Translator: Dreamscribe
Already finished writing the lyrics? Song Min-geun, with his phone pressed against his ear, changed to an expression of disbelief.
'He wrote the lyrics I requested in just a few days?'
People around him gestured, wondering what was going on, but Song Min-geun shook his head to indicate it was nothing and spoke into the phone.
"You mean... you've written all of the lyrics? From start to finish. Not just the first verse or anything. The demo track I gave you has two verses, right?"
Once again, Kang Rojun's answer on the other end of the line was concise.
"Yes, I know. I listened to all the way through the second verse. I finished writing lyrics for both verses."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
Song Min-geun scratched his chin lightly and let out a soft hum.
"Alright, got it for now. Can you send the finished lyrics to my phone? I'll check it first."
"Yes, understood."
-Click.
The call ended cleanly. As Song Min-geun lowered his phone, a small scoff slipped out.
'This... doesn't make sense.'
He had already heard that No. 1 wrote the lyrics for 'Witch', a rap composed by No. 58. When Song Min-geun read the lyrics for 'Witch' himself, he had thought they were quite good. In fact, considering it was his first attempt at lyric writing, it felt closer to talent.
So, Song Min-geun had secretly held some expectations.
But this time, it was too fast.
'Did he even listen to the demo track properly??'
The speed was beyond what Song Min-geun considered normal.
The track requested from Kang Rojun had already been sent to several professional lyricists, and their versions had arrived in Song Min-geun's inbox. This was routine for a major composer and broadcaster like Song Min-geun. Even for professionals, it typically takes 2 to 3 weeks, sometimes more than a month.
Of course, there are rare cases where lyrics get completed in a single day.
But even among professionals, that's extremely uncommon, 2 to 3 weeks is the usual. Yet now, a complete beginner in both composing and lyric writing, No. 1, claimed to have finished in just a few days. So, naturally, from Song Min-geun's perspective.
'Hmm- must've rushed through it because he was busy',
A predictable suspicion surfaced. As a judge, Song Min-geun was well aware of how grueling the 'Produce That 100!' schedule was. Recently, No. 1 had even admitted himself that he was the writer of 'Rental Lover'.
So now, screenwriting had also been added.
That meant No. 1 was currently juggling the filming and training for 'Produce That 100!' along with his role as the writer of 'Rental Lover'. Not to mention smaller commitments like studying composition and lyric writing. For an amateur who hadn't officially debuted yet, such a schedule would be overwhelming.
Hence, it seemed highly likely he just pretended to write the lyrics and sent them. At least, that's how it looked from Song Min-geun's point of view.
'I get it. He's suddenly in the spotlight like a rising star, and with so much attention and anticipation, he probably wants to live up to all of it.'
But No. 1 only has one body, and he can't do everything perfectly. If he lacks skill, he has to invest time and gain experience. But right now, No. 1 clearly doesn't have time. Rubbing his chin, Song Min-geun swallowed a bitter smile.
"Did I give him the offer too hastily?"
Just then.
-♬♪
A short notification sound came from Song Min-geun's phone. A message had arrived. When he checked, it was from No. 1. A short note that read "I'm sending you the lyrics file". An attachment was included. Rather than replying, Song Min-geun tapped on the attachment first.
A file filled with dense text opened.
Lyrics written by No. 1.
The demo track Song Min-geun gave him was a ballad with a slightly melancholic emotion. Not too sorrowful, but not flat either. A ballad that maintained an appropriate tone while being deeply evocative. Without much expectation, Song Min-geun began reading from the first line.
[The moment you turned around]
[The world I saw turned to black and white]
[And I think I came to realize]
[That you and I were both filled with longing]
[You, who always stood by me]
[Became a part of the distant background]
[The black-and-white world is gradually growing darker]
.
.
.
As Song Min-geun continued reading the lyrics, a serious expression settled on his face. Halfway through, he scrolled back up to the beginning. Then, reading again more slowly and with greater emotional engagement.
A few minutes later.
"This-"
A look of genuine surprise filled Song Min-geun's eyes as he quietly exclaimed in admiration.
"He didn't half-ass this?"
Half-assed? Not at all. In fact, it was the opposite.
'From the emotional flow to the choice of words. It's incredible. It's written so well. I want this.'
The lyrics No. 1 sent had resonance, and Song Min-geun responded to them. Soon, Song Min-geun began combining the lyrics with the demo track's melody.
-♬♪
After playing through a few bars of the song, Song Min-geun.
-swish.
Glanced at the colleague seated nearby. At the same time, he recalled the words he had uttered earlier when thinking of No. 1.
'But when you look at No. 1, doesn't it feel like God really tried for once?'
With the same image of No. 1 in mind, Song Min-geun murmured softly. Before he knew it, a smile crept onto his face.
"God gave him way too much."
Meanwhile.
Around the time Song Min-geun was still in awe, marveling at Kang Rojun, the internet was overflowing with updates about 'Produce That 100!'
First, the viewership for Episode 8.
"Episode 8 Viewership Hits New High at 25.4% for 'Produce That 100!'"
'Produce That 100!' had finally broken the 25% mark. The growth showed no signs of stopping. In the entertainment world, the general consensus was that in terms of buzz, entertainment value, and content, there would never be another audition variety show like 'Produce That 100!'
Additionally.
"Copy 'Produce That 100'."
"Uh- Director. Going into it right now might be a bit..."
"Who said start right now? I mean quietly launch it around the time 'Produce That 100' ends. Wouldn't more than half of its viewership naturally transfer over?"
"I-I understand for now."
"And find a character like No. 1."
"What?? D-Director, that's seriously impossible! We can't find someone with No. 1's visuals!! You've seen him yourself!"
"Even a half-version, go discover one!"
Across public networks, general programming, and cable stations, everyone was desperate to copy the massive hit that was 'Produce That 100!' It wasn't a strange phenomenon. In the broadcasting world, when one show hits big, a slew of similar content inevitably follows.
Meanwhile, 'Rental Lover' was explosively hot as erupting lava.
"'Rental Lover' Production Team Releases Script Reading Site Photo Including 'No. 1', Netizens Say, 'It's fascinating to see No. 1 there'"
It wasn't quiet even when top actress Choi Rina was involved, but compared to now, that time was practically silence. Both the media and public opinion were buzzing nonstop about 'Rental Lover'.
This, too, was unprecedented.
"'Rental Lover' Could Become First One-Act to Reach Mini-Series Viewership Levels"
It was the first time a one-act had stirred up this much attention.
In 'Produce That 100!', Teams 2 and 3 were in the middle of voting rounds, and the situation surrounding Kang Rojun, aka No. 1, had ballooned to several times the scale since Friday night's declaration.
The firepower from viewers was immense, and Netflix Korea only added more fuel. That's because Episode 8 of 'Produce That 100!' had been uploaded to Netflix Korea just yesterday. In other words, people who watched the live broadcast, those who saw it on YouTube, and those who streamed it on Netflix had formed a massive collective wave of impact.
By around Sunday noon, it was a rare day off for the participants at the Paju Campus.
However, Baby Perm No. 58 was sitting alone in a fairly crowded lounge, deeply focused on something.
'Even if I fall far short of No. 1-nim, there's still something I can do in my own way.'
He was working on the theme song proposed by PD Woo Han-suk. Of course, it wasn't his first time working on it; he had been chipping away since the day he got the proposal. It was already the fifth day, and quite a few notes were sketched out in No. 58's composition notebook.
'The vibe of this campus, the terrifying survival rounds, survival, the friends I've made, the delicious meals, the thrill of stepping on stage, the excitement from the first broadcast.'
Drawing on the full range of emotions he had experienced through 'Produce That 100!', No. 58 was creating his melody.
'There's no rush. I'm going to make it properly and then pass it to No. 1.'
Meanwhile, after reading Kang Rojun's lyrics multiple times and even recording a guide track, Song Min-geun was now.
"Ugh- why isn't he answering his phone??"
Growing frustrated inside the recording studio. He wanted to have a follow-up conversation with No. 1 immediately but couldn't reach him.
"I heard the whole campus has a day off today, could he be sleeping?"
No, Kang Rojun was not asleep.
He was currently.
"Hi- action!"
On the filming set of 'Rental Lover', transformed into 'Lover No. 4'. His scene partner was Choi Rina. The male actors playing Lovers No. 2 and No. 3 were waiting nearby.
"Cut!! Good! Let's move right on to the next one!"
In truth, the role of 'Lover No. 4' had the smallest screen time among the other lovers. Therefore, filming a bit at a time wouldn't have been a problem. However, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, considering Kang Rojun's circumstances, chose to concentrate his scenes during the early phase of shooting.
"Action!!"
This way, although the filming of 'Rental Lover' would continue, Kang Rojun could wrap up and leave quickly once his scenes were done. It was a strategic move to allow Kang Rojun to avoid conflicts between 'Produce That 100!' and 'Rental Lover' and make the most of his availability.
A strategy worthy of veteran PDs.
Whatever the case, the filming for 'Lover No. 4' ended in the late afternoon, and after greeting the actors, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, and the staff, Rojun got into the van. When he checked his phone, there were five missed calls from Song Min-geun.
'Huh? What's this? Did he not like the lyrics I sent?'
Kang Rojun flinched slightly. But soon, he changed to a more relaxed mindset.
'If he didn't like them, that's just how it is.'
Though it was disappointing, there were still many things left for him to do. The van, driven by the assistant director, started moving, and Rojun called Song Min-geun. He picked up instantly.
"Ah, No. 1?? Why couldn't I reach you on the phone???"
Hearing the tension in Song Min-geun's clenched voice, Rojun gave a light chuckle.
"Sorry, I had something going on, so I stepped out."
"Oh? So you're not at the campus?"
"No."
"Ah, then give me a call when you're free."
Rojun called Song Min-geun again when he was passing through the campus entrance.
"I saw that you called several times. Was it about the lyrics?"
With a touch of laughter in his tone, Song Min-geun replied.
"That's right. I checked them, they're killer."
Huh? Killer? Not "I'm going to kill you", but killer as in a good? Did that mean he liked them?
"Were they okay?"
"Not just okay... I don't usually do this kind of thing, but as soon as I saw the lyrics, I felt inspired and even recorded a guide track."
"Ah-"
"Anyway, I need to meet you. It would be faster for me to come to the campus. How's your schedule tomorrow?"
"I won't be at campus in the morning, but I think I'll return after lunch."
There was another 'Rental Lover' shoot tomorrow morning.
"You go out a lot, huh? Is it for that writer thing? Well, in that case, I'll drop by in the afternoon. Of course, I'll let PD Woo know first."
"Understood."
"No. 1."
"Yes?"
From the other end of the phone, Song Min-geun spoke with noticeable seriousness.
"I think you've got a natural gift for writing lyrics."
Monday morning. 'Rental Lover' filming set.
The place was hectic with many staff members running around. It was just before filming started, which made it even busier. In the middle of it, Kang Rojun was, just like the day before, getting hair and makeup to become 'Lover No. 4'.
Soon, dressed in a suit, Rojun began walking toward the prepped camera.
"Writer-nim?"
Someone tapped him on the back.
Turning around, he saw Choi Rina smiling with her eyes.
"Would you like one?"
She held out a protein bar.
"This is something I eat often. It's good."
"Thank you. What flavor is it?"
"Flavor? Just protein flavor."
"Protein flavor- hmm."
"You'll find out after you debut, but there's this magic where even tasteless things start tasting good."
Just then.
"Oops, sorry to butt in while the actors are talking."
PD Jung Soo-ryeong stepped in between them and pulled Rojun away. She whispered as they moved.
"Writer-nim. You told me before that you had some other stuff written besides 'Rental Lover', right?"
"Yes."
"Not one-acts, but full-lengths?"
"I have full-lengths, too."
"How many?"
"I'd have to count. Some are unfinished."
"Send me all the full-length drama scripts, even the incomplete ones."
"You're going to read them?"
"Of course."
PD Jung Soo-ryeong grinned crookedly and joked.
"Don't tell me they're all good enough to sell, are they??"
A few hours later, around 3 PM. Japan.
'Produce That 100!' was uploaded to Netflix Japan every Monday at 1 PM. So, about two hours ago, Episode 8 had gone live in Japan. And now, on Japan's popular social media platforms.
[@_21YYY]
[Anyone who watched Episode 8 of 'Produce That 100!'!!! What is the Rental Lover that No. 1 mentioned???]
Questions about 'Rental Lover',
-Yeah, I'm curious about Rental Lover too!!
-Since No. 1 said he wrote it, is Rental Lover a book or something??
-I tried searching, but nothing comes up!
-I'm gonna ask my Korean friend!
were spreading like wildfire.
*****
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