-Aaaaaaah, I can’t wait until next week!! Bring me Rental Lover episode 2 right now!!!
-Seriously, Rental Lover leaves such a strong aftertaste lolololol but!!! If I switch straight to Geubaekpeu, I can see Rojun again
-I turned on Geubaekpeu as soon as Rental ended
-Ha... today is seriously a blessed day lolololol I get to see Rojun twice!!!
-Rojun fans must’ve already moved over to Geubaekpeu lolololololol
-I enjoyed actor Rojun, so now I’ve gotta get a taste of idol Rojun, right?
-I don’t know if the PDs planned this together, but the programming is really well done lolololol
-Aaaack!!! But isn’t Geubaekpeu’s final evaluation stage today too???ㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠ I’m happy but sad....
Rental Lover ended at roughly 8:55 p.m. Most of the viewers who had been enjoying Rental Lover naturally moved on to Geubaekpeu at 9. Of course, Gang Rojun and the contestants were no exception.
Episode 16 of Geubaekpeu began by devouring the Korean and Japanese music charts.
With rapid cuts, it showed the might of Survival 100. Then Rojun and the other contestants appeared. The focus was 58 Sihu. It was the scene where they decided on the final evaluation song. Since episode 15 had covered how they would handle the final evaluation stage and such, the viewers could not help but be deeply curious about the final song.
Then.
-[♬♪]
The intro to “Bold,” the final song, rang out briefly. The hundreds of thousands gathered in OpenTalk grew excited, and as soon as the song selection ended, Gang Rojun and the contestants devoted themselves to their respective tasks. 58 Sihu handled composition-related matters, Gang Rojun wrote the lyrics, and the rest of the contestants also threw sleep aside and immersed themselves.
A result achieved from beginning to end solely through the contestants’ own strength.
It was only natural for the viewers’ feelings toward the contestants to grow even stronger.
-ㅠㅠㅠㅠ The kids are working so hard.... Hang in there!!!
-It feels like they’re staking their lives on it because it’s the last one
-Still, it’s a relief that each of them is so capable
-Hurry up and let us hear the final evaluation song!!!
After that came scenes of the contestants finishing up their respective tasks. But that was not the end. All the contestants had to adjust to the new song, and they had to memorize the lyrics as well. They also had to get the completed choreography, stage parts, and so on into their bodies.
From this point on, the airwaves were filled with a parade of practice so grueling it made the contestants want to vomit.
-[“But did the contestants prepare well for today’s rehearsal stage?”]
The background changed to the hall with the stage, and the conversation of the Geubaekpeu staff could be heard. Then came PD U Hanseok’s answer.
-[“The evaluation song was good, and the choreography wasn’t bad either. They’ll do well.”]
It was showing the day of the rehearsal stage. The staff, who had left everything to the contestants, were thick with worry and concern, but the contestants’ interviews interspersed throughout felt brighter than expected.
-[“I thought my heart was going to burst, but on the other hand, I also wanted to show it quickly.”]
-[“There wasn’t anything I was especially worried about. We practiced hard.”]
Soon, the screen cut again.
The ten contestants appeared in front of the stage. The angle caught Gang Rojun at the lead. To be precise, it caught the megaphone in his hand. PD U Hanseok asked a question.
-[“But what’s that megaphone? Are you using it onstage?”]
Rojun answered.
-[“Yes. We’ll be using it onstage. I’ll show you directly.”]
The appearance of an unexpected item stirred the viewers’ curiosity.
-A megaphone out of nowhere???
-Ah, I feel like another insane scene is coming lololololol
-What kind of performance is Rojun trying to show this time
-They prepared a lot lolololololololol
But the megaphone was not the end. Gang Rojun recited in a tone befitting his villain character.
-[“For this final evaluation stage, we’ll try doing it live instead of lip-syncing.”]
The hundreds of thousands in OpenTalk went into convulsions. Whether they did or not, Geubaekpeu’s background changed once again. No, it was the same space, but the setup was different. The camera, which had been showing the five judges seated in their places, turned toward the stage. On the stage, all ten contestants, dressed in street-style outfits, had taken their positions.
Soon, the song information appeared at the bottom of the screen.
-[Title: Bold / Lyrics: Rojun, Composition: Sihu]
The final song, “Bold,” began to play.
-♬♪
On the screen that had been showing a full shot, Gang Rojun appeared solo. He raised the megaphone and opened his mouth.
-[I'll be rich, I'll be famous]
-[I'll be a star, I must win]
With this performance as its beginning, “Bold” properly went out over the airwaves, and the viewers watched the ten contestants’ live stage with great concentration. Even the chat, which had been rising like mad, slowed for a moment.
They danced, showed off their vocals according to their parts, scattered rap verses, managed their gazes, and smiled toward the viewers.
-This is insane
-I’m serious, these ten could debut as a group
-ㅠㅜㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠ My ears are melting
Episode 16 of Geubaekpeu was.
-Why are they so good live??
-Just debut with the group name Geubaekpeu, guys, I’ll stan you for life!!
-When Rojun started things off with the megaphone at the beginning, he was insanely cool
-Sihu is cute lolololololololololololol
-This song is seriously so good, it’s kind of dark but it sticks in your ears
-Ha... this vote is going to be brutal
-I guarantee this final stage is going to keep being talked about on NewTube
The contestants’ live final stage was the main event.
Afterward.
From late Friday night, after Rental Lover and Geubaekpeu ended, an enormous amount of articles poured out.
Starting with Geubaekpeu, whose final evaluation stage had ended.
《Geubaekpeu’s “Final Evaluation Stage,” Created by the Strength of Its 10 Contestants, Left Even the Judges Watching in a Daze》
《[Issue Pick] Geubaekpeu’s Final Song “Bold” Finally Revealed···Viewers Say, “Release It as a Track Right Now!”》
《Geubaekpeu’s Final Evaluation Stage Performed Live! Every Contestant Shone / Photos》
《Geubaekpeu Final Voting Starts as Soon as Episode 16 Ends》
Rental Lover did not lose either.
《Rental Lover Finally Opens Its Lid; “Rojun,” Who Appeared at the End, Lacked Nothing as an Actor》
《Acting Controversy? Rojun Proves Himself with Skill / Photos》
《The Fun of the Work, the End of the Acting Controversy, and More—What Are Rental Lover’s Ratings?》
《[Star Talk] Rojun Was Not Overshadowed Even by Top Actress Choe Rina’s Acting!》
The common point between the two was Gang Rojun.
[@SUUUI_5751]
[No, Rojun is seriously insane lolololol I watched Rental Lover and then watched Geubaekpeu right after, and he was so handsome in both that my eyes were blessed....]
For Geubaekpeu, the contestants’ final stage mixed with live performance was the main topic, while for Rental Lover, the quality of the work and Rojun’s acting were discussed the most. Of course, there was also quite a lot of talk about the OST.
《“His Visuals Are Insane” Rojun Captivates Viewers as “Lover No. 4” and Melts Their Ears with the OST》
The chain explosion was terrifying.
Even if just one of the two had blown up, it would have been enough to occupy all sorts of communities and SNS, but with both exploding at the same time, there was nothing that could stop the flood of issues.
This continued past night and into dawn, and by Saturday morning, when the sun rose, the snowball rolled even more powerfully.
The Japanese Geubaekpeu fans were also quite extraordinary.
News had come over from Korea that both Geubaekpeu and Rental Lover had exploded one after another today. Japan, where the releases would open later than Korea, was in a state of restless agitation centered around SNS. In the midst of that, Netflix Japan was busy with the launch of Rental Lover. Since the first broadcast had aired in Korea, it meant it would be uploaded to Netflix Japan before long.
And Executive Director Tom Cavill said,
“Let’s make it next Thursday.”
He gave instructions to several executive-level employees.
“We’ll go to Korea once more next Thursday, five days from now. Please contact Culture Drawer.”
It was a declaration that he would head to Korea again. Last time, it had been for the launch of Rental Lover, but this time, it was to obtain a new work.
“This is a trip to Korea where we must obtain everything we want. Let’s do our best.”
A solemn resolve settled over Executive Director Tom Cavill’s face.
At the same time, at a major film company in Korea.
It was BG Pictures, one of the domestic top three. Since it was the weekend, there were few employees at work. Even so, two figures could be seen in the film company’s large conference room. One was a familiar face. It was Director Jang Hakseon, the pleasant-looking man who had previously met with PD Jeong Suryeong and received a scenario from her.
The person seated across from him was also a man.
An unfamiliar face. His age was around his late fifties? He was quite thin and of a small build. His cheeks and neck were reddish, giving him a slight drunkard’s complexion. The man looked down at his cellphone for a moment.
“Geubaekpeu and Rental Lover? Those two are causing typhoons everywhere, but it’s calm only here.”
Abruptly fixing his gaze on Director Jang Hakseon, he tossed the bundle of papers he had brought onto the desk.
“I read the scenario you gave me to the end.”
His voice was rough.
“To be honest, I read it through twice.”
Director Jang Hakseon, sounding quite surprised, asked back.
“T-Twice?”
“Yeah.”
“So that’s why it took you a little long? But for you to read a scenario twice, Director—if you don’t like it, you don’t even finish the first line. Was it really the scenario you were looking for?”
“······”
The man called Director cleared his throat.
“When I finished reading it the first time, I felt strangely odd. Like, what is this? The scenario also felt rough and unrefined. But when I finished it the second time, I understood for certain. All of it was intended by the screenwriter. It is the style I wanted, and it’s entertaining too.”
Well, whether Gang Rojun of that time had truly intended everything and written it professionally was questionable, but in any case, the man called Director continued in a rather serious tone.
“I’d said it lightly because I wanted to rest a bit from writing scripts myself—but you brought me a scenario with more flavor than I expected? So who is the screenwriter who wrote this scenario?”
“Well—the one who handed over the scenario was PD Jeong Suryeong, but she hid the screenwriter’s identity. Maybe there are circumstances.”
“PD Jeong Suryeong? You mean that PD Jeong from SBC?”
“Yes. Still, since none other than Director Yu Jiheon is curious about the screenwriter, if we ask, she’ll tell us right away.”
Director Yu Jiheon. In truth, he was a famous director who even had a ten-million-viewer film under his belt. Since he was said to have no failed films, there was even a saying that “if you go with Director Yu Jiheon, you’re halfway there.” In reality, the films Director Yu Jiheon released generally surpassed the BEP, the break-even point. Thanks to that, he had recently even entered the ranks of master directors.
Soon, Director Yu Jiheon made a rather serious request.
“Then hurry up and call PD Jeong Suryeong.”
Director Jang Hakseon nodded and took out his cellphone. A few minutes later. Director Jang Hakseon, who had been on the call, heard something and, narrowing his brow, asked Jeong Suryeong on the other end of the phone.
“Wh-where did you say I should call?? Culture Drawer?”
Meanwhile.
PD Jeong Suryeong, who had just finished her call with Director Jang Hakseon, lowered her cellphone.
‘Director Jang finally took the bait. Now Culture Drawer will handle the film scenario matter on its own—’
She was currently not at home, but at her main base, SBC Broadcasting Station’s drama department. It was not only PD Jeong Suryeong; several key staff members and fellow PDs were there with her as well. To them, the fact that it was the weekend did not matter. Because there was an issue dozens of times more important than that sort of thing.
“Phew—”
Even while letting out a breath tinged with considerable tension, Jeong Suryeong tapped the desk with the cellphone in her hand. Every now and then, she glanced at the clock as well. Around then, the door to the department head’s office burst open, and the bald department head popped out.
“Hey, hey, PD Jeong! Not yet?!”
“Not yet.”
“Ugh—why is it so late!”
“It’s about time it came out.”
PD Jeong Suryeong concealed her nervousness as much as possible while moving the mouse. The main pages of various portal sites were occupied by Rental Lover and Geubaekpeu. In particular, there were many photos of Rojun. His appearance as “Lover No. 4” or as the leader of Geubaekpeu. Suddenly, she grew curious about Gang Rojun, the central figure of this situation.
‘······I wonder what the person who turned the world upside down is doing right now—well, judging by his usual vibe, he’s probably calmly doing what he needs to do as if it has nothing to do with him.’
At that moment.
-Tatat!!
The urgent sound of someone running could be heard. The one who burst into the drama department was Rental Lover’s assistant director. As the man with acne on his face appeared, panting for breath, PD Jeong Suryeong sprang up from her seat.
“How is it!! What number came out?!!”
She was asking about the ratings for Rental Lover’s first broadcast.
When dozens of gazes from the key staff and others fixed on him, the corners of the assistant director’s mouth slowly rose to his ears. Then he shouted toward PD Jeong Suryeong.
“The ratings came out at 21.9%!!!”
It was a first, and a number unprecedented even in the entire broadcasting industry.
“···I-it went over 20%??”
A single-episode drama had surpassed a 20% viewer rating.