“I huuuaaahh~”
Maybe it was the fatigue from last night, because I let out a big yawn.
Rubbing the back of my neck, I spoke to the four pairs of eyes fixed on .
“Ugh, I ran ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) full throttle yesterday—I'm dead tired.”
“...You spent half of yesterday’s company dinner asleep, and you say you’re tired?”
“You wouldn’t understand. The sorrow of an alcohol trash.”
While Rihyuk laughed in disbelief, the maknae piped up.
“But by Uju hyung’s standards, that was a total bender. You get tipsy on a mocktail—imagine real booze.”
“Junghyun.”
“Waaaaah!”
The teasing maknae was promptly punished by my underling.
As Jiho’s scream provided the BGM, I stretched, and Biju began kneading the back of my neck.
“You okay, hyung?”
“There’s no one better than you, Biju.”
“Right?”
“Just a bit higher. Yeah, there. Ah—perfect.”
Biju’s massage seed to help shake off so of the hangover.
My damn body still creaked and groaned from one sip of the beer in Junghyun’s cup.
I’ve got a recording today—no telling how sharp my head will be later. I can already hear Han Mo-ssi nagging about coming in drunk on a workday.
“Ugh, I still can’t wake up. My head’s all foggy...”
“Sober up, mister.”
Rihyuk clapped his hands right in front of my face.
But it felt as irritating as a fly buzzing by—absolutely useless. Even if he slapped , I’d barely feel it, like a mosquito’s brush.
“Look at !”
Jiho puffed out his cheeks, trying to be cute.
I clenched my fist without realizing it.
“...Feels like I’m waking up a little.”
“I knew this would work. Rihyuk hyung hates this expression the most.”
As Biju kept massaging my neck and the maknaes perford their cuteness show to jolt awake, Junghyun placed a hand on my neck and said,
“Hyung, shall I massage it for you?”
“...!”
I was instantly wide awake.
Threatened with mortal peril, I snapped my eyes open, and Junghyun bead with satisfaction.
“I accomplished sothing difficult.”
“Ha-ha-ha!”
My brothers burst into applause and laughter, and I laughed along.
Thanks to them, I was truly awake.
If I had magic glasses, I’d probably see little alcohol fairies scampering off my body in shock.
Reinvigorated, I stretched out fully and asked,
“When is that senior coming?”
I scanned the street around us and asked our manager.
“When does he say he’ll arrive?”
“He said he’s got a few things to prepare inside—asked us to wait a bit.”
“Then we can start filming the opening soon.”
At my words, the NewBlack TV crew began prepping.
As I ward up with the kids, I looked up at the sleek building towering behind us.
This was the TJ Entertainnt headquarters, right in the heart of Cheongdam-dong.
We’d co today to finish TNT’s Han Taehyun’s solo album—and, of course, to film the “Visiting TJ Ent.” episode.
“Hello, MiTube viewers! Mi-ha~!”
Delivering my usual opening greeting for MiTube filming, people passing by on the Cheongdam street began to notice us.
“Wow! What are you filming? A variety show?”
“We’re shooting NewBlack TV content.”
Explaining with an innocent smile, the maknae said,
“Today we’re doing the TJ Ent. Visit-athon!”
“Whoa, no—we’re not invading!”
Laughter bubbled up from onlookers as we waved off the misunderstanding.
“It’s not an invasion—it’s a visit. A visit-athon.”
“Oh...!”
Now most people just looked intrigued.
Seeing them tapping rapidly on their phone keyboards, I knew the news would spread fast on SNS: “NewBlack’s at TJ Ent. filming a visit!”
I glanced around at everyone with phone caras and asked,
“It’s really hot today, huh?”
“Yes!”
“Feels like sumr’s finally here.”
With July only days away, the change in seasons was unmistakable. Our outfits matched everyone else’s: skirts or shorts and short sleeves.
While waiting for Taehyun, we chatted about sumr.
“Junghyun hyung! It’s sumr now—show us how sumr feels with your body!”
“Hmmm...”
Junghyun lifted both hands under his chin like blossoms and wiggled his fingers in a rolling motion.
“What’s that?”
“Sumr sunshine. I’m the sun.”
“...That sunshine wouldn’t even make a traveler take off their coat.”
If you’re the sun, you’ve got to bring the heat. I mid blazing rays with my hands, and the gathering crowd burst out laughing.
Rihyuk, beaming, said,
“Brilliant. Definitely scientifically accurate—captures solar flare dynamics, too.”
“Really? The real sun moves like that?”
As Biju marveled, Junghyun nodded in triumph.
Every ti we bantered and joked, the onlookers laughed like they were watching Mister Producer filming.
When I caught Taehyun’s eye amid the screams and cheers, his gaze held that old-school sidekick look.
“See that?”
...So smug.
The opening shoot wrapped up smoothly.
“NewBlack TV!”
“Subscribe, like, and hit notifications~!”
After chanting our slogan outside TJ Ent. with Han Mo-ssi, we waved to the crowd and headed inside.
Taehyun clicked his tongue.
“What’d you guys do to get a crowd like that?”
“We just stood here, and they gathered...”
“Right? This place’s always busy—Cheongdam street and all.”
Blinking, Taehyun realized,
“But it’s a weekday morning...?”
“Oh, right.”
As my brothers glanced around, wondering if it was a lot of people, Taehyun looked a bit culture-shocked. Like we “ooo”ed when we saw him, he “ooo”ed at us.
Taehyun frowned.
“To draw a crowd like that, you’d need to ride a unicycle around.”
“We did it in advance. So.”
Not even a particularly funny line, but it cracked him up.
He laughed so hard he said,
“As expected, the nation’s idols are on another level.”
“Waaaaah!”
We flailed our hands in embarrassnt.
“Why you guys...?”
“Waaaaah!”
“Okay, so you really hate that. Noted—will use it later.”
Taehyun giggled and said,
“Anyway, welco to TJ Ent.!”
“Waaaaah!”
“I’ll be your guide today. You’ve been here before, right?”
We nodded.
Two years ago, sumr 2014, for a school-uniform comrcial via TJ New dia, their affiliate.
“When I-geon-woo hyung signed his actor contract.”
“Yeah, it was ages ago.”
“Looks pretty much the sa as back then...?”
For the most part, yes. Marble lobby, three elevators, and a fountain in the center that begs you to toss a coin and make a wish.
Only difference was—
“Please co in.”
Unlike before, when our IDs were checked, the security staff smiled and opened the doors for us.
And the “Hall of Fa” wall of artist portraits had changed.
“Here’s my poster.”
Taehyun posed beneath his solo poster. Two years ago it was TNT’s group shot and actor I-Geon-woo’s. Now each of the eight TNT mbers had their own photos alongside I-Geon-woo, hinting at solo activities.
A few things had changed, but biggest change was our comfort level.
“Hyung, let’s take a photo by the posters!”
“Shall we?”
“Guys, over here!”
My brothers scampered around the lobby like it was their backyard.
“Let’s get our picture here, hyung.”
“Sure.”
Back then we were rookies, slightly awed by the big agency na. Now it felt like visiting my old school after graduation.
As they picked poses for SNS photos, Taehyun nudged and smiled.
“How does it feel, being back after so long?”
“Not bad.”
I smiled and replied.
The full tour of TJ Ent. headquarters began.
“This is the newly opened TJ Museum.”
“Ooh...!”
The maknae went wild.
“Wow, it’s like a museum in here.”
“A museum is a museum.”
“Pft, chukeuk...”
Even Han Mo-ssi, usually composed, twitched a laugh.
Taehyun indicated a small gallery space.
“It covers everything from Taejun Records to today’s TJ Ent.—the promo team insisted we highlight it.”
“Please put bold subtitles!”
The crew busily fild every corner—probably contractually required.
We explored the museum under our guide’s direction.
“These are the stage outfits and slogans from when we entered Tokyo Do.”
“Oooo...!”
“Over here is NYX’s photobook...”
It was literally every treasure imaginable: a golden pillar from TNT’s Chinese tour, photobooks, posters, signed morabilia in glass cases.
Neither the explainer nor us were all that interested, but we gave our best reactions.
“Before we hit the goods shop... Oh! Almost forgot: this machine prints commorative photocards.”
“Cool!”
A photo printer with a screen. You press a button and it randomly dispenses a photocard of a famous TJ Ent. artist.
Scanning our passes, the screen lit up.
Ba-ba-ba-bam! A dramatic BGM heralded what looked like an ultra-rare card.
“—You must be tired—here’s a pick--up from us!”
Han Mo-ssi danced on screen, blowing hearts, and we all laughed.
“Whoever that is sure looks popular.”
The star himself took the card, signed it, and said,
“This is super rare—who wants it?”
No one spoke. The original sidekick’s eyes locked onto as if to say, “Your move.”
I nodded.
“Since no one else wants it, I’ll take it.”
“Nope. You’ve gotta genuinely want it to earn this card.”
“Then I’ll pass...”
“Awww, that hurts!”
Laughing, I assured him I was kidding, and respectfully received the card from our seven-year senior.
The pout on soone’s face sent nearby onlookers into laughter. The mood was relaxed—ever since MiP revealed our old friendship, and now shooting for MiTube, we were all at ease.
“Hey—I got Jihanbin sunbaenim’s card!”
“I got NYX’s Myuri sunbaenim.”
As my brothers drew their cards one by one, I pressed the button last.
Ding-ding-ding—the roulette spun, then “papapang!” sounded a triumphant fanfare.
“What the—?”
“Ooo!”
Taehyun’s eyes went wide.
“That’s the super-rare one—like hitting the lottery.”
“Really? Whose card is it?”
Taehyun swallowed.
“No clue. I’ve never seen it. Rumored to be lottery-level odds.”
“Wow, that rare?”
“Seriously—this guy’s so lucky he lands on goose-down pillows when he falls over.”
“Look at Uju hyung hacking the machine now.”
While my brothers cheered, I stood triumphant—until the card’s owner appeared in a golden aura.
And—
“...?”
The screen revealed TJ Ent.’s top star.
“—Welco to TJ Ent.! Wahahaha!”
“Wahahaha! Wahaha!”
“I, Park Taejun, bless your future!”
Park Taejun, in a suit, laughed heartily.
As the card printed and his laughter echoed, Taehyun and my brothers collapsed in hysterics.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha!”
“No way—that’s insane! You used up your luck for life!”
“Ha-ha-ha! Serves you right!”
The original sidekick did a victory tap dance, and even our staff roared with laughter as I blankly received Chairman Park Taejun’s photocard, showing his thumbs-up.
[“I, Park Taejun, bless your future!”]
His expression made think of a lucky raccoon. Holding the card, I rembered that our CEO had been a manager at TJ Ent. before founding our company.
...Maybe I learned a thing or two here.
“How do you feel?”
“Great. Truly honored to get Chairman Park Taejun’s card!”
My trembling cheeks set everyone off laughing again.
After touring the new TJ Museum, we stopped by the goods shop.
From TNT face-sheet masks to lightsticks, we fild all the rchandise.
“I was gonna buy your rch....”
At the maknae’s disappointed face, we laughed.
Everything was so popular that the staff had to tell us “sold out” each ti we asked about an item.
Though we voiced regret, secretly we were pleased.
The original sidekick kept twitching his cheek—and I laughed to myself.
Having covered the museum and goods shop per our contract, we headed to the top floor.
Above even the CEO’s office.
“Wow—!”
This was the SKY Lounge: a cafeteria with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Cheongdam-dong, with a luxe hotel-restaurant vibe.
“Churp.”
Famous for its food, my brothers were already losing self-control.
I murmured,
“It’s been ages since I’ve been here.”
“Rember when we were trainees and ate here?”
“How could I forget?”
Back then, trainees rarely ca here; it was mostly for monthly evaluations at HQ.
Taehyun and I exchanged a knowing groan. Thankfully, the remodel made the al more appetizing. Ti to overwrite bad mories with good ones.
“It’s buffet now—just pick what you want.”
“Got it~!”
Junghyun and Jiho dashed for the spicy chicken.
As they filled their plates, TJ Ent. staff inside spotted us and greeted warmly.
“Long ti no see!”
“Hello!”
We greeted them back as they returned to their duties.
“...Huh?”
Realizing I didn’t actually know them, they blinked, and we smiled politely. Typical.
Everyone laughed, and those staffers, flustered, got to their feet and bowed.
“We see you on TV so much....”
“Everyone says that—first ti eting us, people get confused.”
“What brings you here...?”
“We’re filming!”
With an “Oh!” TJ Ent. staff gathered to watch our shoot, so even pulled out phones.
And then—
ahem.
“...Why are you smirking?”
“Just feeling good.”
Each ti people regarded like an idol, he basked in it even more.
I chuckled at his pride, then carrying my plate, looked for a table.
“Uh...?”
“Hello!”
A group of trainees stood and bowed, removing baseball caps. We greeted them with smiles.
“Uh?”
“Hi!”
We even exchanged awkward greetings with NYX’s mbers, who looked equally surprised. As we passed TJ Ent. artists seated around, I whispered to Taehyun,
“I thought there was a company banquet or sothing.”
“Don’t say that—it’s so embarrassing.”
When we finally reached our table, I saw by the cafeteria entrance so commotion.
Chairman Park Taejun, flanked by aides, entered, glanced our way, then awkwardly grabbed a buffet plate.
“Sigh....”
Taehyun covered his face with one hand, mortified.
From behind him, the maknae clicked his tongue.
“Wow, he really looks just like his photocard.”
Everyone burst out laughing again.
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