SCT-Novel Chapter 103: Four People (5)
Chapter 103: Four People (5)
‘Survival 100’ had reached No. 1 on the charts of major music platforms in Korea and Japan. Even this alone was more than enough to send dopamine rushing through the inexperienced contestants. But that wasn’t the end of it.“The acoustic version of ‘Survival 100’ will be released.”
Just as PD Woo Han-suk had declared, ‘Produce That 100!’ still had more music attacks to launch. And this time, it would be released simultaneously in Korea and Japan. The contestants let out various exclamations in response.
“Wow- even an acoustic version at this timing?!”
“This is crazy. I mean, seriously, we might be able to line up the charts!”
“Totally possible! If you drop more while it’s this hot, people will absolutely listen!!”
“But honestly, I didn’t expect it to hit No. 1 in Japan too, really.”
“Gave me goosebumps... This is the first time in my life something I did hit No. 1.”
The attention shifted to Kang Rojun and 58Si-hoo. Both had wide eyes. The contestants kept throwing thumbs-ups at them without pause. ‘Survival 100’ might have had help from the other contestants, but the largest share of credit clearly belonged to Rojun and 58Si-hoo.
Lyrics writing, composition, arrangement, and even vocals for the acoustic version.
In a way, the explosion at the top of the charts this time was thanks to Kang Rojun and 58Si-hoo. So the contestants were bouncing around the two hyungs, while PD Woo Han-suk watched them with a satisfied smile. Meanwhile, Kang Rojun thought.
‘Maybe it was possible because of the ripple effect of ‘Produce That 100!’, but to hit No. 1 this quickly... That means a crazy number of Japanese people listened to the song?? That’s insane.’
Though it felt somewhat surreal, he couldn’t suppress the twitch of his lips. This was another kind of thrill. When you create something with all your heart and put it out into the world, and many people, even from another country like Japan, recognize its value.
‘Adrenaline explosion.’
It was a feeling that went beyond excitement. Then, at some point, 71Jung-woo, having found it, showed everyone his phone screen with the chart from one of Japan’s major music platforms.
“Look at this, look, the Japanese songs are all below, and ours is No. 1!!”
Soon, Rojun and all the other contestants swarmed around 71Jung-woo’s phone.
-[リアルタイム TOP100 (Real-Time TOP100)]
[1/ Survival 100]
[2/ 青と冬 (Blue and Winter)]
[3/ 風神の花唄 (Wind God’s Flower Song)]
[4/ Plazmaaa]
[5/ 怪獣の唄 (Monster’s Song)]
.
.
.
Indeed, many popular Japanese songs were ranked below ‘Survival 100’. Not only on the platform they were currently viewing, but other platforms showed the same trend. The songs from No. 2 downward might differ slightly, but No. 1 was always ‘Survival 100’.
While the contestants were still caught up in the loud chaos.
“So, have you decided on the final evaluation song?”
PD Woo Han-suk changed the subject. Only then did the contestants somewhat regain their senses. Rojun, who had unintentionally taken the role of leader, gave the briefing.
“We’ve picked the song, and the lyrics are done. As for choreography, 46... no, Kang Min decided to handle it.”
When they turned to Kang Min, he nodded with a calm but confident expression.
“I’ve got the framework down. Since there isn’t much time, I added some moves I’d thought of before, nothing too complicated, pretty straightforward.”
Having roughly choreographed it and even recorded it with his phone, Kang Min showed the saved video to PD Woo Han-suk. After checking the contestants’ progress over several dozen minutes, PD Woo Han-suk slowly nodded.
“You’ve already accomplished a lot, and the viewers have seen your potential. So even if it’s not perfect, what matters here is seeing it through. Let’s give it our all.”
“Yes!!”
“Let’s go for it!!”
Whether it was the boost from hitting No. 1 on the Japanese music charts or not, the contestants were bursting with energy. With a chuckle, PD Woo Han-suk called Rojun over separately. Out in the hallway, he whispered quietly.
“Rojun, so far, the only public info related to your work as a writer is for ‘Rental Lover', right? Just checking in case you talked to PD Jung separately.”
“Yes. For now, it’s just ‘Rental Lover'."
“Okay. I saw the ‘Rental Lover’ teaser, and the visuals came out great? PD Jung really went all in on this one. Our writers are going wild too, saying Rojun’s visuals came out amazing. Anyway.”
Giving Rojun a double thumbs-up, Woo Han-suk continued.
"We should all gather together to watch the first broadcast of 'Rental Lover'."
Later.
By the time Kang Rojun and the contestants began meetings and practice for the final evaluation, news of ‘Produce That 100!’ dominating the music charts in Korea and Japan continued to pour in.
《30% Viewership Powerhouse, ‘Produce That 100!’ Tops Charts in Korea and Japan... Is It Still Not Over?》
《[Star Talk] ‘Produce That 100!’ Team Says, “Thank you for the great interest in the theme song. Please give lots of love to the upcoming releases as well.”》
The fact that the theme song of ‘Produce That 100!’ exploded in both Korea and Japan carried significant meaning. For one, hitting No. 1 immediately upon release wasn’t easy even for professional idols. Moreover, the song was created by contestants who hadn’t even officially debuted yet, and as far as Japanese activities went, a single mini-concert was all they’d done.
Yet, the surge was nearly at a sensational level.
It suggested the boundless potential of the ten contestants who upheld the popularity of ‘Produce That 100!’. Though still in its early stages, it wouldn’t be wrong to say they had ignited the flame of national prestige.
《Another Nuclear Blast from ‘Produce That 100!’, Which Entertainment Company Will Snatch Up the Surviving 10 Contestants?》
In just a few months, they had gained tremendous recognition not only domestically but in Japan as well. So, it was only natural that entertainment companies were practically drooling. The contestants were already of great interest, but now the competition to recruit them was fiercer than a tug-of-war.
And then.
-Whoaaaaa!! The acoustic version just dropped!!!
-For real? It just came out??
-Yup yup, it just got released on Melon and other music platforms
-Haa... heading there to listen right now!!
-I actually prefer the acoustic version of Survival 100?? It’s melting my ears...
-Rojun and Si-hoo’s tones go so well together ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
As PD Woo Han-suk had announced, the acoustic version of ‘Survival 100’ was released around early Friday afternoon.
-[(new!)] Survival 100 (Acoustic ver.) / Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
Of course, it was a simultaneous release in Korea and Japan, and the ‘Produce That 100!’ team used the opportunity to do a bit more. In Korea, they added the Japanese version of Survival 100, and in Japan, they added the Korean version. No matter what it was, even people who didn’t watch ‘Produce That 100!’ were now boiling over with interest, including hardcore fans.
The blazing sparks naturally extended all the way to ‘Rental Lover’.
Unsurprisingly, the influence of Kang Rojun, who had participated in all the ‘Produce That 100!’ music, was significant. Even the OST of ‘Rental Lover’ carried Rojun’s touch and vocals. Thanks to that.
-“We’ll lend you a lover!”
-Views: 5,354,230
The teaser trailer for ‘Rental Lover’ surpassed 5 million views in no time.
In such a climate, Friday night arrived, and Episode 14 of ‘Produce That 100!’ began airing on the ‘JTVM’ channel. It started right where Episode 13 left off, with the departure to Japan. A brief chaotic scene at the airport was shown, followed by a shot of the contestants on the departing airplane.
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ are they flying for the first time.... they’re staring out the window, it’s so cute
-They really are adorable ㅋㅋㅋ stretching their necks out like meerkats
-Rojun is insanely handsome as always
-Si-hoo is sleeping like a mouse... He must be so tiredㅠㅜㅠㅠ
From then on, the screen quickly cut between scenes: arriving in Japan, hundreds of Japanese fans swarming them, the 10 contestants exploring a huge accommodation, and a performance venue so grand it made their jaws drop.
After that, most of the footage focused on rehearsal cuts.
-According to Japanese mini-concert reviews, they really practiced their Japanese hard
-As long as I get to see Rojun speaking Japanese, that’s enough.... Though seeing it in person would’ve been betterㅜㅠ
Eventually, the Japanese mini-concert featuring Kang Rojun and the contestants was broadcast. The frenzied Japanese fans were no different from the Korean ones, and the majority of the remaining runtime of Episode 14 was devoted to the Japanese mini-concert.
The ending of Episode 14 was.
-[“Starting now, I’ll announce the details of the 5th evaluation.”]
It showed PD Woo Han-suk announcing the 5th evaluation to the contestants who had returned to Korea.
-[“And after this 5th evaluation, there will be a total of 4 survivors, and those 4 will be the final winners.”]
Viewers could not hide their excitement at the fact that ‘Produce That 100!’ was reaching its final stages.
-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅜAlready??!!
-Whoa... they're dropping 6 people??!!
-NooooㅠㅠㅠJust debut all 10 of them as one team....
-Didn’t they say from the start only 4 would be the final winners??
-I’ve gotten too attached to let them go.....
-Who do you think the final 4 winners will be?
-Rojun is basically confirmed, right??
-You never know ㅋㅋㅋ Rojun is insanely popular, but he’s such a villain, who knows what stunt he’ll pull at the end
-I’m guessing Rojun, Si-hoo, Jung-woo, Tae-min
-Tae-min?? I don’t really like that guy
-Why you ignoring Do-kyung?!!
-No no it’s gonna be Rojun, Jung-woo, Do-kyung, and Kang Min
Then, on-screen, PD Woo Han-suk made the announcement.
-[“For the 5th no, final evaluation, the task is ‘freedom’.”]
And Episode 14 ended.
The next day, Saturday morning.
After finishing his shower, Kang Rojun dropped by Room 101 and put on an outfit with a somewhat solemn vibe.
‘It’s what I wore for the mini concert, whatever, it should be fine.’
Wearing a black blazer, he stepped into the bathroom to do a quick visual check.
“Looking good.”
After roughly sweeping back his black hair, he stepped out into the hallway and began walking. The dorm was quiet. The other contestants were probably already gathered in the practice room. The song, lyrics, and choreography were more or less finalized, after all.
“Today we’ll assign parts, and after that, we’ll dive straight into serious practice.”
For the remaining period, the only option for survival was nonstop practice, excluding sleep. Or maybe even sleep had to be sacrificed. Still, Rojun and the other contestants looked upbeat. Because this final evaluation was a combined effort of all their strengths, the passion kept bursting forth endlessly.
At this point, Rojun stepped out of the dorm building.
At that moment.
“Ah.”
Something came to mind, and as Rojun quickened his pace, he pulled out his phone. What he opened was ‘Melon’, Korea’s No.1 music platform. Soon, the real-time chart screen popped up on his phone.
The moment he checked it, a wide crescent smile formed on Kang Rojun’s face.
He could almost hear the screams of the other 9 contestants from somewhere. It was only natural.
[1 (new!)] Survival 100 (Acoustic ver.) / Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[2 (↓1)] Survival 100 / Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[3 (new!)] Survival 100 (Japanese ver.) / Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[4 (↑1)] Produce / Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[5 (↓3)] APT / Zero
.
.
.
All of ‘Produce That 100!’ theme songs were lined up at the top of the charts. Rojun had imagined this picture before, but seeing it for real gave him goosebumps.
“Insane.”
He quickly checked other music platforms besides Melon, and the results were not much different. There were minor differences in ranking, but the other major platforms also showed ‘Survival 100’ dominating the top. There was no need to even check the media or public opinion, they were definitely in chaos.
Dopamine surged to its peak in Kang Rojun.
He wanted to run straight to the contestants and share this thrill with them.
“Hoo-”
But first, he had to calm his pounding heart.
‘Hold it in. Can’t come off as frivolous right from the first meeting.’
After taking a few deep breaths, Rojun managed to calm down and resumed walking toward his destination. He was heading to the meeting room in another building where he had previously met with the writer managers. Upon arriving at the door, Kang Rojun took another quiet breath.
-Swish.
He opened the glass door. Inside, the men and women present immediately stood up to greet him.
"Oh my, hello Writer-nim!"
“Hello!”
Receiving their greetings, Rojun bowed his head in return.
“Hello.”
There were a total of four people waiting for Kang Rojun. Two women and two men. Among them, one woman looked to be the oldest, and the remaining three had relatively younger faces.
‘Is she the highest ranking here?’
As if confirming his guess, the woman who appeared to be in her 40s, with permed long hair tied back, politely handed Rojun her business card.
“I’ve really been wanting to meet you, I’m a fan, writer-nim. I’m Team Leader Ryu Jung-hwa from Culture Drawer’s Management Team 1.”
The woman who introduced herself as Ryu Jung-hwa smiled brightly.
“I’m in charge of handling the contract with you, writer Rojun.”
Today was the official contract day between Kang Rojun and his first management company, Culture Drawer.
“From now on, I and these staff here will be your dedicated team.”
Along with that, he got a dedicated team.
*****
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