pappabearbooks Chapter 222: Fruit (3)
Chapter 222: Fruit (3)
CEO Heo Ki-tae’s roar. It was so thunderous that even the 'Vanguard' members and Manager Kim Ki-baek on the other end of Kang Rojun's phone could hear it. His frenzy was understandable.In fact, the moment 'Like a Kaleidoscope' launched, it immediately took the No. 1 spot on Netflix Japan.
[Japan's Real-time TOP10 Content]
1. Like a Kaleidoscope
2. Jujutsu War
3. Glorious Tanaka
4. Rental Lover
5. Killer Instinct
.
.
.
Thanks to the trickle-down effect of 'Like a Kaleidoscope', even 'Rental Lover', which had been released for quiet for a while, reappeared on the rankings. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Kang Rojun was sweeping the main page of Netflix Japan. It wasn’t in the top ranks yet, but 'Produce That 100!' was also steadily climbing into the Top 10.
No. 1 in just one day.
Because 'Like a Kaleidoscope' was already infused with so much buzz, some level of impact was expected. Still, upon hearing the news that it shot straight to No. 1, Kang Rojun couldn’t help but smile naturally.
'First place! First place!!'
The idea that a work he had written and acted in was being loved in another country.
'This is freaking thrilling!'
No matter how many times it happened, it was a delicious feeling. And that wasn’t all. Beyond 'Like a Kaleidoscope' topping Netflix Japan, the ending OST 'Dreamlike', for which Rojun personally composed, wrote the lyrics, and sang the vocals, was also showing extraordinary strength.
-[リアルタイム TOP100 (Real-time TOP100)]
[1/ Dreamlike]
'Dreamlike' had also proudly claimed the No. 1 spot on Japan’s major music charts. Not just one, but multiple platforms were showing the same pattern. While the other main OSTs from 'Like a Kaleidoscope' were also on the rankings, 'Dreamlike' alone held the top position.
Double No. 1.
Kang Rojun’s adrenaline exploded.
“Wow! 'Dreamlike' is No. 1 too!”
“Hahaha! Yes! Writer-nim! 'Dreamlike' is also No. 1!! Everything’s flipped upside down right now!”
At this point, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung were glued to Rojun, eyes wide with curiosity, and Manager Kim Ki-baek, wearing a tired smile, received a call on his phone. The news of 'Like a Kaleidoscope' had reached GN Entertainment as well. The success of 'Like a Kaleidoscope' was shaking not only Netflix Japan but also Culture Drawer and GN Entertainment.
Regardless, CEO Heo Ki-tae’s roaring continued over the phone.
“This isn’t just a case of it becoming a hot topic and hitting No. 1! Just look at the reviews from viewers across Japan who’ve watched 'Like a Kaleidoscope'! That alone gives you the answer!”
“Reviews? How are they??”
“Overwhelming praise! Of course their SNS is buzzing, and if you just lightly scratch the surface of the online communities, they're pouring out! People are raving about the quality, and on top of that, your storytelling and acting! But most of all!”
Heo Ki-tae took a short breath and continued his cheer.
“What’s being said the most is that you, Writer-nim, are insanely good-looking!!”
Kang Rojun only appeared in Episode 1 of 'Like a Kaleidoscope'. Even so, for his name to appear most frequently in the reviews by the Japanese public showed how impactful his presence had been. His insane visuals played a huge part. Even on set, PD Noguchi Ken and top Japanese actors were floored, so it’s no surprise.
“Looking at Japanese viewer reactions, one comment stuck with me: ‘I bet a ton of hosts will start using the name Rojun from now on!’ Hahaha.”
“Thank you, CEO-nim!”
“No, no! I’m the one who should thank you, Writer-nim.”
Even after that, CEO Heo Ki-tae remained excited for several minutes, and the moment Kang Rojun ended the call, the 'Vanguard' members exploded with questions. They’d been holding back, and now it burst. The moment they heard that he had achieved double No. 1, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung threw their arms around Rojun and jumped around together.
Manager Kim Ki-baek, watching the members fondly, also cautiously joined in.
“See? I told you it would go well.”
He then gave Rojun a weak thumbs-up.
“The marketing team’s got bullets ready, and they’re about to start firing.”
It meant they’d be spreading the good news domestically as well.
At the same time.
Netflix Japan and within the 'Like a Kaleidoscope' team, the atmosphere was nothing short of celebratory. Everyone was bursting with uncontrollable dopamine from their respective positions.
“Executive Director! We did it!!”
“Phew- yes, thank goodness. The results exceeded all expectations.”
“Public opinion, the media, everything’s full of praise!”
“If this keeps up, 'Like a Kaleidoscope' could seriously become a work that overturns Japan!”
It was quite understandable.
From the beginning, 'Like a Kaleidoscope' was a drama tied to several challenges, and at the same time, it was a warning, or even a blow, thrown at the Japanese content market. The message: “It’s possible. Isn’t the result proof? So pull yourselves together.”
Moreover,
‘...I hope that watching 'Like a Kaleidoscope' makes the stagnant, even rotten Japanese content market feel something.’
Just like what Tom Cavill, muttered inwardly, 'Like a Kaleidoscope' served as a model. It made the gap between them crystal clear. This is exactly why you were beaten by Korea in content.
In any case, the Japanese media quickly reported the good news about 'Like a Kaleidoscope'.
《'Like a Kaleidoscope' shoots to No. 1 on Netflix Japan, overtaking all other popular titles upon release!》
《Writer-actor Rojun's 'Like a Kaleidoscope' flooded with praise from viewers》
《Social media buzzing with 'Like a Kaleidoscope' feeds, just how good is it?》
Although it had only been a day since its release, movements among the Japanese public on major social networks and community sites were far from ordinary.
-[You must watch 'Like a Kaleidoscope'! Watch it twice! Even three times! Honestly, I was getting bored with all the repetitive live-action dramas lately, but 'Like a Kaleidoscope' is truly, truly fun!!]
-['Like a Kaleidoscope' is so good, I’m spreading the word to everyone around me! Broadcast stations! Please at least try to follow half of what 'Like a Kaleidoscope' has done!]
-[In my opinion, 'Like a Kaleidoscope' will get even bigger. Noguchi Ken did great directing, Endo Takuto and the actors were excellent, and Rojun... his acting, looks, and vocals are just divine….]
It was like a typhoon had swept through. The public and the media kept amplifying the buzz. If the work had been weak, they’d have written it off as hype, but since 'Like a Kaleidoscope' kept generating praise, there was no need to worry.
-[After watching 'Like a Kaleidoscope', I loved the ending OST so much that I’ve been listening to 'Dreamlike' all day…. Rojun’s voice is so addictive.]
The fact that 'Dreamlike' instantly topped Japanese charts was proof enough, and before long, the momentum of 'Like a Kaleidoscope' reached Korea as well.
《[Star Issue] 'Like a Kaleidoscope' hits No. 1 on Netflix Japan just one day after release! Rojun does it again!》
《Netflix Japan No. 1 + No. 1 on Japanese music charts! Rojun’s 'Like a Kaleidoscope' sweeping Japan / photo》
《Korean fans react to 'Like a Kaleidoscope’s success: “We want to watch it too!”》
Even while releasing articles, reporters couldn’t stop letting out exclamations.
“Phew- amazing, huh? Hitting No. 1 on Netflix alone is something, but the OST he made himself too??”
“Damn, Rojun must really be something. He’s doing things even mid-career writers find hard to pull off.”
“I mean, he’s already busy with ‘Vanguard’ schedules. How the hell is he managing to do all this?”
“What’s even crazier is that this is just the beginning. He’s got a bunch more projects coming up, right?”
It was a natural progression.
Rojun, a Korean idol technically in his first year of official debut, was shaking up Japan as a writer, actor, and singer.
“A first-year idol is showing power like a 10-year veteran.”
“What else is national prestige if not this? This is national prestige.”
There was no other idol in Korea who had created this kind of impact in their debut year. Truly one of a kind. While 'Vanguard' itself was already an unprecedented idol group, Kang Rojun’s momentum was on a whole other level.
Just like that.
《[Issue Pick] 'Like a Kaleidoscope', 'Dreamlike' maintain solid No. 1 spot even on Day 2 of release!》
Even after one day passed, then two, and by Day 4, both 'Like a Kaleidoscope' and 'Dreamlike' held on to their No. 1 positions without a hitch. Instead of dying down after a few days, the buzz only continued to grow in both Japan and Korea.
Especially in Japan, the impact was downright intense.
'Like a Kaleidoscope' was constantly being mentioned on various Japanese variety shows, and all the top keyword rankings on numerous social media platforms were related to Kang Rojun and 'Like a Kaleidoscope'.
《Parodies of 'Like a Kaleidoscope' even appear in Japan, Rojun’s brand power soaring rapidly / photo》
It was a full-blown cultural syndrome.
Meanwhile.
Though Korea and Japan were both in a frenzy, Kang Rojun couldn’t simply sit back and enjoy it. 'Like a Kaleidoscope' may have borne fruit, but there were still many things that needed watering.
“Okay- shall we get started? Who wants to go first, Rojun?”
“Si-hoo hyung, of course.”
“Me again??”
“Of course, you go first, hyung.”
First, the official recording for Vanguard’s single zephyr began. Kang Rojun, who composed and wrote the lyrics, also took part in producing. Fortunately, it seemed the members had trained well using Rojun’s guide track, as Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung all maintained decent energy during their recordings.
As soon as the official recording was complete, they would jump straight into choreography practice.
Recently, 'Vanguard' had cut down on their individual schedules and increased their practice time. It wasn’t just 'zephyr', they couldn’t afford to neglect 'Royal Procession' either. 'Vanguard' was sweating buckets, but no one was complaining. On the contrary, they were slicing their time even more tightly and throwing themselves into practice.
Manager Kim Ki-baek, watching them, shared the same thoughts.
‘The higher Vanguard’s momentum rises, the higher public expectations become. The market is the same way.’
The more of a hit they became, the more anticipation soared. It wasn’t necessary to be dragged along by those expectations, but maintaining a constant state of readiness was essential. And the only thing that could solidify that readiness was practice.
Naturally, the member with the highest expectations placed on him by the market was Kang Rojun.
That much, his value also skyrocketed, both in his main job as an idol and in his side jobs. At this point, he had every reason to feel pressured, but Rojun showed no sign of it. Manager Kim Ki-baek was practically dumbfounded.
‘He’s enjoying everything, having that kind of attitude isn’t something you can just develop; it has to be inborn.’
Not that he was wrong, but in truth, it was clear that Kang Rojun didn’t even have the time to feel pressure. While training with the members for 'Vanguard', he was simultaneously and meticulously juggling rehearsals and work for his side jobs.
‘Next is writing for 'Tale of the Strange Moon', and by dawn, I need to finish the lyrics.’
No matter how many 'Vitality Boosters' he had, they were useless unless their owner, Kang Rojun, kept to his routine. At the same time, he had to keep up with his ‘Daily Missions’ and 'Stat Enhancements' too. Every second counted, who had the luxury of feeling pressure?
After another intense night, dawn broke on October 5th.
Having wrapped up a decent amount of writing and work, Kang Rojun passed through the quiet hallway and entered the practice room. Checking his reflection in the mirror, he let out a short laugh.
“How many times have I come to the practice room in just the past two days?”
Practically living in the practice room or the studio, Kang Rojun steadied his emotions and exhaled deeply.
“Phew-”
This was another practice session. But not for 'Vanguard', it was for his acting. Specifically, rehearsing for his role as Choi Si-baek in 'Tale of the Strange Moon'. From now until sunrise, Rojun planned to fully live in the world of 'Tale of the Strange Moon' as Choi Si-baek.
A longer-than-usual acting practice.
The reason was simple.
‘It feels like I just started writing 'Tale of the Strange Moon' a few days ago, and it’s already time for script reading? Time really flies, huh?’
The script reading for 'Tale of the Strange Moon' was scheduled for noon on the 5th. That’s why Rojun was pushing himself harder with his acting practice. He had already learned this: as his ‘Acting’ stat increased, and the more he practiced, the more his performance’s synergy exploded.
His acting rehearsal was cut short when Si-hoo poked his head into the room.
“Rojun, we’ve got a meeting to go to.”
“Okay, hyung.”
Soon after, he joined the members as they all gathered in a mid-sized meeting room. Around them were Manager Kim Ki-baek, the management team, the PR team, the A&R team, and various other staff members. The topic of the meeting:
“First, let’s go over a few stage concepts for the ‘K-POP Awards’.”
It was about the ‘K-POP Awards', the awards show that selected the best artists of the year. At this point in time, not only GN Entertainment but nearly every entertainment company in Korea would be in full preparation mode.
“Same as every year, but this time too, the number of audience members will easily exceed tens of thousands.”
Since it was an awards ceremony with tons of singers, idols, and a massive audience, the performance they presented needed to leave a lasting impact. Perhaps this was a new kind of excitement, as Kang Rojun and the members listened to the briefing with sparkling eyes.
At the same time.
《(Entertainment Issue) ‘K-POP Awards’ team says “This year’s awards will be on the largest scale ever”》
The 'K-POP Awards' side had begun to make serious moves.
*****
For 30 or more extra chapters, you can check out my Patreon here --> /dreamscribe