Already finished writing the lyrics? Song Min-geun, with his phone pressed against his ear, changed to an expression of disbelief.

‘He wrote the lyrics I requested in just a few days?’

People around him gestured, wondering what was going on, but Song Min-geun shook his head to indicate it was nothing and spoke into the phone.

“You mean... you’ve written all of the lyrics? From start to finish. Not just the first verse or anything. The demo track I gave you has two verses, right?”

Once again, Kang Rojun’s answer on the other end of the line was concise.

“Yes, I know. I listened to all the way through the second verse. I finished writing lyrics for both verses.”

“......Really?”

“Yes.”

Song Min-geun scratched his chin lightly and let out a soft hum.

“Alright, got it for now. Can you send the finished lyrics to my phone? I’ll check it first.”

“Yes, understood.”

-Click.

The call ended cleanly. As Song Min-geun lowered his phone, a small scoff slipped out.

'This... doesn't make sense.'

He had already heard that No. 1 wrote the lyrics for ‘Witch’, a rap composed by No. 58. When Song Min-geun read the lyrics for ‘Witch’ himself, he had thought they were quite good. In fact, considering it was his first attempt at lyric writing, it felt closer to talent.

So, Song Min-geun had secretly held some expectations.

But this time, it was too fast.

‘Did he even listen to the demo track properly??’

The speed was beyond what Song Min-geun considered normal.

The track requested from Kang Rojun had already been sent to several professional lyricists, and their versions had arrived in Song Min-geun’s inbox. This was routine for a major composer and broadcaster like Song Min-geun. Even for professionals, it typically takes 2 to 3 weeks, sometimes more than a month.

Of course, there are rare cases where lyrics get completed in a single day.

But even among professionals, that’s extremely uncommon, 2 to 3 weeks is the usual. Yet now, a complete beginner in both composing and lyric writing, No. 1, claimed to have finished in just a few days. So, naturally, from Song Min-geun’s perspective.

‘Hmm- must’ve rushed through it because he was busy',

A predictable suspicion surfaced. As a judge, Song Min-geun was well aware of how grueling the 'Produce That 100!' schedule was. Recently, No. 1 had even admitted himself that he was the writer of 'Rental Lover'.

So now, screenwriting had also been added.

That meant No. 1 was currently juggling the filming and training for 'Produce That 100!' along with his role as the writer of 'Rental Lover'. Not to mention smaller commitments like studying composition and lyric writing. For an amateur who hadn’t officially debuted yet, such a schedule would be overwhelming.

Hence, it seemed highly likely he just pretended to write the lyrics and sent them. At least, that’s how it looked from Song Min-geun’s point of view.

‘I get it. He’s suddenly in the spotlight like a rising star, and with so much attention and anticipation, he probably wants to live up to all of it.’

But No. 1 only has one body, and he can’t do everything perfectly. If he lacks skill, he has to invest time and gain experience. But right now, No. 1 clearly doesn’t have time. Rubbing his chin, Song Min-geun swallowed a bitter smile.

“Did I give him the offer too hastily?”

Just then.

-♬♪

A short notification sound came from Song Min-geun’s phone. A message had arrived. When he checked, it was from No. 1. A short note that read "I'm sending you the lyrics file". An attachment was included. Rather than replying, Song Min-geun tapped on the attachment first.

A file filled with dense text opened.

Lyrics written by No. 1.

The demo track Song Min-geun gave him was a ballad with a slightly melancholic emotion. Not too sorrowful, but not flat either. A ballad that maintained an appropriate tone while being deeply evocative. Without much expectation, Song Min-geun began reading from the first line.

[The moment you turned around]

[The world I saw turned to black and white]

[And I think I came to realize]

[That you and I were both filled with longing]

[You, who always stood by me]

[Became a part of the distant background]

[The black-and-white world is gradually growing darker]

.

.

.

As Song Min-geun continued reading the lyrics, a serious expression settled on his face. Halfway through, he scrolled back up to the beginning. Then, reading again more slowly and with greater emotional engagement.

A few minutes later.

“This-”

A look of genuine surprise filled Song Min-geun’s eyes as he quietly exclaimed in admiration.

“He didn’t half-ass this?”

Half-assed? Not at all. In fact, it was the opposite.

‘From the emotional flow to the choice of words. It’s incredible. It’s written so well. I want this.’

The lyrics No. 1 sent had resonance, and Song Min-geun responded to them. Soon, Song Min-geun began combining the lyrics with the demo track’s melody.

-♬♪

After playing through a few bars of the song, Song Min-geun.

-swish.

Glanced at the colleague seated nearby. At the same time, he recalled the words he had uttered earlier when thinking of No. 1.

‘But when you look at No. 1, doesn’t it feel like God really tried for once?’

With the same image of No. 1 in mind, Song Min-geun murmured softly. Before he knew it, a smile crept onto his face.

“God gave him way too much.”

Meanwhile.

Around the time Song Min-geun was still in awe, marveling at Kang Rojun, the internet was overflowing with updates about 'Produce That 100!'

First, the viewership for Episode 8.

《Episode 8 Viewership Hits New High at 25.4% for ‘Produce That 100!’》

'Produce That 100!' had finally broken the 25% mark. The growth showed no signs of stopping. In the entertainment world, the general consensus was that in terms of buzz, entertainment value, and content, there would never be another audition variety show like 'Produce That 100!'

Additionally.

“Copy ‘Produce That 100’.”

“Uh- Director. Going into it right now might be a bit...”

“Who said start right now? I mean quietly launch it around the time ‘Produce That 100’ ends. Wouldn’t more than half of its viewership naturally transfer over?”

“I-I understand for now.”

“And find a character like No. 1.”

“What?? D-Director, that’s seriously impossible! We can’t find someone with No. 1’s visuals!! You’ve seen him yourself!”

“Even a half-version, go discover one!”

Across public networks, general programming, and cable stations, everyone was desperate to copy the massive hit that was 'Produce That 100!' It wasn’t a strange phenomenon. In the broadcasting world, when one show hits big, a slew of similar content inevitably follows.

Meanwhile, 'Rental Lover' was explosively hot as erupting lava.

《‘Rental Lover’ Production Team Releases Script Reading Site Photo Including ‘No. 1', Netizens Say, ‘It’s fascinating to see No. 1 there’》

It wasn't quiet even when top actress Choi Rina was involved, but compared to now, that time was practically silence. Both the media and public opinion were buzzing nonstop about 'Rental Lover'.

This, too, was unprecedented.

《‘Rental Lover’ Could Become First One-Act to Reach Mini-Series Viewership Levels》

It was the first time a one-act had stirred up this much attention.