Chapter 134: The Explosion of Success

The lively atmosphere instantly died down as the drama began.

Everyone focused, their attention fixed on the screen.

Taeha also immersed himself deeply in the details of Byeonghwa, directed by Jo Joong-hoon.

The opening act—though not yet in full swing—carried a subtle unease beneath its beautiful cinematography.

A sense that such perfect happiness could only end in tragedy.

Taeha nodded slightly.

“As expected of Jo Joong-hoon.”

A veteran of numerous historical dramas, Jo Joong-hoon excelled at establishing tone from the very beginning. This strength was fully displayed here as well.

The proof?

Im Chan-hyung, Kim Su-jin, and Jo Yong-ho—who hadn’t seen the rough cut—were watching with their mouths slightly open.

***

Soon, within Byeonghwa’s refined mise-en-scène, the protagonists made their entrance.

Kim Seong-wol.

Han Seung-hye.

Kim Seong-wol appeared first.

True to his title as Joseon’s greatest beauty, he radiated an overwhelming presence—as if he could step right out of the screen.

“Wow…”

“Kyaa!”

Gasps filled the room.

Taeha’s already striking looks, combined with his immersion-based acting and Jo Joong-hoon’s direction, created an explosive effect.

Even Jo Yong-ho, who had missed earlier shoots, was stunned.

***

Then came Han Seung-hye.

“Oh, wow!”

“She’s so pretty!”

Her beauty was no less captivating—but of a different kind.

With a bow slung over her shoulder and a rabbit in hand, her wild, untamed charm stood out.

It wasn’t ordinary beauty.

It was something rarer.

Something unforgettable.

And it made Kim Seong-wol’s love at first sight feel completely natural.

***

Act 1 concluded with their first meeting.

No one felt disappointed.

Because the first day included both Act 1 and Act 2.

***

Act 2 shifted tone.

The earlier tension gave way to playful romance.

Kim Seong-wol, having fallen in love, began pursuing Han Seung-hye—only to face constant rejection.

“Why do I have to go fly a kite with you?”

“Well…”

“I refuse. Both the kite—and you.”

“Me? Do you even know who I am? I’m Kim Seong-wol!”

Laughter erupted throughout the room.

Taeha and Song Ji-eun’s natural chemistry made the scenes feel real—almost unscripted.

Im Chan-hyung even clutched his stomach from laughing too hard.

***

Act 2 continued with their competition of wishes.

And once again—

Kim Seong-wol lost completely.

“What is your wish?”

“Please don’t come near me. I cannot give you what you want.”

Han Seung-hye left.

Kim Seong-wol watched her go.

And with that—

The first broadcast ended.

***

Immediately, all eyes turned to the assistant writers monitoring online reactions.

Since viewership ratings wouldn’t be available until the next day, only real-time responses could give insight.

Then—

“It’s a hit!”

Jeong Hyo-seop shot up, raising both hands.

“Social media and communities are exploding—and it’s all positive!”

Ahn Jin-su nodded just as excitedly.

“It’s not just drama forums—everything is blowing up!”

Smiles spread across the room.

Then cheers.

The monitoring session turned into a full celebration.

***

The next day, the ratings were released.

Act 1: 9.1%

Act 2: 9.4%

Then—

Act 3 hit 10.3%.

Double digits.

In just three episodes.

Even Taeha was stunned.

“This is… too fast.”

Song Ji-eun called him immediately, equally shocked.

Others reacted the same way.

Representative Han even joked:

“I thought I was dreaming—so I slapped myself after checking the ratings.”

***

The momentum didn’t stop.

Act 4: 10.8%

Act 5: 11.2%

The drama was skyrocketing.

***

Online reactions exploded:

• What is Byeonghwa? Why is it so good?
• I watched too early… how do I wait a week now?
• The visuals are insane—Kang Taeha and Song Ji-eun!
• Is it even fair for Taeha to act while looking like that?
• He writes, acts, sings… what can’t he do?
• Byeonghwa = Kang Taeha.

The buzz only intensified.

***

The OST added fuel to the fire.

A song sung by Taeha climbed to #1 on the music charts.

Not just one song—

Multiple OST tracks dominated the rankings.

A complete chart takeover.

Taeha couldn’t help but laugh.

“I only hoped it would help promotion…”

But the public was even more shocked.

It was later revealed—

He had written the lyrics himself.

***

One comment became viral:

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789

“I give up. Just let him do everything.”

***

The success extended globally.

On Netflix:

• #1 in Korea
• #1 in multiple Southeast Asian countries

Within one week:

• #5 (Non-English category)
• #10 overall

The next week:

• #1 (Non-English)
• #4 overall

Climbing rapidly toward the top.

***

Everything Taeha aimed for—

Overseas recognition, chart success, public acclaim—

Was achieved within just 5 episodes.

***

Offers flooded in.

Advertisements.

Endorsements.

His market value skyrocketed.

But what excited him most—

“Taeha! We finally got it!”

Im Chan-hyung burst in.

“A proposal from Louis Vuitton—to become a global ambassador!”

***

And yet—

After careful consideration,

Taeha declined.