After the national anthem and the opening verse ended.

As Game 1 of the Korea Series began, the video of Ri Hyuk singing the national anthem spread across online communities in an instant.

[Today’s Korea Series National Anthem]

People who clicked the attached video widened their eyes.

“What is this.”

He was too good. Way too good.

The moment they saw Ri Hyuk in the thumbnail, they had expected him to sing well, of course—but what came out far exceeded their expectations.

The national anthem rang out, piercing through cheap earphones and low-quality speakers.

Wow lololololololol

Look at the crowd murmuring right after the first line lol everyone reacting the same

The murmuring lolol

Gotta admit, Ri Hyuk’s vocals are legit

Must give you chills hearing that live,,,,

I never thought the national anthem could feel like actual art lol

Ri Hyukㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

That wasn’t all. Videos filmed on phones at the stadium were being uploaded too.

As soon as the first line began, a collective “Whoa...” of stunned admiration rippled through the crowd.

Sensing the atmosphere, entertainment reporters quickly sprang into action.

[Photo] NewBlack’s Ri Hyuk Shakes Munhak Stadium With Explosive Vocals

[N Photo] Ri Hyuk Sings National Anthem at Korea Series, “No Buttons Burst Today~”

Ri Hyuk Sings National Anthem, “Doesn’t Even Need a Mic”... “Feels Like Even God Is Listening”

As those articles hit the portal sites, people’s attention gathered.

“How good could it have been.”

At the end of the day, it was still the national anthem, wasn’t it?

Koreans grew curious while picturing the ordinary anthem they had sung in school assemblies and formal events.

It wasn’t even an opera singer. Just a regular pop singer. How much could it possibly...

“Uh......”

People who had assumed it wouldn’t be anything special blinked as they watched the clip uploaded by TBC Broadcasting.

“No wonder it blew up.”

As they watched Ri Hyuk’s clear voice climb endlessly into the high notes, they felt strange.

It was like having a friend who was good at badminton in the neighborhood—and then that friend suddenly went to the Olympics and came back with a gold medal.

This wasn’t just “good singing” by normal standards.

“......?”

The video shut down any room for comments like “That’s AR,” or “It’s edited.”

At the very top of the comment section:

Did you know... this is a cappella

It was strange.

They could have sworn they heard accompaniment. But listening again, it truly was just his voice.

“Wow......”

A laugh and a sigh of admiration slipped out unconsciously.

“So Ri Hyuk really is that good.”

Even compared to other famous singers, he lost nothing.

They didn’t know why they felt proud when they weren’t even Ri Hyuk—but in terms of public perception, it was a significant shift.

Because once people acknowledged just how good he was, their gaze shifted elsewhere.

So NewBlack were actually good this whole time;;

인정

No no that’s not it. NewBlack songs don’t really have parts to flex vocals so we just didn’t notice. Doesn’t mean the others are that good

What are you talking about lol then what was that competition stage during the Masterpiece Team era

Acting like the main vocal was hiding his skills ㅉㅉ

Honestly even Wooju is main-vocal level, isn’t he??

If he could sing that well and people hadn’t realized until now, didn’t that mean the other NewBlack members weren’t far behind?

Those they had simply viewed as friendly variety idols were suddenly being reassessed for their vocal ability.

There was only one question.

“If he’s that good, why didn’t we know until now?”

While the general public tilted their heads, puzzled, the Souffle who knew the answer simply smiled.

[Ri Hyuk 2015 vs Ri Hyuk 2017 Singing the Same Song]

Someone uploaded a comparison video of Ri Hyuk from a singing competition two years ago and Ri Hyuk now.

As part of NewBlack TV content, he had re-sung a song from two years prior.

His volume was still strong—but compared to back then, his 2017 self overwhelmingly won.

It was almost as if he had spent two years singing in a training room where the results doubled.

Even someone tone-deaf could hear how much he had improved.

“There’s a reason the best are the best.”

Seeing their favorite prove why he was the main vocal made Souffle feel warm and fluffy inside for no reason at all.

Watching the national anthem video made their noses sting slightly.

In the video, Ri Hyuk sang with a calm smile, as if telling them to look at him.

Souffle nodded.

“I hear it, Ri Hyuk. The song you’re singing for us......”

Across the world, Souffle clenched their fists cutely.

In that moment—

Millions of fists clenched across the Earth.

“You worked hard!”

“You did great!”

They were clapping for Ri Hyuk as he returned after finishing the anthem.

“Ha.”

Walking back with swagger, the moment Ri Hyuk stepped off the field, he collapsed to the ground.

His legs must have given out; he wobbled like a lollipop stick planted upright on the floor.

“Hoo......”

Junhyun rushed over and grabbed the back of Ri Hyuk’s neck.

His pale face was completely drained of color.

“I......”

“I?”

“I thought I was going to die from nerves......”

As he muttered while taking deep breaths, we burst out laughing.

Still clutching his chest as if his heart were racing, Ri Hyuk leaned against the wall and stared at the ceiling.

“Wow......”

“You were that nervous?”

“Try singing the national anthem a cappella in front of twenty thousand people. You can’t not be nervous.”

After doing perfectly up there, he was putting on airs. I smacked his back.

“Cut it out. You crushed it.”

“Did I do well?”

“You must’ve felt it while singing.”

“I kind of did. When I sang the first line I thought, ‘Ah, this is it,’ and felt good about it.”

He laughed shyly. I patted his back and told him he did well.

Just as he finally relaxed and scrubbed his face dry with a “Huhh,” while we were patting his back—

“Coming through, please!”

A large procession approached from the field.

Soldiers in uniform.

Model soldiers invited to watch Game 1 of the Korea Series at Munhak Stadium today.

They were the ones who had unfurled the massive flag inside the stadium during Ri Hyuk’s anthem.

“Oh......!”

The soldiers following their guide widened their eyes at us.

“You worked hard.”

“You did great!”

The soldiers fumbled their replies to our greetings.

Even as they continued moving with their guide, they kept turning around to look at us, clearly fascinated.

“Oh man.”

Seeing the young ones in uniform made my heart ache a little.

Especially hearing they served at forward GP and GOP posts.

Imagining them shivering in insane winter cold made me feel sorry for them.

“Hmm?”

Among the soldiers, I spotted a familiar face.

Our eyes met.

“Huh?”

“Uh?”

I recognized him immediately.

But before I could greet him, he was swept away by the procession just as I reached out my hand.

“What’s wrong, hyung?”

“There was a Souffle among the ones who just passed.”

“Of course there was.”

“No, not that. One we’ve actually met before.”

“He was?”

His hair was cut short and he wore a beret, so I hesitated for a moment—but I knew him.

My son is enlisting next week.

He was the Souffle who had come with his father to the Dokkaebi showcase at the Korean traditional music hall earlier that year.

The fan I had sung “A Letter from a Private” for before he enlisted.

When I explained, the members immediately remembered.

“Hyung.”

Biju said,

“Shouldn’t we at least go say hello?”

“Yeah.”

After explaining the situation to Wonseok hyung, he strode off to look for him.

Soon enough, we were able to meet the Souffle inside the stadium at a concession table piled high with snacks.

Two of them came over.

“Hmm?”

Why two?

Noticing our puzzled looks, the Souffle said awkwardly,

“We were told never to move alone. Even to the restroom, we have to go in pairs.”

“Ah......”

I could almost hear the officers’ stern warnings in my ears.

The Souffle fidgeted. Beside him stood another soldier with the rank of corporal, equally awkward.

“And this is......?”

“My senior.”

“H-hello. Corporal Kim Sanggon.”

We smiled warmly, shook hands, and offered them seats.

“We’re the singers of your junior here.”

“Ah... yes......”

“Our name is NewBlack.”

“Yes, I watch TV......”

We briefly explained how we had met before.

“Your nickname back then was ‘DontWantToGoToTheArmy.’ Is it still the same?”

“I changed it to ‘WantToBeDischarged.’”

Corporal Kim and I burst out laughing, and the younger members followed suit.

I wagged a finger.

“This is something only we get to laugh at.”

“Tch......”

The maknae pouted.

We chatted with Corporal Kim and our discharge-wishing Souffle.

Judging by how his senior treated him, he seemed to have landed in a unit with a decent atmosphere.

If it were bad, he wouldn’t joke about discharge like that.

“How is your father?”

“He’s doing well. Healthy.”

“Want to do a quick video call?”

“Uh......”

“I got permission earlier.”

We made short video calls to both soldiers’ parents and did a bit of marketing.

“Please spread the word everywhere. NewBlack has amazing character. NewBlack taking care of soldiers......”

Everyone laughed at our shameless intentions.

The atmosphere loosened noticeably.

“Hyung, since you served in a tough unit too......”

“N-no, I didn’t.”

I was an administrative clerk.

When I waved it off, Corporal Kim tilted his head.

“Weren’t you in a tough unit?”

“Not at all.”

“Huh? Then why did I think that...?”

It seemed the military special episode of People Are Going had left too strong an impression.

Embarrassed, I quickly changed the topic.

“You probably couldn’t come to the concert.”

“Honestly, I would’ve failed ticketing anyway.”

“Want to hear the chorus of Coin?”

We briefly sang the chorus of Coin and METRO for him.

His eyes grew moist. He looked happy.

But time was up.

“We should get going.”

“Time to part.”

When we tried to pack them some snacks, they firmly refused.

Too many eyes watching.

“Can’t help it then. How about... a hug before you go?”

“A hug?”

“Sudden, I know......”

“I’m fine with it.”

“Okay then.”

It had only been ten minutes, but it felt like a dream.

The Souffle in uniform felt like he was floating.

“Hey.”

Corporal Kim said excitedly.

“That was insane. So it was real.”

“Why would I lie?”

From basic training onward, he had told the story.

The story of how I heard “A Letter from a Private” from NewBlack’s Wooju.

There he goes again!

Even after being assigned to his unit—

The story of how I heard “A Letter from a Private” from NewBlack’s Wooju.

Mythomania?

It was that much of a bragging right.

Some didn’t believe him.

Because his face hadn’t appeared clearly in the video.

That shadow is me.

Sure. Then that shadow under the light must be me.

Now no one would doubt him back at base.

He clenched his fist in joy.

“That was insane.”

He had endured plenty of comments about being a male fan of a boy group.

Though by 2017 NewBlack were everywhere, in 2016 it had still been ambiguous.

He finally felt it /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ had all been worth it.

“Hmm?”

Back in the stands, he slipped a hand into his pocket and froze.

“What?”

His pocket felt full.

Like it held a bag of crackers.

Peeking in, he saw it stuffed with hidden snacks.

“When did......”

Only then did he remember the brief hug with Wooju.

He must have slipped them in then.

“So that’s why he suddenly suggested a hug.”

“Wow. I thought he was a professional pickpocket.”

He laughed—then suddenly stiffened and checked his pockets.

“......”

Thankfully, his wallet was still there.

“Whew......”

He laughed at himself.

“What was I thinking.”

To suspect someone like Sun Wooju.

But then he tilted his head.

“Wait. Was my wallet in the left pocket? Not the right?”

“Whew. Almost stole it.”

“What are you talking about.”

“Nothing. Just something.”

I smiled at Ri Hyuk and looked at the soldiers in the distance.

I felt proud I’d properly used the anti-pickpocket technique video I’d seen on MyTube.

“Nice.”

Used a new skill, watched our kid’s stage, met a fan.

A day like a beam of light in a routine of practice rooms and studios.

Watching the finals at a sunny baseball stadium was fun.

I almost wanted to gift this feeling to everyone exhausted and worn down.

“Junhyun, you’re not frowning while watching baseball today.”

“It’s not my team. Doesn’t matter who wins......”

Thinking of his beloved KG Dragons, Junhyun suddenly burst into tears.

I patted his shoulder, laughing.

I shouldn’t watch baseball.

“It’s over!”

Anyway, watching baseball with the boys ended enjoyably.

The home team, Daesan Hawks, defeated the away team, Celtic Unicorns, 4 to 2.

Though judging by the constant swearing from both cheering sections, neither team had played particularly well.

And then—

“Hello!”

“Nice to see you again.”

After the game, we briefly met Ri Hyuk’s family.

His mother looked the same as before. His father too.

“You’re really popular.”

“We are pretty amazing. Haha.”

Then I pushed Ri Hyuk forward.

“Wasn’t he cool today?”

“Uh... yes.”

“He was cool......”

His father and Ri Hyuk’s ears turned red. His mother stared coolly into the distance.

Only his younger sibling grinned.

“I’ll have dinner with my family.”

“Take your time.”

“Ah!”

Running after his family, Ri Hyuk turned and smiled brightly.

“Thanks for booking the restaurant!”

“......Ri Hyuk!”

“What?”

“Say that again so I can record it.”

He shot us a finger-gun glare and disappeared.

We waved at our main vocal as he left.

“Hohoho.”

“Woohoho.”

“Hyung has no idea about our event.”

“Hoho.”

He had no idea what was waiting at the restaurant.

For Ri Hyuk, today was the best day in years.

“No traffic!”

Even the roads were clear.

His parents praised him shyly.

His sibling’s college applications were going well.

“I applied early decision to Brown. I think it’ll go well.”

“Really? I hope so.”

Hearing K-pop and NewBlack news from his sibling studying in the U.S. made him happy.

Arriving at the fully reserved restaurant felt good.

“The taste of privacy!”

The eldest had rented the whole place.

Wine on elegant tablecloths. A full Han River night view outside.

Laughter under moonlight.

Just as they waited for dessert—

“There’s a small event before dessert.”

“An event?”

They exchanged confused looks.

Then—

Whirrrrr—

The sound of wheels.

“Wait!”

A TV rolled toward them and powered on.

[Hello. This is SaBlack without Ri Hyuk.]

While Ri Hyuk explained what SaBlack meant to his U.S.-based family, the members continued.

[Ri Hyuk is very precious to us. He helps a lot with songwriting.]

[I wish he’d eat more. He leaves the beans every time.]

[Every day with Ri Hyuk is fun.]

[Ri Hyuk hyung likes me too much.]

They thanked his parents for sending him to them.

His parents smiled quietly, sipping wine. Ri Hyuk stared into the distance.

If it was this kind of event, it wasn’t bad.

Photos of Ri Hyuk flowed across the screen like a wedding montage.

[Are you having a good time as a family?]

Wooju smiled.

[Today, our production team is revealing behind-the-scenes footage of a special video we’ve kept hidden.]

“Special video?”

The screen switched.

It was footage from their first concert at the handball stadium.

[Q. What would you like to say to your family?]

“No!”

Drunk on first-concert emotions, Ri Hyuk rambled about love.

That wasn’t all.

His parents and sibling appeared separately.

[I’m not good at expressing myself, but......]

[We support Ri Hyuk.]

[Every time I see my brother, I cry......]

Like a sunflower drooping, the family lowered their heads.

At that moment, restaurant staff rolled in a three-tier cake.

[It’s a bit of a late Chuseok, but for this family gathering!]

[Have a happy time together today!]

“......”

“......”

As the four family members covered their faces, the members’ cheerful congratulatory song played.