He decided to watch the first broadcast of with Lee Hyun-seung, Park Hee-jeong, and Shin Seong-jin.
By now, the four of them were used to hanging out together, and compared to other associates, he hadn’t become close enough with anyone else to watch the first broadcast together.
Perhaps it was because of his title as a “one-top” actor. The staff he worked with on this project often saw Tae-ha more as an intimidating colleague than a friend.
The actors playing the student roles looked at Tae-ha this way in particular. It was because Tae-ha appeared on set every time to increase the effect of immersion and provide acting coaching.
Because the image of a “Teacher” had been layered onto him like this, even actors of the same age, such as Han Seul-gi, found Tae-ha a bit difficult to approach. Of course, that didn’t mean they weren’t on good terms. They just hadn’t developed from colleagues into friends; in fact, they were actually on the friendlier side.
As a side note, senior actors who played roles like the chairman of Chaeseong Group or the parents were a different story. In this industry, where the hierarchy was clearer than one might think, Tae-ha was the one who called them “Teacher.” Therefore, it would have been inappropriate to ask them to watch the first broadcast together.
‘Even if I asked, the senior actors would likely feel awkward and decline.’
For that reason, it was considered polite not to ask.
In any case, Tae-ha waited for the first broadcast of with Lee Hyun-seung, Park Hee-jeong, and Shin Seong-jin. Of course, they weren’t the only four people there. Im Chan-hyung and Kim Su-jin, who had suffered alongside them on set, and Jo Yong-ho, the road manager, were also present.
Additionally, the two assistant writers for Lee Hyun-seung and Park Hee-jeong were there as well. That meant a total of nine people were waiting for the first broadcast in this studio.
Because of the number of people, CEO Choi and Kim Seo-an, who might have joined, couldn’t come. Unlike Tae-ha’s studio, the studio belonging to Lee Hyun-seung and Park Hee-jeong was somewhat cramped, so they couldn’t come even if they wanted to.
After ordering alcohol and food for the group, the already narrow studio felt even smaller. Lee Hyun-seung spoke up.
“It’s a bit cramped, isn’t it? If I had known it would be like this, we should have gone to Actor Kang’s studio as you suggested.”
Tae-ha shook his head and opened a beer can.
“No, it’s cozy and nice. I was actually thinking it’s a relief we didn’t go to my studio.”
He was being sincere. Tae-ha’s studio was much larger, but it was hard to feel this kind of emotional connection there. If this many people had gathered there, the studio might have felt too empty.
This was a gathering for people who had suffered together to comfort each other and celebrate the safe airing of the first broadcast. It made no sense for such a place to feel empty. If the atmosphere felt somewhat hollow, the meaning of comfort and celebration would inevitably fade. That was why Tae-ha said what he did.
Lee Hyun-seung understood the sentiment and nodded.
“True, if you can just put up with the cramped feeling, this place does have more of an atmosphere. We can even get those pig skins you like delivered here.”
The pig skin place that had become Tae-ha’s regular spot again after meeting Lee Hyun-seung and Park Hee-jeong. Lee Hyun-seung pointed at the packaged pig skins as he spoke.
Indeed, Tae-ha’s studio was quite a distance from the pig skin place. Since they were in the same neighborhood, it wasn’t impossible to go, but it was difficult to visit often because one had to cross the unique underground paths of Sangam-dong. On the other hand, Lee Hyun-seung and Park Hee-jeong, who had secured a studio near the broadcast station, had no such worries.
Tae-ha took a sip of beer and picked up a piece of pig skin with his chopsticks.
“Exactly. To be honest, this is what I like best.”
In this way, Tae-ha used his characteristic wit to lighten the tense atmosphere before the first broadcast began. Thanks to that, the expressions of Lee Hyun-seung, Park Hee-jeong, and Shin Seong-jin, who had been stiff with nerves, softened significantly.
Of course, the tension didn’t vanish completely. Since this was the debut work for Lee Hyun-seung, Park Hee-jeong, and Shin Seong-jin, it was unavoidable.
On the other hand, Tae-ha, who already had the experience of finishing three of his own dramas, including his past life, objectively analyzed the current situation.
‘At the very least, it will hit a peak viewership rating of around 8%. The promotion went better than expected, and the rough cut turned out well.’
Tae-ha now had a feel for these things. And this was the minimum result one could expect when a drama proceeded without any issues.
If the script is good, the actors perform well, and the director does a good job, you can pull in at least 6% viewership. Since the promotion went well here, he predicted a score of 8% by adding an extra 2%.
In the past, he would have set the number higher, but these days, there were too many variables. And 8% wasn’t a bad result for the debut work of a rookie writer and rookie directors. In fact, it could be considered an overflowing success. It was just that Tae-ha had received an excessive amount of love until now.
‘For my first challenge as a one-top lead, 8% isn’t a bad score at all.’
Therefore, Tae-ha’s heart was at ease as he waited for the first broadcast of . Honestly, Tae-ha’s track record until now had simply made no sense. For that reason, it wasn’t bad to take a breath with a peak rating of 8%.
‘Well, if it does better, that’s even better.’
While Tae-ha was thinking this, the commercials finally ended, and aired.
Tae-ha’s gaze naturally turned toward Im Chan-hyung, Kim Su-jin, and Jo Yong-ho, who hadn’t seen the rough cut in advance. Not only Tae-ha, but Lee Hyun-seung, Park Hee-jeong, and Shin Seong-jin also watched the reactions of the three with faces full of inevitable tension.
How much time had passed? Satisfaction appeared on the faces of those watching the reactions of the three.
***
The first broadcast was a success. Everyone gathered in the studio that day shared this thought.
As a result, the drinking session that started in Lee Hyun-seung and Park Hee-jeong’s studio continued through a third round in a joyful atmosphere. The gathering was so full of excitement that it lasted until 5:00 AM.
The fact that CEO Choi, Kim Seo-an, and Han Seul-gi, who had been drinking elsewhere, joined in was the decisive reason the celebration lasted so long. No matter how strong Tae-ha’s tolerance was, he had no choice but to pass out as soon as he returned home.
Tae-ha, who barely opened his eyes when the sun was high in the sky, drank a cool glass of water and checked his phone first. Sure enough, the phone was filled with congratulatory messages. This was despite the fact that he had replied and made calls intermittently during the drinking session yesterday.
‘Since I’m at it, I should spend the day resting at home and returning calls.’
Tae-ha thought this as he skipped the messaging app and opened a browser. Then, he immediately searched for the viewership ratings for Episode 1 of . No matter how much he predicted success, Tae-ha couldn’t help but be curious. He wanted to confirm if it really was a successful first broadcast.
And fortunately, Tae-ha’s prediction was not wrong. In fact, the ratings for Episode 1 far exceeded his expectations.
The viewership rating for Episode 1 of was a whopping 5.36%. This was an even better start than , which ranked fourth in ITBC’s all-time ratings with a peak of 18.4%.
‘Since recorded a 5.01% rating on its first day.’
That meant that might potentially end up with a better final result than . Of course, considering how incredible the latter’s momentum was toward the end, the possibility wasn’t very high. However, it was certainly a remarkable achievement. Since Tae-ha had predicted a peak of 8%, it was even more so.
“It worked!”
Tae-ha unconsciously clenched his fist. He then accessed a drama community to look at the viewers’ reactions in detail.
- Kang Tae-ha did what Kang Tae-ha does.
- The drama is so fun!
- I thought it wouldn’t be easy to shed the younger man image, but is this for real?
- He’s just too good at acting lol.
- Seriously, he barely appeared and then showed up at the end, but the impact was insane.
- Mobeom High is too intense… can a single teacher really change that?
- It was Episode 1 where Kang Tae-ha barely appeared, but it was still super fun.
- I think the actors playing the students are really good at acting.
- I want to beat up those bullies so bad.
- I wondered if a school could really be this messed up, but this is reality.
- How can anyone have a baby in a country like this? T_T.
- Do you know? To have a baby, you have to get married first.
- It was an Episode 1 that felt like a general introduction, but it was still fun haha.
- Episode 2 will be important if they want to maintain this fun.
- Agreed. Since they can’t actually beat up bullies due to broadcast regulations, the point will be how they provide that catharsis.
- But seriously, Kang Tae-ha picks projects so well.
- Is it because he’s a writer?
- I don’t think that’s without influence either haha.
- Personally, I wanted Kang Tae-ha to do another rom-com, but is fun.
- It’s only Episode 1, don’t overreact.
- To say that, the ratings are already too good.
- By the way, isn’t the OST so good?
- Totally agree. I was waiting for the digital release and I’m listening to it right now.
- I’m listening to it on my way to work.
- Wow, the song is so exciting. Did Kang Tae-ha really sing this?
- It’s decided! My new work song!
- What’s with Kang Tae-ha? He’s good at acting, but he’s also this good at singing?
- He even writes dramas well.
- At this rate, doesn’t he sing better than most idol group main vocals?
- Agreed. He’s way better, he’s at a master vocalist level.
- Seriously, why did Kang Tae-ha’s idol group fail lol.
- The mystery of the century.
- If Kang Tae-ha debuts as a soloist later, he’ll outshine most singers.
- Is that why? Personally, the song was more impressive than the drama.
- Lol me too. The drama was a bit plain because it felt too much like an introduction.
- Isn’t the fact that the song sounds good evidence that the drama is doing well?
- It’s probably because Kang Tae-ha is the main character but had so little screen time.
- True lol. In Episode 1, Kang Tae-ha showed off his singing more than his acting.
Looking through the community reactions, Tae-ha couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled. There were as many conversations about the OST as there were about the drama itself.
‘What’s going on?’
It was right when Tae-ha was thinking this.
[I told you.]
[Our song would do well.]
Tae-ha couldn’t help but pause when he received this message from someone. The person who sent the message was none other than the composer TT, who had handled the OST for . The very person who had given Tae-ha two songs.
‘The song did well, not just the drama…?’
Tae-ha felt puzzled by TT’s words, and with a hopeful heart, he opened his frequently used music app. At the same time, he was able to confirm it.
He saw his song, “Rebel Anthem,” ranked eighth on the music charts. Even the ranking for “Blue Moon” was 14th place.