Chapter 989: It Was Beautiful From Far Away.. (1)

Sizzle—

The sound of meat grilling on the pan.

But at the moment, this was the only sound filling the kitchen.

Everything else was wrapped in silence.

“.......”

“.......”

The maknae, holding wooden chopsticks, finally spoke up.

“So let me summarize.”

“Yes.”

“The reason Ri Hyuk hyung practiced vocals until he nearly bled was because Wooju hyung kept chasing after him.”

Ri Hyuk nodded.

Then the chopsticks pointed toward me.

“And Wooju hyung practiced because Ri Hyuk hyung kept practicing, so he wanted to keep up.”

“Yep. That’s it.”

“So basically, both of you practiced because the other one practiced.”

“Yeah.”

Junghyun and Biju cut in simultaneously.

“Idiots.”

“Idiots.”

Ri Hyuk and I immediately flared up.

“We are not idiots! Seriously, how is this my fault? I only practiced because he kept following me!”

“I practiced because this guy kept sprinting ahead!”

Apparently, when Ri Hyuk said, “You’re the reason I practice every day!” he hadn’t been joking.

It was actually true.

While the two of us glared at each other, Biju smiled brightly and tried to frame things positively.

“But thanks to that, both of you reached king-level skill, didn’t you?”

“Well... that’s true.”

“I-I mean, yeah, but.......”

It felt strangely unfair.

On one hand, I felt proud that our skills had improved this much.

On the other hand, I couldn’t help wondering if we’d really needed to go this far.

Ri Hyuk grumbled while picking up a piece of beef from the grill.

“Seriously.”

The white crane’s cheeks puffed as he chewed.

“Why would I practice for no reason? I close my eyes for one second, and suddenly I hear, ‘Ri Hyuk-ah...’ whispering behind me, so of course I practice. I’m the main vocal. I can’t let the lead vocal surpass me.”

“It’s the same for me. I go work for a bit, come back, and somehow you’re already way ahead.”

“No, I widen the gap because you stick right behind me. Didn’t they teach you during driving lessons? You’re supposed to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.”

“Yeah, but the front car is speeding down the highway at 100 kilometers per hour while I’m stuck driving at 60. You’re charging ahead like a lunatic, and behind me Biju and Jiho are chasing after me too.”

Biju and Jiho immediately spoke up.

“I only run because you run, hyung....”

“Same here.”

Just as the conversation was about to spiral into figuring out where this entire cycle of endless practice had begun—

Junghyun, who was flipping meat with the tongs, spoke up.

“This is like the chicken-or-the-egg problem.”

“So what’s the conclusion?”

“Well, there’s no actual answer to whether the chicken came first or the egg came first. Which means maybe it doesn’t matter.”

“Ohhh.......”

I patted Junghyun’s sturdy shoulder in admiration.

“You’ve gotten smarter lately after reading all those philosophy books. Our Junghyun.”

“The fans have been calling me Genius Bear lately.”

He was right.

It didn’t really matter who had started it first.

“Because it’s your fault.”

“Look at him trying to move on because the situation’s unfavorable for him.”

Ignoring the younger members’ muttering, I continued.

“No, guys. There’s a reason I work so hard trying to keep up with all of you. Let’s start with Biju.”

Pointing at Biju, I said:

“The best dancer in the current idol industry. Winner of the dance competition show I Move.”

“!!”

Biju’s cheeks immediately turned red.

“I spend eight hours working, come back, and Biju has been practicing choreography for all eight of those hours. Think about that accumulating every single day. If I want to keep up, don’t I have to train like my life depends on it?”

Even with my ability to imitate almost anything, I could only barely keep up with that amount of practice.

“Look at Junghyun too. He just doesn’t have many competition shows suited for him, but his rap skills are seriously incredible.”

“Hehe.”

“That’s why I practice rap like I’m prepared to break my bones.”

“.......”

Junghyun instantly drooped.

The true root of this entire situation was the younger members’ diligence and talent.

The kids were already overflowing with talent, and on top of that, they were hardworking too.

It was like the rabbit from The Tortoise and the Hare refusing to slack off and continuing to sprint at full speed.

“So I have no choice but to chase after you guys.”

“...Well, that’s not wrong.”

While Ri Hyuk nodded reluctantly, the maknae chewed the ssam Biju had made for him and spoke with his mouth full.

“But there’s really no solution to this. Other than all of us suffering together forever.”

“True.”

“But the fans are happy, right? Then isn’t that enough?”

“That’s right.”

We all nodded brightly.

As long as the Souffles were happy, wasn’t that enough?

“Kyahahaha!”

“Kyaruk!”

We happily reached that conclusion and resumed eating meat.

Then Jiho casually asked:

“Oh right, Wooju hyung.”

“?”

“You said earlier you practice because it’s hard keeping up with Biju hyung and Junghyun hyung.”

“Yeah.”

“But earlier, you didn’t mention me. So the reason you practice acting is obviously because I’m just that good at acting...?”

I shook my head with a baffled expression.

“No? I just practice acting because I personally enjoy it. Hm? Wait... don’t tell me... Wang Jiho, do you actually think your acting skills are that good...?”

“Kyaaaaaaah!”

The maknae exploded in fury while breathing garlic-scented rage, making everyone burst out laughing.

“Ahh, delicious~ The meat tastes especially sweet today.”

“Take that back!”

“Wang Jiho suffers from excessive self-awareness~”

Jiho rolled his lower lip inward and smacked Junghyun’s arm as if asking him to do something about me.

But Junghyun only smiled warmly and shook his head.

“Jiho. You’re an adult now. Adults solve their own problems.”

“Eeeeeee!”

I slipped right between them and winked.

“Wang Jiho suffers from excessive self-awareness~”

“Hey!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Teasing our maknae really was the greatest joy in the world.

After finishing the competition as National Hip-Hop Top Seo Ri Hyuk—

After sleeping deeply and fully recovering my stamina, my first schedule was....

“Good morning, Wooju!”

“Morning~”

The music video shoot for Woobiz’s WAVE.

The exact same studio where we filmed the worldview story video during our Masquerade promotions back in 2014.

The very place where I rowed like a boatman while Junghyun appeared like a dolphin rescuing people.

“So that was already four years ago.”

“Coming here really brings back memories.”

“That was fun.”

Come to think of it, we hadn’t really filmed any major worldview-related videos since then.

Even now, the TF team’s hired writers still inserted symbolic objects and hidden meanings into our music videos, but....

“The whole worldview thing kind of faded out.”

Aside from hardcore Souffles, not many people paid close attention to it anymore, so direct references to the universe and lore gradually disappeared.

That was just how idol concepts worked.

At debut, it was all “Pure celestial fairy idols blessed by the power of stars!”

Then seven years later everyone was singing songs while firing finger guns.

Even TNT, though it had disappeared by now, originally debuted with symbolic divine beasts representing each member.

For a moment, I remembered Taehyun insisting he wanted a hamster for his and getting scolded by the planning team......

“This isn’t the time for that.”

The moment I remembered one thing, my mind had already begun spiraling backward into the past again, so I quickly reined in my thoughts.

Work came first.

“Let’s go greet the staff.”

“Yes.”

Once the staff had finished preparing for filming, we stood before them.

“Hello! I’m Wooju.”

“And I’m Biju.”

The two of us crossed our arms dramatically at each other.

“Cross!”

Then we bowed deeply.

“Hello! We are Woobiz, a rookie boy group debuting at the end of July this year!”

“Waaaaaaaaah!”

Everyone burst into laughter and applause.

“Well, technically they are rookies.”

“They didn’t actually lie....”

“A suspiciously accomplished rookie idol group.”

Even we laughed at the music video staff’s jokes.

As we approached the water tank, we saw the underwater cameramen and diving crew talking together in full diving gear.

“Ah, Wooju, Biju. Welcome.”

“Hello, Director.”

After greeting the director, we received a brief explanation about the music video scenes.

“You both like Greek and Roman mythology, right?”

“Yes.”

I remembered enjoying comic-book versions of them.

“The opening for WAVE’s music video is going for a somewhat unique atmosphere. The choreography scenes and outfits will still be very trendy, with a slightly flashy... maybe a little dangerous feeling.”

The director furrowed his brows while searching for the right wording.

“To put it simply, imagine Greek and Roman gods adapting to the modern world. For example, Dionysus dancing in a nightclub while drinking wine.”

“Ah, I get it.”

“So for this music video, think of it as the god of the sky and the god of water meeting each other in the human world.”

It was an explanation we had already heard once from the TF team, but I listened carefully again.

“So I’m the sky god, and Biju is the water god.”

“Yes. The concept is that the two gods meet in the middle realm — Earth — and spend one exciting day together.”

After hearing the detailed directing notes, we stretched while listening to safety instructions for the water tank shoot.

“Hyung.”

“Hm?”

Turning my head, I saw Biju stretching his neck with the happiest expression in the world.

“I’m so happy.”

“Me too.”

“In just three weeks, we’ll finally be able to show everyone this stage. You and me dancing together as much as we want.......”

Watching Biju smile brightly about finally fulfilling his dream made me smile too.

As he stretched one arm across his body, Biju suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Oh right. Speaking of mythology.”

“Yeah?”

“What do you think about Woobiz making comebacks together occasionally in the future? Using mythology concepts like this. Olympus has twelve gods anyway, so next time we could do something like the god of war or the god of wisdom.”

“Ohhh.......”

For a brief moment, I actually felt tempted.

Then memories suddenly flashed across the smiling, beautiful face in front of me.

-Just a little more...? Just one more time? Unless hyung’s too tired, of course.......

-I had a dream when I was younger. I wanted to collapse from exhaustion after dancing someday. And today my wish finally came true. Doesn’t the practice room ceiling look really beautiful right now, hyung? ...Wooju hyung???

-[You looked busy working, so I left a Post-it♥ Even 2 a.m. is okay. I’ll wait for you]

The smile faded from my face.

“Hyung?”

“.......”

“Why are you suddenly avoiding eye contact?”

“Alright then, let’s begin filming!”

“Yes!”

“Everyone, please double-check the safety equipment.”

After even the emergency rescue staff finished their inspections—

Biju, his hair dyed a deep blue like the god of water, slowly stepped into the water wearing an elegant shirt.

“Biju, is the temperature okay?”

“Yes!”

Soon after, Wooju — his hair dyed pale sky blue — entered the water as well.

Wooju gave an OK sign.

Gulp—

Director Heo Changjae, who was overseeing the music video production, swallowed hard.

‘I-I’m nervous...!’

It wasn’t because underwater filming was difficult.

After handling nearly thirty idol music videos by now, underwater shoots were familiar territory to him.

Hadn’t he recently filmed underwater scenes for Wonder Child’s MV from KM Entertainment?

The real reason he was nervous was—

‘My first project with NewBlack.’

He was working with national idols.

Global superstars.

He had worked with many groups before, but never anyone this top-tier.

Honestly, he had been so nervous earlier that he couldn’t even remember what he had said.

Wooju and Biju, whom he had only ever seen on TV, were staring at him with complete focus.

‘I-I’m really not someone that incredible.......’

The way the two singers looked directly at him made it feel like the sandwich he ate that morning was about to come back up.

Even now, the situation still felt surreal.

-Hello. This is Lemon Entertainment’s TF team. We’d like to discuss NewBlack’s music video......

Everyone around him had immediately told him not to question anything and just say yes.

So he had instantly accepted.

But then—

-Director, the song you’ll be working on is not a NewBlack song.

-Excuse me?

-It’s a secret new Woobiz track called WAVE.

-Excuse me?!

First he was shocked by the enormous news that Wooju and Biju were debuting as a unit.

Then—

-Please listen.

-!!!

He had been stunned again by the unbelievable quality of the song.

This was the perfect summer song — bright, refreshing, and exciting.

-Both members really loved the music videos you directed. They especially said the colors and directing in Joanna’s Feelin MV were incredible.

-I-I see.

-Since this is the members’ first unit activity, we’re counting on you.

Everyone on set wore solemn expressions.

Soon, a massive line reading Woobiz - WAVE would be permanently added to their careers.

And above all—

‘We absolutely need the two of them to like us.’

‘I heard once they like someone, they keep working with them long-term... please let that be us too......!’

If the two members liked them after this shoot, wouldn’t it mean future projects together as well?

“A-Alright then.......”

His voice cracked from nervousness.

After coughing awkwardly, Director Heo Changjae lifted the megaphone.

“Alright, we’ll begin filming now. Since this is underwater filming, we’ll use hand signals instead of verbal ready-action cues.”

Guided by the divers, the two members descended beneath the water.

And filming began.

S#1. Location: Underwater

The god of water swims through the depths.

The water god rises near the surface to enjoy the bright sunlight.

Then, when he opens his eyes—

There stands a man.

As filming started, Biju drifted gracefully underwater.

“Wow.......”

“Biju’s dance lines are unbelievable even underwater....”

“So elegant.”

The two men’s soft hair floated beautifully through the water.

There would be various special effects added later, but even the raw footage already looked breathtaking.

“They’re so good.”

“Wow....”

Soon, Wooju and Biju intertwined onscreen.

Biju ascending toward the surface.

Wooju gazing down at him.

The composition resembled a scene from the creation of heaven and earth itself as the two beautiful young men stared at one another.

S#2. Location: Underwater

The two men reach out toward each other.

As their fingers slowly extended toward one another, the director finally shouted:

“Cut!”

Wooju and Biju immediately surfaced.

“Pwah!”

“Hoooh.”

The staff hurried toward the two members, whose faces were flushed slightly red.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, we’re fine.”

“If it gets difficult at all, please say something immediately....”

The staff handed them drinking water as the two members walked over, dripping water everywhere while warming themselves with heated towels.

“Would you like to review the footage immediately?”

“Yes!”

The assistant directors and production staff gathered behind NewBlack while the two members carefully examined the footage they had just shot.

The staff sighed in admiration.

“Wow.......”

“The atmosphere is insane....”

The two members of the national idol group now entering their fifth year had executed the director’s vision perfectly.

The atmosphere truly felt mythological.

Inside a bright, sunlit ocean-like space, two divine beings faced one another.

“This is too perfect.”

“We could release the MV exactly like this.”

The production staff showered them with exaggerated praise.

Then—

“What do you think?”

“Hmm.......”

“I think it’s good enough as it is.”

“Could we see the footage one more time?”

At Wooju’s request, the director immediately replayed the scene.

After staring intensely at the screen, Wooju turned to Biju.

“Biju. What do you think? Are you satisfied?”

“Hmm... I think it’d be better if we did one more take.”

The duo then spoke to the director.

“Would it be okay if we tried one more time?”

“Of course!”

“I think we can do it even better, so we’d like another take.”

“Yes, understood.”

Director Heo Changjae smiled in admiration.

‘This is amazing.’

The scene had already come out perfectly, but honestly, he had wanted to try another take.

Still, considering the enormous status of the two celebrities before him, he had cautiously suggested moving on instead.

Among top-tier celebrities, there were plenty who became offended at the mere suggestion of another take.

-“Was my acting disappointing or something?”

And once that happened, filming became a nightmare.

But....

‘So the rumors were true.’

The stories about how considerate they were toward production staff seemed completely accurate.

While carefully avoiding the managers listening nearby, the staff whispered among themselves.

“So this is why they’re national idols.”

“Wow, their concentration is insane.......”

Then Woobiz went back underwater once more.

The director shouted confidently:

“OK! Perfect!”

But—

The two members still looked dissatisfied.

“Director...?”

“Yes?”

“If it’s alright... just one more time.......”

“Yes!”

Just as they had promised, the footage genuinely improved with every take.

The duo surfaced once more.

“Hmm.......”

“One more?”

“Yes, if we still have time in the schedule.”

“W-Well then.......”

As the same situation repeated over and over, Director Heo Changjae gradually began feeling afraid.

Something about this situation felt deeply wrong.

-One more take....

-Hmm... just one more?

-Could we try one more time?

Even the staff blinked in confusion.

‘Wait.’

‘Huh?’

It felt like they were fruits being slowly fed into a juicer.

Then suddenly, something resurfaced in the director’s memory.

A comment he had heard during the meeting with Lemon Entertainment’s TF team.

-Is there anything we should be careful about regarding the members?

-They’re very easygoing people, so nothing in particular. Why do you ask?

-We were just worried there might be aspects of our production process the members wouldn’t like.......

-Ah. You don’t need to worry about that at all.

The Lemon Entertainment team leader, who looked like an intelligent devil, had smiled warmly.

-There’s no need for you to appeal to them. Those two will simply make you fit their standards instead.

At the time, he had thought:

‘What kind of nonsense is that?’

But now he finally understood.

It meant they would simply keep producing results until the outcome matched their own standards perfectly.

“Director~”

The duo floated atop the water while staring at him.

“Director~?”

Chills.

Watching the two singers smiling like water ghosts, Director Heo Changjae felt an inexplicable terror.

“Director. We.......”

“.......”

“One more take?”

The director closed his eyes and nodded.

And that day—

The greatest achievement of Director Heo Changjae’s career was born by force.