Production press conference.
In a fleeting moment, a hazy memory brushed past Gang Rojun’s mind. When had it been? He couldn’t remember exactly. He thought he had seen it on TV when he came home from hard labor and collapsed, back in those hideous days.
It had been some drama’s production press conference.
Countless reporters with cameras and laptops before them, celebrities on the podium they watched, and a PD like a commander.
At least well over a hundred people gathered to introduce what kind of work theirs was, and the reporters asked what they were curious about. The atmosphere was cheerful and amiable.
However, Rojun at the time had watched it with utter indifference.
It was neither fun nor moving.
It was merely something to kill time until he fell asleep. But right before his eyes closed, he had imagined: What if I stood in that glamorous space? It was that kind of imagination. The kind where he filled his desires with fantasies steeped in envy.
But that fantasy.
“…A ‘Rental Lover’ production press conference?”
“Yes.”
The moment that fantasy became reality had arrived. The source of this news was PD Jeong Suryeong on the other end of the phone. He had heard that there would be a production press conference before ‘Rental Lover’ was produced, and there had been hints when Rojun was cast as the actor for ‘Number 4 Lover.’
“Even if the writer is revealed first, the fact that he is the actor for ‘Number 4 Lover’ will be dropped at the production press conference.”
Gang Rojun briefly recalled PD Jeong Suryeong’s voice from the past. His heart began to beat powerfully. It was all the more so because he had just seen ‘Geubaekpeu’s viewership at 30%.
Me. I’m going to a production press conference as an actor?
He had imagined it in the past, but now that it was reality, he couldn’t picture it well. An odd feeling where excitement spread yet tension surged. Yes, it was similar to the feeling right before riding an extreme amusement ride.
At that moment, PD Jeong Suryeong on the other end of the phone asked,
“Why aren’t you saying anything? You don’t want to do it?”
Even though PD Jeong Suryeong was not in front of him, Rojun shook his head.
“No, it’s not that—it just doesn’t feel real. That I’m going to a production press conference.”
“That’s how actors who just debuted after being unknown usually feel. In a way, a production press conference is your first experience rising to the surface. With dozens of reporters and a live broadcast, it’ll be chaotic but fun.”
“A live broadcast?”
“Ah—you didn’t know? Some places don’t do it, but these days production press conferences often double as live broadcasts. You’ve seen them, right? On YouTube or portal sites.”
Rojun, who thought he might have glimpsed them on YouTube, scratched his chin.
“I see.”
“I tend to be somewhat reluctant to go all-in on press conferences myself, but ‘Rental Lover’ is a bit unusual, isn’t it? Between the writer and Top Star Choi, there are more than one or two issues. In times like these, we have to go hard. And.”
After a brief pause, PD Jeong Suryeong pointed at Rojun.
“Since it’s the writer’s first sortie, that level of form needs to be established, right? The reporters are already drooling because the ‘Rental Lover’ writer is Number 1, so if we drop the actor on top of that too? It’ll be an earthquake. For the reporters and for the fans watching the live broadcast alike.”
Jeong Suryeong laughed. Heuheuheu. Almost like a pervert.
“This is my own theory—I was thinking, what if you appeared on the day of the press conference with your hair, makeup, and styling done properly, like ‘Number 4 Lover’? Other actors usually dress up for production press conferences too.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Heuheu, reporters falling for the writer’s visuals is a blessing, a blessing. Ah, anyway, I’ll deliver the news to PD U Hanseok separately. The press conference is on Tuesday, September 29th. The time may change, but the date is confirmed.”
September 29th. With today being the 19th, there were less than ten days left, excluding weekends. Right around the corner, so to speak. Then PD Jeong Suryeong added other information.
“They say all filming for ‘Rental Lover’ will finish before the 29th.”
After that.
Just before finishing the call with Jeong Suryeong, she too learned that ‘Geubaekpeu’ had surpassed 30% viewership.
“Wow—did you really break 30%??! That’s amazing, really. To think such ratings are possible in this day and age…… Congratulations. Ah, should PD U Hanseok hear this?”
Additionally, Jeong Suryeong said that achieving 30% viewership was close to a miracle in her life as a director. It was true. Gang Rojun and PD U Hanseok had created a miracle. Around this time, Number 58 and Number 37 burst out of Room 105 with their eyes bulging wide.
“Did you, did you see??!! The ratings??!”
Not just the two of them—all the participants showed excessive excitement.
It wasn’t just the campus.
The internet was currently in utter chaos.
《[TV Ratings] ‘Geubaekpeu’ Mega-Hit! Renewing the Legend by Surpassing 30% Ratings》
《‘Geubaekpeu’ that Caused an Overwhelming Boom Finally Breaks Through 30% Ratings!》
It was plastered entirely with ‘Geubaekpeu.’
《From the Participants’ Rap Stages to ‘Number 1’s’ Lyric-Writing, ‘Geubaekpeu’ Rife with Countless Talking Points… How High Will the Ratings Go?》
From the 30% ratings that left a legend, to ‘Number 1’s’ lyric-writing and rap skills shown in episode 10, and talking points like entertainment industry insiders and the ‘Rental Lover’ team, and so on.
《[Issue Pick] Entertainment Industry Insiders Appearing in ‘Geubaekpeu’ Episode 10 / Photos》
《“Writer-nim, I Came to Cheer for You,” From Top Actress Choi Rina to the ‘Rental Lover’ Team Watching ‘Number 1’s’ Stage / Photos》
At the tremendous situation, various domestic broadcasting companies also stirred.
“Such crazy!! ‘Geubaekpeu’ ratings surpassed 30%??!!”
“They finally achieved it…… No, was 30% even possible?? I can’t believe it even while watching.”
“Isn’t this an error?? It doesn’t make sense.”
The broadcasting industry knew better than anyone how absurd a 30% rating figure was.
“‘Not possible’ my foot. It was around 26% last time so it’s possible, they brought in a studio audience for the 4th evaluation, and I think they carefully spread PR to avoid spoilers. They called the ‘Rental Lover’ team and entertainment people too, right? U Hanseok’s strategy was good this time.”
“But still, 30%.”
“Above all, the participants’ tension was off the charts, especially Number 1. I don’t watch ‘Geubaekpeu,’ but I heard they even wrote lyrics this time??”
“They rapped well too.”
“Keuh—really, a treasure, a treasure. Number 1 probably accounted for a large portion of that 30% rating.”
Only JTVM, home to ‘Geubaekpeu,’ set off celebratory fireworks, while all the remaining broadcasting stations excluding them showed miserable or envious expressions. Numerous domestic entertainment companies focused more on the participants shown in this episode 10 than the ratings, and among the public, ‘Geubaekpeu’ permeated like a massive meme being spread.
Like a volcano erupting and spewing lava, Netflix Korea added fuel to the fire. They uploaded ‘Geubaekpeu’ episode 10 around the afternoon. The issue and topic grew larger than ever.
Furthermore.
《‘Geubaekpeu’ 4th Evaluation Voting Begins, Riding the Momentum of 30% Ratings!》
The voting caught fire like never before.
A few hours passed from then.
Around late afternoon, the participants, including Rojun at the Paju campus, were gathered in a spacious practice room. Everyone had roughly excited expressions. It was obvious at a glance that they had been scouring the internet all day. Soon, haggard PD U Hanseok entered the practice room.
While showing a weary smile.
“As you all must have seen, our ‘Geubaekpeu’ has surpassed 30% viewership.”
He bowed to the 24 participants.
“This is all thanks to all of you. Thank you.”
The participants were bewildered by the polite greeting, and PD U Hanseok spent a few minutes explaining just how incredible 30% viewership was. After that, the main point.
“The production team held a meeting and made one decision. We intend to reveal your names to the world.”
At the same time, Number 58, Number 26, and the other participants gaped. Rojun’s eyes widened considerably too. Whether it was the reaction he had expected or not, PD U Hanseok continued the briefing.
“Your names will appear on broadcast starting from episode 11, and there will be filming before that. From the 5th evaluation onward, voting will proceed with names rather than numbers.”
Buzz, buzz. Having been called by numbers until now, the participants wondered what kind of situation this was. At this moment, Number 26 raised a hand and asked in a dry tone.
“Are we opening our names right now?”
U Hanseok shook his head.
“No, as I said, there will be related filming, and you’ll find out the names then. Please endure for a few days even if you’re curious.”
“Understood.”
“From now on, your names will be your stage names on ‘Geubaekpeu.’ However, since revealing everything wouldn’t be fun, we’ll announce them without last names. Later, when you truly debut, you may change your stage name as much as you wish.”
The next question was thrown by Number 58.
“U-um. The name reveal happens after the results of this 4th evaluation come out, and only for the survivors, right??”
PD U Hanseok, bearing a faint smile, shook his head.
“No, all 24 of you present here will appear on broadcast. Regardless of the survival results.”
An unexpected answer.
Regardless, PD U Hanseok separately called out Number 58, who had asked the question. The two went out into the hallway, and all the participants immediately began chattering noisily. Naturally, it was all about what they had just heard.
Number 58 returned after three minutes.
“Number 1.”
Next was Gang Rojun’s turn. Rojun came out into the hallway with U Hanseok, and PD U Hanseok whispered softly.
“I asked Number 58 too, but I wondered if Number 1 also needs some preliminary work. Before your name airs on broadcast.”
“Please speak.”
“As for Number 1’s stage name for writer, lyricist, and so on, as we talked about before.”
Intuiting what he was going to say here, Gang Rojun immediately opened his mouth.
“Yes. Please make it ‘Rojun.’”
A day later, Sunday.
It was late in the morning. Inside a very spacious recording studio, its walls decorated with various instruments, the staff looked busy from the morning.
About four people sat before the equipment.
Among them, directing the recording from the center was Song Mingeun with a prominently protruding belly. Soon, a ballad imbued with a lonely sensibility resonated throughout the studio.
-♬♪
A song layered with a female voice. It was ‘Black and White Sound.’
Looking inside the recording booth, veteran singer Park Hyeonjeong, wearing a cap with over 20 years since her debut, was singing passionately. Since they had been recording for several days, progress was fairly quick, but recording itself was a difficult task, so Song Mingeun’s directing continued.
“Hyeonjeong, I want that part to burst open there. Let it out refreshingly.”
Park Hyeonjeong removed her headphones and nodded.
“Yeah, got it.”
The two were quite close, yet veterans and professionals. Work was work, so when it was time to work, they did it properly. Soon her emotion-drenched melody rang out again. The staff member sitting beside Song Mingeun exclaimed unconsciously.
“Keuh—it’s killer. The singer is the only thing that changed, yet it’s this different from the guide?”
Song Mingeun smirked.
“She’s Park Hyeonjeong. The press doesn’t call her a heavyweight singer for nothing. I acknowledge her as a singer.”
“But you’re close, aren’t you?”
“Not really as acquaintances. I’m sick of her, I’ve seen her too long.”
“Haha, Miss Hyeonjeong says the same thing.”
Had about two hours passed like that? Before they knew it, time had passed noon. Around then, Song Mingeun, having greeted someone at the recording studio entrance, called Park Hyeonjeong inside the booth.
“Let’s stop here for today. I have another schedule.”
Park Hyeonjeong took her cap off and put it back on as she exited the booth, letting out a long sigh.
“My throat condition isn’t good. Ahhh, I need to inhale some steam.”
“Do you have a lot to record? Take thorough care of your throat. Don’t go on broadcast again and then pour alcohol down your throat at company dinners.”
“What are you talking about, don’t you know I quit drinking when I’m working on an album?”
Among the two bickering, Park Hyeonjeong changed the subject.
“No, but oppa, you said you’d show me the lyricist for ‘Black and White Sound’ today?? It’s a lie again.”
“Why would I lie?”
Song Mingeun snorted and raised his index finger to point behind Park Hyeonjeong.
“He’s right behind you, that lyricist.”
“What?”
Park Hyeonjeong narrowed her brows and turned her head toward the recording studio entrance. Behind her stood a black-haired man, and the moment she saw his face, Park Hyeonjeong’s eyes bulged wide as she started in surprise.
“Oh my God!!”
Without realizing it, she flopped face-down onto the long sofa. Then, wondering if she had seen correctly, she looked at the black-haired man again.
“……”
For a brief moment, Park Hyeonjeong, entranced by the man’s visuals, blurted out a question without realizing it.
“…Wh-what is it. Why are you here???”
Anyone could see Park Hyeonjeong looked like she knew the man well, and the answer came from Song Mingeun, who smoothly rose.
“I told you not to collapse in surprise because he’s ridiculously handsome—”
“Ah, no! Oppa, I’m asking why he is here!”
“What do you mean, the kid who asked to see the lyricist.”
“……Huh??”
Song Mingeun stood beside the man. No, beside Gang Rojun, and raised the corners of his mouth.
“The lyricist for ‘Black and White Sound’ is this kid.”
Rojun calmly bowed respectfully to Park Hyeonjeong.
“Hello, Senior.”
“……”
Park Hyeonjeong froze as if her brain had stopped.
‘S-Scary. Because he’s so handsome.’