boyutpedia Chapter 106: Four People (8)
Chapter 106: Four People (8)
The early performances of 'Produce That 100!' were mostly performed live. The contestants' solo performances, duet rap performances, and so on. Of course, that applied to vocal-focused performances, and whether it was live or lip-synced didn't matter much for dance.Then, the first time the 'Produce That 100!' contestants performed as a team in a group setting was in 'Produce'.
However, the focus was on dance.
The next instance of the group performing vocals, dance, and rap simultaneously as one team came with the new theme song ‘Survival 100’. From this point on, domestic and Japanese mini concerts were scheduled, and the 'Produce That 100!' contestants had never experienced an event of this scale before. Therefore, due to reasons such as the quality of the performance, intense choreography, and lack of experience among the contestants, lip-syncing was incorporated.
Of course, the audience was informed in advance, and the broadcast displayed clear labels. The production team's implicit message was that since our kids had no broadcasting experience and were still amateurs, please be understanding.
So, for all ten contestants including Kang Rojun, it was their first time performing a fully live team performance. To be blunt, since the final evaluation was freedom, lip-syncing wouldn’t have been an issue. Even lip-syncing would involve their recorded voices, and viewers were well aware that they were not professionals. Viewers likely wouldn’t take issue with it and would vote based on the overall stage performance.
However, the contestants chose live vocals for their first group stage and entered the evaluation.
It wasn’t strange that the judges were surprised.
“L-live??!”
Doing something for the first time brings fear and concern to people.
The less experience you have, the more so.
All the more when it’s a final evaluation performance tied to survival.
Nevertheless, the ten contestants positioned on the stage began the evaluation song ‘Bold’ with a calm demeanor, exuding a somewhat professional vibe. As tension rose, a grand yet subtly eerie melody resonated.
-Swish.
Kang Rojun stepped forward holding a megaphone. Naturally, the megaphone had a small microphone attached, and Rojun, wearing a black cap pulled low, stared at the floor. His face was hidden as he didn’t raise his head. In that state, he spoke the lyrics in a tone slightly faster than a narration.
[I'll be rich, I'll be famous]
[I'll be a star, I must win]
The short lyrics ended and repeated again. However, compared to before, his voice now carried more strength. The tone of the song as well.
[I'll be rich, I'll be famous]
[I'll be a star, I must win]
When the same lyrics came up for the third time, Kang Rojun, still holding the megaphone, faced forward. At that moment, the melody suddenly cut off. Only the organ melody spread quietly. Rojun slowly lowered the megaphone to the floor.
Then, slowly. He turned his body smoothly.
Nine contestants were waiting. A circle formed by six, supported by the other three. Soon, the organ’s melody gradually intensified and then.
-♬♪
The melody that had stopped resumed with the drums. The beat was faster than at the start. Purple lighting was added by the spotlight.
-Swish.
Kang Rojun turned his body again and took one step forward. The six who had formed a circle moved to his sides. The remaining three took two steps forward in a straight line.
Their movements crossed naturally.
The choreography had already begun. The movements of the front and back rows differed. The front moved big and high above their heads, while the back row crouched and used their legs more. At that moment, 26Do-kyung in the back row stepped all the way to the front.
He delivered a rap.
Once 26Do-kyung’s part ended, he moved to the far left, and 58Si-hoo emerged from the right. It was the lead vocalist’s turn. When he came out, the previously fast beat felt like slow motion, and so did the choreography. Except for 58Si-hoo, the other nine spread out powerfully but smoothly.
Up to this point, the mood of the song and the contestants’ expressions carried a strong sense of darkness.
That changed with the appearance of Kang Rojun.
-♬♪
He looked at the camera and smiled. A naturally cast eye smile. A stable vocal that changed the atmosphere of the song. The climax built up and then burst out in a high note. Smiles also spread across the faces of all ten members. A rehearsed and coordinated performance. The choreography, too, unfolded fully using their whole bodies. As if a flower was blooming.
With all ten moving in perfect sync, it was a sight to see.
The five judges stared at the final evaluation performance without a twitch. It wouldn't be wrong to say they were dazed. The first to speak was choreographer Lee Han-na.
"......The choreography is well done?"
She was shocked they were doing it live, but she hadn’t expected much from the choreography. She had been watching the contestants all this time and thus knew their shortcomings well.
'Who choreographed this- was it Kang Min and a few others? It's amazing.'
But seeing the results, it exceeded satisfaction.
'There are even some intense moves, and yet they weren’t scared to perform them live.'
And despite the short preparation time, the ten members were perfectly in sync. It showed how desperately they had practiced.
'Up until now, only Rojun really stood out in choreography. Of course, he's still good now. But today... the overall balance is solid.'
As a choreographer, Lee Han-na knew well. Just how grueling it was to have a group of that size perform choreography as one body. Hadn't they already experienced that in 'Produce' and ‘Survival 100’? That's why Lee Han-na was proud of those ten kids.
'Well done, really.'
Song Min-geun, too, was covered in chills.
'The song is killer. If songs like this come out so easily, Si-hoo is a treasure. No need to even talk about Rojun, who wrote the lyrics.'
Even from the perspective of a top-tier composer, the performance of ‘Bold’ was high-level.
'Who would believe that’s their first live? People will think they’re skilled idols. Of course, there are disappointing parts but it's fine. Their pitch was accurate too.'
The other judges were also stunned by the contestants’ astonishing live performance, breathing, and performance quality.
'This performance is the very essence of ‘Produce That 100!', what viewers were really hoping to see.'
By this point, Kang Rojun and the contestants finished the instrumental break and entered the second verse, with the atmosphere and tone ramping up to make hearts pound even more. PD Woo Han-suk, the head of the 'Produce That 100!' production team, was all smiles.
'I'm so happy myself. Just imagine how much the viewers will love this.'
It was obvious that the thrill the viewers would feel, being invested in the contestants, would be several times greater than what the staff and judges were experiencing now. The contestants had prepared this final evaluation performance themselves and were performing it live. Then Woo Han-suk focused his gaze on Kang Rojun on stage.
'Everyone is important, but especially Rojun is the key. As the main vocal, he explodes the performance with power, and it’s the same with choreography. No need to mention the visual center. Though he passed the rap to someone else this time, he's not lacking there either.'
A true all-rounder who fits anywhere, showing presence in every position.
'If such a guy gets thrown into the current idol market after 'Produce That 100!' ends, there'll be a lot to watch.'
Eventually.
-Swish.
The contestants, having completed the second verse, stopped in a shape similar to the beginning. The final performance, ‘Bold’, had ended. Sitting in the circle formed by six was Kang Rojun.
“Huff- huff.”
Even as he exhaled heavily, he looked straight ahead. The judges and dozens of staff members were silent.
'What? Isn't it a bit too quiet??'
For a moment, worry flashed through Rojun’s mind. He thought he had done his best, was it bad? Was it a failure? The contestants standing around him, sharing similar feelings, subtly started to observe the reactions. Their own mistakes were flashing through their minds.
‘Ha- shit, was it because I slipped a little during the dance earlier??’
'I couldn't pay attention to expressions and eye contact because of the choreography.'
‘Ugh... live is so damn hard.’
It was then.
-Clap clap clap clap clap!
The sound of applause began to spread through the wide hall.
-Clap clap clap clap clap!
-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!
It quickly filled the room. All five judges, PD Woo Han-suk, the writers, and dozens of staff members were giving their praise to the contestants. Only then did Kang Rojun, now relieved, regain his smile and instruct his teammates.
“Line up, let’s bow.”
A moment later.
After the final evaluation performance ended, the judges’ assessments followed.
“Absolutely shocking! The fact that you created the entire performance with your own strength is amazing, and the live vocals were really well done too! Truly! It’s hard to find live performances of this quality even among idols.”
No, rather than an assessment, it was a series of high praises.
“I want to compliment the choreography. I learned a lot just by watching it, you know??”
From the first evaluation to now, the judges had been both teachers and senior mentors to the contestants. And those very people were giving only favorable comments, without a single harsh critique. The contestants couldn’t help but feel like they were floating.
“Rojun handled a lot, didn’t he? Leader, main vocal, and more. Everyone did really well, but I especially want to praise Rojun for holding the center so firmly.”
When many gazes landed on Kang Rojun, for some reason, he was reminded of the beginning of 'Produce That 100!' When he had sung ‘Farewell’ on this stage.
‘I somehow made it this far. It’s almost absurd. The final performance is already over. What kind of thing will happen next, I wonder.’
The shoot continued for about an hour, and then PD Woo Han-suk spoke to the contestants on stage.
“Now, two things remain for you all: the choice of the viewers. And your own choice.”
To elaborate, after the final evaluation performance is broadcast, six of the current ten will be eliminated, and the final four winners will be given the right to choose their entertainment agencies.
“This performance will be aired on the 6th of this week, and as always, the final announcement will be on Wednesday, when voting ends. You’ve all worked very hard.”
The performance will be broadcast on Episode 16 of 'Produce That 100!' on November 6. At this moment, something dawned on Kang Rojun.
'6th- ‘Rental Lover’ also premieres on the 6th.'
Meanwhile, at the same time.
A studio where several filming teams had gathered. Right now, an interview with a famous writer was underway. Two people were sitting in front of the camera. One was a female reporter conducting the interview, and the person answering her questions was the bob-haired star writer Han Seo-ryeong.
“Writer-nim, what’s the storyline of the new work you’re starting?”
Han Seo-ryeong, fitting her status as a veteran writer, answered with poise and elegance.
“I’ve just finished writing episode 1, it’s basically a medical drama. I’m working hard, but there’s so much research to do that it’s exhausting.”
“Come on- it’s you, Writer Han Seo-ryeong-nim, so I’m sure it’ll be another amazing project. I’m super excited too.”
“Thank you.”
“Recently, there was an article suggesting that Choi Rina-ssi might be cast as the female lead. What do you think about that?”
“Actress Choi Rina is a wonderful actor. I’m sure I’m not the only writer hoping to work with her. She’d suit this project very well.”
The interview mostly focused on Writer Han Seo-ryeong’s new project, with some questions about her personal life scattered throughout. Then the female reporter flipped a cue card and changed the topic.
“We can’t not talk about ‘Culture Drawer'."
'Culture Drawer' was Korea’s leading writer management agency.
“‘Culture Drawer’ has become a dream management agency for many rookie writers and directors, with so many star writers and master directors under its wing. What do you think was the driving force behind such growth?”
“Hmm- the driving force. Let’s see. I think it’s probably our strict focus on ability. We only look at the capabilities and potential of writers and directors. We don’t do any recruitment based on blood ties, regional connections, or school ties in our management.”
“Oh, I see.”
“We do our best to support our writers and directors so they can perform in top condition.”
Just by her answers and expression, it was clear how much pride Han Seo-ryeong had in 'Culture Drawer'. Soon, the female reporter shifted to a new question.
“But ‘Culture Drawer’ is also known for not having rookie writers or directors, right? So when you say you evaluate based on ability and potential, what exactly do you assess?”
“Hmm- we do recruit rookies, ‘Culture Drawer’ does.”
“Huh?”
"Since 'Culture Drawer' came up, I should share some new information."
“Oh- what kind?”
Sweeping back her bobbed hair, Writer Han Seo-ryeong quietly stated,
“Writer Rojun has decided to join us at ‘Culture Drawer'."
At that moment, the female reporter’s eyes widened in shock.
*****
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