It started with a post uploaded to a community.
[Suspected NewBlack Concert Guest Lineup for Tomorrow.jpg]
An information post highlighting artists who had coincidentally entered the country in time for NewBlack’s concert.
The rock band guitarist who had busked with NewBlack in Australia.
The American top star who released a collaboration track with NewBlack.
The actors from the musical Nostalgia, for which Wooju had composed and overseen recording.
“Can this really be a coincidence?”
Everyone was thinking the same thing.
But there was still doubt.
People’s suspicion was similar.
“Wouldn’t they lose money?”
Even if the guests only sang one song, wouldn’t the fees be overwhelming?
But there was too much circumstantial evidence to dismiss it.
If it were true, it would set concert lovers’ hearts on fire.
Hailey Blue, who rarely performed in Korea due to venue issues.
A retired legendary guitarist.
Broadway’s top actors.
Money wasn’t the issue.
“Is there any way to get tickets?”
NewBlack’s Sangam concert seating sixty thousand.
Not only fans but general public who liked NewBlack had flooded in.
[Looking to Buy NewBlack Concert Ticket]
Scalping posts flooded communities—but even that was difficult.
Even those who would normally sell tickets had decided to attend.
Then—
“Is it really true?”
As interest exploded, Lemon Entertainment’s PR team phones started ringing off the hook.
“Reporters are calling nonstop.”
“I set mine to silent.”
“It’ll calm down. Let’s just enjoy the massage chair. There’s nothing we can do.”
The lineup had originally been meant as a surprise.
But the guests’ name value was so enormous that rumors spread before official promotion.
A new employee asked the team leader,
“Shouldn’t we release something? Maybe a statement?”
The PR team leader smiled.
“You don’t know yet.”
“When speculation spreads positively like this, do you know the best response?”
“I... don’t.”
“Do nothing.”
He leaned back into the vibrating massage chair.
“If it’s controversy, you cut it off fast. But this? You let it burn. Let them wonder. Is it real? Coincidence? Let it build.”
“Ah......”
“Promotion isn’t always about speed. It’s knowing when to stay quiet.”
He smiled.
“You wait until the water reaches 100 degrees.”
“And then?”
“Then our artists step in. They °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° may look clueless, but they’re pros at this.”
Sangam World Cup Stadium.
One day before the concert, countless press vehicles gathered.
Reporters chatted.
“So, someone’s going to ask, right?”
“Of course.”
“Did you hear anything from Lemon?”
“Nope.”
Even veteran reporter Oh Sohee didn’t know.
Which meant no one knew.
“I’ve prepared two versions of the article. Yes and No.”
“I’ve got a third—‘No Comment.’”
Soon, NewBlack entered.
“Wow......”
It wasn’t just news value.
It was eye candy.
“Hello! We are NewBlack!”
They explained the concert’s purpose.
Then Q&A.
A reporter asked directly,
“There are rumors Hailey Blue and Glenn Davis will appear as guests. Is it true?”
Wooju smiled.
“What lineup?”
“Is it true?”
All eyes focused on him.
He smiled slightly.
“Won’t you find out tomorrow?”
The room erupted.
“It’s real!”
Reporters hurriedly edited headlines.
But the fastest article wasn’t from the loudest reporter.
It was from Oh Sohee.
“This is society,” one reporter muttered.
Articles flooded portal sites.
Backstage, the members exchanged looks.
“Did this get too big?”
“I think so.”
“We just wanted Souffle to have fun......”
“But it is an insane lineup.”
Right then—
Click.
“Here I am, you brats!”
Hailey Blue entered grandly.
We ran past her—
“Summer!”
Straight to her daughter.
Hailey’s cheek twitched.
“You know how to piss someone off.”
“We learned from you.”
Soon Glenn Davis arrived.
“Haha, long time no see, poor youngsters!”
Hailey suddenly shy.
“I’m your fan.”
“Oh!”
Then Broadway actors arrived.
The room filled with bodyguards.
“This feels like a martial arts tournament,” Jiho muttered.
We gathered only the artists.
The director looked nervous.
“You’re not nervous?”
“Should we be?”
Of course we were.
But the stage was ours.
“These are ten minutes total,” I said.
“But important ten minutes.”
Concert day.
Souffle were restless from morning.
They arrived by bus, taxi, subway.
“Crazy......”
Banners fluttered.
Donation booths everywhere.
Inside, the stadium view spread wide.
“People are insane.”
“I heard this isn’t even normally sixty thousand.”
Standing packed tight.
“Gyuhho......”
Someone who loved money came to mind.
But demand was overwhelming.
“I hope no one needs the bathroom.”
Laughter.
Seats filled.
Chants roared.
“Sun Wooju! Kim Biju! Kim Junhyun! Seo Ri Hyuk! Wang Jiho!”
“NewBlack!”
The VCR began.
[Doomchit doomchit!]
Dokkaebi.
Busking.
Coin showcase.
Gocheok Dome.
Billboard Awards.
“Please welcome! The New Black!”
The screen shifted.
Yellow filter.
Film reversing.
[2017 Hello, WOrLD Tour : Grand Finale]
[RE-PLAY 2017]
Replay 2017.
A year of overseas activity.
Now recreating Billboard and busking stages for domestic fans.
“Crazy......!”
It felt like hearing—
They really had brought America with them.
