Chapter 67

Xiaoming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

---

Clearly, I had heard that he was busy with something like a fan meeting in China.

Moreover, it was a video call.

The kids swallowed hard and looked at the vibrating phone.

"Are you going to answer, hyung?"

"I have to."

It would be ridiculous to ask if he was busy and then not answer.

Pressing the call button, the screen suddenly brightened.

A swimming pool was visible against a bright sky.

There were umbrellas, tables, and sun loungers, a luxurious scene.

A handsome man in a robe was smiling inside.

Soon, a cheerful voice came through.

- Hey, Gunphil.

Damn.

"How did you know that?"

- My schedule was free today. I didn't feel like going out, so I just surfed the internet and kept seeing your face.

"…You saw it?"

- I did. I even showed it to the kids.

Damn.

At that moment, voices could be heard in the background: "Hey, who's Han Tae-hyun?" "Who? A girl?" "A girl?"

- It's Hyung, Universe. Say hello.

Turning the screen, three people in the pool area waved and laughed cheerfully.

- What, it's Hyung, Universe. Long time no see!

- Wow. Why do you look so old after just a few months?

- Hyung, take better care of yourself!

Their laughter and jokes echoed from the phone and from beside me.

"…"

Seeing my expression, Han Tae-hyun laughed.

- Don't worry. They just can't help but make jokes.

The person who had been drinking a fresh fruit juice stretched gracefully.

- So, did you call to play with me?

"You're the one who called."

- Oh, right. I haven't been sleeping well lately, so my mind is a bit scattered.

The person shrugged, then seemed to notice something and opened his eyes wide.

- I thought you were just calling out of boredom, but it seems like you have something to ask.

"Right."

- What is it?

"Wait a moment. Should I let the kids say hello first?"

This time, I turned the camera lens to the members.

Eh, the kids who had been doing something got up and greeted.

"Hello, seniors!"

- Oh, why are you greeting me? It's a bit awkward.

Then he got up from the sun lounger and bowed in the same way.

Laughter flowed from both sides.

The atmosphere became more relaxed.

Indeed, contacting him to ask for tips on fan signings was a brilliant choice.

As a popular idol, he knew well how to make people like him.

I explained the whole situation.

- Hmm, tips for a fan signing, you say.

"You look very tired. Should I call you later?"

- No, it's fine.

The person who had been waving his hand smiled.

- But if I help you, what will you give me? Food?

"Of course, I can buy you food, but do you really need to eat the liver of a flea?"

- Don't want to.

"Alright. Let's hang up."

- Ah! I'll tell you, I'll tell you.

Then he asked cautiously.

- But you'll still buy us food, right?

"It was fun. Tae-hyun."

- I'll tell you, really. What a brat.

At the word 'brat,' Lee Hyuk took out his phone and started taking notes.

Why is he writing that down?

Of course, I had only been joking, but I promised to buy him a meal soon.

Including the last SNS photo incident, I would treat him to something expensive.

- I don't tell just anyone. I'm telling you because Hyung is treating us. This is really a great tip.

The guy puffed up his chest and said.

- It's your first fan signing, right? Just remember three things.

The kids listened intently, saying "Oh" as the lecture continued.

It was that beneficial.

A summary of key points that could be titled 'Three Ways to Survive a Fan Signing' or something like that.

Certainly, it was much more practical than the instructions we usually get from the company.

Just as I was engraving those tips in my mind,

- Actually, you can forget everything I said and just remember one thing.

"What is it?"

- If you get stuck.

Get stuck?

- Just watch what Hyung does. I've seen him since his trainee days, and if you just follow what he does, you'll do fine.

- Yeah, that's true. Really.

Bijoo clapped and strongly agreed.

- Right? It's really true.

Our resident troublemaker, who always picked on us, nodded, and the other two also agreed enthusiastically.

It was fortunate that we got along, but it felt strange that we agreed on such a weird thing.

What do they think of me?

Anyway, it was time to prepare for the pre-recording, so I ended the call.

"…Thanks a lot, Tae-hyun. When you come to Korea, text me. Well, I don't know if we'll have time to make plans."

- Yeah, Hyung, later…#%&^!

"Why is it so noisy?"

Frowning at the loud background noise, the person seemed to get up.

His slippers shuffled.

Then he showed the phone the view beyond the pool fence.

"…What is that?"

On the ground floor of the hotel, hundreds of fans were chattering.

When he waved, a deafening cheer came back.

- There's an event nearby tonight.

The smile of the Hallyu star, who said it casually, left us all speechless.

* * *

"Huh? A delay?"

Just before the pre-recording, the broadcasting station informed us of the delay.

You should have told us earlier.

I was just about to go out in full costume.

"How long do we have to wait?"

"I don't know."

Min-ki said.

"It's raining outside, so the set change is delayed. Also, there was an accident during the Street Boys' pre-recording."

"An accident?"

"A singer and the camera collided on stage."

"Wow, is everyone okay?"

"I heard someone got a bit hurt."

"…"

While we imagined someone lying on the ground bleeding, Min-ki said,

"The camera was broken."

"Really?"

"The person is fine, but the camera was broken."

"…"

Maybe there's a tough guy in that group too.

When our eyes turned to him, Jang-hyun scratched his nose and laughed awkwardly.

"That's a shame. I was in top condition just now."

I nodded at Ji-ho's muttering.

It's a pity. We had charged up to meet our fans.

"Is it raining outside? I hope the fans are okay."

Bijoo looked out the window and said.

Drip, drip, drip.

Heavy raindrops hit the window.

The strong rain made everything outside blurry. Only the headlights of cars passing on the road were visible.

Wiping the condensation on the window, my palm felt cold.

"Most of them probably didn't bring umbrellas because the weather was supposed to be good. They must be hiding somewhere."

"Right. They probably are."

Lee Hyuk scratched his cheek and said.

"Since we're in Sangam, there are plenty of places nearby. There are burger places and cafes. They must be in one of them."

"Should I buy and send them umbrellas at my own expense?"

"You're so thoughtful, our maknae."

He patted my head, but stopped at my shoulder to avoid messing up my hair and makeup.

Of course, it was just a joke, but I promised to buy them a meal soon.

Including the last SNS photo incident, I would treat them to something expensive.

- I don't tell just anyone. I'm telling you because Hyung is treating us. This is really a great tip.

The guy puffed up his chest and said.

- It's your first fan signing, right? Just remember three things.

The kids listened intently, saying "Oh" as the lecture continued.

It was that beneficial.

A summary of key points that could be titled 'Three Ways to Survive a Fan Signing' or something like that.

Certainly, it was much more practical than the instructions we usually get from the company.

Just as I was engraving those tips in my mind,

- Actually, you can forget everything I said and just remember one thing.

"What is it?"

- If you get stuck.

Get stuck?

- Just watch what Hyung does. I've seen him since his trainee days, and if you just follow what he does, you'll do fine.

- Yeah, that's true. Really.

Bijoo clapped and strongly agreed.

- Right? It's really true.

Our resident troublemaker, who always picked on us, nodded, and the other two also agreed enthusiastically.

It was fortunate that we got along, but it felt strange that we agreed on such a weird thing.

What do they think of me?

Anyway, it was time to prepare for the pre-recording, so I ended the call.

"…Thanks a lot, Tae-hyun. When you come to Korea, text me. Well, I don't know if we'll have time to make plans."

- Yeah, Hyung, later…#%&^!

"Why is it so noisy?"

Frowning at the loud background noise, the person seemed to get up.

His slippers shuffled.

Then he showed the phone the view beyond the pool fence.

"…What is that?"

On the ground floor of the hotel, hundreds of fans were chattering.

When he waved, a deafening cheer came back.

- There's an event nearby tonight.

The smile of the Hallyu star, who said it casually, left us all speechless.

* * *

July 13, Sunday.

A multiplex cinema in Yeouido.

[NewBlack 1st Single Album 'The New Black: First Chapter' Fan Signing]

The seats in the small theater began to fill up one by one.

A private fan signing for 100 fans who bought the album.

The atmosphere was calm.

If you could catch the floating words in the air with a butterfly net, they would probably be words like anxious, excited, nervous, and thrilled.

To be able to face and talk to the singer you've always seen from afar.

It was a situation that would make any fan tremble.

And.

The way to calm those nerves varied from person to person.

Some logged into the fan cafe or texted friends, some fiddled with camera settings, and a few struck up conversations with the people next to them.

"Hi there."

"Uh… Yes, hello."

The awkward greeting was brief.

People can quickly become friends just because they like the same thing.

"What are you watching?"

"A live performance of 'Wonderful Night' from the night sea."

"Oh, I was listening to it on the way here. The two of them really have beautiful voices, don't you think?"

"Right. The more I listen, the more it sticks in my ears."

"Really, our boys sing so well. The fan cafe membership has increased a lot since the a cappella live at the showcase."

When one person spoke, another chimed in, and the conversation continued.

"Really, there's so much to watch. Weekly practice videos, reality shows during the debut preparation period, and continuous uploads of videos. It's good, but there's a lot."

"Someone joked on the community that NewBlack has so many teasers that you need to take vitamins to keep up with them all."

As light laughter and casual conversation flowed,

The lights in the cinema began to dim as the fan signing was about to start.

'What is this?'

While I was tilting my head,

The projector started, and a video played on the screen.

'Do they usually show VCRs at fan signings?'

…This question was immediately erased from my mind.

Because of the face that filled the screen.

The close-up of Seon Woo-ju, who was peering at something with the camera close to his eyes, made someone gasp.

- Is it done?

He checked the camera from all angles and looked back.

- Does it look done?

- It looks done.

- Are we in it? Are we in it?

- Kids, gather over here quickly.

The warm voices made the fans smile.

NewBlack members gathered in the living room of their dorm in casual clothes.

For a moment, I frowned at the cramped living room, but then I laughed at the sight of Kim Jang-hyun sitting like a statue in the middle, holding a sketchbook with 'D-5' written on it.

- Hyung, that looks like a mafia statue.

- Mafia?

- A moai, Hyung. Wang Ji-ho, what do you know?

- Wow, this Hyung really talks….

- Kids, we're recording a message for the fans. We need to be quiet. Okay, Woo-ju, you can start talking now.

Woo-ju, who had been looking at the kids with a fond smile, turned to the camera.

His expression was different from when he looked at the members.

- Hello, fans. You must be quite surprised, right? Like, 'What? Why are they suddenly here?'

Woo-ju continued.

- The reason we're making this video is that we have a gift to give you. We thought it would be better to show you how we made it and to thank you for coming here. So, let's start.

- …

- No cue?

- Hyung, who was supposed to do it?

- That's right.

- Wasn't it Wang Ji-ho? If he forgets, it's either him or Jang-hyun Hyung.

- Why are you picking on me? I'm so cute….

- You?

- Yes, me….

Woo-ju, who had been smiling at the bickering kids, picked up the camera and started moving.

- Hyung! Where are you going?

- To have a secret talk with the fans.

He smiled at the camera.

- Forget the kids' awkward moments. Now, let's go into the making film together, shall we? Ta-da~

The person who had been posing for 3 seconds.

Then, with a very embarrassed look, he looked down at the camera and muttered, "Is it recorded? It must be."

The first scene was the same as the dorm room.

They were gathered in the living room, drawing.

Each of them made a clumsy caricature of their favorite animal and started to gather them into one picture.

A scene of animals gathered in a forest.

Below it, they wrote 'The New Black' in cute letters.

Each of them wrote two letters, and there was a debate over who would write the last 'K'.

- Since it's 'K', shouldn't a Kim do it?

- Right.

- No, since it's 'K', it should be a King, a Wang.

- Why are you debating over this? Just let anyone do it.

- Then, let's exclude Lee Hyuk.

- Why me? I have the best handwriting.

- Hey, kids.

Woo-ju sighed and said.

- How about just adding 'from' at the beginning?

- …!

It was a trivial conversation, but the fans watching it smiled.

The design was then sent to the company.

D-4, D-3.

While waiting for the final product, scenes of the members peeking at the fans outside the waiting room, practicing signatures, and reading fan letters with joy flowed.

Finally, D-1.

The members were delighted with the final product.

An eco-bag printed with clumsy drawings.

Then they started to fill it with snacks and photo cards.

It was a short reality show format, like any other video uploaded by the company, but it was a big gift to the fans watching it.

Not just those at the signing, but also those who would watch it online later.

It felt like the members were saying,

- We're waiting for you too.

We always wait for the day we can meet you, just as you wait for us.

Throughout the VCR, this sentiment was clearly conveyed.

The eco-bag was just a medium; the process itself was the gift to the fans.

Finally, the waiting room of the music show appeared.

- We'll finally meet you this evening. Actually, we'll be waiting at the door while this video plays. We're about to go in, so will you welcome us?

The fans glanced at the entrance.

- Let's meet with smiles.

- Let's meet!

The video ended there.

As the afterglow of the VCR lingered, the door opened to the cool prelude of fireworks.

The five members of NewBlack appeared.

This was the second official meeting between NewBlack and their fans.