Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 71: Audience (5)

The vast hall was ablaze with excitement from the first performance by No. 58 and No. 71. The thousands of audience members were too busy chatting with those around them to let go of the lingering excitement of the moment. They had shaken so hard they were dripping with sweat.

“Wow- that was insane, what was that realism??”

“Exactly. Felt like I was at an actual concert!”

"Really glad I came."

Of course, compared to a real idol concert, the space was relatively small and the crowd less in number, but the audience was still fully immersed in excitement.

“Honestly, I came without expectations, but I didn’t think the stage quality would be this good!”

Whether the few hundred in the standing area or the over a thousand seated around the hall, everyone felt the same. Naturally, those in the standing area right in front of the stage were more fired up, but even watching from afar wasn’t half bad.

Just then, the host Jang Dae-han reappeared on stage.

“For the fourth evaluation, it’s now time for Group 2’s Team A to challenge Group 1’s Team A!”

At his loud announcement, the momentarily calmed audience erupted into screams again, and as Jang Dae-han glanced at his cue cards, he added even more force to his voice.

“Group 2, Team A! No. 1 and No. 26!!”

A showdown between Group 1 and Group 2's Team A.

“Kyaaaaaaaa!!!!!”

A shriek that tore through the hall. It was the loudest reaction yet. Even PD Woo Han-suk and the production staff of 'Produce That 100!' were taken aback.

“Whoa, that scared me.”

“I knew it, but No. 1’s popularity really is something.”

“He’s not called the poster star for nothing. Especially with the lyrics writing reveal that happened just before."

“We better watch carefully. When No. 1 appears, the excited audience might cause an accident.”

By the time PD Woo Han-suk asked the staff to be extra careful, the entertainment industry professionals seated in the guest area were already sharpening their focus. Like soldiers pumped up just before a battle.

“It’s No. 1 now.”

“I saw him briefly during the first introduction earlier. His visuals really are unmatched.”

“No need to say it. Just based on looks, he could crush active idols.”

Face, skill, recognition, impact, villainous character, No. 1 had shown a formidable trajectory so far, and with a future even more promising, the entertainment industry professionals straightened their posture. Meanwhile, they speculated about Team A of Group 2’s performance.

“Has No. 1 ever rapped on ‘Produce That 100!’?”

“No. Only vocals and dance. This will be his first rap. No. 26 and No. 58 have rapped a few times.”

“Hmm, given his villain image, rap might actually suit him. But how’s his skill?”

“If rap were his specialty, he would’ve shown it in the first evaluation. He’s probably not as good at it as vocals or dance.”

“True- it might be his first time trying rap. I heard his training period was short too. Since his vocals and dance are so strong, rap might look weaker in comparison.”

“If he pulls off rap too, he’d be a true all-rounder. Well, even if he slips here, No. 1’s presence is already unrivaled, so it’s fine.”

PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who overheard their assessments, crossed her arms as she looked toward the stage. At the same time, she recalled the Kang Rojun she had seen until now.

'Judging from writer-nim’s usual tone and vibe, I really can’t picture him rapping.'

A slight regret quietly rose.

'Of all times, it had to be an unverified rap skills when there’s such a big audience. If it were vocals, he would’ve killed it.'

The same could be said for the 'Rental Lover' actors and the key staff. They murmured in concern for Rojun. Those eliminated from 'Produce That 100!' gathered in the very back, having seen Kang Rojun up close, were even more worried.

Still.

“But it’s No. 1 nim, you never know.”

"Right. He's always pulled off some kind of twist."

Since Rojun had always smacked people in the back of the head with surprises, there was anticipation.

At that moment.

“For Group 2 Team A’s rap evaluation, it’s an original rap! The title is ‘Small Fry’!”

After Jang Dae-han’s declaration, information about the rap popped up on several monitors hanging in the hall.

-Title: Small Fry (Original Rap)

-Lyrics & Composition by: No. 26

Praise for No. 26 emerged from among the audience members.

“This time, No. 26 did both the lyrics and composition for the rap??”

“That cold chic vibe matches rap so well, right?? No. 26 is my fave!!”

“No. 26 is good at rapping, isn’t he? No. 1 didn’t write this time.”

“Looks like it’s a rap No. 26 originally had!”

As reactions heightened, Jang Dae-han wrapped up his introduction.

“Group 2 Team A’s ‘Small Fry’ begins now!!”

The entire hall went dark once again. As only the murmurs of the thousands of audience members spread throughout, a sudden sound effect of a door opening echoed across the hall.

Clack, creak-

As soon as the effect ended, a pounding drum and an ear-smashing beat began to play, and lights shone on the stage in the dark. But there was no one there.

No sign of No. 1 or No. 26.

The stage was empty, yet the beat continued.

What’s going on? The audience glanced around, wondering if it was part of the performance. There was no movement from the production team.

Then suddenly, a blunt, heavy-toned voice dropped in.

“Not there, here! What you're looking at is a curtain. My evaluation’s already twisted. This kind of judging? That’s for amateurs!”

Along with the thick rap, the lights shifted slightly to the side of the stage. To the side area where the production team stood, No. 26 walked while rapping.

-♬♪

With gestures that seemed to be playing around freely, No. 26 slowly moved toward the stage. While breaking up the beat, he also high-fived audience members in the standing area, making the rap atmosphere free-spirited.

Thanks to that, the response peaked.

“Kyaa! Incredible!!”

If 'Small Fry' could be summed up in one phrase, it would be, “I am who I am, what are you gonna do about it?” It seemed like a rap No. 26 had composed through his experiences on 'Produce That 100!' After delivering some rapid lines while playing around below the stage, No. 26 stepped onto it. He skillfully drew out audience reactions.

The entertainment professionals watching him stroked their chins.

‘He’s got poise, and his rap’s solid.’

‘He almost looks like a pro. Just by rap alone, he might be No. 1 on 'Produce That 100!'’

‘His rap has a different vibe from No. 58’s. Rather than comparing them, they’d probably have great synergy together.’

Just as No. 26, with his flashy impression, seemed to finish his part, he lowered his mic, even though the beat continued. Picking up on the cue, audience members scanned the stage. Where’s No. 1? Where is he? But he was nowhere to be seen.

Then came a long sigh from the opposite side of the stage.

"Hah-"

A tone distinctly different from No. 26’s.

Surprised, the people in the standing section all turned their heads, and the seated audience doubled their screams. There, on the walk toward the stage, specifically, at the edge of the protruding stage, stood No. 1 in a white shirt.

A spotlight hit Kang Rojun.

The beat subtly shifted as Rojun stood upright. The drum grew stronger, and the rhythms layered in became faster. Kang Rojun straightened his shirt, then slowly began to sync his body with the beat.

Like revving up an engine.

Thousands of gazes locked onto Kang Rojun at the tip of the extended stage.

Half of them carried a look that said, “Go ahead and try.”

Soon, No. 1, no, Kang Rojun, gently brushed back his black hair and raised the handheld mic to his lips.

"Women's fantasy, going crazy over me. This place is a battlefield. But every single one is small fry. I’m good, the exploding screams are soda for the bloated gut.”

Just that first line made the audience in the standing zone around the extended stage drop their jaws.

“......Crazy.”

"What? He's really good."

“Wow... I mean, wow-”

Though slightly slower in rhythm than No. 26, Kang Rojun’s rap was fused with a solid tone and groove. Above all, his presence was on another level. A faint smile, the confidence that came not from vanity but sheer self-belief, the occasional hair sweep or shirt adjustment, extending a hand to connect with the audience while walking.

He was nothing like the usual image of a rapper.

Then, the booming beat suddenly cut off. It wasn’t a sound system failure. A rich cello melody pierced everyone’s ears. Meanwhile, Rojun didn’t do much. With his mic lowered, he simply stood there under the lights as if they were sunlight.

“......”

He slowly looked around the entire hall.

As if to say, “Yeah, it’s okay to look at my face.”

It was, of course, a performance. Created by No. 26 and executed by Kang Rojun. A shot only a visual monster like Rojun could fully embody. For audience members at the front of the stage, it was a shock to behold.

"......Wow."

Dazzling lights, Kang Rojun’s face beneath them, his serene smile or the sparkle in his eyes, the production that looked no different from a halo, those who accidentally made eye contact with Rojun nearly collapsed at the knees.

The cello melody wasn’t long.

Soon, the beat with the strong drums returned.

-♬♪

Kang Rojun, basking under the spotlight like sunbathing, began rapping again. The tempo was faster than before. Even his occasional breaths between lines blended into the rhythm.

One step, two steps.

While rapping, Kang Rojun walked toward the main stage and turned his gaze toward the guest seating. There was the 'Rental Lover' team. His eyes scanned from PD Jung Soo-ryeong to Choi Rina. His tension didn’t change. If anything, his energy seemed to grow even wilder as he brushed past.

PD Jung Soo-ryeong naturally dropped her jaw.

“......He’s insane.”

She understood why people become fans.

“When you see something that overwhelming... who wouldn’t fall for that?”

And Choi Rina?

'Amazing, really amazing!'

She was completely captivated. At this moment, she wasn’t a top actress, just a girl at a show. The dozens of entertainment professionals in the back were stunned beyond belief.

-Swish.

They grabbed their heads or covered their mouths with both hands. Some let out small chuckles or nervous laughter, completely swept up in the moment. Even the older men among them were no match for Kang Rojun’s intensity. Around that time, Kang Rojun reached the main stage.

And there he and No. 26 met.

After their parts ended, they exploded the hook together.

Kang Rojun looked to the right of the stage, No. 26 looked to the left, drawing the audience’s energy to its peak.

-♬♪

It was clearly the opposite image of the team of No. 58 and No. 71. While Team A of Group 1 had a dark and heavy feel, the current Team A of Group 2 felt like fireworks exploding. What shocked people the most was.

“...No. 1- that monster kid. If he’s even this good at rap, what are we supposed to do?”

Just like how PD Woo Han-suk had genuinely gasped in admiration, Kang Rojun’s rap performance was stage-shattering.

‘His vocals were impressive, but he has a unique flavor in his rap too.’

Then, like ‘Witch’, 'Small Fry' moved straight into the second verse without a break. Kang Rojun and No. 26 went wild on the main stage before walking back toward the extended stage. The standing audience erupted in chaos. After pacing the stage, the two returned to the main stage again.

“Music is our playground, even a whole night isn’t enough.”

The strong drumbeat vanished as if it were a lie.

The spotlight focused on Rojun and No. 26, who were breathing heavily.

'Small Fry' was over.

Yet, for some reason, the thousands of people gathered in the vast hall.

“......”

“......”

“......”

They were frozen, as if their souls had left their bodies. All they could do was stare at No. 1 and No. 26 on stage. They had truly been spellbound. Then.

“...Uh, uh. Is... is it over??”

A few people began coming to their senses.

“No- like... whoa... that was insanely good.”

As if contagious, thousands of audience members clapped so hard it was a wonder their hands didn’t break.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap!

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!

Thunderous applause rained down, shaking the hall. Along with it, screams and cheers.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaa!!!”

Though Kang Rojun kept his eyes forward and tried to catch his breath.

‘Is it over? Oh, it’s over.’

He realized the rap performance had ended. The applause and screams were overwhelming, but for some reason, everything sounded muffled in Rojun’s ears. Like he was underwater. Or more likely, he had entered a complete trance.

‘So this is what a performance feels like.’

It wasn’t a fully replicated concert. Still, Kang Rojun got a taste of it. At that moment, a memory flashed, something an idol once said on TV. That concerts give the greatest catharsis.

Now he understood.

‘This is seriously fun, stuff like this.’

Forget nerves, he’d been breathing with the audience, and suddenly the performance was over. Time flew by. He even felt a surge of regret. Meanwhile, the audience’s deafening roars grew louder. Kang Rojun gave a gentle nudge to No. 26’s side. That’s when No. 26 snapped back to reality.

“Ah.”

Rojun and No. 26 bowed deeply to the thousands of audience members.

“Thank you.”

And the screams only got more intense.

“#(^%(*#(*%&%(*%!!!!”

“**&$#*&#$*&@(!*!!!”

Thousands screamed at once, mixing words and cries so chaotically that no one could make sense of what was being said. The hysteria refused to settle. The production team, needing to keep filming on track, was thrown into confusion. PD Woo Han-suk instructed them to just observe the situation for now.

And over in the guest seating area, among the mostly calm observers, was a group with one foreigner mixed in.

To be precise, the Netflix Japan team.

They, too, looked like their souls had been sucked out. Executive Director Tom Cavill, with his curly blond hair, stared at Kang Rojun on stage.

"Huh-"

He scanned the thousands of Korean audience members.

Every single one of them seemed half-crazy. Tom Cavill felt a chill run down his spine. The thousands of Koreans currently losing their minds.

“This... this is the kind of explosive power an amateur can produce?”

It felt like he was witnessing the future of Japanese audiences.