boyutpedia Chapter 110: Four People (12)
Chapter 110: Four People (12)
-Ahhhhhhhhhhh I can't wait for next week!! Bring me Rental Lover episode 2 right now!!!-Rental Lover' really leaves a strong aftertaste ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ but!!! If we go straight into 'Produce That 100!' we can see Rojun again
-I turned on Produce That 100! right after Rental ended
-Ha... today is seriously a blessed day ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ I get to see Rojun twice!!!
-Rojun's fans must’ve already switched on 'Produce That 100!' ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Now that we've enjoyed Actor Rojun, time to savor Idol Rojun doing his main job, right?
-Don’t know if the PDs coordinated it but the schedule is really well done ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Aaaaagh!!! But isn’t today also the Final Evaluation stage of 'Produce That 100!'??? ㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠ It’s great but so sad....
'Rental Lover' ended around 8:55 PM. Most viewers who were enjoying 'Rental Lover' naturally switched over to 'Produce That 100!' at 9 PM. Of course, Kang Rojun and the contestants did the same.
Episode 16 of 'Produce That 100!' began with its dominance over the Korean and Japanese music charts.
With fast scene changes, it showed off the force of ‘Survival 100’. Then, the scenes of Rojun and the other contestants appeared. The focus was on 58Si-hoo. It was the moment they were deciding on the final evaluation song. Since Episode 15 already covered how the Final Evaluation performance would go, viewers couldn’t help but be curious about the final song.
Then,
-[♬♪]
The intro of the final song, 'Bold', rang briefly. Hundreds of thousands gathered in the open chat were excited, and as soon as the song selection was over, Kang Rojun and the contestants threw themselves into their tasks. 58Si-hoo took on composition, Kang Rojun handled lyrics writing, and the rest of the contestants ignored sleep and focused.
A result achieved entirely through the contestants’ own efforts from start to finish.
It was only natural for viewers to feel more emotionally invested watching them.
-ㅠㅠㅠㅠ They are working so hard... hang in there!!!
-It’s like they’re putting their lives on the line because it’s the last one
-Thankfully each one of them has strong skills
-Please let us hear the Final Evaluation song soon!!!
The footage then showed the contestants wrapping up their respective tasks. But that wasn’t the end. Every contestant had to adapt to the new song, and they also had to memorize the lyrics. They also had to get used to the created choreography and stage parts.
From here, it became a broadcast of the contestants’ intense practice marathon.
-[“But did the contestants get their rehearsal performance ready today??”]
The background changed to a hall with a stage, and the conversation of 'Produce That 100!' staff could be heard. Then PD Woo Han-suk's answer.
-[“The evaluation song was good, and the choreography wasn’t bad. They’ll do fine.”]
They showed the day of the rehearsal performance. While the staff had a lot of worry and concern, the contestants’ interviews inserted between scenes gave a surprisingly bright vibe.
-[“I thought my heart was going to explode, but at the same time, I wanted to show it quickly.”]
-[“There wasn’t anything I was particularly worried about. We practiced hard, so.”]
The screen quickly transitioned again.
The ten contestants appeared at the front of the stage. The angle focused on Kang Rojun, specifically on the megaphone in his hand. PD Woo Han-suk asked a question.
-[“What’s that megaphone? Are you using that on stage?”]
Rojun’s reply.
-[“Yes. We’re using it on stage. I’ll show you directly.”]
The unexpected prop sparked curiosity among viewers.
-A megaphone out of nowhere???
-Ah, I’m already picturing something crazy awesome ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-What kind of performance is Rojun planning to show us again
-They prepared a lot ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
The megaphone wasn’t the end. Kang Rojun muttered in a villainous tone fitting his character.
-[“For this Final Evaluation performance, we’ll be doing it live, not lip-syncing.”]
Hundreds of thousands in the open chat exploded. Regardless, the background changed again in 'Produce That 100!'. No, it was the same space but differently staged. The angle showed the five seated judges before panning to the stage. All ten contestants, dressed in street-style outfits, were already in formation.
Soon, the song information appeared at the bottom of the screen.
-[Title: Bold / Lyrics: Rojun, Composition: Si-hoo]
The final song 'Bold' began to play.
-♬♪
The screen, which had been showing a full shot, shifted to a solo of Kang Rojun. He lifted the megaphone and opened his mouth.
-[I'll be rich, I'll be famous]
-[I'll be a star, I must win]
Starting with this performance, 'Bold' properly hit the airwaves, and viewers intensely focused on the live stage of the 10 contestants. Even the chat that had been flooding like crazy suddenly slowed down.
They danced the choreography, showed off their vocals to match their parts, dropped rap, made eye contact, and smiled toward the viewers.
-This is insane
-I’m serious, these 10 could debut as a group and it’d work
-ㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠMy ears are melting
Episode 16 of 'Produce That 100!' was.
-Why are they so good at live performances??
-Just debut under the group name 'Produce That 100!', I’ll stan forever!!
-When Rojun opened with the megaphone at the beginning, it was super cool
-Si-hoo is so cute ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-This song is honestly amazing, it’s kind of dark but sticks in your ears
-Ha... this vote is gonna be brutal
-I guarantee this final performance will keep getting brought up on YouTube
The main highlight was the contestants' live Final Evaluation performance.
After that.
From late Friday night, right after 'Rental Lover' and 'Produce That 100!' ended, a huge flood of articles poured out.
Starting with 'Produce That 100!', which had just wrapped its Final Evaluation performance.
《Final Evaluation Performance created by the power of 10 contestants on 'Produce That 100!', even the judges were speechless》
《[Issue Pick] Final song of 'Produce That 100!', 'Bold', finally revealed... Viewers say “Release the track now!”》
《Live Final Evaluation performance on 'Produce That 100!' All contestants shined / Photos》
《Final vote kicks off immediately after Episode 16 ends on 'Produce That 100!'》
'Rental Lover' didn’t fall behind either.
《'Rental Lover' finally releases, Rojun who appeared at the end lacked nothing as an actor》
《Acting controversy? Rojun proves himself with skill / Photos》
《With such a fun work, ended acting controversies, and more, what were the ratings for 'Rental Lover'?》
《[Star Talk] Rojun stood his ground even against S-Class top actress Choi Rina’s acting!》
The common point between the two was Kang Rojun.
[@SUUUI_5751]
[I swear Rojun’s actually insane ㅋㅋㅋㅋ I watched 'Rental Lover' then immediately 'Produce That 100!' and he was super handsome in both... my eyes were blessed]
'Produce That 100!' mainly covered the contestants’ live Final Evaluation performance, while 'Rental Lover' focused on the drama’s quality and Rojun’s acting. Of course, there was quite a bit of talk about the OST too.
《“Visuals are insane” Rojun captivated viewers as ‘Lover No. 4’, and melted their ears with the OST too》
The chain reaction was terrifying.
Even if just one of the two had exploded, it would have taken over various communities and SNS, but with both hitting at once, there was nothing that could stop the flood of buzz.
This carried on past the night into the early morning, and by Saturday morning, the snowball had rolled even harder.
The 'Produce That 100!' fans in Japan were also going wild.
That was because word had spread that 'Produce That 100!' and 'Rental Lover' had both blown up today in Korea. Japan, where releases happen later than in Korea, was in a frenzy on SNS. Amid all that, Netflix Japan was busy with the 'Rental Lover' launch. Since it had premiered in Korea, that meant it would soon be uploaded to Netflix Japan too.
And Executive Director Tom Cavill.
“Let’s go with next Thursday.”
He gave instructions to a few senior staff members.
“We’re going to Korea again on Thursday, five days from now. Please contact Culture Drawer.”
He declared a second trip to Korea. Last time, it was for the 'Rental Lover' launch, but this time, it was to acquire a new project.
“This trip to Korea is about getting everything we want. Let’s do our best.”
A solemn determination appeared on Tom Cavill’s face.
At the same time, at a major film company in Korea.
It was BG Pictures, one of the TOP 3 domestic studios. Since it was the weekend, there weren’t many employees in the office. Even so, two people were seen in the film company’s large conference room. One was a familiar face, Manager Jang Hak-seon, who had previously received a script from PD Jung Soo-ryeong.
Sitting across from him was another man.
An unfamiliar face. Around his late 50s? He was quite skinny and had a small frame. His cheeks and neck had a reddish tone, hinting at a bit of a drinking flush. The man briefly looked down at his phone and then said.
“'Produce That 100!' or 'Rental Lover'? These two are stirring up typhoons everywhere, and only this place is calm.”
Suddenly fixing his gaze on Manager Jang Hak-seon, the man dropped the stack of papers he had brought onto the desk.
“I read the script you gave me all the way through.”
His voice was coarse.
“To be honest, I read it twice.”
Manager Jang Hak-seon, seemingly surprised, asked again.
“T-Twice?”
“Yes.”
“Is that why it took a bit longer?? But for you to read a script twice, Director... If it’s not good, you don’t even get past the first line. So, is this really the script you’ve been looking for?”
“......”
The man referred to as the director cleared his throat.
“When I first read it all, I felt something strange. Like, ‘What is this?’ The script felt rough and unrefined. But after reading it a second time, I knew for sure. Everything was intentional by the screenwriter. It was the style I wanted, and it was entertaining.”
Well, whether or not Kang Rojun had actually written everything with such intention and professionalism back then was questionable, but regardless, the man known as the director spoke with some seriousness.
"I had casually mentioned wanting to take a break from writing scripts - but you brought me a script that tastes pretty damn good? So who’s the screenwriter of this thing?”
“Well- PD Jung Soo-ryeong was the one who passed the script along, but she’s been keeping the screenwriter a secret. Seems there’s a reason for it.”
“PD Jung Soo-ryeong? You mean that PD from SBC?”
“Yes, but I’m sure she’ll tell us if it’s Director Yoo Ji-heon asking.”
Director Yoo Ji-heon. In fact, he was a renowned director with a 10-million-viewer film under his belt. There was even a saying, “If you work with Director Yoo Ji-heon, you’re already halfway to success", because he’d never had a flop. Most of Director Yoo’s films had exceeded their break-even points. Thanks to that, he was now considered among the greats.
Soon, Director Yoo Ji-heon made a fairly serious request.
“Then go ahead and call her. PD Jung Soo-ryeong.”
Manager Jang Hak-seon nodded and took out his phone. A few minutes later. While on the call, Jang Hak-seon heard something and furrowed his brows, asking PD Jung Soo-ryeong over the phone again.
“Huh, where do I call? ‘Culture Drawer’?”
Meanwhile.
PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who had just finished the call with Manager Jang Hak-seon, lowered her phone.
‘Finally, Manager Jang took the bait. Now the movie script business will be handled by Culture Drawer-’
She was not at home but at her home base, the SBC Broadcasting Drama Department. Not only PD Jung Soo-ryeong, but several key staff members and fellow PDs were there as well. The fact that it was the weekend didn’t matter to them. There was something tens of times more important than that.
“Phew-”
Letting out a rather tense breath, PD Jung Soo-ryeong tapped the desk with the phone in her hand. She occasionally glanced at the clock. Right then, the door to the department director’s office burst open and the bald department director came rushing out.
“Hey, hey, PD Jung! Not yet?!”
“Not yet.”
“Ugh- why is it taking so long!”
“It should be out any minute now.”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong tried her best to hide her anxiety as she moved the mouse smoothly. The main pages of various portal sites were dominated by 'Rental Lover' and 'Produce That 100!'. Especially with many photos of Rojun. Either as ‘Lover No. 4’ or the leader of 'Produce That 100!'. She suddenly became curious about Kang Rojun, the very person at the center of this chaos.
‘......I wonder what the guy who just flipped the world upside down is doing right now, probably acting like it’s not even his business, doing something calmly as usual.’
At that moment.
-Ta-tat!!
There was a sound of someone urgently running. It was the assistant director of 'Rental Lover' who burst into the Drama Department. His face covered with acne, he appeared breathless. PD Jung Soo-ryeong jumped from her seat.
“Well?! What’s the number?!”
She was asking for the viewership rating of Rental Lover’s first broadcast.
Dozens of eyes from key staff members and others were fixed on him as the assistant director’s lips slowly curled into a wide grin. He shouted toward PD Jung Soo-ryeong.
“The rating came out to 21.9%!!!”
It was the first of its kind, an unprecedented figure across the entire broadcasting industry.
“...It went over 20%?”
A one-act drama had surpassed a 20% viewership rating.