Chapter 178 : Blackhole Official Goods No
Chapter 178: Blackhole Official Goods No. 1
A crowd gathered like a swarm of clouds.
Park Taekeun’s gaze fixed on the Almond Young Myeongdong flagship store.
It wasn’t a mistake.
That was definitely Almond Young.
Crowds gathering on Myeongdong streets were nothing unusual.
But seeing so many people clustered in front of a single store was a rare sight.
Especially if that store was Almond Young—a place he had thought was already past its prime.
“What is this?”
His curiosity was piqued.
After indefinitely postponing (in truth, canceling) the luxury project, he needed to see with his own eyes what they were doing instead.
Most likely they were gathering people using idol fandoms or trying to boost sales by scattering discount coupons like flyers.
He naturally walked toward the store.
The closer he got, the clearer the buzzing voices became.
Customers were holding something in their hands.
Small black boxes.
And…
‘Where have I seen that before?’
A softly glowing pink LED bracelet shaped like a rabbit.
‘No way…?’
Blackhole.
The name struck his mind like lightning.
Just as he looked around in confusion, a young woman passing by spoke excitedly to her friend.
“Hey, hurry up. It’s limited edition.”
“What is it? A sale?”
“No. The Blackhole album.”
“Oh? The Orbit Phone model? That’s crazy. They’re selling a DJ album?”
“They’re giving a free gift too. I wanted one of those, but people are selling it for over 300,000 won on social media. It’s insane.”
…A Blackhole album?
Park Taekeun’s ears sharpened.
The beat flowing out from the store.
It was unmistakably the Orbit commercial theme—Take a Bow.
People were leaving the store holding Blackhole’s album, their faces full of excitement.
Among them was even a middle-aged woman.
“Yes, honey. Is this the right one? The Blackhole Mix Tape Orbit Edition? Why is the name so long? It’s correct? Okay. I bought it. The bracelet? I got it. Don’t worry—go focus on your class.”
Had she come to buy it for her student daughter?
Unable to believe the sight, Park Taekeun looked around.
Then he clearly saw the large poster decorating the store exterior.
[ DJ Blackhole Limited Mix Tape Orbit Edition ]
[ Orbit Phone X Almond Young ]
He had believed he was aware of most industry news.
Yet realizing he had missed such a massive event left him stunned.
Only then did Park Taekeun realize how outdated he had become.
In the past, this kind of combination would never even have been attempted.
Selling a DJ’s mixtape in a physical store.
And even preparing a bracelet as a free gift.
This wasn’t simply selling an album.
It was selling an experience.
The joy of obtaining a limited edition item.
The attention and envy gained through social media.
The expressions of anticipation and delight.
‘Are they really that happy?’
Watching the young people chatting excitedly about the limited Blackhole album reminded him of the past.
Complaining about his empty wallet while deciding which LP record to buy.
Waiting eagerly for a favorite singer’s new album.
Standing nervously in front of a record shop.
He had experienced those days too.
He could never go back now, and times had changed.
But those young people probably felt the same emotions he once had.
Park Taekeun watched them quietly.
“Hey, we’re not going to get cut off in front of us, right?”
“My friend asked me to buy one, but it’s limited to one per person. What should I do?”
“What do you mean? Tell them to come themselves if they want it.”
“This is crazy. It’s already reselling at a premium. Good thing we came early.”
“Did you get one? Let me see. Wow, the bracelet is really cute.”
Watching them chatter while looking at their friends’ albums made him smile.
Like watching a youngest daughter.
Or a youngest son.
As he listened to their conversation with quiet amusement—
“Wow, but this is really amazing. Now I get why it’s expensive.”
“You mean the CD player version? Of course.”
“It’s fascinating. Can you play other CDs on it too?”
“Yeah. Look. It even connects to Bluetooth.”
“That’s crazy. It’s worth 120,000 won. I’ve never seen a CD player before.”
One surprise after another.
‘They packaged it like this?’
The fact that the package included a CD player shocked him the most.
Such a bold decision was usually only attempted by famous idols.
Yet Blackhole had successfully pulled it off.
Forgetting his dignity, Park Taekeun leaned in to examine the CD player in a student’s hand.
‘It’s nice. Well made.’
He felt a genuine interest in the CD player produced by KW Electronics.
For the first time in a long while, Park Taekeun felt the urge to own a CD.
“Those buying the Blackhole Mix Tape, please line up here.”
And before he knew it—
He found himself standing at the very end of the line, waiting for his turn.
It was simply too attractive an album not to buy.
---
[ DJ Blackhole Releases Limited CD Player Version Album ]
[ ‘Popularity rivaling idols’—Who is DJ Blackhole? ]
[ DJ Blackhole Mixtape Causes ‘Sold-Out Frenzy’ ]
[ 120,000 won selling for 500,000? Industry shocked by limited-edition premium ]
[ KW Electronics CD Players Still Exist? ]
Blackhole’s Mix Tape: Orbit Edition sold out all 1,000 copies in less than half a day after release.
It wasn’t simply about listening.
It was about the joy of owning it.
And even the fun of showing it off.
It became a new cultural phenomenon.
Even more encouraging was that the craze extended beyond Blackhole’s fandom.
It drew in the general public thirsty for Y2K nostalgia and early adopters fascinated by unusual electronics.
Articles flooded out, and social media reacted positively.
[ (Proof) Good thing I went to the flagship store this morning. Check out my Blackhole mixtape. ]
First, the bracelet is cute and the CD player is insane lol. My mom saw it and asked where I got it, then stole itㅋㅋㅋㅋ It’s a CDP but also connects to Bluetooth and the battery lasts a long time. I’m planning to listen to all the idol albums I bought but never played.
↳ Smart idea.
↳ Wow… I can finally listen to the idol albums I bought but never played. Blackhole is a genius.
↳ How much?
↳ ↳ (Poster) 120,000 won!
↳ What the hellㅋㅋㅋㅋ KIM Entertainment is greedy now? What random DJ album costs 120,000 won?
↳ ↳ Shut up if you don’t know. The CD player alone costs more than that.
↳ ↳ Greedy? What century are you from? Electronics aren’t cheap.
Because of that, the talk of social media all day was Blackhole.
[ Posting my proof too lol. Honestly I didn’t even know who Blackhole was. ]
I went to the Almond Young flagship store and bought it out of curiosity. I’m in my 40s and it brings back memories… When I was studying late at night, I used to hide earphones in my uniform and pretend to sleep while listening to music. This CD player is prettier and has better sound quality than the ones back then. And you should listen to the Blackhole CD too! The dopamine hits hard. The DJing is insanely cool.
↳ I went in the afternoon and it was already sold outㅠㅠㅠㅠ
↳ Does Blackhole have photo cards?
↳ ↳ Photo cards?ㅋㅋㅋㅋ His face hasn’t even been revealed.
↳ That late-night study memory hits hard. My Sony CD player lasted until it broke… I used my allowance to buy CDs and batteries. This makes me nostalgic.
↳ I bought one too!!! My mom saw it on my desk and got super nostalgicㅠㅠ I want another one just to keep sealed. The design is amazing!
The CD market that had been considered dead was suddenly revived.
The keyword “CD player” even ranked near the top of Naver shopping searches all day.
Some even considered this event more than a trend—it was pointing toward a new direction for the music industry.
And yet—
“Huh?”
Only one person stood there, looking bewildered.
The same person who had scoffed earlier—
“Who would buy a DJ album?”
That person was Taeyoon.
“What on earth is happening…?”
Not only had it sold out, it was now selling at a premium.
And to make matters worse—
“Taeyoon. So did you buy one?”
“…No. I couldn’t get one either.”
“I told you to do an open-run.”
“I didn’t think something priced at 120,000 won would sell out this fast. I went later and it was already gone.”
Even the album’s own creator—Blackhole himself—couldn’t get one.
He wanted it badly. Desperately.
But Taeyoon decided to hold back.
He thought it was more meaningful for a fan who truly wanted it to own it.
When he explained that, CEO Kim Minsoo ruffled Taeyoon’s hair with pride.
“You’re really thoughtful. KW Electronics is in chaos right now too. They’re saying they might start producing CD players again.”
“Is that possible?”
“Yeah.”
It had been ordered by Executive Director Kim Jinsoo.
The sales of the Orbit Phone were exploding.
So for him, hearing something like “The Orbit Phone model wants to do this?” and immediately approving it was as easy as snapping his fingers.
It was the decisiveness expected from the future head of the company.
Taeyoon simply assumed the man might be more impressive than he had thought.
But he didn’t dwell on it long.
What Taeyoon cared about right now was something else.
His mind was filled with the word “premium.”
Buying and selling used items was a personal freedom.
But he disliked seeing opportunists step in and make excessive profits from something sold with good intentions.
Because all the profits were supposed to be donated.
That was why Taeyoon had chosen to sell through Almond Young.
A so-called one-plus-one donation.
Almond Young had promised to match the profits with an additional donation.
So seeing someone else making money through resale?
That wouldn’t do.
“Why do you look like that on such a good day?”
“It’s nothing. Just thinking.”
“You look like someone who tried to do something good but got upset because some terrible people interfered.”
“Hey, stop talking like that!”
Taeyoon narrowed his eyes at CEO Kim Minsoo.
His expression looked annoyed, but secretly he had expectations.
Because whenever something like this happened, Kim Minsoo always appeared with a solution.
And today—
Taeyoon’s expectations were right again.
“Stop worrying.”
“Oh?”
“I already placed an additional order for 3,000 copies. They’ll deliver soon.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. But this time we removed the rabbit bracelet gift. The first batch should stay limited. That’s fine, right?”
“Of course.”
Only then did Taeyoon’s expression brighten.
“Instead, Almond Young asked if they could sell the Blackhole LED rabbit bracelet separately.”
That would effectively become
Blackhole’s first official merchandise.
Once again, all profits would be donated.
Selling goods while helping people in need.
It was certainly a good thing.
Still, Taeyoon was curious.
“But CEO.”
“Yeah?”
“Almond Young is still a profit-making company, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then if they keep giving things away like this… what do they gain?”
At that, Kim Minsoo began a marketing lecture.
A very intense and easy-to-understand one.
Perfectly tailored for Taeyoon.
“First, image renewal. Almond Young had the reputation of being outdated lately. That’s why they tried that luxury project. But look now. Selling Blackhole’s mixtape made them look trendy. Becoming a hotspot young people line up for isn’t easy.”
Taeyoon listened with sparkling eyes.
“Second, foot traffic. People who visit don’t only buy the Blackhole album. They look around the store, buy cosmetics or snacks too. And when people see a long line outside, others get curious.”
Kim Minsoo smiled and explained the most important point.
“Finally—connection to Blackhole! Now whenever people think of Blackhole, they’ll naturally think of Almond Young.”
Taeyoon had been focused only on the idea of donation.
He never expected this kind of reasoning behind it.
“Businesses… never do deals that lose money.”
Almond Young had gained far more value than any simple profit.
“That’s fascinating. I learned something new.”
“Just making music isn’t enough. You need to understand how the world works too. Otherwise you’ll get taken advantage of.”
Then Kim Minsoo grinned and finally said what he really wanted.
“Of course, Taeyoon—you just need to trust me and follow my lead.”
That confident tone and playful expression.
Taeyoon didn’t dislike it.
---
The second batch of albums, originally planned for 3,000 copies, was expanded to 10,000.
They were sold not only at the flagship store but at Almond Young stores nationwide.
Just as expected, the late-produced albums also sold out easily.
Satisfied by the news, I decided to take care of something I had postponed before leaving for LA.
My hyung took a vacation day and boarded the KTX with me.
As soon as we arrived at Ulsan Station, the smell of the sea filled my nose.
Just then—
“Dongyun! Taeyoon!”
A familiar silhouette appeared in the distance.
His rugged appearance looked strangely similar to my hyung.
“Dad!”
I had come here to meet him.
It felt both familiar and awkward at the same time.
---
New Elements & Terms
* Almond Young — Retail brand
* Blackhole LED Rabbit Bracelet — Official merchandise
* Mix Tape: Orbit Edition — Limited album
* Park Taekeun — Male
* Lim Geonwoo — Male
* Seo Taeyoon — Male
* CEO Kim Minsoo — Male
* Executive Director Kim Jinsoo — Male
* KW Electronics — Company
* DJ Blackhole — Male