Chapter 95: Japan (3)
The agency 'Culture Drawer', which heavyweight writer Han Seo-ryeong belongs to, is eyeing Writer Rojun? Choi Rina looked at Writer Han Seo-ryeong across from her and thought.
'Doesn’t ‘Culture Drawer’ have no rookies at all?'
Not only Writer Han Seo-ryeong, but also star writers and master directors are gathered at 'Culture Drawer'. Among the many writer and director management agencies, 'Culture Drawer' was top-tier in terms of scale and influence.
'Moreover, writer Han Seo-ryeong is the co-CEO.'
As Choi Rina muttered to herself, 'Culture Drawer' began with Writer Han Seo-ryeong and a figure named CEO Heo. Writer Han Seo-ryeong handled the investment, while CEO Heo took care of operations. Now, as a media giant, they also engage in production. Whenever writer management is mentioned, it is always counted among the top, and it has become a place that many writers and directors aspire to join.
Of course, Choi Rina only knew from articles and rumors, so she wasn’t fully informed. However, there was one thing she clearly recognized.
'They don’t just accept anyone.'
The recruitment conditions of 'Culture Drawer' were quite strict. There were no rookies among the affiliated figures. For that reason, just being part of 'Culture Drawer' adds a premium, and one draws considerable attention in the industry.
So, with 'Culture Drawer' showing interest in Writer Rojun, it was only natural for Choi Rina to be surprised.
“But Writer-nim, doesn’t ‘Culture Drawer’ not have rookie writers or directors?” To Choi Rina, who asked out of pure curiosity, Writer Han Seo-ryeong gave a gentle smile.
“Not yet, that’s true. But it’s not like we don’t recruit rookies at all. It’s just that we have a clear standard.”
Writer Han Seo-ryeong swept back her bobbed hair and continued.
“I watched the production presentation for ‘Rental Lover', and Writer Rojun, he’s interesting, isn’t he?”
“You watched it-”
“I did. I mean, ‘Produce That 100!’ was such a big fuss. Creators need to check out those trendy things as input. Even if I didn’t watch every episode of ‘Produce That 100!', I knew about Writer Rojun. For starters, there’s no writer with visuals like that. Just looking at his face makes you stop in your tracks.”
Agreeing intensely, Choi Rina nodded as if she couldn’t agree more.
“Even in the actor pool it’s rare, so of course, in the writer pool, it’s practically unheard of.”
“More than anything, the path he’s walking is unique. He’s an idol, a writer, and even an actor. And it’s not like he debuted as a proper idol first, he debuted as a writer. This is beyond unusual. That kid Rojun is pioneering a new path, but there’s no one to follow in his footsteps.”
“Well, it’s hard to maintain high energy across idol, writer, and actor roles all at once.”
Writer Han Seo-ryeong adjusted her glasses.
“His latent star quality is deep and wide, whether as an idol or writer. It’s hard to gauge. I’d say I’m pretty good at reading people, but he’s the first one I can’t figure out. His writing skills are great too, aren’t they? Same for his acting.”
“That’s true... but Writer-nim, you haven’t seen Writer Rojun’s script yet, right? Did you get a copy of the script?”
“No. I could get it if I wanted, but I chose not to on purpose. I want to watch the drama starting from the first episode of ‘Rental Lover'. That way, when I read the script afterward, I can absorb the writer’s style more clearly.”
“Ah-”
“But even without going as far as the script, I can get a sense of it, can’t I? If the script wasn’t good, neither you nor that picky PD Jung would’ve picked him.”
She may have looked unassuming, but there was a powerful heavyweight aura radiating from Writer Han Seo-ryeong’s gaze.
“Plus, the fact that the scope of this one-act drama has gotten so big, means PD Jung got involved.”
“......”
“You and I both know what it’s like to work with PD Jung Soo-ryeong, right? Regardless of who the counterpart is, if something feels vague, she’ll give direction without hesitation. She must’ve had a good amount of confidence in ‘Rental Lover', which is why she kept expanding the scale.”
It was true. No matter how big the buzz around Kang Rojun might be, if the actual piece turned out to be underwhelming, the impact would fade quickly. Choi Rina understood that too.
'If Writer Rojun does end up joining ‘Culture Drawer’, the synergy would be huge, and that alone would become a major topic.'
Rojun, the first rookie writer to enter 'Culture Drawer', where master directors and heavyweight writers gather. As she imagined the headline for the article herself, Choi Rina felt a slight thrill as if it were her own matter.
'My words probably won't be much help, but-'
Then Choi Rina went on with her praises about Kang Rojun.
“If you’re interested, you should move fast, you know? Before long, tons of management companies are going to be swarming around Writer Rojun.”
“Oh my- are you already taking his side? Don’t tell me, Rina, are you fangirling over Writer Rojun?”
“Ah, no!! Not at all!”
“Really? But somehow, whenever you talk about Writer Rojun, you’re full of energy.”
Writer Han Seo-ryeong, narrowing her eyes and watching Choi Rina whose cheeks had slightly reddened, shrugged her shoulders.
“He’s an idol, but also a writer, and being able to appear as an actor in something he wrote himself is a huge merit. Idol, writer, actor, no matter which one, the promotion takes care of itself.”
“That’s right! If he keeps growing like this, he’ll become an untouchable monster.”
Writer Han Seo-ryeong laughed lightly and readily agreed.
“So far, he’s definitely a proper disruptor to the ecosystem.”
One hour later, Japan.
The plane carrying the 'Produce That 100!' team, including Kang Rojun, had just landed at Haneda Airport. As they began walking for immigration procedures, Rojun sensed something unusual in the atmosphere. He spoke to Si-hoo next to him.
“Hyung, don’t you think there are too many bodyguards around?”
“That’s what I’m saying. It looks like about ten or so- but, it feels good."
“Why?”
“Doesn’t it kinda feel like we’ve become real celebrities?”
Maybe so? Well, Rojun had seen scenes like this on TV before. Still, he thought it was a bit over the top. Regardless, after going through a few minor processes, the 'Produce That 100!' team arrived in front of the arrival gate. Just then, PD Woo Han-suk, who had received a call from somewhere, suddenly turned very serious.
He asked the guards to tighten up the security even more.
Kang Rojun and the nine other participants tilted their heads in confusion, and it only took ten seconds to find out why PD Woo Han-suk had become so serious. As the participants stepped into the arrival hall following the flow.
“Kyaaaaaaaa!!!”
“Kyaaaah!!”
Terrifying screams erupted throughout the arrival area. Hundreds of Japanese fans were surging behind the cordoned fences. Naturally, Kang Rojun couldn’t help but open his mouth in shock.
'What, what is this??!'
A scene he had never expected. The atmosphere was so intense, it almost felt like being in Korea. Hundreds of frenzied Japanese fans.
“@*%&(@&@$&&@&$!!!”
“**&#*$*$(*@$&*!!!”
“#%**(#!!”
They screamed in Japanese and broken Korean. It was hard to understand. Not only were they filming the participants with phones, but many were even holding large cameras. Reporters were mixed in, of course.
The reason so many Japanese fans and reporters had gathered?
It was simple.
News of the 'Produce That 100!' team’s departure to Japan had spread in Japan in no time. Even though it had only been about two hours, the crowd was overwhelming. Though unfamiliar with other countries, Rojun and the participants froze at the sight of foreign fans for the first time. That’s when PD Woo Han-suk approached and whispered.
“Stay sharp, and wave and smile to the fans.”
The first to move was Do-kyung. With a lifeless expression, he raised his hand, and Kang Rojun also gave an awkward smile.
‘This is crazy.’
Entering Japan happened so fast, he couldn’t even remember what he’d done. Was this even real? Rojun was stunned, and the other participants were the same. Somehow, the 'Produce That 100!' team got into the van they were waiting in. From there, the participants went wild.
“Did you see that??! All those people were our fans!!”
“Insane! That was seriously insane!!”
“Wow- I was so shocked at first I almost peed my pants.”
“Japanese fans calling my name, it feels unreal, seriously!!”
But that wasn’t the end. The 'Produce That 100!' team immediately moved to the hotel they would be staying at, and the moment they saw the rooms, the participants were bouncing around again.
“This is crazy! That’s Tokyo Tower, right??!”
“The view is insane...”
“The room is huge!!”
Rojun’s eyes also went wide at the view of Tokyo unfolding before him. But Rojun and the other participants didn’t have time to keep admiring. After a quick unpacking, they had to head straight to the venue for a small concert.
Back in the van again, the participants were completely absorbed in watching the scenery outside the window.
"It's Japan- Japan. I can't believe I came to Japan to perform."
The concert venue wasn't far from the hotel. It took roughly 20 minutes, and the exterior of the venue they arrived at was quite large. It was a three-story standalone building with a parking lot and a plaza of decent size. For Kang Rojun and the other participants, everything was a continuous source of amazement.
Soon after.
-Swish.
They entered the interior of the concert hall where they would be performing. The participants’ eyes and mouths widened again.
“......Isn’t this bigger than the ones back in Korea??”
“Wow-”
"Is, is it okay for it to be this big? I don’t think we’ll be able to fill all the seats?!”
In fact, the size of this venue, which could accommodate over 5,000 people, was larger than its Korean counterparts. There was a large main stage, and a runway extending from it with a round mini-stage at the end. Surrounding the area was standing space and seating that extended up to the second floor.
Kang Rojun’s eyes were busy as he looked around the venue.
‘The stage screen is insanely big......’
The set construction for the concert had already been completed, and dozens of staff members were making the final adjustments. Among the staff, there were Japanese as well. As the participants stood around in awe for a few minutes, PD Woo Han-suk appeared with the writers.
“It’s a bit bigger than the ones back home, right? But don’t get intimidated. The number of attendees will be about the same anyway.”
Grinning wryly, PD Woo Han-suk continued his briefing.
“As we’ve already told you, the Japan schedule is for three days and two nights. Rehearsals will be today and tomorrow, and the actual performance is on the third day. For your reference, I’ll be going back and forth to Korea. If anything urgent comes up, talk to the writers here.”
Since he couldn’t stay in Japan only due to editing and other responsibilities, PD Woo Han-suk held up a paper cue sheet.
“The basic concert order is similar to what we did in Korea, but since this is a small concert in Japan, there are naturally some slight changes.”
Just like in Korea, Kang Rojun would be in charge of the speaking segments. He was the leader and his Japanese was at a native level, so it was obvious. The sub-MC would be Si-hoo. Also, the 'Survival 100' segment would be the Japanese version, not the Korean one. That was the general outline.
At that moment.
-Swish.
A group including a foreigner with curly blond hair approached. It was the Netflix Japan team, who were co-hosting this Japanese mini-concert. Executive Director Tom Cavill, wearing a smile, greeted PD Woo Han-suk and the participants in Japanese.
“Welcome, everyone. Do you like the concert venue?”
The nine participants, except Rojun, were flustered, and PD Woo Han-suk accepted the greeting. With a translator present, the two engaged in conversation, and when Tom Cavill glanced at Kang Rojun, the quick-witted PD Woo Han-suk spoke up.
“Rojun, just a moment.”
Soon, Kang Rojun, PD Woo Han-suk, and Executive Director Tom Cavill stepped away a few paces from the participants to begin a conversation. Tom Cavill extended his hand toward Kang Rojun.
“I wanted to properly greet you, Writer Rojun. I’m Tom Cavill, Executive Director at Netflix Japan.”
Rojun, shaking his hand with curiosity, spoke fluent Japanese.
“Hello, I’m Rojun. I saw you attending the fourth evaluation round.”
“Oh- your Japanese is really impressive.”
“Thank you.”
“The Japanese fans coming to the concert are going to love that. Their anticipation is extremely high. We look forward to your performance.”
Executive Director Tom Cavill opened the conversation with sincere politeness, and Kang Rojun found it strange how fluently this foreigner spoke Japanese.
'It's peculiar, I can't adapt.'
Because it was unfamiliar.
Anyway, after briefly speaking with PD Woo Han-suk, Tom Cavill changed the subject while looking at Rojun.
“As you’ve probably already heard, we’d like to have a separate meeting with you, Rojun-nim. Of course, in your capacity as a writer. Is that alright with you?”
“Yes, understood.”
“But for now, please focus on the concert. We’ll hold the meeting after the performance.”
Now that the moment had arrived, Rojun felt even more nervous.
‘Ah- this is kind of nerve-racking.’
However, shifting his mindset to something like “I’ll think about it later", Rojun soon blended back in with the participants, and about 30 minutes later, Rojun and the nine others began their full-fledged rehearsal. Watching this were PD Woo Han-suk and Executive Director Tom Cavill.
Then Executive Director Tom Cavill murmured,
“It feels like it wasn’t that long ago we talked about this concert, and now it’s already happening.”
PD Woo Han-suk, arms crossed, raised the corner of his mouth.
“The concert day will be here in no time too.”
Indeed, two days flew by in an instant.
Before long, it was Friday, October 16, and today was a day with many events scheduled.
At the same time as Episode 13 of 'Produce That 100!' was airing.
《“It’s already Episode 13?” Will today’s episode of ‘Produce That 100!’ show the Korea mini-concert?》
The Japan small concert was being held.
《[StarTalk] ‘Produce That 100!’ team heads to Japan, Japanese mini-concert today!》
And on top of that, one major thing was added. PD Woo Han-suk, who had boarded the plane to Japan early in the morning with a few writers, confirmed it.
《‘Survival 100', the new theme song of ‘Produce That 100!’ written by ‘Rojun’ and composed by ‘Si-hoo', will be released today at 2 p.m.》
After lowering his phone, which had just released the hot news article, he murmured in a tone full of anticipation.
“Here comes the start of sweeping the music charts.”
*****
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