The sudden spike in ratings wasn’t solely due to Kim Dong-hoo's reappearance. There was another major contributor, someone even more critical to the show’s success.
Netizens noted:
"No wonder the preview was so focused on showing Kim Dong-hoo's face.""Even the media hinted at his return, with all those 'Will Kim Dong-hoo reappear?' articles.""They practically screamed, 'Kim Dong-hoo is coming back, so you better watch!'"
Indeed, the real reason behind the ratings boost was the aggressive marketing that centered around Kim Dong-hoo’s return.
Casual viewers might have continued watching regardless, but...
"I stopped watching after the time skip, but seeing that preview brought me back.""Honestly, Dong-hoo is the only one who can pull off those sword fight scenes. His acting was intense.""The roads are all blocked because of the year-end traffic.""I’ll pay double—no, triple!""It’s no use. It looks like there’s been an accident ahead."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Life is Easier If You're Handsome