Peninsula: From a supporting actor to the best actor in Chungmuro

Chapter 111 Warnings about an Overabundant Peach Blossom Luck

New Year's Day morning.

When Kang Jae-hoon was woken up by Kim Dae-won's phone call, it was still snowing lightly outside the window.

"Brother, aren't we allowed to sleep in on New Year's Day?"

He rubbed his eyes and sat up. Jin Dayuan's energetic voice came from the other end of the phone:

"Get up now! I'll be downstairs at your place in half an hour!"

"what?"

"Feng'en Temple! I need a peace charm!"

Kang Jae-hoon then remembered the joke he made yesterday morning: "Really going?"

"if not?"

Kim Dae-won's voice was unquestionable: "Lee Sung-kyung, Jung Soo-jung, and Im Yoon-ah—three lucky charms, not one can be missing."

The phone hangs up.

Kang Jae-hoon stared at the ceiling for a while.

The hangover dizziness hasn't completely subsided.

At the dinner after the awards ceremony last night, he was repeatedly forced to drink by the crew, and in the end, Kim Dae-won had to carry him back to his apartment.

Finished washing.

He put on a black down jacket, informed Lee Sung-kyung, and then hurriedly went downstairs.

The snow outside the window was getting heavier.

The New Year in Seoul began amidst a blanket of white snow.

Sunlight streamed through the car window and fell onto Kang Jae-hoon's phone screen—

[Jung Soo-jung]: Happy New Year, Oppa~ (followed by a string of heart emojis)

[Lim Yoona]: New Year, new look~ Tears & Smile fighting!

[Park Hyung-sik]: Hyung! Happy New Year! Let's drink together again this year!

[Kang Ha-neul]: Jae-hoon, new year, new look~ I heard you took on a new film directed by Ryoo Seung-wan? Share your experience with me sometime!
[Kim Ji-won]: Happy New Year! Remember to be nice to our Krystal!

[Lee Kwang-soo]: Hey! You have to drink with me for the first drink of the new year! Otherwise, we're done!

……

Kang Jae-hoon replied to each message one by one, then casually clicked on the trending topics list—

#MBC Drama Awards Ha Ji-won#
#KBS Drama Awards Kim Hye-soo#
#SBS Drama Awards Lee Bo-young#
……

Expected.

Last night, the three major television networks held acting awards ceremonies simultaneously, a rare occurrence.

The trending topics list is dominated by top celebrities, and I can't find my name at all.

However, a controversial topic about Bae Suzy caught his attention—

Bae Suzy wins Best Actress Award at the MBC Drama Awards

Open the comments section, and you'll find it's full of tension:
[1st Floor]: This kind of acting skills can win an award??
[3rd Floor]: Staring blankly the whole time and reading lines in a flat, monotone way, and fans are still praising his "improved acting skills"?
[7th Floor]: Didn't you prepare a speech? That's so disrespectful to the awards ceremony!

[15th Floor]: JYP's PR department exceeded its KPIs this year.
[22nd Floor]: At least they're good-looking.
……

Kang Jae-hoon frowned and exited the page.

After thinking for a moment, he reopened Kakao and sent a message to Bae Suzy:

【Happy New Year!】

Are you alright?

Jin Dayuan glanced at his furrowed brow in the rearview mirror:

"what happened?"

Kang Jae-hoon hesitated for a moment, then said:
"There's been a lot of controversy online about Suzy winning the award."

"Mind your own business."

Jin Dayuan abruptly turned the steering wheel and entered the Fengen Temple parking lot:

"Aren't Lee Sung-kyung, Krystal Jung, and Yoona enough to keep you busy?"

"..."

Feng'en Temple is very popular, and even on New Year's Day, it was crowded with citizens praying for blessings.

The aroma of sandalwood fills the air.

The chanting, accompanied by the rhythmic striking of the wooden fish, brings a sense of tranquility to both body and mind.

As Kang Jae-hoon lined up with Kim Dae-won to offer incense, he was suddenly dazzled by the flashes of light from the crowd.

"Kang Jae-hoon-ssi! Are you here to pray for a good marriage?"

A girl wearing glasses excitedly held up her phone.

Jin Dayuan immediately stepped in front of him:
"Sorry, this is a private trip, please do not take photos."

The girl, however, wouldn't let it go:

Are you dating Crystal?

Kang Jae-hoon lowered his head and strode quickly toward the main hall, his ears filled with whispers:

"It really is Kang Jae-hoon!"

"Even more handsome than on TV..."

"Is that fierce-looking guy next to him his manager?"

……

In front of the Mahavira Hall.

Jin Dayuan stuffed a wad of banknotes into the donation box and received three sticks of incense in return.

"What do you want?"

Kang Jae-hoon took the incense stick, watching the wisps of smoke rise, and suddenly felt a little dazed:

"Peace... please."

"Get out!"

Jin Dayuan glared at him with a look of exasperation:
"I'll pray for you—a thriving career and the disappearance of unwanted romantic advances!"

"..."

After praying to Buddha, the two went to a Buddhist supplies store to get amulets for peace and safety.

Kim Dae-won suddenly turned his head and asked, "Lee Sung-kyung, Jung Soo-jung, and Im Yoon-a, right?"

Jiang Jae-hoon: “…”

"What, who's been forgotten?"

Kim Dae-won raised an eyebrow: "Bae Suzy too?"

Kang Jae-hoon hesitated for a moment, then said:
"...I'll take it."

Are you collecting stamps here?

"..."

The old monk behind the counter slowly took out four amulets embroidered with lotus patterns:

"What are the names of the four female benefactors?"

Jin Dayuan announced his name very quickly.

As the old monk finished writing the last stroke, he looked up and examined Jiang Zaihun:

"Your fate is extraordinary."

"Why do you say that, Master?"

The old monk fumigated each of the four amulets over the incense burner:
"It's already difficult for an ordinary person to ask for even one thing, but you've asked for four at once..."

He paused meaningfully, then said, "He must be a person of great virtue and fortune."

Kang Jae-hoon chuckled twice.

The old monk suddenly spoke as he handed over the amulet:
"Excessive peach blossoms can bring misfortune; remember to be mindful of moderation."

Kang Jae-hoon's hand froze in mid-air.

"Hahaha!"

Kim Dae-won finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, grabbing the amulet and stuffing it into Kang Jae-hoon's pocket:
"Thank you for your guidance, Master! We will definitely pay attention!"

Leaving the legal goods store, Kang Jae-hoon was still feeling awkward. Kim Dae-won patted him on the shoulder:

"Don't take it to heart. If those monks hadn't said that, why would you still come back to pay for talismans next time?"

(That makes sense...)
Jiang Zai Xun nodded silently and carefully put away the four amulets.

Lee Sung-kyung stuffed it into her wallet's inner pocket, Jung Soo-jung put it in the back of her phone case, and Im Yoon-a... hesitated for a moment before putting it in her coat's inner pocket.

As for Bae Suzy's, I'll put it in the side pocket of my backpack for now.

The snow had stopped, but the snow on the road slowed down the driving speed considerably.

My phone vibrated as I drove toward the training hall.

[Bae Suzy]: Happy New Year~
[Bae Suzy]: You saw the trending topic? I'm fine with nothing...

[Bae Suzy]: Thank you for your concern though^^
Kang Jae-hoon stared at the screen for a few seconds, considered his words, and replied:

"Well... awards are just temporary evaluations, so don't pay too much attention to what people say online. Didn't you also get criticized when you acted in 'Architecture 101'? But later everyone changed their minds and liked it."

After posting it, I felt it was too official, so I added another message:
"And... your portrayal of Tan Ruwei was quite adorable; at least I didn't fast-forward at all while watching it."

After the message was marked as read, the other party quickly replied:

[Bae Suzy]: Pfft... What kind of consolation is this? (laughing and crying emoji)
[Bae Suzy]: But thank you anyway~ Let's come to the shop for coffee another day, I'll treat you to a special cocktail.
Kang Jae-hoon quickly replied:

Okay, good luck in the New Year!

After sending the message, Kang Jae-hoon turned to look at the street scene rushing past the window.

Seoul's streets were brightly decorated on New Year's Day, and pedestrians' faces were filled with festive joy.

……

"arrive."

Jin Dayuan parked his car in front of a low-key gray building.

Several familiar vans were already parked at the entrance of the training hall, indicating that the other actors had also arrived.

As soon as Jiang Zaihun opened the car door, a biting cold wind rushed in.

He wrapped his down jacket tighter and strode towards the entrance.

"and many more."

Jin Dayuan suddenly called out to him and took a paper bag from the back seat:
"I almost forgot about your training uniform."

Kang Jae-hoon took the paper bag, inside which was a neatly folded tracksuit.

He was about to thank him when Jin Dayuan waved his hand:

"Go ahead, I'll pick you up at eight o'clock tonight."

The heating in the training hall was on full blast.

The air was filled with the smell of rubber mats mixed with sweat.

Several martial arts practitioners were practicing their moves in a corner, the crisp sound of their sticks clashing against each other particularly clear in the empty arena.

"Kang Jae-hoon?"

A lean, dark-skinned middle-aged man waved to him; it was Chen Weiqiang, the martial arts instructor from Hong Kong. He wore a red training uniform, a white towel around his neck, and his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

"Hello, Coach Chen."

Kang Jae-hoon hurried over and bowed respectfully.

"You are welcome."

Chen Weiqiang waved his hand and said in Korean with a Busan accent:
"Director Liu told me that if I were to play a criminal police officer, I would need to be ruthless, but also a bit naive?"

"Yes."

Kang Jae-hoon nodded: "The character is a rookie detective who has just started his career."

"OK!"

Chen Weiqiang clapped his hands: "Let's warm up first!"

"it is good."

Kang Jae-hoon quickly went to the locker room to change into his training clothes and came back to warm up.

Warm up by starting with the simplest joint movements.

Wrists, ankles, knees – every joint needs to be fully warmed up.

Following the assistant coach's demonstration, Kang Jae-hoon performed each movement correctly.

"Next is dynamic stretching."

High knees, side lunges, torso twists, planks... After ten minutes, fine beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead.

"Alright! Warm-up complete! Now I'll teach you basic fighting moves."

He immediately demonstrated a set of simple yet powerful grappling techniques, which Kang Jae-hoon had to practice repeatedly with the help of a stuntman.

"Pay attention to the point of exertion in the forearm and waist, and do not use brute force."

"clear."

"Three, two, one, start!"

Kang Jae-hoon lunged forward, his right hand clawing at the stuntman's throat. The opponent dodged to the side, and Kang Jae-hoon immediately changed his move, sweeping his left leg across the opponent's lower body.

The stuntmen stumbled in unison, and Jiang Zaixun took the opportunity to pin them to the ground.

"Good!"

Chen Weiqiang nodded approvingly: "This time I felt it was right!"

……

During halftime, Kang Jae-hoon slumped against the wall, gulping down a sports drink.

Huang Zhengmin appeared beside him at some point and handed him a new towel.

"Teacher?! What brings you here?"

"Let's see if you've been slacking off."

Huang Zhengmin sat down next to him: "Coach Chen is Director Lin's personal action choreographer. It's not easy to get him to come."

Kang Jae-hoon wiped the sweat from his face:
"That's really impressive... I feel like I'm about to fall apart."

“The filming schedule for ‘Veteran’ is very tight. Director Liu requires that all action scenes be filmed on location without stunt doubles. You have seven weeks to practice your pole dancing and fight scenes to a level that is suitable for on-screen performance.”

"I will."

"come on."

……

The afternoon training was even more rigorous.

Chen Weiqiang begins teaching parkour moves—

How to move quickly through narrow alleys, how to climb over obstacles, and even cushioning techniques when jumping from the second floor.

eight pm.

Training is finally over.

Kang Jae-hoon lay sprawled on the mat, not wanting to move a single finger.

Chen Weiqiang walked over, a rare smile on his face: "You've made great progress. Keep it up tomorrow."

Kang Jae-hoon reluctantly raised his hand and made an "OK" sign.

In the locker room, he looked at his disheveled reflection in the mirror—

His training clothes were wrinkled and clung to his body, his hair was soaked with sweat and clumped together, and his knees and elbows had varying degrees of abrasions.

Kang Jae-hoon unscrewed the mineral water bottle and gulped down several mouthfuls, letting the icy water drip down his chin onto his training uniform.

Although my whole body ached as if I'd been run over by a truck, a strange sense of exhilaration welled up inside me.

This is what men should practice!

It's way better than that damn pole dancing!
He recalled the humiliating experience of being repeatedly forced to practice twisting movements on a steel pipe by Lee Sung-kyung last week, and couldn't help but strike a fighting pose in front of the mirror.

Although the man in the mirror was drenched in sweat, his eyes were sharper than usual.

"Jaehoon, are you still not done?"

Jin Dayuan's voice came from outside the locker room.

Kang Jae-hoon finally snapped out of his daze, responded, and quickly went to the bathroom for a quick shower.

He winced in pain as the hot water washed over his broken skin, but he still couldn't help humming a little tune.

(End of this chapter)