Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 68: Audience (2)

PD Woo Han-suk asked again, wondering if he had misheard.

“…What did you say you finished?”

It was an unusual expression, somewhere between shock and bewilderment? Even while assessing PD Woo Han-suk’s face, Kang Rojun thought.

‘He’s really surprised. Well, I guess that’s understandable?’

He responded again as calmly as possible.

“The Japanese lyrics.”

“……”

PD Woo Han-suk stared at Rojun’s face for a few seconds, then asked for confirmation again.

“…So you’re saying you even wrote the Japanese lyrics for the ‘Survival 100’ song?”

What is this super handsome villain talking about? PD Woo Han-suk momentarily froze, but somehow managed to continue speaking.

“Phew- I think some explanation is needed here.”

“Well, it started with a simple curiosity.”

Rojun, recalling the past, casually recounted the story.

“I received the ‘Survival 100’ song and while thinking about the lyrics, Japanese lyrics came to mind. I thought I could try it. After that, I discussed it with No. 58 and decided to go ahead.”

Kang Rojun explained just the core points.

“‘Survival 100’ became the theme song of ‘Produce That 100!’, and ‘Produce That 100!’ is quite popular in Japan too, right? I thought it might help. So, while I was at it, I wrote the Japanese lyrics too.”

He answered as if it was no big deal, and as a smile slowly spread on PD Woo Han-suk’s lips, he let out a bewildered exclamation.

“While you were at it?”

“Yes. While I was at it.”

No. 1 spoke of writing Japanese lyrics as if it were easier than picking his nose. The scale of what he had done was too big to say it was just on the side. Though Rojun spoke lightly, writing Japanese lyrics was never something one could do as easily as picking a nose.

On top of that.

‘…Is he reading my mind or what?’

PD Woo Han-suk was also making plans regarding Japan. That made it even more chilling. Just as he was about to build things up, Kang Rojun appeared with a ta-da. ‘Produce’ was just a preview, ‘Survival 100’ was the real deal. A few days ago, ‘Survival 100’ had been confirmed as the theme song for ‘Produce That 100!’, and PD Woo Han-suk had been planning to release it not just in Korea but in Japan as well.

However, the Japanese release was something for later.

But now Kang Rojun had already written Japanese lyrics?

With goosebumps creeping up, PD Woo Han-suk looked around, then leaned closer to Rojun and lowered his voice.

“Who knows about this?”

“Just me and No. 58.”

“Let’s keep it to just us three for now.”

The atmosphere felt kind of off. Rubbing his chin, Kang Rojun asked.

“Did I do something unnecessary?”

PD Woo Han-suk shook his head like, what are you talking about?

“No, you did well. Why?”

“Well, your expression, PD nim…”

“It was just sudden, that’s all. I was just surprised. Who reacts like, ‘Oh yeah, sure', when someone suddenly says they wrote Japanese lyrics?”

“True.”

“Hmm. To be honest, I was already considering a Japanese release for ‘Survival 100’, not right away though.”

“That’s a relief.”

“No. 1, you didn’t read my mind or anything, did you?”

“Did I get caught?”

“Huh?”

“Just kidding.”

PD Woo Han-suk let out a soft laugh and changed the subject.

“First, send me what you wrote.”

“Yes.”

Taking out his phone, Kang Rojun immediately sent the lyrics files to PD Woo Han-suk, and as soon as he felt the vibration, PD Woo Han-suk saw that there were indeed two versions of the files, Korean and Japanese lyrics. Soon after, Kang Rojun added an explanation.

“I attached a translation to the Japanese lyrics just in case.”

“Wait a second, you finished all this in just a few days?”

“Yes.”

Whether he had just thrown something together or not could be checked later, but for now, just the fact that he had produced this level of output in such a short time was astonishing.

‘With all the chaos from the 4th evaluation practice, when did he do all this?’

Still, having observed Kang Rojun over time, PD Woo Han-suk didn’t remain shocked for long. He already knew No. 1 was a monster. Then, lowering his phone, PD Woo Han-suk continued.

“I’ll check both versions. If I think they’re good, we’ll go with them. If both the composition and lyrics are finalized, the recording for ‘Survival 100’ will be done by Song Min-geun nim. Hmm, we’ll need to do a guide recording before the real thing, though.”

PD Woo Han-suk patted Rojun on the shoulder.

“If that’s the case, would you like to try recording the guide vocals for both the Korean and Japanese versions?”

Me? Rojun quickly ran calculations in his head. In the meantime, PD Woo Han-suk spoke again.

“For the Korean version, anyone can do it, but wouldn’t it be better if you did the Japanese version personally? You wrote the lyrics, and your Japanese is like that of a native speaker. Then it’d be cleaner to just have you do both. Your vocals are killer too.”

He wasn’t wrong. A guide was, literally, a preliminary recording, so it was lighter than the actual recording, but the Japanese version should definitely be done by someone fluent in the language. Rojun didn’t see the harm.

‘Didn’t he say I’ll eventually perform 'Survival 100' on stage anyway?’

The future plan for 'Survival 100', which had been chosen as the theme song, was not for another evaluation but more about gifting a performance to the audience, stripped of the survival concept.

‘Then I can check its dance choreography later, and it’s fine to study the vocals in advance.’

He concluded that he might as well run the 'AI Automation' now to pre-train himself. At this point, PD Woo Han-suk chimed in again.

“Think about it. Since it’s just a guide, it’s not something to stress over. You’ll need time to master the song anyway, so let’s talk again after the fourth evaluation.”

Kang Rojun muttered that there was no need for that.

“I’ll do the guide recording. Ah, if my lyrics are confirmed, that is.”

PD Woo Han-suk’s eyes widened slightly again.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It’s not a difficult task.”

He gave off that villain vibe.

“Haha, all right. Then, if the lyrics for ‘Survival 100’ are confirmed, No. 1, you will handle both guide recordings.”

PD Woo Han-suk whispered with a pleased expression.

"Let's sweep both domestic and Japanese Oricon charts."

At that moment.

-Buzz buzz.

-Buzz buzz.

Rojun felt the vibration at his wrist but resisted checking it for now. It was a notification sent by the 'AI Simulation'. Though Kang Rojun didn’t look at it, the content was.

-[You’ve completed the Sudden Title Mission ‘Complete Japanese Lyrics!’ You’ve been awarded 50 Coins as a reward.]

Unaware of this, PD Woo Han-suk suddenly voiced a thought to Rojun.

“But with this level of energy, No. 1 wouldn’t you be able to work as a writer, lyricist, or even actor in Japanese?”

Kang Rojun smiled.

“Probably.”

Of course, the same applied to English.

Afterwards.

Having finished the conversation with Kang Rojun, PD Woo Han-suk called for No. 26 while Rojun was still around. A few minutes later, No. 26 appeared with an expressionless face. Soon, PD Woo Han-suk received information about Group 2 Team A, their evaluation rap, concept, production direction, and so on.

“Our Group 2 Team A will be doing a self-written rap for the evaluation.”

Hearing about the original rap titled ‘Small Fry’, PD Woo Han-suk glanced at Kang Rojun.

‘A self-written rap, wouldn’t something more familiar be easier? Since a self-written rap has to be learned from scratch, isn’t the hurdle a bit high?’

But the opponent was that No. 1. Was he worrying needlessly? Thinking so, PD Woo Han-suk offered light encouragement and sent Rojun and No. 26 off. He then continued calling up participants by team. This was to check the information for all teams’ fourth evaluation. The very last team was Group 1 Team A, made up of No. 58 and No. 71.

“Hello, PD nim.”

Among No. 58 and No. 71, who both bowed politely, it was the slightly cautious-looking No. 58 who opened his mouth.

“…We, Group 1 Team A, decided to go with a self-written rap.”

Immediately, PD Woo Han-suk thought of Rojun.

‘So now both teams are doing self-written raps. This is getting interesting. Is this going to turn into a self-written rap battle?’

Then No. 58 stated the title of the rap.

“The title is ‘Witch.’”

“…‘Witch’?”

“Yes.”

PD Woo Han-suk, his expression growing serious, pulled No. 58 aside and whispered.

“Are you sure about this?”

The reason was simple. 'Witch' was a rap that PD Woo Han-suk was already familiar with.

“That original rap, didn’t No. 1 write the lyrics for that?”

'Witch' was also the first piece Rojun had written as a lyricist. But Baby Perm No. 58 nodded calmly.

“Yes. It’s fine. I already told No. 1 nim.”

“And he said?”

“He said it didn’t matter. That the moment he handed over the lyrics, they belonged to ‘Witch.’”

“…If both of you are okay with it, then there’s no problem.”

PD Woo Han-suk muttered to himself, thinking that No. 58 had deliberately challenged No. 1.

‘The gentlest-looking face, but maybe not so mild on the inside. Is that determination I see?’

It wasn’t a negative thought.

Growth comes with discomfort, and in this 'Produce That 100!' show, the discomfort for all participants stemmed from the villain, No. 1. Rising competitiveness was a positive sign.

‘Whatever happens, it won’t be long before ‘Lyricist No. 1’ is revealed.’

About an hour later.

-♬♪

The melody of the rap spread across the grandly set-up stage. The participants had begun their team rehearsals. At this point, other staff members handled the directing, while PD Woo Han-suk stepped away briefly. Around noon, he moved to a meeting room located inside the campus.

In the medium-sized meeting room, waiting for PD Woo Han-suk was.

“Hello, PD nim.”

“Nice to see you, Executive Director-nim.”

It was Executive Director Tom Cavill and the Netflix Japan team. PD Woo Han-suk shook hands with them and began a conversation with the aid of an interpreter. The discussion started with PD Woo Han-suk.

“It’s been a while. This is the first time we’ve met since the launch of ‘Produce That 100!’, right?”

“That’s right. As you probably know, the show’s popularity in Japan is quite significant.”

“Yes. I’ve been monitoring things, but I’m sure the local buzz in Japan feels very different from what we see here. But your visit to Korea this time feels a bit sudden.”

“It’s partly because of the show, but we also have another matter to attend to.”

“I see. So how’s the Japanese concert plan coming along?”

“We’re preparing as per our initial agreement.”

In truth, the Japan-side concert that PD Woo Han-suk had hinted at had been designed in collaboration with Netflix Japan.

“When the time comes, we’ll start promoting it in Japan.”

While they were discussing the future plans for 'Produce That 100!', Executive Director Tom Cavill, brushing back his blonde curls, asked hesitantly.

“By any chance, could we see No. 1?”

“Hmm. He’s in the middle of rehearsal right now, so it might be a little difficult.”

“…I see.”

Seeing their clear disappointment, PD Woo Han-suk smiled.

“If your schedule allows, would you like to come watch tomorrow’s 4th evaluation shoot? You can attend as part of the audience.”

Every member of the Netflix Japan team, including Executive Director Tom Cavill, lit up with anticipation in their eyes.

“Oh! Please, we’d love that.”

The next day, Tuesday.

From early morning, the internet was unusually buzzing with mentions of 'Produce That 100!', even more than usual. And it made sense.

《‘Produce That 100!’, 4th Evaluation Recording with Live Audience Starts Today》

Today was the day of the 4th evaluation recording that had stirred up the media and public opinion in recent days, as it included a live audience event. From the articles, it was clear that even reporters were eager to attend as spectators, and across online communities, the wails of those who had failed to get a ticket filled the threads.

A couple of hours passed.

The sun had risen, but it was still very early, around 6 a.m. Near the 'Produce That 100!' campus in Paju, a woman got out of a taxi. She was full of excitement, having been selected as an audience member.

‘Whew- finally going to see it! Ah, I’m so nervous. Feels like I came way too early, but it’s fine. Better to line up ahead of time.’

Just then, the taxi driver struck up a conversation.

“There are a lot of calls heading that way today, is there some kind of festival going on?”

“Sorry?”

“Lots of people are heading where you’re going. Even though it’s so early.”

“Ah-”

The woman sensed it immediately.

‘So there are others like me already here!’

She thought she’d be first, but it was a hasty assumption. According to the taxi driver, a good number of people had already arrived at the 'Produce That 100!' campus. Feeling anxious now, the woman got out of the taxi about ten minutes later. And she couldn’t help but gape.

“…Wow- this is crazy.”

From behind her, someone in another taxi gasped in amazement. The taxi driver, seeing the same scene through the open passenger window, commented too.

“Whoa- it really is a festival. Look at all those people!”

The front of the 'Produce That 100!' campus was already overflowing with a massive crowd.

The woman who had stepped out of the taxi was left speechless. At a glance, it wasn’t just dozens, it was hundreds of people swarming in front of the campus. She couldn’t even tell if there was a line or not.

‘Isn’t this insane??! What time even is it, and how did they gather this early??!!’