Right after Kang Rojun’s name was revealed, the articles that popped up on the internet were not from a single place but were simultaneously published by several media outlets.

《‘Rental Lover’ Production Presentation Also Attended by ‘Produce That 100!’ No. 1 ‘Writer Rojun’》

Though the titles differed, the contents were similar. The production presentation of 'Rental Lover', details of the event, and the hot writer ‘Rojun’ was attending.

This was, of course, a timing strategy aimed by PD Jung Soo-ryeong.

Because right after the name of Kang Rojun, the star of 'Produce That 100!', was revealed would be the moment when the search volume would be at its highest. Probably. No, almost 100% of the many viewers who had been watching 'Produce That 100!' were likely all searching for ‘Rojun’ on their phones.

In fact, at a large café near Gangnam Station, the customers were

“Is anything coming up??”

“No? For now, both Google and Naver are showing only unknown people, nothing on Produce That 100!'s Rojun. What about Instagram?”

“Same. Other social media is the same too.”

They were completely absorbed in searching ‘Rojun’. A 30% viewership rating indeed. Even a casual glance showed an enormous ripple effect. It wasn’t just one or two tables, most customers on the first and second floors were showing similar patterns. Watching 'Produce That 100!' and searching ‘Rojun’.

“There’s absolutely no info! What? Maybe they used his stage name instead of real name??”

“I don’t think so? The narrator said they were using real names for the contestants.”

“Wow- there are quite a few Rojuns out there, but it’s not a common name, and still no info?”

“Dig more on Facebook!! I’ll keep searching Instagram!”

“Okay, okay.”

Of course, this wasn’t limited to search engines.

Across all kinds of social media, Youtube, and community sites, the search volume for the name ‘Rojun’ was probably exploding. Especially on social media, things were on fire, but there was no way information on Kang Rojun would appear. Because Rojun didn’t use social media.

PD Jung Soo-ryeong’s scheme, targeting this timing, hit the mark.

“Huh?? Look at this article! Seems like it just dropped, it says Rojun is attending the ‘Rental Lover’ production presentation!”

“No way, it doesn’t say No. 1, it says Writer Rojun??”

“Even the ‘Rental Lover’ team must be watching ‘Produce That 100!’ too?”

“Well yeah, they even came to the 4th evaluation? Anyway, Writer Rojun is kind of intriguing.”

“Awesome! They’re doing a real-time live stream of the ‘Rental Lover’ production presentation too?? It'll definitely go up on Youtube, right? Gotta watch it, no question.”

Most of the people who had been searching Rojun were now aware of the article about the 'Rental Lover' production presentation. The promotional effect of the name Rojun at this point was beyond imagination. PD Jung Soo-ryeong, having confirmed the situation where comments on the articles were piling up crazily, said.

“Okay, it’s rolling just as I planned. Now take a breather for a bit, and once the ‘Produce That 100!’ broadcast ends, tell the reporters to stir things up again.”

She burst into laughter. So did the entire 'Rental Lover' team.

“Yes! PD-nim! By the way, the reactions are insane?? The article hasn’t even been out for a few minutes!”

“Everyone’s curious about Writer Rojun’s first appearance, since there’s never been a case of an idol debuting as a writer. This, this - the live viewers on the day of the production presentation will probably explode several times more than expected, right?"

PD Woo Han-suk at the ‘JTVM’ broadcasting station was well aware of this too. It had already been discussed with PD Jung Soo-ryeong.

'Once episode 11 ends, our kids will be trending, but ‘Rental Lover’ is going to get wild too.'

Meanwhile, in Room 101 on campus where episode 11 was being watched, Kang Rojun received a message.

-Buzzz.

The sender was PD Jung Soo-ryeong. She sent the link to the just-published article about ‘Writer Rojun', and when Kang Rojun checked the article, his eyes widened slightly.

'Oh- my name is in an article.......'

He had seen No. 1 countless times in various places, but this was the first time an article had used his real name. The sense of emotion and thrill was definitely on a different level.

'Now it really feels like I’ve properly introduced myself?? I don’t know, I can’t quite put it into words. Anyway, this is sick.'

Imagining the future made the thrill double.

From today onward, he would no longer be called No. 1 but Rojun. Not knowing this, Room 26Do-kyung, 46Kang Min, and 58Si-hoo were deeply immersed in watching 'Produce That 100!' The atmosphere of episode 11, which had just revealed the contestants’ names, was changing rapidly.

-[“The results of the 4th evaluation votes are in.”]

On screen, PD Woo Han-suk with a firm expression.

The time of elimination for the 24 contestants had arrived. Soon, the glamorous pass zone appeared on screen, and PD Woo Han-suk explained the changed selection process. When it was announced that only ten would survive, viewers were shocked.

-Whoa... only ten...?

-They’re seriously cutting down now

-With ten people, they could just debut as one team??

-I thought at least half would survive....

Then the first finalist, who had secured an overwhelming score, was announced.

-["The first successful candidate, 'Rojun' nim, you have passed."]

A solo shot of Kang Rojun, whose visuals shined even more under the lights. After a brief conversation with PD Woo Han-suk, he walked over to the pass zone. Following him, 26Do-kyung and others were called, totaling ten participants. Once the pass zone was filled, the 14 eliminated contestants, showing a range of emotions, were shown on screen.

Viewers had mixed reactions.

Many were satisfied that the contestant they adored survived, but some hurled curses upon seeing their favorite fail. Still, the 14 who were eliminated had no choice but to leave 'Produce That 100!'

The screen changed again.

The faces and names of the 14 eliminated contestants repeated. This was not to rub salt in the wound.

It was more like a resume PD Woo Han-suk was sending to entertainment agencies. Though eliminated, they had undeniable talent, so it was a suggestion to reach out to them.

Then, as soon as the introduction of the 10 survivers ended, the screen changed once again.

Kang Rojun and 58Si-hoo stood on the empty stage.

Facing them, PD Woo Han-suk spoke.

-[“Rojun-nim, Si-hoo-nim. How about you two try making the theme song for ‘Produce That 100!’?”]

There had been a similar scene in the past, but it had been edited out before airing. This was a newly directed cut by PD Woo Han-suk.

That was the end.

-'Produce That 100!'

The logo appeared, marking the end of episode 11. But viewers went into a frenzy.

-Agh!!!! You're really ending it like this??!!!

-ㅠㅜㅠㅠㅜㅠWe finally get to hear the theme song made by the contestants??

-Rojun and Si-hoo’s theme song.... ah I’m gonna listen to it the second it drops

-So!!! When is the song coming out!!!

-Can someone just knock me out... and wake me up when the next episode is out....

Because they had realized the existence of 'Survival 100'.