Time transitioned smoothly, and with the orderly progress of filming, the broadcast release date finally arrived.
As the broadcast date drew nearer, a large number of promotional videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and poster photos were continuously released, and the buzz grew higher and higher.
No matter what, this was a webtoon adaptation with a popular comic base, and it was a drama broadcast on one of the three major TV stations, so it certainly had a grand presence.
Therefore, the drama's production press conference was held in the MBC TV Station building's theater, inviting a host of media and lucky fans.
In the waiting room, the main cast members, including Kwon Hyun Hyuk, were all present, preparing for the start of the production press conference.
Since it was a press conference, everyone attended in formal attire, fully prepared.
This was Kwon Hyun Hyuk's first time experiencing such a press conference, so he had to prepare a draft in advance for questions about the drama and other aspects.
The atmosphere in the waiting room was relaxed, with a few people chatting and laughing.
Kwon Hyun Hyuk and Kim Hye-yoon stood together, talking and laughing. When the camera zoomed in, the two of them communicated with the camera in perfect synchronicity.
"How do you feel about the upcoming broadcast?"
"Nervous."
This was Kim Hye-yoon's first lead role in a drama, and it was a production where the female lead occupied most of the screen time, so its reception was crucial to her.
"What about Kwon Hyun Hyuk?"
"Me too, but just a little bit better than you."
Kwon Hyun Hyuk looked at the camera, smiling brightly and serenely, appearing not nervous at all.
"Welcome, President! The young actors are all here."
There was a commotion in the corridor outside the waiting room. A large group of people crowded around a middle-aged man who walked into the waiting room, and those who heard the commotion stood up in advance.
"These must be the actors, right? Wow... they're all tall, handsome men."
The President of MBC did not look like a fat, big-headed man; he seemed like a very shrewd and dignified middle-aged person. He nodded and praised them with his hands behind his back.
Everyone present was a rookie actor, and they were very restrained in front of the powerful President, merely nodding and forcing awkward smiles.
"President, you praise us too much. If it weren't for this opportunity today, we wouldn't have been able to meet you."
Kwon Hyun Hyuk looked around, seeing no one else respond, and took the lead, smiling and flattering him.
"Haha, you're the tallest among them."
The busy TV station President's gaze turned to Kwon Hyun Hyuk, and he smiled, praising him again.
No matter how tall I am, I still have to bow and bend in front of you.
If it were in private, Kwon Hyun Hyuk would have said that, but with so many cameras filming him, it was difficult. If he said it, the flattery would be too obvious and not good.
So he humbly thanked the President in front of him.
He was indeed the tallest; Kim Ro-woon, his co-star, was 187cm tall, and the others were also around 185cm, making the average height of the main male actors 186cm.
His net height was 188cm, with good body proportions, a small head, and a small face, which made him appear a few centimeters taller than the others in comparison.
Afterward, the President suggested they all take a group photo, and after a few more pleasantries, he left the waiting room.
"I became even more nervous when the President came."
Kim Ro-woon said as he sat down, his expression somewhat uneasy.
He initially auditioned for the second male lead, the role of Baek Kyung, but later, due to company operations and the director's opinion, he was promoted to the first male lead. Only then did Lee Jae-wook and Kwon Hyun Hyuk re-audition.
It was false to say that an idol rookie taking on a major role wasn't nervous.
"Relax, be mentally prepared. This drama will definitely be very popular online."
Kwon Hyun Hyuk saw his nervous expression and spoke, smiling to comfort him.
Because he knew what the final outcome would be through his sixth sense, he felt less nervous and expectant when facing it.
Of course, it was impossible to say he wasn't nervous at all. This drama was also the final hurdle to test whether his golden finger was effective.
"Why will it be popular online?"
"You can tell just by thinking about it. Middle-aged women or grandmas in our drama simply don't like to watch it."
A campus idol drama with a touch of fantasy setting is difficult to interest the middle-aged and elderly demographic, and this demographic is the main audience for television viewing. Reasoning from this, the result is obvious.
The high-ranking officials of the TV station and the drama's main creators also anticipated this, so they were already mentally prepared for possible low viewership ratings.
Kim Ro-woon became even more nervous after hearing this.
Kwon Hyun Hyuk looked at his expression and realized he shouldn't have said anything.
As the start time drew nearer, the few of them waited backstage, preparing to enter.
Inside the theater, cameras with long and short lenses were aimed at the stage, and the clicking sounds of cameras rose and fell. Media from various outlets were all invited.
Following the host's opening and a brief introduction, they began to enter one by one. When it was Kwon Hyun Hyuk's turn to appear, it was as if everyone had planned it, and suddenly there was an extremely dense flurry of photos and almost continuous flashes.
For a moment, Kwon Hyun Hyuk almost couldn't open his eyes, but he quickly regained his smile after a slight shake of his face.
Why such a strong reaction to him? There was no other reason; it was naturally due to the continuous fermentation and controversy surrounding the idol show's fraud scandal.
As the presumed biggest victim among them, he naturally couldn't avoid excessive attention.
And that was indeed the case.
After they were seated, the self-introductions to the reporters in the venue and the media Q&A began. When it was Kwon Hyun Hyuk's turn, the media present seemed to be rubbing their hands together, eager to ask questions.
After a few routine questions, a brave media outlet finally started to deviate from the topic and ask crucial questions.
"May I ask what your feelings have been like during this period after learning about the show's fraud incident?"
Kwon Hyun Hyuk was mentally prepared, knowing he couldn't avoid being questioned, so he answered without changing his expression.
"I'm waiting for the police's final investigation and will accept all results."
This question was still a bit childish. A D Agency reporter immediately asked a bombshell question.
"May I ask if you noticed any program fraud during your participation in the show?"
Kwon Hyun Hyuk was just about to say his prepared answer when the director next to him interrupted.
"Please focus on issues related to the drama itself."
Kim Sang-seop knew that the media wouldn't let go of Kwon Hyun Hyuk, a hot topic figure, right in front of them, so he was always ready to interrupt.
The interruption of the question was expected. No one would just let them ask whatever they wanted.
The rest of the press conference then concluded with procedural questions and answers.
After the press conference, people dispersed one by one. Park Jun-jung also came, knowing it was the press conference today.
Another man was with him.
"This is President Son of BH Company, and this is Kwon Hyun Hyuk."
Park Jun-jung brought Son Seok-woo, the President of BH Company, and his intention was already obvious.
"Hello, President. I am Kwon Hyun Hyuk."
As soon as Kwon Hyun Hyuk saw the company President, who was related to whether he could join the company, he greeted him with an enthusiastic smile.
Son Seok-woo nodded with a smile. He came precisely because of Park Jun-jung and also had the intention of observing the new talent.