[I ended up falling for a Younger Man for the first time in my life… What do I do now? | EP. 32 Kang Taeha | Salon Drip]
A video with this title was uploaded to the Nutube channel, and the view count increased at a rapid pace.
It didn’t quite match the growth rate of Kang Pil-goo’s episode—which recorded 7 million views due to the 30-something blind date chemistry and is considered the best video on An Ji-yeon’s Salon Drip. However, the views rose fast enough to rival it, hitting 2 million in just a single day.
Sensing the smell of views, the Producer had edited together only the heart-fluttering points into a teaser and released it before the main video. This was a method with guaranteed results that had also been used for Kang Pil-goo’s episode, and the effect was tremendous.
At this rate, after a month passed, it seemed likely that the video Taeha appeared in would easily hit around 6 million views, approaching 7 million. Considering that Taeha’s recognition was still lacking compared to Kang Pil-goo, it was an amazing result.
The topicality was evident just by looking at the reactions pouring in from SNS and various communities.
– Wow, what’s with Kang Taeha?
– Was he always this charming?
– I guess I liked Younger Men.
– He only appeared in thrillers so I never knew T_T your charm T_T
– I was on Team Kang Pil-goo, but I’m switching starting today.
– This guy has a different kind of charm lol I’m still Team Kang Pil-goo though.
– But still, a Younger Man is a bit much.
– I can’t believe I’m a delusional shipper…
– Kang Taeha, how do you know the Younger Man points so well?
– Ah, I like it even more because it doesn’t feel like he’s forcedly flirting.
– How is that not flirting?
– This side feels more like a web novel than reality.
– You’re saying real Younger Men aren’t like that?
– First of all, his face itself is completely unrealistic;
– Isn’t An Ji-yeon being a bit silly? But why can’t I stop smiling?
– Honestly, if a Younger Man like Kang Taeha is acting like that, how could you not feel fluttery?
– You can’t lol If you don’t, you’re guilty.
– Even the fact that he’s a deep thinker makes him the perfect Younger Man.
– I think he caught the Younger Man virus from Han Yun-seong…
– Ah, so that was the virus? Shook…
– If you catch the virus, does your face become handsome too?
– Ugly people, don’t even hope for it. If you catch this disease, you’ll just be told you’re acting up like me.
– I just got locked in a psychiatric hospital, how can I get out?
– I can’t believe Kang Taeha hasn’t filmed a Rom-com once with that face. Why?
– Won’t he film one soon?
– What Rom-com? He needs to end up with our Ji-yeon Nuna!
– Ah, delusional shippers are sticking here too.
– So what Film is Kang Taeha in?
– We actually all forgot about that.
– Lee Seok-hyun is wailing.
– Kang Pil-goo is wailing even more.
Fortunately, not everyone had forgotten that Taeha was one of the two main leads of Killer X Killer. This was a fact that could be seen just by the rapid increase in ticket reservations for Killer X Killer, which opened alongside the release of the An Ji-yeon’s Salon Drip content.
The PR agency also reported that Taeha’s appearance on An Ji-yeon’s Salon Drip had produced a positive effect.
For Taeha, he couldn’t help but be extremely satisfied. It was especially so since he had appeared without having high expectations. Above all, the point that made Taeha happy was:
“Finally, my performance in variety shows is getting noticed!”
This showed just how much he had regretted his variety show performance being buried on Great Saturday last time. Thus, Taeha reached out to An Ji-yeon to convey his gratitude. With his unique sociability, they had exchanged phone numbers and even agreed to speak informally after the broadcast.
[Did you see the views, Nuna?]
[It’s totally a hit.]
[It’s all thanks to you, Nuna.]
[If our Film does well, I’ll definitely buy you a meal later!]
[Even if the Film doesn’t do well, I’ll still buy you one!]
It was while he was in the middle of sending messages. An unexpected message arrived. It wasn’t from An Ji-yeon. It was sent by Kang Sojeong.
[Ji-yeon Nuna is even older than me… but I still approve.]
Approve of what? Taeha immediately began typing to say something. But before he could even finish the message, the next one arrived. This time, it was from Lee Seok-hyun.
[I sent you to promote the Film, and you dare to flirt?]
[All Killer X Killer staff! Prepare the bamboo spears!]
This side seemed to have already concluded that he was dating. Because of that, Taeha changed his course and started writing a message to Lee Seok-hyun. But again, he couldn’t write the whole thing. It was because a message came from Han Yun-seong.
[Taking the National Younger Man title away like this.]
[Why am I happy yet disappointed? Why?]
Han Yun-seong was getting depressed over nothing. Taeha seriously contemplated whether he should comfort him. But before his contemplation ended, the next person contacted him. It was Seon Min-gi.
[I didn’t want you to be *this* happy.]
[I will carve this second deception deep into my heart.]
[I’ll be back.]
By this point, he no longer felt like sending any messages. After that, Taeha continued to receive messages. Among them, the best delusional shipper was unexpectedly the Writer of Heureojeo Itdeon Saramdeul, Kim Jeong-sik. He went as far as to send congratulatory money.
[Sending a transfer.]
[300,000 won has been sent.]
(Accept Transfer)
He really wanted to hit the Accept Transfer button. That was how much he shivered with a sense of betrayal.
***
The reaction was beyond expectations. However, he had only just finished the promotional schedule before the film’s release. There was still a lot of the schedule remaining. In some ways, the schedule after the film opened was even more packed. This was because the task of going around theaters for stage greetings was no small feat.
For Taeha, it was his first time experiencing theater stage greetings. However, he was able to accept this work happily. The reason was simple. It was because the reservation rate was 49%, and the number of reserved viewers on the first day of opening was calculated at approximately 294,000.
Considering that the film market was still shrunken due to the influence of the Pandemic, it was an amazing record. At this rate, they might surpass 3 million viewers in the first week alone. And if that was possible, hitting 10 million viewers wasn’t just a dream.
Ten million viewers for his first Film? For Taeha, it was an unimaginable achievement. However, this hadn’t happened yet, and it was still too early to celebrate. Although he had received praise for the improvement of the story—which was consistently pointed out as Director Jeong Myeong-hwan’s weakness—during the previews, this result wasn’t everything.
In fact, there were times when Jeong Myeong-hwan had failed to surpass 10 million viewers despite an unusual draw in the first week. Therefore, it was necessary to work hard on promotion even during the release period. Taeha also actively announced the film’s release on his fan cafe, MyStar, Planet, and more.
And finally, the first day of the release. Taeha started the stage greetings at the Big Box Mok-dong Branch. He had to quickly do the opening stage greetings for two theaters here and immediately move to the COV Yeongdeungpo Branch. The stage greeting schedule was very full.
Starting with the Big Box Mok-dong Branch, he had to go to the COV Yeongdeungpo Branch, COV Yeouido Branch, COV Yongsan I-Park Mall Branch, COV Gangnam Branch, and Big Box Coex Branch. Combining both the start-of-screening and end-of-screening greetings, it was a total of fifteen stage greetings.
“Of course, it’s not like we have to do stage greetings like this throughout the entire run.”
Usually, they conducted stage greetings only on the two days of the weekend and handled other promotional schedules on weekdays. Also, stage greetings tended to be carried out until the 3rd week of release.
Thus, Taeha, Lee Seok-hyun, Kyung Juncheol, and Go Dong-pal appeared in the theater under the guidance and protection of the staff and guards. Taeha walked at the very front among the actors. It was a role he took on himself as he was the most junior. And for that reason, he had no choice but to appear in the theater first.
“Kyaaaaaa!”
“Taeha-yaaa!”
“You’re so handsome!”
Unexpectedly, he received an enormous cheer. Because of that, Taeha couldn’t help but be flustered. It wasn’t just Taeha. The other actors who followed him into the theater also seemed dazed. It was because, usually, such a hot reaction didn’t happen during stage greetings.
It was a sight that wouldn’t be seen unless a member of a popular Idol group was among the cast. Even if one were included, a reaction to this degree was not common. It was a situation where anyone would be flustered.
Surprisingly, the one who regained his senses first in this situation was Taeha. The reason Taeha could quickly regain his senses was thanks to him quickly grasping the situation and changing the performance he was portraying.
That was right. Taeha was in a state where he had prepared an act to exercise his Immersion Ability, just as he had been doing lately. And what he had decided to act as today was a veteran actor with a lot of experience in stage greetings. He believed that just by acting as such an actor, he could finish the stage greetings smoothly.
However, once things actually started, it wasn’t like that at all. The evidence was that Lee Seok-hyun, who had experienced as many stage greetings as the character Taeha was acting, was currently in a flustered state.
Sensing that the situation was unusual, Taeha immediately changed the subject he wanted to act as. And what he chose was a member of a world-class Idol group in the middle of a performance on stage. He felt that the person who could most calmly handle this situation would be a member of a world-class Idol group.
Fortunately, Taeha’s thought was correct.
“Shh.”
At the same time as the immersed Taeha smiled with his eyes and brought his index finger to his lips, the theater became quiet. It wasn’t that the murmuring sounds couldn’t be heard at all, but compared to before, it was at a level where almost no sound could be heard.
In the quieted atmosphere, Taeha calmly gave fan service by waving to the audience and shaking hands while moving toward the front of the screen. Following behind Taeha, Lee Seok-hyun and the other actors also began to move with dazed expressions.
Finally, all the actors stood in front of the screen, and the microphone arrived in front of Taeha. With the microphone in hand, Taeha put on a radiant smile and naturally began his lines.
“Wow. What’s with everyone? Why are you so bright? Did something good happen since this morning?”
To Taeha’s friendly greeting, the audience unexpectedly answered in one voice.
“Yes!”
However, as if this reaction was also familiar, Taeha continued his lines.
“Why? Is everyone in a good mood because they’re about to watch Killer X Killer? Or maybe because you saw me?”
Laughter spread through the audience. Having perfectly lifted the atmosphere with light jokes, Taeha gave his greeting.
“Then, I’ll start the introductions. I am Kang Taeha, and I play the role of the blunt and charismatic hitman Ian in Killer X Killer. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
And watching this, Lee Seok-hyun was filled with admiration.
“They said he had a history of debuting as an Idol… He’s different.”