There is one rule that anyone who has ever taken an exam agrees with.

'If you get caught up in one problem, there is no answer.'

If you are doing well in solving a problem and then start to have a mental breakdown because of one strange problem, then everything gets tangled up from there.

What if such problem is number 1?

Needless to say, test takers will want to throw a tantrum at the test taker.

'Seo Ri-hyuk, don't leave me alone.'

The soufflés were embarrassed when they saw problem number 1 and stopped.

"Salt water, salt water... ... ."

"Miss, I think I learned this in middle school. What was the formula? No, was it something that could be solved without a formula?"

"You're so busy teaching, where do you have time to study?"

But the soufflés had friendly helpers.

A group of experts who create a strategy when you get stuck in the New Black game strategy and immediately provide answers when there are difficult problems.

It was a 'Muggle'.

"Huhuhuhu."

Soufflés, who had been browsing the internet with confidence, were taken aback.

'ah! This was an event for fans.'

Usually, whenever I hold a fan event, I think, 'Ay! The muggles are trying to get involved again, Soufflé said with tears in her eyes.

If I had known this would happen, I would have been kind!

Even on Twitter, there were only lamenting posts saying, 'Really from number 1...', but no one wrote down the answers.

"Miss, time limit."

A quiz where everyone solves the questions at the same time.

Because of the 10-minute time limit, there was not enough time for the soufflés to share the correct answers among themselves.

'Throw away number 1 for now.'

I was embarrassed at number 1, but it didn't matter.

You can solve it well starting from number 2.

Fans' attention turned to question number 2.

[No.2]

The New Black's Travel Diary Season 2: Australia's famous scene, 'Sulblack.'

If you subtract the number of Kim Bi-joo's 'I love you' shouts from the number of Seo Ri-hyuk's 'I love you' shouts, what is the number? [2 points, subjective]

With trembling hands, I urgently looked for the picture.

The soufflés who found the answer among the memes in the gallery calculated it using a calculator app and entered the correct answer.

Already 3 minutes.

The soufflés' breathing became heavier as they looked at a total of 10 questions.

'For now, I got one correct.'

The drawing criteria for this fan signing event were simple.

All you have to do is pass a total of 5 sections without failing.

It seemed that if you got just three questions correct, which was the criteria for failing, a lottery would be held regardless of your score.

Fans who looked through the first period questions nodded their heads.

'If you can't even solve this much, you'll end up with a stomach soufflé.'

If there was more interest in New Black than the general public, there seemed to be about five problems that anyone could solve.

Therefore, you can always win the points that are drawn.

But the soufflés focused their attention on the problem.

'I'm sure if you get everything right, I'll give you a prize.'

Their eyes turned to the next problem.

[number 3]

Seo Ri-hyuk sang the 'OST' for the mini series 'I Blown Up My In-Laws'.

What is the name of the role in which Seo Ri-hyuk made a cameo appearance? [2 points, multiple choice]

Fortunately, this question is multiple choice.

The soufflés immediately entered the correct answer.

Soufflés who solved the problem about Seo Ri-hyuk in that way turned their attention to SNS or the idol community.

'The answers are coming. Me too once... ... .'

Those who solved the problem the fastest posted the correct answer, but it was strange.

The correct answer is different for each person.

Among the puzzled soufflés, those with civil service exam experience understood the situation and opened their mouths.

-I guess the questions are random starting from number 3, which is the end of the subjective type.

-Seeing as the questions are all different, it seems like a few questions are randomly selected out of the 30 question bank.

-Why are you so thorough in places like this?

-People who can't even calculate goods ask me to calculate them.

-I, a loser, from today onwards declare myself a supporter,,, I will give up on Seo Ri-hyuk.

-Please tell me the answer to the salt water...

-150g!!!!

-ㄱㅅㄱㅅ You are truly blessed!!!!!

As 'Problem No. 1_150g' was posted on Twitter's real-time trend, soufflés urgently entered it.

"phew."

After completing the full 10 minutes, I finished submitting the frost area and approached the next area.

Then I clicked on the next area.

[Biju's member love area] has a somewhat warm title.

[no. 1]

What is the name of Jiho's cameo role in the drama 'Sleep'?

[No.2]

What nickname did Woo Joo get from his interview at a night market in Taiwan?!

It was much more worth solving than the Surrey area, which was full of dirty problems.

Only then did the soufflés enter the correct answers one by one, as if they were taking a quiz. It was truly a warm Bijou area.

Until number 10, a common problem, appears.

[No. 10]

Which of the following fashions did Woo Joo not wear at the airport?

(1) Suit with different colors on the top and bottom + hiking shoes

(2) ..

There are a whopping 7 choices.

The soufflés were shaking their heads as they looked at a problem where they had no idea what the answer was.

'I only looked at the face, but I didn't look at the clothes... ... !'

'Kim Bi-ju is Seonwoo's Akgae?'

After thinking about it for a while, they finally decided to take a picture.

This is a question that can only be answered by seeing the end of a truly hard game!

The soufflés, who decided to leave it to chance, continued to solve the problem.

In the 3rd period [Jung-hyeon's area], a question about the names of the plants and animals that Jung-hyeon raised came up, and in the 4th period [Ji-ho's area], a problem full of Ji-ho's narcissism came up.

And the long-awaited 5th period [Space Domain].

[no. 1]

Among the following, write the words that go into the blank spaces in the lyrics.

As a composing member, music-related issues were the main issue.

Problems such as guessing the blank in the lyrics of a song, asking which member wrote the lyrics, genre of music, etc.

'Still, I'm glad. 'It was okay, unlike the universe.'

In fact, the members said, 'Soufflés! 'Get them all right!' It was a question that was meant to be.

It's just that the soufflés misunderstood it as a serious test because of Rihyuk's problem in the first period.

The test results appeared right in front of the eyes of the soufflés who had solved all the problems.

[Bambam bambam!]

For a moment, my heart fluttered.

'Do I get a perfect score?'

A screen showing the New Black Mini Mes jumping around.

wow! Along with the BGM, the Mini Mes praised the song as if they had seen the world's best score.

[69 points out of 120] [Awesome! You're tied with Jiho's Korean history score!]

'Is it a karaoke machine?'

'Why do I feel so bad when you praise me?'

The soufflés stretched out and tilted their heads back as if an important exam had just ended.

With this, the application is complete.

'Going through this trouble just to go to a fan signing event...' ... .'

A prize was once again in sight for those soufflés.

Limited edition, not for sale, signed CD.

Since it is a digital single, there is no physical album. METRO's event album and conversation with the members.

'... ... 'I'll have to suffer like this a hundred times.'

It was when the soufflés were yawning and rolling around while thinking about that.

As soon as the test was over, news came out that a video had been uploaded on New Black TV.

[2017 New Black Mock Test: Thank you, test takers, for your hard work.]

The soufflés burst into laughter at the somewhat familiar thumbnail and atmosphere.

A five-member group dressed in suits that online lecturers would wear in their profile photos.

The soufflés applauded and were satisfied with the sight of the five-member group wearing glasses and giving off an intellectual vibe.

'Passed in my heart.'

Woo-joo, standing in the middle, slightly adjusted his glasses and smiled.

-hello! The number one instructor in the area of ​​virtue! My name is Joo Woo-seon, the director of New Black Academy. It is a name that was carefully created with the meaning of giving priority to the students' grades day and night!

-lie! I wrote this 10 seconds ago!

-It means that it boasts of its speed. Quick and accurate solution! That is the motto of our New Black Academy.

The soufflés burst out laughing at the so shameless tone.

A tone I have heard many times before.

A familiar hand gesture pointing to the blackboard.

Woo Joo, who was standing in the pose of a director giving an entrance exam briefing session, clapped and said.

- Dear test takers! Thank you for your hard work. How was the 2017 New Black mock exam? Did you have fun?

-We would like to personally explain the problems you solved today.

I heard somewhere along the way that they had partnered with the online lecture company 'HyperStudy'.

Maybe that's why it really felt like I was watching an online lecture.

From the first period, which is explained by Rihyuk, neatly dressed in a suit and wearing glasses, to the fifth period, where the director himself lectures.

The visuals were visual, but I really liked hearing the behind-the-scenes stories directly from the members.

- When I made a cameo appearance, I kept it a secret from the members. I was a little embarrassed... ... .

While explaining the problem, he sometimes tells the story behind it by saying, 'That's what I did that time,' and it was a great treat for the soufflé players.

'The story behind it... ... .'

'It was Joong-hyeon who broke the Biju plate. I have to tell Biju quickly.'

'Heo Ui-kyung also had a behind-the-scenes story.'

The best thing among them was the explanation of the space domain in the 5th period.

Behind-the-scenes, what are the secrets of composition that have never been revealed and how did you create the included songs?

I really liked the way the song was played during the lecture and the song was explained.

Ah, I guess this is the meaning of this song.

'It was meaningful.'

By the time I finished watching the problem-solving lecture videos.

Jiiiing!

The soufflés' eyes widened as their cell phone suddenly vibrated.

'crazy!'

It was a Y app notification.

[Surprise live start]

New Black: (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و Now it's time for us to solve the problem.

I quickly pressed Wiapp with my finger.

Shaky screen.

Buck-

Bubbubuk-

Buck- Buck-

'When are these guys going to expand their servers?'

The image of Choi Ae appeared before the eyes of the soufflés who had been criticizing the Y app unfairly.

A group of five people sitting at the kitchen table in their dorm and holding question papers.

The expressions on the faces of those who solved all 30 problems posed by Seo Ri-hyuk were unusual. Soufflés laughed at the members' indignation as soon as they saw problem number 1.

-kid!

Jiho lamented.

-What should I do if I give soufflés this problem?

-What's wrong with this?

Rihyuk said as if it was no big deal.

-It's a problem that anyone can solve if they pass the middle school curriculum.

Sigh.

Junghyun, who was solving a problem, snapped and broke his pen. Lee Hyuk, who was looking at the helplessly broken pen, changed his words.

-Well, of course I might not be able to solve it.

-Whoa, it's really difficult. How do I solve this? It feels like something I learned in middle school math class... ... .

-It's not really difficult. You can get it right by just solving basic equations.

It was when the members were talking about that.

The youngest asked, looking at the eldest brother who was silently tracing a piece of paper with a sharpie.

-Brother, what are you doing?

-for a moment. Solved.

Actually, it wasn't that difficult of a problem for the soufflés to think about.

However, the other members blinked at the sight of Woo-joo solving the problem with his own hands without any embarrassment.

-Isn't it 150 grams?

-... ... .

-This just works out.

Excluding Rihyuk, who says 'as expected', annoyance appears on the members' faces.

The same goes for the soufflés.

'Now that I think about it, the universe... It was first class.'

The soufflés' complexions darkened when they remembered that their scores on the mock exam released during their days as Uiin in Galhyeon-dong were ranked 1st this year.

High school seniors turned on the Y app and opened a math workbook.

'It's not the time for me to worry about that oppa. 'I'm worried about my life.'

'A person who would have gone to Seoul National University even if he hadn't debuted... ... .'

'Why are you being so obnoxious today?'

Before long, we were all solving problems together, laughing, and talking about this week's music video.

The members, who were happily laughing and communicating with fans, also received objections from time to time.

Questions or complaints about test questions.

In response to the outcry over the salt water problem No. 1, Rihyuk responded with a red face.

-... It was a problem that could be solved by completing state and secondary education courses.

It wasn't wrong.

However, the atmosphere began to change when some soufflés, which had been quietly holding their breath until now, appeared.

Beep, beep.

Those who appear with tears flowing from their bleary eyes.

"I didn't learn it... ... ."

Elementary school students drooped their shoulders and shed tears in the chat window.

-I didn't learn it...

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠThey didn't teach me at school.

-I hate you

-It's a problem that can only be solved by learning in advance... I'm disappointed.

-That is correct. I'm a Korean student, but I didn't learn it at school.

-I couldn't study math because I was watching the 1988 Olympics.

-Apollo is still sold at the school stationery these days?

-Back in my day, I used to do drills too.

The elementary school students who had been glaring at the adults who joined in without notice opened their eyes brightly.

'Elementary school students can't solve it!'

Seo Ri-hyuk looks at him with a blank expression, as if he has been caught off guard.

-My, I can't believe I made this mistake... ... .

-are you okay. Lee Hyuk. You just have to make up for it.

Rihyuk, who listened to Biju's warm consolation, sighed and nodded.

-I will answer all questions for question 1. agreement?

-agreement.

With those words, Biju behind Rihyuk narrowed his eyes at the screen.

'Did I do well?' The soufflés nodded with a look in their eyes.

-Waaaa!

-We won! Defeat the New Black!

-Beep! Beep!

Elementary school fans jumping up and down with joy like a chick flapping its wings.

And the adults who were hiding behind them, using them as a shield, smiled happily.

'I am also an elementary school student. Strong.'

'The compatibility is very good, limited to New Black.'

'Thank you very much to the ladies and gentlemen. Guys.'

Even today, fans were rubbing their noses in proving the proposition that 'the new black can't win over elementary school and kindergarten students.'

* * *

The day after the New Black mock exam.

I woke up early Monday morning and boarded a flight to the United States.

Destination: New York.

Now it was time to promote the eastern region.

"Ugh... ... ."

The youngest said, trembling.

"There are talk shows all over the place. Just integrate it into one and do it."

"That's because the land mass is big."

One of the things I realized while working in the United States was that the land was incredibly large.

For this reason, the cultural center is divided into two places.

One is the western region of California, centered around Hollywood, and the other is New York, centered around Broadway.

In fact, the West, where Hollywood, which leads the world film market, is located, is a barrier, but the East is a culturally and historically important region. So there were quite a few talk shows centered around New York.

First of all, most talk shows air first in Eastern time.

The places we wanted to visit this time were talk shows located on Broadway and elsewhere.

Biju looked at the schedule and smiled.

"It's tight, but I think I can handle it comfortably in a week."

"It's Biju."

"yes?"

"This is our Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday schedule. "Because it's a music show on Thursday."

"... ... ."

Biju leaned his head against the airplane window and looked at the distant sky.

I smiled at that and looked at my phone.

-Metro, ranked '1st' on music chart.. "Spaceship has done it again"

-New Black is targeting the domestic market with a unique promotion.. "We are a K-pop group"

-Celeb challenge video becomes a hot topic, Teen Spirit 'Congratulations to the New Black brothers'

The response to the promotions conducted after the VMAs has been very good.

Choreography videos shot against the background of subway stations in New York, LA, and Chicago are also rapidly increasing in views.

Videos of the chorus choreography challenge we asked celebrities to do are also being uploaded one after another.

After the VMAs, the number of views of the music video soared, and at the same time, the rankings on American music charts also rose sharply.

"I guess I can look forward to it."

"What?"

Junghyun stuck his head out from behind. I said in a whisper.

"Today's Billboard Hot 100."

"uh? "It's not today, it's coming out later in the morning."

"It should be out around noon Eastern time."

I guess I'll have to do the calculation again.

It will be updated around Monday afternoon local time, so it will be posted shortly after we arrive on the plane.

"Looking at the results this time, I think we can look forward to it. I do not know. "I think if you expect too much, you'll be disappointed again."

"There's something like prediction rankings on the Internet."

"okay... ?"

I was tempted to put my finger on my phone, but decided not to look at it.

Billboard Hot 100.

My heart sinks as I think about this indicator of how popular our song is in America right now.

"It will come out well... ... ."

We did our best, and the company did its best.

The agency and record company in charge of local promotion also did their best.

All that remains is the result.

Ding-

[Thank you, passengers, for your patience. Our plane is taking off now. Have you fastened your seat belt for your safety? ... .]

As I listened to the broadcast in English, the distinctive gooooo sound of an airplane rang in my ears.

Relax calmly.

As usual, I found peace of mind and body by squeezing my takeoff mate, Bruce the chicken doll.

Pretty sweet-

Pretty sweet-

I close my eyes and take off.

On the screen of my seat, I watched the plane leave Incheon International Airport and slowly fly toward JFK Airport in New York, USA.

"... ... "I've already seen it all."

With nothing to do on Net Plus, I passed the time by scrolling through the list of airplane movies.

14 hour flight.

I take care of Rihyuk, who is nauseous and upset, and play with the youngest, who burps because he is bored.

As I watched Biju and Joonghyun sleeping calmly while sharing earphones, I also absentmindedly looked at the clouds outside.

And so the 14-hour flight ended.

"Waaaaaaa-!"

We entered the country waving to the soufflés who welcomed us with wild screams and cheers.

Track, track, rainy weather.

Seok-hwan asked us as we boarded the bus.

"Shall we eat first?"

"Good~!"

"Should I not eat?"

"I like that too~!"

"... ... "You guys aren't listening."

Dazed, yay~! We laughed shyly. The youngest said, scratching the back of his head.

"Ah, my head is blank and I can't think of anything else."

"me too."

"so do i."

I decided to go to a restaurant in Chinatown for lunch and picked up my cell phone with my younger siblings.

"When did you say it would come out?"

"When I saw this, I saw something on Twitter that said, 'Up to 10th place this week!' "After the announcement, the charts are uploaded."

"I guess I'll have to wait a bit."

Even after arriving at the restaurant, I kept refreshing Billboard's official Twitter account on my phone.

My saliva is dry and I sip the tea in my cup.

After snacking on crab dishes and dim sum, I was looking at my phone again and drinking water.

"It's up!"

"It's up?!"

We were looking at our phones in surprise and then we looked at each other.

Then he burst out laughing.

"Like a fool... ... ."

"This is up to top 10."

"Oh, I was nervous for no reason."

With that in mind, it was time to wait for the official Hot 100 chart to be uploaded later.

"hmm?"

Ranking up to top 10 on the Hot 100 chart.

Did I see it wrong?

I blinked and swallowed my saliva.

"... ... "Huh?"

Something was catching my eye that I thought couldn't be there.