In This Life, The Greatest Star In The Universe Chapter 51:

Chapter 51

The reporters were surprised by the flashy opening that looked like a lot of money was invested.

Wow. Lemon really went all out.

The CG quality was not that of a cheap music video.

It was comparable to a big-na agency.

The internet reaction will be good, right?

They montarily stopped typing their articles to watch the video.

Five boys lying on a foreign sandy beach.

They looked confused.

They didnt know where they were, why they were here, and who these people in front of them were.

Soon, the face of the leader, Seon Woojoo, was zood in.

The video effects and his mysterious expression made so of them gasp silently.

Where am I right now

Strange sea strange air

Where are you

I woke up in a remote place

Then, the youngest mber with a cute appearance, Wang Ji-ho, appeared.

The introduction of the two mbers who were good at facial expressions ended, and the atmosphere of the reporters changed.

They beca more serious and evaluative.

The music video quality was good, but the song itself was good too.

Even considering that their expectations were low from the start, New Blacks debut song was beyond expectations.

The reporters were experts as well, since they had been in the entertainnt industry for a long ti.

They naturally developed a sense of what songs were good and what songs would do well, after listening to idol songs and attending showcases every day.

This song was a pass.

If the highlight is good too, it will be a hit.

As they thought that, the video continued.

The plot was simple.

Five young n crash-landed on Earth by an unidentified girl.

At first, they were bewildered by the unfamiliar environnt and people, but soon they were captivated by the beautiful scenery and weather, and their guard towards each other faded.

They started to laugh and play together.

The song was refreshing but also had a warm touch.

It felt like the song was inviting them.

Co here and play with us.

The song reached the highlight.

A mber with a cool vibe and a blue background started to sing a high note.

The spark was already there

You just have to shine

Show your true colors

Then, the highlight part hit the reporters ears.

Look at that, its our firework (Firework)

Our appearance that decorates the night sky

Fireworks shot up in the sky, showing the different colors of the mbers.

Along with the chorus, Like a Firework.

The first verse ended, and the reporters fingers beca busy. They wanted to upload their evaluations of the music video they just watched.

Most of them were positive.

Especially those who were preparing articles comparing them to Street Boys, they gave New Blacks song a higher rating.

Of course, it was unfair to compare a hip-hop concept and a sumr season song.

They were completely different genres.

But there was an essential difference between the two songs.

New Blacks song had their own color.

Warm and cheerful.

Everything, from the mood of the song to the lyrics, fit the mbers like a custom-made suit.

It made them think, Ah, this is their song.

This was noticeable when compared to their competitors.

That made them more curious.

Who is this leader guy?

When he ca out with Jang So-won and the song Sothing, everyone thought it was beginners luck.

He had t the opportunity of a lifeti as a composer.

But listening to this song, it didnt seem like that.

Unlike Street Boys, who had a lot of promotion but not much substance, this group seed to have real talent.

Maybe thats why.

So of them had a strange anticipation in their eyes, shining brightly.

There has never been a great success for an idols self-composed song

They quietly waited for the main stage of the fireworks, wondering if this ti would be different.

Along with countless questions.

***

The debut showcase went smoothly.

It was just like any other showcase for rookies, nothing too good or bad.

They asked about the team na New Black, what it ant, what the mbers talents were, what funny episodes they had while making the album, who their role models were, what the album concept was, and so on.

The main topic was the album, just like any other group.

The difference was our relaxed attitude.

We had trained so hard for Sothing that we could handle the comnts at the showcase.

Of course, we were still nervous on stage.

Im a bit nervous, but excited. Right?

Backstage, before the fireworks main stage.

I smiled and asked, and Ri-hyuk answered.

Well, Im less nervous than at the music cafe. Its manageable.

Hyung, your legs are shaking like crazy.

What are you talking about? Im not nervous at all.

He said, but his leg that he propped up was trembling.

I laughed because he was cute, but he glared at .

While Bi-ju was relaxing Ri-hyuks nerves, Jung-hyun, who was warming up, asked.

Ri-hyuk, do you want a mint or sothing?

Huh? Do you have one?

No. I was just asking.

The rapper said casually, and the main vocal spat fire from his mouth.

Bi-ju, who was checking the mic packs and in-ears on the mbers waists, said.

I feel more nervous than at Sothing. Back then, I was nervous but also excited. But now, Im a bit scared.

Thats because we were already popular then.

I laughed.

Sothing was already number one on the charts, so we had a rough idea of how people would react. But now, we only released the music video. We dont know what kind of response well get, so of course were scared.

Are you not nervous, hyung?

I had a good dream last night.

Actually, I was nervous too.

I was relieved that the company people said the song was well-made, but honestly, I didnt know what the reporters would think.

There was also the pressure of having to button up the first button well.

I couldnt help but be nervous.

But if I was nervous too, how anxious would they be?

This was the first ti I saw them so tense that their lips were dry since the end-of-year evaluation, so I borrowed the dream that Mrs. Kim Deok-soon told yesterday.

I was floating in the sky in my dream. And the sun and the moon were both up at the sa ti, shining brightly. And there was a mountain below, and dragons were flying around the apple farm. This is a lucky dream, you know.

The others oohed and aahed, but Jung-hyun tilted his head and asked.

Isnt that a conception dream, hyung?

The youngest line burst into laughter, and Bi-ju wiped his face with a look of despair.

Ah, stop talking nonsense, Kim Jung-hyun.

My grandfather said that apples and dragons an a sons dream.

While the dancer was scolding his friend of the sa age, Jihyo opened his eyes wide and asked.

Hyung, I thought you didnt believe in superstitions.

You have to believe when you need to, Jihyo. Life is easier when you swallow the sweet and spit out the bitter.

Wow, my dad said the sa thing.

I felt a strange feeling, and the staff called us.

New Black team, get ready to go up.

Yes!

The mood that was loosened by the joke was gone, and the tension ca back.

The mbers looking at .

I heard their faint breaths and t their eyes one by one. Then I smiled and reached out my hand.

You guys worked hard following the leader who was always against you.

We worked really hard, making us worry.

Ri-hyuk put his hand on mine and said, and I laughed.

Yeah. Lets trust and go for this stage. Itll be great.

Thats right. Our song is good, so itll be good.

When Jung-hyun said itll be good, the youngest line tried to react sensitively, but I intervened.

Yeah. Lets break Jung-hyuns jinx today by doing well on stage. Honestly, this doesnt make any sense.

While Jung-hyun nodded his head, the staff gave us a signal to go up.

Okay, lets cheer up one last ti and go.

We all put our hands together and shouted fighting softly.

Then we went up to the stage.

***

The stage was darkened by all the lights.

The faces of the reporters, illuminated by the laptop lights, floated like egg ghosts in front of the stage where we stood in formation.

In the center, I was the focus.

On both sides, there were Bi-ju and Ri-hyuk.

On the wings, Jung-hyun and Ji-ho stood.

I gently placed my hands on the shoulders of the two younger brothers who were breathing hard next to .

Three, two, one.

As the countdown ended, the lights turned on with a bang and brightened up.

In the dazzling light, the MR ca out with a variation of the highlight of the fireworks.

A fierce and fast beat.

It was a 30-second dance break that we would show before the main stage.

We all gathered together and started dancing.

The choreography that ca together and scattered a few tis.

We, who were scattered around the stage, gathered again.

Our breathing was ragged.

In a close state like the first ti, we waited for the intro of the song.

Now the refreshing deep house-style prelude would co out

Huh?

Sothing was wrong.

-Zzzt.

Bi-ju and Ri-hyuk, who were pressed against , flinched.

Why is the sound like this?

At first, I thought there was a crackling noise mixed in, but soon the sound condition started to change strangely.

The prelude slowed down.

About 0.4 tis.

With the song going in slow motion, we missed half of the timing to start the choreography.

In a hurry, I looked down at the stage and saw that it was already a ss.

The staff in charge of the sound were running around with panicked faces.

What should I do?

My heart was pumping and my head started to spin.

What the hell.

What should I do in this situation?

Im a leader, but Im also a rookie who has only a month of experience in music broadcasting.

I did so events with Sothing, but Ive never experienced this kind of sound accident before.

There was always Sunbae Jang So-won, a pro singer, by my side, so I didnt worry.

What should I do?

Two seconds after the sound accident, the eyes of the other four were all directed at .

As always, when sothing difficult happens, they look at the most reliable person.

The problem was that I was also confused.

Uh

A drop of cold sweat ran down the back of my neck.

I could have found the answer quickly if I thought calmly, but I didnt have the mind to be calm in this situation.

I was only focused on other aspects, such as stage movent, expression, etc., and I didnt expect this at all.

My head was blank.

It was like opening the task manager on a computer and seeing no response from Seon Woojoojus brain.

As I was panicking.

A familiar phenonon began to appear with a strange sensation.

As it had been at the university hospital.

The scenery in front of changed.

***

The scenery changed without noticing what was going on.

The thumping music sounds from afar.

The past was sitting in a shabby waiting room.

Where is this?

I was wondering, but I soon rembered.

It was the scene of a festival in Gangwon-do that we were invited to after Between perford at a music cafe.

Oh my. Co to think of it, its amazing.

Jang So-won was sitting cross-legged in front of , eating a souffle.

What is it, sunbae?

No, its just that. There was never a sound accident while we were doing Sothing, right?

Isnt it better to have nothing?

Not at all. Its usually better to have sothing happen at least once. Its like a jinx, you know. If there are no minor accidents, a big one will surely happen.

I laughed, not believing in such superstitions, and Jang So-won gave a sly look.

You dont believe ?

No, I do.

I wondered why I was experiencing this mory, unlike when I was with Professor Choi Yongjae.

I changed the topic.

Sunbae, I have a question. What should we do if there is a sound accident? I think we should hear your advice beforehand, so we can prepare for ergencies later.

As Jang So-won opened her mouth, I focused my attention on her words, both in the past and in the present.

Her answer was simple.

Its easy if there is a sound accident. Unless its a major accident that collapses the stage, you must never stop.

Why?

Ri-hyuk asked, not understanding.

Isnt it better to wait until the sound is restored? That seems like the best option.

Thats only the best for you.

The Sunbae in the music industry said.

Stage flow, you cant ignore that. The audience was excited, but then they cool down. It takes a long ti to get them back to that level. Maybe if its a solo concert. But usually, you cant even fill the ti given at the venue.

Then do you an we should do it acapella?

If you dont have the skills, I dont know, but you should do it even without accompanint.

Wouldnt that be awkward? It would be weird.

As we hesitated, Jang So-won laughed. Then she looked at us as if we were cute.

Youll know once you experience it.

With that, the scenery in front of changed again.

The past ti was one second.

I had no ti to question why this strange phenonon happened in front of .

Just before the murmurs from the audience reached .

As the mbers looked at , I swallowed my saliva and took a step forward.

I didnt know until a mont ago.

But now I knew what I had to do.