[Audience Review of Geubaekpeu’s 4th Evaluation (Long Post)]
Looking at the contents of the audience review uploaded to a community, it really did seem to have been written by someone who had attended the actual fourth evaluation of “Geubaekpeu.” It was that detailed.
[I got home after watching Geubaekpeu’s 4th evaluation and passed out right away... but I’m going to write a review before I sleep! First of all, before entering the audience area, there were soooo many people getting cut off at the entrance lolololol A lot of people came without audience tickets... and the inspection was suuuuper strict lolololol I honestly brought a recorder too, but I confessed right away, so luckily I got in!]
The review began with entering before the fourth evaluation, and afterward mainly consisted of impressions only an audience member could have felt.
[There were a lot of invited guests on-site, including Geubaekpeu eliminated contestants, and some older men? too, who were probably entertainment agency people lolololol And the Rental Lover team came too!! Choe Rina was seriously so pretty... lol The actors’ presence was insane, yeah]
Next was about the stages.
[The evaluation started with No. 58 and No. 71, and it was an original rap lololol The composition was by No. 58! But they said the lyrics were by No. 1, so I was like, huh? lolololol The stage was seriously....ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I can’t express it in words... It’s better to just watch Geubaekpeu.... lolol And No. 1, seriously, the moment I saw him, wow.... He honestly didn’t look human.... So freaking insanely insanely insanely handsome lolololol And on top of that No. 1 was good at rap too lolololol Personally, No. 1 and No. 26’s team were first place for me.... They tore it up.... The evaluations were like that too lolol Make sure to watch Geubaekpeu this week.... Honestly, No. 58 was my favorite, but now it’s No. 1 lolololololol As for the other kids’ stages······]
The parts about the contestants’ stages had been fairly well hidden. However, spoilers were still included, so comments piled up in an instant.
-I want to see our No. 1 in real life tooㅜㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m so jealous
-No. 1 wrote the lyrics???? Did Geubaekpeu ever show No. 1 writing lyrics?
-It didn’t! Whoa.... No. 1 could write lyrics too? Seriously not human
-Wow.... No. 1’s form is insane lolololol But why did he write the lyrics for No. 58’s original rap??
-The lyric-writing is shocking enough, but he can even rap? Why is there nothing No. 1 can’t do lolololololol
-It’s amazing that the Rental Lover team came too, including Choe Rina hahaha
-Entertainment agencies came too? Then are our kids slowly getting linked with agencies???
-I was already super hyped because this evaluation was rap... I’m going to be jumping up and down again after seeing No. 1......
By the time it passed midnight and became early Wednesday morning, this review post had, as expected, begun to be rapidly shared to other communities. From community to community, and spreading onto social media as well. Of course, though it was difficult for it to reach the mainstream, it was quite hot in the underground.
Thanks to that.
-I absolutely have to watch Geubaekpeu this week lololol How many killing points are there??!
The expectations of “Geubaekpeu” fans shot up explosively.
And so all kinds of communities remained noisy throughout the night, and it continued even until Wednesday morning. At this hour, the key production staff of “Geubaekpeu” were nowhere to be seen at the campus near Paju. The same went for PD U Hanseok. They had probably gone into the broadcasting station.
Meanwhile, the twenty-four contestants were given a day of rest.
It was past eight in the morning, but almost everyone, including No. 26 and the members of Room 105, was still fast asleep. They had finished the fourth evaluation they had practiced for like death yesterday, and the tension had drained out of them.
But Gang Rojun, wearing a cap, was.
“Hoo-hup, hoo— hoo-hup, hoo—”
Managing his breathing as he ran alone, as always. It would have been fine for him to sleep in a little, but he did not. He had to complete his mission, and the routine of waking up at dawn had been ingrained in his body since his hideous days in the past. Rojun, who had completed the mission but increased his workout volume even more than usual, finally—
“Hoo—”
Finished exercising after stretching only once more than two hours had passed. Then, even while wiping away his sweat, he picked up his phone. He had to check the “AI Simulation” app.
-[Titles: Side Hustle Tycoon +3 / Recognition Monster +3 / Global Genius +2]
-[User: Gang Rojun / Age: 24 / Height: 182.8 / Desired Occupation: Idol / Coins Held: 755]
-[Side Jobs: [1] Screenwriter, [2] Actor, [3] Lyricist]
-[Global Languages: [1] Japanese, [2] English]
He had accumulated quite a lot of coins.
‘Hmm— should I invest about 30 today?’
As he walked to take a shower, he poured 30 coins into stat enhancement. His stats had become quite usable.
-[Appearance (100/100)│Singing Ability (30.1/100)│Rap (21.5/100)│Choreography (23/100)│Gift of Gab (12.3/100)│Acting (15.1/100)│Lyric Writing (80.2/100)]
His singing ability had surpassed 30 points. Next were rap and choreography. Lyric writing had gone past 80 points. Gang Rojun smiled with satisfaction.
“It’s still a long way off, but it’s not bad.”
Only after Rojun finished showering did the contestants begin to appear in the hallway one by one. Regardless, Gang Rojun gathered his laptop and headed to the completely empty lounge. The first thing he did was listen to “Survival 100,” recently selected as the theme song, for which Gang Rojun had finished writing the Korean and Japanese lyrics.
-♬♪
For now, it was only the melody, but he kept playing it on repeat to get used to it. Even though the lyrics Rojun had written had not yet been adopted, the guide recording had been confirmed. Next was writing the film scenario he had been working on as a writer. But before that.
-Slide.
Gang Rojun connected to the internet first.
It was something he did out of habit, and for some reason, Rojun’s eyes widened slightly.
‘Whoa—the articles are already up??’
At the same time.
Articles related to “Geubaekpeu” were being released like crazy. Anywhere one could see articles, including famous search sites, was filled with “Geubaekpeu.”
《[Issue Pick] Audience Review of “Geubaekpeu” 4th Evaluation Posted on a Community / Photos》
《“The Contestants Tore Up the Rap Stages!” Audience Review of “Geubaekpeu” Posted》
《“Geubaekpeu” Face “No. 1,” This Time Even Lyric Writing?》
《Review of “Geubaekpeu” 4th Evaluation: “‘No. 1’ Is Good at Both Lyrics and Rap”》
Most of them were about the fourth evaluation audience reviews.
《“Rental Lover” Team, Including Choe Rina, Appeared at the “Geubaekpeu” 4th Evaluation Site》
There were many eye-catching, provocative, and powerful keywords.
《The Nation’s Top Entertainment Agencies Finally Move—Which Agencies Were Spotted at “Geubaekpeu” 4th Evaluation?》
No reporters had been invited to the audience for this fourth evaluation. In other words, the sources of the articles pouring out now were ones the reporters had dug up on their own.
The starting point was the communities that had been heated up since dawn.
Starting with the shared review post, other audience members inspired by that post also uploaded their own experiences. Reporters were endlessly tossing out anything usable they had extracted from the review posts. The sources of the articles were communities or social media, but unexpectedly, this massive current also included—
“PD-nim! We’ve occupied most of the major search sites!!”
“Okay, don’t let your guard down and put a little more pressure on the reporters.”
“Yes, sir!”
—the handling of PD U Hanseok and the “Geubaekpeu” production team. It was like the home base itself was encouraging spoilers. The current picture was also something PD U Hanseok had intended.
‘Good, this is exactly the kind of feeling we need.’
‘Now is the optimal time to get past 30% viewership.’
A tactic to surpass 30% viewership. The ratings for episode 9 of “Geubaekpeu” were around 26%. Beyond breaking records, “Geubaekpeu” was on the verge of becoming a one-of-a-kind legend as an audition variety show. That was why PD U Hanseok was using spoilers like seasoning.
Spoilers were poison in excess, but honey if used well.
There had been thousands of audience members at this fourth evaluation alone. PD U Hanseok had never thought the secret would be kept perfectly anyway. He had already experienced this several times before. So he took advantage of the situation in reverse.
By scattering just enough bait to make people unable to resist watching “Geubaekpeu.”
《Communities, Social Media, YouTube, and More Abuzz with “Geubaekpeu”··· Audience Attendance for 4th Evaluation Was a Stroke of Genius》
The effect was destructive. The current that had started underground had at some point taken over the mainstream, and from Wednesday morning through noon and into the afternoon, the internet roiled. Not only the media and public opinion, but even various celebrities showed strong anticipation on social media.
The wave crashed beyond Korea and into Japan as well.
《[Issue Talk] “Geubaekpeu” Takes Over Japanese Social Media Too / Photos》
The fans in Japan, where “Geubaekpeu” had launched, were also extremely interested in this fourth evaluation.
Executive Director Tom Cavill and the Netflix Japan team, who were deeply connected to Japan, could be found in a meeting room in the drama department of broadcaster SBC.
They were seated by the window at a U-shaped table.
Across from them were PD Jeong Suryeong with her dry, long hair, the head of the drama department, and other executives. Naturally, they had gathered because of “Rental Lover.” They had originally been scheduled to meet yesterday, but it had been pushed to today, Wednesday. In any case, PD Jeong Suryeong looked at the foreigner with yellow curly hair on the other side—no, Executive Director Tom Cavill—and smiled faintly.
Because although she was clearly seeing him for the first time, he did not feel unfamiliar.
‘So that’s where I saw him··· This man was at the “Geubaekpeu” fourth evaluation yesterday, wasn’t he?’
PD Jeong Suryeong and Tom Cavill were already acquainted. Naturally, it was by coincidence. Soon, with an interpreter present, PD Jeong Suryeong spoke first.
“Nice to meet you. We met yesterday at the site of the ‘Geubaekpeu’ fourth evaluation, didn’t we?”
Executive Director Tom Cavill, who nodded and smiled faintly, spoke not in English but in Japanese.
“That’s right. I didn’t recognize you yesterday, so I couldn’t greet you.”
“Neither did I. I’m Jeong Suryeong, the director of ‘Rental Lover.’”
“I’m Tom Cavill from Netflix Japan. I serve as executive director.”
After exchanging greetings, the conversation between the two spread from “Geubaekpeu” to “Rental Lover.” The key person, No. 1—no, Gang Rojun—was mentioned frequently.
“Perhaps because I saw yesterday’s stage, it felt even harder to believe that ‘No. 1’ is the writer of ‘Rental Lover.’”
“Everyone who sees the writer feels that way. I’ve been directing dramas for over a decade myself, and I’m still being shocked by him.”
“······Hmm, the other contestants are too, but No. 1 is indeed quite popular in Japan as well. If he properly starts activities in Japan, that will probably multiply several times over. Because of that, Japanese fans are also extremely interested in ‘Rental Lover,’ which No. 1 wrote.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Netflix Japan wants ‘Rental Lover,’ and I came in person to propose a launch. What do you think?”
The head of the drama department and the executives murmured among themselves. It seemed they had not expected Executive Director Tom Cavill to throw such a direct pitch with this much determination. On the other hand, PD Jeong Suryeong merely shrugged as if it were nothing.
“As the director, having the work be seen by many people is something to welcome. Especially since it’s deeply connected to our writer. ‘Rental Lover,’ ‘Geubaekpeu,’ and Netflix Japan as well. Let’s run together in a direction where everyone wins.”
At this moment, “Rental Lover’s” entry into Japan was almost firmly decided. Detailed conditions and the launch date would be discussed later. Soon, Executive Director Tom Cavill, the corners of his mouth lifted, changed the subject.
“By the way, PD-nim, in the synopsis I received, only the actor information for the role of ‘Lover No. 4’ was missing.”
PD Jeong Suryeong gave a relaxed answer.
“That’s correct. The actor for ‘Lover No. 4’ is our hidden card, so it’s still top secret. Not only the media and public, but very few people know.”
“Is it difficult for you to reveal?”
Immediately, PD Jeong Suryeong recalled Rojun’s face.
“Yes. Would that cause a problem with the launch?”
Gang Rojun as “Lover No. 4” was the final nuclear bomb of “Rental Lover.” PD Jeong Suryeong had absolutely no intention of revealing it in this room, and Tom Cavill, who had briefly become serious, scanned the team members around him before shaking his head. His smile deepened.
“Not at all. I’m looking forward to that hidden card.”
The next morning. The “Geubaekpeu” campus.
At an early hour, before even doing his mission, Gang Rojun stepped alone into the hall with the stage.
-Slide.
The inside of the hall was still the same as it had been during the fourth evaluation. The only thing missing was the thousands of audience members; it was still majestic. Rojun looked around the stage and the entire hall for a few seconds.
‘It feels desolate without people. That chaotic fourth evaluation almost feels like a lie.’
Just as he muttered that brief impression inwardly.
“No. 1-nim—over here!”
A familiar yet exhausted male voice spread out. It was PD U Hanseok. He was sitting in a chair at the judges’ table in front of the stage. Rojun approached and immediately said to PD U Hanseok,
“Did you stay up all night again? Your dark circles are down to the floor.”
“I did. Editing.”
PD U Hanseok yawned widely.
“All the contestants, including you, No. 1-nim, put everything on the line and ran those stages. Shouldn’t we make this broadcast look incredible? Sit down first.”
Rojun sat beside him, and PD U Hanseok turned his gaze toward the protruding stage stretching out like a road.
“It still feels like I can hear the screams and cheers, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. They’re ringing in my ears.”
“The tips of my fingers and toes were tingling too. That’s the taste that makes me work as a PD.”
PD U Hanseok, who had been stretching broadly, changed his expression. An exhausted smile.
“By the way, in the middle of editing, I looked over all the lyrics you gave me for ‘Survival 100,’ both the Korean and Japanese versions.”
“How were they?”
“They were incredible. A perfect fit for ‘Survival 100.’ No other lyrics are going to satisfy me now, and I wanted to see you in person to tell you we’re officially adopting them. We’re going with your Korean and Japanese lyrics for ‘Survival 100,’ No. 1-nim.”
With this, including “Witch” and Song Mingeun’s piece, it was his third time in total. Gang Rojun’s mood genuinely rose.
“Thank you. There’s a thrill in seeing the lyrics I’ve written gradually increase.”
“Hahaha, the key point is that this is only the beginning. Who knows what kind of absurd monster you’ll have become in a few years····· More importantly, now that the lyrics have been adopted, as we discussed, I’m thinking of doing the guide recording for ‘Survival 100’ before the full-scale work begins. How much time do you need?”
The situation was that Rojun would do both the Korean and Japanese guide recordings for “Survival 100.” At that, Gang Rojun smiled faintly with his eyes.
“I can do it right now.”