In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe Chapter 28:

Chapter 28

I was supposed to have a eting with Director Jo, but thanks to soone who insisted on doing everything together, I had to sit down for a while.

The atmosphere was harmonious.

Ri-hyuk, heres a special wrap for you, bro.

Oh, thanks. You have so too.

Whats going on?

The youngest and Ri-hyuk exchanged pork belly and trotter wraps with each other.

And the result.

Phew-! Hey! Wang Ji-ho, what did you put in there?

Cough! Bro, what is this cough-?

Of course.

They both had red faces from stuffing their mouths with peppers or garlic.

Sotis I wonder.

Maybe they are programd at the DNA level to assassinate each other.

Bro, have this.

Bi-ju piled up the most appetizing parts of the pork belly and trotters on my plate like a mother bird.

Maybe I was hungry.

I didnt have much appetite, but once I put it in my mouth, it lted.

Unlike the younger line who were always bickering, the older line were eating peacefully in the opposite seat.

Jung-hyun, who was inhaling the trotters with bones, spoke seriously as if he had thought of sothing.

Woojoo hyung.

Yeah?

The technique you used to take down the director.

Bi-ju and I burst out laughing. The rapper who was loud enough to be heard by the neighbors said with a smile.

Kim Jung-hyun, why are you trying to take down the director? Hes not a villain.

Oh, right. Then, the technique you used to ambush the director?

The rapper struggled to find the right word, and Ri-hyuk clicked his tongue.

Bro, youre a rap maker, but you have poor vocabulary?

Im just focusing on eating right now. Anyway, the technique you used to pin the director to the floor. Where did you learn that?

Just watching various videos on YouTube.

Is that enough?

That hyung, he can learn dance just by watching, right?

At the youngests remark, everyone nodded in agreent.

Thats true. Its unbelievable, but Ive seen him do so many unbelievable things that I just accept it now. Oh, thats just Woojoo being Woojoo, you know.

Was I that weird?

At my muttering, the siblings answered in unison.

You were really weird.

We thought you were an alien who ca to help us.

You pretended to be bad at dancing, and then you got praised for being good at dancing. You did a weeks worth of arrangent in a day, and you got asked to work with Jang So-won sunbae at the end-of-year evaluation. And when you went to work with her, you suddenly played the guitar and arranged the song on the spot, and that song beca number one.

Now that I think about it, it is really weird.

I laughed at Ri-hyuks agreent.

Was that a complint, or an insult?

But even I thought that the things that happened after I joined this company were all weird.

They were causally related, but they seed too unbelievable.

Maybe the only explanation for all this is Director Jos miracle.

When the youngest brought up a strange theory, I rembered the promise I had forgotten.

Oh, right.

I had an appointnt with Director Jo.

Wow, Im out of it. Im late.

Where are you going?

I had a eting with Director Jo.

A eting?

I licked my lips as I looked around at the mbers who were looking at with bewildered expressions.

It was an awkward ti.

I thought it was better to keep this worry to myself.

Ill be back soon. See you later.

***

CEOs office.

I ca up here to have a eting with Director Jo, but when I ca to my senses, I was in the CEOs office.

Cheers~

The middle-aged n clinked their beer cans with red faces.

Who am I and why am I here?

The CEO smiled kindly and offered a can.

Woojoo, do you want a drink?

Mr. CEO, please dont say that. He has a radio show tomorrow.

Director Jo waved his hand and stopped him.

I gulped down a zero cola while CEO Park Kyuho gave a piece of bossam.

Youve worked hard, Woojoo. Really.

Thank you.

Ive felt it since the end-of-year evaluation, but ever since you ca, things have been going smoothly. Haha, youre the second lucky charm of our company after Kyuhyun.

Thats right.

Director Jo agreed.

The head of the managent support team was singing happily. He said the music revenue for this quarter will break the all-ti record. I havent seen him smile since he hit 10 million at the movies.

Woojoo did a great job. Manager Yoon must be proud too.

Oh, its all thanks to you and Director Jo.

What are you talking about? Woojoo did well, and the kids did well. Its the result of everyones efforts, haha.

If it werent for you tying the knot with Hwai Entertainnt, this wouldnt have been possible.

CEO Parks face blood with laughter every ti Manager Yoons tongue moved.

I see.

He didnt get that position for nothing.

While Manager Yoon was busy flattering the CEO, his attention shifted elsewhere.

By the way, youll be making a lot of money this ti. Have you thought about what to do with the royalties?

Not yet.

I answered with a smile.

Im planning to save it for now. Ive never had to manage this much money before.

Thats how it is for trainees.

Money keeps piling up.

You dont know how to spend it, and you dont have anywhere to spend it.

If I have to spend it, Ill spend it for my grandmother.

Thats a good idea. What did you do when you hit your first jackpot, Director Jo? Did you buy a house for your parents?

I bought them a car first, Mr. CEO. The house ca later.

Right.

While the adults were talking about real estate, I quietly ate my bossam.

I had nothing to say in their conversation.

Soone poked in the ribs and I saw Manager Yoon giving a strange look.

I nodded.

Im sorry about earlier, Mr. CEO. Is your back okay?

Its a bit sore, but itll get better. Ill just put a patch on it.

Im really sorry.

No, its my fault. I tried to surprise you by grabbing your shoulder. You know what they say. Think of this as a good experience. Haha!

Thankfully, the CEO let it go with a good-natured laugh.

I looked at the other victim who was quietly eating with his Jopsticks.

What about you, hyung?

I have a herniated disc, you bastard.

Im really sorry. If anything happens, Ill take full responsibility.

Forget it, kid. Just take care of yourself and stay healthy.

As Manager Yoon shrugged it off, the CEO joined in with a warm smile.

I heard you were supposed to have a eting at this ti.

Ah, yes.

Since were here, can we listen in?

I didnt hesitate for long.

Whatever I say to the director, it will eventually reach the CEOs ears.

It doesnt matter what I say.

I cautiously brought up the concern I had been having lately.

The slightly drunk trio of old n listened to my story quietly.

A brief silence followed my story.

The first one to speak was Director Jo.

Do you want to show off your mbers singing skills?

Yes.

Do you really need to do that?

Huh?

Director Jo said to , blinking his eyes.

Youre already breaking records on the music charts and dominating the music shows. The dia is calling you the long-term rulers. I wouldnt mind if it was your debut song, but its a project song, right? Its not like you planned for this popularity. Dont you think you have enough for now?

Director Jo Gyu-hwan finished his sentence with a sowhat indifferent face.

It felt like I had to give a good answer, but I was honest with my thoughts.

Well Im a greedy person. And I think this is the ti to be greedy. It may be unexpected popularity, but its not a chance that will co again. I want to make the most of it.

Director Jo stared at .

Did I say sothing wrong?

He looked at as if he was trying to figure sothing out, and then he smiled and drank his beer.

Thats a good answer.

I looked around.

Thats when I realized that the CEO and Yoon Seok-hwan were looking at with amusent.

By the ti I noticed the situation, Director Jo said.

I was curious what you would say, sorry.

Ah

Actually, I was a bit surprised.

He smiled.

Manager Yoon and I were having the sa dilemma as you.

Really?

We want to establish New Blacks image, but we dont want to miss out on the attention without Ri-hyuk. As you said, our kids have no problem competing with any decent singers.

True.

The adults must have had the sa worries as .

We agree with you. If you want to succeed in the entertainnt industry, you need to take advantage of every opportunity you get.

The others nodded in agreent.

Manager, please tell Woojoo too.

Yes.

Yoon Seok-hwan got up from his seat and took sothing out of his briefcase.

The docunt titled New Black Activity Plan was filled with neatly organized plans.

I was going to tell you when the schedule was fixed, but Ill tell you in advance.

What is it?

Weve been thinking about how to solve what youre talking about. And we found it.

You already found it?

I looked at him with curious eyes, and Yoon Seok-hwan answered .

We need to introduce the group New Black to the people, right?

Yes.

We cant go on any variety shows. Especially not on public broadcasting. Theres no place that will invite us alone without any conditions, and you guys dont have enough experience to fill the stories anyway.

That was obvious.

It was like a newbie entering a ga full of veterans in the competitive variety scene.

But theres one place where you can show off your musical skills without any pressure while getting the spotlight. Not radio.

Music show?

No, music broadcast.

What are you talking about?

Music broadcast, as in the place we go every day?

Seeing blink, Yoon Seok-hwan pointed to the program na on the paper.

Ha Seung-jus Music Cafe? Oh!

Ha Seung-jus Music Cafe.

A late-night music broadcast that airs on PBS after midnight.

Music Cafe, hosted by pianist and composer Ha Seung-ju, is a popular program despite its late ti slot.

Its famous for its good hosting by MC Ha Seung-ju and its high-quality live performances.

Thats why appearing on Music Cafe ant that you had a certain level of skill.

It was a perfect opportunity for us.

Unlike music shows that only do stages, Music Cafe had a talk segnt where the MC highlighted the charm of the invited singers.

It was the best chance for rookie New Black to leave a good impression and finish their activities.

But.

Can we appear on it?

Music Cafe is known to be strict about its appearances.

I heard that they dont hesitate to cut even popular singers if they think their live skills are not good enough.

Seung-ju hyung and I know each other, and Manager Yoon also has a good relationship with the PD, so it wont be hard to appear.

Really?

I looked at him with hopeful eyes, and Yoon Seok-hwan said.

Were going to appear on Music Cafe next week.

Ive been working hard to grease the wheels for you for the past few days.

Now its up to you to show how good you are on the show. How do you feel? Do you feel less worried now?

Yes.

But, Woojoo.

Director Jo Gyu-hwan smiled softly.

Did you consult with the mbers before you told us? It sounded like they didnt know anything.

I felt like I had been hit in the face.

Oops.

The thought that I had made a mistake naturally ca to my mind.

Youre the leader. We can only assu that youre speaking on behalf of the kids when you talk to us.

Im sorry.

Theres nothing to be sorry about. You did it for the team. But next ti, I hope you talk to the mbers first.

He said with a smile.

New Black is not a group that youre in alone.

***

It wasnt long before Manager Yoon Seok-hwan brought us so good news.

Youve been confird to appear on Music Cafe.

Ti flew by.

We were only supposed to be on for about 10 minutes, but we needed a lot of preparation for that one thing.

We had to do pre-interviews with the writers to co up with topics to talk about, and we also needed to prepare a different stage for the live performance.

We stayed up almost every night making the repertoire and rehearsing.

It was hard, but what could we do?

Opportunity is sothing that you have to grab with your own effort.

There are music shows that spend 12 hours for a 3-minute stage, so we couldnt complain about this preparation.

Music show popular singer waiting room.

Music Cafe?

Of course, New Blacks appearance was a joint one with Jang So-won.

We didnt have any songs of our own except for Sothing.

She was happy to hear that we were going to be on Music Cafe. It was also because I had already laid the groundwork by consulting her about my worries.

Oh, thats great.

Jang So-won smiled as she ate her souffle and coffee.

I was so annoyed by the comnts you guys got that I replied to them more than once. Dont let them call you a folding screen again and show them what youve got this ti.

Thank you for going with us.

Going with you? I wont be able to see you much after we finish our activities, so I have to see you while I can.

She laughed.

More than that, Im looking forward to the stage were going to do together. How about it? What did you prepare this ti?

****

PBS broadcasting station open hall.

It was the day of the recording of Ha Seung-jus Music Cafe, when the spring flowers were beautiful in early April.

We had finished our music show activities by then.

We were still holding on to the monthly number one spot on the Mango Chart, but we had fallen out of the first place candidate in the fourth week, pushed back by a solo singer and a popular idol who had made a coback.

Both sides of the agency decided that it was ti to wrap up the activities.

And we had arrived at the final destination of this activity.

Wow its huge.

When we ca from the waiting room to the back stage to rehearse, we were surprised by the size of the stage.

It was a different scale.

It was a huge difference from the music show studio.

The tension was also doubled.

Bi-ju bit and released his lips repeatedly, and Ri-hyuk wiped off the sweat that ca out of his hand with a tissue.

Our youngest, who would have teased Ri-hyuk if he was nervous, was also staring blankly with his mouth open.

In the anti, only Jung-hyun was calm like a bodhisattva.

He was the one who thought, Wow, that skill is aweso. when I knocked down the CEO, unlike the other guys who were startled.

It wasnt a surprising thing.

The FD who appeared through the busy staff called us.

New Black team.

Yes!

The FD who wore the intercom listened to the instructions and looked around us.

Who is Woojoo?

Thats .

Ill go up first and start the rehearsal. Ill check the piano sound first. Ill do it for about 2 minutes and then proceed with the team rehearsal right away. Dont forget to pay attention to the route you told in advance when you go up on stage.

The FD, who had rattled off the precautions like a machine gun for a minute, quickly disappeared sowhere else.

What did he just say?

Uh I think I forgot because I was nervous.

Jung-hyun, you heard him, right?

Ah, I was distracted.

My confused siblings naturally looked at , or rather, I dont know why this was natural.

I sighed and handed them my phone.

Here.

?

I recorded it, so listen.

!

They looked at as if I was their savior and waved their hands. Then I went up to the stage.

The grand piano set in the center.

Below the stage, I could see the writers holding notebooks to find points to improve and the production staff monitoring the screen.

I checked the cara position first.

I felt the cold touch of the piano chair seat and closed my eyes.

And I started playing.