As soon as 'Produce That 100!' launched, it hit No. 1 on Netflix Japan. In fact, the current No. 1 in the Netflix Japan rankings was indeed 'Produce That 100!'.
[Japan’s Real-Time TOP 10 Content]
2. Strange Restaurant
The Korean variety show 'Produce That 100!' took the top spot, overtaking Japan’s popular content in an instant. A few domestic reporters who confirmed this achievement were quick to report it back in Korea.
《'At this rate, we’re going to lose everything to Korea', ‘Produce That 100!’ takes No. 1 instantly... Japan’s content market in shock》
However, the reaction wasn't as strong in Korea as it was locally in Japan. Over there, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the 'Produce That 100!' craze. It had already been gaining word-of-mouth buzz on Japanese social media and online communities, and once it launched on Netflix, its recognition ballooned by several times in no time.
Japan was now in a situation similar to when 'Produce That 100!' first aired in Korea.
The Japanese public was pouring massive interest into the 100 contestants. The central focus, of course, was 'No. 1'.
[Have you seen Produce That 100! that just launched on Netflix?? Why can’t Japan make shows ! And contestant No. 1 doesn’t even look human!! His handsomeness is unreal!]
A flood of screenshots images of Kang Rojun were spreading like wildfire on popular Japanese social media platforms. However, Korean media did not focus much on the show's Japanese success.
Even though 'Produce That 100!' and 'No. 1' were the central topics, Korea had something far more explosive going on.
《Communities are buzzing about 'No. 1' and 'Rental Lover'... When will 'Produce That 100!' make an official statement?》
The rumor about 'No. 1' being the writer of 'Rental Lover' that broke a few days ago was tremendously powerful. Even though some time had passed, articles were still being published, and wild rumors were spreading uncontrollably across online communities.
The media always follows what sells best.
Therefore, while 'Produce That 100!' taking the No. 1 spot on Netflix Japan caused a frenzy over there, in Korea, it merely served as a side boost to Kang Rojun’s fame. Either way, it was certainly something to be celebrated, and it could be seen as the perfect launching point for PD Woo Han-suk’s ambitions of international expansion.
Meanwhile, PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who had briefly stopped by the broadcasting station after starting full-scale filming, was quickly surrounded by other PDs.
“Hey! PD Jung!! Is it true that No. 1 is the writer of ‘Rental Lover’?!!”
“Even the director is going crazy! Just tell us a little bit!!"
“No way, right?? That No. 1 wrote ‘Rental Lover’??”
PD Jung Soo-ryeong gave a small smile and shrugged her shoulders.
“What! Seriously, does it make sense that the production company doesn’t know the truth??”
Just then, the director of the Drama Department arrived at work in a hurry and shouted as soon as he saw PD Jung Soo-ryeong.
“Hey!! Jung Soo-ryeong!”
The director was in no different a state than the other PDs.
“You kid! What the hell is going on! You're not even answering your phone!!"
“Didn’t you know filming started?”
“Of course I know!! But more importantly, tell me. The chaos happening everywhere! Is No. 1 really writer Kang Chul-soo??”
As too many cooks spoil the broth, so PD Jung Soo-ryeong had stuck to the original plan by not informing the broadcasting station of anything. The station had been grinning over the fact that none other than Choi Rina was starring as the lead in a one-act drama, only to be blindsided by the shocking news that Produce That 100!’s iconic No. 1 was allegedly the writer of 'Rental Lover'.
"Won't you give me a straight answer?? The higher-ups are breathing down my neck and I’m stuck in the middle! I need to know for sure so I can report it!”
"Just dodge them for now."
“Whew- so it’s true, huh? That No. 1 is the writer. Why are you hiding it from your own headquarters, you brat."
PD Jung Soo-ryeong leaned in close to the bald director and whispered.
“I told you I don’t know. Let’s not jump the gun unnecessarily.”
"The 'Produce That 100!' side will handle it appropriately. By then, we'll know for sure. If the station gets involved now, it’ll just pour cold water on a blazing issue. Look at the media and public opinion. Compared to a few days ago, ‘Rental Lover’ is being mentioned dozens of times more.”
"You think I don't know that? Even a one-act is noisier now than the mini-series packed with top stars.”
With a deepening smile, PD Jung Soo-ryeong brushed past the director and gave her closing remark.
“So just leave it to me for now, and try to hold back your curiosity a little.”
With that, PD Jung Soo-ryeong moved to the set, busy with filming preparations. Unlike before, the 'Rental Lover' staff appeared fully focused on the shoot.
"Come on, let's pick up the pace!"
With the addition of PD Jung Soo-ryeong, who was overseeing the set, the atmosphere intensified. About 40 minutes later, around 10 AM.
“Writer-nim’s here!!”
Kang Rojun appeared at the filming site, removing his mask and hat that had been covering his face. It was for the second filming session following his first shoot. Soon, PD Jung Soo-ryeong and the key staff gathered around him. Greetings and questions poured in, and Rojun answered them casually.
He moved over for makeup. Becoming somewhat familiar with the set on his second time, Kang Rojun murmured to himself.
'Today I feel more excited than nervous. It's definitely better to move around than being stuck at the campus. It's refreshing.'
Currently, no other actors had arrived besides Rojun. Today's filming schedule started with 'Lover No. 4' solo cuts, after all. The other actors would arrive while Kang Rojun was in the middle of filming.
“‘Lover No. 4', ready?”
Second filming began.
Team 1's voting in 'Produce That 100!' had intensified. Today, Tuesday, the voting would close in the afternoon. On top of that, Kang Rojun had dropped a nuclear bomb in between, making it even more heated.
PD Woo Han-suk was at the 'Produce That 100!' campus.
More precisely, in the hall with the stage.
With 'Produce' blasting loudly, the production team busily filming, the flashing stage lights, Lee Han-na standing in front of the stage, and Team 2 performing dance like crazy on stage.
Like Team 1, Team 2 was in rehearsal for the upcoming surprise performance.
Not only Team 2, Team 3 was also waiting beside the stage.
That’s because the surprise performance for Teams 2 and 3 was scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday morning. Fortunately, this time there were no contestants left out of the performance from Teams 2 or 3. Their skills might have lacked, but their passion burned brighter than anyone else’s.
Soon, PD Woo Han-suk, surveying the Team 2 and 3 contestants around the stage, crossed his arms.
'Episode 8 will air in a few days, so we’re already past the halfway mark. Once this round of evaluations ends, the number of contestants will drop noticeably. The entertainment agencies have been drooling over them since way back.'
There were currently 38 contestants left. After the third evaluation, it would likely be trimmed down to around 20.
'...Time to start approaching the entertainment companies too.'
PD Woo Han-suk showed a vaguely ominous smile, but Team 2 and 3, unaware of it, simply focused on their rehearsal stage. It was the same for the production crew. They played the song, danced, made corrections if there were mistakes, and played the song again when finished. They repeated this endlessly.