Big-name writer Han Seoryeong's agency, 'Munhwa Seorap', has its eyes on writer Rojun? Choi Rina stared at Han Seoryeong across from her and thought.
"Doesn't Munhwa Seorap have basically no rookies at all??"
Munhwa Seorap was packed not only with writer Han Seoryeong, but also star writers and master directors. Among the many writer and director management agencies, Munhwa Seorap was top tier in both scale and influence.
"And Writer Han Seoryeong is even the co-CEO."
As Choi Rina had said to herself, Munhwa Seorap had started with writer Han Seoryeong and a man called CEO Heo. It felt as though Han Seoryeong handled the investments while CEO Heo took care of operations. Currently, it had grown into a conglomerate that also handled production. It was always counted among the top when it came to writer management, and had become an agency that many writers and directors wanted to join.
Of course, Choi Rina only knew what she'd read in articles or heard in rumors, so she didn't know everything. However, there was one thing she knew for sure.
"I heard they don't just let anyone in."
Munhwa Seorap's recruitment conditions were notoriously stringent. There were absolutely no rookies among its affiliated talents. That was precisely why simply being signed to Munhwa Seorap carried a premium, and drew considerable attention in the industry.
For Munhwa Seorap—of all agencies—to show interest in Writer Rojun, Choi Rina couldn't help but find it fascinating.
"But Writer-nim, doesn't Munhwa Seorap not have any rookie writers or directors??"
Han Seoryeong smiled serenely at Choi Rina, who had asked out of pure curiosity.
"So far, that's true. But that doesn't mean we don't recruit rookies—we simply have clear standards."
Han Seoryeong swept back her short hair and continued.
"I watched the 'Rental Lover' production press conference, and Writer Rojun—they seemed interesting."
"So you saw it-"
"I did. Well, 'The 100%' is such a huge fuss these days, creators have to keep an eye on those kinds of trends as input. I couldn't watch 'The 100%' episode by episode, but I knew about Writer Rojun. First of all, a writer with that kind of visual simply doesn't exist. You can't help but pause just looking at their face."
Choi Rina nodded vigorously, as if agreeing wholeheartedly.
"You'd be hard-pressed to find that even among actors, so of course it's the same on the writer's side."
"More than anything, their path is extraordinary. An idol, yet a writer and an actor too. They even debuted as a writer before becoming a proper idol. This goes beyond merely being unusual. That friend, Rojun, is pioneering a new path, but there are no kids following behind them."
"It's definitely hard to show high caliber in all three—idol, writer, and actor."
Han Seoryeong pushed up her glasses.
"Their latent star quality is deep and wide, whether as an idol or a writer. It's hard to gauge. I'd say I'm pretty good at reading people, but this is the first time I've encountered someone I can't quite judge. Their writing is good too, right?? And their acting as well."
"That may be true, but... Writer-nim, you haven't seen Writer Rojun's work yet, have you? Did you get your hands on the script?"
"No. I could if I tried, but I deliberately didn't. I'm going to watch the drama starting from the premiere of 'Rental Lover'. Then, if I read the script afterward, I can absorb the writer's penmanship much more vividly."
"Ahh-"
"But even without going so far as to read the script, I can grasp it to some degree, right? If the script were no good, there's no way you or that picky PD Jeong would have picked it."
Though she looked plain, Han Seoryeong's eyes exuded the formidable aura of a true heavyweight.
"Besides, for the scale of a one-act play to have grown this big—it means PD Jeong stepped in, doesn't it."
"······"
"You and I have both worked with PD Jeong Suryeong, so we know, right? He's a PD who directs half-heartedly if he finds the project mediocre, no matter who he's working with. He must have had considerable confidence in this 'Rental Lover' to have expanded the scale endlessly."
That was exactly right. No matter how big Gang Rojun's issues were, if the work itself turned out to be so-so, its impact would die down quickly. Choi Rina knew this as well.
'If Writer Rojun gets signed to Munhwa Seorap—the synergy would be tremendous, and it would become a huge topic too.'
Rookie writer Rojun, the first to enter Munhwa Seorap—a place lined with master directors and heavyweight writers. Choi Rina imagined the article headlines herself and felt a slight thrill, as if it were her own affair.
'My words probably won't help much, but—'
Choi Rina went on to heap praise upon Gang Rojun.
"If you're interested, you'd better move quickly, right?? It won't be long before a flood of agencies come rushing to Writer Rojun."
"Oh my—are you already taking sides?? Don't tell me, Rina, are you a fan of Writer Rojun?"
"Ah, no!! Not at all!"
"Really? You seem strangely energetic whenever you talk about Writer Rojun, though."
Han Seoryeong watched Choi Rina's cheeks flush slightly as her eyes narrowed, and she shrugged.
"Being an idol and a writer, and being able to act in a work you wrote yourself is a huge advantage. Idol, writer, actor. Whichever way you look at it, the publicity practically takes care of itself."
"Exactly! If they keep growing like that, they'll become a monster no one can approach."
Han Seoryeong let out a pfft and admitted readily.
"At least for now, they're properly an invasive species disrupting the ecosystem."
One hour later, Japan.
Team 'The 100%', including Gang Rojun, disembarked from the plane that had just arrived at Haneda Airport. As Rojun started walking to go through immigration, he sensed an unusual atmosphere. He said as much to 58 Sihu beside him.
"Hyung, don't you think there are a lot of security guards?"
"That's what I'm saying. There look to be around a dozen—but, b-but it feels nice."
"Why?"
"Doesn't it feel like we've suddenly become celebrities?"
Was it? Rojun had at least seen scenes like this on TV. Still, he wondered if it wasn't a bit over the top. Regardless, after going through the minor procedures, Team 'The 100%' arrived in front of the immigration gate. As they paused for a moment, PD Woo Hanseok received a call from somewhere and became quite serious.
He requested the guards to tighten their perimeter.
Gang Rojun and the other nine participants tilted their heads, and ten seconds later, they understood why PD Woo Hanseok had turned serious. The moment the participants set foot in the immigration hall according to the flow of walking.
"Kyaaaaaaah!!!"
"Kyaaak!!"
A tremendous shriek echoed through the immigration hall. Hundreds of Japanese fans surged against the sagging line fences. Naturally, Gang Rojun couldn't help but open his mouth wide.
'Wh-what the heck??!'
It was a scene he had never expected. The heat was so intense it felt like they were in Korea. Hundreds of frenzied Japanese fans.
"@*%&(@&@$&&@&$!!!"
"**&#*$*$(*@$&*!!!"
"#%**(#!!"
They screamed bizarrely in Japanese and awkward Korean, to the point of being incomprehensible. Many were filming the participants with their phones, and plenty could be seen holding large cameras as well. Naturally, reporters were mixed in among them.
The reason so many Japanese fans and reporters had gathered?
It was simple.
The news of Team 'The 100%'s departure to Japan, which had started in Korea, had spread through Japan in an instant. Even though it had only been about two hours, the number of people was staggering. Even though they were in a foreign country, Rojun and the participants froze stiff at the sight of fans from another nation they were seeing for the first time. Around then, PD Woo Hanseok approached from the side and whispered.
"Get ahold of yourselves and smile and wave at the fans."
The first to move was 26 Dogyeong. He raised his hand with a dry expression, and Gang Rojun also managed an ambiguous smile.
'This is insane.'
The entry into Japan proceeded so frantically that he couldn't even remember what he'd done. Rojun felt dazed, wondering if this was reality, and the remaining participants were the same. Somehow, Team 'The 100%' got into the waiting van. From there, the participants' excitement was in full swing.
"D-did you see??! Those people just now were all our fans!!"
"Daebak! Seriously daebak!!"
"Wow—I was sooooo surprised at first I almost peed myself."
"Japanese fans calling my name feels freaking amazing, seriously!!"
But this wasn't the end. Team 'The 100%' moved straight to the hotel they'd be using as their accommodation, and the moment they saw their rooms, the participants started bouncing around again.
"This is crazy! Isn't that the Tokyo Tower?!"
"The view is insane..."
"The room is huge!!"
Rojun's eyes also grew wide at the sight of Tokyo spread out before him. However, the participants, including Rojun, had no time to marvel. They had to move immediately to the concert hall for their mini-concert after a quick unpacking.
The participants, having boarded the van again, were too busy looking out the window.
"It's Japan—Japan. I can't believe I'm here to perform in Japan."
The concert hall wasn't far from the hotel. It took roughly 20 minutes, but the exterior of the concert hall they arrived at was quite large. A standalone building three stories high, with a parking lot and a reasonably sized plaza attached. Gang Rojun and the participants, for whom everything was fascinating, let out a continuous stream of exclamations.
Before long.
-Sswik.
They entered the interior of the concert hall where they would be holding their concert. The participants' eyes and mouths grew wide again.
"...Isn't this bigger than the ones back home??"
"Wow—"
"I-is it okay for it to be this big? It doesn't look like we can fill it?!"
In fact, the concert hall, which could accommodate roughly 5,000 or more spectators, was larger than the ones in Korea. A large main stage, and at the end of the extended stage, there was a small circular stage included. Around it were standing spaces and seats prepared up to the second floor.
Gang Rojun's eyes were busy taking in the concert hall.
'The stage screen is freaking huge...'
The set construction for the concert was already finished, and dozens of staff members were doing final setups. Among the staff were Japanese workers mixed in. After the participants had spent a few minutes gaping in awe, PD Woo Hanseok approached them, accompanied by the writers.
"It's a bit bigger than back home, right? But don't be intimidated. The number of audience members coming will be about the same anyway."
Woo Hanseok, who had been smirking, continued the briefing.
"As already announced, the Japan schedule is three days and two nights. From now until tomorrow is rehearsal, and the main performance is the day after tomorrow. For your information, I'll be going back and forth between Korea and here. If there's anything urgent, tell the writers here."
PD Woo Hanseok, who couldn't stay in Japan the whole time due to editing and other matters, showed them a paper cue sheet.
"The basic performance order is similar to what we did domestically, but since this is a Japan mini-concert, some changes have naturally been added."
For starters, just like in Korea, Rojun would handle the hosting, including the talking segments. He was the leader, and his Japanese was native-level, so that was a given. The sub-host was 58 Sihu. Next, 'Survival 100' would be the Japanese version, not the Korean one. That was the gist of it.
Just then.
-Sswik.
A group approached, including a foreigner with curly blond hair. It was the Netflix Japan team, who were jointly conducting this Japan mini-concert, and General Director Tom Cavill greeted Woo Hanseok and the participants in Japanese with a smile.
"Welcome, everyone. Do you like the concert hall?"
The nine participants except Rojun were flustered, and it was PD Woo Hanseok who returned the greeting. While the two conversed with an interpreter present, Tom Cavill glanced at Gang Rojun, and the quick-witted Woo Hanseok spoke up.
"Rojun-nim, just a moment."
Soon, Rojun, Woo Hanseok, and General Director Tom Cavill began talking a few steps away from the participants. Tom Cavill extended his hand to Gang Rojun.
"I've been wanting to properly greet you, Writer Rojun. I'm General Director Tom Cavill of Netflix Japan."
Rojun, shaking his hand, let out fluent Japanese out of curiosity.
"Hello, I'm Rojun. I saw you attended the fourth evaluation last time."
"Oh—but your Japanese is truly excellent."
"Thank you."
"The Japanese fans coming to the concert will love it. The fans' expectations are quite high. I look forward to working with you."
It was General Director Tom Cavill who had broached the subject with extreme courtesy, and Gang Rojun found it strange that a foreigner spoke Japanese so smoothly.
'How peculiar. I can't get used to it.'
Because it was unfamiliar.
In any case, Tom Cavill, who had been talking briefly with Woo Hanseok, changed the subject while looking at Rojun.
"As you may have already heard, we would like to have a separate meeting with you, Rojun-nim. As a writer, of course. Would that be alright?"
"Yes, I understand."
"But please focus on the performance for now. We will have the meeting after the concert."
Now that the moment had arrived, Rojun trembled even more.
'Ugh—this is a bit nerve-wracking.'
But Rojun quickly switched to a 'I'll think about later when it comes' mindset and soon mixed back in with the participants. About thirty minutes later, Rojun and the nine others plunged into full-scale rehearsal. PD Woo Hanseok and General Director Tom Cavill watched them.
Then General Director Tom Cavill murmured.
"It feels like we only just discussed this concert, yet it's already being executed."
PD Woo Hanseok, arms crossed, raised the corners of his mouth.
"The concert day itself will pass just as quickly."
In truth, the two days vanished in an instant.
Friday, October 16th dawned quickly, and today was a day with many things scheduled.
Episode 13 of 'The 100%' would air.
"Already Episode 13?" Will the domestic mini-concert appear on today's broadcast of 'The 100%'?
The Japan mini-concert would be held.
[Star Talk] Team 'The 100%' crosses over to Japan; Japan mini-concert opens today!
And one more major piece of news was added. Woo Hanseok, who had boarded a morning flight to Japan with several writers, checked it.
'The 100%' New Theme Song 'Survival 100', Lyrics by 'Rojun' and Composition by 'Sihu', to be released today at 2 PM.
He lowered his phone, which had been displaying the freshly printed article, and muttered in a tone brimming with anticipation.
"Start sweeping the music charts."