The fourth-round screening assignment indicated by the roulette wheel was “rap.” At Producer U Hanseok’s announcement, the more than twenty contestants who had survived thus far each showed different reactions.
Some laughed quietly, some sighed, and some showed no particular expression at all.
It came down to whether they were confident in rap or not.
The cameras quickly captured those contestants, and Gang Rojun, standing with Group 2, fell more into the category of having no expression. As he looked at the roulette wheel, he murmured simply to himself.
‘Rap, huh… It would’ve been better if vocals or choreography had come up. Well, rap isn’t bad either.’
Among his stats, rap was already—
-[Appearance (100/100)│Singing Ability (22.5/100)│Rap (20.4/100)│Choreography (22/100)│Eloquence (11.2/100)│Acting (12.8/100)│Lyric Writing (73/100)]
It had surpassed 20 points through enhancement, and he had a decent amount of coins as well. Compared to vocals and choreography, rap was unfamiliar territory in “Geubaekpeu,” but it was worth trying. Just then, No. 37, who was in the same group as Rojun and standing beside him, let out a long sigh.
“Ha— I’m screwed.”
“Why?”
No. 37 deeply furrowed his brow.
“I’m really weak at rap. What about you, No. 1?”
“Hmm— I haven’t really done it before either.”
“Hoo. During choreography, I at least felt like I could manage if I practiced like crazy, but rap is really… I’m a bit worried.”
It was an understandable reaction. Then Gang Rojun glanced at No. 58 in the opposite Group 1 crowd. With his baby perm, he too showed no big change in expression, much like Rojun.
‘Well, No. 58 passed the first round with rap, so maybe he has nothing to worry about?’
It was then that Producer U Hanseok cut in.
“The fourth-round screening assignment for Group 1 and Group 2 has been decided as rap. Now we’ll decide the teams for the two-on-two team battle.”
As soon as he finished speaking, staff members approached the two black square boxes placed in front of Producer U Hanseok. They placed Group 1’s number tags into the box on the left, and Group 2’s number tags into the box on the right. As soon as the staff stepped away, Producer U Hanseok raised his index finger and pointed first at the box on the left.
“This is Group 1’s box, and the one on the right is Group 2’s box. From now on, I’ll draw numbers, and the teams will be formed in the order they’re drawn. We’ll start with Group 1.”
Producer U Hanseok reached into the left square box, stirred it around moderately, and pulled out one number tag.
“No. 58.”
No. 58 was called right from the start, and the next number tag was announced immediately after.
“No. 71.”
Holding the two number tags together, Producer U Hanseok called out.
“No. 58, No. 71! Group 1, Team A! The two contestants, please stand together.”
Soon, No. 58 and No. 71, who had a gentle-looking impression and more or less resembled a puppy, stood side by side. In the same way, Producer U Hanseok placed his hand into the left square box several more times, and after a few dozen minutes, a total of six teams, from A to F, were decided for Group 1. Group 1, now divided into pairs, was finished.
Next was Group 2, which included Gang Rojun.
This time, Producer U Hanseok reached into the right square box, and the first number he called was—
“No. 37.”
It was No. 37, one of the members of Room 105, and next was—
“No. 15.”
The yellow-haired No. 15.
“No. 37, No. 15! Group 2, Team F! These two contestants, please stand together as well.”
Unlike with Group 1, Producer U Hanseok began by calling Team F, and No. 37 and No. 15 joined up with awkward greetings. After that, Teams E, D, C, and B were called. While five teams in Group 2 were formed, Rojun was not called. And lastly—
“No. 1.”
Gang Rojun’s number rang out through the entire hall.
“No. 26.”
No. 26, whom he had barely seen a few times, was Rojun’s teammate.
“No. 1, No. 26! Group 2, Team A!”
No. 26 came closer. Watching him give a simple nod of greeting, Gang Rojun thought,
‘Was he in Group 3 during the third screening? I haven’t seen him often.’
He was handsome, but somehow free-spirited? No, should he say he had a delinquent air? No. 26 had a blank expression and seemed blunt. In any case, Group 1 and Group 2 were arranged in two lines from Team A to Team F. When Rojun turned his head to the right, he saw No. 58. He was smiling faintly.
In the blink of an eye, their groups, fourth-round assignment, and teams had all been decided.
At that point, Producer U Hanseok spoke.
“You’ll be competing against the team from the opposing group currently facing you. Group 1 Team A versus Group 2 Team A! Group 1 Team B versus Group 2 Team B!”
The contestants began murmuring slightly. Gang Rojun reacted inwardly.
‘Ah— in that case.’
It meant the opponent Gang Rojun would be waging war against was No. 58. Looking over, No. 58’s eyes were wide open as if he were surprised too. The first survival battle between members of Room 105 had been arranged. Gang Rojun and No. 58 met each other’s eyes.
The other contestants were quietly feeling relieved.
‘Phew, I avoided No. 1.’
‘As long as I don’t go up against No. 1, it’s doable. Thank god, seriously.’
‘Everyone who’s gone up against that No. 1 so far has been eliminated. Too bad, No. 58.’
At present, in “Geubaekpeu,” Gang Rojun was practically a landmine in and of himself.
‘Even if No. 1 can’t rap, you have to avoid him first.’
Naturally, concern was spreading across No. 58’s face.
‘Ah— No. 1 is… pretty damn tough. Of all people, I’m up against No. 1.’
No. 58, whose worries had deepened, glanced at No. 71, who had become his teammate. No. 71 smiled with his eyes and whispered,
“No. 58, I’m pretty good at rap. Let’s try taking No. 1 down.”
“Yes.”
Steeling his resolve, No. 58 made up his mind.
‘I’ve never heard No. 1 rap. There’s a chance he can’t do it, but I can’t let my guard down. If it’s a survival match against No. 1, even putting everything on the line might not be enough.’
Producer U Hanseok’s gaze swept across all twenty-four restless contestants before arriving at each group’s Team A. Gang Rojun and No. 58. They were fellow Room 105 members, and the two had been often linked together since early on. Even on the broadcast, their two-shots had gone on air quite frequently.
‘This makes for an interesting picture. No. 1 and No. 58, whom the viewers have been making a fuss over for their chemistry. But now the two are enemies. I wonder how this will turn out.’
Producer U Hanseok, who had been smiling faintly, opened his mouth.
“That’s all. You’re free to choose whatever rap you’ll perform for the screening. Anything is possible, and appropriate arrangements will be allowed as well. In addition, you may freely decide your outfits, concept, stage direction, and so on for the day of the fourth screening. Once you’ve decided everything starting with the song, please relay it to the production team two days before the screening.”
The rap that would become their assignment had to be decided not by the production team, but by the contestants themselves.
“The practice period begins now and will last until next Monday, the 14th. The fourth screening itself will be on Tuesday. Training will naturally shift to focus on rap, and you’re free to use any remaining practice time as you see fit.”
It was then.
“No. 1.”
No. 26, who was on the same team as Gang Rojun, asked in a somewhat dry tone.
“You’re going to skip training this time too, right?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
No. 26 nodded simply.
—Swoosh.
Then, out of nowhere, he raised his hand. And in a low voice, he said to Producer U Hanseok,
“Group 2 Team A will pass on rap training.”
The contestants began murmuring. Gang Rojun looked at No. 26 and let out a small, amused chuckle. This guy seemed unusual. Soon, Producer U Hanseok asked again.
“…No. 1, No. 26, both of you are passing on training?”
This time, Gang Rojun answered.
“Yes, both of us.”
At that time, at Song Mingeun’s recording studio.
Song Mingeun could be seen concentrating on work in front of the equipment with several staff members. There was also someone inside the booth, and Song Mingeun repeatedly played and stopped the song. It seemed they were probably in the middle of recording a guide. If so, the person inside the booth was the guide vocalist.
“That part just now, let’s try it again. It feels a little stuffy, so try belting it out more clearly.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Song Mingeun’s team continued working as he produced. The song played again.
—♬♪
Listening to it, it was the melody of the demo song he had handed over to Gang Rojun. They were now properly recording the guide vocals that had previously only been done as a rough draft. The lyrics Gang Rojun had written came out of the guide vocalist’s mouth.
Song Mingeun, who had been listening to it quietly, thought,
‘I never thought the day would come when I’d use lyrics written by an unknown lyricist who hasn’t even debuted.’
He recalled Rojun, whom he had met two days ago on the “Geubaekpeu” campus together with Producer U Hanseok. More precisely, he recalled the part of the conversation where they had clearly decided to use Gang Rojun’s lyrics.
It had begun with Rojun’s smiling answer.
“I look forward to working with you.”
At that overwhelmingly destructive smile, Song Mingeun waved his hand.
“Whoa— don’t smile like that. Being handsome can be scary too. We’ll talk about the lyric fee and the details gradually. Uh— for now, it’s a little difficult to say which singer this song is going to. I’ll let you see them in person later. More importantly, what are you going to do about the lyricist name when the song is released? Have you thought of anything?”
As Gang Rojun thought for a moment, Song Mingeun turned his head toward Producer U Hanseok.
“Around when will the real names or stage names of the ‘Geubaekpeu’ kids be revealed?”
“When the final four successful contestants are decided, we’ll announce them.”
“Well, I guess their stage names will be decided around then too. Come to think of it, No. 1, you’re also working as a writer, aren’t you? Was it ‘Writer Gang Cheolsu’ on that side? Hmm— but whether as an idol, a writer, or a lyricist, it’d probably be better to unify your professional name into one. Even if it’s a stage name.”
Gang Rojun answered quickly.
“Could I use ‘No. 1’ for now and change it later?”
“You can.”
“I was planning to change the writer name too. I only used ‘Writer Gang Cheolsu’ because I had to hide it.”
Soon, after making eye contact with both Producer U Hanseok and Song Mingeun, Rojun said decisively,
“Then please change it to ‘Rojun’ later.”
Returning to reality at that point, Song Mingeun chuckled.
‘He’s saying he’ll use “Rojun” for his stage name, pen name, and lyricist name. “Rojun,” huh— not bad.’
He wrote something at the top of the paper placed on the equipment.
-Lyricist name to be changed later, No. 1 -> Rojun
About thirty minutes later, back at the “Geubaekpeu” campus.
After the first round of filming related to the fourth screening wrapped up, simple interviews with the contestants were conducted in the hall. Afterward, the twenty-four contestants, including Gang Rojun, from Groups 1 and 2 were scattered around the hall by team, seated here and there. Producer U Hanseok had given them time to hold meetings by team.
If the practice period only lasted until next Monday, then including today, they had only six days. It was extremely tight.
Because of that, the contestants spread out in all directions were highly focused, and Rojun and No. 26, Group 2 Team A, settled down by the wall on the left side from the center of the hall.
“……”
“……”
For the moment, the two of them had no particular conversation. Compared to the other teams, they were quiet. Gang Rojun casually looked over No. 26, who was sitting in front of him and looking at his phone. He had the kind of aura women might call a cold handsome man. His expressionless face was his default, and he was taciturn, but he was different in texture from No. 58. No. 26 gave off a slightly rough, idle drifter kind of scent.
Gang Rojun was the first to break the spreading silence.
“No. 26, are you really okay without receiving rap training?”
No. 26 nodded dryly.
“Yes. We’re a team. If we receive it, we receive it together, and if we don’t, we both don’t. Have you changed your mind?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
For reference, except for Gang Rojun and No. 26, every other team had decided to receive rap training. The same went for No. 58. Then No. 26 lowered his phone and continued speaking.
“There’s also the fact that I was thinking about how it’d look on broadcast. More importantly, do you remember me?”
“Mm?”
“On the first day of ‘Geubaekpeu.’ When everyone was lined up in front of the entrance wearing masks, I was right behind you, No. 1.”
How could he possibly know that? Rojun shook his head.
“No. I was nervous, so I didn’t have the chance to look around.”
“You were nervous? You seemed so calm that I didn’t think that at all. Anyway, that was when I first saw you, No. 1, and after that, we never had the chance to be involved.”
No. 26 murmured bluntly, then jerked his chin toward No. 58, who was sitting quite far away.
“No. 58 is strong. You’d know since you’re in the same room.”
“Yes. He is strong.”
“I’ve been watching him all along, and he has good instincts across vocals, choreography, and rap. Rap will be what he’s best at.”
Gang Rojun asked,
“What about you, No. 26? How’s your rap?”
“I’m good too. I passed ‘Geubaekpeu’ with rap, and I’d been doing it consistently even before ‘Geubaekpeu.’”
It was a slightly brusque answer, but it overflowed with confidence. Rojun inwardly thought, Oh? and No. 26 asked in return.
“What about you, No. 1?”
“Rap is a first for me.”
“……”
No. 26, who had been looking at Gang Rojun expressionlessly, lightly shrugged.
“It doesn’t sound like a lie, but somehow I feel like it’s going to become one.”
“That’s a strange thing to say.”
“I did just praise No. 58, but honestly, the most insane person here in ‘Geubaekpeu’ is you, No. 1. It’s not on the level of having good instincts or whatever. You were born with it. I’m saying that even if rap is your first time, I feel like you’ll do it as if it isn’t.”
“……”
“Well— let’s set that aside. First, we need to choose a rap song. Is there anything you want to do?”
Nothing in particular came to mind. Rojun passed the baton to No. 26.
“What about you, No. 26? If you’ve been rapping all this time, I’m fine with you deciding.”
“Really?”
Soon, No. 26 answered in a dry tone.
“Then let’s do a rap I wrote.”
A faint smile spread across Gang Rojun’s lips. His interest had been piqued.
“You mean an original rap, right?”