Inside the minibus carrying the ten participants of 'Produce That 100!' The tension was so heavy that the bus remained silent. Kang Rojun, looking out the window, 26Do-kyung in the seat to his right, and 58Si-hoo with his eyes closed, not a single participant opened their mouth.

“......”

“......”

They were either reading articles about 'Produce That 100!' on their phones or mentally reviewing the practice they had done so far. It wasn’t strange. While Rojun had gone out a few times as a lyricist, actor, and writer, for the rest of the participants, this was their first activity outside the campus.

And it was a concert, no less.

Even if the size was relatively small, like a fan meeting, thousands of audience members were expected, and since it was their first concert in life, the heart-pounding excitement was only natural.

Then, Rojun glanced at 26Do-kyung seated to his right.

‘He was already a thin guy, and now he looks even thinner.’

Kang Rojun wasn’t without nerves either, but he felt more anticipation than fear. It was his first time performing at an outside venue, not the campus hall stage. The heavy mood seemed a bit uncomfortable.

“Hey-”

The one with the most energy, puppy-faced 71Jung-woo, awkwardly laughed as he opened his mouth.

“I looked up the concert venue, and it’s bigger than I thought.”

Only then did a few of the stiff participants react.

“If you include standing room, it easily goes over 3,000 seats.”

“If they pack it tight, maybe even 4,000 people?”

"Why are you shaking so much??"

"I don't know, I'm just really nervous."

“Ha- when we had the 4th evaluation on campus, at least the space felt familiar. Doing it completely offsite is killing me.”

Among them, the exotically handsome 46Kang Min called out to Rojun, who was looking out the window.

“Rojun hyung seems totally fine, like he’s in a photo shoot by himself.”

All the participants turned their eyes to Kang Rojun.

“Hyung, you’re not nervous??”

“Looking at you, it’s not just your face, but even your guts are maxed out.”

“You’re way too calm, hyung.”

Kang Rojun gave a small smile and replied, pretending to be relaxed.

“I’m just excited, more than scared.”

26Do-kyung casually poked Rojun’s hand with his index finger.

“Your hand is shaking, hyung.”

“I’ve always had a bit of a tremor.”

“You were fine until yesterday.”

“I developed it this morning. I didn’t even have to move my hand while brushing my teeth. The shaking did it for me.”

Most of the participants burst into laughter. It helped ease some of the tension. Meanwhile, the minibus entered heavily congested Seoul and came to a stop at an underground parking lot of a building near Yeouido. It was a fairly large building, and as the minibus’s front door opened, PD Woo Han-suk poked his face in.

“Let’s go check out the concert venue.”

The participants, exhaling lightly, began to get off the bus one by one. Outside, about a dozen staff members, including PD Woo Han-suk, were gathered, and once all ten participants, including Kang Rojun, had exited, PD Woo Han-suk took the lead. It seemed the entire building was being used for the concert venue, as there were no outsiders in sight.

Then.

-Swish.

Among the group that came up to the first floor, PD Woo Han-suk opened a thick iron door. The staff members entered the interior without much fuss. Soon, the concert venue came into view for Rojun as well. Dozens of staff already on site were busy with the final setup. At the sight, Rojun’s eyes widened and his mouth opened slightly in awe.

‘Wow- it’s way bigger than the campus stage.’

Voices followed from behind.

“Whoa...... this is insane.”

“This concert venue is freaking cool.”

“We’re really going to perform on this stage??”

Around Kang Rojun, the other participants let out sincere exclamations. And understandably so. The concert hall was at least twice the size of the 'Produce That 100!' campus stage. The ceiling was extremely high, and numerous lights were attached to it. Just from a glance, the standing area around the protruding ㅜ-shaped stage and the audience seating on the first and second floors easily added up to thousands of seats.

Of course, for famous idols, this might be considered a small venue, but to Kang Rojun, it felt enormous.

‘What kind of fan meeting is this huge?’

The entire concert venue had a black color tone. The stage floor, fences, seats, and walls were all black. For a moment, Rojun even felt slightly spooked. The overwhelming impact of a performance venue larger than the 4th evaluation stage was real.

‘How gigantic must those concerts with tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people from the articles be?’

The other participants were thinking the same thing. Famous idols flying high before tens of thousands of spectators were truly incredible. As the others remained momentarily dazed, PD Woo Han-suk approached.

“You okay??”

At the same time, cameras started rolling. Actually, even in the minibus, small cameras had been installed. In other words, everything was being filmed. The participants, barely snapping out of it, muttered a few words of impression, and PD Woo Han-suk handed out papers.

“The concert cue sheet is out. Make sure to go over it. Let’s also check out the waiting room in the back, including your outfits. The outfits aren’t flashy. Before that, a brief explanation.”

PD Woo Han-suk pointed to the ㅜ-shaped protruding stage.

“Today, we’ll be doing repeated rehearsals according to the cue sheet. While your coordination is important, we’ll also check sound, lighting, and screen visuals, and you’ll be practicing your on-stage talk too. Rojun.”

“Yes.”

“You’ll handle most of the stage comments on concert day, Rojun. Usually, the leader does that kind of thing.”

Damn, being a leader was already unfamiliar enough, and now even the stage emceeing? Rojun politely gestured with both hands to 58Si-hoo standing next to him.

“PD-nim, wouldn’t it be better for Si-hoo hyung to do it as the leader?”

“Wha, what are you talking about! Me??! I-I-I st-stutter, so I can’t do it!”

With a look that said “just accept it", PD Woo Han-suk placed a hand on Rojun’s shoulder.

“You’re perfect as the leader, Rojun. Why act all shy? You handled that just fine in front of a hundred reporters at the ‘Rental Lover’ production presentation, didn’t you?”

“......”

In the end, Rojun nodded.

“Will the comments be provided?”

“Yes, but you’ll probably need to ad-lib some parts as well.”

A few minutes later, after finishing the briefing, PD Woo Han-suk made a request to the ten participants, including Rojun.

“Everyone, get on stage. Let’s take one group photo for promotion.”

Then.

-Swish.

Leader Kang Rojun took the lead as the ten survivors of 'Produce That 100!' struck their poses. Soon, several white lights flashed onto them.

-Click!

The shutter sound signaled the start.

Later.

After about an hour of preparation, Kang Rojun and the participants began full-fledged rehearsals. Most of it followed the cue sheet, but the key performance was definitely 'Survival 100'. Regardless of what it was, each participant focused more during rehearsal by starting with the songs they had performed during past evaluations.

-♬♪

Normally in rehearsals, people hold back compared to the real performance, but since the participants lacked experience, they gave it their all even during rehearsal. They feared slacking off now might lead to mistakes during the real performance.

Whether on stage, below it, or waiting in the backstage room, everyone, including Kang Rojun, poured themselves into it.

On-site were not only Lee Han-na but also the judges of 'Produce That 100!'

They offered advice or rolled up their sleeves to help.

“Eye contact, eye contact! Of course vocals and dance are important, but eye contact with the audience is reeeally important in a performance!”

Meanwhile, PD Woo Han-suk had to monitor the participants’ form while also checking numerous concert-related details. From the sound system down to each seat. Not only that, but nearly a hundred staff members were busy.

“PD-nim! This seat here’s kind of squeaky!”

“Replace it, replace it!! If it’s even slightly off, just change it!!”

Rehearsals continued past lunch into the afternoon, and now, on stage, Kang Rojun and 58Si-hoo were standing with guitars. It was time for the acoustic version of 'Survival 100'. Both of them were highly focused. Rojun was so engrossed he didn’t even notice the 'AI Simulation' had sent him a reward.

-[You’ve completed the Hidden Mission ‘First Concert Rehearsal!’ You’ve been awarded 15 Coins.]

Because everyone gave their all in their respective roles, no major issues occurred, and time flew by. Though night had fallen, the passion within the concert venue hadn’t cooled.

At that hour, the media was in a frenzy covering the upcoming 'Produce That 100!' mini concert scheduled for the next day.

《[Star Talk] Tomorrow, the 'Produce That 100!' Mini Concert Finally Opens. What Will the Ten Survivors Show the Audience?》

The public was the same. On SNS, communities, and elsewhere, news about the mini concert could easily be found.

-I really wanted to go....but failed again ㅜㅠㅠㅠㅠㅜㅠ

-Anyone going to the 'Produce That 100!' mini concert!! Please write a review….

-Me!!! I’m going!!!! Heheㅋㅋㅋㅋ I’m already shaking!!

-ㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅜㅠㅠ so jealous

-The competition must’ve been way tougher than for studio seats....

-Bet all the fansite masters flooded inㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

-I want to see Rojun in person too....

.

.

.

.

And just like that, Tuesday, the day of the mini concert, dawned.

Tuesday the 13th, morning.

In the early hours, around the concert venue building near Yeouido, many people holding cameras as large as cannons could be seen. In front of the building, across the street, in nearby spots, and in the surrounding cafes. Among them were people who appeared to be reporters.

Even.

“What is that? Why is there a line like that??”

“Is it a famous restaurant?”

“No, I think it’s the concert venue in that building? Ah- looks like there’s some concert happening.”

A long line had already formed at the building entrance. Although the 'Produce That 100!' mini concert was scheduled for 1 p.m., audience members had begun queuing since morning. Around this time, Kang Rojun could be found inside the venue.

-♬♪

He was performing a flashy dance in sync with the music. The other participants were the same.

Even right before the actual performance, they were still rehearsing together.

They began makeup around 10 a.m., and simultaneously, entry started for the thousands of audience members. The crowd that had filled the outside of the building began to pour in one by one, jumping excitedly as they saw the stage decorated with posters of the 'Produce That 100!' participants.

About an hour later.

“Look at all those people, it’s insane.”

“How many are there?? This is supposed to be a mini concert?!”

“If this were for a popular idol, yeah, I guess it counts as a small venue, but wow, they must be really nervous.”

Thousands of people had gathered in the concert hall. Hundreds packed the standing area around the stage, and about 2,500 more surrounded the standing crowd and stage area. There were many 'Produce That 100!' staff members as well. Cameras were pointed toward the stage. What stood out most among the crowd were the light sticks. These had been specially made by the 'Produce That 100!' team and distributed for today. Over 3,000 light sticks swaying in unison was a spectacular sight.

Those light sticks became even more prominent two hours later.

-Ssshh.

The entire concert hall dimmed, and the massive screen set behind the stage lit up with the 'Produce That 100!' logo. A grand sound effect echoed into the ears of thousands of spectators. Realizing the concert was about to begin, the audience.

Began screaming so loudly it felt like the venue would tear apart.

In the darkness, bright lights snapped on toward the stage. Standing there were ten young men dressed in matching black blazers and pants. Kang Rojun and the other participants. Their makeup and hair had been completed.

As soon as the long-awaited ten participants appeared, the screams and shouts from thousands of fans grew several times louder.

“Kyaaaah!!”

“KyaaaaAAAAAH!!”

Among the participants standing in a line, Kang Rojun, positioned at the center, lifted the handheld mic in his hand after gazing at the crowd for a few seconds. Soon, Rojun’s deep voice echoed throughout the concert hall.

"Hello, we missed you so much."

Of course, this line had been scripted by the production team.

“Welcome to the ‘Produce That 100!’ concert. We’ll be showing you a lot today, so even if we make mistakes, please be kind.”

Then, the giant screen behind them displayed the faces and names of the ten participants, including Rojun. Amidst ear-shattering cheers, Kang Rojun introduced the first performance.

“Then we’ll begin. The opening performance is ‘Produce'."

Barely a second after he finished speaking.

-♬♪

'Produce' blasted through the venue at full volume.

Meanwhile, at SBC Broadcasting Station.

In a fairly large meeting room sat PD Jung Soo-ryeong, her frizzy hair somewhat tidied. Along with her were a few executives. They were all staring at the screen in front of the meeting room, where Tom Cavill, the Executive Director currently in Japan, was being displayed.

PD Jung Soo-ryeong was in the middle of a video conference with Netflix Japan.

Naturally, a translator was present, and the meeting had already gone on for about an hour, discussing the launch schedule of 'Rental Lover', and was now wrapping up. Executives began to rise from their seats after exchanging farewells.

At this point, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, remembering her promise with Kang Rojun, called out to the blond-haired Tom Cavill on the screen.

“Executive Director, I have something to ask you aside from ‘Rental Lover'."

Tom Cavill, as if he’d been waiting, immediately replied.

“Yes. PD Jung Soo-ryeong, actually, I also had something I wanted to ask.”

Oh? Really? PD Jung Soo-ryeong gestured for him to go first.

“Please, you go ahead, Executive Director.”

“Ah- um, this is about Writer Rojun who wrote ‘Rental Lover'. I was wondering... if we were to make an offer, is there a chance he would write something for us? Since you worked with him on ‘Rental Lover', I figured you might have some sense of it.”

For some reason, her smile deepened, and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Well."

The plan changed. She had intended to make a move from her side, but the other side had taken the first step.

“As you know writer-nim is very popular these days, and recently seems busy with ‘Produce That 100!’ I’m swamped with my own work too. I doubt he has any time to write.”

“Is… that so?”

She already had a script to offer. But for now, she kept it hidden.

‘Now I’ll have to raise Writer Rojun’s value first.'

She intended to make Executive Director Tom Cavill desperate.

"Ah, I think I heard something too."

"Yes?"

Schemes were her specialty, especially as a veteran.

“He might already have a script written?”

*****

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