Translator: Dreamscribe
PD Jung Soo-ryeong was excessively flustered right now. Even with her 15 years of experience directing dramas, she was dumbfounded by the collision with that monstrous dump truck. That was about Kang Rojun.
With just one expression from Rojun, PD Jung Soo-ryeong was completely disarmed.
Still feeling her heart beating rapidly, she stammered slightly as she asked Kang Rojun.
"Y-you're really sure you've never acted before? There's no need to hide anything."
Rojun answered plainly.
"Yes, it's my first time acting."
It wasn't a lie.
'Even if I took advantage of 'AI Automation', I'm still a total newbie, right?'
However, in Jung Soo-ryeong's eyes, the acting Kang Rojun had just shown was by no means at a beginner level.
'Does this make sense? That mood is something only top-level actors can produce.'
To the extent that she forgot it was acting and fell for it, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who had seen countless male actors known for their looks and acting in the past. As a veteran among veterans, she had never looked at a male actor outside of a director's perspective.
But just now, even if briefly, she melted.
'It was just me who kept my composure to this extent. An ordinary woman would have lost her mind immediately.'
The professional PD Jung Soo-ryeong somehow managed to calm her racing heart and silently observed Kang Rojun, carefully assessing him. It was a storm with many causes: Rojun's terrifyingly good looks, his surprising acting skills, his current status close to that of an ordinary person, the confined space with just the two of them, and the unfamiliar process of 'Rental Lover' even for Jung Soo-ryeong.
If it had been a typical routine, PD Jung Soo-ryeong probably wouldn't have been shaken.
'Whatever the case, it's true that I was momentarily charmed by him.'
She had to admit it. Jung Soo-ryeong had forgotten her role as a director and fallen for Kang Rojun.
'Acting that would make any woman standing in front of him mistake herself for the female lead, lost in a fantasy.'
On top of his high-dimensional acting, PD Jung Soo-ryeong focused on Kang Rojun's eyes. His pupils were unbelievably clear, yet inside them coexisted confidence and a decadent coldness. If such a man spoke with an affectionate, attached expression, who could possibly withstand it?
"...This is a natural disaster."
When Kang Rojun tilted his head slightly and asked back,
"Excuse me?"
PD Jung Soo-ryeong let out a small sigh with a faint smile.
"Are you sure this is really your first time acting?"
"Yes. This is also the first time I've properly worked as a writer or actor."
"Ha- I really can't predict you, writer-nim. All I can think is that you're just outside the norm. How does someone act like a leading role actor on their very first try?"
Though Rojun knew the answer, he passed it off lightly.
"I'm just glad it wasn't too bad."
"Not too bad? No. With acting like that, viewers would've gone wild asking why you were given a role worse than a supporting one."
At that moment, a brief vibration came from Kang Rojun's wrist. A notification from the 'AI Simulation'.
-[You have completed the Hidden Mission 'Secure the Position of Your Second Side Job!' As a reward, 20 coins have been deposited.]
Of course, Rojun didn't check the notification right away. PD Jung Soo-ryeong continued speaking to Kang Rojun.
"So what is it then? You're telling me that you're talented in vocals, dance, and acting now. You're good at Japanese too. On top of that, your face-"
Suddenly excited, PD Jung Soo-ryeong threw a sincere question at the inhumanly skilled Rojun.
"No, seriously, why did you only just now come out into the world?? With such monstrous specs?"
I used to be a monster in a different sense. Answering silently to himself, Kang Rojun remained quiet, while PD Jung Soo-ryeong, faced with unexpected developments, organized her thoughts.
'This is- something that's going to flip the game again.'
She hadn't expected writer Kang Chul-soo's Japanese skills. On top of that, such high-dimensional acting that could crush even top-level talents. No. 1 Kang Rojun had already made waves with just his attention-drawing power, but now he was performing several times beyond the result that Jung Soo-ryeong had initially planned.
'He's an idol, a writer with a way with words, an actor- he won't have time to exhaust his image.'
What was absurd was that Kang Rojun was still only at the starting point. If he began to grow in earnest, how immense would his presence become? As Jung Soo-ryeong imagined this briefly, she returned to reality.
'Damn it, if I had known his acting would be this good, I would've gone with him solo from the start.'
However, 'Rental Lover' was already well underway. Regretfully, PD Jung Soo-ryeong had no choice but to proceed.
"Have you tried acting in any other roles?"
"No."
"How do you think you'd do?"
"I'm not sure, unless I try. But I think I can do it."
"..."
For now, she had to be satisfied with him as 'Lover No. 4'.
There's always a next time.
PD Jung Soo-ryeong imagined Rojun taking the male lead role in another project after 'Rental Lover'.
"Okay, I understand for now. Let's see the acting one more time. Not sitting down, but standing, with a different cut."
Behind her, Kang Rojun carried out the performances PD Jung Soo-ryeong requested without a hitch. Of course, they were all perfect. PD Jung Soo-ryeong's eyes gleamed as she dissected everything about Rojun's acting.
'What's with those long legs? I knew his proportions were insane, but they're even more noticeable today. Obviously, he wears clothes well. But that body, too- looks like he's been working out hard lately? It's amazing how his small face manages to fit those eyes, nose, and mouth, really.'
She began thinking about how to style him as an actor. From the makeup, costume, and props for 'Lover No. 4', to the overall mood. Enhancing the already monstrous aura of Kang Rojun was also part of PD Jung Soo-ryeong's job.
Afterward, PD Jung Soo-ryeong gave Rojun a thumbs up.
"Nice, that's enough. Just practice your acting with that level of tension. I don't even have anything to direct. Same with the Japanese. But for the English lines, you'll need to repeat them until they sound more natural."
She moved on to the next topic, the current situation of 'Rental Lover'.
"For now, we'll finalize this version of the script and distribute the final draft to the key staff and actors. As for the storyboards, the length is short anyway, so it'll be done quickly. You can consider the casting as complete, and the location scouting is finished too."
Listening to all these unfamiliar terms, Kang Rojun carefully jotted them down in his notebook. PD Jung Soo-ryeong, finding that cute, chuckled softly before continuing.
"Except for the little things, all that's left now are the big ones. The most important of which is, of course, the final part of pre-production, the script reading. Once the script reading is done, we'll go straight into the first shoot. It's really just around the corner now."
Murmuring this, PD Jung Soo-ryeong got up from her seat.
"As I mentioned earlier, the first public reveal of you as the writer-nim, and the most urgent item on the schedule-"
She tapped her finger on the writing on the whiteboard.
"Before the script reading, there's a preliminary meeting with the entire cast."
The next day, Monday the 10th, morning.
The location was the 'Produce That 100!' campus in Paju. Kang Rojun could be found at the park next to the dorm. He was in the middle of a run. Behind him, his Dorm 105 teammates and other participants followed, panting heavily.
About two hours later, after finishing the workout missions, Rojun checked out his body before taking a shower.
'Hmm, it's improved.'
Though a bit of self-praise was mixed in, Kang Rojun's body was indeed developing. The lines of muscle on his back had become more defined, and his overall tone had improved. After finishing a satisfying shower, he immediately checked the 'AI Simulation' app.
-[Coins Owned: 450]
With the bonus he received yesterday included, the coins were piling up again quickly. He then moved with his dorm mates to the cafeteria. Overall, the mood among the dozens of participants was gloomy. Likely because it was the voting period for the 'Vocal Team' and 'Rap Team'.
'Everyone looks so serious.'
Of course, the members of Dorm 105 were smiling, but there was a deeper seriousness than usual behind it. No. 19 and No. 37, usually high-energy, were less talkative, and No. 88, known for good reactions, was quiet. No. 58 in particular gave off an even more eerie vibe than usual.
Sensing that staying silent was best in times like this, Kang Rojun ate quietly.
-Slide.
He then moved according to the already distributed schedule. Around a dozen participants were gathering at the hallway center. It was Team 1, whose survival had already been confirmed. Thirteen people, including Kang Rojun. Once Team 1 had fully gathered, PD Woo Han-suk, his face looking tired, appeared.
"How's everyone feeling?"
Looks like he needed to take care of himself first. Just as Rojun was answering that thought internally, PD Woo Han-suk, who had been talking with the writers, gestured.
"We'll be moving now."
The cameras started rolling. In other words, it was official filming. Whatever the case, including Kang Rojun, Team 1 arrived at a large practice room. Cameras were set up at the back of the room, which was plastered with mirrors, and small cameras were also mounted on the ceiling in several places. Around a dozen staff had taken positions near the rear cameras.
Kang Rojun and the other participants scanned the interior of the practice room and then stood roughly in the center, looking around.
PD Woo Han-suk, who followed them in, was expected to give a briefing, but instead, he quietly slipped away to the back. Just as people were wondering what was happening, another person entered the practice room. A familiar face.
"It's the first time seeing you all since the second evaluation, feels fresh seeing you in the practice room."
It was Lee Han-na, the famous choreographer known by her stage name Jessica. For reference, she had also been a judge during the second evaluation. The participants greeted her politely as she appeared, her firm, toned muscles catching the eye. Lee Han-na, who had been waving, stood before the 13 participants.
Soon, a large monitor was being set up beside her.
While the staff worked on the monitor, Lee Han-na smiled and spoke.
"I'm choreographer Lee Han-na, and I'll be in charge of choreography, evaluation, and stage direction for this 'Produce That 100!' theme song. I look forward to working with you."
The participants responded with applause for now. Once the setup seemed complete, the staff stepped away, and Lee Han-na, as she looked over the 13 participants, made eye contact with Kang Rojun, who was standing somewhere in the middle.
"Hmm- why don't we line up in number order? No. 1, you go first."
Following the instructions, Rojun stepped to the starting point, and next came No. 15 and so on, quickly forming a line. Rojun glanced to his right at No. 15. His hair was yellow.
'Now that the redhead's gone, a blond one showed up.'
Anyway, the participants formed three lines: five, five, and three. Lee Han-na, nodding in satisfaction, pointed to the monitor that had been set up beside her.
"From now on, I'll show you the choreography for the first theme song. Oh, the song's title is 'Produce'. Since none of you have stage experience, we didn't make the formation or moves too difficult. It's more of a group dance than individual parts, so just focus and watch."
When Lee Han-na gave the signal, the large monitor turned on. On the screen was a practice room identical to the one they were in, and 13 members of what appeared to be Lee Han-na's choreography team stood in two separate groups.
Lee Han-na began explaining.
"To make it easy to follow, let's call the group on the left Team A, and the group on the right Team B."
Soon, the music started.
-♬♪
The theme song 'Produce' opened with a powerful drum beat. The shoulders of the dancers on the screen twitched slightly. Then, the choreography of Team A members began first, while Team B didn't move at all. Roughly after a few seconds, Team A froze, and Team B burst into dynamic motion.
Lee Han-na interjected again.
"It's a switch, okay? In the intro, Team A and Team B alternate to draw attention. Then, during the verse, the two teams will merge."
And that's exactly what happened. The separated groups on the screen came together with the beat and became a single unit. For a while, all 13 danced in sync with no one standing out. Then, five dancers from the back moved forward while the other eight stepped back one step.
They continued dancing in that formation.
Then, the five retreated and another four stepped forward. This pattern repeated once more. In other words, five, four, then another four took turns dancing at the front in time with the beat. As the song entered the chorus, all 13 dancers merged again and performed a flashy group routine. There were no distinct solo parts visible.
As the first verse of the theme song 'Produce' ended, the video paused.
The briefing was again taken over by Lee Han-na.
"You get the general idea, right? With enough practice, you can all do it too. For the actual performance, you'll be wearing group outfits with your numbers on them. While personal practice is important, this time group practice will be essential."
After watching the choreography video, Kang Rojun felt slightly nervous.
'So we're going to dance that in front of people? Like a surprise performance? Wow- shit, that's nerve-racking.'
Moreover, that performance was directly tied to the third evaluation. Therefore, a heavy tension settled on the faces of all the participants except Rojun. Among them, there were surely those confident in choreography and those who weren't, but regardless of who they were, they had to give it their all.
It was at this moment that Lee Han-na, who had been observing the participants' expressions, opened her mouth again.
"After the individual practice period, you'll go through training. During the next group choreography session, I'll be watching and evaluating."
In that instant, the smile disappeared from Lee Han-na's face as she stated coolly,
"No matter how short and amateurish a performance may be, a performance is still a performance, right? If I decide that someone doesn't have the necessary skill, that participant will not be allowed on stage. Of course, that doesn't mean elimination from 'Produce That 100!' It just means you'll be excluded from the performance."
If a participant didn't make it onto the stage for the third evaluation's surprise performance, they might still be able to receive votes, but their popularity and number of votes would significantly decline. Though she said it wasn't elimination, not making it onto the stage was essentially a death sentence in the competition.
Soon, every participant gulped nervously. On the other hand, Kang Rojun maintained a calm expression.
Of course, he was nervous too, but he was keeping his expression under control.
Noticing this, Lee Han-na smiled faintly and asked,
"No. 1, you seem quite at ease. Does the choreography I made look easy to you? I suppose you're confident, just like during the 'Brake' performance, right?"
Receiving everyone's gaze, Kang Rojun replied without much fuss.
"It doesn't look difficult."
The villain's color deepened.
At that very moment.
In the entertainment industry, where the fervor for 'Produce That 100!' was in full swing, a rather shocking bomb had dropped.
"[Issue Pick] S-Class Top Actress Choi Rina Suddenly Chooses One-Act Drama for Next Project... Agency States, "It Was the Actress's Own Decision""
"Choi Rina Chooses a One-Act? The Project That Caught Her Eye Is 'Rental Lover' - Why Did She Suddenly Go for a One-Act Drama?"
'Rental Lover' had revealed itself to the world for the first time.
*****
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