36 - Crushing the Provocative Reporter
Suhyeon greeted his seniors, Seong Kang-ho and Kim Hae-su, who had just arrived in the waiting room. As the leads of the drama, unlike Suhyeon, they had already gotten full makeup done at a high-end salon in Cheongdam-dong.
A moment later, sitting with the two lead actors in the waiting room, Suhyeon picked up on Kim Hae-su holding back something she wanted to say, thanks to his sharp senses and intuition.
Suhyeon stood from his chair and approached her quietly. "Kim Hae-su sunbaenim."
"Yeah? Suhyeon-ssi. What is it?"
Watching her casually look up from her phone as if there was nothing special, Suhyeon turned it over in his mind.
Hoo. As expected of a top actress—her acting is on point. She has something to say, but it's hard for her, so I need to lay out the mat first.
"This is my first drama role, so I'm sorely lacking in many ways. If you have any advice or counsel for someone as deficient as me, would you mind sharing? I'd love to hear your esteemed wisdom, sunbaenim."
Even with his polite words, Suhyeon sensed her internal conflict.
I've laid out the mat, but she's still hesitating. Looks like I need to drive the wedge in to get her to open up.
"Please feel free to speak without reservation. I won't repeat any advice you give me anywhere else. I'm known for being tight-lipped and keeping my promises. Even if you reprimand me, I'll humbly accept it."
At Suhyeon's persistent courteous urging, Kim Hae-su finally spoke.
"Suhyeon-ssi. You know I'm with SN, right?"
"Yes, I do. SN is the top of the big three agencies in Korea, isn't it? From what I know, it's far superior to my YK."
"That's not the point... The role you're taking this time—the actor originally cast for it was from SN."
"Ah, was he? That's the first I'm hearing of it."
"Everyone's keeping it hush-hush because it's sensitive. SN's covering it up too... Anyway, someone might pick a fight with you soon. There's been a rumor circulating quietly in SN lately that the actor holds a grudge and is plotting something against you."
"I see. Thank you for telling me."
"Probably nothing today. It's hard to pull any stunts at a public broadcast drama press conference... Still, just in case, if anyone starts trouble, hold back a bit. A wrong response could drag you into scandal unnecessarily."
"Yes. I'll etch your advice deep in my heart. Thank you."
Returning to his seat, Suhyeon tapped his palm lightly with his phone, organizing his thoughts.
They won't confront me head-on at a KBC drama press conference. That'd be suicide for anyone—even the SN chairman wouldn't dare. So, it'll be personal jabs disguised as casual remarks. Wonder what they'll latch onto... Just endure it no matter what? That's impossible for my temperament. Let's see what happens.
Finishing his thoughts, Suhyeon smirked and muttered under his breath so no one could hear.
"Holding a grudge against me because he got caught doping and booted? It's utterly illogical... This industry is overflowing with all sorts of weirdos. It's not like the entertainment world is a branch of the Demonic Cult in Korea."
Soon, it was time for the press conference. Introduced by Jeon Hanmu, the special MC for the day, all the actors from the waiting room, along with the production PDs, writers, and others, took the stage and greeted the crowd.
After a simple presentation amid a flurry of flashes from the journalists, the Q&A began under Jeon Hanmu's smooth and witty hosting.
Most questions went to leads like Seong Kang-ho and Kim Hae-su, or to chief PD Kang Min-cheol and writer Jeong Su-hee. None came to Suhyeon, the supporting actor.
Suhyeon sat smiling broadly, scanning the room with his keen senses for anyone harboring hostility toward him.
No one from production or staff... Three reporters among them are glaring daggers. Looks like they came prepared. Bribed by that weakling who got cut, maybe?
As the conference neared its end, one of the reporters Suhyeon had marked raised his hand. Suhyeon thought to himself,
Here we go.
"Yes, reporter-nim. Your question?"
At Jeon Hanmu's cue, the reporter stood and fired off his question.
"BBG's Suhyeon-ssi is sitting here, but isn't bringing him to the press conference—over other talented supporting actors with no acting experience or hit works—a form of favoritism? Did Suhyeon-ssi personally request the production team to invite him in advance?"
At the blatantly malicious question, Jeon Hanmu's face stiffened slightly as he passed the mic to Suhyeon.
"Suhyeon-ssi, care to respond? If you're uncomfortable, you can pass."
Suhyeon took the mic from Seong Kang-ho beside him, flashed a beaming smile, and spoke.
"It's the first question directed at me, so I should answer. First, thanks to the reporter-nim who asked. Without you, I'd have come, said nothing, snapped a few pics, and left."
Laughter rippled through parts of the press section at his cheeky response.
"I'm here because my role is a supporting villain who shuttles between Korea and China, playing a key part in the plot progression. I'm also the most fluent in Chinese among the cast. And most importantly..."
He paused dramatically, drawing all eyes. Then, with the most charming, radiant smile of the day aimed at the reporters, he said,
"...I'm the best-looking among the supporting actors."
Flashes and laughter erupted from the press as Suhyeon's witty reply landed.
Jeon Hanmu picked up with a grin. "Who in Korea doesn't know Suhyeon-ssi is handsome? If I looked half as good, I'd be married by now. Any more questions?"
Another marked reporter raised his hand.
"After news broke of Suhyeon-ssi's casting, there's already controversy over his acting skills. Do you think you have what it takes for such an important supporting role?"
Suhyeon replied without a second's hesitation.
"I understand acting controversies arise when a performer's skills fall short of audience expectations or average standards. This is my debut as an actor. That means I haven't shown any acting yet for controversy to brew. I don't get how it's already an issue. How can you say food tastes bad without even trying it? Please wait until it's served and see for yourself."
As Suhyeon set the mic down, Seong Kang-ho beside him tapped his foot under the table and whispered,
"You're killing it. Perfect. So slick~."
Jeon Hanmu announced one last question, and another reporter raised his hand.
"Suhyeon-ssi has been called a genius since Problematic Human. But some suspect manipulation or staging to make you shine. Your thoughts?"
Jeon Hanmu cut in stiffly. "I'm the main MC of that show. I guarantee no manipulation or staging. The question feels excessive."
Suhyeon took the mic again. "I'm no genius—that's exaggerated. But claims of manipulation or special staging on Problematic Human? The reporter-nim is mistaken. Your very question to me now is clear proof."
Jeon Hanmu asked curiously, "What do you mean the reporter is proof? I don't follow."
"Problematic Human is produced by a top chaebol group's broadcaster. Me, a mere entertainer, rigging it? Logically impossible. If there was rigging, I'd have to be the chaebol heir or at least kin... Would you ask me that so casually here? That's your proof."
"Ah, I see. Anyway, no manipulation or staging—confirmed again."
Undeterred, the reporter pressed. "If Suhyeon-ssi is truly a genius, solve this simple mental math problem right here. Proving it in front of all these reporters would clear the doubts."
Suhyeon, unshaken by the persistent provocation, smiled brightly and countered,
"You're posing the math yourself? Hm. Then, if I get it right, promise to write nice articles about our drama. Deal?"
The reporter confidently agreed. "Deal. And if you get it wrong?"
"Write whatever you want—I won't object. How's that?"
"Fine."
"Then pose your problem."
As if prepared, the reporter glanced at his phone. "3,456 × 2,345 + 1,432 - 9,845?"
Suhyeon answered instantly. "8,095,907."
All eyes turned to the reporter at his lightning-fast reply. Some fiddled frantically with calculators.
In a trembling voice, the reporter slowly admitted, "...Correct."
Suhyeon stood, bowed deeply to the reporter, and said politely,
"Thank you. Looking forward to more great coverage on our drama."
Suddenly, applause broke out beside him. Turning, Suhyeon saw Kim Hae-su smiling beautifully, gazing at him with admiring eyes, clapping softly.
Suhyeon nodded in thanks, and soon applause spread from production and the press, with gasps of awe everywhere.
After wrapping the press conference, Suhyeon returned to the waiting room to absolute chaos.