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."
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"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.'
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.