SCT-Novel Chapter 105: Four People (7)
Chapter 105: Four People (7)
Around the time editing for ‘Rental Lover’ was completed.Though it was night, there were still quite a few lights on in various buildings across the ‘Produce That 100!’ campus. The lounge, practice rooms, dormitories, and so on. Naturally, the contestants were all working on improving their skills in their own ways.
Kang Rojun was no different.
“Phew- my eyes feel a little dry.”
He murmured quietly while looking in the mirror. At present, Rojun was inside a bathroom that doubled as a practice space. He stood in front of the sink. Drops of water were still falling from his face, as if he had just splashed water on it. Yet, his devastatingly handsome appearance remained unchanged even today.
"Amazing."
Kang Rojun stroked his face, from the sharp bridge of his nose to both cheeks and down to his razor-sharp jawline. It was a face he saw every day, but lately, he found it oddly fascinating.
"Not even a single pimple appears-"
He had been overwhelmed lately, juggling his main and side jobs, and frequently pulling all-nighters for practice. Yet, aside from a bit of fatigue, there wasn’t even the slightest sign of inflammation on his face. While the other contestants were all fussing about breakouts, Rojun alone remained perfectly fine.
‘Sss, is this the effect of the ‘AI Simulation’?? Either way, it’s damn sweet.’
After a moment of admiring his own visuals, Rojun.
-swish.
picked up his phone. Then he played the most recently saved song.
-♬♪
The intro was a tense and majestic melody with noise mixed in between. It was reminiscent of the opening of a horror movie.
The beat tempo was moderate.
A piano. No, it was closer to an organ. The slightly eerie atmosphere was amplified by the organ melody. Gradually, the melody sped up. The organ did as well. From this point, someone’s voice was to be inserted as a narration overlay.
What Kang Rojun had just played was the song confirmed for the ‘Produce That 100!’ final evaluation.
The title was decided as 'Bold'.
The song ‘Bold’ was composed by 58Si-hoo and written by Rojun, but it had a different feel from everything so far. After the low, tension-building narration ended, the rap part followed immediately.
From the rap part, the beat became more intense, but still retained its majestic tone.
In the beginning, it expressed fear, terror, loneliness, and anxiety. However, once the rap ended and the lead vocal’s part arrived, the tone shifted to inspire courage. Starting from the chorus sung by the main vocal, high notes came in, conveying brilliance, sophistication, and ecstasy.
Kang Rojun liked ‘Bold’, the song for the final evaluation.
‘It captures the feeling of going from fear to a sense of being able to do anything really well.’
Listening to ‘Bold’ naturally put strength into his steps. It was like, how should he put it, a strong sense of self-suggestion? Just listening to it made him feel like he looked cool, even if it was just an illusion.
After listening to ‘Bold’ a couple of times, Kang Rojun.
“Phew-”
let out his voice. He was trying to sing ‘Bold’, which he hadn’t learned yet. From the narration of the intro to the rap, the lead vocal, and finally the main vocal part. It wasn’t bad. Not as perfect as ‘AI Automation’, but still usable. At present, Rojun’s stats, excluding ‘Vocal’, had mostly surpassed 40 points.
‘At this level, I could definitely pass as an idol trainee.’
That was Kang Rojun’s self-assessment, and it was fair to say he was ‘good’. Of course, he wouldn’t exactly stand out among the overwhelming number of idol trainees out there.
Being good wasn’t enough.
'The world is overflowing with good trainees.'
One had to be better than good, and even better than better. Only then would one even begin to stand out. And once you became even better, there’d be yet another mountain to climb.
Though short, during his time on ‘Produce That 100!’, Rojun had come to feel it himself.
The idol market is a place of endless competition.
A place where the concept of a food chain fits perfectly.
‘If I can manage to be both a top predator and an ecosystem disruptor, things will work out somehow.’
Next, Rojun played a video. It was the choreography video selected for the song ‘Bold’. It had been created collaboratively by 46Kang Min and a few others, and was finalized with additions from Kang Rojun and the remaining contestants.
Kang Rojun danced along to the choreography.
Though a bit off, his body moved smoothly. Every time he did it, it was truly an entertaining experience. Realizing that his skill had slightly improved compared to the last time.
He could feel it.
Like that, Kang Rojun sang or moved his body to ‘Bold’ for several tens of minutes. Probably, the other contestants were doing similar practice. Recently, the choreography and parts had been finalized, and until today it was personal practice, but from tomorrow until the final evaluation it would be all group practice.
For now, Rojun used ‘AI Automation’.
-[Through ‘AI Automation’ analysis, the desired outcome can be achieved. What would you like to achieve? (Only options related to the desired occupation: Idol)]
He learned the vocals and dance of the final evaluation song ‘Bold’. This time it was more detailed than usual, and he also added a new request.
'Coins are cheaper for vocals, dance was a bit expensive.'
Anyway, he felt the tingling pain twice.
Along with that, everything about the song ‘Bold’ slowly spread from his brain throughout his entire body.
Soon.
-♬♪
Kang Rojun played ‘Bold’ once again.
A few days later, around the 29th.
With roughly four days left until the final evaluation, dozens of ‘Produce That 100!’ production staff were bustling around the large hall with the stage. Cameras and lights were being set up, and preparations for filming were in full swing.
“Cameras! Move a little closer to the stage!”
PD Woo Han-suk was busy directing at the front line, with heavy dark circles under his eyes but full of energy. The other staff were no different. The stage had also changed from the fourth evaluation. It was even more colorful. The stage also felt larger than last time. Kang Rojun and the contestants were nowhere near the stage.
Naturally.
They were currently filming interview cuts in the waiting room behind the stage. At that point, Kim Se-hee and a few other writers with high tension gathered around PD Woo Han-suk. It was writer Kim Se-hee who broke the silence first.
“The final evaluation stage turned out better than I thought.”
Other writers immediately agreed.
“Yeah. Expanding the protruding stage was really a good move. It feels way more grand.”
“Ah- but it’s already the final round. Time flew by so fast.”
“It still doesn’t feel real that ‘Produce That 100!’ is ending soon.”
“But did the contestants prepare the rehearsal performance well today??”
The rehearsal performance. Yes, today’s shoot was centered on the rehearsal in preparation for the final performance. It was the first time they would showcase a performance prepared entirely by the contestants without production staff involvement. Of course, PD Woo Han-suk had checked things here and there, but the main direction was left to the contestants.
PD Woo Han-suk, who was staring at the stage expressionlessly.
“......”
Didn’t show it, but he was secretly concerned.
‘Honestly, this is a gamble.’
Even though the final evaluation was ‘freedom’, the original plan wasn’t to be this hands-off. And the fact that ten people would be evaluated as one group well, that already went far beyond expectations. Still, PD Woo Han-suk respected the contestants’ decision. He said to the writers,
“The evaluation song was good, the choreography wasn’t bad either. They’ll do fine.”
In contrast, Kim Se-hee and the writers didn’t hide their worries.
“I-I saw how hard they worked! But what if it’s not good enough for broadcast?! There are only four days left until the evaluation!!”
“Then… it’s really over.”
"Even though the kids have good abilities, suddenly organizing a 10-person performance- I think it would be better for the production team to intervene even now."
“What if, unlike the previous evaluations, the final one falls flat?? What if it’s underwhelming or like a deflated balloon…”
These were understandable concerns with good intentions. Up until now, professionals among professionals had helped create evaluations and performances. However, PD Woo Han-suk, arms crossed, didn’t move an inch.
“It could be lacking. If the final evaluation ends up being a weak performance, then the kids will bear that, and the viewers will make their choice.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“From the start, ‘Produce That 100!’ picked completely raw kids with no entertainment industry experience, so let’s just show the raw as-is in the end too.”
Just then.
“PD-nim!! The contestants’ interviews are done!!”
At the shout of a staff member, the group of ten people entered the hall alone. Their outfits were the same as usual, comfortable athletic wear. It was then that PD Woo Han-suk furrowed his brow as he looked at Kang Rojun.
'What is that thing in his hand?'
Only when Kang Rojun and the contestants got closer did PD Woo Han-suk realize what Rojun was holding.
‘...A megaphone?’
It was a white megaphone, the kind you’d commonly see during shoots. As PD Woo Han-suk opened his mouth to speak to the contestants.
“Are you all ready?”
“Yes-”
“Yup! PD-nim!”
He asked, glancing at Kang Rojun holding the megaphone in one hand.
“By the way, what’s with the megaphone? Is that something you're using on stage?”
All eyes, from the contestants to the writers, fell on Rojun, who nodded with a smile.
“Yes. I’ll be using it on stage. I’ll show you directly.”
Just what kind of stunt was he planning? PD Woo Han-suk blinked, then let out a laugh.
“Alright then. Let’s begin the rehearsal. Head up to the stage.”
“Um- PD-nim.”
“Hmm?”
"We discussed among ourselves and decided on something."
“Decided? What is it?”
PD Woo Han-suk scanned the nine other contestants starting from Kang Rojun. They all wore meaningful expressions with sparkling eyes. As the air grew more intense, the leader, Kang Rojun.
'I wonder if he'll be surprised?? I don't know, let's go for it.'
Answered in a tone befitting his villain character.
“For the final evaluation performance, we’re going to do it live, instead of lip-sync.”
“...Live?”
“Yes.”
PD Woo Han-suk, who was slightly flustered, hesitated for a few seconds, then asked again to confirm.
“You’re sure about going live? Seriously?? It must’ve been tough enough preparing everything on your own without staff help, and now you’re adding live performance?” (TL Note: Live performance here doesn't mean they will be broadcasting it live, but just that they will sing and dance instead of the song being a recorded track that they lip-sync and dance to.)
The nearby writers were openly murmuring in surprise. Regardless, Rojun, after exchanging a brief glance with the others, smiled with his eyes.
“We’ll try it live. Ah- did bringing this up suddenly make the setup too hard?”
“No… it’s not that. With some time, we can manage it.”
“Then you can watch today’s rehearsal and decide whether to go with it or not.”
"Huh-"
From the megaphone to going live, it was one shock after another. But on the other hand, PD Woo Han-suk felt.
‘This could be interesting. A live performance for the final round-’
His curiosity was strongly piqued.
'Right, if it's unusable as Rojun said, I can just cut it. Let's watch it once.'
And so, PD Woo Han-suk gave his approval.
“Wait in the green room for a bit. We’ll get everything ready right away.”
About two hours later, the ten contestants reappeared on stage. Everyone, starting with Rojun, was given an in-ear mic like the ones used in music broadcasts.
-swish.
Once they were all set, the contestants took their positions.
And then.
-♬♪
The song ‘Bold’ rang throughout the entire hall. Writers and dozens of staff stared intensely at the stage. Especially PD Woo Han-suk, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and focused.
What was interesting was.
“Heh-”
That within just a few dozen seconds, PD Woo Han-suk let out a sound of admiration.
“So that’s how they were planning to use the megaphone.”
And then, just one minute in, watching the contestants perform live on stage, PD Woo Han-suk muttered.
“Those kids... is this really their first time doing a live performance??”
The corners of his mouth curled into a wide crescent smile.
After that.
Day by day passed like a bullet. Before anyone knew it, October had ended and November had arrived, and today was Monday, November 2. It was late morning. In the meantime, the status of ‘Produce That 100!’ in the media and public opinion had risen even further, and episode 15 had aired.
And just now, the ‘Produce That 100!’ campus had completed setup for a major event.
What was it?
Today, the 2nd, marked the start of the final evaluation filming for the 10 contestants of ‘Produce That 100!’. Because of that, tension flowed among the many staff inside the hall with the stage, and the same was true for the judges starting to take their seats in the front row.
“The stage got bigger- ugh, why am I the one feeling nervous?”
“Same here. Feels like I just saw the first evaluation yesterday, and now it’s already the final one.”
“Did you hear the final evaluation is being done with all ten kids as one group? That twist... Honestly, I expected individual performances.”
Apparently, even the judges were shocked by the news about the final evaluation.
“I thought it’d be individual or maybe duets at most. Never imagined they’d prepare as one team.”
“On top of that, I heard they did everything themselves, from selecting the song to composing, writing lyrics, and choreography??”
“They say all the producing was handed over to the contestants.”
"I'm worried. PD Woo really... there should be a limit to how much he trusts their guts. How can he just hand it over like that?? He must’ve stepped in a little, right?”
“When I asked earlier, he said he didn’t touch a thing.”
“I hope the kids don’t tank the performance... or worse, completely mess it up.”
Soon, Song Min-geun leaned back into his chair and chuckled faintly.
“The story’s interesting. Everyone knows Si-hoo and Rojun are skilled at composing and writing lyrics. And each of them is pretty talented individually, right? I’m kind of looking forward to it.”
“They’re still just kids though, how do you expect them to handle producing too?”
“Well, we’ll see when the performance starts. One song with ten members means the evaluation will end quickly, at least.”
About forty minutes later.
“Standby!”
PD Woo Han-suk and the staff quickly moved out of the shooting zone, and a signal was sent that filming had begun. The lights across the hall dimmed. Since all ten contestants were one group, the process was straightforward.
Soon, the ten contestants took the stage.
Their outfits had a street vibe.
Some wore caps with baggy T-shirts or flannel shirts, others had wide-legged pants, and Kang Rojun was dressed in black from head to toe, black cap, loose black T-shirt, and black denim jeans.
-swish.
They naturally took their positions. Six formed a loose circle with one-step spacing, three stood in a straight line above the circle, and Rojun sat inside the circle. The judges narrowed their eyes as they looked at seated Kang Rojun.
“...What’s that in Rojun’s hand?”
“A megaphone? Looks like a megaphone?”
At that moment.
-♬♪
A low, tension-filled melody began to play. It was the final evaluation song, ‘Bold’. At the same time, a sharp alarm and static-filled sound effect hit their ears. Red and blue lights crossed over the dark stage, and the six members who formed the circle twitched in sync with the steady warning sound and noise.
Then, as the organ melody blended in, Kang Rojun inside the circle slowly stood up and stepped out, and when a white light was added to the stage, he lifted the megaphone and opened his mouth.
Like a whisper amidst the eeriness, with a narration-like tone.
Right then, all five judges sitting at the front of the stage.
“Live??!”
“T-They’re doing it live?”
Their pupils dilated. Song Min-geun reacted the same, but the shock lasted only a moment.
“...They’re good, though?”
*****
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