PD Woo Han-suk, who had been floundering in Kang Rojun's deep smiling eyes, barely managed to co to his senses.
“You an you can do it right now?”
Rojun nodded sincerely.
“Yes, PD-nim.”
“Wha- both the Korean and Japanese versions?”
“Both.”
It had only been a few days since he had talked to Kang Rojun about recording the guide for ‘Survival 100’. In fact, he had only just recently decided to adopt Rojun’s lyrics. Even if he had listened to the song a lot while writing lyrics.
‘Is it really this effortless?’
There hadn't been enough ti to answer so confidently. Moreover, ‘Survival 100’ had two versions: Korean and Japanese. Doing one properly would have been difficult enough, but he was saying he could do both right away? PD Woo Han-suk stared at Kang Rojun’s insane visuals and let out a chuckle.
“Today is Thursday, right? I ntioned the guide recording on Monday, and on Tuesday we had the 4th evaluation. So, the only ti left would’ve been Wednesday… Is that possible in one day?"
It was a valid question. Not just PD Woo Han-suk, anyone in this situation would have a question mark pop up.
“Even if you're a fast learner, this is too fast, isn't it?”
Regardless, Rojun was overflowing with confidence.
“Is that so? But it’s true. I can do it right now, no problem.”
He hadn’t even learned ‘Survival 100’ yet. But to Kang Rojun, who had the ‘AI Simulation’ and was using it properly,
‘Even if I only had five minutes, it’d be more than enough.’
It was about as hard as scratching his head.
‘The lyrics are already clear in my head, and I’ve listened to the lody enough to be used to it. All I need now is to perfect it through learning.’
Of course, PD Woo Han-suk had no way of knowing this, so all he could see was that Kang Rojun seed like a monster.
‘Co to think of it, No. 1 no, Rojun-ssi always had a way of pulling things off. The guide recording isn’t the problem; his very existence is beyond my understanding.’
PD Woo Han-suk had seen many people called geniuses over his decades in the industry. They amazed him too. But Kang Rojun was on a whole other level. A genius among geniuses, perhaps?
‘There’s no way I could understand soone like him.’
Letting out a soft laugh, PD Woo Han-suk adjusted his glasses and shook his head as if in disbelief.
“Okay, then I’ll set up a eting with Judge Song Min-geun as soon as I can. Speed is always good. The sooner ‘Survival 100’ is complete, the faster we can build up not just the dostic schedule, but the Japanese one too.”
Muttering this, PD Woo Han-suk stood up.
“You saw the guests who ca to the 4th evaluation, right? Among them were people from the entertainnt industry, the ‘Rental Lover’ team, and also the Netflix Japan team.”
"Ah- those foreigners."
“Right. That was the executive director of Netflix Japan, and they were dying to see No. 1. Anyway- the Japanese schedule will be moving in tandem with Netflix Japan, so keep that in mind.”
PD Woo Han-suk was giving Rojun quite detailed information. That was because No. 1, or Kang Rojun, was carrying a lot on his shoulders in ‘Produce That 100!’ Soon, the conversation between PD Woo Han-suk and Rojun ended, and they went their separate ways. PD Woo Han-suk walked toward the contestant dorm, and Kang Rojun headed toward the park where he always ran.
Because he had to complete today’s mission.
Even as he walked, Rojun pulled out his phone.
“Let’s see-”
There was sothing he had to do before running.
He opened the ‘AI Simulation’ app and imdiately tapped the ‘AI Automation’ button. A familiar ssage popped up.
-[Through ‘AI Automation’ analysis, the desired outco can be achieved. What would you like to achieve? (Only options related to the desired occupation: Idol)]
After thinking for a mont, Kang Rojun entered instructions in the blank space.
-[AI Automation: I want to perfectly learn the vocals for both the Korean and Japanese versions of the song Survival 100.]
A loading circle spun briefly. The result appeared quickly.
-[Analyzing with AI... Analysis complete!]
-[25 coins are required to produce the desired result.]
Kang Rojun glanced at the number of coins and muttered to himself.
“Two versions for 25 coins? That’s cheap.”
Strictly speaking, learning 'Survival 100' this ti was equivalent to learning two songs. The Korean version and the Japanese version. Though the lodies were roughly similar, there was a definite difference due to the language.
‘So then- maybe 10 coins for the Korean version, 15 for the Japanese? Or maybe the reverse. If it were just one song, it would’ve been about 15 coins.’
The 'AI Simulation' would have made the precise judgnt. Guessing why it ca out cheaper despite minor details, it was probably because Rojun’s singing ability stat had surpassed 30 points and because he wrote the lyrics for ‘Survival 100’. If he were to also learn the dance for ‘Survival 100', the total coin usage would settle around 50.
‘50 coins? I can earn that in four days.’
There might be other points, but the fact was that the more Rojun grew, the cheaper it got. With a smile, he approved the coin usage.
-[25 coins will be used.]
-[Applying... Application complete!]
A sharp, intense tingling was felt on his wrist. However, the pain quickly faded, and Rojun, now ready, began his run. Along the way, he quietly started to sing.
-♬♪
It was, of course, the freshly learned ‘Survival 100’.
A few hours later.
Before leaving the campus, PD Woo Han-suk gathered the 23 participants excluding Kang Rojun for a briefing.
“We’re currently preparing the next the song. I’ll give you the details little by little, but the rough plan is to create a performance for the viewers with this the song…”
It was related to ‘Survival 100’. Everyone listened, but they all knew that if they were eliminated in the 4th evaluation, they wouldn’t be participating. So the tension naturally rose.
I want to do it too, I want to survive, the desire to definitely be included in that the song exploded.
No. 58, the one who composed the song, felt his heart beat twice as fast.
Being selected as the the song was definitely a happy thing. But performing on stage with the song he composed would multiply that emotion tenfold.
‘If possible no, I hope I definitely make it…’
While PD Woo Han-suk was passionately speaking, Kang Rojun, who already knew most of the content, wasn’t on the ‘Produce That 100!’ campus. He was in a van driven by the assistant director of ‘Rental Lover.’
He was on the way to shoot for ‘Rental Lover', which had been delayed a few days.
Rojun arrived at the filming site a little after noon.
“Writer-nim!! That performance was incredible!!”
As soon as Rojun appeared on set, the ‘Rental Lover’ key staff stopped filming and rushed over.
“Phew- the others did well too, but honestly, I could only see Writer-nim!!”
“Singing, dancing, even rapping! That was amazing, really!”
“Seeing it live? Chills? Goosebumps? I even dreamt about Writer-nim after that!!”
"Oh my, what's that about."
“But Writer-nim, you can write lyrics too??!”
A barrage of questions from the key staff who had attended the 4th evaluation. As Kang Rojun was answering appropriately, PD Jung Soo-ryeong poured cold water over them.
"You people, didn't you promise not to burden writer-nim?? Knock it off, okay?”
The key staff grumbled and returned to their places while PD Jung Soo-ryeong let out a short sigh.
“Sorry, Writer-nim. They’re still too excited, that’s all.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m thankful you all ca to watch.”
“What do you an? Of course we had to go.”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong raised both thumbs with a smile tugging at her lips.
“Writer-nim on stage you were just insanely wonderfull. I almost started fangirling.”
Kang Rojun flashed his killer smile.
“You’re welco to.”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong paused briefly, then barely pulled herself together.
“Whoa there, that smile is banned on set. No. 1 is great, but I need to see you as a writer. I've read almost all the scripts for the other works you sent, and they're amazing. Well, let’s talk about that later.”
Suddenly, PD Jung Soo-ryeong lowered her voice.
“We’ll be announcing it officially soon, but ‘Rental Lover’ is going to be launched on Netflix Japan.”
“..flix Japan?”
“Yeah. We had a eting with their team and closed the deal. Just be aware. Isn’t it great?”
Great? What could he say? Rojun felt a strangely heightened, subtle emotion. ‘Rental Lover', a work created purely by Kang Rojun without ‘AI Simulation', sothing he once dismissed as trash writing. And now, it was going to launch in Japan.
‘Of course it was probably possible because of ‘Produce That 100’, but still, my writing’s going to Japan... That’s so fascinating.’
Like ‘Produce That 100', ‘Rental Lover’ was also growing on a scale Rojun hadn’t expected. At that mont, PD Jung Soo-ryeong patted his shoulder.
“From a debut one-act drama to this level of attention, and even a Japan launch. No. 1 is great, but as a writer, this is trendous too. There’s no precedent for this.”
It was true. There had never been an idol who worked as a writer as a side job. Anyway, with a floating feeling, Kang Rojun began his makeup, and he transford, not into No. 1, but into Lover No. 4.
“Hi- Action!”
The filming began. Since they had to shoot the postponed scenes, most of them were solo shots without a counterpart. Other actors were on standby. Choi Rina was nowhere to be seen.
But Kang Rojun had already perfectly learned Lover No. 4.
“Cut! Okay!! Let’s go one more ti focusing on the side profile!!”
The shoot went smoothly, and Rojun’s filming schedule continued through the next day, Friday. On this day, Choi Rina, who hadn’t been there the day before, joined in, and the shoot, which had started early in the morning, saw a shift in atmosphere when the clock passed 2 p.m.
“Cuuut!!! Writer-nim! Great work!"
With PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s shout, applause from the staff rang throughout the set.
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
And pouring greetings.
“Great work!!”
“Thank you, Writer-nim! Ah- why does this feel so bittersweet??”
“Are we not going to see Writer-nim anymore??”
“He’s the writer of ‘Rental Lover’! Of course we’ll see him again!”
Dozens of staff gave him intense reactions.
The reason was simple.
“Today’s the last day for Lover No. 4’s scenes!!”
That day marked the end of Kang Rojun’s filming for 'Rental Lover'. It ant all of Lover No. 4’s scenes were completed. Although filming for 'Rental Lover' would continue for a while, Rojun was done. Having completed what could be called a long or short schedule depending on perspective, and having gone through his first-ever drama shoot, Rojun expressed his gratitude to the staff.
‘It’s over? Right. No more reason to co back here? Ah- this feels kinda weird.’
A bittersweet emotion surged inside him. As if sensing that, PD Jung Soo-ryeong took off her hat and jumped in.
“We’ll see you again soon, though your price tag will probably go up a lot by then.”
Soon Choi Rina, who had haggard makeup but still overwhelming beauty, coughed unnecessarily and approached Kang Rojun.
“Writer-nim. Um… can I get your autograph?”
Rojun didn’t catch her small voice and asked again.
“Sorry?”
“A-a-autograph, please. No special reason, just for mory.”
“Ah- autograph.”
Autograph? I don’t have one, though? Rojun scratched his chin and answered honestly.
“I don’t have a set autograph yet.”
"Ah! That won't do!"
“...Huh?”
"Ah, no. Ahem. Then can we at least take a photo?”
“Sure, sure.”
Choi Rina gave a faint smile, quickly took out her phone, and snapped a photo with Rojun. That beca the spark.
“Wait, wait! too, too!”
“Whoa! Please let join in too!!”
Dozens of staff rushed over. And in the end.
“Okay- taking the picture! One, two, three!”
It beca a group photo with the entire 'Rental Lover' team. For Kang Rojun,
'This is a first, it's nice. This kind of thing.'
It was a first-ti experience.
At the sa ti.
At a cafe in Apgujeong. For so reason, a crowd of over dozens had gathered near the entrance of the cafe.
“Hey, hey, isn’t that Park Hyun-jung?”
“Looks like her?? No way.”
“Isn’t she over 40? Why does she look like she’s in her 30s??”
"Wow- her aura is just that of a celebrity itself."
Apparently, there was a celebrity inside the cafe. Not long after, that celebrity ca out of the cafe. People scread.
“Kyaaa! Unnie, you’re so pretty!!”
“Just one handshake!! Unnie!!”
"Wow!!"
“Love your songs!!”
The woman, clearly exuding celebrity aura even at a glance, handled the crowd gracefully, waving and signing autographs. She even exchanged a few words.
“What song of mine do you like?”
“‘Send It to the Wind’ is my absolute favorite!!”
“Oh- thank you.”
After several minutes of fan service, the woman got into a white van that had arrived, waved through the window until the last second, and the car pulled away. She crossed her legs and smiled.
“eting fans always lifts my mood.”
In fact, she was Park Hyun-jung, who had been a major singer in Korea for over 20 years. A legendary figure in the music scene, with a long list of hit songs. On top of that, with her easygoing personality, youthful yet sexy appearance, and strong skill, she was famous for excellent fan service and maintained high popularity.
Soon, Park Hyun-jung asked her manager in the passenger seat,
“Today’s ‘Produce That 100’ day, right? Can I watch it?”
“You can’t. We have to go straight to the recording studio.”
“Ugh- I don’t wanna. Let’s do that tomorrow. I need to see ‘Produce That 100’. They’re doing a rap performance today! There were spoilers about 'No. 1' writing lyrics and stuff, so I'm dying of curiosity."
“Then call the composer directly.”
“......Fine, I’ll just catch the rerun.”
Pouting her lips, Park Hyun-jung arrived at a large recording studio a few dozen minutes later. Waiting for her was a chubby man she was very familiar with.
“Hey! Park Hyun-jung, what took you so long?”
It was Song Min-geun, the hit song maker and judge on ‘Produce That 100’. Park Hyun-jung, handing him an iced Aricano like a tribute, smiled.
“I told you I had an important eting, didn’t I? But oppa, what are you eating again?"
"Donuts."
“I told you to lose so weight. I told you I want to receive oppa's songs for a long long ti, right?"
"Be quiet. Let's listen to the guide first."
A song resonated throughout the studio.
-♬♪
It was a ballad. Park Hyun-jung, listening with her eyes closed, gave a thumbs-up.
“I told you over the phone too, but the song is really well made. As expected of Song Min-geun.”
“Stop buttering up and just get ready, you punk.”
“No, seriously, who wrote the lyrics? You composed it, so that makes sense, but the lyrics are totally insane. Why are you hiding it???”
“You’ll see in two days anyway. On Sunday. Around when you finish recording? He’s supposed to co by. Just don’t let your jaw drop when you see him.”
“What are you talking about?”
Song Min-geun chuckled and replied while thinking of soone.
"Because he's so good-looking it’ll knock you flat.”
*****
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