Filming for Blazing Flame up to episode 24 had completely ended. Now the only thing left was to handle the promotional schedule before Blazing Flame began.
Unlike Your Brilliant Sparkle and Fight School, the promotion difficulty for Blazing Flame wasn’t bad. That was because Song Ji-eun joining as the female lead had already made Blazing Flame known to many people.
Needless to say, it had been called the most anticipated work of the year even before filming started. On top of that, with Taeha’s recent outstanding performance at the Baek-am Art Awards, expectations for Blazing Flame had risen sufficiently.
For that reason, Taeha didn’t need to handle the promotional schedule with quantity over quality like before. It meant he had no reason to struggle alone just to get the word out about the work.
Thus, Taeha and Song Ji-eun coordinated their schedules and agreed to appear on a few variety shows and Nutube content.
“Where should we appear first?”
Song Ji-eun, who had met at Taeha’s studio to align schedules, asked. Taeha replied.
“I think that place would be best, of course.”
The first confirmed appearance was tvM’s variety show Great Saturday. It was a program that Taeha couldn’t appear on during Fight School because that drama was on ITBC. However, since he had already appeared on it twice before, he was able to finish filming comfortably.
The fact that host Seo Jeong-yeop, who had reunited with Taeha at the Baek-am Art Awards not long ago, took good care of him also played a big part.
“What’s this? Why is Jeong-yeop hyung only looking after Taeha? Stop that and take care of Ji-eun. It’s not like Taeha likes you more than Ho-deok hyung or Jae-seop hyung just because you do that.”
One of the panelists even said that after seeing the scene. Seo Jeong-yeop flared up.
“What are you talking about? Taeha and I are closer. He met me way before Ho-deok and Jae-seop.”
“Hahaha. Taeha is too embarrassed to say anything.”
“Hey, you! Why aren’t you answering! Say you like me better, right now!”
It was unclear whether Seo Jeong-yeop was actually conscious of Kang Ho-deok and Yoo Jae-seop, but thanks to his good care, the filming was comfortable. The proof was that Taeha succeeded in the most dictation in the two main games, got a one-shot, and finally entered the Hall of Fame.
Unfortunately, Song Ji-eun, who was appearing on Great Saturday for the first time, didn’t make a big impact. However, for Great Saturday, simply having a top-tier guest like Song Ji-eun was a huge achievement.
In fact, perhaps because of Song Ji-eun’s presence, Great Saturday’s viewership ratings rose significantly. Of course, Taeha’s rapidly rising recognition also contributed.
“Which program should we appear on next?”
“I thought about it, and I think nothing beats That’s Your Problem.”
“True, Jae-seop Oppa’s program is comfortable. And the promotion effect is good.”
Fortunately, Song Ji-eun, who had been active in the entertainment industry since childhood, also had a connection with Yoo Jae-seop. For that reason, there was no major difficulty in having Taeha and Song Ji-eun appear together on That’s Your Problem.
Rather, the production team of That’s Your Problem welcomed their appearance. Since Taeha’s appearances on That’s Your Problem always brought in good view counts, it would have been strange for them not to welcome it.
For reference, this was also Song Ji-eun’s first time appearing on That’s Your Problem. When she was young and not yet well-known, she had actively appeared on variety shows, but now she was at a level where such things were meaningless. And That’s Your Problem was a Nutube content that started after she had already reached that level.
“Oh! Taeha and Ji-eun are here! Have a seat, have a seat. Make yourselves comfortable. Wow, it’s been a long time, Ji-eun.”
Perhaps that was why Yoo Jae-seop was especially delighted to reunite with Song Ji-eun. There were no additional guests like Ji Seok-jun or Ha Dong-hyeon today. That was because the production team judged that Taeha and Yoo Jae-seop’s chemistry alone could produce enough filming volume.
“Ah, I don’t know how many years it’s been since I last did a broadcast with Ji-eun. You’ve been well, Ji-eun?”
“Yes, I’ve been well. Have you been well, Oppa?”
“I’ve been good. You’ve been really busy. I had to take a flight recently and went to the airport, and I saw you there.”
“You saw the duty-free shop ad.”
“Wow, the photo came out really well. I was so happy that I unconsciously greeted the billboard.”
And the production team’s judgment was correct. The moment Yoo Jae-seop focused the talk on Song Ji-eun, Taeha, who had been quietly watching, opened his mouth.
“Hey, hyung? I’m here today too, you know?”
“Oh, right. Taeha was here too. Sorry, Taeha. I was just so happy to meet Ji-eun after a long time that we talked for a bit.”
“That’s a bit hurtful… You used to say you wanted to get close to me…”
“Come on. That’s why we really became close. Ji-eun, did you hear? How I pestered Taeha to get close to him?”
“Ah, I didn’t hear it, but I saw it on a Nutube video. I’ve never seen you try to get close to anyone before, Oppa.”
“Exactly. Taeha doesn’t know that. How much effort I put in. So, Taeha, did you get close to Ji-eun? You filmed a drama together this time, right. Do some promotion.”
Yoo Jae-seop naturally created a promotional opportunity. But Taeha responded as if he didn’t care about promotion or anything.
“No, promotion is fine. Please explain. Why are you treating me so coldly? Is it because I’m a fish you’ve already caught?”
“Hahaha. What fish! I was just catching up with Ji-eun after a long time!”
“That seems like too much of a temperature difference.”
“Oh, that’s not it. Anyway, this is what stars are like if you don’t give them a little attention. Ah, exhausting. Ji-eun, are you like that too?”
“I didn’t think I was, but since Oppa keeps only talking to Taeha, I think I’m starting to feel that way a bit.”
“What do you mean I’m only talking to Taeha! I’m talking to you!”
“There’s a difference in ratio, Oppa.”
“Ah, forget it. Just promote. Aren’t you going to promote your drama?”
Song Ji-eun, perhaps because of her comfortable relationship with Yoo Jae-seop, performed better than on Great Saturday. The proof was that she quickly blended into the scene and made witty comments.
Thus, having successfully finished filming for That’s Your Problem, Taeha and Song Ji-eun considered their next promotional schedule.
Then Yoo Jae-seop brought up a topic.
“You two should also appear on Battle Man. Does the timing not work? Are you too busy?”
Battle Man was a variety show with decent promotional effect. It was especially suitable for promotion targeting overseas fans. That was because Battle Man, which had top-tier viewership ratings domestically, was also very popular across Asia. It was a program that was definitely good if they could appear. However, there was one concern.
“We’re not too busy. But is it okay to appear on Battle Man? It would be great to appear, but it’s an SBC variety show?”
“These days, that kind of thing doesn’t matter. We help each other out in these tough times.”
Indeed, Battle Man didn’t feel like a program that only promoted SBC works. Because it was a program loved by a wide range of ages and viewers, it was somewhat free from that restriction. Of course, that didn’t mean they could promote Blazing Flame as actively as they would promote an SBC work, but even this was enough for promotion.
As Taeha was organizing his thoughts, Yoo Jae-seop added.
“If that’s the case, you could also appear on New Quiz. Taeha, don’t tell me you’re going to refuse to appear again this time?”
Indeed, tvM variety shows weren’t limited to Great Saturday. There was also New Quiz. However, as Yoo Jae-seop mentioned, Taeha had so far declined offers to appear on New Quiz. The reason was simple. It was because he didn’t think he had achieved enough to appear on New Quiz. Nor had he been active long enough to claim abundant experience in one field. That was the reason Taeha had declined New Quiz appearances until now.
And Taeha’s thoughts hadn’t changed.
When he stated this again, Yoo Jae-seop replied.
“No, Taeha. You’re more than enough. From the start, New Quiz isn’t a place that only invites masters or people with abundant experience in one field. Inviting people of all ages and genders to talk—that’s originally the concept of New Quiz.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“But what? And you have great experience. In our entertainment industry, is there anyone else who has succeeded as both an actor and a writer to this extent?”
“Even knowing that, it’s a bit burdensome… How about Ji-eun appearing on New Quiz alone to promote Blazing Flame instead?”
“What? Me?”
Song Ji-eun seemed a little surprised that the spotlight suddenly turned to her. But after thinking for a moment, she spoke.
“If Taeha wants, it’s not like I can’t appear. Oppa, what about me? Is it okay for me to appear on New Quiz?”
At Song Ji-eun’s question, Yoo Jae-seop nodded immediately as if it were natural.
“If Ji-eun appears, I’d be truly grateful. The viewers would also be interested. But I’m disappointed that Taeha won’t appear on New Quiz. Even after I’ve explained it several times, you’re stubborn. Are you really not going to come?”
“Ah, I’ll go next time, next time. Just call me for Battle Man.”
Only after Taeha said he would go on Battle Man did Yoo Jae-seop’s intensity subside a little.
“Fine. If that’s the case, at least go on Battle Man. Great. I succeeded in recruiting both Kang Tae-ha and Song Ji-eun. I need to call the PD. Tell them I recruited both Kang Tae-ha and Song Ji-eun.”
Just as Yoo Jae-seop, who had been heated until a moment ago, was excitedly about to call the PD of Battle Man and the PD of New Quiz.
“Oppa. I’ll go on Battle Man too.”
“Huh? Battle Man? Then what about New Quiz?”
“I have to go on New Quiz too. Taeha told me to. But I also want to go on Battle Man. Is that okay?”
“Well, I’m fine with it. Got it. I’ll contact them then.”
Hearing Yoo Jae-seop’s answer, Song Ji-eun smiled in satisfaction. However, Taeha watched her with a puzzled feeling. He didn’t know why Song Ji-eun, who had no real need to appear on variety shows, was acting so proactively.
Meanwhile, Song Ji-eun, unaware that Taeha was feeling puzzled, smiled brightly and thought.
‘Great. I wanted to see with my own eyes how our Taeha-nim would perform on variety shows.’
It was the moment the reason why Song Ji-eun, who didn’t need variety appearances, was actively participating in the promotional schedule became clear.