Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy
Chapter 78: Name (2)

When Kang Rojun arrived at Song Min-geun’s recording studio, he couldn’t help but be amazed. No, was he awed? Bewildered? That made sense too.

‘Park Hyun-jung? That’s Park Hyun-jung, right??’

The woman passionately singing inside the recording booth, with vocal skills beyond compare, was none other than that Park Hyun-jung, who is always mentioned when talking about veteran singers. What’s more, Rojun had often found comfort and solace in Park Hyun-jung’s songs in the past.

They consoled his loneliness and neutralized his pain.

Park Hyun-jung’s songs had been a great help for Kang Rojun’s mental recovery. That very person, Park Hyun-jung, singing right before his eyes was shocking enough.

'......The lyrics I wrote.'

The lyrics Rojun had written himself were flowing from Park Hyun-jung’s mouth. Unconsciously opening his mouth, Kang Rojun froze the moment he stepped into the recording studio. His gaze was fixed on the recording booth. Just hearing Park Hyun-jung’s sorrowful voice changed Rojun’s entire world.

That feeling from then, that emotion from then, that texture from then.

It truly became surreal.

It felt like just yesterday he was lying in his room listening to Park Hyun-jung’s songs, and now she was singing lyrics written by him inside a booth.

Just as Kang Rojun’s heart was turning all mushy.

“What are you doing?”

A familiar male voice pierced in from behind. It was PD Woo Han-suk, and next to him was Baby Perm No. 58. That meant including Kang Rojun, three people had come to the studio. Soon after, following Song Min-geun’s greeting, Park Hyun-jung came out of the booth.

Rojun, who was waiting for the right moment to greet her, overheard the conversation between the two giants and felt something.

'They seem really close.'

Park Hyun-jung asked Song Min-geun,

“Oppa, didn’t you say you were going to show me the lyricist for ‘Black and White Sound’ today?? That was a lie, wasn’t it?”

Song Min-geun pointed at Kang Rojun with his index finger.

“He’s right behind you. That lyricist.”

Was it time? Rojun cleared his throat lightly and tried to bow a full 90 degrees. But

"Oh my!!"

Park Hyun-jung collapsed onto the sofa. Huh? Kang Rojun missed the timing to catch her. Then Park Hyun-jung stared blankly at Rojun’s face and started speaking in a flustered voice. Judging by her tone, she seemed to know Kang Rojun well.

‘She watches 'Produce That 100!'’

Just then, Song Min-geun introduced Rojun as the lyricist. This time, catching the timing perfectly, Kang Rojun bowed deeply to Park Hyun-jung, and she, blinking her eyes, looked up at Rojun from where she had fallen without giving an immediate reply.

At some point, chubby Song Min-geun had stepped beside Kang Rojun and was snickering as he looked at the dazed Park Hyun-jung.

“Look at that stupid dumbfounded face. Snap out of it, girl, a sunbae should show her poise.”

“...I admit it.”

“What?”

Finally regaining her senses, Park Hyun-jung recalled the conversation she’d had with Song Min-geun a few days ago and spoke.

“I admit he’s damn handsome.”

Park Hyun-jung shot up from the sofa and quickly approached Rojun.

“Did, did you really write the lyrics to ‘Black and White Sound’???”

A bit startled, Kang Rojun nodded.

“Ah- yes, I did. Is it that surprising?”

“Not at all! The lyrics are killer! But! You’re No. 1, right?”

“Yes.”

“No. 1 from ‘Produce That 100!’”

“Yes.”

“So No. 1 is the lyricist of my song??!”

This time, the answer came from PD Woo Han-suk, who was standing behind Rojun.

“Haha, hello, Hyun-jung ssi. That song was yours, huh- that’s right. The lyricist for that song is No. 1 right here.”

Turning her gaze, Park Hyun-jung saw PD Woo Han-suk and No. 58. No. 58 bowed 90 degrees, and she, who seemed familiar with PD Woo Han-suk, responded.

“Ah, it’s been a while, PD-nim. I mean! What is all this......."

“You watch ‘Produce That 100!’?”

“Of course! I’m a total fan! But if No. 1 is the lyricist, of course I’d be shocked!!”

Song Min-geun, enjoying the fun spectacle, chimed in.

“I set this up to see that stupid dumbfounded face. It's a fresh shock after a long time, isn't it?"

“Bring it on, oppa. I won’t let this slide.”

"What??"

After bickering for a while, it was Park Hyun-jung who calmed down first by brushing her hair back. Then she locked eyes with Kang Rojun again.

“Anyway, I really love the lyrics. But... wow- your real-life appearance is insane. How can a person’s face look like that??”

A full-on compliment about his face from Park Hyun-jung. The corners of Rojun’s lips twitched slightly.

“Th- thank you.”

“I’ve seen a lot of guys who are called handsome, but No. 1, you’re on a whole different level. The camera only captured about half of it.”

As she poured out her admiration, Song Min-geun pushed her aside.

“That’s enough, now go."

“Huh? Ah, oh yeah. But what’s the ‘Produce That 100!’ team doing with you, oppa?”

“Hey, I’m a judge on ‘Produce That 100!’ you know?”

“Ah right, that’s true.”

It was PD Woo Han-suk who answered.

“Judge Song Min-geun has agreed to work on our theme song, so we’re starting with the guide recording today.”

"Theme song??"

Park Hyun-jung’s eyes widened slightly as she looked back and forth between Rojun and the hesitant No. 58.

“Did you two compose and write the lyrics?”

"Yes. The song came out really fantastic."

“...Could I just listen to a little bit?”

“If you promise to keep it a secret, then no problem. It’ll be released on broadcast soon anyway. And we should hear what the great singer Park Hyun-jung thinks.”

“What do you mean, evaluation, I’ll just enjoy it.”

Later, after a brief prep work, Park Hyun-jung and PD Woo Han-suk sat side by side on the sofa while Song Min-geun and No. 58 took their positions at the equipment. And Kang Rojun?

‘Wow- recording booth. I’ve seen it before, but this is my first time actually entering one.’

He entered the recording booth alone. Inside was simple, nothing too complicated, but it was unfamiliar so Rojun looked around curiously. Then he put on the headphones near the microphone.

Soon, Song Min-geun’s voice came from outside the booth.

“Are you ready? You can listen to the melody once as a warm up.”

Although he was nervous, since it stemmed from excitement, Kang Rojun shook his head.

“I’m fine. I’ll try it right away.”

“Oh! As expected from No. 1. No backing down, okay. Then start when you get the signal.”

Since he had already learned ‘Survival 100’, Rojun felt confident. He brought his mouth closer to the mic, and a familiar intro spread through his headphones. A guitar beating like a fast heartbeat. Then the drums joined in.

At the perfect timing, the vocals no, Kang Rojun began to sing.

-♬♪

The moment he sang the first verse, Song Min-geun smiled faintly.

“As expected, his vocal tone is a killer, and on top of that, his fundamentals like vocalization and breathing are solid. What do you think, composer-nim?”

No. 58, who couldn’t take his eyes off Kang Rojun inside the booth, already had an expression soaked in admiration.

“...He probably didn’t have much time, but I’m amazed he already understands the song to this level. He clearly gets the message I had in mind and conveys it with emotion. The intro starts in a low tone, but the dynamics add difficulty, yet he’s incredibly stable.”

“Right? That’s what I thought too. It’s like gradually raising a heartbeat. The tone is totally different from ‘Farewell'. Makes you wonder, how rich will the chorus be?”

“His tone is criminally good.”

“This is just a guide, but someone might think it’s an official recording. The energy is solid.”

Usually, Song Min-geun, who is meticulous about recording, doesn’t listen to the whole song in the first session. Even Park Hyun-jung would often get interrupted with direction. But this time, he didn’t stop Rojun’s singing.

He seriously listened through verse 1 and even into verse 2.

When verse 2 of ‘Survival 100’ finally ended.

-Swish.

Song Min-geun gave a hand signal for Rojun to hold for a moment and turned his chair around. On the sofa, Park Hyun-jung covered her mouth with one hand.

“I got chills, what is that vocal? I did listen to ‘Farewell’ too, but this is on a whole different level??”

With an expression like a bolt of lightning had struck her head, she unconsciously thought to herself.

‘That tone, I want it. I want to match breath with him.’

She imagined a future where Kang Rojun featured in her song.

“...He makes even his breathing sound like music right now. How is that even remotely amateur? He’s just a pro, isn’t he??”

But as if that wasn’t the end, Song Min-geun spoke again to Rojun in the booth.

“Yeah, No. 1. Nice. Should we try the Japanese version next?”

Park Hyun-jung’s eyes widened even more, and she shouted like she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“J-Japanese version??!”

Monday, the 21st, around lunchtime.

Episode 10 of 'Produce That 100!', which had exploded across the country after surpassing a 30% viewership rating, was also broadcast in Japan. Of course, it meant it had been uploaded to Netflix Japan. Since 'Produce That 100!' was gaining explosive popularity in Japan just like in Korea.

《‘Produce That 100!’ dominating Japan’s No.1 search site, Yahoo Japan / Photo》

This time too, it was obvious it would cause a frenzy.

Even within Japan, the fandom was growing explosively, reaching a fever pitch, and just seeing how 'Produce That 100!' had taken over Japanese social media and portal sites made it clear how massive the popularity was.

At this moment, after completing his daily mission and enhancement, Kang Rojun could be found in the hall of the campus.

No, he was there with all 24 participants.

Judging by the cameras, lighting, and other setup, it seemed to be official filming for 'Produce That 100!', and at the forefront of dozens of staff stood PD Woo Han-suk, speaking to the 24 participants.

“Please announce your names in the order we informed you in advance. It’s okay if you make mistakes. We can re-shoot, so just do your best with high energy to make yourself known.”

Today was the shoot for revealing the participants’ names.

In truth, some of the 24 would undoubtedly be eliminated in the upcoming 4th evaluation. But PD Woo Han-suk intended to show all 24 on broadcast.

‘I want to announce the names of those who made the 4th evaluation shine, and no matter who gets eliminated, they’re good enough to debut even outside of here.’

It was also PD Woo Han-suk's final consideration or gift.

And so, the shoot began.

Perhaps it was already planned, but one participant stepped onto the stage under the spotlight. The remaining 23, including Kang Rojun, waited at the side of the stage. Everyone looked at the participant on stage with curious eyes. The first was No. 71, the puppy-faced trainee who had performed 'Witch' with No. 58.

“Hello.”

Standing alone on stage, he looked into the front-facing camera and raised his hand to the chest area where his No. 71 badge was. Like peeling off a sticker, he removed the number and revealed his name.

“I was No. 71, and I’m ‘Jung-woo’.”

Introducing himself as Jung-woo, he said a short line and stepped off the stage. Participants who had revealed their names moved to the right side of the stage. Several others who had been waiting also revealed their names along with Jung-woo.

Watching this quietly, Kang Rojun felt a mysterious emotion.

‘It’s just a name, so why does this make me feel this way.’

At that moment.

-Swish.

Baby Perm No. 58, with a face full of nervousness, stepped onto the stage. He began to speak upon receiving a cue but stuttered and had an NG. After catching his breath and calming his nerves, he straightened his tone and raised his voice with renewed determination.

“I’m! Not No. 58, I’m ‘Si-hoo’!”

Recognizing the name of the one they had called No. 58 until now, Kang Rojun softly murmured.

“Si-hoo, nice name.”

Next was No. 46, who had received an A+ in dance evaluation from Lee Han-na, after Rojun. He had strikingly handsome, exotic looks.

“My name is ‘Kang Min', and I was No. 46.”

After two people passed, No. 37, a member of Room 105, came up.

“I was No. 37, I’m ‘Yeon-woo’!”

The next to take the baton was expressionless No. 26.

“I’m not No. 26, I’m ‘Do-kyung’. I'll be in your care."

By now, nearly 20 people had revealed their names. They were all gathered to the right of the stage, chatting away. Now that they knew each other’s names, their spirits were clearly lifted. After a few more NGs, the final turn was reached.

The star of 'Produce That 100!' came up on stage.

All the participants, PD Woo Han-suk, and dozens of staff members turned their attention toward the stage. However, the statement from the 'Produce That 100!' star that had just stepped onto the stage was quite brief.

“I’m Rojun.”

From now on, he would be called not No. 1, but Rojun.

Afterward.

The 24 participants who had all revealed their names gathered once again in the hall on Wednesday morning, two days later. The filming setup was the same as that of Monday. However, the number of staff had increased, and the set inside the hall had changed.

A new space had appeared beside the stage.

It resembled theater seating, and the space stood out in the hall due to its dazzling design. Additionally, attached at the front was a large logo of 'Produce That 100!' Even at a glance, it was clearly a special area.

“......”

“......”

The 24 participants stood with tense faces. Facing them was PD Woo Han-suk. He spoke in a low but clear voice.

“The results of the 4th evaluation votes are in. We received more votes than ever before, and I believe this round was the most intense.”

As cameras filmed the 24 participants from the front, side, and rear angles, PD Woo Han-suk continued.

“This time, the announcement format has changed. We’ll only be announcing those who passed, not those who were eliminated. If your name is called, please go to the seats behind, reserved for those who passed. Also, we’ll be using names, not numbers.”

Turning a cue card, PD Woo Han-suk lifted his head. His expression was deeply serious.

“There are a total of 10 successful candidates in this 4th evaluation.”

In other words, 14 out of the 24 would have to leave 'Produce That 100!' More than half would be eliminated at once. Fear instantly crept across the participants’ faces. However, PD Woo Han-suk had to proceed with the announcement.

“Participants who are not among the 10 who passed, must leave ‘Produce That 100!’ immediately.”

Soon, PD Woo Han-suk swept his gaze across all 24 participants.

“I’ll begin the announcements. First, the participant who received an overwhelming number of votes and also received the highest evaluation scores from the judges and production team, No. 1. No. Sorry."

He locked eyes with the participant whose visuals were overwhelming.

"The first successful candidate, 'Rojun' nim, you have passed."