Korean Press Center.

This is where major domestic media hold press conferences—and today our ambassador ceremony is here.

“NewBlack!”

As soon as we stepped out of the car, cameras swarmed us like hornets. Reporters from various entertainment outlets, it seemed.

“Hello!”

“How are you feeling today?!”

“I feel great—this is amazing!”

I gave a thumbs-up and flashed a bright smile even for the photojournalist who shouted, “Mr. Uju, your suit looks fantastic!”

“Jiho picked this outfit for me.”

“Ah, so that’s why you look so sharp!”

Laughter bubbled up among the reporters as I feigned moist, wistful eyes gazing skyward—and they laughed again. In that cheerful mood, we entered the Press Center.

Because this was an Olympic-related event, the big national outlets—Yonhap News and the like—had mobilized in force, rather than just entertainment media. In the waiting room, I took extra care with my makeup.

The makeup artist asked, “Should we tone it down a bit?”

“Yes, please.”

I’d even dyed my hair darker for the occasion.

“Phew...”

Staring in the mirror, I puffed out my cheeks and practiced different expressions, moving my mouth this way and that. Some might think it’s overkill for just an ambassador ceremony, but to me it was a precious moment.

“When I was in elementary school, I watched the 2002 World Cup and thought, ‘One day I want to be involved in events like this...’”

And now, between performing at the closing ceremony and serving as a promotional ambassador, my grin was practically ear to ear.

TF Team Leader Seok-hwan, overhearing me, laughed. “You guys would’ve been kids for the 2002 World Cup, huh?”

“Huh?”

“I watched the ’88 Olympics.”

He joked that made him feel old, wiping mock-tears—and we all burst out laughing.

Manager Min-gi, Manager Won-seok, and the others dug into memories of the 2002 World Cup, and suddenly Biju laughed, pointing at our two youngest members.

“Look at them—they’re just sitting there, not saying a word.”

“Ha ha ha!”

The two toddlers who’d been six and five in 2002 stuck out their lips and snorted like little dragons.

“Ri Hyuk, you couldn’t even go to kindergarten during the World Cup?”

“...Shut up. What’s the big deal about being a year older?”

“Then you don’t remember the penalty shoot-out against Spain? The whole neighborhood went wild.”

Junghyun joined in, “Neither of you knows about the Golden Goal, huh?”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

A chorus of teasing from us “old folks”—but our laughter faded when Manager Min-su, scrolling on his phone, murmured,

“If they were born in 2002... they’re about to debut in entertainment, aren’t they?”

“...”

“The thought just hit me...”

Indeed, those born in 2002 turn seventeen or eighteen in 2019. Imagining World Cup kids calling us “senpai” made time rush over me. I checked the mirror for wrinkles and offered a reassuring smile to the misty-eyed Seok-hwan.

“I’ve got to keep myself in shape...”

Determined to stay ahead of younger talents, I made a mental vow to focus on my health and skincare.

Knock-knock.

A stately middle-aged man entered—it was the Chairperson of the PyeongChang Organizing Committee.

“Ah, hello.”

“Hello!”

We exchanged warm handshakes.

“I’m thrilled we secured NewBlack as our ambassadors. Please help us promote the Games.”

“We won’t let you down!”

“I hear you have tens of millions of subscribers on MyTube? Ha ha—our expectations are sky-high.”

We grinned at his joking suggestion that even a casual “Pyoong-chung!” from us during a live stream would be priceless publicity.

“Just leave it to us.”

After greeting the officials, the official ceremony began immediately in the conference hall.

[shutter clicks rattling–!]

Camera shutters blazed like fireworks—nearly every media outlet in Korea was represented, from PBS to TBC to HBS, and the major newspapers.

Amid flashing bulbs, I stepped forward and accepted the appointment plaque.

[“The Republic of Korea’s representative K-pop star NewBlack is hereby appointed Ambassador for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. June 26, 2017. Organizing Committee Chairperson Oh Songsik.”]

I bowed deeply as I received the plaque. Then a larger panel appeared—our ambassador nameplates.

[shutter clicks rattling–!]

Once the flashes subsided, we sat and began the formal press conference.

“First, congratulations on your ambassadorship.”

“Thank you.”

“How does it feel?”

“I’m overjoyed. When I was young, my grandmother and others teased me, ‘Uju, didn’t you even see the ’88 Olympics?’... but watching footage later, I understood why it’s so deeply meaningful to the nation.”

“The Olympics returning to Korea after thirty years—being able to contribute even a little is a great honor.”

(Headline suggestion: “NewBlack’s Uju: ‘Honored to Help Thirty Years After the Last Olympics’”)

Reporters clattered on their laptops, and one raised a hand.

“Are you familiar with the Olympic mascots?”

(I was ready to bait-and-switch if they hadn’t studied.)

Ri Hyuk took the mic with a cool smile.

“I studied Soohorang and Bandabi thoroughly. A tiger and a half-moon bear...” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

(A great way to shut down trolling.)

As questions poured in, my brothers and I answered in turn.

“I’m really looking forward to curling. We’ve even talked about trying it ourselves.”

“Favorite athletes? We root for the short-track skaters passionately.”

“Yes, we filmed ‘My Hometown Now’ in PyeongChang.”

I’d hoped for higher-level questions from the big papers, but they weren’t much different from entertainment media.

Then a Japanese reporter raised his hand and asked in Korean,

“You speak foreign languages so well—could you introduce the PyeongChang Games now, in another language?”

“Of course.”

I smiled brightly and spoke in French:

“Bonjour, je suis Uju de NewBlack. Les Jeux Olympiques d’hiver de PyeongChang 2018 unissent le monde entier ; nous attendons votre soutien et vos encouragements !”

I’d adapted a line from last summer’s K-pop concert in France. The crowd of assistants clapped seal-style, laughter rippling around.

The MC announced the final question, and one reporter raised a hand.

“NewBlack is known for unique content—are you preparing anything special for PyeongChang?”

“Yes, we are.”

In fact, the reason I’d been so eager for this ceremony was the content we planned to roll out—we needed official ambassador status to release it. I looked at Chairperson Oh with bright eyes, then at the reporters, and smiled.

“We really have a lot in store.”

That evening, Supulle buzzed with excitement online.

– “Oooo!!”

– “Congrats congrats”

– “Weren’t they already ambassadors? I thought I saw it on MyTube...”

– “Nope, that was fan-made.”

– “They snagged them fast, lol. I’d have named them years ago if I were the committee.”

– “With their domestic and international fame combined, they’re the best choice...”

– “Our kids rock, congrats!”

Even fans of other groups asked if they were already ambassadors. Many remembered a fan-made video back when “Falling Blossoms” first released, titled “NewBlack to PyeongChang”—they’d thought it was real. Supulle grinned at the “congrats” comments.

“Ambassador’s done. Next—closing or opening ceremony stage?” they wondered. Even if some balked at idols at the Opening, a K-pop idol stage at the Closing was all but guaranteed. And missing NewBlack would be unthinkable.

“Muggles couldn’t stand it,” they joked.

Soon after, subscribers and casual viewers alike received an alert:

[★NewBlack’s PyeongChang Promotion!★]

New videos had been uploaded en masse to NewBlack TV—promotional clips for PyeongChang, each member in a different version.

“Impressive dedication.” viewers admired.

I. Biju’s Video (30 sec)

“Hmm?”

A massive wardrobe stood silently. The doors swung wide...

[“PyeongChang!”]

[“PyeongChang!”]

The screen split into dozens of Bijus, all chanting “PyeongChang!” in dizzying rapidity. After thirty seconds, the screen went black:

[“PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games”]

[“Official Ambassadors NewBlack”]

Five seconds before the end, like a cuckoo clock pop-out, Biju leapt forward:

“Boo!”

“I scared you, right?” she laughed, closing the wardrobe door.

[“PyeongChang...”]

Fans laughed and murmured, “What even was that?” “I can’t get it out of my head!”

Immediately the next video began.

II. Jiho’s Morning-Drama-Style Video (30 sec)

[shrewd soap-opera BGM]

At a desk labeled [Director General Wang Jiho], the impeccably suited lead approved paperwork. The door burst open—an actress known for mother-in-law roles swept in.

[“PyeongChang?”]

She waved a sheet of paper:

[“PyeongChang!”]

[“PyeongChang...”]

Every line was just “PyeongChang,” yet the tension was palpable. A younger actress rushed in, urgently chanting “PyeongChang!” The mother flicked paper in rage, and the SFX “PyeongChang...” played again.

“cough!”

Some viewers choked on their water. Then the dramatic BGM swelled, and the ad ended with:

[“PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games”]

[“Official Ambassadors NewBlack”]

III. Ri Hyuk’s Youth-Movie-Style Video (30 sec)

At a rain-soaked bus stop, college student “Seo Ri Hyuk” sat like a film lead. Another student ran up, sitting beside him to shield herself with her bag. She glanced at his handsome profile, blushing...

He produced a handkerchief and offered it gently. She noticed the embroidered text:

– “Please don’t splash me with raindrops.”

[Laughter SFX]

As a sitcom-style camera zoomed out, ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) she returned the handkerchief. The romantic BGM resumed.

[“Excuse me...”]

[“Yes?”]

[“Do you... like coffee?”]

[“No.”]

[“Then... do you have time...”]

[“I have to go see the Olympics.”]

He rose when the next bus arrived:

[“Then I will go see the Olympics.”]

[“When exactly is that Olympics?!”]

Silence fell. The rain-drenched pair waited as the bus approached. He turned and replied:

[“February 9, 2018.”]

He boarded bus number 1829, and the ambassador logo appeared. Fans laughed, suddenly remembering “1829” and “PyeongChang”—the key details had been firmly planted in their minds.

IV. Junghyun’s “Eye of Tiger” Training Video (30 sec)

In exercise gear, Junghyun showcased lean muscles skipping rope, then pounded a speed bag: “Shook-shook-shook!” The theme from Rocky III, “Eye of Tiger,” blasted over his intense workout.

Voice-over: [“I will achieve outstanding results at these Games.”]

Foreign onlookers whispered:

[“That guy... doesn’t know it’s the Winter Olympics.”]

[“PyeongChang is a winter Games, you know.”]

Targeting overseas viewers, Junghyun marked an X over “2.9” on a calendar. Jiho, chewing gum, quipped:

[“Hyung, PyeongChang is a winter Games.”]

[“Oh.”]

[“Then it’ll be two years later, huh?”]

Junghyun tightened his gloves as “Eye of Tiger” played again. The scene shifted to a clean graphic with Junghyun’s reassuring baritone:

[“2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games!”]

[“Shall we learn about the events together?”]

Fifteen events—from alpine skiing to skeleton—scrolled by. Fans marveled, “Starts off goofy, ends informative!” Politicians watching might give it a standing ovation.

V. Uju’s EDM Dance Video (30 sec)

When it reached me, viewers sensed an irresistible bounce deep in their chests.

Bamm-babababam!

An addictive EDM beat. I danced in a floral suit with a delightfully off-kilter “nationally unclassifiable” traditional–inspired routine.

Across the drop, a sultry English narration floated:

[PyeongChang~]

[PyeongChang~]

Koreans who’d watched the four previous clips hit replay immediately, craving that bounce. A melody born in our song camp had become a viral earworm.

One pinned comment read:

[∠Pinned by NewBlack TV]

[Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

“Uju, pick up your phone right now...”

As viewers laughed at the official-sounding comment, Uju’s little seed had been launched—soon the “PyeongChang Dance” would spread across the internet.