SCT-Novel Chapter 208: Summer (11)
Chapter 208: Summer (11)
A hall where over a hundred Japanese reporters were frantically pressing their shutters.“He’s here! He’s here!!”
The one receiving the unrelenting barrage of flashes was Kang Rojun, who had just appeared in the hall.
-Pababababak!
Since there had been talk that Rojun might not come, the Japanese reporters pounced all the more fiercely on his sudden appearance. Though Rojun calmly waved his hand despite the blinding lights, inside, he was quite overwhelmed.
‘Damn, that startled me! What is this right as I walk in? How am I supposed to end this??’
At this rate, he would be waving all day. Fortunately, PD Noguchi Ken stepped in next to Kang Rojun.
“Writer-nim, this way.”
The chaotic photo time was brought to a close. Kang Rojun moved toward the platform where the Japanese actors were seated. Even then, the flood of shutter sounds from the Japanese reporters didn’t cease, and the seat Rojun was guided to was right next to PD Noguchi Ken. After greeting the actors starting from Endo Takuto, Rojun finally managed to get his butt in the chair, and PD Noguchi Ken, who sat down next, whispered to him.
“I thought you wouldn’t make it.”
As Rojun adjusted the collar of his denim shirt, he replied in Japanese.
“Luckily, I was able to make the schedule work. I’m sorry for being late. I feel like I broke the flow a bit.”
“Not at all. We’re grateful you came.”
For the record, the reason Kang Rojun was seated beside PD Noguchi Ken, beating out even the top Japanese actors, was simple. He was attending as the writer of 'Like a Kaleidoscope'. Of course, he might receive questions as an actor too, but the focus was clearly on his role as a writer. With Kang Rojun’s arrival, the previously hectic atmosphere settled down appropriately, and the production presentation, which had been slightly dull as it neared the end, regained its energy.
Soon, PD Noguchi Ken spoke up.
“Writer Rojun has joined us despite his busy schedule.”
Smiling faintly, PD Noguchi Ken handed the handheld mic to Kang Rojun, who bowed again and formally introduced himself.
“Hello, I’m Rojun, the writer of ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’.”
The Japanese reporters, still holding their cameras, burst into applause.
-Clap clap clap clap clap!
Rojun waited until the applause died down and then continued fluently in Japanese.
“I’m sorry for being late, but I’m glad I was still able to make it and meet the reporters. Um, it feels like just yesterday we were talking with Netflix Japan about ‘Like a Kaleidoscope', and now we’ve already finished filming and are at the production presentation……”
Kang Rojun spoke so naturally as he shared his thoughts. Watching from the back of the press section was Executive Director Tom Cavill, with his yellow curly hair, recalled the past when he had a meeting with Kang Rojun.
“Back then, he had more of a boyish look... now he’s brimming with the aura of a full-fledged writer. It’s hard to even find a trace of that rookie feeling anymore.”
The reply came from Manager Kim Ki-baek, who stood next to Executive Director Tom Cavill with a somewhat listless air.
“It is that phase when they grow in the blink of an eye. Especially Rojun, he grows several times faster than others.”
Though not quite at Rojun’s level, Kim Ki-baek answered in fairly decent Japanese, and Tom Cavill turned his gaze to him.
“What happened over the past few months?”
“It’s been busy.”
“Ah.”
“‘Vanguard’ itself was already hectic, but Rojun-nim had even more to juggle with his side jobs.”
“Well... it’s amazing he pulled it all off. It would’ve been weirder if he hadn’t changed.”
Then, Executive Director Tom Cavill shifted the topic.
“How is the project with Netflix Korea going?”
“It’s going well. So far, at least.”
“That’s good to hear. Seems like headquarters is quite excited about it too, me included.”
Tom Cavill, being the head of Netflix Japan, was naturally in frequent contact with Netflix HQ in the U.S.
“Even though we’re competitors, since it’s Writer Rojun’s work, I’ll be rooting for it.”
At this, Kang Rojun, who had just answered the question, naturally brushed back his black hair, and the reporters near the platform gasped with genuine admiration.
“That visual is insane.”
“...Don’t you wonder what it feels like to live with that kind of unbelievable face?”
“Everyone probably smiles at him or treats him kindly, even elderly folks in rural villages. I mean, even I can’t take my eyes off him.”
“Standing next to Rojun makes our actors look like regular people.”
“Totally agree. I always thought Endo Takuto was good-looking... but now I can’t even see him.”
“That kind of looks that crush top-tier actors, combined with overflowing talent. Even his voice is amazing. It really feels like I’m seeing a true star.”
In the meantime, a reporter asked a question to Endo Takuto, who was both the male lead and a top Japanese actor.
“Was there anything particularly memorable during the production of ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’?”
“...Ah. Writer Rojun’s charisma left an impression.”
Kang Rojun, sitting to Endo Takuto’s right, let out a quiet snort internally.
‘Is this guy still sulking?? How petty can he be. Well, I guess that personality helped bring out his acting, though.’
The next question went to Kang Rojun.
“Writer-nim! You also participated as an actor in ‘Like a Kaleidoscope'. How was working with the Japanese actors for the first time?”
“I learned a lot, and thanks to their kindness, I was able to enjoy the process. I also felt a renewed hunger for acting.”
“A hunger?”
“Yes, especially from Endo Takuto.”
“Ooh.”
This response was both a compliment directed at the male lead, Endo Takuto, and a subtle jab. Endo Takuto, sitting next to him, flinched slightly, perhaps realizing it. Whatever the case, the barrage of questions aimed at Rojun shifted to PD Noguchi Ken.
“Were there any problems or incidents during filming?”
PD Noguchi Ken, who received the mic from Rojun, rubbed his chin.
“Problems or incidents… not exactly, but there were some memorable episodes.”
“Aha, such as?”
Noguchi Ken glanced at Kang Rojun beside him, then smiled.
“There were times when doing Rojun’s makeup or styling was tricky. He’s just too handsome.”
“Eh-”
“So in the end, we filmed without any makeup. And the visuals turned out perfectly.”
Immediately, the eyes of over a hundred reporters were all fixed on Kang Rojun. At first, their looks seemed to say, ‘What kind of nonsense is that?’ But the moment they saw Rojun’s faint smile.
‘...I get it now.’
Most of the reporters slowly nodded.
‘Touching that face really would feel wrong.’
‘It’s ridiculous, but I understand.’
Thus, the production presentation of ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ was a series of heated questions until the end, and because Kang Rojun had arrived a bit late, the event ran more than 30 minutes longer than expected. Finally, the last question came in.
The protagonist once again: Kang Rojun.
“Rojun-nim! It became a hot topic that you were in charge of the OST for ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’! Did you really handle everything yourself?”
Rojun, receiving the mic, nodded.
“Yes. Thankfully, they entrusted it to me, so I was able to handle the composition, lyrics, and even vocals.”
The OST for ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ was titled ‘Dreamlike’. However, Kang Rojun didn’t specifically mention the title, and the reporter asked again.
“Could you sing just a short line for us?”
Sing it? It wouldn’t be hard, but Rojun still turned to check with PD Noguchi Ken to see if it was okay. His expression said it was fine. Then, Kang Rojun brought the mic to his lips and sang the first line of ‘Dreamlike’ a cappella.
-♬♪
Over a hundred Japanese reporters froze in place. At Rojun’s original profession.
“......”
“......”
Because they were either enchanted or captivated.
Later.
After the production presentation for ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ ended and the group photo session was completed, Kang Rojun said,
“Thank you for your hard work!”
and immediately had to move to another schedule. Since he was in Japan, he planned to attend a fashion-related event. As Kang Rojun was in the middle of moving to his next destination, the Japanese reporters who had attended the production presentation quickly turned the materials they had gathered into articles.
《「Like a Kaleidoscope」production presentation, actors greeting/ photo》
《「Like a Kaleidoscope」production presentation, Writer Rojun appears late/ photo》
《Rojun and Endo Takuto two-shot/「Like a Kaleidoscope」production presentation》
《Rojun, just sitting still but looks like a manga protagonist》
《Rojun, in charge of「Like a Kaleidoscope」OST, melts ears with just one line》
Since Kang Rojun was already a hot topic in Japan, there were many articles about him, and Japanese fans quickly shared his photos on social media. Thanks to that, Kang Rojun instantly hit No. 1 in keyword rankings.
By the time he boarded the return flight, the buzz had already spread to Korea as well.
《Rojun successfully wraps ‘Like a Kaleidoscope’ production presentation in Japan, dominates Japanese actors with his visuals/ photo》
The photos quickly made their way to domestic platforms too.
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Rojun, you should’ve toned it down ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ The Japanese actors look so pitiful
-Wow… Rojun is fucking handsome…
-It didn’t feel like a production presentation, more like a Rojun fan meeting
-ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Japanese actors took L
-Rojun apparently sang the OST at the production presentation… I want to hear it too…
-He’s the only one whose picture quality looks different
-He attended as a writer but ended up making top Japanese actors look like squid, let me tell you that story
Kang Rojun checked the reaction after arriving in Korea. Inside the moving van, he smirked as he read the comments. That was when Manager Kim Ki-baek spoke up.
“What’s so funny?”
“The comments.”
“Mm- what are they? Let me see too.”
Soon, Manager Kim Ki-baek and the entire team in the van got absorbed in reading the comments together. Then Kim Ki-baek opened his planner.
“Rojun. I’ve distributed the guide version of ‘Royal Procession’ to all the necessary places, and for ‘Vanguard', the official recording will start sometime next week.”
“Got it.”
After hearing the response, Manager Kim Ki-baek silently gauged the dates and spoke again.
“By the time we’re deep into working on ‘Royal Procession', Vanguard’s official activities will be over.”
It was already the second week of July. Currently, ‘Vanguard’ was promoting their final track, ‘Windveil', and GN Entertainment had scheduled the end of their activities for the end of July. Which meant they had only about two to three weeks left. Kang Rojun felt anew just how fast time flew.
‘It’s already almost the end of promotions.’
It felt like just days ago they were doing their debut show-con and promoting ‘GreenBee’ on music shows, but now, even their rather lengthy four-month run was nearing its end. Of course, just because the song promotions were ending didn’t mean Vanguard’s schedule was completely over. At the very least, high-priority items like ‘Royal Procession’ and each member’s individual schedules, including variety shows and more, would continue.
Especially for Rojun, who had many side jobs, the work would keep going.
Even so, the intensity of the schedule would noticeably lighten. Members could choose which schedules to take on, and their autonomy would increase. That meant Rojun would have much more time to work on his own projects too.
And so, Kang Rojun returned once again to ‘Vanguard', and another week melted away.
July 13, early afternoon.
After finishing an additional commercial shoot, Rojun, Si-hoo, Kang-min, and Do-kyung headed straight to the designated recording studio as soon as they arrived at the company. The producing teams were already waiting. The main producer, upon seeing ‘Vanguard', addressed Rojun and Si-hoo.
“It’d be good for one of you to start first. Who wants to go?”
Rojun glanced at Si-hoo.
“You go first, didn’t you say your voice feels good today?”
“Yeah! Got it.”
Si-hoo, having warmed up properly, stepped into the recording booth. The main producer motioned to Rojun.
“Take over producing. Just like during ‘GreenBee', you know the vibe. I’ll assist on the side.”
“Okay, hyung.”
Without making a big deal of it, Kang Rojun took his seat next to the producer. Watching him quickly handle the equipment and laptop, the producer chuckled.
‘Look how natural he is? Si-hoo still looks a bit awkward.’
The producer patted Kang Rojun on the head.
“Looking good, Rojun. You’re a full-on producer now.”
Kang Rojun smiled with his eyes.
“Thank you.”
“When someone as super handsome and talented as you also produces well, what’s a guy like me supposed to do for a living?”
“I’ll buy you meat.”
“Get me a Lamborghini.”
“I can’t do that.”
With a joking tone, the producer tousled Rojun’s hair roughly, then got serious.
“Let’s go.”
Rojun nodded and gave a signal to Si-hoo in the booth. The production had officially begun.
“Hyung, it’s the first take, so just go with your feeling for now.”
“Okay!”
The track began to play.
-♬♪
Vanguard’s official recording of ‘Royal Procession’ had begun.
At the same time, CVN’s ‘A Tranquil Day’ announced the airdate for its explosive first episode.
《[Official] Legendary variety show ‘A Tranquil Day’ premieres Friday, July 30! Rojun and Do-kyung appear in Episode 1》
Meanwhile, a piece of overseas ‘Vanguard’ news was uploaded to social media. It came from a fan account.
[OMG! ‘Vanguard’ featured in a famous U.S. fashion magazine!!! (link)]
*****
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