Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 72.1: Audience (6)

After Kang Rojun and No. 26 finished their performance, the audience, who had been going wild, barely managed to calm down after a few minutes. In the meantime, the host Jang Dae-han came up on stage.

“Wow- what an amazing performance, right? I didn’t even realize how time flew while clapping.”

As Jang Dae-han made a fitting comment and conducted a brief interview with Rojun and No. 26, the people in the standing area closest to the stage were talking.

“No, wasn’t that performance just insane?!”

“Totally, totally. I think this team did way better than Group 1’s Team A.”

“Why is No. 1 so good at rapping too?? Like, seriously, why?”

“Right. We didn’t even see a single clip of him practicing rap on the broadcast, right? But he nailed it.”

“If he debuts, No. 1 would be the main vocal, main dancer, and also rap, just a certified all-rounder from the start.”

They were busy showering praise on Group 2’s Team A.

“Earlier, I made eye contact with No. 1 at that extended stage up front, and I nearly fainted. He even smiled at me.”

“Ah- it's such a shame we didn’t have phones. That moment had to be recorded no matter what. Even if it airs on TV, a fancam hits differently.”

“Anyway, No. 26 did great too, but this performance was No. 1’s. He completely owned it. His aura exploded, seriously.”

In between, there were quite a few defending No. 58 from Group 1’s Team A.

“No. 1 definitely had insane presence, but in terms of the stage as a whole, Group 1’s Team A was better. Group 2’s Team A leaned more into performance.”

“If we’re just talking rap skills, No. 58 was the best, also super cute.”

“Yeah yeah, full of unexpected charm."

It’s just that Kang Rojun’s impact was so overwhelming, when it came to the performance alone, the audience was quite split. On the other hand, in the minds of entertainment industry insiders, it was all about No. 1. No, it was all about Kang Rojun.

'No. 26 is good too, definitely has good form. But man, does No. 1 lack anything? Honestly, I thought his rap would be a bit bland, but from tempo control to delivery, there’s barely any difference between him and someone who's been rapping for years??'

They had just seen the performance, and he had already been their top candidate anyway.

'He’s got the audience wrapped around his finger, no awkwardness in his performance at all. He raps well. And he showed off his skill through writing lyrics too. What kind of monster is that??'

'I want him so bad. No. 26 and No. 58 are both decent, but No. 1, he’s insanely desirable.'

Even to entertainment industry insiders who had been through it all in the industry, Kang Rojun felt extremely unfamiliar. There were plenty of good-looking guys, but none stood out like him. Sure, many had talent, but none had everything.

But Rojun was a brand all on his own.

'......Have I ever seen someone like that before? No, there’s no way. That No. 1, he’s not just idol material. He was born to be a star.'

The entertainment industry insiders were all convinced. The other contestants were great, sure, but No. 1’s market value would skyrocket exponentially before long.

Around then, Jang Dae-han wrapped up the interview with Rojun and No. 26.

“Alright! Then! Let’s hear the evaluations for Group 1 and Group 2’s Team A! Group 1’s Team A, please come up on stage.”

He called out Group 1’s Team A, who had been waiting off-stage. No. 58 and No. 71, both wearing hoodies, came up quickly. They stood on the left at the front of the stage, while Kang Rojun and No. 26 took position on the right. The cameras split into wide shots and bust shots. Some angles focused on the judges’ seats close to the stage.

The first to pick up the mic was veteran singer Yoon Seung-won, with 30 years of experience.

“Uh- this is really tough.”

Yoon Seung-won let out a long sigh as he looked at the four contestants on stage.

“Both teams were amazing, really well done. But the vibes were completely different, so... this is a hard choice. Can’t we just pick both teams?”

Jang Dae-han shook his head.

“I understand it’s hard to evaluate, but please choose only one team.”

“Hm, well, for Group 1’s Team A, I liked the nuance of their rap. I could feel the real anger in it. For Group 2’s Team A, it felt like we were at a club or something, with the performance and everything. There’s nothing to nitpick about either team, but if I had to point out one flaw in Group 1’s Team A, it might be that their performance felt a bit static. So I’m voting for Group 2’s Team A.”

Kang Rojun’s Group 2 Team A received one vote. The evaluation moved on to the next judge, Lee Da-mi, a former girl group member who now runs a mid-sized entertainment company. She also struggled before making her decision.

“I vote for Group 1’s Team A. The atmosphere of their rap was more unique.”

This time, Group 1’s Team A with No. 58 received a vote. That made it 1 to 1. While the judges’ evaluations didn’t directly determine survival or elimination, they did carry considerable weight along with the viewer votes, so they couldn’t be ignored. Next up was choreographer Lee Han-na.

“I also vote for Group 1’s Team A.”

Her explanation also indicated her choice of No. 58 and No. 71. The judges right now weren’t evaluating individual contestants, but were making decisions based on the overall performance. Then Gong Joo-mi, holding her forehead, picked up the mic.

“I want to pick both teams... but I choose Group 2’s Team A.”

She explained it was because she found it slightly more fun and enjoyable.

Thanks to that, the score was now 2 to 2.

The final judge was the hit-making composer Song Min-geun. The chubby man brought the microphone to his lips.

“Uh- honestly, in my heart, both teams pass. They both presented high-quality performances with completely different styles, and the direction was top-tier. I thought I was watching a professional stage. All four of them did great, but No. 58 stood out with unexpected charm, and No. 1- why are you good at rap too?”

The other judges nodded vigorously in agreement, and Song Min-geun let out a brief laugh before continuing.

“No. 1 always delivers unexpected skills, and this time too, he pulled it off. So I based my score on the shock factor, and my choice is Group 2’s Team A.”

As a result.

“Yes!! With three votes for Group 2’s Team A and two for Group 1’s Team A! The winner of the first match in the 4th evaluation is Group 2’s Team A!!”

Just as Jang Dae-han announced, Kang Rojun and No. 26, who performed the rap 'Small Fry', took the victory. Immediately, deafening screams and applause from the thousands of audience members erupted.

-Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!!!

That response was echoed by the judges, the production team, entertainment industry insiders in the guest seats, the 'Rental Lover' team, the Netflix Japan team, and even the eliminated contestants. Rojun and No. 26 bowed and smiled, while No. 58 and No. 71 congratulated them beside them.

At that moment, though Kang Rojun didn’t know.

-Bzzzz.

-Bzzzz.

Short vibrations rang from the phone he left behind. The 'AI Simulation' app also seemed pleased and sent a reward.

-[You’ve completed the Hidden Mission ‘Another Victory!’ 15 coins have been given as a reward.]

Up on stage, tangled in a mix of emotions, Kang Rojun realized something.

The first team battle he participated in was incredibly electrifying.

The first and second evaluations had been solo. The third was a group, but still judged individually. This was the first time the evaluation was explicitly team-based.

‘Compared to doing it alone, performing in a team brings more dynamic evaluations, and it’s way more thrilling.’

So it made him even more eager.

‘Team stuff is fun. I guess this is the appeal of being an idol.’