The public opinion of 'Produce 100,' which had been taking slight flak over its special episode scheduling, flipped in an instant.
Starting with rumblings of a domestic mini-concert, and news that they would advance into Japan too. The names of the ten participants had been revealed, and following the attention-grabbing theme songs related to Gang Ro-jun and 58 Sihu, the media descended upon the mini-concert rumors in an instant.
《[Issue Pick] 'Produce 100' to Hold Small-Scale Concerts in Korea, Japan... Netizens Ask, "For Real?!"》
Public opinion latched on. Of course, the reason the mini-concert news broke at this timing—
'See? The mood flips just like that.'
It was PD Woo Han-seok's calculated move.
He threw firewood at the viewers who were already blazing up over the special episode. Not just any firewood, but wood drenched in gasoline. After all, 'Produce 100' had been running centered on evaluations until now, and here was a mini-concert said to be held right after the fourth round, which had recruited a live audience. Though it was still highly likely to be nothing more than tabloid gossip rather than fact.
"A concert!! Small-scale or whatever, you mean we can call out the Produce 100 kids' names??!!!"
The excitement of the public—of Produce 100 fans—pierced the sky.
"OMG.... If I go to the concert, does that mean I can hear the theme song Ro-jun and Sihu made too??"
"ㅜㅜㅠㅠㅜㅠㅠ Ha... I r-r-r-really want to go."
"Ro-jun!! Ro-jun!!!"
"A chance to see the kids in their fresh, green state before debut!! I can't resist this."
"You're waking my combat power that I sealed after quitting stanning, hahaha I'm going no matter what, seriously."
"But it's still just reporters' speculation, right??"
"If I fail in Korea, I'm thinking of going to Japan."
"Woo Han-seok!!! Even if nothing's prepared!! Even if it's just reporters' speculation!! Prepare the mini-concert right now!!!"
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This radical wave crossed over to Japan in no time, and Japanese fans were no less riled up than their Korean counterparts. The commotion that had lasted from morning through lunch continued until the 'Produce 100' side made their official statement in the early afternoon.
"[Hello, viewers who love 'Produce the 100!' We plan to hold small-scale concerts in Korea and Japan soon. This mini-concert is unrelated to evaluations, a concert solely for you viewers...]"
The moment it was uploaded to the official website and SNS, the articles changed from speculation to official news. Around this time, Netflix Japan, where the special episode had been uploaded, also:
《Netflix Japan Officially Acknowledges 'Produce 100' Japan Mini-Concert》
They announced the joint mini-concert with the 'Produce 100' side as fact. Immediately, the media and public erupted in an even greater frenzy than that morning.
《'Produce 100' Domestic, Japan Mini-Concerts Confirmed... Fans Share Explosively on SNS / Photo》
It was the same in both Korea and Japan.
Meanwhile, at SBC Broadcasting's Drama Department.
PD Jeong Su-ryeong, her hair even more disheveled from recently staking her life on editing *Rental Lover*, sat on the five-person sofa in the department head's office. On the head seat sofa sat the bald department head, who opened his mouth while looking at her.
"PD Jeong. That—Number 1. No, I mean Writer Ro-jun. His acting is good, right?"
"Why?"
The department head gave an awkward smile.
"I of course trust your eye, but the articles keep going on and on about controversy over Ro-jun's acting, so I'm a bit worried. Public opinion is a bit noisy too."
The news that Gang Ro-jun had appeared in *Rental Lover* as both writer and actor was still a hot issue. While many reacted with shock or amazement, there was also some negative sentiment mixed in. What was put on the chopping block was Ro-jun's acting ability—whether they had cast a kid who couldn't act just for the sake of buzz.
It was certainly something controversial enough.
For one, there were bad precedents of other idols, and Gang Ro-jun's announcement had come so out of the blue. To the public, Ro-jun currently looked extremely busy. It must have seemed like he had no time to practice acting. At the production presentation, PD Jeong Su-ryeong had said Gang Ro-jun's acting was killer, but naturally that wasn't enough.
*Rental Lover* had drawn tremendous hype, and the department head's worry had grown proportionally.
Because the current hype would all turn to hate if the result was mediocre. On the other hand, PD Jeong Su-ryeong was composed. Because she had predicted this situation in advance.
"Don't you know me?? Top star or whoever, if their acting form is no good, I don't cast them."
"I know, I know. I know best. Still, uh—I'm old, so useless worries just pile up."
"Don't chicken out. The few ruckus-raisers in the media and public opinion right now will all quiet down once *Rental Lover* starts airing."
"Okay—if PD Jeong says so, I'm relieved."
"By the way, Chief, why are you so interested in a one-act drama? You've changed."
"Hey, hey, is *Rental Lover* just a normal one-act right now?? Even the president is keeping a close eye on it. You know? It's the first one-act drama to receive this much crazy attention before even airing?"
PD Jeong Su-ryeong shrugged her shoulders and replied roughly.
"Yes, yes."
"And is the OST side confirmed?"
"Yes. I've already finished collecting songs, about two tracks."
"No, no, I heard Ro-jun is leaving it to that kid. Lyrics and vocals?"
"Just one song. I haven't delivered the news to Writer Ro-jun yet—but that's what I'm thinking."
"Hmm—he's busy, is that possible??"
PD Jeong Su-ryeong folded her arms.
"An idol who's a writer. Even acting in his own work on top of that. There's never been such a case, and Writer Ro-jun is making a real mark right now; if he takes the OST too while he's at it, it'll remain an even sturdier filmography."
"Well, yeah. An unparalleled filmography that won't come again, I admit that. But Writer Ro-jun is already doing so much. I saw in the news just now that the 'Produce 100' side is preparing some mini-concert."
"I saw."
"No matter how capable he is, if he overdoes it, he'll break. If Writer Ro-jun does it, great, but if he overextends and falls flat, it'll be a disaster with the first broadcast timing roughly locked in? And Ro-jun, he's still a kid. Lacks experience too. If it seems like too much, I'm telling you to use a different singer."
It was a valid concern. However, recalling Gang Ro-jun's eye-smile brimming with composure as he monstrously took care of everything, PD Jeong Su-ryeong thought entirely differently.
"Writer Ro-jun won't break easily?"
At the same time, Japan.
The Netflix Japan headquarters in a tall building near Tokyo Station. Netflix Japan had grown busy thanks to 'Produce 100' still holding first place, and General Director Tom Kabil sat in his room looking at something alone.
It was the translated script of *Rental Lover.*
Since *Rental Lover* was already confirmed to launch on Netflix Japan, it was natural that General Director Tom Kabil could check the script. He had received it about a week ago, finished reading it, and was now on his second reading.
Soon, Tom Kabil closed the script and brushed back his blond curly hair. His face was filled with admiration.
'It's fun—to the point where it's hard to take your eyes off once you start.'
It was on a different dimension from the Japanese scripts he had reviewed recently. If Japanese scripts had been stagnant and dull, *Rental Lover* truly captured both freshness and fun.
"...Yes. We need to keep increasing these kinds of works. That's how change will come to the Japanese market, and how we at Netflix Japan will grow. It's a shame, but Korea got ahead long ago. Japan needs to learn."
He muttered quietly in English and stroked his chin. Soon, he recalled Gang Ro-jun at the fourth round of evaluations for 'Produce 100' that he had seen in Korea.
"It's even more amazing that he's the writer of this script. His ability as a singer was outstanding, but he's no pushover as a writer either."
In an instant, Tom Kabil's mind raced.
Japan was currently crazy about 'Produce 100.' With news of a mini-concert in Japan too, the situation had grown several times more chaotic. The most popular was, of course, Ro-jun. Though nothing about *Rental Lover* had been announced yet, considering the firepower from when 'Number 1' declared he was the writer in the past:
'*Rental Lover* will catch fire in an instant too.'
Tom Kabil felt greedy as general director. Not for idol Gang Ro-jun, but for writer Gang Ro-jun.
"If I ask him for a work... will he have time to write it?"
He desired to pour production funds and directly create a drama for Netflix Japan, not a secondary or tertiary opening like with 'Produce 100' or *Rental Lover*—with writer Gang Ro-jun's script. However, General Director Tom Kabil quickly shook his head.
"It'll be difficult for the time being; scriptwriting isn't something done in a few days. If he writes his next work, he'll do it in Korea first."
He couldn't help but smack his lips in disappointment.
The next morning.
The location was a sound studio. Inside the booth, Gang Ro-jun could be found wearing headphones. He was currently doing post-recording for *Rental Lover,* while other actors like Choe Ri-na had finished their work long ago.
It was only Ro-jun doing it separately to match his schedule.
The work didn't take long.
Since 'Lover Number 4' didn't have many lines to begin with. PD Jeong Su-ryeong handed an iced Americano to Gang Ro-jun as he exited the booth.
"Writer-nim, do you have a moment to talk?"
Ro-jun, who had something to tell her anyway, nodded.
"Yes, PD-nim."
Jeong Su-ryeong, seated on the sofa inside the sound studio, asked.
"You must be swamped; did you see the article saying you're holding a mini-concert?"
"I'm pretty much just practicing."
"...Is it tough?"
He was certainly busy, but not particularly struggling.
"It's fun, not tough."
"Going smoothly?"
"Yes. Same as usual."
"Don't you have too much work?"
"I like having a lot; it's still manageable."
"Right. I can't really imagine you breaking."
"Breaking?"
"No."
PD Jeong Su-ryeong smiled briefly and changed the subject.
"We're in the middle of editing *Rental Lover* right now—the footage is insane, and not because I'm the director, it really pops. Your first appearance, Writer-nim, it'll leave jaws hanging, you know?"
Ro-jun thought that he wanted to see it too, then suddenly remembered what he needed to say.
"PD-nim. I'm writing a movie screenplay right now."
"...You're writing a screenplay? You have time to write??"
"Yes. I'm writing bit by bit."
"Since when? How much have you written?"
"It's been a few weeks, and I think I've written about—seventy percent."
"That's crazy. You're finishing up a movie screenplay in just weeks??"
Was that possible in the midst of such busyness? No, screenwriting took even famous directors or screenwriters months to begin with.
'But in less than a month???'
Putting content aside, PD Jeong Su-ryeong couldn't hide her surprise and suddenly grabbed Ro-jun's hands.
"Really, really be careful with these hands. Don't get hurt."
PD Jeong Su-ryeong saw Ro-jun's future flash like lightning.
'With his face, as an idol. And even with writing as a side job, he can spread out to the world.'
Ro-jun discreetly pulled his hands free and opened his mouth.
"When I finish the screenplay, could I perhaps receive your help? I'm thinking of submitting it to a competition or—"
"No. That's just more to worry about. I know some people at top-tier film companies, so give it to me when it's done. I'll pass it around."
"Thank you. But I'd like to keep it hidden that I wrote it, at least at first."
Jeong Su-ryeong understood Ro-jun's intentions instantly and smiled.
"If things get noisy before you even start, what could get done won't get done. I know what you mean."
As the two talked about the movie screenplay afterward, PD Jeong Su-ryeong took out scripts she had brought and crossed her legs. They were the three scripts Gang Ro-jun had given her.
"I have a few things to tell you, Writer-nim. First, I've read all three scripts you gave me."
Gang Ro-jun was slightly nervous. That unlike *Rental Lover,* they might be evaluated as crap.
"How were they?"
But Jeong Su-ryeong clapped openly and showered praise.
"Needless to say, they're fun. I had such a hard time filming *Rental Lover* because I wanted to read the next episode? I want to do all three; it's just a shame I only have one body."
Ro-jun mentally sounded a fanfare and smiled with his eyes.
"All three?"
"Yeah. All three works are fun. They absolutely need to go into production. You'll do your next work with me too, right??"
If not for her, *Rental Lover* wouldn't have seen the light of day either. Gang Ro-jun answered immediately without hesitation.
"Yes. PD-nim. Please."
"Nice, great! However, me doing all three scripts isn't cost-effective. It'll take a long time too. Two would be fine, but for the remaining one, it's better to get another outlet to produce it."
PD Jeong Su-ryeong suggested a fast route for him to grow as a writer rather than letting it sit idle. To this, Gang Ro-jun thought briefly and replied calmly.
"How about Netflix Japan?"
PD Jeong Su-ryeong, who had been blinking her eyes, asked back.
"Yes, Netflix Japan??"