Hong Ji-ho's Counterpunch
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Hong Ji-ho was the director of a prestigious acting academy and once a top Hallyu star.
The entertainment reporter who landed an interview with such a figure—one bordering on cider refreshment or outright verbal abuse—raced back to the desk in sheer ecstasy.
"Jackpot! This is pure gold!"
But the editor shot it down.
"...This one's a no-go, kid."
"What?! This is huge! It's blowing up right now—millions of views guaranteed!"
"I know. How could I not? But our relationship with MBS... things have been awkward since we screwed them over last time. The intensity's too much."
"Ah..."
"Those guys get serious, and it kills the fun. Just bury it. I'll push the piece your way."
A top-tier entertainment outlet thrived more on backchannel connections for negotiations than the stories themselves.
The editor took the "MBS takedown" by a former star actor straight to the MBS news division CP, who knew the fallout potential and reported up the chain immediately.
As always, the news director invoked the "freelancer clause" for a shady payout and kicked it upstairs.
"Hmm."
But the station president's call was different.
He drummed his fingers on the desk, lost in thought.
"This could fit nicely into their plan if we polish it up..."
"Pardon?"
"Get Kim Kang-hyeon from drama division in here. Tell him it's about ramping up the stakes—he'll get it."
After a brief chat with drama bureau chief Kim Kang-hyeon, the president didn't file the material away but sent it back down.
Through editing, the interview was neatly refined and stacked into one program's materials.
"This the lineup for today's broadcast?"
"Yes, one new addition—please check it."
"Let's see... Ugh, another self-promo for our drama wrapped in fluff. Gonna catch some heat."
"It's been quiet lately, haha."
The program's name was News Desk.
"That's a wrap for today's shoot! Great work, everyone!"
Every set had two major feasts: the pre-shoot ritual at the start and the wrap party at the end.
Not quite as common but still significant was the premiere party.
The cast and crew shared a meal, then camped out near the control room before the first broadcast, waiting for ratings. Old-timers sometimes called it the "flower guillotine banquet."
If ratings bloomed like flowers, great; if they flopped, down came the blade. A phrase rich with industry lore.
But devilish PD Yu Ho-hyeon, for once, skipped the lore and showed mercy to the cast.
"No premiere party! Enjoy the samgyeopsal today, and as announced, we'll regroup for next week's location shoot!"
"Wooo!"
It wasn't whimsy but pure confidence—no need to obsess over premiere ratings.
Rivals from other networks would've scoffed at the bravado, but the reactions here were no different.
Excited whispers buzzed everywhere.
"Heh, KBC's fixated on Your Many Secrets—they need a wake-up smack to the head."
"Even when we straight-up said we're the dark horse, they wouldn't believe it."
"Did we believe it?!"
Ratings were unpredictable, of course. King and Sovereign could still bomb spectacularly.
But staff and cast alike were convinced: even if they didn't top KBC or SBC, they'd land a solid punch.
PD Yu Ho-hyeon wielding the megaphone, rookie writer Baek Chae-i's improbably meticulous script, mid-tier actors delivering beyond their fame—all contributed.
But everyone knew the real star.
"Actor Kang! Over here!"
"Oppa, sit here! Fewer people on this side!"
"Plenty of booze here, hyung!"
Kang Min entered the restaurant with his usual calm demeanor, settling into a spot.
His unflappable poise—sprawling out cold in front of Park Seong-ho from the jump—hadn't changed.
The difference? No one saw the rookie as arrogant anymore.
Expectant murmurs leaked from all sides as eyes flicked his way.
"Saw that Midi Entertainment piece ripping Actor Kang?"
"Yeah, heh. What'd they say? 'A doomed drama—network nepotism won't save it'?"
"Entertainment Today went hard too. 'Tired of public TV's ugly face.'"
"I screenshotted 'em all. Gonna sneak 'em on SNS later."
"Puhaha!"
For a crew with just 4-5 episodes banked, the vibe was suspiciously upbeat.
Even weirder given their veteran status and history of watching hot dramas crash.
And King and Sovereign was taking as much hate as hype—no rebound yet.
But anyone who'd seen Kang Min act once dismissed the noise.
"Bet on it! Kang Min's blowing up for sure!"
"That's not a bet, heh."
"A monster who nails his scenes in one take—who else is gonna blow up?"
"That insane Unbelievable villain? Just hilarious."
Amid the lively laughter, one person stood apart.
Baek Chae-i handed Kang Min a drink, glancing cautiously.
"...G-Great work out there."
"You too, Writer."
"Y-Your condition okay?"
"Yes."
"......."
That doesn't look okay— Baek Chae-i swallowed the words.
She'd watched him closest during shoots, so she read his face better than most.
Today's Kang Min looked especially drained.
Exhausted, even.
"...You look pale. Take care of yourself—it's the most crucial time."
"I'm fine, really. Just rough dreams."
"......."
Kang Min's sigh held a different truth. Today's scenes crammed with the hopeless idol duo meant endless retakes—and nightmares for each.
No wonder his condition was wrecked.
But Baek Chae-i read his hollow eyes differently.
She bit her lip.
Why doesn't anyone notice?! No actor loves getting trashed nationwide!!
The "Expose Crow Guard Corruption" campaign, sparked by EtherBit and Citrus Girl fan cafes, had ballooned into a force.
News comments overflowed: "Know your shame," "Look at this network mess," "Go play extra on Unbelievable"—the last even pinned!
Yet PD Yu Ho-hyeon and prospective chief Kim Kang-hyeon saw it as fuel, fanning the flames gleefully.
Logical, but Baek Chae-i couldn't stomach Kang Min eating hate for it.
Especially since she'd endorsed his casting. Guilt gnawed at her.
He could've been loved without this...
"Actor Kang Min."
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry..."
"W-What for?"
"The special... I agreed too. My fault. I should've pushed for caution..."
"No, seriously, what are you—"
"I should've taken the hate instead...!"
"?"
From Kang Min's view—the guy grinning at 5k likes on his own "Go play extra on Unbelievable" comment—this was a midnight bolt from the blue.
Especially as her eyes welled up.
"No, really, I'm fine?"
"How could you be?! That villain's rampaging unchecked!"
"Villain...?"
In the rowdy samgyeopsal bash—everyone laughing but Baek Chae-i pouting and Kang Min baffled—the mood shifted.
As seats warmed up, PD Yu Ho-hyeon grinned and stood.
"Folks, it's 7:30 now. And soon, some great news."
"Great news?"
"Second round beef?!"
"Cut the crap—eyes on that TV. Was gagged, but News Desk tonight's giving our drama prime promo!"
"Huh?"
"News Desk?"
Murmurs erupted.
More bafflement than hype.
Terrestrial news self-promo wasn't rare for hits or award-winners tooting their horn.
But it looked desperate, drawing media and watchdog fire: "What a spectacle."
Flops? Unmentionable.
Pre-premiere promo? Pushing it.
Too thirsty?
Doubts evaporated fast.
News Desk didn't scream "Our drama slays!"—classier.
The anchor wore a grave expression.
Cut to the reporter.
She listed hot "malicious comment" scandals, underscoring severity.
Then the tone pivoted slyly.
Baek Chae-i's gloom shattered—eyes wide, tears glistening, she stared at the screen.
"That's Kang Min, right?" "Looks like it." Murmurs spread.
But no face matched Kang Min's stunned punch.
What the hell...?
As dread chilled him, the reporter pressed on coolly.
And then,
The self-proclaimed face known to 50 million Koreans filled the screen.
Legendary Hallyu star Hong Ji-ho ranted on Kang Min's prowess and the idiocy of "extra" talk.
Bonus: Fire any PD sending him to Unbelievable.
A tearful defense for his prized student, captivating all.
But the beneficiary just blinked blankly.
Um,
Well—
What the fuck is that?
As Kang Min denied reality, the reporter wrapped gravely.
Baek Chae-i snapped to first.
"Yes!!"
She whooped like a cuckoo fleeing barefoot, pounding Kang Min's arm.
Brazil getting thrashed by Korea's national team couldn't top this glee.
"What do we do! Hong Ji-ho! That Hong Ji-ho shielding you!!"
"......."
"If you're that close, tell me! I was worried sick!!"
"......."
"Look, real-time comments! Opinion flipped instantly! Denying it all now! Even that Unbelievable villain scum's getting told to fuck off! The trash who ignored hate before...!!"
Baek Chae-i was electric; Kang Min dazed—his arm half-bruised.
He never clocked "OlivePenguin," the account shadowing his comments with killer upvotes.
Others snapped to, cheering and swarming him.
"What the—did you know, Actor Kang?!"
"Damn, Hong Ji-ho's loyal! Shield-smacking 'em!"
"More ride-or-die than Park Seong-ho senior!"
"Prime promo!"
"Min's got the buzz now! Premiere and stardom!"
"He was already a star!"
"Faster now!!"
Laughter and joy erupted; Kang Min was expressionless.
He stared blankly at the TV.
A dazed mutter slipped from his slack mouth.
"...Huh?"
An hour later,
Hong Ji-ho and Kang Min topped portal search trends, dominating evening buzz.
...And half a day on, Unbelievable's PD Wi Min-jun messaged the promised appearance looked dicey.
Special and Bean Sprouts
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