"Survival 100" had claimed number one on the charts of major music platforms in Korea and Japan. Even this alone was enough to send the inexperienced participants' dopamine levels through the roof. But that wasn't the end of it.
"'Survival 100' is getting an acoustic version release."
Just as PD U Hanseok had announced, 'Geubaekpeu' still had a few more musical bullets left in the chamber. This time, it was a simultaneous release in Korea and Japan. At this, the participants let out exclamations of their own.
"Wow—an acoustic version at a time like this?!"
"This is insane. W-we might actually sweep the charts for real?!"
"Totally possible! If you drop more when it's blazing hot, people will definitely listen to them together!!"
"But honestly, I really didn't think we'd take number one in Japan too, for real."
"Gives me chills... This is my first time getting number one in my life."
All eyes shifted to Gang Rojun and 58 Sihu. Both had their eyes wide open as well. The participants relentlessly threw thumbs-ups at the two. While "Survival 100" had been a group effort, Rojun and 58 Sihu held the largest share of the credit.
Lyrics, composition, arrangement, and even the vocals for the acoustic version.
In a way, this explosion at the top of the charts was thanks to Gang Rojun and 58 Sihu. So the participants bounced around the two older brothers, while PD U Hanseok simply watched with a pleased smile. Amidst all this, Gang Rojun thought,
'It was possible thanks to the ripple effect of 'Geubaekpeu,' but—taking number one right away like this... hella lot of Japanese people listened to the song, right?? So fascinating.'
It felt surreal, yet he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching upward. So this kind of thrill had been hiding here too. Creating something with all his effort and releasing it into the world, only for so many people—even foreigners in Japan—to recognize its value.
'Adrenaline explosion.'
It was a feeling beyond exhilaration. Then, 71 Jeongu, who had apparently looked it up at some point, showed everyone his phone screen displaying the chart of one of Japan's major music platforms.
"Look at this, look! The Japanese songs are all underneath, and ours is number one!!"
Soon, starting with Rojun, the rest of the participants all crowded around 71 Jeongu's phone.
-[Realtime TOP100]
[1/ Survival 100]
[2/ Ao to Fuyu]
[3/ Fuujin no Hanauta]
[4/ Plazmaaa]
[5/ Kaijuu no Uta]
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Numerous popular Japanese songs were actually lying beneath "Survival 100." It wasn't just the platform they were currently looking at—the situation was the same on others too. Only the songs from second place onward varied slightly, while first place was "Survival 100."
While the participants were in a frenzy, making an uproar.
"So, have you decided on the final evaluation song?"
PD U Hanseok changed the subject. Only then did the participants come slightly to their senses. The briefing was given by Rojun, who had unintentionally taken on the leader role.
"We've decided on the song, and the lyrics are finished too. The choreography was going to be handled by 46... no, Gang Min."
He turned to Gang Min, who nodded with a calm yet confident expression.
"I've got the framework down. Since we don't have much time, I added some moves I'd thought of before—nothing too complicated, relatively simple."
Gang Min, who had roughly put together the choreography and even filmed it on his phone, showed the saved video to PD U Hanseok. After checking the participants' progress for several tens of minutes, U Hanseok slowly nodded.
"You've already accomplished a great deal, and the viewers have seen your potential. So even if it's lacking, here, adopt the mindset of completing rather than perfecting, and do your best."
"Yes, sir!!"
"Let's go for it!!"
Whether empowered by the Japanese music chart number one buff, all the participants were bursting with motivation. PD U Hanseok, who broke into a broad grin, called Rojun aside. Once out in the hallway, he whispered quietly.
"Rojun-nim, as far as what's been revealed externally regarding your writer credits, it's still only up to 'Rental Lover,' right? I was wondering if you had spoken separately with Producer Jeong."
"Yes. So far, only up to 'Rental Lover.'"
"Okay. I saw the teaser for 'Rental Lover,' and it looks like the shots came out really well? Producer Jeong really seemed to be set on making it great? Our writers are going crazy too, saying your visuals came out enormously well. Anyway."
U Hanseok, showing Gang Rojun two thumbs up, continued.
"We'll have to all gather and watch the first broadcast of 'Rental Lover' together."
Later.
Around the time Gang Rojun and the participants dove into meetings and practice for the final evaluation, news of 'Geubaekpeu' devouring the music charts continued to explode in both Korea and Japan.
《The Might of 30% Viewership Ratings, 'Geubaekpeu' Achieves Number One on Charts in Korea and Japan... Is It Not Over Yet?》
《[Star Talk] 'Geubaekpeu' Side: "Thank You for the Great Interest in the Theme Song, Please Show Lots of Love for the Subsequent Music Releases"》
The explosion of 'Geubaekpeu's theme song in both Korea and Japan held many implications. First of all, taking number one immediately upon release was something even pro idols found difficult. Moreover, it was a song made by participants who hadn't even officially debuted yet, and when you looked at their activities in Japan, it amounted to just one mini-concert.
Even so, it was a crushing momentum nearing a syndrome.
This hinted at the infinite potential of the ten participants supporting 'Geubaekpeu's popularity. Though still weak, it could be seen as having opened a new chapter in national prestige.
《'Geubaekpeu' Drops Another Nuclear Bomb, Which Entertainment Companies Will Embrace the Surviving 10 Participants?》
In just a few months, they had secured considerable recognition beyond Korea and into Japan. Naturally, entertainment companies were drooling. There had already been high interest in the participants, but now the competition was fiercer than a war of conquest.
Then.
-Uwaaaaaaah!! The acoustic version dropped!!!
-For real? It just dropped??
-Yeah, it was just released on Melon and the music platforms.
-Ha.... I'm going to listen right away!!
-I like the Survival 100 acoustic version better though?? My ears are melting...
-Rojun and Sihu's vocal colors match so insanely well lolololololol
As U Hanseok had announced, the acoustic version of "Survival 100" was released around early Friday afternoon.
-[(new!)]Survival 100 (Acoustic ver.)/Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
It was naturally a simultaneous release in Korea and Japan, and the 'Geubaekpeu' team took the opportunity of the acoustic version's release to do another project as well. They additionally threw in the Japanese version of Survival 100 in Korea, and the Korean version in Japan. Whatever the case, 'Geubaekpeu' fans—and even those who didn't watch 'Geubaekpeu'—were overflowing with interest.
Naturally, the raging sparks spread all the way to 'Rental Lover.'
Naturally, Gang Rojun's influence was significant, having participated in all of 'Geubaekpeu's music. Since Rojun's touch and vocals were in the OST for 'Rental Lover' as well. Thanks to that.
-"We Will Lend You a Lover!" Official Teaser Trailer | Rental Lover
-Views: 5,354,230
The views for the 'Rental Lover' teaser trailer had surpassed 5 million in an instant.
Friday night arrived amidst this situation, and on the 'JTVM' channel, episode 14 of 'Geubaekpeu' began airing. Starting from the final cut of episode 13: their departure for Japan. After briefly showing the pandemonium at the airport, the screen showed the participants inside the taking-off airplane.
-lololol the kids must be on a plane for the first time.... looking out the window is so cute
-Seriously cute lolol their heads stretched out like meerkats
-Today too, Rojun is insanely handsome
-Sihu is sleeping like the dead.... must be tired TT_TT
From there, the screen quickly cut back and forth. Arriving in Japan, hundreds of Japanese fans swarming in, the ten participants looking around the large accommodation, a concert hall so grand the ten had their mouths wide open, and so on.
Afterward, rehearsal cuts took center stage.
-I saw reviews of the Japan mini-concert, the kids practiced Japanese hard
-Just being able to see Rojun speaking Japanese is enough.... it would have been even better to see it in person though TT
Before long, the small-scale concert in Japan by the participants, including Gang Rojun, hit the airwaves. The frenzied Japanese fans weren't very different from the Korean fans, and most of the remaining runtime of 'Geubaekpeu' episode 14 was devoted to the Japan mini-concert.
The end of episode 14 was.
-["From now on, I will announce the matters regarding the fifth evaluation."]
The scene where U Hanseok announced the fifth evaluation to the participants who had returned to Korea.
-["After this fifth evaluation ends, the survivors will total four, and those four will be the final winners."]
Viewers couldn't hide their excitement that 'Geubaekpeu' had reached its final stages.
-TTTTTT Already??!!
-Omg... they're dropping six people??!!
-Nooo TT_TT just let all 10 debut as one team....
-Didn't they say from the beginning that there would be 4 final winners?
-I've gotten attached to all of them, I don't want to send them away.....
-Who will the 4 final winners be?
-Isn't Rojun pretty much guaranteed?
-You never know lolol Rojun is insanely popular but he's such a villain, who knows what he'll pull at the end
-I predict Rojun, Sihu, Jeongu, Taemin
-Taemin?? I don't really like him though
-Why are you ignoring Dogyeong?!!
-Nah I think it'll be Rojun, Jeongu, Dogyeong, Gang Min
With PD U Hanseok's remarks on screen.
-["Fifth. No, the final evaluation theme is 'freedom.'"]
Episode 14 ended.
The next day, Saturday morning.
After showering, Gang Rojun stopped by room 101 and put on clothes with a somewhat solemn air.
'These are what I wore during the mini-concert—well, it should be fine.'
Wearing a black blazer, he stopped by the bathroom to check his visual for a brief moment.
"Status: good."
He roughly swept his black hair back into place, then came out into the hallway and started walking. The accommodation was quiet. The other participants were probably gathered in the practice room by now. After all, the song, lyrics, and choreography were almost finalized.
"Today we'll divide the parts, and once that's done, we'll dive straight into full-scale practice."
For the remaining period, practice was the only path to survival aside from sleep. No, perhaps they'd have to give up sleep too. Even so, Rojun and the participants had good expressions on their faces. Because it was final evaluation preparation that they were rolling forward with their combined strength, passion endlessly poured out.
Around this point, Rojun exited the accommodation building.
At that moment.
"Ah."
Something came to mind, so Rojun hurried his steps while taking out his phone. He logged onto "Melon," the top music platform in Korea. Soon, Melon's real-time chart appeared on his phone screen.
The moment he checked, Gang Rojun's mouth curved into a crescent.
He could almost hear the strange screams of the nine participants from somewhere. It was perfectly understandable.
[1(new!)]Survival 100 (Acoustic ver.)/Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[2(↓1)] Survival 100/Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[3(new!)]Survival 100 (Japanese ver.)/Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[4(↑1)] Produce/Produce That 100! (Theme Song)
[5(↓3)] APT/Zero
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Because 'Geubaekpeu' theme songs had achieved a sweep of the top ranks. He had imagined this scene, but seeing it in person gave Gang Rojun goosebumps.
"This is insane."
He immediately tried logging onto another music platform besides Melon, and the results weren't much different. Though there were slight variations in ranking, other famous music platforms were also witnessing a "Survival 100" sweep. There was no doubt that the press and public opinion would be in an uproar.
Gang Rojun's dopamine was soaring to extremes.
He wanted to run to the participants right away and share this thrill, but.
"Hoo—"
He had to suppress his excited heart for now.
'Hold it together, I can't come off as frivolous from the first meeting.'
After taking several deep breaths, Rojun somehow calmed down and resumed walking toward his destination. He was heading to a meeting room in another building where he had recently met with writer managers. Having arrived at the door, Gang Rojun let out another small breath.
-Swish.
He opened the glass door. At that, the men and women inside the meeting room sprang to their feet to welcome Gang Rojun.
"Oh my, hello, Writer-nim!"
"Hello!"
Having received their greetings, Rojun also bowed his head.
"Hello."
There were four people waiting for Gang Rojun. Two women and two men. Among them, one woman looked the oldest, while the other three had relatively younger faces.
'Is she the highest-ranking?'
As if to confirm his guess, a woman with permed long hair tied back, who looked to be in her forties, politely handed Rojun her business card.
"I've really wanted to meet you. I'm a fan, Writer-nim. I'm Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa of the Management 1 Team at 'Munhwa Seorap.'"
The female team leader who introduced herself as Ryu Jeonghwa smiled brightly.
"I've been put in charge of proceeding with the contract with Writer Rojun."
Today was the day of Gang Rojun's official contract with 'Munhwa Seorap,' his first management company.
"Going forward, I and the people here will be your dedicated team."
Moreover, a dedicated team had been created for him.