Chapter 173: Chapter 174:

Translator: MarcTempest

Editor: Rxel

Chapter 174

The second episode of HBS MTV Idol Show boasted a higher rating and more buzz than the first one.

The scene where Woojoo, who composed the logo song, created individual melodies for each member and revealed the behind-the-scenes stories of making Fireworks and Masquerade.

The growth song that started with “Jiho-ya, Jiho-ya”.

The talent show where the members showed off their unique skills.

On various sites where idol fans gathered, there were posts about these highlights.

-Woojoo seems like a real genius every time I see him

-His musical talent is definitely innate

-But it’s amazing ㅋㅋI don’t know them well but I can relate to their melodies

-Yeah I know what you mean ㅋㅋ

-I love the logo song

From the comments about Woojoo’s composing ability.

–ㅋAre they some kind of legendary heroes?

-It’s more like Master Show than Idol Show

-Growth song ㅋ

-Jiho-ya, Jiho-ya ㅋ I think I’ll remember his name for sure

-It’s so similar to what my mom says that I’m surprised

-Daegil’s friend must be a current soy sauce factory owner… his pronunciation is so accurate

To the comments about the members’ mysterious abilities.

But the scene that got the most reaction was the legendary ‘rhinoceros beetle’ from the decibel game.

The memorable scene where Junghyun, who had horns on his head, got up with his butt stuck in a basket.

The solemn caption that said “Rhi. No. Ce. Ros. Bee. Tle.” with a golden halo and calligraphy font.

The result of combining the appearance that strangely reminded of a real rhinoceros beetle and the face that was as peaceful as a Tibetan fox.

–ㅋ I’m crazy ㅋ

-Ah… I’ve never laughed so hard at anything else in my life

-I should buy Daegil’s friend or a fireball… I feel calm when I look at him

-Yeah agree he looks like a generous tree

-The rhinoceros beetle meme is already spreading everywhere ㅋㅋ

The rhinoceros beetle meme was exported not only to the idol community but also to other places.

It was a bigger reaction than the last time’s Math Bible incident.

And the people who saw the rhinoceros beetle meme had the same reaction.

“…?”

They blinked their eyes at first and then doubted their eyes.

Then they burst into laughter.

-??? What’s the situation here? What’s that??

–ㅋWhat is thatㅋㅋ

-That’s the guy who was on Around the World With Dice, the goat wrestler

-He’s dignified…

-I saved this meme but I have no idea how to use it…

-The world is not ready for this beetle yet

Peace Hall of Kyung Hee University.

“Pfft…”

“Pfft, hello!”

People laughed as they saw them and greeted them. They bowed their heads with sad faces to the greetings of the senior singers.

“Hello…”

Four sad faces and one peaceful face.

The peaceful face made people go “pfft” or whisper to each other as he passed by.

Junghyun said to Woojoo, “Hyung, people keep looking at you.”

“…Looking at you. You.”

“Me?”

He said, “Why are they looking at me?” and then “Is it good to look at me?” and then “It’s good” and smiled contentedly.

They whispered to each other.

“I’m really jealous of Junghyun Hyung. He doesn’t feel ashamed. I’d feel like dying.”

“Right, it’s amazing. How can he be so calm?”

He sat there with a serene smile, whether they said that or not.

Today was January 14th.

It was the day of the ‘Gold Disc Award’, one of the popular music awards that gave prizes based on the results of the past year.

They attended as the Rookie Award nominees again.

Maybe it was because all the singers who had been active in the past year were attending, but there were a lot of familiar faces.

And because they had just aired the second episode of Idol Show, there were a lot of people who laughed at them.

Woojoo wished they would pretend they didn’t know, but they found it so funny that they came and laughed at them.

Everyone knew each other.

Especially TNT, they approached them like cats passing by a fish, and then they all struck a pose.

Woojoo quickly tried to stop them, knowing what they were going to do.

“Don’t do it. Seriously, guys.”

Woojoo clenched his teeth, but our top boy group didn’t care and reached out their hands, saying:

“Remember, Deoksoon is mine.”

“Pffft!”

“Ouch! My stomach!”

They laughed and held their stomachs, saying “Ouch!” to each other. They were so mean.

Woojoo held back. If he messed with them, he would be buried in this industry.

Woojoo covered his mouth with his hand so that the camera wouldn’t catch his lips moving.

“…If you guys weren’t my seniors, you wouldn’t have survived in my hands.”

“That makes sense. Hyung.”

When Taehyun looked at the other members, they nodded their heads, saying “True.”

He covered his mouth and said, “But we are your seniors.”

“Hey.”

Woojoo let out his anger as he watched them laugh.

TNT was just the beginning.

Street Boys came and teased Woojoo so much that he regretted being close to them.

Scarlet came and sang an improvised song with lyrics that he didn’t like, ‘rhinoceros beetle and cat’, but the harmony was unnecessarily good.

Jang Sowon Sunbae came and made a weird laugh, saying “Our little ones… sob sob” as soon as she saw Woojoo and Junghyun.

Teen Spirit came confidently and asked, ‘Who’s in puberty?’ and they showed their loyalty by pointing at Jiho at the same time. They gave them a thumbs up, saying ‘That was hilarious’ and disappeared.

…Now that Woojoo thought about it, there were no normal people around.

It was all Junghyun’s fault.

If he excluded people like TNT who he wished would leave him alone, the reason why the busy celebrities who attended this place knew about them was because of the legendary ‘rhinoceros beetle meme’.

It was impossible not to know if you surfed the web.

Everyone who came to them asked for it at least once.

“We want to see that, that thing. The rhinoceros beetle.”

“Sure.”

Then Junghyun would reenact that scene and everyone would clap and laugh.

It felt like they became famous among the idols.

It wasn’t bad, but somehow Woojoo felt like crying.

He didn’t know when it started, but the fellow celebrities also treated them warmly.

Woojoo wanted to do something cool too…

Yeah. Seokhwan Hyung said they wanted a friendly and close entertainer image.

Woojoo decided to be grateful for the fact that people liked their image.

Whatever that image was.

-Yes, the Rookie Award for the Digital Music Category goes to New Black! Congratulations!

That day, they won the main award for the Digital Music Category with Something, and the Rookie Award for the Digital Music Category with Masquerade.

“Thank you very much.”

As Woojoo spoke their acceptance speech with moist eyes, people seemed to think, ‘He must be so happy to receive the award.’

Of course, he was ecstatic.

But his eyes were moist for a different reason…

It was a good day.

It was already great to receive the Rookie Award, but now they had the title of ‘Rookie Award Triple Crown’ in front of them.

-[Summary] New Black, Achieves Rookie Award Triple Crown

-‘Rookie Award’ New Black, Wins 2015 Gold Disc Award

-New Black ‘2014 Best Rookie’, Starts Overseas Activities

They received congratulations from everywhere.

But unfortunately, they didn’t have time to celebrate with the staff or relax.

They had to leave the country tomorrow.

After they carefully placed the new trophies in the display case, they started packing their bags.

“…Why is there so much stuff?”

The A4 paper titled ‘Things to Bring Ver 2.0’ was a list prepared by Rihyuk.

Honestly, Woojoo felt like they had to bring too many things, even things that seemed unnecessary, but they couldn’t leave them behind.

It was a list written by someone who had experience going abroad.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

As Woojoo put a recorder in the suitcase, he brought up a story that came to his mind.

“How come Rihyuk is the only one who has been abroad, or even on a plane? You guys haven’t even been to places like Jeju Island?”

“Yes.”

Bijoo, who was stuffing a small pot, said, “Was it in high school? We almost went to Jeju Island for a school trip, but Junghyun and I got sick and couldn’t go.”

“Were you sick?”

“Ah, that time.”

Junghyun answered instead.

“We got food poisoning that time.”

“What did you eat that gave you food poisoning, school lunch?”

“Chicken skewers.”

Woojoo laughed as he saw the one who had a happy face saying ‘It was a good memory’ and the one who had a sad expression.

“It’s amazing. Junghyun gets sick too.”

“I’m actually a bit frail, Hyung.”

“Isn’t that a 10kg dumbbell you’re putting in the suitcase right now?”

“I’m trying to get stronger. The manager lifted the ban on exercise a week ago.”

“…Well, do whatever you want, our long-lived beetle.”

Woojoo gave a thumbs-up to the one who was cheerfully packing the dumbbell. It was his luggage anyway.

Then Bijoo, who was putting a ladle in the pot, said, “But I’m surprised by Jiho.”

“Right.”

The other kids would be fine even if they hadn’t been on a plane, but their youngest was surprising.

He felt like he had been abroad dozens of times already.

Woojoo was about to talk to Jiho, but he only saw the messy contents of the suitcase in the living room. He was nowhere to be seen.

“Jiho…”

As he was about to call his name, he sneaked out of the room. And he was holding a camera.

“Ta-da.”

The Hyungs had a dumbfounded expression as they saw the one who came out with a handycam.

“What’s that?”

“This is a behind-the-scenes cam.”

“Oh, our behind-the-scenes~”

The three who had dumbfounded faces immediately smiled.

Their faces, which were gloomy from exhaustion, bloomed like flowers.

“Our youngest! You’re filming behind-the-scenes!”

“Koo koo koo, you’re working hard.”

Right, Junghyun?

“Wow, these hypocritical humans,” the youngest whispered to the camera, curling his lips. “Did you see their facial expressions change? These are the kind of people they are. They only say nice things when the camera is on, but they treat me like a pebble on the street when it’s off.”

“Aw, a pebble? Where can you find such a pretty pebble?”

“…Hmm, I’ll forgive you.”

“Of course, you’re still a pebble though.”

Bijoo and Junghyun started laughing, and Jiho shook his cheeks.

“Wow, you’re really mean, oldies.”

“We’re kidding. Where is our Jiho just a pebble? He’s the jewel of New Black.”

“…Really?”

“Yes, he’s still in his growth period.”

“I’m not going to talk to you, Hyung.”

Jiho pouted and whined as Woojoo teased the youngest and laughed.

“Come here, let’s play with Hyung.”

“I don’t want to.”

“If you don’t come soon, I’ll release the growth song online.”

“Fine, fine!”

Woojoo smiled and calmed him down as he quickly approached him. He was soon appeased when Woojoo fed him some snacks.

Jiho soon started filming them with his handycam.

They also sang and danced happily in front of the camera as they packed their bags.

What they were filming now was a self-produced reality show called ‘New Black Exploration’.

It was their daily life that they showed to their fans after ‘It’s the New Black’.

Their popularity and recognition had increased recently, so the company had created a separate account called ‘Channel New Black’.

This reality show was the content that would be uploaded to that account.

“What are you packing?”

“Well, we’re going to Taiwan for our first showcase. We’re packing for that.”

“There’s also that. Variety show.”

“Yes, that too.”

They also had a public broadcast variety show on their Taipei visit.

It was a schedule that came in while they were adjusting the Taiwan showcase schedule. They would film it after they left the country and then part ways.

As Woojoo explained what they were going to do this time, the youngest showed interest in Woojoo’s luggage.

“What’s that? A recorder?”

“I play instruments to relieve stress. So I thought I’d bring a mini keyboard, but it didn’t fit in the carrier. So I switched to a recorder.”

“Oh, then please play for the fans.”

“Just a moment.”

Woojoo quickly turned on the background music on his phone and played a trot song with the recorder. Everyone burst into laughter.

As they filmed the reality show like that for a while, Woojoo remembered something he had forgotten.

“By the way, Jiho. You said it’s your first time on a plane, right?”

“Yes. So when I said I was going abroad, people teased me a lot. They told me to take off my shoes and get on.”

“Have you never ridden one before?”

“Nope. When I was young, I lost my parents and had a lot of trouble, so they didn’t take me because they were scared. Dad also said if I wanted to go, I had to earn money myself,” Jiho said. “So I’m really looking forward to it. It’s also my first time to ride a plane. How about you, Hyung?”

“…Um.”

Woojoo hesitated for a moment and then smiled.

“Of course I’m looking forward to it.”

“Let’s eat a lot of delicious food this time. Mango shaved ice and beef noodles, my sisters said…”

As the youngest chattered excitedly, Bijoo glanced at Woojoo and tried to say something.

“Did you pack everything?”

Rihyuk, who had transformed into a fluffy rice cake after showering, appeared.

He shook his head with a towel and confidently opened his carrier in front of them.

“A pot, a recorder, a dumbbell…”

“…”

“Did you all enjoy your hobbies instead of packing the stuff I told you to?”

They all tensed up as a long sigh escaped his mouth. His sharp gaze fixed on the spacious carrier.

“Hey, Wang Jiho. Why do you have so little luggage?”

“I made some room for the souvenirs I’m going to buy.”

“…Hahaha, I see.”

He swept his hair back and smiled, and they all awkwardly followed him with a ‘hahaha!’ and laughed along.

But that was short-lived.

“Are you laughing right now?”

He spat fire from his mouth as he yelled. They got scolded for almost 30 minutes.

She had a restless sleep the night before.

As soon as Kim Deoksoon came to the store in the morning, she made a video call to someone.

A handsome face popped up right away.

-Hey, Soonie Soonie Deoksoon.

He looked crazy as usual, but he seemed fine.

He was in a moving vehicle.

“Are you on your way to the airport?”

-Yes, I am. I’ll be there soon and join the variety show crew and shoot the opening, and then I’ll leave the country. (Grandma! Hello!)

“Oh, okay. Hi, everyone.”

The other members greeted her warmly, but today her attention was only on her grandson.

She scrutinized him for any difference, but he looked the same.

He had his usual relaxed smile, and he even seemed a bit excited.

‘Did I worry for nothing?’

As she stared at him, he smiled contentedly.

-Good posture. Keep looking at me like that.

“…You’re sick.”

-Ah, how can our Deoksoon’s voice be so sweet even when she curses. You’re my favorite.

He flattered her and then asked.

-But what’s up with the morning call?

“I just wanted to check on you. Nothing’s wrong, right?”

-Of course not. What could be wrong? Oh, I’m a bit nervous going to the airport. It’s my first time going abroad.

He said that and then added.

-By the way, have you ever been to Incheon Airport?

“No.”

-You were happy when I gave you the travel voucher from the show, but why didn’t you use it? The other parents all did.

“I’ll use it soon. Soon. I don’t have time, you know. You go do your business.”

-You have to use it, Grandma.

He grinned and said.

-You should go when you’re one year younger.

“Cut it out!”

-Ah, I still have something to say…

She hung up with a sour face.

But she was uneasy.

‘Is he really okay?’

She accepted the travel voucher from her grandson, but Kim Deoksoon had no intention of using it.

No, she couldn’t.

She was afraid of flying.

Ever since she lost her son-in-law and daughter in an accident, she would wake up in a cold sweat from the sound of a plane.

‘He can’t be okay…’

The fear of flying was not something she had alone, but something her grandson shared.

He couldn’t be fine.

Her eyes turned to the blue sky outside the window.

‘I hope nothing goes wrong.’

She worried about her grandson who was on his way to the airport.