In front of the basent stairs. Kang Rojun, with his phone pressed to his ear, had a slightly surprised expression. His widened eyes blinked in disbelief.
‘Huh? What did PD Jung Soo-ryeong just say??’
Even after hearing it, he couldn't believe it. And then, PD Jung Soo-ryeong repeated it again over the phone.
“Hello?? Writer Kang Chul-soo? Have you heard what I just said now, that you won the grand prize in the one-act drama contest?”
Why in the world? That trashy script actually won the grand prize.
‘Is this a hidden cara prank? At this point, it feels like the world is playing a trick on .'
For a mont, Rojun’s past flashed before his eyes. This was the first ti he had ever won an award of this level. And with that garbage script, no less. It wasn’t strange that Kang Rojun froze in place. But only for a mont.
-Swoosh.
A smile spread across Rojun's face. Whatever, even if they made a mistake, he decided to be purely happy about it for now.
And then.
-Bzzz.
A short vibration from his phone. Checking his smartwatch, a notification from 'AI Simulation' popped up.
-[You have completed the Hidden Mission ‘The First Fruit of a Side Job!’ You have been rewarded with 10 Coins.]
Bonus coins had arrived. It felt like the more his world expanded, the more free coins he received. Thinking of it as killing two birds with one stone, Rojun responded into his phone.
“Yes, I heard. Thank you, PD-nim. But… you’re not joking, right?”
“Do I seem like the kind of person who has ti for jokes?? Why would I joke about this?”
“No, just making sure.”
“Our broadcasting station’s contest is pretty competitive, but your reaction seems a bit lukewarm?”
“I think it just hasn’t sunk in yet.”
“That makes sense. Usually, when rookie writers win, they’re dazed at first. Then, when the production actually starts, they feel like they’re floating in the air. Ah, but since writing is more of a side job for you, maybe it’ll be different?”
“I guess I’ll find out once I experience it.”
Though he doubted sothing like this would ever happen again. With that, Rojun resud walking, stepping up the stairs. The mont he erged outside, he instantly beca the center of attention for three passing high school girls.
“Whoa? Whoa!! Did you see that guy’s face??”
“No way… He’s seriously super handso?!”
Kang Rojun, now sowhat used to these reactions, asked PD Jung Soo-ryeong,
“So, will the process proceed as you explained during the eting?”
“That’s right. For now, just wait. Not only ‘Rental Lover’, but the second-place winning script will also be produced, so we need to sort things out first. Once things are finalized, we’ll contact you again.”
“Got it.”
“But once production is confird, the next call will probably co from the assigned director, not . Still, save my number. The industry is small. By the way, do you have any other scripts you’ve written?”
There were a few more piles of trash, yes. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Rojun scratched his chin.
“I do. Not a lot, though.”
“Oh- really? Keep them safe and show soti. I’ll read them myself. Congratulations again!”
With that, the call ended.
Lowering his phone, Kang Rojun stared into the air for a mont. He imagined the day the one-act drama 'Rental Lover' would be produced and aired on TV. Sohow, it felt a little embarrassing.
‘Aside from the ones I’ve already written, if I have ti, I should keep writing, whether it turns out to be garbage or gold. And-’
He opened the 'AI Simulation' app and carefully scrolled through the various stats in his profile.
-[Acting (0/100)]
It was acting.
‘This counts as a side job too, doesn’t it?’
anwhile, at SBC Drama Departnt.
By the window-side desk, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, her unkempt brown hair roughly tied up, casually tossed her phone onto the desk. She let out a small chuckle, recalling Rojun.
“A writer with that ridiculous face-”
She picked up a stack of papers from the desk. The script 'Rental Lover' by Kang Rojun, already confird as the grand prize winner.
-Flip.
She turned the first page. It was well-written, no doubt.
The general storyline of Rental Lover was as follows:
The female lead is a complete shut-in. She has extrely low self-esteem and avoids eting people. Still, deep down, she has always wanted to have a boyfriend at least once. Then, one day, she stumbles across an advertisent on the internet.
‘It was for a rental boyfriend service.’
A crazy advertisent claiming to rent out boyfriends. Intrigued, the female lead applies for the rental service, selects the appearance and personality she wants, and then waits. Though skeptical, a few days later, a handso man actually arrives at her house.
He was her first rented boyfriend.
eting her first boyfriend ever, the female lead was flustered yet delighted. He always cherished and loved her. However, there was a problem with this rented boyfriend. At first, she ignored it, but as ti passed, the issue beca more apparent. Eventually, she applied for a second rental boyfriend. And so, as the number of rented boyfriends gradually increased, chaos ensued, this was the story of 'Rental Lover'.
‘It feels like a rom-com but also subtly a thriller.’
The storyline gradually becos more bizarre. Whatever the case, 'Rental Lover' had been acknowledged by both PD Jung Soo-ryeong and SBC. Soon, PD Jung Soo-ryeong put down the script she had been reading.
“Hmm-”
She recalled the unexpected question Kang Chul-soo- no, Kang Rojun, had asked during their eting.
‘Have there ever been cases where a writer played a role in their own work?’
Where would you find such a writer? At least in the drama industry, it was safe to say there were none. Writers were usually too busy just keeping up with their scripts. The fact that Kang Chul-soo even asked such a question made him an oddball. But in PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s eyes, he was already different from typical writers.
“A writer starring in his own work… There must be a reason he asked that. Anyway, considering that the writer is that insanely good-looking guy, if he becos an idol, and then later appears in the drama he wrote himself?”
With an intrigued expression, PD Jung Soo-ryeong found her thoughts filled with Kang Rojun.
“It’s an absurd story, but… it’d definitely be interesting.”
anwhile.
As Kang Rojun was on his way to the filming site of 'Produce That 100!', the broadcasting station JTVM was putting all its efforts into marketing the show. Articles had been flooding in for days, and various events were being held on social dia to boost recognition.
This quickly spread across online communities.
[Guys, what do you think about 'Produce That 100!' on JTVM?]
- It’s a familiar concept.
- The PD is that guy Woo Han-sukㅋㅋㅋ he makes addictive audition variety shows
- This one’s for male idols, right? I’m already drooling.
Rumors spread from finger to finger faster than light.
Then, at around 11 AM.
The first teaser for 'Produce That 100!' was released on its official YouTube channel and various video platforms. It was ant to stir up excitent before the official trailer, featuring a few snippets of the actual shoot.
It started with an upbeat drumbeat, showcasing the dazzling presence of current top-tier idols in Korea.
-♬♪
Then, the drumbeat abruptly stopped, replaced by a grand orchestral soundtrack. The teaser then showcased the 'Produce That 100!' set, revealing the vast Paju the studio campus, the massive stage for evaluations, and more.
-[The 100 that will steal your eyes and ears.]
A bold ssage filled the center of the screen, directed at viewers.
Finally.
-[You are the one producing The 100.]
After the text faded, the screen displayed the backs of the 100 contestants standing on stage. A few seconds later, the title appeared.
The teaser was only about 30 seconds long, but within minutes of its release, audience reactions exploded.
-OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG I'm definitely watching thisssssssssssss
-First episode next week??? ㅜㅜㅜㅠㅠㅜㅠㅜ I'M WAITING DESPERATELY...
-Just from their backs, I’m already drooling… Co to , my idols…
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ we already know what to expect, but why is this so fun again?!
-So we’re getting 100 super handso guys, huh?????
-OMG 100 of them???!??!??!ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ HOW CAN I NOT WATCH THIS???!ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-It’s gonna be insanely fun, no doubt.
-Another audition variety showㅋㅋㅋㅋ tired of it tired
- The scariest thing is when you know exactly what you’re getting… and you STILL get addictedㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
.
.
.
Then, an hour later, high noon.
Kang Rojun, carrying a small backpack, arrived in Paju. The vast The Studio Campus. Just like his first visit, the massive entrance was already set up with staff and caras. However, there was one difference this ti, none of the participants were wearing masks.
As Rojun briefly stared at the entrance.
‘Training camp starts today. But since I’ve been here once already, I’m not that nervous.’
He stepped forward. Several participants who had arrived earlier were already mingling with the staff. Additionally.
“Group 1 participants, this way!! Group 2 participants, over there!! Please place your luggage over in that designated area!!!”
The Group 2 contestants, who had passed the auditions fild the following day after Group 1, were now joining in.
‘So that makes 70 people in total, combining Group 1 and Group 2? That’s a lot.’
The staff seed to be trying to keep so distance between the groups as they lined them up separately. Among them, the energetic writer Kim Se-hee spotted Rojun and.
“Oh! Number 1!!”
She waved her hand vigorously. Because of that, not only did the caras filming the arriving contestants turn toward him, but so did the dozens of participants from both groups. Overwhelming attention. However, because of his previous experience during Group 1’s filming, Kang Rojun.
‘Ugh- damn, just stay as calm as possible.’
Did his best to walk forward nonchalantly. As a result, whispers from the Group 1 contestants reached his ears.
“He’s here. The villain.”
“Number 1 is still ridiculously handso today.”
“Wonder what kind of villainous antics he’ll pull off at this training camp?”
“But wait, is that backpack all the luggage he brought?”
anwhile, the Group 2 contestants, seeing Rojun for the first ti, reacted as expected.
“L-Look at that guy. His face is seriously insane??”
“Wow- this is nuts. There’s a monster in Group 1.”
“He looks like… CGI? Is his face even real?”
“I heard from Group 1 that he’s actually decent at vocals too.”
“This is straight-up cheating. Totally unfair.”
Shock and awe.
Rojun, on the other hand, ignored the burning gazes and lowered his phone screen.
‘I’ve already completed five missions today- Ah, right, Stat Enhancent.’
Since he had ti to spare, he decided to enhance his stats. Once again, he invested 10 Coins. Of course, his target was Singing Ability. The change was noticeable right away.
-[Singing Ability (4.6/100)]
As expected, it barely increased.
‘No bonus coins this ti, huh?’
About ten minutes passed. Before he knew it, the entrance area was packed with all the contestants, including Rojun. A staff mber counted heads and then gave an OK signal.
“35 participants from Group 1, 35 from Group 2. Total: 70. Yes! Everyone’s here!”
Confirming that all the contestants had arrived, the staff communicated via radio, and the number tags were distributed. Then, from within the campus, a familiar face appeared.
It was PD Woo Han-suk, looking utterly exhausted. Holding a gaphone in one hand, he addressed the contestants.
“Welco, everyone. Are you all ntally prepared??”
He scanned the participants with a smile before his gaze t Kang Rojun’s.
‘Still looking flawless as ever today.’
After signaling the caras, he continued with the briefing.
“First, we’ll be moving to the stage where you passed your auditions. There, we’ll discuss accommodation details and the second evaluation. We’ll move in order, starting with Group 1.”
With such a large number of contestants, the staff were on high alert, making sure everything was handled carefully, an accident would be a disaster. Either way, their next destination was the enormous hall where the previous evaluations had taken place.
Of course, with so many people, the only way to transport them was by bus.
Roughly 40 minutes later, all 70 contestants arrived at the hall.
Just like before, the massive space was filled with over a hundred staff mbers, caras, and audio equipnt. However, unlike during the evaluations, the 70 contestants weren’t standing on the stage but in the front section of the hall, where the judges' seats had been before. Another difference was that, unlike at the entrance, Groups 1 and 2 were now fully rged.
The order was by number.
aning, as Contestant Number 1, Kang Rojun was at the very front.
‘Ugh- am I seriously going first again?’
At that mont.
-Swoosh.
PD Woo Han-suk stepped forward again, gaphone in hand.
“Before we start the briefing, there’s sothing you all need to do. This will be your task for the second evaluation.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the staff brought out a box from sowhere. A black square box, just like the one used during the first evaluation. However, this ti, it was bigger.
All of the contestants' eyes were fixed on the box. Once it was set in place, PD Woo Han-suk spoke again.
"One by one, you'll co up to draw a ball. After checking the task written on it, you'll hold it up so everyone can see."
Soon, multiple caras adjusted their positions. At the sa ti.
-Pop!
The stage lights, which had been off, suddenly turned on. The massive hall instantly brightened. As the contestants, including Kang Rojun, glanced around, PD Woo Han-suk called out the first na.
"Number 1, please draw first."
All eyes, PD Woo Han-suk’s, the hundred or so staff mbers, the caras, and the contestants, locked onto Kang Rojun.
"......"
His expression remained neutral, but inside, he was grumbling.
‘I knew this would happen, sigh-’
Well, it didn’t really matter. Whether he went first or last, the process was the sa. Without hesitation, Kang Rojun stepped forward and quickly reached the black box. Without a mont’s pause, he plunged his hand deep into the box. He grabbed a ball.
‘Bigger than the number-drawing balls.’
anwhile, PD Woo Han-suk was staring at Rojun intently.
‘Hurry up and pick already. Preferably not vocals.’
Since the draws were completely random, even PD Woo Han-suk felt a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
And then.
-Swish.
Kang Rojun pulled out a gray ball. White text was engraved on it.
‘Ah.’
Rojun reacted briefly in his head just as PD Woo Han-suk’s voice followed.
"Please hold up the ball so all contestants can see, Number 1."
After staring at the ball for a mont, Rojun turned around and calmly raised it above his head. The caras zood in.
The task written on Kang Rojun's ball was.
-'Dance'
It was 'Dance', cruel for soone who couldn't dance.
Reviews
All reviews (0)