Chapter 943: I’m going to buy New Black at the supermarket (14)

At the same time.

While variety show PDs were marveling, general viewers were bursting into delighted laughter.

-This is freaking hilarious LOL

-Look at the people left behind at the rest stop LOL

-So does Ri Hyuk just drive off alone then??

-He bought snacks and came back and the car was gone LOL

The scene of Ri Hyuk leaving his guests behind at the rest stop and driving off alone had everyone in stitches.

‘This is seriously fun?’

Right now, New Universe viewers could roughly be divided into three groups.

The first—Souffle.

-Feels like we’re watching their self-content but with insane budget + Gu Jaeyoung LOL

-The boys are so cute ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Look how excited they are for their solo variety LOL their energy today is insane

-Junghyun’s driving is honestly really stable

Their usual self-produced content had been upgraded to the scale of a major variety show.

With Gu Jaeyoung’s god-tier editing on top of that, Souffle had no choice but to scream in joy.

‘So this is what a solo variety show feels like!’

Until now, NewBlack had mostly appeared as guests—supporting roles, no matter how big they were as national idols.

But here, they were the main characters, leading the show and carrying the guests.

That difference felt incredibly satisfying.

Meanwhile—

-Look at Namu’s face LOL he got abandoned

-Hyeonjo’s energy is insane today LOL

-Guys, after this airs, our faves are definitely getting more variety offers, right???

-The maknae line is ridiculously cute LOL

-Seok Jihoon being the eldest there... wow

Just like Souffle, another major viewer group—fans of other celebrities—were also satisfied.

‘This is good.’

To be honest, their favorite’s screen time was short.

With fifteen guests, it was impossible to spotlight everyone equally.

But regardless of screen time, the impact was there.

‘Gu Jaeyoung really knows how to build characters.’

That was exactly why celebrities had once fought to appear on Jusehan.

[Looks like there’s a car coming from that side—be careful. Careful... wait, why are you so good at this?]

[Are you unhappy that I’m good, Lee Hyeonjo?]

[What are you going to do about it if I am?]

[Here’s a magical candy wand.]

[Delicious...]

Hanjo calmly gave driving advice like a proper leader while bickering with Wooju.

He came off like a model student class president that teachers would love—but playful and teasing with people he was close to.

[Honestly, I feel kind of overwhelmed.]

[Why’s that, Hanjo?]

[Because I’m in the same car as senior Han Taehyun...]

[Oh come on.]

Han Taehyun responded with a relaxed smile to Hanjo’s nervous awe.

A veteran moment worthy of a ninth-year idol.

Despite being the youngest there, he came across as sharp, composed, and ambitious.

[Oh, it’s our song—ugh.]

Han Taehyun danced excitedly to TNT’s music before suddenly clutching his shoulder, while Wooju instinctively patted it like he’d done it a hundred times before.

A caption appeared:

『A surprisingly high-maintenance younger member (9-year top idol)』

Fans burst into laughter at his clumsy side.

‘Yeah. That’s Taehyun’s charm.’

Perfect on stage—but offstage, the type to stub his toe on a doorframe and hop around in pain.

And then—

While everyone chatted noisily, there was one suffering introvert among them: actor Lee Gyeonwoo.

『E, E, E, I』

The lone “I” stared out the window with a distant smile.

His voice from the pre-interview played like narration.

[I usually prefer being alone... when I’m around too many people, I kind of lose it.]

Close-up on his trembling pupils.

Caption:

『“This is strange.”』

『“There are only four people in this car... so why does it feel like thirty?”』

The 30-something actor was being overwhelmed by the energy of three hyper idols.

Viewers laughed in sympathy.

-I know exactly how that feels LOL

-Those three all talk like crazy when they’re with close friends LOL

-They’re already besties and the actor is just there LOL

-Anyone would struggle to adapt in that car

Not just Wooju’s car—every vehicle had its own charm.

A top-tier music boss like Cha Woohyun turned out to be shy.

The maknaes in Jiho’s car were adorable but turned serious when talking about music.

Dancers in Biju’s car radiated subtle madness.

And in Junghyun’s car, conversations felt like friendly neighborhood uncles chatting.

-Everyone’s overflowing with charm LOL

-The guest lineup is insane

-I’d pass out in 10 seconds if I were there LOL

-Jang Sowon is so cute... was she always like that???

-The maknae combo is hilarious LOL want to see them together again

From Wooju’s slightly chaotic car to Junghyun’s warm, human-feeling one—

Every fan saw their favorite shine.

And the guests seemed to feel it too, subtly appealing to NewBlack.

[Junghyun.]

[Yes?]

[If you ever need someone for New Universe... call me anytime. I’ll clear my schedule.]

Viewers understood immediately.

‘Of course they’d want to come back.’

While fans enjoyed the chemistry—

The third group of viewers, variety show enthusiasts, were just as thrilled.

-This is insane LOL

-I thought episode 1 would just be buildup but it’s actually good???

-Finally something worth watching

-Wonder what the people who said Gu Jaeyoung fell off are thinking now LOL

-He really came back sharpened this time LOL

-His form is crazy right now

For variety fans, this was like rain after a drought.

‘This is what I’ve been waiting for!’

It felt like the return of true variety in an era dominated by observation shows.

A hybrid format—modern, clean, refined.

And most importantly—

-The humor is perfect

-For real

-Feels so comfortable to watch

-NewBlack is the best ㅠㅠㅠ

No outdated, harsh humor.

No forcing someone into a fool.

Just warm, comfortable comedy suited to the times.

‘Let this run to season 10.’

‘Please keep going like this.’

‘I’ve been waiting for this.’

Especially those who had stopped watching variety shows recently—

People tired of scandals, luxury flex content, or mean-spirited humor—

‘I finally have something to watch...!’

‘So I didn’t stop watching because I lost interest—I stopped because there was nothing good.’

‘This is so fun.’

Just as all three viewer groups were enjoying the show in their own way—

[Wait... where’s Biju?]

The highlight hit.

-Huh??

-Now that you mention it, where is he??

-Biju???

-He got lost again LOL

Surprisingly, Biju had been leading for most of the episode.

At one point, even ahead of Wooju.

But near the end—

He never arrived.

[Where’s Biju?]

[Wasn’t he in first place?]

As confusion spread, Gu Jaeyoung tilted his head.

『Meanwhile, in Biju’s car...』

Biju sat in the driver’s seat, looking devastated.

[I...]

He covered his face with one hand.

[I’m not worthy...!]

The guests burst into laughter.

Cut.

A wide shot showed his car stranded somewhere random.

Even the production crew laughed.

『What happened...?』

Caption:

[1 hour earlier]

[Ding dong! Turn left in 100 meters.]

Following the navigation, Biju swallowed nervously.

Ran from Twinkle, who had once been on the same team as him in I MOVE, smiled.

[Don’t be scared, Biju. Just follow the navigation.]

[O-okay... ugh...]

[You’re not mixing up left and right, are you? Hahaha!]

[...]

Then—

[Oh?]

Biju’s face lit up.

[That’s Wooju hyung!]

[Really?]

It was.

Wooju’s car passed nearby.

[Everyone, no need to worry now...!]

[?]

[We just follow Wooju hyung.]

A perfectly efficient strategy—stick to the leader.

[You are leaving the route!]

Following Wooju’s shortcut, Biju sped ahead.

[Wooju’s amazing at everything—even driving.]

[We’re going to arrive 20 minutes earlier than expected!]

Then—

They pulled up next to Wooju’s car at a stop line.

Biju rolled down his window.

[Wooju hyung~!]

The other car’s window rolled down.

[?]

Strangers stared back.

Not Wooju.

Just random college students.

[!]

Biju’s expression looked exactly like someone who had drunk “skull water.”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Back at the pub—

Laughter exploded.

“Hahahaha!”

“I knew this would happen!”

“I knew something was off when he arrived last and acted normal!”

“Yeah, it was weird!”

“Ah... so embarrassing...”

As Biju sulked and sipped his drink, we patted his back and laughed.

[Originally, it was Wooju’s car.]

But at some point, Biju had unknowingly switched to following a similar purple car.

“I thought it was really your car... it was going the right way and everything...”

“Where were they going?”

“Somewhere completely different...”

We burst into laughter again.

Back in the present—

[1st] Wooju team

[2nd] Ri Hyuk

[3rd] Junghyun team & Ri Hyuk team

[4th] Jiho team

Ri Hyuk made a pained expression again at the ranking.

“PD.”

Junghyun asked.

“Why didn’t you tell us it was a competition?”

“You can’t tell you guys that.”

Gu Jaeyoung replied calmly.

“You’d get competitive. Could’ve caused safety issues.”

“...That’s true.”

“Imagine the headlines—‘rookie drivers competing recklessly’...”

He knew exactly where criticism would come from.

“Do we get points for this?”

“No. Just added it for fun editing.”

As the episode neared its end—

Laughter kept erupting.

“This is so good.”

Even someone unfamiliar with variety shows could tell—

This was a hit.

[Next week!]

The preview played—

But no one was watching it.

“...It’s over.”

“...Episode one is done.”

Everyone turned toward the NBS staff.

Silence.

“Real-time peak rating just came in.”

We huddled together tightly.

“...What do you think it is?”

“...Six percent?”

“...Higher.”

“...Seven?”

He raised his finger.

“...Eight?”

“...Higher.”

“...Nine?”

He shook his head.

“Real-time peak rating—10.9%.”

“...What?”

“10.9%.”

Goosebumps shot through my entire body.

And then—

“Everyone... we’ve got a hit!”

Cheers exploded.

“Oh my god!”

“This is insane!”

The staff collapsed where they stood.

We hugged each other tightly.

“Guys!”

“Hyung!”

“...Should we cancel the Antarctica pledge?”

“...Too late.”

The land of dreams—

Antarctica—

Was waving at us.