Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 72.2: Audience (6)

Later.

With the first match of the 4th evaluation over, preparations for the second team began right away. But the thousands of audience members were still basking in the heat of the moment, and Kang Rojun, No. 26, No. 58, and No. 71 returned to the waiting room.

The remaining contestants, who had been watching the performance on the monitor, gave sincere applause.

“Both teams were seriously amazing!”

“Ah- didn’t they set the bar way too high from the start?? Anyway, that was sick!”

"While watching the performance, I got a bit emotional."

"What, suddenly."

"No! Was it just me??"

"Actually, I felt that way a bit too."

There were only 24 contestants left now. All were competitors, but also teammates. Those who had spent a considerable time together couldn’t help but be moved by the two teams’ performances. After all, they had watched them practice like crazy. No matter what kind of performance each team showed, it would feel the same.

Doing their best was more than enough to earn admiration.

Whatever the case, the 4th evaluation, now stage fully set, moved on to the next team.

“The second team in the 4th evaluation! Group 1’s Team C!!”

The next contestants stepped out of the waiting room. Rojun stared at the monitor with a pretty relaxed heart. Around then, the staff called out to Kang Rojun, No. 26, No. 58, and No. 71. It was to film their interview cuts.

“All four of you, please come to the adjacent waiting room for a quick shoot!”

The 4th evaluation continued producing screams and cheers, moving past the second team to the third team’s turn.

Half of the six total teams had now completed their performances.

Around this time, the 'Produce That 100!' team paused the recording briefly and announced a break. During the approximately 30-minute rest period before the next stage was prepared, the ‘Rental Lover’ team stood in front of the 'Produce That 100!' cameras. Of course, only the actors. A short interview was held with a drama promotion vibe. The questions were handled by writer Kim Se-hee.

“This is the 'Rental Lover' team! First, Choi Rina nim! Thank you for attending the 4th evaluation as part of the audience!”

“Of course I had to come and cheer, it’s our writer-nim’s project after all.”

“He’s both the writer and No. 1, right? Choi Rina nim, how did you find No. 1 nim’s performance?”

“Honestly, it felt surreal. Just seeing writer-nim up there on stage was something else.”

True to her S-Class Top Actress status, Choi Rina concealed her true feelings and gave a professional response, enough not to cause any issues. Meanwhile, inside, she was leaping for joy.

‘How did I find it??! Writer-nim, you're the best! Seriously the best!!’

After the other actors’ interviews wrapped up, the 'Rental Lover' team returned to their seats, and as the break ended, the audience members also returned to theirs. The 4th evaluation continued seamlessly.

It was a whirlwind of rap.

Each contestant team took the stage and showed off a variety of directing styles and beats. After each pair of team performances ended, the judges gave deeply contemplative evaluations.

And then, after about three or four hours had passed.

“Yes! Now it’s time for the final performance!!”

Jang Dae-han announced that the performances were nearly over. The last teams were Group 1 and Group 2’s F Teams, which included No. 37 from room 105 and the blond-haired No. 15. After the final rap performances from both teams.

“Yes!! That’s it!”

The recording for the 4th evaluation, which had run for about seven hours and brought in thousands of audience members, was now complete. Soon, Jang Dae-han and the judges stood to thank the audience, and all 24 remaining contestants, including Kang Rojun, came back on stage and bowed deeply.

Some of the thousands in the audience began leaving the hall, but most stayed in their seats to cheer on the contestants.

“Kyaa!! Thank you for your hard work!!”

“That was soooo good!!”

But as if that wasn’t the end, PD Woo Han-suk, now holding the mic, came up on stage.

“This is the end of the official recording. Since this was the first audience taping of 'Produce That 100!', we’ve prepared one more performance as a token of appreciation for the audience members and invited guests.”

A buzz spread through the hall.

A performance? What performance?

Since no one had been told anything, the thousands in the audience, the entertainment industry insiders, the 'Rental Lover' team, the Netflix Japan team, and other guests, about a hundred of them in total, widened their eyes.

Meanwhile, PD Woo Han-suk.

-Swish.

Turned around to the 24 contestants gathered behind him and gave them a big smile.

“Everyone ready?”

All the contestants, including Rojun, nodded confidently. Judge Lee Han-na, who had moved toward the front of the stage, clapped her hands.

“Just do it like we rehearsed. If you make a mistake, don’t panic, just follow the formation!”

As soon as her instructions ended, PD Woo Han-suk sent a signal to the production crew with his eyes. The once bright hall dimmed slightly. Taking the chance, PD Woo Han-suk exited the stage, and Lee Han-na returned to the judge's seat.

In the darkened atmosphere, the audience stared intently at the 24 people standing on stage, their hearts racing.

At that moment.

-♬♪

A familiar song blasted through the hall.

It was 'Produce', the theme song and the song used in the third evaluation, and the lights focused entirely on the 24 contestants filling the stage.

An unexpected gift.

“Oh my god! Oh my god!!!”

“Kyaaaa!!”

“Ahhhhhhh!!”

The hall exploded in deafening screams.

Several hours later, late into the night.

'Produce That 100!' had given multiple warnings to audience members who received admission tickets, collected their phones and cameras, and even required a confidentiality agreement. Most of the audience usually honored the no-spoiler policy.

But with thousands gathered.

There were people from all walks of life, and a small number inevitably chose to break the rules. It was a typical scene for any idol-related taping.

There were no photos or videos, but memories remained.

So, just before midnight, a post went up on a community site.

[Produce That 100! 4th Evaluation Audience Review (Long Post Warning)]

By the end of the lengthy review, the comment section was blowing up.

-ㅜㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅠ so jealous

-Turning in cameras was a stroke of genius, otherwise would've been dragged away ㅋㅋㅋㅋ but what’s this about No. 1 writing lyrics??

-Huh? No. 1 writes lyrics? Isn’t he a writer?

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The fire started from here.

*****

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