Chapter 990: It Was Beautiful From Far Away.. (2)

The filming for Wooju and Biju’s WAVE music video wrapped up smoothly.

“Good work today, Biju!”

“You too, hyung!”

They clapped hands together, both grinning.

“We finished faster than expected.”

“I know, right? Maybe we’ve gotten even better than before.”

“Maybe we have?”

The two laughed warmly before turning toward the director and staff.

But then—

“Director?”

“......”

The director was sitting in his chair looking like his soul had left his body.

“Uh, Director?”

“Hm? Ah? Ooh—!”

Startled out of his daze, the director hurriedly stood up.

Stagger.

“Whoa!”

Biju and Wooju quickly caught him.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah, th-that, I... uh....”

“Yes?”

The exhausted director opened and closed his mouth for a while as if he couldn’t get the words out, before finally managing to speak.

“I-I suddenly got a bit of orthostatic hypotension. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Ri Hyuk gets that a lot too.”

The director blinked repeatedly as if his vision had gone white for a moment, then smiled reassuringly at them.

Then he glanced toward the monitor.

“The... the feeling is really good. You can always tell on set when a music video is going to turn out well, and honestly... I think this might become the best work of my career.”

“We’re looking forward to it.”

“I’ll edit it with my life on the line. This is the debut of your unit, after all.”

As he said that, the director looked at them hesitantly, like there was something he wanted to hear.

The other staff members wore similar expressions.

Wooju and Biju exchanged smiles before speaking.

“You worked really hard today, Director.”

“No, not at all. Haha.”

“We don’t know what kind of song we’ll come back with next time, but we’d love to work with you again.”

“!!!”

The director’s eyes widened.

Even though he tried desperately to suppress it, the corners of his mouth kept lifting higher and higher, and it looked like he might start dancing any second.

The rest of the staff had the same atmosphere.

The people who had looked like zombies moments ago suddenly turned the entire set into a festival.

“You two!!! Worked!!! So hard today!!!”

“Please get home safely!!!”

The staff applauded while bowing deeply.

As Wooju and Biju finished getting ready to leave, they could even see people dancing in the background while squealing.

Mingi hyung glanced back at the production crew.

“So? You liked them?”

“Yes.”

Wooju and Biju both smiled in satisfaction.

“The directing was really clear, and for our music video, the color grading and composition are really important. They seemed to pay a lot of attention to those aspects. Overall the staff atmosphere felt good too.”

“I’d love to work with them again if we get another chance.”

Mingi hyung nodded while mentally adding Director Heo Changjae’s name to the list.

Then—

Grrrrrrk—

Wooju and Biju’s stomachs growled simultaneously.

The two exchanged awkward smiles.

“What should we eat?”

“Sounds good.”

“But what’s even open at this hour...?”

2 AM.

Other than late-night delivery places like chicken, jokbal, or bossam shops, most restaurants on delivery apps were already closed.

“If we order delivery back at the dorm, Ri Hyuk’s definitely going to wake up anyway. Should we just eat something simple before heading home? What about burgers?”

“Sounds good.”

“If there’s a nearby McDonald’s, let’s stop by. It’s been forever since we went to a fast-food place.” 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

“Hoooh... sounds great!”

Biju, excited because it reminded him of their trainee days, asked carefully as if trying to look after Wooju.

“Ah, hyung. If you’re too tired, should I just make ramen for you at home? You like ramen more than burgers anyway.”

“I do, but no ramen. I’m meeting people tomorrow, and I can’t show up bloated.”

“Hm?”

Biju tilted his head before suddenly going, “Ah!” and laughing.

“Right. Tomorrow—well, technically today—you had that thing you’re filming with Kim Junghyun.”

“Yeah.”

Wooju nodded with a smile.

Unlike Biju, whose schedule was over, Wooju still had one more schedule left today.

Kim Junghyun’s morning was energetic as always.

Wake up in the morning, throw open the curtains, and greet the plants first.

“Good morning.”

Then video call the family.

“Grandpa, did you sleep well?”

“Euuuy~”

“Grandma.”

“Ohya.”

“Mom, Dad.”

“Did you sleep well?”

“Euuuy~”

After ending the call, he headed down to the private gym on the first floor and started working out.

The faint sounds drifting up from the downstairs apartment were his music.

“Ah, fuck! Who ate my chicken breast?! Confess right now! I’m dieting, so I’m sensitive as hell!”

“Wasn’t me!”

“It was you, Lee Yeonhu, wasn’t it?”

“Do you have any proof??”

“My fist is the proof, you trash!”

Junghyun smiled contentedly as he lifted the bench press bar.

‘Peaceful as always.’

After finishing his workout and spending another refreshing morning, Kim Junghyun scratched his head.

“What was I supposed to do this morning again?”

He activated his brain at full capacity, then nodded.

‘Must be because I’m hungry. I can’t think.’

While chewing on a banana, Junghyun handled the things that came to mind one by one.

“First, pack my bag.”

They were flying to England today for the European tour.

Junghyun casually stuffed whatever he grabbed into his luggage.

Sunscreen. Toner. Lotion. A Liverpool jersey. Airplane gochujang. Dumbbells.

Anything else could just be bought locally anyway.

“Ah, camera.”

After carefully packing his film camera—the hobby he’d recently picked up—Junghyun finished breakfast while the members were still asleep and climbed into the waiting vehicle outside the dorm.

He still had one schedule before their afternoon departure.

“Junghyun. Want to try doing something fun with me?”

A few days ago, right after Wooju returned from filming Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk, the eldest hyung had quietly called him over and made a suggestion.

“You know those solo songs you perform at concerts? Songs like VIBE from last year.”

“Yes.”

“How would you feel about filming a collaborative video with other rappers while performing those songs?”

“I’m down, but... why?”

As Junghyun tilted his head in confusion, Wooju calmly explained.

“I’m kind of weak at freestyle rap.”

“Right. Hyung can’t really write rap lyrics.”

“Th-that’s true. So when I went on Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk, I feel like I might’ve looked weak as a rapper. I was worried some hip hop listeners might get offended. Like, ‘You think hip hop’s a joke?’”

“Really? Wouldn’t everyone just think it’s funny...?”

Junghyun honestly couldn’t imagine people reacting that way, but whenever Wooju prepared something, there was always a reason behind it.

So he pretended to understand and let it go.

“And we just acquired the label run by Haetion sunbae this time too, right?”

“Yes.”

“So I thought we could film a serious hip hop video together. Partly to build unity with them, partly to prevent any controversy ahead of time. Like, ‘The Lemon Entertainment rappers have assembled!’ That kind of concept.”

“Oh, I’m in.”

Being able to perform together with rappers he liked was enough for Junghyun to agree immediately.

And so they arrived at a studio in Seongdong District.

The ceiling was high, lights rotated overhead, and the set looked almost like a relay dance shoot.

“Mm, they’re over there.”

Everyone was gathered together in one spot.

Rappers dressed neatly in suits.

“Ooh!”

Haetion, showing off his lean muscles in a loose-fitting suit, spotted Junghyun and ran over.

“Junghyun’s here!”

Throwing an arm around Junghyun’s shoulders, Haetion walked him toward the other rappers.

“Junghyun’s here, everyone!”

“The major shareholder has arrived!!”

The rappers greeted him with sparkling eyes, causing Junghyun to wave his hands frantically for them to stop.

The rappers shook their heads.

“No, no. We are now Lemon Entertainment underlings.”

“Then who is the owner of Lemon Entertainment? Why, none other than Billboard #1 singer Kim Junghyun standing before us.”

While the rappers busily socialized and chatted with him, Junghyun looked around.

“But....”

“Hm?”

“Where’s Wooju hyung?”

“Ah, Wooju probably went to change clothes. Because of ‘that.’”

“Ah....”

Junghyun nodded.

‘But everyone here already signed NDAs anyway, didn’t they?’

Even though everyone present already knew about Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk, the rappers still lowered their voices while whispering.

“This is seriously insane. How are we supposed to wait a whole week? Are we really getting Sun Wooju VS Seo Ri Hyuk?”

“Did he make it all the way to the finals?”

“No idea. Damn it, I’m dying of curiosity. I’d actually pay money for early access.”

While the rappers discussed how much they’d be willing to pay for previews, Junghyun also returned after changing into a suit.

“Oh!”

“Wooow...!”

The staff and rappers gasped in admiration.

“That suit fit...”

“You look like a CEO, Junghyun. Ah, right. You already are one.”

“He’s the chairman. Deokbae hyung is the CEO.”

“That’s insane... We all look like random thugs in suits, but Junghyun-nim seriously looks like a CEO.”

Everyone burst out laughing at Yulri’s comment.

At that moment, Junghyun himself looked into the mirror with satisfaction.

A clean dark gray suit. White shirt. Black tie.

‘Still, my suit fit is probably the best—’

That was when it happened.

Fwaaash.

The curtain swept aside and someone appeared.

“!”

“!!”

Sun Wooju stepped out while casually brushing back his sky-blue hair.

Even without heavy makeup, his face glowed with a translucent radiance, and beneath it was a suit fit so perfect it looked unreal.

The rappers’ jaws dropped.

“No wonder he’s called a fashion star.”

It was the kind of presence that made it obvious why he’d become the top fashionista of the Met Gala and the muse of world-famous designers.

For some reason, Junghyun suddenly felt defeated and shriveled up like a gloomy potato.

“Our Junghyun came?”

“Yes.”

The eldest hyung greeted him warmly, asking if he’d slept well, then stood beside him.

Junghyun studied Wooju’s exhausted face.

“Hyung, did you even sleep?”

“Nope. Last night—well, this morning—I ate McDonald’s and I think the Coke kept me awake. Should’ve gotten Sprite instead.”

So he’d just stayed up all night.

Wooju laughed lightly.

He looked unbelievably tired.

Right after finishing the competition filming for Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk, he’d gone straight into filming a music video with Biju, and now he was filming extra content on top of that.

“Hyung, are you really okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Wooju’s eyes sparkled as he chuckled.

“This is part of the strategy.”

“Hm?”

“When I finally reach the absolute limit of exhaustion...! I’ll fall asleep so deeply on the plane that I won’t even notice takeoff. Hufufufu....”

‘That’s not strategy. That’s passing out.’

While Wooju laughed ominously, he turned toward the rappers.

The rappers immediately straightened their posture.

Junghyun stared in admiration.

‘As expected, Wooju hyung really is different.’

The rappers who jokingly called Junghyun “Chairman~” were now standing as politely as if they were greeting the real chairman.

It was Junghyun’s first time seeing hip hop artists stand so properly.

Wooju smiled brightly.

“Thank you all for coming. I know everyone’s busy.”

“Busy, my ass.”

Haetion casually slung an arm over Wooju’s shoulder.

“Wooju. If you call, we’ll show up anywhere.”

“That’s right.”

“Call us anytime. Even if you’re in America, we’ll come.”

“You’re not just anybody. You’re a hip hop legend.”

Everyone laughed at the last joke.

But it wasn’t entirely a joke.

-Cold Brown & Wooju’s ‘Answer’ Leads Billboard Hot 100 for 16th Week..

Even Billboard Magazine had run huge headlines about Answer becoming the longest-running #1 song with sixteen consecutive weeks on top.

Which meant that, purely among hip hop tracks, the person with the best chart performance here was—

‘My hyung. Hufufu.’

Exactly that.

While Junghyun awkwardly rubbed his nose, Wooju briefly explained the video concept.

“The video’s going to be around fifteen minutes long.”

The rappers nodded.

“The concept is basically: the Lemon Entertainment rappers have all gathered together. Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk is technically the newest rapper here, right? He was only born a few days ago.”

Everyone laughed and nodded.

“So Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk greets the senior rappers, and then it turns into, ‘Hey! Let the seniors show you how it’s done!’ One by one, everyone steps up to the mic and raps.”

“Okay.”

Haetion snapped his fingers.

“So while someone’s rapping, everyone else just vibes in the back and reacts?”

“Yes.”

Junghyun nodded too.

He understood exactly what kind of atmosphere Wooju wanted.

-Lemon Crew has arrived!

That kind of vibe.

Like a group cypher where each person stepped forward and rapped part of their signature track while the others hyped them up from behind.

Then at the end, the rookie Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk would rap while saying, “Seniors! Please take care of me!”

“It’s really just a simple video, so don’t feel pressured.”

“Mmm....”

Junghyun and the rappers blinked.

‘This feels like it’s going to attract insane attention though.’

‘It’s NewBlack and us together. How is this supposed to be casual?’

They didn’t fully understand why Wooju kept describing it like a light little project, but let it slide.

A rapper named Plo, who had a star tattoo on his finger, raised his hand.

“So can we start filming now?”

“No. Not yet.”

“Hm?”

“There are still more people coming.”

“More people?”

Wooju looked puzzled that they even had to ask.

“I said Lemon Entertainment rappers, didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“And Lemon Entertainment isn’t just me and Junghyun.”

“Ah....”

Only then did the rappers remember something.

Now that they thought about it, the notice had indeed said:

-All affiliated hip hop artists have confirmed attendance.

“Right.”

“There are more artists at Lemon Entertainment besides NewBlack.”

The moment those words ended—

Bang!

The studio door flew open violently.

‘W-What kind of paper door was that?’

‘The door isn’t weak. The person opening it is just strong!’

Amid the rappers’ stunned admiration, a tiny girl walked in.

A petite beauty with snow-white skin and a cute face.

Everyone politely folded their hands at the sight of the superhuman-strength idol.

Wearing a denim jacket and beanie, the girl group member waved energetically.

“Hello everyone! Long time no see, oppas~!”

“Nayoon’s here?”

It was none other than Scarlet’s Day Z.

The rappers nodded knowingly.

‘Right, Day Z’s a good rapper too.’

‘Seriously good.’

Just like her stage name “Day Z” implied, she had a rough, aggressive rap style that completely contrasted with her cute appearance.

While the rappers bowed politely, excited to meet another celebrity—

“Hello, sunbaenims.”

A neatly groomed high school rapper entered right behind her.

Haetion greeted him happily.

“Jihyuk!”

“Ohhh, Jihyuk!”

This time the rappers were familiar with him too, greeting him enthusiastically.

The handsome high school student entering with tension written all over his face was Kim Jihyuk, the recent winner of the hit hip hop survival show Next Mission.

After politely greeting the rappers shaking his hand and patting his shoulder, Kim Jihyuk hurried over to Wooju.

“Sunbaenim. I’m here.”

“Jihyuk’s here. Good job coming.”

Wooju smiled at the trainee who looked at him like a fan staring at his ultimate bias.

“Must’ve been hard, right? You’ve been busy practicing. Thanks for making time, especially this early.”

“Sunbaenim.”

Kim Jihyuk looked genuinely baffled.

“Your time is my time.”

“!”

“If sunbaenim is in America, then I live on American West Coast time. If you’re in England, then England becomes my time zone.”

The rappers stared in admiration.

‘That kid’s going places.’

‘Is this the chosen heir of Lemon Entertainment?’

Meanwhile, Haetion watched with slight envy.

‘I could’ve recruited him too.’

Jihyuk himself had desperately wanted to become an idol, so it couldn’t be helped, but he’d been one of the most coveted talents in the hip hop scene.

Handsome face. Outstanding rap skills.

‘Ahhh, what a waste.’

Of course, thanks to that, Haetion’s label had ended up being acquired by Lemon Entertainment, but it still felt like a loss.

Everyone laughed while Kim Jihyuk gazed up at Wooju with stars practically dripping from his eyes.

Then Plo raised his hand again.

“So everyone’s here now?”

“Nope. Still not everyone.”

“??”

Before the words even finished, more people entered.

“Your humble servant has arr—oof. Hello, hyungs.”

Street Boys’ LB—real name Gam Namu—came running in energetically before immediately clasping his hands respectfully after spotting the rappers.

“It’s Teacher Haetion.”

“Teacher, hello!”

Along with Street Boys, who had learned rap from Haetion before, Hongju—the runner-up from Next Mission—also entered.

The rappers gasped in realization.

‘Right, Hongju and Street Boys too.’

‘Street Boys are good.’

Street Boys were considered among the best idol rappers in the industry, with even leader Hanjo having experience in underground rap crews.

“Commander~ We’re hereee!”

“The Mint Chocolate Squad has arrived.”

As Street Boys cheerfully greeted everyone and the studio grew more and more crowded, the rappers watching all this finally wore stunned expressions.

‘A casual shoot...?’

Junghyun spoke on behalf of everyone.

“Hyung.”

“Hm?”

“Didn’t you say this was supposed to be a light shoot?”

“Uh... I did?”

“But this....”

No matter how they looked at it, this lineup was absurd.

Two rappers from national idol group NewBlack.

The rap line of Street Boys, one of the “Teen Kings” competing with Teen Spirit at the top.

Scarlet’s youngest member Day Z, whose international fandom had exploded recently.

Kim Jihyuk and Gye Hongju, winner and runner-up of the smash-hit hip hop audition program Next Mission.

And Haetion’s label, which held major status in the hip hop industry.

This was absolutely not the kind of lineup you’d expect for a casual MyTube video.

“Uh....”

“?”

“Y-You’re right? This really isn’t casual.”

“......”

“......”

Only after seeing everyone gathered together did even Sun Wooju seem slightly flustered.

“W-Well....”

“?”

“SNH Entertainment still isn’t fully acquired yet, so they’re not here. Compared to that, this is still relatively small-scale, right?”

Embarrassed by his own words, Wooju awkwardly looked off into the distance.

“......”

“......”

Junghyun and the rappers had many things they wanted to say, but forcibly held themselves back.

One sweltering summer day—

A summons had been issued by the Heavenly Demon Composer of the Lemon Divine Cult.

-All protectors who possess both hip and hop shall gather for the sacred ceremony.

-We obey your command! Wooju Reincarnation! Deoksun Happiness!

And thus, the rappers gathered.

In reality, it was closer to “Anyone want to film a fun NewBlack TV video~?” but even that was more than enough.

People would gladly pay money just to appear on NewBlack TV.

Of course, there was one condition attached.

-This project requires a signed NDA.

Only after signing contracts filled with clauses threatening the darkness of their future if they leaked anything were they allowed in.

Unlike Haetion’s crew, the idols who didn’t know the details yet looked extremely curious.

“So, oppa.”

Day Z’s eyes sparkled.

“Why exactly did we have to sign NDAs today?”

“Ah, it’s nothing major... Everyone, I recently appeared on Mission Singer.”

“Wait, Ri Hyuk is appearing as King Sun Wooju right now...?”

“Yes.”

At the gigantic spoiler, everyone’s eyes widened.

After briefly explaining the situation, Wooju slowly pulled on the mask.

The crane mask greeted them in a voice-modulated tone.

[Hello everyone! I am Nation’s Top Hip Hop Ri Hyuk...!]

“!”

“!!”

[This is why you must maintain secrecy. Kyaruk! You can keep the secret for me, right??]

The singers all looked utterly tormented.

‘No!’

‘How are we supposed to keep this to ourselves?!’

Their mouths were already itching to talk.