The promotional schedule this time was just as intense as it had been for *Your Brilliant Sparkle*. Since it was his first project as the solo lead, it couldn’t be helped. Tae-ha’s goal was to get the word out about *Fight School* through quantity over quality.
Fortunately, because Tae-ha had performed so well on various variety shows in the past, he received casting offers from many places. In particular, the variety programs and Nutube content where he had previously made a strong impression all sought him out again.
However, that didn’t mean he could appear everywhere. First of all, appearing on *Great Saturday* was impossible because the broadcasting station had changed from tvM to ITBC. Since *Great Saturday* was a variety show that yielded good promotional results even after multiple appearances, it was quite regrettable.
He also turned down offers to appear on *An Ji-yeon’s Salon Trip* and the *Are You Kidding Show*. In Tae-ha’s judgment, appearing on *An Ji-yeon’s Salon Trip* for a third time would be ‘overstaying his welcome.’ Since he had already done the first and second rounds, it wouldn’t be right to push it any further unless it was a special case like *Great Saturday*.
Similarly, he decided that appearing on the *Are You Kidding Show* one more time wasn’t very wise. He had only appeared once so far, but it was the kind of content that consumed one’s image quite heavily. This was because the show relied strongly on the image of asking new guests fresh questions. For that reason, Tae-ha politely declined the offer from the *Are You Kidding Show* staff despite their request.
However, he didn’t turn down every piece of content he had previously appeared on. To start with, he accepted the offer to appear on *That’s Your Business*. The concept of the show was Yoo Jae-seop comfortably inviting people nearby to enjoy a chat, so there was no concern about image consumption. In fact, if he could give off a comfortable vibe by appearing frequently, that was even better.
True to form, Yoo Jae-seop also welcomed Tae-ha warmly.
“Oh! Tae-ha, you’re here.”
He and Yoo Jae-seop had already reached the point where they dropped formal speech, having exchanged several private phone calls even after the last filming ended. Because of that, Tae-ha also greeted Yoo Jae-seop warmly.
“Oh, Brother Jae-seop. It’s been a while.”
However, the PDs of *That’s Your Business*, who were unaware of this, seemed surprised by the two of them naturally calling each other “Brother” and “Junior.” Realizing that an explanation was needed, Yoo Jae-seop looked toward the camera and addressed it.
“Ah. Those watching might be a bit surprised. I’ll just tell you straight. We’ve become quite close. I’ve been pestering Tae-ha quite a bit since the show ended.”
“Pestering? People will think you’ve stolen me away from my other brothers.”
“What? I haven’t stolen you yet? Oh, then I’m getting greedy. I can’t have that. Today, I really need to get closer to Tae-ha. Seok-hyun, Yun-seong, and Min-gi, I’m sorry in advance. I really need to get close to Tae-ha today.”
Small laughs broke out on the set at Yoo Jae-seop’s cute declaration of war. However, Tae-ha didn’t hear it properly as he was busy greeting the other guest on *That’s Your Business*.
The other guest appearing with Tae-ha today was Ha Dong-hyun. He was a colleague who had shared a bond with Yoo Jae-seop starting from *Reckless Challenge* and continuing through *Battleman*. For Tae-ha, who had been a massive fan of *Reckless Challenge* since his days as Ho-jun, it was a delightful combination.
“Wow. The Moo-do duo. I love this.”
Because of that, those words naturally popped out of Tae-ha’s mouth. Ha Dong-hyun, who was greeting him with his usual slightly greasy “I’ve heard a lot about you,” reacted to this.
“Could it be… a Moo-do kid?”
“Yes. I was a total Moo-do kid.”
Yoo Jae-seop was also slightly surprised and asked back.
“What? Tae-ha, you were a Moo-do kid? Why didn’t you say anything last time?”
“Last time, Brother Jae-seop was the only member from Moo-do present.”
“But today Dong-hyun is here.”
“Yes. So it feels like I’m watching TV. It feels really strange.”
“What feels strange? Anyway, if that’s the case, Brother Seok-jun is going to be a bit disappointed.”
“Why?”
“Tae-ha wasn’t this happy to see him back then.”
The set erupted in small laughter again at Yoo Jae-seop’s remark. Tae-ha played along with the mood and asked Yoo Jae-seop.
“By the way, why didn’t Brother Seok-jun come out today?”
“I actually called him, but they said he had a schedule. That’s why I brought Dong-hyun.”
“So that’s why Brother Dong-hyun is here. What a relief.”
A huge laugh broke out this time at Tae-ha’s well-timed “relief” joke. Even Yoo Jae-seop seemed satisfied, giving Tae-ha a thumbs-up with his characteristic laugh.
“As expected of Kang Tae-ha. You’re doing great today too. Dong-hyun, you didn’t see Tae-ha’s episode, did you?”
“I didn’t. I haven’t seen it.”
“Ah, you missed out. Tae-ha was really funny that day. From what I saw, Tae-ha has the kind of personality where he says everything on his mind. That’s why I even gave him a nickname. The Outboxer.”
“Ah, I saw that, the Outboxer. Brother Seok-jun got absolutely pummeled, didn’t he?”
“Hahaha! Hey! Pummeled? How could you say that about your senior?”
“No, he came to film *Battleman* the next day, and the area around his eyes was so blue. Still, it’s a relief. At least he was hit by a star like Tae-ha.”
‘That’s Ha Dong-hyun for you.’
It was a witty joke that naturally brought that thought to mind. There was definitely a different kind of fun compared to when he filmed with Ji Seok-jun. In that manner, the three of them talked about Ji Seok-jun, who wasn’t there, for a long while.
Then, just as the fun was slightly dying down, Yoo Jae-seop filled the audio like a ghost.
“So, Tae-ha, I heard you have a drama coming out. What was the title again?”
“It’s called *Fight School*, a school-based drama.”
“Ah, school-based. High school? What role are you playing as a high schooler?”
“No. This time, I’m playing the role of a teacher.”
“Tell us more. Since you’re here, you should promote the drama a bit.”
“Well, it’s a drama about a teacher who gets appointed to Mobeom High, a place where incidents and accidents never end, and sets out to change the school.”
After hearing Tae-ha’s introduction of the drama, Ha Dong-hyun cut in appropriately.
“I’ve seen a similar webtoon. *The Hot-Blooded Teacher*? Is it that kind of vibe? Where you beat up the bullies and make them come to their senses?”
As soon as Ha Dong-hyun finished speaking, Yoo Jae-seop laughed and raised his voice.
“Hey! Where is there a webtoon where you actually hit the students?”
“Ah, they exist. If you don’t know, Brother, then don’t even talk. It’s something only us MZ people know.”
“What MZ are you? You’re a total old man. You’ve been giving off a total old man vibe since Tae-ha walked in. You’re completely shriveled up.”
“Shriveled up? Ha! What’s wrong with me! What’s wrong with me!”
“I said shriveled! Shriveled up!”
“Then are you wrinkled?”
“What?”
Yoo Jae-seop and Ha Dong-hyun bickered childishly for a bit. After that, Yoo Jae-seop smoothed out the atmosphere and asked again.
“Ah, so where were we?”
“About how Tae-ha beats up the bullies. How he turns their eyes black and blue like Brother Seok-jun’s.”
“Hey! When did Tae-ha ever say that! Just stay still!”
“No, isn’t that right? Tae-ha, tell him. This old man is only picking on me.”
“Ah, I don’t hit them directly. It’s more of a vibe like an outboxer, hitting and moving.”
“An outboxer there too? Kang Tae-ha, you’re a total habitual offender.”
“Ah, I’m not Kang Tae-ha there; I’m Lee In-woo. Kang Tae-ha only did that to Brother Seok-jun.”
“Oh, so you’re admitting you turned Seok-jun’s eyes black and blue?”
“No! I told you to stay still!”
“Why do I have to be the only one staying still! Why!”
Regardless, thanks to the uniquely fast tempo of *That’s Your Business*, Tae-ha was able to successfully finish the drama introduction. It might have seemed a bit chaotic, but because of that, it was a natural introduction to the work.
And Tae-ha knew very well that Yoo Jae-seop and Ha Dong-hyun had intentionally created this atmosphere. It was a given since he had been a long-time fan of *Reckless Challenge*.
Tae-ha had also immersed himself in the atmosphere of *That’s Your Business*, acting as the ‘polite and diligent junior who does talk-outboxing’ just like last time. And perhaps thanks to this immersion ability, Tae-ha was able to quickly become close with Ha Dong-hyun as well.
“Wow. But Tae-ha’s personality is so good. We met for the first time today, so why do I feel such a sense of intimacy?”
“He’s starting again. Pretending to be close to stars.”
“Tae-ha, is it okay if I speak comfortably to you? If it’s uncomfortable, just say so. It’s fine.”
“Ah, please be comfortable, Senior.”
“Right. Then you should be comfortable too. Do you happen to like meat? Do you want to go to a charcoal grill restaurant later?”
“Wow. Look at that. Now he’s openly trying to promote his restaurant. Stop it. Our Tae-ha isn’t eating meat today.”
“No! Brother, who are you to say that? How do you know if he wants to eat meat or not!”
“How would I not know? Do you know how close I am to Tae-ha!”
“Actually, Brother, you pretending to be closer to him than Lee Seok-hyun, Han Yun-seong, or Seon Min-gi is totally uncool.”
“What? How is that uncool! We became totally close today! You tell him, Tae-ha! Who are you closer to?”
“Huh?”
“Oh, wait. Don’t answer. I’ll change the question. Compared to Seok-hyun, Yun-seong, and Min-gi, how far have I come? In terms of intimacy? Have we gotten quite close?”
“Wow. Look at him. He changes the question immediately because he thinks he’ll lose. Tae-ha, don’t mind a petty guy like him. Just hang out with me. Do you use MyStar? Do you want to follow each other and take a picture?”
“Yes. I’m on MyStar. I can follow you and take a picture, but please don’t upload the post.”
“Huh? I can’t?”
“Ha! Serves you right, Ha Dong-hyun! I knew it would end up like that!”
“I hadn’t thought about not being able to upload a post… Then what about the restaurant?”
“I can go to eat meat, but I can’t let you hang up my signature.”
“I can’t even do that?”
When Ha Dong-hyun made a bewildered expression, the set erupted in laughter once more. Tae-ha cleared the air by saying it was a joke, and the topic naturally moved on to the next.
This time, the conversation topic was delivered through the PD of *That’s Your Business*.
“Oh? Is that true? Tae-ha sang the OST for *Fight School*?”
Tae-ha was slightly flustered by the unexpected development but answered calmly.
“Ah. I’m not great at singing, but I sang a little bit for the drama’s promotion.”
“Ah, then we have to hear it. You know, right? I have ‘Top 100 Ears.’ You know?”
“I know. But it’s not really at a level where listening with those ears would mean much…”
“Hey, still, you never know. Where can I hear it? Is it on music sites?”
“It hasn’t been released yet, so it’s not there. I’ll look for it. Just a moment.”
Tae-ha downloaded the music file from the messages he had exchanged with TT. Then, he played *Rebel Anthem* on his phone. There was no particular reason for playing *Rebel Anthem* instead of *Blue Moon*. He had simply discovered *Rebel Anthem* first in his messages with TT.
Yoo Jae-seop listened to the *Rebel Anthem* that Tae-ha played. A moment later, a look of shock appeared on Yoo Jae-seop’s face.
“What? Why is it this good?”