Top Star by Luck

Chapter 59

Pre-release Marketing Stage.

At this stage, the production team frequently emphasized the dedication and professionalism that went into the production when promoting the drama externally.

[Action Actor Jang Wook Obtained a Shooting License for Filming]

[Ministry of National Defense Invited Experts for Close Inspection]

[Medical Drama ‘New Doctor’ Collaborates with Korea University Hospital for a High-Quality Script]

[Full-fledged Idol Training Drama ‘Idol Maker’ Collaborates with Korea’s Leading Agency, Neon Entertainment]

These methods were highly effective as promotional tools.

Not only could it give outsiders the impression that ‘this drama is different from the rest!’ but it also attracted enthusiasts who were interested in the relevant field.

[He even went to a professional training center in the U.S. just to shoot this ㄷㄷㄷ]

[Wow, that’s real craftsmanship ㄷㄷ]

[Looks like they’re doing it properly]

This time, [Café del Dia] was no exception.

[Coffee or Tea].

There was a community full of people who liked coffee and beverages.

Normally, it was a calm place, but it became lively all of a sudden because of [Café del Dia].

[They say Lee Min Ki received personal guidance from Barista Kim Hee Kyung for this project?]

A similar marketing strategy was employed this time as well.

[Kim Hee Kyung? The one who won awards overseas?]

[They say he received private lessons even before the show aired]

It was said that Lee Min Ki, who played the lead role, along with much of the production team, had received coaching from Kim Hee Kyung.

In addition, the script was reviewed.

As [Café del Dia], which claimed to be a full-fledged coffee drama, was released, it was no surprise that the community, [Coffee or Tea], packed with enthusiasts, was heating up.

[The coffee boom is coming]

[The boom of men who roast coffee is also coming]

[I’ve literally been living for this moment]

[Lee Min Ki looked handsome]

[Ah ㅋㅋ There’s going to be a surge in people signing up for barista classes soon]

The reaction was good.

Perhaps it was because coffee, while extremely popular in modern life, rarely had much exposure in the media.

It was because the enthusiasts had been eagerly waiting for a work that could quench their thirst.

Moreover, the participation of elite barista Kim Hee Kyung, one of the top figures in Korea’s coffee industry, in the production phase added to the excitement.

[Kim Hee Kyung, as a barista, confidently recommends this work in her name. From those who work with coffee professionally to those who simply enjoy coffee in their daily lives, everyone can enjoy watching this drama.]

While personal gain was one thing, she was a figure who had been actively working in the media, thinking about the future of the coffee industry itself.

There were few people in [Coffee or Tea] who didn’t know her.

[Kim Hee Kyung is trustworthy]

[After working so hard, now she’s reaping the rewards]

Was there any need to say more?

The atmosphere was lively enough to resemble a festival.

[Have to watch the live broadcast]

[Isn’t that Lee Min Ki? The guy with the good body.]

[ㅇㅇ He did a supplement commercial recently]

[ㅋㅋㅋㅋ What kind of rookie is already showing skin]

[Looks like he’s one of the top five rookies these days]

[ㅇㅈ]

Like a wildfire in winter, the public opinion that had ignited didn’t seem to die down easily.

It was clear that [Café del Dia] had emerged as the focal point in [Coffee or Tea].

Suddenly.

A person appeared.

[I got an invitation to the production presentation]

The moment that post went up.

[Ah]

The previously heated atmosphere of the community, which had been as hot as freshly roasted sweet potatoes in winter, cooled down as if cold water had been thrown on it.

Why?

Wouldn’t it be something to celebrate if a member of the community had been invited to the premiere of a popular drama?

[;;;;;;;;]

[;;;]

[;;]

Why had they been left speechless?

To reveal the reason.

[Ah, not that guy again?]

It was because the author of the post was quite famous within the community.

[Username: KimBawiCham]

He was notorious even within [Coffee or Tea] as someone with an extreme case of the ‘cool syndrome’ (people who are cynical about everything).

[Lucky bastard, as usual]

[Please, don’t go]

[What trouble are you going to cause this time?]

Reactions of displeasure arose in response to the luck of an annoying user.

But the person himself was always confident.

[How can you be sure that this coffee hype isn’t just a marketing gimmick?]

It was because he had his own convictions.

The conviction that his thoughts were absolutely correct.

In the first place, not all viewers viewed this expert-driven marketing positively.

[Isn’t it just for show? Last time, there was a military drama that got ‘inspected’ by the Ministry of National Defense, but they ended up doing open-heart surgery outdoors.

It’s all staged for marketing, you know.

Haven’t you watched Korean dramas long enough?

They’ll probably start a love story, and coffee will be sidelined.

In Korea, medical dramas are about love in hospitals, and office dramas are about love among office workers.

Doesn’t Kim Hee Kyung know people call her a show barista behind her back? ㅋㅋ]

That’s right.

Despite all the promotion, once the drama aired, its shallow depth was often exposed.

It was inevitable.

That’s just how dramas were.

Since the essence was entertainment, if they had to compromise between fun and realism, they would easily abandon the latter.

Of course.

[This guy is way too serious]

Anyone who knew the industry knew that marketing was just marketing.

That’s why someone like KimBawiCham, who criticized everything from the start, wasn’t warmly received.

[He must not have any friends]

[He’s such a know-it-all]

[For someone who doesn’t contribute anything to coffee culture, he sure talks a lot]

[Please don’t go. I’m worried people who love coffee will be criticized because of you]

The ridicule continued.

However, KimBawiCham, rather than backing down, proudly declared.

[There’s supposed to be a Q&A session, right? I’ll crush it]

The bell of a challenge had rung.

* * *

“…….”

More people had come than Lee Min Ki expected.

As he looked around the venue, that was his main thought.

‘Did they say they invited not only reporters but also regular viewers?’

It was the decision of the production team.

If they were going to serve coffee, they might as well provide it to the general public, not just the media.

It would be better for the show’s image.

But he hadn’t expected it to be this crowded.

Moreover.

“Wow, Min Ki, you’re lucky.”

Director No Ho Yeon chuckled.

“Look, there are even people with banners. Are they your fans?”

There were indeed some who did not hide the fact that they were Lee Min Ki’s fans.

‘What’s that banner?’

On a board, his face was printed clearly, a photo taken who knows when or where.

[Lee Min Ki has immigrated into my heart]

[Min Ki, let’s hit the top!]

[Support for Actor Lee Min Ki, who will become a shining star in the sky]

And it wasn’t just one or two people.

Seeing them giggling and laughing in a group made Lee Min Ki’s face flush with heat.

‘Ugh, come to think of it, they did say my fandom is starting to grow.’

He had heard it recently from Manager Park Han Mo.

Apparently, an online gallery for Lee Min Ki had been created, and although it was still in its early stages, a lot of posts were being uploaded.

[Congratulations in advance. If you want to succeed, managing your fans is essential. Actors need publicity, and fans create that publicity.]

In short, the emergence of a fandom was a sign of success for an actor.

‘I’m happy.’

Maybe those people came from there.

It was embarrassing but also appreciated.

He should probably post a greeting with a certification photo soon.

‘No, I should give them my autograph on the way out. Or no, an autograph might be too much. Yeah, I should take a picture with them. They’ll accept that, right?’

While he was silently pondering how to manage his fandom, two people approached him.

“Min Ki, how have you been?”

“Oh, teacher!”

“I told you to just call me Hee Kyung.”

One was Barista Kim Hee Kyung.

And the other.

“I’m Song Jin Bae.”

A somewhat stiff-looking man.

His expression wasn’t just firm—it was as hard as a rock, with a large hooked nose that dominated attention.

“……I’m Actor Lee Min Ki.”

His eyes, devoid of emotion, felt as heavy as a boulder.

It was the first time he was meeting this person face-to-face, but he knew exactly who he was.

‘They said he’s a major figure in the Korean coffee industry.’

He was the CEO of Beomcheon Food Company (BFC), a leading beverage company in Korea.

Beomcheon primarily focused on beverages but also engaged in various other food businesses, particularly concentrating on coffee.

‘They said there’s nowhere in Korea’s coffee industry where Beomcheon doesn’t have influence.’

From coffee beans distribution to machines, cups, sauces, franchise investments, and even interior designs.

Their reach was so vast that discussing the domestic coffee market without mentioning Beomcheon was impossible.

In short, CEO Song Jin Bae was a giant in the industry.

His defining trait was that he personally worked in the field.

They said that if a product didn’t pass his palate, no matter how much effort went into it, it wouldn’t reach the market.

It sounded reckless, but they said his taste was sharp enough to rival any gourmet.

It was said that CEO Song Jin Bae was participating in this event as an investor.

‘It’s the first time I’ve met such a big shot in person.’

It was suffocating.

Successful people often had a unique atmosphere.

Their gaze was different, as if they were looking deep inside their opponent’s shell.

Facing that kind of gaze directly felt like standing bare in front of a carnivore.

It was heavy.

While Lee Min Ki barely managed to stay composed.

“Min Ki.”

CEO Song Jin Bae spoke in a voice as blunt as his face.

“I enjoyed watching Always Young.”

“Oh, thank you.”

“I’m looking forward to this project too. I hope to see some good acting.”

That was it.

After finishing his short remarks, CEO Song Jin Bae, who had barely shown his face, quickly turned and left.

“Phew.”

The atmosphere is no joke.

Only then did the tension ease, and Lee Min Ki let out a long breath.

“How was that, Min Ki?”

As Kim Hee Kyung Barista, who was laughing, asked him, his legs gave way.

“Isn’t he kind of cute?”

“Oh, yeah, he’s cu…”

Wait a minute.

What did she just say?

Feeling as if something foreign had just entered his ear, Lee Min Ki asked again.

“Cute?”

“Yes, CEO Song Jin Bae is quite cute, don’t you think?”

“…….”

Cute?

That person?

Lee Min Ki’s gaze was filled with even more confusion.

Barista Kim Hee Kyung, do you have that kind of taste?

He didn’t want to judge someone too harshly, but even generously describing CEO Song Jin Bae’s face, it didn’t seem like ‘cute’ was anywhere near the right word.

Perhaps manly, but not cute.

Even so, taste should be respected, so Lee Min Ki refrained from commenting, when Barista Kim Hee Kyung waved her hand.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I meant his personality is cute.”

“…….”

His personality is cute?

That personality?

Already filled with questions, Lee Min Ki’s gaze grew even more puzzled.

“There are few people who love coffee as sincerely as he does. Haha, you could say he has a pure affection for this industry. That’s not common.”

Barista Kim Hee Kyung’s talk of pure affection was completely lost on him.

He couldn’t grasp it at all.

But since she said so, he would go along with it.

Lee Min Ki clenched his fist and said.

“Yes, I think I understand!”

“Right? If you stay close with him, it’ll definitely be good for you.”

Of course.

Naturally.

Although the meaning of her words remained a mystery, Lee Min Ki just nodded.

In the meantime, among the crowded audience, someone clutching a backpack to their chest was watching Lee Min Ki from a distance, thinking.

‘I’ve found him.’

Their target was standing right there.