seo Ri Hyuk], congratulations on the Billboard award

-Congrats Jiho hyung

-I’m confused, is Ri Hyuk Jiho???

-Yeah, he didn’t want to get flamed

-That’s hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

And.

With all this attention focused on NewBlack, there were people moving busily behind the scenes.

“Strike while the iron’s hot!”

“We’re making the best teaser possible!”

It was the production team of <Honey, I’m Going Fishing>.

[Dun-dun!]

It started with a single teaser uploaded to MyTube.

An American celebrity holding the award card called out NewBlack’s name, and cheers exploded from the venue.

NewBlack’s name repeated three times!

[Three-time winners at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards!]

[Global superstars NewBlack!]

And then the caption appeared.

[...What if they go fishing?]

The scene switched immediately.

Ri Hyuk blushing after being slapped in the face by a carp.

“It’s an eel!” Jiho exclaimed happily while pointing at a snake.

“Over there!” someone said, and Biju cast his line in the opposite direction.

The screen turned black with white text.

[Tonight]

[Find out on <Honey, I’m Going Fishing>!]

Interest was already high because of the previous broadcast.

With the added news of the Billboard win, even viewers who had never cared about fishing variety shows were tuning in.

‘This looks fun.’

‘Feels like guaranteed laughs.’

‘Guess I’ll watch NewBlack on variety for once.’

That was why the SamBlack special set a record for the highest ratings in the show’s history.

The second episode of the SamBlack special aired!

Viewers crowded in.

-Look at the number of viewers todayㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Isn’t today basically NewBlack Day?

-I was going to diet but it’s NewBlack Day so I’m eating chicken ㅡㅡ It’s NewBlack’s fault anyway

-I was congratulating NewBlack on Billboard and tripped and accidentally hit the delivery order buttonㅠㅠㅠ

People gathered to watch something fun.

As usual, the age rating notice popped up and last week’s highlights rolled.

After Ri Hyuk’s life-or-death duel with a carp brought huge laughs, the episode picked up right where it had ended.

[Oh my, nice to meet you~ I’m the man who happens to be Junghyun’s grandfather.]

A warm-looking elderly man appeared on screen.

Of course, only his expression was warm.

-Grandfather’s faceㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I feel like I saw him in Three Kingdoms, wasn’t he Huang Zhong..?

-He makes Junghyun look like soft tofuㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The grandson is weak (fact)

-Those muscles at that age... is that even possible??

-My grandma is very satisfied

With sharp features, Junghyun was often named as the second most handsome in NewBlack after Wooju.

Yet the grandfather’s presence was so strong that Junghyun looked gentle in comparison.

-Look how tame the entertainers areㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Why does Teacher Baeksanggyo have his hands clasped like that

-I’d be polite too

-You better be careful unless you want to end up like that snakeㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Kim Taekman shyly sending a video message to his grandson.

When the production staff said they would move fishing spots because the fish weren’t biting, he looked skeptical.

[No fish here?]

A genuinely confused expression.

Then he demonstrated himself.

“Oh, he’s fishing...”

Viewers watched with interest.

Kim Taekman’s hand suddenly shot into the water.

“?”

“??”

Like a harpoon.

When he pulled his hand out, a fish flopped in his grip.

-Fishing (physical force)

-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Look at the fishermen’s facesㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Well, he caught it, so it’s fishingㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

At first, no one believed it.

That Junghyun’s grandfather was stronger than the twenty-something Junghyun.

‘Come on. Age is still age....’

But after that scene, viewers were convinced.

Even Kim Junghyun probably couldn’t do that.

-He was just a tiny cute grandson

-Junghyun is a baby..

-People like that founded the country back in the day

-Good thing he lives in an era with photos and videoㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ If not, historians in 100 years would say “That superhuman strength symbolically represented royal authority”

-What does “weak” even mean in that family

He even picked up a fishing rod and sat down, as if to show them how it was really done.

Middle aged male viewers, longtime fans of the show, laughed.

At a seaside sashimi restaurant, fishermen watching on TV clinked glasses and chuckled.

“He’s funny. But fishing isn’t just about strength.”

“Exactly! If that worked, bodybuilders would be the best fishermen.”

“Wasn’t there a national soccer player last time? He went home empty handed.”

“Fishing isn’t that easy!” they insisted.

Soon, when Kim Taekman scratched the back of his head and said, “Nothing’s biting,” they laughed in triumph.

But then.

[There’s always a way at times like this.]

[Worheoi~]

“Hahaha!”

“Haha! As if fish would react to something like—”

[Wow! Incredible! Hyungs, look at that! He’s catching fish!]

-Huh?

[H-He’s really catching fish!]

“Catching?”

“He’s catching them?”

The moment he shouted “Worheoi~,” fish were caught.

“....”

“....”

The fishermen tilted their heads.

“Freshwater fishing... does that work?”

“He... caught them.”

“Where was that? Goesan? Might have to try that.”

As they chatted about going to try it themselves—

[Now, where did I put the keys.]

After his surprise appearance, Kim Taekman searched for his truck keys.

Then he lifted the truck.

Viewers burst out laughing.

-Grandfather... normal people don’t lift a truck to look for keys..

-Even Junghyun can’t do thatㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-The point is he doesn’t even realize he’s extraordinaryㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Short appearance but the best cameo in the show’s history..

The staff’s caption appeared.

[A presence that lingers even after he leaves]

His impact was so intense that the afterimage still seemed to remain.

The dazed production team and SamBlack resumed the fishing battle.

The quiet competition flared up again.

[We have never lost to anyone who isn’t an elementary schooler!]

[That’s right!]

The entertainers fired back.

[We’ve never lost to anyone more handsome than us either!]

[That... is true....]

A petty fishing battle between adults and young men, sabotaging each other shamelessly!

Just as viewers laughed at the childish competition—

[However....]

The caption appeared.

[Today’s winner was neither NewBlack nor the Honey Fishing team.]

Viewers grew curious.

‘Then who won?’

If neither side won, then who did?

As if answering them, a robot appeared on screen.

“Oh, that!”

“I forgot about that.”

It was the WooJunghyun Bot.

A fishing robot with Wooju and Junghyun’s photos taped onto it.

The screen narrowed like a movie scene, and a flashback began.

[This robot.]

At a pre-meeting with the production team, the KAIST research team demonstrated it.

But its clumsy appearance drew skepticism.

[Is real fishing actually possible?]

[We believe it is possible. Though we’re a bit skeptical ourselves....]

As various demonstrations were shown, the camera zoomed in on the robot sitting alone.

It felt like humans had developed Skynet and were carelessly thinking, ‘It’s nothing.’

With ominous background music, the show returned to the present.

[Whirr]

[Click]

When the robot first caught a fish, Ri Hyuk and the KAIST graduate students high-fived in excitement.

[The improvement worked, Ri Hyuk!]

-It really worked!

After some adjustments, the robot’s movements changed.

Finally recording its first catch, Jiho patted its head.

“Good job, hyungs!”

The robot seemed ready to show something more.

“Hmm.”

At the restaurant, the fishermen shook their heads.

“Fishing is done by people.”

“It’s not a skill you can just replicate with a robot. Just hanging a rod doesn’t mean fish will bite.”

“Right.”

“No matter how advanced a machine is, it can’t match a human hand.”

At that moment.

[Whirr-]

[Click-]

The fishermen froze with their soju glasses halfway raised.

‘Huh?’

[Whiiiiiirr-]

[Click-]

Every time the arm lifted and lowered, fish ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) were caught one after another.

While fishermen nationwide stared blankly, viewers burst into laughter.

-Look at their facesㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Truly the era of AlphaGo

-NewBlack beat machine-picked music but lost to a fishing machineㅠㅠㅠ

-From next week it’s Robot Fishing instead of Honey Fishing

-Drone fishing nextㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-Drone fishing existsㅇㅇ You drop the line over 100 meters with a drone

-Drone fishing... exists?

As the live comments flew by, the show approached its finale.

[...]

[...]

People who should have been sitting relaxed after finishing fishing were instead sitting around the table, dazed and hollow-eyed.

Jiho spoke tearfully.

[...We lost to a machine.]

[W-What did I even create...?]

Ri Hyuk, who had helped improve the mechanism, covered his face in despair.

But that was only how the people on site felt.

Viewers had been laughing endlessly because of the robot.

After all, midway through, the humans had formed an alliance just to defeat it.

[Seriously! Don’t ever invite robots again!]

Trot singer Baeksanggyo and the others scolded the staff while viewers nodded at what came next.

“Finally....”

“It’s time for that.”

People watching live TV on tablets and phones stood up.

Perhaps because of last week’s teaser.

They opened their refrigerators and took out the fish they had prepared.

[Biju’s Braised Fish Recipe!]

Viewers had already bought ingredients and were waiting.

On screen, Biju in an apron and transparent mask began cooking.

[Add a bit of oil here. This much red pepper paste....]

He explained how much to measure depending on the amount of fish.

He even suggested substitutes if certain ingredients weren’t available.

Like a professional chef, he gave detailed instructions.

Jiho asked,

[Hyung, don’t you measure?]

[I can tell just by looking.]

Embarrassed by the admiration, Biju began cooking.

[Boiling-]

While it simmered on TV, NewBlack shared stories from their trainee and rookie days.

By the time it was finished onscreen, the dish was ready in reality too.

Entertainer Choo Giseok took a bite and widened his eyes.

[Oh?! Huh...?! What is this? It’s good!]

[Wow.......]

[It’s better than what my mom makes?]

The exaggerated praise continued as viewers laughed.

‘It’s braised fish. No matter how good, it’s still braised fish.’

But near the end of the broadcast, viewers tasted theirs.

They took a sip of the broth.

“!”

“!!”

Eyes widened.

‘It’s delicious!’

Not too sweet or salty.

Perfectly seasoned.

Sweet and spicy broth that made their mouths water.

And the fish—

‘I’m sensitive to fishy smells, but there’s none...!’

‘It’s so good!’

They placed tender radish over the white flesh and took a bite.

‘No wonder they reacted like that on TV.’

‘I need more rice!’

Instant rice was heated.

“This is really good?”

“Wait, is this really what it’s supposed to taste like? There’s nothing special in it.”

“I followed the recipe and it tastes exactly like this.”

People devoured braised fish instead of late night snacks.

They barely heard NewBlack’s farewell greetings.

All they saw was the braised fish.

And.

[Posts flooding in about Biju’s braised fish recipe]

[You HAVE to try the braised fish recipeㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ It’s insanely good]

[Biju’s braised fish is legendary]

Posts began appearing online immediately.

‘I have to share this deliciousness!’

‘I can’t keep it to myself!’

Koreans were passionate about good food.

Thus began the “Braised Fish Craze.”

Across the sea, in our beloved homeland.

The commotion in Korea reached our ears.

[Fish section at the mart today]

Sold out

An online post showed a photo of an empty fish section.

People had bought every fish suitable for braising.

Screenshots of mackerel marked [Sold Out] in delivery apps.

Jiho said,

“Other celebrities sell out cosmetics, but we sell out fish.”

“Yeah.”

It reminded me of when we received a plaque of appreciation from livestock farmers during the Newbulbaek days.

Meanwhile, Biju looked stunned.

“I... didn’t think it would get this kind of reaction.”

“No, Biju. It deserves it.”

As someone who tasted it, I had to admit.

Junghyun usually had the most sensitive nose in our house.

But there was someone even more sensitive to certain smells—like food odors or fishiness.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

For that person, Biju had developed this braised fish to make sure they got their omega 3.

There was no way it wouldn’t be good.

Online reactions were exploding.

-It’s seriously so goodㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Biju, bless you, this college student is crying

-Biju should start a cooking channel on MyTube, it would blow up

-I’m terrible at cooking but this was so easy and good. I always failed with chef recipes but finally succeededㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Praise from a housewife~~

As we read them, our second child cupped his cheeks.

He even blushed slightly, looking incredibly happy.

I smiled.

“You’re that happy?”

“Yes.”

Biju smiled shyly.

“I really love this kind of thing. When I share something good or tasty and other people like it too, it makes me so happy, you know?”

“I know that feeling.”

“Hyung, look at this comment. Someone said she couldn’t eat braised fish because of the smell during pregnancy, but she could with my recipe.”

“Really?”

“And this person lives alone and...”

Our second child looked happy that his recipe had helped people in small ways.

What kind of kid is this.

“Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?”

“I was just thinking what kind of kid you are....”

In a slightly different sense.

While I smiled at Ri Hyuk, I saw comments praising him in the MyTube clip.

-He should’ve gone into science

-Ri Hyuk, it’s not too late, become a grad student

-No, you devilㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Ri Hyuk, instead of Billboard, how about Nobel? It’s a pretty hot award

-As someone in the field, I was impressed. The basic idea itself was good. He has strong researcher instincts

-But his main job is going too well..

-Trueㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

When I showed him the comments praising his research instincts, his mouth stretched wide in a grin.

Amid all the reactions about my younger brothers—

While watching fitness YouTubers talk about Junghyun’s grandfather’s muscles—

“Hmm?”

One post caught my eye.

[Found a broadcast where Kim Junghyun appeared as a kidㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

Apparently someone had dug up an old show featuring his grandfather.

I called Junghyun.

“Junghyun.”

“Yes?”

“Did your grandfather appear on <Oh My, There’s Something Like This> a long time ago?”

“Uh. Yes.”

He said it was in the early 2000s as a muscular grandfather.

“And it says you appeared too?”

“...!”

“Looks like you did.”

“Th-That...!”

Junghyun said,

“Th-That’s not okay.”

“Why?”

“Because...”

His reaction looked oddly embarrassed.

We clicked the link.

The thumbnail appeared from the HBS MyTube account.

[The Small and Frail(?) Childhood of Kim Junghyun]

A thumbnail of little Junghyun lying down with a handkerchief on his forehead.

‘Oh?’

‘Oh ho?’

What could this be?

Interest piqued, our lips curled up in delight.