SCT-Novel Chapter 117: Enter (5)
Chapter 117: Enter (5)
The entertainment companies' scores displayed by 'AI Automation'. Kang Rojun stared at the results silently for several seconds.[EY Entertainment / 3 points]
[Big Star Entertainment / 28 points]
[GN Entertainment / 95 points]
[KRO Entertainment / 73 points]
[Harmony Entertainment / 69 points]
.
.
.
.
The most eye-catching was the score of EY Entertainment.
'3 points? That’s harsh.'
Because compared to the other entertainment companies, the score was absurdly low. No, it wasn’t just low, it could be said that it was basically nonexistent. The scores for the other entertainment companies were at least above 20 points. But only EY Entertainment had 3 points.
On top of that.
'Big Star Entertainment is also low.'
Following EY Entertainment, Big Star also had a low score of 28 points. In contrast, GN Entertainment, which was evaluated the harshest by Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung, received a score close to 100.
'GN Entertainment got 95 points - should I consider the remaining 7 entertainment companies' scores as average?'
The others scored around 60 to 70 points.
In other words, only the so-called Big 3 entertainment companies, EY, Big Star, and GN, had unusual scores. What was going on? Why did two of the biggest and most dominant entertainment companies have the lowest scores? Rojun scratched his head, not understanding.
'They’re the two most famous when it comes to idols, so their scores should be high-'
Even so, 3 points was a bit harsh. Even 28 points was enough to make him frown. What Kang Rojun had asked of ‘AI Automation’ was to assign scores indicating how well each entertainment company matched with himself and the other final winners. That meant EY and Big Star Entertainment were essentially trash.
Especially EY.
After thinking for a moment, Rojun came to a conclusion.
'‘AI Automation’ giving a flawed or incorrect answer makes no sense. It’s ‘AI Automation', after all?'
He concluded.
'Even if I don’t know exactly why, going to EY or Big Star Entertainment means we’re screwed.'
‘AI Simulation’ is a god-tier cheat item. So not trusting it would be foolish, and although he couldn’t yet tell why those two companies scored so low, there was no time to find out, and no need, either. He would need to make a final decision in about a week.
'I should avoid EY and Big Star, and push for GN Entertainment.'
Excluding those two trash-score companies, the remaining 8 had scores above 60. Among them, GN had a near-perfect score of 95. There must be a reason ‘AI Automation’ assigned that score. With his decision made, Rojun turned off the ‘AI Simulation’ app and opened a search engine, starting to look up the Big 3 entertainment companies.
Focusing more on EY and Big Star than GN Entertainment.
As Kang Rojun skimmed through various articles and blog posts, he came across a few incidents, then lowered his phone.
'I’ll try explaining it to the others with this. If they refuse, I’ll have to take extreme measures.'
Finishing his thoughts, Rojun stretched and let out a small breath.
'Shall I start making the song?'
He immediately picked up the guitar next to him. Hugging the guitar, Rojun strummed lightly as he let out a low hum. What kind of song should he start with? Up until now, Rojun had experienced ballads, rap, dance, and more while staying on ‘Produce That 100!’ Still, maybe it was best to start with a ballad? Come to think of it, the first song he ever learned was also a rock ballad, 'Farewell'.
'Since it's my first composition, I want to put some meaning into it.'
How about making it as a gift to his late parents? 'Farewell' had been a deeply emotional song mourning the departed, so this time, Rojun thought it would be nice to create a song that gently conveyed greetings or asked how they were doing. Once the concept was set, the melody started to come to him. Though his fingers didn’t move as naturally as Si-hoo’s, just having ideas forming in his mind was enough.
It must be thanks to his ‘Composition’ stat having passed 20 points.
'It feels a bit daunting, but let’s give it a try for now.'
It was at that moment.
-Bzzz.
A short vibration came from the phone lying next to him. As soon as he checked it, Kang Rojun smiled faintly.
"It popped up."
The reason for the vibration was a notification from the ‘AI Simulation’ app.
-[Sudden Title Mission Activated!]
-[Related Title: ‘Side Job Tycoon’]
-[Reward upon completion: Stat +8 Enhancement Coupon]
-[Condition for completion: Finish your first composition!]
A sudden mission appeared. What pleased Kang Rojun the most was the reward.
'Nice!!'
Right after, Rojun recalled his current side jobs.
-[Side Jobs: [1] Screenwriter, [2] Actor, [3] Lyricist]
He was confident that completing this quest would add 'Composer' to his side jobs. That would bring his total to four, and the title ‘Side Job Tycoon’ would be enhanced by +4. Kang Rojun’s battle power surged.
'Even if it takes time, I’m definitely going to complete this, whether for the title or the reward.'
The next day, Friday morning.
A large building near Hapjeong Station in Seoul. Even now, countless people were coming and going in this building, which was the headquarters of GN Entertainment, one of the country’s Big 3 entertainment companies. As expected of a major corporation, many vans, minivans, and even celebrities could be seen.
Inside GN Entertainment’s main conference room.
A conference room with a ㅁ-shaped table setup, where more than 20 individuals were seated. GN Entertainment’s team leaders and executive-level staff were present. At the head of the table sat the CEO of GN Entertainment. The person receiving everyone’s attention in the meeting was a female team leader, her face shadowed with gloom.
"Team Leader Park, how did the self-PR filming for 'Produce That 100!' go?"
At a director’s question, the female team leader’s expression darkened even further.
"That- I'm sorry. We unexpectedly had to proceed with a game."
“......A game??”
“Yes.”
The female team leader had participated in the filming of the entertainment company segment for ‘Produce That 100!’ representing GN Entertainment, and was chosen as the first participant in the celebrity game, and had failed spectacularly. She now recounted everything that happened during filming to the room. Soon, the executives around her sighed.
“Thirty seconds? Uh-huh- it ended in just thirty seconds?”
“Seriously? After all the effort we put in, only thirty seconds?”
“That Woo Han-suk guy went too far. A game, out of nowhere.”
“So were you able to say everything you needed in those thirty seconds??”
The female team leader hesitated and then answered with difficulty.
“...About half.”
Sounds of tongue-clicking were heard all around, from the executives.
“What about EY and Big Star?”
“They got about 80 to 100 seconds.”
"Don't tell me- we were last??"
“......”
A silent affirmation. The executives let out open sighs.
“You really should’ve done better.”
“You blew it.”
“It’s over. The final winners of ‘Produce That 100!’ have probably leaned toward EY or Big Star.”
“You should’ve kept your head in the game... sigh-”
The executives weren’t just upset about the short self-PR segment, they were even more frustrated that GN Entertainment, among the Big 3, had come in last. The female team leader could only bow her head.
At that moment.
-Swish.
The CEO of GN Entertainment at the head of the table slowly folded his arms. Muscles bulged from his forearms, visible thanks to his rolled-up shirt sleeves. With a solid build and fairly tall stature, he looked to be over 50, but still handsome enough to be called attractive, maybe even a charming middle-aged man?
The CEO looked steadily at the female team leader and spoke.
“Raise your head, Team Leader Park. There’s no need to feel small.”
His voice was soft yet firm, and as the female team leader raised her face, the CEO glanced around at the executives and muttered indifferently.
“If you were so concerned, you should’ve gone yourselves.”
“Ah, no. It’s just that we were-”
“CEO-nim, we were just a bit disappointed.”
"Anyone can babble with their mouth, show it through actions."
“......”
The conference room instantly froze.
“Something unexpected happened on-site, and she went out there and fought through it, that should be enough. Why all this chatter?”
This time, the executives bowed their heads sharply. Soon, the CEO gave the female team leader a faint smile.
“Good work, Team Leader Park.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Nothing’s been decided yet, has it?”
“No. After this filming airs, the voting will take place. I heard the results will be announced and the final choice made live on the 20th.”
“A live broadcast- sounds like it’ll be entertaining.”
The CEO, who had spoken in a low voice, lightly tapped the table with his index finger. Then he crossed his legs.
“There’s nothing we can do right now. We’ll have to accept it humbly.”
One of the executives chimed in.
"We even scouted managers and producers with renewed determination, but if we miss the 'Produce That 100!' kids......it was a chance to really take off, wouldn't it be regrettable?"
"Just regrettable? We'll remember this for the next few years. But what can we do, we have no choice but to wait."
“......”
In reality, GN Entertainment couldn’t do anything in this situation. The same applied to the other nine entertainment companies. Though they were all powerful corporations in the entertainment industry, there wasn’t a thing they could do. The CEO let out a dry laugh as he recalled PD Woo Han-suk with his dark circles.
“That PD Woo Han-suk, at the very least, you’ve got to give it to him for how he sets the stage.”
Then he raised his voice so the entire quiet meeting room could hear.
“It’s not time to give up yet. You never know, a twist might happen.”
Meanwhile, at the same time.
A new article hit the internet.
《Queen of the music industry, ‘Park Hyun-jung', about to release new album》
《Veteran singer Park Hyun-jung returns! Waiting fans say, “My neck almost broke from waiting”》
Park Hyun-jung, the veteran singer, was making a comeback.
《[Star Talk] Park Hyun-jung’s new album announcement, release on streaming platforms next Monday / Photo》
The new album would be released next Monday. It had been quite a while since Park Hyun-jung last released an album, and several media outlets hinted that the timing was not ideal.
《Digital charts dominated by ‘Produce That 100!’ and ‘Rental Lover’, even Park Hyun-jung may struggle to chart》
《‘Queen Park Hyun-jung’ makes her return... but ‘Produce That 100!’ is too dominant》
Still, Park Hyun-jung was a heavyweight in the industry. She had a wide fanbase, and quickly garnered attention.
-Wow!!! I’ve been waiting!!!
-To be honest, I was getting tired of idol songs lately ㅋㅋㅋ this is great
-What do you mean she won’t chart ㅋㅋㅋㅋ someone like Park Hyun-jung will definitely land in the Top 10
-It’s almost winter now, perfect time for emotional ballads
-I’ve been listening to Park Hyun-jung’s songs lately... and now she’s releasing a new one, perfect timing....
However, the impact of ‘Produce That 100!’ and ‘Rental Lover’ remained strong.
《Friday is here again... Netizens say “It’s time for Rental Lover and Produce That 100!”》
It was Friday, and right after episode 2 of ‘Rental Lover’ aired, episode 17 of ‘Produce That 100!’ would follow. Last week, ‘Rental Lover’ stirred things up, and now ‘Produce That 100!’ was heading into the final winner broadcast.
《[Issue Pick] ‘Rental Lover’ episode 2 airs today, will we get a proper look at Lover No. 4’s visuals?》
《Communities flooded with predictions for the final winner... ‘Produce That 100!’ expected to break ratings record today》
《‘Rojun’ captivates Friday nights... Trend experts say, “He’s not just an idol trainee anymore, he’s a rising star”》
Amidst the surge of trending topics, Kang Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung were deep in practice at the rehearsal studio on campus.
-♬♪
Now, counting from today, there was less than a week left until next Friday. Time was tight, so they had to push their bodies even harder. Because the 20th, a week from now, would be their final appearance to viewers as contestants and as the final winners of ‘Produce That 100!’
After about two hours of focused practice, the four of them.
“Ugh- I’m dying!!”
Collapsed onto the floor of the practice room the moment break time started. Drenched in sweat, they panted heavily. Rojun was also lying spread out on the floor. Then Do-kyung, who sat up, spoke in a dry tone.
“Still, practice is fun now that the survival part is over. Before, the pressure made everything uncomfortable.”
“Same here. Practice is actually fun. Once we join an agency, it’ll be even more fun, right??”
Kang-min and Do-kyung chatted quietly.
-Slide.
Suddenly, Kang Rojun got up and brushed his sweat-drenched black hair back. Do-kyung glanced over and clapped absentmindedly.
“Looks like a photo shoot.”
Kang-min agreed.
“Once Rojun hyung debuts, I bet girl groups are gonna be hitting on him nonstop.”
“Not just girl groups, even seniors and actresses will be trying to flirt for sure.”
“He’s gonna have to manage scandals super strictly.”
As the others brought up their energetic and hormonal thoughts, Kang Rojun spoke abruptly.
“Let’s not go to EY Entertainment or Big Star, let’s go with GN.”
At that moment, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung blinked their eyes in surprise. But Rojun continued, undeterred.
“Even if you guys don’t, I’m going to GN Entertainment.”
*****
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