Translator: Dreamscribe
The places where PD Woo Han-suk from 'Produce That 100!' sent the email were far from few. Starting from the so-called top 5 entertainment companies in Korea to large-scale and medium-large agencies, he sent out more than 20 emails. He made no distinctions.
Various entertainment companies received PD Woo Han-suk's email at the same time.
"C-CEO! We got an email from the 'Produce That 100!' side!"
"'Produce That 100!'?? It's from Woo Han-suk, right? What does it say?!"
"To summarize, they'll be gathering soon. It sounds like they want us to come if we have the time!"
"They finally issued a summon."
However, agencies that were too small were excluded. It wasn't out of disregard; rather, if major entertainment companies were going to take part, there was no way for the smaller ones to compete regardless of the method. Moreover, while the entire entertainment industry is structured this way, the idol industry in particular is a market where the bigger the agency, the more power it wields.
Funding, experience, network, system, everything creates a significant gap the larger the company.
Occasionally, there are male or female idols who succeed, hailed as miracles from small-to-medium agencies, but they are an extreme minority. One team every few years, if that. It was almost safe to say they didn't exist. Of course, even if such idols succeed, if the agency doesn't support them strongly, they shine for a year and then disappear.
The idol market is mercilessly brutal.
Since the smaller agencies knew they couldn't handle it anyway, they didn't feel slighted.
"...After checking, it looks like most of the major agencies got the email, but we didn't."
"Well, even if we jumped into a fight between dinosaurs, we'd just get crushed in the process. Besides, 'Produce That 100!' is now pulling in over 25% viewership. Not to mention the terrifying fandom it's already built. If we make a wrong move, we might get stomped to death by the public even before we get squashed by the big players."
"Scary."
"Agencies like ours should just grab some popcorn and enjoy the show from the sidelines."
Small agencies have their own ways to survive.
"Don't waste energy on the big game. Start checking if any of the eliminated kids from 'Produce That 100!' are usable."
That's why PD Woo Han-suk excluded the small agencies from the beginning. Regardless, the agencies that did receive the email from the 'Produce That 100!' side were thrilled and immediately launched into meetings. While there wasn't enough information to form detailed strategies, they needed to assess the situation.
"Since 'JTVM' can't keep taking care of them, I figured they'd start pushing them out soon. What do you all think?"
"Once the broadcast ends, I'm guessing they'll be run under the 'Produce That 100!' label for a short period, maybe a couple months, up to half a year, then spun off independently."
"I think the same. If that's the plan, now's the time to strike a deal. So, what do you think Woo Han-suk will say when he gathers the agencies?"
"He'll probably lay out some conditions, but whether he frames it as part of the broadcast or manages it off-camera is hard to say."
"Woo Han-suk's a bit of an oddball."
The information each agency had was based on their ongoing monitoring of 'Produce That 100!', the contestants, and PD Woo Han-suk's filmography and personality, well-known in the variety show industry.
"If he sent out summon emails to the agencies all at once, it's highly likely that the gathering itself will proceed jointly, not separately."
"Hmm. In any case, whatever it takes, we've got to grab him."
"Yes. I feel the same."
The agencies, each deeply engaged in their respective meetings, grew passionate and fired up, beginning to assess the surviving contestants. Contestant No. 58, among the popular ones, was mentioned, but unsurprisingly, No. 1 came up the most.
"Ah, I'm interested in the other kids too, but I desperately want No. 1. You won't find anyone in the current idol scene with visuals better than No. 1, plus the professional-level vocals, dance, and performances shown on 'Produce That 100!'. Not only does he have star quality, but he's even working as a writer now, right?"
"That's right. Although PD Woo Han-suk is keeping things tightly under wraps, making it hard to dig for information, even just what's surfaced publicly shows that No. 1 is a monster-level catch."
"An idol who's also a writer- with that kind of tension, doesn't it feel like he's hiding some other talents too??"
As the meeting dragged on, the agencies' desire only grew stronger.
"Anyway, getting him would be like winning the lottery, a jackpot. No, more like powerball."
At the same time.
The location was an outdoor park somewhere in Seoul. Filming setup was in full swing with cameras, lights, and equipment. Familiar faces could be seen, the crew from 'Rental Lover'. Up until now, most of the shoots had taken place on set, and on this Tuesday, the 'Rental Lover' team was attempting their first outdoor shoot.
The 'Rental Lover' team was stationed near an area equipped with wooden benches and exercise equipment.
Crowds of onlookers quickly gathered around them.
"Sorry!! Please take a few steps back!"
"Please refrain from filming on your phones!!"
"Apologies for the inconvenience!! We'll proceed with filming as quickly as possible!!"
'Rental Lover' was already a hot drama, and since famous actors like Choi Rina could be seen in the filming zone, the crowd screamed and gathered to watch.
"Wow! Choi Rina!! Ugh! Don't push!!!"
"Unnie!! You're so pretty!!"
"Whoa- Choi Rina is crazy beautiful??"
This was a typical scene when filming outdoors for dramas or movies. That's why Choi Rina and the actors remained calm and composed. Looking around, Kang Rojun was nowhere to be seen. Amid all this, sitting in front of the monitor with messy hair tied back was PD Jung Soo-ryeong.
"Hm-"
She was reviewing the filming continuity sheet and checking what they needed to shoot today. At that moment, a young man with acne came running up, it was the assistant director. What was interesting was that he had several stacks of paper in his hand.
"Sunbae."
"Yeah."
"Here, what you asked for. I've only printed out the first episodes!"
PD Jung Soo-ryeong turned her head toward the assistant director and smiled slightly.
"Okay, hand them over."
As if she had been waiting, she took the bundles immediately, and after flipping through a few pages, she stood up. Her destination was a nearby parking lot. Opening the passenger door of her car parked between filming vans, PD Jung Soo-ryeong said,
"Three scripts in total?"
Her smile deepened as if she was in a good mood. And rightfully so.
"I wonder what flavor Kang Chul-soo's full-length work will have this time?"
The scripts she received were other works by writer Kang Chul-soo. Though she was dying to read them right away, she held herself back. Filming 'Rental Lover' came first for now. That's why she planned to read them bit by bit whenever she had spare time.
Placing the scripts in the passenger seat, PD Jung Soo-ryeong muttered with anticipation in her tone.
"These are treasures, real treasures."
A few hours later, in the late afternoon. The 'Produce That 100!' campus.
The participants were winding down their day after finishing their schedules. Some were in the practice room, some in their rooms, and others in the shower. The same went for Kang Rojun. After an especially busy day, he could be found in the lounge where a few other participants were gathered.
"Shall we stop here?"
"Yes, No. 1-nim."
He was with No. 58, the one with the baby perm. They had just finished both the Japanese conversation session and composition study. The composition lesson was still focused on fundamentals. But Rojun was diligently grasping it. Not just composition, but during his time in 'Produce That 100!', his perspective on music was expanding across vocals, dance, lyric writing, and other aspects.
'Sure, you can compose music even if you can't read notes, but that's only half the picture. If you understand music and can play instruments, it'd be a hundred times easier.'
The learning time was still short, and it was only basic training, so there hadn't been any notification saying the 'Composition' stat had been unlocked yet. Still, there was no reason to rush.
At that moment.
"No. 1-nim."
No. 58 whispered.
"Please wait just a little."
Wait for what, exactly? Did he have something to say? He was hungry. Just as Kang Rojun was thinking about dinner, No. 58 continued.
"I'm almost done."
Ah- that. What No. 58 meant was the commissioned 'Produce That 100!' theme song composition. Rojun gave a faint smile and replied as if it were no big deal.
"No need to rush. I've got plenty to do."
"Right? Since you also work as a writer and lyricist. But how do you usually write lyrics?"
"I just- write what comes to mind when I hear the track."
"...Ah."
No. 58, who gave a forced smile, glanced around the lounge.
"The participants' expressions don't look good."
"Well, that makes sense. The voting for Team 2 and Team 3 wraps up today. You seem the same as usual though, No. 58."
As a member of Team 2, No. 58 scratched his head.
"I'm just pretending. I'm dying inside right now. So nervous."
"..."
A few hours later, the voting for Teams 2 and 3 concluded.
Wednesday morning.
When Kang Rojun finished his daily mission, stats enhancement, and shower, PD Woo Han-suk's voice rang out from the dorm speakers.
"Participants of Team 2 and Team 3, please gather in the hall now. Additionally, Team 1, please standby in your rooms."
Since the voting had concluded, it was an announcement that the result filming would now take place. Members of Team 2 and Team 3 began to gather in the center hallway. Their faces were quite tense. Among them were No. 19, No. 37, and No. 58 from Room 105.
The camera briefly captured the participants, and the staff moved ahead.
Teams 2 and 3 arrived at the hall, which had been prepared for filming and was eerily silent. After a few minutes of arrangement on stage, PD Woo Han-suk, acting as the grim reaper, stood in front of the participants. A tablet in one hand.
"..."
PD Woo Han-suk quietly looked at the participants.
"The voting for Team 2 and Team 3 has ended. I have your survival results in my hand."
He recited calmly.
"Participants who are eliminated, please leave 'Produce That 100!' immediately."
All of Team 2 and Team 3, numbering over 20, swallowed dryly. Some were visibly trembling. No. 19 and No. 37, who were usually full of energy, were serious for once, and No. 58 had his eyes closed. Regardless, PD Woo Han-suk continued his briefing.
"I will announce Team 2 results first."
Skinny No. 19 and eyes-closed No. 58 flinched. They were from Team 2.
"...No. 19, you are eliminated."
From the start, No. 19 from Room 105 was called. Unfortunately, he was eliminated. He opened his eyes wide for a moment, then seemed to accept it as he looked at the ceiling and let out a long sigh.
"Hoo-"
Then, making eye contact with No. 58, he smiled slightly.
"It was fun."
"..."
After saying goodbye to the staff as well, No. 19 left the hall. Next, PD Woo Han-suk continued to deliver death sentences. Participants with faces filled with sorrow, regret, and grief disappeared one by one.
Before long.
"Congratulations on surviving."
The announcement for Team 2 ended. Like Team 1, Team 2 had eight survivors. Among them were No. 58 and No. 46, who had received an A+ in the dance evaluation from Lee Han-na. To those survivors, PD Woo Han-suk said,
"Team 2 survivors, please move slightly toward the back."
Next up was Team 3. No. 37 from Room 105, with his tanned skin, clenched both fists tightly. Again, the death sentences were handed down quietly. One by one, participants left the hall just as in Team 2.
With that, the announcement for Team 3 ended.
In the end, eight members each from Team 2 and Team 3 survived, and fortunately, No. 37 made it through. After congratulating all 16, PD Woo Han-suk signaled to the staff, and the door to the hall opened, allowing eight more participants to enter. Seeing Kang Rojun among them confirmed they were from Team 1. Before long, eight members each from Teams 1, 2, and 3 gathered on stage, 24 in total.
The final survivors of the third round of evaluations.
From 38 down to 24. About 30% had been eliminated. From 100 participants, nearly 80 had already gone, and the number of those standing on stage had significantly decreased. Rojun looked around. He spotted No. 37 and No. 58 but couldn't find No. 19. Realizing why, Kang Rojun let out a small sigh.
'...I didn't get to say goodbye.'
Though he had preferred being alone since his ugly days, he had inevitably bonded with his fellow participants at the campus, whether he liked it or not. It was only natural to feel complicated emotions. Anyway, Room 105 was now down to three members. Just then, perhaps trying to shift the mood, PD Woo Han-suk raised his voice.
"Once again, congratulations on surviving. There's a lot to decide from now on! First, we'll reassign the teams!"
As soon as he shouted, the familiar black square box was placed in front of him. The participants, including Kang Rojun, immediately grasped the intent, and PD Woo Han-suk nodded at Rojun.
"No. 1, please draw first."
Again, the first? But Rojun, now used to it, pulled a ball from the square box. Written clearly on it: 'Team 2'.
"No. 1 is in Team 2."
After all participants had drawn their balls, they lined up according to the newly assigned Teams 1 and 2.
Twelve in Team 1, twelve in Team 2.
Standing next to Kang Rojun in Team 2 from the same room No. 37 whispered,
"No. 58 is in Team 1. That's a shame."
From Room 105, Kang Rojun and No. 37 were placed in Team 2, while only No. 58 ended up in Team 1. The blond-haired No. 15 was also seen among Team 2. That's when PD Woo Han-suk stepped in.
"I will now brief you on the fourth evaluation."
At the same time, another black square box was added in front of him, making it two, and a large roulette wheel was set up beside him.
"The fourth evaluation will be a competition between Team 1 and Team 2, not within the same team."
As explained, the battle would not be within the same team but between opposing teams.
And in addition.
"This time, unlike the second and third evaluations, which were one-on-one or group battles, it will be conducted in 2-on-2 matches."
A 2-on-2 team battle being introduced for the first time.
"There will be six teams from each Team 1 and Team 2, labeled from Team A to Team F."
With a 2-on-2 format, there would be six teams from each side, making a total of six matchups. Soon, PD Woo Han-suk pointed to the roulette wheel set up beside him.
"Now, we will determine the task for the fourth evaluation."
On the roulette, the words 'Vocal', 'Dance', and 'Rap' were written repeatedly at equal intervals. PD Woo Han-suk spun the wheel powerfully. All the cameras focused on the spinning roulette, and all 24 participants, including Kang Rojun, fixed their eyes on the same spot.
The roulette, spinning rapidly, began to slow down.
Eventually.
-Swish.
The arrow at the 12 o'clock position pointed to the result. Rojun reacted internally with a brief thought.
'Ah.'
PD Woo Han-suk announced energetically to everyone.
"For the fourth evaluation, the 2-on-2 team battle task is 'Rap'."
*****
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