Chapter 12. Press Conference

* * *

"Wow! It's Han So-hyun. Wow!"

"Ah! She's so pretty. Really."

The entire class erupted in cheers at the selfie of Han So-hyun and Ryu Yeon-woo that appeared in their group chat.

For high school boys who were deeply interested in celebrities, the photos of Yeon-woo and Han So-hyun were like a powerful bomb. The noise quickly drew the attention of students from the neighboring class, who gathered to look at the photos on their smartphones, making the room even noisier.

*Knock knock*.

"Hey, what's all the commotion?"

The homeroom teacher, hearing the noise all the way from the staff room, opened the door and came in.

"Ah! Teacher, look at this!"

U Seong-sik, sitting in the front row, showed the teacher his phone.

"What's this, you guys? Oh wow!"

Lee Jung-tae, Yeon-woo's homeroom teacher, was even more surprised and shouted louder than the students. Lee Jung-tae was a fan of Han So-hyun.

***

The buzz about Yeon-woo wasn't just limited to his school; it spread online as well.

- Anyone know any information about the new cast member of "Summer's Closet"?

- └ If you find out, please share.

- I've watched the teaser 10 times. Sigh, I'm already hooked. The casting is insane.

- The combination of Son Jin-wook and Han So-hyun is insane, but who is that last male actor?

- His profile says his name is Ryu Yeon-woo.

Yeon-woo's information was limited to a simple profile, leaving fans of romantic comedies eager for more details.

- He goes to our school and is a senior in the second year. He's super popular.

- └ No fake news, please.

- I don't know if the above comment is true, but his profile does say he's a high school student.

A junior at Yeon-woo's school tried to chime in but was quickly overshadowed by other posts.

The next day, the main cast and crew of "Summer's Closet," including the writer and director, gathered at the annex of JNBC, dressed in their best for the press conference.

After a brief photo walk, the "Summer's Closet" team took their seats for the press conference.

"Hello, I'm Kim Min-a, the JNBC announcer, and I'll be moderating the press conference for 'Summer's Closet.'"

*Clap clap clap*!

The press conference began with applause from the staff, cast, and journalists.

"Today's broadcast is live on JNBC Live Now and the official JNBC YouTube channel. If there are any issues with the broadcast, please bear with us."

After a brief pause, Kim Min-a continued.

"Yes, 'Summer's Closet' is a very fitting drama to premiere in winter."

*Laughter*!

The audience laughed at Kim Min-a's joke.

Next, the cast was introduced, and a teaser video was shown.

"Ah, it really feels like a fresh and innocent drama, doesn't it? Now, I'll pass the first question to the director."

The first question was directed at Director Kim Han-suh.

"Director, the average age of the main cast is 24. It must have been a bright and lively set with such young actors, right?"

"Ha ha ha. Yes, it did. I felt younger myself. 'Summer's Closet' is a bright and energetic campus romantic comedy, adapted from a popular webtoon. I hope you enjoy it."

Kim Min-a smiled and passed the next question to Son Jin-wook.

"Mr. Son Jin-wook, how was the filming set?"

"Our set was carried by atmosphere maker An Jun-ho and mascot Ryu Yeon-woo."

The announcer naturally turned her gaze to Yeon-woo.

"The internet is already buzzing. Oh, look at how fast the chat is moving. I can't even read it. Mr. Ryu Yeon-woo, I heard you're a high school student."

"Yes, that's right. I'm Ryu Yeon-woo, playing the role of Cha Woo-ju for the first time in this drama. I'm currently a student at Dongun High School. It's a pleasure to meet you all through this wonderful work. Please take care of me. Thank you, viewers."

Yeon-woo introduced himself clearly and even sent a finger heart.

"Oh, you speak so well. I thought a statue was talking."

*Laughter*!

The room erupted in laughter again.

"Mr. Han So-hyun, you play the lead role of Jeong Yeon in 'Summer's Closet.' Please say hello to the viewers."

"Hello, I'm Han So-hyun, playing the role of Jeong Yeon, who will have a happy dilemma between Kang Seo-joon and Cha Woo-ju on campus. Wow, the chat speed is so different from Woo-ju's, isn't it? Ha ha."

The audience laughed again at Han So-hyun's comment.

"Ha ha. Mr. Han So-hyun, your name is appearing in the live chat. No way! I'll die without So-hyun. That was from Mr. Lee Jung-tae. I'll send you a small gift. I'll occasionally read and respond to comments, so please keep the chat polite."

'Lee Jung-tae must be my homeroom teacher's namesake.'

Yeon-woo chuckled at the thought of his bear-like teacher leaving a comment.

'No way.'

The press conference continued with more questions, answered by the main cast and writer Choi Mi-hyun, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

"Thank you all."

After the press conference, the staff and cast exchanged greetings.

Director Kim Han-suh clapped to get everyone's attention.

"Let's celebrate with a dinner today, everyone."

*Cheers*!

The staff cheered at the suggestion of a dinner.

Thanks to the smooth progress of filming, despite some setbacks, they were almost at the final stages.

The "Summer's Closet" team gathered at a pre-booked Korean restaurant.

"Let's start with a toast, led by our director."

The assistant director waved off the suggestion, and Director Kim said,

"Come on, what good is listening to an old man? Let's have our toast led by the youngest, who's drinking soda instead of alcohol."

*Laughter*!

Good, good!

Yeon-woo, unexpectedly given the task, stood up and smiled awkwardly.

With a strong voice, Yeon-woo led the toast.

"I've learned so much on this set. Let's keep fighting until the end! 'Summer's Closet,' let's do it! Fighting!"

"Let's do it! Fighting!"

"Let's do it! Fighting!"

*Laughter*!

Everyone followed Yeon-woo's lead, and the dinner party began in a lively atmosphere.

As the night went on, the staff sang and danced, and the party reached its climax.

"Yoo-ju, you have to cry a lot tomorrow. What are you going to do?"

Han So-hyun, sitting next to Yeon-woo, asked.

"Because of who?"

"What? *Chuckle*."

Yeon-woo's response made So-hyun cover her mouth and laugh.

"Hey, it's partly my fault, but isn't it also because of Senior Lee Sang-joong? Ha ha."

At So-hyun's comment, Lee Sang-joong, sitting at the next table, chimed in.

"No, I had no choice."

The seasoned actor's joke made the nearby cast members laugh.

However, Yeon-woo, deeply immersed in his role, couldn't laugh as brightly.

Lee Sang-joong played the role of Cha Woo-ju's father, 'Chairman Cha.'

The scene to be filmed the next day was about Woo-ju realizing his feelings for Yeon too late and feeling depressed as he watches Seo-joon and Yeon grow closer. He then learns, by chance, why his father was so cruel to his mother.

As the dinner party wrapped up and Yeon-woo was about to head back to his accommodation, something caught his eye.

"Ugh..."

A man, looking like a zombie, was twitching in a corner of the parking lot.

Yeon-woo approached and recognized him as Lighting Director Im Sung-soo.

"Wow, no one saw you in such a corner?"

With a concerned look, Yeon-woo tried to wake him up.

"Director, wake up. You'll freeze to death if you sleep here."

"Ugh..."

Im Director showed no signs of waking up.

"Hmm, what should I do?"

Yeon-woo checked Im Director's wallet and found his ID card.

The address on the ID card wasn't too far away.

"I have no choice."

A drunk adult male is much heavier than a bag of rice of the same weight.

Yeon-woo hoisted the barely conscious Im Director onto his back and stood up.

"Taxi—!"

***

"Ugh, the hangover. I drank too much last night."

"Did you get home okay, sir?"

"Don't even mention it. I don't remember anything, but I was at home. My wife woke me up this morning, and guess who carried me home? It was Yeon-woo."

Everyone was surprised at Lighting Director Im Sung-soo's story.

"Really? Yeon-woo?"

"Yes. He said he was worried about me being so drunk, so he put me in a taxi and carried me home. I thanked him several times when I got to the set."

"Ha, how did he grow up to be so good?"

After the dinner party, Ryu Yeon-woo found the heavily intoxicated Im Director in the parking lot, checked his address from his ID, and personally took him home.

Im Sung-soo's wife and daughter were shocked twice: first by the sight of their husband/father being carried home, and then by the face of the person who carried him.

The next day, the atmosphere at the set, which was initially chaotic, gradually settled down as they prepared for the shoot.

Then, other cast members arrived at the set.

"Huh? You guys don't have morning shoots today, right?"

"We came to support you, the lead in a big scene."

"Right. It's the day Yoo-ju cries a lot."

Despite the tiring schedule, the cast members came to support Yeon-woo, and he was deeply grateful for their warm hearts.

"I'll need to add this emotion to my tears later. You don't usually drink, right? Did you two drink a lot last night?"

In response to Yeon-woo's question, Jin-wook and Jun-ho answered.

"Of course, we controlled it. We have a shoot this afternoon, so we can't have puffy faces."

"Let's start the shoot."

The assistant director called out, and the trio gave a thumbs up.

Yeon-woo entered the set and greeted Lee Sang-joong, who was in front of him.

"Senior, please do your best today."

"You're the one who's working hard. I'll do my best to help you with the emotional buildup."

Ready! Action!

Following the director's cue, Yeon-woo started his lines.