Translator: Dreamscribe
While PD Jung Soo-ryeong was deep in thought about the other scripts written by Kang Rojun- no, by writer Kang Chul-soo, the key staff of 'Rental Lover' were focusing on Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!'.
The first scene started with Lee Han-na, who wrapped up the last episode, Episode 6.
At the sudden announcement that the first evaluation for Team 1 of 'Produce' would be conducted without any warning, the screen alternated between the stunned expressions of the Team 1 members gathered on stage.
The final shot was Kang Rojun's calm face.
More than 300,000 people had joined the real-time open chat, which was already overflowing with intense messages.
-Why are their expressions like thatㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ O_O exactly this expressionㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-If they suddenly told me there'd be a pop quiz, I'd be annoyed too ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ but why is No. 1 so calm???
-No. 1's beauty is still....extraordinary today....
-But honestly, don't you kinda wanna see No. 1 lose his composure just once? hahaha
Regardless, the angle changed from the two professional dancers on stage back to Lee Han-na.
-["You will each, one by one, perform the 'Produce' dance right now with those two dancers."]
Soon followed were interview shots of several Team 1 participants.
"My mind went completely blank, like, 'This suddenly??'"
"Honestly, I wanted to run away, but seeing the other participants' faces looking just like mine, I held on."
Then No. 1, Rojun, appeared last.
"It was just, okay. I was a bit surprised."
Next, Lee Han-na on screen explained about the first evaluation, and Team 1 quickly moved to the waiting room.
For a moment, conversations and scenes of participants gathered in the waiting room were shown.
-["No. 1-nim, did you practice a lot? You seem really relaxed."]
-["I don't know."]
-["Sorry?"]
The camera angle changed back to the stage. Two dancers waiting on stage, Lee Han-na seated for evaluation, and a participant stepped up. His photo appeared on the screen. No. 94, with a slightly pointed chin.
The performance began immediately.
-♬♪
As the theme song 'Produce' played, the two dancers performed intense movements. But No. 94 kept making mistakes.
-Ugh... even I feel embarrassed just watching this....
-Isn't it normal to make mistakes?? They're amateurs, not pros ㅋㅋㅋ how many days did they even practice
-But yeah, No. 94 is kinda bad though
A shot of Lee Han-na letting out a small sigh.
At the same time, a pre-recorded interview of her played.
-["How could I put these kids on stage?- I felt completely lost, like maybe they'd all be dropped from the performance."]
But it wasn't just No. 94 who faltered, most of Team 1 was falling apart. Viewers got even more excited watching Team 1 crumble to a pitiful extent. Regardless, the screen showed Lee Han-na assigning grades to Team 1.
Then came No. 15, with yellow hair, stepping on stage.
He was the first to complete the dance up to the end of the first verse, and Lee Han-na also looked fairly satisfied.
-This one's not bad
-No. 15's always been decent, just lacked presence
-Feels like he's lacking flair, right?? Maybe that's why he dyed his hair yellow???
And before anyone noticed.
-["Here is our final contestant!"]
A black-haired contestant walked to the stage slowly and confidently.
It was No. 1.
-Pass just from the entrance alone
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ crazy ㅋㅋㅋㅋ No. 1's aura is on another level ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-This time he's quiet, no villain antics?
-You never know ㅋㅋㅋ who knows what crazy thing No. 1 will do next
With his appearance, the screen cut between Lee Han-na and the faces of Team 1 members. The theme song 'Produce' played again.
Within seconds, No. 1 had taken control of the stage and the two dancers.
-♬♪
With incredible tension, No. 1 outshone even the dancers. His dance was so good, it was hard to believe he was an amateur.
-???? Who even is this guy??
-???????
-Wow....
-Crazy????
-He's just a monster. Even the pro dancers seem overshadowed
-Why is it only No. 1 who's so good though
-His ability to copy is amazing. Like he was born with that.
With a performance that could be mistaken for an idol's, the open chat became filled with confusion.
-No. 1 would be the main vocalist and an all-rounder if he debuted
Later.
In Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!', following the first evaluation, the final grades of Team 1 members as determined by Lee Han-na were displayed. Most received a C or D. Only Kang Rojun was graded SSS-level.
-["No. 1, are you going to pass on the training for this 'Produce' round too?"]
-["Yes, I'll pass."]
Lee Han-na explained the grading system. Afterward, Team 1 began intense practice sessions. The lower their grade, the harsher Lee Han-na became. Except for Kang Rojun, Team 1 members did nothing but practice morning, noon, evening, and dawn.
In between, there were occasional glimpses of Teams 2 and 3.
Another scene showed Kang Rojun writing alone, having passed training.
-No. 1 is writing something again ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ why is it so cute
-I want to know what he's writing!!!
-It looks like a diary, but I'm curious about the contents
Brief moments showed Rojun speaking in Japanese with No. 58 and studying composition. However, most of Episode 7 focused heavily on Team 1. One-on-one training, group practice, Team 1's final evaluations, and even a group dance rehearsal after everyone passed.
Before anyone realized it, Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!' had reached its end.
As the screen continued showing Team 1 rehearsing, suddenly.
-[Jamsil Indoor Stadium]
A caption appeared, and a wide shot of the stadium was inserted. Many audience members were seen moving inside. Clearly a crowd in the hundreds.
-I saw it on YouTube ㅠㅠㅜㅜㅠㅜ I should've gone...... People who saw it in person are so lucky
-I saw it live at the venue!!!
-Wow, what does No. 1 look like in real life??
-I watched the video and you can totally tell how much Team 1 practiced ㅇㅇ
For a few minutes, the screen showed thousands of spectators, reporters, and officials inside the stadium, followed by a shot of five judges quietly taking their seats.
At that moment.
-["Huh!!!"]
-["Ah!!! 'Produce That 100!' 'Produce That 100!!'"]
The audience was startled. And then.
-♬♪
The theme song 'Produce' echoed throughout the stadium, watched by thousands.
Soon, all 13 members of Team 1 appeared on stage.
-["Waaahhh!!"]
Screams and wild cheering erupted.
Team 1 began their surprise performance doubling as their third evaluation. The group dance started. From full shots to bust shots of each participant.
By this point, Team 1's viewer voting page was.
-The voting page is open now!!!
Already open.
The next day, Saturday.
The impact of Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!' was beyond anyone's imagination. Thanks to the surprise performance by the significantly improved Team 1 that aired at the very end.
"Team 1 of 'Produce That 100!' finally steps in front of the public, explosive viewer reactions after the broadcast!"
"Eyewitness accounts of Team 1 of 'Produce That 100!' flood SNS... "Can't believe it even after seeing No. 1 in person""
As a result, 'Produce That 100!' became a hot topic in cafes, restaurants, and everywhere people gathered.
"Did you see Episode 7?? The surprise performance at the end gave me chills!!"
"Looks like they practiced a loooot, they were like actual idols! Their movements were in perfect sync and their outfits matched, they looked awesome."
"I mean, can't No. 1 just debut already?? The others were good too but No. 1 is on a different level."
"Totally. The others still feel kind of amateurish, but No. 1 was just radiating idol aura!"
The media also continued publishing article after article.
"No. 1 seen writing again in Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!' / Photo"
Whether covering the content of Episode 7, highlighting Team 1's surprise performance, or providing information on voting.
"Voting begins for the 13 members of Team 1 in 'Produce That 100!', how many will survive this time?"
Voting began immediately after the broadcast. Like before, it opened Friday night and was set to close on Tuesday. Participation reached an all-time high. The page didn't crash, but it was extremely sluggish.
Next came the viewership rating for Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!'.
"[Official] The craze intensifies, Episode 7 of 'Produce That 100!' hits 24.4% rating"
The 25% mark was now just around the corner.
Thus, from Friday night through all of Saturday, 'Produce That 100!' or 'No. 1' dominated everywhere. Just imagine the destructive power of a storm that surpassed a 24% viewership rating.
Of course, Sunday the 30th, just a day later, was no different.
Dominating SNS and YouTube was already a given.
Right around this time, at 8 a.m., dozens of crew members were busily setting up at a large broadcasting studio.
"Lighting test, please!!"
"Yes, yes, place the reflectors!"
"Art team!! PD-nim is calling!!!"
"Cinematographer-nim! Is this the placement you mentioned?!"
"Coming-"
Around the cafe-style set, lighting, art, makeup, and other teams were running around in perfect coordination. Amid them, PD Jung Soo-ryeong was checking the set with staff, her cap pulled low over her hair.
The team gathered here was the production crew for 'Rental Lover'.
Naturally so.
Because today was the first day of filming for 'Rental Lover'. That's why the energy of the staff running around was overflowing. The enthusiasm was palpable too. The first day of filming, whether for film, drama, or variety, is always exciting.
At that moment.
"Writer-nim is here!!"
After the staff's call, a man entered with his face covered by a cap and mask. It was Kang Rojun. As soon as PD Jung Soo-ryeong spotted him, she waved her hand.
"You're here, writer-nim."
Rojun approached while bowing politely to the staff and bowed again to Jung Soo-ryeong.
"Hello, PD-nim."
"Yeah, welcome, writer-nim."
It was the first filming not only for the 'Rental Lover' team but for Kang Rojun as well. With a smile, PD Jung Soo-ryeong asked Rojun,
"How does it feel on your first filming day?"
"I don't know. It doesn't feel real yet."
That was his honest feeling. He had arrived, but his head was still in a daze, it didn't feel like reality.
'Am I really filming a drama?? Here? Wow- shit, now that I'm here, the atmosphere is no joke.'
Dozens of crew members running busily, the shouting erupting from all directions, the lights attached everywhere, the massive cameras he had never seen before, the incredibly fascinating set, and so on.
An explosively powerful filming site.
In this situation he had never encountered in his life, Kang Rojun's heart pounded wildly, and his brain went blank.
'This is different from Produce That 100!'
As Rojun tried to hold onto his sanity, PD Jung Soo-ryeong spoke.
"By the way, as expected of No. 1, the media and public opinion are going crazy about you. I saw that the number one YouTube video right now is the 'Produce That 100! Surprise Performance - Focusing on No. 1."
"Yes, I saw it."
For a moment, key staff members gathered around, diving into conversation about 'Produce That 100!'. The one who cut off the chatter was PD Jung Soo-ryeong, the person in charge of the set.
"Alright, that's enough. Let's move quickly! Writer-nim, go get your HEMECO done."
HEMECO? As Kang Rojun tilted his head in question, a few staff members led him away. To one side of the set, a space was prepared. Several female staff members warmly welcomed him.
"Have a seat! Let's start with your hair."
As it turned out, HEMECO stood for hair, makeup, and costume. In other words, it was time for Kang Rojun to be transformed into 'Lover No. 4'. Rojun had only received light makeup for 'Produce That 100!' before, this was his first time doing anything this full-scale.
What would he know?
Following the instructions, Kang Rojun sat and left his body in the hands of the staff. Closing his eyes, Rojun sat still as the female staff touched his hair, their lips twitching slightly. Soon, two of them locked eyes.
They spoke through their gaze.
A face so flawless that they were afraid to touch him.
This reaction remained even during makeup. As his hair styling finished, gasps and admiration poured out over Kang Rojun's look.
"I mean, wow- what is up with writer-nim's visuals."
"Seriously. You are seriously, seriously, ridiculously super handsome, Writer Kang. Seeing you up close makes it even crazier."
"That's not a face, that's art. Literal art."
"Hold on, writer-nim. Your face has us feeling so greedy right now. It's already unbelievable, but we're going to dial it up twice as much."
A little while later.
The ears of PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who was going over the 'Rental Lover' script with key staff excluding the cinematographer.
"...Huh-"
"Wow... seriously wow-"
"Wuh, I'm speechless."
"Amazing."
The reactions of the staff could be heard. Realizing this, she turned her head.
-Step, step.
A man in a black suit was walking from a distance. It was Kang Rojun with his hair slicked back in a pomade style. Dozens of staff members' gazes followed his movements, and PD Jung Soo-ryeong and the key staff instinctively parted their lips in awe.
'Art' stood before their eyes.
PD Jung Soo-ryeong and the key staff.
"..."
"..."
"..."
They looked up at Kang Rojun with dazed expressions. PD Jung Soo-ryeong gave her honest assessment out loud.
"Is he really human??"
At the same time, a voice shouted from the entrance of the set.
"Choi Rina-nim has arrived!!"
This meant the top actress and female lead of 'Rental Lover', Choi Rina, had arrived. With her long straight hair swaying, she approached with gentle greetings. As she reached PD Jung Soo-ryeong while smiling with her eyes.
"Oh my goodness!!"
She was visibly startled, almost convulsing.
Because she saw Kang Rojun in a suit standing in front of her.
"...W-Wait, writer-nim???"
"Yes, hello."
The smile vanished from Choi Rina's face. Without replying, she simply stared at Rojun's face. It wasn't intentional. It was like a natural disaster. Whoever it might have been, standing in front of Kang Rojun would have left them similarly spellbound.
'What is this...I can only express admiration.'
Even for her, who knew countless top-tier male actors, Kang Rojun's visuals were shocking. While everyone was completely captivated by the violent impact of Kang Rojun.
"Sunbae-nim!!"
A junior assistant director came running from inside the set. He approached PD Jung Soo-ryeong and held out his phone.
"Y-You really need to see this right away??"
He looked strangely serious and flustered. Annoyed that someone was interrupting her admiration of Rojun's face, PD Jung Soo-ryeong furrowed her brow.
"What, what is it?"
The assistant director immediately showed her the phone screen. Soon, PD Jung Soo-ryeong and several key staff checked the phone in his hand. What was displayed on the screen was an article.
"[Exclusive] The work suddenly chosen by top actress Choi Rina, the one-act drama 'Rental Lover', was written by 'No. 1' from 'Produce That 100!'"
In that moment, PD Jung Soo-ryeong turned her gaze toward Kang Rojun.
-Swoosh.
He seemed to be smiling subtly.
*****
If you enjoy this novel, please review and rate it at Novelupdates. Thanks! 😊
To receive the latest update notifications or report mistakes, join our Discord server linked below.