Suddenly, I Became Crazy Handsome, and the World Became Easy

The meeting wrapped up in about an hour. After tidying up the space, Kang Rojun and PD Jung Soo-ryeong got into the car.

-Vroom!

They headed back to the 'Produce That 100!' campus in Paju. As she drove, PD Jung Soo-ryeong glanced at Rojun in the passenger seat. He had taken off his mask and cap.

‘Can’t wait to see how he looks on camera. Even on 'Produce That 100!', he looked like CGI. If we style him and start shooting as 'Lover Number 4', it’ll be insane. And those two-shots with Choi Rina- hmm, if we frame it right, she might actually be outshone.’

With a small laugh, PD Jung Soo-ryeong spoke.

"It must be hectic? Writing and filming 'Produce That 100!'"

“It’s manageable.”

“Anyway, since your role as ‘Lover Number 4’ is confirmed too, even if you’re busy, start practicing your facial expressions slowly. Since you wrote the script, you know the character settings well. When the time comes, I’ll check your performance like an audition. You might even rehearse with Choi Rina. I’ll give you advice or point out things to tweak.”

Rojun nodded and turned his gaze to the window. Rehearsing lines with Choi Rina-nim? His heart was pounding.

It was right at this moment.

-Vrrr...

A short vibration felt on his wrist. Checking his smartwatch, he saw a new notification had arrived. Of course, it was from the 'AI Simulation'.

-[With the addition of a new side job under the title ‘Side Job Tycoon’, the title has been enhanced by +1. You have received 20 Coins as a gift!]

-[The title ‘Side Job Tycoon’ has been enhanced to +2, and bonus Coins have increased to 2.]

Seeing the notification, Kang Rojun was slightly surprised and exclaimed internally, Nice!

‘Ah- Title Enhancement!’

The next morning, Wednesday the 29th.

The location was the 'Produce That 100!' campus in Paju. Just like yesterday, Kang Rojun was the first among dozens of participants to wake up. The first thing he did was reach for his phone. Before even searching his name online, he launched the 'AI Simulation' app.

There had been some pretty big changes.

-[Title: Side Job Tycoon+2 / Recognition Monster+1]

-[User: Kang Rojun / Age: 24 / Height: 182.8 cm / Desired Occupation: Idol / Coins Owned: 498]

-[Side Job: [1] Screenwriter, [2] Actor]

The title ‘Side Job Tycoon’ had been enhanced, and ‘Actor’ had been added as a new side job. On top of that.

-[Title Bonus Coins: +3]

He now had 3 bonus Coins. In other words, starting today, Kang Rojun could earn 8 Coins per day. The corners of his mouth lifted into a grin.

‘Eight a day, so sweet.’

He was already approaching 500 Coins. Feeling more secure, Rojun immediately changed into workout clothes to complete his Daily Mission. His dorm mates from Room 105, awakened by the noise, groaned as they stirred.

“Ugh- wait for us, Number 1-nim.”

“Ow, I’m dying. My whole body’s sore from yesterday’s dance training. But I’ll go too.”

All four of them ended up following Kang Rojun. As he and his Room 105 mates stepped out into the hallway.

"Oh, are you all going to exercise??"

They ran into PD Woo Han-suk, who was walking toward them. To be exact, he had come specifically to see Rojun.

"Number 1 nim, I was stuck in the editing room yesterday afternoon. Sorry."

“It’s fine.”

“If you’re heading out, mind if I walk with you?”

“Sure.”

After bidding farewell to the members of Room 105, PD Woo Han-suk left the dormitory together with Rojun. The two walked toward a nearby park, and Kang Rojun glanced at the PD beside him, wondering if he was really okay.

‘Looks like his dark circles have gotten even worse.’

PD Woo Han-suk's hair was greasy and unkempt, his eyes lifeless, and his face filled with exhaustion. He took off his glasses and pressed firmly on his eyes before finally speaking.

"I'm dying from overnight meetings and editing."

“Are you alright?”

“Hahaha, I’m fine. With a 15% viewership rating and creating a sensation, I should keep editing even from the grave. A happy death? Something like that? It’s all thanks to you, Number 1-nim. I’ve been monitoring the public response constantly. Just yesterday, tens of thousands of posts were made on our official site’s bulletin board. Seventy percent of them were about you.”

Even while looking half-dead, PD Woo Han-suk chuckled and patted Rojun’s shoulder a couple of times, then changed the subject.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

Kang Rojun calmly began to speak.

“It’s about the writer thing I mentioned before.”

“Oh right, the one who won the grand prize in the SBC contest. You said you met the director for that yesterday too, right? Is production going well? They must be in pre-production now.”

“Yes. For now. But somehow, I ended up being cast in the project.”

-Pause.

PD Woo Han-suk came to a sudden halt, his tired eyes growing comically wide.

“......What? Cast? You mean, you’re going to appear in that project as an actor??”

“Yes.”

“So-so you’re the writer of the project, and now you’re also acting in it?”

“Yes.”

PD Woo Han-suk stared at Rojun for a moment, completely dumbfounded.

‘The writer is also acting??! What kind of absurd plot twist is this??’

He quickly looked around. Confirming that no one else was nearby, he stepped in closer to Rojun.

“Hold on a sec. This is too sudden. Mind explaining it to me in detail?”

Kang Rojun explained everything that had happened so far regarding 'Rental Lover'. Of course, he left out the part about Choi Rina, just in case. Soon, PD Woo Han-suk’s expression turned serious. He, too, was a seasoned veteran in this field. Running the numbers was no big deal.

‘PD Jung Soo-ryeong, she’s well-known in the drama scene. From the looks of it, she’s building a real setup here... If done right, this could turn into a win-win situation.’

Rubbing his chin, PD Woo Han-suk responded to Kang Rojun.

“I’ll arrange to meet with PD Jung Soo-ryeong.”

*****

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