Chapter 929: We are, well... uh... henchmen. (19)

I once saw a post online.

No matter how big the K-pop industry gets, it still can’t beat dumpling exports in revenue.

Of course, now we beat dumplings.

If you add concerts, merchandise, and all the additional revenue streams, NewBlack has reached the point where dumplings are no longer a problem.

"But we couldn’t beat braised fish."

At Junghyun’s words, all of us covered our faces.

"Ah..."

"Ahhh..."

That’s right.

NewBlack—the Billboard #1 artist.

Completely defeated by braised fish.

"We really did everything..."

We walked the red carpet at the Met Gala in dazzling outfits.

We won three awards at the Billboard Music Awards.

We were even invited as one of the 100 most important people in the world and performed at the Time 100 Gala.

And yet, the result was—

-[Trend Analysis] May’s biggest issue: “Braised Fish”... “A recipe that captivated the entire nation”

-Top search keywords in May: #1 Braised Fish, #2 NewBlack

-“Biju’s Braised Fish” trending... what’s the secret behind the taste?

Even combined, all our activities couldn’t beat a single braised fish recipe created by Biju.

Ri Hyuk said,

"But honestly, Biju hyung’s recipe deserves it. Even I, who don’t usually eat fish, love it."

"That’s true."

We had to admit it.

Simple recipe.

Easy ingredients.

Ridiculously good taste.

That’s why the internet was exploding with reviews.

-So freaking goodㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Biju marry me

-Please publish a recipe bookㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-I didn’t even like braised fish but now I eat it every day

-He would’ve made it big as a chef even without being an idol

Because of this popularity, Biju was appearing everywhere.

Cooking shows.

Guest appearances on variety programs.

"Hyung."

"Yeah?"

Jiho said,

"Since things turned out like this, what if we make the next NewUniverse project a cooking variety?"

"A restaurant abroad? That’s kind of overdone these days."

"No, not that. Just cooking-related content in general."

"Hmm."

It was tempting.

My brain started calculating.

[National idol + delicious food = ???]

Jackpot.

"This will work. This will definitely blow up."

"I don’t usually hype things, but this one’s real."

We all nodded.

We’d bring it up during the next meeting for NewUniverse.

Then we went back to monitoring reactions.

"There’s another article about Biju hyung. A food critic commented on his recipe."

"Really?"

"And this person mentioned him on Twitter—they’re a famous foreign chef..."

We shared posts in the group chat.

Most reactions were overwhelmingly positive.

"Hehe... Biju... hehe..."

"Hehe... second hyung..."

We were grinning nonstop.

"That chef—isn’t he famous?"

"Yeah. Bobby Ross."

A well-known chef who appeared often on reality shows.

Massive muscles.

He was live streaming in his chef uniform.

[My subscribers told me to check out a recipe made by a member of NewBlack. The fans... Souffle?]

He winked.

[I reviewed the recipe. Very impressive. The flavor wasn’t exactly my taste, but the way B developed it is really fresh.]

He praised Biju’s instinctive approach.

Then—

he adapted it to suit American tastes.

"Whoa."

"That’s..."

The dish transformed into something like a Mediterranean fish stew.

We swallowed.

[If NewBlack is watching, come visit my restaurant. Let’s do a cooking collaboration.]

"Where is that? If it’s LA, we can go when we perform at the Rose Bowl."

"It is LA."

"Hyung, let’s go."

"If we have time."

Even globally famous chefs were reacting.

But not everything was positive.

-Too much seasoning lol

-If you add that much MSG anything tastes good

-This will damage your brain

-Pretending to be a cooking expert while dumping MSG

Criticism about seasoning.

"Is it really that much?"

"Doesn’t seem like it."

Different opinions.

It just meant people cared.

Even overseas—

"Look at this."

Ri Hyuk showed a Japanese article.

[Super-popular Korean idol NewBlack conquers braised fish?]

Even Japanese TV had recreated it.

"It’s good... but somehow it feels more Japanese."

"You think so too?"

A food critic stroked his mustache.

"Ultimately, braised fish belongs to Japan. I can see that influence in Biju’s recipe. It reminds me of Japanese mackerel stew."

We stared blankly.

"..."

"..."

I asked,

"Since when were there four major cuisines?"

"Usually people say three—Thailand, France, Italy."

"...Right."

Still—

the global reaction made us smile.

"Honestly, this might have more impact than music."

"Well... everyone eats."

Cooking content.

A global format.

Jiho added,

"By the way, companies are contacting the TF team."

"For what?"

"Franchises. Meal kits."

Makes sense.

Collaborations.

Products.

"Biju’s Super Rolling Power Chicken!"

We laughed—

but then—

I looked at Biju’s photo.

Smiling.

Surrounded by attention.

And a thought formed.

"...Hmm."

Cooking.

Something universal.

"What is it?"

"Our global album."

I looked at them.

"What about making the theme cooking?"

The response was positive.

"Sounds good."

"Food is universal."

"What about the title track—Rice?"

Everyone agreed.

Even Biju.

"I like it."

"We can do fun choreography too."

He added,

"If it doesn’t work, you can drop it."

"Got it."

We’d discuss it with the TF team.

Then—

we moved on to schedules.

Meetings.

Filming.

At the NewUniverse office—

"We finished editing episode one."

"I’ll watch it when it airs."

Excitement built.

Then—

TF team meeting.

U.S. success.

Met Gala buzz.

"Your recognition has skyrocketed, Wooju."

Applause.

"Also, Midnight Sun re-entered the Billboard Hot 100."

Then—

individual schedules.

Acting.

Music.

Projects.

And—

I visited the film office.

.

The biopic about my father.

Staff looked exhausted.

"Are you okay?"

"This industry is like this."

Long hours.

Heavy workload.

Then—

"Investment has increased."

"Really?"

"Even actors want cameo roles."

Looks like the Met Gala helped.

We discussed OST.

Filming.

Then—

"You heading to tour prep?"

"That too."

I smiled.

"But first—I need to take care of a baby."

"..."

"..."

Shocked faces.

"I mean the childcare variety show."

Relief.

Lesson learned.

Finally—

we gathered for the parenting show meeting.

"Any advice?"

A staff member smiled.

"There’s one rule."

"What is it?"

"You probably prepared a lot."

"Yes."

"But—"

Everyone joined in.

"It will never go as planned."

"..."

"Your soul will break."

"Your body will be crushed under tiny feet."

"..."

They laughed.

We closed our eyes.

‘Connection farming: total failure.’

We had surrounded ourselves—

with very strange adults.