Chapter 940: I’m going to buy New Black at the supermarket (11)

Honestly, until the highlight video started, the reporters didn’t think much of it.

How much power the combination of a national idol and a national PD actually had—

[What? Wooju, where are you going? Where is he going?]

[Wooju!]

While the production team murmured inside their vehicle, Wooju’s car pulled away, leaving them behind in the distance.

Seo Ri Hyuk’s car, caught up in the chaos, was pushed all the way out of the rest stop and onto the highway.

[Where did Ri Hyuk go...?]

The screen showed LB and Jang Sowon from SB, who had just come out of the rest stop with snacks, standing there dumbfounded, holding tornado potatoes.

The reporters burst out laughing.

At the same time, their fingers flew across their keyboards.

D-2 before premiere, New Universe highlight video already “bursting with laughter”

Attention on Junghyun in New Universe highlight... now even driving buses

All-round idol NewBlack’s unique challenge, New Universe press conference “expectations rising!”

After quickly sending in their articles, the reporters relaxed and turned back to the screen.

Now that they had at least one piece published, they could watch more comfortably—

as viewers.

‘This looks fun?’

Entertainment reporters, by nature, have picky tastes.

Not because they’re trying to nitpick, but because this is what they see every day.

To someone who watches a movie every day, most films don’t impress.

Likewise, reporters who attend endless press conferences rarely feel anything from highlight reels.

But this one felt different.

“Looks like PD Gu really sharpened his blade.”

“He seriously came out swinging. I heard when he left TBC, a vice president mocked him—said he’s only Gu Jaeyoung on a major network, but outside he’s nothing.”

“To his face?”

“No, at a drinking party with executives. But that’s basically the same thing. There’s no way it wouldn’t reach him.”

As they spoke, their gazes turned toward Gu Jaeyoung.

‘Poor guy.’

He was known among reporters for his good manners.

Still, before the highlight video, even they had looked at him with uncertainty.

Can Gu Jaeyoung succeed outside of Dice Around the World?

The PD who had elevated his debut program Dice Around the World into a national variety show.

Even its competitor, PBS’s Mr. Producer, couldn’t match the legacy it had built.

Though ratings had declined toward the end due to repetition and fatigue, it remained popular until its finale.

But—

TBC PD Gu Jaeyoung suspected of demotion... internal politics controversy reignites

After a new president took office, internal politics grew messy.

Gu Jaeyoung got caught in the crossfire.

While factions demanded his allegiance, he simply said, “I just want to make variety shows.”

That, apparently, offended them.

Of course, a sane executive team wouldn’t normally push out a star PD—

but—

‘They thought he only had one hit.’

A PD whose entire career began and ended with one show.

Like a film director with a single blockbuster.

And with ratings declining, executives likely thought:

‘We can make him bow if we push him.’

So he had two choices: leave and struggle, or stay and submit.

He chose.

He resigned.

Dice Around the World PD Gu Jaeyoung joins NewBlack... transfers to NBS

A shocking decision.

‘NBS is a startup channel.’

‘What’s he thinking?’

‘Did they offer a huge salary?’

Even with one hit, Gu Jaeyoung was still Gu Jaeyoung.

There were rumors of massive offers from GTV and even major networks.

Yet he chose NBS.

When asked why, he gave a simple answer:

I’m someone whose life begins and ends with variety shows. They said I could make something fun, so I went.

Of course, performance-based compensation is included. CEO Park Gyuho is a great man.

Still, reporters couldn’t understand.

‘If it were me, I’d take the guaranteed money.’

But now—

they understood.

“This could actually blow up.”

“This is no joke.”

The teaser was extraordinary.

‘If this hits...’

It wouldn’t just be tens of millions—

it could be hundreds.

And if NBS grew, he’d become a founding pillar.

‘We thought he was just a simple variety guy...!’

‘That bandit face was hiding a strategist.’

‘As expected of a national PD...’

Of course, that was just the reporters’ interpretation.

The man himself was just stroking his beard while watching the highlight.

‘The editing isn’t that great... hmm... that cut should’ve gone here... ah, this is embarrassing.’

Like a college student reviewing a rushed assignment.

He really had just moved to NBS to make something fun.

While everyone dreamed different dreams—

“NewBlack is insane. They never fail in variety.”

“I get why Gu moved. I heard NewBlack personally called him.”

“That’s true?”

“Yeah, directly.”

“Wow... that kind of ambition...”

Even in that short highlight, there were dozens of killing points.

And if that was just the highlight—

the full broadcast would have even more.

‘With those guys and that PD...’

A perfect match of variety-optimized idols and a master PD.

The chemistry was explosive.

Then—

[Challenge! Black Bell!]

[We’re waiting for Souffle’s challenge!]

The latter half showed fans joining the show.

A rainy village hall.

Dancing together. A mini concert.

Warmth and fun combined.

[New Universe Project]

Whatever it is—do it your way.

As [N O V E L I G H T] the calm BGM played and the logo appeared, staff applause filled the room.

The reporters’ expressions changed.

More serious now.

Thank you for watching.

Gu Jaeyoung lifted the mic.

We’ll now take questions.

Hands shot up.

Five minutes.

“That’s a relief.”

“The response is good.”

We whispered excitedly in the dark.

Reporters—usually expressionless—were smiling.

‘Success!’

We high-fived under the table.

Hit shows often showed signs early.

Good press didn’t guarantee success—

but most successful shows started like this.

We’ll now take questions.

Immediately—

questions poured in.

Season format.

Casting top stars.

Future themes.

Gu Jaeyoung answered smoothly.

Yes, it will be seasonal. Our NewBlack is shaking the world, after all.

We smiled awkwardly. Reporters laughed.

It’s impossible to match their schedule year-round.

“Based on your experience?”

Reporter Jang, you’ve already written the headline, haven’t you?

Laughter.

After PD answers—

we answered too.

Then—

“Why was New Universe created?”

“Ah.”

We nodded.

“There’s a deep reason.”

“December 19, 2017...”

Junghyun began dramatically.

“We ranked 9th in Gallup’s Variety Entertainer ranking.”

“But...”

Jiho added sadly.

“We were 7th in 2016!”

Laughter.

“So this was our first regression.”

“That’s right.”

“We couldn’t accept that. So we created New Universe to enter the Top 5 in 2018.”

Perfect headline bait.

Articles went up instantly.

“Gallup ranking started it all”

“We’ll enter Top 5”

“We aim for #1”

I took the mic.

“As for the next project... can I say this?”

I glanced at Gu Jaeyoung.

“Just a little.”

“Alright.”

I dropped the bait.

“We’re planning about three projects. After driving... we’re considering cooking.”

More headlines.

“Cooking next?”

“NewBlack takes on food shows?”

Ideas flooded in—

chef collabs, food trucks—

We acted troubled.

Gu Jaeyoung smiled like a con artist.

“We’ll keep that a secret.”

‘Bait successful.’

In reality—

there was no solid plan yet.

But that’s part of the job.

Even CEOs once showcased unfinished phones saying, “A new world~”

‘No plan yet.’

‘Thanks for the ideas.’

The PD was happily taking notes.

Q&A continued.

The atmosphere heated up.

Laughter flowed.

No one said it aloud—

but everyone felt it.

A hit.

Final question.

“Any ratings pledge?”

Gu Jaeyoung handed us the mic.

“We aim big. 10%.”

“If we exceed it, we’ll send all staff on overseas trips.”

Cheers.

“And if we somehow reach 15%—”

Biju continued.

“Viewers like seeing us struggle.”

Laughter.

“So if we hit 15%—we’ll go to Alaska.”

Typing frenzy.

Then—

“What about 20%?!”

“20%...?”

I laughed.

Current record: 16.3%.

“Then...”

We looked at each other.

“Should we go to Antarctica?”

“Sounds good.”

“If we hit 20%—we’ll go to Antarctica!”

Keyboard chaos.

We shrugged.

‘Like that’ll happen.’

TJ Entertainment.

“Hey! Big news!”

“What?”

“Wooju hyung said he’ll go to Antarctica.”

“You’re late.”

TNT members laughed.

“What confidence.”

“He’s underestimating himself.”

They saved memes.

[We’ll go to Antarctica. Definitely.]

Posts spread.

“Let’s send them there.”

“Finally revenge.”

“Let’s make it happen.”

From TNT to SB, Scarlet, Teen Spirit—

even actor Lee Gyeonwoo smiled.

“Promote it more...”

Everyone thought the same:

‘Let it succeed so they go to Antarctica.’

‘We support you!’

‘Let’s walk the Antarctica path together!’

...

At that moment—

it became clear.

NewBlack’s network of connections—

was a complete disaster.