"Whoo, whoo."

The Souffle took deep breaths.

Please!

Please let me win!

Fans who clicked the winner announcement posted on the Lemon Entertainment homepage took deep breaths as they scanned the list.

"Let’s see."

As they skimmed through nicknames to check for their own, groans spread among them.

Their names were nowhere to be found.

Of course.

The number of Souffle was as countless as grains of sand on a beach.

Getting into the top 100 here was like pushing a camel through the eye of a needle.

Just as resigned fans were scrolling down—

"Hm?"

There were a few who found their names there.

It’s, it’s there!

Several fans who spotted their nicknames shot to their feet, shouting, "No way!" They didn’t know what exactly they had won, but they had won something!

After savoring the glorious moment of their fangirl lives, the Souffle froze.

"Wait... no, this is that again...."

A familiar format appeared.

It was the same style of awards that had been presented at this year’s Souffle Awards, listed one after another.

"Consolation Prize, You Have Insulted Me Prize, Ri Hyuk’s Friend Prize...."

Awards given to fans who showed either excellent or hilariously poor results in the First NewBlack National Mock Exam.

Some fans laughed and celebrated, but others grew nervous.

This isn’t... they’re not going to make us go up and receive it in person, right?

If my professor finds out, I’ll be socially buried in academia....

Souffle were happy enough to be mocked by other fandoms as flower field fangirls, but they had their own hardships.

For introverted fans, this was the worst possible scenario.

At concerts there were always event raffles, being called up to say a few words, members running up to greet you on the street if they recognized you as a fan. They absolutely did not allow you to observe from afar.

Someone among the Souffle had once written:

They seemed close on TV... but up close, they were even closer. I wish they were moderately close....

Stop coming closer... ahhh! Junhyun is running toward me!

I want distance from my bias.

For introverted fans, every event was nerve wracking.

They just wanted to wave their light sticks from afar and shout, "Wooju!" But every time the members approached, their hearts dropped.

Even during audience raffles, when they called out "Section A!" and their hearts pounded—it was exhausting.

Whew, at least it’s delivery by courier.

Fortunately or unfortunately, because there were so many people, most award winners had not won the fan signing event.

"If someone shy actually wins the fan signing, that would be so hard."

Just imagining being that person brought cold sweat. Being surrounded by NewBlack on stage with everyone watching, giving interviews....

While introverted fans groaned internally—

"Hm?"

As if to reassure them, there was a note in the announcement.

"You no longer need to be embarrassed!"

Are you shy about receiving your award in front of your bias?

NewBlack and staff will discreetly deliver your certificate. (NewBlack will secretly write a congratulatory message while signing.)

Or, if necessary, we can lend you a costume to conceal your identity!

The introverted fans burst into laughter in satisfaction when they read that.

Meanwhile, the award winners who had won the fan signing—

Fans who shared similar attention seeking tendencies with singers were reading the notice with satisfied smiles.

I absolutely have to rent a costume.

I love attention.

Lemon Entertainment’s intention was being fulfilled in the exact opposite way.

The first week of September was a series of happy moments for us.

First, on Thursday, September 7, Metro achieved truly astonishing results.

NewBlack’s Metro surpasses 100 million views in two weeks... "It’s exploding"

NewBlack METRO blows up in the U.S... 100 million views in just two weeks!

Metro M V surpasses 100 million views on MyTube in two weeks... Seoul Metro congratulates them

Our music video had surpassed 100 million views in just two weeks.

"Is this real."

"Want me to pinch you?"

"Let’s pinch together. Aaaah!"

"Aaaah!"

The number of views felt completely unreal.

Of course, many of our music videos had surpassed 100 million views before. But the trend was the issue.

Back in January this year, Dokkaebi had taken 60 days to reach 100 million views.

Three months later in April, Coin reached 100 million in 33 days, cutting the time nearly in half.

And now Metro hit 100 million in 14 days, cutting it in half again.

"Wow...."

Biju said blankly,

"At this rate, next year’s song might hit 100 million in a week. How does it reach 100 million in two weeks...?"

100 million views in two weeks.

Even major American stars could hardly achieve that.

Part of it was because this song was in English, bringing in more English speaking listeners. But clearly, since Billboard and the VMA stage, new Souffle had increased.

Starting with Metro, 100 million view music videos were popping up everywhere.

NewBlack Merry Christmas surpasses 100 million views... "Christmas in midsummer"

NewBlack x Jang Sowon collaboration Something surpasses 100 million views

NewBlack Wooju Hello surpasses 100 million views

New Souffle were running around boosting views, pushing even B side tracks and special releases to 100 million.

And Metro, which had sparked this explosion, was currently performing well in the U.S.

Every time we saw Metro’s name at the top of major streaming sites, it felt surreal. American media were treating it almost like a domestic success.

Naturally, in our home base of Korea, it was even more explosive.

"Congratulations. First place in the first week of September goes to... NewBlack’s Metro!"

"Congratulations, seniors!"

"Congratulations!"

From Thursday to Sunday, Metro took first place on every music show.

We were so happy that during encores we practically danced around in excitement.

Meanwhile, our main vocalist delivered terrifyingly raw live performances, becoming a hot topic among idol fans.

Ri Hyuk sounds the same live

They’re all so good the balance is insane

Ri Hyuk is ridiculously good

NewBlack’s positions and balance are honestly perfect. Release this live version please

Metro is a legendary track

But Wooju is insane he’s like a hit making vending machine

For real... Gyuho just feels like the bald owner collecting coins while Sun Wooju does everything

There were so many heartwarming comments.

I don’t have siblings, but I imagined this must be what it feels like when your younger brother gets praised.

And among all these happy things, the best of all was the fan signing.

Thank you so much for coming to our fan signing today.

"Waaaaaah!"

Today’s cute cheers from our Souffle are especially nice. The kind of cute cheers only fewer than 100 Souffle can produce.

"Waaaah!"

Once the number exceeds 100, the cheers exponentially turn into dinosaurs and creatures. With fewer people, they were adorable.

Metro’s special fan signing event.

Like chosen children, the Souffle bounced as they handed over their CDs, and we signed diligently.

"The album is pretty, right?"

"Mm hm."

"Who’s prettier, me or the album?"

"The album."

"You may move along."

Jiho pouted and gestured for the fan to move on, making us and the Souffle burst into laughter.

As the scale grew larger, it became harder to hear fans’ voices directly. So moments like this, sitting face to face and talking, were precious. It made me understand why kings in old tales snuck out of their palaces to hear public sentiment.

"Hm, ranking our visuals...."

On the question, What’s your ranking of NewBlack visuals? the younger members had written their answers.

They put me at number one and then wrote their own names as number two, and below that wrote irrelevant.

"Objectively speaking, I’m first, and second place is...."

"......."

"......."

The minions signing next to me froze and rolled their eyes. With expectant glances from the younger ones, I lifted my marker.

"In my opinion, all four of you are tied."

Boos erupted, but I did not waver.

Exchanging jokes with fans was a delightful time. It felt like a duel between masters, trading spears and shields.

"Oppa."

"Yes."

A fan who brought a jeweled candy ring issued a challenge.

"Please marry me."

"My younger brothers in law would be NewBlack."

"I I’m okay with that."

"Really? We signed an agreement to live together even after marriage. We call it the Second Biju Treaty."

The engagement was immediately broken.

Having four overwhelming younger brothers in law was clearly a difficult marriage condition.

After signing, during the time we answered Q and A sticky notes—

"There’s a question asking what Wooju’s ideal type is."

"Someone better at music than me."

"Everyone! Wooju just declared he’ll live alone forever!"

"How did that conclusion happen, Jiho."

The younger ones said the only option was a spiritual marriage ceremony with Beethoven, and I shook my head.

What brats.

After finishing the joyful gathering with fans, it was finally award time.

We cleared our throats as we prepared to present certificates to mock exam winners who had also won today’s fan signing.

"Yes."

Seokhwan spoke into the microphone with an enlightened expression.

"Now we will present the First NewBlack Scholarship Fund awards. Recipients, please come up to the stage."

"Waaaaaah!"

It seemed many of today’s recipients were shy.

Cute silhouettes began running toward the stage.

A screech that seemed fitting for them.

Several Tyrannosaurus mascot suits were bouncing their heads as they ran.

"Weren’t they supposed to be shy?"

"They’re our fans, hyung."

"They’re not shy. They’re burning their shame."

As we nodded at Junhyun’s comment and laughed at the Tyrannosaurus—

"Oh!"

"Oh dear."

The running fans tangled with each other and began tumbling over.

Thankfully, we had laid soft mats in advance.

At the sight of the flailing Tyrannosaurus, Junhyun lifted the microphone and said wistfully,

"And thus, the dinosaurs went extinct...."

Souffle burst into uncontrollable laughter.

The fan signing that concluded the Metro promotion left behind many stories.

Sun Wooju declares lifelong bachelorhood

Dinosaurs receiving certificates gif ft NewBlack

My mom found out my nickname Kim CharcoalLick

The story of sweating when my professor turned out to be Souffle

There were so many heartwarming anecdotes.

I smiled at the sight of Souffle embarrassed after their fangirl nicknames were exposed to parents and family online.

Biju said,

"I think we gave them unforgettable memories."

"No matter how I think about it, we’re too kind."

"Hahaha!"

We laughed together and looked out the window.

Gangwon Pyeongchang.

Now that all music show schedules were finished, there was one schedule left before departing for the Japan tour.

A meeting related to preparing the closing ceremony stage.

"But they’re preparing earlier than I thought. There are still six months left until the stage...."

"The earlier the better."

Until next February when the Olympics would be held, there were almost exactly six months left.

It might seem early, but preparation was necessary. The organizing committee was busy, and so were we.

With the Osaka Dome concert in October and the Seoul encore concert.

Then from November, Mango Chart Awards, KMA, and year end stage preparations.

Add in potential American award shows like the AMA or Grammy if we were invited—

"......."

"......."

Thinking about rest time made my eyes sting, but what could we do.

In the entertainment industry, you were either extremely busy or extremely idle.

There was no middle.

"We’ve arrived."

"Thank you!"

As we stepped out in the parking lot, the cool wind of Daegwallyeong blew through our hair. A sudden strong gust made Ri Hyuk sway like a paper doll.

Junhyun whispered,

"If we tie a string to Ri Hyuk, he’d fly like a kite."

"He’s pointy looking too. If we launch him, he’d probably have less air resistance. Like a paper airplane."

"I can hear you!"

Junhyun and I pretended not to hear and looked at the clear sky.

Below it stood a neat white building.

This was the office of the Pyeongchang Olympic Organizing Committee in Gangwon Province.

It faced a quiet four lane road, and next to it were greenhouses and fields, giving it an oddly rural atmosphere.

"The air in Gangwon is nice."

After the meeting about the closing ceremony, we planned to tour the nearby stadiums before returning to Seoul.

"Hello!"

The staff member assigned to guide us greeted us brightly.

After receiving our visitor passes, we entered the newly built office.

"You requested a quiet visit, so we arranged it this way."

"Thank you."

Since it was a private visit, we had asked to refrain from photos or filming.

We passed through a lobby displaying international times like America, China, and France, then moved to a spacious meeting room.

The staff member smiled.

"By the way, thank you so much. The video from the American talk show had an amazing response."

"We did well, right?"

"Yes. Thank you so much."

She was referring to the Pyeongchang Olympic promotion segment filmed for The Alan Dale Show.

We promoted both the Pyeongchang Olympics and Metro to New York citizens in the subway, and ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) the local response had been tremendous.

NewBlack’s comedian career is off to a successful start

Not a fan but this video is hilarious I almost fell out of my chair when the tiger spun its head

I hope they go on SNL

What’s the difference between Pyongyang and Pyeongchang Is it like New York and Newark

I’m 67 can I join Souffle

Yes in Korea older fans join as rice cake members it’s like a Souffle silver town

The mascot suits are so cute

Korean subs please

It hadn’t been a massive hit, but we were satisfied that Pyeongchang’s recognition had risen to rival Pyongyang.

We smiled at the praise and moved toward the office.

"Hello!"

"Oh, you’re here?"

A stylish middle aged man seated in the office stood up.

Director Kim Ikhwan.

A director who had created multiple ten million viewer films in Korea and a renowned name in stage production. It was said that the total audience numbers of his films exceeded the population of Korea.

Under his graying hair was a polite smile.

"We met at the Korean Arts Awards. Good to see you again. Have you been well?"

"Yes, very well."

"Congratulations on winning that American award. I was as happy as if I had won it myself."

It was our second meeting.

The first had been a brief greeting arranged by someone else at the Korean Arts Awards ceremony.

That was about the extent of our acquaintance.

"Director!"

Our ambitious acting sprout’s eyes burned.

"It’s truly an honor to meet you!"

"Ah, yes."

"I’ve studied acting by rewatching your films dozens of times. I could recite lines just from being given a scene. I’m a prepared actor—"

While Director Kim Ikhwan stood there with both hands tightly clasped, overwhelmed by Jiho’s enthusiasm—

"Junhyun."

"Yes, hyung."

"Drag him."

"Yes."

Like pulling away a puppy clinging to someone they liked, Junhyun peeled Jiho off and dragged him back.

Watching this, the director’s eyes gleamed with interest.

"I’ve only seen that dragging in videos. Seeing it in person is fascinating. So that’s how you drag him."

"Hahaha."

"Anyway, nice to meet you. I’m Kim Ikhwan."

"Hello, Director. We’re NewBlack!"

Though we were already acquainted, we formally introduced ourselves and exchanged greetings.

Director Kim Ikhwan gestured.

"Shall we head to the meeting room?"

We followed him to meet the closing ceremony directing team.

As we passed through the hallway, we saw various things inside offices. Wooden models that looked like samples, walls covered in sketches.

"The opening ceremony preparations are in full swing."

"I see...."

Then—

"Hm?"

Biju stopped walking, as if he had seen something strange.

It seemed to be a large sketch posted inside one office.

"What is it, Biju?"

"I think I saw something weird...."

"What?"

"It had a bird’s body, but a human face. Like a monster."

What?

At the mention of a creature with a bird’s body and human face, we turned our heads.

"Hahaha!"

Screech!

Director Kim Ikhwan hurriedly shut the office door.

As if hiding a secret weapon.

But—

"......."

Through the closing gap, we saw it.

Just as Biju had said, the silhouette of a bizarre creature.

It really was a bird with a human face....

Did you see that?

The director hurried along with an awkward laugh.

We blinked.

Then we laughed with the younger members.

"Come on."

"No way."

Whatever it was, we firmly believed it had nothing to do with us.