The much-talked-about “Writer Rojun” had decided to work with “Culture Drawer,” one of the country’s largest writer agencies? At what Writer Han Seoryeong said, the female reporter in the middle of the interview was visibly shocked. Her eyes went wide as saucers.
It was understandable.
“W-Writer Rojun signed with Culture Drawer?!!”
She, too, was an avid viewer of “Geubaekpeu” and a fan of Rojun. Even if she hadn’t been, anyone who heard this would have been startled. Rojun, who was at the height of his popularity thanks to “Geubaekpeu” and the like, had suddenly signed with “Culture Drawer.”
On the other hand, Writer Han Seoryeong did not lose her composure.
“We were fortunate enough to sign a contract with Writer Rojun.”
“R-Really?!”
“Yes. Hm? That reaction—are you perhaps a fan of Writer Rojun?”
“Ah, yes! I’m really enjoying ‘Geubaekpeu’ too!”
“Oh—then please write a nice, substantial article.”
“Of course!! But…”
The female reporter, whose mood had shot up, suddenly had a question.
“I’ve never heard that Rojun has an agency—are you perhaps announcing this for the first time in this interview??”
“That’s right.”
“Eek!!”
Until now, almost no one knew that Kang Rojun had signed with “Culture Drawer.” It was only Rojun himself, a few people around him who had helped, and those at “Culture Drawer.” It had not yet been announced to the press or the public. And Writer Han Seoryeong had suddenly revealed it.
In truth, this was not Writer Han Seoryeong’s decision alone.
The timing had been discussed with Kang Rojun and everyone at “Culture Drawer.” Originally, “Culture Drawer” had planned to make a simple official announcement through social media, but Writer Han Seoryeong wanted to present it a little more dramatically, and that day was today.
“Of course, our ‘Culture Drawer’ signed with Rojun as a writer, and it has nothing to do with the idol side. Please make that clear.”
“R-Right, of course. Anyway—wow… I never imagined this. Culture Drawer, of all places. Isn’t this a first? A rookie writer signing with Culture Drawer??”
“It probably is.”
Apart from being Rojun’s fan, the female reporter had a gut feeling that this piece would sell very well.
‘How on earth did Rojun and Writer Han Seoryeong get connected?? They shouldn’t have had any point of contact at all—but whatever the case, this is another source that’s going to draw serious attention!!’
On top of that, it was an exclusive.
The next day, Tuesday, November 3.
With the final evaluation broadcast now right before them, “Geubaekpeu” was like a blazing furnace.
《Final Evaluation of “Geubaekpeu” to Air on the 6th… Netizens: “Time won’t pass!”》
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Endless issues, rumors, and tabloid gossip.
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It had only grown more intense because “Geubaekpeu” had nearly reached its end. Korea in its own way, Japan in its own way. Both sides were noisy without exception, and around lunchtime on Tuesday, more fuel was thrown onto the fire surrounding Kang Rojun.
《[Exclusive] “Writer Rojun” Finds a Home at Top-Tier Domestic Writer Agency “Culture Drawer”!》
It was about Kang Rojun signing with “Culture Drawer” as a writer. Rojun was currently the face of “Geubaekpeu,” and “Culture Drawer” was quite a massive player, so the news spread quickly like wildfire.
《“Geubaekpeu” Rojun Signs with “Culture Drawer”? “Culture Drawer” Says, “It’s True, Please Support Him”》
《Writer Rojun, Whose “Rental Lover” Is About to Premiere, Snapped Up by “Culture Drawer” with Its Roster of Star Writers!》
《Rojun Finds a Home at “Culture Drawer”… Which Entertainment Agency Will He Join as an Idol?》
In less than an hour, articles with similar contents but different titles poured out.
《“Culture Drawer’s” First Rookie Writer Is Writer Rojun / Photo》
Naturally, some of it was reporters jumping on the story on their own, but quite a lot of the articles were also intentionally planted and distributed by “Culture Drawer.” As a result, “Geubaekpeu,” “Culture Drawer,” Kang Rojun, and “Rental Lover” were mentioned countless times.
—Hulllll Rojun joined an agency
—What are you talking about?? The final evaluation isn’t even over yet??
—He didn’t join an agency as an idol lololol He signed with a management company as a writer lololol The article just came out
—Rojun signed with Culture Drawer as a writer hehe
—Wow… Culture Drawer… doesn’t that place have a lot of famous writers and directors??
—It is kinda amazing lololol An idol joining an agency as a writer before his official debut
Public opinion was in an uproar.
—Then what? Is Rojun gonna have separate agencies for idol work and writing??
—↑ Yep, he should lololol There are plenty of cases like that in the idol scene, though a writer is a first
—Why am I so happyㅠㅠㅠ
—If he joined Culture Drawer, that means Rojun’s going to keep working as a writer too??? Will he have time? Doesn’t writing take ages?
—At the Rental Lover press conference, the PD said Writer Rojun’s hands are insanely fast lololol
—Congrats, Rojun!!!!
Kang Rojun’s fans were busy cheering him on, but those who were neither here nor there also left negative malicious comments. Well, Rojun, who was monitoring the reactions in real time, did not particularly care.
‘What are they even saying? Why are they so passionate about insulting someone else? They must have a lot of free time.’
Insults, slander, and finger-pointing were things Kang Rojun had experienced to the point of exhaustion back when his face had been hideous. For him, now hardened like stone, this much was almost cute. Meanwhile, PD Woo Hanseok, who had given “Writer Rojun” a great deal of help, also saw it.
“It’s out, huh. Keu—Culture Drawer, of all places. He told me on the plane, but I didn’t think he’d actually sign with Culture Drawer. Anyway, it worked out well.”
Jeong Suryeong also learned the news.
“Nice, Writer Rojun. I guess there’s nothing left for me to help with now? I’m a little disappointed, actually. From now on, I’ll have to see him strictly as a PD and a writer.”
Of course, not only those two, but many others saw the articles as well. The “Geubaekpeu” contestants, the actors including Choi Rina, several acquaintances who had crossed paths with Kang Rojun, people in the broadcasting industry, and countless entertainment companies drooling over Rojun, among many others.
In the meantime, the various writers currently active in Korea showed all kinds of reactions.
Some were amazed by the appearance of Kang Rojun, who was disrupting the ecosystem.
“Wow—Culture Drawer! He signed with Culture Drawer as soon as he debuted! It was already surprising that an idol was writing, but… he went straight into a top-tier management company.”
Some were openly jealous.
“What the hell, Culture Drawer’s lost it too. Why would they recruit a kid like this? They said they picked based on skill, but they’re just looking at popularity. I don’t like it.”
Rojun was truly a rising star who had dropped out of the sky, and these days, talk of Kang Rojun was endless in the writing world. Whether it was praise or tearing him apart.
In any case.
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The atmosphere had heated up properly.
At that time, near Cheongdam Station.
A tall standalone building with a fairly large model of a book hanging on it. This was the headquarters of the large-scale writer management company “Culture Drawer,” and familiar people were gathered in one of its conference rooms. Sitting by the window at the U-shaped table was short-haired Writer Han Seoryeong, currently looking at a tablet.
“…”
Across from her were Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa of Management Team 1, who had handled the contract with Kang Rojun, and several team members. At the moment, Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa was updating Writer Han Seoryeong on the situation. They called it an update, but it was practically a report.
The topic was “Writer Rojun,” who was heating up the media.
“It’s already been shared with CEO Heo and the executives, but Writer Rojun was juggling far more projects than we expected.”
Writer Han Seoryeong, her eyes fixed on the tablet, tilted her head slightly.
“How many?”
“Three projects.”
“…Three projects?”
“Yes.”
Under Writer Han Seoryeong’s gaze, which seemed to tell her to continue explaining, Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa went on.
“Two dramas and one film. One of the dramas was even already being discussed with Netflix Japan.”
“An offer had already come in from overseas, not even domestically?”
“Yes. After we took over and checked, it turned out Netflix Japan had knocked first.”
“And?”
“For now, we’ve told Netflix Japan that they can talk to us going forward.”
“How’s their reaction?”
“They definitely sounded eager. They seem ready to come to Korea soon. We’re in the stronger position here. Writer Rojun had done a good job building things up in advance.”
Writer Han Seoryeong recalled the scene when she had met Rojun, where he had overwhelmed Team Leader Seo Utae.
“He did seem to have a very clear-headed side.”
“Yes, to my eyes as well. The next drama script is apparently with PD Jeong Suryeong, but PD Jeong is tied up with ‘Rental Lover’ right now, so it’s on hold for the time being.”
“What about the film side? Where did the scenario go?”
“Manager Jang Hakseon at ‘BG Pictures.’ It seems to have gone over through PD Jeong Suryeong.”
“Ah—the well-connected Manager Jang?”
“Yes. However, it seems PD Jeong hasn’t heard back yet. They may not have liked the scenario. PD Jeong said she’d let us know if there’s a bite.”
“How long has it been since it was sent?”
“A little over a week.”
“It’s still too early to judge. They may be in the middle of reading it. Or it may have progressed a little further.”
Writer Han Seoryeong, who had been tapping the table with her index finger, made a decision.
“‘BG Pictures’ still doesn’t know that scenario was written by Writer Rojun, right?”
“No.”
“If they don’t contact us within a few days, we can just pass. It’s not like BG is the only film company.”
“That’s true.”
“Still, if it’s what Writer Rojun wants, we should find a way to secure BG Pictures. One way or another, BG is indeed the top film company in the country.”
Soon, Writer Han Seoryeong swept back her short hair, took off the glasses she was wearing, and let out a faint laugh.
“By the way, he easily surpasses common sense, doesn’t he?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean Writer Rojun. When I met him, I did think he was no ordinary person—but to think he was juggling three projects during ‘Geubaekpeu.’”
“…When I heard it, I thought my jaw was going to drop too. On top of that, he wrote the film scenario while participating in ‘Geubaekpeu.’ He also revised his other scripts.”
“It means he’s beyond a genius at both his main job and his side job.”
Writer Han Seoryeong had already been a writer for several decades and had founded “Culture Drawer,” but even she had never seen a case like Kang Rojun.
At that moment, Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa interjected.
“Writer Rojun mentioned this during our meeting. He said he could write Japanese and English scripts or scenarios, all without issue.”
“Both Japanese and English?”
“Yes. His Japanese was proven on ‘Geubaekpeu,’ and PD Jeong Suryeong vouched for his English.”
“He’ll need to build up his career a bit, but… perhaps he may become the first writer, or the fastest one, to launch a work in Hollywood.”
Writer Han Seoryeong had a modest smile, but her eyes were full of curiosity.
“Of course, he might get there faster as an idol.”
To her, Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa handed over several bundles of paper.
“These are the scripts and scenario we received from Writer Rojun. Please read them when you have time.”
“Kaleidoscopic,” which had been sent to Netflix Japan, the two scripts with PD Jeong Suryeong, and the scenario that had gone over to “BG Pictures.” Then Team Leader Ryu Jeonghwa expressed her pure admiration.
“I’m reading ‘Kaleidoscopic’ right now, and I’m so absorbed I can’t get any work done.”
Writer Han Seoryeong let out a happy groan.
“This is a problem. I have writing to do.”
A few days later.
The location was the “Geubaekpeu” campus. The time was early morning. Kang Rojun, dressed in the workout clothes he often wore, came out of the dormitory.
“Phew—the weather’s nice.”
As November began, the once-hot weather had grown a little chilly.
“I’ll have to wear a windbreaker starting tomorrow.”
After warming up, Rojun began running in a nearby park. His morning run, or daily mission, which he never skipped. Today, Kang Rojun ran for an hour longer than usual. For the past few days, “Geubaekpeu,” whose final evaluation stage had ended, had been on break, and he had decided to use this timing to build up his stamina.
After running for quite a while with his black hair swaying, Kang Rojun said,
“Hup—hah, haah.”
He steadied his breathing and loosened his legs. Final stretching. Next was strength training. While moving, Rojun took out his phone. First, he searched his own name, then changed the search term to “Geubaekpeu.”
The articles appeared immediately.
《At Last, the 6th Has Dawned! Episode 16 of “Geubaekpeu” Airs Tonight at 9… Fans Already Excited for the “Final Evaluation Stage” / Photo》
Next was “Rental Lover.”
《[Issue Pick] The Hot “Rental Lover” Premieres Today, the 6th, at 7:45 PM!》
Today was the 6th.
“Right after the first episode of ‘Rental Lover’ ends, ‘Geubaekpeu’ starts.”
It meant that in a few hours, bombs would go off one after another.