Chapter 941: I’m going to buy New Black at the supermarket (12)

A press conference held about two days before the first broadcast.

It goes without saying—the purpose of such an event is to gather as much public attention as possible.

In that sense, New Universe Project’s press conference was a complete success.

“Looks like NewBlack’s getting their own variety show.”

“Really?”

“Isn’t that the one where they drove with celebrities?”

Even people who weren’t particularly interested in the entertainment industry were talking about New Universe in cafés and restaurants.

It was impossible not to know.

The news about New Universe was flooding the internet in real time.

‘National idols’ NewBlack launch solo variety show New Universe Project

[Photo] New Universe press conference, Junghyun: “I drive buses”

D-2 until New Universe Project, variety industry on edge: “Something big is coming”

After the highlight video was released, the buzz only grew stronger.

Wait, why is Junghyun driving a bus????

I NEVER expected that identityㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

????

Kim Junghyun has lost his mindㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

So New Universe is the bus??

Noㅠㅠ it’s NewBlack + Universeㅠㅠ

Junghyun driving a bus.

Ri Hyuk abandoning people at a rest stop and fleeing onto the highway.

People burst into laughter watching the five-minute highlight.

‘This looks fun?’

Beyond just the humor, the editing was impressively clean.

The captions looked like something from major channels like GTV or IBC.

“But where does it air?”

“NBS... I think?”

For most people, it was a completely unfamiliar channel.

“Did they sign with any OTT? I don’t even have a TV.”

“What channel number is it?”

“Ah... it looks fun, but... the channel’s a barrier.”

Even if it had been a mid-tier network, accessibility wouldn’t be an issue.

But a brand-new channel?

‘Too much hassle.’

Unless something became overwhelmingly popular through word of mouth, most people wouldn’t go out of their way to find a new channel.

‘I’ll just watch clips on MyTube.’

While casual viewers thought that—

for entertainment fans and variety show enthusiasts, New Universe was massive news.

Posts flooded online communities.

New Universe D-2 highlight video released

Today’s New Universe teaser

Gu Jaeyoung’s deadly serious shuffle dance

‘What is this jackpot!?’

Excitement built rapidly.

NewBlack—who always delivered big laughs—now had their own show.

And the PD? Gu Jaeyoung.

Plus top-tier guests like Han Taehyun, Lee Gyeonwoo, Cha Woohyun.

This guest lineup looks like an awards showㅋㅋㅋㅋ

And they’re using them for driving lessonsㅋㅋ this tiny scale is so NewBlack

The variety boom is comingㅠㅠㅠ

Finally New Universeㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

What channel is NBS???

I’m definitely watching this

Up to this point, it was typical NewBlack promotion.

Casual fans showed interest.

Dedicated fans eagerly waited.

But soon—

everything changed.

NewBlack’s Wooju announces ratings pledge: “If it surpasses 20%, we’ll go to Antarctica”

Wooju had fired a small shot—

that turned into a cannon.

[We’ll go to Antarctica... definitely!]

A meme with fake subtitles spread instantly.

Starting with TNT, guests began posting it everywhere.

[We support NewBlack’s journey to Antarctica♡]

[I hope they really goㅎㅎㅎ let’s make it a hit!!]

[Fighting! Let’s walk the snowy path!! ^^]

Netizens burst into laughter.

Unexpected friendship flex

This vibe is hilariousㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

If I promote this, I can send my friend to Antarctica??? I’m inㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Why is everyone so serious about thisㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Friends supporting them with their whole livesㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Looks like they’re sending them to Antarctica but actually it’s warm friendshipㅠㅠ

Hellfire-level warmthㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Take your hand off—you're smiling

???: Me smiling? No, I— pffftㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Meanwhile—

as close friends started posting—

more celebrities joined in.

It felt like a challenge trend.

[A place no variety show has reached... we support our juniors’ dreams!!!]

[I’ll keep my TV on]

[(Penguin dancing video)]

Once something looked fun, everyone jumped in.

Netizens too.

So if it hits 20%, we can send them to Antarctica, right??

I mean... technically yes

Is it peak rating or average rating?? Clarify this Wooju

Nielsen or TNMS??

How do we boost ratings? Is it like streaming??

This is getting out of handㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

If only people studied this hardㅠㅠㅋㅋㅋㅋ

I was gonna watch the rerun but now I’ll watch live

Theory: Wooju just wants to go to Antarcticaㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Interest in the first broadcast skyrocketed.

But there was one thing NewBlack didn’t realize—

there were far too many people who genuinely wanted to mess with them.

“This is... a dilemma.”

“Half success, half failure?” Junghyun suggested.

“...Yeah. That sounds about right.”

Looking at the SNS posts from our friends promoting us, I smiled awkwardly.

There was definitely warmth there.

It’s not easy for busy celebrities to promote a friend’s show.

Some of them had millions of followers.

But—

“So we can really send them to Antarctica if it hits 20%, right???”

...Why did I keep hearing that in my head?

Especially in Lee Hyeonjo’s voice.

“Hmmm...”

I narrowed my eyes at the posts—

then laughed.

“Well, whatever. I’m just grateful they’re promoting us.”

“Honestly, I was worried about promotion, but our friends helped a lot.”

“Seriously, thank you.”

As a new show on a new channel, we were grabbing anything we could.

Even if they were teasing us, we were grateful.

Jiho spoke.

“If we hit 20%, I’d happily go to Antarctica.”

“Same.”

If you asked variety entertainers—

“20% ratings + Antarctica vs normal ratings”—

the answer would be obvious.

In 2018, 20% meant a cultural phenomenon.

Even the massive hit medical drama Golden Hour barely passed 20%.

“Please...”

We gathered and prayed.

“If we hit 20%, we’ll go anywhere—Antarctica, Arctic—just please...”

“Who are we praying to?”

“...The god of variety?”

The younger ones turned to me.

“Why are you praying to me?”

“You feel like the archbishop of variety.”

“....”

“No—more like the evil high priest of cringe history—ARGH!”

I punished Jiho and smiled benevolently.

“Children of variety, come into my arms and feel the warmth of the variety god!”

“Yes!”

When you’re anxious, a hug helps.

We piled together, shouting, and relaxed.

Ri Hyuk spoke.

“Also, going to Antarctica isn’t easy. Even if we hit 20%, it’s not guaranteed.”

“Because it’s far?”

“No. You need government approval.”

“Oh.”

“There are treaties. That’s why shows go to the Arctic more.”

Ding.

Ri Hyuk checked his phone.

“...Why are you silent?”

He turned the screen toward us.

Republic of Korea Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Official)

@korea_mof

[King Sejong Station in Antarctica awaits NewBlack♡]

“...Guess permission won’t be hard.”

“...Yeah...”

For some reason—

I kept seeing icebergs.

Two days passed.

We focused on promotion until the premiere.

“Don’t overdo it.”

“Yes.”

“Too much promotion can backfire—”

“Hyung, do I still look like a kid to you?”

“Yes. You’re very baby.”

“So much baby.”

“Extremely baby.”

“Cute but not adult.”

Jiho protested.

“You’ll say I’m not an adult even at 23!”

“Kyaaa!”

“At 30?”

“...Maybe then.”

“But will you still be cute?”

“Yes.”

“...That’s annoyingly convincing.”

We laughed.

Then—

“Hyung, where are we?”

“Almost there.”

Today was the premiere.

We were heading to NBS headquarters.

At Gu Jaeyoung’s invitation.

“Come watch it together.”

“Ah, I’m curious about NBS.”

“Same.”

We imagined a sleek building.

Modern studios.

Employees with badges.

Then—

“Don’t expect too much.”

“...?”

“It used to be a small cable station.”

“Ah...”

Still—

when we arrived—

“Whoa.”

“Whoa!”

Not bad.

A modern six-story building.

“Pretty decent.”

“Yeah.”

“...There’s an academy?”

“Huh?”

“That’s not it. Look left.”

“...That?”

“...Seriously?”

A four-story building from the 70s.

With a shaky “NBS” sign.

“...This is it?”

“...Yeah.”

Please let the inside be better.

Inside—

it was.

Lively.

Energetic.

Like early Lemon Entertainment.

“Welcome!”

“Th-thank you!”

We handed out rice cakes.

“Treasure this forever!”

“Just eat it...”

Warm atmosphere.

Growth energy.

The future.

“Let’s hope ratings do well today.”

“Definitely.”

Then—

“Let’s go eat meat!”

At the restaurant—

staff, executives—

everyone gathered.

Laughter filled the room.

Park Gyuho smiled.

“Do you know why king crab tastes good?”

“...?”

“Because it usually tastes good.”

“...Haha.”

“...HAHAHA!”

Silence—

then explosive laughter.

“...Wait.”

“...Why is it funnier now?”

Something felt off.