Chapter 30

"Something" was, of course, the first performance at the music café.

At first, I was hesitant.

I wondered if we should rearrange or remake it to give it a new feel.

But then, producer Jo Gyu-hwan expressed his opposition.

" Audiences don’t always seek novelty. Changing a familiar performance might backfire."

Senior Jang So-won also agreed.

"We tried that with Sugarfish, but the audience didn’t really like it. A performance is a show, like a movie. If the audience has certain expectations, you should meet them first. Surprises or new elements can come later."

Following that advice, we prepared the "Something" performance just as we had done before.

From today, I will start flirting with you.

I will catch you, even if you’re just out of reach.

I will close the gap between us.

When we sang the chorus, the audience joined in.

We had sung with the audience at smaller events before, but it was amazing to have so many people singing along.

It was as if goosebumps ran down my spine.

Even after the first performance, we couldn’t shake off the lingering excitement as we moved into the talk segment with MC Ha Seung-ju.

- "That was a fantastic performance, right? Let’s give them another round of applause."

The audience clapped as the MC spoke.

We sat in the chairs set up for us, with Senior Jang So-won on the far left, the other members in between, and I sat closest to Ha Seung-ju.

We needed to handle the talk segment well.

I had done interviews before, but this kind of talk was new to me.

To avoid any slip-ups, Hyun-ahni had us practice so much that we were almost sick of it, but I was still nervous.

The microphone in my hand was damp with cold sweat.

- "Could we start with some introductions?"

- "Yes, hello. I’m Jang So-won, a singer."

The audience clapped.

A man in the audience shouted, "I love you, unnie!" causing a wave of laughter.

Surely it wasn’t our road manager, right?

Jang So-won smiled and responded gracefully.

- "I didn’t know I had a fan here. Yes, nice to meet you. I’m Jang So-won, the main vocalist from the group you all know."

Sugarfish had been banned from performances after the drug scandal, so they were treated like a kind of Voldemort.

The audience applauded.

It was a show of encouragement for her, who had transformed her dark past into a smile.

- "It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you, Jang So-won."

- "Yes, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on a music show. I usually don’t get nervous on stage, but today I was shaking."

- "Really?"

- "Yes, with such respected seniors here, I couldn’t help it."

- "If you act like that, I’ll go soft on you. I’m supposed to stick to the script, but I want to give you more airtime."

- "Thank you, senior."

- "Did you see that, everyone? I’m a softie."

After the MC and I exchanged some playful banter, the spotlight turned to us.

- "Let’s hear your introductions."

"Hello, I’m Woo-ju, the leader of New Black."

- "I’m Bi-ju, the main dancer."

- "I’m Jung-hyun, the rapper."

- "I’m Seo-ryeok, the main vocalist."

- "I’m Ji-ho, the maknae and visual. I love you all."

This kid put on a cute act when asked to introduce himself.

It could have been seen as excessive, but his natural expression as the maknae made it work.

MC Ha Seung-ju smiled.

- "You guys have a lot of personality. Ji-ho, I heard from the writers that the visual member is Woo-ju?"

- "No, it’s me."

The audience burst into laughter at Ji-ho’s response.

- "What do you think, Woo-ju?"

"Actually, I think our maknae is the best-looking."

- "Really?"

"Actually…"

I feigned hesitation.

"I say this so he won’t be upset when we get back to the dorm."

- "So you’re not the visual?"

"Yes, he’s the self-proclaimed visual."

The audience laughed at my playful response.

The reaction wasn’t bad.

Should I throw in another line?

To whom? The most perceptive one would be the best.

I made my decision quickly.

"Actually, I think Bi-ju is the real visual. At first, I didn’t notice, but the more I look, the more I see his aura."

Ha Seung-ju, who had been watching me, seemed to catch on and changed the direction of the talk.

- "Is that so? What do you think, Bi-ju?"

"No."

Bi-ju smiled shyly.

The audience, captivated by the gentle smile of the boy, started to murmur.

His delicate voice echoed through the hall.

"I think our main vocalist, Seo-ryeok, is the best-looking."

- "What about you, Seo-ryeok?"

An interesting atmosphere was forming.

Noticing the situation, Seo-ryeok pointed at Jung-hyun.

"Our rapper is the visual."

- "Oh, then let’s move on to Jung-hyun."

As expected, Jung-hyun pointed at me.

While we were complimenting each other, the maknae, who had been somewhat neglected, was making a pouty face.

The audience laughed as his expression of betrayal was broadcast live.

Of course, it wasn’t genuine.

It was just for the show.

If Ji-ho had really looked disappointed, the viewer comments would have been a mess.

- "New Black, you guys have a subtle charm. You’re playing it cool."

After making a subtle pitch, MC Ha Seung-ju moved on to the next topic.

Naturally, it was about "Something."

It was time for Senior Jang So-won and me to share our story.

- "I heard there was a special story behind the composition of 'Something'?"

- "Yes."

Jang So-won took the microphone.

- "There’s an annual evaluation event."

- "An annual evaluation?"

- "Idol trainees have monthly evaluations to check their progress."

- "It’s like a practice test for students, right?"

Indeed, the MC’s experience wasn’t for nothing.

The audience responded with an "Ah~" of understanding.

- "The annual evaluation is a joint event with four nearby companies."

- "It’s like a showcase."

- "Yes. That’s where I first met New Black and Woo-ju."

- "Not as singers but as trainees?"

- "Yes, that’s right."

- "What about New Black caught your attention for a collaboration?"

Senior So-won explained the story from the annual evaluation.

Most trainees performed with electronic sounds, but a team suddenly started with trot, which was refreshing.

- "I’m curious about the trot performance. Can we get a taste of it?"

"I’m not sure if I remember it well, but I’ll give it a try."

I answered in a humble tone.

Although I said that, the script had (New Black performance) written, and we had practiced it thoroughly.

The audience gave a short round of applause as Ji-ho, I, and Seo-ryeok performed a short trot medley.

- "Wow, you guys really nail the trot. I can see why Jang So-won was impressed."

- "You were like a fizzy drink, popping with energy. But I was even more intrigued when I learned that one of the members, not a professional producer, was responsible for the arrangement that day."

- "Really?"

The MC, feigning surprise, explained to the audience.

- "You know, arranging is harder than composing. It requires a deep understanding of instruments and harmony."

The audience murmured in agreement, their attention on me.

It was a bit embarrassing.

It’s not that impressive…

- "From then on, I started working with Woo-ju. Looking back, it felt like a fated meeting."

- "Considering the success of 'Something,' it really was."

- "Actually, the idea of flirting came from Woo-ju."

- "Really?"

As Senior So-won shared the story behind the composition, Ha Seung-ju’s eyes filled with interest.

He glanced at me.

- "It seems like Woo-ju played a bigger role. How was it working on the collaboration, Woo-ju?"

"Actually, while Senior So-won was very kind, this song started and ended with her. I just helped out a bit."

- "You’re lifting each other up. What a humble collaboration. It’s the most humble duo I’ve seen so far."

The audience laughed at Ha Seung-ju’s joke.

While Senior So-won and I talked about the composition and the song, I made sure to include the other members in the conversation.

For example, I mentioned that Bi-ju suggested a certain movement, and Seo-ryeok did vocal directing.

The effect was a bit ambiguous, but it was an effort.

* * *

"You’re doing well."

The PD in the control room said admiringly.

"I thought you’d be nervous since it’s a live broadcast, but for a rookie, you’re doing great."

"Not just great, but excellent."

"He’s not only good-looking but also articulate."

"His looks alone could overshadow most idols. If he hits it big, he’ll attract a lot of fans."

"Being good-looking doesn’t guarantee fans. These days, it’s more about the ‘self-made’ vibe…"

"Self-made idol, PD."

"Right, that."

"But his face is universally appealing."

The writers smiled contentedly, and the PD chuckled.

One of the writers marveled at the screen.

"He’s really giving it his all."

"First live performance isn’t easy. He must be determined."

"Indeed."

"Too bad the other members aren’t following as well as expected."

"Maybe they’re just nervous. They’ll get better."

"True, but how are the audience reactions?"

The assistant director, watching the audience’s expressions, replied.

"Great success."

"I knew it."

The PD, watching Woo-ju play the piano, muttered.

"Blood doesn’t lie, after all."

Earlier, while talking with Ha Seung-ju, I had mentioned Woo-ju’s father.

When Ha Seung-ju suggested increasing New Black’s airtime, the PD had frowned, but he quickly understood after hearing about Woo-ju’s father.

It was a topic that could boost ratings.

"Maybe some people don’t know, but…"

Finally, the performance ended.

As the camera captured the audience’s applause, Woo-ju returned to his seat.

Ha Seung-ju smiled and asked.

- "That was a fantastic performance. Did you arrange it yourself? You’re really talented musically, from composing to performing."

- "Thank you."

Woo-ju bowed slightly, and Ha Seung-ju, looking at the cue card, changed the topic.

- "But is your musical talent innate? Of course, effort is important, but talent is crucial in the arts, right?"

- "Well, I think I inherited it from my father. I’ve seen him play the piano a lot since I was a child."

- "What’s his name?"

- "Seo Myung-ju…"

At the mention of that name, gasps of surprise rippled through the audience.

Seo Myung-ju.

Fifteen years ago, he was the most famous pianist in Korea.