Chapter 1108: I am New Black, Class of ’18 (32)

Throughout the concert, our energy stayed at its absolute peak.

"[Tokyo Dome!]"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"[Is everyone ready to have the time of your lives?!]"

"YEEEEEEEEES!"

The thunderous roar shook our entire bodies.

People always said Japanese audiences tended to be more reserved.

Apparently that didn't apply to Souffles.

Watching them jump up and down in the stands, I realized fans were the same no matter where you went.

Biju raised his microphone.

"[Tokyo Dome has been one of our dream venues for a very long time.]"

"[Thank you so much for making it possible for us to perform in a place this incredible.]"

"[It was number fourteen on my bucket list too.]"

The Souffles burst into laughter.

"[We're honestly so happy to be performing at Tokyo Dome. To tell the truth, we never imagined we'd be able to hold a concert this large in Japan.]"

Compared to everything we'd done in Japan so far...

This venue almost felt too big for us.

Most idol groups released Japanese title tracks and spent long periods promoting there.

We'd done neither.

It wasn't because we'd deliberately avoided Japan.

We simply hadn't been in a position to devote that much time overseas.

Groups from major agencies could spend a while promoting abroad and still return home without losing momentum.

For us, coming from a smaller company, leaving Korea for any length of time practically meant resetting all the popularity we'd worked so hard to build.

Then, once we'd firmly established ourselves domestically, we encountered resistance from parts of the Japanese market.

Instead of traditional promotions, we'd focused on reaching Japanese fans through MyTube.

Which made me even more grateful.

Despite having countless other idols to choose from...

The Souffles had chosen us.

"[Apparently the American Souffles call themselves the Cloud Corps these days.]"

Junghyun smiled.

"[It'd be nice if you had a nickname too. Something soft and fluffy...]"

He thought for a second.

"[Steamed Eggs? (Keranchim?)]"

The entire Tokyo Dome exploded with laughter.

Junghyun proudly repeated,

"Keranchim."

The interpreter standing nearby quickly explained that Japanese steamed egg custard had a completely different name.

Jiho grinned brightly.

"[Everyone! What about Chawanmushi?! Doesn't it sound nice and cozy?]"

"Nooooooo!"

One particularly passionate rejection echoed through the dome, setting off another wave of laughter.

Well...

If a foreign singer came to Korea and announced,

"From now on, you're all Steamed Eggs! My precious steamed-egg fans!"

...I'd probably laugh too.

From the side of the stage, the staff signaled that the next performance was ready.

I picked up my microphone again.

"[Anyway... I really want to thank every one of you.]"

I smiled.

"[And... next year, I think we'll probably get to see you a lot more often.]"

The moment they understood what I meant—

The Souffles erupted.

Next year, we'd be promoting throughout multiple countries.

For our upcoming international album, we had something unusual planned.

Overcook had already received an incredible response around the world.

Since the album revolved around international cuisine, we intended to record some of its songs in the languages of different countries.

Hindi.

Thai.

Japanese.

And more.

The plan was simple.

Use songs in local languages to pull fans from all over the world toward us like a giant rake.

"[And someday...]"

I looked around the enormous venue.

"[We'll meet all of you again in a stadium even bigger than Tokyo Dome.]"

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"[With that promise, let's keep moving forward! And now, the next performance—which we'll pour our hearts into—is...!]"

All of us placed our hands on our main vocalist's shoulder.

"[Ri Hyuk's solo stage.]"

"[Ri Hyuk! Ganbatte~!]"

We shamelessly dumped all the pressure onto him before disappearing backstage.

Ri Hyuk shot us an exasperated look.

Then the majestic sound of a choir filled the arena.

His voice followed.

Every time I heard him sing, I wondered how someone with that frame could produce such overwhelming power.

Even through my in-ear monitors...

He sounded incredible.

"Whew..."

The moment we stepped offstage, the managers handed us bottles of water.

The makeup artists rushed over, wiping away sweat and touching up our makeup.

Seokhwan hyung asked,

"So? How's the sound out there?"

"It's good."

Not long ago, during rehearsals at another dome venue, we'd complained about the acoustics.

Apparently some domes were simply impossible to make sound great because of their structure.

Tokyo Dome was different.

"There's actually a team that works exclusively on Tokyo Dome's sound design. We hired them for this."

"This is more than good enough."

Sure, there were still little things I'd change.

Domes naturally sacrificed some acoustics.

That was unavoidable.

But everything else more than made up for it.

Unlike the freezing outdoor university festival we'd done recently...

We didn't have to worry about the weather.

And there was something deeply satisfying about performing for a crowd this massive.

I threw an arm around the shoulders of my lackeys.

"Guys."

"We should work even harder."

I nodded solemnly.

"Then build our own dome."

"Sure... but who's paying for it?"

I patted Jiho's shoulder encouragingly.

"You are."

"..."

"Wang Jiho. International superstar. Academy Award winner. Cannes Palme d'Or actor."

I spread my arms dramatically.

"Built entirely with the personal fortune of the great Wang Jiho..."

I declared,

"Wang Dome."

Jiho laughed.

"No."

He shook his head.

"It'll be built by Sun Wooju, the world-famous singer-songwriter."

He pointed at me.

"Power Sun Dome."

"Come on..."

I grimaced.

"That's way too childish."

"...How about Kim Deoksun Dome?"

"..."

For one dangerous moment...

I almost liked it.

Then reason returned.

"No."

I shook my head.

"Even if I wanted to, Grandma would beat me to death for it."

I could already picture Hong Kong Grandma shouting colorful insults while drumming on my head with a soup ladle.

"Boom-tak... boom-tak..."

I rubbed my head.

"My skull would probably ring like the Emile Bell."

Then I turned toward Biju and Junghyun.

"What if Biju opens a dance academy with over a million students?"

"Hip-hop's got crazy earning potential if it really takes off."

Biju grinned.

"Junghyun hyung can build the dome instead of buying giant gold chains like other rappers."

"Oho."

Junghyun quietly looked away.

Then Biju smiled innocently.

"I've got an even better idea."

"Hm?"

"We make Ri Hyuk into a world-famous singer."

"Oho."

I nodded gravely.

"Excellent proposal."

And so, with unanimous approval...

We decided to dump the responsibility onto our completely unsuspecting main vocalist, who was still performing onstage.

As Ri Hyuk finished his solo and we prepared to head back out, I glanced at the clock.

It was already past nine.

"...I wonder if New Universe's doing well."

For a brief moment, my thoughts drifted toward tonight's final episode.

While NewBlack was in the middle of its Tokyo Dome concert...

Korean Souffles happily posted congratulatory messages online.

Meanwhile...

Another discussion had broken out.

Honestly, since the 2010s, Tokyo Dome has basically become every agency's achievement badge. These days practically anyone performs there.

Yeah. You can't compare it to what Tokyo Dome meant in the mid-2000s.

Nowadays you need Nissan Stadium to be considered top tier.

The Souffles were outraged.

If it's so easy, then why doesn't everyone go perform there?

We sold out three straight nights! You're talking about one-off promotional concerts!

Nobody seemed interested in acknowledging that we'd filled 150,000 seats over three days.

Then the goalposts moved again.

You need a Five Dome Tour to be the real deal.

Exactly. Fill Sapporo Dome with fifty thousand people—that's when you've made it.

Just look at the artists who've completed all Five Domes. Every one of them was genuinely huge in Japan.

Is TeenSpirit still the only third-generation group? TNT did four domes, at least.

The Souffles looked exhausted.

The Dome parrots again...

They just kept repeating the same thing.

First it had been,

"They can't even fill an arena."

Then,

"Okay, Osaka Dome doesn't count."

Then,

"You need all four domes."

Now...

"Actually, it has to be all five."

Someone even posted a comparison.

Time Taken for Major Boy Groups to Reach Tokyo Dome

TNT (Debut: 2010) → 2014

TeenSpirit (Debut: 2012) → 2015 (Fastest Ever)

NewBlack (Debut: 2014) → 2018

The difference wasn't even that large.

Yet people were still arguing over who had arrived the fastest.

The Souffles clicked their tongues.

Gyuho...

Please book Sapporo Dome next.

Of course, once that happened, they'd probably move on to Oricon rankings or television appearances.

But the Souffles were desperate to escape the endless moving goalposts.

Even though they kept telling themselves to ignore it...

This is seriously ridiculous LOL. Do they think a 500,000-person Japan tour grows on trees?

Sure, sure. Congratulations on your greatest life achievement—Five Domes.

Funny how they somehow can't see us going from 210,000 attendees last year to 500,000 this year. Maybe they need glasses.

Congratulations! The Official Five Dome Certification Association has been established!

Breaking News: Applications are now open for the Level 1 Certified Dome Inspector qualification!

In reality...

They never ignored anything.

The fandoms were only moments away from tearing into each other like furious Chihuahuas and Maltese dogs—

Fortunately for everyone else...

Today's Souffles had something much more interesting to focus on.

New Universe Project — Final Episode

The university festival special continued on television.

This time, NewBlack visited the Korea National Open University.

"[Broadcast University!]"

"[Talent Show!!]"

Viewers smiled as students from every walk of life took the stage.

An elderly man proudly demonstrated juggling skills he'd learned while working in a circus during his youth.

A former office worker—whose lifelong dream had been singing—astonished everyone with his incredible voice.

A twenty-year-old freshman performed a heartfelt choral piece alongside younger siblings.

Today's episode is so heartwarming.

Grandpa Kim Pilbu LOL. His eyes lighting up because of Wang Jiho cracked me up.

YOUR NAAAAAME!!

These guys are amazing at creating atmosphere. They saved so many awkward moments.

The nation's favorite idols created remarkable chemistry with ordinary people.

They united audiences that ordinarily had little in common.

The camera alternated between smiling grandparents in their seventies...

People in their thirties...

Parents watching with small children...

Objectively, the special wasn't quite as entertaining as Goblin Restaurant.

But—

"These songs are really good."

"They really are."

Many viewers found themselves enjoying it the same way they'd once enjoyed famous variety music specials.

Users who regularly streamed music already knew NewBlack's songs.

For much of the general public, though...

They were simply,

"Oh... this is that song I've heard somewhere before."

Now, hearing them performed in fresh contexts felt like discovering them all over again.

They really do have a lot of good songs.

Wow... they're good.

The powerful live vocals.

The excellent song selection.

Even the behind-the-scenes footage showing the members practicing with complete dedication for performances that would've been easy to phone in.

Compared to Goblin Restaurant, the show generated less buzz.

But as a showcase of NewBlack as musicians...

It was an overwhelming success.

"So this is really the last episode?"

"Yeah. Season 2 won't be until next year."

As the university festival special concluded...

The ending credits began to roll.

"[Korea University!]"

"WAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Footage of NewBlack posing with students beneath university banners played over emotional background music.

Viewers felt unexpectedly sad.

It's been so much fun these past few months...

After nearly twenty episodes...

Season One of New Universe had come to an end.

It wasn't flashy.

Sometimes it was simply warm.

Sometimes it was hilarious.

But it had become one of those rare family shows everyone could comfortably enjoy together.

And now it was over.

When's Season 2???

Film it immediately!

Nooo... my late-night comfort show...

Does anyone know another variety show like New Universe?

There isn't one.

That's exactly why the ratings are so high. Nothing replaces it.

Just as everyone was lamenting the finale...

People who had already changed the channel suddenly saw comments flooding online.

If you switched channels, GO BACK! There's a post-credits scene!

Stay! There's a cookie scene!

A post-credits scene?

Curious ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) viewers turned their televisions back on.

The black screen slowly brightened.

Pure white.

Whoooooosh—

A blizzard swept across a frozen wasteland.

A flock of emperor penguins stood staring blankly into the distance, frost clinging to their beaks.

A caption appeared.

An Unknown Land: Antarctica

The program winked playfully at its audience.

Spring 2019

New Universe Special Edition

Coming Soon.

After finishing our three-day Tokyo Dome concert...

"Uggghhh..."

"Urrrrgh..."

We boarded the flight back to Korea looking like zombies.

The instant we stepped onto the charter plane, the younger members collapsed into their seats.

"Uuuugh..."

Dark circles hung beneath Ri Hyuk's eyes.

He looked at me weakly.

"Next time..."

He sighed.

"...let's never schedule things like this again."

"It was seriously exhausting."

Even my lackeys—who almost never complained—looked completely drained.

Japan.

America.

Japan.

America.

Korea.

Japan.

The schedule had been brutal.

Junghyun rubbed his aching shoulders.

"I think it's because all the tension's finally gone."

He yawned.

"I wasn't actually that tired this morning..."

I nodded.

"I know exactly what you mean."

When we'd still had one huge responsibility after another waiting for us...

We hadn't really noticed.

Now that everything was finally over...

It felt like every bit of exhaustion we'd been holding back had crashed down all at once.

As though a dam had finally burst.

"Let's hang in there just a little longer."

I looked at everyone.

"We've still got the finale concert."

"Right."

After a few days of proper rest...

We still had two encore performances waiting at the Olympic Stadium.

At least those concerts were different.

They were celebrations.

There wasn't the same crushing pressure that always accompanied overseas schedules, where anything could happen.

"Get some sleep."

"..."

"...Looks like you're already asleep."

The captain stepped out briefly to check on the passengers.

Seeing my unconscious-looking members sprawled across their seats...

He laughed quietly.

After chatting with him for a moment about the flight...

The plane soared through the dark night sky.

I looked out the window.

Then opened my diary.

I flipped past the page I'd failed to write last time after falling asleep.

Slowly organizing my thoughts.

"This year's almost over."

It was hard to believe that 2019 was barely a month and a half away.

During the short flight, I reflected on everything that had happened this year.

Then I opened my laptop and worked on a few songs.

"I really do write better when I'm distracted."

"Hm?"

Seokhwan hyung tilted his head.

"I think spending so much time worrying about the superhero movie helped."

I shrugged.

"It's funny. When I focus only on songwriting, nothing comes out. But after working on something completely different, everything starts flowing."

"That's normal."

He smiled.

"During exam season, even newspaper editorials suddenly become fascinating."

"...That's true."

"Maybe I should pick up another hobby."

"Not a bad idea."

He nodded.

"Try cutting back on your schedule next year. Give yourself some personal time."

He looked at me.

"You're a human being, not a robot."

"This year was a special case."

If 2015 and 2016 had been the years we rose to the top in Korea...

Then 2018 had been the year we rose onto the world stage.

"You're right."

I smiled.

"I should probably learn how to live a little more like a normal person."

"Exactly."

"...But, hyung."

I frowned.

"Did I ever actually have a hobby?"

"..."

"Moments like this really make me realize what a boring person I am."

"Hey."

The manager laughed.

"You're not boring."

He thought for a moment.

"If not a hobby... then set yourself a small personal goal."

"A personal goal..."

As I thought about it...

My eyes fell onto my notebook.

One particular memo stood out.

Korea University – One-Day College Student Experience

Really fun... Learn something someday.

I stared at it.

Then, suddenly—

An idea struck me.

"Hyung."

"What?"

"What if I took the College Scholastic Ability Test again?"

"...Do you actually know what the word hobby means?"

"No, seriously."

The idea became more exciting the more I thought about it.

"I could study little by little for five or six years, then apply to university again."

There had been one lingering regret after filming the university festival special.

Learning at university...

Had been far more interesting than I'd expected.

And somewhere inside me...

The regret from 2013—when I'd studied so hard but never even got to take the CSAT—still remained.

"I wonder if EBS still sells those CSAT prep books."

"Hm?"

"..."

"Hyung."

I looked at him suspiciously.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"..."

My manager had quietly scooted farther away.

He was looking at me as though I'd completely lost my mind.